Tanausú: König der Guanchen von Harald Braem

Wir tauchen in eine bislang unbekannte Welt des Mittelalters hinein, die Kultur der Guanchen der Kanarischen Inseln, die grösstenteils von der Aussenwelt abgeschnitten existieren, weder Metall noch Papier kennen, jedoch einen eigenen Glauben, eine fortgeschrittene Ethik und eine raffinierte Heilkunde besitzen. Zwei Fäden leiten uns durch die Geschehnisse: Eine herzliche Liebesgeschichte zwischen Bencomo und Ica, und der spannende Zusammenprall zweier Zivilisationen, als die Spanier sich verpflichtet fühlen, die Insel La Palma zu erobern und die Einheimischen zum christlichen Glauben zu bekehren. Continue reading “Tanausú: König der Guanchen von Harald Braem”

A convoluted family saga – Chosen? by Mel Menzies

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. Continue reading “A convoluted family saga – Chosen? by Mel Menzies”

What would Daddy say?

“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. “Did you tell Daddy where you were going?”

“To the woods.”

petit enfant blond dans la foret“We could go down to the river for a swim. No one would notice.”

“That would be lying. Daddy would be horrified.”

We set off down the dirt track between the autumnal trees.

“Hey! Look out! It’s muddy there. Daddy doesn’t like us to get our shoes dirty.” Continue reading “What would Daddy say?”

Moving marriage maelstrom – Review of Time To Shine by Mel Menzies

51ihelqdudl-_sy291_bo1204203200_ql40_fmwebp_4 starsA 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 to a disgraceful affair. Continue reading “Moving marriage maelstrom – Review of Time To Shine by Mel Menzies”

Tomfoolery again! – a review of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

screen-shot-2016-11-06-at-08-34-41I 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 animals, is rather salutary.

We love Huck and Jim, and join them wholeheartedly in their various escapades. On the other hand, the criminal deception shown by the gate-crashing pranksters rather disgusts us.

When Tom suddenly turns up, his ridiculously romantic ideas about how a real escape should be orchestrated cause the plot to drag for a while, until the final showdown.

Uncanny – a review of The Writer’s Journey by Christopher Vogler

screen-shot-2016-11-06-at-08-38-50Vogler seems to know all about my novel, Aquila! Or is he saying that all stories are basically the same, whether it’s The Wizard Of Oz, Star Wars or Titanic? Then how can anyone write anything new? [But that would be like arguing that since most sentences consist of a subject, a verb and an object, with a few adjectives, adverbs and subordinate clauses thrown in here and there, no one can ever write or say anything original!]

Continue reading “Uncanny – a review of The Writer’s Journey by Christopher Vogler”

Gently provocative, very inspiring – Review of We Make The Road By Walking by Brian McLaren

screen-shot-2016-11-06-at-08-38-50My wife and I used this book for our weekly devotions over an extended year. We found it both challenging and at the same time reassuring. Each time it led is into an extended time of prayer for friends, family, neighbours and the world in general.

Each chapter starts with several Bible passages, which I would highly recommend taking the time to read. Some that particularly spoke to my heart were on Love, the Holy Spirit and Death.

Continue reading “Gently provocative, very inspiring – Review of We Make The Road By Walking by Brian McLaren”

Intimate insights into a devout community – review of the Gilead trilogy by Marilynne Robinson

Gilead – Deep but a bit tedious screen-shot-2016-11-06-at-08-34-41

This is a very unusual book in that it doesn’t follow any recognised structure. This makes sense when one realises it’s an old preacher man jotting down his reminiscences about significant events and minor incidents, while trying to impart wisdom to his young son in a letter he intends him to read after he has died. Continue reading “Intimate insights into a devout community – review of the Gilead trilogy by Marilynne Robinson”

Battling Prejudice

They invited me to their house-warming party, though I’d never met them. They aren’t even married.

Loud rock music greeted me before I entered the garden. Other guests clustered around beer cans. The hostess was smoking, her bare arms boasting brazen tattoos. She introduced me to her partner – equally tattooed, equally smoking. In his free time he’s a DJ at a seedy nightclub. He was offering guests Red Bulls with vodka. I helped myself to tiramisu and found a seat. At the end of the table sat a person of undefined gender, equipped with a massive German Shepherd dog. A seven-year-old girl with a coy look revealed her underwear as she pranced around and fluttered seductive eyelashes at the menfolk. Continue reading “Battling Prejudice”

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