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BookInspector (124 KP) rated The Other Side of the Street in Books

Sep 24, 2020

The Other Side of the Street

Helen Carey | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry

10.0

(1 Ratings)

Book Rating

This was a first H. Carey’s book which I read, and definitely not the last one. This novel is fifth in Lavender Road series, and I will read rest of them as soon as will be able to.

In the blurb, Carey highlights two characters – Louise and Jen, but they are not the only ones this book is about. There a lot of characters to choose from, and all of them are incredibly appealing, charismatic, and you need all of them, in order to enjoy this story. I absolutely loved how the author included every single of them in this novel, not leaving out any. I couldn’t decide which one I loved the most, they all have their strengths and qualities, which made this book richer, more interesting and relatable. Another thing which I absolutely loved, was multiple perspectives. I really enjoyed reading, how different characters reacted to some of the situations. I loved getting to know every single character, their problems and achievements, I think that’s why this book simply absorbed me. It was like watching a TV series unfold throughout the pages.

It is quite hard for me to describe the narrative of this book. Through different perspectives, there were a lot of life stories unfolded and told, so the narrative always changed, throwing in different characters feelings and thoughts. Which I found truly fascinating. Carey didn’t leave me bored even for a second, she creatively added turns and twists to the stories, which made me turn page after page. I really liked, that author was addressing difficulties which women were facing during that period, and I enjoyed the way Louise was breaking the stereotypes.

The writing style of this book was very pleasant, easy to read and enjoyable. One thing what I found inconvenient for me was ENSA/ RADA/ ATS etc. I grew up abroad, so I have no idea what they mean, and I am too lazy to google it, so I would have liked a little explanation page at the back, however, not knowing it, didn’t ruin my reading experience at all. The chapters of this book are quite long, but it did not drag to me, because there were a lot of things happening in every chapter, so they flew quite quickly. I really liked the way Carey ended this book, it was unexpected, satisfying, and I will be waiting to find out, what will happen next to all the characters. So, to conclude, I really enjoyed this novel, it has well rounded, exciting, fun characters, and the narrative always keeps changing, that left me hooked and interested till the last page. I really hope Netflix or BBC will make a TV series from Lavender Road books in a near future 🙂

Kudos

Andy K (10821 KP) rated Fried Green Tomatoes (1991) in Movies

May 18, 2019

Fried Green Tomatoes (1991)

1991 | Comedy, Drama

8.9

(7 Ratings)

Movie Rating Watch

Onscreen female friendships are the best!

When a friendship between an awkward tomboy and a shy girl blossoms into a thriving southern business in 1930s Alabama, the two young women have much to deal with including racism, domestic violence and even a murder.

Meanwhile, a middle aged woman meets a kindly old lady in a nursing home. The old woman begins to tell the tale of the two girls. The woman is intrigued and keeps coming back for more.

How does it all turn out? Does the girls' friendship endure and persevere?

I remember seeing this film when it was first released in 1991, but didn't revisit until yesterday.

Hot off their Academy Award wins, Kathy Bates and Jessica Tandy are just marvelous and Mary Louise Parker and Mary Stuart Masterson are perfect as the young woman forming their lifelong bond.

Even book author Fannie Flagg makes an appearance during one of the group sessions the middle aged woman attends. They get to talk about their vaginas! (Having never done so myself, I can't see the fascination!)

I think this ranks with Steel Magnolias as one of my favorite this type of film I have seen. Just poignant and one of those "Dramedy" "Happy/Sad" kind of films.

Kudos

Cumberland (1142 KP) May 18, 2019

Love this movie!

Kudos

Eleanor (1463 KP) rated The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper in Books

Feb 26, 2020 (Updated Apr 18, 2021)

An Different Angle to View True Crime

So many of us that are into True Crime get caught up in the killers and this book, thankfully, gives us a kick in the butt to wake up and remember the tragic victims of the horrific crimes we pour-over. Taking a very in-depth look at the lives of the victims of Jack the Ripper we get a vivid picture of the lives of these women before they were so brutally ended.

This book gives us a window into the lives of women in the 19th Century that is fascinating.

I listened to audiobook read by Louise Brealey and I think mainly because it was an audiobook (and people had like a million children each!!!) it got a bit name heavy at points as well as other details being hard to take in. This though reflects on what is clearly a very thoroughly researched book. It's conclusion that not all the victims were necessarily prostitutes I think was slightly off the mark in that it doesn't matter even if they were there was more than that to sum up their lives.

There is always more to the victims of horrendous acts than we often look at while we are busy giving in-depth looks into the lives of killers. This book does a great job of refocusing the True Crime narrative.