Something completely different:
in my reading
I was set to give away a book long on my shelves, The Abyssinian, but took another look at this 400 page book and decided I was in the mood, finally, to read and perhaps enjoy it. I am now in the middle of this extraordinary historical novel about an actual French embassy to the king of Abyssinia in 1699. The writing is superb and the fictionalized adventures of a French herbalist/apothecary as the emissary to Abyssinia, modern day Ethiopia, no less than astounding.
The author, Jean-Christophe Rufin, is a French author and doctor, one of the founders of Doctors Without Borders, and a former French ambassador to Senegal.
What are you reading this week?
Looking through Goodreads this morning, I came across a book recommended as "similar" to the Abyssinian, in other words a book about travellers from afar to a new country. This will be my next read.
The Discovery of America by the Turks by Jorge Amado, a romantic comedy by the incomparable Brazilian author Amado, a spoof on Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew, in which two Turks are persuaded to try to win over a Brazilian shrew.
Memes: The Sunday Post hosted by The Caffeinated Bookreviewer. Also, It's Monday: What Are You Reading, and Sunday Salon
Oh this does sound good, and interesting too that the author is with Doctors without Borders.
ReplyDeleteAren't you glad you didn't give it away without giving it a try?! For me, surprises like this are some of my favorite reads ever.
ReplyDeleteI hope the book that is said to be similar to The Abyssinian is just as good.
This sounds like a good read! I have done the same thing before, taken a book off my shelf to donate and then finally decide that I am in the mood to read it.
ReplyDeleteHave a good week!
I love it when a book surprises you!
ReplyDeleteWishing you a great reading week