Under the Hawthorn Tree by Ai Mi
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Reviewed by Sue Grant
This novel has all the elements of the classic love story and not surprisingly it ends in tragedy. It is set in the 1970's during the Chinese cultural revolution. Jingqui, a beautiful and talented school girl, is sent by the education authorities, to a nearby village to record the history of the peasant people. It is there that she meets Old Third, a young man who falls hopelessly in love with her. However the odds of happiness are stacked against them; Jinqui is still at school and therefore any relationship with the opposite sex is strictly forbidden, the two come from different 'class backgrounds' - Jinqui from the despised educated middle class who are sent to learn from the esteemed peasants on the land - and Old Third's father is an influential army general. However for me their greatest stumbling block is Jinqui's unbelievable naiivity and Old Third's equally unbelievable patience and forebearance with her. The gradual resolution of their issues take up the greater part of the plot as the story moves to its inevitable conclusion.
The novel does provide some insight into the Chinese cultural revolution but I was left wondering if perhaps the original 'magic' of the book had been lost in translation. The prose often seemed clumsy and plodding and it is not until the last two chapters that things start to move and I became emotionally engaged in the story. A little research reveals that the book was written under a pseudonym and is based on a true story, and like many great classic love stories has gained international recognition. So perhaps I have missed something – but don't be put off by my reservations, read it for yourself.
The Lantern by Deborah Lawrenson
Reviewed by Seonid Horne, Library Assistant,Tuakau
This is an intriguing book set in Provence with two parallel mysteries running in tandem.
One mystery is current day, and the other relates to a previous time at the same location.Initially, only the present day story captured me, but as I read on, the older mystery drew me in as well.The point of difference for this book is that it describes smells, aromas and perfumes as much as describing the visual appearance of a scene. In this regard it is both evocative and sensual.
The book fits my bill as a page-turner as I became more eager to find out what had happened in each scenario.
A little wordy in parts, but still worth the effort!
The Land of the Painted Caves by Jean M Auel
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Reviewed by Sherry Walker, Senior Library Assistant Huntly
What a disappointment this book is!
The library purchased replacement copies newly reprinted of The Clan of the Cave Bear, The Valley of the Horses, The Mammoth Hunters and The Plains of Passage. As I had read the Earth’s Children series many years ago and knew that a new book was coming out to conclude the series, I took the opportunity to refresh my memory by re-reading the previous five books.
I should have had an inkling what was coming, as The Shelters of Stone (Book five) was repetitively full of previous information and history, and made for a boring story. This new book carries on in that vein and is infinitely worse. It cried out for some good editing, and its 661 pages could have been drastically reduced. More is not better Jean M Auel!
Basically the story of Ayla continues on to her becoming Zelandoni of the Ninth Cave and its associated trials and tribulations, visiting many caves with paintings, having her relationship with her mate Jondalar moving into troubling times and The Mother’s revelation to her of men’s importance in procreation.
This book did nothing to enhance the series, and made me question the motives for it being written. I would not recommend it as a stand-alone book or as a good conclusion to what started out as a good story.
A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick
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Reviewed by Robin Pitkethley
I picked up this novel after reading a review by Kerre Woodham. It is the well-written story of a rich middle-aged man living alone in Wisconsin in the early 1900s. He advertises for a wife – he wants someone plain and reliable, for companionship rather than love. He had lived a life of debauchery in his youth and married a beautiful Italian girl – it turned out badly for all concerned and the last thing he wants is more of the same.
The long Wisconsin winters exacerbate his loneliness and he looks forward to a life of peaceful companionship with Catherine, the simple, honest woman who answered his advertisement.
Needless to say, Catherine is not all she appears to be – she is not even the woman in the photo she sent him. She has her own agenda and secrets but inevitably they learn to accept and like each other, despite Ralph’s initial anger at her deceit.
We learn of past abuses and excesses, both sexual and emotional and learn about Ralph’s marriage and the lost son of that union. There is also another connection between Ralph and Catherine that she is aware of, but he isn’t.
There is some explicit sexual content, attempted murder, love and betrayal, but this is far from your average romantic bodice-ripper – “astonishing, complex, beautifully written” are some of the comments that have been made about it.
Vision in White by Nora Roberts
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Reviewed by Sherry Walker, Senior Library Assistant Huntly
Nora Roberts fans take note! Her new Bride Quartet series has begun with the 2009 publishing of Vision in White.
This first book in the series is about Mackensie Elliot, a photographer who, together with her childhood friends Parker, Laurel and Emmaline formed a wedding-planning business.
The book starts “By the time she was eight, Mackensie Elliot had been married fourteen times.” The young friends enjoyed playing Wedding Day (using themselves, various pets and coerced-others to be in the wedding party), and as time and circumstances moved on the business evolved, with each specialising in their various interests.
Mackensie comes from a very dysfunctional home with self-centred parents who have parted many marriages ago, and so has learnt to rely on only herself and her friends. Her background has left her with a cynical attitude towards marriage and love. Enter Dr Carter Maguire, brother of a client and local high school English Literature teacher. The story unfolds with their blossoming relationship and Mackensie’s personal growth.
Nora Roberts has a great gift of crafting her stories to include humour, realism with believable characters and a plotline that makes you want to read on to find out how it all ends up. Although there are similarities with other heroines from previous novels, there is enough freshness about Vision in White and its main character to have you enjoying each page.
A Bed of Roses by Nora Roberts
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Book two of the "Bride Quartet", reviewed by Sherry Walker
Following on from Book One “A Vision in White” which was about Mackensie, photographer, we have Emmaline’s story “A Bed of Roses”.
Emmaline, or Emma as she is known, is the florist of “Vows” – a wedding-planning business. A business that combines romance, fantasies, hard work and planning with her three best friends.
Slim and gorgeous with men swarming around her, she has yet to find Mr Right. She has always loved romance and wants a love like her parents have.
Jack Cooke is a close part of the group of friends and is practically family. He also has major commitment issues. As he and Emma’s relationship turns passionate they vow they will still remain friends if it doesn’t work out. But can the group remain neutral?
Nora Roberts writes a good story, with the humour and friendships typical of her books portrayed realistically. You need to read this book to follow on in the series, and to get the hint of who the remaining friends will be involved with.
Huntly and Ngaruawahia Libraries have the two copies of this book. If it is not available, it can be accessed as a hold – with $1 being paid on pickup.
Savour the moment by Nora Roberts
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Book three of the 'Bride Quartet' reviewed by Sherry Walker
Chef Laurel McBane bakes beautiful wedding cakes for “Vows”, a wedding-planning business that is run in conjunction with her childhood friends.
Laurel has had to work hard to overcome her tough upbringing, and is wary of letting anyone get close to her. She has always loved Parker’s brother Del but has kept it a secret.
Events take a dramatic leap forward when Laurel gives way to impulse. Laurel and Del agree to take it slow and see where the relationship goes, but passion soon takes over. There are fireworks when his usual controlling big-brother nature takes over and Laurel doubts his commitment to her.
Nora Roberts follows on from Mackensie in “Vision in White”, and Emmaline in “Bed of Roses” in the Bride Quartet and this book is an enjoyable read. Follow the twists and turns of this delightful book and continue on the journey with the four friends.
The last friend to succumb will be Parker, and I look forward to her story in the final book of the series.
Happy Ever After by Nora Roberts
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The final chapter in the 'Bride Quartet" reviewed by Sherry Walker
Parker Brown is the event planner and co-owner of Vows, a wedding-planning business. Together with her childhood friends MacKensie (photographer), Emmaline (florist) and Laurel (chef), Parker helps brides-to-be have their dream wedding experience.
Everything about Parker runs to schedule, is co-ordinated and no problem is too big to solve. Her business is her life and she devotes all her energies to it. With all her friends finding “The One”, she is resigned to devoting her life to her business.
Malcolm (introduced in Savour the Moment, book 3 and the local garage owner), intends to stir up Parker’s ideas and have a good time while he’s about it. This book charts their journey and completes the Bride Quartet.
I found this book lacked the punch of the other three in the series, and I probably wouldn’t have read it as a stand-alone. Good to find out the ending, and Happy Ever After completes the journey.