Wollie Boehm

Is a filmmaker and a writer originally from south Africa but currently living in London. See more about her here: http://dukebox.life/wollie-boehm/ Twitter: @WollieB Facebook: http://Facebook.com/Wollie.Boehm.5 Instagram: @WollieB

Feb 092018
 

Naomi-Alderman_The-Power_323x499

I really enjoyed this book. I like fiction that makes one think and takes one to new places, offering up new territory in thought experiments. “The Power” offered an exciting narrative landscape and held a lot of potential.

I think the author’s choice of characters through whom to tell the story was interesting, presenting perspectives from most of the main archetypal seats of power and illuminating how they are affected and affect the story.

I enjoyed the ironic Mother Eve twist in the end – reminding us that sometimes one can inadvertently fuel the fire rather than blow it out.

Although the common sentiment that “absolute power corrupts absolutely” permeates this story, it would have been nice if the author had allowed at least one character to triumph and thereby offer up a more constructive, perhaps slightly more proactive, alternative of how “absolute power” can be or should be managed more responsibly.

If you are looking for a science fiction story that does what science fiction should do best, cast new light on life in the real world, then read this book!

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Jan 212018
 


Alexander McCall Smith The No.1 Ladies's Detective Agency

My thoughts:

I enjoyed this story. It is not my usual cup of Rooibos but I was interested in Mma Precious Ramotswe from the get go. I think this is a wonderful example of how to give a character a wonderful authentic voice. Personally, it was also nice to hear about vaguely familiar things that reminded me of my distant past. I liked the ending.

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Jan 142018
 


Blake Crouch "Dark Matter"

My thoughts:

I really enjoyed the concept of this book and it has fuelled my imagination no end and I sometimes wish I had written this book. However, I do not envy the author for having to struggling with the conundrums and complexities this concept must have presented. A fantastic intellectual and emotional challenge I suspect.
The only down side, if there could be a down side to such a wonderful book, I would say was the ending. But then, how does one deal with the problem of infinity nice and neatly in the final pages of a novel?

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Jun 062016
 

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Those that know me… know I am the last person to get involved in politics. I have never really had much time for power spats and peacocking, perhaps because I have a cynicism about how much politics can be influenced by an ‘lowly’ individual like myself. I am not knocking or diminishing the efforts of those who have changed the world with one voice like Mandella, Mother Theresa, The Dali Lama and so forth. In fact, I am acknowledging how incredible and mystifying I find their awesome achievements.

I am more of a person who believes that, if I want to change the world, I have to change myself and then kind of hope that others think it is a good idea to follows suit. So, I am usually very happy to let more able bodies pick up the political ropes and get on with it.

However, on this occasion, regarding the referendum, I will say this…

It is not political, as in something out there in the world… This very personal!

Sometimes our friends go through rough times. Sometimes they are skint or need to bunk out on our couch. Sometimes they even treat us badly. But because they are our friends, we buy them that pint, we sit up till 3am listening to their woes and share your last square of loo-roll to dry their tears. We pick them up when they need us and we love them because we know we are not perfect either, and we hope that when the time comes and we need someone to laugh or cry with or to stand shoulder to shoulder, they will be there in the best way they can.

Why? Because they are our friends. Because that is what friends do.

Or…

We become Billy-no-mates — rich, well rested, unencumbered, probably with rolls of our precious Pounds to use for loo-roll — but out in the cold and alone!