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ClareR (6247 KP) rated Lady In The Lake in Books

Jul 30, 2022

Lady In The Lake

Laura Lippman | 2019 | Fiction & Poetry

8.0

(1 Ratings)

Book Rating

This is an engrossing mystery set in 1960’s Baltimore. Madeline Schwartz has left her husband, desperate to make something of her life house and kitchen. After 20 years, she finds herself (mostly) free to make her own decisions and she decides to try and find her dream job - that of a journalist. But this is the 1960’s, and the closest she gets is as a PA at the newspaper.

Addie puts herself in the path of danger in order to solve the deaths of two women: one black, one white. The police are all in in their crusade to find the murderer of the white woman, not so much the black woman. And the newspaper centres around the white woman’s story too.

This book looks at themes of racism, classism, gender discrimination and ageing. Maddie is 37 years old, attractive, yet ageing. She’s looked down on by the men for her gender, and by the women because they think her looks scored her the job. No-one seems to appreciate her capabilities, or even give her the chance to show them.

I loved the chapters from other characters points of view - people Maddie had met in her investigation - and the way that we learn a bit more about her background. I was equally interested to see that the murders were based on real life cases from the same period, and the media coverage was the same as in the story.

An absorbing mystery that I’d recommend!

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ClareR (6247 KP) rated Uncommon Type: Some Stories in Books

Dec 31, 2017

Uncommon Type: Some Stories

Tom Hanks | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry

7.6

(7 Ratings)

Book Rating

Where to next?

To play it safe, I borrowed this book from the library - who knows what to expect from an actor who has decided that he wants to write? To say that I'm surprised by this collection of short stories would be an understatement. They have an old fashioned feel to them: the use of language reminds me of movies set in the 20s - 30s. Perhaps it's because he typed them all up on one of his old-fashioned typewriters? Some interesting stories: a bit of time travel, a couple of immigrant stories and much more (it's a big book!). The newspaper-column type stories didn't do it for me, I'm afraid, and I skipped them.
I'm interested to see where he goes with this next!!

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Hag 12 Down (6 KP) Dec 31, 2017

Thanks for this I'm going to add it to my list to read in 2018.

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Monica (3 KP) Jan 6, 2018

Interested in reading this book now

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Eilidh G Clark (177 KP) created a post

May 14, 2017

Hey everyone. I know I have been bombarding this site with book reviews. I am a professional book reviewer and write for a national newspaper (under my other name). I do believe, however, in paying it forward, so these are some of my many reviews. I graduated from University last year with a BA Hons First class in English Literature, so as you might guess, I love books. I am now at the tail end of a post graduate course in Creative Writing and just started my dissertation. This site is a nice distraction and a great way to procrastinate, I would love to hear from like minded book people. I love memoir and am in the process of writing my own.

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stacey (81 KP) May 16, 2017

im also headed to school for creative writing and have written 3 books, none published because i'm to freaked out to let another person read them, they are memories of my life and i'm not ready to take that step yet. Im probably going to do the same as you, write a ton of books reviews because i'm obsessed with them LOL

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Willwoodncl (0 KP) rated Notes from A Big Country: Journey into the American Dream in Books

Feb 5, 2018

Comparing things now to how they were 20 years earlier and bills willingness to take the micky out of his country and himself whilst also pointing out the stupidess of big companies both in america and in tbe uk (0 more)

Loads of little tails aboit returning home

From the post office to garbage disposal this book literaly has everything, it is funny and light hearted but draws you into bill brysons world and you can imagine your sitting having a one to one with him .
I picked this book up purely by accident and couldnt put it down after 15 years of not reading anything more then a newspaper this book re-ignited the world and escapism that reading can bring