Reviews by Andrea (42)

Andrea 2024-01-14 A Calling for Charlie Barnes

Hilarious? No. Touching? Yes

A Calling for Charlie Barnes

I really expected this to be a laugh-out-loud read. It isn't. At least, not in my opinion. It is funny, but only in the rather painful way that life can be a funny old thing. I suppose we sometimes laugh because things hurt. There's plenty of irony, and the occasional mildly amusing moment - and yes, I suppose one could say it is satirical. All the same, I found it rather sad. Poor Charlie wants so much to be a good person - when he remembers to - and he's not averse to creating false impressions for the sake of being liked. As a result, everyone sees him differently, and even he isn't too sure about who he really is. The book is written in a conversational tone and I found it easy to get into and enjoy. The tale has its twists and although Charlie is something of a loose cannon, I think many people would identify with him and like him as I did. I'd be interested to know whether anyone finds this "hilarious." Perhaps my sense of humour is at fault...

Andrea 2024-01-10 Shepherd's Hut

Gritty and Gripping

Shepherd's Hut

Not for the faint hearted! This story is told in the words of a teenage boy who is accustomed to brutality and who is running from terrible things. He isn't educated. He isn't "cultured." And he may not seem sensitive to the average reader. But he's doing his best trying to survive in the most desolate regions of the outback. He finds a friend - a very strange one, defeats the baddies, and we leave him headed for the fulfillment of a dream which he may or may not realize. It's gripping, so be ready for a late night or two as you gallop through this remarkable story.

Andrea 2024-01-10 Daisy Jones and the Six

Everyone Who Read It Enjoyed It: So Did I

Daisy Jones and the Six

Imagine a 70s rock band with hugely charismatic male and female leads and wonderful songs to sing. And they have the lifestyle to deal with too: sex, drugs, rock and roll.... The story is told in a journalistic format and is so believable that you might find yourself being disappointed that it isn't as true as it feels when you're reading it. Comfort yourself: it's a conglomeration of many true stories with just a bit of embroidery to pretty it up. Wouldn't read it twice, but loved it!

Andrea 2024-01-10 The Buddha in the Attic

A Large Group of People Becomes a Single "Character"

The Buddha in the Attic

This book deals with the practice of Japanese workers in the US in the period before WW2, "buying" brides from Japan. It follows their stories. I did not find this book particularly engaging even though it was occasionally poignant and very likely historically accurate. I do take my hat off to the author. Trying to turn a group of people into a single "character" is no easy task. Up to a point, she succeeded - at least enough for me to read and finish the book. Technically, it's a masterpiece, affectively, it occasionally tugs at the heartstrings, and historically it covers events that few people know about. I'm not sorry I read it, but I'd class it as being hard work for the reader.

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