The Handmaid’s Tale
Author: Margaret Atwood
Review:
The former United States has become the Republic of Gilead, a nation destroyed by war and terrorism and is under the rule of movement of the ‘Sons of Jacob’. Apparently, their aim is to restore order and traditional values. However, when one looks further into their motives, it is clear that their only aim is to oppress the ‘powerless’ (i.e. women and the poor) members of society in order to maintain control in this military dictatorship.
Many Gileadean women have become sterile due to the effects of war. As such, the barren wives of high-ranking males are assigned a Handmaid, a woman from the former society who is fertile and as such, considered to be natural resource, when in effect they are a sex slave to the couple to whom they are assigned. Once a child is born, it must be handed across to the couple and the Handmaid will move on to another family, where she must carry out the same ‘job’ again.
This book follows the tale of a Handmaid named Offred (not her real name, but her slave name giving credence to her male master – of Fred) and her appalling life in the new Gileadean society, her former life with her husband and child and how each of these lives came to an end.
The Handmaid’s Tale was first released in 1985 and explores many themes that are still prevalent today and will remain to be for many years to follow – sexism, racism and homophobia to name but a few. I was interested to read this book as it is often referred to as one of the most controversial novels of the twentieth century.
At first glance, Atwood’s ideas may appear to be strange and farfetched, but for me, I found many of these thoughts to be frightening, as many of the situations could happen to women in the future.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a challenging read and wants their mind opened to future possibilities, however disturbing they might be.
Reviewed By: CA
Northanger Abbey
Author: Jane Austen
Review:
Northanger Abbey follows the story of Catherine Morland, a highly imaginative young girl who adores fictional novels, embarking on a journey to Bath with her family friends, Mr & Mrs Allen. During the course of her visit, she encounters a number of interesting individuals, many of whom will change the course of life forever. However, it is Catherine’s over active thoughts that threaten to ruin the ending of her very own story.
This is the first Austen novel I have read and found it surprisingly enjoyable. It is one of Austen’s later novels and often considered to be the most light-hearted of all her works. By reading Catherine’s story, you can sense a true appreciation of the history of the society we live in today.
Reviewed By: CA
Sushi for beginners
Author: Marian Keyes
Review:
A magazine is being launched in Dublin, Ireland and this book tells the story of various people brought together through this new venture. It especially focuses on three women and their relationships with each other and their partners. The women are all searching for happiness but on the verge of a breakdown and once i got to know the characters I found the book hard to put down. After a bit of a slow start I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to other readers. It was interesting and had the happy ending you wanted it to have!
Reviewed By: SC
The Abortionists Daughter
Author: Elisabeth Hyde
Review:
Set in Colorado, this compelling novel tells the story of Diana Duprey; mother, wife and the director of the 'Cenre for Reproductive Choice'. One evening she is found floating dead in her swimming pool, prompting her daughter Megan to return home from university to face the aftermath. Megan and her father Frank are brought closer together as they try to carry on after hearing the sad news, while detectives Huck and Ernie begin the investigation. Diana argued with many people on the day of the murder including Frank and Megan and had many enemies due to the nature of her work so there are several suspects. Throughout the book you begin to find out everyones version of the days events, however the truth behind the mystery of Diana's murder is fairly predictable. Despite this, I thought it was a straightforward book to get into, found it quite interesting and a worthwhile read.
Reviewed By: SC
Lord of the Rings Trilogy
The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, The Return of the King
Author: J.R.R. Tolkien
Review:
I first read the three books in 1971 over two week period for my Grammar School English project and I would strongly recommend that you read ‘The Hobbit’ first, effectively a short sequel to Lord of the Rings. The sequel is a story in its own right that introduces you to some of the characters that appear in the fantasy adventure trilogy and the history of the Ring.
Lord of the Rings enters you into an ancient world of hobbits, dwarves, elves, goblins, Orcs, Men and even living trees where ‘good’ battles against ‘evil’. You can sense the struggle of one side against the other and the constant need for urgent action as each side tries to get the upper hand. Often these flashpoints and battles provide the reader with really good suspense as the story continues to its crescendo.
There are several main characters and you soon build up your own picture of the different races and the individual characters, some of which you will gain an affinity with. Added to this Tolkein is excellent at describing the many different areas the books travel though from ‘The Shire’ to the ‘Paths of the Dead’.
For those of you who have seen the excellent film Lord of the Rings, the closest match of the three books is the ‘The Two Towers’. I personally find the books portray the ‘good’ against ‘evil’, magic and characters personalities in a more abstract way than can be depicted on film probably because you have your own impression of what an elf or dwarf etc. would be like as you read through the books.
Since 1971 I have read the books several times and personally I feel that this is fiction at its best. If you would like to read an epic fantasy adventure this is the trilogy for you.
Reviewed By: Robert Mason
http://www.robertmasonphotography.com/
City Watch Trilogy - Guards! Guards!, Men at Arms & Feet of Clay
Author: Terry Pratchett
Review:
The three books can be purchased as one volume and they are an excellent introduction to world of Terry Pratchett. A humorous story centred on the town of Ankh-Morpork with an unlikely hero called Carrot. Carrot appeals to the reader by the way he is portrayed as a natural underdog in the new world he enters. With his hidden talents he comes out on top when difficult situations arise, often in an amusing fashion. In fact many of the main characters come alive with their own personalities and wit.
I find the Terry Pratchett books easy to read and with lots of funny incidents or observations for example ‘ “You probably get weak arms, being a king,” said the woman wisely. “Probably with the waving”.’ The story immerses you in his colourful world that in certain ways is similar to ours but there is always a mystical or magical twist.
I strongly recommend this book to readers who like fantasy stories that have an edge of realism or if you simply want a good laugh and forget the world around you.
Reviewed By: Robert Mason
http://www.robertmasonphotography.com/
The Charming Man
Author: Marian Keyes
Review:
Having read many Marian Keyes books before I was really looking forward to getting into her new novel, however I was quite disappointed even from the first page. I found the layout of the book confusing, with three different stories going on at the same time, it was difficult to see where each character fitted. I also found one of the women's stories very difficult to read with the Irish dialect running through. Although it took me a while to get into the book I did eventually begin to enjoy it, especially as the three women's stories became more entwined, and the book took a darker turn. There were many times when I found the book 'laugh out loud' hilarious which kept me going through the 884 pages!! This is definitely not one of Marian Keyes best books, it's too confusing, too long and not as funny as many of her previous novels. I wouldn't recommend trudging through the 884 pages unless you really are Marian Keyes number one fan!
Reviewed By: JM
Tell It to the Skies
Author: Erica James
Review:
This is an intense, compelling story which follows the life of the character Lydia dealing with traumas in her difficult upbringing. It’s hard to put the book down as you find yourself desperate for Lydia to have the happy ending she deserves. The story follows Lydia's first love. You’re sure to shed a few tears along the way.
Reviewed By: CM
The Blue and Distant Hills
Author: Judith Saxton
Review:
This book is about a girl called Questa who was visiting her mother’s family in Italy when the Second World War breaks out and she finds herself stranded throughout the war.
Her father dies during the war and she has been left the old family home in Shropshire from a great-uncle. She falls in love with the house and land and is determined to restore it to it’s former glory.
She meets her mysterious neighbour called Marcus and feels she can put her wartime experiences behind her and learn to love. Marcus is very real to her but she only meets him occasionally when she dreams as he is a Roman centurion now living at his father’s villa.
Marcus is attacked and dies in her arms but after a time of mourning him she meets someone who at first she thinks is him, but he is her neighbour’s son Martin and eventually she realises that he is her true love but they have many obstacles to overcome before finding happiness.
This story was full of twists and turns and has an undercurrent of Roman times in Britain which then comes full circle when the past combines with the present.
The chief character Questa starts as a very scared, undernourished 17 year old who makes her way back to the UK after the war.
The story kept you guessing all the way through and you never wanted to put the book down. With it’s story of the aftermath of the war and the archaeological nuggets of information it was one of the most enjoyable reads I have had for a long time.
Reviewed By: Barbara Griessel
The Secret Dream World of a Shopaholic
Author: Sophie Kinsella
Review:
This is the first book written by Sophie Kinsella.
The Secret Dream World of a Shopaholic is the first in the collection of stories following the life of the main character Becky Bloomwood.
Becky Bloomwood is a 25 year old journalism Graduate, who is working for Successful Saving Magazine as a Financial Journalist. She has a secret she is a shopaholic and in debt. Becky lives with her flat mate Suze in Fulham.
Every woman (and many men) can relate to this down to earth character as at some time or another they’ve stood in a shop trying to justify a purchase in their head. Becky’s shopping habits are very amusing and make this story a great entertaining read.
This book is very easy to read and could be described as a chick flick. If you’re looking for a challenging book that will last a few weeks then this is probably not for you.
Luckily Sophie Kinsella didn’t end Becky Bloomwood and the story continues…..
Reviewed By: CM
The Kite Runner
Author: Khaled Hosseini
Review:
This story not only entertains but it awakens the reader to the tragic grotesque country Afghanistan has become. Following the life of two boys Amir and Hassan who despite spending their childhood together, in fact live very different lives. Amir is desperate to gain approval and love from his Father, but at what cost?
Time is a great healer, or is it? A secret from the past threatens to become present again and Amir must finally take action to put his ghosts to rest.
Reviewed By: CM
The House at Riverton
Author: Kate Morton
Review:
This is a fictional life story which takes you back to a grand English county house in 1923. The reader follows the life of Grace Bradley, who was once a maid at Riverton and presently (in 1999) an elderly lady, her flashbacks tell her life story. This compelling, love story will have you gripped throughout wanting to undercover the secret that lies between the walls of Riverton.
Reviewed By: CM
The Girl From Leam Lane
The Life and Writing of Catherine Cookson
Author: Piers Dudgeon
Review:
This book has been written about the life of Catherine Cookson and the books that she has wrote and how much of the characters and happenings are taken from her own life experiences.
Piers Dudgeon who worked with Catherine Cookson on ‘Catherine Cookson Country’ in the 1980s explores with Catherine herself the drama of her early personal life.
The book examines Catherine’s earlier years when she suffered from a nervous breakdown and had a period of voluntary psychiatric confinement. Also examined is Catherine’s tortuous relationship with her mother and the hardships she went through being an illegitimate child in the earlier part of the twentieth century when having a child out of wedlock made Catherine an outcast amongst her peers on many occasions in her childhood.
I absolutely love Catherine Cookson’s books. I enjoy them as they are on the whole about times gone past in the 19th and 20th centuries and I feel have a very interesting historical content. I have read all of her books 2 or 3 times at least over the years.
Unfortunately I gave up on this book about half way through. I felt there was too much trying to match the books with Catherine’s past and too much going into various books that she has written.
Although at the beginning of the book it held my interest, it just seemed to keep going over old ground. I think “Our Kate” is a far more interesting book about Catherine’s early life.
Although interesting, the book I found was repetitive.
Reviewed By: Barbara Griessel
Remember Me?
Author:Sophie Kinsella - Bantam Press (11 Feb 2008)
Review:
This is a light hearted read. I found myself laughing out loud in parts. The main character Lexi is easy to relate to and very lovable. She wakes up in hospital with amnesia thinking its 2003 when in fact its 2007. When she discovers years have gone by her new 2007 life seems perfect, but how long until the cracks start to show and things aren’t all they seem
Reviewed By: CM
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