World Book Night is on April 23rd 2012 . I applied to be a giver and chose a book ” The Time Treveller’s Wife” as my first choice as I thought it would be a great book to give. Easy to read, heart-warming story, and a very interesting take on the classic problems-of-tru-love theme.
World Book Night books
However a lot of people wanted to give that away so I was not selected. Not surprising – it has had a great deal of publicity particularly because of the film.
I have been chosen to give away my second choice “Touching the Void” by Joe Simpson (in the centre of the book covers.) For me this is armchair mountaineering. Daring and adventure at second hand while reading safely by the fire. It is the unlived life as I hever never been mountaineering but I respond to the appeal of the wide open sky, rock, snow and being on top of the world.
It is an easy book to read. Practical in detail and you can almost believe you are in the mountains with him. My aboslutely favourite part, however, was when he was in the most horrific experience and all he could think of was that song by Boney M “Brown Girl in the Ring.” An everyday pop song with a strong rhythm … how unpretentious!
You may know that his line was cut by his fellow mountaineer who effectively gave him up. I love the non-dramatic treatment of life and death. It is so often the samll details that contain the drama.
If you haven’t read it find me on World Book Night and I will put a brand new real life paper copy into your hand!
(Or at least let me know in the comments!)