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ClareR (5674 KP) rated The Sixteen Trees of the Somme in Books

Mar 2, 2019  
The Sixteen Trees of the Somme
The Sixteen Trees of the Somme
Lars Mytting | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry, History & Politics
10
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Such a beautifully written and translated novel - I struggled to put this one down. It's another of those 'cooking one-handed' books (warning: this may result in burns of both person and food!).
Edvard has grown up with his grandfather on a remote farm in the Norwegian mountains after the mysterious death of his parents when he was a small child.
After his grandfather dies, Edvard decides to leave his solitary life on the farm and investigate what happened. His journey takes him to the northernmost Scottish Shetland Islands where his Great Uncle lived the last years of his life, and to a small woodland in the Somme, where his parents died.
The descriptions of the bleak Scottish islands, the lush woodland in the Somme, and Edvard potato farm in Norway are stunning. The Wars are described in heartbreaking terms: the loss and the grim reality of war, families torn apart and suspicions aimed at friends and family members. And at its heart, a boy without parents, orphaned with he death of his grandfather, trying to make sense of his familys past.
A truly gorgeous book.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher (MacLehose Press) for my copy of this book.
  
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ClareR (5674 KP) rated Ascension (Phobos #1) in Books

Jul 6, 2018  
A(
Ascension (Phobos #1)
Victor Dixen | 2018 | Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
8
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
A great concept
Six boys and six girls are chosen to be the first people to colonise Mars in a speed-dating show like no other. We follow Leonor mainly, as she navigates her life and 'dates' on board the Cupido. It's a bit 'cheesy' in places, and you do get a sense of the fact that it has been translated from French: it gives the language a more lyrical feel (in my opinion). The story though, is great!
I'm not a fan at all of reality TV. I'll turn the channel over every time. This novel shows the whole ridiculousness of the concept: a few 6 minute dates before you choose your life partner?! Madness!
This novel also shows how corrupt big business and government can be in the race to make more and more money. Lots to think about whilst you're reading - the ideas have to come from somewhere!
I liked where the story cut away from the space ship to the organisers of the TV show and two other characters, Andrew and Harmony. I think they may be quite important in the following books in this trilogy. And yes, I have preordered book 2, which incidentally, releases in October!
Thanks to Readers First for my copy of this book.