tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90603059734129929542024-03-05T07:10:29.129+01:00A touch of novelNathaliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09918265212153068173noreply@blogger.comBlogger362125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9060305973412992954.post-55232264306857960782021-10-27T06:24:00.000+02:002021-10-27T06:24:01.755+02:00The Return Of The Soldier<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieMuwCTg5NOKvpwAqq5IZJWJI5parsXwzL_TVp0rJ66mJgQOazBXgfgZigEAmxWgBtfiC09K9VCzjsmOpTkh-dTWkotO1JmK9duCvE1la8_edk8SBBydekH5xhxjIk4n1p1Md0pW37HsQ/s1000/61%252BKMUjWepL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="621" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieMuwCTg5NOKvpwAqq5IZJWJI5parsXwzL_TVp0rJ66mJgQOazBXgfgZigEAmxWgBtfiC09K9VCzjsmOpTkh-dTWkotO1JmK9duCvE1la8_edk8SBBydekH5xhxjIk4n1p1Md0pW37HsQ/s320/61%252BKMUjWepL.jpg" width="199" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>A novel about WWI without doing no more than lightly brush the subject is quite a feat. </p><p>It centers around Chris, a soldier suffering from shell-shock, which accumulated to him losing his memory of the last 15 years of his life. <br />The novel starts with the narration of his cousin Jenny, on a moment they are still unaware of the tragedy befallen him. We are introduced to him as an adventurer that settled down with a beautiful wife Kitty with whom he's (or for whom) he's remodeled the great house of his childhood to fit her needs. <br />We also are informed that they lost a son, Oliver. </p><p>Then they receive a visitor, someone from the lower classes, that tells them their beloved Chris is in a French hospital. The woman in question knows this because Chris has written her about it. She's very nervous and at first the two women think she's an impostor. </p><p>When the truth finally dawns on them, they realize the woman is a childhood crush Chris has 15 years ago. In order to restore his health he's eradicated the last 15 years and went to the last moment in time he's truly felt happy. </p><p>As we get to know the story I started to feel sorry for them as they've had the most misfortune in their lives. They loved each other, but due to circumstances they've never had the chance to start a life together. But Chris is adamant in wanting to see her again, as she is now. </p><p>Both Jenny and Kitty believe he will be cured of his amnesia as soon as he sets eyes upon her because she's the essence of the lower class in her crude appearance, whereas Kitty and Jenny surround themselves with the beauty and luxury of being upper class. </p><p><b>The Return of the Soldier, </b>a title which serves more than one purpose, because this is a heartfelt story about love conquering time and class, but also heartbreaking as the most true love is eventually the call back to reality. A reality where Chris is doing nothing more than keeping up appearances. </p><p>I'd like there to be an extra chapter, my romantic self wants to know how he chooses, what becomes his life, but that fact is spared. Probably to spare Chris the humiliation of being born in a time that choosing love has never had the upper hand. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm0V6iMVkU3Xy6TDtf4v9CG4FjbGSzxDU0VlnI8hUMdAB7u47WwUSScktlgZa-dAaJW4ECBw34ZnmFejhDO6PDMBMm7PHlaDIcDWQ9ITpbGGUtxygIJ9wffGj0_adR3GEiTR_YRts1fx0/s1440/MV5BMDg2YjIxOWQtNGRiOS00YjMxLTg4MTgtNzVlYjFkZGY3Y2FlXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyOTc5MDI5NjE%2540._V1_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1158" data-original-width="1440" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm0V6iMVkU3Xy6TDtf4v9CG4FjbGSzxDU0VlnI8hUMdAB7u47WwUSScktlgZa-dAaJW4ECBw34ZnmFejhDO6PDMBMm7PHlaDIcDWQ9ITpbGGUtxygIJ9wffGj0_adR3GEiTR_YRts1fx0/s320/MV5BMDg2YjIxOWQtNGRiOS00YjMxLTg4MTgtNzVlYjFkZGY3Y2FlXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyOTc5MDI5NjE%2540._V1_.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Nathaliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09918265212153068173noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9060305973412992954.post-63291612481807870652021-09-28T06:51:00.005+02:002021-10-12T20:52:03.158+02:00The Humans<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG7K-cmPo6D07WD3_5qYSWAx4uplfEwSVcy7yQ1kvo0LQ8cgq9UEQLtrZ4-Ch1xqM-XUGJ9jkpwFgitxR8mVLkHZZRO2ptM2y6Wu9-HVjl-XTS94hHKnsdGnH00-OR59ByWDj_NbJOJQI/s1234/the-humans.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1234" data-original-width="796" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG7K-cmPo6D07WD3_5qYSWAx4uplfEwSVcy7yQ1kvo0LQ8cgq9UEQLtrZ4-Ch1xqM-XUGJ9jkpwFgitxR8mVLkHZZRO2ptM2y6Wu9-HVjl-XTS94hHKnsdGnH00-OR59ByWDj_NbJOJQI/s320/the-humans.jpg" width="206" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>This was a quirky book, with an even quirkier plot, but filled with so much greatness inbetween the humour. </p><p>Its premise is that one man, a mathematician going by the name of Andrew Martin, has discovered the pattern hidden in prime numbers and is standing on the brink of pushing human civilization beyond its borders. <br /><i>The Hosts, </i>as they call themselves, want to interfere and kill Andrew, replacing him with an alien, which is the protagonist of this story. His task is to eliminate all evidence of what Andrew Martin has proven, be it written or remembered. </p><p>While he starts his task with enough gusto, the humans that repelled him at first, start gaining his appreciation. So much even that he renounces his eternal life to become human. </p><p>The plot seems so simple but it is refreshing to see our own life, society, civilization objectively as only an 'alien' could see it. And then to have that same 'alien' falling in love with all our faults. It starts out quick-witted and humorous, but the story gets a deeper meaning the more human he feels and it is actually filled with tons of wisdom. I, for starters, am actually intrigued to read Emily Dickinson now. </p>Nathaliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09918265212153068173noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9060305973412992954.post-53287156740349437722021-09-12T12:11:00.003+02:002021-09-12T12:11:41.050+02:00Mexican Gothic<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPB7vONGjoydPVACPnohCIyypMB1XzlQRVYGRuL_0Xya-4HMqJKkk-c6_4PLmm2x3wGZ_mB8KMDqT81QJ3L7crH0mx7gJXZov66YN-pHxzG-ZdFmjt5dNIz0MD4FXZsa540xic-QIg2vE/s1200/784x1200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="784" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPB7vONGjoydPVACPnohCIyypMB1XzlQRVYGRuL_0Xya-4HMqJKkk-c6_4PLmm2x3wGZ_mB8KMDqT81QJ3L7crH0mx7gJXZov66YN-pHxzG-ZdFmjt5dNIz0MD4FXZsa540xic-QIg2vE/s320/784x1200.jpg" width="209" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>This was a very good story! I had read about it on Goodreads and immediately became intrigued, not thinking I would get my hands on it rather quickly. </p><p>But fortune favours the lucky, I guess, because there it was a few months later, in my local library, in English nonetheless. </p><p>This is a very good 'Haunting House' story. Very captivating with an eerie quality about it. I enjoyed it very much. The characters, especially the two main ones (Noemi and Francis) were very well drawn and I could identify with their personal struggles. <br />One minor thing is that the other characters remain a bit bland and rather fixed in their respective good or evil tendencies. The story could've deepened if the inhabitants of High Place had a more realistic set of values even though their tendencies went towards evil. Howard Doyle was the exploit in this story and this terrible things, but it seemed that evil went through the genes in that family. It would've been interesting to see more wavering in their convictions. </p><p>The same with the villagers (the doctor and the herbalist). One seemed to be there to have a nice rounded ending (which would do great in American cinema, but I Would've preferred it to be a bit darker), the other to easily explain things. Such mechanics don't usually happen in real life, where answers and endings are so well measured and it would've been nice to see that in this story. </p><p>Okay, so I had more than one minor things, but don't get me wrong. The novel itself is very good and I only stating things that would've made it formidable. </p>Nathaliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09918265212153068173noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9060305973412992954.post-51420556032928858442021-06-27T15:03:00.002+02:002021-06-27T15:03:21.574+02:00Het Verlaten Huis (The Abandoned House)<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzIFsvK2P9muOHxAp5BcNSq3cu5LgI_j9UoL6vuTHr1Vlo8t_iYy4NMhRHV57K2wnLrifYp6EX_Gui9UNEgK8w8Q9_cezk5Tf592Uc4TKAQAMNKrsAcxto50FuyvMu6hUE2RnduM52wYI/s1200/frontImagesLink+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="849" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzIFsvK2P9muOHxAp5BcNSq3cu5LgI_j9UoL6vuTHr1Vlo8t_iYy4NMhRHV57K2wnLrifYp6EX_Gui9UNEgK8w8Q9_cezk5Tf592Uc4TKAQAMNKrsAcxto50FuyvMu6hUE2RnduM52wYI/s320/frontImagesLink+%25281%2529.jpg" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p>The second installment of the Kraaidorp (or Crow village). </p><p>I've read the third one in this series (actually the last review I've written) which was quite good. </p><p>This one wasn't as good. Its pace was pretty slow and when the action actually begun it didn't really felt like it justified the lackluster atmosphere the rest of the novel had. Even its apotheosis was a bit lukewarm. When they arrived in the abandoned house, an opportunity for an escape room kind of adventure could've begun, but it trailed down a different path. </p><p>The house on the other side of Meike and Elisabeth has been empty since Quinten has mysteriously disappeared overnight, until a family of six move in. The two families quickly become friends. When there's a party for the parents, the children are left at home. No babysitter shows up and suddenly they are trapped in their house, but it seems as if their house isn't theirs anymore. All furniture is gone and all that remains is a mysterious. One by one the children disappear. Will they solve the mystery in time? </p><p>Not much else to say, I'm thinking that the first installment will be the best. I'll let you know as soon as I've read it. </p>Nathaliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09918265212153068173noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9060305973412992954.post-55276132829624042982021-06-22T11:23:00.001+02:002021-06-22T11:23:28.730+02:00De Vergeten Tuin (The forgotten Garden)<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvPcdvbkpSXMx50izrUBMKVi9ZRN7OYBLQnZdMZFcuSOnUxHhI_xutmT9wfDsUXWbI1JjFmzPAHvwiK8TsBraSZweLCv_oFy7u3YN6ulQQM9k_jiKL2_CKKrf6EtMdfzfIuCcM-sXKkZI/s788/frontImagesLink.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="525" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvPcdvbkpSXMx50izrUBMKVi9ZRN7OYBLQnZdMZFcuSOnUxHhI_xutmT9wfDsUXWbI1JjFmzPAHvwiK8TsBraSZweLCv_oFy7u3YN6ulQQM9k_jiKL2_CKKrf6EtMdfzfIuCcM-sXKkZI/s320/frontImagesLink.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Another one in Dutch and another one meant for children.. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVSKNLYD52BB-DJavgb2PfHilBN4sAOLkHSdEvCGRBaV8F6Y4Wg7J9zx9EcQjMdqE4K3gLwehV8PeB1AGt3GXlIjDC_9HiucIDWl8sFg2QxE7nQgTQtG6p01h4_HS7ygpRvC9HqUEDX4k/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVSKNLYD52BB-DJavgb2PfHilBN4sAOLkHSdEvCGRBaV8F6Y4Wg7J9zx9EcQjMdqE4K3gLwehV8PeB1AGt3GXlIjDC_9HiucIDWl8sFg2QxE7nQgTQtG6p01h4_HS7ygpRvC9HqUEDX4k/" width="320" /></a></div><br />This children's book is from someone my husband used to work with and who lives quite nearby, so I was curious to see how she wrote. <p></p><p>The Forgotten Garden is part of Four-novel arc and this is the third novel in the series. I've got the next one lined up and all I can say is that I'm not reading them in order and nobody can stop me! </p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbLT-8f3GcJtg70JiL7OmTCHdAlBTWVAahiYkLm0LGsdnq9pIi4yDRcpYYNqJqMjtxZ4fvdLLdLZwZmI0o4iwaU5-4FtCxl0jzaWwJkbfpWEFfONeUuJR_zwFNrSqqyFFJknfDcPCxaZg/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="162" data-original-width="312" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbLT-8f3GcJtg70JiL7OmTCHdAlBTWVAahiYkLm0LGsdnq9pIi4yDRcpYYNqJqMjtxZ4fvdLLdLZwZmI0o4iwaU5-4FtCxl0jzaWwJkbfpWEFfONeUuJR_zwFNrSqqyFFJknfDcPCxaZg/" width="320" /></a></div><br />You can read them as stand alone novels, so that will ease the pain of those OCD'ers out there. <p></p><p>Overall the story revolves around a village where magic is still alive, although the villagers wouldn't know of it. They have a powerful witch in their midst, one dabbling in black magic. </p><p>The book that I read is actually a back story. The story of how the villain became villainous. <br />When I started reading I was a bit on the fence about it. Of course I must remember that I am not its main target audience so the writing is simplified, but I got some sense of too much 'spelling it out for you'. I can't pinpoint what gave me that feeling, but it was there just below the surface. </p><p>But if you can get past the first chapters (and they aren't too long) the story actually becomes quite brilliant and maybe even a bit dark for young readers. I actually wanted to know what would happen and maybe because I haven't read the other books I was pleasantly surprised with some of the turns and twists this story made. I didn't see them coming and that's always fun. (unless you're reading Game of Thrones and they all die)</p><p>So, I do recommend this novel for both the parent and the child. My daughter hasn't read them yet. She's picky in her choices, but I think she would like them if she tried it. </p><p>The only thing I wasn't a fan of was the grey picture at the beginning of each chapter. I found it unnecessary, especially since some pictures were repeated. <br />The page outlay is also something to get used to. Not a lot of margin left, which crowds the page a bit. <br />But as you get pulled into the story, those details are quickly forgotten. </p>Nathaliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09918265212153068173noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9060305973412992954.post-39701004698541635832021-06-15T21:45:00.002+02:002021-06-15T21:45:14.822+02:00The Mysterious Hourglass of Walker & Dawn (Het Mysterieuze Horloge van Walker & Dawn)<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiIEQ_Yc4JW1f89cTyKNlENOpnl63JV2xjPLsC5OFAr1gCEYVmSHbXKmM8TTJQ_923GkT3IFZRgAtx-P2xR9ipvneYtsSJRqz6VVMm7UieRthuBUIS9h9dTah5HMwgfaSvQ5G6aao4jGU/s306/morosinotto-mysterieuze-horloge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="306" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiIEQ_Yc4JW1f89cTyKNlENOpnl63JV2xjPLsC5OFAr1gCEYVmSHbXKmM8TTJQ_923GkT3IFZRgAtx-P2xR9ipvneYtsSJRqz6VVMm7UieRthuBUIS9h9dTah5HMwgfaSvQ5G6aao4jGU/s0/morosinotto-mysterieuze-horloge.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>This book hasn't been translated in English yet. It's by a Italian author, Davide Morosinotto, who also wrote <i style="font-weight: bold;">Red Stars </i>which I have read last year and which I really recommend (for both yourself and your children). </p><p>This novel is a bit less mind-blowing that the other I've read and is less accessible for adult readers. It's a very good adventure book for children age 9 to 12, depending on their reading skills, but myself being in my late 30's it felt more like a childrens book than <i style="font-weight: bold;">Red Stars </i>ever did. </p><p>The story revolves around 4 children, growing up in America, early 20th century. They live in the bayou and are not the most obvious friends you'd picture but their personalities go well together. Each has their strenghts and weaknesses and most of those are being touched lightly on their adventure. </p><p>Their adventure is actually taking back an hourglass they've wrongfully acquired while ordering something from the famous Walker & Dawn mail order catalogue. It takes them from the Bayou to Chicago. It's is quite a wild ride, but it's less appealing that the actual outcome is mentioned on the cover of the book (how to get rich with only 3 dollars). </p><p>Still, a good book for children, less so for adults. But great artwork though. The cover is beautiful and the pictures inside the book are great as well. It adds to the ambience of the book. </p>Nathaliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09918265212153068173noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9060305973412992954.post-60414674148188066572021-06-06T21:07:00.001+02:002021-06-06T21:07:45.665+02:00A Fall of Moondust<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhepnmoJ8-6keLLtyRvQAR3qc1jc_hVHUT3zWW9dC2YwaA6nfRd9gWBNQLgA8G39LoumZ3SDNzG1_uEeFWaTD2TOMIjTCMcWHCNQG5cVDv3xHLU5gd3FQPm54wdeoOBSt4muir6bt-DBaw/s1200/729x1200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="729" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhepnmoJ8-6keLLtyRvQAR3qc1jc_hVHUT3zWW9dC2YwaA6nfRd9gWBNQLgA8G39LoumZ3SDNzG1_uEeFWaTD2TOMIjTCMcWHCNQG5cVDv3xHLU5gd3FQPm54wdeoOBSt4muir6bt-DBaw/s320/729x1200.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>This was a very fun read. Its basically about a distant future where the moon has been colonized and where already travelling further into the universe. The moon has already reached the stage where tourism has its place. Pat, the "skipper" of Selene, a spaceship used to fly around the moon's surface so tourists could see the spectacle, is content flying his "ship". </p><p>But then, on the mission where just hopped on at the start of this novel, something happens. The usually still surface of the moon trembles due to forces risen from beneath and Selene gets into trouble. </p><p>The novel is mainly about the passengers of Selene trying to keep up spirits while waiting for their rescue and about the men on the outside, trying to find out what happened to Selene and to get its passengers safely out. </p><p>It's very suspenseful, full of thrills and is written very sharply. In all its a very well-written adventure novel where the science holds up, against the test of time, knowing that it has been written in the 60's, before we even set foot on the moon. </p><p>I've read <b>Space Odyssey </b>by Arthur C Clarke as well, and I don't know how he does it, but his science holds up. He must have had a time travelling machine. The Jules Verne of the 60's, of space. </p><p>Try it out if you like a straight forward space novel. </p>Nathaliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09918265212153068173noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9060305973412992954.post-27012416778567277002021-05-27T16:56:00.001+02:002021-05-27T16:56:09.741+02:00A Time To Kill<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmx_9m-Vx9IDKAEbQuVh7HTwcPBlzrDHXJoToKuqnjsGJGdszwlf5au1_Oo85U79QvYhrAg5Nan0tYTUbL3M6_A-C6c5RbyWimNxBiG0vlXpOhU4WVRkJTmm0BnlTeyZoQmhnpPOB5xcs/s475/32542.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="312" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmx_9m-Vx9IDKAEbQuVh7HTwcPBlzrDHXJoToKuqnjsGJGdszwlf5au1_Oo85U79QvYhrAg5Nan0tYTUbL3M6_A-C6c5RbyWimNxBiG0vlXpOhU4WVRkJTmm0BnlTeyZoQmhnpPOB5xcs/s320/32542.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">In this searing courtroom drama, best-selling author John Grisham probes the savage depths of racial violence, as he delivers a compelling tale of uncertain justice in a small southern town, Clanton, Mississippi.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">The life of a ten-year-old girl is shattered by two drunken and remorseless young men. The mostly white town reacts with shock and horror at the inhuman crime. That is, until her black father acquires an assault rifle and takes matters into his hands.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">For ten days, as burning crosses and the crack of sniper fire spread through the streets of Clanton, the nation sits spellbound as young defense attorney Jake Brigance struggles to save his client's life, and then his own. (Goodreads)</span></i></p><p><br /></p><p>This was a very good book!! </p><p>I can't express it enough. It's so good, that even with having seen the movie (although more than a decade ago) and knowing how it would end, I still sat at the edge of my seat. Grisham sure knows how to write about courtroom drama and the day to day life of his star lawyer. </p><p>The story is captivating and weighty enough to evoke discussions whether or not me or my husband (not many other people I see these days) would acquit him of the crimes Carl Lee Hailey has been indicted for. <br />It's a very good moral dilemma, one I don't think would stand the test of time in this day and age and honestly if Carl did what he did today, he would probably not even leave the building without a bullet in him as well if you can believe the trigger happy evolution in American police forces these days when confronted with black suspects. </p><p>Still, It makes you think. Sometimes the story gives the feeling of having taken place early 20th century instead of in its last decade, with the Klan making appearances and blacks still not tolerated by many of their neighbours. Being from Europe I can't imagine such an attitude and how deeprooted it is with some folks. </p><p>This all aids the novel superbly and I can see know how this became a movie with so many household names attached to it. I pledge to watch it again, just for nostalgia. </p><p>In the meantime.. I truly recommend this novel which rings true, especially in this era of invisible suppression of minority groups. </p>Nathaliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09918265212153068173noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9060305973412992954.post-40544145345460369932021-05-25T13:21:00.001+02:002021-05-25T13:21:20.232+02:00Ik ben er niet (I'm not here)<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKpWXfq3FsAzZFmF2TfCGL4VxnIM4DPwGHJQISMU8-wx4TkaFO_pMQuZrUtPIB2w_t2fLH3iAho0CIudslF5w5oUVfocsPewoHXw_0rRAkMI42g8CFjJVbyCEMJyOfvK-LKSCqAFeAZv4/s480/product-image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="300" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKpWXfq3FsAzZFmF2TfCGL4VxnIM4DPwGHJQISMU8-wx4TkaFO_pMQuZrUtPIB2w_t2fLH3iAho0CIudslF5w5oUVfocsPewoHXw_0rRAkMI42g8CFjJVbyCEMJyOfvK-LKSCqAFeAZv4/s320/product-image.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>The title is in Dutch, I've read it in Dutch because this one hasn't been translated to English (yet). </p><p>The author is flemish, like myself, and has written a bestseller a few years back which will be adapted to television in a year or so (Het Smelt - It Melts). This is the difficult follow-up, but the first one of her that I've read, which probably made my judgment less subjective to comparison. </p><p>The story revolves around 2 characters: Simon and Leo (Leo is the female protagonist here, don't mind the odd use of her name, I think it's a bit staged for use later in the book). They're both introverts with a creative outlet. Leo is a screenplay writer, currently working in a little shop with her best friend, while writing a little in her spare time. Simon is a graphic designer, doing this also for a living. Both have lost their mother and don't have any other family to fall back onto (especially the relationship with the father is problematic). They gravitate to one another and try to ease each others suffering. </p><p>They feel like a happy couple, but that's not the first impression that we get. We actually get thrown right into the fray. Simon comes home frantically happy while Leo has been worries (he's been gone almost the entire night). He's not his usual self, but for Leo to come to grips with the new version of her partner is a slow burner. You're not sure where this story is going. Because I have read absolutely zilch about this novel beforehand, my mind was open to all possibilities. None of them felt good. Those first chapters, felt like entering a cold and clammy room, where you're meant to stay and live, but you can't even get your feet and hands to warm up. An unwelcome feeling, but also feeling a bit lost and alone. </p><p>Because for two people to be each others world, what happens if one of those people decide they are doing just fine on their own. </p><p>I actually liked the overall tone of the novel. Her descriptions were a bit elaborate. I'm actually curious to know how many people remember so much details from their spouse. I'm in a relationship of 20+ years and we don't have those kind of habits. And we're also closely knitted. </p><p>But if you can get passed those and just ride the wave of the story she's trying to tell, you'll probably like the novel as well. It's written pretty good, only a few times the story stalled a little. I actually was amazed at how quick is progressed, with it being such a thick book, that I worried halfway what was still to come. I felt like I was already told most of the story. (Don't worry, the story doesn't fold on itself, it keeps on being interesting the entire book). </p><p>So, I'm recommending it, for now just for my Dutch friends, and hopefully a translation will be available in the near future. </p>Nathaliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09918265212153068173noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9060305973412992954.post-76454582926687660932021-05-20T07:50:00.001+02:002021-05-20T07:50:39.063+02:00Lemony Snickett's The Wide Window & The Miserable Mill<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuLBjjEJgicVma9rVacfQW3iHKzlrQeZFr85JsLQF586f4iB8JFyrtrKPOvxDAWfEJoSjlWc01YLe2G25ViDEMwIdVi2j6p06S7q2U_usKUg8d2TWv5RzGeUrsB7pYCLpRh9ejoAPHcFY/s2048/915-ofS%252BtGL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1470" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuLBjjEJgicVma9rVacfQW3iHKzlrQeZFr85JsLQF586f4iB8JFyrtrKPOvxDAWfEJoSjlWc01YLe2G25ViDEMwIdVi2j6p06S7q2U_usKUg8d2TWv5RzGeUrsB7pYCLpRh9ejoAPHcFY/s320/915-ofS%252BtGL.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><i>If you have not read anything about the Baudelaire orphans, then before you read even one more sentence, you should know this: Violet, Klaus, and Sunny are kindhearted and quick-witted; but their lives, I am sorry to say, are filled with bad luck and misery. All of the stories about these three children are unhappy and wretched, and this one may be the worst of them all. If you haven't got the stomach for a story that includes a hurricane, a signalling device, hungry leeches, cold cucumber soup, a horrible villain, and a doll named Pretty Penny, then this book will probably fill you with despair. I will continue to record these tragic tales, for that is what I do. You, however, should decide for yourself whether you can possibly endure this miserable story. (Goodreads)</i></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTGPztbM-FZQcboNhhZSN9C3izCMGWBPTDVX0oXt9Sod_IJezEqBjjdO3cBEerPPyUZhNx2igaFLMzDJp8c7GDNvu0eouuphsIePbq0MOx-iru6nVPaAN-8oePUg_inbbXQ6tOyfGqWTo/s2048/91G3dveQO3L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1468" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTGPztbM-FZQcboNhhZSN9C3izCMGWBPTDVX0oXt9Sod_IJezEqBjjdO3cBEerPPyUZhNx2igaFLMzDJp8c7GDNvu0eouuphsIePbq0MOx-iru6nVPaAN-8oePUg_inbbXQ6tOyfGqWTo/s320/91G3dveQO3L.jpg" /></a></div><p><br /></p><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">I hope, for your sake, that you have not chosen to read this book because you are in the mood for a pleasant experience. If this is the case, I advise you to put this book down instantaneously, because of all the books describing the unhappy lives of the Baudelaire orphans, The Miserable Mill might be the unhappiest yet. Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire are sent to Paltryville to work in a lumber mill, and they find disaster and misfortune lurking behind every log.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">The pages of this book, I'm sorry to inform you, contain such unpleasantries as a giant pincher machine, a bad casserole, a man with a cloud of smoke where his head should be, a hypnotist, a terrible accident resulting in injury, and coupons.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">I have promised to write down the entire history of these three poor children, but you haven't, so if you prefer stories that are more heartwarming, please feel free to make another selection. (Goodreads)</span></i><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">It's a children's story, about three children not having the time of their life. This is the third and fourth installment that I've read of this series and its premise is always the same. The children are brought to another foster home, where the caretaker is either malicious or oblivious and Count Olaf, their nemesis, seizes that opportunity to try and gain the custody of the children and with that the possession of their fortune. </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">His plot is always thwarted in the end, due to the vigilance of the children, because the grownups in this series amount to very little. </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">Fun thing, for children, is that difficult words tend to be explained fitting the circumstance. </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">I didn't read these ones to my daughter, since she's a reading machine and easily devours thick books all on her own now and my son is still a bit too young for these, but they are light reading and I was a bit curious to see how they got on. They are a bit tedious in their repetition for me, but I can see the allure they would have on children. </span></span></p>Nathaliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09918265212153068173noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9060305973412992954.post-6285295300989058752021-05-13T09:17:00.001+02:002021-05-13T09:17:29.781+02:00Daisy Jones and the Six<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhprbIgXGUDrKC7v7ZLQ33WjVn9sqf7LTkvbLnEjPfeqc6kQdeJe0zm2CbLN7RIPEs_AcYRG5N3Kc1GRR4doNu4-r2IdeyNfsqOqsVH4AQ8EUo-8V9Ae11-51XbGQlWlj_Jmmb9429OvYc/s840/508x840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="840" data-original-width="508" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhprbIgXGUDrKC7v7ZLQ33WjVn9sqf7LTkvbLnEjPfeqc6kQdeJe0zm2CbLN7RIPEs_AcYRG5N3Kc1GRR4doNu4-r2IdeyNfsqOqsVH4AQ8EUo-8V9Ae11-51XbGQlWlj_Jmmb9429OvYc/s320/508x840.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">A gripping novel about the whirlwind rise of an iconic 1970s rock group and their beautiful lead singer, revealing the mystery behind their infamous break up.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">Everyone knows Daisy Jones & The Six, but nobody knows the real reason why they split at the absolute height of their popularity…until now.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">Daisy is a girl coming of age in L.A. in the late sixties, sneaking into clubs on the Sunset Strip, sleeping with rock stars, and dreaming of singing at the Whisky a Go-Go. The sex and drugs are thrilling, but it’s the rock and roll she loves most. By the time she’s twenty, her voice is getting noticed, and she has the kind of heedless beauty that makes people do crazy things.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">Another band getting noticed is The Six, led by the brooding Billy Dunne. On the eve of their first tour, his girlfriend Camila finds out she’s pregnant, and with the pressure of impending fatherhood and fame, Billy goes a little wild on the road.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">Daisy and Billy cross paths when a producer realizes the key to supercharged success is to put the two together. What happens next will become the stuff of legend. (Goodreads)</span></i></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">This book was awesome. When you're reading a book you can't wait to finish but are actually sad that you reached the end, then you know you've got a good thing in your hands. Well, I LOVED THIS NOVEL. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">I actually wished that this fictional band would've existed for real. <br /></span></p><p><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">This novel centers around the rise and fall of a 70's rock band, in an interview style manner with the different voices of the band members and those closest to them intermingling and telling their side of the story. Some might embellish the truth, others have grudges that never got resolved, but all in all it made for a very gripping story. </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">I can't recommend it enough!</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">I began listening to 70's soft rock bands, because of this novel. I've got Fleetwood Mac on repeat the last week and while I'm someone who loves an emotional pull in songs, I never thought about where those songs come from and how it must feel for a band to play those songs over and over again, even when the initial emotions might have faded or changed completely. Pretty brutal.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">I'm still confused about the fact that a novel in this particular style could cause such a avalanche in emotions. I've read that the rights have been sold for a 13 part television series and I'm curious to see how it will be. I hope they do a good job with the songs included in the book, because they could make or break it for me. </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span></p>Nathaliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09918265212153068173noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9060305973412992954.post-29747457785257041682021-05-10T10:59:00.000+02:002021-05-10T10:59:29.073+02:00Unsheltered by Barbara Kingsolver<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZEuaEkzJX3pITZ1PMPYGq5Q35VnGr_zXTr9iFvOwtKua2Zl1GYbM8l_z6Bf0VcPSkBMN4fuNUX5YG6cbJYuNhmCmGBXqBFvmeivHKQ4gqVGZxGrjgemgVSsny2elY6wkEbsGgI9kXyUI/s500/9780571347025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="326" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZEuaEkzJX3pITZ1PMPYGq5Q35VnGr_zXTr9iFvOwtKua2Zl1GYbM8l_z6Bf0VcPSkBMN4fuNUX5YG6cbJYuNhmCmGBXqBFvmeivHKQ4gqVGZxGrjgemgVSsny2elY6wkEbsGgI9kXyUI/s320/9780571347025.jpg" /></a></div>Synopsis:<p></p><p><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">A timely novel that interweaves past and present to explore the human capacity for resiliency and compassion in times of great upheaval.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">Willa Knox has always prided herself on being the embodiment of responsibility for her family. Which is why it’s so unnerving that she’s arrived at middle age with nothing to show for her hard work and dedication but a stack of unpaid bills and an inherited brick home in Vineland, New Jersey, that is literally falling apart. The magazine where she worked has folded, and the college where her husband had tenure has closed. The dilapidated house is also home to her ailing and cantankerous Greek father-in-law and her two grown children: her stubborn, free-spirited daughter, Tig, and her dutiful debt-ridden, ivy educated son, Zeke, who has arrived with his unplanned baby in the wake of a life-shattering development.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">In an act of desperation, Willa begins to investigate the history of her home, hoping that the local historical preservation society might take an interest and provide funding for its direly needed repairs. Through her research into Vineland’s past and its creation as a Utopian community, she discovers a kindred spirit from the 1880s, Thatcher Greenwood.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">A science teacher with a lifelong passion for honest investigation, Thatcher finds himself under siege in his community for telling the truth: his employer forbids him to speak of the exciting new theory recently published by Charles Darwin. Thatcher’s friendships with a brilliant woman scientist and a renegade newspaper editor draw him into a vendetta with the town’s most powerful men. At home, his new wife and status-conscious mother-in-law bristle at the risk of scandal, and dismiss his financial worries and the news that their elegant house is structurally unsound.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">Unsheltered</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"> is the story of two families, in two centuries, who live at the corner of Sixth and Plum, as they navigate the challenges of surviving a world in the throes of major cultural shifts. In this mesmerizing story told in alternating chapters, Willa and Thatcher come to realize that though the future is uncertain, even unnerving, shelter can be found in the bonds of kindred—whether family or friends—and in the strength of the human spirit. ( Goodreads )</span></i></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">Don't compare this to Poisonwood Bible. It's like comparing the apples with bread. While Poisonwood Bible is a sublime novel, and it does make Unsheltered feel less substantial and even a bit shallow, Unsheltered is a good novel in its own way. </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">If this one had been written by someone other than Barbara Kingsolver, reviews probably would've been different, slightly better, but one can't help to compare this to other work. Certain authors enable certain expectations.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">That said, I did enjoy this novel. It's set in our time, during the Trump legislation, which is delved into on more than one occasion (to the end getting a bit on my nerves, since I'm from Europe and we didn't elect that madman). </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">More importantly, the theme of this novel got under my skin. The notion of slowly and surely building a future for yourself and your family, only for it to be swiped away without any notice is actually one of my recurrent nightmares. SO I definitely could relate with Willa's panic attacks. But it's more than only the loss of things, because in the heart of the novel it's actually about reconnecting with family and friends. The clash between the materialistic and emotional connections is fought on these pages. </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">Not a novel for everyone, but if you're an avid reader as myself I think you'd find a merit or two in the depths of this story.</span></span></p>Nathaliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09918265212153068173noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9060305973412992954.post-4140218619137171532021-05-05T20:50:00.002+02:002021-05-05T20:50:36.066+02:00The ambassadors by Henry James<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhmZMFIcsH05K-Buv7xi-wa-JFaus6xCiJXVhWanLMcKMY5ycHxpbsgA6pRGjS3Ke0kRLUPIxkAyacCM-J_GZm-hNDbX1Wnzp3AjsUrq_AUfe3L7YF9KlW6uwT7EguFumEusl_Ml_TU8c/s499/51xBnzWibyL._SX310_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="312" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhmZMFIcsH05K-Buv7xi-wa-JFaus6xCiJXVhWanLMcKMY5ycHxpbsgA6pRGjS3Ke0kRLUPIxkAyacCM-J_GZm-hNDbX1Wnzp3AjsUrq_AUfe3L7YF9KlW6uwT7EguFumEusl_Ml_TU8c/s320/51xBnzWibyL._SX310_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Synopsis:</p><p><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">Graham Greene and E.M. Forster marvelled at it, but F.R. Leavis considered it to be 'not only not one of his great books, but to be a bad one.' As for the author, he held </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">The Ambassadors</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"> as the favorite among all his novels.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">Sent from Massachusetts by the formidable Mrs. Newsome to recall her son, Chad, from what she assumes to be a corrupt life in Paris, Strether finds his intentions subtly and profoundly transformed as he falls under the spell of the city and of his charge. He is quick to perceive that Chad has been not so much corrupted as refined, and over the course of the hot summer months in Paris he gradually realizes that this discovery and acceptance of Chad's unconventional new lifestyle alter his own ideals and ambitions.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">One of Henry James's three final novels, all of which have sharply divided modern critics, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">The Ambassadors</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"> is the finely drawn portrait of a man's late awakening to the importance of morality that is founded not on the dictates of convention but on its value per se. ( Goodreads )</span></i></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">This has been a journey into semantics. One that I will remember for its difficulty instead of the joy that it rendered. Reading this on my e-book (thank you Gutenberg Project) I mainly read this in the wee hours of the night, while nursing my youngest and the words never made coherent sentences in my head, so I definitely can say that its deeper meaning was entirely lost on me. </span></p><p><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">I struggled through it, because that's just who I am, but I can't give a coherent opinion of its content. I vaguely recall it's set in Paris and starts with the search for a young men to bring him home ( to America ). Slowly the seeker is tranformed into the one that wants to stay, mesmerized by Paris and his parisien friends. It's a coming-of-age story for the elderly, where one has to make amends with the choices made and those left for the future.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">(I'm actually amazed I can say as much as I have just now, the sleep depraved mind still has some wonders to it )</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">I definitely should read this again, to appreciate it more, but the memory of it is just too daunting at the moment. Maybe in a decade or so. </span></span></p>Nathaliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09918265212153068173noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9060305973412992954.post-23294595086333878142021-05-04T21:07:00.002+02:002021-05-13T09:13:34.333+02:00American Psycho<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3uXlhGxesZqOFVOLq6mZ9MIuEbOMKEkbZHJi0HpCeoW3MJXweMtRhVUZefx7HibPMkFKpP8KUEaYhoiK7FBGmU2O8eNo2YtbWtzBVTOCfLlorAv0lcHnI-Slkr9EEPENJ0T906HC5w5I/s720/e5373-1f14f68e60a8167c3318f1927b546754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="486" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3uXlhGxesZqOFVOLq6mZ9MIuEbOMKEkbZHJi0HpCeoW3MJXweMtRhVUZefx7HibPMkFKpP8KUEaYhoiK7FBGmU2O8eNo2YtbWtzBVTOCfLlorAv0lcHnI-Slkr9EEPENJ0T906HC5w5I/s320/e5373-1f14f68e60a8167c3318f1927b546754.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">Patrick Bateman is twenty-six and he works on Wall Street, he is handsome, sophisticated, charming and intelligent. He is also a psychopath. Taking us to head-on collision with America's greatest dream—and its worst nightmare—</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">American Psycho</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"> is bleak, bitter, black comedy about a world we all recognise but do not wish to confront. (Goodreads)</span></i></p><p><br /></p><p>Reading this was quite the experience and actually a torture in itself, which is a pun. Yes, I admit. </p><p><b>American Psycho </b>tells the story of Patrick Bateman, financial something during the day and psychopath during the night. The story contains a lot of scenes with very graphic torture scenes, this book isn't for the weak of stomach. In my opinion the scenes were too much and too many. It's there to shock the reader, thinking that we've seen and read so much that it needs to go over the top, but in my opinion this blatant display of gore denied the story its true meaning instead of enhancing it.</p><p>And what might that message be, you ask?</p><p>Well, the reality of today that we, as human beings, are a very social 'animal' where social acceptance is very important. So, we buy clothes and items that are considered accepted and even admired, we aspire a lifestyle that may inspire awe but all this effort is all on the surface. This novel shows the materialistic nature of men (as in human kind, not only the male side of the equation), but also its incapability of reaching someone on a deeper level. </p><p>This is shown in the novel by overly detailed wardrobe choices and not enough attention when Patrick actually tells his friends/acquaintances about him torturing women.</p><p>And the few people who actually realize there is something wrong with him, don't use their knowledge to take responsibility and turn him in. They ignore it or use it to their own advantage. </p><p>So, this is a multilayered novel about human behaviour, tainted with a lot of gory scenes which may put of many readers. Oh, and of course alongside the torture the sex scenes are also very detailed and less conformist than average (I'm underestimating here, trust me).</p><p>I'm not saying this a lot, but I actually liked the movie better this time even though its message isn't as clear. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7BUVJN7omeyUci9NBBAc3E2q_d1_mmPzneCg_OlaoXMOxKx9ac60Nm1CsoCtngVMqP1HrDGf5wZuGnL31NVENo71GwysM_vzp61ODmE8Vn0WKpiXjLXiVHdSK37b0yKPIOKnsrmvXkxg/s1480/Patrick-Bateman-Rolex-datejust.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="987" data-original-width="1480" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7BUVJN7omeyUci9NBBAc3E2q_d1_mmPzneCg_OlaoXMOxKx9ac60Nm1CsoCtngVMqP1HrDGf5wZuGnL31NVENo71GwysM_vzp61ODmE8Vn0WKpiXjLXiVHdSK37b0yKPIOKnsrmvXkxg/w400-h266/Patrick-Bateman-Rolex-datejust.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Nathaliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09918265212153068173noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9060305973412992954.post-457881356056924022021-05-04T20:50:00.000+02:002021-05-04T20:50:33.181+02:00If It Bleeds by Stephen King<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYhAQdPTAZymoFYe6vzwXYvL_-6k59RwkB0A_0pzhSgy4ZJ5AWBGNVs1XAdL7R0N8kGtHG_mGro-LK-D0eNby_MVcf9PVwUq0EPpn5VUCz-7jToSyT1KOWEKUZk6MiNd-K8npbTfyOkf0/s833/550x833.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="833" data-original-width="550" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYhAQdPTAZymoFYe6vzwXYvL_-6k59RwkB0A_0pzhSgy4ZJ5AWBGNVs1XAdL7R0N8kGtHG_mGro-LK-D0eNby_MVcf9PVwUq0EPpn5VUCz-7jToSyT1KOWEKUZk6MiNd-K8npbTfyOkf0/s320/550x833.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Synopsis:</p><p><i><span id="freeText8524768723574564904" style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><b>If it Bleeds is a collection of four new novellas —Mr. Harrigan’s Phone, The Life of Chuck, Rat, and the title story If It Bleeds— each pulling readers into intriguing and frightening places.</b><br /><br />A collection of four uniquely wonderful long stories, including a stand-alone sequel to The Outsider.<br /><br />News people have a saying: 'If it bleeds, it leads'. And a bomb at Albert Macready Middle School is guaranteed to lead any bulletin.<br /><br />Holly Gibney of the Finders Keepers detective agency is working on the case of a missing dog - and on her own need to be more assertive - when she sees the footage on TV. But when she tunes in again, to the late-night report, she realizes there is something not quite right about the correspondent who was first on the scene. So begins <b>'If It Bleeds'</b> , a stand-alone sequel to The Outsider featuring the incomparable Holly on her first solo case.<br /><br />Dancing alongside are three more long stories - <b>'Mr Harrigan's Phone', 'The Life of Chuck'</b> and <b>'Rat'</b> .<br /><br />The novella is a form King has returned to over and over again in the course of his amazing career, and many have been made into iconic films, If It Bleeds is a uniquely satisfying collection of longer short fiction by an incomparably gifted writer.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"> (goodreads)</span></i></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">Another Stephen King, you say. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">Yes, please, I say. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">Of course King hasn't produced novels of the same caliber that IT, The Stand or The Dark Tower, he's still one of my favourite authors. </span></p><p><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">These were novellas and since I'm prone to dislike such stories because mostly they are too short to get invested in, my lack of time surprisingly give these a little advantage. I think I can state I've read much of KIng's oeuvre and most of his titles adorn my book case here at home, even his multiple short story collections. </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">It still isn't what I most like about his writing. I love what he explores in these stories, but lack the depth any good story really needs and King, in my opinion, shines best in a very thick novel. Writing short stories is a skill very little authors really master ( think Ray Bradbury when seeking such a master ) and I mostly read King's attempts out of curtesy. Of course there is the rare gem in between the masses, with a writer of such volume as King it's to be expected, but I lacked that kind of power story in this bundle of novellas. While they are entertaining, they didn't leave any mark.</span></span></span></p>Nathaliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09918265212153068173noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9060305973412992954.post-74218933701285901552021-04-20T21:27:00.001+02:002021-04-20T21:27:14.848+02:00Wildwood by Colin Meloy<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKTbZNI6zRSHdDd7-gFxnl1UoxHnibigEdOfyiabx6zSXiaCUKOudaR4a8Ck4Li3_8o4LhbHKRGvIwV-bMMvrM5cyUAqTaProknt-JGZb2j2tS_srIkU-U9fyFg2kyBVTvM4fbtU39Cvk/s840/541x840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="840" data-original-width="541" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKTbZNI6zRSHdDd7-gFxnl1UoxHnibigEdOfyiabx6zSXiaCUKOudaR4a8Ck4Li3_8o4LhbHKRGvIwV-bMMvrM5cyUAqTaProknt-JGZb2j2tS_srIkU-U9fyFg2kyBVTvM4fbtU39Cvk/s320/541x840.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Synopsis: </p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><i>Prue McKeel's life is ordinary. At least until her brother is abducted by a murder of crows and taken to the Impassable Wilderness, a dense, tangled forest on the edge of Portland. No one's ever gone in, or at least returned to tell of it. So begins an adventure that will take Prue and her friend, Curtis, deep into the Impassable Wilderness. There they uncover a secret world in the midst of violent upheaval, a world full of warring creatures, peaceable mystics, and powerful figures with the darkest intentions. And what begins as a rescue mission becomes something much greater, as the two friends find themselves entwined in a struggle for the very freedom of this wilderness. A wilderness the locals call Wildwood. (Goodreads)</i></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">I liked this novel very much even with it being intended for a younger age. This would've been a book that my younger self would have loved. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">I'm currently in the midst of a larger household, with a very attention needy young son of a year and a half and finding myself lacking the time to read as much as I would like, even with covid-measures making sure we don't go on trips as much. <br />This novel beautifully complimented that particular state of mind, as in I could easily dive in whenever I wanted to, even if it was just for a couple of minutes.</span></p><p><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">But it is more than that. Its lightweightedness (isn't a word, but I'm not letting it stop me) never meant that it lacked a decent story. It has adventure, heartbreak on a scale that a child would understand but that still ripped me up a little bit, it has a villain and it has heroes and at this time in my life I'm not asking for more.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">Try it for yourself, but also introduce it to your kids (maybe from the age of 10) because its a story you'll both can enjoy.</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDbmxMp6Ir1Nm7JXH-gCWIxTjP4f_gG3AL7LIWqJZ9EuJYypU5rObzYAqTXjjd6QNdxohzRAkXgPYmuGiVOMNbraje0LcRHzEvGAbVxSYgxO29C83X4AarrT87UrgyJSpas-bu6X8pu20/s511/Wildwood2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="511" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDbmxMp6Ir1Nm7JXH-gCWIxTjP4f_gG3AL7LIWqJZ9EuJYypU5rObzYAqTXjjd6QNdxohzRAkXgPYmuGiVOMNbraje0LcRHzEvGAbVxSYgxO29C83X4AarrT87UrgyJSpas-bu6X8pu20/s320/Wildwood2.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Nathaliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09918265212153068173noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9060305973412992954.post-70022096028167349312020-12-26T11:59:00.000+01:002020-12-26T11:59:07.975+01:00Beloved<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg07DvqVr7RvEe3Skq9SqSNebQ_BufgrppCfhtrUvlOgY9mjXssOTvu5juSBPR7R1i_Mj85RaadNjNpur8roScGtvaU4ZNQo2s6DXrooKAkQSHWpNnCdQkbqdA0ecckNKKO_TXblbpYDdQ/s475/5d3062b31a60c_578529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="310" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg07DvqVr7RvEe3Skq9SqSNebQ_BufgrppCfhtrUvlOgY9mjXssOTvu5juSBPR7R1i_Mj85RaadNjNpur8roScGtvaU4ZNQo2s6DXrooKAkQSHWpNnCdQkbqdA0ecckNKKO_TXblbpYDdQ/s320/5d3062b31a60c_578529.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Chamomile on the cover and chamomile sap on her legs. </p><p>That's how this story begins, that's how the story is going to its inevitable end. Barefoot, without stockings and still so loud that you'll hear the ringing in your ears for some time after you've read the last page. </p><p>Sethe is a black woman, living a free life with her daughter Denver. She wasn't born free and has early memories of her mother nursing others than her. The last memory of her is swinging from a tree branch with only a rope around her neck. Sethe never found out what happened. Her mother probably tried to escape but she never took Sethe with her. </p><p>She remembers most about her time at Sweet Farm. Initially her thought are kept close and cloaked from us (the readers). It's veiled in horrified feelings that forewarn the reader that when she discloses her time there, it won't be fun reading. <br />The novel actually starts with a haunting, its meaning equally veiled. The few things that are known is that the haunting is done by a young child, who isn't so pleased at being dead. By accident or not isn't known yet this early in the story. </p><p>There's also Paul D, a man she met when they both worked at Sweet Farm and who scared the haunting spirit away the very first time he stepped into her house where she lives with Denver. He doesn't go and they become lovers soon after. Sethe lets her guard down and goes with Paul D. to the circus. When they come back, a girl is resting in their yard. Her name? Beloved. </p><p>And then the misery starts. </p><p>Because who is she? Where did she come from? What is she doing there? No satisfactory answers are given, but as readers you'll make a pretty good guess. (I'm not going to spoil what that will be)</p><p>The story progressed more and more into the madness that is silently lurking just beneath the skin of Sethe's hands. The Madness that was born at Sweet Farm and come into full bloom shortly after she deserted that place. <br />As she fails to hold her place together we remember her past and present together with her and find out her horrendous past. With the shared memories, it's up to us to understand or condemn the decisions she has made. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi11a2p-jQHMfE8456Q2WiwtK3RtmUATvhvHB-t9n_NxTo_Tzw5WcvgLNJ_Y-SoMGtipN-keFY6bmRlAhQ0EgDdg7pCmeMDpLH05Eq2wuLT2nL11gyi7zTIL9I-GxjqC1vGOx5VlKBbkzI/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="222" data-original-width="512" height="139" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi11a2p-jQHMfE8456Q2WiwtK3RtmUATvhvHB-t9n_NxTo_Tzw5WcvgLNJ_Y-SoMGtipN-keFY6bmRlAhQ0EgDdg7pCmeMDpLH05Eq2wuLT2nL11gyi7zTIL9I-GxjqC1vGOx5VlKBbkzI/" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p>Nathaliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09918265212153068173noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9060305973412992954.post-52156186647083942512020-12-05T14:28:00.001+01:002020-12-05T14:28:06.072+01:00The Farthest Shore (Earthsea Cycle #3)<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz4hetmyx_cP_fYvN7W5ccz4-VJZIATT2232XZYg37r_URirCdDaHTMNq0KWjUSKJFJr8pih5aS1L8U5FI7M5fIm3ZZ9jXBVsudYhqh0Fzj4d6hcHxK-raOPxkHaN0egAgZVasZdoVPKA/s840/543x840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="840" data-original-width="543" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz4hetmyx_cP_fYvN7W5ccz4-VJZIATT2232XZYg37r_URirCdDaHTMNq0KWjUSKJFJr8pih5aS1L8U5FI7M5fIm3ZZ9jXBVsudYhqh0Fzj4d6hcHxK-raOPxkHaN0egAgZVasZdoVPKA/s320/543x840.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>The last in Sparrow's trilogy and it didn't keep up with the second novel, which I thought to be better than the first. </p><p>So, the story revolves around magic disappearing from the world and Ged sets out to find the cause. He's convinced that the reason magic is fading is because of the islands not being reunited by one King. <br />Since the events of the second novel he has become the new Archmage of Roke, but quickly decide to abandon his duties and set forth on a quest, only accompanied by a young prince without any magical talents. <br />They sail the entire known world looking for clues, which will lead them to (as you can guess) the farthest shore. </p><p>Since I wasn't so amazed by this installment, I'll let you know what I didn't like. <br />Again, the lack of character development. Ged is still a mystery and his actions are rarely explained. It's almost like reading a script instead of a novel where the reader has the advantage to be able to peek inside everyone's head (at the mercy of the author of course). <br />Secondly, the predictability in this novel was too high. I knew from the first 50 pages what would happen and that makes it a long long run to finish it. And certainly if you're actually right and there's no unexpected turn of events. </p><p>So, I'm not prone to recommend these novels to a hardened fantasy buff, like myself, but if you're new to the game this might be a good start since it doesn't require much 'getting to know the world we're in'.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqYXdyHy1G1irTUmG6dUh5IaACEB71VyhBh1DGaKWxW0jzFQJ6Qy97EXUxdtNznVIZ1lrMiURhM6uHI1Kt0Fs_5R33x2ybphc519k6suG8ipAIyllayj2I9wWZx0ZpaSnUEr_vIr_oMn0/s600/over-out.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqYXdyHy1G1irTUmG6dUh5IaACEB71VyhBh1DGaKWxW0jzFQJ6Qy97EXUxdtNznVIZ1lrMiURhM6uHI1Kt0Fs_5R33x2ybphc519k6suG8ipAIyllayj2I9wWZx0ZpaSnUEr_vIr_oMn0/s320/over-out.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Nathaliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09918265212153068173noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9060305973412992954.post-85467012972525662672020-11-29T17:08:00.000+01:002020-11-29T17:08:05.015+01:00The Secret of Nightingale Wood<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPndfaBeHFq7Nv9PQTBtHAWG1c9Kc1j23AG2Rv-uD9BKbSushwi48lkQP9sUK1zvTKIxHfBrXtLCDOZtyEflpS5TCT9JTSZdWaimST3GKV28E9cBQFPCvedEAOM2obmaP7dpNjny2Lq68/s500/51BGP7ph-pL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="325" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPndfaBeHFq7Nv9PQTBtHAWG1c9Kc1j23AG2Rv-uD9BKbSushwi48lkQP9sUK1zvTKIxHfBrXtLCDOZtyEflpS5TCT9JTSZdWaimST3GKV28E9cBQFPCvedEAOM2obmaP7dpNjny2Lq68/s320/51BGP7ph-pL.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>I'm cheating. I'm reading children's books now. It's because I don't seem to find the time to spend more quality time with my books, that I'm resorting to easier ones. </p><p>Not that is was lesser in quality because of it. </p><p>This is a very good novel about a subject not so easy to understand for the age it is intended. I had brought it home from the library for my daughter but she wasn't so interested in it. Maybe in a year or so. </p><p>The story revolves around a family who has recently been through a tragedy. A house fire where they lost a family member, a son and a brother. They try to cope with the loss in their own way, but the young girl (Henrietta) is scared that something is wrong with her mother. </p><p>Her father has gone away on a business trip and her mother is taking care of by the local doctor who is a trifle too eager to put her mother locked in her room, sedated by medicine. <br />Henrietta seeks the help of a stranger from the woods to find out what's wrong with her mother and help her in any way she can. </p><p>It's very well written, considering that it is a children's book. I recommend it heartily. </p>Nathaliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09918265212153068173noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9060305973412992954.post-63256392926700700902020-11-14T10:46:00.002+01:002020-11-14T10:46:25.695+01:00The Tombs of Atuan (Earthsea Cycle #2)<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-5DVW0dlF6PR_xoIw8ep5kGe_OmmSczupASStaPkkEuypaUUhuFZT91_MHdWDkVXsnvPhIPVYYPGOJ_1F1r_B8yUCCpGh6HvoM73FGOAQw2oeDFS0XS2CyHGW-YnqSFYMsZwDuRF0j_w/s840/546x840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="840" data-original-width="546" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-5DVW0dlF6PR_xoIw8ep5kGe_OmmSczupASStaPkkEuypaUUhuFZT91_MHdWDkVXsnvPhIPVYYPGOJ_1F1r_B8yUCCpGh6HvoM73FGOAQw2oeDFS0XS2CyHGW-YnqSFYMsZwDuRF0j_w/s320/546x840.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><b style="font-style: italic;">The Tombs of Atuan </b>is the second installment of the Earthsea Cycle by Ursula K. Le Guin (not sure how to pronounce that.. )</p><p>I've already reviewed the first installment (you can get to it, using this link: <a href="http://touchofnovel.blogspot.com/2020/11/a-wizard-of-earthsea-earthsea-cycle-1.html">Wizard of Earthsea</a>) and I was a bit disappointed at how meagre the story actually was. </p><p>Now, the second story in this saga has more backbone, more depth than its predecessor which was much needed. The story revolves around Tenar/Arha and her being High Priestess the nameless powers of the Earth. We follow her coming of age and the consequences of her choices. </p><p>The story still progresses fairly quickly, Ged (the main protagonist from the first installment) is still a very on-the-surface character which lacks a certain amount of depth. To me it has the effect that I can't relate to this person and was more in sync with Tenar/Arha. </p><p>Of course I've read A LOT of fantasy (since it's my favourite pastime) and this book feels like a fantasy book for beginners. Not a lot of backstory, not a lot of characters (who matter) and its read fairly quickly. It's more short story material than an actual novel. </p><p>But I'm not one to give up (and the story isn't so bad, it's just lacks a bit of ripening) so I'm already begun reading the third installment. So, I'll be back in a bit.. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvWUCXdPiTS8iZ3KpVODOCRDS74kXaUBb60pGxIcVMni5qrYqxc87OEaWFazL9IJMxOD8eVWTB67B6ZtcU0OO_20U4d2jABF29_Ga2bKlN-YQfqyHmKEPKn1O5kw4EsrPYdlHcEVvvfU0/s259/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvWUCXdPiTS8iZ3KpVODOCRDS74kXaUBb60pGxIcVMni5qrYqxc87OEaWFazL9IJMxOD8eVWTB67B6ZtcU0OO_20U4d2jABF29_Ga2bKlN-YQfqyHmKEPKn1O5kw4EsrPYdlHcEVvvfU0/s0/download.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Nathaliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09918265212153068173noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9060305973412992954.post-47230342266945184602020-11-01T09:11:00.001+01:002020-11-01T09:11:10.196+01:00A Wizard of Earthsea (Earthsea Cycle #1)<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7dvqxIyrMVknTTMIss9uPdL_7cR-SoPQNa2NY9ge4NK5hv0q-3l1JusTmyXIKhinUtrYUNFe6GZrIaEMpwYAe62pynb5ZYur6W-QjzGpwuA9hNnqF_WVJwwRp5e-LxRd6vemosXNr1Gs/s840/542x840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="840" data-original-width="542" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7dvqxIyrMVknTTMIss9uPdL_7cR-SoPQNa2NY9ge4NK5hv0q-3l1JusTmyXIKhinUtrYUNFe6GZrIaEMpwYAe62pynb5ZYur6W-QjzGpwuA9hNnqF_WVJwwRp5e-LxRd6vemosXNr1Gs/s320/542x840.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>How can I describe my opinion about this book that has a remarkable high scoring that isn't in accordance with how it impressed itself upon me. </p><p>Wow, reading that sentence again I feel like I'm already treading lightly as to avoid stepping onto any toes. Maybe the very sensitive ones may feel a light pressure.</p><p>But I'm not gonna lie to you. This book wasn't all that spectacular. I've read fantasy before, I've read a lot of fantasy before and not only the most popular series. I've cried and laughed and cursed and hoped while going along the travels of many wizards, witches and the like. </p><p>But sorry.. Sparrowhawk stayed a very blank figure for me. The novel seemed rushed, not at all finished but like someone trying to tell a story in one sitting instead of keeping the audience guessing a bit. It seems like most of the novel went on inside Sparrowhawk's head and as reader you didn't have access to most of his thought, which made his actions seem all the more random and out of the blue. </p><p>It was the authors first book, so understandably that this was a little less up to par. I've already begun in the following novel and if I can state an early opinion is that it already has more build-up tension in the first chapters than <i style="font-weight: bold;">A Wizard of Earthsea </i>had in its entirety. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Q85C045XoUGiwd1S13to3Fsvi7Hh3XroaIAxWOUf0OjF8zV-bVxpgKGSeEeWjQIJgyi_4UevE_fi5IUoglwqEtsfYKbIz-JdGIMB26ZRv-EcEn7dhCYn836nv1ovZjND6ztDIQHgBIQ/s900/the-gebbeth-carol-phenix.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="619" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Q85C045XoUGiwd1S13to3Fsvi7Hh3XroaIAxWOUf0OjF8zV-bVxpgKGSeEeWjQIJgyi_4UevE_fi5IUoglwqEtsfYKbIz-JdGIMB26ZRv-EcEn7dhCYn836nv1ovZjND6ztDIQHgBIQ/s320/the-gebbeth-carol-phenix.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Nathaliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09918265212153068173noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9060305973412992954.post-71612154595687853702020-10-10T21:09:00.001+02:002020-10-10T21:09:53.575+02:00Coraline<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicETm5JgBdTLM6IfEUypYQeCkmUwBrxChBsehI4aHjvO89ESMlcyScPdjEHv0w9ifxDLay2oENBkAHpVZ7U56PkKxFvO1xJx6LdrO96qhXV1HV1kIzntBJ5_-SB0WHyA-39c8YaKbTPls/s400/coraline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="261" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicETm5JgBdTLM6IfEUypYQeCkmUwBrxChBsehI4aHjvO89ESMlcyScPdjEHv0w9ifxDLay2oENBkAHpVZ7U56PkKxFvO1xJx6LdrO96qhXV1HV1kIzntBJ5_-SB0WHyA-39c8YaKbTPls/s320/coraline.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Maybe more known these days as a stop-motion movie of the same name, Coraline is the story of a young girl who love to explore. </p><p>One day she travels through a bricked up door and enters a house that resembles hers a lot, and she meets her other mother. At first it seems quite fun to have a back-up mother until that other mother kidnaps her real parents and won't let Coraline go home again.</p><p>Coraline needs all her wits about her to escape the other mother and rescue her parents while she's at it. </p><p>A fun story to read. It could be a children's book but it has some scary parts which make it not so suitable for little children. I think it's best described as a Children's Book for Adults. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGo0CB_smQo9KJosUzUDMn8LTdD76jED8poLULnisgVvFDbOakHJkncZz0prGKYbXKuOL4tFBII-tUnuLjjF8G9xZnjAFMVZsOBb3IEwxXs-L23z5grXQtrWygNvtvI1FFoWnMarKRXpk/s1200/18-moments-that-prove-coraline-is-actually-a-horr-2-1014-1571332531-0_dblbig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="797" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGo0CB_smQo9KJosUzUDMn8LTdD76jED8poLULnisgVvFDbOakHJkncZz0prGKYbXKuOL4tFBII-tUnuLjjF8G9xZnjAFMVZsOBb3IEwxXs-L23z5grXQtrWygNvtvI1FFoWnMarKRXpk/s320/18-moments-that-prove-coraline-is-actually-a-horr-2-1014-1571332531-0_dblbig.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Nathaliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09918265212153068173noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9060305973412992954.post-78389317757699316172020-10-04T10:23:00.002+02:002020-10-04T10:23:46.008+02:00At First Sight<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGZXPLRn35HhDM9o253-XUJM532n-zbue3v7KBFBGNfQgFqy06fXn-GxlI23cZYm65tjv5uXAl9QYmO3zAn7_M7sHGUHnkDZ9ARxxcTRrjvdqSDMQxXD8thop5USYICAU9EPLuQsBN1fQ/s1000/201610-at-first-sight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="662" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGZXPLRn35HhDM9o253-XUJM532n-zbue3v7KBFBGNfQgFqy06fXn-GxlI23cZYm65tjv5uXAl9QYmO3zAn7_M7sHGUHnkDZ9ARxxcTRrjvdqSDMQxXD8thop5USYICAU9EPLuQsBN1fQ/s320/201610-at-first-sight.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>This will be a very brief review, because I didn't finish this novel.</p><p>This kind of stories is not for me. There's an audience for everything, and judging from the author's success, he's got a pretty big audience, but for me this is just awkward to read. </p><p>So I'm not going to spend any more time writing about this novel. Let others, who might be fairer to its content, do this instead of me. </p>Nathaliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09918265212153068173noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9060305973412992954.post-14941108299982144052020-09-23T21:11:00.000+02:002020-09-23T21:11:14.159+02:00The Black Prince<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijOB9PX2_1dafP-JL7EhIUkrkPQHk8Hel2Re4kmQBfUZfweTQx0g4GA4JVgNgjTC9xvABDc7ySkXepMymcY2TSGrv253ELHyctfjdvVzXqoIKhrjHED22LCUFah6vlS2CJAKGqlyS6FFc/s475/43eaa627e47cfacaf4e3dc9d9da6c841.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="293" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijOB9PX2_1dafP-JL7EhIUkrkPQHk8Hel2Re4kmQBfUZfweTQx0g4GA4JVgNgjTC9xvABDc7ySkXepMymcY2TSGrv253ELHyctfjdvVzXqoIKhrjHED22LCUFah6vlS2CJAKGqlyS6FFc/s320/43eaa627e47cfacaf4e3dc9d9da6c841.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>This was a strange novel. </p><p>Not sure what to think of it, but the author kind of foresaw that and made sure that this novel was explained from different angles at the end. Warning: Spoilers ahead.</p><p>The story centers around Bradley. He's a divorced man, aspiring writer with one book published (are you still aspiring then?), friend and rival of Arnold, brother to a meekly sister and very self-absorbed.</p><p>It starts out rather slow with the author establishing the different relationships, showing the nervous tendency of Bradley's character. He's quick to pass judgment, slow to show compassion and mainly annoyingly stubborn when it comes to wanting things to go his way. When his sister shows up at his door, freshly divorced from her husband, his plans are abruptly terminated and it shows his mean streak. Throughout the novel he's condescending against her and in the end drops her in the lap of a guy he doesn't even like to take care of her. When she eventually takes her own life, he's not even heartbroken at first (I'll come to that in a bit) but selfishly takes action. <br />It's only when she needs to be buried that he wallops in self-pity and grief. </p><p>The flawed relationship he has with his friend Arnold is shown from the beginning to be heading for disaster as he's urgently called to Arnold's house on suspicion that Arnold might have hurt his wife badly. <br />When she turns out okay, bruised and battered but not dead or badly injured, events take a turn in the way that Rachel (Arnold's wife) is taking a fancy to Bradley. Bradley unable to say no and seeking revenge for the success his writer friend is having starts a meagre affair with her ending in sleeping clumsily together. <br />Rachel tells Arnold, Arnold is condescending about the whole thing, blaming Bradley for wanting to have what he has. Meanwhile Arnold is planning to leave his wife for Bradley's ex, Christian. </p><p>That the third act, when Bradley believes he's madly in love with Julian, Arnold's daughter. He fails to keep it a secret and the young girl follows him to the countryside infatuated with the attention of an older guy. When they consummate their love, Bradley with the dead of his sister on his mind, Julian's fantasies change quickly. This escalates quickly when not much later her father tracks her down and lays down all that Bradley neglected to tell her truthfully. </p><p>Every event lead up to Bradley's mental demise and ultimately set up the novel for the final act, where he's being conned into having murdered his friend Arnold. </p><p>The novel is being told from his perspective, told from jail, so it might all be from an unreliable perspective and none of it to be believed. </p><p>The thread throughout the novel, to which the title also alludes, is the Shakespearian play Hamlet. </p><p>So, a lengthy review for a novel that was rather queer in a way. I enjoyed reading it. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxYK6gEFFafWO5DtuQkWv7bRRakzD__7zX7YpFWC_m-4-Q7jkWegodWlsSJxbOHvEuP4bc_b05HeDlZqW2735jp6YyW5vLRV04yBDhkkUOOIoA85VL0EE89ukKr_2Wf5aTXkX6nv2EVkA/s500/hamlet-laurence-olivier.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxYK6gEFFafWO5DtuQkWv7bRRakzD__7zX7YpFWC_m-4-Q7jkWegodWlsSJxbOHvEuP4bc_b05HeDlZqW2735jp6YyW5vLRV04yBDhkkUOOIoA85VL0EE89ukKr_2Wf5aTXkX6nv2EVkA/s320/hamlet-laurence-olivier.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Nathaliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09918265212153068173noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9060305973412992954.post-85298438110280518332020-07-26T17:08:00.002+02:002020-07-26T17:08:32.696+02:00Red Stars<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZzCs_W4xwRklD6LoJffJ672c1j9BHaRDE2hKoOdEiBQPSWYl36sQHMzkEBWCi8a-NZ-NN2XDllqQdG2izplfXfJGhSqScwXW9KOrVoxH7ajYU2NF5X_5AEzkhjBQayjKnlf5gbRlHfdI/s1600/9200000131610067.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="831" data-original-width="550" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZzCs_W4xwRklD6LoJffJ672c1j9BHaRDE2hKoOdEiBQPSWYl36sQHMzkEBWCi8a-NZ-NN2XDllqQdG2izplfXfJGhSqScwXW9KOrVoxH7ajYU2NF5X_5AEzkhjBQayjKnlf5gbRlHfdI/s320/9200000131610067.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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I'm fascinated by literature surrounding the 2 World Wars and when I was browsing books in our local library for my daughter I stumbled upon this one.<br />
The artwork (dutch version below) was very eye-catching and when I read the back I was sold.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieGstPCL92eT1DJDFH4lWMzz9mgryCfnYcePKib3dSQ94_jXjy1rhfk94V0D3w68rXkcDmghIznRQzoFjZIFdmT3TvomCWl2fNlN-wfSbNQP3QVrkgF_9hLG9kH8xfzljlGLREibw_4s0/s1600/9789059247260_front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="839" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieGstPCL92eT1DJDFH4lWMzz9mgryCfnYcePKib3dSQ94_jXjy1rhfk94V0D3w68rXkcDmghIznRQzoFjZIFdmT3TvomCWl2fNlN-wfSbNQP3QVrkgF_9hLG9kH8xfzljlGLREibw_4s0/s320/9789059247260_front.jpg" width="190" /></a></div>
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It's not a book intended for my age, but for readers 12 years and older. But don't let that detail stop you. I took it home and enjoyed it just the same.<br />
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The story revolves around a twin brother and sister, Nadja & Viktor. They live in Leningrad. It's 1941 and Hitler has just broken the Non-Agression Pact with Russia.<br />
They are both put on the 'children's' trains to be safely transported deeply withing Mother Russia, because Leningrad is dangerously close to the border.<br />
Viktor makes it about 1500 km further on, but Nadja (being on a different train due to a little detail) is stranded close to Leningrad.<br />
When Viktor hears that her train is bombed by the Germans, he sets of on a dangerous path to search for his sister.<br />
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Meanwhile Nadja has an adventure of her own, which will turn the tide for those stuck inside the walls of Leningrad, during the terrible siege of Hitler's army.<br />
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The story is suitable for 12y and up. I had hoped my daughter would be able to read it and its content might be alright, the book does contain a more difficult prose that she (8y) wouldn't understand just yet.<br />
The language aside, this novel breathes optimism in every syllable and I enjoyed reading it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit8_rzLnU2KL1sw4oVG45B5GLmXsEg0oJvpm5M8qNtxZPAPbFGGUuhaeAE8T4s45jZPeU9oQa0lcjCWYOhxuUI5UbMCMzqISP09321cUnyDhMDi5IBVlYjb29V_EfZwe4fLYdbgt8_iDY/s1600/5c4d814685600a776a02aa47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit8_rzLnU2KL1sw4oVG45B5GLmXsEg0oJvpm5M8qNtxZPAPbFGGUuhaeAE8T4s45jZPeU9oQa0lcjCWYOhxuUI5UbMCMzqISP09321cUnyDhMDi5IBVlYjb29V_EfZwe4fLYdbgt8_iDY/s320/5c4d814685600a776a02aa47.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Leningrad during the siege.</div>
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Fort Oresjek</div>
<br />Nathaliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09918265212153068173noreply@blogger.com