Book 42 - Johnny Cash "Cash: The Autobiography"

Johnny Cash "Cash: The Autobiography" (Harper Collins)




Johnny Cash's story is thoroughly enjoyable. Instead of it being entirely about glorifying his musical career, you get a very personal glimpse into his personal life detailing his family and those–within the music world and outside–who've helped him out along the way. A portrait is painted of his upbringing in the rural south, his search for meaning, a detour to the dark side, and ultimately getting in touch with himself and the earth. Very well-written and entirely worth it, and as with Dylan's autobiography, this is one of the best autobiographies around.

Book 43 - John LeCarre "A Legacy of Spies"

John LeCarre "A Legacy of Spies" (Penguin)






If you're familiar with LeCarre's 'Smiley' spy thrillers, you'll recognize the characters in 'Legacy', which serves as both a backstory and sequel to 'The Spy Who Came In From the Cold' & 'Tinker, Tailor....'. In Legacy, children of characters killed during an operation depicted in his previous books are suing the British intelligence services and one of Smiley's long-retired lieutenants is called into London to be debriefed by the current group of spies who view him and the 'old ways' with disdain. He quickly surmises that he's being hung out to dry. He's the narrator.

The story of the operation that's under the microscope is told via flashbacks in the form of notes and other written artefacts explained by the narrator. As his debriefing becomes increasingly contentious, he reminisces about his career, actions, other characters, loves, etc., while also plotting how to protect himself and others close to him. It's a great way to tell the story. In the past, I've had problems deciphering the sometimes incomprehensible Brit colloquialisms that LeCarre tends to use, but the artefacts and their explanations are much clearer.

What continues to fascinate me about LeCarre's work is his intricate plotting of the 'game within the game within the game....etc.' that Smiley and his group performed. I won't go into how it all turns out, but as with all of his work, there isn't shoot-me-up violence, car chases, or explosions at the conclusion. There's an ending that's logical with enough twists and turns to make an experienced reader of his work say 'hmmm' to himself several times. The writing as always is superb.

In all, it makes for a wonderful way of bringing their careers to a full circle, in a delightfully unmissable tale.