-
Continue reading →: Book Review: Look Back in Anger by John Osborne
There is absolutely no doubt that John Osborne changed the face of British theatre when he wrote ‘Look back in Anger’. The first of the new post-war wave of ‘Angry Young Men’, you can see from the very opening lines that the epithet is well deserved as the chief protagonist,…
-
Continue reading →: Book Review: The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark
There are some books in this world which, I must surmise, have achieved a cult-like status among the older generation who remember the impact they created when first published but, in truth, have not been read afresh in many a decade. If they did, they might be unsettled by what…
-
Continue reading →: Book Review: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
This, arguably the most famous book of Coelho’s, is the second I’ve read of this author (the first being ‘Eleven Minutes‘). The novel is truly beautiful, simple and imbued with peace as seems to be the trademark of Coelho’s style. It deserves the fame it has received and is certainly…
-
Continue reading →: Book Review: Eleven Minutes by Paulo Coelho
This is the first book I’ve read by Paulo Coelho and, I suspect, it won’t be my last. The whole novel is, in many ways, a contradiction in motion and, true to that spirit, much of what I think of it is contradiction too. It is certainly one of the…
-
Continue reading →: Book Review: Spies by Michael Frayn
I’m currently reading the set texts (and one or two recommended ones) from my daughter’s A level English Literature course to help her prepare for the exams (it’s always easier to discuss themes and arguments with someone who has actually read the books after all). I’m glad I did because…
-
Continue reading →: Book Review: The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera
My introduction to Milan Kundera was ‘Slowness‘ and it was chosen entirely for pragmatic reasons – it was short. I wasn’t impressed, I have to say, and took my time to read his bestselling classic ‘The unbearable Lightness of Being’. My verdict? It’s definitely better than ‘Slowness’. I can see…
-
Continue reading →: Book Review: The Bones of Grace by Tahmima Anam
I was long looking forward to Anam’s third book in this ‘trilogy’ but though I enjoyed the book from the beginning – she is a masterful storyteller, of that there is no doubt – I was, nonetheless, a little disappointed. Firstly, the book really didn’t seem to be part of…
Hello, I’m Ken.
Welcome to Write Out Loud, my blog dedicated to all sorts of things to do with writing.
This page will be updated constantly every week with book reviews and writing-related stuff.
The blog is the baby sister of my personal blog kenthinksaloud where I write ‘Monday Murmurings’—insights into life and philosophy. Get a clever take on politics with ‘Wednesday Banker,’ and ‘Future Friday’ for the latest in psychology, environment, and tech.
I will use this blog to give helpful advice, tips, tricks and resources as I come across them to other writers and to advertise my own writing especially as my books start to be published.
Sign up to support and keep informed of all that’s going in my writing life and (I hope) to get useful, free help in your own writing career.
Write Out Loud (Reviews and Writing) 