February 2017 Reviews

Half of a Yellow Sun
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
3/5
Forth Estate 9/03/2017 Paperback
Amazon


In the spirit of reading more broadly and outside of my comfort zone, as well as having read Americhana last year, I picked up Half of a Yellow Sun. I found both of Adichie's books difficult to read, although this one was definitely more difficult to follow. Part of my reasons for reading is because I feel I ought to self educate my self on other cultures. But unlike Americhana, where I felt I was learning and changing my opinions on how things work in Nigeria and the US and London, as well as finding the answers to those ignorant questions I might have asked, I felt completely out of touch with the characters in Half of a Yellow Sun. 

It was a difficult read to pick up, I loved the storyline set in a time of revolution, but I somehow really struggled to connect with its protagonists. Half way through I voiced my scepticism to my Grandmother, who has both read the book, and remembered the forming and dissolving of Biafra. For her it was a touching memory, and captured the atrocities and the feeling of the time. She told me of how Biafran children were promoted for adoptions, and the starvation. Suddenly I had new eyes and finished the book quickly with new appreciation for these people living their lives amongst it all. 

I've called it a 3 out of 5 because of that; "well maybe you had to be there" feeling that I had in the first instance. It is the only book I read in February and it slowed me down. A difficult, but overall a good read. 

Fabulous February Reviews

An Echo In The Bone
Diana Gabaldon
Orion 30/9/10 Paperback
4/5
Christmas Present

Another book in the brilliant series. This time I had the added enthusiasm that a new TV series has started following the story from the beginning. I love these books. As a hooked reader, anything that Diana writes will be eagerly lapped up. AND she appeared in the TV series with a little cameo role, which tickled me into a fan-girlish frenzy.
The book is another fantastic epic with as many twists and turns as I always expect. I had less patience for the history in this book than earlier ones. I was drawn to the mystical hills of Scotland and although we got a little it was twenty first century following Bree, Roger and their children.
I struggled with the age of the characters as well. It is just as well the Bree and Roger are involved in this story, plus Will and his story line because Claire and Jamie are becoming distinctly aged.
They are my romantic powerhouse, and they are increasingly closer to death which just depresses me. However the descriptions and the writing are powerful enough to make me believe the development of the characters I love so much. Either way. Fascinating, Brilliant and I look forward to the next one.

Maggot Moon
Sally Gardner
Hot Key Books 3/8/12 Hardback
2/5
Book Haul

Well. I never finished it, I got pretty close, but eventually the lure of other, better books made me put it down. It's redeeming qualities came from the almost clockwork orange style of writing, and the premise of a different world.
I don't have much else to say on this one. I didn't love it, I wouldn't pick it up again. But I would recommend it to children, 12+.


The Secret Garden
Frances Hodgson Burnett
Scholastic 21/11/13 Paperback
4/5
Book Haul

I have seen the film, and listened to the audio tape of this book many times. I am so pleased to read it with those Yorkshire voices in my head. I might not have enjoyed reading the dialectic style so much with out it.
The story is incredible, obviously. And the earliest book that I've read that is aimed at children, there is such a joyfully simple story and writing style that I cannot help but enjoy it. I could read this allowed to children and feel just as disappointed when it was time to stop at the next chapter and go to sleep.
I know it is wrong to compare books, but this is a fantastic children's book. Maggot Moon is nothing on this one. Yes it's a children's book, but I FEEL too adult. Where as The Secret Garden has swept me up in it's magic. A brilliant book and a great end to Feb.