There are SO many secrets held by SO many people. Eventually they all get revealed. But lets start at the beginning.
First we meet Kit McDeere, a disgrThere are SO many secrets held by SO many people. Eventually they all get revealed. But lets start at the beginning.
First we meet Kit McDeere, a disgraced caregiver accused of killing her mother because her mother overdosed on fentenyl. She was never accused of a crime, but her employer suspended her for six months anyway.
Finally she is reassigned. Told that her new patient is Lenora Hope, Kit is unable to refuse, even though she recognizes the name as that of a notorious local legend whose reputation has haunted Kit’s hometown for decades. The entire Hope family was murdered in October of 1929 except for ONE person (The Only One Left).
So she starts work at Hope's End (in an exclusive neighborhood called the Cliffs), caring for Lenora Hope, the survivor. She does bond with Lenora and assists her with typing her version of the happenings in 1929.
Other players
Mrs. Baker - the housekeeper, there on Murder Day Archie - chef for the household, there on Murder Day Mary - Lenora's previous caregiver, who had left suddenly one day Jessica - cleans the house Carter - groundskeeper Patrick - Kit's Father
Each of these characters contributes significantly to the twists and turns of the plot. And YES, this plot twists and turns and goes places you never saw coming (OK, at least I didn't see them coming).
Highly recommend to Mystery Lovers everywhere. TY Sharon O for bringing this book to my attention.
Anyone who lived during the Vietnam War will recognize what is happening in this book. You might not know that women were involved 'in-country', but tAnyone who lived during the Vietnam War will recognize what is happening in this book. You might not know that women were involved 'in-country', but they were. According to the Vietnam Women’s Memorial Foundation statement, approximately 10,000 American military women were stationed in Vietnam during the war. Most were nurses in the Army, Air Force, and Navy, but women also served as physicians and medical personnel, and in air traffic control and military intelligence.
The main character of this story is Frances Grace McGrath, aka Frankie, aka F. She is 20 years old. Her older brother has enlisted in the Navy. She gets her nursing degree and follows him.
When she arrives, she sees how green she is. But she learns and makes a difference. She even re-ups after her first year. While there she meets two nurses - Barb and Ethel. Thank heaven for these two dear friends. When Frankie returns home, things are ugly. She is spit on and called a baby killer. Her parents are ashamed of her. The love of her life dies. This is only SOME of the bad stuff that happens.
Of course, Hannah is a brilliant writer, and she needed to write this book. She had the idea in 1997, but thought she was too inexperienced to take on such an endeavor. Finally in 2024, book written, it was published.
I am going to give this book 4 stars because of the massive effort it took to write it. But it has so much ugliness in it. It was a VERY difficult read.
I finished this book well over a month ago and see I have not yet written a review. This book overwhelmed me to such an extent, that I barely know wheI finished this book well over a month ago and see I have not yet written a review. This book overwhelmed me to such an extent, that I barely know where to start.
The story is very complicated but tied together beautifully in the end.
The characters are strong and memorable.
There are two stories:
A young girl, 12 years old, lives in India and is promised to a widower, aged 40. She does not have a name, but when she becomes the stepmother of her husband's son, she is called Big Ammachi (Big Mother). Eventually husband Parambal and Big Ammachi have two children of their own, Baby Mol, a girl orn with a developmental disorder, and Philipos, their son.
The novel follows the girl and her new family through the years 1900-1977. The girl will quickly learn that her husband’s family is unique: they suffer from what she terms the Condition. In nearly every generation, there is a tragic drowning among its members.
The alternate story centers on Digby Kilgore, a Glasgow, Scotland native who enlists in the Indian Medical Service.
The lives of these two eventually intersect in ways that profoundly impact their fates.
This book is a long-awaited second novel from Verghese who wrote Cutting for Stone, published in 2009.
Verghese is a polished writer; this book shows him at his VERY best.
Bruno had an older sister, Gretel, and this is her story. Boyne admits that he thought he would tell this story as HE neared the end of his life. But then the pandemic came; he had time on his hands and he wrote this book. Yet another VERY positive result of the pandemic. (The other is Zoom, which I swear by).
We see Gretel at various stages of her life. The odd chapter numbers are Gretel at age 91 in London.
The alternating even chapters reveal her life as she matures from 12 (Paris) to 22 (Sydney, Australia) and to London.
In the author's note at the end of the book, Boyne asks a prospective author what his book is ABOUT. He doens't mean the plot. He means the themes.
Boyne answers his own question:
"All the Broken Places, I would say that it is a novel about guilt, complicity, and grief, a book that sets out to examine how culpable a young person might be, given the historical events unfolding around her, and whether such a person can ever cleanse themselves of the crimes committed by the people she loved."
The protaginst is a very strong woman. Her name is Gretel Fernsby and she provides some very insightful remarks and thoughts in this book.
Awesome, awesome book and I HIGHLY recommend. It is a book told from a villians' POV (if a girl who was in a Nazi family is considered a villian.)
The book is written as a guide to helping each of us. It is written in three parts:
Part 1 is dedicated to identifying one’s strengths, Part 2 focuses The book is written as a guide to helping each of us. It is written in three parts:
Part 1 is dedicated to identifying one’s strengths, Part 2 focuses on family and relationships, Part 3 explores how to remain positive and resilient during difficult times.
I listened to Michelle read her book and followed the text on Kindle.
While I read this book, my husband was recovering from a broken leg (and is still recovering). I read this book at a time when I needed Mrs. Obama's advice. Her mellifluous voice calmed me in my time of need. Her description of her marriage to Barack hit the right chord with me too: their love and respect for each other are strong despite their differences.
Other topics that touched me:
"...friendships are both a commitment and a lifeline, and I hold on to them as such, tightly and deliberately." and in my time of need, my friends have been there with food, kind words and moral support.
Chapter 10 - Going High
"it’s about doing what it takes to make your work count and your voice heard,"
My take: its about helping people in a manner that makes a difference... certainly not an easy thing to accomplish. My first thought was that it is easier to make a difference when you are FLOTUS rather than some old lady in Melbourne FL.
A girl, Mayken, shipwrecked on an island off Western Australia and, three hundred years later, a boy, Gil, finding a home with his grandfather on the A girl, Mayken, shipwrecked on an island off Western Australia and, three hundred years later, a boy, Gil, finding a home with his grandfather on the very same island.
"The lives of two 9-year-olds—one in 1628 and the other in 1989—intersect across time in this moving examination of the real-life wreck of the Batavia...Her prose has an arresting simplicity that evokes fairy tales...An ambitious, melancholy work of historical fiction that offers two wondrous young protagonists for the price of one." - Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"[I]ntriguing...Kidd effortlessly navigates between the two time periods, highlighting the similarities between Mayken's and Gil's lives and the increasing dangers they face. Readers will be swept up in this fast-paced narrative." - Publishers Weekly
"Kidd's latest weaves a spell around the reader, transporting them across centuries, between a doomed ship and a dying island. The result is a true work of magic, and one that will haunt me for years." - V.E. Schwab, international bestselling author of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue
Entertaining and revealing. Based on a true story.
Have you ever read a book by Elif Sharak? If not, I highly recommend you start with this one.
Let me quote the author first.
"I am not sureAwesome book.
Have you ever read a book by Elif Sharak? If not, I highly recommend you start with this one.
Let me quote the author first.
"I am not sure whether writers choose their subjects or whether their subjects somehow come to find them. For me, at least, it felt like the latter with The Architect’s Apprentice. The idea for this novel emerged for the first time on one sunny afternoon in Istanbul. My eyes moved across the road to a mosque by the seaside. It was Molla Celebi, one of Sinan’s lesser-known beauties. A Gypsy boy was sitting on the wall next to it, pounding on a tin box that was turned upside down. I might as well begin to imagine a story with the architect Sinan and Gypsies in it." - and did!!
The hero of this story is one of the Architect's four apprentices: Janan. Janan helps birth a white baby elephant. It is gifted by the Shah of Iran to the Sultan of Turkey. Janan steals aboard the ship carrying the elephant to Turkey. He becomes the elephant's 'mahout' (elephant tamer) and also the Architect's apprentice.
It is a story rich with descriptions of the Architect, his Apprentice, and the Elephant, Chota. (Yes, the elephant is one of the main characters).
Many twists and turns later, the book ends with a surprise. (So I DO challenge you to read this book and see if you are surprised).
I could not be more in love with a book that is this clever and also describes a real Ottoman architect.
The Winners by Fredrik Backman is the third and final installment of the Beartown trilogy. Preceded by Beartown and Us Against You, the novel focuses The Winners by Fredrik Backman is the third and final installment of the Beartown trilogy. Preceded by Beartown and Us Against You, the novel focuses on the intertwining lives of an ensemble of characters who live in the Swedish towns of Beartown and Hed. Following a colossal storm, tensions rise as resources dwindle and must be shared. The characters grapple with past traumas that will shape their futures, and the novel ends with a shocking act of violence.
Maya Andersson - The daughter of Kira and Peter who becomes a global singer. Benjamin Ovich - Former ice hockey player and the hero of the second book. Ana - Best friend of Maya. Peter Andersson - Former general manager of the Beartown Ice Hockey team. Kira Andersson - Lawyer; the mother of Maya and Leo. Leo Andersson - Younger brother of Maya. Amat - Hockey player on the A-team who eventually goes on to play pro. Ramona - Longtime owner of the Bearskin pub who dies. Tails - Owner of Beartown's grocery store who attempts to cover up the illegal practices of the hockey club's finances. Teemu Rinnius - Leader of The Pack, a group known for violence. Vidar Rinnius (mentioned) - The younger brother of Teemu who died. Richard Theo - A politician who looks out for his own best interests. Lev - A shady man who works in a grey area. He has nieces but lives alone. Bengt - a firefighter injured during the storm. Sune - An old man who had a pet dog he thought of naming "Bang". He would take care of Alicia. Alicia - A young girl who will go on to be a star hockey player. Adri Ovich - Older sister of Benji who runs the dog kennels and eventually owns the Bearskin pub. Katia Ovich - Older sister of Benji. Will own the pub with her sisters. Gaby Ovich - Older sister of Benji with two children. Will own the pub with her sisters. Bobo - A hockey coach with a big heart. Falls in love with Tess. Hannah - A midwife who is impressed with Ana, who helps deliver a child through the storm. Johnny - A firefighter who tries to be the hero. Tess - The daughter of Hannah and Johnny, who falls in love with Bobo. Tobias - The son of Hannah and Johnny; 15-years-old. Ted - The son of Hannah and Johnny; 13-years-old. Ture - The son of Hannah and Johnny; 7-years-old. Matteo - Raised in a devout Christian household, holds resentment for hockey players and seeks revenge on those who hurt his older sister. Ruth - The older sister of Matteo who was raped by Rodri. She leaves town though dies from drug overdose. Her death is not remembered by the town; only to her family and Mumble. Elizabeth Zackell - A successful hockey coach who can seem emotionless. Aleksandr - A newly recruited hockey player who is unpredictable on the ice. Rodri - A misogynistic, violent young male who rapes Ruth. Mumble - A talented goalie who feels guilt over doing nothing to help Ruth. Former friend of Rodri. Kevin Erdahl - The former hockey player that rapes Maya in Book 1 and moves away.
My favorite character is Benji. You see a whole new side of him in this book. He is a hero and you gotta love him.
Themes
The Effects Of Trauma The Winners presents characters who have undergone personal traumas, and it explores how traumatic events—even when they seem far in the past—can create present distress that unfolds in often unpredictable ways.
The Power Of Rumor And Gossip Rumor is defined as a circulating story that is of uncertain or doubtful truth, while gossip is defined as conversations about other people that involve unconfirmed details. Both rumor and gossip play a significant role in The Winners, helping perpetuate exclusionary ideologies and inspiring violence between Hed and Beartown.
Everything And Everyone Is Connected In the novel’s closing chapter, the narrator says that Alicia will one day become the best hockey player Beartown has ever seen, stating that every story that has been told in fact leads to the beginning of Alicia’s story. The last sentence of the novel is thus devoted to highlighting how every life is interconnected: Although the reader has been following the stories of Maya and Benji, it is from their stories that Alicia’s own will emerge. This closes the novel with the idea expressed in the beginning that everything and everyone is connected.
The book is full of violence and negative images. Yet I liked it because of the strong and image-producing character descriptions. This book is SOOOO character driven and I loved that aspect of it.
5 stars
But... I am glad I do not have to read any more books about Beartown. ...more
Review There are 157 books in my WWII Goodreads Folder, and I have read 65 of them. I thought I should stop reading books about WWII for a while becausReview There are 157 books in my WWII Goodreads Folder, and I have read 65 of them. I thought I should stop reading books about WWII for a while because they were all starting to sound the same.
I am very glad that I made an exception for Code Name Verity. It was very good and emphasized themes of Friendship, Valor, Truthfulness, and Women’s Roles during WWII. I was sometimes confused, but basically entranced by all I read. And the book was full of surprises and unanswered questions.
At the book’s onset, we meet a prisoner of war who is in France and being interrogated by a German whose name is SS-Hauptsturmführer von Linden. Verity has struck a deal with the man: she will share Allied War Strategy and info in exchange for more comfort. Verity is hated by her fellow prisoners, but she writes her story on any kind of paper that can be found. She interweaves wireless code meanings and her history of friendship with Maddie Brodatt who she met when they were both Wireless Operators. They both move on to war work- Maddie a pilot and Verity a spy. (Verity knows German and puts her knowledge to good use. Her background is Scottish and she is fiercely proud of being a Scot).
The story is told in two parts. Verity – whose given name is Julia Beaufort-Stewart – tells the reader what is happening at the prison and shares with us what she is writing. THINGS ARE NOT WHAT THEY SEEM. In Part 2 – we hear Maddie’s version of the story. I loved this part, because of the parallels with what I first read in Part 1. My friend and I discussed this book and our impressions. It was a lively discussion. It was great that we could help each other understand the nuances of the book. We had also both read The Women by Kristin Hannah and were able to compare the attitudes about the War in Vietnam with those of WWII. I strongly recommend this book and its audible counterpart to anyone who loves historical fiction and STRONG women characters.
The Five Wounds follows 33 year old Amadeo, his estranged pregnant daughter Angel, and terminally-ill mother Yolanda, over a single year, as they struThe Five Wounds follows 33 year old Amadeo, his estranged pregnant daughter Angel, and terminally-ill mother Yolanda, over a single year, as they struggle to redeem themselves by correcting previous missteps, cobble together a worthwhile future out of a broken past, and simply coexist under the same roof.
We meet Amadeo during Holy Week. He is taking part in a 'crucifixion' re-enactment. He is playing the part of Jesus. The participants actually put nails in his hands. This depiction initially turned me off to the book. As a Catholic, I am not pleased with tales of self-mutilation.
But I am glad that I stuck with the book as the characters and their problems became more real. I was also impressed with the idea of 'Smart Starts', a school for expectant and unwed mothers. In it the girls learn to cope with their situation and learn practices to improve their lives. There, the girls make friends too.
Other characters are instrumental to the story's success:
Brianna- Smart Start moderator Lizette - badass and trouble maker at Smart Starts (at least that is my impression
I obtained a kindle/audible combo from Overdrive and glad I took the time to read/listen to this book.
I also found an excellent discussion with the author about this book:
ATY: 27. A book by an author from continental Europe (Elif Shafak is from Turkey)
Reading Around the WorlI love challenges and this book fulfilled two.
ATY: 27. A book by an author from continental Europe (Elif Shafak is from Turkey)
Reading Around the World: Country No 118 Visited - Cyprus
This book is a well-written, engaging story about a familiar trope: two people fall in love who shouldn't - in this case a Greek Cypriot and a Turkish Cypriot; to most, mortal enemies.
But they do and that love survives the taboo of a Greek Christian marrying a Turkish Muslim.
Set against the 1974 Greek and Turkish conflict in Cyprus, the book spans multiple timelines. It follows the love story of Greek Cypriot Kostas and Turkish Cypriot Defne, their eventual migration to London, and the impact of their past and their history on their daughter Ada, whose only connection to Cyprus is the fig tree in her garden.
WHAT.... A.... BOOK.
i was entranced throughout and fell in love with all the characters.
Loading...
