Tag: C

A True Story Based on Lies by Jennifer Clement

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About the book

A True Story Based on Lies is a remarkable and original novel that addresses the universal issues of class discrimination, male oppression and female servitude through dual narratives of spellbinding power. Set in contemporary Mexico, the book charts the consequences of a sexual relationship between Leonora, a servant in the wealthy O’Connor home, and her master. When a child, Aura Olivia, is born from this union she is brought up as the daughter of the house. As the novel unfolds, the ‘true’ story gradually emerges.

 

Reviewed by Overton Community Centre

Most were pleased to have read it but would not be seeking others of her books. Some felt it rather depressing. Interesting style

star rating **

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The Fort by Bernard Cornwell

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Summer 1779.

Seven hundred and fifty British soldiers and three small ships of the Royal Navy. Their orders: to build a fort above a harbour to create a base from which to control the New England seaboard.

Forty-one American ships and over nine hundred men. Their orders: to expel the British.

The battle that followed was a classic example of how the best-laid plans can be disrupted by personality and politics, and of how warfare can bring out both the best and worst in men.

 

Reviewed by 2nd Fordingbridge U3A

Interesting for anyone into military history

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Veronika Decides to Die by Paulo Coelho

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About the book

Veronika has everything she could wish for. She is young and pretty, has plenty of boyfriends, a steady job, a loving family. Yet she is not happy; something is lacking in her life, and one morning she decides to die. She takes an overdose of sleeping pills, only to wake up some time later in the local hospital. There she is told that her heart is damaged and she has only a few days to live. The story follows Veronika through these intense days as to her surprise she finds herself experiencing feelings she has never really felt before. Against all odds she finds herself falling in love and even wanting to live again…

 

Reviewed by Bookworms

“It reached out to all of us at different levels. Thought provoking. We would read more of his books”

star rating ***

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The Passage by Justin Cronin

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About the book

Amy Harper Bellafonte is six years old and her mother thinks she’s the most important person in the whole world. She is.

Anthony Carter doesn’t think he could ever be in a worse place than Death Row. He’s wrong.

FBI agent Brad Wolgast thinks something beyond imagination is coming. It is.

THE PASSAGE.

 

Reviewed by Alverstoke Ladies

Only a few (of 12) finished the book. Most didn’t like it. Too wordy and very unbelievable. A lot of unanswered questions – maybe he is leaving them for the next book of the trilogy. Sci-fi is not really our genre!

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The Trinity Six by Charles Cumming

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About the book

Hard-up Russia expert Dr Sam Gaddis finally has a lead for the book that could solve all his career problems. But the story of a lifetime becomes an obsession that could kill him.

When his source is found dead, Gaddis is alone on the trail of the Cold War’s deadliest secret: the undiscovered sixth member of the infamous Cambridge spy ring.

Suddenly threatened at every step and caught between two beautiful women, both with access to crucial evidence, Sam cannot trust anyone.

To get his life back, he must chase shadows through Europe’s corridors of power. But the bigger the lie, the more ruthlessly the truth is kept buried…

 

Reviewed by Wallington Village

An interesting idea. Easy to read, pacey and not too complicated. The first lead was gained far too easily. A bit of plot but lots of holes. The characters lost credibility

star rating – none provided

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61 hours by Lee Child

Gilbert1 Comment

About the book

Winter in South Dakota. A bus skids and crashes and is stranded in a storm. There’s a small town 20 miles away, where a vulnerable witness is guarded around the clock. There’s a strange stone building five miles further on, all alone on the prairie. And there’s a ruthless man who controls everything from the warmth of Mexico.

Reviewed by The Accidental Group

A modern western! The story and characters were very well constructed. The tension was built admirably to a wonderful climax. Highly recommended.

Star rating: ****

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The last runaway by Tracy Chevalier

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About the book

When Quaker Honor Bright sails from Bristol with her sister, she is fleeing heartache for a new life in America, far from home. But tragedy leaves her alone and vulnerable, torn between two worlds and dependent on the kindness of strangers, and life in 1850s Ohio is precarious and unsentimental.

Review by Oliver’s Battery WI

We really enjoyed the storyline and characters in this book. Not only was it a plausible plot but educational too. We’re all thinking of taking up quilting this winter! Pick up a copy, hope you enjoy it too.

Star rating: ****

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Welcome to Rosie Hopkins sweetshop of dreams by Jenny Colgan

Gilbert1 Comment

Rosie Hopkins’ elderly aunt Lilian needs her help, so Rosie is moving to the depths of the countryside for a few months to look after her. Lilian has spent her life running Lipton’s village sweetshop. As she struggles with the idea of selling up, she also wrestles with the secret history hidden behind the jars of sweets.

Reviewed by The Blank Books

Trite and predictable. Saccharin and sweet. Pure chick lit.

Star rating: *

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Gigi and the Cat by Colette

Karin, Hampshire Libraries1 Comment

About the book

GIGI TRANSLATED BY ROGER SENHOUSE, THE CAT TRANSLATED BY ANTONIA WHITE. Gigi’s days are filled with cigars, lobster, lace and superstitions: the education of a future courtesan. Bored and unconvinced by what she’s taught, Gigi surprises all with her approach to love. In this classic turn-of-the-century novella, Colette unveils Gigi’s journey into womanhood in rich and supple prose.

Reviewed by Morningtide WI Reading Group:

A light read but no real substance. The cat was worth discussing and all agreed the cat was interesting.

Star rating: *

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The Other Hand by Chris Cleave

Karin, Hampshire Libraries1 Comment

About the book

We don’t want to tell you too much about this book. It is a truly special story and we don’t want to spoil it. Nevertheless, you need to know something, so we will just say this: It is extremely funny, but the African beach scene is horrific. The story starts there, but the book doesn’t. And it’s what happens afterwards that is most important. Once you have read it, you’ll want to tell everyone about it. When you do, please don’t tell them what happens either. The magic is in how it unfolds.

Reviewed by Enjoying Books Reading Group:

This is a beautifully written book yet very challenging as it deals with the horrors in Nigeria and immigration culture in the country. Moments of humour and great insight into human relationships.

Star rating: ***+

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