Usually I will keep a considerable distance between myself and a book written in 'letters' form, as I prefer the story to flow properly with it's plot...moreUsually I will keep a considerable distance between myself and a book written in 'letters' form, as I prefer the story to flow properly with it's plot and characters. However, after reading the first few pages of this book I was completely in love. In love with the style in which it was written, the characters that it held, the author's humourous yet detailed portrayal of these characters... and also the way that she incorporated the history of England during World War II as well as references to works of literature. I learned a lot and thoroughly enjoyed doing so whilst reading this wonderful book. It is a touching, funny, and lovely read.(less)
I couldn't finish this book. I didn't hate it, I just couldn't bear to read it anymore, while there were books out there written by authors with actua...moreI couldn't finish this book. I didn't hate it, I just couldn't bear to read it anymore, while there were books out there written by authors with actual talent and with less mundane storylines and characters.(less)
There is no doubt that Ian McEwen is a very talented writer. For the first third of the book I was held in rapture and (although I had seen the movie...moreThere is no doubt that Ian McEwen is a very talented writer. For the first third of the book I was held in rapture and (although I had seen the movie and therefore knew what to expect) I loved reading his indepth descriptions of the characters and their surrounds. I couldn't stand the character of Briony though, she is so ignorant, however I believe that is exactly how the author wanted you to percieve her. He wants you to hate her at first, and, as it happened, grow to like her as the book progresses and she grows up. Towards the middle of the book it got a little slow, but then picked up again and I was once again held captive by the story. Absolutely wonderfully written, and although heartbreaking, a fantastic, detailed book.(less)
I'm not entirely sure how I felt about this book. I didn't NOT like it, but there was something stopping me from loving it at the same time, which I c...moreI'm not entirely sure how I felt about this book. I didn't NOT like it, but there was something stopping me from loving it at the same time, which I can't quite put my finger on. Perhaps it was her style of writing, or how shallow so many of the characters were. I do love historical fiction and normally I love reading about monarchs and I revel in what I can learn from a book such as this but there was just something missing. I couldn't stand Anne - I wanted to punch her in the face on many occasions, and I did like Mary, but something lacked in her personality (or the way that she was portrayed) that irritated me. I think perhaps I will read the next few books in the series as somehow I am intrigued to see what happens next.(less)
I picked this book up from a little market in Highgate in London and it was such a light hearted joy to read. I absolutely loved delving into the 1950...moreI picked this book up from a little market in Highgate in London and it was such a light hearted joy to read. I absolutely loved delving into the 1950s, where rock and roll was making it's first appearing, and teenagers were starting to matter and kids would spend their weekends attending nice parties and listening to records and dancing. The writing style was simple, yet somehow so descriptive and perfect and refined. All of the characters were likeable (I even couldn't help having a soft spot for Marina, as spoilt as she was), and very well developed. I absolutely loved Harry! So not the typical hero of the story, he actually had a personality, and brilliant it was. I am also thrilled at discovering Johnnie Ray - I had never heard of him before reading this book, and it's sad that as soon as Elvis Presley broke through, he was pretty much forgotten by the world.(less)
It feels like I've been reading this book FOREVER, when really it was just over a month. But still - for me, that's a long time, and now I'm way behin...moreIt feels like I've been reading this book FOREVER, when really it was just over a month. But still - for me, that's a long time, and now I'm way behind on my reading goal already. It was slow at first, a little boring. But then I got to know the characters, and it stopped jumping around from different points of view for long enough for me to get a grip of what was going on. I liked the book. It had an air of mystery with the sub-plot of Jack the Ripper, which I found interesting. I liked Fiona, even though she was pretty much the generic historical fiction heroine - headstrong yet vulnerable, innocent, stunningly beautiful yet unaware of it, and very capable. I liked Joe too, even though I thought he was a bit of an idiot. However, Nicholas was the one with the most personality, and I felt there could have been more of him in the story. What I didn't like was the author's incorporation of many famous inventions - such as the teabag, the supermarket, flavoured tea, iced tea - as the characters' own ideas, when in fact this is very false. I understand the book is fiction, but come on, the characters aren't superheroes. It's just not realistic. Though, this won't stop me from reading the other two books in the series.(less)
Pillars of the Earth was one of those stories where you dreaded reading your next book because you know that it could never measure up. This book insp...morePillars of the Earth was one of those stories where you dreaded reading your next book because you know that it could never measure up. This book inspired me, made me happy, and disgusted me (cough, William Hamleigh, cough). It really is a work of art and brilliance, just as the cathedral it revolves around. It did drag in some parts, I won't lie, but I was never bored. The characters were fantastic - Aliena was a woman I could look up to and respect, Jack was a boy that sadly probably exists only in my dreams and Philip was just so full of depth and intelligence. It really shows that Follett has a passion for history and cathedrals - he transferred that passion into the characters of Tom Builder and Jack Jackson, and it flowed freely from the pages, drawing the reader in to become helplessly fascinated. I have a feeling that this won't be the last time I'll have read this epic novel, and I can't wait to get my hands on World Without End.(less)
More than slightly disappointing. Though this could be because I am very partial to the movie version - ie I absolutely loved it. The book though, has...moreMore than slightly disappointing. Though this could be because I am very partial to the movie version - ie I absolutely loved it. The book though, has a rare case of not quite living up to it's movie counterpart. There was no character development, no wittiness, a pitiful excuse for a romance side plot - in other words it was lacking everything that made me adore the movie so much. It may have been different had I read the book first, but if that had been the case, I probably would have stopped reading about half way through. I give it 3 stars - 1 simply for inspiring such a wonderful movie.(less)
I'm re-reading the entire Harry Potter series and I love that no matter how many times you read them, the characters, plot, and the magical world of H...moreI'm re-reading the entire Harry Potter series and I love that no matter how many times you read them, the characters, plot, and the magical world of Harry is still equally as engrossing as the first time I read them when I was a child. I was especially pleased this time, as the last time I read Chamber of Secrets, in the chapter where Ron is belching slugs it made me feel sick for days afterwards, that it didn't have same effect as it did on my ten-year-old self.(less)
Of the first three Harry Potter books, this was (and still is) my favourite. In my opinion, the books just get better and better as they go. Rowling's...moreOf the first three Harry Potter books, this was (and still is) my favourite. In my opinion, the books just get better and better as they go. Rowling's improvement as a writer shows, and I am constantly drawn into the story, the old and new characters, the complexity of the world she has created, and how she manages to patch up and describe so well any loop-holes that may arise. I've once again been successfully sucked in, and must buy the fourth book immediately!(less)
**spoiler alert** This was a brilliant book. It was intriguing and well written, and the characters were easy to like (or despise, if the case called...more**spoiler alert** This was a brilliant book. It was intriguing and well written, and the characters were easy to like (or despise, if the case called for it). However, I have the same qualms as some of the other reviewers - I wasn't particularly happy with the ending. It leads you wondering what will happen, and seems too abrupt in finishing. Did Narigorm kill everyone in the end, then come for Camelot? The fact that Camelot was in fact, a woman was very surprising - I didn't see it coming at all, but it actually made sense. I would have liked to see Camelot make peace with the rest of the company - as I said, things seemed unfinished. Overall though, I thoroughly enjoyed the book, I think that Karen Maitland is quite talented as a writer.(less)
I saw the movie beforehand and absolutely loved it. Though obviously sharing several similarities, the book and the movie could almost be different st...moreI saw the movie beforehand and absolutely loved it. Though obviously sharing several similarities, the book and the movie could almost be different stories. In fact, I definitely felt that the ending of the movie was done better, there was more feeling and emotion than conveyed in the book. The romance between Kathy and Tommy was also highlighted and strengthened in the movie, whereas the book was a little disappointing in that regard. Sometimes I felt like Kathy was a little bit hard and over analysed things a bit too much, but in saying that it did make her more real and not the generic perfect heroine in many other stories.
Overall, I did like the book. I couldn't put it down and Kazuo's writing was intriguing.(less)
I just couldn't finish this book. The plot - Jack Rosenblum's ambitions to become both an English gentleman and create his own golf course - was, with...moreI just couldn't finish this book. The plot - Jack Rosenblum's ambitions to become both an English gentleman and create his own golf course - was, with a lack of a better word, boring. I couldn't relate to any of the characters at all and even the descriptions of the English countryside (somewhere I feel is truly beautiful) were lacking in colour. I didn't see the point in persevering, which is a shame because of how much I loved Soloman's other book, 'The Novel In The Viola'. The best thing about this book was the gorgeous colours on the cover.(less)
"We're quite a pair, aren't we? Dex and Em, Em and Dex."
I ADORED this book. Ever since I saw the movie a few weeks ago, I have been bursting to read i...more"We're quite a pair, aren't we? Dex and Em, Em and Dex."
I ADORED this book. Ever since I saw the movie a few weeks ago, I have been bursting to read it. I ordered it online and it couldn't come fast enough. I loved the idea - glimpsing into the lives of two people on the same day each year. Viewing their highs and lows, their relationships, and the constant love that they have for each other - but can only express in friendship. It's a beautiful story and they're both beautiful people. I wouldn't call this 'chick-lit' at all. It was far too smart for that - chick-lit is horribly shallow but the characters had so much depth and personality that I feel as though I knew them and was merely reading over a summary of their lives. I was pleasantly suprised how well the movie stuck to the book - even though I usually can't stand Anne Hathaway, her and Jim Sturgess were the perfect Emma and Dexter. Loved it, I know I'll be reading this one again and again.(less)
jessmaggie
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Books:
england
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