Three Monkeys Book Reviews
What makes for a good book review? That's a question that requires a thesis to answer, but we're sure of a couple of things here at Three Monkeys. A review that occupies itself solely with describing what happens in the book, to put it politely, stinks; A review with the singular aim of outlining whether the reviewer liked or disliked the book in
question may have its use, but you won't find it on TMO. We're interested in reviews that tug, tease, and engage with the work. That's the aim - whether we reach our target is for you, the reader, to decide. And if we don't make the mark, why not give it a go yourself? We accept
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Roberto Saviano's non-fiction novel on the Camorra has earned him a death sentence and armed escort in Italy.
By William Wall
Some years ago I stood on a pier near Naples and admired a brand new pleasure port under construction. The Neapolitan friend I was with soon put me right. ‘It’s the Camorra,’ he said. ‘Every major construction project is funded by them.’ I thought he was being ironic, but the point is made relentlessly in Roberto Saviano’s Gomorrah: a proper understanding of the role played by the Camorra (and the Mafia and other criminal organisations) must include a critical analysis of the organisation’s ...
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Helen Garner's first novel in fifteen years concerns itself with a truly universal theme - death.
David Yallop's book on the pontificate of John Paul II is subtitled 'Inside the dark heart of John Paul II's Vatican'.
Giovanni Arrighi, Professor of Sociology at Johns Hopkins University, compares western capitalism and the 'industrious revolution' of China - providing a useful insight into the history of world's most populated country in the process.
The story of a mixed-race family searching for identity in Northern England, told with spirit and skill by award-winning novelist Helen Walsh.
Jonathan Lethem follows up his acclaimed novel the Fortress of Solitude with an unexpected rock n'roll love story. A story which carries weighty themes under its scarce frame.
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Prize winning Israeli novelist and author gets to grips with the story of Samson, as part of the ongoing Myths series.
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Deeply impressive, though overshadowed, second novel by Alex Garland, author of The Beach. A thriller, set in Manila, that mixes atomic philosophy with street kids and gangsters.
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An award-winning reimagining of Walter Benjamin's final days during World War II, by Italian author Bruno Arpaia
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A collection of literary criticism from J.M.Coetzee, the South African author of novels including Disgrace, and The life and times of Michael.K.
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A collection of literary criticism from J.M.Coetzee, the South African author of novels including Disgrace, and The life and times of Michael.K.
Mark Haddon describes it as "the bastard love child of The Matrix, Jaws and The DaVinci Code", and Nicole Kidman was supposedly so taken by it that she asked the author to consider changing the protagonist's gender for a film version.
The Guardian's Spanish correspondent, Giles Tremlett, gives a panoramic view of Spain.
The first volume of Bob Dylan's long anticipated autobiography.
Veteran travel writer Peter Moore travels the Italian tourist trail on a 'cool' '61 Vespa.
A satirical look at Hungary's post Iron Curtain society. Anna Levay, a school teacher, finds herself blessed/cursed with a halo, i...
Fourteenth novel from American academic and satirist, Percival Everett. Originally entitled Making Jesus, apparently....
Historian Iftikhar H. Malik offers a wealth of case studies ranging from Muslim Spain and the Ottoman Empire to the present day, t...
Crime caper from Danny King, author of The Burglar Diaries....
A collection of folk tales from Zimbabwe and Botswana, recounted by Alexander McCall Smith, the author of The No. 1 Ladies' Det...
A novel set in a small, multi-cultural town during the violent dying days of the Ottoman Empire, written by English novelist, and ...
Poland’s first track suit novel? Dorota Masłowska’s debut novel, published when she was only 19 and causing a sensation i...
In a hitherto neglected area of study, Dr Rory Miller of King's College at the University of London, adresses the history of the ...
A retelling of Humanity's most famous disaster story, in this debut novel from American writer David Maine....
A story of love, loss and hidden truths, according to the publishers, by Ishiguro, author of amongst other titles The Remains o...
A portrait of Johan Cruyff drawing on numerous interviews conducted by the authors between the years of 1974 and 1997. ...
Man Booker Prize 2005 shortlisted (and bookie's favourite) novel from the author of Flaubert's Parrot and A history of t...
Collected essays from the celebrated and controversial Hitchens, ranging from responses to September 11th, through to literary cri...
An ambitious 'novel of stories' from Chuck Palahniuk, the American author of novels like Fight Club, Diary, and C...
An American grad student finds himself researching his roots amongst the Sierra Madre Mountains of Mexico, against a backdrop of ...
Social satire and black comedy from the author of My Happy Life and George Bush, Prince of Darkness....
The third novel from comedian Robert Newman. The Fountain at the Centre of the World is billed as "an anti-globalization no...
The latest novel from Irish based American Kevin Stevens, author of Cops and Robbers and the Rizzoli Contract. So...
An analysis of the role a resurgent American militarism plays in shaping foreign policy, written by ex-Special Forces serviceman S...
First novel by Iranian born author Marsha Mehran. Three Iranian sisters arrive in the west of Ireland, bringing their exotic cuisi...