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Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated Unspeakable in Books

Oct 22, 2017 (Updated Oct 22, 2017)  
Unspeakable
Unspeakable
David Talbot, Chris Hedges | 2016 | History & Politics
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
A biting outlook on American politics by a veteran journalist
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Chris Hedges and Salon founder David Talbot have a frank conversation about political taboos in this new series of books on 'forbidden' topics.

Hedges writes about politics with a principled fury and an eye to pointing out injustice, even at the cost of his own career as an acclaimed war correspondent. The book is a long-running commentary on the many issues Hedges confronts in his writing, including war, Occupy Wall Street, and the New York Times's relationship to organs of state power.

At times, he sounds like a bitter preacher, at other times, he is focused and forms excellent arguments against the establishment. His views on the pornification of society are liberating, finally addressing the underlying issues of economics invading the private space.

His observation that the today's ruling elites are out of touch with the country they govern and has borne out in the 2016 election cycle, shows that even the most stridently expressed views aren't necessarily wrong.
  
A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (2019)
A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (2019)
2019 | Drama
Inarguable indicator of cultural hegemony (movie built around an entirely US-centric cultural figure manages to get an international release) also turns out to be an impressive and moving drama. Cynical and misanthropic journalist is assigned to interview beloved children's TV host and font of decent folksy wisdom. Can the power of niceness conquer all?

Movie inevitably loses a lot of its resonance for a viewer who only became aware of Fred Rogers and his TV show a short while ago, but this is still a charming and imaginative film. Just how much of it is actually true is probably one of those questions best not asked, but Hanks gives a brilliant performance, somehow managing not to come across as incredibly cheesy, while - in a less showy role - Matthew Rhys is also extremely good as the journalist. If you take away the slightly surreal Fred Rogers elements this is basically just another drama about someone working out his issues with his father, but it's a highly impressive one.
  
The Cutting Place (Maeve Kerrigan #9)
The Cutting Place (Maeve Kerrigan #9)
Jane Casey | 2020 | Crime, Thriller
10
9.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
I’m becoming addicted to these Maeve Kerrigan books. Ok, I’ve only read Cruel Acts before this, but I’ve now bought all the others, and I’m writing this having read the book that comes AFTER The Cutting Place. So.

The characters of Maeve Kerrigan and Josh Derwent are, I’ll be honest, my main motivation for reading these books. The chemistry between them is quite something!

The cases are fascinating too. A mud lark on the Thames finds a human hand. DNA results say it belongs to a missing journalist, and so Maeve is pulled into what the journalist was last investigating: The Chiron Club. A private members club for rich, privileged men.

It’s not all about the case, and that’s what I like most about these books - the mix. Maeve’s new boyfriend Seth, isn’t as he at first seems, and a secret that Maeve has been keeping from Josh is revealed in the worst possible way.

These are just fantastic books, and I will be reading the backlist. That should keep me occupied 😳
  
TO
Tears of an Afghan warlord
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
With careful and outstanding illustrations that give a weight to the setting and characters, this story of a Belgian journalist gives the story of Afghanistan from a non-US point of view. The encroaching of the Taliban at the withdrawal of the western forces echoes books like Malala's biography and show how little was really accomplished. As a way to bring this real-life tragedy to a different readership is a needed thing, well done to the writers and artist.
  
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Kate (355 KP) rated Secret City in TV

Apr 6, 2019  
Secret City
Secret City
2019 | Mystery
Came across this on Netflix and thoroughly enjoying it, completely different to what I normally watch. Am about half way through series one and is compelling. It is a political drama based in Australia with twists and turns, the only problem is that I keep expecting the unusual to happen as Anna Torv plays the main role of a journalist but those into sci-fi may remember her from the series Fringe and to be honest I haven’t seen her in anything else.