francofiled

This space is reserved for an upcoming post on San-Antonio / Frederic Dard.

As I mentioned in a previous blog on Arab Jazz  here  , the author Karim Miske did come to Belfast for the Belfast Book Festival. There was a good crowd, around 40, and it was a relaxed and intimate evening at the Crescent Arts Centre.  Karim was interviewed by local broadcaster Malachi O'Doherty who felt that Arab Jazz was a wonderful book and it wasn't long before we had a couple of readings... again no spoilers... so if you haven't read it yet, go get yourself a copy. For my part, I got myself a copy of the original in French and it's great to see what a great job was made of the translation. All the same, I know how it ends!

................ Arab Jazz ................ By Karim Miske Translated by Sam Gordon Maclehose Press, 2015 ISBN: 9780857053114 Arab Jazz is Karim Miske's first novel and it got me hooked from the word go. I am a fan of detective fiction and although books are not supposed to be judged from their covers the artwork on this one was particularly a propos. The blend of religious symbolism on the cover cleverly suggests the interplay of cultures and that's just what we get.  The scene is set with a tethered hand, blood-stained orchids - here is a murder on a Parisian balcony.  For a little more information on the storyline check out the Maclehose Press  page here .  No spoilers. Notice that in my picture of the cover, I have added a pair of earphones.  That's because the novel is supplemented with a playlist.  Karim Miske is also a film maker and it's the first time I have come across such a technique in a book. I was a good...