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Hazel (1853 KP) rated The Stars Never Rise (The Stars Never Rise, #1) in Books
Dec 17, 2018
<i>This ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest
The Stars Never Rise</i> is the first book in an exciting new dystopian series. Since the war, the rise of soul sucking demons has been reduced, but instead of worrying about the remaining few, Nina Kane spends her time trying to provide food and clothing for herself and her younger sister Melanie. That is until she comes face to face with a demon – a degenerate – that she barely escapes from. Believing that it was a one off encounter and that she is safe within the walled in town of New Temperance run by the Unified Church, Nina turns her focus back to her sister who has her own troubles.
Before Nina gets the chance to help Melanie try to resolve her problem she encounters her second demon in the physical form of someone she has known all her life. While trying to protect herself, Nina unleashes a power she never knew she had. She is an exorcist who can rid bodies of demons, however the Church paints her as a wanted person with suspicions of being possessed.
The story gets exciting when Nina meets Finn, a fugitive, and his friends who help her to escape from the clutches of the Church. The mysterious Finn reveals the truth about Nina’s abilities and the lies the Church want people to believe. Within twenty-four hours the world is no longer the place Nina knew it to be.
Rachel Vincent has filled this book with lots of original ideas from her interpretation of demons to the character Finn, who is not human in the traditional sense. Not only does the story have fantasy/supernatural themes, it also deals with other more realistic issues such as poverty and teenage pregnancy.
<i>The Stars Never Rise</i> is bound to make an impression in the young adult market and become popular with dystopian lovers of all ages. Those who love this book will be eagerly awaiting the next in the series.
The Stars Never Rise</i> is the first book in an exciting new dystopian series. Since the war, the rise of soul sucking demons has been reduced, but instead of worrying about the remaining few, Nina Kane spends her time trying to provide food and clothing for herself and her younger sister Melanie. That is until she comes face to face with a demon – a degenerate – that she barely escapes from. Believing that it was a one off encounter and that she is safe within the walled in town of New Temperance run by the Unified Church, Nina turns her focus back to her sister who has her own troubles.
Before Nina gets the chance to help Melanie try to resolve her problem she encounters her second demon in the physical form of someone she has known all her life. While trying to protect herself, Nina unleashes a power she never knew she had. She is an exorcist who can rid bodies of demons, however the Church paints her as a wanted person with suspicions of being possessed.
The story gets exciting when Nina meets Finn, a fugitive, and his friends who help her to escape from the clutches of the Church. The mysterious Finn reveals the truth about Nina’s abilities and the lies the Church want people to believe. Within twenty-four hours the world is no longer the place Nina knew it to be.
Rachel Vincent has filled this book with lots of original ideas from her interpretation of demons to the character Finn, who is not human in the traditional sense. Not only does the story have fantasy/supernatural themes, it also deals with other more realistic issues such as poverty and teenage pregnancy.
<i>The Stars Never Rise</i> is bound to make an impression in the young adult market and become popular with dystopian lovers of all ages. Those who love this book will be eagerly awaiting the next in the series.
BookInspector (124 KP) rated The Push in Books
Jul 1, 2021
The protagonist in this book is a nameless woman, a daughter, a wife, a mother, and this story is told from her perspective, kind of. The woman is telling us her life story: how she met her husband, about her pregnancy and her troubles with her daughter Violet, and other events that traumatise her for life. The characters in this book are quite disturbed, intense and very complex. For some strange reason, I could really relate to the protagonist. I understood her and her thoughts resonated with mine sometimes.
At the beginning of the book, I was not very impressed, I had no idea what it was about. But the more I got into it, the more absorbed I became. The narrative has several different lines and is telling the story of women from three generations. The protagonist is sharing the deepest and scariest thoughts of her life, and it got very intense for me sometimes. I really enjoyed the suspense, turns and twists. The topics discussed in this book are marriage, pregnancies, lack of motherhood instinct, mother-daughter relationship, children behavioural issues, grief, depression, trauma and many more.
The book is set somewhere American sounding (might be Canada), the atmosphere of this book is pretty dark and shrouded with mystery. I really liked the writing style of this novel, it is very honest, detailed and the mystery was kept perfectly. The chapters are pretty short, so this book was a true page-turner for me. I really loved the ending, because I was pretty confused with some stuff happening in the book, but the ending kind of clarified it for me. I have to throw in a warning, that this book has triggers when it comes to pregnancies, cheating, death of children, grief, psychotic behaviour.
So, to conclude, this book is a very intense life story, filled with very well crafted characters, that are intriguing, absorbing and the plot that is layered, complex and brutally honest.
At the beginning of the book, I was not very impressed, I had no idea what it was about. But the more I got into it, the more absorbed I became. The narrative has several different lines and is telling the story of women from three generations. The protagonist is sharing the deepest and scariest thoughts of her life, and it got very intense for me sometimes. I really enjoyed the suspense, turns and twists. The topics discussed in this book are marriage, pregnancies, lack of motherhood instinct, mother-daughter relationship, children behavioural issues, grief, depression, trauma and many more.
The book is set somewhere American sounding (might be Canada), the atmosphere of this book is pretty dark and shrouded with mystery. I really liked the writing style of this novel, it is very honest, detailed and the mystery was kept perfectly. The chapters are pretty short, so this book was a true page-turner for me. I really loved the ending, because I was pretty confused with some stuff happening in the book, but the ending kind of clarified it for me. I have to throw in a warning, that this book has triggers when it comes to pregnancies, cheating, death of children, grief, psychotic behaviour.
So, to conclude, this book is a very intense life story, filled with very well crafted characters, that are intriguing, absorbing and the plot that is layered, complex and brutally honest.
ClareR (5589 KP) rated Greenwich Park in Books
May 8, 2021
This seemed to be the book that everyone was reading a few weeks ago, and just as I was building myself up to preorder it, it popped up on The Pigeonhole - and I’m so glad that it did.
This has some of my favourite ingredients in a thriller:
📚Unlikeable characters
📚I’m not quite sure what’s going on
📚Characters who who don’t know what’s going on either
📚Multiple (3) viewpoints, including one that’s decidedly dodgy
📚A big secret that the reader can see coming - but what is it?!
📚A heart stopping moment of revelation!!
I felt sorry for Helen - she has a high risk pregnancy, is stuck at home on a building site, and makes friends with a woman (Rachel) who won’t leave her alone! Rachel befriends Helen at her antenatal class, when Helen’s brother Rory, and his wife Serena fail to turn up. Rachel is pregnant, yet drinks, smokes, drinks caffeine and eats all the food you’re told not to eat. Helen is very insecure, lacks in self-confidence and can’t tell Rachel that she doesn’t want to see her.
In fact as the story progresses, Helen’s fears and confusion are really well described. I could feel the dreamlike quality of Helen’s consciousness towards the middle and end of the book - she became more confused.
On the other hand, her brother Rory and his wife Serena, who are also expecting their first baby, seem very laid back. Helen reads far more into the friendship with Serena than Serena does. Serena is dismissive and quite cold.
I didn’t see the end coming, and I loved the slow burn leading up to the big reveal. It gave me enough time to properly despise a number of the characters, realise that Helen’s friend KAte was one of the best people in this circle, and that money can’t always buy you what you want.
This is a book that deserved the hype - it’s well worth a read!
Many thanks to The Pigeonhole and to Bloomsbury/ Raven Books
This has some of my favourite ingredients in a thriller:
📚Unlikeable characters
📚I’m not quite sure what’s going on
📚Characters who who don’t know what’s going on either
📚Multiple (3) viewpoints, including one that’s decidedly dodgy
📚A big secret that the reader can see coming - but what is it?!
📚A heart stopping moment of revelation!!
I felt sorry for Helen - she has a high risk pregnancy, is stuck at home on a building site, and makes friends with a woman (Rachel) who won’t leave her alone! Rachel befriends Helen at her antenatal class, when Helen’s brother Rory, and his wife Serena fail to turn up. Rachel is pregnant, yet drinks, smokes, drinks caffeine and eats all the food you’re told not to eat. Helen is very insecure, lacks in self-confidence and can’t tell Rachel that she doesn’t want to see her.
In fact as the story progresses, Helen’s fears and confusion are really well described. I could feel the dreamlike quality of Helen’s consciousness towards the middle and end of the book - she became more confused.
On the other hand, her brother Rory and his wife Serena, who are also expecting their first baby, seem very laid back. Helen reads far more into the friendship with Serena than Serena does. Serena is dismissive and quite cold.
I didn’t see the end coming, and I loved the slow burn leading up to the big reveal. It gave me enough time to properly despise a number of the characters, realise that Helen’s friend KAte was one of the best people in this circle, and that money can’t always buy you what you want.
This is a book that deserved the hype - it’s well worth a read!
Many thanks to The Pigeonhole and to Bloomsbury/ Raven Books
Merissa (11721 KP) rated The Darkness Within (Etherya's Earth #3) in Books
Mar 14, 2022 (Updated Jul 3, 2023)
THE DARKNESS WITHIN continues the Etherya's Earth series and it is Darkrip and Arderin's turn. Now, if you've read the other books, which you really should have, you will know that sparks fly whenever these two are near. Is it really loathing or something else?
I honestly don't know where to start with this book. So many things. First of all, we see Miranda nearing the end of her pregnancy and feeling like a blue whale (her words, not mine). Nolan makes his move with Sadie - and I really need more from these two!!! Latimus and Lila show up, with adorable Jack. And we finally meet Evie.
But this story is also about Arderin and Darkrip. I would say more about Arderin, being as it's written mainly from her perspective. She is stubborn, feisty, and a virgin - something she finds intolerable. When a trip to the human world causes problems for them, things look dire for our two main characters. Of course, they don't die, that would be ridiculous as the book was only half over! They do behave in ways they didn't think they would though, and Darkrip is left wondering how Arderin can even look at him, whilst she is amazed by his strength of will.
Arderin knows what she wants and will do what she can to get it. She refuses to take no for an answer, and Darkrip really doesn't argue much at all, considering he wants exactly the same as she does.
As I've said, there are other stories interwoven with theirs, and I loved every word. This is a series not to be missed, and I highly recommend this book so long as you read it in order to get the full benefit. Another brilliant read.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Mar 7, 2022
I honestly don't know where to start with this book. So many things. First of all, we see Miranda nearing the end of her pregnancy and feeling like a blue whale (her words, not mine). Nolan makes his move with Sadie - and I really need more from these two!!! Latimus and Lila show up, with adorable Jack. And we finally meet Evie.
But this story is also about Arderin and Darkrip. I would say more about Arderin, being as it's written mainly from her perspective. She is stubborn, feisty, and a virgin - something she finds intolerable. When a trip to the human world causes problems for them, things look dire for our two main characters. Of course, they don't die, that would be ridiculous as the book was only half over! They do behave in ways they didn't think they would though, and Darkrip is left wondering how Arderin can even look at him, whilst she is amazed by his strength of will.
Arderin knows what she wants and will do what she can to get it. She refuses to take no for an answer, and Darkrip really doesn't argue much at all, considering he wants exactly the same as she does.
As I've said, there are other stories interwoven with theirs, and I loved every word. This is a series not to be missed, and I highly recommend this book so long as you read it in order to get the full benefit. Another brilliant read.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Mar 7, 2022
Whatchareadin (174 KP) rated Bridal Girl in Books
Apr 9, 2019
Kim and Nicholas are about to get married. It's seven months until their wedding day and Kim is under a lot of stress with all that has to be done. Not only is she in the middle of planning her wedding, she is also just coming off releasing her first book and is working on the second. As part of her two-book deal with her publisher, she has to have a rough draft of the book in right before her nuptials. Will Kim and Nicholas be able to have the wedding they both dream of, or will the stress of everything going on be too much for them to handle?
Thank you to NetGalley and Henery Press for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Wedding season is among us. From now through the beginning of fall, finding a ballroom, limousine, or a bakery may prove very difficult.
Bridal Girl is the third book in the Blogger Girl Series. I have not read the other books in the series, but I did purchase them while reading this book. Kim Long is a blogger turned author. With such high success of her blog she decided to go ahead and write a book, the previous books give you details about this journey for Kim. Her first book was recently published and is up for it's second printing run. If Kim can stop looking at all of the negative reviews and focus on what is in front of her, she may be able to get book two out in time.
Luckily for Kim she has Nicholas. Nicholas and Kim are perfect together, they are each other support system. When Kim is overwhelmed with trying to find a dress that not only she will love, but that the rest of her bridal party agrees on too, Nicholas is there to be the shoulder to cry on and even offers to go dress shopping with her.
With ex-girlfriends, pregnancy, writers's block, frenemies, new editors, and life in general, will it all be too much for Kim to handle?
Get this book for your entire bridal party, for your friend getting married this year, for those thinking about writing a book. Heck, get the whole series.
Thank you to NetGalley and Henery Press for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Wedding season is among us. From now through the beginning of fall, finding a ballroom, limousine, or a bakery may prove very difficult.
Bridal Girl is the third book in the Blogger Girl Series. I have not read the other books in the series, but I did purchase them while reading this book. Kim Long is a blogger turned author. With such high success of her blog she decided to go ahead and write a book, the previous books give you details about this journey for Kim. Her first book was recently published and is up for it's second printing run. If Kim can stop looking at all of the negative reviews and focus on what is in front of her, she may be able to get book two out in time.
Luckily for Kim she has Nicholas. Nicholas and Kim are perfect together, they are each other support system. When Kim is overwhelmed with trying to find a dress that not only she will love, but that the rest of her bridal party agrees on too, Nicholas is there to be the shoulder to cry on and even offers to go dress shopping with her.
With ex-girlfriends, pregnancy, writers's block, frenemies, new editors, and life in general, will it all be too much for Kim to handle?
Get this book for your entire bridal party, for your friend getting married this year, for those thinking about writing a book. Heck, get the whole series.
Merissa (11721 KP) rated The Bad Mother in Books
Feb 22, 2018
The Bad Mother by Amanda Brooke
It's hard... when you read a book that takes you in so completely. That takes you back to a time in your life you needed therapy to get past. That is so realistic you can remember similar instances happening in your own life as you follow what is happening to the character between the pages.
That book for me was The Bad Mother by Amanda Brooke. It has to be one of the hardest books I've ever read, and yet I'm glad I've done it. I'm also very glad I've finished it, and I'm sorry to say, it's not a book I will ever read again. It hit a bit too close to home for comfort. It has drained me, made me see things again I had wanted to forget.
Luckily for the main character, she has family and friends who are determined she won't go it alone, even when she doesn't believe them. You are with Lucy as she goes through her pregnancy and becomes more isolated. The author does an amazing job of keeping the reader off-balance, unsure of just what is going on or what will happen next. It will keep you on tenterhooks, needing to read more, to find out what happens next.
The Bad Mother is incredibly written, with no editing or grammatical errors that I noticed. Although, to be fair, I was that engrossed by the story, I wasn't actually looking for any either. The scenes flow from one to the next, and each scene will draw you in and keep your attention. For anyone who wants to know about gaslighting, and the effects it can have not only on the victim but on friends and family too, I would highly recommend this book.
Part of me wishes I couldn't give it 5 stars, simply because of what it reminded me of. However, that would be a disservice to the book and the author.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
That book for me was The Bad Mother by Amanda Brooke. It has to be one of the hardest books I've ever read, and yet I'm glad I've done it. I'm also very glad I've finished it, and I'm sorry to say, it's not a book I will ever read again. It hit a bit too close to home for comfort. It has drained me, made me see things again I had wanted to forget.
Luckily for the main character, she has family and friends who are determined she won't go it alone, even when she doesn't believe them. You are with Lucy as she goes through her pregnancy and becomes more isolated. The author does an amazing job of keeping the reader off-balance, unsure of just what is going on or what will happen next. It will keep you on tenterhooks, needing to read more, to find out what happens next.
The Bad Mother is incredibly written, with no editing or grammatical errors that I noticed. Although, to be fair, I was that engrossed by the story, I wasn't actually looking for any either. The scenes flow from one to the next, and each scene will draw you in and keep your attention. For anyone who wants to know about gaslighting, and the effects it can have not only on the victim but on friends and family too, I would highly recommend this book.
Part of me wishes I couldn't give it 5 stars, simply because of what it reminded me of. However, that would be a disservice to the book and the author.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
BookwormMama14 (18 KP) rated The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill (Tales from Ivy Hill, #1) in Books
Jan 2, 2019
Before you tar and feather me for giving a Julie Klassen book a three star rating, please hear me out. As stated in my rating system post, "This is reserved for books that I look upon with pleasure, but do not produce the feelings of complete adoration." The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill was unique and enjoyable to read, however it did not move my soul.
The first thing that I noticed about this book that is different from any other of Mrs. Klassen's books, is the the point of views are strictly female. Alternating between three women, we get a unique look into life in a small village set in England during 1820. I learned a lot about the inner workings of the inn and got explore the lives of these different women who represent very different personalities and stations in life. Reading through the eyes of these three women also added an extra sense of mystery. Because we don't know what is going on in the minds of the gentlemen in this story.
Julie Klassen does take on some heart wrenching topics in this book. Specifically, difficulties with pregnancies. I will not sugar coat it, descriptions are detailed and quite graphic in my opinion. Please proceed as you feel appropriate. I just know that for myself, it was difficult to read those scenes and I feel it only fair to give my fellow readers a heads up. I never had any complications with pregnancy, but have had a lot of medical trauma with our second son, during and after delivery(everything is OK now). Therefore, I find it hard to read about anything at all happening to children in books.
Overall, I enjoyed Mrs. Klassen's book in her very first series and I will read the next books. The Innkeeper of Ivy Hall was an entertaining book and I look forward to what comes next.
I received a complimentary copy of The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
The first thing that I noticed about this book that is different from any other of Mrs. Klassen's books, is the the point of views are strictly female. Alternating between three women, we get a unique look into life in a small village set in England during 1820. I learned a lot about the inner workings of the inn and got explore the lives of these different women who represent very different personalities and stations in life. Reading through the eyes of these three women also added an extra sense of mystery. Because we don't know what is going on in the minds of the gentlemen in this story.
Julie Klassen does take on some heart wrenching topics in this book. Specifically, difficulties with pregnancies. I will not sugar coat it, descriptions are detailed and quite graphic in my opinion. Please proceed as you feel appropriate. I just know that for myself, it was difficult to read those scenes and I feel it only fair to give my fellow readers a heads up. I never had any complications with pregnancy, but have had a lot of medical trauma with our second son, during and after delivery(everything is OK now). Therefore, I find it hard to read about anything at all happening to children in books.
Overall, I enjoyed Mrs. Klassen's book in her very first series and I will read the next books. The Innkeeper of Ivy Hall was an entertaining book and I look forward to what comes next.
I received a complimentary copy of The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
Karla Bergado (17 KP) rated In the Tall Grass (2019) in Movies
Nov 6, 2019
In the Tall Grass Review: Is the Stephen King horror worth a watch? (Spoilers ahead)
Contains spoilers, click to show
Netflix has really been stepping up their game with the number of horror shows being released this year.
What makes it better is the addition of a film adaptation of a Stephen King novella to satiate
fanatics’ hunger.
Except the question lies in whether I felt full watching this movie.
The story begins with a brother and sister duo on a long journey to San Diego. Sweltering heat and pregnancy do not mix well, alongside the long-winding roads of America until they stop by a field of tall grass. What can go wrong by stopping in the middle of nowhere that’s giving out a Children of the Corn vibe?
The siblings find themselves going through the tall grass after hearing cries from a very distressed child, only to find themselves stuck in a never-ending cycle where there is seemingly no way out and only a rock statue that apparently lets you see things you will never imagine of seeing.
The concept had a potential to give viewers something more and unexpected. But that’s the thing.
It didn’t.
The first half of the movie set the scene of being trapped in a maze of grass, but then the second
half was pretty much the same, with only a couple of weird occult-like elements thrown in to fuel the dying flame. Not only this, but the viewer is left to piece the puzzles together, only to find out that they don’t match. You are left to question the purpose of the rock, the baby and Patrick Wilson’s seemingly possessed character.
If you enjoy watching a slow paced, psychological horror movie and the feeling of being confused, then you can go check this film out.
There is something captivating about this adaptation that keeps you hooked until the end but bear in mind, it requires you to have an open mind and low expectations.
Needless to say, you might as well go and have read of the book, which was also co-written by Joe Hill,the king of horror’s son.
What makes it better is the addition of a film adaptation of a Stephen King novella to satiate
fanatics’ hunger.
Except the question lies in whether I felt full watching this movie.
The story begins with a brother and sister duo on a long journey to San Diego. Sweltering heat and pregnancy do not mix well, alongside the long-winding roads of America until they stop by a field of tall grass. What can go wrong by stopping in the middle of nowhere that’s giving out a Children of the Corn vibe?
The siblings find themselves going through the tall grass after hearing cries from a very distressed child, only to find themselves stuck in a never-ending cycle where there is seemingly no way out and only a rock statue that apparently lets you see things you will never imagine of seeing.
The concept had a potential to give viewers something more and unexpected. But that’s the thing.
It didn’t.
The first half of the movie set the scene of being trapped in a maze of grass, but then the second
half was pretty much the same, with only a couple of weird occult-like elements thrown in to fuel the dying flame. Not only this, but the viewer is left to piece the puzzles together, only to find out that they don’t match. You are left to question the purpose of the rock, the baby and Patrick Wilson’s seemingly possessed character.
If you enjoy watching a slow paced, psychological horror movie and the feeling of being confused, then you can go check this film out.
There is something captivating about this adaptation that keeps you hooked until the end but bear in mind, it requires you to have an open mind and low expectations.
Needless to say, you might as well go and have read of the book, which was also co-written by Joe Hill,the king of horror’s son.
Bob Mann (459 KP) rated Love And Friendship (2016) in Movies
Sep 29, 2021
Beckinsale excels in a comic tale of Girl Power in the 1790’s.
Set in 1790, Kate Beckinsale plays Lady Susan Vernon, an 18th century cuckoo-like ‘MILF’ (actually, more ‘LILF’, but using the ‘Lady’ term loosely) who with her glamourous demeanor is lusted after by both younger beaus as well as married aristocracy: an example being Lord Manwaring (Lochlann O’Mearáin).
Playing many different ends against the middle, Lady Susan – with the collusion of her American friend Alicia (Chloë Sevigny) – attempts to both find a suitably rich suitor for her daughter Frederica (Morfydd Clark) as well as finding a rich husband for herself to allow her to stay in the manor (sic) to which she has become accustomed. A tale of deception, pregnancy and a marriage of convenience follows: does Lady Susan have to choose between her sexual desires and the rich, stupid and dull Sir James Martin (Tom Bennett, “David Brent: Life on the Road”). Or can she have her cake and eat it?
Based on a Jane Austen short story, “Lady Susan”, this is a delight from beginning to end. However, it does require the attention of the viewer: characters get introduced to you in rapid fire succession, and keeping track of who’s who and how they interrelate is quite a challenge.
But this is a tour de force for Kate “Underworld” Beckinsale who delivers a depth of acting ability that I’ve not seen from her in the past. Her comic timing is just sublime, and while comedies are often overlooked in Awards season, this is a role for which she richly deserves both BAFTA and Oscar recognition.
Stephen Fry joins what is a superb ensemble cast. But outstanding among them is Tom Bennett who is simply hilarious as the nice but dim Sir James. The comic routine about his misunderstanding of “Churchill” (Church – Hill) – a running gag – is sublime and a challenger (with “Was that it t’were so simple”) for the comedy routine of the year.
Directed by Whit Stilman (“The Last Days of Disco”) from his own screenplay, this is one for the more sophisticated viewer: requiring of your full attention, but a treat for the eyes, ears and brain.
Playing many different ends against the middle, Lady Susan – with the collusion of her American friend Alicia (Chloë Sevigny) – attempts to both find a suitably rich suitor for her daughter Frederica (Morfydd Clark) as well as finding a rich husband for herself to allow her to stay in the manor (sic) to which she has become accustomed. A tale of deception, pregnancy and a marriage of convenience follows: does Lady Susan have to choose between her sexual desires and the rich, stupid and dull Sir James Martin (Tom Bennett, “David Brent: Life on the Road”). Or can she have her cake and eat it?
Based on a Jane Austen short story, “Lady Susan”, this is a delight from beginning to end. However, it does require the attention of the viewer: characters get introduced to you in rapid fire succession, and keeping track of who’s who and how they interrelate is quite a challenge.
But this is a tour de force for Kate “Underworld” Beckinsale who delivers a depth of acting ability that I’ve not seen from her in the past. Her comic timing is just sublime, and while comedies are often overlooked in Awards season, this is a role for which she richly deserves both BAFTA and Oscar recognition.
Stephen Fry joins what is a superb ensemble cast. But outstanding among them is Tom Bennett who is simply hilarious as the nice but dim Sir James. The comic routine about his misunderstanding of “Churchill” (Church – Hill) – a running gag – is sublime and a challenger (with “Was that it t’were so simple”) for the comedy routine of the year.
Directed by Whit Stilman (“The Last Days of Disco”) from his own screenplay, this is one for the more sophisticated viewer: requiring of your full attention, but a treat for the eyes, ears and brain.
BookblogbyCari (345 KP) rated If I Die Before I Wake in Books
Jul 31, 2018
This book is part whodunit and part thriller– but not in equal measures.
The central character, Alex, wakes up to find he has been in coma for over a year – but everyone still thinks he is in the coma – he cannot move a finger. He gathers from his visitors that he had an accident while rock climbing but he has no recollection of what happened. Half way through the book Alex finds out that he was a victim of attempted murder, and tries his utmost to work out who would want to do it and how it could have happened. Simultaneously he tries desperately to show everyone that he’s awake.
I found the author’s storytelling a little jumpy. The book is written as a stream of consciousness from the protagonist. A protagonist who is often sleepy at vital times, often delirious, and although he is often looking back at his personal life, he also manages to block out important memories.
It was a long wait before Alex found out about the attempted murder, but I knew it was coming from the book description I had read. And the author did have plenty to write about up to that point, and this was deliberately void of focus. One minute Alex is describing how he met his girlfriend, and soon after it swings to overhearing discussions about stopping his food. The author paints a good picture of Alex and his life before the accident.
Telling a story where the main character can’t so much as chew his own food must be no mean feat, but the author pulls it off expertly. There are several characters and sub plots, with past mistakes, an aggravated police officer, moody relatives, a hidden crush, a strange threatening letter, a possible pregnancy, and a proposal that never went ahead. Koch draws you in to Alex’s world, with characters you love to hate and hidden agendas to question.
Of course we do find out whodunit (no spoilers!) but this is done with more of the story to come.
That said I would have preferred more overheard dialogue at this part, though I did find the ending particularly fitting for the character.
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The central character, Alex, wakes up to find he has been in coma for over a year – but everyone still thinks he is in the coma – he cannot move a finger. He gathers from his visitors that he had an accident while rock climbing but he has no recollection of what happened. Half way through the book Alex finds out that he was a victim of attempted murder, and tries his utmost to work out who would want to do it and how it could have happened. Simultaneously he tries desperately to show everyone that he’s awake.
I found the author’s storytelling a little jumpy. The book is written as a stream of consciousness from the protagonist. A protagonist who is often sleepy at vital times, often delirious, and although he is often looking back at his personal life, he also manages to block out important memories.
It was a long wait before Alex found out about the attempted murder, but I knew it was coming from the book description I had read. And the author did have plenty to write about up to that point, and this was deliberately void of focus. One minute Alex is describing how he met his girlfriend, and soon after it swings to overhearing discussions about stopping his food. The author paints a good picture of Alex and his life before the accident.
Telling a story where the main character can’t so much as chew his own food must be no mean feat, but the author pulls it off expertly. There are several characters and sub plots, with past mistakes, an aggravated police officer, moody relatives, a hidden crush, a strange threatening letter, a possible pregnancy, and a proposal that never went ahead. Koch draws you in to Alex’s world, with characters you love to hate and hidden agendas to question.
Of course we do find out whodunit (no spoilers!) but this is done with more of the story to come.
That said I would have preferred more overheard dialogue at this part, though I did find the ending particularly fitting for the character.
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