Notes on the reviews and readings. Updated: January 2020.
I have started and discarded three reviews
recently, and I wanted to record my reasons, rather than any one thing that I
had given up reviewing the books that I read.
October 2019
I am a great Wilbur Smith fan, enjoying the Courtney
family as it spans several years and generations. However, in ‘The King
of Kings’, I was a little lost as to who the of the book referred to,
as there are three plots/tales in the story, which are all closely and cleverly
woven together. The King of Kings title becomes evident just over halfway
through the book and I felt had nothing to do with the storyline of the
Courtney family. As Wilbur Smith brings together the three plots the story is a
little disjointed, but the tale rather than jump back in time keeps the reader
informed of the action surrounding the three lead characters quite well. Be
prepared for a long haul, its 435 pages of small print in the paperback
edition.
September 2019
I had a full plan and notes for Tombland by C.J.
Sansom but I realised that just as the book was drawn out, over 800 pages,
my review was also drawn out as the story labours on minor parts of historical
points. I gave up history as a subject as soon as I could, not enjoying the
subject teacher’s approach, but I find a love of history through historical
novels. However, with Tombland placed in the period just after Henry VIII death
there are a lot of troubled times to tell, but in doing so the author – for me
– drags it out and it would have been better to tell the account in two or even
perhaps three books.
June 2019
I loved reading Good Omens by Terry
Pratchett and Neil Gaiman. It was published in 1990, but I became aware of
it on Amazon Prime as a TV programme. I rushed out and bought the book and
could not put it down and as I returned to watch the episodes and enjoyed the
portrayal of the characters. It was I book I wanted to review, but the social
media soon took up their own review slating the content and religious aspects
of the book, although it had been published almost twenty years previously. I
think it was misunderstood. If you are a fan of Terry Pratchett, (who is recorded
as the lead writer), then you will understand how unusual and entertaining his
‘Disc World’ novels are. You either love them or hate them!
