Five Mini Reviews
#A Case of Need by Michael Crichton - very interesting. The novel is very pro-abortion, which I found difficult, but it's usually good to read viewpoints that differ to your own, because it helps you understand what others are thinking. Whilst I found Crichton's very biased approach slightly annoying (he didn't address the alternative views at all, other than to ridicule the extremist stance) the story was interesting enough for me to want to read to the end.
#The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough - well, this was surprising! I sort of remember the story from the 1970's, when my parents banned us from watching it, and my sister and I used to sneak episodes when they were out! But I have never read it. McCullough writes in a very descriptive style, and she uses all the adverbs that Stephen King advises writers to avoid, but she certainly writes a good story. I was uneasy with the ages of the main characters - as a priest in his twenties becomes besotted with a girl who is a child. Anyone who has ever does any child protection courses has the word 'grooming' looming at the back of their mind. I enjoyed the story though, it was compelling reading.
#The Death House by Sarah Pinborough - not as compulsive as 'Behind Her Eyes', but still a good story. I'm not sure if it was intended as a YA book, as it read like one (but there was nothing in the blurb to indicate it was). Some unnecessary sex scenes (perhaps that's what YAs like to read), but an interesting story idea.
#Love Like Blood by Mark Billingham - I always enjoy Billingham's books, and this one didn't disappoint. A fun holiday read.
#City of Friends by Joanna Trollope - I usually enjoy Trollope's books, but this one felt a bit forced, as if she hasn't written anything for a while and felt she needed to produce a book whilst not actually having anything to say.
Anne E. Thompson is the author of several novels and one non-fiction book. You can find her books in bookshops and Amazon.
Anne writes a weekly blog:
anneethompson.com
#The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough - well, this was surprising! I sort of remember the story from the 1970's, when my parents banned us from watching it, and my sister and I used to sneak episodes when they were out! But I have never read it. McCullough writes in a very descriptive style, and she uses all the adverbs that Stephen King advises writers to avoid, but she certainly writes a good story. I was uneasy with the ages of the main characters - as a priest in his twenties becomes besotted with a girl who is a child. Anyone who has ever does any child protection courses has the word 'grooming' looming at the back of their mind. I enjoyed the story though, it was compelling reading.
#The Death House by Sarah Pinborough - not as compulsive as 'Behind Her Eyes', but still a good story. I'm not sure if it was intended as a YA book, as it read like one (but there was nothing in the blurb to indicate it was). Some unnecessary sex scenes (perhaps that's what YAs like to read), but an interesting story idea.
#Love Like Blood by Mark Billingham - I always enjoy Billingham's books, and this one didn't disappoint. A fun holiday read.
#City of Friends by Joanna Trollope - I usually enjoy Trollope's books, but this one felt a bit forced, as if she hasn't written anything for a while and felt she needed to produce a book whilst not actually having anything to say.
Anne writes a weekly blog:
anneethompson.com
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