Another dip into the complete works of this great author. The plot of The Old Curiosity Shop is intricate, if somewhat long-winded. In addition to the very well developed primary players – we quickly come to empathise with the charming Nell and the faithful Kit – we meet a host of interlocked secondary characters, some…
Seven-year-old Katharina is fascinated by the story of Noah’s ark, the first part of which she heard in Sunday school, before being sent with her little brother to stay with her granny on the hill until her new brother or sister is born. She is a bright and somewhat withdrawn girl, reflecting on such mysteries…
Fascinating for nostalgic classicists! Prudencia Prim wants to escape the boring, superficial business world and unexpectedly finds herself in a small village that seems to have got stuck in a previous century. We are introduced to her boss, ‘the Man in the Wing Chair’, his protegé nephews and nieces, who enjoy the Latin Masters, and…
This book is appropriately subtitled “The Road Where Childhoods are Stolen”. Movingly written, we are brought to love and agonise with little lilac-dressed Leilah, desperate-to-start-a-new-life Mariana and all the other broken girls we meet along that tragic highway BR116.
Another upcoming author who deserves some publicity is Francisco Cordoba. Most of his writing has to do with his beloved horses. Here he gives us some insight into how he came to be an author, as well as some other personal insights.
Paul Keeble shares, on the one hand, his family’s experiences of living for over 30 years as part of an underprivileged community in inner-city Manchester and, on the other hand, his personal (theological, social, political) reflections on his motivation and influence in that situation.
Saw The Shack yesterday. Excellent film, very true to the book, highly recommended. It has a very refreshing message: God really loves us and longs for us to share our lives with Him day by day. Horrible things are not His doing; there is an evil power at work; but God can bring blessing out…
I’m trying something new. I’d like to introduce you to some up-and-coming authors. Today it’s Amir Lane (pronounced Ah-meer), who ventures into a very different genre from mine. Perhaps it’s to your taste. Amir is a supernatural and urban fantasy writer from Sudbury, Ontario and the author of Shadow Maker: Morrighan House Witches Book One,…
We are plunged into a multifaceted family intrigue that seems to have rather too many coincidences at first. As the plot thickens, we are drawn in on the excitement and left guessing time and again. The main characters are well-developed and the storyline thought-provoking.
“Where’s Daddy gone?” “Dunno. Said something about going to see someone.” “Didn’t he ask us to go with him?” “I’m old enough to decide what I want to do.” I polish my shoes, check my hair in the mirror and put on my new coat. “You coming with me?” “O–K.” Pete also gets himself ready….
A deep childhood wound plagues Carl’s conscience but the discipline and drive instilled in him by his severe and – as it turns out – hypocritical father nevertheless enables him to succeed in his business venture. Sadly, this is at the cost of failing to show true love for his wife and family and succumbing…
I took advantage of my bedridden state to remedy one of my childhood lapses – and quite enjoyed it. Exciting, silly, rather harmless and quite preposterous adventures. The insight into white hypocrisy – preaching love and conducting a bloody feud at the same time – and racial injustice, whereby Blacks are treated little better than…