The Other Life Of Mary English by G D Harper

Sep2

A Comprehensive Account

 The Other Life Of Mary English by G D Harper is an absolutely fabulous historical novel about the lives of Mary English and Manuela Saenz as they intersected in 1820’s Columbia. This is a comprehensive account that blends fact and fiction, educating the reader.

Both women were extraordinary, they saw life and opportunities, and they grabbed them. Both women were ahead of their time as they succeeded in a man’s world.

Manuela Saenz was the lover of Simon Bolivar – but she was much more than that. She was his trusted confident, advisor, and followed him into battle.

Mary English was an entrepreneurial business woman. She had a strong morality code – no slaves would be found working her plantation. “King George had abolished the trade in enslaved people in 1807. No slaves were now found on the streets of London, but… the institution endured in the Empire made me feel deeply ashamed.” Mary English actively sought to improve the conditions of those native to Columbia, and of those African slaves.

As did Manuela Saenz. “Simon was working on plans to make the education of the natives and freed slaves equal to that of other Columbian citizens.”

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Kringle’s Return by Jemma Hatt

Aug31

Never Stop Believing

Kringle’s Return by Jemma Hatt is a wonderful book for those aged eight years and over. It is the second book in the Kringle’s Emporium series but can be read as a stand-alone. I recommend reading book one first for maximum enjoyment and continuity of story. Though the tale is set at Christmas, it can be enjoyed at any time of year.

Once more, the reader meets up with familiar faces, as the children are again, called upon to save Christmas. Faces and objects help them as we ‘travel’ to New York City and India in search of missing objects. I am particularly fond of the character of Andre in his yellow New York taxi.

Some of the characters experience bullying. Bullying is not always throwing punches. Words thrown can wound too. In order to resist the barbs, one needs to feel comfortable in one’s own skin. “Why would I change what makes me happy because it doesn’t fit in with people I don’t even like?”

Kindness is the most important thing. Kindness makes the world go round. “Kindness is truly contagious… It only takes one person to start an avalanche.” Be contagious – spread kindness wherever you go.

Sometimes we feel pain, hurt and even guilt when we really shouldn’t. “We can only take responsibility for our own actions, not those of others. You can’t control when people let you down, only how you respond to it.” Everyone must own their own choices. Trying to get into the minds of others is futile.

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Paper Over It by Ruth Gresty

Aug28

Faithful Friends

Paper Over It by Ruth Gresty is a powerful retro novel that consumed me from the start.

The action takes place over the year 2000, beginning on December 31st 1999. It concerns four young women aged twenty who are in their third year at Manchester University. The girls come from Liverpool, Glasgow, near London and a local Manchester girl. They appear to have it all, to be at the prime of their lives – but they all face different challenges in life. There are many times when they just paper over it.

Though the tone is light-hearted and fun, there are some serious themes. A character suffers from anorexia/bulimia which began in childhood. “It had nothing to do with losing weight, it had everything to do with control.” As the novel opens, the reader already feels a connection with the character.

There is the theme of an unplanned pregnancy to a single woman. It is horrifying to see that the prejudice still existed in the year 2000. “She needs to get outside [away from the drs office] … to never, ever hear the words ‘fix’ or ‘fixing’ again… Some things just don’t need fixing, Bob [the builder reference]. They are fine just as they are.” Every child is a gift from God. Babies are not a problem to be ‘fixed’. Single parenting is hard but the character has much love to give.

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Notebook Number Nine by Jackie Carreira

Aug27

One Smile At A Time

Notebook Number Nine by Jackie Carreira is the most beautiful contemporary novel that sank into my heart and soul. I never wanted it to end.

The tale is one of self-discovery. It begins in the year 2000 and ends in 2024. Bekki wants to discover the meaning of life, and the meaning of her life, in particular. She makes drastic changes. Notebooks are bought and written in over the years. “A journey of self-development doesn’t take you to a place on a map. It takes you to a place inside yourself.”

We learn that changes don’t happen overnight. For change to be consistent, we need to implement small changes regularly over time. We will always have the choice to do the right thing.

Along the way, Bekki meets people who will change her life with their care, kindness and compassion. There are those who look out for others – Ruth and Alf run a café and they have a heart to feed and help the homeless. There are some huge hearts within the book.

We ‘hear’ Bekki’s thoughts on religion, politics and war – the latter is particularly poignant, as we read:

“The only people that ever benefit from war are arms dealers and undertakers.”

We learn the value of a smile. To change someone’s world, all it may take is a smile. Practice kindness. “If you can make one person’s life a little better every day, then you’ve changed the world.”

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