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Can't believe it I managed to read 4 this time
Happenstance
Not my favourite kind of book- I haven't read so much navel-contemplating since I tried (and failed again) to read James Joyce's 'Ulysses' for the third time! The premise was clever, the way the two sides of the story were woven together even though they were recorded separately but I just wanted to give them both a good shake and tell them to grow up.
The Ice Cream Girls
I didn't enjoy this book as much as the last Koomson we read (My Best Friend's Girl)There was a feeling of doom hanging over the story, sometimes during soap opera's I have to go and do the washing up because I know something bad is going to happen and I had the same feeling with this book. However as usual it was well written and I did enjoy most of it.
Light on Snow by Anita Shreeve
Nicky and her father appeared to have been living emotionally separate lives since the accident, their lives seemingly frozen in snow. Towards the end of the book hope grew that eventually they could live 'normal' lives when they made an emotional connection and it almost seemed to point a way forward for Nicky, with her eye for beauty you could imagine her growing up to become a famous 'art' photographer
The Book of Fires
Great descriptions in this book (some not for the squeamish like the pig killing). I found it really interesting to find how fireworks were made. I had not realised there was so much science and complexity involved. I loved the way Agnes linked her memories of the countryside to describe the fireworks. It was an intriguing story but I am not sure I believed entirely in John Blackstock's motivation, however I will look out for more of Borodale's books (it is her first so theoretically her next should be even better). My favourite of the four.
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Well I have finished "Water for Elephants" which finally arrived last week. I thought it was really sad - the casual abuse of animals and humans and the belief that everything is disposable. I actually shed a couple of tears at the end.
The story of what the great circuses were like in the '30's was really interesting, it's something I have never thought about before. The desperate hand to mouth existence of many of the workers mirrors the world economic events of the depression, I think.
But I liked Jacob, I loved Bobbo and Rosie, Walter and Camel and I was impressed by the way in which everyone made the best of what little they had. And that they still shared.
The happy ending that Jacob experienced with Marlena was lovely - although only alluded to in the story. What I thought was really touching was how Jacob got himself to the circus at the end, at the age of 93, and was allowed to stay. Now's that's people sticking together, something that I really approve of. xx
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I am still waiting for Water for Elephants... You might get my review around Christmas time at this rate.
I agree Ann, I turned over the next page of Light on Snow expecting more and it wasn't there. Sort of brought the story to an abrupt halt.
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I am blaming my grandsons for this late review!
Went to the library with full list of suggestions ('winners' were marked with a star).
Managed to get a few of the books, and ordered the 'winners'.
The Husband by Dean Koentz
A good read. I won't go into details in case it is a 'winner' at another time.
Happenstance by Carol Shields
I enjoyed this novel, will look for more books by this author ( I see that other people have reviewed this book but haven't read the reviews yet).
Light on Snow by Anita Shreve.
Anita Shreve does not disappoint with this offering. Nicky Dillon makes an ideal narroator, kept me by her side throughout and bought out my maternal instinct.
At times it was edge of the seat stuff - a gripping pale well told. I felt sympathy towards Charlotte, Waren too turned out to be a good guy.
it was not so much a 'Who done it' as "Why" An emotional story of loss and abandonment.
The Ice Cream Girls by Dorothy Koomson.
A sad, sad story of abuse and aftermath. An explanation of how grooming works.
it gave a feeling of helplessness and hopelessness.
The girls lost such a lot and struggled to regain that lost part of themselves.
Well worth reading, but have your tissues with you.
The Book of Fires by Jane Borodale.
I felt that I was beside Agnes, in her panic to rescue herself from her secrets.
I read this at a rate of knots almost in a panic.
Now feel that I should reread it, so that I can get to know John Blacklock.
I also want to understand the relationship between the main charectors.
Tess
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Have now read all the reviews. The Happenstance ones were very interesting.
Bridget, not sure if I want to read YOUR Happenstance book or not!
My book had the husbands story firsy, followedby the wife's .
I hadn't thought of reading them the other way round.
What a shame it wasn't printed the same way as Helen's copy.
It seems a good idea to read the stories in a different order, and printing the book that way certainly encourages that.
In my copy of the book, the husbands story came first. My sympathy's were more with him.
I will read this book again, this time reading the wife's story first.
Tess
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My book was the same as Helen's, you flip it over.. I have given it to a friend to read and pass on.
Tess.... whilst when reading Ice-cream girls I guessed who had committed the crime but this obsession that Serena had with knives kept me doubting my intuition.
I think Borodale was very thorough in her fireworks presentation.... I could practically feel the filth and the stench of the meat... and then on Saturday night I watched a documentary on the Filthy streets of London and how bad it was... showing meat and maggots etc.. so went through it all again.
I haven't read a Dean Koontz in awhile... I like his thrillers but am not keen on his horror books at all.
Persie
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Thank you for all the reviews. Back from my weekend away now so will get on with the suggestions votes.
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Persephone, I was pretty sure who the killer was too. Just wondered if the girls would ever be able to meet, make-up and persuade each other that they were innocent.
Tess
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