1999 Book Chat Reviews
Reviews of the meeting held on the 6th October 1999
Writing Home by Alan Bennett
Autobiography with part diary layout. He emerges as a man who does not seek the glamour of the entertainment world. Very much a people watcher, with a natural ability to turn his observations into brilliant plays, without being cruel at someone’s expense. Little difficult to follow in places but still very enjoyable.
Rainbow Six by Tom Clancy
Interesting story line where our normal goodies become the baddies!
Environmentalists decide to kill everyone except, themselves, of course, to save the planet, so that nature can recover! You will need to read this interesting novel to discover how!
Second Harvest by Naomi Jacob
Old style of writing in today’s modern world which has not stood the test of time very well. Boy meets girl, falls in love, boy builds up business, and they have a child. And so on…. Everyone makes good, nothing to it at all and very predictable.
She’s Leaving Home by Edwina Currie
Set in Liverpool during ‘Beatles mania’, this story covers the people and life of the seaport and in particular the values and dreams of a sixteen year old Jewish girl. Different to the author’s other novels and although obviously well researched it was felt that the religion aspect was excessive.
Second Wind by Dick Francis
A hurricane chasing ride in a small aeroplane in the Caribbean, accidentally leads to learning more from the flight than wind speeds, resulting in threats and danger back in England. A disappointing new novel from this author.
Fair Stood the Wind for France by H E Bates
One of his better books that can be read time and time again. Set in WWII this simple story brings to life the drama and fear of war combining youth, love and adventure when a plane is shot down in France. It has something for everyone.
Bootlegged Angel by Mike Ripley
The newest ‘Angel’ book from this author and one of the funniest. Great tongue-in-cheek fun, with good story line, puns and jokes abounding. Well recommended for Mike Ripley fans and any readers who have not found him yet!
Beyond the Blue Mountains by Jean Plaidy
Set in England and Australia in the late 18th to early 19th centuries this yarn covers the adventures of the bold and reckless Carolan in Newgate Jail. Her transportation to Australia and her life in Sydney as a convict maidservant. Predictable but well written.
Granny Dan by Danielle Steel
When a cherished grandmother dies, her secret past wrapped up in a brown paper parcel, is waiting to be told. A short story, predictable, but still a pleasant read.
Origins of Britain by Lloyd and Jennifer Laing
Following the path of man’s occupation of Britain from the scattered pockets of habitation in the earliest Palaeolithic period, through to the late Bronze Age. This well written book for the lay person is concerned with the remains and artefacts, together with social and cultural changes, of this period.
A Star Called Henry by Roddy Doyle
Born in the slums of Dublin in 1901, with a one-legged whorehouse bouncer as a father, Henry Smart has to grow up fast! At fourteen he is a soldier in the Irish Citizen Army fighting for freedom and ready to die for Ireland. This is a subversive look behind the legends of Irish Republicanism, at its centre, a passionate love story. If you like Roddy Doyle’s style of writing you will enjoy this latest novel.
Married Alive by Julie Burchill
Nicole is a 1990’s girl, fun loving, hard drinking and independent. On getting married, her life is sorted, until she decides to rescue her gran from a fate worse than death – an old people’s home! Things can only go from bad to worse in this comical light-hearted novel.
