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Parade's End: Some Do Not...; No More Parades; A Man Could Stand Up -; The Last Post
Julian Barnes and Ford Madox Ford
Book
Booker Prize-winner Julian Barnes introduces Ford Madox Ford's masterpiece Parade's End - now a...
BookInspector (124 KP) rated The Girl in the Letter in Books
Sep 24, 2020
This novel is told from multiple perspectives, so there is no single protagonist in this novel. Sam is a journalist who finds a letter from Ivy, written in 1956, and she is trying to find out who Ivy was and is she related to her own family. Even though we learn about Ivy through her letters, the whole story kind of circles around her. I really liked all the characters chosen for this novel, I think they are well well developed and truly intriguing. I liked Sam, and her personality, but my most favourite one was Ivy. Her story is mesmerizing, and the way everything unfolds as you carry on reading left me unsettled.
The narrative of this novel is very creatively written, the plot keeps travelling between the present and the past, unravelling long forgotten secrets and mysteries. There is plenty of great turns and twists in this book, and I was kept on my toes page after page. There is plenty of great topics discussed in this book, such as mother-baby bond, couple relationships, family dramas, cruelty and abuse from church workers, revenge, and many more. I really loved the research done for this novel, I could feel the pain Ivy felt and see how this kind of institutions ruined lives instead of saving them.
The writing style of this book is easy to read but difficult emotionally. The setting of this novel constantly changes between different characters, so it doesn’t leave the reader bored. The chapters are pretty short and flew by really quickly for me. The ending rounded up the novel very nicely and left me satisfied with the outcome.
So, to conclude, it is a really powerful book, filled with pain, love, and broken lives. The characters are very well crafted and the narrative just sucked me in from the first pages. If you, like me, like the books about haunting and scary institutions from the past, this book is definitely for you!
The narrative of this novel is very creatively written, the plot keeps travelling between the present and the past, unravelling long forgotten secrets and mysteries. There is plenty of great turns and twists in this book, and I was kept on my toes page after page. There is plenty of great topics discussed in this book, such as mother-baby bond, couple relationships, family dramas, cruelty and abuse from church workers, revenge, and many more. I really loved the research done for this novel, I could feel the pain Ivy felt and see how this kind of institutions ruined lives instead of saving them.
The writing style of this book is easy to read but difficult emotionally. The setting of this novel constantly changes between different characters, so it doesn’t leave the reader bored. The chapters are pretty short and flew by really quickly for me. The ending rounded up the novel very nicely and left me satisfied with the outcome.
So, to conclude, it is a really powerful book, filled with pain, love, and broken lives. The characters are very well crafted and the narrative just sucked me in from the first pages. If you, like me, like the books about haunting and scary institutions from the past, this book is definitely for you!
BookInspector (124 KP) rated The Key in Books
Sep 24, 2020
I really like reading books which has an interesting setting, and what could be more intriguing than a mental hospital in 60ies. That was what kindled my interest to read this book. There is always something sinister behind those closed doors…
This novel didn’t disappoint me with the originality of its characters. I loved this wide variety of amusing characters with different states of mind. The main characters in this novel were Ellen, Amy and Sarah. Amy was a patient in the hospital where Ellen was working. And Sarah was the person from the present, investigating, what happened in Ambergate all those years ago. I absolutely adored Ellen and Amy’s story in this novel. It was very indulging, absolutely absorbing and heartbreaking. I adored Ellen’s kindness and the constant fight for making patient’s lives better. I really enjoyed reading multiple perspectives in this novel, I think it opened up the characters wonderfully.
It is obvious from the blurb, that narrative was switching between past and present events, bringing different stories and different findings, and Hughes has done amazing transitions between these parts. I really liked that author was telling multiple stories in this novel, constantly bringing in turns and twists to keep the reader entertained and hooked. K. Hughes touched really sensitive topics in this novel, such as mental health, loss in a family, teenage homelessness, family relationships, disability and many more.
The writing style of this novel was absolutely beautiful and the whole book very well rounded up. It has pleasant short chapters and the pages just flew through my fingers. I really liked the way author ended this book. I think it was very deserved and heartwarming finish to the story, and I appreciate that author kept it realistic. So, to conclude, this is a very intriguing and full of surprises story, with plenty of original characters, which kept me hooked, and I savoured this book till the last page. I do strongly recommend it and I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did.
This novel didn’t disappoint me with the originality of its characters. I loved this wide variety of amusing characters with different states of mind. The main characters in this novel were Ellen, Amy and Sarah. Amy was a patient in the hospital where Ellen was working. And Sarah was the person from the present, investigating, what happened in Ambergate all those years ago. I absolutely adored Ellen and Amy’s story in this novel. It was very indulging, absolutely absorbing and heartbreaking. I adored Ellen’s kindness and the constant fight for making patient’s lives better. I really enjoyed reading multiple perspectives in this novel, I think it opened up the characters wonderfully.
It is obvious from the blurb, that narrative was switching between past and present events, bringing different stories and different findings, and Hughes has done amazing transitions between these parts. I really liked that author was telling multiple stories in this novel, constantly bringing in turns and twists to keep the reader entertained and hooked. K. Hughes touched really sensitive topics in this novel, such as mental health, loss in a family, teenage homelessness, family relationships, disability and many more.
The writing style of this novel was absolutely beautiful and the whole book very well rounded up. It has pleasant short chapters and the pages just flew through my fingers. I really liked the way author ended this book. I think it was very deserved and heartwarming finish to the story, and I appreciate that author kept it realistic. So, to conclude, this is a very intriguing and full of surprises story, with plenty of original characters, which kept me hooked, and I savoured this book till the last page. I do strongly recommend it and I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did.
Auroracub (2 KP) rated Shades Children in Books
Dec 4, 2018
Harrowing yet perfect
Without spoilers it is hard to review really but this novel is one of the best narratives I have ever read. The apocalyptic premise is more intense than many available and the idea behind it is just horrific enough to stay with me since I first read it. The characters are well rounded and built to become emotional ties to the reader and the novel although apocalyptic is filled with hope of a brighter future. I understand it to be a young person's novel however I feel that in many cases the depth may be lost on the young and the premise may be a little intense but I have recommended it to everyone I know and will continue to do so.
David McK (3752 KP) rated Holy Warrior (The Outlaw Chronicles, #2) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
Angus Donald's direct sequel to 'Outlaw', this follows on from the events of that earlier novel, again told through the eyes of the elderly Alan Dale remembering his earlier time with Robin of Locksley (Robin Hood).
Split into three distinct sections, the first is set in England and follows the preparation of the Earl of Locksley's men for their pilgrimage to the Holy Land, in what we now know as the Third Crusade. The second and third parts of the novel deal with both the journey and arrival, culminating in the historical battle of Arsouf, where Richard IIIs (Richard the Lionheart) forces come up against the might of Saladin.
Not quite as good as it's predecessor, but I'll still be reading the sequel to this novel when it's also released.
Split into three distinct sections, the first is set in England and follows the preparation of the Earl of Locksley's men for their pilgrimage to the Holy Land, in what we now know as the Third Crusade. The second and third parts of the novel deal with both the journey and arrival, culminating in the historical battle of Arsouf, where Richard IIIs (Richard the Lionheart) forces come up against the might of Saladin.
Not quite as good as it's predecessor, but I'll still be reading the sequel to this novel when it's also released.
David McK (3752 KP) rated Pirate Latitudes in Books
Jan 30, 2019
Michael Crichton's last full work, and in a move unusual for an author best known for techno-thrillers, this novel is actually a historical adventure.
Although it is not the first time he has dabbled in the genre (see also The Great Train Robbery and Eaters of the Dead), I felt that his relative lack of experience of said genre showed: one needs only compare this to a work by Bernard Cornwell, for instance.
I suppose It is possible that the novel was finished but not completed, if you know what I mean, and I also got the feeling that he was trying to jump on the Pirates of the Caribbean (albeit without the magic!) bandwagon with this novel, also set in the Caribbean during the time of Charles II
Although it is not the first time he has dabbled in the genre (see also The Great Train Robbery and Eaters of the Dead), I felt that his relative lack of experience of said genre showed: one needs only compare this to a work by Bernard Cornwell, for instance.
I suppose It is possible that the novel was finished but not completed, if you know what I mean, and I also got the feeling that he was trying to jump on the Pirates of the Caribbean (albeit without the magic!) bandwagon with this novel, also set in the Caribbean during the time of Charles II
Erika (17789 KP) rated Star Wars: Force Collector (Journey to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker) in Books
Dec 19, 2019
So, this was the last novel of the 'Journey to Rise of Skywalker' series... At least the writing was a little better than the other novels in the series.
The novel featured two forgettable teen characters, one of whom had some force powers, and the other was the daughter of a First Order dude. Pretty unremarkable, because I don't even remember their names. They go on some rando adventures to find some Jedi artefacts, because the kid can touch things and see the past. A different sort of force power, which I believe was the entire point. At one point, they do visit Bantuu, which connects it to Galaxy's Edge.
I think this novel was written to illustrate different sorts of force powers that will come into play in the film.
The novel featured two forgettable teen characters, one of whom had some force powers, and the other was the daughter of a First Order dude. Pretty unremarkable, because I don't even remember their names. They go on some rando adventures to find some Jedi artefacts, because the kid can touch things and see the past. A different sort of force power, which I believe was the entire point. At one point, they do visit Bantuu, which connects it to Galaxy's Edge.
I think this novel was written to illustrate different sorts of force powers that will come into play in the film.
lurkykitty (3 KP) rated The Animals at Lockwood Manor in Books
Mar 26, 2020
A tense, suspenseful debut historical novel
The Animals at Lockwood Manor is a debut historical fiction novel. It takes place in England during the second world war. Hetty Cartwright is tasked with moving animal specimens from the Natural History Museum collection to a manor in the countryside to protect them from the German air raids. Shortly after moving to Lockwood Manor, Hetty realizes all is not quite right with the inhabitants of the manor. The novel is well-written, tense, and atmospheric. The author skillfully builds the suspense, culminating in the motive for hosting the zoological collection and the revelation of multiple secrets. There is also a romance intertwined with the plot and, although important, is not the main focus of the story. It was highly readable and difficult to put down.
Between Dog and Wolf
Sasha Sokolov and Alexander Boguslawski
Book
Sasha Sokolov is one of few writers to have been praised by Vladimir Nabokov, who called his first...