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ClareR (5879 KP) rated Learwife in Books

Nov 30, 2021  
Learwife
Learwife
J R Thorp | 2021 | Fiction & Poetry
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Learwife was so much more than I expected it to be. I’ll be honest: I haven’t read King Lear, and I thought I’d struggle to understand this, and the fact that I’ve recently read The Queens of Innis Lear by Tessa Gratton (and really enjoyed it) I thought would confuse me more (the Queen isn’t sent to a nunnery in TQoIL). I needn’t have worried though.

This book is narrated by the former queen, whilst she’s living in the convent, reflecting on her time as a queen two times, as the wife of Lear, and a mother to her three daughters. Even though she has been exiled from her former life and forbidden from seeing her daughters for a very long time, when she hears of their deaths she’s devastated. She imagines that she can see their ghosts. She comes close to madness herself. This is a very human woman, not just a queen. In fact, most of the other women living in the convent, don’t know that she was once their queen. They do know that she was a woman of status, and they defer to her - not least because of her steely demeanour. She’s a formidable woman.

This did take me longer than usual to read, but there were several factors involved in this: taking in the gorgeous prose, and the fact that I desperately needed reading glasses (which I now thankfully have! 🤭). It really is beautifully written, and I think that it’s going to be one of those rare books that I’ll read again.
  
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Hazel (1853 KP) rated Delta in Books

Apr 4, 2019  
Delta
Delta
Jordan Elizabeth Mierek | 2019 | History & Politics, Mystery, Paranormal
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Suitable for anyone who wants to enjoy a short story, Delta is the latest novella by the versatile Jordan Elizabeth. Based on an historical event but with purely fictional characters, the author weaves real life and paranormal/fantasy together to create a gripping tale.

Set in the years leading up to the time a small village was flooded to create Lake Delta in 1917, the short story focuses on the Madison family who believe the plans will never come to fruition. As the years pass, neighbours begin receiving eviction letters but the family remain steadfast in their belief that their land won't be affected.

Meanwhile, the protagonist Lottie is given the task to deliver daily baskets of food to her Aunt Flora, a lady housebound in a cottage in the woods, however, Lottie is forbidden to ever enter the house.

As Lottie grows up with the threat of the flood becoming more of a reality, she begins to question why her parents are so convinced that all will be okay. In the months leading to her 17th birthday, she overhears her parents speaking of magic, but surely magic isn't real? She is soon to discover the painful truth and learn that she is not who she thinks she is.

Delta was quick to read and the ten year storyline sped by. The fast pace makes readers eager to reach the conclusion, a conclusion that is in no way predictable.

Whilst short, Delta is definitely worth reading. It is perfect for those moments when you need something to do but can't commit to reading a longer novel.
  
The Boy Next Door (2015)
The Boy Next Door (2015)
2015 | Mystery
2
4.8 (4 Ratings)
Movie Rating
The theme of the dangerous person living next door as well as forbidden attraction and desires are no stranger to Hollywood as they are themes that have powered some of the most intense and erotic dramas in recent memory.

The latest offering from Hollywood has Jennifer Lopez as Claire, a woman who is newly divorced and falls for her new neighbor played by Ryan Guzman.

At first the relationship is exciting for Claire but things take a turn for the worse and Claire soon learns that her new neighbor is not what he first appeared to be and is a very dangerous and manipulative individual.

You would think with a premise such as this and a decent cast that this would at least be a passable thriller but instead it is about as lifeless and formulaic a film as they come.

The film was completely predictable aside form one brief moment at the end of the film that was mildly unexpected, but other than that I found myself whispering to my husband throughout the movie what was going to happen next, and it did.

Supporting actors John Corbett, playing Lopez’ (estranged) husband, and Ian Nelson as their teenage son, did a passable job given the material they were working with but deserved much better.

Ryan Guzman who plays 19-year-old neighbor Noah, manages to play the creepy psycho part pretty well, but the material was as I said previously; so very predictable.

 

I wish I could offer more than 1 star out of 5, but I can’t for the film which is a shame as the audience and the cast deserved so much more with this premise.