Beautiful places, challenging thoughts, critical reviews
Fourteen-year-old Jacky barely survives under the ‘care’ of her dissolute alcoholic father. So Social Services move her to a first-time foster family. Their daughter, Amanda, of similar age, resents her presence and does her level best to get rid of her.
Continue reading “How can one be so nasty?”
Eine komplexe Erzählung, meisterhaft geschrieben, die sich mit rassistischen Auseinandersetzungen und Wirtschaftsspionage beschäftigt.
Die Autorin weiss, worüber sie schreibt. Als Israelin, die eine Zeit lang mit ihrer Familie in Kalifornien lebte, kennt sie den lauernden Antisemitismus, der jederzeit in Feindseligkeit oder Gewalt ausbrechen kann.
Continue reading “Bittere Feindschaft und versteckte Motive”
Rev. Douglas Romer has not only to cope with the immeasurable grief of losing his ever-so-dear Irish wife, but also with the growing fear that the person who ordered her assassination might be within his personal circle of acquaintances, and now after his life. What’s more, he’s about to meet his ex-father-in-law, who also bears a strong animosity towards him.
Continue reading “God simply wants to be a friend”
A small group of archaeologists of questionable qualification investigate Plato’s account of the advanced island state of Atlantis and its disappearance under the waves. Their research trips take them to Bolzano in Italy, Cornwall, Crete and Malta. In each location they find mysteriously linked artefacts, but soon discover that a group of social reformers is desperately trying to thwart their efforts at explaining their findings.
Continue reading “Unravelled mysteries”
Wighard, vorgesehen als neuer Erzbischof von Canterbury, reist nach Rom, um den Segen des Papstes zu bekommen. Dabei wird er ermordet. Zufälligerweis weilt die respektierte Schnüfflerin aus Irland, Schwester Fidelma, auch vor Ort und wird mit der Aufklärung des Mordfalls betraut. Obwohl alle überzeugt sind, den Täter wurde auf frischer Tat ertappt, beginnt sie, alle Mitglieder von Wighards Gefolgschaft zu befragen.
Continue reading “Mord im päpstlichen Palast”
Ein verwirrendes Buch. Zunächst faszinierten mich die Enthüllungen über die dramatischen Lebensereignisse und insbesondere den geistigen Zustand der beiden einflussreichen Persönlichkeiten der Welt, Winston Churchill und Charlie Chaplin.
Continue reading “Eine alternative Geschichte”
This collection of eleven short stories fascinated me and my wife as I read them aloud evening by evening. The cocky but sensitive Giulia is always good for some unexpected twist of events. The beautiful language and delightful use of simile drew me into the scenes. But the greatest merit of these tales is the spiritual insight revealed through the heroine’s reactions to her unexpected encounters.
Continue reading “Feminine audacity and spiritual depth”
Suffering – whether it’s physical or emotional – is never easy. It’s particularly difficult to accept and understand as a Christian, when one knows God as a caring Father. Why does He let it happen? Why doesn’t He answer our prayers?
Continue reading “Brave admission”
Für Sergejitsch, einen von nur zwei verbliebenen Einwohnern des kleinen Dorfes in der grauen Zone zwischen der autonomen Volksrepublik Donezk und dem Rest der Ukraine, ist nichts wichtiger als seine Bienen.
Continue reading “Eine Kriegsgeschichte ohne Krieg”
The Complete Works of George MacDonald (Illustrated Edition) includes innumerable books, short stories, poems and sermons by this 19th century Scottish author and minister. A pioneer of fantasy literature, he strongly influenced many fellow writers, such as Lewis Carroll and C. S. Lewis.
This is a brief review of one of the books: Phantastes.
Continue reading “Soulish travels in Fairy Land”