Book Name : Rat Race
Author : Dick Francis
What is it about : A laid-back, sometimes bitter ex-BOAC pilot with a not-too-clean flying record, became involved in an insurance scam in the horse racing circle. In the end of the story, became the hero with an almost-fatal stab wound, got the girl, took the cash and hobbled off to the sunset (something like that).
Some thoughts after having read the book : A hark back to the distant past where people actually sat by the phone awaiting news from missing family members; when books were less commercial and followed no known familiar formula; when heroes were reluctant and flirting was subtle - think Cary Grant, Audrey Hepburn in BW movies - that's my impression of the book. An overall feel-good book and the reader would feel happy for the characters at the end of the book, without much Hollywood-hype fanfare, just no-fuss, comfortable Middle-England pleasantness.
Would I recommend this book to you : If you enjoy sitting by the radio listening to an exciting episode being read to you by a well-spoken Englishman, this is your book - a nostalgic old-timer. Take the book to a beach; or just read it to gain insights into a slice of England (horse racing, private jet business, esoteric airport locations ...); or just read the book for its good use of English - a good choice for extra-curricular reading material for say a student going on to Secondary School Form 1.
Author : Dick Francis
What is it about : A laid-back, sometimes bitter ex-BOAC pilot with a not-too-clean flying record, became involved in an insurance scam in the horse racing circle. In the end of the story, became the hero with an almost-fatal stab wound, got the girl, took the cash and hobbled off to the sunset (something like that).
Some thoughts after having read the book : A hark back to the distant past where people actually sat by the phone awaiting news from missing family members; when books were less commercial and followed no known familiar formula; when heroes were reluctant and flirting was subtle - think Cary Grant, Audrey Hepburn in BW movies - that's my impression of the book. An overall feel-good book and the reader would feel happy for the characters at the end of the book, without much Hollywood-hype fanfare, just no-fuss, comfortable Middle-England pleasantness.
Would I recommend this book to you : If you enjoy sitting by the radio listening to an exciting episode being read to you by a well-spoken Englishman, this is your book - a nostalgic old-timer. Take the book to a beach; or just read it to gain insights into a slice of England (horse racing, private jet business, esoteric airport locations ...); or just read the book for its good use of English - a good choice for extra-curricular reading material for say a student going on to Secondary School Form 1.
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