Review: Jubilee

Jubilee by Margaret Walker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Completely heart-wrenching. I am still so much under the effect of this book that I can hardly verbalize what makes it so powerful.

The heroine, Vyry, is one of those who stays with you forever. I feel like I lived through all of Vyry's horrors and joys with her and she will always be someone whose example of fortitude I will remind myself of when I experience horror of my own.

The writing is not ornate, not overly complex. It's written in a style completely appropriate for the subject matter and characters. The colloquial language ascribed to the characters seems authentic to me, who did not live in that time. But it added to the overall flavor of the book.

Honestly, I feel like it's one of those books that can hardly be critiqued. The subject matter and heroine are so utterly harrowing that pointing out any flaws outside of that would appears very petty.

Unequivocally one of my favorite books of all time, I think. I will buy a beautiful hardbound copy one day and read it again and again.

Review: The Red Tent

The Red Tent by Anita Diamant
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

As the narrative begins, Dinah describes how her mothers first met her father Jacob. The four sisters, born to their father, Laban, by four different women, are barely adolescents who still live with their father, a hard-drinking, unpleasant man. Jacob, Laban’s nephew by his sister Rebecca, is banished from his home in Canaan for stealing his twin brother’s birthright, and he offers his shepherding services to his uncle’s family. Jacob meets Rachel, the second youngest sister, outside their camp and is immediately struck by her beauty. Rachel feels the same about Jacob, and he tells her that he will marry her. She runs home immediately to share the news with her sisters and receives mixed reactions. Rachel is not yet marriageable, since she has not yet menstruated. The eldest sister, Leah, feels jealous of Rachel, because she is older and is sill unwed.

Probably an excellent read, just not my cup of tea.

Review: The Lord God Made Them All

The Lord God Made Them All by James Herriot
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Absolutely brilliant. Would not have missed this series for the world. It has everything, humour, kindness, love, seriousness all at the same time. In this issue James' children are, Jimmy aged 10 and Rosie aged 6. Perfect ages and they are still going with him on his rounds. He doesn't know how he will get on without them. There are beautiful moments in the book and one of my favourites is near the end when Sigfried and James both agree that this is the best time of their lives, with the children still small and the vets able to get outside every day and help people and animals.

Excellent!

Review: The Sanatorium

The Sanatorium by Sarah Pearse
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A site in the Alps that was once a sanatorium for TB has been turned into a luxury hotel. Its a beautiful place with a lot of hidden secrets. Elin, a police detective from the UK is staying in the hotel with her fiance and her brother, plus her brother's fiance for a weekend celebration of the engagement. Elin has been on a medical leave and is still recovering. The retreat was going to do her the world of good. That is until dead bodies that started turning up, a huge storm and the chance of avalanches puts a stop to the festivities. 

This is the first novel for this writer. The book was quite well written and shows a lot of promise for her in the future.

Review: All Creatures Great and Small

All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Just fantastic, down to earth stories that you can never get enough of. James comes to Skeldale in Daraby as a young vet and takes up his practice caring for large animals in the Yorkshire Fells.

Each story is tinged with humour and heart. Very highly recommended for all ages.

Review: Daughters of the Stone

Daughters of the Stone by Dahlma Llanos-Figueroa
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Was probably a good read, just not my cup of tea.

Review: Don't Look for Me

Don't Look for Me by Wendy Walker
My rating: 3 of 5 stars



A bit of a sad story. A woman who five years previously accidentally hit her youngest daughter with her car killing her, is on her way back from watching a game that her son was playing. She ran into a storm, ran out of gas and was picked up by a fellow and his daughter saying they would help her. What actually happens is that she is taken prisoner.