Don't judge a book by it's cover. Although, in most cases you normally can, it would be a real shame to go past this absolute gem because of it's dressing. The book is an exquisite examination of family, grief, dying and the father-daughter relationship, as well as an exploration of place and family anecdote in …
Continue reading Travels With My Father: An Autobiographical Novel By Karen Jennings
One of Hoffman's shorter novels, this fairytale-like story is of a girl whose impulsive wishes can curse those around her to die, and whose wrteched heart has turned to ice.Her first wish was as an eight year old girl, when she wanted her mother to stay home instead of go out to a birthday dinner, …
This one may in fact become my favourite Alice Hoffman book, though they're all pretty awesome and unique. In this story, the Sparrow family, a long line of women, have all woken up on their 13th birthday with a gift. Elinor was able to tell if someone was lying, her daughter Jenny can dream other …
When Nora Silk, a recently divorced mother of two, moves into a small suburb in Long Island in 1959, her single unmarried state upsets the delicate balance. It's a town where emotional mess is kept hidden and everyone is expected to keep their lawn perfect. But Nora is a beautiful carefree spirit, and though she …
In this classic novel from the Columbian author of A Hundred Years Of Solitude, the story of a love triangle that lasted over fifty years is told. Set in the political unrest of South America, sharp tempered Fermina Daza is married to Dr Juvenal Urbino, a well respected man, who is nearing the end of his …
Continue reading Love In The Time Of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
A loose, modern retelling of Wuthering Heights, Alice Hoffman brings her magic touch to another book. March Murray returns home for a funeral with her teenage daughter in tow, leaving her loving husband behind. But her old life casts a spell over her, returning her to former days, and most importantly, old loves. When she …
A thin volume of short stories by the author of Winter's Bone, the film of which launched Jennifer Lawrence's career. The book is incredibly evocative of different lives lived on the fringe of society, each story focusing on a person who transgresses, or lives with someone who transgresses the law. Most of the stories are …
Although to younger readers, Steinbeck's novel Of Mice And Men might be more well known, this was the book that the author felt was his master work. It's the story of the Trask and Hamilton families, who live and grow in the Salinas Valley in California, the place that Steinbeck hailed from. Originally the book …
I first met Simon on a film shoot about 5 or 6 years ago. He was brought in as a writer, and I liked the way he was so intelligent and down to earth. He was funny. Catching a train back into central London together, he surprised me by making little quips about Australian politics …
Continue reading Simon Jay’s Bastardography: a memoir of coming out, bullying, and bipolar disorder.
A lovely book from the author of River King and Practical Magic, this book is a coming of age story about two girls as they navigate life, love tragedy, and becoming adults. Narrated by the sharp witted Gretel, the book tells of the break up of her parents marriage, her mother and cousins search for …
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