Archives

Only I Can Save Them by Imogen Matthews

Oct10

Unravelling The Truth

Only I Can Save Them by Imogen Matthews is a powerful dual timeline novel that has its’ roots in facts as we follow photographer Rudolf Breslauer from Leipzig in 1936 and onwards. The second period is in present day and seen through the eyes of Rudolf Breslauer’s great granddaughter.

The novel spans the Second World War years as we follow Rudolf Breslauer and his family from their home in Amsterdam (where they located to avoid the persecution) to the camp of Westerbork, which was a holding camp for Dutch Jews before continuing on to Auschwitz, Birkenau or Theresienstadt.

In present day, a great granddaughter finds a photo of her grandmother aged thirteen in a book. She wants to seek the truth about her grandmother’s family and their wartime experiences.

For all of her life, the grandmother has kept quiet but as she approaches the end of her life, is it now time for the truth to come out?

Rudolf Breslauer did what he could in order to protect his family. He was chosen as the official photographer of Westerbork – but there were only so many photos that the commandant wanted before it would be a one-way ticket to Auschwitz.

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The Lion Cub’s Secret by Lauren St John

Oct9

Caretakers

The Lion Cub’s Secret by Lauren St John is a fabulous contemporary children’s novel that is perfect for ages eight years and over. It is the second book in The White Giraffe series and can be read as a stand-alone. However, I recommend reading book one first as this book continues on where the previous book ended.

Once more we join eleven-year-old Martine, her friend Ben and her grandmother on Sawubona game reserve in South Africa. All are caretakers and guardians of the animals. “If we don’t fight for them, who will?” As the book progresses, we see how important it is, to look after our animals and planet for their future and for our future generations.

The focus of the novel are lions. We ‘meet’ the literary lion, Aslan, and also stolen and ill-treated cubs and lions. Their heritage and breeding shines through as characteristics from ancestors have passed down the lines.

Life gives us scars. Scars show where we have been. There reveal our battles and show that we have survived. “Even with all his scars he was… perfect.” Our scars reveal our character.

Martine is connected with the ancients. “When Martine heard the lion’s command, she spun round… she felt as if he’d spoken to her heart.” Her heart ‘hears’ even if her eyes do not see. When Martine speaks, she can be trusted even though she is young.

Education is important. Ironically it is the children who recognize the importance of preserving the planet and animals for future generations.

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The Silver Tide by J H Mann

Oct6

Exciting & Entertaining

The Silver Tide by J H Mann is a historical adventure. It is part of A Wild Cornwall series but can be read as a stand-alone.

The story is set in a Cornish fishing village in 1863. Facts are blended with fiction to create this marvellous tale.

We see that life is precarious. The sea is a dreadful master. It is rich in pilchards but the unpredictability of the sea means that it takes lives where it will.

1863 saw the beginnings of life boats. Following a terrible tragedy, a Cornish village campaigns for a life boat.

We see the role of religion as a vicar walks amongst his flock, quoting Bible verses. He also practices the gift of hospitality.

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Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

Oct5

Interconnecting Lives

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt is a powerful contemporary novel that I read in just two sittings. It was a read that totally consumed me.

This is a very unique novel as one of the leading characters is an octopus, whom we ‘hear speaking’ every once in a while, as a chapter is in his voice. Shelby Van Pelt has cleverly incorporated him into the novel as we believe in him, and also form an emotional attachment. The ending was incredibly powerful and moving.

The human characters are an eclectic mix, all searching for something or running from something. Life has dealt various blows over which they had no control. However, we can all choose our responses to events.

We witness how lives inter-connect with each other. There are some very kind-hearted souls.

Various characters deal with life in varying ways. A seventy-year-old is grieving the disappearance many years ago, of her eighteen-year-old son. To distract herself, she keeps busy and is forever cleaning. Her closest bond is with an octopus in captivity.

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