Review: On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft

On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

On Writing rightly has a reputation for being THE book to read if you want to write and I think any wannabe writer would be foolish to overlook it. Whether you like King's books or not (I've only read two of them), he undeniably knows how to write a good story. His back catalogue of bestsellers - ranging from thrillers to fantasy - is a testament to that.

This is such a useful handbook for those hankering to write fiction (he gives tips on everything from finding a place to write to finding an agent) that there's not much for those who don't want to write. There are some straightforward memoir bits - for example, the "CV" section charts his childhood - but there is a lot (a lot!) of detail about writing fiction. As I have no plans to write a novel, I did find myself skipping some bits to be honest. Still, I also learnt a fair bit that I will try to apply to my writing (should I ever figure out what it is I do want to write).

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Review: One Pair Of Hands

One Pair Of Hands by Monica Dickens
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

On the surface, this is a charming memoir of an upper class girl slumming it as a "cook general" (cook who does housework as far as I can tell). Dickens amusingly describes her own incompetence, the interesting characters she works with (from dimwitted maids to dragons of governesses), and the sheer awfulness of her employers

However, there is an underlying question that's never really addressed - why, on earth, is she doing it? At the start of the book, she claims she went into service because she was "bored". But, that doesn't explain why she sticks at it for so long. You do wonder what she's trying to prove or who she's trying to prove it to. She doesn't outright say that she comes from a wealthy family, but that's the implication - certainly, you don't give up jobs as easily as she does if you are at all worried about money (plus her Great Granddad was the Dickens, so you'd think there'd be a bit money left over from his time).

There is a suggestion that she's somewhat flighty - before being a cook general, she tried and failed to be an actress. And after her stint as a cook general, she tried various things (including being a nurse, as detailed in One Pair of Feet) before she eventually became a writer. All of these things makes me want to read more of her books. I want to find out why someone who comes from privilege seems so determined to escape it.



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Review: Doctor Who: The Day She Saved the Doctor: Four Stories from the TARDIS

Doctor Who: The Day She Saved the Doctor: Four Stories from the TARDIS by Susan Calman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A fun little book for Doctor Who fans, looking at the times when the Doctor's companions have saved the day. Does make you realise how good it is that we now have a female Doctor Who. There is a sense of "making do" with the sidekicks being the heroes for once because the top job is out of reach.

I was a bit disappointed with Calman's entry. She isn't an experienced writer and it shows - her version of Clara was fine but wasn't one that was in tune with the TV series. Jenny T Colgan, who uses the "T" in her name when writing Sci-Fi novels, is an established writer of Doctor Who novels and did a much better job with her Rose story. In fairness to Calman, though, Clara (in terms of the TV series) is probably the least interesting companion of the four - so she didn't have much to work with.

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Review: Circe

Circe by Madeline Miller
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I surprised by how much I liked this (I only bought it because there was an Amazon deal) - I didn't really like Miller's previous novel Song of Achilles, which won the then Orange in 2012, as I found it too soppy for want of a better word.

This, however, is both unsentimental and compelling. Circe's slow acceptance of herself as someone who does not fit in with the her kin (the Gods) or fit in with those she has a natural sympathy with (the mortals) is beautifully done. The only thing I would say is that the ending is a little a bit too neat - I liked it but I think a braver option would have been to leave things a little less wrapped up.

While you don't need to know the story of Circe to read this (I didn't), you may need to have your phone on hand so you look up certain Greek Gods and Heroes to keep up with who's who. Things gets very confusing when, later in the book, there's two characters with similar names (that to be fair, is explained).

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Review: Cheer Up Love: Adventures in depression with the Crab of Hate

Cheer Up Love: Adventures in depression with the Crab of Hate by Susan Calman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Mostly read this on Audible, which - being read by Calman herself - made it more personal.

At times both poignant & funny, her memoir gives a good insight into depression & anxiety. She doesn't claim to have the answers but does provide practical useful advice for coping with depression/anxiety.

What I thought was particularly brave & honest was to highlight how having mental health issues can make you self involved.
That sometimes, you need to recognise that people aren't talking about you or judging you on that thing you said because - well - you're just not that important to them. They've got their own stuff to deal with. Calman even sites the time her wife called her out for being selfish & never asking about how she's feeling. Calman is not suggesting having depressiom means you're selfish, more to be careful to avoid getting so caught up in how awful you feel that you become oblivious to the needs & feelings of those you love.

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