Author: Agatha Christie
Published: 1949
Genres: Novel, Crime, Mystery, Thriller
Rating: 4 out of 5
Review
Of all the Agatha Christie novels that I've read, ''Crooked House'' has one of the most unexpected, surprising endings. Not only this, ''Crooked House'' is a delightful read, from the beginning to the end. It is a suspenseful novel, with well developed characters and a wonderful narrator.
The narrator of this novel is Charles Hayward. He loves Sophia Leonides, granddaughter of a wealthy entrepreneur, Aristide Leonides, who is of Greek origin. Charles and Sophia meet after a long time. But Sophia tells Charles that they can't marry right now. Why? Because Sophia's grandfather, Aristide, has recently died, from poisoning. It is apparent that Aristide has been murdered.
Charles's father is an Assistant Commissioner of the Scotland Yard. Charles decides to figure out who actually did the crime. He visits Three Gables, residence of the Leonideses. A gigantic house with a lot of family members living peacefully.
Charles gets acquainted with the members of the family. Brenda, Aristide's second wife, who is more than fifty years younger than her late husband. Sophia's parents, Phillip (who keeps an impassive expression and keeps himself busy with his books), and Magda (an actress). Roger, Aristade's other living son, and his wife, Clemency. Edith de Havilland, an elderly spinster and the sister of Aristade's first wife. And Sophia's siblings: the moody, handsome, Eustace, and the intelligent little Josephine. There's also Laurence Brown, the children's tutor. And there is an elderly Nannie.
Every member of the family seems to suspect Brenda, Aristide's young wife. Brenda seems to be the one with the strongest motive and opportunity. But Charles finds Brenda to be a helpless, lonely woman who can never be capable of committing a murder.
Who has murdered Aristide Leonides?
This is a novel that has deep, well developed characters and a lot of suspense. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and the solution came so unexpected. It surprised me. Surely it has one of the most unpredictable endings, among the Agatha Christie novels. An excellent novel, highly recommended! It is probably, right now, one of my favorite Agatha Christie books.
4 out of 5
(On a separate note, I'll not be very active in blogging for the next few weeks, as my exams are approaching! I'll be active once again from early December, after my exams end).
Author: Robert Galbraith (J. K. Rowling)
Published: 2013
Genres: Novel, Mystery, Crime
Rating: 4 out of 5
Review
The Cuckoo's Calling is the first crime novel by J. K. Rowling, written under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith.
Earlier this year I had read J. K. Rowling's first adult book, ''The Casual Vacancy'', and I had really liked it. I found it emotional, with depth and good characterization. This novel, ''The Cuckoo's Calling''... it was just amazing. It was a really delightful and engrossing read, a cleverly written mystery. And the chemistry between the protagonist, the private detective Cormoran Strike, and his secretary, Robin, was really wonderful. I found it a very enjoyable read.
Well-known model Lula Landry dies after falling from the balcony of her penthouse apartment. It is guessed that she committed suicide, after some investigation.
Cormoran Strike is a private detective. He does not get many clients. One day, John Bristow, the brother of the late Lula Landry, comes to him and tells him that he suspects that Lula didn't commit suicide. She might have been murdered. Bristow asks Strike to investigate the case. Because it isn't really likely that Lula committed suicide. A neighbor of Lula, Tansy Bestigui, claims that she had heard shouts and quarrels from Lula's apartment just before Lula fell. Also, two mysterious figures were noticed around Lula's home in the CCTV footage. Strike accepts the case, and with the help of his temporary secretary, Robin, he starts investigating.
Cormoran Strike had once been in the army. He had lost a leg in Afghanistan. He is going through personal problems after having broken up with his long-term girlfriend, Charlotte. Homeless, he is forced to sleep in his office, and he wants to hide the fact from Robin. Robin is Strike's temporary secretary, but as she helps Strike with the case, she develops a deep friendship with Strike, and regrets the fact that she has to leave him within a few weeks. She helps him, a lot, in the investigation.
The investigation brings Strike across a lot of people. The security guard, Wilson. Lula's handsome driver and aspiring actor, Kieran Kolovas-Jones. Tansy Bestigui, the woman who claimed to have heard quarrels from Lula' s apartment but whose claims were not taken seriously because she was on drugs. And Lula's closest friends. Lula's boyfriend. Lula's unpleasant biological mother. And a lot of other people. The case is not simple, as it requires a lot of research and investigation.
I really found it an enjoyable mystery with a good premise, puzzling storyline, and depth and good characterization. The character of Cormoran Strike is deep and really well developed. We get to know a lot about Cormoran, his childhood, his relation with his family members, his sad and problematic relationship with Charlotte. These backgrounds give the character much depth. Much focus, a lot of focus, actually, is given on Cormoran's personal life and background. ''The Cuckoo's Calling'' was not just a mystery; it was about Cormoran Strike as well. Strike's secretary, Robin, gets much importance and depth as well. Most of the novel is told from Strike's point of view, but some parts are also told from Robin's point of view. I really liked how Strike and Robin form a close and deep friendship, and how she helped him with the case. She was such an intelligent, understanding character!
The cast of characters is quite large. We come to meet many people who Lula knew, her friends, family, acquaintances, even people whom she barely knew.
Strike's investigation of the case was really enjoyable and I couldn't really guess the solution! I couldn't even guess it!
Though the novel was a bit slow paced at the beginning, it was really engrossing. It was such a cleverly written, well developed mystery with excellent characterization!
4 out of 5
Author: Agatha Christie
Published: 1942
Genres: Novel, Mystery, Crime
Rating: 3 out of 5
Review
Mrs Bantry wakes up hearing the screams of the housemaid, who says that there is a body in the library. It is the body of a dead young woman. Nobody in the house has ever seen this young woman before. Mrs Bantry calls her friend, the wonderful Miss Jane Marple, to solve the mystery. It is then revealed that the dead woman is Ruby Keene. Circumstances and investigations lead to more discoveries, and the case seems puzzling and difficult. Then... the charred remains of a girl is found from a burnt car, and it is guessed that the murders of this girl and Ruby Keene are perhaps connected...
While I cannot say that I loved this one, ''The Body in the Library'' was definitely a very enjoyable read that made me puzzled and kept me guessing. There's not much suspense in this one, but the novel was definitely very interesting! While the main investigation is done by Superintendent Harper, Inspector Slack, Colonel Melchett, and Sir Henry Clithering, Miss Marple is the one who solves the whole case, who succeeds in making everything clear. The solution to the mystery was quite clever .
I really like Miss Marple. It is my third Miss Marple novel (I previously read ''A Murder is Announced'' and ''4.50 from Paddington'') and I am looking forward to read more Miss Marple novels! She is such an interesting character. Her ''village parallels'' were really very interesting.
''The Body in the Library'' was a puzzling and enjoyable read.
3 out of 5
Author: Agatha Christie
Published: 1939
Genres: Novel, Mystery, Horror, Crime, Suspense, Thriller
Rating: 5 out of 5
Review
And Then There Were None... ah, it was such an intense,
baffling, scary mystery!!! It was so impressive and overwhelming! It was so
very suspenseful and scary, and it is certainly the best among the Agatha Christie novels
that I've read till now. It was SO intense, so powerful and psychologically intense! I LOVED it.
And Then There Were None kept me tensed and guessing. It was so intense, suspenseful.
The plot is about an island, the Soldier Island. Eight people are invited to the Soldier Island. The eight guests are: Justice Wargrave, Vera Claythorne, Anthony Marston, General MacArthur, Phillip Lombard, Mr Blore, Dr. Armstrong, and Miss Brent. After
their arrival there, they find out that there are no other people in
the island, except themselves and two servants, Mr and Mrs Rogers. There are just these ten people in this island. Nobody else. The owner of the island is apparently a Mr. Owen, whom nobody (not even the servants) has ever seen.
Atmosphere in the house, and the island, is somewhat odd, strange. All the guests find a paper in their room, where the nursery rhyme ''Ten Little Soldiers'' is written. Everybody is startled by the atmosphere of the house, but this turns into dread and fear when the guests start dying, one by one... And within a short time, all the guests come to guess that none of them will leave the island alive... and a constant fear arises: who will be the next victim? Along with many other questions. Who is the murderer? Is he one of them?...
''And Then There Were None'' builds up an excellent atmosphere, an atmosphere that is filled with scares, intensity, suspense. The psychological impact on the characters because of the events, is portrayed very well. Some of the characters, and the situations, have so much depth. The novel kept me guessing. And the solution was so excellent.
I loved this one. ''And Then There Were None'' was extremely suspenseful, thrilling, and an absolute page turner.
5 out of 5
Author: Anne Brontë
Published: 1847
Genres: Novel, Romance
Rating: 3 out of 5
Review
The Bronte sisters are among my favorite authors. Emily Bronte's ''Wuthering Heights'' and Charlotte Bronte's ''Jane Eyre'' are two very special books for me. While ''Wuthering Heights'' is my favorite book of all time, ''Jane Eyre'' is one of the books that made me fall in love with books. These two books are so powerful, so intense, with so strong, powerful, memorable characters. Charlotte and Emily are thus two of my favorite authors. ''Agnes Grey'', however, is the first Anne Bronte novel that I've read.
Anne Bronte was the youngest of the Bronte sisters. She wrote only two novels: ''Agnes Grey'' and ''The Tenant of Wildfell Hall''.
''Agnes Grey'' is based on Anne's own experiences while working as a governess. The titular character of this novel, Agnes Grey, being the youngest member of the family, grew up with a lot of love and affection from her parents and elder sister. Though her father has a modest income, he does his best to keep the family happy and comfortable, but, however, circumstances make them fall into poverty.
Agnes decides to earn a living as a governess. She takes the job of a governess to the children of the Bloomfield family. The mischievous and disobedient children make life miserable for her, and she gets tired and devastated. However, after she loses her job because Mrs Bloomfield has complains about the children's learning, she is appointed as a governess to the children of the Murray family.
Miss Rosalie Murray and Miss Matilda Murray are older than Agnes's Bloomfield pupils, and in some ways, they are a little less mischievous. But though they are not very mischievous, they are immature, disobedient and spoiled, and Agnes's life in the Murrays' home also becomes difficult. But when will she find happiness and satisfaction...?
''Agnes Grey'' is mainly about the life and sufferings of the protagonist. In the Victorian era, governesses were poor, but educated young women, who used to teach the children of wealthy people. The governesses used to live in the house, and despite being well educated, they were often treated merely as upper servants. They were often victims of bad behavior. For example, in ''Agnes Grey'', we see Agnes not even being greeted by the acquaintances of the Murray girls.
''Agnes Grey'' is about the life, feelings, sufferings of Agnes Grey. She finds love... she falls in love with Mr Weston. But will she find the happiness that she longs for?
The narration is impressive. The overall story, and the storytelling, is moving. It is Agnes's day-to-day story, Agnes's retelling of her life as a governess, her pains, her suffering. Her feelings towards Mr Weston was very touching, but even in case of love, there were so many obstacles and uncertainties in front of her.
''Agnes Grey'' was a pleasant and touching novel... But when I compare it to ''Wuthering Heights'' and ''Jane Eyre'', Agnes Grey seems rather a little plain. Both Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre were so powerful and intense, with characters whom I'll never forget. ''Agnes Grey'', on the other hand, was touching, but not as much that it will remain very memorable... nor were the characters that well developed. BUT ''Agnes Grey'' was also worth a read, and I'm glad that I read it.
3 out of 5
Author: Agatha Christie
Published: 1957
Genres: Novel, Mystery, Crime, Suspense
Rating: 3 out of 5
Review
The first Agatha Christie novel I read was ''A Murder is Announced''- a Miss Marple. Since then, I have read several Poirot novels, and ''4.50 from Paddington'' is my second Miss Marple.
I really enjoyed ''4.50 from Paddington''. Miss McGillicuddy is traveling to her friend, Miss Jane Marple, from Scotland. On her way, her train comes parallel to another train (the two trains are running on parallel tracks). Miss McGillicuddy witnesses something terrible. She witnesses a man strangling a woman, in the other train... She has a brief glimpse of the crime--- she couldn't see the man's face.
Miss McGillicuddy tells her friend, Miss Marple, about the crime that she had witnessed. Miss Marple is eager to find out what actually happened. But it is a really difficult task- how would she guess where the body of the murdered woman is? However, after doing some research, she guesses that the body is somewhere around a country house, Rutherford Hall.
Miss Marple decides to take the assistance of an acquaintance, Lucy Eyelesbarrow. Lucy, a highly educated young woman, works as a housekeeper. Miss Marple asks Lucy to temporarily take the job of a housekeeper at Rutherford Hall, and try to locate the body. Lucy agrees, and soon finds herself in Rutherford Hall, and works hard to find clues and locate the body.
Most of the investigation, in this novel, is done by Detective Inspector Craddock and Lucy Eyelesbarrow, while Miss Marple solves the mystery.
As the story progresses, it becomes complex and interesting. I really enjoyed it, and I really enjoyed the characters. Miss Marple's warmth is very remarkable, and Lucy Eyelesbarrow- she was just amazing! I loved how she takes both her tasks so seriously: while she works hard to find clues to solve the mystery, she also works hard to take care of Rutherford Hall, and people living there. She was really a wonderful character.
It's always delightful to read Agatha Christie's novels. Her books are so pleasant. The characters, the situations, with dry humor now and then- all these are so charming. ''4.50 from Paddington'' was no exception. The novel kept me guessing, and the solution was really wonderful. The book was delightful and interesting, often suspenseful, with well developed characters, and humor.
3 out of 5
Author: Nicholas Sparks
Published: 1996
Genres: Novel, Romance
Rating: 3 out of 5
Review
I know I haven't posted a review for more than a whole week! I've been so busy with class tests!
I watched the movie adaptation of The Notebook earlier this year, and liked it. But I didn't like it enough to read the original book as well. But since ''The Notebook'' seems to be the favorite Nicholas Sparks book of most Nicholas Sparks fans, I decided to give it a try.
I liked The Notebook. The love story was really sweet and touching. The relation between the two main characters (Noah and Allie) is very strong and moving. But for me, it will not be a favorite Nicholas Sparks. My favorites are probably A Bend in the Road and Safe Haven.
Noah Calhoun has returned to New Bern after World War II. He keeps himself busy repairing an old house. He is haunted by memories... fourteen years ago, he had fallen in love with Allie, a girl two years younger than him. Allie and Noah's feelings for each other had gradually become very strong. But, Allie's mother had not approved of the relationship, because of their class differences. Allie's mother took Allie away from New Bern (they had come there for the summer).
Fourteen years have passed, but Noah cannot forget Allie. Allie was his first true love. All the letters that he had returned to Allie had remained unanswered.
But then one day, Allie appears... She had known from the newspaper that Noah was repairing the old house, and has come to inform him that she is engaged... But soon, they are haunted by those memories, those feelings of the past. Will Allie be really able to leave Noah and marry Lon? Will she really be able to ignore her past?
I thought that the movie adaptation brought into life the beautiful summer, whereas in the book the summer does not have that much depth. But the book was pretty deep as well. I really liked the last half. It was much more, much more touching than the first half. The horrors of Alzheimer's disease are really explored well. I just loved how Noah tries to help Allie in the last half. Noah's feelings were strong, deep, and really moving.
3 out of 5
Author: Jane Austen
Published: 1817
Genre: Novel, Romance
Rating: 4 out of 5
Review
With Northanger Abbey, I have completed reading all the six novels by Jane Austen. Austen has become one of my favorite authors. Her novels are so charming, witty, brilliant!
I really liked ''Northanger Abbey''. Not only is it brilliant and enjoyable, it is also one of the wittiest Austen novels. The heroine, Catherine Morland, is the most immature heroine created by Austen. Elizabeth Bennet is one of the most headstrong heroines I've ever come across. Elinor and Marianne were both sensible. Fanny Price was meek and timid (but not immature like Catherine). Anne Elliot was timid as well. Emma Woodhouse was a little immature. But Catherine, to begin with, is plain silly at the beginning of the novel.
Northanger Abbey was, in fact, the first novel that Austen completed (she completed it in the late 1790s) but it was published posthumously by her brother, in 1817, along with ''Persuasion''.
We are introduced to Catherine Morland, who has never had the qualities that a heroine should possess. She was a tomboy and took no pleasure in music or painting. But as she grew older, she began to train herself to become a heroine.
When Catherine is seventeen years old, a neighbor, Mrs Allen, invites her to go to Bath with her. Catherine immediately accepts the invitation, hoping that through this visit to Bath, she might find her hero, and a lot of adventures.
In Bath, Catherine and Mrs Allen get bored because they have no acquaintances there. But soon, at a ball, Catherine dances with the charming and handsome Henry Tilney. Gradually, Catherine gets close to Henry, his sister Eleanor, and their father, General Tilney.
Catherine also becomes very good friends with Isabella Thorpe, who is younger sister the sister of her (Catherine's) elder brother's friend. Isabella's brother, John Thorpe, tries to woo Catherine, but the latter dislikes him.
The Tilneys invite Catherine to travel with them to Northanger Abbey their residence in Gloucestershire. Catherine, who is an avid reader of Gothic novels, is thrilled after getting the invitation, and immediately accepts the invitation. She expects Northanger Abbey to be a castle full of Gothic horrors and mysteries: old, hidden passages, signs of tortures and mysteries and murders. Catherine comes to draw a parallel between Northanger Abbey and Gothic castles, and begins to think General Tilney as a Gothic villain, a cold-blooded murderer.
Throughout the novel, Catherine Morland comes across incidents that will eventually help her to find sense, maturity, and love. She is a silly, immature girl at the beginning of the novel. Her actions are really, really funny. Especially, after her arrival in Northanger Abbey, her fantasies about Northanger Abbey being a Gothic castle and General Tilney being a villain, there were so amazing and so very funny! Northanger Abbey often parodies Gothic novels. Especially, ''The Mysteries of Udolpho'' plays an important role.
''Northanger Abbey'' was definitely an amusing, entertaining and funny read. Catherine Morland is yet another excellent character, immature and funny. Most of the novel was light, though the last chapters did become a little serious. It is not my favorite Austen (Emma is my favorite Austen, followed by Pride & Prejudice), but I really enjoyed reading it.
4 out of 5
Author: Agatha Christie
Published: 1941
Genres: Novel, Mystery, Suspense, Adventure, Thriller
Rating: 4 out of 5
Review
N or M? is the first Tommy and Tuppence novel that I read. I absolutely loved the two detectives, Tommy and Tuppence. They were so pleasant, charming characters. Especially Tuppence, who has such a warm personality!
The novel is set during the World War II. Tommy and Tuppence are feeling bored because they have no work to do. But very soon they get a difficult task. Their work is to find an enemy agent. N and M are two enemy agents. One of the agents, or someone in connection with them, is living at the Sans Souci hotel. Therefore, Tommy and Tuppence go to the Sans Souci hotel, with false identities. Tommy stays in the hotel, introducing himself as Mr Meadows. Tuppence introduces herself as a widow, Mrs Blenkenshop.
Anyone, among the guests, can be ''N'' or ''M''. There are several guests: Mrs O Rourke (a scary-looking woman), Miss Minton, Carl von Deinim (a refugee who escaped Nazi persecution), Major Bletchley, Mr and Mrs Cayley, and Mrs Sprot, who is staying with her little daughter, Betty. Who, among them, is actually the enemy?
N or M? was such an exciting, suspenseful thriller! I enjoyed every moment of it! Tommy and Tuppence are wonderful, and Agatha Christie builds up the suspense, the thrilling situations, excellently.
I loved how the two detectives solve the case, the steps they take, the plans they make, that would lead them towards the identity of the enemy. The characters were developed very well. There were plenty, plenty of clues. The book kept me guessing! The solution to the mystery was really very good.
And the suspense that the novel had! It was excellent. N or M? was definitely a very, very wonderful, really very entertaining, suspenseful mystery.
4 out of 5
Author: Nicholas Sparks
Published: 2002
Genres: Novel, Romance
Rating: 3 out of 5
Review
Adrienne Willis, a sixty-year-old divorced mother of three children, is worried about her daughter, Amanda. Amanda has recently lost her husband, Brent, and remains so depressed that deprives her two sons of their mother's sufficient attention. Therefore, Adrienne decides tell Amanda about her past, a past that may inspire her (Amanda) to learn that she has to move on in life.
Fourteen years ago, Adrienne had been asked by her friend, Jean, to temporarily manage her inn, in Rodanthe (Jean had to go away for a while to attend a wedding). There, Adrienne met Paul Flanner, the only guest who stayed in the hotel while she managed it. Paul Flanner, also a divorcee, was a middle-aged doctor who had come to Rodanthe for some work. He was to go to Ecuador soon, where his estranged son, Mark, lived. He wanted to connect with his son.
Her recent divorce had left Adrienne bitter and sad. And Paul had always been too much busy, that made him give little attention to his son.
Over the stormy weekend, Adrienne and Paul's friendship grew into deep love, and both learnt from each, learnt from each other a lot. Paul goes away to Ecuador, promising to come back a year later.
Adrienne tells all these to Amanda. But what had actually happened to Paul?
Nights in Rodanthe was a short, enjoyable and moving read. While not having the excellent depth of so many other Sparks novels (Safe Haven, A Bend in the Road, True Believer, The Last Song), this one was a comfortable and enjoyable read. I liked both Adrienne and Paul. I liked how the two helped each other... Adrienne, for example, was able to get over the bitter divorce.
The main theme of this novel is moving on in life, a theme that is shared by many other of the author's works.
Overall, it is a gentle, quick, and enjoyable novel.
Author: Agatha Christie
Published: 1940
Genres: Novels, Mystery, Suspense
Rating: 3 out of 5
Review
Sad
Cypress is the first courtroom drama in Agatha Christie's Hercule
Poirot series. In this novel, Elinor Carlisle is accused of murdering
Mary Gerrard. All the evidences are against Elinor. It is apparent that
only Elinor had the motive and the opportunity of committing the
murder. But Peter Lord, a doctor, loves her so deeply that he does not
care if she is really innocent or not. He just wants Elinor to be saved
from the gallows. For this, he asks Poirot to investigate the case, find
evidences that might be used in Elinor's favor. When Poirot starts
investigating, he realizes that things are not as simple as they seem to
be.
I
didn't really love Sad Cypress. I expected more from it, after coming
across so many positive reviews. But however, I enjoyed it. I didn't
feel boring while reading. The first part, told from Elinor's
perspective, was really quite entertaining, deep and even intense at
times (Elinor's thoughts were really intense). The second and third
parts were well-paced and nice as well. The characters, especially
Elinor, were well developed. But it didn't have the suspense that I have
found, so far, in Christie's novels (there was a lot of suspense, though, in the first part).
The solution of the mystery was okay, I didn't think it was bad. It was
a compelling read, but it could have been better with a little more
suspense.
Author: Agatha Christie
Published: 1937
Genres: Novel, Mystery, Thriller, Suspense
Rating: 5 out of 5
Review
The first chapter of Agatha Christie's Death on the Nile
is a bit confusing. A lot of characters are introduced. A lot of
suspense is built up. And the first chapter contributed a great deal to
the excellent development of suspense.
I
really loved Agatha Christie's ''Death on the Nile''. Not only is it an
excellent mystery, but it also has so much emotional intensity. The
large cast of characters is so well developed, and the situation,
suspense and mystery... oh well, so excellent! The book waits for a long
time until the real crimes take place. Within that time, the characters
and incidents are developed, they get deep... And that was absolutely
necessary for the excellent depth found in the story.
Linnet
Ridgeway is a famous, wealthy, beautiful woman. One day her friend
Jacqueline de Bellefort comes to her and tells her that her boyfriend,
Simon Doyle, is badly in need of a job. Linnet agrees to employ Simon,
and within a short time, Linnet and Simon fall in love, and soon they
get married. Jacqueline is furious because her best friend and her
boyfriend betrayed her...
On
their honeymoon, in Egypt, Linnet and Simon come across Jacqueline. It
becomes apparent that Jacqueline is following them, to annoy them, to
make them uncomfortable, to take revenge. Linnet and Simon decide
that they have to get rid of this problem.
Linnet
and Simon are traveling on the boat Karnak. Also present in the boat is
the famous detective, Hercule Poirot. Linnet and Simon ask Poirot for
his help. They ask him to talk to Jacqueline. He does so. Things get
rather complicated with several situations... until one midnight, Linnet
Doyle is shot dead...
Who
could have shot Linnet? Apparently, Jacqueline didn't, because she had
alibi. Who could have then murdered her? And from what motive?
This time, Hercule Poirot is helped by Colonel Race, who is also traveling on the boat.
Death on the Nile will
certainly remain among my favorite Agatha Christie novels! I adored
it... I loved it. I loved the way the characters were developed. I loved
the way the suspense was developed. I really admired it's depth. I
admired how, while Poirot investigates the murder, backgrounds of so
many characters are revealed. And the solution to the mystery was
extremely, extremely satisfying as well. The setting was also really
wonderful (most of the story is set on the boat, Karnak). I loved how
each of the incidents were so cleverly constructed and solved.
5 out of 5
Author: Nicholas Sparks
Published: 2001
Genres: Novel, Romance, Suspense, Mystery
Rating: 4 out of 5
Review
A Bend in the Road was amazing!!! I really liked it. It tells a story of love, memories, and the things caused by love and secrets of the past.
Miles Ryan is a deputy sheriff. A couple of years ago, he had lost his wife, Missy, in a hit and run. He believes that it was done intentionally by somebody. But nobody knows who killed his wife. And Miles is still looking for that person who ruined his life, and the life of his son.
Miles is an affectionate father to his son, Jonah. Jonah's teacher wishes to see him because Jonah is having some problems with his lessons. Miles meets the teacher, Sarah Andrews. Sarah offers to give extra attention to Jonah. Over time, as Miles and Sarah come across each other frequently, a friendship develops between them, which eventually develops into love, deep love. Both are very serious about the relationship. And to Miles, Sarah is the best thing that has happened to him since his wife died.
But then secrets unfold... terrible secrets of the past unfold that may greatly affect this love they have for each other.
I have to admit that I could guess who had actually killed Missy Ryan. In spite of being a little predictable, the book didn't fail to impress me. At all. In fact, I really, really liked it. The whole novel is a wonderful mixture of Sarah and Miles's relation and Miles trying to discover who had killed his wife, and the secrets that are revealed. The two plots are hugely intertwined; both serve as the main plots of this novel. There was also suspense at times. Though I could predict the identity of the killer, this didn't make the novel less enjoyable for me. In fact, the novel kept me wondering what would happen next. It was a wonderful page-turner.
A Bend in the Road is filled with emotional intensity. First, there is the love story of Miles and Sarah, which is quite sweet. It doesn't get cheesy at all. Secondly, the deep feelings that are revealed with the terrible secrets.
After I had finished reading it, it made me ponder for some time. It was very moving, very intense, and beautiful.
4 out of 5
Author: Charles Dickens
Published: 1854
Genres: Novel
Rating: 4 out of 5
Review
Compared to other Charles Dickens novels, there are relatively a few characters in this novel, and no noticeable subplot. ''Hard Times'' is the shortest novel by Charles Dickens. It is also the only Charles Dickens novel not to have any scenes in London.
The story is set in an industrial town named Coketown. Here, the working class people who work in the mills, known as ''Hands'', are subject of many ''fictions''. The owner of some such mills is the ruthless and easily detestable Mr Bounderby, who is always declaring that he is a self made man and how an unprivileged childhood he had had. Mr Bounderby's friend is Thomas Gradgrind, who is so fond of facts that he has never let his children read anything, or know anything fictional. He has given strict education to his children from their childhood. His two eldest children, Louisa and Tom, play important roles in the story. After Louisa turns into a young woman, Mr Bounderby, who is at least thirty years older than her, proposes his marriage with her, which she accepts due to some reasons revealed in course of the novel.
A part of this novel deals with Louisa's married life and the difficulties she comes across, how the strict education from her childhood made her emotionless. The latter part of this novel deals with a crime for which an honest person is apparently falsely accused.
Dickens's characters play a more vital role in his novels that his stories do. The character development in this shortest novel of his is no less significant. My favorite characters in this novel are Louisa, Rachael and Sissy. These three characters have got much emphasis and depth. Stephen Blackpool is also a likeable character. Louisa can be considered the main character of this novel. I really felt sympathy for Louisa. Mr Bounderby and Mrs Sparsit were quite detestable.
''Hard Times'' was mostly a grim novel. With a relatively few characters (if compared to the other Dickens novels), the novel spends much time giving emphasis to the sad lives of Louisa, Stephen, Rachael, and also the unfortunate love of James Harthouse.
I really liked this novel. Despite being comparatively short in length, the development of the characters and incidents were really very good.
4 out of 5
Author: Nicholas Sparks
Published: 2005
Genres: Novel, Romance, Mystery
Rating: 4 out of 5
Review
I liked True Believer. I really did! As a book by Nicholas Sparks, it is much different from his usual-themed, cliched novels.
I like Nicholas Sparks's books. I enjoy reading them. But I cannot deny the fact that his books are cliched and sappy. . They are enjoyable and feel-good, but yet nothing great. But SOME of his books are exceptional. I loved Safe Haven, for example. And it can also be said in the case of True Believer.
True Believer is an amazing book. It really is. It is a beautiful love story, surrounded with an excellent background AND setting. And moreover, it is not just a romance novel. It is a romance AND a mystery.
Jeremy Marsh is a journalist. In his career, he has exposed many quacks, many fake psychics. One day, he gets a letter from a resident of a small town, mentioning about mysterious and ghostly lights seen at a cemetery of that town. The writer of the letter requests Jeremy to come and investigate this. Many residents think the lights to be the presence of something paranormal. Jeremy is interested, and arrives in the town.
The writer of the letter, Doris, explains a legand that is connected with the appearance of these lights. Jeremy goes to the town library to do some research works in order to investigate the matter, and there he meets the librarian, Lexie.
Lexie, who initially does not want to get involved with Jeremy, gradually starts spending more time with him, and gradually they fall in love. Two stories follow: Jeremy, with the help of Lexie and the local people, investigating the matter, and the love story. Lexie feels that this love is very unlikely to lead them anywhere: she is happy with her small town life, and he is accustomed to city life. Where will everything lead?
If does sound like a typical Nicholas Sparks novel where a girl and a boy fall in love and there are so many difficulties to unite them. But it isn't. Perhaps mainly because of the surrounding characters, backgrounds, and the setting. This novel has an amazing setting! A much better location than the other Sparks books that I've read! The supporting characters also contributed a lot to the story! And also, the two main characters were unique. They were really unique and remarkable. I loved the novel not just because of the story, but also because of these aforementioned things: the amazing setting and the amazing main and supporting cast. The mystery is not something that raises too much suspense, nor is it so interesting; but however, as it is present as a background, it is one of the things that make this book so wonderful.
I liked this book. A lot. It has become my second favorite Nicholas Sparks book, after Safe Haven.
Author: C. S. Lewis
Published: 1951
Genres: Novel, Fantasy, Adventure
Rating: 5 out of 5
Review
Our four protagonists, Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy, are waiting at the train station. They will soon be starting for their schools. One year has passed since their adventures at Narnia. Suddenly, everything around them starts to change, and they are transported to Narnia once again! Though, in their world, just a year had passed, more than a thousand years have passed in Narnia. They discover the ruins of the castle where they used to live when they had been the kings and the queens of Narnia. But why have they come back to Narnia? That's because Narnia needs their help again.
Prince Caspian is the second book in the Chronicles of Narnia series. In this novel, our four protagonists again have the responsibility to bring back peace and justice in Narnia. Narnia has no peace, no magic. The magical creatures are mostly destroyed- though some still survive by hiding. Cruel kings rule the land. And the four children have the responsibility to restore the throne to the rightful king of Narnia, Prince Caspian, and to bring back the magic, the enchantment, the beauty, back to Narnia.
I liked Prince Caspian more than I liked the first book in the series, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. I had loved the first book as well, but I think the first book was too fast paced, and didn't have too much time to develop the characters (Peter, for example, had not much depth). But Prince Caspian has much more depth and emphasis on the characters. Edmund and Lucy had been well-developed in the first book, and I loved how Susan and Peter's characters also got depth and emphasis in the second book. I also loved Prince Caspian! This book is also quite fast paced, but I think it had more depth. And it was also very engrossing and exciting, an adventure-filled page turner! I also loved the short history that Aslan describes near the end of the novel. We get more insight of Narnia and the magical worlds in the second book. I loved the overall concept and the story. And I can't wait to read the next books in the series!
5 out of 5
Author: Nicholas Sparks
Published:i 2007
Genres: Novel, Romance
Rating: 3 out of 5
Review
I didn't love ''The Choice''. But I enjoyed reading it. The Choice is definitely a tearjerker, and while it can certainly be not called one of Nicholas Sparks's best works, The Choice was a comfortable and enjoyable read.
Travis Parker is in his early thirties. He has a good life: a good home, talents, a great job, and great friends. But he knows that he needs a life partner and a family to make his life complete. Gabby Holland, a pediatrician, is his new neighbor. Travis and Gabby first meet with a misunderstanding, and when this misunderstanding is cleared, they become close. Gabby joins Travis and his friends on a weekend sailing, she joins Travis for a motorcycle ride, and she invites him to dinner, eventually realizing that she is in love with Travis. But, she already has a boyfriend, Kevin. Where will this lead?
The Choice is divided into two parts. The first part shows how Travis and Gabby fall in love. The second part is set eleven years after the first part, where Travis has to make a very difficult choice.
I enjoyed reading this one. It is a bit slow paced novel, if compared to other Nicholas Sparks books. But it was definitely a comfortable read. I liked the second half more than the first half. The second half was quite emotionally intense. I also liked the characters, both the main and the supporting ones. I liked Travis and Gabby, obviously. But I also liked Stephenie. I liked Allison, Megan, and Liz, because of the kindness they show to Lisa and Christine.
While the first half may sound a bit typical Nicholas Sparks love story, the second half is more emotional, more impressive. While I certainly don't think it was a great read, I definitely enjoyed it and it was, well, worth a read.
3 out of 5
Author: Jane Austen
Published: 1813
Genres: Novel, Romance
Rating: 5 out of 5
Review
I first read this novel a couple of years ago. To tell the truth, that time I didn't really appreciate this novel that much. Perhaps I was too young at that time to appreciate the beauty of this novel, this beautiful love story. This time I read it. And I loved it. I really, really, really loved it. Not as much as Austen's Emma though. Emma is my favorite Austen novel, and Pride and Prejudice has, undoubtedly, become my second favorite Austen novel.
Mr and Mrs Bennet have five daughters: the mild, gentle Jane, who is so timid that she cannot find fault in anyone; the beautiful but headstrong Elizabeth; the intellectual Mary; and silly and insensible Catherine (Kitty) and Lydia. Jane and Elizabeth are the only members of the family having the values to mix with the upper class, elegant society. Mrs Bennet is silly, and Mr Bennet, though sensible, is unsocial. All the family estate and wealth are to be passed to a distant male cousin after Mr Bennet's death, and Mrs Bennet is eager to get all her five daughters married to wealthy men.
Mrs Bennet gets a wonderful scope for her goal when the rich Mr Bingley comes to live in the Netherfield Hall. Mrs Bennet is eager to get Jane married to Mr Bingley. Mr Bingley arrives, and brings with him Mr Darcy, a close friend. Mr Darcy seems to be overly arrogant and haughty, and everybody takes a dislike in him. Both Elizabeth and Mr Darcy take a dislike on each other. On the other hand, Jane and Mr Bingley become close and it is evident that they are in love.
Elizabeth's dislike for Mr Darcy becomes stronger when Mr Wickham, a man belonging to the regiment that has come to the area, tells her how Mr Darcy had deceived him. Mr Bingley leaves Netherfield, and Elizabeth becomes suspicious that Mr Bingley's sisters and Mr Darcy was persuading him to break his relation with Jane, because of the low connections of the family. But the mutual dislike, between Elizabeth and Mr Darcy, must turn into love, because of the incidences, misunderstandings, and revelations that follow. Impressions will change, love will be gained, trust would be lost and gained. Impressions, this word is an important theme in this novel.
The change of impressions, and the reasons for this change, are so intensely explored in this novel. The change of Elizabeth's feeling for Darcy, from resentment to gratitude to love, is so well developed, so well described, so well explored. The progress of love is so steadily described, that it made me really care for the characters, their feelings for each other. Jane Austen was really a genius author who knew how to create so deep, so lively characters.
The two protagonists, Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy, are both flawed characters. The pride and prejudice have great influences in them- influence that they will regret in future. However, the incidences that character come across in course of the novel will make them realize their mistakes, that will slowly develop the love, the romance. While Darcy and Elizabeth share pride, prejudice and headstrong character, the other pair of lovers, Jane and Bingley, also share the qualities of gentleness, calmness, timidity, and the quality of easily becoming influenced by somebody. I also admired the supporting characters. Mrs Bennet was funny. Lydia and Lady Catherine were irritating. Mr Collins was both funny and irritating. I also liked Mr and Mrs Gardner.
It is not that Mrs Bennet's intentions can always be blamed. Yes, she is irritating. But she only wants her daughters to be settled, because of their such small inheritance. If we think from this point, then it can be a little bit easier to appreciate the character. I didn't take her as an irritating character. Rather, I thought the character was humorous, I thought the character was really very funny.
Like other Austen novels, wealth and social status play an important role in this novel. The book is set in an era where social status were important for every single marriage to take place. And it affected and influenced so many loves, so many marriages. Likewise, this theme plays an important role in this book as well. I won't go into detail about how it played the role because that would be giving away too much.
There is a lot of humor. A great deal of humor. The response of Mr Bennet after Mr Collins proposes to Elizabeth. Mrs Bennet is herself so very funny. Kitty and Lydia's actions were another source of humor.
In short, I really loved this novel. Really. I loved the development of feelings, I loved the excellently-developed characters, I loved the humor, and on the whole, I loved this beautiful and touching love story.
5 out of 5!
Author: Sidney Sheldon
Published: 1994
Genres: Novel, Thriller, Suspense, Romance
Rating: 4 out of 5
Review
Before reading Nothing Lasts Forever, I had read three other Sidney Sheldon novels: The Stars Shine Down, The Sky is Falling, and Are You Afraid of the Dark?. I thoroughly enjoyed reading all three of them, but I must also say that I found none of them excellent. They were sometimes predictable and often silly. But they were very enjoyable reads. I was satisfied with them, but didn't find any of them excellent.
But I am really glad I read Nothing Lasts Forever. It is an impressive novel. And I mean it. It is a really very impressive novel. Though there are sometimes indeed some of the Sidney Sheldon cliches and a few times it did get silly, yet I found it a very pleasant and impressive novel. It was not a masterpiece, but I was really pleased with it.
Set mostly at a hospital, the novel's central characters are three doctors: Paige Taylor, Honey Tuft, and Kat Hunter. They work in the same hospital and live in the same apartment. The novel explores the lives of these three women: their feelings, their passions, their desires, their past, their pain.
The novel begins with a lengthy prologue. Kat Hunter has been murdered. Honey Tuft had almost closed down the hospital (reasons revealed in course of the novel). And Paige Taylor has been accused of murdering one of her patients because the patient had left her a huge wealth. But Doctor Taylor says that it was euthanasia. She knew nothing about the inheritance until after the death of the particular patient.
Most of the novel is told in flashbacks, starting with the time Paige, Kat, and Honey had joined the hospital. It tells the story of their stressful job, struggling personal lives, painful and secret pasts. And their meeting such odd and unfortunate fates.
One of the things that I like about Sheldon is the characterization in his books. In Nothing Lasts Forever the characterizations are definitely effective and deep! Along with the life of the three protagonists, the stressful life of doctors is also very well described in this book. (I really appreciated the epilogue, where what happened to most of the characters, is described).
I definitely enjoyed this one! The last chapter was so very emotional. As I mentioned before, some of Sidney Sheldon's cliches can be found now and then, but the overall novel is impressive and pleasant.
4 out of 5!
