Theresa Smith's Blog, page 57
March 13, 2021
The Week That Was…
For those following along at home, good news this week in the form of being able to move into my own house just before Easter. The tenants are vacating and we have the movers booked and the boxes packed. It’s going to be so wonderful being ‘home’ at last after almost nine years away from it.
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Instagram keeps putting these gorgeous book room pics in my newsfeed. Seriously, I would never leave this room if it was in my house. I’ve always been partial to the pairing of pink and green.
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Joke of the week:
This is me. I am the best friend in this scenario.
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What I’ve been reading:
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Until next week… 
March 10, 2021
Book Review: Rags of Time by Michael Ward
London. 1639.
Thomas Tallant, a young and ambitious Spice Merchant, returns from India to find his city in turmoil. A bitter struggle is brewing between King Charles I and Parliament, as England slides into civil war. The capital is simmering with dissent. The conflict is ready to boil over.
But Thomas soon has other troubles to contend with. A wealthy merchant, Sir Joseph Venell, is savagely killed; then his partner Sir Hugh Swofford plunges to his death, in the Tallant household. Suspicion falls on Thomas, who is sucked into a mire of treachery and rumour within the City of London. As the merchant struggles to clear his name, he becomes captivated by the enigmatic Elizabeth Seymour, whose passion for astronomy and mathematics is matched only by her addiction to the gaming tables. Pursued by the authorities, Thomas races to unmask the real killer who claims a third victim to implicate him further, toying with his future in a deadly cat and mouse game.
In a desperate race against time, Elizabeth applies her powers of logic and deduction to unearth the clues that will point to the killer, but her way is barred by a secret message from the grave. Can she crack its code before Thomas, now a wounded and exhausted fugitive, succumbs to the chase? And, if she succeeds, has Thomas the strength to face his tormentor and win his life and reputation back?
Rags of Time is the first book in an engaging and entertaining new historical crime series, set during the upheaval of the 17th Century.
My Thoughts:What an enthralling adventure this was! I thoroughly enjoyed Rags of Time, the first in an historical crime series set in London during the mid-17th century. I’m not all that keen anymore on reading books that are part of a series – the commitment puts me off – but I’m quite certain I’ll make an exception with this one.
The sense of place is vividly realised throughout this novel, the historical detail intricate and immense; you simply feel as though you have stepped back in time whilst reading, right down the last meticulous detail. If at times the author is guilty of history ‘info-dumping’, he can be forgiven on the basis of how in-depth his story is. Set during a turbulent time in England, particularly London, with politics and religion converging into chaos; it was a dangerous time for all, suspicion rife, corruption prolific. The author utilises Thomas’s father, Sir Ralph, to keep the reader informed on what is going on at key points, but without these dialogues, I honestly wouldn’t have fully appreciated the history in all of its complexities. And this is a novel whereby the history is the anchor for the plot points, so context was necessary.
I enjoyed the characters within this novel, particularly Thomas and Elizabeth, but I also appreciated Thomas’s mother, whose presence offered much in terms of enlightening the reader to the softer side of Thomas’s personality. This is a novel where the characters were all well realised, individualised and devoid of stereotype. The groundwork has been laid well in terms of longevity if we are to follow these people along in subsequent books. Elizabeth was a woman who was very much outside of her own time, and I don’t mean that the author has placed a contemporary woman into an historical setting, rather, she had a thirst for knowledge, for breaking convention, a natural curiosity that led to a nurturing of her inner intelligence. I liked her a lot and am glad that the author has paved the way for her to appear as a regular in this series. The spark between her and Thomas was a welcome addition to the story but I liked how the author resisted turning his novel into an historical romance to accommodate it. This one is firmly historical crime fiction and I liked it all the more for it remaining that way.
In terms of the story and the crime/mystery aspect, this was also enjoyable, albeit, quite complex and I only had a hunch about the real perpetrator towards the end, about the same time at which Thomas discovered it. The manner in which Thomas was tied to the crimes he was accused of bordered on absurd – the characters acknowledged this within the novel – but he was still powerless to control the mounting campaign against him. Such were the times, really, where you were very much at the mercy of ‘the powerful people’. I’ll be interested to see what direction this series is headed. Thomas was not an investigator within this novel, he was only trying to clear his own name, so I’m not sure if he is going to turn into a sleuth, or if he will be accused of more crimes in the future and be once again investigating to clear his own name. Either way, I will be tuning in for the history; it really was an excellent realisation of the period.
Thanks is extended to the author, Michael Ward, for providing me with a copy of Rags of Time for review.
Rags of Time
Released 1st July 2020
March 8, 2021
Book Review: The Breaking by Irma Gold
Hannah Bird has just arrived in Thailand. Disoriented and out of her depth, she meets Deven, a fierce and gutsy Australian expat who sweeps her into thrilling adventures rescuing elephants.
As they head deeper and deeper into the fraught world of elephant tourism, their lives become tangled in ways Hannah never imagined. But how far will they go to save a life?
Hannah is about to make a critical decision from which there will be no turning back, with shattering consequences.
The Breaking is an extraordinary debut. Sharply observed and richly vivid, it is an intensely moving story about the magnetic bond between two young women and the enduring cost of animal exploitation. It is at once devastating and exhilarating, and ultimately transformative.
My Thoughts:Irma Gold’s debut novel, The Breaking, is an impactful work of eco-literature with a sub-plot of angst-filled queer romance. It has broad appeal and has an urgency to its narrative style that matches the gravity of the eco themes it deals with.
There are multiple scenes of cruelty towards elephants within this book and they were not easy reading – nor were they meant to be. They were also not gratuitous, simply factual, but emotionally gripping nonetheless. If this novel assists in raising further awareness of the plight of Asian elephants at the mercy of the tourism industry, then I’d consider it a job well done.
Irma captures the right beat with her two female characters, twenty somethings, young and fiercely passionate about animal rights and the state of the planet, poised for action right now, consequences be damned. I love how Irma traversed this; the consequences of taking extreme action were laid out in a clear ripple like effect and Hannah’s realisation of this in the moments of ensuing chaos was a powerful narrative force.
Australian literature has an exciting new voice on the scene and I look forward to reading more from Irma Gold. A special mention for that cover too. Absolutely stunning design and perfectly matched to the book it’s wrapped around.
Thanks is extended to MidnightSun Publishing for providing me with a copy of The Breaking for review.
About the Author:Irma Gold is an author, editor and reader. Her critically acclaimed debut collection of short fiction, Two Steps Forward (Affirm Press), was shortlisted for or won a number of awards. Irma’s short fiction has been widely published in journals, including Meanjin, Westerly, Island, Review of Australian Fiction and Going Down Swinging, and in anthologies like Australian Love Stories edited by Cate Kennedy, and the tenth anniversary edition of Award-Winning Australian Writing 2017.
Irma is also the author of three picture books for children, most recently Megumi and the Bear (Walker Books), with two more forthcoming, Seree’s Story (Walker Books) and Where the Heart Is (EK Books). Irma is passionate about childhood literacy and is Ambassador for the 2016 ACT Chief Minister’s Reading Challenge.
Irma’s debut novel, The Breaking, won the NSW Writers Centre Varuna Fellowship and was awarded development grants by artsACT and CAPO.
The Breaking
Published by MidnightSun Publishing
Released 1st March 2021
March 6, 2021
The Week That Was…
Hit me with your favourite dishes for cooking in a french oven. The pretty blue colour did it.
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Joke of the week:
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Can someone please recreate this room for me and just let me know when it’s all set up?
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What I’ve been watching:
So far so good with this one. Inspired by The Silence of the Lambs.
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What I’ve been reading:
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What I’m reading right now:
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Until next week…
March 4, 2021
The 2021 Stella Prize Longlist
The Stella Prize 2021 longlist has been announced!
Which have you read and loved/hated/not been excited by?
I’ve read four! I’ve highlighted them below and linked them to my reviews. I’m not a fan of A Lonely Girl is a Dangerous Thing but loved the other three I’ve read. I’m just going to come out and say it here, I really, REALLY, really want The Bass Rock to win. The shortlist will be announced on Thursday 25th March.
Fathoms: the World in the Whale by Rebecca Giggs (Scribe Publications)
Revenge: Murder in Three Parts by S L Lim (Transit Lounge)
The Animals in That Country by Laura Jean McKay (Scribe Publications)
Witness by Louise Milligan (Hachette Australia)
Metal Fish, Falling Snow by Cath Moore (Text Publishing)
The Wandering by Intan Paramaditha (Penguin Random House)
Stone Sky Gold Mountain by Mirandi Riwoe (University of Queensland Press)
Blueberries by Ellena Savage (Text Publishing)
Song of the Crocodile by Nardi Simpson (Hachette Australia)
Smart Ovens for Lonely People by Elizabeth Tan (Brio Books)
A Lonely Girl is a Dangerous Thing by Jessie Tu (Allen & Unwin)
The Bass Rock by Evie Wyld (Penguin Random House)
#2021StellaPrize
March 3, 2021
Book Review: Bright Burning Things by Lisa Harding
Being Tommy’s mother is too much for Sonya.
Too much love, too much fear, too much longing for the cool wine she gulps from the bottle each night. Because Sonya is burning the fish fingers, and driving too fast, and swimming too far from the shore, and Tommy’s life is in her hands.
Once there was the thrill of a London stage, a glowing acting career, fast cars, handsome men. But now there are blackouts and bare cupboards, and her estranged father showing up uninvited. There is Mrs O’Malley spying from across the road. There is the risk of losing Tommy – forever.
My Thoughts:‘These men, their lives seemed inevitable, their destinies charted from the moment they were born to their crackhead fathers, criminal mothers, junkies, alcos, selfish, stunted, addled parents. Like me. These men were born to mothers like me.’
This novel. It was as gripping as a thriller but as quiet as a whisper. I loved it so much. When we meet Sonya, she is at rock bottom. She’s lost all control over her drinking and is unable to look after herself, nor her son or even her dog, both of which are in danger from her neglect and incapacity. The urge is there to feel enraged at Sonya, to judge her, as those around her certainly are. Yet the instinct is to pause, and consider, not excuse, but to understand. The way this novel is written allows the reader to burrow in, insert yourself into the situation and view it from all angles. It’s a deeply immersive narrative and intensely personal first-person account of what being an addict whilst being a mother, and a daughter, and even a pet owner, might actually be like.
Sonya is an incredibly vulnerable character. She is a single mother with no supports. She has no supports before she goes into rehab and none when she comes out. The vulnerability of this was shocking to me, giving weight to the way in which I personally have judged alcoholics I know. Being inside Sonya’s skin allowed me to understand that my functionality as a non-alcoholic cannot ever be compared to her functionality as an alcoholic, even after she is sober. Sonya’s vulnerability is even more apparent when she becomes the object of interest of another recovering alcoholic, whose charm rapidly sours to gas lighting. This was done so well too, and it was so distressing to see it all unfold, the way in which an addict, who is already doubting every second of their day and night, every thought they have, every action they take; she didn’t stand a chance.
Ultimately though this novel is incredibly empowering. It’s a testament to the power of love winning out against the cravings of addiction, of believing in a higher order, something to cling to and focus on. I never really understood the links between prayer and recovery, but I loved the way it was presented within this novel, as a construct completely separate from religion, not even a part of religion at all, but rather, a source of inner strength, a chain to you and something else that you can call on in your darkest moments. In many ways this was a reminder that there are really great and devoted people out there helping others through religious organisations; that religion and those who work within its framework, are not all corrupt and abusive; they are people on the ground, working one on one with addicts, and making a real difference.
This is Irish fiction but not hugely Irish, if that makes any sense. It could have been set in any city, the anonymity of it driving home the universal problem of addiction and the many social and welfare issues linking back to it, not least of all, child safety concerns. The importance of wrap around support during the detox phase and continuing on throughout recovery cannot be overemphasised, as demonstrated through Sonya’s situation. Check your judgement at the door. Bright Burning Things is a novel that will alter your perspective on addiction.
Thanks is extended to Bloomsbury for providing me with a copy of Bright Burning Things for review.
Bright Burning Things
Published by Bloomsbury Publishing
Released 4th March 2021
March 1, 2021
Behind the Pen – A Few of my Favourites with Meg Bignell
Today I am delighted to welcome Meg Bignell to Behind the Pen. Meg’s latest book, Welcome to Nowhere River, releases today and to celebrate, she’s sharing a few of her favourites with us. Over to you Meg, what is your favourite…and why…
Character from one of your books?
Susannah from The Sparkle Pages is my first love. She’s the one who first gave my voice a person and a life because her story was told in diary form. I made her say and do some of the inappropriate things I was thinking but couldn’t, so I owe her favouritism. Her mother Franny popped up unexpectedly in Welcome to Nowhere River in the form of Lucie. I think they are me in about twenty years. So they are favourites too.
Scene from one of your books?
Wow, these are really hard questions. I adore a ghost story so I was really invested in the ghost tour scene in Welcome to Nowhere River. And the St Margery’s meeting scenes are so fun to write. I love writing dialogue. But perhaps my favourite of all is the scene in The Sparkle Pages when Susannah gets chased by an emu. I laughed a lot writing that and laughing is my most favourite pastime.
Movie of all time?
Notting Hill. Closely followed by Love Actually and anything else written by Richard Curtis. I once wrote to him and asked him to be my mentor and he wrote me a really friendly ‘sorry, no.’ I love him.
Book that you always keep a copy of and recommend to others?
I Capture The Castle by Dodie Smith. It’s pure joy through the eyes of a properly unadulterated narrator. Smith apparently wrote it to manage her severe homesickness, and I relate to that. I get a lot of inspiration from nostalgia.
Fashion accessory that despite having plenty of, you still keep collecting?
I love a good bag, and I get sick of them quickly so I’m very drawn to the handbag department. I also have a thing for things that sparkle. It’s a problem.
Drink that you enjoy everyday?
I am not very good at plain water, so I’m a bit embarrassed to say that I love a good cordial. Bickfords is my go-to, especially because on the bottom of each bottle is a little affirmation set into in the glass. I enjoy little mysterious details like that. I’ve told you that just to distract you from the fact that I’m terrible at hydration.
Treat you indulge in?
Mixed sweets. I don’t much like chocolate but I love jubes and milk bottles and licorice allsorts. I have a sweet tooth can you tell? Another problem.
Place to be?
Floating in the Derwent River. But it has to be high summer, with plums on the trees.
Person you admire?
I can’t name an absolute favourite but I think Tim Minchin, with his music and his wit and his lyricism, is pretty close. I am a musical theatre tragic and a total music enthusiast and am in awe of anyone who can bring humour, commentary, conscience, music and talent to the fore. Kate Miller-Heidke and Lin-Manual Miranda are two others I love. I would turn to water if I met any of them so I sort of hope I never do.
Season of the year?
Summer of course. I’m Tasmanian so I wait for it for three hundred and sixty days of the year.
Long past its heyday and deep in drought, the riverside hamlet of Nowhere River is slowly fading into a ghost town. It’s a place populated by those who are beholden to it, those who were born to it and those who took a wrong turn while trying to go somewhere else.
City-born Carra married into Nowhere River, Lucie was brought to it by tragedy, Josie is root-bound and Florence knows nowhere else. All of them, though familiar with every inch of their tiny hometown, are as lost as the place itself.
The town’s social cornerstone — St Margery’s Ladies’ Club — launches a rescue plan that turns everything around and upside down, then shakes it until all sorts of things come floating to the surface. And none of its inhabitants will ever be the same again.
This is the highly original and heartfelt story of a place where everybody knows everything, but no one really knows anyone at all. Brimming with heart and humour, this is a delightful novel that celebrates the country people and towns of Australia.
Published by Penguin Random House Australia
Released 2nd March 2021
Meg Bignell was a nurse and a weather presenter on the telly before she surrendered to a persistent desire to write. Since then she has been writing almost every day – bits and pieces here and there, either to earn a crust, to get something off her chest or to entertain herself. She has written three short films, mostly because she wanted to do some acting and no one else would cast her. She sings a bit too, occasionally writes and performs cabaret, but is mostly very busy being a mother to three and a wife (to one). She lives with her family on a dairy farm on Tasmania’s East Coast.
February 28, 2021
A Month of Reading: February
Total books read throughout February: 8Until next month…
February 27, 2021
The Week That Was…
Not much reading has been going on this week as all of my energy and time has been focused on getting my daughter Claire ready for uni and spending some quality time with her. I put her on the plane to Brisbane yesterday and today she will move into her dorm room and begin, what I hope will be, an exciting, challenging, and rewarding time in her life.
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What I’ve been watching:
While Claire was here, we watched this series together:
Really worth watching! Quite shocking but 100% compelling.
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Joke of the week:
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Which kind of leads in to my purchase of the week:
An airfryer. Finally giving in to the pressure of my eldest son, who is a bit of a foodie and likes to cook. He’s been ‘suggesting’ we get an airfryer for some time now. After only a few days of having one, I honestly can’t imagine being without it. Last night I made parmesan croutons to accompany slow cooked potato and leek soup and it was so delicious.
I actually have another purchase of the week, something I’ve been looking for since last year’s lockdown in May, when board games became a thing again…
At last! Youngest son and I are very keen to give this one a go.
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Book of the week:
The one book I did manage to read this week was a very good one…
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Until next week…
February 21, 2021
2021 ABIA Longlist
I don’t usually report on all book awards but I do like to follow the ABIA – Australian Book Industry Awards. The 2021 longlist has just been announced today and I’ve read quite a number of the books listed, all of which I enjoyed except one. I’m going to do my usual here and just share the ABIA lists as they appear over on the ABIA website. Let me know if you have any favourites or not so favourites listed and we can compare notes!
