Reviews by Jenny (66)

Jenny 2022-01-24 The Wilderness between Us

Local adventure

The Wilderness between Us

This book was a lovely surprise. I expected a simple adventure story set in the familiar Tsitsikamma forest hiking trail. But this story is so much more than that. It explores the self-exploration that happens when we are immersed in a natural environment, through the life stories of the two main characters who land up in a very dangerous situation. They have to grow and draw on their own strengths, to come out on top. A feel-good, enjoyable and easy read.

Jenny 2022-01-24 The Nightingale

A Woman of the French Resistance

The Nightingale

The unrelenting suffering depicted in this story at times seemed melodramatic, which made it more bearable for me. The Nightingale is a young rebellious French girl who joins the Resistance and helps soldiers escape across the mountains to Spain. Her older sister stays at home with her daughter and has to cope with the German occupation and a husband who becomes a POW. As a confirmed non-fan of war fiction, I really enjoyed this novel mostly because the characters are so deeply and sympathetically written that the suffering and devastation become secondary to their private journeys.

Jenny 2022-01-24 Hamnet

A homely story with grand themes

Hamnet

This book describes an imagined home life lived by Shakespeare. The central character, Agnes, falls in love with the young tutor, helps him to deal with his abusive father, supports him through his struggles to become a playwright by keeping the home in the country running while he pursues success in London, and ultimately loses her 11 year old son, Hamnet, to the plague. The story is captivating and echoes familiar Shakespearean themes of power, love, death, herbalism and magic, gender confusion, family duty and more. It is a gentle easy read that stays with you long after you have finished it.

Jenny 2021-10-13 How We Met

'A memoir of love and other misadventures'

How We Met

This is the true story of a Muslim girl who after trying really hard to find a suitable Muslim man which is what her parents want, eventually falls in love with a totally unsuitable white English man. I found this fascinating in that these barriers are still considered so important in the modern, educated, Western world. Huma writes so well that a simple memoir becomes a riveting read.

Jenny 2021-10-13 The Island of Missing Trees

Gentle, wise and uplifting

The Island of Missing Trees

Another gentle read in which a tree takes a central role - this time a fig tree narrates every second chapter. This is an inspiring novel that starts with the civil war in Cyprus in the 50's and describes the love story of 2 young Cypriots, one Greek and one Turkish, who are separated by war but then make a life together in London. Their daughter Ada is the main protagonist as she uncovers their hidden history. The characters are rich and lovable and the connection with nature provides a spiritual dimension.

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