Strange Magic - Syd Moore

Since December our town has had an indepedent book shop. The previous one closed down a few months before the pandemic and as a book lover I have keenly felt the loss and absence of a book based emporium! What's delighting me even more about this new one is that they hold regular events in the evenings. Since I am old and not as steady on my pins as I once was I decline to tramp the streets in the dark but now the lighter evenings are upon us I am going to attend as many of these events as possible. The first one I've booked for is a reading by a local author -  Syd Moore. I hadn't read any of her books and in fact I knew very little about her. But when I started to research her I found that she has written several books many of which (pun) are about - witches! I didn't want to go 'cold' to her reading so I purchased a copy of her first Essex Witches novel. I didn't know what to expect but I absolutely loved it! It is the first in a series of four featuring Rosie Strange who inherits a Witch museum (as you do!). It was funny, exciting, evenly paced. The dynamic between the two main characters was well sustained and it's made me hungry to read the rest of the series. Sam and Rosie travel the length and breadth of the British Isles -  well maybe that's an exaggeration but they do get about - trying to track down the bones of a witch executed in the 1500's! It's escapist and touches on the magical and supernatural giving plenty of material for discussion. Comfort zones are breached and opinions are reviewed. Historical facts abound and will have you indignant at the way women were treated. There is an attempt too to dispel the Essex girl myth. 

I expect I will buy a copy of her current book when I go to the reading and I'm hoping she might sign it for me. Watch this space!!

Romantic Comedy - Curtis Sittenfeld

This book seemed to garner quite a bit of attention on social media. And I'm never sure whether such books are worthy of the attention or whether they are the beneficiaries of a well oiled publicity machine. I know it was a Reese Witherspoon book club pick which can sometimes propel a book into a wider consciousness.  I was awarded a copy of this book for an activity on an online forum that I participated in. and I realise that I am a) late to the party and b) I haven't read any of the author's previous works. 

At the beginning I was wondering what the fuss was about. That's not to say I wasn't enjoying it, far from it, I was, but it didn't strike me as being exceptional in any way. That was until I got to a third of the way through and the epistolary section started with the emails between Noah and Sally. And then I kind of "got it". And I could begin to see why the book was garnering a lot of praise. Structurally it's very clever. 

I enjoyed the way the writer dealt with notions of celebrity particularly with the email exchange during lockdown, a situation that put people on a level playing field in some respects. Also it's a story about love and work.

I liked the character of Sally who seemed real in a world that could encourage delusion and falseness. I don't know much about the world of TV scripts and skits but I think I am better informed having read this story.  I also think the perception of celebrity is a fascinating one. I always remember being, envious, no, downright jealous, when I found out that Gary Numan had married a fan! It seemed a paradox that a famous person could even entertain then idea of consorting with a 'commoner' let alone pursue nuptials! So that aspect of the book was compelling. And for those of us who aren't celebrities we are pushed to imagine how it is for the paparazzi pursued superstars. 

I also liked Noah, although at times he came across as too damn nice! But we only ever get to see the real him through the emails because the story is told from Sally's perspective. But it is told with humour and compassion and the narrative style is easy and almost deceptive because there are some deep truths being discussed here concerning romance and fame. 

Ultimately I enjoyed the book and I'm pleased I read it but I am not motivated to seek out the writer's previous works with any urgency. Perhaps I was expecting more because of the social media buzz? 

I think Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling would be great in a movie of this book!

My thanks to Bookmarks for my copy. 

The Household -Stacey Halls

 

I read Stacey Hall’s first book, The Familiars, and loved it. I made a mental note to keep an eye open for her future work. I'm ashamed to say that I still haven't read The Foundling or Mrs. England but I will. And if I needed any extra motivation reading The Household was the best thing I could have done! 

The book is what I like to call 'faction' - it's an historical novel based on true facts. The titular household refers to Urania Cottage, the property that Charles Dickens founded with the aim of helping 'fallen' women. He did this with the help and financial assistance of Angela Burnett-Coutts.

The residents of that cottage, selected from inmates of prisons and workhouses, provide the substance of the novel and their stories unfold alongside that of Angela Burdett-Coutts which offers a neat balance between two different social groups. 

Although Dickens is referenced many times in the story centre stage is given to the female characters. What I enjoyeded very much was that the supposed 'fallen' women were portrayed, not as victims to be pitied, but as resourceful, and determined people trying to make the best of the lives they were leading. Their stories nestle alongside that of Ms. Burdett-Coutts as equals.

In some ways I had the feeling that it was what I like to call a 'big house' story but that may have been because of the moneyed Ms.Burnett-Coutts!

All the women have their stories and they interlink very cleverly with some tight plotting. But you can’t have an historical novel without some serious research; not just the facts of the period but the essence of the period. Dialogue, locations, attention to the smallest detail bring the narrative to life and transport the reader back to Victorian England. 

There are mysteries to ponder, obstacles to overcome and the notion of freedom explored between the rich and the not so rich. There’s compassion and drama, in fact there’s a little of everything! A most absorbing and captivating story. I’m off to procure copies of Mrs.England and The Foundling. 

My thanks to Readers First for my prize copy.

Mystic Orchards - Jonathan Koven - Blog Tour

A Mystic Orchard whose word trees bear the most exquisite and ripe fruits. A crop that explores the berries of family, the hips of trauma, the drupes of love and relationships, dripping with juice and sweetness.

 

And so Jonathan Koven’s collection of poems has the poetry hungry salivating until the last page when the willing reader will sit back, utter a sigh, completely satiated. 

 

The poems are lyrical, pastoral, ethereal. The language and ideas are elaborate and reading aloud is, in my opinion, essential. (But then I think ALL poetry should be read aloud!)

 

The collection is cohesive as themes and images recur. There are some prose pieces alongside the poetry which just seem to fit perfectly amongst the verse. There is a complexity to the expression of ideas which set the reader contemplating the fabric of life.

 

You get a sense  of someone entrusting you with their deepest, innermost thoughts and feelings which gives the collection an intimacy that is immersive. I also had the sense that each piece is so very carefully and lovingly crafted and I was reminded of Sylvia Plath.

 

As I read I compiled a collection of my favourite lines and expressions ;

 

‘……….silence will take

The shape of an old slow morning….’

 

‘Spread me wide 

With this brand of summer.’

 

‘….unfurl as a poem

No one reads….’

 

‘We wear November….’

 

 

‘having waited to understand charm in the sorrow

Of waiting…..’

 

‘millennium of moments…’

 

‘….sonnets of patience….’

 

‘Childhood a jewel.’

 

‘…….hideous blanket of ineloquence.’

 

If I had to state my favourite poems I think I would choose Insomnia Wish, Our Talisman and I Read a Name in the Sun but that’s always a tricky business, narrowing them down! I think I would like to take this book to a secluded area of natural beauty and read the poems aloud to the birds and the butterflies, perhaps the flowers and trees, maybe an orchard even!

 

Thank you to Isabelle Kenyon of Fly on the Wall Press and to the poet himself for a signed copy. 

  

March Round Up

 

Sarah Pearse – The RetreatI read The Sanatorium and thoroughly enjoyed it so I was interested to read the follow up. I enjoyed that, too, but I thought it had many similarities with the first story. I suppose it’s not necessarily a bad thing – if the formula works use it? But I think it could only work for so long before it became tedious and as a reader you knew exactly what was coming.

 

Andrew Hyde – To Muddy Death

Andrew is a local author, and I had the pleasure of attending his book launch at our local library. He signed a copy of the book for me. I didn’t know anything about him before the event. This is his debut novel, and I was impressed for the most part. It’s a crime story and its pretty gripping. 

 

Richard Osman – The Last Devil to Die

I’ve been borrowing these from my library. Reserving them as it happens, because they are so popular I don’t think they even see the shelves!! But you can’t control when they are going to become available, so I read this last in the series before The Bullet That Missed. I don’t think it matters. They’re easy reading and very entertaining.

 

Brian Chaucer – Seventy-Seven and Counting

This was a delightful autobiography by a gay man who, in his seventies, upped sticks and relocated to Lithuania – as you do! It’s a delightfully honest and entertaining account of a life lived to the full. Brian tells of the challenges he faced when moving to another country as well as his past life in this country. He has turned his hand to any number of jobs and ventures which he recounts in the most readable detail. 

 

Alex Michaelides – The Fury

I have a prized signed copy of The Silent Patient, but I’ve not read his second book yet. This, third, was another loan from my brilliant library. Full of twists and turns but I didn’t enjoy it as much as The Silent Patient.  I fear my expectations were too high, I found myself underwhelmed. That’s niot to say I didn’t enjoy it for I did but I wasn’t wowed.

 

Christina Maraziotis – Ghost

I’ve had a copy of this for a while but at over 700 pages I needed to know I had plenty of time to read it! It’s the third in the series and they are all hefty tomes. They are historical novels set in the US. There are many more books planned for the series and I am always astounded by the author’s passion and commitment for her stories and characters. 

 

Lionel Shriver – Mania

This is a fascinating dystopian tales of an alternate 2011 where there is ‘Mental Parity’ No such thing as intelligent and no such thing as stupid, all are equal. So anyone can be a brain surgeon! Chaos ensues and woe betide anyone who might oppose the regime. Shriver’s main character does and how. Thought provoking read. 

 

William Shaw – The Wild Swimmers

I’ve read all of William Shaw’s books from Breen and Tozer to Alex Cupidi. As well as being darn good crime yarns, they are set in a part of the country that I’m familiar with which I always think adds something to the story! Or is that just me?

Jonathan Koven - Mystic Orchards

Won't say too much about this as it is for a future blog tour! It's a beautiful collection of poetry.

The Dark Within Them - Isabelle Kenyon - Blog Tour

 

I can't remember exactly when my association with Isabelle Kenyon and Fly on the Wall Press began but it's been a few years now and I have found her to be such a generous and supportive tour organiser. Some wonderful books have come my way, poets and writers who I might not have come across otherwise. I remember buying a copy of Isabelle's short story Andy and the Octopuses a while ago and being impressed by her quirky and original concept. So I had no hesitation in preordering a copy of her first novel, The Dark Within Them.

I'm not sure exactly what I was expecting from the book but it certainly wasn't this at all! A thriller set in a Mormon community in Utah! Oh my word! What a tale! It had me on the edge of my seat wondering what the hell was going to happen next! 

From the opening chapter the story is a thrill ride with dips and turns that will have you open mouthed in disbelief. Using a dual narrative between Amber and Chad the story of their ill-fated marriage unfolds cleverly with a beautifully constructed narrative that drips feeds its readers with a smattering of clues here and there. And yet all the way through there is a chilling undercurrent of iniquity. 

The characters are hard to like!! But I think that's intentional. You begin by starting to like both Amber and Chad but that doesn't last long, not for me anyway! I could smell trouble! The kids are more likeable but their teenage, hormonal attitudes irked me at times. However I'll let them off! Because they were catapulted into an untenable situation. I thought that if Amber could extricate herself from the toxic environment there was some hope and redemption for her.

The plotting is perfect and the way the tension is built up throughout the book creates such a state of unease and jeopardy. But much is achieved through the careful placing of clues and signs that aren't direct but more subtle, demanding the reader pay attention and interpret what is right under their noses. 

If it's 'just' a story you want then you have one in abundance but if you want a little more from your fiction then you have that too for there is much to think about regarding organised religion and its attitudes, family life and relationships, friendships and spirituality, motivation and justification.

This is a cracking debut and I can't wait for the next book from Isabelle!

My thanks to Isabelle Kenyon and Fly on the Wall Press for sending me my pre-ordered copy early so I could have a place on the blog tour. 

Mania - Lionel Shriver

 

Oh my, this is delicious! Shriver at her outspoken best! A dystopian alternate timeline novel, from 2011 to 2027, that could be a parable for our times. Astute, perceptive the story demonstrates what can happen when one point of view is taken to its limits by a minority and spirals out of controlled control! 

Here, it is intelligence that is for the chopping board!! Mental Parity is the new buzzword, the correct PC term for a whole nation. It basically means that everyone’s brains are equal, there is no such thing as a clever person or a stupid one.  Anyone can do any job they fancy. All references to anyone being dumb or stupid together with a whole lexicon of forbidden terms carry sanctions.

 

The central character is Pearson Converse and what a delightful play on words than name is! I also thought that the character may have much in common with Lionel Shriver herself!  Forgive me if I’m wrong! ’d prefer not to give too much away. But Pearson, having been raised by Jehovah’s Witnesses and subject to that extreme dogma, manages to escape it but then finds herself in the middle of a different regime that still threatens her freedom. 

 

Her best friend Emory Ruth is one of those ubiquitous folks who runs with the herd, to fit in maybe, to have an easier life perhaps, in Emory’s case much is to further her career, but will happily change opinion when the tide turns, an archetypal hypocrite.

 

Pearson Converse is no sheep, but she pays a heavy price for refusing to embrace the Mental Parity ideology. 

 

Shriver is an erudite author, and I got the feeling that much of this book was an eloquent expression of her own disquiet with the world as it is today. It is set in the US so some of the politics may be elusive for readers across the pond but the points being made are not elusive in the least. 

 

It's a tour de force with some humour but much latent anger. Shriver’s vocabulary is to be envied, it’s expansive and intelligent. But the book may be divisive. I imagine some book groups will enjoy some heated discussions!

It is thought provoking too and I hope it is not prophetic.

 

My thanks to Readers First where I was lucky enough to win a copy in one of their draws.