All posts tagged: Book Reviews

‘The Rosie Project’ by Graeme Simsion ~ A Review

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As you may know I do enjoy getting to know new authors by their debuts and Graeme Simsion’s first novel, with its catchy title and intriguing back cover blurb, had me at hello. Let me start by saying that I actually purchased the Audible audiobook version of this (narrated by the wonderful Dan O’Grady) which I most highly recommend. On to the book itself what we are dealing with here is, essentially, the journey of self- discovery of Don Tilman – a handsome (think Gregory Peck) but totally inept socially (think Sheldon from ‘Big Bang Theory’) Genetics professor (and undiagnosed Asperger’s sufferer). At 39 Don decides it’s about time he got married and, disillusioned by the inefficacy of traditional dating rituals, devises ‘The Wife Project’ – a scientific method (complete with a 16-page questionnaire) of finding the perfect partner. She will not be (amongst many others) a smoker, a drinker or a late-comer. Enter Rosie (a.k.a. ‘The World’s Most Incompatible Woman’) on a quest right up Tilman’s alley: to find her biological father. Don’s safe, …

‘Heart-Shaped Box’ by Joe Hill ~ A Review

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First of all, let me admit that I hadn’t a clue who Joe Hill was, until about a month ago. I then bumped into a review of NOS4A2 on Tanya Patrice’s blog, Girlxoxo – and thought it sounded like a great read for the holiday season. With ample time ahead of me before Christmas and, given the fact that I usually prefer getting to know new authors by reading their debut novels, I looked at Hill’s bibliography to figure out where I should start. Heart- Shaped Box is what came up and it was in the readers’ reactions to that, that the key to Hill’s true identity lay… Now, I can only imagine how tough it must be to fill dad’s (call me King, Stephen King) shoes, still Hill not only does an excellent job of that but also manages to hold his very own while at it. Heart- Shaped Box is a well thought out horror story, with characters that feel real, are well developed and arrestingly loveable (albeit a bit dark). Hill “pressure …

‘The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher or The Murder at Road Hill House’ by Kate Summerscale ~ A Review

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Let me start by saying that I had this on my TBR list for quite some time before I actually got around to it. I finally picked it up at a point when I felt like sinking my teeth into a good “who dunnit” – thinking that a real- life, locked-house, Victorian murder mystery would make for a riveting read. I guess I had higher expectations than I should have, mainly influenced by all the rave reviews on the inside cover (both front and back!!). Alas, I was bitterly disappointed! Mr. Whicher, the supposed main character, never managed to find his voice and the end result was way too over- researched and all over the place to actually be enjoyable. I do realize than one of the writer’s aims was to illustrate how the Road Hill case influenced budding detective work and gave rise to detective novels as such but I’m pretty sure this could have been achieved using much less detail, thus allowing the story (that was a gruesome child murder and the subsequent …

‘The Hundred- Year- Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared’ by Jonas Jonasson ~ A Review

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While I am all for not “judging a book by its cover” I often do judge by the title and, I think, I ought to begin this review by saying that is exactly what happened here. There I was, browsing through possible reads online, when this grabbed my attention and simply refused to let go. That said, I never expected anything quite like what I got as I promptly paid for and downloaded the e-book for my Kindle: Enter Alan Karlsson, our endearing, totally laid- back, totally apolitical protagonist who – on the eve of his 100th birthday – decides to climb out the window of his nursing home and disappear. Moving back and forth from the clever and quirky present plot to a lough- out- loud retrospective of Alan’s mischievous journey through life in the 20th century, Jonas Jonasson ventures miles away from the Swedish noir trend to deliver the delightful, hard to put down tale of his colorful, well- rounded, lovable characters. Hands down one of the best books I have read (so …

‘Bonjour Tristesse/ A Certain Smile’ by Francoise Sagan ~ A Review

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Contrary to the last book I read, as part of my “Classics” experiment (Paul Auster’s “New York Trilogy”), I’m sure as hell glad I picked this one up! Francoise Sagan’s first two novels have proved short, sweet and to the point ~ making the couple of days (on/off) it took me to read them highly enjoyable and utterly worthwhile. Amongst beautiful landscapes and fascinating, highly complex characters, Sagan weaves two searing, deliciously “French” tales of love, passion, jealousy and betrayal. One simply cannot help but marvel at the maturity and writing prowess of the (18 year old) author ~ while, simultaneously, looking forward to everything else she has to offer. I have to admit to being totally enthralled by Ms. Sagan’s work, of which I, definitely, plan to read more in future (looking up “The Unmade Bed” & “That Mad Ache”, as we speak). All in all, a highly recommended read!                                                 …