Category Archives: Book reviews

Book Review: Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen

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I have to say upfront that I have never been much of a fan of Springsteen’s music. His memoir was a book club pick so I probably would never have been inclined to read it.

His memoir traces his roots, his family and his entire career. I can see why he’s such a great song writer. There is no doubt the man can write and he does it well.

“Here we live in the shadow of the steeple, where the holy rubber meets the road, all crookedly blessed in God’s mercy, in the heart- stopping, pants-dropping, race-riot-creating, oddball-hating, soul-shaking, love-and-fear-making, heartbreaking town of Freehold, New Jersey. “

And he paints a vivid picture of the pain of growing up with a father whose mental health issues were misunderstood in a time where music was more than an outlet and could be a career.

I really enjoyed his memories of growing up, the reality of the draft for Vietnam and the roll of the dice as to who went, who didn’t and who never came back. This was a heart-wrenching life-changing part of the chronicle.

Getting to know Springsteen and his family was carefully orchestrated but you can tell he was a driven man with a single-minded purpose of making his music. Business-like and at times clinical Springsteen showed his leadership skills creating a long-lasting legacy to this day.

The misunderstanding and outcry about some of his songs was very interesting and I enjoyed learning about the social issues which drove him to it.

It’s a very long book and at times, I grew bored as Springsteen outlined his music process and history on a repetitive basis. I began skimming and grew tired of it. But I can’t blame him because it’s an important chronicle.

Am I now a fan? Nah. But I enjoyed being introduced to his music in a whole different way. If you love his music this may be the one for you.

Book Review: The Hummingbird Effect by Kate Mildenhall

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I always enjoy a Kate Mildenhall novel and this one was no exception. This is a story told from the points of view of four different women and four different timelines.

We start with Peggy in 1933 in a Melbourne meat works and follow her journey into the workforce, marriage to a meat worker and automation of work and it’s consequences. Then we skip ahead in time to Hilda in an old people’s home in 2020 when the pandemic begins. The third story is set in 2031 about La who is forced to work in a warehouse dealing with automation and robots where work time is clocked to the mini-second.  Fast forward to 2181 where we learn about Maz and Onyx living in a post- apocalyptic world where their work continues to control them.

Each story delves into the everyday lives of work, the environment and how each woman fights to survive. The stories alternate with each other which for some may be off-putting and confusing. Of course, I love an alternate chapter. Its not until the end that we see the connections. And in between, AI is asked for an analysis of what went wrong with humanity.

I really enjoyed this book, what it had to say, the observations of women’s lives and the world they occupy. I particularly enjoyed Peggy’s story which I think stood out as the strongest for me. I warmed quickly to each of the characters who are well drawn by the skilful Mildenhall.

A mix of historical fiction, fantasy and dystopian, it has a lot to say. Easy to read and thought-provoking, I recommend this one.

Book Review: Bridge Burning and Other Hobbies by Kitty Flanagan

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This is another of Kitty’s books which I listened too. Her narration is terrific and makes it all the more enjoyable. But this one is very different as it is autobiographical.

It’s a collection of anecdotes and observations from her life. We are privy to her life with her family, her awkward teenage years, loves and travels. Her self-reflection and her review of her personal relationships is told honestly yet with a side of humour.

Her recollection of her work life was funny although the fact that she was locked in a freezer by a boss who just wanted to shut her up was eye-opening and made me shudder at the wrongness of it. Yet it reminded me of so many work practices that were unjust back then.  

The book is divided into sections and the one about her relationships was funny particularly the grave digger. Yet I was very sympathetic to the young Kitty whose relationship controlled her and her difficulty of escaping it.

I learnt a lot more about Kitty, yes I truly am a fan and appreciated her candour and honesty told with incorrigible humour.

If you’re a fan or not, this is a good one.

Book Review: The Mother’s Promise by Sally Hepworth

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Finally catching up on this authors backlog and she releases another – The Darling Girls, another one to read.

The Mother’s Promise, like all the others is again a gripping page turner, full of emotion and family intricacies.

Alice, a single mother is dying but she keeps this information from her anxiety-ridden teenage daughter, Zoe. Alice is not in touch with the father of her child, has no friends and the only family she has is her alcoholic brother who can’t look after himself let alone a teenage girl. Enter two other women, Kate her oncology nurse who has had several miscarriages and social worker, Sonja whose marriage in trouble. They each must navigate through their problems and with a couple of bombshells along the way, it makes for a riveting read.

Hepworth deals with numerous themes of cancer, anxiety, OCD, abuse, and alcoholism. The dilemma of what should happen to a child after their mother dies and how the foster and health system deals with this, is explored well.

The characters were all likeable but I particularly warmed to Henry, Zoe’s only friend and Kate the caring nurse.

The ending is neatly wrapped up and probably a bit too Hollywood, but nevertheless satisfactory. If you’re looking for a good story, this one won’t disappoint.

Book Review: Horse by Geraldine Brooks

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I love Geraldine Brooks writing and her latest novel, Horse did not disappoint.

This novel spans many years starting out in 1850’s Kentucky when enslaved Jarrett falls in love with a foal. The path of the horse crosses into New York in the 1950’s when a gallery owner obsesses about a painting of this same horse. Then we are drawn into Washington, 2019 when a young Nigerian-American art historian connects with an Australian scientist over the origin of the same horse which was declared as the greatest racing horse ever.

The timelines switch back and forwards but central is the true story of Lexington who was a record-breaking race horse. But it so much more than that as Brooks explores racism, slavery, science, and art.

It’s a beautifully crafted work, evoking a range of emotional responses from joy to horror to indignation. Indeed, the treatment of racism in the book is as relevant and powerful a story in the eighteen hundreds as it is today and Brooks draws the parallels brilliantly.

The only weak link for me was Catherine, the vet from England as her character didn’t ring true and she faded away anyway.

Otherwise, this book is brilliant, the research incredibly thorough. Read this one even if you don’t think you like horses.

Book Review: The Secrets of Midwives by Sally Hepworth

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I do enjoy Sally Hepworth’s books and have read a few. So I visited her back catalogue to find one that I haven’t read.

The Secrets of Midwives unlike some of her other books is set in the USA which threw me a little as I’m so used to her settings in Melbourne. Nevertheless, it made no difference to this page turner.

Neva is a third-generation midwife who keeps her own pregnancy a secret from her mother and grandmother because she wants to keep the father’s identity hidden. However, her pregnancy dredges up some hidden secrets for her grandmother Floss, herself a single mother. Grace who is Neva’s mother, can’t let the whole thing rest despite the fact that she has her own private turmoil.

There are three stories which unfold as we are put into the point of view of each woman. It comes together beautifully but I was truly gripped by Floss’s back story.

Hepworth balanced the debate around natural versus interventionist childbirth well. The whole story of childbirth and every mother has their own story, was very well done.

It’s a compelling and easy read.

Book Review: 488 Rules for Life by Kitty Flanagan

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I have to say upfront that I am a huge Kitty Flanagan fan. For those of you who aren’t aware, Kitty is an Australian comedian, actress, writer, producer…is there anything she can’t do? Her television show called Fisk has just debuted in USA after becoming a hit here.

I saw her earlier this year at the Melbourne Comedy Festival and loved her show. On our recent road trip I discovered that her book was out on audio and what better way to pass the long hours in the car than by listening to Kitty. It was like being at one of her shows with many laugh-out loud moments. Even my husband appreciated it.

There are many rules some of which just make absolute sense and, in my mind, need to be raised. I did chastise my husband over the rule about mobile phone use. Kitty is right. No-one wants to hear your phone conversation on speaker so everyone can hear it.

This book of rules is more than comedic material. It is just modern day etiquette and I’m with her in this, everyone should read it or listen to it. Perhaps it can be part of the school curriculum. Wait, she’s probably got that one sorted too.

If you don’t know her, then get the audio book. It’s narrated by her and it’s truly terrific and who knows you might win an argument or two.