Tag Archives: Reading

Book Review: Theo of Golden by Allen Levi

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An elderly gentleman, Theo arrives in the town of Golden. No-one knows who he is or anything about his background let alone why he has turned up.

He soon becomes a presence when entering a café, he sees a number of portraits for sale by a local artist. He decides to purchase them one at a time and give them to the person in the painting.

He quickly becomes embroiled in peoples lives by his kindness, generosity and friendship.

It’s a lovely idea that a person who has lived a long life can give something back to people in the form of art imparting wisdom along the way.

Levi takes us on a journey with each portrait involving the reader in the lives of the recipient as well as a growing appreciation for the kindness of this one elderly man.

However, I was disturbed about themes about illegal immigrants and anti-abortion and the underlying sense of disapproval. After a while the bestowal of the paintings and the recipients life story became a little repetitive and I found myself losing interest on occasion with some of the characters. Perhaps some editing may have helped. The last quarter of the book was better bringing everything together with a few surprises.

It’s a highly rated book and for many it does resonate, but for me that wasn’t consistent enough. The writing at times was a little too flowery, the characters were too real to be true and it almost felt like a series of fables. The argument for religion appeared to become more heavy handed as the novel progressed. There was even a sermon which really was hardly warranted. I wasn’t expecting a Christian fictional novel.

I did like it but I didn’t love it. Maybe my expectations were too high after the hype.

Book Review: The Buried Life by Andrea Goldsmith

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This story follows the lives of three people; Adrian an academic who specialises in the study of death, Kezi a young artist who is estranged from her parents and Laura, a town planner who hides problems about her seemingly perfect marriage.

Adrian, just out of a long-term relationship meets Laura at a cheese shop. He also happens to be Kezi’s neighbour. These three navigate the changes which happen to turn their lives upside down.

I had read only one other book by Goldsmith and I confess to not liking it at all (Reunion). I was reticent about this one particularly the pace of the first fifty pages. Soon I was thoroughly engaged with the characters and the clever way Goldsmith changed their arcs particularly Adrian who at first seems dull and spineless but towards the end reveals what a wonderful man he really is.

Laura on the other hand was more complex stuck in a marriage which was controlled by a spineless selfish man. The unravelling of the marriage drew sympathy as well as appreciation when she finally makes some decisions.

There is sadness with Kezi as well as joy and deep friendship and of course the setting in Melbourne made it all the more relatable. There was also reference to music which I didn’t fully engage with but nevertheless the writing is excellent.

There’s a lot to this book so give it a go.

Book Review: Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth

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I always enjoy Sally Hepworth’s books. They are easy to read with shades of light and dark with devious twists. Mad Mabel is no exception.

Elsie Mabel Fitzpatrick is eighty-one living on the same street for decades concealing a horrible past. The tale switches between her childhood and present day when someone reveals her secret: she was a murderer. Coupled that with the death of the next-door neighbour and you have a great story with twists you won’t see coming.

You really can’t go too wrong with this novel. The character of Mabel is simply lovable, her eccentricities, her care and gruffness all make her delightful.

There are so many issues, Hepworth tackles: parental neglect, loneliness, grooming, small town prejudices, aging and more.

I really enjoyed this mystery; the characters and the story kept me turning the page. If you haven’t read any of Sally’s books, try this one first then tackle the rest.

Book Review: When Things Are Alive, They Hum by Hannah Bent

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This is a story about two sisters bound together by their unfailing love for each other.  Marlowe is a scientist studying in London while her sister, Harper who has Downs Syndrome and a congenital heart disorder lives with their father in Hong Kong. Harper’s health begins to rapidly deteriorate and when Marlowe flies home she is desperate to get her sister a transplant despite objections from Harper herself, her father and medical staff.

Told from both sister’s point of view, it’s a moving story of love, loss, grief, the right to choose how to die, and Chinese treatment of organs.

Harper who sees everything in a positive light is quite delightful as she is insightful and I warmed to her character. Her sister Marlowe tends to lose the plot entirely racing towards an ill-thought out and dangerous plan. It is hard to fathom the selfishness of her actions. But under it all is unresolved issues with the death of her mother and her feelings of responsibility as the older sister.

The subject matter is tough but the characters themselves didn’t quite come together for me. Perhaps I couldn’t see them as being completely authentic and I found it hard to buy into Marlowe’s actions at times.

Nevertheless it was an interesting read even if a little heavy handed at times.

Book Review: Mrs Kelly: The Astonishing Life of Ned Kelly’s Mother by Grantlee Kieza

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Ned Kelly has become folk lore here in Australia and there’s been a long-held fascination with him. While this book is about him, it’s also about what came before, notably his mother’s background story and the battles she had raising her family and keeping them alive.

Ellen Kelly was nine when she arrived on a ship in 1841 and died at 93 having outlived a number of her twelve children. She was also a pioneer trying with her ex-convict husband to forge existence on the land, harsh and unforgiving.

This is a remarkably well researched book and while Ellen is often overshadowed by her son’s story it is done within context of the landscape, the family and the difficulty placed on them by the law. It’s hardly surprising, the family turned to crime to survive then revenge when authorities were unfair.

I learnt a lot about the difficulties for women especially those in dire circumstances. Kieza also gives quite an insight into Ned for he was indeed quite unhinged when you review the crazy stunts he pulled.

I also enjoyed reading about the history of those places I’ve visited giving a better appreciation.It’s well written, meticulously researched with honest interpretation of events. Check this one out.

Book Review: Hollow Girl by Lyn Yeowart

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It may be a long read but it’s a thrilling page turner of historical crime and mystery.

A dual time-line novel, the setting is 1961 and 1973 in Harrowford Hall, a home for unwed young women in country Victoria.  A body is discovered there in 1973 as the Home is being prepared for closure and a female detective is reluctantly given the case by her superior.

This is a powerful novel digging up the issues of unwed mothers, their treatment as well as those of their offspring. This is coupled with the sexism within the police force reflecting the disapproval across broader society.

Yeowart does a remarkable job uncovering these themes and at times it gets quite dark with twists I didn’t expect. It’s a well-researched story of the era, completely captivating page after page even if a little confronting.

You won’t put this one down until the last page is turned. Give it a go.

Book Review: The Queen of Dirt Island by Donal Ryan

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Another Irish writer, this is the first novel I’ve read by this author and probably not the last.

This is a story about four generations of women in one family and the challenges they face. Each short chapter reads like a short story capturing vignettes of life with these women. The main character is Saoirse born in the first chapter. She lives with her mother and feisty grandmother who are fierce in their protection and love for each other one minute and vehemently fighting with each other or others the next.  

‘Mother’s and Nana’s heads were nearly touching across the table, and smoke from cigarettes and steam from cups of tea ascended towards the ceiling in wispy, twisting clouds.’

The prose is lyrical as it is beautiful and Ryan captures the women’s voices brilliantly. There is nothing sentimental in the portrayal of each female character who possesses strength and vulnerability.

There are themes of love, trauma, unmarried mothers, grief, inequality as well as hope, enduring relationships and love. Not a word is wasted in packing a lot into this relatively short novel.

Give this one a go.