Books: Bullfighting, Rangatira, Get Cooking!

Short stories

Bullfighting,

by Roddy Doyle

Jonathan Cape, $31.55

Bullfighting is the latest book by Booker Prize-winning Irish author Roddy Doyle. A collection of 13 short stories, most are narrated by middle-aged Irishmen at some form of crossroads, often estranged from their wives and children. The collapse of the country's economy serves as a constant backdrop and gives an added, lurking menace to many of the stories.

There is a theme of animals and family pets running throughout, and a fantastic story, Blood, about a man's developing taste for raw meat.

After being forced to read Doyle's novel Paddy Clark Ha Ha Ha at secondary school I gave him a wide berth. But after reading Bullfighting I'm tempted to give it another proper go.

- Seamus Boyer

Historical fiction ...

Rangatira

By Paula Morris

Penguin, $30

I'm a bit wary of the historical fiction genre - bodice ripping should be strictly for the birds - but I was captivated by a sharp, uncompromising and witty style of writing. The author is a descendant of protagonists in this story and deals with her tipuna with a wonderfully empathetic ease. Her story has enough tension, evocation, comedy, pathos, wisdom and historical accuracy to enthral Charles Dickens himself, notwithstanding a few factual liberties.

Rangatira is written as a diary of events, based on the remarkable visit in 1863 of a group of Maori to the one and only Wikitoria, Queen of all colonies and would-be protector of indigenous sovereign rights - fat chance! Readers can make their own judgments about who was ripping off whom but, in the process, they will be entertained, intrigued and enlightened. Don't miss it!

- Mick Ludden

For kids ...

Get Cooking!

Dorling Kindersley

Penguin, $21

A great book for young cooks and their mums, Get Cooking is a must for every home. Every small boy and girl will love poring over the pages and making delicious dishes for family and friends.

As a recipient, you can watch their delight at making and sharing food for and with others.

There are simple recipes such as boiling an egg and easy muffins plus slightly more complicated recipes, such as moussaka and meringues.

There's a page on getting started, with important instructions like tying up hair and washing hands; a couple of pages on the tools of the trade; then it's on to the cool things ... the recipes. There's four sections: breakfasts, snacks, main meals and the sweet stuff.

The book has easy-to-follow instructions; time planning; and plenty of lovely photos.

Cooking is an important life skill and this book will inspire children to learn it from an early age.

- Colleen Thorpe