Until the Next Time: A Novel
by Kevin Fox
Until the Next Time (2/9/2012)
This fresh and original perspective on reincarnation follows 21-year Sean Corrigan to Ireland on a journey to learn more about his Uncle Michael while searching for his soul mate. While told in a clever voice that paints a colorful and rich portrait of Irish history, culture and ideals, the dual storyline felt redundant and the characters difficult to differentiate.
The intense prologue about one man's obsession sets the reader’s expectations high. Unfortunately, the plot becomes bogged down in too many moral lessons and loses sight of its goal somewhere around Page 100.
Juliet
by Anne Fortier
Juliet (7/20/2010)
Family rivalries, Italian history, love, betrayal and suspense all play a role in this elegantly penned novel based upon Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.
Julie, aka Giulietta, travels to Siena, Italy and finds herself embroiled in an age-old feud between two of Sienna's most prominent families. Her search for truth and hidden treasure take her back to the year 1340 AD where the world of medieval legends come alive.
The scenes are rich with Italian flavor although somewhat drawn out and the characters seem pulled from a fairy tale rather than developed from within. All in all, though, a full-bodied tale of which the Bard would be proud.
Arcadia Falls
by Carol Goodman
Arcadia Falls (12/26/2009)
The name of this book could be “The Changeling Girl”, the fairy tale written by Lily Eberhardt, one of the founders of the artists’ colony at Arcadia Falls. The story shifts from the present day where Meg and her daughter Sally relocate from Great Neck to the 1920’s when the artist’s colony is founded by Vera and Lily and story really begins.
The magical setting of Arcadia Falls almost seems to be the main character of the story where the artists, students and townspeople who live there play more minor roles through their relationships and life choices. The folklore and legend of the White Witch add to the spiritual quality of the beautiful yet dangerous terrain of the clove where the trees seem to whisper.
Tensions between mothers and daughters, questions of identity and a passion for art provide a common thread between the modern and historic time periods as more of the mystery is revealed leading to a surprising yet satisfying conclusion.
The Elephant Keeper
by Christopher Nicholson
The Elephant Keeper (6/8/2009)
This is really a story in a story. Tom, the boy, has been asked to write about the elephants he keeps, Jenny and Timothy. He struggles at first because he doesn’t know many facts about Indian elephants. The story he eventually writes, “The History of the Elephant” focuses on his relationship with the elephants - a timeless love story of truth and beauty and sadness.
Many of the characters are not portrayed in a flattering light and this is shown in the manner in which they treat Jenny. The main theme is the lack of understanding of the elephants by humans. The exception to this is Tom, whose understanding of Jenny is so innate that he almost seems to be part elephant.
Although the plot lagged, the prose was lovely and the author’s message was clear.
An Incomplete Revenge: A Maisie Dobbs Novel
by Jacqueline Winspear
An Incomplete Revenge (3/30/2009)
The lush descriptive detailing of the English countryside provides an atmospheric backdrop for Maisie Dobbs’ investigation into the mysterious incidents taking place in the rural village of Heronsdene in the 1930’s.
A vivid portrayal of the tensions between the cultures of the hop-pickers, the gypsies and the townspeople is richly displayed through the use of dialect, history and landscapes.
Through her relationships with Maurice Blanche, her father and Simon, among others, Maisie Dobbs has developed into a fully dimensional main character whose sixth sense along with a highly methodical thought process help prepare her for the most difficult of situations.
The myriad of secondary characters tended to bog down the plot and I found myself losing interest well into the second half of the book. Certain developments towards the end somewhat re-engaged me in the story, unrealistic as they seemed.
Symbols such as the Michaelmas daisies and the importance of identity are interwoven throughout the story. But, it almost becomes more of a somber statement of culture clashes and lessons in death than a mystery.
Lima Nights
by Marie Arana
Lima Nights (12/15/2008)
What begins as a story of infatuation and promise of new love between Carlos and Maria turns into a melancholy saga of lost family ties and misguided dreams.
Clean poetic prose and rich flavorful descriptions of modern day Lima center around a lovely old mansion that has been in Carlos' family for generations. The house becomes a symbol of all things held dear to those in Carlos' family including his wife, mother and sons.
The class and culture disparity between Carlos and Maria sets a tone of tension, leading them to a series of unfortunate events and ultimately sealing their fates.
Carlos' three close friends, Willy, Marco and Oscar provide a sorely needed dose of reality and banter to a story that left me feeling empty and sad at the conclusion.
Blacklight Blue: The Third Enzo Files
by Peter May
Blacklight Blue (9/15/2008)
Blacklight Blue is a highly entertaining thriller featuring Enzo MacLeod in his third and latest installment.
With Enzo as the prime suspect in a murder, he is led down a path of deception and intrigue throughout France, Spain and London.
May’s vivid imagery, fully dimensional characters and unexpected humor completely draw the reader into the story. Although Enzo is portrayed as a roguish, impulsive ladies man, the loyalty towards his daughters proves him quite endearing.
It is an exciting and colorful book that would make a great movie.
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