Crimson China by Betsy Tobin
26 February 2011
Filed under Book Reviews, Challenges for 2011
Tags: Betsy Tobin, Crimson China
Crimson China is primarily the story of Wen and Angie. Wen is an illegal immigrant who is in debt to the Snakehead gang and as such must spend the next three years paying off these debts. The start of the book is based upon a real life tragedy that occured during 2004 when 21 cockle pickers were drowned at Morecambe Bay. Betsy Tobin has created an imaginary outcome for one of the survivors of that tragedy.
I thought this book was very easy to read. It captured my imagination immediately. It helps you to see the lives of these invisible people, the barriers and exploitation they face and the sense of displacement they feel.
Angie and Wen’s lives collide when Angie, during her own suicide attempt, actually becomes Wen’s saviour. From there Angie becomes responsible for Wen providing him with a haven and in doing so unwittingly gives herself a new found purpose. Running alongside this story is the story of Lily, Wen’s twin sister, who has come to London to uncover Wen’s trail and try to lay to rest his spirit.
What I liked about the book – I thought the beginning started really well and was a real page turner. I liked the parallel stories with Wen and Angie in Morecambe and Lily in London. I liked the way that it shows both Wen and Lily trying to come to terms with living their own separate lives and also the way in which people help each other and in doing so give themselves a reason for carrying on. Angie saved Wen but he then begins to change her life – she is no longer as desperately lonely. Meanwhile in London Lily is finding her own niche. She has found a place to live and is helping Adrian – a widower, who she meets while teaching his adopted daughter May to speak Chinese. Really, at the start, all of them were lonely, living, but only barely.
I enjoyed reading this story – although I don’t think it reached it’s full potential. I wanted to know more about people’s motivations and background. For example, I didn’t really feel that I knew Angie. Why was she so angry all the time – I know we uncover a little of her background but not really enough to understand why she felt desperate enough to try and end her life. Similarly with Wen – he puts himself into massive debt with a ruthless gang in order to become an illegal immigrant and live a desperate and hard life. I don’t know why though? The book does touch upon the background of some of the other immigrants who are working to send money home or trying to pay for their children’s education, etc, but Wen doesn’t have that in common with them (in fact he actually makes up a story himself so he clearly feels the strangeness of his own situation when compared to the other people he has been thrown together with). I just don’t get a real sense of why he turned his life upside down. Also, I would have enjoyed knowing a little bit more of Wen’s life in China with his sister Lily – perhaps he felt trapped by their unusual closeness??
I also thought that the Snakehead gang didn’t really come across as menacing as they should have?? And, even though the story skips between different locations I don’t think there was a real sense of feeling for either place. I don’t think you would be able to get a particular feel for either London or Morecambe.
However, in spite of the above I do think this is a very readable book, I liked the way it’s written and found it intriguing.
I would recommend this book as I thought it was an original and interesting concept.
Rating B
Crimson China
You Against Me by Jenny Downham
You Against Me, to quote the jacket, is ‘a brave and unflinching novel … It’s a book about loyalty and the choices that come with it. But above all it’s a book about love’. And, I couldn’t agree more. This is a very thought provoking novel that tackles the subject of teenage rape and looks at the effects this has on not just the victim or perpetrator but on the rest of the families involved.
Basically the story involves Mikey and Ellie. Mikey and Ellie come from different sides of the tracks, Ellie from a priveleged background and Mikey from a run down estate where he lives with his alcoholic mother and two younger sisters. When Mike’s sister, Karyn, accuses Ellie’s brother, Tom, of sexual assault their two lives are set to collide.
I don’t think this is a book that you would ever describe as enjoyable as the nature of the story makes such a desciption seem inappropriate. However, I think this book is incredible. It raises so many issues (class divides, loyalty, sexism, family values), is totally absorbing to read, the writing is excellent and the characters are portrayed so well – in fact I don’t think I’ve ever read read a more convincing male than Mikey.
The story is also about love – but not just a romance – the love between both families and the anguish and pain they’re going through. Of course, a romance develops between Mikey and Ellie and so comparisons to Romeo and Juliet, for these two starcrossed lovers will be inevitable. I liked the relationship though, it was really well written and I thought believable but for me it was not the main element of the story.
This book created such turmoil for me. I wanted to believe Tom, I wanted to believe Karyn (I actually know who I thought was lying but wanted to be wrong!) I felt awful for the families – especially both the mums – and thought it was interesting to see how they both reacted and changed throughout the novel almost becoming stronger in the process. I was desperately reading on hoping for a happy ending but at the same time doubting the prospect of one…
Under the circumstances, I think the ending was perfect. I’m not going to go any further because I don’t want to say too much and spoil the book for others.
I actually don’t have any criticisms for this book – I think it just needs to be read!
Rating A+
You Against Me
The Woman in Black by Susan Hill
20 February 2011
Filed under Book Reviews, Challenges for 2011
Tags: Susan Hill, The Woman in Black
The Woman in Black is a ghost story told by Arthur Kipps. The story begins in a traditional way with Arthur’s family gathered round the fire on Christmas Eve and telling ghost stories. Arthur, who has real experience of ghosts undertakes to commit his story to paper. His story begins when he is a young and ambitious solicitor, keen to progress and impress both his boss and girlfriend. He is given an assignment to close the estate of a client who has just passed away and so travels to the east coast of the country (I must say that Arthur did put me in mind of Jonathon Harker from Dracula).
The client concerned is one Alice Drablow who lived a secluded existence at Eel Marsh house, arrived at by a causeway and surrounded not only by marshes and quicksand but also suspicion and fear. The story really begins when Arthur notices a lonely woman, dressed in black, at Alice’s funeral – the only other person there. The villagers refuse to speak of this woman let alone acknowledge any sightings of her and will have no dealings at all with Eel Marsh House. Refusing to give in to superstition Arthur is determined to complete his task and decides to spend time at the house.
The story is of course filled to the brim with your classic ghost story pre-requisites. A spooky and remote house, full of dark furniture and long corridors, a small village of frightened and superstitious people, changable weather, rolling mists, moonlit nights and slowly creeping feelings of dread.
I enjoyed reading this book, it’s only short, but I think that worked in it’s favour. The chilly feeling slowly builds until the last few chapters where Arthur spends time alone (although he has his feisty little companion Spider to forewarn him of any ghostly appearances!). Some of the night scenes are quite chilling in fact although overall I won’t say I found this book frightening. What I really appreciated was the writing style. The book actually reads like an old fashion gothic novel which I think is a real accomplishment given that it was in fact written in the 80s.
I would recommend this book if you fancy a bit of a spooky story on a dark night. It’s a subtle and old fashioned type of read however and won’t appeal to everyone. There are no dreadful and evil monsters or spectacular gore fests. The success of the book lies mainly in the brooding and myserious atmosphere which the author manages to create where eventually you almost find yourself holding your breath and listening out for noises yourself.
Rating B+
The Woman in Black
I am Number Four by Pittacus Lore
19 February 2011
Filed under Book Reviews, Books Going to Film, Challenges for 2011
Tags: I am Number Four, Pittacus Lore
I am number four is the story of John Smith (as he is currently called). John is an alien, (from Lorien) he is hiding on the planet earth, and accompanied by his Cepan (protector or guardian type figure Henri) is constantly on the run from the Mogaridians (from now on referred to as MGs who are monsters/aliens from another planet). The MGs are basically a bit like a plague of locusts, they have completely ravaged their own planet’s natural resources, then those of Lorien and are now exploring how to take over the planet earth.
To be honest this is not the type of book that I would normally pick up – and more annoyingly I actually bought the movie tie in novel – which really annoys me. I don’t like books that have been changed to reflect a movie with the faces of actors on the front. I prefer the original – a lot of work is put into the cover of a book and I appreciate the work and effort put into the illustration and graphics (and, not only that, I want to use my own imagination). That being said, back to the book itself. This has to be one of the most cheesy, stereotyped, not totally well constructed and inconsistent novels that I have read for a while BUT it was very quick to read, the pages seemed to turn themselves, there was plenty of action and in spite of myself I actually liked it! I didn’t love it and I probably wouldn’t read the next book but it definitely had its moments.
I actually did laugh out loud on a couple of occasions. I found the relationship between the two characters enjoyable to read. And, as usual with me, I liked the introduction of the animal character in fact the little Beagle was probably my favourite character (Bernie Kosar). I think this book reads very much like a novel that has been written with a movie or series in mind and it will probably be very effective in that form – however, it lacks description – not that I’m asking for a Dickensian type affair here, but, for example, I haven’t the faintest idea what the MGs look like – they are described as monsters, 30/40 feet high in stature – but what do they look like? They could be a gigantic eye with legs and arms, they could look like a cross between a fish and a spider, who knows?? And, I don’t understand the reason for this lack of information – also, WHY are they so intent on killing the Lorien’s – what is their motivation, they’ve already raided that planet so why are they still so determined to route out the few remaining survivors. I understand that the Lorien’s will become more powerful as their legacies kick in but frankly they were only toddlers when they first came to Earch and the MGs could simply have concentrated their efforts on Earth instead?? Couldn’t they? There is a little bit of information about the soldiers, pale, wreath like forms (remind me a little of the nine in The Lord of the Rings) but really there is a definite lack of detail here. The romance feels a little bit like its been thrown in to attract or keep happy a certain type of audience and for me is a little bit unnecessary although I don’t suppose it detracts just a little bit like it’s trying to be too many things to too many people.
Basically, this isn’t going to be a classic, but I think it’s a fun adventure and it will develop further in the next series. It should be interesting to see John’s abilities develop and to discover the other hidden Loriens (they’ll be a bit like the Fantasic Four – except there’ll be six). I think this book will appeal to a certain audience, particularly the action scenes and the fact that it isn’t overly romantic.
As mentioned above, I did notice a couple of inconsistencies that I won’t elaborate on for fear of spoiling the plot but for me they didn’t sit right – although I am maybe reading it wrong (it has been known to happen!!!)
Anyway, not a great read, not a bad read but not a dull read either. Sitting on the fence over here!!!
Rating -B (Changed this rating slightly because I think I was a little unfair given how readable this book is.)
I Am Number Four
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
Books and travelling with Lynn 