Reviews by Loretta F. (Fountain Inn, SC)

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At the Wolf's Table
At the Wolf's Table
by Rosella Postorino
A Disappointment (10/11/2018)
Although I've read many books on WWII, I had never heard of Hitler's food tasters and was excited to learn more. Ten young women were hired to eat the meals prepared by Hitler's chef to make sure that he was not poisoned. At a time when many Germans were going hungry, the …more
The Travelling Cat Chronicles
The Travelling Cat Chronicles
by Hiro Arikawa, Philip Gabriel
A Unique Journey (5/1/2018)
The Travelling Cat Chronicles begins as a simple story relating the devotion between a man and a stray cat. What makes this story different is that it's told from the cat's perspective. Satoru, a Japanese man, and Nana, his cat embark on a journey to see the countryside, …more
The House of Broken Angels
The House of Broken Angels
by Luis Alberto Urrea
Endless Drama (2/7/2018)
Since I have a good friend who is Mexican, I requested this book in hopes of better understanding Mexican culture. Sad to say, I was greatly disappointed, but managed to plow through to the end. The family loves Big Angel, who is dying, but seems to equally love bravery, …more
Never Coming Back
Never Coming Back
by Alison McGhee
The Power of Words (8/29/2017)
This is so much more than another book about Alzheimer's disease. It's about the power of words to heal or harm, or to evoke calm or tension. Words connect us to the people we know and love in so many ways. Clara makes her living crafting just the right words to meet her …more
The Stars Are Fire
The Stars Are Fire
by Anita Shreve
A Sentimental Journey (2/19/2017)
I was born in 1946, so this book was a fond trip down memory lane for me. I loved reading about the wringer washing machine, and ironing leaves placed between sheets of waxed paper. I think the author did a good job in portraying that time period with only a few exceptions …more
News of the World
News of the World
by Paulette Jiles
Frontier Charm (8/14/2016)
After reading a few pages, I was prepared to dislike the book. The narrative seemed choppy, and did not flow together. But when I got used to Jiles' writing style, I began to enjoy the ride.

The author does a good job of mixing the charm of frontier life with the expected …more
The Forgetting Time
The Forgetting Time
by Sharon Guskin
Intrigued, but Skeptical (12/31/2015)
Many years ago I read "Twenty Cases Suggestive of Reincarnation" by Dr. Ian Stevenson. It was a fascinating read, but if I remember correctly some of cases could not be verified. And Dr. Stevenson admits that the evidence for reincarnation cannot be tested scientifically as …more
Ruth's Journey
Ruth's Journey: The Authorized Novel of Mammy from Margaret Mitchell's Gone with the Wind
by Donald McCaig
An Unremarkable Journey (9/9/2014)
Since I enjoy reading about the Old South, I chose this book to read and review. I found the first part of the story, set on the island of Saint Dominque (Haiti), difficult to follow. The writing seemed choppy and the dialogue uneven. It's hard to imagine people talking …more
House of Bathory
House of Bathory
by Linda Lafferty
Ancient Evil Begets Modern Evil (12/20/2013)
I chose to read House of Bathory because I am of Hungarian descent, and wanted to learn more about Countess Erzsebet Bathory. What I learned was appalling: she tortured and killed over 600 females in an effort to preserve her youth. How can such horrific crimes go …more
Through the Evil Days
Through the Evil Days: A Clare Fergusson/Russ Van Alstyne Mystery
by Julia Spencer-Fleming
A Nail-biting Thriller (9/2/2013)
There are many plot-driven thrillers out there; what sets this one apart are the interesting characters and the interplay between them. A police chief, newly married to a younger Episcopal priest who is pregnant, and also happens to be a combat veteran makes for some …more
City of Tranquil Light
City of Tranquil Light: A Novel
by Bo Caldwell
A Refreshing Change of Pace (7/19/2013)
Our book club read this book some time ago, and it was one of the few books that everyone liked. We found the story about a missionary couple very interesting, without being "preachy." We thought the characters were believable, and we were caught up in the hardships they …more
Lookaway, Lookaway
Lookaway, Lookaway
by Wilton Barnhardt
A Southern Melodrama (6/10/2013)
When I read the first chapter of "Lookaway, Lookaway," I thought I was reading another stereotypical southern novel: rich Daddy's good girl (Jerilyn) goes to college and then goes wild. The fraternity pranks reminded me of the movie "Animal House," but were not nearly as …more
The Light Between Oceans
The Light Between Oceans: A Novel
by Margot L. Stedman
A Stunning Debut (6/29/2012)
This novel has all the elements of a great read. The poetic language carried me to a lonely lighthouse miles from land where I could almost feel the wind and hear the waves crashing. "The wind pounced on him like a predator..." and "The water sloshed like white paint, milky- …more
A Simple Murder
A Simple Murder
by Eleanor Kuhns
An Unremarkable Mystery (4/9/2012)
My favorite genre is mysteries and my second favorite is historical fiction, and I found this book disappointing on both levels. I think that the author could have improved the mystery by developing the characters more fully, especially those in the Shaker community. Also, …more
A Good Hard Look
A Good Hard Look: A Novel
by Ann Napolitano
Almost Flannery (3/29/2011)
When I read Flannery O'Connor's short stories in college, I found them thought provoking and disturbingly honest. Reading Napolitano's book was almost like reading Flannery again. I liked the title, so ironic, and so very much like the titles of Flannery's stories. If some …more
Pearl of China
Pearl of China: A Novel
by Anchee Min
An Insightful Book About China and Its People (1/30/2010)
I have long been interested in China and Chinese culture, and so I selected "Pearl of China" to read and review. Although Min explains the ups and downs of China's political history very well, it is the human side of that history that outshines everything else. In her …more
Serena
Serena: A Novel
by Ron Rash
Mountain-high Drama (8/26/2009)
After reading the first few sentences, I was drawn into the story and could not put it down. Now, the memory of it lingers, and I still find myself shaking my head in wonder at the sheer ruthlessness of the characters. They are larger than life and seem even more powerful …more
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