Wreake Valley Readers book group reviews 2008

ook Groups Review
The story was full of suspense and held the readers attention. It had well written horrific descriptions which were not for the squeamish. The American cop was very stereotyped and some of the sub-plots had very little to do with the main story. The end was disappointing because when the murderer was revealed it was a character we knew nothing about. We felt the clues throughout the book were misleading and a lot of time was spent on irrelevant facts. The group thought this was very much a first novel, but it had potential.

Master Georgie by Beryl Bainbridge
This story is set during the Crimean war. The story is narrated by Dr. Potter, a geologist, Pompey Jones, a photographer's assistant, and a girl, called Myrtle. The main characters are linked by an incident in the past which changed their lives forever.

Book Groups Review
This was a well written, unpredictable story set in the Crimean War. The snap shot writing style made the story disjointed and the regular change of narrator was confusing, but there were well drawn descriptions and a good use of words. The characters dominated the story and considering the setting there was very little written about the Russians and only shallow details about the war itself.

Most of the group finished the book but wouldn’t rush out and read another by this author.

Parrot in a Pepper Tree by Chris Stewart
This is Chris Stewart second book describing the ups and downs of his new life in Spain.

Book Groups Review
This is a brilliant holiday read. The writing style was engaging and enjoyable to read. The group thought was just as good as his first book ‘Driving Over Lemons’ which they voted best read of 2007. The hard working laid back style of life described in this book is so far removed for our own it was really interesting to read about. The group loved it!

The Clerkenwell Tales by Peter Ackroyd
This book is a series of tales from different characters set in London in during the reign of Richard II.

Book Groups Review
The author paints such a clear picture of London you can almost smell it. The characters are well drawn with an economy of words, some are petty, some annoying and some very sinister.  This cleverly written book is developed from fact and there are footnotes throughout which add to the stories by giving extra information. The tales give the reader a feeling for how superstitions were used by those in power to manipulate the lower classes. Although the tales were intriguing there wasn’t much continuity and the stories didn’t hold everyone’s interest.

The Hobbit by J R R Tolkien
This story is a prequel to the Lord of the Rings Trilogy. It follows the journey of Bilbow Baggins as he travels away from his beloved home to win the treasure guarded by the dragon Samug.

Book Groups Review
This story was very descriptive and at times highly amusing carrying most people along with it. The characters were strong and mythical almost Norse-like. This book successfully crosses between children and adults and it has the very good opening lines, “In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit” etc.

The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova
The story is about a historian’s search for Vlad the Impaler. After finding a mysterious book in her father’s library and by reading the letters her father gave her in Oxford before he left, the girl (whose name is never revealed) hears about her mother and father’s extraordinary adventures in search of Dracula. She too becomes entangled in the search as she tries to track down her father.

Book Groups Review
This is a cleverly written book which draws you into the exciting adventure story right away. However after the first section of the book the story slows down and reading it became a chore. Some found the Victorian style of writing difficult to read and the subject didn’t appeal to everyone. There were too many characters and it was difficult to keep track of the geography although the descriptions were good. The plot itself made a good adventure story but we felt by editing some of the characters, descriptions and historical detail it could have been made much shorter and more enjoyable to read.

Goodnight Mister Tom By Michelle Magorian
The story is about a young boy called William Beech who is evacuated from London to live in the country during the Second World War. William has had a hard life in London with a mentally ill mother and when he is taken in by a grumpy old man called Tom they form a strong friendship.

Book Groups Review
This was a pleasant easy to read children’s book that would appeal to 10 to 11 year olds. It is written in a similar style to older classics like the Railway Children. Although the story deals with some sensitive issues including the death of a friend and an abusive mother it remains positive and leaves the reader feeling good. For some readers it brought back memories of the war and being evacuees themselves. This was an enjoyable read just right for the summer holidays.

First Love and Other Novellas By Samuel Beckett
The book is four short stories where a man is reflecting on his youth.

Book Groups Review
Most people in the group thought it was the weirdest thing they had ever read and the only plus point was that is was short. The style was reminiscent of Harold Pinter. The story was well written and structured with a good use of words but there was no plot. One reader described it as a ‘dirty minded ego trip’ others thought it was relentless and unsettling