August 2011 - Book 21

The Lake of Dreams by Kim Edwards

Lucy returns home after her mom is injured in a car accident and amidst a troubling time of change in her life - well reflected by the ever present earthquakes in a then country of residence, Japan. She leaves her beloved Yoshi amidst his own turmoil to face her place of origin.

Back home at the Lake of Dreams, Lucy discovers a family secret that compels and grips her, almost away form the reality of life at present.Her old love Keegan also finds his wat into her life once again.

I just love stories about artists and long forgotten family secrets - thus this book was an obvious choice out of the bookclub library. But it is also a well written and easy read for all. I love how I managed to build the places so well described in my imagination without ever finding the author's descriptions too long or detailed.

A great bookclub read - 8/10

March 2011 - Book 7

 

Plaasmoord van Karin Brynard

Plaasmoorde het nog nooit werklik in die Noord-Kaap hulle brutale verskyning gemaak nie, maar 'n jong vrou word op haar plaas brutaal vermoor. By dit alles neem die vee diefstalle in die kontrei dag vir dag toe.

Aanvanklik wou ek dlag nie die boek lees nie want die onderwerp ontstel my geweldig. Maar op aandrang van 'n vriendin her ek dit 'n kans gegee en gelees en wat 'n storie! Heerlike karakters en 'n uiters spannende en ingewikkelde storielyn maak hierdie 'n heerlike en fasinerende lees. Gooi 'n bietjie politiek by en jy het 'n wenner.

Dit mag onregverdig wees om die skrywer met Deon Meyer te vergelyk (aan wie sy erkenning as 'n mentors figuur gee), maar die boek vergelyk goed terwyl dit die unieke kenmerke van die skrywer toon.

Sterk aan te beveel as jy van die tipe fiksie hou - 'n wel verdiende spannende 8/10  

July 2009 - book 22

'n Tapisserie met klein diere van Erika Murray-Theron 

Ek was aangenaam verras deur hierdie boek - ek het altyd gedink dat die skrywer jou tipiese Afrikaanse romantiese boeke skryf. Maar nee, sy skryf meesterlike stories wat ver buite die gewone raamwerk span.

In hierdie boek ontmoet 'n uiters komplekse en diverse familie mekaar vir 'n soort van reunie rondom 'n vakansie. Die uiteenlopende karakters, wat elkeen op sy eie manier tot jou spreek, het ook uiteenlopende geskiedenisse, fyn verweef met mekaar. Dan is daar ook die geraamtes in die familiekas wat ontbloot word.

Werklik 'n goeie en verrassende lees - 8/10

June 2011- Book 14

Afrikaans book review/resensie

Die Portier deur Pat Stamatelos
Max het nie regtig nodig om te werk nie - weens sy mildelike erfporsie en slim beleggings het hy meer as genoeg om su eenvoudige, dog stylvolle lewe te lei. Tog is Max 'n nederige protier in 'n ekslusiewe privaat hospitaal. Hy doen die eenvoudigste werk vir die wat siek of seer het. Hy verdra hulle bloed en braak, maar ook hulle vuil naels en knoffel asems.Want Max doen die werk as deel van sy behadleing om sy obsessiewe kompulsie teen te werk. Hy is daargliks in kontak met die onvomaakte om sy strewe na obsessiewe volmaaktheid in balans te kry. 

Desondanks Max se probleme is hy 'n talentvolle man - hy skryf kinderboeke en speel klavier en viool - en hy sien en hoor alles wat in die hospitaal gebeur. As hy maar net so n sy ouerhuis kon waargeneem het.

'n Wonderlike en deernisvolle vertelling wat my deurgans geboei het - 'n wel verdiende 8/10.

June 2011- Book 13

Afrikaans book review/ boek resensie:
Meetsnoer deur Chanette Paul

Wanneer Raine Quinn se lewe omver gegooi word deur 'n kerk wat haar as 'n satanis beskryf, koop sy 'n pragtige plaas met 'n natuurlike woud en fabelagtige huis om haar nuwe lewe in te begin. Maar sy is totaal onbewus daarvan dat twee ander mense, elk om hulle eie redes, dieslefde plaas wil he en tot die uiterste sal gaan om dit in die hande te kry. Sy is ook totaal onbewus dat sy meer as ooit tecore te doen gaan kry met godsdienstige fanatisisme.

Wat volg is 'n heerlike speurstorie en riller in die tradisie van die skrywer se vorige 3 "Kruisbaai" of "Gys en Gertjie" boeke. Die boek lyk goed nagevors te wees en die oorsprong en funksionering van sekte kerke met dominante leiers is 'n fasinerende agtergrond.

Ek het die boek baie geniet maar twee goed pla tog - Gys en Gertjie kan nie vir ewig rondpleoter in onsekerheid nie. Die hele sotrielyn is nou oud.En die name van karakters - o aarde! Flint Fletcher en Raine Quinn vir twee redelik gewopne Afrikaanse mense? Dit beklemtoon miskien die effense kitch gevoel rondom die boek en die reeks wat al meer vir my na vore kom.

Tog 'n lekker lees en deel van 'n lekker lees reeks.
Cat se opinie: net-net 8/10/

May 2011 - Book 11

Wolf Hall - Hillary Mantel

Tom Cromwell starts life as the abused son of a blacksmith and rise to unknown power for a commoner, up to now, as the right hand man of Henry the VIII. As the story of the rise of Tom unfolds, the history of the time paints the rich tapestry that forms the background of the story. Many famous, or shall we say imfamous names become the people that fill the story of Henry's challenge to the church and related history to the reformation, all for the passion to marry Anne Boleyn.

Although a well researched historical novel, the characters become very real people to the reader and the emotions and character of most players gets displayed on a very personal rahter than historical level.

I did find the book rather brutal at times, but I guess that is the level of the horrors that took place in society in the name of religion at the time. I also have to admit that it took me ages to read this book and that I did loose interest at times. I think that it is mainly the use of language (in an almost old, very simple form) that is the reason for this. I does however suit the book and the period very well.

Well researched and written, it is an interesting, but long read.

Cat's opinion: 8/10

October 2010 -Book 27

 The Vintage Caper by Peter Mayle

Peter Mayle is well known for his bestsellers featuring France and more specifically Provence. I have thoroughly enjoyed the other books that I have read by him and this one is no exception.

A lively little detective story featuring the world's best wines and a good shot of humor, takes place between the USA and France. As per usual it is Mayle's descriptions of the French food and lifestyle that brings the real magic to the book. Warning - do not read hungry! The French national character is featured and displayed through some of the colourful characters that populate this book.

I am left with a desire to return to France as soon as possible. To sit at the little cafes, eat the food, drink the wine and look at the people - the very same feeling I have after every wingle book I have read by the author. And certainly some day I will.

An easy and entertaining read, I will certainly recommend it with a 8/10.

September 2010- Book 24

On Chesil Beach by Ian McEwan
Ian McEwan has his own unique style in writing. Often with a surprise turn of events, he tells the stories of ordinary people caught in extraordinary circumstances.

This book features two very ordinary young people faced with their wedding night shortly before the sexual revolution. He is extremely excited to consume theur union in a moment much anticipated. She is scared beyond words. They both have a deep caring, almost platonic love for each other. In one swift moment it all goes wrong.

When faced by Edward on Chesil beach demanding his marital rights, Florence makes a proposal that shocks Edward and finally turns the event to the unexpected twist.

This is a really good read, true to McEwan's style. If you liked "Atonement", his best know book ( also a movie), give this read a try.

Cat's opinion: 8/10

May 2009 - Book 15

Petronella van Aarde, burgemeester deur Dalene Matthee

Wanneer Petronella die Status Quo in Kasselspoort uitdaag steek allerhande kinkels in die kabel hulle koppe uit. Die karakters is ryklik verweef en is die tipe mens wat jy op elke klein dorpie kan raakloop - behalwe dalk Petronella selfs - sy is 'n unieke vrou (en uit een stuk). 'n Lekkerlees boek, is hierdie die tipe Matthhee lees wat ek geniet- ek is nie 'n aanhanger van die bos boeke nie.

My punt: 'n lekker 8/10

July 2010 : Book no17

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen by Paul Torday
It's a rare achievement to tell a complete story in such an intriguing way merely by letters, emails, reports and other forms of correspondence.

For Alfred and Harriet an extraordinary project brings sparkle into their very dreary and ordinary lives. In the process of falling in love via actually "falling in love" with the charming Sheik Mohamed and his dreams and ideals , an international incident is triggered.

I thoroughly enjoyed this charming story of lost love on several levels. A really good read.

Cat's rating: a well deserved 8/10

February 2010: Book no 4

Book no 4: Every light in the house burnin' by Andrea Levy

Angela's parents come to England, the land of opportunity and spend their lives in a council flat, working hard to give their children a better life. But always feeling just "not belonging" rather than settling in. In the end Angela has to make sense of the confusing health care system to help her dad to die in peace.

Filled with unique and lively characters the book shows the lives of immigrants with a sensitivity and sympathy that really speaks to the heart. 

I really enjoyed this book and the different time levels it was written in enhances the mood of the story. Nostalgic and at the same time hyper realistic it is a charming memoir style read.

Some readers might be distracted by the use of "Jamaican style" English, but I found it easy to read and lending colour to th ebook.

Cat's opinion: A good stable 8/10

February 2010: Book no 3

Book no 3: Vinegar Hill by Manette Ansay
Imagine the bottom falling out of your world - loosing your beloved home and being forced to live with the most unpleasant people you can imagine - your in-laws, in a house filled with old dark secrets that shaped the ones living in it. This is what happens to Ellen when her husband looses his job and she becomes the carer not only of her family but her sour in -laws.

Even Ellen's husband changes accordingly, as if the environment shapes him into a vinegar sodden creature. I will never forget the line when he tells his children that it is hell having kids. Ellen needs to escape, and further than just her regular nighttime walk, dreaded by all but her.

The title functions on so many levels and truly reflects the mood of the place that it names. Well written and captivating this is a great read I can recommend to all.

Cat's rating; A well deserved 8/10.

January 2010: Book no 2

Book no 2: Sonbrand en Braaiboud - Bun Booyens (editor)
As this book is not available in English please pardon the Afrikaans review.

Al die lekkerste stories van al die beste rebriekskrywers van Weg. Dink aan Dana Snyman, Toast Coetzer ens. Propvol lekkerlees reisverhale. Ek geniet altyd hierdie tipe leesstof veral oor vakansies.

My pount - 8/10 vir net lekker lees.

February 2009: Book no 6

Well, I have done it! One month ahead of schedule I have reached my targeted 36 books for the year. I still have a lot of book reviews to catch up on here, but goal achieved!

Book no 6: Amsterdam by Ian McEwan

I discovered Mc Ewan last year when I read the bestseller "Atonement". I really enjoyed the book and I have subsequently read quite a few of his books. I share his fascination of mentally disturbed individuals or normal people being challenged on an emotional level to beyond general reasoning.

Amsterdam is an extremely clever story with a great unexpected turn to it. It is well written as one would expect of McEwan.

Cat's opinion: 8/10 and well worth the read.

January 2009 - Book 3

Book no 3 - Mao's Last Dancer by Li Cunxin

I am not a biography or autobiography reader. I have read and enjoyed a few, but they are not my chosen poison.I like the escape of fiction. But some true stories are certainly larger than fiction. This is one of those, and so well told.

The book tells the story of a dirt poor Chinese boy that gets chosen to go to the elite state ballet school - without ever having seen a ballet or know what it is about. It provides him with the opportunity to escape the hardships so graphically described and the chance to have a better future. In time he becomes a star and see the world. But he also realizes how he has been brainwashed to believe the communist principles forced down with the pirouettes.

The book is well written and holds the attention although it is a long read. I found life in communist China fascinating and the portrial of the west through his eyes is just amazing to read.

Cat's opinion: A well deserved 8/10

August 2009 - Book no 25

"The Atonement Child" by Francine Rivers.

I love Francine Rivers' books that has a historical undertone like the "Voice in the wind" series. But the two books that I have read that takes place in the here and now both disappointed me. This book is an exception. I cried, I read without stopping and I found it hard to fall asleep, events just milling in my head.

I immediately liked Dynah - a honest and loving young woman. The tragedy of what happens to this woman is one thing to digest, the failing of her so called "loved ones" is something else. Her mother I can understand, the rest, just shows too much on stereotypical characters. I found Ethan such a stereotype, that I could forecast just from the back cover what his reactions were going to be. Also the Dean's reaction was no surprise. These two characters are weak. Some other characters are well developed and make the reading worth it. I especially enjoyed Grandma Evie and Cynthia Wyatt - two side characters that add a lot of dimension to the story and the message.

I found the end of the book and the resolution a bit shallow and the question of Grandam Evie remains unsolved, but in conclusion, although I have quite a bit of critic about it, a really good read. I will never be sorry that I read this book and it supports my pro-life support. Keep the tissues ready. Enjoy!
A good 8/10