When you saw that title what did you imagine? A scene from Alice through the Looking Glass? One of those high speed reverse sequences in a magical fantasy film, when everything rewinds? Or perhaps a time-slip scenario? Or simply an image of mirror writing? Would it be wonderful if we could indeed start at theContinue reading “The Art of Writing Backwards: a Novelist’s Sleight of Hand?”
Category Archives: About Books I love
Inspiration from Fantasy Novelist Philip Pullman, President of the Society of Authors
During the Covid19 lockdown, the Society of Authors are presenting a number of webinars with notable authors, and the other day I attended “Afternoon Tea with Philip Pullman”. I was keen to hear from the author of a fantasy trilogy that captivated me, “His Dark Materials“. 500 of us attended, all waiting with drinks andContinue reading “Inspiration from Fantasy Novelist Philip Pullman, President of the Society of Authors”
Australia and New Zealand Mini Series Part 19: North Island, New Zealand: Enchantment and Delight for ‘The Hobbit’ and ‘The Lord of the Rings’ Fans: Matamata and Hobbiton
This is the nineteenth in my series of short reflections on different places in Australia and New Zealand, as experienced during my November 2019 visit. Today is the third of my posts on New Zealand’s North Island. In my last post I wrote about Paihia and the Bay of Islands. We set off from PaihiaContinue reading “Australia and New Zealand Mini Series Part 19: North Island, New Zealand: Enchantment and Delight for ‘The Hobbit’ and ‘The Lord of the Rings’ Fans: Matamata and Hobbiton”
Book Review: ‘Waireka’ by Sheila Donald, set in nineteenth century New Zealand – a story which makes you see your own life in a new perspective
Before I start my series on New Zealand, which I visited in November 2019, I am delighted to review a book set in the very place I visited – New Zealand’s North Island. But the times are very different in ‘Waireka’ by Sheila Donald. The genre is historical fiction. We are in the nineteenth century,Continue reading “Book Review: ‘Waireka’ by Sheila Donald, set in nineteenth century New Zealand – a story which makes you see your own life in a new perspective”
Book Review: the Girl with Seven Names: Escape From North Korea by Hyeonseo Lee
A powerful, emotionally engaging and sometimes shocking account by a very courageous woman. Through her own shrewdness, presence of mind and intelligence, Hyeonseo managed to transform her life and that of her family by escaping from North Korea at the age of 17, undergoing a long and hazardous journey through China, and ultimately gaining SouthContinue reading “Book Review: the Girl with Seven Names: Escape From North Korea by Hyeonseo Lee”
Book Review: ‘Lifelines’ by Andy Croft and Mike Pilavachi
I stood in a queue of those waiting to have this book signed by Andy Croft, at the CRT (Christian Resources Together retreat) several months ago. I remember Andy asked me about my interest in being at the conference and I told him I too was a writer. He asked me about what I writeContinue reading “Book Review: ‘Lifelines’ by Andy Croft and Mike Pilavachi”
Book Review: ‘Half a World Away’ by Mike Gayle
This is a profoundly moving novel set in our contemporary society, which works on so many levels, intimate, insightful and also demonstrating panoramic vision. In ‘Half a World Away’ Mike Gayle takes as his subject those children who are born into deeply dysfunctional situations in the UK, and thus come to the attention of theContinue reading “Book Review: ‘Half a World Away’ by Mike Gayle”
Book Review: ‘An Eagle in the Snow’ by Michael Morpurgo
Set in the second World War, this story is appealing in its simplicity yet powerful in its implications. A young boy and his mother are on a train bound for the countryside, away from their London home which has been destroyed in a bombing raid. During their journey they meet an unassuming stranger to whomContinue reading “Book Review: ‘An Eagle in the Snow’ by Michael Morpurgo”
Book Review: ‘Reparation’ by Gaby Koppel
I first heard of this book via my local independent bookshop Warwick Books, and planned to go to an evening with Gaby Koppel, to hear her talking about ‘Reparation‘. The subject of the book – a young Jewish woman’s research into her mother’s past as a survivor of Nazi persecution during World War II –Continue reading “Book Review: ‘Reparation’ by Gaby Koppel”
Book Review: “A Vision of Locusts” by SL Russell
Today I share with you one of my latest book reviews: in fact the last book to which I awarded 5 stars! A Vision of Locusts by SL Russell is an unusual contemporary novel which introduces a number of themes including religious intolerance in the world today, the nature of evil, and the mysterious sourceContinue reading “Book Review: “A Vision of Locusts” by SL Russell”
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