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Saturday, October 17th, 2009
| Time | Event |
| 11:25p | Ashes of the Amazon by Milton Hatoum  Hatoum's third novel is again set in his hometown of Manaus, deep in the heart of the Amazon. It is 1964 when Lavo and Mundo meet at school and the beginning of the Brazilian military dictatorship that is to last 21 years. Bound by family connections that are gradually revealed as the novel progresses, the two establish a long-standing friendship. Mundo, an aspiring artist, has a turbulent relationship with his father, a wealthy tycoon who sees his son as little more than his heir. Time passes imperceptibly and without mention; Mundo grows more embittered and his need to rebel becomes increasingly compulsive, with devastating consequences. Although the translation is lucid, the story can be confusing. Yet the novel's themes of ambition and integrity have a universal appeal. guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2009 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds
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| 11:27p | To Love, Honour and Betray by Kathy Lette Lucy is a mess. Her catalogue of tribulations includes ex-best friend Renee who's stolen her drippy husband, Jasper, a teenage daughter who hates her and incipient alcoholism. Despite this, she still manages to wisecrack her way through every conversation. So does almost every other character, even the supposedly gruff Lockie, who runs the surf lifesaving class that Lucy joins and which proves the saving of her. "It's only in novels that coincidences seem contrived. In life, they happen all the time," Lette writes. Which is why, when our heroine swims naked in the sea in the middle of the night, Lockie happens to be out fishing, handily positioned to rescue her from drowning. To paraphrase another Aussie: can you tell where this is going yet? guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2009 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds
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