Saturday 31 August 2013

Burying the Typewriter: Childhood under the eye of the secret police by Carmen Bugan

This is a memoir that lives up to all its publicity. Bugan is a poet and her writing transcends the two genres to create a lyrical account of her family’s life under constant surveillance in Ceausescu’s Romania.

There’s a chapter in the book called ‘The angel in bunica’s dream’ which describes the autumn day when the grapes had turned purple-plum-red and the author’s grandmother has a severe stroke. Bugan and her sister beg her to wake up – “Bunicuta mea, bunicuta mea – please come back to us, please come back to us.” The priest makes circles around bunica with the censer, anoints her with holy oil, blesses her with basil and holy water, and opens the book. He reassures the sisters that bunica Anghelina will wake up because the book has opened on the red writing. Bunica is in a coma for thirty days and does, indeed, awaken. When she does, she has a story to tell.

Sadly, the old ways that cling on, in the form of bunica and bunicu, are an anathema to the communist-era State that Bugan grows up in. At school, the children are taught the meaning of community. Sometimes, this means that, if one child is naughty, the whole class will get a beating. Other methods include alarming stories enriched with a moral purpose and compulsory ‘volunteer’ work after school. History is re-written to match the official version, as is the reality of their daily lives.

Bugan’s parents run a grocery store for a time and her knowledge of the inconvenient economic deprivations can’t be completely obviated by the regime – especially when you’ve got a father like hers. Although a loving parent, Ion Bugan has a long acquaintance with Ceausescu’s security services and prisons. He listens to Radio Free Europe and Voice of America. Every night, he digs up a typewriter in his backyard and reburies it before morning. He goes for long drives and then, one day, he just can’t remain silent any longer. The consequences for himself and his family test the strength of all.

Burying the Typewriter manages to recall the dark days of the Eastern Bloc whilst simultaneously exuding the charm of childhood and the carefully sifted wisdom of an adult’s reflection on family. Being a talented poet, no review can adequately convey the beauty of Bugan’s writing – best you read it yourself.

Reviewed by Spot

Catalogue Link:  Burying the Typewriter

Thursday 29 August 2013

An Incomplete Revenge by Jacqueline Winspear

Jacqueline Winspear’s Maisie Dobbs novels make an entertaining addition to the reading list of anyone who enjoys mysteries by Agatha Christie or Kerry Greenwood’s Phryne Fisher books.

Set in England between the wars, Maisie runs her own detective agency – but she’s an investigator with a special talent. As a trained psychologist she has the knack of sensing when things are not quite what they seem and so it goes with An Incomplete Revenge.

Maisie’s wealthy chum, James Compton, wants to buy an estate and brickworks near the Kent township of Heronsdene, but petty crime and unsolved arson attacks have him worried. When James hires Maisie to look into the case, she quickly dispatches her assistant and general factotum, Billy, to work on the estate, where hop-picking is underway and gypsies have made camp.

Maisie meanwhile talks to people in the town, finding out about Alfred Sandermere, lord of the manor, whose drunken exploits upset the locals. There’s also the story of a wartime tragedy when an enemy zeppelin unloaded a bomb on the village bakery, killing an entire family.

Family secrets and the reluctance of the townsfolk to speak of the past keep the reader guessing. Before the novel is out, Maisie will learn a trick or two from the gypsies, and must confront the sorrow of her own wartime loss. An Incomplete Revenge is a light, diverting read that conjures up a summertime atmosphere of village life between the wars and has enough plot twists to make this a classic whodunit.

Posted by JAM

Read this as an eBook on ePukapuka Overdrive

About the Author

Wednesday 28 August 2013

I Hunt Killers by Barry Lyga

When your father is a notorious serial killer and you have been raised to follow in his footsteps, trained to consider everyone as potential prey, what do you do with your life? 

For Jazz it is a constant battle to remind himself that People Do Matter. This is a mantra he repeats consistantly through the story as he fights to become something other than what his upbringing aimed for.

I was unsure when I picked this book up whether it was a young adult or adult novel but quickly decided it didn't matter. A reasonably light read, I enjoyed the characters and the point of difference in the story, horrifying as the subject matter was.

I was riveted following Jazz' journey into and out of the darkness as he seeks to bring down a cunning serial killer authorities don't believe exists. Learning and sharing his internal battles and the loyalty to the two people in his life that make all the difference to who he has become; his stubborn, caring, girlfriend and his fragile
haemophiliac best friend Howie.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more of this character.
Posted by Cookie Fan
 
Catalogue Link:I Hunt Killers
 
For more about the author and his other titles http://barrylyga.com/
 

Thursday 22 August 2013

A Treacherous Likeness by Lynn Shepherd

You might remember Lynn Shepherd's previous detective story, Tom-All-Alone's, which featured her energetic private investigator, Charles Maddox, and recaptured the world of Dickens.

In A Treacherous Likeness, Charles is hired by Sir Percy Shelley, the son of the famous Romantic poet, and his ailing mother, Mary Shelley, author of the novel, Frankenstein. The family are keen to protect the good name of the late poet from the publication of scandalous documents.

This throws Charles’s household into a spin, because thirty years ago, Charles’s Uncle Maddox had dealings with the Shelleys, a case that clouded his life and which now upsets the old man so much it destroys his health. Charles soon discovers that it is his uncle’s case notes that the Shelleys are really worried about, and these are missing.

As he begins his investigations, Charles slowly pieces together the story of Percy Shelley, his demons and the women in his life, particularly Mary and her step-sister Claire Claremont. The Shelleys’ marriage has been marred by terrible heartbreak with the loss of their small children. Uncle Maddox has asked the difficult question: could there be a sinister explanation for this?

Lynn Shepherd has done an enormous amount of research to come up with a theory that is both plausible and daring for what happened to the Shelleys all those years ago. Although the novel may not read like a typical murder mystery – there aren’t the bodies, clues and run-ins with criminals - it is every bit as thrilling and keeps the reader guessing to the end.

Posted by JAM

Catalogue Link: A Treacherous Likeness

About the Author

Thursday 15 August 2013

The Hired Man by Aminatta Forna

The Hired Man is a thought-provoking novel that describes the on-going effects of war on ordinary people. The story is told from the point of view of Duro, who lives in a shack on the outskirts of Gost, a small town in Croatia, with only two hunting dogs for company. When an English family moves into a neighbouring cottage, he’s ready to help, with his excellent English and renovations skills.

Laura and her teenage children become increasingly dependent on Duro and at first it seems the novel is about the awkward friendship that arises between Duro and this attractive Englishwoman whose husband is delayed by work in London. Duro even manages to break down Matt’s surly reserve and helps Grace with restoring a mosaic on the front of the house.

As the mosaic’s picture slowly emerges, so too does the story of Duro, his childhood, relationships and time away on the coast. We learn about when Gost was besieged by Serb forces during the Croatian War of Independence. Lingering hostilities develop that divide neighbours and former friends and Duro, forever out with his dogs and rifle, witnesses what can only be described as war crimes.

The Hired Man is a gripping read with its careful building up of tensions, both past and present. The setting of a Croatian town in summer creates a wonderful atmosphere and it is hard to believe Gost could be the scene of such violence. A powerful story about the importance of keeping memories alive – even the most painful.

Posted by JAM

Catalogue Link: The Hired Man

About the Author

Clive by Gary Baines

Having spent half my childhood in Clive, I’m probably quite biased when it comes to reviewing this book - but it really does deserve some praise. When I was growing up, visits to local museums seemed dominated by pictures of Hastings and Napier and dramatic scenes from the 1931 earthquake. Clive seemed to be overlooked and you could be forgiven for not realising its long history and its status as an up-and-coming little colonial town. 

This visually appealing and keenly awaited book changes all that. The extensive illustrations are beautifully laid out and vividly bring 200 years of history to life. Many of the photographs are from private collections and local history guru, Gary Baines, has done a wonderful job bringing them together into a coherent and accessible format. 

What I particularly loved about it was the sense that you were witnessing the personal yet epic battle to transplant a way of life into an unfamiliar landscape; a battle that was simultaneously occurring right throughout New Zealand, for better and worse. The history of Clive provides tales of triumphs and disasters along the way – national history, but in miniature.

The crafting of books such as this one are gifts to the community; gifts that allow us a glimpse past the present moment to see the layering of history in our own familiar, everyday surroundings. Much work has gone on behind the scenes to ensure that future generations have ready access to these stories and documents, and the beautiful cover art by Brent Redding provides the perfect giftwrap.  A big thank you to all those involved.

Reviewed by Spot 

Read more at: www.hawkesbaytoday.co.nz/news/clive-history-finally-in-print/1911151

Catalogue Link: Clive by Gary Baines with Craig MacEhrlich  

Wednesday 14 August 2013

The Wedding Gift by Marlen Bodden

“Set in the Deep South pre Gone with the Wind and the Civil War, The Wedding Gift is a story of slavery, abuse, passion and eventual freedom.” - Publisher

Wealthy plantation owner, Cornelius Allen has a reputation for being a good slave owner. When his daughter Clarissa marries, he decides to gift her a maid, Sarah. Sarah is also Cornelius’ daughter, borne from a long-term relationship with his slave Emmeline. Both girls have grown up together, but while Clarissa has enjoyed a life of ease and privilege, Sarah’s life has been one of hard work and slavery.

When Clarissa’s husband rejects his new wife, the two return to the family plantation. This leads to a chain of events that will change everything. 

This is an exciting and well-written book, which I enjoyed even more than The Help. The author is a lawyer with 20 years’ experience working with low wage immigrant workers. Her intimate knowledge of the history of slavery, both past and present, has resulted in a novel that has the realism of non-fiction. A recommended read.

Reviewed by Young at Heart Book Group

Catalogue Link: The Wedding Gift

About the Author: Marlen Bodden is a lawyer in New York City. She has more than two decades' experience representing poor people and low-wage and immigrant workers, many of whom are severely underpaid, if paid at all. Visit her website at: www.marlenbodden.com for the history behind The Wedding Gift in photographs, illustrations, maps, and a bibliography. 

Friday 9 August 2013

In Her Shadow by Louise Douglas

There’s a bit of Daphne du Maurier in Louise Douglas’s novel, In Her Shadow, a story full of suspense, family secrets, and forbidden romance set against a charming Cornish backdrop. 

Hannah’s fragile peace of mind is thrown into turmoil when she sees her old school friend, Ellen, at the museum where she works. The problem is that Ellen is dead, and has been for twenty years. Is Hannah being haunted? She will need to regain her courage and confront her past if she wants to put this ghost to rest. 

Told from Hannah’s point of view, the novel weaves a present day story with events of the past, when Ellen first came to live in Hannah’s hometown. A young girl from a humble background, Hannah is overwhelmed by the glamour of the Brecht family – Ellen’s urbane German father, her beautiful invalid mother, and Ellen who is both pretty and talented. 

Once a concert pianist, Ellen’s mother is slowly dying and tensions within the family have made Ellen difficult to deal with. The Brechts are delighted she has made a suitable friend in natural, unpretentious Hannah. But complications arise when the girls grow up and Ellen becomes attracted to Hannah’s childhood friend, Jago.

Louise Douglas creates plenty of tension and psychological drama, eventually taking the reader to Germany, where the past and present collide.

In Her Shadow is perhaps not the most memorable of novels, but with its well-paced storyline and sympathetic narrator, it is a pleasantly diverting read nonetheless.

Catalogue Link: In Her Shadow

Posted by JAM 

Wednesday 7 August 2013

Do we, as caring parents, overly censor what our teens read?

I have been following with great interest the debate raging over the last month about Ted Dawe's book Into the River. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Bernard Beckett’s blog bernardbeckett.wordpress.com and the comments from people with their views about the book. 

Having worked in the book industry for most of my life, and being an avid reader, I have come across many books that have disturbing content - and spoken to many adults concerned about what their young charges may be reading. We all want the very best for our children, to teach them right from wrong and shelter them from 'the bad stuff'. But the bad stuff is out there. It's real. It happens. And forewarned is forearmed.

Many books aimed at the teen market contain 'life lessons' covering subjects such as sex, drug use, alcohol, abuse and violence. Sadly all issues in today's society. These books give youth the opportunity to face or encounter, from a safe distance, what others have gone through.

Throughout history there have been many books that have been disapproved of; challenged or banned for moral, military or religious reasons.

I remember in the 1980's the ‘Give Noddy a Break’ campaign when the Noddy books were challenged because Noddy slept with Big Ears (must be gay) and having Mr Golly as a gollywog was considered racist. They removed the Mr Golly character, made him white and renamed him Mr Sparks...hmm.

I remember when The Snow Goose was challenged as a breach of national security by the British government…yes really.

Some teen titles that have been ‘challenged’ over the years include – Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime by Mark Haddon and I distinctly remember the controversy about Blue Lawn by William Taylor when it hit the shelves in the 90's.

Into the River is the winner of the New Zealand Post Margaret Mahy Book of the Year and the Young Adult Fiction category. Judge Bernard Beckett says Dawes book is “a truly marvellous and indeed moral book" and encourages all to read it and contemplate the messages it contains.

Posted by Cookie Fan

Monday 5 August 2013

Tom-All-Alone's by Lynn Shepherd


Tom-All-Alone’s is the name of a slum area that features in the Dickens novel, Bleak House. It is also a key setting in the first of Lynn Shepherd’s gripping mystery series featuring former copper, Charles Maddox. His patch is Dickensian London in time and place, and also with the inclusion of some of Dicken’s characters, such as the Machiavellian Edward Tulkinghorn, solicitor to the rich and powerful.

It is Tulkinghorn who employs Maddox to track down the identity of a blackmailer – but when the perpetrator dies in a house fire, Charles suspects foul play. What are those dark and dirty secrets that Tulkinghorn is at such pains to suppress? This is the mystery that drives Charles to clash with the powerful lawyer and to repeatedly endanger his own life.

There is a huge cast of characters here, among them are more echoes of Bleak House: a young lady named Hester and her benefactor, Mr Jarvis, plus the tenacious policeman, Inspector Bucket. There are kindly prostitutes, and the quirky characters of Charles’s own household, including his mentally fragile Uncle Maddox, his old retainer, Stornaway and Molly, the mute African maid.

Charles himself is a terrific character - energetic and smart, yet hounded by demons of his own, including a lurking guilt over the disappearance of his little sister when he was a boy. This back-story will no doubt crop up in further books in the series, and I for one hope there will be plenty more as this is one of the smartest and most engaging period mysteries I have read in a long time.

Reviewed by JAM

Catalogue Link: Tom-All-Alone's

About the Author