New book review: Atonement by Ian McEwan
This novel is about love & war, betrayal & forgiveness, strength & weakness during WWII. The history of the war has been written in many different ways but McEwan's research enabled him to describe what was happening from a soldiers actual experiences. Using letters and information from the Imperial War Museum the reader can understand and feel the horror these people endured. Weaving in a love story of two young adults that began before the war and was so strong it lasted for the duration of time, makes this a must read for anyone.
HAPPY READING !!
**************************************************************
New movie review: Quartet, Directed by Dustin Hoffman
Starring: Maggie Smith, Billy Connolly, Michael Gambon, Tom Courtenay, Pauline Collins
Beecham House is a home for retired opera singers and musicians. Every year the residents give a concert to raise funds to keep their home open. You can imagine the different high strung personalities of these famous opera stars. The concert begins to unravel when a former grande dame comes to live in the home and surprises everyone with her unpleasant attitude toward the concert. I have to mention the beautiful landscape in this movie as it leads to the grand feeling of the house and the people living there. Beautiful trees, rolling hills and gardens to stroll in, and lovely areas for picnics or just sitting for a glass of wine. It is a hilarious and warm movie that is a must see.
**************************************************************
New book review: Below Stairs by Margaret Powell
This is the memoirs of the author. Her story of being a kitchen maid inspired both Downton Abbey and Upstairs, Downstairs television shows.
This is a true story of a remarkable woman who, while working in the great houses of England as a kitchen maid never stopped aiming for higher achievements. Powell first applied as a kitchen maid, the lowest job in the service field, in the 1920's. This was a new world from the one she had known. Her childhood was spent on the beaches of Hove. Her family didn't have much money and food was scarce but she was loved and there was no end to laughter. As a kitchen maid she had to blacken the stoves, scrub vegetables, shine boots and iron the bootlaces and obey every whim of the mistresses. She tells of washing the front concrete steps of the grand house each and every morning, along with the front door. She continues her tales of gentlemen having their liberties with the housemaids, flirting with the errand boys, parlormaids getting pregnant by the mistress's nephew and then being fired because of it. Her story is a fascinating and heartfelt one when she arose from the downstairs kitchen maid and went on to become an English writer. This book was a best seller and she went on to write other books and became a television celebrity. I would rate this at a 5.
**************************************************************
HATTIE EVER AFTER by Kirby Larson
This novel is about love & war, betrayal & forgiveness, strength & weakness during WWII. The history of the war has been written in many different ways but McEwan's research enabled him to describe what was happening from a soldiers actual experiences. Using letters and information from the Imperial War Museum the reader can understand and feel the horror these people endured. Weaving in a love story of two young adults that began before the war and was so strong it lasted for the duration of time, makes this a must read for anyone.
HAPPY READING !!
**************************************************************
New movie review: Quartet, Directed by Dustin Hoffman
Starring: Maggie Smith, Billy Connolly, Michael Gambon, Tom Courtenay, Pauline Collins
Beecham House is a home for retired opera singers and musicians. Every year the residents give a concert to raise funds to keep their home open. You can imagine the different high strung personalities of these famous opera stars. The concert begins to unravel when a former grande dame comes to live in the home and surprises everyone with her unpleasant attitude toward the concert. I have to mention the beautiful landscape in this movie as it leads to the grand feeling of the house and the people living there. Beautiful trees, rolling hills and gardens to stroll in, and lovely areas for picnics or just sitting for a glass of wine. It is a hilarious and warm movie that is a must see.
**************************************************************
New book review: Below Stairs by Margaret Powell
This is the memoirs of the author. Her story of being a kitchen maid inspired both Downton Abbey and Upstairs, Downstairs television shows.
This is a true story of a remarkable woman who, while working in the great houses of England as a kitchen maid never stopped aiming for higher achievements. Powell first applied as a kitchen maid, the lowest job in the service field, in the 1920's. This was a new world from the one she had known. Her childhood was spent on the beaches of Hove. Her family didn't have much money and food was scarce but she was loved and there was no end to laughter. As a kitchen maid she had to blacken the stoves, scrub vegetables, shine boots and iron the bootlaces and obey every whim of the mistresses. She tells of washing the front concrete steps of the grand house each and every morning, along with the front door. She continues her tales of gentlemen having their liberties with the housemaids, flirting with the errand boys, parlormaids getting pregnant by the mistress's nephew and then being fired because of it. Her story is a fascinating and heartfelt one when she arose from the downstairs kitchen maid and went on to become an English writer. This book was a best seller and she went on to write other books and became a television celebrity. I would rate this at a 5.
**************************************************************
HATTIE EVER AFTER by Kirby Larson
is the long awaited sequel of Hattie Big Sky. After leaving her uncle's homestead claim, Hattie works as a chambermaid to pay off Uncle Chester's debt in Vida, Montana. She is now free to pursue her dream of becoming a reporter, like her hero, Nellie Bly, for a large city newspaper. Her big chance comes when she is offered a job as a seamstress for a traveling acting troupe that is headed for San Francisco. A letter and love token from an old flame of Uncle Chester's in San Francisco fuel her desire to take the job. This may be her only chance to solve the mystery of her "scoundrel" uncle and live her dream. But now she needs to tell Charlie and Perilee Mueller that she won't be joining them in Seattle. Charlie has been hinting at marriage and she likes the idea of being his wife but doesn't want to give up her dream either. Upon arriving in San Francisco she gets pulled into the life of Uncle Chester's old flame and becomes fast friends with her. With the same determination as Hattie had in Montana she gets her byline and a job as a cub reporter for the Chronicle. As she digs deeper into her uncle's life she realizes that being a reporter can't compensate for the pain of betrayal and lost love. Kirby Larson has again written a lovely story about a determined and brave orphan. I would rate this as 4 out of 5 and again recommend for anyone.
**************************************************************
HATTIE BIG SKY by Kirby Larson
is set in 1918 during World War I. Orphaned at an early age she has been passed from one relative to another. At sixteen she has been left her uncle's homesteading claim in Montana. Tired of being Hattie Here and There she leaves Iowa to prove up on her late uncle's claim.
Upon arriving in Montana she is told that she has only a few months to prove up her property or she will lose it. With her mother's determination she fights weather, inexperience and ranchers that want her land. Despite these hardships she manages to survive and shares her adventures with her friend Charlie, who is fighting in France and her uncle in Iowa; through letters and articles for her hometown paper.
Not all is bleat on this Montana prairie as she finds a family that she has always wanted in her neighbors, the Mueller's. However, the war and angry townsmen cause pressure on anyone being friends with people of German descent. Although tragedy prevents her from making the prove up requirments on her claim she has gained the love of her neighbors for life.
I would rate this at a 5 out of 5 and would recommend it for anyone.
****************************************************************
The Geometry of Sisters by Luanne Rice. The story is set on the New England coast at a private school. It's a story about three pairs of sisters that have been separated for one reason or another and from three different generations. The youngest sister has retreated into the world of mathematics, where the principles are permanent, unlike other things in her life. Thus the title of the book. I would give this a 3 out 5 rating.
I like Luanne Rice and want to read this book. Thank you for the review. I am reading the Hunger Games Trilogy. Very interesting. I am on the 2nd book Catching Fire. I am enjoying it so far.
ReplyDeleteI will send you the Luanne Rice book. I read the Hunger Games Trilogy books and just loved them. Also saw the movie, which I thought was better than the book. Let me know what you think of them once you have finished all of them.
DeleteI would like to know what Renee thinks of the Hunger Games Trilogy (books and/or movie), as well.
ReplyDeleteOh, no! I can't read these reviews yet because I haven't started Hattie Ever After. Now I'm excited to read and compare notes.
ReplyDeleteOh, no! I should have warned you. Let me know what you think of Hattie Ever After when you are finished.
DeleteOkay, I finished rereading Hattie Big Sky over the weekend. It's such a great book! I especially like how Larson wraps up at the end. And with that said, I can't wait to see how she STARTS Hattie Ever After. I'll come back and write a comment when I'm finished. Hopefully mid-week.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to hearing your views on Hattie Every After. Happy reading.
DeleteWell, Hattie has done it again. Reminded me that Girl Spirit can get us through anything.
ReplyDeleteI loved her move to SF. I loved the references to her previous life in Montana. There were a lot of adventures and new characters to keep track of, and I thought this added to the real life element of her experience. We do go through life collecting experiences and people. I also thought this reflected well on the fact that Hattie had moved from rural life in Big Sky country to big city life in San Fran. I'm not sure Larson meant to do this, but with each new happening and each new friend or foe, it made it feel very much like Hattie was living the "city life". I also thought Larson did a bang-up job with the historical elements, as she had done in HBS. She's a master researcher and weaves history into the story in a way that gives us real feel for the period without getting list-y or teach-y.
I was more than satisfied with the ending, though I'll avoid the spoiler by being vague here. I thought it fit Hattie so well, and it kept the Girl Power (1919 style) going to the last second. I couldn't help but wonder, will we get to see more of Hattie some day? See her life in the Roaring 20s?
Whatever the case, Ever After left me smiling. I'm glad to know I can refer young girls to this book, too. Finally, a YA heroine worthy of her role to the end!
Very good review Rhonda. Glad you liked the book and a great one for all ages. I too am wondering if there will be more of Hattie to come. She would do a bangup job of reporting on the women's movement of the late 1900's and into the 1920's.
DeleteGreat review on Atonement. I LOVED this book! Ian McEwan is an amazing writer who captures the human spirit with such truth.
ReplyDelete