by Carlos Ruiz Zafon trans. by Lucia Graves 'Years later, on his deathbed, old Sempere would explain how at that very instant he thought he saw Andreas Corelli shed a tear which, when it hit Cervantes's tomb, turned to stone. He knew then that on that rock he would embark upon building a sanctuary, a …
Emma Revisited
'Emma Woodhouse, handsome, clever, and rich, with a comfortable home and happy disposition, seemed to unite some of the best blessings of existence; and had lived nearly twenty-one years in the world with very little to distress or vex her.' It has long been the opinion of at least some authorities on the English novel …
Seasonal Thoughts
Less Ho-Ho than usual? It has been a horrendous year in some respects. Here in the UK, having fallen during the warmer months, cases of Covid have again risen dramatically, in spite of a successful vaccination campaign. The government’s dithering tactics – bringing in regulations too late, repealing them (especially the mask-wearing mandate) when they …
ARIADNE
by Jennifer Saint 'What do you imagine the wedding of an Olympian god to be like? The bridal pair descending in a chariot of clouds, pulled by silver horses?' Ariadne - library edition The author's debut novel, Ariadne is a retelling of an old Greek myth or, more correctly, two, maybe three, intertwined myths. First, …
A Song for the Dark Times
by Ian Rankin 'The face was turned away from him, the body twisted and still. Rebus knew a corpse when he saw one - and knew a likely crime scene, too.' Rankin's John Rebus stories are always fun to read, and this one is no exception. Of course, Rebus is now officially retired, but he …
The Evening and the Morning
by Ken Follett 'A moment later [Edgar] realized he was looking at something even worse than a monster: it was a Viking ship, with a dragon head at the tip of its long curved prow.' It is more than thirty years since Ken Follett published Pillars of the Earth, his first successful full length historical …
Art vs. Morality
Literary standards, like everything else, have changed a lot in the past century or so. Writers are not like crystal-gazers. They can fantasize and invent improbable futures, but in the end they can only write in, and of, the world as it is in their own times. And the world of the past is not …
In the Name of Religion
The City of Tears by Kate Mosse A Review 'The assassin watched the whore sway, then saw the blossoming of red on green as she fell. He exhaled then relaxed his shoulders. He could not be sure she was mortally wounded but it was a palpable hit. Thanks be to God, his shot had found …
Hogwarts #7#
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by JK Rowling Harry Potter Hogwarts House Editions I think I may have written previously that I am collecting these special editions of the Harry Potter novels for my two granddaughters. Although they are still too young to read them, I am happy to announce that the collection of …
Germany
Memories of a Nation by Neil MacGregor 'What are the sounds of Germany? Most people's list would probably include, in ascending volume, and growing numbers, a Bach cantata, a Beethoven symphony, a Wagner opera and - loudest of all - the roar of the crowds as Germany wins the World Cup .... But just as …
Bookheathen Scribblings 