Therese Desqueyroux

The Book

The book starts with Therese's acquittal at a trial where she is charged with the attempted murder of her husband and then, on her train journey back home, reviews what has lead her to this desperate act.
In just over 100 pages, Mauriac manages to convey the stifling, repressive backwater in which Therese endures her unloving husband whilst dreaming of a better life. The language is precise and vivid in order to cover Therese's past and the subsequent limitations that her husband places on her in order to maintain appearances.

Ender's Game

The Book

The interesting Reader's Game to always play with science fiction novels written in the past, is to see how right they got it.
Ender's Game was written in 1977 and is set in an unspecified future. It explores the preparation needed to establish a successful army and future leaders in preparation for an interstellar conflict.
Children are monitored for the best behaviour and thought patterns that will single out possible leaders. They are then sent to space training camps in order to teach them about strategy, loyalties and distancing emotion.