My Last Duchess by Daisy Goodwin
16 February 2011
Filed under Book Reviews, Challenges for 2011
Tags: Daisy Goodwin, My Last Duchess
My feelings for this book are totally all over the place and I hardly know where to start!
Firstly, I will say that Daisy Goodwin does an excellent job of writing this novel. The attention to detail is amazing. The descriptions of dresses, accessories, parties, music, food (will somebody give me a break here – I’m on a diet!) and stunning homes is so evocative. She really knows her stuff and it shows. I can think of at least one person I know who would read this book simply for the descriptions of the dresses alone! That being said I think the first two hundred pages – although starting out very well – could have been condensed. Not because I was expecting an action packed novel but really if you had to do a quick synopsis of the first 1/3 of the book it would be brief – although as said above the introductory paragraphs were very good.
Also, I found the characters enjoyable to read. I liked Cora, she’s a bit spoilt but I guess she’s a product of her own privileged upbringing, she’s never wanted for anything and is used to being the centre of attention and getting what she wants. Although – that being said she is completely dominated by her mother and longs for marriage as a means of escape and freedom. Although lets face it marriage was never really an escape in that period – it was more like moving to a different form of control. I thought her mother was brilliantly portrayed, truly dominating and formidable, and I would have enjoyed seeing more of her in the book (because she held her own). Ivo I found annoying in that he could have saved so much trouble by simply being more forthcoming with the truth (although that would have killed his mysterious persona I suppose)! I actually, and typically, liked the ‘baddies’ of the book – Charolotte and Odo (is Odo short for Odious I wonder). I thought Charlotte was brilliantly written if a little easy to predict. I liked her lazy insolence and thought the descriptions made her very easy to imagine.
Plot – to be honest I don’t think, there is a great deal of plot going on. Personally I thought most of the story was predictable but I don’t think that detracts from the book – you don’t always have to have twists and turns, sometimes its nice simply to read a well written book and anyway so many novels are trying to come up with new ways to surprise these days that sometimes they forget about everything else! The main focus of the book is Cora being in a different country and coming to terms with the cultures and learning how to ‘become’ a Duchess – not easy given her interfering mother in law (a double Duchess no less) and the malicious whisperings of the other ladies who do nothing to help integrate Cora into her new life.
In terms of frustrations I found very many similarities to a couple of other novels which are particular favourites – not in terms of the writing style but more the themes. At first I found this interesting but then I found myself thinking – ‘ ah this is like xxx’ and ‘this is like so and so’ (I won’t elaborate for fear of plot spoilers and also these are simply my interpretations) and at a point I found this a little bit irritating – however, I then shook myself and said, ‘look, you’ve read a lot of books, including a lot of classics, and it’s not going to be possible to pick up a book along these lines without seeing similarities’. Also, I think, if you are new to books and you enjoy reading period novels this will be a lovely experience because you won’t have these associations.
The other thing that was a bit irritating is I really wanted Cora to say her piece. I know she wasn’t going to do that in public but in private she could have stood up for herself a little more.
In conclusion, even though I think this is a little over long I never found myself skipping paragraphs (or pages) and I had no difficulty reading it (although I have found some descriptions of this novel as a love story and I think anybody picking this up with romantic notions of heart stopping moments may be disappointed – not that there isn’t a love story its just very understated – so think on!)
Rating -B
My Last Duchess
Before I Die by Jenny Downham
12 February 2011
Filed under Book Reviews, Challenges for 2011
Tags: Before I Die, Jenny Downham
Before I Die is the story of Tessa who has terminal cancer and has only a few months left to live. Tessa is only sixteen and has made herself a list of things she wishes to do before she dies.
Firstly, I must say that this is one of the saddest novels that I have read, if not the saddest, but, it is also incredibly compelling and in spite of the subject being covered is not overly sentimental or bleak to read. I wondered at first if I would struggle with it, after all it’s fairly difficult these days to find somebody whose life has not been affected by cancer and in that respect I thought it might be too hard to handle but that wasn’t the case at all. Yes, it is sad, after all it’s about a sixteen year old with terminal cancer but it is really well written, interesting and manages to make you feel so much emotion for Tessa.
In terms of the characters, I liked Tessa. I know at first she comes across as a bit uncaring or thoughtless and she sometimes stamps over other peoples’ feelings, particularly her dad’s, and at the back of all this is the ‘well I’m dying’ attitude. But, she is dying, she’s young, she’s watching everybody else continuing with their lives whilst hers is slowly seeping away and on top of all that she is a teenager! She wants to do teenage things – and one of those is rebelling a little bit. For example, if you look at Tessa’s list it isn’t overly ambitious – she doesn’t want to fly around the world in a hot air balloon or climb the highest mountain, she just wants some normal teenage experiences and of course she has to assert herself in order to achieve some of those – always with an eye on her ever decreasing timeframe. Also, in terms of the list – its ironic that Tessa goes out with a bloody minded attitude to achieve certain elements – for example to have sex – obviously she doesn’t want to die a virgin – and yet this wasn’t an enjoyable experience for her and then, when she is not looking love creeps up on her!
I also think that Tessa’s friend Zoe didn’t come across too well at times – but I didn’t dislike her. She was there for Tessa even though she had her own problems to deal with and what Zoe does remind us of is that dealing with a terminal illness is not just difficult for those suffering the illness but for those around them as well.
What I particularly love about this book is that it makes me want to hug my family (right now). It makes me think about making my days worthwhile – and by that I just mean enjoying them – and it makes me glad to be here!
I have JD’s next novel sat waiting to be read – I think I’ll get round to that one quicker than I did this!
Rating A
Before I Die
A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
9 February 2011
Filed under Book Reviews, Challenges for 2011
Tags: A Discovery of Witches, Deborah Harkness
ADoW starts in Oxford in the present time, where historian Diane Bishop is carrying out research in the Bodleian Libary when she discovers an old manuscript which is about to turn her world upside down. The manuscript has been bewitched – a fact that Diane is immediately aware of as she in fact a witch herself (although she has turned her back on witchcraft since the violent death of her parents). The secrets contained in the manuscript are coveted by Demons, witches and vampires and all of these creatures are drawn to Oxford – including the handsome and forbidding vampire Matthew Clairmont – whose protection Diane will come to depend on as she starts to unlock the secrets of the manuscript and of her hidden magical abilities.
I think this is an excellent start to this series. It is packed full of detail and description and takes you through the streets of Oxford, the countryside of France and then back to Diane’s family home in Madison. There are wonderful descriptions of food and wine and intelligent writing about historical incidents and characters together with an indepth (in parts) knowledge of science. The world which DH has created is easily believable with the creatures living in a sort of harmony which has been established over the course of the centuries. I enjoyed the fact that the creatures themselves were not easily noticable – the Daemons are highly artistic, tempremental or exceptionally clever, the vampires are obviously pale, wealthy, beautiful, slighly intimidating and the witches, apart from casting spells can see the future or travel to the past – but all of them blend in and look (more or less) like normal humans. They are obviously aware of each other but humans are to a large extent ignorant of their existence (and this is the way the creatures like it – particularly when you consider that the last time the witches came to our notice there was a rather large witch hunt which resulted in a great number of their people being executed).
Matthew and Diane are of course a very easy couple to read about. Matthew is centuries old and very sophisticated. Most of the other creatures are in awe of him as he is powerful and quick to anger. Diane is highly thought of and respected in her Oxford circles. She does not practice witchcraft and does not mingle with other witches although she is aware of their presence and they seek to include her in their circles and rituals. I think their relationship is well written and manages to maintain a balance between the two and doesn’t fall into the trap of making Diane weak and feeble. On the contrary by the end of the novel Diane is quite capable of looking after herself.
The end of the story is very well conceived and I really look forward to reading the next book as it promises to be excellent.
In terms of criticisms – I think that the book is almost over detailed. Personally I like the descriptive elements but if being honest I think it could have probably been pruned a little and in this respect may not appeal to anybody looking for a fast paced, chilling or action packed novel. Also, there are a couple of areas which become a little bit overly ‘sweet’ but they are few and far between. Of course there are parts of the novel which could be compared to other stories but I think this is inevitable.
On the whole I thought this was a really well written and gripping page turner and a real achievement for a debut novel. It has a wonderful cast of characters, is descriptive, with a lovely romance and a lot of promise for book number 2. This certainly promises to be an epic series.
Rating A
A Discovery of Witches
I’d Tell You I Love You But Then I’d Have to Kill You by Ally Carter
1 February 2011
Filed under Book Reviews, Challenges for 2011
Tags: Ally Carter, I'd tell you I love you but then I'd have to kill you
Well this story is all about the Gallagher Girls – who on the face of it look like a bunch of girls attending a private school for over priviledged young women. The Gallagher Academy is actually a school for amazing young women – with extraordinary ability and IQs, an ivy covered prep school – for future spies! The story revolves around Cammie and her two BFF, Liz and Bex.
Cammie’s mother is the Headmistress of the school and a former Gallagher girl – her father is dead (or is he missing?) – we have yet to hear the story. Basically Cammie has a lot to live up to following in her parents’ footsteps. She excels at her studies and has a reputation and nickname as a ‘chameleon’ – she enjoys her ‘invisibility’, that is until a young man notices her when she is out in the local town and a romance begins to develop.
I actually really liked this book. It’s just a really good fun read and a bit tongue in cheek. The Gallagher Academy is a bit like a Hogwarts for espionage instead of magic. The whole thing reminds me of a cross between Charlies Angels and Mission Impossible – but for teenage girls and I just found it a very light hearted and enjoyable read with lots of fun and a cute romance once Josh arrives on the scene. (Plus it has the line “Who buys plain vanilla ice cream from Ben & Jerry’s, anyway? Is there a greater waste?” and you have to ask yourself ‘is there’??)
The story escalates as Cammie tries to balance her new found desire to appear normal for Josh with her friends and life at the Academy. She starts by keeping secrets to developing a different persona to sneaking around and telling fibs. But, you have to forgive her really – she’s just trying to have a little snippet of ‘normality’ – or more to the point a boyfriend!
What I also like about this is the idea that you will watch Cammie grow up and presumably make mistakes and learn from them as she matures on her path to becoming a spy. The scene is now set and presumably future series will eventually develop more intriguing plots.
Criticisms – well, I probably didn’t need the constant reminders of how brilliant the girls and the school are – but that’s only a very minor point (and maybe I’m just envious that they’re so smart!!)
I would definitely recommend this if you want a good fun read with giggles, a great school, gadgets, girls with character and a gentle romance.
Rating A
I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You (Gallagher Girls)
Lies by Michael Grant
Lies brings us the third installment of the story of the children at Perdido Beach. (Book No.2: Hunger review posted last year).
In Lies we see the relationships formed in the previous two books start to fray as tensions run high. Sam is no longer solely in charge and the Town Council, with Astrid at it’s head, are trying to formulate laws and regulations to control the Town. Astrid is coming to the realisation that she does make mistakes and Sam, who has not emotionally recovered from the attack he suffered in Hunger is hiding things.
There is no end of action in this book. It’s a total whirlwind of plots, scheming and fighting with a few twists thrown in at the end. It’s not always the gentlest of books to read for sure and MG doesn’t hesitate to sacrifice characters (even ones who you will undoubtedly have come to love!) But plenty of new characters are thrown in for good measure. And, we have a new baddie in Zil who is trying to lead the humans into a revolt against the mutants or ‘freaks’.
I must say that I like MG’s writing style. He makes you care for the characters that you’re supposed to and equally dislike the characters that you’re not. I think he’s created some wonderful people in this series – particularly Sam. He also makes you sit and wonder just what would happen if something like this did ever happen. And he totally throws you off track with all his twists and turns. I have to admit that I had absolutely no idea what was going to happen or how things would be finally resolved. In fact I was sat dumbstruck at the end and had to have a good long recap! (And even after the recap I’m still really intrigued with one of the plot lines – but won’t spoil it).
This is a blast of a book, lots happend and such weird and wonderful things going on – you find yourself saying ‘no way’ at points, but come on, you’re reading a book about a group of children, some with strange mutant powers, living trapped in an adult free bubble with no way out – how much more unbelievable is there??
I have no doubt that fans of MG will be hooked by this book.
In terms of criticism – at points I found it almost too much. I wouldn’t have minded a little light relief occasionally. Some of the experiences that these children are going through are just so exhausting that at points you just think – give them a break!! Also, I think that there are elements in the book that have been added but don’t seem to bring anything particular to the story – although this maybe be resolved in future books. And, a lot of the names you will be familiar with play a much smaller role in this story – even Sam.
Although I don’t think this is my favourite of the three (Gone is still winning out, with Lies being 2nd) I’m in this to the end now – I have to know what happens after all.
Rating -A
Lies
