The turn of the year is traditionally a time for reflection, and a time to ask "what's been the best of the year?" The answers to that, from the Blogcritics reviewers, provides a snapshot of a year of fine fiction, and challenging fact.
Deputy Books Editor Gordon Hauptfleisch chose The Road by Cormac McCarthy: In a picaresque and post-apocalyptic study of resolve in the face of desolation, the travels and travails of a father and young son — "each the other's world entire" — are traced as they contend with "borrowed time and borrowed world and borrowed eyes with which to sorrow it." A novel as harrowing and moving as it is keenly-focused, The Road, though a grim and undaunted rumination on ruination and depravity, allows for a glimmer of redeeming affirmation and love - attesting to McCarthy’s capacity for humanity, heart, and ultimate hope.
Tim Gebhart chose The Places In Between by Rory Stewart. Tim said: This year is tougher than last for selecting the "best book." While it's not meant as a slam on this year's books, there wasn't one book that really grabbed and held me as much as my selection last year. That said, Rory Stewart's recounting of his walk (yes, walk) across Afghanistan in January 2002 rose to the top. Although it was published in Stewart's Great Britain in 2004, it did not make a U.S. appearance until this year. It is still timely, given the recent upsurge in Taliban activity in that country. Stewart's work stands out for several reasons. It is a well-written tale of a guy foolish or brave enough to try and walk alone across Afghanistan just months after the Taliban were ousted. As if that weren't enough, Stewart takes a straight line through the mountains in the the middle of winter, following the route of a 16th century emperor. But even the dangers posed by his journey aren't the highlight of the work. Stewart not only takes us inside a country we largely know only through the news, he takes the more important approach of allowing us to meet and try to understand the people who live there. In so doing, The Places In Between truly takes us inside a country that has been at the center of the world stage and about which so many know so little.
Katie McNeill chose Wintersmith by Terry Pratchett: Pratchett has been one of my favorite authors for a long time, the kind that you don't even bother reading the dust jacket or the back cover because you know that there is magic within the pages. With Pratchett it is the magic of laughter. Wintersmith for me has already become an old favorite. It has everything I look for in a book; great characters, humor, interesting story, a touch of romance, and even a life lesson or two if you look closely enough. My year just wouldn't have been complete without Wintersmith.
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Article comments
1 - Katie McNeill
This is so great! You put it together very nicely. Now I just have to read everyones picks (except the worst one) for the year. :)
2 - Eric Berlin
Wow, fantastic stuff all and a reminder of how much great stuff is out there for those of us who sadly have little time for the book readin' these days!
That said, I've forced some time for novels during lunch over the last few months, and have absolutely fallen in love with Colin Harrison's work. I began with The Havana Room and have torn through four or so more since. They're all really outstanding in their own ways, though Havana and Manhattan Nocturne stand out as the best.
3 - kanjisheik
I guess my pick of the year would be King of Ayodhya by Ashok Banker. Its my choice because Banker proves that he is a story teller par excellence and surpasses all the previous parts of the Ramayana series. Just check out the mindblowing battle sequences and you'll understand what I mean. But its not just that: every aspect of the plot has been taken care of so well. At the end of the tale, you will spend a lot of time thinking about the choices made by diverse characters, and lots more. In my opinion, that is what a great book inspires you to do.