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There are currently 18 member reviews
for The Earth Hums in B Flat
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Marge B. (Dunedin, FL)
Like to see another book from this author
This book is fabulous. I LOVED IT. Mari Strachan paints the most amazing pictures of life in Wales. The characters are quirky and interesting. This first novel offers a winding mystery, wrapped in unusual neighbors and families who love each other 'warts and all'... told with delicious narrative and down-to-earth humor. I hope the author writes a sequel -- I'd really like to know the 'next chapter' with these people.
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Diane H. (San Diego, CA)
The Earth Hums in B Flat
A delightful book. The author gives us Gwenni's young voice in perfect pitch. A quirky cast of characters and a seemingly straightforward murder combine to keep the reader and Gwenni guessing. Not your mother's Agatha Christie novel!
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Alan K. (Westport, MA)
The Earth Hums in B Flat
This is the story of a gentle, imaginative 12 year old who is the narrator and voice of the story of a small Welsh town in the 1950's. It is a story of long hidden secrets and enlightening revelations. This coming of age tale is a great read. Highly recommended.
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Barbara H. (Alexandria, VA)
Fear of Flying?
This book was filled with wonderful characters and written with tenderness. Gwenni Morgan is an unforgettable creation, and this portrait of life in a small Welsh town in the 1950s is very interesting.
However, I found her father, Tada, and his saintliness slightly overdone and Gwenni’s constant failure to put two and two together, even when the evidence is right in front of her, tedious.
On the other hand, the description of the gradually deteriorating mental health of her mother, Magda, was compelling. The pace picked up in the end.
I liked it and recommend it.
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Dorian B. (Bainbridge, NY)
Happily Humming
In the beginning of this book I felt it was difficult to put my finger on the time and setting, but was gradually drawn in by the main character and the story. Once I fell in to the rhythm of the language and the events unfolded, I was hooked. The author does an excellent job capturing the innocence of Gwenni and using her point of view to tell the story. A unique approach to the timeless tale of the dangers of family secrets.
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Norma R. (secaucus, NJ)
The Earth Hums in B Flat
This story is set in a small town in Wales sometime after World War II. The time period is not clearly stated which adds to the story’s intrigue. The central character is a very precocious twelve year old girl name Gwenni Morgan. She is very bright but has difficulty making friends and fitting in. All the adults in the village are kind to her but refer to her as “off”. Her mother is very critical of Gwenni and seems embarrassed by her. Her advocates are her mother and grandmother. Gwenni becomes a private investigator when a villager goes missing. At night she is able to “fly” and see all that goes on in her village. She gets more information than she ever imagined when horrible secrets are revealed. I liked the idea that the story was told from Gwenni’s point of view. The reader can feel the suspense building. You anticipate that events will turn sad but you are not sure how. Your see how family and neighbors can be so closely tied together in a small isolated town.
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Lesley B. (Easley, SC)
Must Read!
This book was a fun read written in a child's narrative. Strachan paints a vivid picture of small town life. The main character, Gwenni, struggles to find her place in the community and in her own family. We follow Gwenni as she investigates town mysteries as well as her own family history. Secrets passed from generation to generation are slowly revealed. Gossip, secrets, and murder keep the reader longing for more.
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