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Kate

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    The Memory Garden by Rachel Hore

    in Historical Fiction

    Posted

    1660831.jpgSynopsis:

    Magical Cornwall, a lost garden, a love story from long ago...

    Lamorna Cove - a tiny bay in Cornwall, picturesque, unspoilt. A hundred years ago it was the haunt of a colony of artists. Today, Mel Pentreath hopes it is a place where she can escape the pain of her mother's death and a broken love affair, and gradually put her life back together.

     

    Renting a cottage in the enchanting but overgrown grounds of Merryn Hall, Mel embraces her new surroundings and offers to help her landlord, Patrick Winterton, restore the garden. Soon she is daring to believe her life can be rebuilt. Then Patrick finds some old paintings in an attic, and as he and Mel investigate the identity of the artist, they are drawn into an extraordinary tale of illicit passion and thwarted ambition from a century ago, a tale that resonates in their own lives. But how long can Mel's idyll last before reality breaks in and everything is threatened?

     

    Shifting imperceptibly from one generation to another, The Memory Garden vividly evokes the lives of two women, born a century apart, but who face the same challenges to their happiness and survival.

    I loved this novel ♥ This is the first Rachel Hore novel that I have read, and I am so glad I bought this book. I have already leant it out to others and reserved another book at the library by Hore. This is a beautiful novel set in rural Cornwall, full of history, love, secrets and flowers. The book follows Mel as she hides away in a secluded cottage under the pretence of writing a book about local artists, but really mending her broken heart. The man she has rented the cottage from, Patrick, is also suffering from a break-up, once where she won't go away. They strike up a friendship over the garden, pulling it up and discovering new secrets of the old house Patrick lives in. Mel investigates the life of this mysterious artist, and in the process re-builds her own life.

    This is just a stunning book that I can't rate highly enough. While reading this I was reminded of both The Forgotten Garden and The Secret Garden. This book is a cross between the two, and as I loved both of them, this did not let me down. It is a simple story line: girl moves to Cornwall, discovers an old secret about a love affair, and falls in love herself, but I think the simplicity of the book is one of the things that makes it special. Along with the descriptions of both the bay where artists painted and the grounds and gardens of Merryn Hall, this was just beautiful.

    This book did jump back to the past so we could learn about this secret artist - Polly, a maid, and her love affair. I enjoyed these sections - seeing how life can change for one girl, and what love can do to you. The history seemed accurate enough and I liked how the reader was given a glimpse into the time when the house was at its most majestic and that the reader was allowed to get to know Polly and the events surrounding her life.

    There were some fantastic characters in the book, to go along with the great storyline and wonderful descriptions. I liked both Mel and Polly. I found myself empathising with them and wanting to know what was going to happen. I loved the people in the quiet town of Lamorna Cove that Mel meets. They were believable characters and people I would like to know! My favourite character was probably John the head gardener when Polly was at Merryn Hall though. Although we didn't see a lot of him, he was strong and silent and as the novel unfolds his good nature comes through and he plays a very important role in what happens to Merryn Hall and its residents.

    This was not a fast read, but very enjoyable. Like I said, I have been recommending this novel and lending my copy out because I really enjoyed it. It was a great read and for those who like woman's books and historical novels, this is well worth reading. Top marks from me, I can't recommend it enough.

    5/5



    Incantation by Alice Hoffman

    in Children's / Young Adult

    Posted

    51oxb07twdL._SX106_.jpgSynopsis:

    Estrella deMadrigal thought she knew herself: daughter, granddaughter, sister, dearest friend, beloved. She is Star in the Night Sky, Truth in the Darkness. But truth is rare and precious in this cruel and unforgiving century in Spain, when Jews who refused conversion to Christianity risked everything - love, life, family, faith.

    Then: A startling discovery shakes Estrella's world to the core. And yet, it is something small and sweet that sets it aflame. A kiss. A kiss from someone she is forbidden to love.

    As a new girl emerges from the cocoon of secrets in which she has been shrouded, passion burns and friendship crumbles - and betrayal unleashes a monstrous evil from the very deepest part of the earth. Estrella crosses over to a place she never thought she could be; she is someone she never could have imagined.

    Remember the story she is about to tell you.

    This is a short, young-adult book. I read it in one sitting and it was an OK read. Estrella is an ordinary girl in the 1500s, until she falls in love. The problem is that the person she has fallen for is her best friend, and next door neighbour's cousin. And she is in love with him too. What to do? She tries to resist but eventually she gives in to her feelings - leading to the destruction of all she has known.

    This book is set in an era where if you are not a Christian you face horrendous injustice and racism. Jews and Muslims hide or convert to Christianity but that is not enough. Estrella and many others are about to have their lives shaken due to this segregation. This theme shapes the whole book and Hoffman is brave with what she writes. Not everyone survives, many lives are ruined; the message is loud and clear - it is not right.

    This is a good read and has some likeable characters. Estrella is one. I couldn't help but feel sorry for her and what she suffered. However, she was determined and had a survivor's nature and she fought anything that was thrown at her. She looked out for others and was just an honest girl who fell in love. I think Hoffman wrote realistic characters - such as the friend who suffered jealousy and the Grandma whose life fell apart when her husband was taken.

    This was a quick read. The book is split into four sections, each following Estrella. This is an easy read but it has an important theme. It was an OK read :D

    3/5

    Terry Pratchett

    in Horror / Fantasy / SF

    Posted

    34511.jpgSynopsis:

    Polly becomes Private Oliver Perks, who is on a quest to find her older brother, who's recently MIA in one of the innumerable wars the tiny nation of Borogravia has a habit of starting with its neighbors. This peevish tendency has all but expended Borogravia's ranks of cannon fodder. Whether Sergeant Jackrum knows her secret or not, he can't afford to be choosy, as Perks and her/his comrades are among the last able-bodied recruits left in Borogravia. This collection of misfits includes the aforementioned vampire (reformed and off the blood, thank you), troll, and macabre Igor, who is only too happy to sew you a new leg if you aren't too particular about previous ownership. Off to war, Polly/Oliver learns that having a pair of, um, socks is a good way to open up doors in this man's army.

    This is number 31 in the Discworld series, and one of the better ones :blush: The star of this story is Polly, who has disguised herself as her dead brother Oliver so she could join the army. She wants to go fight in order to find her older brother Paul. She thinks she is the only girl in the regiment, but then someone gives her a pair of socks to use as an area of her anatomy, and she starts to suspect there is another girl amongst the men, but who is it? Along with that, Polly and her comrades have become feared, after taking out a group of bandits. Polly sets off to war, and learns many things along the way.

    This book had me laughing most of the way through. Terry Pratchett wrote another book that is full of adventure, humour and imagination. This novel is all about girl-power, coffee and a pair of socks! There are several images that will stay with me for a long time I think - such as Malachai the vampire having caffeine withdrawal symptoms, which I found very funny!

    Again, Pratchett wrote a book full of weird and wonderful characters. I liked Polly, she was headstrong and clever; and I loved her band of brothers. Working out who was female was fun, and they were all funny in their own ways. I don't know how Pratchett came up with characters like vampires who like coffee not blood or Egors, who mend themselves with other people's body parts. His imagination is incredible.

    I really enjoyed this book. It is one of my favourite from the Discworld series and I would highly recommend it.

    4-stars1.jpg

    The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks

    in Women's Fiction / Chick Lit

    Posted

    6400090.jpgSynopsis:

    Seventeen year old Veronica "Ronnie" Miller's life was turned upside-down when her parents divorced and her father moved from New York City to Wilmington, North Carolina. Three years later, she remains angry and alientated from her parents, especially her father...until her mother decides it would be in everyone's best interest if she spent the summer in Wilmington with him. Ronnie's father, a former concert pianist and teacher, is living a quiet life in the beach town, immersed in creating a work of art that will become the centerpiece of a local church.The tale that unfolds is an unforgettable story of love on many levels--first love, love between parents and children -- that demonstrates, as only a Nicholas Sparks novel can, the many ways that love can break our hearts...and heal them.

    Nicholas Sparks is another author that I love ♥ I am slowly reading my way through his novels and am yet to find one I don't like. I loved this novel. the story follows Ronnie as she is shipped off to Wilmington to spend the summer with her father - a man who she hasn't spoken to since he left the family. She does not want to go, and sulks all the way there. And when she gets there she almost immediately finds herself in trouble. But her father surprises her and doesn't yell at her; in fact he is extremely reasonable. This opens up doors which had been closed for a long time. This is a summer of changes and growing up for Ronnie. She patches up her relationship with her father - to have her heart broken, she changes her attitude and best of all, she falls in love.

    This novel is gorgeous. Sparks explores two loves: that between parent and child, and first love. I thoroughly enjoyed this book - in fact as I think about it all I can do is gush! Many changes occur during this novel - in Jonah, Ronnie's brother, her father, and of course, Ronnie. I liked all three of these characters, in particular Jonah. He was so cute - so excited to see his Dad and I loved how even though he was younger than Ronnie he looked out for her. I loved Will as well - handsome, caring and athletic. He was sensible, volunteered and best of all: he chose Ronnie even when his mother dismissed her.

    The story was lovely, but also heartbreaking. Secrets are kept - and the main one nearly broke my heart when I found out. I had tears in my eyes a lot while the book was drawing to a close. I love a book that pulls on my emotions - and The Last Song did just that. There are many other things that remain in my mind too - I liked how it was nature, turtles to be precise, that softened Ronnie; and the image of the stain glass window that Jonah and their Dad was building was beautiful.

    Sparks writes gripping novels - and this was no exception. I was hooked from the first page and I sped through this book. And I was gutted when it ended - I wanted more! I think every issue raised in this book was dealt with wonderfully - with compassion and intelligence. This is a romance novel and I guess would be classed as chick-lit, but it is a mature novel and well worth reading. Top marks from me!

    5-stars.jpg

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