Reviews:
REVIEWS
The Extremely Embarrassing Life of Lottie Brooks – Katie Kirby
From our new youngest reviewer, Matilda
“Hi I’m Matilda and I loved this book! If I were to use one word to describe this enjoyable book I would say relatable. If you have an annoying little brother and a love for chips and bubble tea then you are just like Lottie Brooks and MUST read this book! Lottie always seems to find herself in ridiculous and embarrassing situations such as needing to act something out in drama class and then someone choosing her to be a cucumber, so, of course she ends up being called cucumber girl! The book is written in a way as if you are writing it yourself (if you are a preteen) – as it uses slang and informal words, which I love. I really recommend any 9-12 year olds to read this amazing book!”.
My Name is Emilia Del Valle – Isabel Allende
From one of our staff members, Gabrielle
Allende is indisputably a master of her craft and she’s clearly found her wheelhouse. I think it is meant to be part memoir but is firmly marketed as fiction. This bridging of literary worlds is very apparent as you read. While I found it an informative and interesting read, it was a lot easier going when I didn’t hold the text up to the expectations I would a straight fiction OR an autobiography.
The strongest elements of this book, for me, were the history and political intricacies of California in the post-goldrush era and the Chilean civil war. As someone with very little prior information about these subjects, I drank it in. Allende brought the lives and culture alive with the skill and vibrancy that only someone of her familiarity and passion could do.
More attention was given to the socio-cultural landscape than the character developments and relationships. The people of this particular story played second fiddle to the events of the war and subsequent global ramifications.
This isn’t a criticism as such, just something I would have liked to know before picking the novel up. One of the primary reviews on the back of the dust jacket hails it as a love story but it isn’t, really. The ‘love interest’ and their chemistry is explored in less detail than the importance of the heroic hound that follows the troupes around from battle to battle.
Of Thorn & Briar, A Year with the West Country Hedgelayer – Paul Lamb
From one of our staff members, Gabrielle
This beautiful book was hands down my favourite non-fiction read this summer.
It doesn’t romanticise hard work, the vagaries of winter weather or the painful decline of Britain’s habitats. But somehow, I still fell more in love with the west country, this land I was born on and have lived my entire life. I saw it through fresh eyes and remembered so many of my first moments of loving the natural world. Paul lives a very simple life in his van, intimate with the seasons and the craft of his hands. I lost track of the kettles boiled over smoky embers under dark skies and cups of tea drunk listening to the rain. Paul’s visceral descriptions and attention to sensory detail leave you in no doubt of his familiarity with everything around him and puts all that experience neatly in your lap to explore at your own pace.
Reading this book educated me about very fundamental environmental processes that deeply impact habitat and the simple things we can do to combat this.
It’s gently political with notes of social commentary that don’t leave you feeling preached to and if you want to understand a little more about very old, local ways of managing land a resources… then it’s absolutely the book for you.
A Dance of Lies – Brittney Arena
From one of our staff members, Gabrielle
I picked this book up because it’s rare to see proper representation of chronic illness and disability, especially within romance or fantasy. I was drawn in by the lure of seeing how a dancer would cope with a new, damaged body and how that would be drawn out into the yarn of the tale. I stayed for the mystery of the unanswered questions at the heart of the plot, the exquisite descriptions and the journey of discovering a different kind of resilience. The costumes and secondary characters are so well-drawn, detailed and full. There are layers of plot and subplot seamlessly interwoven throughout the book. The ‘fantastical’ elements of the book don’t come into their own until much later in the plot and it’s not immediately clear how it is relevant to the ongoing narrative. Once it has been introduced, it adds a totally different perspective of the story and sets up the premise for book two. Gently prepare yourself for a couple of things:
1) You won’t be left satisfied or reassured by the last page and will be waiting impatiently for the second book.
2) While it is heavily promoted as a romantasy, there is no central or clear love interest apparent at this stage. Don’t get too attached to any one relationship, there appear to be at least three potential options explored!
Let’s see where Ms Arena takes the protagonist next.
The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
From one of our staff members, Gabrielle
I can see why this YA mystery is hugely popular. It’s a real page turner from the first chapter. It leaves you guessing all the way through, dropping little revelations and plot twists. As an adult reader new to mystery and thrillers, I enjoyed starting with a novel aimed at teen readers and think it is a great introduction to the genre. I found the edge of danger and the sinister undertone it created gave a sense of urgency which was balanced by a healthy dose of romantic moments with cute boys.
The bond between the protagonist and her sister is the warmest, most wholesome, note in the story. Their mutual support and trust in each other are a counterpoint to all the other character interactions where you are left so at sea. No-one else’s intentions are meant to be clear. That’s why I love this relationship and I hope that it gets developed properly in the subsequent books as so far the sister is a bit one-dimensional. I followed the story straight into book two without a breather and I’m not sure how the tale will be drawn out for two more sequels. Perhaps I’m in for an even bigger surprise! Without giving spoilers, I would say I’m not totally sold on the direction the love triangle seems to be going in so far, but I’ll reserve judgement until I get to the last book…
The CIA Book Club: The Secret Mission to Win the Cold War with Forbidden Literature by Charlie English
Oliver Weiss shares his review of this book.
“Charlie English’s excellent read has little to do with the CIA. Funding was supplied by the CIA but this is a record of the fight by the Polish underground against the Soviet Regime. CIA through its paymaster George Minden paid for printing of ‘subversive texts’ such as ‘1984′ by George Orwell. Books were then smuggled into Poland/Eastern Europe in a whole range of formats. However the meat of English’s book is the fight by the Polish Underground against the regime both before and after 1980—start of the uprising by Solidarity/ Lech Walesa in Gdansk. Printing machines were smuggled into Poland to regularly print “Mazovia Weekly”. This may have had several hundred thousand readers for each issue. Despite the Jaruzelski crack down on the country (he remained in power until the system collapsed) the underground continued to circulate “Mazovia Weekly”. Interesting record of Solidarity’s debate on peaceful versus armed insurrection with peaceful winning the day and ultimately succeeding. This book is a record of their extraordinary bravery and perseverance in the fight for freedom. Sadly Charlie English was hampered by some CIA files remaining ‘classified’, and I wish he had written another Chapter setting out where are the characters today.”
For those looking for Dad or Grandad’s present then a ’thumping good read’.
Silver by Olivia Levez
Our top reviewer, Sophie Nock shares her review of this book.
“A tale of belonging and humanity, Silver is a moving novel about an alien girl who longs to be a part of life on Earth. Facing torture and termination by the hive consciousness she once called family, ruthless Cadet 39 claims a name and a family on Earth, finding her true heritage in the memories of her captors. Filled with sadness, love and humour, Silver is a heart-rending read and highlights the difficulties even humans can have fitting in with our own species. Her growing understanding, childlike innocence and rebellious spirit create an addictive character whose search to find her own inner humanity leads her to discover the power of her ancestors. Simultaneously incredibly sad and startlingly hopeful, the story of Silver’s singlehanded rebellion for the sake of her love for humans is an inspiring one that deserves a place on everyone’s shelves.”
The King’s Witches by Kate Foster
Our top reviewer, Sophie Nock, shares her review of this book.
“A tale of duty, fear and motherhood, The King’s Witches follows three very different women as they struggle to survive in Scotland at the beginning of the witch hunt era. Showing the change in King James VI on his discovery of the European witchcraft crisis, Kate Foster beautifully simulates the environment of 1590 and the rapid spread of suspicion at this time. The folklore around witches and the gradual descent of each character’s situation bring the real-life experiences of women in the face of a monarch’s fear into sharp focus, as their attempts to free themselves become more desperate.
The historical accuracy of aspects of the novel are coupled with imagined characters and events to create a descriptive exploration of life in 16th Century Scotland, in which it is never quite clear if witchcraft is just make-believe or if the powers of the “cunning women” are real. The constant fear of the “Divvil” and obsessions with godliness bring back a time when evil could be warded off with prayer, and protection from a witch might be found in an amulet or “charme” of the very kind a witch would make. The struggles of each character to choose between her duty and desires in an increasingly superstitious and hypocritical society creates a gripping read, as the origins of the witch trials are explored through the distinct voices of women both real and imagined, traversing cell, courtroom and the king’s own bed chamber. The fear and suspicion that lies within every page of The King’s Witches bring to life the beginning of a period of mass murder through the eyes of women close to the king who began it, who in saving themselves perhaps worsened what was to come.”
Bosun Bob by Erin Allgrove and Emily Langstaff-Ellis
Bosun Bob is a beautifully evocative tale of a tenacious sea-faring dog and his adventures at sea. Bob sets sail at dawn, leaving the safety of his harbour for the open ocean. He meets a series of mysterious and sometimes frightening sea creatures before his ship is wrecked in a violent thunderstorm. Bob is rescued from an untimely end and meets an unlikely shipmate in the process.
It is based upon the many adventures Erin encountered whilst living aboard her yacht Rocket with her family and dog, Bob. The creatures and lands she discovered shaped the tale of Bob, with Erin wanting to share the sense of wonder and magic she found on board with adults and children alike.
Available from our shop in Dartmouth. Get in touch or pop-in.
Death on the Lusitania by R.L. Graham
Our top reviewer, Sophie Nock, shares why she enjoyed this book.
Death on the Lusitania is a complex and compelling debut novel, full of interwoven plotlines, snippets of history and unusual, nuanced characters. At first arrival on the Lusitania, it seems most of the people on Patrick Gallagher’s table are strangers to each other, but as he investigates a murder on the captain’s orders it becomes increasingly obvious that all is not what it seems, and that the hidden connections between the pasts of different passengers provide almost everyone with ample motive for murder.
The historical backdrop of the first world war and the Mexican Civil War are expertly woven in, with the reaction of passengers to the situation in Europe as they approach the war zone constantly forcing the tension to new heights, creating chaos and mutiny while Gallagher and the crew attempt to uncover the identity of multiple murderers and spies; and all the while the reader knows that this is Lusitania’s final voyage, while the passengers are oblivious to the dark fate that awaits them.
Death on the Lusitania is not just a mystery novel – alongside the investigation into deaths and sabotage aboard “Big Lucy” the debates among passengers present a multitude of political views and ideas still relevant today. The discussions of morality, pacifism, scientific advancement and the nature of war itself invite a debate inside the reader’s own mind, questioning both the wars in history and those that rage around the world today. Yet every character who suggests a new perspective on these topics is soon proven deceitful in other areas, such that we never quite know who to trust, or whose opinion to consider as rational, genuine or just a distractor from their true beliefs.
The Garden Against Time by Olivia Laing
Review by Vivienne Dyer.
There is so much more to this book than the journey of restoring an abandoned and unloved walled garden designed by Mark Rumary, a renowned garden designer in the 1960s.
This is a book that is far reaching. It is a memoir and a social history of gardening. It’s about poetry and literature. It looks at the human suffering of slavery that funded huge estates. It is political and it is cultural.
This is an enchanting and thought-provoking book of great beauty and depth. I have learned a great deal from its reading. Olivia Laing writes beautifully and with passion. Whether you agree with her politics or not, it is a book that you will not forget.
The Theory of (Not Quite) Everything by Kara Gnodde
From our Top Reviewer, Sophie Nock
The Theory of (Not Quite) Everything is an unusual combination of romance and maths. Although romance isn’t my thing, I really enjoyed the maths-y side of the book and sympathised with both siblings throughout, even though a lot of the time they were butting heads, which shows an impressive ability in the author to get the reader to feel the way she wants them too. While addressing complicated, current issues such as suicides, illness, mathematical sabotage and the best way to find love (which it turns out is only what the book appears to be about on the surface), hilarious moments are slipped in to keep the reader interested. At the end I found myself wanting to go back and read it again in the face of new revelations to see if I could spot clues to them that I hadn’t noticed before. However, despite my evident enjoyment of Theory, it is probably an acquired taste: for the mathematical, the romantics or ideally people in between – but even romantics would need to have a bit of a maths-y side to fully appreciate it.
Upon a Frosted Star by M.A. Kuzniar
Our top reviewer, Sophie, shares why she enjoyed this book so much…
As a general rule, I do not like romances. Yet Upon a Frosted Star is more than a romance. It is a jewel of beautiful description, frosted winter parties, summers of longing and soulful tragedy – a true fairytale painted in sharp-edged colour. The mystery that Forster undertakes to solve after attending a glittering event in a seemingly abandoned manor is a heartfelt one – dark and melancholy, through glimpses of Detta’s past and scraps of newspaper reviews, the truth of the manor and the cursed woman who lives there, with whom Forster has fallen deeply in love, is revealed. Fans of Kuzniar’s previous adult novel Midnight in Everwood will be delighted by the hints about Marietta’s fate and the links between the books, while lovers of fairytales are certain to be entranced by the story at the heart of this book, The Wild Swans. Exploring the changing times of the 1920s and English life after the Great War, the role of art and culture in society and all the ways a heart can be broken, Kuzniar paints a vivid picture of Forster’s struggle to save Detta from her curse and the damage his consuming love wreaks in the lives of those around him.
Lady MacBethad by Isabelle Schuler
From our Top Reviewer, Sophie Nock
“Lady MacBethad presents a compelling and original backstory for Shakespeare’s Lady Macbeth as the reader sees her childhood and gradual descent into villainy through her own eyes. The book engrossed me in the trials of life for a woman of druid descent in a time when Christianity was coming into power, while the man who deposed her grandfather sits on the throne of a kingdom that should be hers. Her search for a home and her desperation to keep her position and fulfil her family’s wishes are powerful motivations, and although considered out of context, many of her actions are inexcusable. Shuler shows us another side of Lady Macbeth in the character of Gruoch, a person who commits her crimes to survive. Gruoch experiences an odyssey to rival Odyseus’s, in which she suffers grief, pregnancy and near-rape as she changes from the innocent girl of the first chapters to the ruthless killer we see at the end, all while retaining the sympathy of an enraptured reader. This book creates a new version of Lady Macbeth, yet keeps close links with the play and carries implications that put the events of Macbeth in new and exciting light – as a big fan of the Bard, I think he himself would have loved it, as did I.”
Where the Heart Should Be by Sarah Crossan
Our top reviewer, Sophie Nock, shares her review of this book.
This book is a masterful combination of historical fiction, tragedy and romance. Told through a series of poems, it is the story of an imagined scullery maid living in rural Ireland during the Great Famine, falling in love with the “enemy”, an English gentleman and heir to her cruel landlord, while losing her friends and family to starvation and disease. Moving and touching, through short poems about Nell’s life and loss, Crossan paints a horrifying picture of the realities of the Great Famine for Irish peasants, their treatment by the English and the fears faced daily by the masses. Filled with emotion and historical reality, this is a true poetic and literary masterpiece which left me heartbroken.