So yet more historical romance fiction for you, though I'll reassure you I think the phase is ending thank the Lord! This book did however set the dow...moreSo yet more historical romance fiction for you, though I'll reassure you I think the phase is ending thank the Lord! This book did however set the downward slope for me so don't hold out a lot of hope for a glowing review.
It was however good, I did like it...I DID, promise. It was a bit....preachy and spiritual really, just why she felt the need to include the Lady in every single sentence is actually beyond me. When she read it back did she not think "Blimey, I've used the Lady a lot, better take a bit out before it gets too hippy" nope she kept right on with it. It got so bad that she completely emasculated the main dude! Poor Richard! Confined to a "consort" role which basically just made him sound like her free hooker and not definitely not her husband. God forbid he would actually challenge her ideas or her complete control, he'd be in for it then!
That being said I quite liked Catriona she just was a bit TOO everything TOO opiniated TOO hippy TOO confident (slightly full of herself) TOO into the Lady
Generally too much for my tastes which made the story drag and drag and drag and it didn't need to! It really didn't, it had so much going for it otherwise! All the wild Scottish landscape with illicit affairs and his name was Scandal FFS!
My final point which I had to pick with this book was that YES STEPHANIE LAURENS THERE IS A NEED FOR THE COUPLE TO STATE USING SOPPY LANGUAGE THAT THEY LOVE EACH OTHER!!!! Well I need it, and if you want to read this kind of book I would think odds are your gonna want that too, just to give you a heads up. It doesn't happen. Ever. I was most distressed.
This book was probably the most shocking book I have ever read. Unlike you I hadn't read the blurb so I knew nothing more than it was about...moreJayus.....
This book was probably the most shocking book I have ever read. Unlike you I hadn't read the blurb so I knew nothing more than it was about a boy in Ireland in the 80's. I can't profess to know much about the 80's, being a 94' kid and all so I was ready to give it a go.
Jim Finnegan would be the said 80's Irish boy and he was a protagonist like no other. Maher's use of language keeps the story humorous whilst at the same includes many serious issues which affected this 14 year old kid at the time. This is a spoiler so it's in white if you choose to have a look... Being raped repeatedly by his parish priest was not what I was expecting at all. The way Maher treated it was so well done though, he kept the true shock and horror of the event. Myself as a reader couldn't quite believe it was truly happening either, I really felt that I could identify his feelings therefore the connection I had to Jim as a character was intense.
My connection to Jim as a reader continued throughout the book. Even when his relationship with Saidhbh started which I don't normally go for. I really cared about how he was gonna cope with everything that he was facing and was amazed when he found solace in the strangest places. The physical mystical powers part of the book was something I found difficult to deal with though, it pushed my belief in the characters and the reality of the whole a tad too far. But because it was really just at the close of the book I could forgive it that much.
All in all I truly loved this book and really cannot recommend it further. Try it.(less)
A bloodthirsty time which definatley led to a bloodthirsty book filled with war, love, treachery and every other dramatic plot theme you can name (wel...moreA bloodthirsty time which definatley led to a bloodthirsty book filled with war, love, treachery and every other dramatic plot theme you can name (well, excepting a few obviously. Necrophilia doesn't feature at all, sorry if that disappoints you). I liked it mostly, well....then again.....but...I don't know I think perhaps I'm disappointed.
I thought this would be like Moran's earlier books and it just isn't, Marie wasn't as developed and as interesting as Moran could've made her and WHAT WAS UP WITH HER MARRYING THE IDIOT TUSSAUD? All along the book it's blatantly obvious that she loves Henri and they are to be togther foever etc. etc. I'm happy about this, in fact I love it! But Moran spoils it for me completely! She removes ALL THE ROMANCE! ALL OF IT! GONE! HOW COULD SHE?!? ......I'm not a happy camper.
Although I found the time interesting as I haven't read about the french revolution much so it was nice to learn about the time period I can't help but think that Marie wasn't a big a deal as was made out. If she was so important why wasn't sent to the scaffold first? Everyone else of importance seemed to be, why not her? Perhaps due to the fact that she wasn't so big a deal on one side maybe? Though I admired her buisness acumen, especially for that time and her level-headedness even when I lost all sympathy for her when she let Henri leave.
Basically that's all I have to say, interesting but not the best and the romance was removed. It deserves a sad face even :( (less)
If one more person says "You've started with the wrong one!" I may be forced to commit murder... I realise it's not the most famous but for me it soun...moreIf one more person says "You've started with the wrong one!" I may be forced to commit murder... I realise it's not the most famous but for me it sounds one of the most interesting. Plus it was free and as the family motto goes - if it's free, take it. (We're a giving family traditionally...)
Now that I've defended my choice, though for many of you I may not even have needed to, I can move onto the book. Woop, Woop!
Thank God for this book! I have been on a bit of a loser with books at the moment, having picked two books which shame the name of trash (There's Butterfly as well but I haven't worked up the energy to write about it yet). But Hornby has saved the day!
Not only was this book an insightful look at what success and failure and fear of both can do to people and the people they are in a relationship with. It is also a philosophical debate over the true influence of people, something which is always recycled as an idea because no one can truly get to the bottom of it, and Hornby doesn't pretend to he just creates a narrative representation of his views.
Views which although are set in such a dismal, boring, every-day setting with everyday people shine because they're just so right. Not only that but he makes you fall in love with Annie and she isn't perfect or model-esque or even young and yet I feel like I know her intimately. Her wants, dreams and wishes. So much so that by the end I didn't want it to be the end, I just wanted to keep reading about her life.
Even though Duncan is a weak man and I can't stand them I can't help but be interested in his obsession with Tucker Crowe. He sounds so much like the middle class. socially awkward and too into one subject, narrow minded guy that my life is ridden with, but what is delicious about this book is that this man that somehow we all know is unravelled and stripped right down to what really makes him tick. It's just so..................interesting!
Finally the man of the book, Tucker Crowe. A failed 80's rock star, you know the cliche and a half deal. He was as every out of touch Dad should be, a complete dick. But at the the same time he wasn't, I couldn't personally condemn him even though that's exactly what I should be doing!
Gotta say I love Hornby after this book and cheers to it continuing....... (less)
I've read Testimony by Anita Shreve so I knew of her detailed developing style, this one however took me by suprise at the subtlety Shreve used when a...moreI've read Testimony by Anita Shreve so I knew of her detailed developing style, this one however took me by suprise at the subtlety Shreve used when approaching such a humongous, sensitive and well-covered issue.
The first thing I noticed in this book was that it's set up as research for a magazine article and it never once wavers unless it is meant (in Maureen/Mary's recount only). That is a sign of a truly great book for me at least. This is mainly made by a outside narrative with a past narrative which is interspersed with interviews from various townspeople from St. Hilarie. If you look at how much action actually happens in the book it's surprisingly little, but don't let that put you off! Due to the style and Shreve's technical ability as an author you cannot stop reading this book.
Not only that but you want to know! Is what she saying true? If so why is she saying it? If it's true it's a horrificly plausible and you can't help but feel for Mary Amesbury and wish her well. I rooted for her seriously throughout the entire book, I even condoned behaviour I wouldn't normally consider condoning.
The characterisation within the book is fantastic too, they become real people! It made me almost beleive that these people were real and that each account was real.
All in all this book really touched me with it's message and Shreves storytelling ability...(less)
Well I wasn't hoping for a cheery book from that really, couldn't expect anyone to really. Though if they've read his debut novel Revolutionary Road t...moreWell I wasn't hoping for a cheery book from that really, couldn't expect anyone to really. Though if they've read his debut novel Revolutionary Road then they'll understand how Yates portrays a desolate, bleak future in a sad and yet beautiful way.
This was definatley sad, Emily's constant persual of love disheartened me to beleive that love is really there at all. She was described as a "free spirit" I just saw her as a confused girl who although she aged never quite grew up. This in itself was beutifully written by Yates as he makes every character plausible and every situation a debate such as Sarah. The inclusion of domestic abuse was something which shocked me but what shocked me even more was Emily's way of handling the situation, by trying to stand up but int he end really just letting it happen......to her own sister, who kept trying to run away.....it was awful and yet so hearbreakingly beleiveable.
Sarah seemed like the girl you wanted to be at the start with every man she wanted and pictures of her and loverboy in the paper etc. but then Yates did what he does best and slowly decayed her as a person and everything around her in such a way as to make this book completely unputdownable http://theteenagebookworms.blogspot.com/(less)
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