I wish I was a lesbian

Cos I'd sweep Marian Keyes off her feet. Never mind the fact she's not a lesbian, either. I'd sweep, because it takes someone with an extraordinarily beautiful soul to write like this. <br /><br />Her characters, as always, are adorable and addictive. Lola, Grace, Marnie: all given equal time and attention, all given so much depth, and you'll fall in love with all 3. The first two's stories are told from first person perspective; the latter from third. What's amazing is how different they are. No-one can characterize like Keyes can. All the supporting characters are just as rich, and as finely tuned.<br /><br />You'll laugh out loud at least 17 times. I lost count after that. Just as no-one characterizes like Keyes, no-one has the same knack for dialogue. If you don't come away from reading this with"bad, burny feeling" having entered your vocabulary, I'll be astonished. <br /><br />This is classic Keyes: funny, endearing, unputdownable and achingly sad in places. Am never sure how much personal information to put in these - none, is probably about right. But I will say I suffered from domestic abuse for 4 years, and the way it is approached, described and handled is perfect. It's accurate, and truthful, and - forgive the woeful term - pulls no punches. But it's also delicate, and caring and filled with pathos. <br /><br />Keyes has always surpassed the label of"chick lit". Her topics are meatier, and don't start and end with the girl finally getting the guy."This Charming Man" feels more grown up, perhaps. She's covered addictions before, self-loathing, grief over the death of a partner - all of these issues are ones which ruin lives. But the tone of this book feels more grown up, and is a warm, loving hug for all women who are currently living in fear of being abused or have experienced it.<br /><br />It is almost mpossible to put into words what happens to you when you live that life. Everything - everything - goes grey and you exist behind a sheet of glass; you have to remind yourself to breathe, then realise you don't want to, anymore, but by then you've remembered and you find yourself breathing involuntarily, and it makes you cry. I've never seen it covered quite as well as it has been by Keyes. There is no judgement; no"Well, why didn't you leave him, y'eejit?!", or"Here's what you should have done..." <br /><br />It's a difficult subject to address, and a painful one, but it doesn't stop the book being funny. As I said, I lost count at 17. That's not to mention all the wee chuckles that are peppered throughout. When I finished the book a few hours ago, I was bereft. Bereft. I want to go back to 2 days ago when I hadn't started it yet and when I had this wonderful book waiting to be devoured. <br /><br />This is everything you've come to expect from Marian Keyes, and if you want, you can be lesbians with us.

every woman should read this book

Count your blessings!, you will read this and weep. There really are women living this life, even now in 2008. Remember them when you turn each page and feel their pain.<br /><br />

Quiet belief in Angels

Ummm - it started off very slowly & I wasn't at at sure that I would get into it. (I rarely give up on a book) I did however quite enjoy it by the end - not particularly for the story line but more for the style of writing & some beautifully written pieces. My advice therefore is don't give up!

Thief of time......

Considering all the 5 star reviews this book has I'm really left wondering what all those people found in this book. I've just finished it and wish I hadn't bothered. It's a slow paced, unchallenging and thoroughly predictable meander through the lives of ordinary people in Germany in WW2 which fails to really tell you anything interesting about war or death. <br /><br />What a missed opportunity - if Death was to write a philosophy book about the lives and deaths of human beings in wartime I'd expect him to have something much more significant to say than this nonsense. Perhaps if the author had tried to engage adults rather than children it would have worked a great deal better than it did.<br /><br />If you've recently bought a copy and not started reading it then give it to a 12 year old and save your own time for reading something else instead.

fantastic book

Another great book by Cecelia Ahern. if you've enjoyed her other novels you won't be dissapointed with this one; its original, funny and engaging from beginning to end.

A gripping read - but annoyingly error-strewn

I think this is a big improvement over 'Sovereign', which I found very laboured. <br />There's no doubt this is a gripping read, even though it's a rather improbable Tudor serial killer story. Once again, it was also pretty easy to work out mid-way through whodunnit - think Mr Sansom needs to get a bit better at keeping us guessing, but this doesn't detract from the read overall. You certainly want to get to the end, and the characters are generally well drawn and involving.<br />What's really annoying is that the anachronisms and silly errors persist from the earlier books in the series.<br />At one point, Shardlake (the hero) describes the killer as 'a sadist'. How can a Tudor person 250 years before de Sade, possibly use the term 'a sadist'? It just spoils the otherwise generally authentic flavour.<br />Someone else (Sir Thomas Seymour, a rather pantomimic figure) describes the type of young man he favours in his household as 'sporty'. This is just so comically Blackadderish ('well, young Bob, you're a sporty young feller and no mistake') that it screams inauthenticity. <br />These occasional gaffes take the shine off what should otherwise be a well written novel.<br />Worse still are major plot bungles: at one point, the killer is nearly apprehended and has to abandon something - a very large item - I won't spoil it by saying what - in the street. And yet several chapters later, when the killer's lair is eventually found, said large item is found there. How? <br />Seems the author forgot the killer had already legged it and abandoned the item concerned in the street several chapters earlier.<br />There were similar boo-boos in the previous books. Are these down to the author, or to lazy, over-hasty editing? <br />Or are these books, clearly commercially successful, just getting churned out a little too fast?<br />It's a shame, because these could be great books. As it is, they're are undeniably enjoyable, but spoiled by odd little mistakes and a lack of attention to detail. A good read nonetheless, but I wish Mr Sansom's editor would raise his or her game a bit.

Beautiful in parts, average in others

After reading a little of this novel, I was not hugely impressed or intrigued by it unfortunately. But I wasn't going to give up on it, something spurred me on to continue, and on balance, I am glad I got to the end, and feel fairly rewarded for sticking with it.<br /><br />I felt it really improved towards the end in both stories, but the sections which tell the story of Moritz and his experiences and courage during and after World War One are, to me, by far the stronger and more compelling part of this novel, and I was engrossed in them, willing him on in his journey. Whereas, in the sections with Leo, I felt that the style was a little 'basic', and could have been improved. The two men, separated by the years but linked as is revealed at the end of the novel, are both separated from the loves of their lives. I know little of physics but enjoyed the brief elements that were discussed in the novel, in interesting ways but never too complex for a beginner to grasp the ideas raised.<br /><br />Lovely to read at the end that the author has used part of his own family history here.<br />A good debut taken as a whole, but could have been even more amazing.

Far from his best

I think I have read all of McEwan's work, so obviously I am a fan. However I found it rather disappointing. It is still very readable, but really not up to the standard that McEwan has set.<br /><br />Although very short, I found most of the book a little laboured - taking too long to get through a relatively small amount of plot. And then suddenly he covers forty years in a few pages, which is rather bizarre.<br /><br />If, like me, you like McEwan's work you will probably read it anyway. If so, don't set your expectations so high as his better work and you will probably enjoy this as a mediocre work.<br /><br />If you have not read McEwan before, I suggest you start elsewhere. "Enduring Love","Atonement" and"The Cement Garden" are all excellent.

Read it!

Since so may others have written about this book all I have to add is that it is a truly brilliant novel, the best I have read in a long time. It is fast-paced, interesting and unpredictable. I definitely recommend it.

Hold Tight - Harlan Coben

Coben writes in an"easy" style that initially projects to the reader that the subject - in this case parenting - is an ordinary one. Far from it, in true Coben style there are the issues associated with bringing up children that could affect any family and cause chaos and frightening upheaval. <br />Whilst he tackles parenting issues, this work is full of suspense and moves at a good pace.<br />There are several characters and how they are associated with one another is once again cleverly revealed producing thrilling twists along the way.<br />This is a gripping and thought provoking read.

Gripping stuff...

Each time I pick up a Harlan Coben, I am more and more impressed with his writing. I started 'The Woods' yesterday and finished it today - with a bit of luck, someone fed my family...<br />Layer upon layer is added to the story as you race through the chapters until you have no clue where the ride is taking you. The characters are well proportioned and likeable and the plot - that of a 20 year old murder and all the mystery surrounding it as it is thrust back into the limelight in Paul and Lucy's lives and draws them back together - is pretty exciting stuff. Some of the lines are cornier than a ham and cheese sandwich but can easily be forgiven as the story is so engrossing and the ending... Well, it's as brilliant as the rest of this book!<br />I loved this novel and I defy you not to...

Amusing, entertaining and thought-provoking - despite a degree of predictablity

Slow paced, often predictable, repetitive, based in an imaginary, utopian version of a very small country. Not really crime fiction and certainly not thrillers. So why do I like the No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency so much?<br /><br />I read"The Good Husband of Zebra Drive", having realised, on buying the recently published next book in the series, and issued, that I had missed it out. My main quibble is that the denouement of this episode was itself very predictable, based I am sure on an"urban myth" or something similar - and while elements of the storyline are very predictable, I had not previously found the crux of the ending to be. <br /><br />Professor McCall Smith writes unashamedly feel-good books, with a slow, measured pace and lightness of touch that makes you feel that Mma Ramotswe is leading you by the hand. The baddies, such as they are, are never really bad, and the conflicts around which the stories are based are ones between basically good people with everyday, minor flaws. I think that the intentional elements of predictability are supposed to reflect the sparsely inhabited place they are set, and the people who live there, who have lived their all their lives and are content to die there too as their ancestors did before them. Those of us who live in the West rather than in this fictional Botswana are perhaps being invited by McCall Smith to consider that our frenetic lifestyles are self-inflicted and by no means a guarantor of greater happiness.<br /><br />McCall Smith was a professor of medical law and clearly has great interest in philosophy and ethics. The books are readers in practical philosophy, a commentary on the differences between man and woman and young and old, a call to live a calmer life and to treat one's fellow human being a little better. And also, despite the predictable bits, they are amusing, thought-provoking and a cracking good read.<br />

Pleasantly Surprised

I don't usually favor historical fiction - too much Mary Renault as a boy, I expect - but got this as the make-weight on a 3 for 2 offer at Waterstones {WHY can we always only find two that we really want?} and have really enjoyed reading it. The story is more than adequate but the feeling of historal authenticity made it a real page turner that kept me interested from start to finish. Today, I've logged on to buy the other two in the series.

Engleby by Sebastian Faulks

After reading this book I was compelled to post my first-ever review and say that it is one of the"highlights" of my reading experience.I could not put it down.I believe it should take its place in the list of top novels and should be far more acclaimed than anything in the"best reads" of recent years. I have read Sebastian Faulks previously but,without doubt,this is the finest of his work.

Mister Storyteller

This is one book I would not have picked up if it were not for the Richard and Judy Book Club (they have their uses). Written as if Matilda, the main character is writing her autobiography some years after the event. We go on a journey of retelling roughly three years of her life between the ages of 13-15, as well as conclusion which ties all the ends up very nicely, as she becomes older and takes her discovery of Charles Dickens and in particular `Great Expectations' to a new level.<br /><br />The author chooses Charles Dickens, `Great Expectations' as the vehicle to show Matilda's journey discovering the power of reading, escapism into another world. We all use books to that end and that to me is there main purpose.<br /><br />What this book, in my opinion does is teach us the value of a good book. Mr Watts (the only white man in the village) teaches Matilda and the other children that by escaping into another world via a book, means you can escape from your own world. In Matilda's case, escape the civil war which is raging through her small island. Destroying everything - their possessions, their homes and ultimately lives but also spirit and faith which are important.<br /><br />Imagination is the key voice which I feel the author taps into through Mr Watts (later on in the novel, we discover that he was anything but a teacher) teaching the islands children, to recreate a story from what you can remember inevitably makes you use your imagination and your own interpretation on events. There is a lot to teach these children on this island and Mr Watts cleverly uses the locals to also help teach and show that whatever the subject matter we can all be educated by it. <br /><br />This book reached many different levels and leaves you bereft at the end. Quite moving. The tragedies that Matilda has had to face are although not dealt with in any great graphic detail, as is the want of today's society, they still hit home. A good read, with elements coming back to you long after you have put the book down. <br />

Excellent

A really good, hard to put down book. A bit similar to 'We Need to Talk About Kevin' though by Lionel Schriver.

I really loved it!!

Thought this was great!! Original idea, funny and entertaining. What more could you ask for!!

Gentle and Evocative

I have loved reading every one of the No 1 Ladies Detective Agency books, including this latest offering. I sometimes find myself wondering how Alexander McCall Smith keeps up such a high standard book after book, but yet again he has delivered a masterpiece. The gentle philosphising of Mma Ramotswe is evocative of a way of life we would all like to have. The mysteries that she solves in some ways take a back seat to the life stories of the characters, but this does not in any way detract from the enjoyment. Precious and Mma Makutse continue to work well together despite their obvious differences and the exchanges between them are an entertainment in themselves. Despite this the agncy manages to always get their man, or woman, with not a hint of violence to be found. I have to admit I am on tenterhooks waiting for the marraige of mma Makutse I am so caught up in the lives of the characters. I would heartily recommend this book for all Alexander McCall Smith fans. However, if you have not read any others start with the No 1 Ladies Detective Agency.

A blemish on an otherwise perfect series

The Jack Reacher series of books are my favourite. I live in Canada, and the release date is 2 months after the UK release date. So I order the book off Amazon UK to a friends house in Scotland. He sends me the book, and I anxiously check the mail every day for a week or two until it finally arrives. Then after all that wait, I end up reading it right away, and inevitably pull an all-nighter until I'm finished it.<br /><br />Not this one. Oh the process of purchasing it was the same, but reading it took a couple of weeks as I just didn't feel like finishing it. It didn't capture me at all, and it was quite a poor book overall. The story was boring, and there was some really outrageous, hard to believe parts. The characters lacked substance, and this really seemed like one of those books where the author is just trying to meet a quota, rather than inspired by an idea. The whole plot came over so forced. <br /><br />As a book on its own, its passable I guess. However Lee Child has set high standards with his excellent series that he was unfortunately nowhere clear to matching in this latest episode.