Book reviews - your contributions

This page features reviews that have been written by library users and others with an interest in books and literature. Its aim is to introduce you to authors and titles that you may not otherwise have come across. You can open or download a selection of reviews received recently from the links on this page. Why not consider writing a review yourself? Follow the link to the "Book review form" which allows you submit a review online.

Half of a Yellow Sun

by Chimamanda Adichie
A compelling portrayal of the civil war in Nigeria in late 1960’s without becoming too factual or gratuitously violent. Interesting development of character and change of view point without using first person narrative.
Unusual portrayal of war through the eyes of a woman. Subtle depiction of racism through Susan’s acceptance of Richard’s relationship with black women.
From: Ford Reading Group. November 2009.

Purple Hibiscus

by Chimamanda Adichie
An interesting book with a multitude of themes which provoked a great discussion in our group. Evocative writing about Nigeria which engaged all our senses.
An insight into the power and politics of the church and the country.
We look forward to reading another novel by this author.
From: Hitchcock Reading Group. December 2009.

Diving Bell and the Butterfly

by Jean-Dominique Bauby
We enjoyed this book.
We were amazed how much the author managed to write such a well described and imaginative book.
It made us all think that patients with a similar illness have an active mind without a physical body and this is something that is forgotten about.
From: Shifnal Reading Group. December 2009.

Three Day Road

by Joseph Boyden
Brutal – interesting. Would have liked more cree history, less war.
From: Celebration Reading Group. November 2009

Jane Eyre

by Charlotte Bronte
We all liked this! With the wonderful descriptions, eventful compelling story, and romantic intrigue, it is easy to see why this has remained a popular classic. Most of our group had read this in teenage years and enjoyed it then for the story, now, we appreciated the details and descriptions. Some of us would happily read it again in the future, and for at least one of us, it is the all-time favourite book.
From: Bacon Reading Group. October 2009

Clochemerle

by Gabriel Chevallier
We all enjoyed this satirical farce. Many varied and colourful characters – very well drawn. Dialogue was good. Main narrator, interspersed with characters telling part of the tale. Each character’s voice was different – policeman’s narration was best. Enjoyed the Disarmament Conference; the way they dressed; and the passing of the buck.
A little bit static at times, but even then full of little insights. Disappointed we didn’t learn the final fate of the urinal.
From: Oswestry West Reading Group. October 2009

In the Company of the Courtesan

by Sarah Dunant
Our group gave an average score of 8 out of 10.
Excellent writer.
Enjoyed the story as well as the cultural, historical (art and architecture) and descriptions of Rome.
Parallels with modern life which is sad.
Difficult subject matter at the opening of the book.
From: Celebration Reading Group. October 2009

On Green Dolphin Street

by Sebastian Faulks
Everyone enjoyed this book.
We were all in accord during our discussion and appreciated Faulks’ descriptions of the different countries qnd the politics of the time,
Definitely a book to be recommended.
From: Shifnal, N&S Reading Group. December 2009.

Gate of Angels

by Penelope Fitzgerald
What a boring, pointless book. The characters are dull and the story is dull.
I find it hard to believe that it was shortlisted for the Booker Prize and had such acclaim as ‘ Exquisite, moving, wonderful’; ‘Graceful, romantic, inspiring’; ‘A triumph’. Are they talking about the same book!
At first I thought it had promise, especially having read the synopsis at the back. I wasn’t far into the book when I began to think this is dull and it never really improved.
If this was a book I had bought I think I might have been tempted to put it in the bin.
This was written by one member but represents the view of all who read the book.
From: Maternity Reading Group. October 2009

Ian Fleming Lucky Dip

We all had a different book and we talked about how life has changed since they were written. This caused a lively discussion.
We discussed the films and how they were different to the books. We thought how different spying must be today.
From: Albrighton, OA Reading Group November 2009.

Diary of an Ordinary Woman

by Margaret Forster
6 out of 7 readers enjoyed this book. The only spinster in the group loved it and felt empathy about having to ‘stand on your own two feet’…’make your own decisions’.
Those who have read other Margaret Forster novels thought this was up to her usual standard.
2 readers were caught out by the diary format and were surprised at the revelation.
One reader didn’t enjoy it much…’easy to read… easy to forget’,… ‘ no passages to re-read’…’although generally well researched the language was often modern and detracted from the time set’.
From: Hitchcock Reading Group. October 2009

Diary of an Ordinary Woman

by Margaret Forster
Two or three of our group enjoyed this immensely. It is written in diary form, from 1914-200, chronicling daily events. We all found it annoying and disappointing to discover at the end that it is in fact fictious, contrary to what we were led to believe in the introduction. Some found it disjointed with vital details missed out, but we all agreed this was often the case with real diaries. Did she put in too much action and detail? Perhaps there were too many calamities to make it credible! It is an excellent social history, with the main character, Millicent developing before us, and taking us through the war years and after.
A good book for a readers group and definitely one to recommend.
From: Lyth Hill Reading Group. November 2009

Cranford

by Elizabeth Gaskell
An interesting insight into the lives of ladies who lived in genteel society and practised ‘elegant economy’.
The book is very well written and descriptions of life in the early nineteenth century very vivid.
From: Broseley Reading Group. October 2009

Our Lady of the Forest

by David Guterson
Few people in the group enjoyed it and a fair proportion did not complete it.
Positive comments – good characterisation and some humour. Thought provoking as far as it raised a good discussion on relics and the Roman Catholic church.
Negative comments – gratuitous sex and bad language
Some disappointed as did not live up to his previous publication.
Two people would recommend it to others and thought it humorous whilst expressing profound thoughts on the human condition.
Either loved or hated.
From: Cleobury Mortimer Reading Group. November 2009

Mister Candid

by Jules Hardy
Jules hardy can tell a story well but I did not enjoy the subject matter.
A book that kept me reading, until it became just too ridiculous. Worked hard to finish it, for the sake of being a good boy. Would recommend it to nobody.
I did not enjoy it. It’s not the genre of book I would normally read or want to read. But I finished it as I wanted to know the ending. I thought the ending was rather weak, not good writing at all. Not a good book.
Didn’t enjoy the subject matter and felt my emotions were being manipulated, but did end up wanting to know how it would end.
I found this a rather poorly written, very improbable tale of little value.
Although the subject sounded interesting from the onset, it quickly became clear that it was poorly executed, with improbable characters and situation mediocre at best.
Unusually for me I did not finish the book as I did not like the style of writing and did not find it at all engaging.
This book did not live up to its hype. I found both the style and the lack of cohesion very irritating and some of the scenes sick and offensive. I did not finish the book.
I think this had the potential to be a fascinating investigation of moral dilemmas into the hands of a better author!. But her storytelling was good. I did want to know what happened.
I did get engaged in the story wanting to know the why’s and wherefores covered some interesting themes – good/evil, incest etc, but not a book I would recommend for reading groups.
From: Broseley Bookworms Reading Group. October 2009

Stargazing

by Peter Hill
We all loved this book. The first book this year!
Very well written, petered out at the end though. Captured an interesting part of UK history which we will probably not see again.
From: Shifnal Reading Group. October 2009

Ninth Life of Louis Drax

by Liz Jensen
Mixed reviews, difficult start, worth persevering.
From: Ford Heath Reading Group November 2009

Author, Author

by David Lodge
Overall this was not very well received. To those members familiar with other works by Lodge it came as a disappointment. Half the group failed to finish it.
However Lodge did a very good imitation of James’ style (”more style than substance”). There was also some interesting literary history of the period, including book sales. Several delightful ironies as well. No member of the group found any sympathy for James.
From: Oswestry West Reading Group. December 2009

The Flood

by David Maine
Not everyone’s cup of tea, nevertheless a quirky, irreverent and very different slant to the age-old biblical story.
From: Highley Reading Group. December 2009.

Piano Tuner

by Daniel Mason
A mixed response, but mostly positive. Everybody appreciated the strong story line and the sense of place and time, conveyed by the powerful descriptions which had an immediate impact. Edgar Drake was a very believable character.
The author’s method of writing dialogue in places was very confusing, but not consistent throughout the book. It was difficult to work out why he did it. The author had obviously done a lot of research, but we felt that he was too keen to include everything he had learnt without considering its place in the stpry.
From: Church Stretton Ford Reading Group December 2009

Black Swan Green

by David Mitchell
Captured the period very well – ethos, life styles. Life in a comprehensive school very realistically described.
Credible characters well drawn, especially central character.
Locality well described, local events, Malvern Hills. Style, descriptions very varied and interesting.
Brilliant observation of nature, the woods, the tunnel.
We felt it was probably autobiographical, especially the stammering.
From: Ludlow Reading Group. October 2009

Secret Life of Bees

by Sue Monk Kidd
All of us loved this imaginative book. It wove some difficult subjects, abuse, racialism, death into a wonderful story. A real page-turner.
Full of beautiful, visual descriptions, we read out our favourites.
We loved the well-researched connection with bees which enhanced the story line.
We give it a 5* recommendation.
From: Hitchcock Reading Group. November 2009

Three Cups of Tea

by Greg Mortenson
Unanimous approval for an inspiring story – a man’s determination to build schools in remote Afganistan to repay the community who helped save his life
Truly amazing story.
From: Shrewsbury, Cherry Reading Group. November 2009

The Bell

by Iris Murdoch
Interesting book with good character studies, but some of our group found it not satisfactory as not much of a plot. Some characters seemed to be there just for ‘window dressing’, but despite that, a good read for book club.
From: Craven Arms Reading Group. November 2009

My Sister’s Keeper

by Jodi Picoult
An original approach to a highly emotive subject, tackled in the main quite successfully. We liked the mixed narrative and felt it was the best way to portray all the character’s emotions at there was no single protagonist, all views were equally valid. Perhaps the medical information was too detailed. The book was very moving and the ending was heartbreaking.
From: Shifnal, N &S Reading Group. October 2009

The Dig

by John Preston
Nearly unanimously unimpressed by first reading – slight, inconsequential.
What a mistake!
Second reading revealed a little masterpiece, full of subtlety, deftly written sub-plots , beautifully lyrical passages,
He says a lot with few, well chosen words.
A great read.
From: Walkers Reading Group. October 2009

All Quiet on the Western Front

by Erich Maria Remarque
Absolutely brilliant.
Why haven’t read this book before.
The best in a long time.
A breathtaking and extraordinary book, absolutely required reading.
I was so glad to find this book and can’t think why I’d never read it before.
So powerful and so relevant to now.
YES, YES, YES.
From: Bishops Castle Reading Group. October 2009

Colour of Heaven

by James Runcie
Our group all enjoyed this novel, commenting on many aspects and avenues it opened up. Lots of members appreciated the information on the early technical details of paint making and the history of spectacles. We also enjoyed the travel aspects of the book. However we felt the characters lacked depth and some aspects of the story were a little contrived. We all felt it could have been enhanced by a better map.
A romantic fable-like tale with fascinating details of medieval life and excellent documentary elements,
From: Molsom Reading Group. October 2009

I Capture the Castle

by Dodie Smith
This was chosen prior to the arrival of male partners in our group! Not surprisingly, perhaps, it was incomprehensible on many levels to the men. So it is recommended, but for groups without men. We had quite a lot of discussion nevertheless, especially after viewing the film of the book, which was surprisingly good, though omitted some (minor) characters who we felt were important in the plot.
We talked about the position of women in 1930s England, the isolation of the Mortmains and how it affected the girls’ perception of love, and tried to follow the Austen link, though with less success.
Concluded that it was a ‘different’ sort of novel from the norm.
From: Malpas Reading Group. October 2009

Tortilla Flat

by John Steinbeck
The group were unanimous in recommending this book. Steinbeck’s light touch in affectionately describing the escapades of the group of no-hopers was enjoyed and appreciated by all.
There is an acute sadness in the lives of these people and this is brought out, but the camaraderie and internal code of honour described by the author make it a relatively cheerful read.
The author’s prose style is in itself uplifting.
From: Cleobury Mortimer Reading Group December 2009.

Suspicions of Mr Whicher

by Kate Summerscale
A very detailed researched book following the characters through their life, The book illustrates the ‘primitive’ criminal legal system of Victorian times.
Rather pedantic in tone, but fascinating in the light it shines on Victorian society values, particularly those of family and household privacy.
An interesting and enjoyable read. A little slow in places, but full of interesting asides.
Incredible research – delivered lightly and wryly. Structured life a Victorian detective novel but telling the story of a real murder which inspired fictional works – which are inspiring this work.
A very full account of this murder in 19th century, covering every aspect of the family and persons involved. A good read.
I was very interested to read how much influence this case had on literature of the time and later novels. Excellent research but the book was too long.
Loved it to begin with but lost the will to finish by the last word.
From: Broseley Bookworms Reading Group. November 2009.

Frankie and Stankie

by Barbara Trapido
Story didn’t move along.
Too many short sentences.
Didn’t like the writing style.
How ignorant they were!
Didn’t connect with the characters.
Learnt a lot about the history but didn’t feel involved.
Didn’t sustain much discussion,
From: Shrewsbury, Gillian Reading Group. November 2009.

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