Beautiful places, challenging thoughts, critical reviews
Well developed, larger-than-life characters interacting in somewhat ludicrous situations. The style – many very short chapters – makes it a racing read.
Rather different from most of McCall Smith’s well-known books.
Eine unterhaltsame Geschichte über das Leben im Altersheim, die auch wichtige Themen anspricht.
Continue reading “Liebe im Alter”
Before Hal joins the Cistercian Abbey in the heart of medieval Wales and adopts the new name of Hywel, his selfish lust has already done immeasurable harm to those closest to him. When a careless slip of the tongue deeply hurts his fellow novices, he expects to be banished. Much to his amazement, his mentor instead suggests he accompany a pilgrimage to the Holy Island of the Saints.
He soon discovers the other members of the group each have their own hangups and aspirations.
Continue reading “Wounds of the soul”
Diese Erzählung erinnert mich an die schwer verdauliche Bibelstelle: “Der HERR … sucht heim die Missetat der Väter über die Kinder ins dritte und vierte Glied.” (4. Mose 14:18). Kann es sein, dass die Hauptfigur dieser Geschichte tatsächlich ein Opfer des Fehlverhaltens ihrer Vorfahren ist?
Und gibt es wirklich Menschen, die in einer derart hoffnungslosen, vorprogrammierten Lebensbahn gefangen sind, aus der sie nicht ausbrechen können?
Continue reading “Kann ein Leben so verzerrt sein?”
I have had the privilege of ‘meeting’ Natasha a couple of times on Zoom, hearing her read an extract from her WIP and even singing Abba’s and Awan’s songs that appear in this book. Her invitation to take part in a blog tour to promote the book launch on 6th August 2022 thrilled me. I read the ARC out aloud to my wife – we were both captivated by it – and these are my impressions.
As the cover image implies, this is a deeply moving book. It explores interactions within a single family attempting to survive in a bountiful but unfamiliar world.
Continue reading “Eye-opening, heart-rending”
Man überlegt es sich kaum: Wie war das Leben in Deutschland am Ende des Zweiten Weltkriegs? Begann das elende Volk zu erkennen, dass das Nazi-Regime betrügerisch und brutal war? Oder waren sie ihrem glorreichen Vaterland immer noch treu ergeben? Würden die ankommenden Amerikaner Rache üben oder barmherzig sein? Und wie ging es den unzähligen DPs (Displaced Persons) – den aus den vielen Konzentrationslagern Befreiten – die nicht mehr in ihre Heimatländer zurückkehren konnten?
Continue reading “Verwirrte, kulturübergreifende Beziehungen”The Salt Path by Raynor Winn
The double bombshell of unjust eviction and a diagnosis of a terminal illness precipitates the devoted, ‘old’ couple of fifty years on a homeless hike with no future in sight. Backpacking, camping wild, surviving sometimes on little more than fruit gums and boiled limpets.
Continue reading “Hardiness and healing”
Fünf Todesfälle, alle natürlich oder selbst zugefügt. Und doch bestehen versteckte Verbindungen zwischen den Betroffenen. Als Lisa, eine junge Gerichtsmedizinerin, die Autopsien durchführt, hat sie den Eindruck, dass etwas nicht ganz stimmt. Aber niemand nimmt ihren Verdacht ernst.
Continue reading “Undurchsichtige Machenschaften”
![The Road of Brightness by [Michael Mitton]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41hlli-KRrL.jpg)
No one is sure who first suggested undertaking a pilgrimage to Assisi. But a highly improbable group of friends and acquaintances from Dingle, Ireland, decide to do just that. And the new local priest, Father Kilbar, agrees to lead them, although he has never been there before.
Continue reading “Adventures in thin places”
This book follows the same pattern as the first in the series. Everyday life in a family of seven can be fun, even though it involves a constant struggle to make ends meet.
The devoted mother picks opportunities to entertain her starry-eyed, fifteen-year-old daughter with legends of their ancestor, Father Peregrine. Many centuries earlier, he was the rather bizarre abbot of a Yorkshire monastery. The bumbling antics of his protégés, together with musings on the nature and will of God, paint a vivid picture.
Continue reading “Further incidents from a 14th century monastery”