What matters most… Decisions can be made but unfortunately some can trouble or haunt us many years later gnawing at our hearts with doubt if we really made the right ones. The Royal Nanny is a nostalgic story of just that dilemma as Charlotte Bill opens the door to greet a former king and the joyful and tragic reminiscences of her past. With a few poignant passages she gently takes the reader’s hand and takes us back to the lives and times of a changing world and behind the private closed gates of royal families. The more time we spend with this sentimental story the more we see that what matters most can be different for everyone and there may never be an easy road to happiness. An overall lovely read awaits the reader who has been looking for this type of novel but for a few I can see this book may somewhat disappoint. By the final page, I’m sorry to say I found myself with that feeling. I adored and was enamored with the historical aspects that were shared within this novel but I grew tired at times of the narrator and forced characters and elements that sadly played out predictably through the pages. The ending was also odd with a noticeable shift of pace and description compared to the beginning chapters. Still I would recommend The Royal Nanny; I enjoyed this easy stroll through a portion of history I could never decline an invitation to visit. The dynamic royal families and personalities presented throughout this novel were wonderfully depicted with their individual charms and flaws but the most surprising feature of this novel may just be the beloved happy memories and smiles that bubbled up for me when comparing some domestic scenes with this wistful story of what matters most. *I would like to thank William Morrow Paperbacks and Edelweiss for the opportunity to read and enjoy The Royal Nanny: A Novel -EGP/April 2016 Gilded Lives, Fatal Voyage: The Titanic's First-Class Passengers and Their World by Hugh Brewster9/6/2017
All that glitters is not gold I cannot deny this in part was one of the better references surrounding the RMS Titanic that I have read. Its beginning chapters immediately drew me in with a narrative pairing with well-known facts, photos and collected diary and letter entries and I couldn’t be found without this edition in my hands when anyone looked over to see what I was reading. Unfortunately for me, the saying “All that glitters is not gold” can apply to this work and I wish now I paid more attention to what other crestfallen readers thought after putting this title down. It just tried to pull so many redundant sub-topics into the narrative and left me with an impression that the author may have really wanted to write about an entirely different subject. Sadly the other issues I had with Gilded Lives, Fatal Voyage: The Titanic's First-Class Passengers and Their World could be found in the odd choppy gossipy sections about certain if not all the first-class passengers this title touched on. For me those chapters were unneeded but I’m happy to report those parts only seemed to gather in the late beginning and by the later chapters this book found its course but also became slightly repetitive with how and who pertaining to the elite list of passengers and to be honest I really thought this book could have been a lot longer. If only those extra pages contained more descriptions and origins of the designs surrounding the magnificent private suites, stained glass windows, exclusive dining experiences and White Star Line services. I agree this may have not been entirely possible without excessive speculation because so much is known about certain details about the RMS Titanic but these finished and some unfinished areas and objects are still being strongly debated on but still when I picked up Gilded Lives, Fatal Voyage: The Titanic's First-Class Passengers and Their World, I thought this would be more about the prominent 1st class passengers’ time spent onboard the RMS Titanic. Negatives aside and overall, I thought this work attempted to walk around the available areas on the ship and introduced names and lives that are forever attached to that fateful voyage and the many references listed in the back pages have provided me more titles to seek out. It also had some elegantly described scenes (especially in the calm beginning and final tragic chapters) that allowed me to step aboard with one of my favorite topics to learn about and for those reasons this title will stay on my shelves. It may not come close to A Night to Remember, On a Sea of Glass: The Life and Loss of the RMS Titanic or The Night Lives On (three outstanding non-fiction works that I highly recommend to anyone and everyone) but it still has found a place of interest. -purchased and read on nook -EGP/April 2016 A Life and Crime remembered An evening stroll on a dark secluded lane, a plaster’s hammer in the hands of a calculating fiend and a young life left to ebb out cruelly in the cold mud: this is no brief summary of a penny dreadful but the real life crime investigation details that first came to light in the early hours of the 26th of April 1871 and in Pretty Jane and the Viper of Kidbrooke Lane: A True Story of Victorian Law and Disorder: The Unsolved Murder that Shock Victorian England the reader is taken back to that early April morning and into the presiding months and years where unwavering facts and mere assumptions would slowly consume and destroy many that would find themselves involved in the mystery surrounding the heinous assault of a young woman named Jane Maria Clouson. But this is not just an in depth recount of a tragic murder. This is also a work that allows a life to be remembered. In the opening Mr. Murphy declares his intentions to tell Jane’s story and he neatly accomplishes this with a narrative flare that allows the known documented facts and shared subsequent topics of the Victorian era to cast a well needed light on the shadows of forgotten servants existences and the social orders of the time period. Although it accomplishes its overall task of letting a forgotten life and crime be remembered and is absolutely fascinating in parts especially concerning: the beginning chapters, details on early forensics, other murder cases around April 1871, a small section of portraits and copies of drawings and departing final theories from the author on the murder. It tends to linger and repeat in the court room chapters to the point of slight frustration. Still this work is told in a straightforward manner that unexpectedly allows the reader to recall names of witnesses, characters of the court system and outside names easily enough. In all honesty it’s not a bad reference on a forgotten unsolved murder mystery but for this Victorian Crime enthusiast, I was hoping for another The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher: A Shocking Murder and the Undoing of a Great Victorian Detective. It has great similarities to that title but just disappointingly misses something vital to end in the same ranking for me. That aside, I’m still glad I went ahead and purchased Pretty Jane and the Viper of Kidbrooke Lane: A True Story of Victorian Law and Disorder: The Unsolved Murder that Shocked Victorian England early and would recommend this title to any classic crime readers or to those who love true life humanizing stories or examinations of bygone social hierarchies and recorded drama(s) in the judicial system. -purchased and read on kindle -EGP/April 2016 “Not Titania but a seagull that has been caught and cowers in its cage.” No matter how the potential reader has found their way to The Reluctant Empress, I don’t think you could pick up a more elegant biography concerning a truly multifaceted figure that continues to captivate and mystify historians and armchair enthusiasts of European royalty. I know I couldn’t have stumbled on to a better selection; perhaps a little slow in the beginning and final chapters but overall this was a pleasure to read and presented a well balanced realistic portrait of a misunderstood afflicted figure and name that is usually draped only in romantic legend and fancy embellishments of history. The straightforward chapters of the life and times of Empress Elisabeth of Austria kept me coming up with all sorts of reasons to slip away from other waiting books on different subjects and by the final page I not only accomplished what I set out to learn in terms of basic facts about the Empress of Austria and Queen of Hungary but I also fell in step with a respectful guide that extended passages with perfect narrative styling allowing such descriptive images to take me back to the timeline of Sisi’s life. That was wonderful to experience and its fair assessments and displays of intimate quotes, snippets from diaries and correspondences along with significant photographs shaded in many delicate areas of debate for this reader but still allowed just enough of the alluring enigma of Empress Elisabeth of Austria to live on. -purchased and read paperback version -EGP/April 2016 Masterful no quarter storytelling What could be better than sitting back and letting long gone names and fictional ones come alive? How about letting those same names roar and rage in your mind while a world of plots, counterplots and ambitions build to later battle scenes so stunning you can’t turn the pages fast enough or finding yourself in a back drop where you swear you can hear the metal clang of swords or smell the wood smoke, dampened earth and cold stones. That’s exactly what I experience when I enter into the captivating world that Mr. Low has created and with his masterful no quarter storytelling, night easily turns to daylight outside this reader’s window. It’s that good and I can't stop recommending it to anyone who will listen. First and foremost though I am honest and share that Mr. Low doesn’t shy away from realistic ruthless scenes of brutal history that may not be for everyone but if it suits those- they’re in for a rollicking ride where cunning and betrayals reign and it is easy to say chivalry is dying but a few remain that uphold the ancient traditions of love, honor and loyalty (it is up to you to look deeper into certain characters and I strongly recommend starting at the beginning with The Lion Wakes (The Kingdom Series, Book 1). Of course there is much more to these books than graphic depictions of the past, in The Lion at Bay (The Kingdom Series, Book 2) more chapters of mystery, olden relics, madness and poignant passages of revelations are showcased between galloping action scenes that only adds to the overall different facets of this saga and brilliantly sets it apart from so many other familiar retellings of the tempestuous affairs between Scotland and England during the late 13th to early 14th centuries. The characters are vividly drawn as before and if anyone can conquer the never ending lists of characters, alliances and feuds in The Accursed Kings or A Song of Ice and Fire series, you will feel right at home with The Kingdom series. I must also note that the dialogue is as striking to the locale as in the prequel and becomes easier as the pages turn (still if you are hopelessly confused with the wonderful Scottish braid, the final pages hold a useful glossary of terms). For this reader, I don’t think I could find a better escape at the moment with all of these aforementioned positives. Still I must admit I was a little worried in the beginning that what I experienced with the first book may have been the end of my good luck of finding something completely riveting to read. Well that was a foolish notion because The Lion at Bay did not disappoint and I can’t wait to sit back with the highly-rated conclusion of this epic. -purchased and read on kindle Books in this series: The Lion Wakes (The Kingdom Series #1) by Robert Low *The Lion at Bay (The Kingdom Series #2) by Robert Low The Lion Rampant (The Kingdom Series #3) by Robert Low -EGP/March 2016 Messages from below and above the waterline and the ship that stood still on that fateful April night I am never surprised to see a new debut novel with the majestic hook of the RMS Titanic dangling out of book descriptions. The story of the life and death of that engineered marvel of Edwardian splendor along with her passengers, designer and crew members is one that can be retold and cast about a thousand different directions and this reader like so many out there would happily follow that line with much interest. Adding the unique lure of highly detailed research from a debut author or the controversial mystery of the SS Californian and her eternal tangle with the final story of the Titanic and that easily becomes "the" novel of the year to read as I envision the possibilities of a refreshing and completely riveting tale to add to my welcoming shelves. Well although refreshing to encounter, vastly detailed with so many carefully placed specifics and even staying true to the widely believed exaggerated “facts” at the time of the disaster (these overall demonstrating an admirable dedication of research about the main subjects), it just wasn't exactly what I was hoping to find sadly and I’m very sorry to say I closed the cover of The Midnight Watch with a disappointed sigh. Believe me I feel terrible to admit any feeling of disappointment after anticipating this novel for so many months but I won’t lie; it just ended as not my ideal type of book. I knew I was in trouble when I first noticed the odd slight modern tone of the passages and the forward opinions and thoughts of the narrator that seemed very out of place and era. Thinking back, the book really didn’t need the narrator the story would have been great with just the fictional account of the Californian, her crew and the aftermath of a list of bad decisions and reactions. There were also the repetitive chapters that ended as filler and I didn’t exactly care for how the sections abruptly changed to the narrator’s own imagined tragic tale of what a family of eleven endured on that cold April night. Finally I understand the litany of strong messages this book was determined to convey and make a stark comparison to our own modern times but I just wanted to get back to the main story and stop the choppy feeling that followed me throughout this novel. Honestly, The Midnight Watch is not a bad book, it has something to say and it makes a statement which would be perfect for an hour long discussion at a book club but for me I was really looking and hoping for something else. *I would like to thank St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read The Midnight Watch: A Novel of the Titanic and the Californian -EGP/March 2016 Another comforting slice of old-fashioned mystery It’s one thing to be considered an absolute bore at a distinguished dinner party but it’s quite another to be found face down on your hostess’s pristine white damask table covering in spilled port with a knife in your chest. Unfortunately that’s the scene and final impression Sir Reginald left at the elaborate dinner celebration for the First Lord of the Admiralty but have no fear because these sudden turn of events have piqued the interests of Lady Montfort who is curious to step out of the expected behavior of her glittering circle and seek answers and relive a little of the mystery and indecent secrets that excited her to discover the previous year. A vital lesson learned from that exchange was the killer could be anyone and be waiting anywhere. With a wary eye on the upstairs eminent company there is an essential need to also have the outwardly loyal downstairs observed and questioned. Only one person Lady Montfort trusts as this situation needs handled with discretion and quickly because the highlight of the season is approaching, so she calls on her head housekeeper Mrs. Jackson who has an equally inquisitive nature and trained eye for anything out of place. Together these women pull back the velvet curtains of the privileged and push past the green baize door of servants to reveal many shared stations of malice, suspicion, devotion and finally possible motives for murder. But which one of these worlds holds the killer and will this unpleasant business be concluded before the huge charity event? Because you know to be late for the event of the season, simply won’t do. For this reader, I found this novel to be another comforting slice of old-fashioned mystery and I look forward to any future novels in this series. Although I enjoyed Death of a Dishonorable Gentleman (Lady Montfort Mystery, #1) quite a bit more and thought that book more attuned to the pre-world war I era of upstairs and downstairs with its: outstanding attention to detail, believable dialogue, situations, descriptions and final reveal to the murder mystery; I still thought Death Sits Down to Dinner (Lady Montfort Mystery, #2) delightful and worth recommending to admirers of the mystery classics and assorted historical fiction. Its pages echo Agatha Christie with lists of possible suspects and multi-layered motives, so much so that this novel just may catch the most seasoned murder mystery reader off guard. Like this book’s prequel actual facts and historic names are stirred very nicely into the chapters and closing pages which overall continues to impress this enthusiast of this era and setting. Speaking of names just like the first of this enjoyable series there is a large list of characters and brief descriptions to be found in the front of the novel that can serve wonderfully for anyone who may get intimidated with all the generously sprinkled characters and suspects. Finally if interested readers out there are concerned they missed Death of a Dishonorable Gentleman (Lady Montfort Mystery, #1), this second novel can be read alone and there is no better time to dig in with this delectable cozy mystery series. *I would like to thank St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and enjoy Death Sits Down to Dinner (Lady Montfort Mystery, #2) Books in this series: Death of a Dishonorable Gentleman (Lady Montfort Mystery, #1) by Tessa Arlen *Death Sits Down to Dinner (Lady Montfort Mystery, #2) by Tessa Arlen Death By Any Other Name (Lady Montfort Mystery, #3) by Tessa Arlen Death of an Unsung Hero (Lady Montfort Mystery, #4) by Tessa Arlen -EGP/March 2016 A perfect challenging storm of history and fiction History roars and rages alive in this striking epic where the past and fiction entwine so perfectly that I couldn’t stop turning the pages or believe my good fortune of stumbling on to this incredible saga and can’t wait to sit down soon with the rest of this series. I was a little hesitant at first with all of the negative comments on this title but to this starving reader who has been questing for tales with true historical merit and another literary challenge, this was the feast I have been hoping to find for quite some time. The Lion Wakes (The Kingdom Series, Book 1) has it all and in this game of kings, legendary places and names advance throughout vivid pages and it becomes nearly impossible look away or deny you hear roared oaths from the past or thundering hooves of war pounding rainy misted ground. I don’t know about you but this is what I call excellent storytelling and if the potential reader has been searching for a no quarter, one of a kind literary experience that can serve as a much needed challenging storm of history and fiction- you can join me in proudly announcing, you found it! -purchased and read on kindle Books in this series: *The Lion Wakes (The Kingdom Series, Book 1) by Robert Low The Lion at Bay (The Kingdom Series, Book 2) by Robert Low The Lion Rampant (The Kingdom Series, Book 3) by Robert Low -EGP/February 2016 Sadly, not the toast of my Gilded Age shelf This was not exactly the splendid carriage ride into intoxicating history that I was hoping for. I believe I found that unforgettable experience with Fortune's Children: The Fall of the House of Vanderbilt (a title I highly recommend to anyone who is interested in the Gilded Age or all that glitters about history). Archie and Amélie: Love and Madness in the Gilded Age was more of a gossipy well-opinionated magazine article while Fortune’s Children takes you back and doesn’t let go with its sparkling narrative styling, Archie and Amélie occasionally accomplishes this entrancing way of sharing the past with the reader, especially in the beginning while introducing the massive family tree of John Armstrong "Archie" Chanler but completely loses that welcoming spirit as soon as the chapters of Amélie Rives appear. It quickly became apparent that the author absolutely detested Amélie Rives and it was very uncomfortable and irritating to read the liberally peppered passages of negative opinions and snide little commentaries that seemed to follow in the wake of any later fact about the southern belle or even a few more illustrious names from this era. I was seriously hoping when I picked this title up that I would be able to make my own mental pictures on personalities based solely on facts and non-biased evidence or research but this was not to be with Archie and Amélie: Love and Madness in the Gilded Age. Still I received a decent familiar portrait of the era I can’t stop reading about and there were chapters that held my full attention, mainly the passages about Newport, English Aristocracy and exclusive society circles or medical treatments etc. but I wish less biased attitudes, side thoughts on behavior and “it is supposed, we can only imagine, it is likely or possible” emerged throughout this work or that the middle and final chapters were as vibrant as the beginning. Such a shame, after reading and experiencing the Vanderbilt’s stories I wanted to find an equally impressive read about the Astors. Perhaps I will try in the near future A Season of Splendor: The Court of Mrs. Astor in Gilded Age New York, it looks very promising. -purchased and read on kindle -EGP/February 2016 “all mystery and magic” Like the infamous presence of the Great Houdini, this novel is strangely hypnotic and haunting in many ways. It has mystery, sleight of hand drama, more than a dash of the supernormal and even a disappearing elephant. Of course we have a tumultuous story of devotion and loss that spans from 1894 to a several years beyond 1936 featuring “the Houdini’s” and the ever present mystery of what could be beyond our world as the reader follows Bess Houdini on her obsession of lifting the veil between life and death to contact her husband who vowed he would reach her with a special message that held so much meaning in their shared lives. The novel bobs back and forth between time periods of Bess searching for her ultimate message and the early career of Harry Houdini, illustrating the differences of time changes and growth of confidence of the rising star of illusion and daring escape artist. In the wings of the past, Bess recalls her years on the stage and watching and listening to the applause of small audiences of simple country folk to the later jewel-ringed hands of royalty; Mrs. Houdini is privy to all the master’s secrets or is she? As Bess races to collect snippets of messages in the present that she is adamant will prove her husband has achieved the impossible to come back to her, she may also find that The Man from Beyond still has some tricks up his sleeve and she may not like the finale. For this reader, I overall enjoyed this energetic meaningful debut. I had my doubts in the beginning though and almost left the audience but as this novel moved from act to act it became hard to put my kindle down and I’m glad I stayed until the end. It had many shining moments but it tended to stray a little too far with facts (especially the Hollywood 1923 chapter), atmosphere (more than once or twice I had to look back and remind myself what time period it was switching to because the details were lacking or at other times overwhelming or forced) and it revealed the great mystery of the novel early in the beginning sadly. I also was a little shocked by one particular cringe-worthy scene in first half of the book that seemed completely unnecessary and I didn’t entirely care for all the presented personalities but something kept me reading and I’m happy it did. All that aside, this was a great distraction from reality and I would recommend Mrs. Houdini to those who are looking for something mischievous with its mystery that has some real showmanship but also holds some powerful messages for anyone who has lost someone special. *I would like to thank Atria Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and enjoy Mrs. Houdini: A Novel -EGP/February 2016 An easy voyage into history with high-flying romance at the helm Introductions and invitations to learning new divisions of the past are always welcome to see but for me, I’m afraid I was already familiar with this subject and Flight of Dreams didn’t take my interest or imagination soaring to any unforeseen place unfortunately. Following the tried and true Hollywood approach to historical fiction, this novel uses a historic catastrophe as a way to display human drama in many forms and views that unfortunately felt choppy and at other times never seeming to fit comfortably in the compartments of the growing action. Of course we have a jumbled romance in the high skies and a countdown to disaster trailing the line of the reader’s curiosity to see who survives and if love will somehow rise triumphantly in the end. Perhaps a few years ago, I would have been more inclined or excited to follow this familiar plan of events or ignore the certain bumps of: predictable mysteries, repetitious innuendos, modern dialogue and beliefs or some of the overdone scenes but I didn’t care at all for the different romantic entanglements, was completely surprised by the oddly placed profanity in this easy going novel and I continually found my mind straying to the lesser plots. Sorry I didn’t entirely enjoy Flight of Dreams but I can see this type of novel always finding an eager audience and that will ultimately keep the memory of the past going, so we will never forget others’ stories. *I would like to thank Doubleday Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read Flight of Dreams: A Novel -EGP/February 2016 “Within minutes, all pretence of decency is gone.” Brash, graphic and utterly dripping with sordid charm, this is one book that is hard to forget (no matter how hard you try to banish certain visions from your head). I’ll be the first to admit when I innocently picked this book up years ago, I went through a gamut of negative emotions with the opening chapters but somehow was beguiled with this story and particularly the attention to historical detail and the absolute commanding way this novel was set up that included the reader; directly shoving us into the dirt and muck to experience the corrupt dark side of morals and polite society we always associate with Victorian London. This unfamiliar and bracing notion kept me turning the pages and as this story progressed it became clear that this book held its ground and wouldn’t shy from presenting and vividly flipping through lewd scenes but it also enfolded a collage of different topics and situations that forced characters to come alive for the reader with turns of complex personalities. Although not one of the characters I could honestly say was entirely “likable”, I believe that was the exact point with the sharp jagged facets of noticeable psychological differences that distinguished one character from another. There were also conflicting and battling themes that kept me reading and by the final page I felt like I just experienced and knew intimately the other side of a portion of history I can’t seem to escape from because of my fascination with the era but I also found the need to take a bath and find something a little more tame to cleanse my mind. Well it's years later and I just finished revisiting The Crimson Petal and the White and I still find it strangely entertaining and hard to turn away from. Although this time I was prepared for the certain misadventures in the pages, I still think a couple sections slow or pointless (just there for the sake of shock), a few minor characters not that exciting to remember and the ending still makes me stop and stare at empty space with the multiple open-ended questions and possibilities that promptly shows and follows the reader out of this thick novel. All in all, I still have the same conflicting series of emotions that I had years ago when I naively purchased this seriously discounted book for my first e-reader. I love certain parts but still shake my head at others and almost stopped reading again but it has such a magnetic presence that is impossible to ignore and dare I say has become one of my favorite novels set during the 19th century. It's very hard not to recommend The Crimson Petal and the White, so if the potential reader is looking for something on the other side of the lane that can become hard to put down, you found the right book just remember: “Watch your step. Keep your wits about you; you will need them.” -purchased and read on nook *Related Title/ pseudo followup: The Apple: New Crimson Petal Stories by Michel Faber -EGP/January 2016 "The original country house murder mystery" A lone dog barks in the dead of night, a small empty bed is noticed and by morning a horrifying discovery violently shakes the foundations of an English country house and the once solid senses of decorum and unspoken ideals of 19th-century securities. Just who killed three-year-old Francis “Savill” Kent and what possible motive or buried secrets could this baffling case reveal? Wrapping “the original country house murder mystery” with a thoroughly intriguing step back to early detection methods and inspirations of literary genres- this was one audiobook I couldn’t turn off. With the masterful narration supplied by Mr. Vance and the atmospheric detailed style of writing from Ms. Summerscale this is a work that completely pulls the listener into the 1860 case and you feel as you are standing in the hallway beside the detectives or looking over a shoulder or peering around the doors as the amount of evidence and suspects grows with every passing minute. Not only intensive with the surrounding details of location, this book balances multiple topics of examinations and degrees of 19th-century public opinions all very neatly which only added to levels of enjoyment for this armchair enthusiast of the classics of mystery and crime novels. As fascinating as The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher: The Undoing of a Great Victorian Detective was to follow, I can’t deny the slight negatives I noticed that seemed concentrated at the very end with surprising tedious tangents of aquariums, communications of seahorses in bell jars and fern owls. Although those sections are revealed later to have a purpose in this book, I wouldn’t have minded if those and a couple more tangents would have been shortened as they did slightly confuse me overall and I sincerely wanted to get back to the case at hand. Still this ended as quite an impressive book and I am very interested to read Ms. Summerscale’s upcoming title (The Wicked Boy: The Mystery of a Victorian Child Murderer) and highly recommend this one to any night-time listeners out there looking for a book that is sure to keep you alert and leaning in for more as it takes you to another place and time with a real life murder mystery that involves a loss of innocence and twelve people locked in an English house all hiding their own secrets and dozens of suspicions to be revealed. -purchased and listened to Audible version *Also published under title: The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher: Or the Murder at Road Hill House by Kate Summerscale -EGP/January 2016 Rare Objects is one of those books where strongly drawn characters nestled in my mind for awhile but I’m sad to say the surrounding story faded from memory very quickly though. In the beginning I had a completely different opinion about the story and I couldn’t walk too far from my kindle before I would find the time to come right back for more of the atmosphere, easily readable narration and a plot that excited my imagination with various displayed key interests. Unfortunately after the initial introductions of characters Rare Objects went into so many different directions of little tangled mysteries (many of those predictable), intricate metaphors and unexpected philosophical speeches with various concerns it just lost that incredible spark that ignited my excitement and by the final page I think it just tried to place one too many social, emotional, philosophical, orientation issues on top of one another that everything just fell and never seemed to come completely together for this reader. A shame after such wonderful opening chapters but this type of story with endless departing messages may be another reader's perfect cup of tea. * I would like to thank Harper and Edelweiss for the opportunity to read Rare Objects -EGP/January 2016 Touches on a little of everything under the Westeros and Essos sun and moon Guilty! I love the A Song of Ice and Fire series. Those rich unforgettable books have brought me weeks and months of enthralling distraction over the years and I also adore exploring anything Medieval or sitting back late at night with a good myth or legend. So when I saw this book was by an actual scholar of medieval English literature and someone who has a serious interest in studying folklore and heroic stories from different cultures, well it was like an extra guilty indulgence before the long anticipated The Winds of Winter (A Song of Ice and Fire, #6) would find its way into my eager grasp. Overall, Winter Is Coming: The Medieval World of Game of Thrones delivered what is advertised: a journey into the seven kingdoms with a scholarly guide leading the way and stopping at distinct points of interest, revealing parallels and examining possible inspirations between the Known World and our own lines of history and legends, songs and tales of yore. Small as it is, this book touches on a little of everything under the Westeros and Essos sun (and moon) from: possible origins of the idea of direwolves to discussions of the damage that can be brought with an aerial attack with dragons to observations of characters with memorable quotes from the books and the show, ancient tales of the night and dead that mirror the terrifying White Walkers and Wights, architecture comparisons of large populated cities and even a short prediction from the author about the show and final storylines. Of course there are fascinating photos to accompany the intrepid traveler but alas I was not fortunate enough to get to see all of those, my supplied copy did not contain pictures (just blocks of black) but I did look at the available kindle version and there are some very nice illustrations of different topics. I must comment before I go on, that spoilers are abound in this little book and those new to this incredible series may not be completely warned in time but the author does attempt to give a little warning at times with distinct symbols of outlined ravens before certain sections. Although I loved pondering over certain parallels and finding snippets of myths and lore I never before considered could be inspiration for some part of the series and ever expanding storylines, I found myself saying “wait tell me more about…” quite a few times while reading Winter Is Coming: The Medieval World of Game of Thrones. The presentation is lightning-quick and I would have liked a little more about certain locales (Dragonstone for example just covers the effects of Greyscale and it possibly being likened to our own devastating Leprosy (Hansen's disease)) and a few more characters or the shadowy counter storylines we all think we know (only one mention of Lady Stoneheart). The beginning sections are also unfortunately choppy and ideas bounce rapidly finding little cohesiveness until the later sections then the book turns into an enjoyable journey. All in all, I found this book wonderful in some parts but surprising lacking in others, it is still well worth reading though and I would recommend this title to any fan of medieval history, enchanting ancient tales and of course the A Song of Ice and Fire series- let 2017 finally be the year for The Winds of Winter! * I would like to thank I.B.Tauris and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and enjoy Winter Is Coming: The Medieval World of Game of Thrones -EGP/January 2016 Remarkable figure of history… not so remarkable of a book Mary Anning is one figure from the past I would love sit down with and ask a hundred questions to. She has become a favorite name from history to read and learn about after I was first introduced to her last year while reading Deborah Cadbury’s intensely fascinating Dinosaur Hunters: A True Story of Scientific Rivalry and the Discovery of the Prehistoric (a work I highly recommend to anyone and everyone). This early palaeontology contributor's personal story is remarkable in itself and there is so much potential there for a completely enthralling novel that needs little embellishing and unnecessary froth, unfortunately I didn’t find that in Remarkable Creatures and thought this reimagining incomplete, simplistic and too geared toward certain audiences. In the beginning I had a completely opposite attitude and couldn’t wait to put my earphone in and rejoin 19th-century Lyme Regis and the wonderful descriptions of monumental discoveries and locale, unfurling storyline and convincing writing but then something shifted and I began to seriously dislike certain characters and found Mary Anning’s imagined voice, narrative sections and personality wanting and surprisingly weak, Elizabeth Philpot’s narration became grating, acidic and completely unnecessary at parts and by the end I was involved in an entirely disappointing series of events that took away from the initial allure of the story and settled on the many imagined rescues and romances of Mary Anning featuring little of Mary herself but plenty of needless issues tossed in the middle to create a dull abrupt finale that felt forced after such a spectacular beginning. Such a shame, I guess my hunt for a fictional novel worthy of Mary Anning and all her brilliant discoveries and remarkable life-story starts again. -purchased and listened to Audible version -EGP/January 2016 Slight tweaks and spins of historic fact are expected in any historical fiction novel and there is no doubt The Cast of a Hand: Based on a True Story of Love and Murder in Second Empire France is an ambitious and bold work but I can’t honestly say I found this book worth this reader’s effort to finish. I feel terrible to go against so many glowing and enthusiastic reviews but I finished this book irked, confused and just plain disappointed. The story started out strong and the course of events flowed straight with buildups of desired mystery but once the novel moved into seriously spinning with history, adding flourishes of sadly predictable conspiracy elements and concluding with a possible hidden agenda message- that is when this book completely lost me. There were also specific details and evidence shared in the beginning of the novel that were a part of this true-life horrendous tragedy that I was interested to see later in the story with creative (but well-researched and plausible) explanations but these were frustratingly discarded (and it seems the reader is just supposed to forget those specifics and other real and imagined details) and in place more sympathetic passages aimed at the accused were found. I will say that although not all the characters were vividly drawn, Hortense’s personality came shining through as I read and I appreciated the author not falling into that modern expectation that all female characters need to defy their settings and need to be painted with current sensibilities and thoughts. Unfortunately the other characters were pale in comparison and the 19th-century France atmosphere seemed oddly off or just didn’t stand out for this reader but I think the slightly modern sounding dialogue and surprising non-national “-isms” may have had a lot to do with that sadly. Finally I just couldn’t stop shaking my head at the anachronistic detective and forensic details and topics that kept breaking through but all negatives I may have found may be not so noticeable by other eager readers. I won’t say The Cast of a Hand: Based on a True Story of Love and Murder in Second Empire France should be avoided, on the contrary it really isn’t a bad book (it really has an absolutely gripping plot and served as a decent winter’s day read) and it may be well worth someone's time. So give it a spin if you’re interested, you just may love it like so many others. -purchased and read on kindle -EGP/January 2016 The Lost Tudor Princess: The Life of Lady Margaret Douglas by Alison Weir, Maggie Mash (Narrator)9/6/2017
A Lady lost in 16th-century Courts of joy and hate Have you ever been invited to a huge party and asked into a corner to only find disappointing company while all sorts of excitement, drama plays out and far more interesting figures all talk only steps away from you? Unfortunately that is exactly how I felt as I was listening to this exhaustive biography. Although detailed and honours and showcases a truly lost figure from history with so many angles of examination, I honestly couldn’t help myself to look everywhere and anywhere when listening to this late at night. It may be a combination of narrator, subject and my frustrating current luck with different title selections but The Lost Tudor Princess: The Life of Lady Margaret Douglas didn’t fully capture my attention and I don’t think I can honestly recommend this audio book to any interested night-listeners. The narrator although very pleasant at first to sit down with quickly turns key voice characterizations into an irritating experience and I honestly grew tired of Lady Margaret Douglas sounding cartoonish and artificial (think a combination of a Scottish Scarlett O'Hara and a Disney princess) and the various foreign accents (particularly French) bizarrely sounding at times positively Transylvanian. Again this may be only me that may think these things but listening to this late at night this book failed my personal test to keep me completely alert and desiring to hear more from but I did manage to finish and I did like a few sections. I must only sadly note that I don’t think I would have a different overall impression if I picked up a hardback version of this biography, the material and presentation is surprisingly very dry and there are moments Lady Margaret Douglas just disappears from the chapters or seems lost more in everything around her ultimately confusing the reader. In the end, I have to finally admit to myself that nearly everyone else but this central figure I want to follow and learn more about. I hate to have that reaction but some figures of the past appeal more strongly to different explorers of history. Perhaps Lady Margaret Douglas will find the right companion who will think better and want to learn more with her. -purchased and listened to Audible version -EGP/January 2016 "You’ll judge as well as I can, all these things; at least, you’ll think you will, and that’s the same." This is a long overdue review but I have found it is nearly impossible to find the right words to describe Wuthering Heights and at the same time not to offend anyone. Controversial for a reason this book has taken a twisted brooding stand in the literature shelves for over a hundred years and continues to morbidly fascinate and ensnare certain types of readers. I among those who from my first encounter years ago with this mesmerizing novel can’t stop recommending it to those who are willing to listen but it can be somewhat difficult to describe this brilliant drama without frightening potential readers away. I want to first say, “It’s the darkest warped romance you will probably ever come across with the greatest abstract symbolism laying in the pages” but that only seems to interest a few. My next is “It’s the perfect gothic ghost story filled with malice, revenge and madness” but that again gets polite although uncomfortable looks and then a quick turn of topic. I recently came to the realization that no matter how I try to describe Wuthering Heights it only seems to appeal to certain readers, hit or miss like a powerful wild lightning storm there are just so many who delight in waiting to see the flashes of untold destruction and violence that can ensue or continue to stay for more intense rumbles. So I think that is how I will continue to go about introducing Wuthering Heights from now on, with a cryptic question of: “Do you like watching violent storms?” “Yes?” “Then I have the perfect book for you.” -purchased and read on kindle/ Revisit to a Classic -EGP/December 2015 6 hours and 12 minutes left and he is finally King! Perhaps this is one of those nonfiction titles I should have picked up a hardback version of instead of listening to or maybe should have tried to find another title to enjoy about King Edward VII because this wasn’t that great an experience and this didn’t turn out anything like I hoped for. Oh dear I hate to have this reaction to such a devoted work to a historic figure but I have to be perfectly honest- I was pushed to my limit with boredom and frustration of the rampant repetition in Bertie: A Life of Edward VII. I keep going over what could have went so wrong with this book for me and I am trying to recall the positives but perhaps this just wasn’t the best choice for night listening. I think my main disappoint fell under; every chapter ran in a vicious montage of either: cruelty or disapproval from a member of the extensive family listing, a sickness or death in said family, a supposed mistress and her coveted stash of letters or suspected illegitimate child, a long description of a hunting expedition, another “shattering” court case or scandal that sadly began to blur together in subject and manner, listings of costly menus and weight or size measurements and very precious little else but with plenty of “it is supposed or suspected and rumored” thrown throughout the narration. I didn’t think it possible to become frustrated or find an overabundance of details or rumors uncomfortable to listen to or plain dull but this audio book unfortunately proved that notion wrong to me. Very few positives I can list but I did learn more about complex family dynamics than I thought proper to know, the various medical analyses were interesting and kept me listening, the narrator was excellent at pronouncing different languages or creating voices for historic figures and finally I did serve as constant entertainment to my fellow coworkers as I pulled out my earphone quite a few times late at night and yelling “9 hours left and he is still not King!” or “Not another mistress!” and “Why are you crying, you didn’t even like him!” Yes, I did receive confused looks and laughs and I had to quickly explain myself for the outbursts otherwise I would have found myself alone at my station. At least someone enjoyed the experience but for me, I think I will look elsewhere to learn about fascinating topics and figures of the Victorian and Edwardian Eras. -purchased and listened to Audible version *Also published under the title: The Heir Apparent: A Life of Edward VII, the Playboy Prince by Jane Ridley -EGP/December 2015 Saying goodbye to 2015 in style… For the final weeks of this year, I wanted to step away from the modern set of storytellers and revisit my favorites of bygone eras. I would be an ignorant churl to neglect Mrs. Edith Wharton, for her writing has become unmatched in my mind and has proven an absolute delight to me each time I pull the lamp chain and take elegant carriage rides with her multifaceted storylines and characters. Honestly, you just cannot find writing like this anymore and The House of Mirth is still this reader’s choice for a perfect escape into early 20th century-late 19th century New York society and with saying goodbye to 2015; I decided no better book could be found than revisiting the ornamental world of privilege, ultimate damaging opinions and malicious whispers behind gloved hands that surrounded my old friend Lily Bart. In this tragic and realistic tale we have more than a frilly story of a poor little rich girl, we have an elevated cast of characters with the familiar complexity of personalities that Mrs. Wharton excelled in creating for her readers. She was known for her biting commentary and after reading a good listing of her magnetic titles; The House of Mirth seems to be her darkest examination about the other side of the door of the grand houses on Fifth Avenue versus the comedic satire that wonderfully twirls together the first part of The Buccaneers. In this story we experience various emotional and passionate pages of: happiness, greed, love, jealousy and endless possibilities of hope and lines of regret and despair. The further you sink into the elegantly crafted world Mrs. Wharton has painted with such striking and commanding strokes of events; the more you will never forget those moments. I know I never have or will and I couldn’t have found a better way to let 2015 go with style and reflection than revisiting the complex journey of emotions and trials that beautifully dwells in this understated classic. Highly Recommended. -purchased and read on kindle/ Revisit to a Classic -EGP/December 2015 Cannot be enjoyed unless you simply try it Trying to convince someone who has never read a word of Jane Austen to take a moment from the cold and cruel grasp of reality and attempt Pride and Prejudice is no easy feat. I learned this last week when a work colleague and myself fell into an easy conversation of books and that wonderful question of “what would you recommend?” came about and I immediately ran through my top favorite novels and thought “would she like a classic such as Pride and Prejudice?” I didn’t know (her tastes went into the mainstream contemporary but she seemed willing to seek out other genres) and I didn’t know exactly how to describe one of my early favorites, it’s: delightful, gorgeous, and truly romantic and something you cannot ever forget! -all spun through my mind to say but I just settled on “you must try and experience Pride and Prejudice” because that’s exactly what it is an experience that cannot be enjoyed unless you simply try it. Comparing it to a brilliant gift to oneself of a packaged box of favored sweets would not do this novel justice but I went on to explain the relationships, world building, attention to detail and frolics of comedy and sophistication of a stunning forgotten time that you cannot wait to escape to. I don’t know if I convinced her but describing this timeless inspirational novel rekindled the desire of revisiting Mr. Darcy and Miss Elizabeth Bennet and that’s exactly what I did this week and it’s still breathtaking and one novel I highly recommend for the secret hopeless romantics out there or anyone willing to simply experience a timeless classic that waits just to be tried if but once in a lifetime. -read purchased B&N edition/ Revisit to a Classic -EGP/December 2015 Although a kinder view of Marguerite de Valois was refreshing to see presented, I can’t honestly say I fully enjoyed this novel. Perhaps I wasn’t in the right mood but it was very hard to stay focused on Médicis Daughter: A Novel of Marguerite de Valois and quite a few times throughout I wished to find another view presented in its many pages. There was an atmosphere of the 16th century that seemed slightly missing in its full richness and glory and I’m sorry to say- I thought Marguerite dully portrayed and a little irksome (especially in the beginning). The other central characters were also missing something vital to come alive for me and lust and passion scenes seemed to overtake the story becoming sadly repetitive but the attention to history and dark foreboding with symbols and visions were quite impressive and this novel does give a valiant effort. It may have not exactly ended as a truly captivating read for me but I will still keep it for my kindle shelves for the history offered and its powerful messages and would recommend this novel to those who are looking for a satisfactory tale with love, betrayal, sacrifice and war all seen through the passionate eyes of a Princess of France. * I would like to thank St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read Médicis Daughter: A Novel of Marguerite de Valois -EGP/December 2015 Took me night after night into 14th-century England and at many times I didn’t want to leave The more I think about Now Is The Time, the more I can say I enjoyed this book. Told in alternating perspective chapters this title took me night after night into 14th-century England and at many times I didn’t want to leave or take my earphone out. The beginning chapters reminded me of understated classic historical fiction titles that in my mind have become must re-reads and those to share with new readers eager to experience history in many descriptive passages and introductions to fascinating characters. The final chapters though ran together leaving me with a different marked feel sadly but overall the elements of research and the commitment of weaving a strong yarn were clearly evident and there were many times I just lost track of time falling into this commanding world of diverse forms of power, avarice and desperate searches and battles for meaning and voices of the forgotten masses. Encountering this type of fine storytelling and excellent voice accompaniment was a perfect distraction for me and I would highly recommend this audio version for night-time listeners. -purchased and listened to Audible edition of this title -EGP/November 2015 A light-hearted coming of age tale with a lot of the Luck of the Irish in its pages. I won’t lie after reading this book’s description and glancing at the cover art I was anticipating a completely different type of story. I see many others are in love with this light-hearted coming of age tale with a lot of the Luck of the Irish in its pages and that is wonderful to see for a debut but this just wasn’t my type of book. It could also be that I had just finished hard hitting historical fiction titles that left strong impressions and excitement for similar reads. Unfortunately after those, I picked up The Edge of Lost and it just missed the mark on believability, historical details and strong storytelling for this reader. I can ignore one or two awkward coincidences but when every other chapter follows this theme and I keep checking to see what year the setting is because the dialogue and descriptions are sadly unconvincing and modern sounding, then I know I should quietly move on to other novels that have been waiting patiently but I did manage to finish and felt the absolute need to share my honest experience with this book before I moved onto my next title. I feel terrible to have this reaction because I was initially very excited about The Edge of Lost but it happens sometimes. Hopefully with its sentimental messages and this being the right time of year to search for heart-warming stories, it will find the perfect reader or group who want this type of novel to cozy up with. * I would like to thank Kensington Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read The Edge of Lost -EGP/November 2015 |
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