Hello, Mr Magpie by Penny Faith

Hello, Mr Magpie
Penny Faith

Front cover

Date read: 11 - 17 May 2019
Length: 273 pages
Published: 1999


Ms Hattie Gordon is trying to get her life together. A divorcee with very little job prospect and a relationship on the rocks, she is looking for more from life. Through flashbacks we piece together parts of her life and understand more of where she's been. Will Hattie have a happy ending?


There didn't really seem to be much of a plot here, and since most of the book is made up of the flashbacks, rather than a few to get to know her better, it seems a strange way to tell a story. Perhaps it might have been better written as a biographical book with the stories in order, leading up to the main point in the story.

I did like the flashbacks and I thought it was quite an interesting way to get to know more about certain points in her life. But the flashbacks jumped around so much in time you were constantly working out how old she was and what had already happened to her in life. I felt that took a little away from actually being able to relax and enjoy the story.

You never actually find out how old she is, but I'm assuming based on the flashbacks and when the book was published, she's in her late thirties. The flashbacks stop around the age of 33, but there's no real way of knowing how much time has passed since then. You also have to read a little to figure out when she was born, and then work out how old she is in each flashback based on the year given. Although it is easy enough given she's born in a round year, thank goodness!


I did enjoy the book, as is is written in an interesting way, but the plot was a bit lacking.




Overall rating

Thanks,
The Wee Librocubicularist

Intensity by Dean Koontz

Intensity
Dean Koontz

Front cover

Date read: 29 April - 10 May 2019
Length: 469 pages
Published: 1995


Chyna Shepherd goes to her friend Laura's parents house for a break, but on the first night there's an intruder who kills the whole family. Chyna is a survivor by nature, and she manages to stay hidden. Not knowing if her friend is alive or dead, she follows them out of the house, and also learns about a 16 year old captive in the killers home. Can she help the captive but also survive herself?


I enjoyed Intensity. It was a good read, although I felt it could have been a little shorter. There is a lot of detail, however, so you feel you really get to know the characters.

This story is told over a very short time span; only a few days. A lot happens in those few days though!

It is not just told from Chyna's point of view, it is also told from the killers view, which I like. This way means you can really tell what each of the characters are thinking and feeling, even if those things are from the killers mind!

I felt myself getting really involved with what Chyna was going through. I found it so easy to read and I just wanted to know what was going to happen next. Very hard to put down!

Dean Koontz

Overall rating

Thanks,
The Wee Librocubicularist

The Player of Games (Culture #2) by Iain M. Banks

The Player of Games
Culture #2
Iain M. Banks

Front cover

Date read: 21 - 28 April 2019
Length: 309 pages
Published: 1988


One of the greatest Game players the Culture has is Gurgeh. He has mastered every game he's ever played, so he travels to the Empire of Azad to play a new game. The game is so popular, the place is named after it! Gurgeh learns it's not all it seems to be, and is actually very dangerous. Will he survive and make it back home?


I like the drones, but their names are far too long! It's hard to remember them, so I'm glad for most of the book they are shortened to sensible lengths. One thing that is good though, is that Banks' personalisation is so good, that sometimes it's hard to tell the people from the drones.

I liked the idea of the 3 sexes on Azad. It's something a bit different and makes the life on the new planet more interesting. It's hard to imagine something like that in the real world though!

I enjoyed the story but I wasn't actually all that keen on Gurgeh. I just felt like I couldn't bond or relate to him in any way. It didn't take from the story which I'm glad about.


Looking forward to more in the series!




Overall rating

Thanks,
The Wee Librocubicularist

The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards

The Memory Keeper's Daughter
Kim Edwards

Front cover

Date read: 11 - 20 April 2019
Length: 401 pages
Published: 2005


Dr. David Henry and his wife Norah are having their babies; twins, a boy and a girl. The boy is healthy, but there's something wrong with the girl. She has Down's syndrome, and so David makes the decision to send her away forever. He tells his wife she died at birth. This secret becomes the foundation of his life. Will he ever tell Norah the truth?

Families have secrets they hide

even from themselves...

This was a good, easy read. The story is very absorbing and you find yourself wanting to read more. There are not too many characters and it's easy to get drawn in!

As I was reading I actually found myself more interested in Pheobe's life. I just wanted to know more about her and her life with Caroline, what she was doing and how she was developing and growing. I found Paul boring and moody, and Pheobe had a much more positive outlook on life.

I began to gradually dislike David. In the beginning I kind of sympathised with the fact he had to make a very difficult decision, although one that should definitely not have been done without Norah's input. He does what he believes is the right thing at the time. But as time goes on, I found myself liking him less and less. What he did began to annoy me, and I began to resent him for it.

A thought provoking and easy read.

Kim Edwards

Overall rating

Thanks,

The Wee Librocubicularist