Thiarnain

What a treat!

Reviewed: 08-27-24

The first book I read by David Luddington, If you like British humour in the vein of P.G. Wodehouse, this is for you. Admittedly, I knew nothing about Schroedinger's cat. Now I know more than I have deemed possible. Don't worry, no major knowledge of physics required. Pure enjoyment! I'm still giggling. The language is exquisitely crafted. The narration, again, accurate, multi-facetted and a pure joy! Highly recommended if you awnt 7hrs of brilliant entertainment. One to my next book by D.Luddington....Cheerio!

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An absolute riot

Reviewed: 08-27-24

Loved it and wanted to call it a hoot. But it is an absolute riot. If you liked P J Wodehouse, you'll be drawn into this book, imitating British upper class accents and satirizing these characters while dealing with a serious subject: bank profits or greed. The narration was a real treat! All the while innocent, no hard crimes or violence.

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1 person found this helpful

Change of style

Reviewed: 04-06-24

I loved Tana French's novels/detective stories from the start: Good storylines, character descriptions, great dialogues. Since "The Witch Elm" there was a change of pace with the emphasis not so much on solving a crime but long plot development, insights into character and a very slow denouement. Since her previous book, "The Searcher" , she has turned away from writing detective novels (although her main character. is a retired American cop). The Hunter, which is vol 2, continues in that vein and locale: in the sticks of Ireland. It gives a deep insight into the life, thinking and vernacular of country folks- farmers primarily. The plot development is agonizingly slow. In the end, I still haven't worked out who the Hunter is...
What made me like the book, however, is the authentic rendering of the language of the locals. Their dialogues and idiomatic expressions are true gems. I lived among neighbors like that for 20 years . (see my book "I once had a Farm in Ireland".
I loved their exchanges and had a lot of chuckles as the characters all ring true and remind me of some people there. However, who did Tana French write this book for? It's not a breathtaking detective story like her first;. Dubs don't particularly enjoy the lingo- even mock it. And the "culchies" that are described in the book, do they want to see themselves depicted? At least tourists to Ireland will learn what people of the land of leprechauns and singalongs in pubs think about them.
While I loved to be taken back to my old haunts by the authentic narration and vernacular, I found the narrator's voice too harsh, dramatic and loud for a great deal of the story and unable to modulate his voice or create different identities for the main characters. Overall, I greatly enjoyed the book just for the language, but I wonder if others do.
If you haven't read Book 1, you may find it even harder to follow. I read it several years ago and found it hard to remember what the relevance of it is on this new novel.

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Too depressing

Reviewed: 12-04-23

When I heard about Lynch's new book winning the Pulitzer price, but it only coming out later in December, I looked at his previous novels. I'm a lover of Irish authors authors (Black, Banville, Barry, French, etc.) and was delighted to discover a new author. I read books about Michael Collins, the Civil War, the Magdalene Sisters, too.
The book description gives a pretty good hint at the darkness of the novel. However, it turned out to dark to me. Not just the endless description of cattle that perished in the blaze. I found the language stilted and depressing at the same time. Keating's sonorous void and unchanging monotonous reading didn't help. I just couldn't get into the book. maybe I'm missing out on a gem? Hesitant now to buy the new prize winning book!

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All you ever wanted to know about ice...

Reviewed: 10-03-23

and more! I got engrossed into the story as a former Latin scholar myself. It's pretty unusual and intriguing having a story play out around a Latin teacher and class. Still mastering my declensions etc., I never had the privilege of talking Latin though as these students do. But it's always followed by a translation!
I really liked the story until in Part II the longwinded backstory started. It provided the information that was missing until then, but the length of it! When it caught up with present time, the story line ( the narrator's past and present) became confusing at times.) Repetitions in such a long detailed book are probably inevitable. The repeated descriptions of the layout of the school and woods and adjacent lake left me more in the dark than explained it for the listener. In a physical book a map would be useful.
Overall, the story is entertaining and captivating enough, but the last 2 hours slog on and on. Again and again, it snows (wonderful descriptions btw) and the lake freezes over and thaws. The inclement and dangerous weather in these parts -Adirondacks- makes me convinced I will only visit in the summer. But a great freebie! Thanks!

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Entertaining enough

Reviewed: 09-08-23

This is now my third book by Elizabeth Adler. An easy beach read even mor4e than the first two. A 38 year-old single or divorced woman , here with a teenage daughter, is thrown into hardship and has to find her own way. Usually there is a knight in shining armor on the horizon. Will the brave heroine make it?
That is the genre of light reading. I didn't mind too much when the narrator in the other two books didn't quite get the pronunciation of Italian names etc. right. But Charlotte Anne Dore not knowing the proper pronunciation of an AGA,a word that is well known in the English world, I flinched. Same for Ponzi scheme! I would have let that pass, but a mistake in the plot makes me cringe and wonder.
The heroine is on her way to Singapore, her former home, but they land in Shanghai and what follows is a description of that city.
At this point I throw in the towel....

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My favorite John Banville

Reviewed: 07-03-23

Maybe I say that every time after reading another of his novels. Well, I am a fan undoubtedly, even of his historic fiction , i.e..,books about Copernicus and Kepler. This is a crime without Quirk and I didn't miss him for once. It dredges up some of Ireland's unsavory history, so be warned. The narrator, Lee, was at his best. Love his voice and accent. I look forward to more of Banville's writing. Long may his admirable career continue!

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Blown away by this book!

Reviewed: 05-23-23

I'm a big fan of John Boyne's literature and was delighted to find a couple new ones he wrote during the pandemic I was not aware of . This book is related to The Boy in the Striped Pajamas which touched me deeply when I read it.
In contrast to what another reader opined this is not a simple story. And definitely not simple to tell.
And I read many a book about Nazis, war crimes and resulting fates. Boyne chooses a perspective I've not come across before. His storytelling kept me spellbound. Loved it, absolutely loved it!

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Very entertaining

Reviewed: 01-22-23

Like all other books I read by Joy Ellis, I loved this one. Full of surprises till the end. Nice team, good plot- but the narrator! Henrietta Meire can do men's voices although they mostly sound the same, but her rendition of the main character, Nikki Galena, really hurt my ears. Local accents are an acquired tasted, but to combine the main hero's voice with this constant whine! Pity. She certainly doesn't sound like the attractive woman she is portrayed to be. Not going to buy another book with that narrator.

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Good- but a bit OTT

Reviewed: 11-11-22

Gripping story! But whereas I totally loved the first book, this one now is getting a bit too much. Her powers never end, she seems indestructible. Her detective team barely features anymore.. I finished it, but rolled my eyes in disbelief at times. Not sure about book 3 others here are impatiently waiting for...

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