Art Spiegelman's "Maus: A Survivor's Tale" is one of the most critically acclaimed and poignant tales of Holocaust survival. In April, we reviewed Part I, and will now be looking at Part II: And Here My Troubles Began. I found the title of this volume striking, as if Vladek hasn't had any troubles until now... Continue Reading →
Some novels have simple, everyday titles that are so common, they can even be found for multiple books. I think it's safe to say that this isn't one of them. "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" may be a mouthful, but it will be well worth the potential tongue twister! This charming and... Continue Reading →
Art Spiegelman's "Maus" has been on my to-be-read list for quite some time. This graphic novel/memoir has been on several lists since its publication in 1986. While it was the winner of the 1992 Pulitzer Prize, "Maus" has also appeared on several "Banned Books" lists over the years - up to and including in 2022... Continue Reading →
When I think of historical fiction set during the Second World War, I anticipate a generally serious tone throughout the entire book. I do not expect to be reading something that can make me laugh, cry, and change my perspective in a single chapter. In her debut novel however, A. J. Pearce has presented... Continue Reading →
Everyone’s familiar with the fate of the Titanic, but very few have heard of the wreck of the Wilhelm Gustloff, the greatest maritime disaster ever in terms of lives lost on a single vessel. As the Red Army advanced through Prussia in 1945, the desperate Germans planned a naval evacuation of refugees and personnel across... Continue Reading →
“The Book Thief” is a title you have probably heard of within the past few months. Markus Zusak’s 2005 novel won awards and critical acclaim when first published, and had a second wave of attention with the 2013 film adaptation last year. I did not know what to expect when I first opened... Continue Reading →
This book was recommended to me by a work mate, and when I eventually picked it up I had absolutely no idea, whatsoever, what it was about. I didn’t even read the blurb on the back – nothing. A forgivable mistake, then, when I assumed from the title and cover that it was going to... Continue Reading →
Who could forget Meryl Streep’s Academy Award-winning role in Sophie’s Choice? Having literally begged for the part, she didn’t disappoint her audience. Her dedication and mimicry of the perfect Polish accent is renowned. You’ll love the book. Be warned, though, it’s of epic proportions: I nibbled at it for over a month, but enjoyed every... Continue Reading →
Howard Norman is back! At last, a new novel to compare with The Bird Artist, The Museum Guard and The Northern Lights. I finished reading What is left the daughter with a much contented sigh. Howard’s usual style is there with the insouciant main character, Wyatt Hillyer, seeming to just allow life to happen to... Continue Reading →
Some books are just great summer reads and this is one of them. "Night over Water" is part spy thriller, part adventure story and part Agatha Christie style mystery. It's September, 1939 and war has just been declared in Europe when a huge luxury Clipper airplane leaves England carrying a mixed passenger list of the... Continue Reading →
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