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Hazel (1853 KP) rated A Place Called Winter in Books

Dec 17, 2018  
A Place Called Winter
A Place Called Winter
Patrick Gale | 2015 | Fiction & Poetry, History & Politics
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
<i>This eBook was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review</i>

Loosely based upon a true story, one of Patrick Gale’s ancestors in fact, <i>A Place Called Winter</i> follows the life of Harry Cane during the early 1900s. The book begins with Harry being transferred from a mental asylum to a therapeutic community called Bethel Ranch. The story then backtracks to Harry’s life as a young, nervous, motherless boy and the time he met his future wife, Winnie.

Throughout the book the reader is trying to guess the reason Harry eventually finds himself at Bethel Ranch. Gale describes Harry’s marriage, his discovery of homosexuality and his move to Canada to his final stop at a homestead in a place called Winter. Does Harry develop a mental illness or is it something to do with his scandalous desires? Or, does something else happen later in the book?

After moving to Canada, Harry does not exactly have it easy and the reader feels for him as he perseveres with his new life style. We watch him grow from a timid young man into someone with his own farm and independence. It makes it all the more upsetting to read when certain things take a turn for the worse.

In this historical novel, Patrick Gale emphasizes on the way homosexuality was regarded in society. Entire families cut people out of their lives at the slightest hint of a scandal. Gale also touches on the techniques used within mental asylums during this period as well as racial discrimination.

Occasionally, the story was difficult to read as it alternated between being really interesting and then slightly dull. Overall, regardless of how much was based on actual events, it was a good storyline, and once you have started reading you feel the need to continue to find out what happens to Harry. I have only read one other book by Patrick Gale –<i> Notes From an Exhibition</i> – that I struggled with a little. <i>A Place Called Winter, however, was a lot better than I was expecting. </i>
  
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Whatchareadin (174 KP) rated China Rich Girlfriend (Crazy Rich Asians #2) in Books

May 10, 2018  
China Rich Girlfriend (Crazy Rich Asians #2)
China Rich Girlfriend (Crazy Rich Asians #2)
Kevin Kwan | 2015 | Fiction & Poetry, Humor & Comedy, Travel
6
6.2 (6 Ratings)
Book Rating
I'm upset that I didn't know that this was a sequel. I would have read the first book as well. I am definitely going to go back and do that and I hear there is a third book in the works called Rich People Problems which I also look forward to reading.

This book is based on a number of very rich Asians located all over the world. The main focus of the book is about Rachel Chu. Rachel is about to marry Nicholas Young, but feels like there is one last thing she has to accomplish before hand, finding her biological father. It has been her mission most of her life. Then an incredible thing happens on the night before the wedding, during the rehearsal that will send Rachel and Nick on a world wide tour to find the father she never knew. With stops in Shanghai and Paris, Rachel meets some the wealthiest in Asia. Her new husband being heir to one of these families. She gets to meet some of her new family and and lots of very influential people in the Asian community. When tragedy strikes, Rachel and Nick are unsure of who to trust in this elaborate group, but time will reveal the truth and they will find out if the family Rachel has been searching for was worth finding.

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.