Review of This House is Haunted by John Boyne

We all find it difficult loosing a loved-one, but when twenty-one year old Eliza Cane looses her father suddenly, she is left with no home, no other family and nowhere to go. Panicking, she makes the rash decision to take on the position of governess at Gaudlin Hall, Norfolk, after seeing an advertisement in a broadsheet.

On a dark and chilly night, Eliza arrives at the Hall, expecting to be met by her employer. Instead, she is greeted by two young children, Isabella and Eustace, and no one else is in the building; no parents, no adults, no one at all. When she questions the children about the whereabouts of their parents, she gets evasive answers, or half-truths but no explanations. Where are they? Why are the children alone?

Things start becoming more mystifying when it is apparent that something strange is happening at Gaudlin Hall; not only is Eliza almost pushed in front of a train as soon as she arrives at the Norfolk station – only to be saved by a passing doctor – but later that night, in her new room, a second terrifying experience convinces Eliza that something is very wrong.

Things take a turn for the worst when she discovers the fate of the previous governess’ to take up residence at Gaudlin Hall. Whatever malign presence resides in her new home, Eliza soon realises that her life, and that of the children’s, will not be safe until the secrets of Gaudlin Hall are excavated and put to rest for good.

The year is 1867, and the setting is a grand, dilapidated manor house. It all sounds a bit Jane Eyre, the very reason I was attracted to the book in the first place, but this is a ghost story; no more, no less.

Anything John Boyne ever writes is something I am more than excited to read, and as I have already mentioned, the plot is something that I was immediately interested in reading. The gothic elements of this story, mixed with the work of an excellent author, results in a book that will appeal to many readers. One of his most notable works to date, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, secured Boyne a place as one of the best authors of the decade, as well as being a personal favourite of mine. Where The Boy in the Striped Pajamas was written to perfection as the voice of an innocent, educated boy, This House is Haunted is in the viewpoint of educated, grieving but ever-loyal Eliza Cane. Boyne shows-off his skill in writing by having the ability to write convincingly in both male and female characters, and young and old voices, weaving a narrative true to the characters that live within its pages.

I can easily see This House is Haunted being adapted into a TV drama at some point in the future, and if his track record is anything to go by, John Boyne will no doubt have another bestseller out in no time. Something I am already anticipating. 

Summer in February by Jonathan Swift

 Britain seems to have been plunged into a Summer in February frenzy over the past few weeks, with the film hitting cinema screens all over the country and the book flying off the shelves, so I thought I’d join in and have a read of the novel to see what all the fuss is about.

Originally released by Jonathan Swift in 1996, this novel has come to frequent bookshelves again this year due after it was announced that it will be adapted for the big screen, directed by Christopher Menaul. The book begins with Sir Alfred Munnings, retiring President of the Royal Academy, launching ‘a savage attack’ on Modern Art. His old friend, Gilbert, hears this on the radio and it takes him down memory lane, to forty years earlier, a time when Munnings and his life was entwined due, in short, to one young woman, Florence Carter-Wood.

To get a feel of the novel without me giving too much of the plot away, I am going to pass onto you a quote from the Telegraph, which features on the book jacket. Having just finished the book, I feel it sums it up better than anything I could write here. “Engrossing and surprisingly dark.” Before reading the novel, I read this quote and it made me think that perhaps Summer in February isn’t simply the fluffy romance I was expecting. In short, it isn’t. In fact, the book has much more heart and a darker undercurrent of themes than I was anticipating, however this did not subtract anything from the novel overall, only added to the story.

It think it’s important to tell you before we go into too much detail, that Summer in February is in fact based on a true story, (something I was fascinated to learn!) and indeed many of the characters (artists) are real, and quite famous in the art world. I am ashamed that I am not familiar with their names and after reading this book; I have taken it upon myself to research the truth behind the novel. Some of the main characters have biographies written about their real counterparts, something that would make interesting additional reading for a fan of Summer in February.

It’s true to say, therefore, that Summer in February was not at all what I had anticipated, but there are more pros than cons to the book in question.

Firstly, the setting of this excellent love story is very close to my heart – the novel takes place in the south of Cornwall (where I have lived for all of my life), in particular, around Newlyn, Penzance and Lamorna Cove. 

Secondly, the plot is realistic (which of course it would be, being based on a true story!) It is primarily about a love triangle between three artists in Cornwall. Don’t worry; you don’t have to have any prior knowledge of –or love for - art to understand Summer in February, despite the opening chapter tricking you into thinking otherwise. The artists in question are Alfred Munnings and Gilbert Evans, with Florence Carter-Wood as the love interest of the two men. Right from the off-set, it’s clear that Munnings is a marmite character; the audience and the other characters in the book either take a shine to him, or find his loud manner and arrogance a turn-off. Gilbert, on the other hand, is easily likeable, if a bit boring.

The film adaption is a different story. It seems that, despite the popular casting of Brit’ favourite Dan Stevens as Gilbert, the film hasn’t lived up to the hype and has received largely mixed reviews. I urge you to pick up the book and go and see the film without judging it too harshly. Summer in February is a period drama for a rainy day, not an award-winning masterpiece, and I think it does perfectly well being just that – a good film. Just don’t build your expectations up too high. 

Hot Blooded by Amanda Carlson REVIEW

Jessica McClain’s story continues in Hot Blooded, the second installment in the Jessica McClain series.

I feel that a quick recap of the first book is needed for some context here; Jessica has just discovered that she is the only female werewolf in the world. However, this is no reason for celebration. It means she is now a target. She recently found her mate, Rourke, only for him to be kidnapped by a powerful goddess.

Hot Blooded picks up where Full Blooded left off, with Jessica eager to begin searching for her mate. But things are never as straight forward as they seem when you’re the only female werewolf around, and in Hot Blooded, Jessica comes to realise this more than ever when she is able to unimaginable things, things that no werewolf has ever been able to do, with powers that no other supernatural – or ‘supe’ as they are nicknamed in the series – can do. It’s clear that the sooner she can learn and understand her new powers, the better.

As with Full Blooded, I am surprised at how much I love this series. It could so easily become another – very forgettable – werewolf series ridden with plot holes and pointless characters; however, Amanda Carlson once again has exceeded my expectations and managed to pull off a second installment with just as much sass as the first. Jessica is a feisty; no nonsense woman who knows when enough is enough. She has close ties to her twin bother, Tyler, and her Pack mate, Danny, who help her on an adventure/quest to rescue her mate. They also enlist the help of two vampires, Naomi and Eamon, who bring some unexpected scenarios when Naomi is badly injured and only Jessica can save using a power she never knew she had.

It is in this book Carlson starts to slowly reveal just what an exception to the werewolf race Jessica really is. Her powers are unheard of, but is that a good thing or bad? There is the small matter of a prophecy claiming that ‘her birth will signify the end of their race’. How true is that?

The interaction between the characters is quick-witted and humorous, and despite Hot Blooded being such a fast paced novel, Carlson does an excellent job of making us the forget the wider threats and enjoy the small banter between the main characters. The best scenes are between Jessica and Ray, who seems to be in the series for the long haul judging by how things were left in this book…

There are also hints at relationships developing between some of the characters in this novel, and certain threats to be faced in the future novels, so nothing is wrapped up in this installment – and hopefully there will be many more Jessica McClain books to come. 

The Silver Linings Playbook Film Vs. Book Review

The Silver Linings Playbook

Meet Pat Peoples, short for Patrick, but that’s his Dad’s name so he’s called Pat to us… Let’s not confuse ourselves unnecessarily. I’ll start again…

Meet Pat. A determined, middle-aged man who has decided that, after his time spent in a psychiatric hospital, it is time to get his life back on track. This involves the love of his life, who also happens to be his wife, Nikki. Sounds simple enough, right? Perhaps not. There are a few obstacles standing in his way; what did he do to get himself in the hospital? Why hasn’t his wife visited him?

But he decides to leave all of his issues at the hospital and leaves with a new outlook on life; he will be a changed man. More precisely, he will change himself to become the man Nikki always wanted. Pat work hard to get fit, be nice and ‘always look for the silver lining’.  It is when he crosses paths with Tiffany, a mysteriously straight-talking young woman, that his secrets resurface and his determination is shaken. Is he fighting for the affection of the wrong woman?

The Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick deals with a serious issue that many other books shy away from; Pat is a bipolar sufferer. I think such a subject needs to be dealt with carefully, in a certain way. Make no mistake; this is no harrowingly depressing novel about an unstable, depressed man. In fact, it is quite the opposite. It is full of humor, and humorous situations (amplified to perfection in the film adaption) and shows Pat coming to terms – slowly – with the fact that his marriage has ended and he needs to move on. The Silver Linings Playbook is the part that comes after a marriage break up; the moment you realise you have to move on and learn to live without the other person.

The film adaption came in 2012. The all-star cast was always going to make this film a hit, but it became more than that; it is now a ‘major critical success’ winning the hearts of the audience, critics and fans of the book alike. The plot is slightly different but it makes the story all that much better. Tiffany will pass on letters from Pat to his wife, Nikki, if in return he partners with her for a dance competition, leading to some hilarious scenes when Tiffany has to teach Pat to dance.

Bradley Cooper possibly the best choice to play Pat People’s; he nailed the role without going over the top or spoiling the thing that makes Pat such an amazing character, his openness and honesty.

Jennifer Lawrence won me over against all the odd as Tiffany. I, like many other people who have read a book before seeing the film version, had an idea of the characters ready in my mind. The pleasant surprise was that Lawrence embraced the brutal honesty and sharp tongue easily. This is the role I now think of whenever I regard her as an actress – over The Hunger Games.

The relationship between the two main characters, Pat and Tiffany, establishes them as one of fictions best-suited couples. It is honest and real. They have their demons to fight, but who doesn’t?

It is rare to find a film adaption of a popular book that is an amazing blockbuster in its own right. The stars of the film have done an excellent job of making the characters their own. There is a hilarious scene early on in the film where Pat, reading the novels Nikki (a teacher) is studying in her class, gets angry after finished an Earnest Hemmingway novel because he doesn’t like the ending. I think it’s a scene all book-lovers will appreciate! The highlight of both the book and the film for me was Dr. Patel A.K.A Cliff, Pat’s therapist. It makes me wonder, why can’t all therapists be like him?

The ending of the film and book also differ, and whilst both are good, I much prefer the film ending. I have asked a few of my friends who have read the book and seen the film and they agree. The film is just excellent.

The Silver Linings Playbook is a refreshing read that deals with real life problems without feeling to heavy or serious. The characters are pitched to perfection and there is enough humor and emotion to make this one of the best books of the decade. A must-read if I’ve ever seen one.