Tag Archive | Bloomsbury Publishing

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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The Valley Of Lost Secrets by Lesley Parr

Apr2

Finally Home

The Valley Of Lost Secrets by Lesley Parr is a marvellous children’s novel for ages ten and over.

The novel is written in the first person from the point of view of twelve year old Jimmy, who along with his brother six year old Ronnie, is evacuated to a Welsh mining village. The reader witnesses how hard it is to settle when everything has been ripped away from you. It almost feels like a betrayal if you start to feel happy. Jimmy experiences many conflicting emotions as he receives unconditional kindness.

There is a beautiful caring bond between the brothers as Jimmy knows just what Ronnie needs to flourish.

The evacuees from London meet both kindness and hostility from the locals, both young and old. Those who should know better are quick to point the finger and criticise and accuse.

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Orphans Of The Storm by Celia Imrie

Jul18

A True Story

Orphans Of The Storm by Celia Imrie is a thrilling and powerful historical novel based on fact.

It is set around the early 1900’s in France, London, on board the ill-fated Titanic and in New York City. As the storm physically rages around, it is mirrored by mental anguish and a stormy relationship. The fall-out is the young boys.

The novel is a compelling read. The leading lady is well drawn, capturing the reader’s heart as her marriage falls apart. Her strength of character shines through as she seeks a divorce, virtually unheard of at the beginning of the twentieth century.

As the action moves to onboard the Titanic, the reader reads with dread and intrepidation as we know what is coming.

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