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Reviews by Florence K. (Northridge, CA)

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Jade Dragon Mountain
Jade Dragon Mountain
by Elsa Hart
Jade Dragon Mountain (6/18/2015)
A tale of long ago and far away; a saga juxtaposing history and mystery -- this is the essence of JADE DRAGON MOUNTAIN. It's a sensuous book: I could indeed see, hear, feel, even taste the vivid descriptions and I am in awe of the tremendous amount of research and attention to detail about eighteenth century China done by the author. Although the mystery parts of the book were overshadowed for me by the history parts, Ms. Hart kept me guessing until the very end. All in all, a most worthwhile read!
Little Black Lies
Little Black Lies
by Sharon Bolton
Little Black Lies (5/11/2015)
A plot that keeps the reader unsure of what will happen next, a surprising ending, three young, flawed protagonists--these would seem to have the makings of a blockbuster of a book. It doesn't quite happen.

Thoroughly researched and well written, the milieu of the Falklands: the flora, the fauna. the isolation, the influence of the surrounding waters add to the readability of LITTLE BLACK LIES. It's the bevy of Falklanders whose actions and antics seem contrived and far-fetched. This may well be a good summer read, but for me it lacked the "wow!" factor.
The Last Flight of Poxl West
The Last Flight of Poxl West
by Daniel Torday
The Last Flight of Poxl West (1/22/2015)
A luminous book, well worth reading! Poxl West is a complex, conflicted, troubled man, yet is a fascinating character. His interactions with his "nephew" are charming and lend a note of lightness to an otherwise serious story.
The book deals with love and loss, truth and fabrication, bravery and fear, and the onerous burden of guilt. Perhaps because I lived through World War II, I thought the author, using beautifully chosen words, painted vivid tableaux of wartime life of both fighting forces and civilians under constant siege. I keep thinking about this book long after I have finished reading it.
The Paris Winter
The Paris Winter
by Imogen Robertson
The Paris Winter (7/9/2014)
History, mystery, mayhem and murder! An insider look at the City of Light in 1909-1910 with its damaging flood makes a meaningful reading experience. Paris itself is as much a character as the human characters are.. The juxtaposition of bright, glittering salons, drab boarding houses, dark and dangerous alleyways mark the twists and turns that kept me guessing. The characters, while well-developed, sometimes verged on stereotypes. Nonetheless, Paris Winter is a compelling read.
The Devil in the Marshalsea
The Devil in the Marshalsea
by Antonia Hodgson
Devil in the Marshalsea (3/14/2014)
A winner! I read, I learned, I thought about this book for many days after I finished reading it. While poverty and cruelty are rampant in literature and in life, the horrific goings-on at Marshalsea Gaol hold a special fascination.
It helps to suspend disbelief that so much could happen in a few short days. The writing, the plot, the strange assortment of flawed characters contribute to a compelling reading experience.
Under the Wide and Starry Sky
Under the Wide and Starry Sky
by Nancy Horan
Under the Wide and Starry Sky (11/23/2013)
Such an odd couple! The unlikely romance and marriage of frail Louis (RLS) and feisty Fanny make for a read that could have been faster-paced. The travels and travails of the couple are well written and well-researched. I was much more interested in how the writings of Stevenson came to be than in the many conversations he had with his friends and the many accounts of his frequent illnesses. Fanny sublimated her talents to that of her husband and I admired her no-nonsense attitude. I liked the book; I didn't love it, and I don't think I'll suggest it to my book club.
Songs of Willow Frost
Songs of Willow Frost
by Jamie Ford
Songs of Willow Frost (7/11/2013)
I read this book as part of the First Impressions group. Jamie Ford averted the sophomore jinx that besets so many writers. It is a good book but falls short of being a great one. The author does capture the deprivations of the Great Depression and the mood of the country at that time. The Dickensian orphanage where much of the story takes place had a chilling effect on me. I felt that some of the characters verged on stereotypes. Nonetheless it is a good read and would make a good selection for a book club.
The Winter Palace
The Winter Palace: A Novel of Catherine the Great
by Eva Stachniak
Winter Palace (1/9/2012)
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Winter Palace. The author's clever use of a young Polish commoner. Varvara, to be the eyes and ears of both Empress Elizabeth and her nephew's wife Catherine and to divulge what went on in royal Russian chambers was a fascinating way to describe the spying, the lying, the crying, the betrayals of that time and place. Catherine had to overcome a myriad of obstacles: an unmaternal mother, a loveless marriage to Grand Duke Peter, an indolent and childlike disinterested bridegroom, and pressure to produce an heir. The book was well researched and crisply written. I'm looking forward to reading the author's sequel about the mature Catherine on the Russian throne.
The Dressmaker
The Dressmaker: A Novel
by Kate Alcott
The Dressmaker (10/25/2011)
An interesting premise, a quick read, a slice of 100 year old history -- these elements should have made for an excellent book, but The Dressmaker misses the mark. The sections dealing with the Titanic tragedy and the Senate investigations are well done. The book is weakened by a hackneyed love triangle: poor young woman, wealthy older man, poor young man. One can easily anticipate the outcome. Moreover the writing style was flat and full of fluff and lacking much literary depth. I give it 31/2 stars.
The Things We Cherished
The Things We Cherished: A Novel
by Pam Jenoff
The Things We Cherished (5/16/2011)
Some history, some mystery, and some deftly woven twists and turns make for a quick read. The chapters zigzag between past and present with the quest for and possession of a very special timepiece as the crux of the book. I enjoyed reading about the events of the past; I found the present love story somewhat hackneyed.
It's an "airplane reading" novel and while I enjoyed reading it, the writing could have been more sophisticated.





tchapters zigzag between past and
The Beauty of Humanity Movement
The Beauty of Humanity Movement: A Novel
by Camilla Gibb
The Beauty of Humanity Movement (1/3/2011)
A tautly written book about the long-lasting effects of the war in Vietnam on the Vietnamese people makes for very interesting reading. The three main characters are well developed, especially that of old man Hung. The bitter-sweet romances lighten the harsh realities in which the characters find themselves. A MUST for my reading group not only for story line but also for discussions about the art, government, family life. culture, and traditions of Vietnam.
The False Friend
The False Friend
by Myla Goldberg
The False Friend (8/11/2010)
Crisp dialogue and well-delineated characters make this book a fast and keep-your-interest read. The aftermath of a twenty-one year old fateful event makes for a buildup of suspense and an interest in knowing what actually happened. It will lead to spirited discussions by book clubs.
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