Friday 19 November 2010

Review of: Passion – Jude Morgan

Published: May 2005 – Headline Review

Exploring the lives of three Romanticism writers through the eyes of the women who knew them – from Byron to Shelley to Keats, Morgan captures their stories with a new light in an innovative and original way.



My Rating: 3 out of 5

As said above, the story is original and captivating - the varying narrative perspectives make it hard to read at times, especially due to the shifts between whose commentary the specific page is, yet the length of the novel demonstrates the quality with which Morgan had to write with in order to capture the true essence of such inspirational people.


This piece of historical fiction combines fact with tragedy, and tragedy with love – Jude Morgan surpasses himself in this novel with great intensity throughout, presenting these three great writers in a fresh way.

Friday 12 November 2010

Review of: Before I Die - Jenny Downham

Published: October 2008 – Black Swan

Similar in some ways to ‘If I Stay’, ‘Before I Die’ follows the story of Tessa as she sets out to fulfil her own <i>bucket list</i> after being told she has terminal cancer.



My Rating: 2 out of 5

A deeply moving novel, but reduced slightly by an inability to truly connect with Tessa, despite the first person narrative. The items on her list are quite stereotypical, with sex, drugs and law breaking, which although are reasonable when taking into account her age and what she may miss out on, yet it takes away from the originality that would have made this book so much better.


Having said this, Downham finds a way to highlight the true nature of a disease that has taken over Tessa, in such a way that it approaches a horribly realistic subject to teenagers, enabling them to understand what it must be like.

Friday 5 November 2010

Review of: Message in a Bottle – Nicholas Sparks

Published: November 2007 – Sphere

A letter written to “my dearest Catherine” washes up on a beach where Theresa Osborne is on holiday; Sparks takes you on her journey as she sets about uncovering who wrote this mysterious letter and the funny and emotional events that follows upon the discovery.



My Rating: 3 out of 5

Once more, Sparks writes with a level of eloquence that is rare to find – taking you through a range of emotions that some novels fail to do, but doing so in a way that makes the plot both original and utterly believable.


The novel’s intricate development from grieving lost loves to finding innocent loves makes for a splendid read, however, it was slightly predictable and at times the actions of the characters strayed from how they had been developed, then again, we all do stupid things with regards to love. However, it did not <i>wow</i> me to the extent of some of Sparks’ other books – perhaps due to the rather promiscuous circumstances or something else.

Thursday 28 October 2010

Review of: Great Expectations – Charles Dickens

Published: May 1992 (Wordsworth Classics) – Wordsworth Edition Ltd

‘Great Expectations’ follows the story of an orphan named Pip, as he transitions from a boy who is full of ‘great expectations’ to a man – entwining fate, mystery and unrequited love.



My Rating: 3 out of 5

It is a novel that is emotional at times, yet still has resonance in today’s society, whilst giving an insight into nineteenth century life as an orphan. Despite this interesting and inventive plot, it felt as though Dickens was trying too hard with descriptions (although reminiscent of Victorian writing and the origins of the novel in different publications) making some areas pass too slowly.


The tension that builds up throughout makes this novel a great read for someone who is a fan of Dickens, however, it may be too much for some who tend to enjoy an easier read. The characters are mainly loveable with your views on them changing all the while to keep your mind always on the go. The characters, ultimately, make the story the success it is today.

Friday 22 October 2010

Review of: Looking for Alaska – John Green

Published: July 2006 - HarperCollins Children's Books

Bored of his life at home, Miles Halter persuades his parents to allow him to study at Culver Creek Boarding School - a move than makes his life far from mundane.



My Rating: 5 out of 5

Whilst this book may be labelled as a children’s novel, I think it would suit almost any age – the plot is relatable to most teenagers. The prospect of growing up, experiencing first loves, alcohol mixed with drugs, mystery, pranking – yet it is much more than that. From humour to water filled eyes, it takes you on a journey through the unknown, through Miles (a guy obsessed with learning the last words of people), as he meets one Alaska Young (a girl trying to escape her own labyrinth). Along with a wider range of characters that combine the excitement of college life with the unpredictability of young lives, Green’s narrative talent takes you to a new world, full of the tension and heartache that some people experience growing up.


This heart-breaking and tear-jerking novel is definitely worth a read, whether you end up loving it or not, it is truly (in my opinion) a true literary masterpiece.

Wednesday 13 October 2010

Review of: Generation Dead – Daniel Waters

Published: July 2008 - Simon & Schuster Children's

Generation Dead's plot revolves around Phoebe, a goth, who has a crush on a guy who is dead, in an area where teenagers are no longer staying dead, instead coming back as zombies.

My Rating: 1 out of 5

A book full of fantasy, in this case zombies – a strange concept that brought me to read this book, but something was missing. Granted there are the problems about love and such, it is just that there are no true solid foundations, no concrete events, so much so that it seems as it is missing a key ingredient in making the story work – passion. Not the love passion, the passion that I feel you need to drive the characters, a passion for the characters themselves. The characters are quite one-sided with not much going for them in terms of liking them - they fail to have energy, making the dialogue somewhat limp and the story drag on just that bit too long.


For me, it did not inspire me or in fact generate that much reaction – it was a read that filled time when I was bored, but nothing more - I don’t feel like I need to read the next one (Kiss of Life). Disappointing considering how much I normally love this genre – the plot was fine and had slight structure yet even this was let down by the narrative.

Friday 8 October 2010

Review of: A Walk to Remember – Nicholas Sparks

Published: November 2007 - Sphere

Beginning in 1958 with a moody, rebellious Landon Carter, who gets stuck with performing in the Christmas play alongside the angelic Jamie Sullivan, who makes him promise not to fall in love with her, much to his amusement. Yet, when fate intervenes, there's not a lot he can do to stop himself.



My Rating: 5 out of 5

Nicholas Sparks is one of my favourite authors and this book managed to exceed my expectations. Whilst expecting a normal, run of the mill romance, I was instead left with a book that is full to the brim with sheer and pure emotion, highlighting the innocence of young love. The twist in the story’s plot is heart-breaking and tear-jerking, whilst the narrative has the power to knock you off your feet – even if you dislike emotional books, I sincerely and definitively suggest with all my heart that this is the one that you NEED to read – the clarity with which Sparks writes and the effect that it has on everything, even the way you look at life, is enough to make this one of the best books that I have read.


Seen through the eyes of Landon Carter, the teenage rebel, it is easily accessible to guys who have truly and utterly found their true love. After all, ‘A Walk to Remember’ makes you believe that, no matter your age, or your appearance, or your aspirations, true love exists, it is just a matter of finding that someone.