ordinary thunderstorms - william boyd
Ordinary Thunderstorms was waiting patiently for me all of November - it was my "Hell yes I completed NaNoWriMo Again!" book, my reward for being good and productive. And what a lovely reward it was.
The book reminded me a lot of my old favourite London Fields, with the extremely creepy villain resembling the delightful Mssrs Croup and Vandemar from Neverwhere: exciting travels through the upper and lower strata of London, good, thrillery plotting, and lots to think about. And really enjoyable writing, too - but that's no surprise from Boyd. I think I enjoyed Restless just a bit better, though: it felt tighter and more believable. This may just be the post-NaNo fatigue talking - perhaps I will have to re-read Ordinary Thunderstorms when better rested.
And also! I think the publishers should reconsider the covers they have put on both the US and the UK edition. The present covers say "this is a serious book", and it is, but it also works very well as a good thriller for on the train or on the beach. This would be so good for the Stieg Larsson crowd, as it is actually much better written and much meatier, but just as thrilling. Maybe a separate edition, like Harry Potter's grown-up covers?
04-12-2009
