Book Review - Found Wanting

I have been a fan of Robert Goddard for about ten years. I read hand in glove and could not put it down, it was absolutely brilliant. I think my favourite is In Pale Battalions, which had me desperate to read right to the end as the plot weaves its mysteries until the tension builds to fever pitch!

This is his latest out in paperback, a bundle of letters that could identify the mystery surrounding Anastasia the Russian Royal Family mystery. The story weaves around the colder countries in Europe during a cold February, and the protagonist, Richard Eusden is trying to help his school friend by delivering the case of letters to a buyer.

What follows is a wander from Belgium, Germany and Copenhagen and Iceland, Eusden getting his hands on the case only to have it snatched away. There are a number of interested parties trying to get their hands on the case, a world wide corporation, an American, a seedy guy called Straub and a young student. They all are trying to get at the case and its contents with their own motives, the contents was supposed to solve the mystery of Anastasia. There is a love interest for our protagonist, which is usual in Goddard's books.

I wanted to enjoy this novel, but I have to admit, after the fifth time Eusden was hit on the head after getting his hands on the case I just got bored. Basically I did not care about the mystery, it was just the same incident over and over, just different characters getting their hands on the case.

I have noticed the last few novels just don't seem to have the pace or the twists and turns of his previous books, Goddard always writes about historical facts, the JFK, Winston Churchill, WW 1, the mysteries believable and interesting, but this one is just boring. He writes that he was asked to write about this mystery, but it isn't written with enough passion or conviction. While he does give a sense of these bleak countries, the descriptions of the cold are very good, there just isn't enough to keep me reading. I actually skipped to the last chapter. The ending was a little predictable, but I would not recommend this book, it isn't his best. However, I think I will pick up the next one and hope the magic is back.

If you enjoy mysteries, then I would recommend Nicci French, Beneath the Skin, secret smile or land of the living. They are real terrifying page turners.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society

“the only bad thing about this book is that it ends” this is like no other book I have read, I must admit that it took two attempts, as I found the Juliet’s voice a little bit posh for my liking. But I finished the ‘story of us’ and brought this along with me so gave it another go! I am so glad I did, I could not put it down.
Once you get to the Guernsey letters the characters in the story are wonderful, most of them quirky, yet endearing, the extra ordinary name is all explained, so I won’t give it away here. It just shows the strength of the writing that the characters come alive so well in the short letters going back and forth, each character’s voice comes across clearly, I found I did not need to read the short introduction.
This is an uplifting book, about people finding solace in reading through adversity; it does have some sad stories to tell, but told with such humanity and lightness of touch, you are drawn in. Don’t think for one minute this is ‘mis-lit’ there is so much to laugh at it is a joy to read leaving me very optimistic and full of hope.
Read the postscript comments by Annie Barrows, it tells you a little about Mary Ann Shaffer, clearly an amazing woman. I particularly liked Annie’s last remarks,
“We are transformed magically into a literary society every time we pass a book along, each time we ask a question about it, each time we say, ‘if you liked that, I bet you’d like this.’ Whenever we are willing to be delighted and share our delight, as Mary Ann did, we are part of the ongoing story of the ‘The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society’. “
Anne Barrows 2009.
Read it, you will love it just as much as I did!

Book Review The Story of Us Marcia Preston

‘The story of Us’ by Marcia Preston

After reading the Butterfly House, I was intrigued to read more from Maria Preston; I found her writing so evocative I did not want to just read one of her books before passing judgement, I am so glad I did. This book is so much fuller than the Butterfly House, the characters are more developed, Marcia writes beautifully. It is rare these days for me to just stop reading for a moment and savour the lines, but I had to stop at one point and simply admire her skill of writing! The emotion she conveyed in that moment really touched me.

You will think I am very maudlin at the moment, because this is the tale about a young man dying in a car crash, however, it is more about the characters around this event, namely his mother, his girlfriend the recipient of his heart, his father and the man who causes the accident. Their stories are beautifully woven, sometimes you see the same event through two different perspectives; it is delicately done.

It is about loss and coming to terms with grief, but also about how damaged people can find their way back as well as how we can all be connected through circumstances. The chapter where the mother places her hands above her son’s heart is simply beautiful, I had to stop reading and just savour the writing. If I could change one thing it is that Marcia seems to pile on the difficulties, her characters seem to be drowned in tragedy rather than just one event, I think it stresses the point a little too much. (the butterfly house was layered on too thickly!). I think this writer just gets better and better, however, I think it is time for something a little more light hearted!

The Butterfly House

This is our book this month, and on the whole I enjoyed the book, it was well written, the descriptions of the locations, (Canada and the North American border) are very evocative, and the relationships between the women slowly unfolds in the book. I think the story tells us how love can actually be a destructive force in relationships, as it is love that seems to destroy and affect all the characters, from Bobbie the main character, who seems to have been left emotionally wrecked by an event in her childhood, to her mother Ruth, who's husband left because he was in love with her brother, in fact each character suffers because of loving someone!

This book is a strong contrast to the usual upsides of love, Bobbie is so emotionally crippled by her past, she is unable to love her husband, who in turn is hurt by her inability!

I think it would have been nice to have at least one character who benefits from love, but it just doesn't happen.

I enjoyed the writing, the story was gentle, but left me feeling just a little sad. It would be interesting to read something different by the same Author to see if they are able to write something more uplifting! Worth a read as it is not particularly long!