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.
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 *********************************************** 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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Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day by Winifred Watson
This book is published by Persephone Classics and was written in the 1930s. It is a little dated, but still very enjoyable. Winifred Watson only wrote six books and is probably best known for this one, especially as it was made into a film in 2008. It is a Cinderella story of an unassuming, impoverished spinster, seeking a job and being sent to the wrong address. Over the space of 24 hours her whole life is transformed, as indeed she has been able to transform the lives of those around her. Miss Guinevere Pettigrew's personality shines through all the situations she finds herself confronted with, and her common sense and gentle approach win the day. It is a heart-warming romantic, rags to riches story, beautifully told, with line drawings that admirably enhance the text. Rhonda A.
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Paths of Glory by Jeffrey Archer
George Mallory and his loves (one of which is Everest) come alive on the pages of this novel. It is set around the “true” story of Mallory’s attempts to climb the highest mountain in the world (Chomolungma). Not only this, but it draws on letters written by Mallory to his wife which are very moving and bring in the very human element concerning those who love such pioneers and adventurers and the sacrifices they make for their loved ones. This was a great read – clear, concise, interesting and illuminating, with a momentum of its own – the ending may be known, but it does not fail to move the reader. This book would be ideal for male or female, holiday or serious reading - a real story of courage and commitment beyond the understanding and scope of most “ordinary” human beings. Jeffrey Archer surprised me! Jean M
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Interpreter of Maladies – Jhumpa LahiriI don’t like short story collections; well at least I didn’t until a friend thrust this into my hand. Each story is so jam-packed with the lives of the people in it that you think you are reading two hundred and fifty pages, not twenty five. Lahiri addresses so many issues; love, marriage, living in a foreign country, longing for home, prejudice, in the most delightful and mesmerising way and you will finish the book feeling enlightened, personal friends of her characters and really glad you read it. Ann B.
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