The Thin Man - Dashiell Hammett

This is the Hundred-and-forty-seventh in my one-book-at-a-time bookshelf.

Early last century American hard nosed detective novel. Think Maltese Falcon and Humphry Bogart. This is my first Hammett and I rather like! Reminds me of Raymond Chandler (though not in the same class) and the living of a life so different to today in every respect except for the human condition. I don't believe the main character was ever sober enough to pass a breath test. Yet the The Thin Man passes the bookshelf test.

 

Finn Family Moomintroll - Tove Jansson

This is the Hundred-and-fortieth in my one-book-at-a-time bookshelf.

One of my clear memories of Moomin was of the Hobgoblin and his hat, which is a thread woven through this next book of Moonin on my bookshelf. The transformations from the hat are magical (in more ways than one) and a delight but tempered by the thought of the Hobgoblin. I remember so clearly because I was scared and the image of the Hobgoblin on the moon has stayed with me across the decades. I also remembered the ant lion for the same reason. I hadn't remembered the Groke until I came across her but the memory came flooding back.

Tove Jansson is at the top of her craft in this rich, evocative and gripping book.

 

Comet in Moominland - Tove Jansson

This is the Hundred-and-thirty-ninth in my one-book-at-a-time bookshelf.

It has been unusual for me to be reading a book from my childhood that I've not read since then. I have always reread all my favourite books regardless of their genre. In this case I had somehow overlooked Tove Jansson's classic books, perhaps because they lack visibility in my hometown, but I had never forgotten them. A visit to Sweden and Finland, coinciding with the 100th anniversary of Tove Jansson's birth and a walk through a retrospective of her paintings and objects and illustrations made me determined to revisit the books, which I am now doing.

I was a little nervous when I sat down to read the first book. Would I be disappointed? Would my memory have overstated the reality. I was not disappointed. I was amazed and delighted. The illustrations are an eloquent story all of their own, but the simplicity of the words and strength of the characters combine to make something amazing. Mr13 has now read this book and he said the same thing. He also said 'I really like Snufkin' and I have to agree. Many of the characters are an uncomfortable mirror but Snufkin is also inspirational in his desire for freedom and his ability to walk on stilts!

This book is a marvel and has been added to my 'must have' books on my bookshelf.

 

The Door Into Summer - Robert Heinlein

This is the Hundred-and-thirty-eighth in my one-book-at-a-time bookshelf.

 

I've added another Heinlein to my bookshelf. This one from 1957 but with a very new cover. I thought I'd read it but as I started I realised that this one, whose title I knew, had passed me by and I didn't know the story at all. What a treat. Not a long treat as I read it in the afternoon, and it had the unmistakable themes and characters of Heinlein, but a treat nonetheless.

 

 

Tintin and the Picaros - Herge

This is the Hundred-and-thirty-seventh in my one-book-at-a-time bookshelf.

In this last of the published adventures of Tintin Herge is a little derivative, reminiscent of his earliest work and lacking the spark of the previous dozen or more excellent books. A nice read but not much more. For the observant, Tintin has finally modernised his trousers!

Flight 714 - Herge

This is the Hundred-and-thirty-sixth in my one-book-at-a-time bookshelf.

In this book we have some memorable moments; touching down down under, return of very familiar villains (who get their dues), a little UFOlogy and stunning images. Another master work by Herge.

The Castafiore Emerald - Herge

This is the Hundred-and-thirty-fifth in my one-book-at-a-time bookshelf.

Another adventure without a villain. However amusing and entertaining. A worthy addition to the canon.

Tintin in Tibet - Herge

This is the Hundred-and-thirty-fourth in my one-book-at-a-time bookshelf.

This is my favourite Tintin adventure. Unusually it doesn't feature a conspiracy or blaggards but does have some familiar faces including a character from a much earlier adventure. I'm not entirely sure why this story works so well, perhaps the costume and scenery, perhaps the relentless faithfulness of Tintin, but whatever I suspect I am not alone in finding it deeply satisfying. I also have to repress the odd shout of 'Chang'.

The Red Sea Sharks - Herge

This is the Hundred-and-thirty-third in my one-book-at-a-time bookshelf.

We return to old villains and old friends, but there is an engaging familiarity in their presence and once again I found myself caught up in the tension of the story (and the comedy) as I skimmed the book! Herge was really comfortable at sea and it shows.

The Calculus Affair - Herge

This is the Hundred-and-thirty-second in my one-book-at-a-time bookshelf.

We return to earth and to familiar territory, chasing the in-demand Professor Calculus in cars and planes, revisiting old friends and old enemies. There are lots of great visual gags in this delightful book (sticking plaster).

Explorers on the Moon - Herge

This is the Hundred-and-thirty-first in my one-book-at-a-time bookshelf.

The exploration of the moon has been a dream for mankind for an age, and was still a dream when Herge wrote this book. This adventure is one of exploration of the unknown which cannot be disentangled from the more mundane treachery of humanity and in this case redemptive sacrifice. Great read.

Destination Moon - Herge

This is the Hundred-and-thirtieth in my one-book-at-a-time bookshelf.

This is a pearler of a story, all the more impressive for being written nearly two decades before the first actual trip to the moon. Herge has shown a fine eye for people and places but he also shows his real interest in the detail of science. This was an inspirational book for me and the frisson from the first time I read it, when I realised that I needed to find the next book At ONCE, has stayed with me. I particularly like the way Professor Calculus dominates this story in a manner not seen in earlier books.

Land of Black Gold - Herge

This is the Hundred-and-twenty-ninth in my one-book-at-a-time bookshelf.

As a child I never owned a Tintin book. They were a treasure borrowed from the local public library. However their collection of otherwise excellent hardcover editions didn't contain Land of Black Gold. It was mentioned in other books in footnotes, as something that happened was related to an incident from the aforementioned book. I spent many years keeping an eye out for this book. I'm sure you have had a similar experience. It was many many years later that I first read it and it's elusiveness will always give it a certain mystique in my mind.

Prisoners of the Sun - Herge

This is the Hundred-and-twenty-eighth in my one-book-at-a-time bookshelf.

The Seven Crystal Balls ended with Captain Haddock and Tintin flying to Peru in search of the unfortunate Professor Calculus. I particularly loved this book as a child, perhaps because of the stunning Peruvian drawings and the sense of being drawn into an ancient culture but also the classic solar eclipse theme, all handled beautifully.

The Seven Crystal Balls - Herge

This is the Hundred-and-twenty-seventh in my one-book-at-a-time bookshelf.

Herge draws on a popular theme, misfortune to the grave robbers, combines it with a South American theme and the usual cast of characters including the newly gentrified Captain Haddock (remember the monocle?). A simple story that leads us, and Tintin, across the world.

Red Rackham's Treasure - Herge

This is the Hundred-and-twenty-sixth in my one-book-at-a-time bookshelf.

This story picks up where The Secret of the Unicorn finishes and the hunt for lost treasure is (literally) full steam ahead. As well as the detectives and Sir Francis Haddock's descendant Tintin is joined by the persistent and irrepressible Cuthbert Calculus, whose mad (or slightly eccentric) scientist provides humour but also the critical tools that enable Tintin to succeed. The surprising and upbeat conclusion rounds out the story but also provides the underpinning of the remainder of the Tintin catalogue.

The Secret of the Unicorn - Herge

This is the Hundred-and-twenty-fifth in my one-book-at-a-time bookshelf.

For me the Tintin adventure really gets going with this book and its companion, Red Rackham's Treasure. The Haddock character gets a depth beyond expectation and beyond what had been glimpsed in the two previous books in which he featured. His engaging and colourful back story provides the grist for a mysterious mystery that Tintin pursues with typical tenacity, aided in the usual manner by the bumbling detectives. I'm not surprised that Spielberg chose this story line for his (in my opinion) successful translation of Tintin to the big screen. It is a ripper.

Cigars of the Pharaoh - Herge

This is the Hundred-and-twenty-fourth in my one-book-at-a-time bookshelf.

There are misunderstanding with the detectives from Scotland Yard, clues and red herrings and a trail of drug running, a mysterious eastern Fakir and a Prince. All ingredients for another adventure.

Tintin in America - Herge

This is the Hundred-and-twenty-third in my one-book-at-a-time bookshelf.

Without doubt my least favourite book in the canon. The caricatures are too over-played and the plot is repetitive and lacks engagement. However it does have the elements that define Tintin, just not so well constructed.

The Blue Lotus - Herge

This is the Hundred-and-twenty-second in my one-book-at-a-time bookshelf.

Early Tintin, not as well rounded as later book and with a tendency for the plot to be a little thin.However we are introduced to Chang, a young friend who plays a pivotal role in a much loved book later in the sequence.