November 24, 2022Book ReviewsNews

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine

By Gail Honeyman.  

Reviewed by Lindsay Robertson, Doug Sockhill and Ann Nearchou Sockhill

Well-conceived, well-constructed and a fascinating tale.
This tale explores areas of the mind that perhaps should not be explored. The trauma
and the effects on a life can hardly be understood and this tale has the ability to open
your mind and heart to the characters involved.

Rarely does a book have me so intrigued that picking it up to read the next part becomes
a bit of a priority. The characters are honestly portrayed warts and all and the ending
still has some twists. Potentially the best book this year.

I have no hesitation in giving this a rating of 8.
Lindsay Robertson 

*************************************************************************

They say the first paragraph of a novel should be intriguing enough to get you mystified and hence
hooked. The first two pages were sufficient to make the reader realise E is a very unusual character.
This is the author’s way of enticing you into the novel. From then you are kept thinking,” who is this
weirdo and what’s the story here?”.

The plot’s lack of complexity (I found the book easy and relaxing to read) is more than compensated
for by its strong depth and unusual characters; mainly referencing E here (and her “mother”). I
thought the character development was strong and well done, even if a little slow for my liking, but
that’s probably because I am a bit impatient at times.

I guess it’s a simple and proven strategy in storytelling, you create a really unusual character and
then entice the reader to encourage the said character back to normality and success as a person.
This strategy is solidified by the reader getting filtered glimpses of the very unusual reasons that are
behind the very unusual characters. These glimpses keep the reader guessing and mystified. I think I
enjoyed the book because I am a reasonably curious person by nature.

Hence I found myself keen to keep reading, and it kept my interest. Given I have only read two
books in the last 5 years, this is saying something.

I thought there were some missed opportunities with the extent of plot that could have spiced up
the novel a bit.

For example:

E and the muso could have met up and formed a hot relationship that then goes south badly,
which in turn causes E to derail ???

Raymond could have an affair with Sammy’s daughter which could have in turn tipped E over
The edge as she would be forced to take second place???

I suggest this because during the book I kept thinking more was going to happen in the plot than
what actually eventuated. I think the book lacked some intensity at times and maybe there were
obvious ways that the author could have wound this up somewhat.

Overall a good story with great character development, but maybe could have been enhanced with a
more involved plot.

3.5 stars out of 5.
Doug Sockhill

****************************************************************************************

I really enjoyed this book –
Eleanor is a beautiful human being – but doesn’t know it.
Her clever, questioning mind, and yet her naivety made me smile.
Eleanor’s “teenager” infatuation with the musician; and her changing behaviour/appearance with
the aim to attract him, became a turning point in her life.

Although her careful planning to snare the musician was to end up in disaster, the gradual changes
in Eleanor triggered the interest of others; something she’d never experienced.

Enter the hero, Raymond – not the dashing, charismatic type like Johnnie L ……. But a hero just the
same. The one who saves Eleanor from her mundane, lonely life. And who saves her life literally.

Their beautiful friendship slowly became solid, filling that lonely gap in both of their lives. And the
horrible spell that was cast over Eleanor (due to her difficult childhood) began to eventually fade
away.

8 stars out 10
Ann Nearchou Sockhill

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October 20, 2022Book ReviewsNews

Mr Rosenblum’s List – by Natasha Solomons  Reviewed by Steve Reilly and Ann Nearchou Sockhill

Steve Reilly’s review

WARNING SPOILERS

What a delightful little story. We did this book in September 2011. But I really enjoyed this second read even though I knew what was going to happen; I savoured the story telling. With Sadie’s death the story took an unexpectedly dark turn, however it was a passing in the natural order. The fabric of the story, as I perceived it at that point, was violated. But Jack did get his wife back before she died, and what a joy it was to see her come totally on side. I thought the texture of the immediate post-war times was wonderfully rendered, like the difference between the food available in London and the country, a condition I assume to be true.

I was initially disappointed that the story did not end with the golf course in triumphant splendour, a flourishing concern, but upon reflection I realised that “Mr Rosenbloom’s List” is a morality tale. In the end Jack achieved the acceptance he craved not by gaining a position in society, a label, like having the word Englishman tattooed on his forehead, not by having others see him in a certain way, but by what he did, by being the sort of person he was. In fact his wife achieved this acceptance by what she did – the cakes and so forth – before Jack. So, in the end the golf course as such was not important, what was important were Jack’s actions and his relationship with others – his love and devotion to his friends and their friendship – friendship, loyalty, and devotion he earned. A lesson for us all probably. I pulled back one point from a nine because of a couple of niggly little things: some unnecessary bouncing around with POV and a minor author intrusion.

Mr Rosenblum’s List – by Natasha Solomons

Ann Nearchou Sockhill’s Review

This story was not hilarious (as stated on the cover) – please tell me if I’ve missed something!

It was told in a light manner which softened the reality of the situation.

There was a sadness for Mr Rosenblum’s need to belong with constant rejection experienced and for Sadie’s yearning for her old life when she felt she belonged.

This is the plight of many refugees and migrants all over the world. The plight of many outliers. In history, today and likely in the future.

For many couples, the relationship between Jack and Sadie is relatable, in varying degrees. In this case, moving in different directions to achieve their respective sense of belonging. One moving forward; the other the need to stay in the past.

As the story unfolded it became more heartening, when one interesting character Curtis?? saw something in Jack, that no-one else saw. Maybe he simply saw a fellow human being on the outer looking for acceptance and had the humanity to reach out. And the ball started to roll.

It was a matter of one step forward and two steps back for Jack, but thankfully good overrode evil in the end. And more heartening was his relationship with Sadie became stronger again.

I did enjoy this book, and I can envisage it as a light-hearted, “feel good” movie.

Rating:  7

Mr Rosenblum’s List – by Natasha Solomons

June Young’s Review

Mr Rosenblum’s List provides a feel-good story with an uplifting ending.  The first of two themes is the story of every new migrant – how to fit into the new community and gain acceptance.  Jack, Mr Rosenblum, is of German Jewish background and worked to a formula.

The relationship between Jack and his wife Sadie was the second theme.  Some of the best lines in the book came from the trying relationship.  For example, Sadie in exasperation: “My mother warned me that your family was crazy. But I was young and foolish and taken in by your red bicycle and thick black hair”.  The relationship rekindled as they faced the trials and tribulations of huge undertakings ending with Sadie really supporting Jack and his  dreams.

An easy read and very enjoyable book.

Score: 9/10

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September 17, 2022Book ReviewsNews

Review by June Young   September 2022

Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay is personal story of a young man sent by his parents from war torn Europe for a better future in the USA.  Joe joined his cousin in New York, and the story traces the lives of two talented young artist/writers in WW2 America in the
backdrop of the world of comics and their superheros.

At a time of great threat and disturbance, the comic world influenced people and the business culture.  A heartfelt letter from Joe’s mother, still in waring Europe, is particularly poignant.  The two main characters (Joe and Sam) came alive and were very likeable.

This long book takes time and effort to plough through – coming together only after 300 pages.  The writing was unnecessarily longwinded.  Unusual words became so numerous they would distract from the storyline for many readers.

Score: 5/10

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August 19, 2022Book ReviewsNews

“Home Fire” by Kamila Shamsie – 8

Reviewed by Steve Reilly

This book is a classic example of why it’s so good to be in a book group. In my head I have divided this book roughly into four parts. Part way through the first part, if I had simply selected this book myself, I would have thrown it over my left shoulder and screamed at the wall, “More Muslim propaganda.” However, because it’s a book group book I felt duty-bound to press on. And I was rewarded. I changed from doing a ‘Tony’ and giving it ‘1 for the binding’ to an 8. I would have liked to have seen somehow, I don’t know how, the third part at the beginning of the book because this is where it really got intense and turned into a page turner that I looked forward to getting back to (one of my tests of a good read).

As a literary exercise in relationships between individuals with different views and ‘inner workings’ I think it worked very well.

There were characters in this story deep in what’s called the Hermit phase: As described by Kundalini Diaries the hermit phase is made up of a time in life where it can feel like everything in our life is falling apart, we can lose relationships, jobs, and what feels like most of the things we once loved and knew so well. It is a phase that can feel terrifying, scary, and utterly confusing.

I think Kamila is a good writer with the ability to describe minute nuances of inter-character relationships and communications.

So, by the time I got to the last page this book I had done a total 180.

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July 22, 2022Book ReviewsNews

      BURIAL RITES      

  by

Hannah Kent

Review by June Young   July 2022

A novel based on a true story of Agnes who was the last person to be executed in Iceland.  Agnes was one of three people convicted of murdering two men and setting fire to the farmhouse where the murder was committed in the early 1800’s.

The story transports one to a close-knit farming community in northern Iceland.  It told of the harsh climate, of difficulties farming and illustrated the life of abandoned children, servitude, and superstition.  The mythology of the accused character, Agnes, is that of a cold heartless murderess but the picture painted by the author is of an intelligent, hardworking lonely girl not treated well by life’s circumstances.

The two characters that stand out well are the main character Agnes, and her “spiritual advisor” the young Minister Toti.  The technique of telling the story and then giving the version of the character of the event added to the humanity of the people.  The role of Margret – the mother on the farm where Agnes was held – was particularly poignant.  Margret was kind and empathetic to Agnes and probably facing death herself from a serious respiratory disease.

The book had an eerie quality and was disturbing and depressing.  A background search about the author, Hannah Kent, showed the reason why a young Australian author would choose such a topic in a faraway land.  As a Rotary exchange student in 2002, Hannah wanted to live in a cold country where she could experience snow – a contrast from her home city of Adelaide.  She was sent to a small community in northern Iceland and found herself lonely, isolated, and homesick.  During this time, the author was told the story of Agnes, which had a huge impact and began the journey of finding out all she could about the life of Agnes, the murders, and the circumstances in which they occurred.  This then became the thesis for the author’s creative writing course.

The style of the writing and the development of the characters is good (8/10), but the story line was disturbing.

Score: 8/10

Review by Steve Reilly

WARNING SPOILERS

We did this book in May of 2015 and I can’t bring much more to the table than read the crit I did back then, which was: Hannah Kent is certainly an impressive wordsmith. In this work she demonstrated a wonderful ability to touch the five senses of the reader, invoking strong images, sensations and feelings. Example: the death of Inga (pages 144 – 157 end of Chapter 6).

The book as a whole is a litany of extreme discomfort and misery, all brought to such tactile and you-are-right-there-in-the-scene life by Hannah’s writing. It was so descriptive of time and place, people and emotions. At certain points I felt it was too much to put myself through and wanted to stop reading but couldn’t. I felt guilty to be lying in my snug bed on the Sunshine Coast. The sexual content, Pages 220-221, was very well done. And the character growth was expertly handled – Margret and others coming to love Agnes.

Yes, this book was well written but man, oh man, it was dark. So after all the darkness, gloom, damp; doom, misery, discomfort, nasty evil people, and downright bastardry I was hoping for some sunshine, a happy ending. But Hannah afforded the reader no such light relief. And the ending, the execution scene (Pages 325-328), was so well written.

Probably some of the best writing I have ever seen. Hannah brought home the bone chilling fear, and Agnes’s plea: “Toti, I don’t think I’m ready. Can you make them wait?” was so human – it touched my heart. This book dug its way into my head but with so much deep darkness I came away with an almost irresistible urge to run into the lounge and put on a “Mary Poppins” DVD.

I will certainly be seeking out more of Hannah Kent’s work and I desperately hope she is not a “one book” wonder.

PS: I read “The Good People” in November of 2016 and only gave it a 6. It was not as good as “Burial Rites” with little character development. I have bought her latest, “Devotion” on Kindle but have yet to read it.

Score: 8.5/10

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May 21, 2022Book ReviewsNews

“Good Girl Bad Girl” by Michael Robotham – 8

I really enjoyed this read. I found myself thinking about the book during the
day and looking forward to getting back to it in the evening. That’s a good

sign for me. Michael writing in present tense didn’t bother me, but I know
it does bother some readers.

I found the characters interesting and the developing situations intriguing.
There was no way I was able to pick the killer. I did get sucked into
believing that Evie tortured and killed her kidnapper because it became
obvious early in the book that she was clever and very self-assured. That
turned out to be not the case. I found the dénouement didn’t have the clarity
I needed and so I did drop one point. Unless I missed something, we have
no idea who was looking for Evie and why.

I now have Michael Robotham on my list. This story would make a good
movie.

Steve Reilly

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