14) PEACE, by Gene Wolfe

A very layered narrative, the life story of Alden Dennis Weer and of his small-town mid-western neighbours and family, with frequent excursions into history and fantasy, the boundary being rather blurred. As often with Wolfe, a lot is unsaid (I don't think, for instance, we are told that Dennis pushed Bobby Black down the stairs to his death but it is strongly implied). Not as demanding as some of Wolfe's books, but not as engaging either.

Very sorry to see that Bronisław Geremek has died in a car crash in his native Poland. He was a tremendously impressive figure; I had the pleasure of dealing with him a bit when I worked for ICG, as he was on the board, and for an elder statesman with his tremendous career history he was always very approachable. He was 76, but still vigorous.

For those who felt last week's poll was too negative:

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