Tag: novelists

American in Paris

Book Review for “The Paris Bookseller” by Kerri Maher. Summary: “When bookish young American Sylvia Beach opens Shakespeare and Company on a quiet street in Paris in 1919, she has no idea that she and her new bookstore will change the course of literature itself. Shakespeare and Company is more than a bookstore and lending … Continue reading American in Paris →

A Revealingly Obscure Story.

Book Review for "The Mystery of Henri Pick" by David Foenkinos (Translated by Sam Taylor) "In the small town of Crozon in Brittany (France), a library houses manuscripts that were rejected for publication: the faded dreams of aspiring writers. Visiting while on holiday, young editor Delphine Despero is thrilled to discover a novel so powerful … Continue reading A Revealingly Obscure Story. →

Three for the Price of One.

Book Review for “The Lady and the Highwayman” by Sarah M. Eden. During Victorian England, there were essentially two types of books available. Of course, one was considered literature; well written tales that both middle and upper classes found worthy of reading, known as "silver-fork" novels. The other was what they called “penny dreadfuls” which … Continue reading Three for the Price of One. →

Their Pens’ Might…

Book Review for "The Last Word" by Hanif Kureishi. Hired to write the biography of the distinguished but aging writer, Mamoon Azam, Harry Johnson is in not only awe, but also excited and a little overwhelmed. Mamoon's reputation precedes him with rumors of his caustic personality, monumental intelligence, and a charisma that entrapped women throughout … Continue reading Their Pens’ Might… →

"The Wednesday Sisters" Sequel Story

Book Review of "The Wednesday Daughters" by Meg Waite Clayton. Ally, Hope's mother, has died. Not long before her death, she made several visits the Lake District in England, researching a biography of Beatrix Potter. Hope, together with Anna Page and Julie are going to Ally's cottage to pack up her things and say goodbye. … Continue reading "The Wednesday Sisters" Sequel Story →

Empty Nest and/or Wishful Thinking

Book Review of "Second Honeymoon" by Joanna Trollope. Edie is an actor, but raising her three children Matthew, Rosa and Ben, made her put most of her career on hold. After the last of her children finally moved out, that nest seemed suddenly very, very empty. This doesn't bother her husband Russell; he's thrilled he'll … Continue reading Empty Nest and/or Wishful Thinking →

Cauliflower Gratin vs. Trout Almandine

Book Review for The Author and Me by Eric Chevillard. This is more of a dialog between the author and his protagonist than a straightforward story. In the story part, we have a man speaking to a woman, telling his tale of woe because someone brought him a cauliflower gratin instead of the trout almandine … Continue reading Cauliflower Gratin vs. Trout Almandine →

I Wanted a Bit More

Book review of "All He Ever Wanted" by Anita Shreve Nicolas Van Tassel was enjoying a quiet meal when the fire broke out in the hotel's kitchen. Luckily, he escaped, and there, among the survivors was Etna Bliss. For Nicolas, it was love at first sight, and from that moment on, Etna was all he … Continue reading I Wanted a Bit More →

Jekylls and Hydes in the Stevenson Family

Book Review for "Under the Wide and Starry Sky" by Nancy Horan. Fanny Osbourne is running away from America with her three children. She's had enough of her husband's cheating ways; surely Antwerp is far enough away. But when her youngest son falls ill and then dies, she's encouraged to recuperate in provincial France. There … Continue reading Jekylls and Hydes in the Stevenson Family →