Archives

The Many Futures Of Maddy Hart by Laura Pearson

May29

Dilemma’s, Emotions & Truths

The Many Futures Of Maddy Hart by Laura Pearson is a powerful contemporary novel that I read in just one sitting. As with all Laura Pearson’s novels, it totally consumed me from the start.

This was an emotional read on so many levels. The lead character, Maddy Hart, has a dilemma as she glimpses into the future. It begs the question – has she forced the hand of the future? Or was it always going to happen that way?

We see the value of good friends – friends who can quite literally tell each other anything.

There are generous hearts within the novel. Even an elderly neighbour provides a listening ear and wise advice.

Continue reading →

Under A Fire-Red Sky by Geraldine McCaughrean

May28

Friendship & Futility

Under A Fire Red Sky by Geraldine McCaughrean is a powerful historical novel for ages ten years and over.

This is a novel that explores a diverse friendship as a small group of teens decide not to get evacuated from London during the phoney war.

It is a coming-of-age novel as the teens have to grow up very quickly. They go from the classroom to the Blitz in fairly quick succession, making new friends along the way.

As London burns, there are some horrific sights. “The sight would never leave her. She could no more forget it than forget her name.” Some things once seen, cannot be unseen.

There are conflicting emotions. “My Bible tells me to love my enemies. I didn’t realise until now how annoyingly difficult that is.” But when the teens come face to face with a German who is shot down, they realise that he looks just like them, and that somewhere in Germany, a mother is praying for her son’s safe return.

Continue reading →

The Emerald Twins by Helen Fripp

May24

Elastic Time

The Emerald Twins by Helen Fripp is a powerful dual timeline novel that I absolutely adored. It consumed my every waking moment.

The novel is set in 1944 and present day. The earlier period also jumps forwards in time at pivotal moments in the character’s life.

We witness the unbreakable love that transcends time and space, as we see the invisible bond that links twins – twins that were cruelly wrenched apart in Paris in 1944 by a greedy S.S. officer.

Throughout their lives, both twins searched for the other. “I’m only half when she’s not here.” They kept each other alive in their thoughts, often speaking out loud. “I don’t know where you are, but I’ve kept you alive all this time in my thoughts.”

There are some truly heart-wrenching scenes. The mother inside me wept for lives torn apart. And there were near-misses, but not close enough.

Black hearts were born, and continued in a similar vein to their father.

The reader witnesses the building of the Berlin wall in 1961. We see the far-reaching and underhand tactics of the Stasi.

Continue reading →

That Time Everything Was On Fire by Kerry Downes

May22

A Fabulous Debut

That Time Everything Was On Fire by Kerry Downes is a powerful contemporary debut novel that gripped me from the start.

This is a book about women, friendship and life. It is a roller coaster read as we celebrate the highs and lows of life. Life is a journey, and it is a journey that is better together, but there are some roads that we traverse alone.

The reader joins four female friends who are roughly thirty years old. The book is told through the eyes of lifelong friends Sam and Daisy. It is split into ‘Summer’ and ‘Winter’ over several years.

We see the extremely difficult road of infertility as we follow a character through several rounds of IVF. “Infertility is like a shadow of grief, shimmering in the background of every aspect of your life… And who can understand such an experience other than those forced to enter its dark vicinity.” Kerry Downes really speaks straight from the heart and of personal experience.

We witness the loneliness of the character who is excluded from events/conversations as her friends for fear hurting her. “Don’t decide for me what I’m capable of.” She is far stronger and more resilient than her friends think. “I don’t feel like a warrior. I don’t feel brave; I feel tired.” IVF takes its’ toll physically and mentally. “The endless roller coaster of hope, grief and uncertainty.” There are some absolutely heart-breaking scenes as well as those of love and support.

Continue reading →