Tag: P

The Expats by Chris Pavone

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About the book

Kate Moore is an expat mum, newly transplanted from Washington D.C. In Luxembourg, her days are filled with play dates and coffee mornings. But Kate is also guarding a secret – one so momentous it could destroy her neat little expat life.

Reviewed by Betterbook Club (BBC)

Comment were divided from poor to great! Very easy read but unfortunately we felt the characters were unconvincing and the ending contrived. On the plus side most thought it cleverly written and some vivid phrasing. We have given it a 3 rating as although certainly not one of the best books we have read (by far!) it was easy to read and parts cleverly written.

Star rating: ***

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People who eat darkness:the fate of Lucie Blackman by Richard Lloyd Parry

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About the book

Lucie Blackman – tall, blonde and 21-years-old – stepped out into the vastness of Tokyo in the summer of 2000 and disappeared forever. The following winter, her dismembered remains were found buried in a seaside cave. This title provides a compelling account of the case.

Reviewed by The Democrats

There was unanimous agreement that this is an extremely informative, interesting and well written book – if somewhat dark! It is thoroughly researched and readable and gave rise to much interesting discussion.

Star rating: ****

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Little indiscretions by Carmen Posadas

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About the book

When renowned pastry cook Nestor Chaffinch hears the freezer door shut behind him, he knows he is doomed to a slow and frosty death. There is no shortage of suspects, as serving up delectable desserts for generations, Nestor is privy to his customer’s secrets.

Reviewed by Abbots Ann Reading Group

Problems fulfilling expectations. No recipe secrets revealed. Weak characterisation. Storyline was weak from the start. Too many characters not needed. Generally dull and boring.

Star rating: *

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Hunting Unicorns by Bella Pollen

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About the book

Maggie is a hard-working and hard-hitting American documentary maker who has just accepted a commission to make a film about the decline of the British aristocracy. This is a witty, sophisticated, romantic comedy full of candid observations on how the other half lives.

Reviewed by Denmead Reading Circle

Not universally enjoyed! A minority thought it a nice, light read – others gave up before finishing.

Star rating: **

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The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

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About the book

‘The Bell Jar‘ is Sylvia Plath‘s account of a young woman’s breakdown. Renowned for its intensity and its vivid prose, the novel follows her attempted suicide, hospitalisation and recovery.

Reviewed by Boater’s Book Club

All found it an easy quick read and considered it autobiographical, sensitively and well written and interesting with more to it than the first read highlighted. However all thought it would be difficult to recommend. We all liked the information on New York, the characters especially Ester (her intelligence, new awareness of life, how she described her thoughts, her usage of the fig tree) and we liked the title The Bell Jar and how that was represented in the book. All commented on the aspects of depression, its treatment, how it had come about and why she was depressed, her searching for self, the ordeal it created for her mother and the suicide attempts. It was considered good that the book was published when it was considering how suicide was viewed at that time.

Star rating: ***

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Vernon God Little by D B C Pierre

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About the book

Vernon Little is 15 and lives with his mother in Martirio, Texas. His best friend has just massacred 16 of their classmates before killing himself. The town wants vengeance and turns its sights on Vernon, who has just been arrested when he starts telling us his story.

Reviewed by Whitchurch reading Group

A very dodgy start but well worth persevering! Disturbing (if sometimes funny) picture of extreme modern society.

Star rating: ****

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Sex wars by Marge Piercy

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About the book

Life is hard in post-Civil War New York, but change is in the air. Immigrants are pouring into the city, bringing a new spirit in their wake. Among them is Freydeh, who lives in a tiny tenement flat with eight others and works at as many jobs as she can handle in hopes of raising enough money to bring her family over from Russia.

Reviewed by New Forest/Waterside U3A theatre and literature

Marge Piercy offers us a wide and exotic canvas on which she paints a devastating picture of the “brave New World” of the United States. A long way from “Little Women” or the New England reformers of Henry James’ novels, Sex Wars gets into the tenements and whore-houses of New York and makes us feel the dirt and degradation. It leads to a view of their struggle for women’s suffrage little known or appreciated on this side of the Atlantic. We are reminded too that the extremes of religion and politics have not changed much in the past hundred years. This is a thought-provoking book for anyone prepared to be provoked.

Star rating: ****

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Salem Falls by Jodi Picoult

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About the book

Tall, blonde and handsome, Jack St. Bride was once a beloved teacher and football coach at a girls’ school, until a student’s crush sparked a powder-keg of accusation and robbed him of his career and reputation. Now after an eight-month jail sentence, Jack resolves to pick up the pieces of his life.

Review by Shipton Bellinger WI

Jodi Picoult is a great storyteller. Salem Falls provoked a lot of discussion but we all agreed that there were too many sub plots any of which would have stood by themselves as a story.

Star rating: ***

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Plain truth by Jodi Picoult

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About the book

Katie Fisher is Amish. For 18 years, she has grown up in a community set apart from the modern world by lifestyle and belief. It is a community fiercely protective of its way of life. To turn your back on it is to lose everything – your church, your home, and your family. So in the middle of the night when the baby comes, Katie does the only thing she knows how to do in times of stress: she prays. Exhausted, she falls asleep. When she wakes, the child is gone. Her prayer has been answered. But faith alone cannot help when the baby’s body is found.

Reviewed by Woodlands Reading Group

All our members enjoyed this book – very readable, but felt the romance between Ellie Hathaway and her ex-lover was not really necessary to the plot. Led us to find out more about the Amish.

Star rating: ***
 

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Pact by Jodi Picoult

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About the book

For 18 years the Hartes and the Goldes have lived next door to each other. Parents and children alike are best friends so it comes as no surprise that in high school Chris and Emily’s friendship blossoms into something more. But one night a call comes from the hospital – Emily has been shot dead.

Reviewed by Eastleigh Library Wednesday Group

Excellent story. Gripping and fast pace. Rollercoaster of emotions. Produced much to discuss in the group.

Star rating: ***

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