We are always pleased if customers provide us with reviews of recent reads so that we can share the information with others browsing the shelves and the website. Here are some recent reviews.
Last Rituals and others by Yrsa Sigurdardottir
This author has chosen very dramatic subject matter but she has created a likeable and believable person in Thora Gudmundsdottir.
Thora is a working lawyer but not a city slicker – a journeyman. Instantly one connects with Thora. A single Mum with daughter aged 6 and a son of 16 the character of Thora develops in a delightful way.
Her office is shared with another lawyer and their young secretary Bella is a nightmare.
Being a lawyer Thora does not have access to forensic wizardry indeed all three stories revolve round real people and believable circumstances. Having dispensed with the gruesome aspects in the first page and fly cover the reader is not subjected to further horrible descriptions for one is quickly into the characters, and twists and turns of suspects and relationships.
I think your readers will enjoy this trilogy and certainly I would look for future books with Thora investigating. There will be more as Thora’s life is just developing in the third book and Bella starts to “ come good “.The plots are well thought out and depicted and keeps one guessing to the last page. David R.
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This is a
This is a great read which I highly recommend and is a good choice for book clubs.The story switches
between that of Dan and his family in the present day and his great grandfather
at Passchendaele
in the First World War. Both stories are
gripping and moving but Farndale’s account of life in
the trenches is particularly graphic and thought provoking. The book covers big themes such as
cowardice, courage, religion, faith and Darwinism but is nevertheless easy to
read and follow. Lindsay S.
Dissolution
- CJ Sansom
Alison recommended this book, as I'd not read CJ Sansom before and this was the
first of his published novels. The book's main theme revolves around the
reformation, a murder, it's investigation and the dissolution of the monasteries
with Thomas Cromwell as the background character. The main story is regarding a
'Commissioner' of Cromwell who is sent down to Scarnsea in Sussex,
to deal with the murder of a previous commissioner.
Having recently read Wolf Hall, by Hilary Mantel, this follows on well as it's
set after the execution of Anne Boleyn for adultery.
It does put Cromwell in a different light to Wolf Hall. In the Hilary Mantel
book, Cromwell comes across mainly positively but with certain flaws. In
this he comes across as primarily flawed with the odd good character
occasionally. A much lighter read than Wolf Hall and more
entertaining. Although did thoroughly enjoy Hilary Mantel's book for different
reasons. The main character Shardlake, is interesting, unlike any hero I've met
before - no hero in my previous reads was a hunchback (though haven't read the
Hunchback of Note Dame). I would have liked more background on the character -
but then the book wouldn't seem so light. It's a detective novel with plenty of
twists and turns, involving Monks, the Church, class distinction, the
Sovereignty, the Pope all against the background of a key point in our history.
The book occasionally had me reaching for the dictionary and the computer
keyboard, due to some of the language (and my ignorance).
This should not be taken as a criticism, as I thoroughly enjoyed the
book, both for the exciting tale, the historical significance, and the fact I
thought it well written with good character.
I shall certainly read more CJ Sansom, Shardlake is a character I'd like to
hear more about. Tim W.
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The Shack - Wm Paul YoungThis was my fist "Christian" book and I was encouraged to read it not because of its religious basis, but because it's a good read.
The story is about Mack, whose young child goes missing whilst the family are on adventure holiday. Although this plays a key part in the story, it is not a detective story, nor the story of the murder and murderer. The story is about Mack's meeting with the Christian three, Father, Son and Holy Spirit who appear in different forms to those he expects.
Having read through the above, I doubt whether I would pick up the book, but I did enjoy it and despite the fact that it is full of Americanisms and very religious, it did seem to lift the spirits.
Not converted - but feel I'm now in a position (unfortunately,according to my wife) to have a view on religious novels and their quality.
Still unsure whether this is a recommendation - the fence remains sat upon. Tim W.
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The
19th Wife by David Ebershoff is a novel about the Mormon Church, its
beginnings and its tussle with polygamy, voiced in the main by Ann Eliza, who
is a historic character in the history of the Mormon Church. This is all
combined with the story of a son trying to prevent his mother being
imprisoned or worse, for the murder of her husband. The book flits
between the past and the present and all the characters are knitted together
throughout the book. The basics of the religion through Joseph Smith and
Brigham Young and the true faith and beliefs were a revelation to me.
I had very limited understanding of the Mormon Church, other than the
Osmonds, and the fact they were based around Utah.
I did like the book, in my view it's well written and very informative,
it made me go online and find out more about the key historic characters.
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Nothing to Envy. Real Lives in North
Korea.
Barbara Demick.
This book is very journalistic in its writing and sometimes a little American
for my taste.
It tells the story of a number of lives and families in North
Korea, how they are treated by the state,
the way the state manipulates them, the news and their outlook on life. The
changes they experience in moving from feast to famine, the inequalities within
the state and the different journeys they experience is all well written, but I
personally felt I could tell the author was a magazine writer (but that maybe
due to the fact I knew before starting)
It is an enjoyable yet shocking read. The differences between North
Korea and the rest of the world, the famine
and the depravity were all new to me. As was the treatment of different
"castes" and families.
My previous knowledge of North Korea
of a state run by mad men who were displayed as puppets in films. The reality
is much more stark.This is exemplified by the fact that people's escape to China
finds them amazed at the availability of food and basic goods.
Definitely worth a read, but not when you're in a low moment. Man's inhumanity
to man, the newspeak, the manipulation of information and general state
interference and mismanagement is all there to see.
It makes you think that perhaps we're being influenced by the state - but
that's probably paranoia on my part. Tim W.
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White Tiger by Aravind Adiga
Winner of the Man Booker Prize 2008
Balram Halwai, the protagonist of this novel, writes seven letters via email to Wen Jiabao, the Chinese Premier who is about to visit Bangalore. This unusual device allows Balram to express his life story fully on the page and air his philosophical assessment of 'the new India'. It could be called a comic novel, and much of it is amusingly told, but the issues tackled are serious and there is a continuous undercurrent of festering truth below the surface. Balram is an engaging character and it is easy to get swept along with the narrative of his life story. Balram begins with high ideals, but the poverty and hopelessness of his life drive him to abandon his better nature and embrace the corruption he despises. I won't spoil it be telling you what happens at the end. A book which sheds light on 'the new India' and it may be an eye opener to you.
Rhonda A
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Life Class by Pat Barker
This highly acclaimed book is basically a love story between Paul Tarrant and Elinor Brooke, students at The Slade School of Art in 1914 and what happens to them and their ideals when war breaks out. A sprinkling of real life character cameos such as Professor Tonks, a surgeon and Life Class tutor at The Slade, Lady Ottoline Morrell of the Bloomsbury set and the artist Augustus John, make this book more real and I found these few passages fascinating, together with the miniscule mention of the Omega Workshop. (I have just read a small booklet about Bloomsbury Ceramics.)
I have never read one of Pat Barker's books before, but I have seen part of Regeneration on TV and bought the trilogy for my husband many Christmasses ago. I came to this book with very high expectations which were disappointingly not entirely fulfilled. The book falls into two distinct parts, before the war and during the war. The second part is far better written than the first. Pat Barker gets into her stride and you read the story effortlessly when she is describing the fear and pointlessness of war and the tragic hospital scenes where Paul finds himself. It seems that she needs scenes of high drama, tension and trauma to bring out the best in her writing, and some of this text has painful reality which can be difficult to read and would turn the squeamish off. Personally I don't mind raw writing and admire the gutsy truthfullness of the descriptions. Rhonda A.
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Someone Knows My Name by Lawrence Hill
This novel about slavery, traces the life and struggles of
Aminata Diallo ("Meena"), born in Bayo, West Africa, in 1745. At age of
11 she is kidnapped by British slavers and after surviving the harrowing
passage to America is bought by the owner of an indigo producing
plantation in South Carolina. Before her capture, her father had taught
her to read and write and her mother midwifery - skills which helped her
throughout her life. After being sold to another owner she eventually
escapes while in New York and makes her way to Nova Scotia. After a
decade there and broken promises of land ownership, she eventually
fulfills her dream of returning to Africa and along with 1,200 other
Africans relocates to Sierra Leone to establish Freetown, in partnership
with British abolitionists. Sponsored by the abolitionists, she moves
to London as an old woman and this is where the book opens, having been
asked to write her story as evidence of the cruelty and horror of the
slave trade. I really loved this book and could not put it down. The
author does an amazing job of telling Meena's story.
Lisa P.
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Hidden Heart of Emily Hudson by Melissa Jones
Emily Hudson, niece and ward, is dispatched into the care of her distant and cold uncle, to take residence at the family's Newport beach house at the outbreak of the Civil War. She is an orphan, the sole member of her family not claimed by consumption.
From the moment I picked up this book and started reading I knew I would enjoy it. It is extremely easy to read but also really interesting from a historical point of view and would make a great holiday read. The author has based it on the life of Henry James’ cousin Minny Temple and has woven a story around those characters.
The main character Emily, writes to her dear friend and through these letters you get an insight into her thoughts and feelings that you wouldn’t get from straight prose. I found it very atmospheric and found Emily a really interesting character.
Lauren M.
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Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
I am not generally a fan of crime fiction so I was not expecting to like this much talked about novel. However I really enjoyed it – probably because it is not only a thriller but a family saga and a tale of corporate corruption, violence against women and journalistic integrity. The book is the first of a posthumously published trilogy by a Swedish journalist turned author.
In a nutshell the story involves a crusading journalist, Mikael Blomkvist and an emotionally disturbed computer hacker/security investigator Lisbeth Salander, who join forces to investigate the disappearance (years ago) of a member of a wealthy industrial family. The plot has many twists and turns, side stories and is extremely brutal in parts. Given Larsson’s background in investigative journalism I imagine he wrote the books not just as a good story but an expose of the darker parts of Swedish society.
The novel is not perfect by any means. I suspect the translation from Swedish is a little clumsy and the author uses a lot of detail and explanations that are unnecessary and which make the book longer than it needs to be. The opening chapters contain a lot of background that can be hard to digest and you need to concentrate to get your head around the Swedish names. Having said all that I do recommend you read it – it is a gripping story set in a fascinating country with multi-dimensional characters that you want to know more about. In fact I am already enjoying the follow-up! Lindsay S
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Inside the Whale by Jennie Rooney
Michael and Stevie (Stephanie) knew each other long ago. Stevie is now old, widowed and forgetful and her daughter and grand-daughter support her as she comes to terms with this last stage of her life. As the story unfolds (told in alternative chapters from Michael's point of view and then Stevie's), we learn about the past, whilst the present also unfolds -and also some interesting things about the second world war involving pigeons! There are no real surprises in this book ... you almost know what's coming, but that is a comfortable feeling - almost like being a best friend hearing all about it over a cup of coffee. There are some sad moments, moments when you think this is what life is all about. It's a book without pretentions, a gentle and nostalgic read. It's a book for the train, or a holiday. I loved it. Jean M
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One Day by David Nicholls
David Nicholls has succeeded in capturing a very realistic yet enthralling portrayal of friendship, love and growing up. It is believable and very modest without being boring, and the characters seem so real that the ending is therefore touching and incredibly moving. This is the first book that I have ever 'laughed out loud' to and also cried at, which is no mean feat in my eyes. Jo M
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The Lady and the Unicorn by Tracy Chevalier
The author of “Girl With a Pearl Earring” turns her hand to a bit of a medieval romp that looks at women’s place in the fifteenth century. It’s anti hero womaniser Nicholas des Innocents has been asked to create drawings for a tapestry (The Lady and The Unicorn tapestry, which you can see in Paris) and the book weaves stories around him and the people (often women) with whom he meets and works. I must admit this languished unread for three years before I got around to it, which is a great shame as it’s extremely enjoyable.
Paula G.
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Reared in a Strangers' Nest by Michael Wetton
This book is very readable, and Michael's experience of childhood, during war time evacuation, at the tender age of six, is heart-breaking. The present tense story leaps off the page, being told with the freshness and candour of an immature little boy. It is all about finding a billet that is suitable, with people who can cope. Michael is separated from his older brother and sister, while in London his parents' marriage is breaking up. This is social history at its best, showing the real impact of the war on a little boy and his family. It is not a history of evacuation, it is a memoir of deeply experienced personal development and emotional awakening. Michael is a senior gentleman these days, and his story needed to be told for his own sake, much more than ours, although we are privileged to share the ups and downs of the seven years of his life that he shares with us. Charming illustrations by Michael head each chapter and the profits go to charity. This book is a must read. Rhonda A.
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