Tag: books

What’s David Szalay’s book “Flesh” about

December 5, 2025

The Booker prize for 2025 went to David Szalay for his book Flesh. Szalay’s father is Hungarian, and his mother is Canadian. He was born in Montreal, but the family moved to London when he was one year old. Szalay studied at Oxford and lived in Hungary before settling in Vienna.

As a Canadian of Hungarian origin, I felt an ethnic kinship with Szalay and decided to read his book. And the book did not disappoint; I could not put it down and finished it in one day.

The book is the story of a hapless Hungarian, Istvan, who goes with the flow, lacks agency, and shows no emotion. He is someone whose life is shaped more by unexpected, random events than by himself.

For example, Istvan is seduced by a woman his mother’s age when he is fifteen years old. The woman ends the affair when Istvan falls in love with her. Istvan does not want to end the relationship, and while pursuing the woman, he ends up knocking down the woman’s husband, resulting in his death. As a consequence, Istvan is sent to a juvenile detention facility for three years.

Not knowing what to do when coming out of the detention center, a friend asks him to help import drugs from Croatia. When that adventure dries up, he joins the military and serves in Iraq. Coming home from the war with PTSD for which he receives treatment, he is only able to secure a job as a bouncer at a nightclub.

And random events continue to buffet him and shape his life. At the pub he frequents after work, he becomes friendly with the bartender and ends up in a relationship with her. She is married and stopped the affair in a year, afraid that her husband might discover the relationship. Istvan takes the end of the relationship nonchalantly; he seems unmoved by the experience.

In the next phase of his life, Istvan moves to London and becomes a driver for a wealthy family. The pattern of married women taking up with Istvan follows him wherever he goes. The industrialist’s young wife starts an affair with the obliging Istvan. When the industrialist, conveniently, gets cancer and dies, Istvan marries the widow, whose son dislikes him, for having an affair with his mother and subsequently marrying her.

Following the industrialist’s death, I thought the storyline became a bit unrealistic when Istvan takes over the company and starts making real estate deals with no education or experience in the field.

 But then the plot begins to close: when Istvan’s son and his mother have a car accident that takes the boy’s life and cripples his mother. The mother dies later without ever regaining consciousness.

Istvan becomes lonely but continues to lead the life of the moneyed class until the industrialist’s son, Istvan’s stepson, inherits control of the family company at age 25 and ousts Istvan. Losing his upper-crust existence in England, Istvan returns to Hungary and moves back in with his mother, living in the same apartment where he grew up. The story ends with his mother dying.

I thought the author could have added some essential details. For example, is Istvan a handsome, athletic individual attractive to women? I do not know, since the author never describes him in terms of his physical appearance.

Or perhaps Istvan is a charming conversationalist? No, the conversations are monosyllabic, with “yeah,” “what do you mean,” and “yeah, OK.” Istvan is unable to put together a sentence, an expression, or an opinion. The conversations are in the third-person present tense, which propels the action quickly and that is why I kept reading the book until I finished it.

Instead of describing Istvan’s physical appearance, however, the author does describe his behavior in detail: he smokes incessantly and uses alcohol and drugs for relaxation, habits he shares with his numerous women friends. And the sex encounters are described graphicslly.

There are also gaps in the story; for example, there is no description of Istvan’s tour in Iraq or of his stay in the juvenile detention center. The reader learns about Istvan’s experiences during those periods in subsequent chapters.

I also wondered what the message is in the story. Is it about Istvan’s masculinity in bedding numerous women? Is it about the emotionally detached life that Istvan leads, perhaps resulting from his PTSD? Is it about the quality of current life, focusing on sex, smoking, alcohol and drugs?

Some reviewers found the book boring, others exciting. The plot and the sparse writing style appealed to me, but I did not find the protagonist appealing. Is Istvan a typical Hungarian, and does his lifestyle reflect everyday life today? The book did not provide an answer for me. But the jurors for the Booker prize clearly thought that the book is a meaningful reflection of life today.

Comments on Book “Enemy Contact” by Tom Clancy

August 17, 2025

I read many of Clancy’s books, such as The Hunt for Red October, and enjoyed them. This book, Enemy Contact, entertained but frustrated me. Published in 2019 and written by Mike Maden under Clancy’s name, this book leads the reader through numerous locations around the world and has multiple plots. But it does not hang together and leaves many questions to the reader’s imagination.

The best thing about the book is that it has a lot of action, and it’s a page-turner. Many of the chapters contain complete short stories but with further reading in the book, one understands how these fit into the overall theme. For example, in chapter one, the action takes place in Argentina and is a complete story. The context of how it fits into the overall narrative becomes clear later on. This happens many times in the book. I found this truncated structure frustrating, but it may be a popular trick to draw the reader further into the book.

The story unfolds in numerous locations, including Luanda, Angola, Gdansk, Poland, Washington, DC and Berlin, Germany. I have no problem with different parts of the world described, except that each location includes description of its architecture and streetscape. I understand the author needs to provide background and context, but the amount of information seems overkill.

And it is not only the description of all the locations, but the politics of the region is also covered. If you are a news hawk, then you are aware of many of the situations described, such as those in Angola, where the Chinese are building their “road and infrastructure” program using Chinese labor that creates friction with available local labor in the country.

The major theme connecting all the local stories revolves around an international crime syndicate involved in the production and distribution of drugs. Another theme involves a super sleuth, who is utilizing data mining techniques on secret U.S. cloud storage sites to gather and sell this information. The connection between these two themes is tenuous and artificial but I read the book for its entertaining value and did not spend time on trying to follow the logic of the stories.

The characters in the book are all unique. They include brothers who served in the French Foreign Legion; a visionary who developed a world-leading security system used by the U.S. government, and his attractive wife, who oversees technical development for the company and recruits the best programmers in the world. Among these programmers is a Chinese individual who was raised in the U.S. and whose friend in Thailand is undergoing gender transition. I wondered why eeverybody in the book has to be a unique character, the best programmer, a good-looking woman techie, and ex-French Foreign Legionnaires. Couldn’t. there be average people accomplishing challenging tasks?

There are several loose ends in the story that feel unfinished to me. For instance, Jack Ryan, the main character in the book, and his his attrctive female assistant in Poland develop a close friendship. He visits her home for dinner and bonds with her toddler. This friendship hints at a potential future relationship between Jack and the assistant. However, when she is drowning, she asks Jack to care for her young son, but nothing further develops. I found this aspect of the story incomplete.

And then there are some situations that are hard to believe; that are not realistic. When Jack arrives in the high mountains of Peru to honor a commitment he made to a friend who died in action, he gets drunk in a local pub, still nursing his guilt, feeling responsible for the death of his Polish assistant. A group associated with the international crime syndicate beat him up in his sleep and rob him of everything. Still, when he wakes up, he scrounges some clothing and climbs another few thousand feet to the top of the mountain without food, water and proper shoes and clothing. I hiked Machu Pichu and let me tell you, the air is thin, and it is cold and it is hard to believe that Jack, beaten up and without supplies, could accomplish the feat described. But reading the story is good entertainment.

The ending of the narrative felt brief and disappointing. As expected, the criminals are killed or imprisoned. There are no excting chases, or long-drawn-out tracking of the bad guys. The ending is just twenty pages long and comes quickly of a four-hundred-sixty-page book. An example is the end of Jack’s archenemy, a former French Foreign Legionnaire. Once located in Benghazi, Jack travels to Libya and shoots the Legionnaire, and that’s it. This resolution unfolds over just a couple of pages, which to me was a quick and decisive action but did not include a leadup with Jack’s feeling towards this gangster and the satisfaction that he undoubtedly drew from fionishing him off.

Overall, I thought the book was entertaining. It contains numerous plots, an abundance of colorful characters, and happens over a wide range of global locations. Additionally, it addresses an excessive number of current topics—political, moral, and technical—that could each have been developed into a story of their own.

While reading the book provided instant excitement, it was ultimately forgettable. It does not hold up to Clancy’s earlier works, which were much more focused in terms of geography and subject matter.

‘Long Bright River’ Review: Thrills and Shortcomings

June 5, 2025


I read a book that isn’t typically in my usual genre, but I reviewed it nonetheless. I will first summarize the book, followed by my mostly negative comments, reflecting my bias towards this genre.


“Long Bright River” by Liz Moore is a captivating blend of biography, thriller, and social commentary. Published in 2022, it became a New York Times bestseller. Set in Philadelphia’s Kensington neighborhood, the story centers on two sisters raised by their grandmother after their mother’s drug overdose causes their guilt-ridden father to abandon them.


Kacey, the social and outgoing sister, succumbs to addiction, while her introverted and intelligent sister, Michaela, becomes a police officer. Michaela’s life experiences and thoughts about her neighborhood, sister, and colleagues are woven into the narrative, which includes a biographical element and her self-analysis and introspection.


Michaela narrates the story in the first person. As their grandmother struggles to raise them, Kacey ends up living on the streets. Meanwhile, Michaela patrols the neighborhood where her sister now lives. Despite having shared a bed and a close bond during their childhood, the sisters are now separated by their very different lifestyles. When Kacey disappears, Michaela searches for her but finds that Kacey is avoiding her, partly due to feelings of shame about her situation.

Interwoven with the story of the two sisters is the troubling issue of the murders of four women living on the streets. Michaela fears Kacey may become the next victim. A significant twist occurs when Kacey gives birth to a boy fathered by Michaela’s boyfriend; Michaela then adopts the child. As a single mother, Michaela faces many challenges, including securing housing, finding babysitters, and balancing these responsibilities with her work as a police officer.


The plot builds to a crescendo as Michaela searches for her sister, while the police work to uncover the identity of the killer. During her investigation, Michaela discovers her father in Delaware after finding information in her grandmother’s files. As the story unfolds, a new theme of reconciliation between Michaela and Kacey emerges. The grand finale takes place in an abandoned church, where Michaela confronts her sister, her sister’s boyfriend, and the killer. In the end, the father and the sisters reunite, leading to a happy conclusion.


Having enjoyed works by Clive Cussler, Ken Follett, John Grisham, and others, I found this book to be lacking in sophistication in terms of plot, excitement, and context. It explores themes of a dysfunctional family and police work, including rogue cops—topics that are quite prevalent today.


Almost 500 pages, I found the first half of the book boring, as it delves into excessive detail about the sisters’ upbringing. The author could have described the girls and their environment more concisely.


The book’s structure is gimmicky, employing a non-linear format that alternates between the past and present, jumping back and forth. This structure feels tiresome and artificial. Why couldn’t the author have told the story chronologically? I don’t believe it would have diminished the narrative.


Another structural choice the author makes is to speed up the events towards the end, building up to a crescendo that is far more exciting than the first half of the book. Many thrillers I’ve read are thrilling and eventful from start to finish, making them true page-turners.


This book uses common tropes found in the police/detective thriller genre. For instance, every writing course I’ve taken recommends starting with a hook to capture the reader’s attention, such as a murder, which indeed occurs right at the beginning of this book. Thrillers often involve identifying multiple suspects through mistaken accusations before revealing the real criminal. This story follows a familiar pattern, presenting three false leads before unveiling the actual perpetrator. The author’s tried-and-true storyline was a winning formula—the formula I have seen before.

One major issue with this book is that the identification of the murderer lacks a proper investigation. There is no detailed explanation proving the suspect’s guilt; the police simply name the guilty party, providing no evidence. In most other books I’ve read, there is a thorough investigation that uncovers evidence supporting the conclusion of guilt. This book deviates from the usual pattern of these types of stories, which typically involve a more comprehensive investigation.

I also find it interesting that a New York Times bestseller addresses a wide range of arguably unpleasant social and economic issues, such as prostitution, fentanyl, corrupt police officers, dysfunctional family structures, out-of-wedlock childbirth, abandoned houses, decaying neighborhoods, and addiction. Do all these social problems need to be included to create a “bestseller”? Or would one or two of these topics be sufficient to form the foundation for a successful book?

I’m not saying this isn’t a good book; many people have enjoyed it, which is why it became a bestseller. The writing flows well and captures the interest of some readers. Although I wouldn’t personally buy this book since it’s not my preferred genre, I can understand how it might appeal to others seeking entertainment. It’s the kind of book one would read on a long airplane ride, which is precisely what I did when I flew from Ottawa to Vancouver and back.

Exciting Update: My Second Blook Coming on Kindle!

May 4, 2025

My second “blook” will soon be on sale on Amazon Kindle. I published my first, “Blog to Blook: Where My Hobby Led, ” in 2023. Let me start by quoting a couple of paragraphs from my first blook. This will help explain what a blook is. It will also show how I became involved with it.

“You may wonder, what exactly is a blook? The term combines the words “blog” and “book.” A blook is a printed book based on or consisting of blog content. The first book of this kind was “User Interface Design for Programmers” by Joel Spolsky. It was published in 2001. The book was popularized in 2003 by journalist Jeff Jarvis from New York. Since then, several other blooks have been published. In 2006, the Blooker Prize was established. It was modeled after the Man Booker Prize. The first Blooker Prize was awarded to “Julie and Julia” by Julie Power. It was a cookbook featuring recipes inspired by Julia Child’s blog. This cookbook also inspired a film of the same name, released in 2009.”


“I was intrigued by the concept of a blook. I felt inspired to create my own, having been a blogger for years. The pandemic was the catalyst for my blogging journey. When avoiding social interactions and staying home became not only desirable but often mandatory. When my gym and community center, where I played bridge, closed, I wondered what to do at home. Retirement gave me ample free time, so I wrote about my opinions and activities to stay engaged.”

I call my blog site an “evolving journey.” Readers can find unfiltered opinions on daily life. The site covers various global and local issues, including travel, immigration, and housing. I base my views on lived experiences in North America, Europe, and beyond.

The Covid pandemic and the Ukraine war inspired many of the blogs in my first blook. These blogs were interwoven with personal experiences. Other posts focused on Canadian healthcare and immigration policies and their impact on the availability of doctors and housing. I also wrote about memorable events, like attending graduations and vacationing with family.

The Ukraine war is still ongoing, but it has become less newsworthy. I shared my thoughts and memories about the war in Ukraine involving Russia in my first blook. As for Covid, it is mostly behind us now.

This volume includes blogs about travels to Corsica in France in 2023. It also covers travels to the West Coast, to Vancouver and Portland, in 2024. I wrote about forming a book club with friends. I reviewed our chosen books on blogs.

I have gained many subscribers for my blog and discovered a community of kindred spirits by reading their blogs. Some bloggers specialize in travel writing, while others focus on cooking and recipes. Many of them have a large group of readers. This led me to consider whether I should also specialize in a single topic. Still, I prefer to write about topics I find weird or controversial. I do not want to limit myself to one area, like travel. I will continue to write on various subjects that interest me.

Exploring My Evolving Reading Preferences

February 19, 2025


Reading competes for my time with other activities, such as exercising at the gym, shoveling snow to clear the driveway, watching the Super Bowl and the four-nation hockey tournament, and keeping up with news, including Trump’s parade of executive orders announced daily. But I belong to a book club, and our get-togethers, served with a light lunch, are highly enjoyable.

The book club met to select readings for the coming year. We each recommend a book, host the group, and lead the discussion. To my surprise, many of the choices were nonfiction this year.

My selection was also nonfiction: Dr. Schwartz’s book, Grey Matter, a detailed neurosurgery biography. The book features case studies on prominent individuals, including Senators John McCain and Ted Kennedy, both of whom had brain tumors or aneurysms. Dr. Schwartz explains the treatments administered to them. While reading the book, the medical terminology, descriptions of brain anatomy, and current brain cancer treatments overwhelmed me. Though fascinating and well-written, the book’s five-hundred-page subject matter tested my patience. It was also quite time-consuming, even for someone who reads quickly.

The previous month’s selection was a science fiction novel, The Martian, by Andy Weir. This novel tells the story of a team of astronauts on Mars. The author’s captivating tale, set in 2035, is rich in scientific detail, featuring meticulous observations of Mars’s climate and surface and the challenges of surviving there for a year and a half. The plot moves much faster than the one in Grey Matter, but again, I felt overwhelmed halfway through the book by the scientific details of how to live on Mars.

While I liked these books, I considered which of the recent books I read had a significant impact on me. One was Alice Munro and a collection of her short stories. I couldn’t put the book down; the prose flowed effortlessly, and I felt a strong connection to the characters as if I knew them. While bizarre, her storylines inexplicably moved me. Despite the criticism of Munro’s portrayal of female suffering and her relationship with her daughter, I saw my life and familiar settings reflected in her work.


I was also captivated by Red Notice, Bill Browder’s account of the Russian stock market’s rise, his triumphs, and his exile under Putin. Twists fill the narrative, highlighting the dangers of life in a corrupt society, where dissent can lead to prison or even murder for nonconformists. The book brought back memories of my early years living under the communist regime in Hungary. It also reminded me of my brother, a PhD candidate at Yale under Bill Browder’s late father, Felix Browder.

Unforgettable was reading Rohinton Mistry’s Fine Balance while flying to India in 2008. Was it ever a sad book? I kept reading it and thought it could not get any worse, but it did, and the ending was terrible. But its historical and cultural context made a deep impression on me. It described Indira Gandhi’s forced sterilization program. The storytelling was smooth, and I observed characters closely resembling those in the book when we landed.

Beyond books that had a memorable impact on me, I considered the genres I was interested in and recalled all the Westerns, thrillers, and travel books I have read.

I must have read most of Louise L’Amour’s works, which are those of a popular American author of Westerns. L’Amour is a smooth storyteller with fast-moving plots describing good and evil characters in which the good people always prevail. While his stories have some historical value, they are not comparable to the scientific details in The Martian, the medical information in Gray Matters, or the cultural/historical context of Fine Balance.

Like many people, I have a fondness for thrillers. However, I now reserve time to read this genre when flying, on vacation, or resting while sick in bed. In this category, I read many books by Agatha Christie, Nelson DeMille, Dan Brown, Clive Cussler, Robert Parker, and Tom Clancy. I particularly enjoyed Parker’s Spenser adventures.

Travel writing has also interested me. Kathy and I love traveling, and reading about the countries we have visited makes it all the more interesting. My favorite authors in this genre are Paul Theroux and Bill Bryson. They both have smooth writing styles, and Bryson is humorous. When I read their books, I am right in their location; their descriptions are very convincing. Theroux’s conversations with locals add an extra dimension, providing insight into what people in different countries think about global events. For example, his book Deep South evoked memories of my North Carolina stay, particularly his insightful portrayals of villages I knew.

Thinking about my favorite authors, books, and genres, I realized how cultural and historical influences had shaped my reading preferences. My early memories include my grandfather reading Jules Verne to my brother and me before sleep when we were under ten. My grandfather’s library included every book Jules Verne ever wrote. So, of course, we read many of Verne’s works. That was in Hungary in the 1950s. In addition to Verne, our staple for reading then was the German author Karl May’s books, including the Winnetou series, stories of the American West. And while learning English, I practiced by reading Somerset Maugham. I found his easy-flowing storytelling style and his use of simple English words easy to follow. Remember Ashenden or the British Agent?

These days, I seldom read Maugham, Clancy, or Westerns. Instead, my interests have evolved toward travel writers, biographies, and nonfiction. My reading list includes a book on cryptocurrency, Walter Isaacson’s biography of Elon Musk, and “Sapiens” by Yuval Harari.