And the Mountains Echoed

And the Mountains Echoed

By Khaled Hosseini

Published by Bloomsbury 8 May 2014

This was a Book Club choice and I approached it with trepidation for two reasons. Firstly, I had heard such good things about Hosseini's writing and yet not read his work so I was concerned I would be disappointed as can often be the case surrounding hype, and secondly, that I had not yet read fiction set in Afghanistan and thought I may struggle with the pronunciation of names / locations and understanding the culture of the Afghan people. 

Neither concern was founded. This was a wonderful read. It began with the retelling of an Afghan myth - a father abandoning his child to save the rest of the family. This myth becomes reality for 10 year old Abdullah and his younger sister Pari when, in 1952, Pari is given by her father to a rich, childless couple living in Kabul. 

I could not put this book down. The characters! The plot! Heartbreaking, fascinating, emotional and tender it left me feeling whole, and wholly in love with the novel. The Book Club members loved it too - those who had read Hosseini before have encouraged me to read his other works; The Kite Runner, A Thousand Splendid Suns and Sea Prayer and more than one revealed they would like to read more myths and folktales from Afghanistan. My copy now sits on my bookcase, patiently awaiting the other three books. 

I'll finish similarly to how I started, but this time with two recommendations. Don't be put off by the unknown or let your confidence get the better of you. Pick up a book and try it. Also, join a Book Club. They are everywhere now - online, at your local Library, in Coffee Shops and Bars. Share your love of reading and dare to be brave in reading something new to you. 

Femme Fatale

Femme Fatale

By Guy de Maupassant (Translated by Sian Miles)

No. 15 Penguin Little Black Classics published 26 February 2015

Yes, it's another Little Black Classic and now I will tell you why I had a small binge on these books...I was visiting a relative in hospital. It was a two-bus journey and my mind needed to be occupied but not by too much for long. The Little Black Classics saved me from staring out of the bus window and imagining the worst (my relative recovered 😊).

This LBC took me to 19th century Paris. Ooh la la! Penguin describe de Maupassant as "...the father of the modern short story" and after the enjoyment I found in the Kate Chopin LBC I was very much looking forward to these four shorts.

Cockcrow is an amusing little tale of a man's shortcomings.

Femme Fatale describes an afternoon's boating and an evening encounter with lesbian couples, much to Senator's son Paul Baron's disgust. He has forbade his companion Madeleine from associating with them and his homophobia and jealousy ends in tragedy.

Hautot & Son begins at a partridge shoot where Hautot senior is mortally wounded. his deathbed confession to his son reveals he has a girl in Rouen he has visited every Thursday for six years and asked if his son would look after her. Shocked but resolved, the son visits and does what he can for the woman, and his half-brother he discovers there.

Laid to Rest is a tale told by life-of-the-party Joseph de Bardon about a chance encounter he makes in Montmartre Cemetery. Now, this may sound a little odd but the description of the cemetery is wonderful. I visited Pere Lachaise Cemetery a few years ago whilst on holiday in Paris and Parisian cemeteries are well worth a walk around for the care and creativity as much as the occupants. If I get to return to Paris, Montmartre's is on my to-visit list! Anyway, back to Joseph who happens to meet a very distressed widow at the grave of her husband. A short liaison ensues until one day he happens upon her in that very cemetery being supported in her grief by another man altogether.

The stories were entertaining, fun and very, very French! They gave me much needed light relief and I am looking forward to reading more of de Maupassant's work. 

Stancliffe's Hotel

Stancliffe's Hotel

By Charlotte Bronte

No. 126 Penguin Little Black Classics published 3 March 2016

I have read Jane Eyre. It was many years ago mind and a book I should probably re-read at some point. I knew Charlotte Bronte had also written Shirley, Villette and The Professor but I was not aware she had created, along with her brother Branwell, the world of Angria ruled by the Duke of Zamorna. 

Stancliffe's Hotel is a short work set in Angria, just after the Lord of Northangerland has led a failed rebellion against the Duke. Charlotte writes of the daily lives of the Angria populous and of the comings and goings at the hotel.

I am sorry to say I didn't get on well with this work. It may have been my mood at reading it but I found it tedious. The most amusing part was when Townshend and Sir William try and fail to fool the 'Rose of Zamorna' into receiving them at her home. I will be passing my copy onto a charity shop and hope it finds a good home with another reader.

A Pair of Silk Stockings

A Pair of Silk Stockings

by Kate Chopin

No. 66 Penguin Little Black Classics published 26 February 2015

This was an impulse purchase I made in Foyles Grand Central and for the princely sum of 80p I came away with this 56 page bind up of five of Chopin's short stories. 

Kate Chopin is a new author for me. She was born in 1850, St. Louis USA and died in the same city 54 years later. Her work was first published in magazines including Vogue and Penguin describe her as one of America's most daring writers. 

In Desiree's Baby, Chopin tackles race in a most shocking and brutal way. 

Miss McEnders makes a moral stand against illegitimacy yet finds herself the one shamed. 

The Story of an Hour is a short tale on the freedom death can provide.

Neg Creol tells us of Chicot who cares for, as best he can, a cantankerous elderly lady in New Orleans.

A Pair of Silk Stockings is the final story and my favourite. Mrs. Sommers finds herself in possession of $15 - and the predicament of how to spend it for the benefit of her family. She was kept awake with thoughts of shoes and shirtwaists, patching and darning but, on the very day of her enterprise, a faintness came over her and she ended up taking a seat at a counter, her hand coming into contact with the softest material she had ever held. Silk stockings...and reduced to only $1.98! It is the start of the most frivolous day Mrs. Sommers ever had and I was delighted for her.

These stories are wonderfully crafted with each word perfectly selected. This Little Black Classic has opened my eyes to the beauty of the short story so for that and for the introduction to Kate Chopin, thank you Penguin.

The Last Runaway

The Last Runaway

By Tracy Chevalier

Published 29 August 2013 The Borough Press

This was chosen to read by my library’s book club and I knew I had a copy already at home somewhere. Brilliant! I can actually read a book I own and either shelve it or donate it. I had a dig around in my boxes of unread books, found it and dug in.

Now I’m not normally a scatty person but work had been very hectic, however, I managed to finish my Tracy Chevalier in time for the meeting...hurrah. My triumph was short lived as we all sat down and unpacked the book. I had read the correct author, but not the correct book! Gah! The bookclubbers found this very amusing. I did review At the Edge of the Orchard for them and promised to read The Last Runaway (when I found it).

This is now the second Tracy Chevalier I have read and features some of my favourite reading topics. It’s historical fiction, set in a Quaker community in America during the days of slavery. As a child growing up reading the Laura Ingalls Wilder series, any novel that features cabins and crafting and sugaring off is a win for me.

Honor Bright is accompanying her sister Grace from Dorset to America where she will be married. It was never intended for Honor to go but after her intended left the Church to marry another, Honor was keen to escape the pitying glances of her community. At least she would know Grace was settled in her new life, in a new country with her new husband. Tragedy strikes however in the form of Yellow Fever, taking Grace and leaving a grieving Honor alone to travel and break the news to her fiancée, Adam. Travelling between Quaker friends, she makes her was West from New York to Faithwell, Ohio. Once there, she discovers Adam already grieving for his recently deceased brother and supporting his brother’s widow. She is welcomed as a sister but the household atmosphere is strained and Honor knows she will be unable to stay. What will become of Honor Bright?

I loved this book from start to finish and read it very quickly. I really felt attached to Honor, she is brave, resilient and a little feisty and I found myself hoping her life would would work out well. As I read, I learned a little about the Quaker religion, lifestyle and their views on slavery. I also learned about patchwork quilting (which I plan to have a go at) and read about millinery which I’ve always found fascinating. Set amongst the subterfuge and drama of the Underground Railroad Honor learns to love, live and listen to her conscience, staying true to her faith even in the most testing times. The rich detail brings the novel to life and the author includes historical notes on the Underground Railroad at the back of the novel.

The Last Runaway will be on my ‘Best Books I’ve read in 2019’ list. It’s sitting on my shelf next to At the Edge of the Orchard waiting for more Tracy Chevalier books to join it. I know I have Girl With a Pearl Earring in a box somewhere...

The Return

Hello,

It's been a while hasn't it?
Things got in the way - work, health, life. 
These things happen but while I haven't been blogging, I have been reading and reviewing and have a ton of reviews to post.

Speak to you soon!

The Cosy Teashop Tour

Hello there!

I hope you are sitting comfortably, preferably with a scone and a cuppa.

Today I am hosting a special guest post by Caroline Roberts, author of The Cosy Teashop in the Castle.

Caroline has very kindly written a piece for us about her time visiting castles in the North of England.

I was delighted when I discovered the novel is set in Northumberland as I have been lucky enough to holiday there and visit some of these castles...and tearooms!

So let me pass you on to Caroline:

Northumberland Castle and Teashop Tour:

Why not take a teashop and castle tour!

·         Chillingham Castle has it very own teashop within, just set off the inner courtyard. It’s an amazing place, you may recognize the leaded windows and huge fireplace from the novel.

·         Towering 150 foot above sea level, and set right on the beach, Bamburgh Castle looks every inch the mighty citadel it once was. It has a fabulous tearooms within its castle walls.

·         If you visit Alnwick Castle there’s the Courtyard Café within, or in the lovely and historic town of Alnwick itself try the fantastic range of teas at Bari Tea or the traditional Grannies tearooms.

·         Lindisfarne Castle/Holy Island – such a pretty place to visit, with several cafes and teashops on the island. Just remember to check the tide times for the causeway – you can get cut off!

·         Warkworth Castle – a historic castle and the scenic village has the gorgeous Cabosse patisserie and the lovely Bertram’s tea rooms

·         Not strictly a castle but a country hall, but the tea rooms at Howick Hall are rather special, ideal for afternoon tea, and well worth a mention, and the gardens there are delightful.

Enjoy your wonderful day out in Northumberland, or why not make a weekend of it! Wonder how many cakes and castles you can fit in?!

Sounds delicious, and I can personally vouch for the teashop at Bamburgh Castle!!

If all this talk of coffee and cake has whetted your appetite, be sure to look for Caroline's novel The Cosy Teashop in the Castle - out now from HarperImpulse