Book Review: Room by Emma Donoghue

Room by Emma Donoghue
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Many others struggled with the fact that Room is narrated by a little boy. I enjoyed Jack's point of view and I didn't find him irritating or repetitive. Although I work with children, so maybe
that helps.
Room is a rather desolate story of a little boy and his mum who live confined in a room. It is the only life Jack has ever known, although his mum makes it clear that she is here under another person's will. That other person is known as Old Nick, who brings them Sunday treats and regularly rapes Jack's mum.
Jack describes the room in innocent detail and his discovery of the real world is both funny and enjoyable.
The story gathers speed and interest after Jack escapes from the room, with his mum's guidance and planning. Discovering how they treat the world and how the world treats them is fascinating and Emma Donoghue thinks of so many things, such as the fact that Jack has never been in direct sunlight before.
All the characters we meet are well written and easily distinguishable and the story kept me intrigued right through to the end. My only criticism is that it ended suddenly and I wanted more. I hope Donoghue writes a second novel exploring where Jack's life has taken him.

View all my reviews

Book Review: Duma Key by Stephen King

Duma Key by Stephen King
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Stephen King's Duma Key is the tale of Edgar Freemantle. After losing an arm and gaining a head injury in a work accident, Edgar's life turns upside down. He divorces his wife and takes a break to Duma Key, an island off the coast of Florida. While there a passion for art emerges, but with serious consequences.
King creates a range of eclectic characters, in Edgar; Elizabeth Eastlake, a local landowner; Wireman, her carer with a shady past and Jack, Edgar's helper and chauffeur. On Duma Key nothing is as it seems and everybody has their own secrets. Edgar's artistic skills develop with the support of Elizabeth, but he soon learns that through his art other talents are revealed.
As well as the characters, King's descriptions of the locations are detailed and impressive. He really paints a picture of the old Eastlake house and the supernatural occurrences. Flipping between the island's past and present is not a challenge and in fact, I could have read this book forever and ever. King writes beautifully and the images he creates stay in your head long after you've closed the book.

View all my reviews

Book Review: Wild Oats by Veronica Henry

Wild Oats by Veronica Henry
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Wild Oats is based in Shropshire, not far from where I live. I always enjoy reading books set in a location that I am familiar with. I enjoy Veronica Henry's writing style and always get engrossed with the characters and the story lines and this book is no exception. I felt for the characters, willed them to do the right thing and wanted them to achieve happiness. Sometimes I wanted to scream at the characters for making poor decisions, but ultimately I sympathised with them. Henry really shines in her character development. I also enjoyed the different generations and different classes that she discussed. Not everyone had Gucci handbags which has been the case in previous novels. My only criticism is that sometimes situations aren't very realistic. When two lovers wake up in bed neither of them needs to go to the loo and couples orgasm at the same time the first time they've slept together. I think if characters were even more realistic it would make it more relate-able, but this does not tarnish my opinion of Henry and I will always be an avid fan on her books.

View all my reviews

Book Review: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I am very aware that I have not read many classics during my lifetime. After recently watching Frankenstein I thought it a good place to start. The novel has passages that are engaging. Mary Shelley writes action very well. For me, the passive sections were harder to read and remain interested. The monster is written especially well. The language used for him is almost lyrical and I sympathised with him throughout. My favourite part of the book is when the monster is watching the family in the cottage in the wood.
Considering the age of the book, it is not a difficult read but similarly, it's not what I'd classify as a page turner.

View all my reviews

Book Review: The Beach Hut by Veronica Henry

The Beach Hut by Veronica Henry
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I love Veronica Henry with a passion! She creates novels teeming with characters, intrigue, humour and real-life situations and The Beach Hut is no exception.
This time the action is centred around a beach hut on Everdene Sands. The story spans decades as we grow old with the characters and the twists and turns throughout their life.
The reason why this is 3 instead of 5 is for two reasons. This novel has too many characters. One of the threads could be lost easily and it would still be an enjoyable read. There was one character called Jane and another called Janet. The names are too similar on the page. The second reason is that there is a lack of variety in their story lines. There were too many cheating spouses for my liking. I understand that this is a part of real life, but to have it be the centre of so many story arcs was confusing and boring. It hasn't put me off Veronica Henry at all, but it isn't my favourite of her novels.

View all my reviews

Book Review: No More Heroes by Stephen Thompson

No More Heroes by Stephen Thompson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

No More Heroes by Stephen Thompson is not the kind of book I would normally pick up. Having been 13 years old when the 7/7 attacks occurred, it's an event that will always be cemented in my memory. Reading Simon Weekes' account of what happened to him on that day was interesting and harrowing. But really, these moments are only the start of Simon's story and his past has much deeper secrets.
This is by no means an easy read, but the pace is thick and fast and keeps you turning the pages to find out what happened to Simon. Simon himself is a complex character and the author does not paint him in an honourable light. Despite this, he is still likeable and you sympathise with the route his life has taken.
I would definitely read more of Stephen Thompson in the future.

View all my reviews

Book Review: Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was recommended to me by my friend Helen and she is usually very good at recommendations. I would say that this book started with five stars and the more I read it, the more fed up I became. Although it was a very accessible book, I read it in two days.
Rainbow Rowell creates two likeable characters in Eleanor and Park. The story of them falling in love is sweet and full of those little moments you cherish when you start a relationship. For me, the pitfall of this book is the ending. I wanted to know what happened to Eleanor's family and the whole thing was just left without a conclusion, like the author gave up. Maybe there will be a second novel about them?
Even though I was born in the nineties the cultural references in this book are not lost on me and Rowell paints a perfect picture of the school, the neighbourhood in which they live and the supporting characters. I particularly liked Park's Mum.
Overall, an entertaining book, which ultimately left me unsatisfied.

View all my reviews