David Copperfield by Charles Dickens

David Copperfield
Charles Dickens


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This is the story of David Copperfield as he progresses through life, from a small boy to an adult. We meet many lovable characters such as the Peggoty's, aunt Betsy, Dora, Agnes, and the Micawber's. We also meet some not-so-lovable characters, namely the Murdstones and the notorious Uriah Heep. 

I don't think much has to be said about the plot. You follow a young man on his journey into adulthood, experiencing the ups and downs of life.

This is a very big book! Not ideal for a light summer read, or a book to read in one day. It is worth reading, however. There are lots of things happening to keep you on your toes, but it can still be tiresome at points.

One of my favourite things is that even though there are quite a lot of characters, they return throughout the story, so none are really forgotten. I find that in large books with many characters some are left behind and never mentioned again. Not here though.

***SPOILER ALERT***

One part I did get kind of confused at was Dora's death. When did this happen? How did it happen? It felt like I was just reading and suddenly she was dead. I reread the previous few pages several times looking for an answer, but I was not enlightened. I guess it will just remain a mystery until I read it again. Or look it up.

On the whole, I really enjoyed David Copperfield. Despite the lulls, which is understandable in a book this size, I found it engaging and interesting. Worth a read.

Overall rating

Thanks,
The Wee Librocubicularist

Paper Towns by John Green

Paper Towns
John Green


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Everything seems normal, until Margo comes to Quentin's room late one night, asking for his assistance on a night she has planned. But when Margo doesn't turn up at school the next day, Q gets worried. He tries to figure out a set of clues to find her whereabouts, and with his friends he goes on quite a road trip. But will they find her? Is she even alive?


One of my friends got this book, and after reading The Fault In Our Stars I had to read it. But I've got to say, I was a little disappointed. I was expecting a heart wrenching emotional rollercoaster, but that's not what I got. Instead I got a story about a teenager obsessed with his next door neighbour who he doesn't really know, and he drops everything to go travelling the country to find her, when she doesn't want to be found.

That's not to say it's not a good story though. The characters are believable and some are really quite funny. I liked seeing what clues they would find and where that would lead them. Some strange places, I will admit!


It is a good story on its own, but if you're looking for something akin to The Fault In Our Stars, you won't find it here.




Overall rating

Thanks,
The Wee Librocubicularist

The Amazing Maurice and his Educated Rodents (Discworld #28) by Terry Pratchett

The Amazing Maurice and his Educated Rodents
Discworld #28
Terry Pratchett


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Maurice is a cat that can talk and think, and along with his team of educated rodents and a stupid looking kid, they have a great money making scheme as Rat Piper. But when they go to Bad Blintz, they discover it's not all as it seems. There is something going on here, and they want to get to the bottom of it.

As any fan of Terry Pratchett will know, he's not fond of chapters. BUT THIS BOOK HAS CHAPTERS! I'm thinking it's just because it's a children's Discworld novel, but could this be the start of chapters for Pratchett? Who knows? I'll need to read more to find out.

I like his educated rodents. Although sometimes I'm left wondering just how educated they are, considering their names are just random words they've seen about the place; Dangerous Beans, Darktan, Hamnpork, Sardines, etc. They're mainly food orientated, which says much about their train of thought! It's all very humourous though.

Now to keep reading so I can get to the next Discworld novel and find out if it has chapters!

Terry Pratchett

Overall rating

Thanks,
The Wee Librocubicularist

Time Honoured Vows by Susannah Curtis

Time Honoured Vows
Susannah Curtis


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Shelagh Riordan is a nurse tending to the soldiers of the First World War in England. She falls in love with a Guards Officer, but is needed back home in Ireland after the death of her mother. There she remains, marrying and having children of her own.


I'm torn by this book. As with many novels, there's always going to be things you like, and things you don't. It's inevitable. I think the reason I'm torn is because in general I quite liked it, but the things I didn't like are so prevalent that it gets in the way of enjoying the story.

There's a lot happening here. There's always something new cropping up. I liked this because it keeps you interested and wondering what could possibly happen next. This family seem to have a lot of bad luck!

Now, here's the thing that really bugged me. Shelagh spends the whole novel longing after Donald; the Guards Officer she fell in love with. She is constantly comparing her life with how she thinks it could have been had she not returned to Ireland and separated from him. This gets in the way of her life, fully and completely. She's not happy, she's constantly pining,  and is stuck in the past. I feel sorry for her children; it's almost as if she doesn't love them as she should because Donald is not their father.


Anyway, if you can get over her longing, pining demeanour, then it's actually quite a good story.




Overall rating

Thanks,
The Wee Librocubicularist