Tag Archive | book review

A New Life In Amsterdam by Helga Jensen

Oct10

New Beginnings

A New Life In Amsterdam by Helga Jensen is the most delightful novel that I read in just one sitting.

You are never too old to have a new beginning. The fifty-nine-year-old proves that as she moves from a house in England to a houseboat in Amsterdam after the empty nester syndrome kicks in.

Isolated in England, Amsterdam offers a community feel and friendly, feel-good vibes as she is welcomed with open arms by the houseboat community.

In England, loneliness had been temporarily alleviated by becoming a shopaholic. “All these material goods only serve as a temporary comfort blanket. It is loneliness at home that is the problem.” Each shopping high was following by a crashing low.

In contrast, we see the community and care that life in Amsterdam gives. “Kindness, compassion and being helpful are more important than material things.” The lead character finds herself cocooned by the new community.

Characters bond over food and community activities, such as knitting and a book club. All the characters are warm and welcoming. Their love and care reach beyond the book, to envelop the reader.

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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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Kalahari Passage by Candi Miller

Oct9

Powerful

Kalahari Passage by Candi Miller is a powerful historical novel. It is the second book in the Koba & Mannie series but can be read as a stand-alone.

The story is set in South Africa during the 1960’s It was a dreadful period with Apartheid. There was so much violence, inequality and prejudice. Persecution and corruption were rife as the white South Africans continually put down the black South Africans. Nowhere was safe from corruption. Candi Miller has captured the horrors of the time.

Kalahari Passage was not an easy read but a necessary one. We must never return to that time, and learn the lessons of history.

Love between the races was prohibited. We follow what can only be described as a Romeo & Juliet romance. Their love is forbidden but the pair fight to be together. There is both a determination and a hope for the future.

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