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An Englishman Aboard: Discovering France in a Rowing Boat
Book
From the author of Pardon My French and A Certain Je Ne Sais Quoi, this is the charming and...
A coming of age story
A coming of age story, set between Ghana and London, this is the story of Belinda, a housegirl, who moves to London to help the daughter of her employers friends. Amma (the friends daughter) has become withdrawn and is struggling with something in her life - not her studies though, she's a straight A student. She won't talk to her parents about it, and to begin with, it doesn't look as though she'll talk to Belinda either. Their friendship builds over a period of weeks and months. In this time, Belinda goes back to school in order to gain some qualifications. She seems to feel guilty of having left her fellow housegirl, who she refers to as sister (even though the 12 year old Mary is not her sister by blood, they have bonded over being in the same circumstances of separation from their families at young ages).
This novel explores African attitudes towards sexuality, family and responsibility. It's funny at times, but also incredibly moving. I really enjoyed it. We can see the contrast between life in a Ghanaian city and village, and the difference again between those places and London. A fascinating novel.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of this fantastic book.
This novel explores African attitudes towards sexuality, family and responsibility. It's funny at times, but also incredibly moving. I really enjoyed it. We can see the contrast between life in a Ghanaian city and village, and the difference again between those places and London. A fascinating novel.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of this fantastic book.
Fred (860 KP) rated Bumblebee (2018) in Movies
Mar 16, 2019
G1 Transformers (2 more)
The opening scene on Cybertron
You got the touch!
The stupid "Bumblebee has no voice" crap (1 more)
John Cena is a horrible actor
Robot in disguise
I love the Transformers. I've been a fan since the original cartoon in 1984 & the original comic book run from Marvel. I've loved just about every show & every movie. Yes, they have had their faults, but for pure enjoyment, I loved them too. But now that I've seen Bumblebee, I know that they could have been a lot better.
Yes, this is easily the best of the live-action films. Let's just start by saying G1 versions. That should be enough, but even the story is better than the others. Sure, it's not very original & in one scene there's even a homage (rip off) of the Iron Giant. But it's great entertainment. The action is great, it's funny, but not silly like the others. I like John Cena, when I can see him, but he's terrible in this.But I can overlook it. The Rock has nothing to worry about. My main complaint is they make Bumblebee mute again. So stupid & annoying. Why? What's it bring to the story? Absolutely nothing.
I actually can't wait for the next installment & hope it continues this line instead of the last one.
Yes, this is easily the best of the live-action films. Let's just start by saying G1 versions. That should be enough, but even the story is better than the others. Sure, it's not very original & in one scene there's even a homage (rip off) of the Iron Giant. But it's great entertainment. The action is great, it's funny, but not silly like the others. I like John Cena, when I can see him, but he's terrible in this.But I can overlook it. The Rock has nothing to worry about. My main complaint is they make Bumblebee mute again. So stupid & annoying. Why? What's it bring to the story? Absolutely nothing.
I actually can't wait for the next installment & hope it continues this line instead of the last one.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2304 KP) rated Due or Die in Books
Jan 19, 2019
Due Read This Book
Carrie Rushton has just been elected president of the Friends of the Library. Even though Lindsay Norris isn't a member of the group since she's the head of the library itself, she is thrilled to be working with someone bringing fresh ideas and perspectives. However, after Carrie's first meeting in her new role, she returns home to find her husband shot to death. People are quick to jump to the conclusion that Carrie is guilty, but Lindsay is sure the woman is innocent. Will a winter storm coming to the area turn the trail of the real killer cold?
While I still don't have all the supporting characters straight in my head, the characters important to this mystery are all well developed. That includes not only the suspects, but the main characters. Thanks to a couple of sub-plots, I found the pacing uneven, although things did pick up for the climax. Things do fit together well, but there is a major timing issue in the climax. It annoys, but it is minor overall. While I always enjoy Jenn's books, I found this one super funny, laughing out loud multiple times over the course of the story. I'm already looking forward to my next stop at this library.
While I still don't have all the supporting characters straight in my head, the characters important to this mystery are all well developed. That includes not only the suspects, but the main characters. Thanks to a couple of sub-plots, I found the pacing uneven, although things did pick up for the climax. Things do fit together well, but there is a major timing issue in the climax. It annoys, but it is minor overall. While I always enjoy Jenn's books, I found this one super funny, laughing out loud multiple times over the course of the story. I'm already looking forward to my next stop at this library.
Eilidh G Clark (177 KP) rated Pigeon English in Books
Jul 2, 2019
This is a great first novel
This is a must read. Written in first person and from the point of view of Harry, an eleven year old boy (If my memory serves me well) is the most intelligent and convincing narration I have come across. The novel is funny yet disturbing and the reader is told of the young boys own world but through the innocence of a (not quite mature enough to understand the world) boy. Present tense with analepsis allows the reader into the distance between his old life and his new life. Kelman's terrific talent of show not tell, and the young protagonists inexperience creates a sense of irony, as the adult reader see's what the child is too young to notice himself.
I am not going to go into the plot as I feel that this is something I do not want to spoil but believe me, Kelman's characters are fully fleshed out and the world they live in as real as any run down council estate in the UK. This novel surprised me, made me laugh and brought me to tears and has left a tiny book shaped hole in my heart. Well done Stephen Kelman
I am not going to go into the plot as I feel that this is something I do not want to spoil but believe me, Kelman's characters are fully fleshed out and the world they live in as real as any run down council estate in the UK. This novel surprised me, made me laugh and brought me to tears and has left a tiny book shaped hole in my heart. Well done Stephen Kelman
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