Here's Looking at you by Mhairi McFarlane
Published by AVON (Harper Collins Publishers) 2013
Modern Romantic Comedy
A story of two halves. The first is that of a laugh out loud, modern and down-to-earth tale of a friendship group of 30-somethings who have reached the age of marriage, settling down and professional jobs. However, they are living the life of young hip people who enjoy a good lifestyle, good income and casual relationships. The second half of this story is more melancholic, emotional and romantic.
You find yourself loving the main heroine, Anna and her outlook on the future that is heavily influenced by her past. Yet we jump between loathing and affection when it comes to the charming and handsome James Fraser.
The ending is somewhat inevitable but the way it is written along with the build up; angry fights, awkward silences and tension, makes this story stand out. James, who at the start seems to be the most unlikely and distasteful partner for Anna, ends up being the perfect match, a true soul mate.
Sunday, January 26, 2014
A Lost Love
The Last Letters from your lover by Jojo Moyes.
Published in 2012 by Hodder & Stoughton
Romance/family saga
Two unlikely characters fall in love in difficult circumstances. At a time when decorum and behaving appropriately are essential, these two lovers have to bend the rules and convention to fulfil their appetite for true love and unlimited happiness.
As the reader, i found myself willing the woman to battle against the odds and not give up despite the obstacles in her way. Tired of a loveless marriage to a pig of a man who doesn't appreciate her, the main character deserves to take a risk and go with her heart when it comes to this chivalrous gentleman who is slowly falling in love with her.
The story is a clever one which sees how the lives of people in different centuries have their stories entwined. The main focus of this book is finding true love and the differences between love affairs existing in the past (1960's) and those in the more modern 21st century (2000's). It is interesting, and what makes the love seem more real is how the author added hand written, emotive love letters at the start of chapters.
Throughout the story, it is quite a sad tale of lost love, true love, chance meetings, near misses and once in a lifetime moments. Finally, after so much bad luck, there is inevitably a much more happy and positive ending for all concerned.
Published in 2012 by Hodder & Stoughton
Romance/family saga
Two unlikely characters fall in love in difficult circumstances. At a time when decorum and behaving appropriately are essential, these two lovers have to bend the rules and convention to fulfil their appetite for true love and unlimited happiness.
As the reader, i found myself willing the woman to battle against the odds and not give up despite the obstacles in her way. Tired of a loveless marriage to a pig of a man who doesn't appreciate her, the main character deserves to take a risk and go with her heart when it comes to this chivalrous gentleman who is slowly falling in love with her.
The story is a clever one which sees how the lives of people in different centuries have their stories entwined. The main focus of this book is finding true love and the differences between love affairs existing in the past (1960's) and those in the more modern 21st century (2000's). It is interesting, and what makes the love seem more real is how the author added hand written, emotive love letters at the start of chapters.
Throughout the story, it is quite a sad tale of lost love, true love, chance meetings, near misses and once in a lifetime moments. Finally, after so much bad luck, there is inevitably a much more happy and positive ending for all concerned.
Saturday, January 18, 2014
Blind Innocence
"The Age of Innocence" by Edith Wharton
Published by Everyman's Library - 1993
Classic
A bizarre tale about a well-to-do young American man from an important family. The opening of the story sees Newland Archer happily announcing his engagement to the likewise well-to-do May Welland. In New York's 1870's society, these two great families will be joined by this marriage which everyone approves of.
What starts as a straight forward engagement between two people who have found common friendship and companionship, turns to a tale of bitterness and regret. Newland returns to his annoying behaviour as a bachelor when he begins to doubt his devotion to his wife and sees his marriage as a dull reality and a trapped prison. He becomes frustrating throughout this story as he lusts after May's cousin, the quirky and unconventional Countess Olenska. What is more frustrating is how he believes that everything will be better with Olenska; the grass is always greener on the other side, springs to mind!
At the end of the story, I found small comfort as we are informed that Newland remained loyal and faithful to May in all their years of marriage. It seems their marriage was one of acceptance and tolerance and that they never truly or fully knew the other person. May seems to have understood her husband better than he knew himself. However, the upsetting thing is, she also doesn't seem so blind or innocent to the reality of life as he thought.
Published by Everyman's Library - 1993
Classic
A bizarre tale about a well-to-do young American man from an important family. The opening of the story sees Newland Archer happily announcing his engagement to the likewise well-to-do May Welland. In New York's 1870's society, these two great families will be joined by this marriage which everyone approves of.
What starts as a straight forward engagement between two people who have found common friendship and companionship, turns to a tale of bitterness and regret. Newland returns to his annoying behaviour as a bachelor when he begins to doubt his devotion to his wife and sees his marriage as a dull reality and a trapped prison. He becomes frustrating throughout this story as he lusts after May's cousin, the quirky and unconventional Countess Olenska. What is more frustrating is how he believes that everything will be better with Olenska; the grass is always greener on the other side, springs to mind!
At the end of the story, I found small comfort as we are informed that Newland remained loyal and faithful to May in all their years of marriage. It seems their marriage was one of acceptance and tolerance and that they never truly or fully knew the other person. May seems to have understood her husband better than he knew himself. However, the upsetting thing is, she also doesn't seem so blind or innocent to the reality of life as he thought.
Sunday, October 27, 2013
When the going gets tough, true friendship triumphs
Carole Matthews The Only Way is Up
2010 by Headline Review
Family Saga
This story tells the goings on of a rich, wealthy, well-to-do family who find themselves down on their luck and incredibly poor.
Such a drastic turn of events causes many problems for the Lamont-Jones. We are informed of the tough struggles that all four of them undergo. Even the children realise that their lifestyle has changed dramatically and that they will have to change along with it. Through their many trials and tribulations, they manage to pull themselves through the mess and destitution that surrounds them. The characters are incredibly resourceful as they adapt to this new environment and are so much better for it. They have gone from selfish, materialist snobs to down-to-earth, friendly, selfless people; their family life improves and they grow as a family. By the end, they are still struggling in comparison to their previous lifestyle but life seems sweeter.
Sympathy goes out to them in this realistic tale of hardship, stress, struggling economy and unemployment. However, Lily becomes an annoying character by her constant comparisons with her old life and pining so much for her rich existence again that she is even tempted to stray from her marriage.
There is a great sense of overwhelming warmth from this book as it is clear that in times as hard as this, not only are you aware of who your true friends are but also that family is everything and nothing can come before that.
2010 by Headline Review
Family Saga
This story tells the goings on of a rich, wealthy, well-to-do family who find themselves down on their luck and incredibly poor.
Such a drastic turn of events causes many problems for the Lamont-Jones. We are informed of the tough struggles that all four of them undergo. Even the children realise that their lifestyle has changed dramatically and that they will have to change along with it. Through their many trials and tribulations, they manage to pull themselves through the mess and destitution that surrounds them. The characters are incredibly resourceful as they adapt to this new environment and are so much better for it. They have gone from selfish, materialist snobs to down-to-earth, friendly, selfless people; their family life improves and they grow as a family. By the end, they are still struggling in comparison to their previous lifestyle but life seems sweeter.
Sympathy goes out to them in this realistic tale of hardship, stress, struggling economy and unemployment. However, Lily becomes an annoying character by her constant comparisons with her old life and pining so much for her rich existence again that she is even tempted to stray from her marriage.
There is a great sense of overwhelming warmth from this book as it is clear that in times as hard as this, not only are you aware of who your true friends are but also that family is everything and nothing can come before that.
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
A dream life - but one that doesn't fit!
Anita Shreve's Rescue
2012 by Abacus
Once we are introduced to the main characters Webster and Sheila, we know that their relationship will be riddled with pain, disaster and its fair share of problems.
Webster is a likeable character, evoking sympathy because of his turbulent relationship with an alcoholic wife who endangers the life of their only daughter. The same cannot be said of Sheila - his wife - who it is very difficult to feel sorry for as she brings it all on herself. She should never have tried to be something she wasn't - to try on a life that didn't fit.
Rescue begins on a cheerful, warm-hearted note as Webster and Sheila fall in love in extraordinary circumstances. Webster has a tough time trying to settle Sheila down but when he succeeds in rescuing her, the result is that she manages to grow up and lead a mature life.
All this happiness is not to last though. Once she becomes suffocated by this sensible life, where she can no longer handle the commitment, it soon becomes apparent that this story is bound on an unhappy journey. Sheila's poisonous personality sets to ruin their daughter Rowan's existence. Will Sheila return to rescue her daughter and make up for lost time or will she continue to cause disruption and distress?
2012 by Abacus
Once we are introduced to the main characters Webster and Sheila, we know that their relationship will be riddled with pain, disaster and its fair share of problems.
Webster is a likeable character, evoking sympathy because of his turbulent relationship with an alcoholic wife who endangers the life of their only daughter. The same cannot be said of Sheila - his wife - who it is very difficult to feel sorry for as she brings it all on herself. She should never have tried to be something she wasn't - to try on a life that didn't fit.
Rescue begins on a cheerful, warm-hearted note as Webster and Sheila fall in love in extraordinary circumstances. Webster has a tough time trying to settle Sheila down but when he succeeds in rescuing her, the result is that she manages to grow up and lead a mature life.
All this happiness is not to last though. Once she becomes suffocated by this sensible life, where she can no longer handle the commitment, it soon becomes apparent that this story is bound on an unhappy journey. Sheila's poisonous personality sets to ruin their daughter Rowan's existence. Will Sheila return to rescue her daughter and make up for lost time or will she continue to cause disruption and distress?
A race between life and death
Ken Follett's Whiteout
2005 by Pan Books
Whiteout is yet another Follett special. The precise detail and descriptive characters he creates makes his books so difficult to put down.
Whiteout is an epic tale of human betrayal, family feud and medical catastrophe, all with a ticking clock.
Every page of this story has some dramatic action taking place, a cliff-hanger or even a developing love affair.
The audience will find Kit to be a most deceitful character and will take an instant dislike to his personality - stereotypically rich, a spoilt only son of a wealthy millionaire who gets extremely perturbed when things dont go his way. However, the fact that he finally gets what is coming to him, is justice enough.
I admire how Follett has decided to make the powerful woman in the story, the hero, the knight in shining armour who rescues the Oxenford family from certain death, after Kit embarks on a dangerous mission which heads towards even his own self-destruction. With the help of master criminals, all Kit wants to do is repay his building gambling debt. Things soon take a turn for the worse when they steal a lethal infectious drug from Oxenford Medical and then hold up Stanley Oxenford's family on Christmas Day as hostages in their family home. What makes this exceptionally is how they manage to steal this drug from right under, head of security Toni Gallo's nose, and even past her high-tech security systems.
We find ourselves asking, what will happen to this deadly drug, which has ended up in the wrong hands.
2005 by Pan Books
Whiteout is yet another Follett special. The precise detail and descriptive characters he creates makes his books so difficult to put down.
Whiteout is an epic tale of human betrayal, family feud and medical catastrophe, all with a ticking clock.
Every page of this story has some dramatic action taking place, a cliff-hanger or even a developing love affair.
The audience will find Kit to be a most deceitful character and will take an instant dislike to his personality - stereotypically rich, a spoilt only son of a wealthy millionaire who gets extremely perturbed when things dont go his way. However, the fact that he finally gets what is coming to him, is justice enough.
I admire how Follett has decided to make the powerful woman in the story, the hero, the knight in shining armour who rescues the Oxenford family from certain death, after Kit embarks on a dangerous mission which heads towards even his own self-destruction. With the help of master criminals, all Kit wants to do is repay his building gambling debt. Things soon take a turn for the worse when they steal a lethal infectious drug from Oxenford Medical and then hold up Stanley Oxenford's family on Christmas Day as hostages in their family home. What makes this exceptionally is how they manage to steal this drug from right under, head of security Toni Gallo's nose, and even past her high-tech security systems.
We find ourselves asking, what will happen to this deadly drug, which has ended up in the wrong hands.
What lies beneath a perfect facade
Anita Shreve's Strange fits of Passion
1994 by Abacus
Strange fits of passion is told in the "reporter" style that recounts events that unfolded in the similar way that her other novel Testimony did.
Each chapter offers an outlook of what happened and the thoughts and views of the main characters and those local people who made contact with Mary/Maureen. Shreve writes their thoughts and views as a police interview account, which echoes the police interview they would have gone through at the time of the events in the story. The local people play the part of the eye witnesses to Mary's life and goings-on while she resides in their town.
When Mary arrives in their small town, things are not quite as they seem, for she hides beneath her disguise and lies. The residents accept her for who she is and befriend her, treat her like one of their own. Only when a dark shadow edges towards the town, to cast its ugly head over the new life that Mary has created for herself, do the residents begin to question who she claims to be and uncover the reality that lies beneath.
As the reader though, we find ourselves praying that the residents believe what Mary has hidden from them - the awful story that she is burdened with. We have to hope that true friendship will shine through the despair and stand against the evil that awaits, to help Mary through this tough time.
Justice does prevail in the end but in freeing herself, Maureen simultaneously ruins the lives of two families - her own and that of the man she comes to love. In taking revenge on her husband and ending her nightmare, she brings about more heartache to her life.
1994 by Abacus
Strange fits of passion is told in the "reporter" style that recounts events that unfolded in the similar way that her other novel Testimony did.
Each chapter offers an outlook of what happened and the thoughts and views of the main characters and those local people who made contact with Mary/Maureen. Shreve writes their thoughts and views as a police interview account, which echoes the police interview they would have gone through at the time of the events in the story. The local people play the part of the eye witnesses to Mary's life and goings-on while she resides in their town.
When Mary arrives in their small town, things are not quite as they seem, for she hides beneath her disguise and lies. The residents accept her for who she is and befriend her, treat her like one of their own. Only when a dark shadow edges towards the town, to cast its ugly head over the new life that Mary has created for herself, do the residents begin to question who she claims to be and uncover the reality that lies beneath.
As the reader though, we find ourselves praying that the residents believe what Mary has hidden from them - the awful story that she is burdened with. We have to hope that true friendship will shine through the despair and stand against the evil that awaits, to help Mary through this tough time.
Justice does prevail in the end but in freeing herself, Maureen simultaneously ruins the lives of two families - her own and that of the man she comes to love. In taking revenge on her husband and ending her nightmare, she brings about more heartache to her life.
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Behind closed doors!
Anita Shreve's Testimony
Published 2009 by Abacus
Drama
Told from the perspective of those involved, Testimony tells the story of an incident that occurred at a private boarding school, Avery Academy, and how the lives of those involved changed forever. The incident seems to have had a tremendous impact on so many characters who were either directly or indirectly involved.
The novel flits between past and present a bit too often which gets rather complicated but having each chapter written from the point of view of each character, each telling their own individual tale of the part they played in the affair and how it has changed their life in the present, is a great feature that helps the flow of the novel. Each character talks to the reader as though we are a reporter trying to interview them as they are very factual and matter-of-fact about it. Sometimes they almost feel like they see the reader as a friend or confidante; someone they can trust and who they are opening up to and telling all. The language and style of the novel is very similar to a police report or interview but it is crisp and to the point. It is very easy to read and an engrossing page turner.
Not only does the text describe what happened and how but it also provides testimonies, confessions and statements from the students involved. Although the initial event is horrific and graphic, nothing prepares the reader for the despair and colossal destruction that comes about afterwards. There is so much pain and remorse in this book. For once there is no happy ending, it simply ends with one student recounting the event and providing us with all the missing pieces of this puzzle.
Published 2009 by Abacus
Drama
Told from the perspective of those involved, Testimony tells the story of an incident that occurred at a private boarding school, Avery Academy, and how the lives of those involved changed forever. The incident seems to have had a tremendous impact on so many characters who were either directly or indirectly involved.
The novel flits between past and present a bit too often which gets rather complicated but having each chapter written from the point of view of each character, each telling their own individual tale of the part they played in the affair and how it has changed their life in the present, is a great feature that helps the flow of the novel. Each character talks to the reader as though we are a reporter trying to interview them as they are very factual and matter-of-fact about it. Sometimes they almost feel like they see the reader as a friend or confidante; someone they can trust and who they are opening up to and telling all. The language and style of the novel is very similar to a police report or interview but it is crisp and to the point. It is very easy to read and an engrossing page turner.
Not only does the text describe what happened and how but it also provides testimonies, confessions and statements from the students involved. Although the initial event is horrific and graphic, nothing prepares the reader for the despair and colossal destruction that comes about afterwards. There is so much pain and remorse in this book. For once there is no happy ending, it simply ends with one student recounting the event and providing us with all the missing pieces of this puzzle.
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Be mindful of love
Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility
Period classic - Romance
Spirited novel about friendship, love, sisterly affection, hope and deceit.
Austen presents brilliant stories that show perfectly the close connection that exists between siblings. She must have drawn from her own relationship with her sister Cassandra in order to portray such a likeness.
I think in making it the key focus in this text, alongside love and marriage, she expresses how important these bonds are not just to her but to everyone else as well.
I admire sensible Elinor Dashwood for being the responsible, practical, elder, clever sister who keeps her emotions inside in order to get on with what she must do and to put everyone else first before herself. Elinor is extremely unselfish and quite a sad character throughout the text until the very end.
Marianne would probably fit quite well in society today as she seems the character people could relate to because of her lively, spirited almost rebellious nature. She is a fun character but most of the time is rather immature, hence Elinor spends most of her time consoling her and taking care of her.
Finally, there is Margaret who doesn't get to do most of the fun things her sisters get to do because she is too young.
The interaction between these sisters makes it an enthralling book just like the Bennets' in Austen's Pride and Prejudice or Alcott's Little Women.
Of course, inevitably it all ends as we'd expect but it is far from disappointing.
Period classic - Romance
Spirited novel about friendship, love, sisterly affection, hope and deceit.
Austen presents brilliant stories that show perfectly the close connection that exists between siblings. She must have drawn from her own relationship with her sister Cassandra in order to portray such a likeness.
I think in making it the key focus in this text, alongside love and marriage, she expresses how important these bonds are not just to her but to everyone else as well.
I admire sensible Elinor Dashwood for being the responsible, practical, elder, clever sister who keeps her emotions inside in order to get on with what she must do and to put everyone else first before herself. Elinor is extremely unselfish and quite a sad character throughout the text until the very end.
Marianne would probably fit quite well in society today as she seems the character people could relate to because of her lively, spirited almost rebellious nature. She is a fun character but most of the time is rather immature, hence Elinor spends most of her time consoling her and taking care of her.
Finally, there is Margaret who doesn't get to do most of the fun things her sisters get to do because she is too young.
The interaction between these sisters makes it an enthralling book just like the Bennets' in Austen's Pride and Prejudice or Alcott's Little Women.
Of course, inevitably it all ends as we'd expect but it is far from disappointing.
Friday, February 17, 2012
Life's Foundations
The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett
Historical fiction
Published by Pan Books 2007
Despite the fact that it is a very long book with an extraordinarily bizarre style, the story is rather intriguing and especially after part one, it becomes a book you cannot put down. Stylistically, it is broken into parts with their own chapters and sections within those chapters which makes it easy to read in bite size chunks. However, there are breaks and gaps all over the place which can be a bit confusing.
In order to appreciate this text i believe you must have some interest in history or architecture with it being set in medieval times where the main characters' lives are based around the building of a cathedral. I find myself hoping the cantankerous William Hamleigh gets his comeuppance in the end and the other more faithful and affable characters who have been wronged throughout get to live happily.
I have enjoyed this book because we follow the main characters throughout their lives. We grow up with them as their stories evolve, their lives change and their personalities develop.
Historical fiction
Published by Pan Books 2007
Despite the fact that it is a very long book with an extraordinarily bizarre style, the story is rather intriguing and especially after part one, it becomes a book you cannot put down. Stylistically, it is broken into parts with their own chapters and sections within those chapters which makes it easy to read in bite size chunks. However, there are breaks and gaps all over the place which can be a bit confusing.
In order to appreciate this text i believe you must have some interest in history or architecture with it being set in medieval times where the main characters' lives are based around the building of a cathedral. I find myself hoping the cantankerous William Hamleigh gets his comeuppance in the end and the other more faithful and affable characters who have been wronged throughout get to live happily.
I have enjoyed this book because we follow the main characters throughout their lives. We grow up with them as their stories evolve, their lives change and their personalities develop.
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