Was a bit skeptical: it has a slightly gimmicky magical realist touch in that it's narrated by a gecko lizard who was human in his previous life. But it doesn't drift off into empty whimsy: the book has a storyline, and it involves politics and relationships in a way that's moving.

It's also well written: not sure whether it's the translator, the original writer, or both.

It's hard to describe why this book is good: it's a bit like "Saturday" by Ian McEwan or "We Need to Talk About Kevin" by Lionel Shriver: the quality comes from the accumulation of detail.

Well worth a look. Suspect this one will make my highlights list this year. Review, review.

What I'm Reading 2
Sink the Belgrano by Mike Rossiter. Workmanlike but absorbing account of the nuclear attack submarine H.M.S. Conqueror's stalking and attack on the Argentine cruise in the Falklands War.

Has a strong focus on the tactics of and life aboard the submarine: that seems to have gotten a lot less attention than the land and air battles above. Rossiter makes the claim that the sinking of the Belgrano was critical to the war, since fear of further attacks forced the Argentine navy, and in particular its main aircraft carrier, to stay in their 12-mile territorial waters.

While controversial at the time, since the UK government could not reveal that they had decrypted Argentine signals, the sinking seems more reasonable now. For one thing, Argentine sub the Santa Fe had similar orders to attack British ships wherever it found them; though it was disabled by helicopter before it could do so.

The weakness of the book is that it's a bit inconsistent with its handling of the rest of the war: going into a lot of detail in some areas, but skipping lightly over subsequent events. From the introduction I think the book was rushed out to meet an anniversary deadline: could have done with some refinement.

Overall, a worthwhile read if you're interested in the war. Might be a bit basic for the serious military buff though.

What I'm Watching
Saw the BBC Shakespeare production of Julius Caesar. Superb production: cheap sets as usual but some rip-roaring performances. Particularly liked Richard Pasco as Brutus.

This time I noticed the stoical elements more: I think Shakespeare must have been reading the same Cicero and Seneca things I have lately, as Brutus reacts to the death of his wife in a textbook stoical manner.

Web
Calculate your income percentile compared to UK households.

Tech. Computer recovery drive shaped like IV drip. 1980s car voice warning system.

US Native American place name map.