Kemdi

Perfect end to the trilogy

Revisado: 11-21-17

If you enjoyed the movies you should read all three in this trilogy but beware the books are quite different and don't follow the same story line, character development, actions and locations as the movies. Nevertheless this book, which is almost 30 hours long was an excellent and engaging read and the best of the series.

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Typical Heyer

Revisado: 06-03-15

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Sprig Muslin is a uniform Heyer Romance/Adventure story. As a big fan of the author I am unashamedly biased so I might have rated this book a bit higher than it deserves. While it is not These Old Shades or even Devil's Cub, which are two of my favorites, it is still entertaining.
I was a few steps ahead, knowing in advance what would happen with the introduction of each new character but that didn’t take away from the fun of the story. If you’re looking to start reading Heyer’s anthology, don’t start with this one. Start with one in the Alastair-Audley series, you will not be disappointed!

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Excellent Narrator

Revisado: 04-21-15

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This story was really special. From the outset of the book, the reader is almost forced to fall in love with Liesel. She speaks to the inner child in all of us and to the lightness of youth. I think this aspect of character development is driven by the writing and the writer. The narrator however, gives the remainder of the characters unbelievable life, especially Rosa Hubermann.
This wasn't quite a tearjerker for me but it definitely highlighted atrocities of WWII in a very different light--that of juvenile innocence and clarity. I would absolutely recommend this book to young adult readers.

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This is a play for English Lit students!

Revisado: 03-25-15

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I definitely enjoyed The School for Scandal and even found myself laughing at times. I think the story was elevated by the excellent performances, particularly those of Peter Teazle and Lady Candour.
This story is very much an artifact of its time. It plays on what might be considered scandalous during that period and it develops this notion that each subset of society is made up of at least one of each type of person portrayed--an honest gentleman and an honest woman, an older gossip, a conniving wench, an egotistical older man who likes pulling rank...I could go on, but you probably get it by now!
Anyway, if you do listen to his audible performance or read the story, you might want to do so while you're still in school. I am a few years removed from college and I certainly would have understood the nuances, satire and irony in this play a lot better with the help of a professor and a preceptor.

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Don't read this if you actually like James Bond!

Revisado: 02-22-15

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As a Bond film connoisseur and a huge fan of Daniel Craig and Sean Connery, I decided to make a foray into 007's story in the written form. That was a very bad idea.
While I appreciate Dan Stevens' reading, (I'm a Stevens fan from his performance in Sense and Sensibility prior to Downton Abbey) I absolutely do not like Fleming's character invention of James Bond. He is a massive tool.
The way Bond comments on the flavor of his famous Vesper cocktail being affected by the distinct potato taste in the alcohol made me nearly puke in my mouth. This and so many other occurrences in Casino Royale paint Bond as an out-of-touch loser and while I would normally be partial to the original rendering of any fictional character, I'm so glad that Craig's films have given Bond a real personality that is relatable and likable. Casino Royale, the movie, remains one of my favorite films of all time but absolutely no thanks to this ridiculous book. I will not be reading any more from this series or author.

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Don't Bother...

Revisado: 10-06-14

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I picked this book up because I'm a medieval British history buff and hadn't really read any his-fic about the time period covered in this story. Unfortunately, it was a terrible story. The narration is hard to follow; I felt no connection to any of the characters and the historical integrity is very questionable. Don't bother if you're looking for a good book...

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A Must for Chadwick fans

Revisado: 10-02-14

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I read this book nearly two years ago..while at work...and it was the best time I ever spent in the office! It is a classic Elizabeth Chadwick novel--a full-bodied-story paying homage to historical features that may sometimes be overlooked. Chadwick is really an excellent writer and APBC is perfect if you loved Greatest Knight! I am a Sharon Kay Penman purest but Chadwick works so hard to be true to historical fact that I always find myself going back to this author for a fast, easy and enjoyable his-fic read. This book gives us a glimpse at William Marshal's father who isn't known for being the best dad in history! In this story, however, he's given a heart as we see his actions from a different perspective. If you like Chadwick, you must add this book to your queue!

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Stand Alone Classic

Revisado: 10-02-14

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Mantel is truly a great writer. I was wary about reading this book because I can't be bothered with another novel about Henry VIII but this was a surprisingly fresh perspective. I wasn't expecting much but Thomas Cromwell is truly an amazing lead character for this novel. Its just the right breadth and length for someone like him who is important to history but not one of the famously major players. I appreciated the way Mantel used Cromwell to espouse some of what I believe to be her own views on the value of books, reading and writing. Mantel is truly an excellent storyteller! And I'm a tough critic!

Note: I read this book before Wolf Hall and I believe it is a great stand alone book. That being said, reading Wolf Hall definitely adds any missing pieces to the story. Wolf Hall can be read before or after 'Bodies' although its the first in the series.

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