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ClareR (5716 KP) rated Melmoth: A Novel in Books
Nov 2, 2018
A gothic, spellbinding novel.
A dark, gothic story, of a woman living an austere life in Prague, set in winter - which makes it all the more foreboding!
Melmoth is omnipresent throughout the novel. Helen, the main character, seems to have something in her past that she is punishing herself for. She makes sure that she has no enjoyment in her life: from food to clothes, to friendships. She does have some friends, though: Thea and Karel.
Karel finds some documents about Melmoth the Wanderer, and so an obsession begins.
For a dark, depressing novel, there is a lot of hope in it too. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It got to the stage where I was sure I could see a dark shadow in my peripheral vision - could it be Melmoth looking for company in her lonely wanderings?
This is a compelling read - once started, I really didn't want to stop. I enjoyed the historical detail in Karel's documents too.
Another great story from Sarah Perry.
Melmoth is omnipresent throughout the novel. Helen, the main character, seems to have something in her past that she is punishing herself for. She makes sure that she has no enjoyment in her life: from food to clothes, to friendships. She does have some friends, though: Thea and Karel.
Karel finds some documents about Melmoth the Wanderer, and so an obsession begins.
For a dark, depressing novel, there is a lot of hope in it too. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It got to the stage where I was sure I could see a dark shadow in my peripheral vision - could it be Melmoth looking for company in her lonely wanderings?
This is a compelling read - once started, I really didn't want to stop. I enjoyed the historical detail in Karel's documents too.
Another great story from Sarah Perry.
The Marinated Meeple (1848 KP) rated Gone with the Wind Audiobook in Books
Nov 9, 2018
Accents by the Narrator (1 more)
Historical vantage point
Audio Production is great
I struggled to care about these over privileged people as a whole. The main character especially. I made it through the first half of the book, which is 21 cds, and a ton of time. I felt like i invested a lot of my time into it, and didn't feel rewarded with a great classic piece of literature. That said it was well written for it's time and really provides insight into the thought and minds of the confederate side. It's a great slice of life for Civil war buffs. A lot of the racial language is cringe worthy by today's standards, but was probably very real for the time and even maybe lighter. I do not feel compelled to read the rest of it, one day when I am curious, I will watch the movie and that will probably be enough.
David McK (3414 KP) rated Flashman (The Flashman Papers, #1) in Books
Jan 28, 2019
First entry in George MacDonald Frase's Flashman series, in which he (re)introduces us to Harry Flashman: a totally reprehensible anti-hero, who (through the entire series) cheats, lies and connives his way through Victorian society and the great events of the era: in this case, the disastrous retreat from Kabul.
By all accounts, the history of the books are actually pretty accurate: most of the people Flashman meets and interacts with were real personages of note, and the novels contain several footnotes providing yet more historical info on the events described. While it is taken to extremes, I think it's also fairly safe to say that the character of Flashman and the way he behaves probably isn't really that far away from the way some members of society did ...
(oh, and trivia note: MacDonald Fraser wrote the screenplays for 1973s "The Three Musketeers" and it's sequel "The Four Musketeers" as well as the James Bond film "Octopussy", amongst others)
By all accounts, the history of the books are actually pretty accurate: most of the people Flashman meets and interacts with were real personages of note, and the novels contain several footnotes providing yet more historical info on the events described. While it is taken to extremes, I think it's also fairly safe to say that the character of Flashman and the way he behaves probably isn't really that far away from the way some members of society did ...
(oh, and trivia note: MacDonald Fraser wrote the screenplays for 1973s "The Three Musketeers" and it's sequel "The Four Musketeers" as well as the James Bond film "Octopussy", amongst others)
David McK (3414 KP) rated Outlaw (The Outlaw Chronicles, #1) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
"Robin Hood, Robin Hood, Riding throught the Glenn
Robin Hood, Robin Hood, and his bunch of blood-thirsty murderous outlaws ..."
Doesn't have quite the same ring, does it?
"Outlaw" is the story of Robin Hood, told from the perspective of Alan Dale. Like Bernard Cornwell's series of books about King Arthur (indeed, my copy of the book even had a "As good as Bernard Cornwell or your money back" sticker on it), Outlaw is a more earthy, more 'real', telling of the famous tale. All the famous characters are here: Robin Hood, Maid Marie-Anne (Marion), Little John, Friar Tuck, Guy of Gisbourne, and (obviously) Alan Dale himself.
Forget the recent BBC adaptation, or even the '91 film starring a not-very-English Kevin Costner; this is more what Robin Hood would have been like (if he ever existed) than the over-romanticised legendary figure.
Worth a read? If you like Cornwell (or Simon Scarrow's) style of historical fiction, then my answer is a definite yes.
Robin Hood, Robin Hood, and his bunch of blood-thirsty murderous outlaws ..."
Doesn't have quite the same ring, does it?
"Outlaw" is the story of Robin Hood, told from the perspective of Alan Dale. Like Bernard Cornwell's series of books about King Arthur (indeed, my copy of the book even had a "As good as Bernard Cornwell or your money back" sticker on it), Outlaw is a more earthy, more 'real', telling of the famous tale. All the famous characters are here: Robin Hood, Maid Marie-Anne (Marion), Little John, Friar Tuck, Guy of Gisbourne, and (obviously) Alan Dale himself.
Forget the recent BBC adaptation, or even the '91 film starring a not-very-English Kevin Costner; this is more what Robin Hood would have been like (if he ever existed) than the over-romanticised legendary figure.
Worth a read? If you like Cornwell (or Simon Scarrow's) style of historical fiction, then my answer is a definite yes.
David McK (3414 KP) rated Devil's Charge (Civil War Chronicles #2) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
The second book in Michael Arnold's planned <i>Captain Stryker</i> series of books, all set during the time of the English Civil War.
Despite being one of the defining period in English history, it's actually a subject rarely touched upon: when I was at school, we were taught more about the American Civil War than about the English counter-part! Short of this series, I can't - personally - think of any other novels set in and around the same period.
Like Cornwell's [i]Sharpe[/i] series of books, the events of this are all set in and around real historical events: in this case, the storming of Cirencester, the siege of Lichfield and the battle of Hopton Heath. If I'm honest, I wasn't familiar with any of these events, which is something I've always enjoyed about this type of book: a chance to learn some new history while also enjoying a good read! :)
Despite being one of the defining period in English history, it's actually a subject rarely touched upon: when I was at school, we were taught more about the American Civil War than about the English counter-part! Short of this series, I can't - personally - think of any other novels set in and around the same period.
Like Cornwell's [i]Sharpe[/i] series of books, the events of this are all set in and around real historical events: in this case, the storming of Cirencester, the siege of Lichfield and the battle of Hopton Heath. If I'm honest, I wasn't familiar with any of these events, which is something I've always enjoyed about this type of book: a chance to learn some new history while also enjoying a good read! :)
Deborah (162 KP) rated To Make a Match (Scandal in London, #3) in Books
Dec 21, 2018
Loosely based on Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew, Liana LeFey gives us the tale of a younger sister desperate to find marital happiness and an older sister who seems intent on blocking her at every turn. The sisters nearly end up engaged to the wrong men.... but this is an historical romance, so of course it all works out in the end!
I found this a perfectly enjoyable, easy read, if not one of the best examples of the genre. Lady Victoria Lennox was a bit of a minx and did need holding back a bit, while her older sister, Lady Amelia, was pretty unlikeable for most of the book - it was hard to see what her admirer saw in her. Both main male suitors seemed decent chaps, if not a swoon-worthy as some heroes.... was never quite clear why Victoria's father always seemed so harsh on her though. Ah well.
I found this a perfectly enjoyable, easy read, if not one of the best examples of the genre. Lady Victoria Lennox was a bit of a minx and did need holding back a bit, while her older sister, Lady Amelia, was pretty unlikeable for most of the book - it was hard to see what her admirer saw in her. Both main male suitors seemed decent chaps, if not a swoon-worthy as some heroes.... was never quite clear why Victoria's father always seemed so harsh on her though. Ah well.
Civil Rights hero
A masterfully done historical drama,
Chadwick Boseman was absolutely the perfect person for the part of Jackie Robinson.
This film has a very real feel of the hatred and anger in the USA POST WW2.
There was a lot of ignorance and discontent at the time.
I think it is important that this is seen not just as a baseball movie but also that it carries with it to my mind an important piece of the post war civil rights movement.
Powerful and thought provoking, the writers did not shy away from the uglier parts of the racist rhetoric and presented it fully and broadly to be challenged head on.
I would reccomend this to anyone who has an interest in either baseball or civil rights or both together as it presents the telling of a story from a true American hero.
Rest in peace number 42
Chadwick Boseman was absolutely the perfect person for the part of Jackie Robinson.
This film has a very real feel of the hatred and anger in the USA POST WW2.
There was a lot of ignorance and discontent at the time.
I think it is important that this is seen not just as a baseball movie but also that it carries with it to my mind an important piece of the post war civil rights movement.
Powerful and thought provoking, the writers did not shy away from the uglier parts of the racist rhetoric and presented it fully and broadly to be challenged head on.
I would reccomend this to anyone who has an interest in either baseball or civil rights or both together as it presents the telling of a story from a true American hero.
Rest in peace number 42
Lindsay (1717 KP) rated Woman of Courage: Collector's Edition in Books
Jan 15, 2019
I did not know that Wanda wrote historical fiction as well as Amish fiction. I do enjoy the story. I got the book woman of courage Collection edition. We get the full story of Woman of Courage along with Woman of Hope which is Little Fawn story.
We meet up with Amanda Person and we go along for her journey. That I really what this book is mostly about. We get a little bit more of Little Fawn's story in the story of Woman of Hope. Wanda does a wonderful job with her writing that she does take you back in time.
Go along with Amanda as she travels you go along as she goes though some of trails and learns about where she is going. Will she find love? Will she be able to spread God word to the Indians? To find out and to read Little Fawns story you should pick up this book.
We meet up with Amanda Person and we go along for her journey. That I really what this book is mostly about. We get a little bit more of Little Fawn's story in the story of Woman of Hope. Wanda does a wonderful job with her writing that she does take you back in time.
Go along with Amanda as she travels you go along as she goes though some of trails and learns about where she is going. Will she find love? Will she be able to spread God word to the Indians? To find out and to read Little Fawns story you should pick up this book.
Awix (3310 KP) rated The Aeronauts (2019) in Movies
Nov 9, 2019 (Updated Nov 9, 2019)
Not-really-based-on-fact balloon-centric drama turns out to be predictably lightweight. A meteorologist (historical character) and a female balloon pilot (fictitious) embark on an expedition into the sky to see if the weather can predicted.
Two people get into a balloon; they go up, they come back down again. There is a bit of jeopardy along the way, and moments which may give people with a fear of heights a funny turn, but it all feels oddly low-octane and polite. The film is given extra ballast by extended flashbacks to what led them up to this point, but this is quite ordinary bonnet opera stuff. You do wonder what kind of film this is meant to be: not enough depth for a genuine drama, not enough action for an adventure. Works hard to tick all the diversity boxes, naturally. Looks great and the score is impressive, but I came out wondering what the point of it was.
Two people get into a balloon; they go up, they come back down again. There is a bit of jeopardy along the way, and moments which may give people with a fear of heights a funny turn, but it all feels oddly low-octane and polite. The film is given extra ballast by extended flashbacks to what led them up to this point, but this is quite ordinary bonnet opera stuff. You do wonder what kind of film this is meant to be: not enough depth for a genuine drama, not enough action for an adventure. Works hard to tick all the diversity boxes, naturally. Looks great and the score is impressive, but I came out wondering what the point of it was.
Rebecca Billcliff (2409 KP) rated His Majesty's Dragon in Books
Nov 13, 2019
A Magisterial Read
This first book came free when I pre ordered another book, and at first, I paid it no attention. One day, I found it, and I have not looked back.
The series gives something different in each book, and the first gives all the info to the world, without playing the excessive exposition game.
This universe is set in the Nepolionic war, but in this reality, alongside the Marines and Navy, there is also the Arial Corp, where the men fight from the back of massive dragons!
They have a hyerachy on bord, with captains bonded strongly with their dragons, who are themselves, strong characters.
There is a rich mythology within this series, and includes topics like political strife, religion, slavery and historical events, adapted to include it's scaly new additions.
Both a great read for fantasy and history lovers alike, give this book a go, and see if you read all 9.
The series gives something different in each book, and the first gives all the info to the world, without playing the excessive exposition game.
This universe is set in the Nepolionic war, but in this reality, alongside the Marines and Navy, there is also the Arial Corp, where the men fight from the back of massive dragons!
They have a hyerachy on bord, with captains bonded strongly with their dragons, who are themselves, strong characters.
There is a rich mythology within this series, and includes topics like political strife, religion, slavery and historical events, adapted to include it's scaly new additions.
Both a great read for fantasy and history lovers alike, give this book a go, and see if you read all 9.