The Year After

Mycroft must confess to reading 'literary' type novels again. Large format, Booker Prize nominee type novels. My excuse, readers, is that I am in the country and it's raining.
So, what is 'The Year After' all about? One possibility is that the central character (Tom Allen) has heard about Albert Nobbs being the greatest bore in Christendom and has decided to seize that mantle for himself. He certainly gives that quest a 'red hot go'.
Tom has recently returned from the great war and now spends his time being enigmatic and interesting, or trying to look it. He is sure to fool some, notably the Useless Mysterons and the Boring Clueless Albert Knobbs; the rest of the planet recognises Tom as a tedious, nosey pratt.

The novel itself isn't too bad. It is set at the grand estate of Hannesford, which is ruled benevolently by Lord and Lady Mastodon-Flagellator. The book was absorbing enough, indeed I refrained from setting fire to it during the more tedious passages (as Tom grapples with what a bore he is, and tries to solve the mystery of the dark past of Hannesford). Tom eventually solves it all but the ending is not really that thrilling. Imagine the thrill you get from making your toilet cistern stop leaking water without having to call a plumber and this is the sort of thrill that awaits you.
The Year After is fascinating in that everyone in it seems to be detestable in some way - no wonder their last ball before WW I sucked so incredibly.

Novels aside, Mycroft is pleased to report that local councils around Berry NSW are making some excellent off-lead areas available for dogs. Support these councils by voting early and often (only joking)!