Archive | November 2019

Lad: A Yorkshire Story 2018 cert 12

Nov2

Beautiful Scenery And Touching Story

Lad: A Yorkshire Story is a positively charming coming of age movie that focuses on thirteen year old Tom.

The viewer sees Tom as he grows in character from a typical teen into a caring and competent young man. Some of his growing up is forced on him by circumstances and other is due to the caring, calm nurturing by warden, Al.

The story explores how one family survives a devastating loss. There are some truly touching moments that will have you reaching for the tissues. In contrast there are some absolutely hilarious moments too – I shall never forget the scene with the muck spreader, the bank and the traffic warden!

The movie was shot within the Yorkshire Dales National Park in the area around Settle. The scenery is truly breath-taking. The Dales really are worthy of the title of God’s Own County.

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There’s Something About Christmas by Debbie Macomber

Nov1

The Festive Spirit

There’s Something About Christmas by Debbie Macomber is a delightful, fun-filled contemporary romance and just perfect to get you into the festive spirit.

The book surrounds a fruit cake competition which includes recipes that I am dying to try – you cannot beat a good fruit cake.

Christmas is a time of good will and memories. Sometimes our memories make us sad as our loved ones are no longer here and we feel like hiding away. We need to take a risk, be vulnerable and make new memories.

Fear holds us back. Sometimes in life, we just have to ‘do it afraid.’

I loved the inclusion of two little dogs. Dogs always warm hearts.

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Love At First Bark by Dana Mentink

Nov1

Real Life Superheroes

Love At First Bark by Dana Mentink is a heart-warming Christian short story that will leave you smiling.

There is the theme of being just who God created you to be. Sometimes we struggle to mould ourselves into someone we were never created to be. We must be prepared to lay down our plans and line our wills up with God’s.

I loved the inclusion of a scruffy dog called Charlie. His antics made me smile. He really was a real life super hero.

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The Bright Unknown by Elizabeth Byler Younts

Nov1

Of Angel And Grace

The Bright Unknown by Elizabeth Byler Younts is a powerful, moving and heart breaking Christian historical tale. I am not ashamed to say that the tears fell as I read some of the truly horrifying scenes of great cruelty from those who were supposed to care for the most vulnerable.

The novel has two timelines – 1990 and 1937 moving forwards to 1941. It is told through the eyes of one woman born into the state asylum. The reader becomes completely entwined into the story as we witness the appalling and barbaric treatment. State asylums were places of great cruelty. People were incarcerated into them and left, abandoned by the world and their families in the misguided belief that it was ‘best’ for them. The world was a cruel place – people were placed into these institutions for terrible reasons as disability was not understood but feared and seen as a stigma. Women and children had few rights and these could be overridden by domineering males in society. “See the person behind the frightened eyes. Not just the diagnosis.” The inmates were all people in need of love, care and attention. They did not deserve to be treated so abominably.

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