Two Best Sellers
The Book Thief – Markus Zusak
In 1939, Nazi Germany, Liesel is a foster girl living in Munich. She loves her accordion playing foster father, she helps her foster parents hide a Jewish man in their basement, and she steals books.
Written for young adults this book has everybody talking, it was with interest I picked up my copy to read. I really struggled to ‘get into’ this novel. Reading all the reviews I note with interest The Book Thief provokes two emotions, you either love it or hate it, I’m afraid I fall into the second category. A few reasons that I found totally distracting, The Narrator of the book was Death! Rather a unique approach but totally distracting to have the whole book written in third person. Then the sentence syntax and grammar. The sentences were mostly very short, or the longer ones were broken up with an excess of commas, this style was totally distracting and made the story rather choppy for me. I persevered, I did managed to skim the entire book but the story line never really grabbed me. So alas I join the dissenting voices for this one.
The Distant Hours – Kate Morton
Kate Morton would have to be one of the most riveting writers I’ve read, every character and their relationships are fascinating and I’m always ‘hanging out’ for the secrets to be revealed and the mystery to be solved. Within each novel, of which I’ve now read a few, she explores women relationships; mother/daughter, sisters, aunts, the integral component to her plot.
Edie Burchill is drawn to Milderhurst castle, where her mum was evacuated as a child during the War. 50 years later the eccentric Blythe family, the three sisters still live there together, the older twins caring for their ‘baby’ sister who plunged into madness when she was abandoned by her fiancee during the War. Edie unravels the truth of what really happened in ‘the distant hours’, dark secrets which have been waiting a long time to be revealed. I admit to being a bit disappointed with the conclusion but I’ll stop there as ‘no spoilers’. Though The Forgotten Garden still remains my favourite Morton mystery, The Distant Hours didn’t disappoint, once again I read voraciously for days until the conclusion.
Linking up at Housewifespice for What We’re Reading Wednesday
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6 Comments
Laura Pearl
Thanks for the reviews. I was so interested in reading The Book Thief, because all I'd heard was glowing praise. Perhaps I'll just see the movie on that one!
I have a copy of The Distant Hours, because I'd read another book by that author and liked it. I'll have to get around to tackling it–but lately my "to read" pile of books just keeps growing, and I haven't got enough time! Maybe after the wedding. 🙂
deopatriaeamicis
I'm glad I'm not the only one who was underwhelmed by The Book Thief. My (teenage) sister-in-law loved it and recommended it to me, but I also found myself a bit bored and just reading the book to finish it.
Madeline
I admit not loving it either, I also read to finish not because I was interested. The movie was pretty good though.
Jessica
I did not love The Book Thief either! I have not seen the movie though. Kate Morton, hmm. You always introduce me to good authors I've never heard of. Adding her to my wishlist.
Ruby
I am interested also in your Book Thief review as I had thought it might suit my boys. Any suggestions 15, 16 year olds who like to be read to rather than reading.
Erin
What so nobody is going to challenge me on my take on the Book Thief?
Laura, encouraging you to pick up your Kate Morton book
Jessica, you really honoured me by saying that:)
Ruby
do they like fantasy or adventure?
what about these recs?
http://sevenlittleaustralians.blogspot.com.au/2011/04/fantasy-books-for-boys.html
and scroll towards the bottom here for older boys
http://sevenlittleaustralians.blogspot.com.au/2011/01/boys-and-books.html