The Gunslinger (The Dark Tower, Book 1) by Stephen King

Date of Publication: 1982

Number of Pages: 304

Synopsis (from back cover): This heroic fantasy is set in a world of ominous landscape and macabre menace that is a dark mirror of our own. A spellbinding tale of good versus evil, it features once of Stephen King’s most powerful creations - The Gunslinger, a haunting figure who embodies the qualities of the lone hero through the ages from ancient myth to frontier western legend. His pursuit of The Man in Black, his liaison with sexually ravenous Alice, his friendship with the kid from Earth called Jake, are part of the drama that is both grippingly realistic and eerily dreamlike, an alchemy of storytelling sorcery.

Review: After months of hearing about The Dark Tower series, and since I’m already a big Stephen King fan, I decided to finally read the first book in the series, just to see what it was all about. It took me until the last page to decide what I thought of it. All I can say really is that I liked it, and I’m planning to read the next one, but of all the Stephen King books I’ve read, this was the most difficult and unusual. The problems I had with this book were not stylistic; the book is very well written, and the characters, though mysteriously aloof from the reader, are well developed. The title character, known throughout most of the book simply as the gunslinger, is not easily identifiable as a hero and is deeply complex. There are mysteries surrounding his past, as well as the lives of most of the characters and the reality in which they live.  I think it was these very mysteries that I didn’t really love. They distressed me unexpectedly. However, being the first book in a series, it’s understandable that there will be unanswered questions. Anyone who ventures to read this book should be prepared to read the rest of the series! I certainly will.

Rating: 8/10

Reviewed by Sarah

The Voluptuous Delights of Peanut Butter and Jam by Lauren Liebenberg

Rhodesia - a place of great beauty, but also of terrible, man-made, tragedy. The Voluptuous Delights of Peanut Butter and Jam is, above all else, a magical evocation of childhood; at times laugh-out-loud funny, at others heartbreakingly sad. It tells the story of two young sisters, Nyree and Cia O’Callohan, who live on a remote farm in the East of what was Rhodesia in the late 1970s. Beneath the dripping vines of the Vumba rainforest, and under the tutelage of their heretical grandfather, Oupa, theirs is a seductive world laced with African paganism, bastardised Catholicism and the lore of the Brothers Grimm - until their idyll is shattered forever by their orphaned cousin, Ronin. His arrival at the farm sets in motion a chain of events that result in tragedy and the loss of innocence.
Little, brown Book Group Website

I’ve read some very positive reviews for this book, and I can understand why, but unfortunately it’s just not for me. I enjoyed the characters of Nyree and Cia, as the author manages to capture well their understanding of the world, and that childlike innocence and blind belief. They talk about fairies, fighting, and boils caused by insects, all in an open and innocent matter.

Unfortunately, I have no understanding of the war that was apparently going on at the time, and it’s not something that particularly interests me. Probably because of this, I feel lost whilst reading the book, and I can’t get involved enough to keep me reading. This is just my personal experience though.. I do believe the book to be well written, and if you have some knowledge, or an interest in the history/political aspect, it should make a highly enjoyable book.

Little, brown book group. March 2008 £12.99

The Battle for Big School by Sarah Tucker

Blurb from the back of the book;

There are 50 places at The Oaks, the best grammar school in Letchbury, and 1,000 children applying. Competition is fierce and parents are prepared to do everything and anything to get their child one of the coveted spaces. Close friends Lily, Julie, Karen and househusband Paul aren’t overly concerned. After all, aren’t their children bright and sociable enough? But they’re quickly shaken out of their complacency when enrolment time approaches and turns out to be little more than a rigged lottery, where only the most ruthless hold the cards. Marriages and friendships crumble under the pressure, fake addresses abound and tutors rates soar. As measures get more and more extreme, the four quickly rally their troops and throw themselves into the battle for big school. Initially wary to be in competition with each other, they realise that the only way of out-smarting the rest of the pack is by coming up with a plan. Because getting their kids into The Oaks will demand determination and strategy akin to Mission Impossible …

A very light quick read. If I wasn’t so obsessive about finishing a book once started I definitely would have stopped after a few chapters. I heard an interesting interview on the radio with the author last year which motivated me to pick up this book. Also having been through big school selection fairly recently I thought I would be able to identify with some of the main characters. Unfortunately this was not to be. The main focus of the book is about the organisation of a charity fashion show instigated by a mother to impress the Headmaster of the local grammar school in order to gain preferential admission for her child. In fact that is totally what the book is about. No mention in the blurb. It is so far removed from my reality of parents in the playground being ex top models and successful journalists for example that the average reader might be inclined to switch off as I did. However I am sure there are some readers out there who would enjoy it as it bounds along with gusto and the ending, not so obvious as you would think, is mildly amusing.

The Monsters of Templeton by Lauren Groff

 

I picked up The Monsters of Templeton by Lauren Groff based on the fact that Stephen King recommended it.  The Memory of Running is one of my all time favorite books that Stephen King also raved about a few years ago, so anytime I see a recommendation of his, I run right out and buy the book.

 

Monsters is told from the point of view of multiple characters. The main character, Willie Upton, comes home to Templeton pregnant after having an affair with her graduate professor.  She feels like a failure having to rebound back home to live with her mom who raised her as a single young mother. Willie and her mom haven’t had the best relationship and to Willie’s dismay her mom has not only found religion but is dating the town pastor. Willie has never known who her father was growing up so her mom decides to tell her he is alive and well in Templeton and it is up to her to find out who he is. To top it all off Willie and her mom are the direct descendents of Templeton and there is a great mystery surrounding them.

 

The story revolves around Willie’s quest for her father. She digs back through her history of ancestors to try to figure out who he is. Along the way we meet a rich cast of characters from the past and present.  Each chapter is told by someone different until they all connect into a great mystery.  Oh yeah, and there actually was a big blubbery dead monster caught from the city lake called Glimmey. The title makes readers think the book is about him but the monsters just may be about the past.

 

I did like this book a lot.  I liked reading the chapters about the ancestors the best because I found them to be more interesting then Willie’s story. I did find it confusing at points trying to keep each of them straight.  There was also a group of runners called ‘the running buds” who showed up every so often for a chapter, that I found endearing.  I wasn’t sure where the author was going with the story for a while, but she made everyone come together in the end.   I also thought the author didn’t quite know what category to write the story in .She added a little sci fi here, a little historical fiction there.  Her writing is very beautiful and you can savor every description.  I would pick up any of her books. Make sure you put the Memory of Running on your book pile too!

Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister by Gregory Maguire

We have all heard the story of Cinderella, the beautiful child cast out to slave amongst the ashes. But what of her stepsisters, the homely pair exiled into ignominy by the fame of their lovely sibling? What fate befell those untouched by beauty … and what curses accompanied Cinderella’s looks?

Having only read a few pages of Wicked, this was my first introduction to Gregory Maguire, and to begin with, I found the style rather difficult. About half way through the book, everything seemed to start making sense.. I’m not sure if that’s just the way the book is, or if I suddenly ‘adapted’ to his style.

The story is an unusual retelling of the tale of Cinderella, told from a very different viewpoint, and in a way you wouldn’t expect. By the conclusion, the characters are well developed, and expected events are presented in a rather unusual way.

I’ve seen mixed reviews from those who have read Wicked, as to which they prefer. If you’re struggling at the beginning, please stick with it, as it develops into a great retelling.

Torchwood: Border Princes by Dan Abnett

In 2007, three Torchwood novels were released, although it seems a little unclear whether they have a particular order. For anyone who hasn’t seen the show, this book is probably not a good introduction, as it throws you straight into the story, without giving any kind of background. For those who have seen the show, however, this does not pose a problem.

Whereas the Doctor Who book I recently read felt like a TV episode, this has a longer feel to it. Running alongside the main story are other smaller storylines. In the TV show, Torchwood deal with one neat story every week, but this book has a more realistic feel to it, as they go from one problem to another.

The characters were fairly well captured, as I found it quite easy to picture them. However, Ianto plays a very small part, and Jack doesn’t feel quite right.. he seemed more ‘relaxed’ than I remember him in the first series, plus the leadership skills aren’t that apparent.

A rather confusing factor is the introduction of a new character, James.. but bear with it, as it does all make sense at the end.

The actual book is a fast paced read, it hooks you in, and keeps you turning those pages. Highly recommended for fans, and I’m certainly hoping to pick up some more!

BBC Books Jan 07 £6.29 from Random House

Johnny Be Good by Paige Toon

Synopsis (from back page)

If your boss was the hottest rock star on the planet, would you mix business with pleasure?

I’m Meg Stiles. This is my leaving party. And that song we’re making a mockery of? That’s written by one of the biggest rock stars in the world. And I’m moving in with him tomorrow.

Seriously! I am not even joking. Well, maybe I’m misleading you a little bit. You see, I haven’t actually met him yet…

No, I’m not a stalker. I’m his new PA. His Personal Assistant. And I am off to La-La Land. Los Angeles. The City Of Angels - whatever you want to call it - and I can’t bloody believe it!

Celebrity PA to wild boy of rock Johnny Jefferson, Meg’s glam new life in sun-drenched LA is a whirlwind of showbiz parties and backstage passes. Cool, calm Christian, in town to write his famous friend’s biography, helps keep Meg’s feet firmly on the ground. But with Johnny’s piercing green eyes and a body Brad Pitt would kill for, how long will it be before she’s swept right off them again?

Review

Having read and really enjoyed Toon’s debut novel Lucy In The Sky last year, it was inevitable that as soon as I saw Johnny Be Good sitting in my local book store, that I would need to buy it right then and there. And yes, I admit I did have some quite high expectations for it and yes I wasn’t disappointed as it did manage to live up to those expectations, although I personally don’t think it was quite as good as what her debut was.

For a start this book is not to be taken too seriously as the circumstances surrounding Meg’s move to Los Angeles is fairly unrealistic and unbelievable, however saying that we must also remember that this is a work of fiction and for that reason the over-the-top aspects of the storyline can be quite easily forgiven.

This is pure escapism at it’s very best.

Like in her debut novel, Toon’s descriptions of Hollywood make you feel as if you are right there in sunny LA and it’s obvious from the outset that this is not only a place where the author has visited, but it’s a place that she obviously very much loves.

I also really liked the fact that there is a connection between the characters in this book and those in her last one and the mention in passing of Lucy and Nathan made me squeal with delight.

My only little foible with Johnny Be Good is the ending. It’s very abrupt and leaves you on a bit of a cliff-hanger and my first thought was that there must be a sequel in the pipeline. However after thinking about it for a wee while, I’m beginning to think that there wont be a sequel and that the author has deliberately left you in this position so that you can make up your own mind as to how things work out for Meg, Johnny and Christian.

A really light-hearted and easy read, with a touch of harsh reality thrown in, that would make perfect reading for any chick lit fan.

Reviewed by Karen.

South of the River by Blake Morrison

From the back of the book; -

‘South of the River’ opens on the new dawn of Labour’s election victory in 1997, and ends five years later. But this is not so much ’state of the nation’ as state of our souls, marriages, families, hopes and careers - a sharp and sexy portrait of a dysfunctional group of characters, all different yet connected. There’s Nat, a failed dramatist, falling for a younger woman; Anthea, an eco-friendly lost soul obsessed with foxes; Libby, hardworking mother and advertising executive; Harry, Nat’s friend and ex-pupil, a journalist with a guilty secret of his own; and Jack, Nat’s unexpectedly poignant uncle, who lives for fox-hunting. Intimate and disconcerting, compelling and comic, an anatomy of the way things are, ‘South of the River’ is the big British novel for our times - and a tour de force.

This is an epic novel over 550 pages of small print. It’s taken ages to read. At the start it was difficult to juggle the main characters Libby, Nat, Anthea, Harry and Jack and retain the information about them and their lives, however this becomes easier as you go on. Their stories (and they are almost individual stories) are set in the early Blair years and a theme of foxes reverberates through the pages, not just fox hunting but foxy fairy stories are included. The main characters do relate eventually, some more tenuously than others. The main characters lives are explored in great detail and that is what I appreciated most about the book. My favourite was family and work juggling advertising executive Libby married to the very annoying self absorbed lazy Nat.
The novel is well written, intricate with lots of sex including a very odd tale within a tale of a couple stuck together after copulation!
The book rolls along gently and finishes gently. The characters and the writing make you want to continue find out what happens. Not to be recomended for those who like action packed novels. I really enjoyed it.

Sugarcoated by Catherine Forde

When fifteen year old Cloddy’s witnesses a crime outside her dad’s shop, she’s certain it’s the work of a gang and keeps quiet, afraid for her life. Suddenly a gorgeous hunk called Stefan turns up and is unbelievably interested in her. He leaves no time to think about what she saw and sweeps her off her feet. A chilling spiral of events with an ending that will shock you!

When I requested this book from LibraryThing’s Early Review program, I wasn’t aware that it was classed as a young adult’s book. However, having read books for young adults before, which I enjoyed, I had high hopes for this one.

The writing style is fairly simple and snappy, which probably suits the intended age group.. and also makes it a fairly fast read. There are some issues that are explored, such as ‘Cloddy’ feeling the absence of her mum, who’s away in Australia, and also generally being a fairly lonely person.

However, what let down the story for me was the main character’s stupidity - she kept walking into the most obvious situations, completely unaware.. or maybe completely blinded by her need for love, at any level. I had to keep stopping, and trying to make myself think like a 17 year old, to see if that helped. Unfortunately it didn’t. Cloddy seems to have been given far too much freedom by her parents, but without the life skills, and common sense to deal with it.

The idea behind the story had great potential, and maybe today’s teenagers would find it more appealing. However, I hope that Cloddy’s character isn’t an indication of how they think today!

One redeeming feature is the ending, even though I know others haven’t liked it. I’m not sure it’s ’shocking’, but it may not be what you expect.

Doctor Who: The Many Hands by Dale Smith

The Nor’ Loch is being filled in. If you ask the soldiers there, they’ll tell you it’s a stinking cesspool that the city can do without. But that doesn’t explain why the workers won’t go near the place without an armed guard, nor why they whisper stories about the loch giving up its dead, about the minister who walked into his church twelve years after he died. It doesn’t explain why, as they work, they whisper about a man called the Doctor. And about the many hands of Alexander Monro.

Despite being a big fan of the TV series, this was the first Doctor Who book that I had tried. The format is a little smaller than most books, which made it really nice to hold and read.. especially in the bath! It also allows for the story to be fast paced, so that it feels like a TV episode.

This one was based on the 10th Doctor and Martha - The Doctor’s character is well written, which makes it very easy to picture him whilst reading (always a pleasure!), but I did feel that Martha wasn’t captured quite as well.

The actual storyline was actually like many of the TV episodes.. it could have been quite silly, and yet somehow, it works. I don’t know which age groups this book is aimed at, but younger readers may find this one a little frightening.

All in all, if this one is anything to go by, these books are great for fans, offering yet more time with The Doctor. I’ve already spotted some more I’d like to pick up!

BBC Books April 2008 £6.99 from Random House