Amalia Gkavea

I knew the meaning of the word “introvert” from the age of 10,when my teacher told my mum what she already knew.I was an introvert and this helped me write beautiful compositions.The definitions and characteristics Jean Granneman uses to describe the different types of introverts are spot on and I could easily identify myself with many of the examples she mentions.

She writes in a simple,clear language that is a combination of scientific results and well-composed explanations for us, laymen.She covers the fields of education,socializing,how hard it is to find some quality alone time when we have to balance job responsibilities and social life and the only thing we want is to sit quietly and stare into space,alone with our thoughts.I enjoyed her honesty.Granneman and the people to whom she gives voice are honest,never self-indulgent.They don't glorify being an introvert,they don't condemn extroverts to Hell.They tell it like it is.Being an introvert or an extrovert is perfectly natural,like being right-handed or left-handed.There is no right or wrong, it is the way we are.Even in sensitive topics like dealing with relationships, both romantic or work and family related, she provides advice without being dogmatic.I appreciate that because in similar cases,I have noticed many authors acquiring a voice that shows how full of themselves they are.

What moved me and made me angry with frustrating remembrance was her chapter concerning children at school and during the learning process.Personal story alert! Most of my teachers in high-school were good people and adequate professionals.Especially those who were teaching subjects related to Literature and Languages.My math teachers probably thought I had no idea what I was doing but they were kind enough not to show it.Out of all the teachers, they were two that have stayed with me,for very different reasons.One taught me to stay true to myself, the other made me determined to send those who want me to change to....well,you get the point.

There was a male teacher,a seemingly polite man who used to teach Ancient Greek, turning everything into a show.He would read passages from Sophocles and Euripides in a boisterous voice, making grand gestures.Problem was that he was awfully sarcastic to any student whom he considered wrong and incapable to understand what he thought was right. So I was afraid to raise my hand and I didn't, even though I knew the “correct” answer. I always got the best results in tests and projects but for him I was inadequate because I didn't “participate”.Yes, he used that word, exactly as I tell you. A year later,a second teacher,a lovely woman with whom I am still in contact, told me to stay true to myself and work in any way I saw fit, in any event of my life.And when my time came to enter the class as a teacher,I vowed never to tell a child to “participate more”.When parents come and tell me that their treasure is so “quiet”, I always reply “yes,isn't he/she lovely? He/She reminds of myself.” And this ends the discussion.I know that they know.

Jean Granneman's book must be read by everyone.Introverts will recognise many key moments of their lives and extroverts will discover that we don't need to change,we don't want to.We're not all the same.I dare say that this book will make any worried introvert a little more confident, a little less self-conscious.

This review goes out to Mrs.Delli for all her encouragement.To the other one...well,pity that Epidavros lost such a great actor...Except not!
(....I've been waiting 17 years to be this mean,hi hi!)

Many thanks to Skyhorse Publishing and Edelweiss for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

‘'Because survival is insufficient.'' Is survival enough by itself? Is our race made in such a way that surviving is all we need? Do we really ‘'live'' once Arts, Companionship, Beauty, everything that makes us humans has fallen into chaos or has simply ceased to exist? The members of the Company try to keep Shakespeare's masterpieces and the power of Classical music alive to the remainings of a dying race, in this harrowing, exquisite novel by Emily St. John Mandel. ''Station Eleven'' isn't the kind of Dystopian novel we have come to familiarize ourselves with. There is no regime, no totalitarian government that oppresses the population, but a much greater threat, one that cannot be defeated by resistance and revolutions. A deadly virus has spread,no one can say where it started and how. The deterioration is so rapid that people die within a couple of days and the world seems to be at the final stages of existence. Parents bury their children, children their parents. Everything stops, just like that. No electric power, no means of transport, no hospitals. The apocalypse is named as the Collapse. Time stops and the Collapse becomes the new starting point of the remnants of civilization. Twenty years after the catastrophe, the Company is wandering in a very different USA, dragging the carts from state to state, providing comfort and hope that there is still something worth living for. However, they are exposed into a number of threats that are caused by anarchy and a rapidly emerging fundamentalism.The Company pre-existed the Collapse, its most esteemed member was Arthur, whose life provides the second focus of the story. Kirsten, a young woman whose life was majorly influenced by Arthur, tries to uncover the face he was hiding from the public. Along with August, another member of the Company, she enters the abandoned houses and collects everything that can be used. Not to steal but to preserve. By preserving the items of a household, they preserve memories. The writing is beautiful. Some of the darkest moments are described in a voice that hides tenderness and sensitivity, tranquility underneath despair. The focus is spread: Kirsten's life with the travelling company, Arthur and his relationships, Clark and Jeevan describing the first days of the nightmare, both linked to Arthur's past. As we go back and forth in time,we are given a complex and fast narration, a unique understanding of the story and its complications.Mandel provides moments when the reader can breath a bit more freely, but never for too long, because the darkness is approaching. She creates a wonderful balance, nothing is wasted, every story, past and present is necessary and we don't find that too often. I loved the interview between Kirsten and a reporter named Francois Diallo. It provides more insight to her character whom I personally found to be the living heart of the story, However there are two moments that set the tone of the book. The descriptions of Kirsten and August's findings in the houses and the first days of the Collapse in Toronto are devastating. Frightening and haunting.The high point of the described terror is Clark's chronicle of the endless,pointless waiting in the airport. I admit I was reading those pages and my heart was pounding. I swear to you that the kind of horror I felt was equal to the emotion caused by the infamous Room 101 in George Orwell's [b:1984 5470 1984 George Orwell https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1348990566s/5470.jpg 153313]. Even in Atwood's masterpiece,[b:The Handmaid's Tale 38447 The Handmaid's Tale Margaret Atwood https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1496592764s/38447.jpg 1119185], there is no scene that can be compared. I was completely shaken.I believe that the characters are very important in whether a Dystopian novel will be interesting or not. Here, every single character has a certain function. Arthur and Kirsten take the lion's share, but for me, the feeling of foreboding dread doesn't come from the anarchy that follows the Collapse, but from the shadowy threat of the Prophet, the leader of a sect that took advantage of the disaster in order to rise and control those willing to follow his doctrine. And this is where the difference between innocent faith and blind fundamentalism begins. Mandel makes the distinction very clear and I truly appreciated that, because many of us seem to confuse these two stages in order to impose our own beliefs to others.I don't think there's any respect in doing that... ''Station Eleven'' deserves all the hype and recognition. It cannot be compared to our two well-known Dystopian monsters, because the context is vastly different. As I was reading, I was reminded of another recent beautiful example of the genre, [b:The End We Start From 33858905 The End We Start From Megan Hunter https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1484434655s/33858905.jpg 53628450] by Megan Hunter. Still, the two questions that arise are common to all these excellent creations. Is survival enough without beauty, safety and hope?And if we survive, how do we cope with a world and a life that has been altered beyond repair? Let us hope we are never obliged to find the answers in these questions in real life... ‘'What was lost in the Collapse: almost everything, almost everyone, but there is still such beauty. Twilight in the altered world, a performance of ‘'A Midsummer's Night Dream'' in a parking lot in the mysteriously named town of St. Deborah by the Water, Lake Michigan shining a half mile away.''

I've always been interested in the period of the Hundred Years' War, the battle between France and England that inspired many stellar moments in Literature and Theatre. This book by Hella S.Haasse immediately attracted my attention (partly due to its beautiful cover) and it came highly recommended by esteemed Goodreads friends and many members of our community. Now, upon finishing this opus, I can say that I enjoyed it -at parts- but there were certain issues that prevent me from classifying it among the best Historical Fiction I've ever read.

The plethora of characters is certain to astonish you in the most positive way. One of the things that excite me in Historical Fiction is that most of us avid fans of the genre are accustomed to lists and lists of family names, dates and facts without being intimidated. When the authors understand this, they do not refrain from offering us a wealth of information. Haasse certainly follows this route. The reader comes across many historical figures that marked the era. Charles VI, le Bien-Aimé, le Fol, one of the most tragic and tormented monarchs in European History. Philip the Bold, Isabeau of Bavaria, Isabella of Valois, Jean the Fearless, and of course Charles d'Orléans, his mother Valentina Visconti and none other than Jeanne d'Arc, La Pucelle d'Orléans. A colourful cast of characters that will please even the most demanding readers.

The writing is rich and well-composed, the dialogue very faithful (presumably) of the era in which the story takes place. The letters, the hymns to the Virgin Mary for the protection of the country and the ballads embellish the narration and give a Chretien de Troyes flair. However, at this point, my main issue with the book is evident. It slowly starts reading as a History lecture rather than Historical Fiction. Now, I am an avid seeker of historical accuracy- sometimes, to the extreme- but I want an inspired kind of historical accuracy, a healthy combination between artistic license and facts. Here, Haasse loses momentum, and in my opinion, the novel becomes much slower and needlessly verbose after the halfway mark. There were instances when I was bored, genuinely bored and tired. I didn't want to skip pages (a personal faux-pas when I'm reading anything History-related) and therefore, my irritation grew. I felt I was reading dry, lifeless sentences. Paragraphs out of a university textbook.There was very little emotion, very little development.

Perhaps, it wasn't Haasse's writing, but the focus on Charles d'Orléans who is a rather dull character. Once the spotlight fell on him, I lost interest, plain and simple. I didn't care how many times he would get married or about his endless interactions while in exile. In my opinion, he was a bad choice for a protagonist. A second issue had to do with the women of the story. I loved the rivalry between Valentine and Isabeau, it reminded me of the first cold interactions between Catelyn Stark and Cersei Lannister. Once this enmity is off the narrative, the remaining female characters are there only to look demurely away and at men or to give birth to heirs. Jeanne d'Arc was a great introduction in the story, but the author didn't do her justice.

The book was published in 1949 and it shows. The lack of any important function for the majority of the female characters is dated, and I must be more of a child of my times than I thought. I am used to enjoy stories with strong, powerful women in power, not defined on their relationships with men but on their own abilities and, thankfully, there is a plethora of variety in the current Historical Fiction genre. There is a tricky issue when we encounter novels based on well-known historical facts. We all know the closure. Therefore, the journey must be exciting to make you care.In this case, the journey went wrong, although my expectations were high. Most likely, it's my fault. I shouldn't have read it after Rutherfurd's masterpiece, the comparison was unavoidable.

I don't regret having read the novel, not in the least. I learned quite a lot of new facts about this turbulent era in European History and I came to know what seems to be an iconic book of the genre. The research is exhausting, the effort tremendous and beautiful. However, it will not enter my pantheon of Historical Fiction examples, it will not be memorable in my collection. And as I always try to be honest to myself, 3 stars is the most I can give.

One of the most persistent memories in the life of a bibliophile has to do with a bookshop. THE bookshop, actually. It may be that cozy shop, full of children's fiction, or the bookshop where we spent our allowance as teenagers. Or that second-hand temple, perfect for university students.And along with browsing, hunting for old and new treasures, friendships were forged and the first literary discussions shaped us as readers.

In my case, there were two bookshops that make me feel nostalgic at the age of 32. Both are connected to my late grandmother. I grew up in a family that had- and still has- reading as a second religion, but my closest partner in crime was grandma. She would read without getting tired, without omitting a single page even though I could see her eyes growing heavy with sleep. So, she and I had our personal ritual. At the beginning of every month, we would visit two bookshops in our neighbourhood. The first was an ordinary bookshop, its owner one of my mum's good friends, and from here we would buy all the Classics and books that were always slightly (or significantly) above my age. I was reading books suitable for adolescents when I was 8 or nine years old. The, we would visit a second shop that sold toys and children's books.Its owner was Italian, like my grandma. They would talk for hours in their mother tongue, while I used to sneak around, rummaging the shelves, marvelling at the pictures. I usually left that shop with my arms full of books, 5-6 that grandma had bought me and 2-3 more that had been given to me as a gift by the nice lady. Every month was like Christmas back then.

Now, how much more significant some bookshops can be when you eventually become a writer? The authors of this beautiful collection write about their memories connected to these ‘'temples'' and the way their writing identity was influenced by them. Quirky owners, dimly-lit second-hand bookshops, industrial, cleancut, immaculately organized shelves. We travel from Scotland to Kenya, from Denmark to China, from Colombia to India, to England,Egypt, Ukraine and Italy, every corner of the world, every culture, every way of thinking and talking about books acquires a voice.

The essays are superbly organized, directly speaking to the reader like a memoir of the common desire to own every book available and express the deepest love for this little item that helps mankind not to fall into eternal darkness. Every text has something to offer and communicate.'' Leitner and I'' by Saša Stanišić is what I consider the highlight of the collection. It shows how booklovers are serious addicts through and through, by composing a striking text full of similes and metaphors between junkies and unrepentant book lovers.

The least favourite was ‘'Intimacy''by Dorthe Nors. In fact, I found it rude and pretentious. A poorly-written blend of childhood memories and an ordinary bookshop owner, while name-dropping Kristin Lavransdatter in the mix for effect's sake. The author tries to justify her unethical behaviour in a Copenhagen bookshop and blames the owner for throwing her out. Of course, she would throw her out. I would. I don't think Nors had the right to re-arrange the shelves and make the copy of her book stand out. Perhaps, she has no idea of the toil that is to organize a shelf. Hell, when it is so difficult to do it in our bookcases,how much harder will it be in the case of whole store? It was downright unprofessional, self-indulgent and her text had nothing to offer apart from informing us that she had a Degree in Literature without ever reading Sigrid Undset's masterpiece. It was cringeworthy.

The two bookshops of my childhood don't exist anymore. They passed away upon the altar of our current times. It doesn't matter,though. It doesn't matter if your favourite bookshop belongs to a bookstore chain with classy, gloriously beautiful and shiny shelves, with grey carpets from wall to wall or a cozy second-hand shop where books are in piles reaching the ceiling or carelessly forming a bookish wall on the steps of a wooden staircase. Spaces are made by people. Sometimes, the person who would take you to the shop and let you indulge in your passion from an early age is the one who creates the memories, and for this, my review of this moving, tender book is dedicated to grandma.

Many thanks to Pushkin Press and Edelweiss for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

‘''Tis now dead midnight.'' Measure for Measure, Act 4, Scene 2

Why midnight?Midnight stands between light and darkness. The day that has been completed and the new one that slowly attempts to rise. During midnight, two key events take place in this glorious book, and like this haunting time of day, our characters are walking the thin line between good and evil. And for this, they make the best ‘'villains''.

This book is so exquisite,so darkly beautiful that I didn't want it to end. What fascinated me more was the fact that it is not only an ode to the immortal genius that is Shakespeare, but a hymn to the significance and immense value of the Villain. Well-written villains are the crown jewels in Literature and a large majority of readers find them absolutely fascinating as they have shaped -and continue shaping- Literature and Theatre. Shakespeare's villains, in particular, are the core of his greatest plays. Is Macbeth a villain? Or Shylock? What about Brutus or Edmund? Or Iago who seems to have absolutely no redeeming qualities?

In M.L.Rio's novel, we have seven four-year students that are about to graduate and become actors in the real world. A tragic event following a short period of intense feelings causes their world to tumble down. Passions and hidden animosity come forward and the villains become victims and the victims are turned to villains on their own freewill.

‘'By the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes.'' Macbeth, Act 4 , Scene 1

M.L. Rio manages to use and refer to every play by the Bard and some of his sonnets, but there are four plays which shape the narrative.Macbeth, Julius Caesar, King Lear, Romeo and Juliet. Each one serves a different purpose and Rio works them in the story masterfully. Wicked deeds are set in motion when a member of this fellowship loses the sense of right and wrong, and as in Julius Caesar, the battle between friends and the acts that can be considered treasonous consist the essence of the entire story. The theme of problematic friendship is present in Macbeth as well, where Macbeth turns against his loyal friend, Banquo, guided by ambition and a misleading wish for power. Perhaps, Macbeth is the play most presented and quoted in the novel, something that contributes to its foreboding beauty. There is a sequence of a production of the Scottish Play, set during the night of Halloween, in the darkness, outdoors. It is among the most beautiful and most powerful depictions I've ever read or watched. Theatre directors should definitely consult Rio before they attempt to deal with Macbeth. I'd dare to say that the Bard himself would certainly embrace it. It is an eerie, haunting scene, an exaltation of Will's masterpiece.

‘'Believe none of us.'' Hamlet, Act 3, Scene 1

Yes, the seven friends are among the most interesting characters you'll come across. They are not to be trusted, or believed, but you must care for them. Richard is wild, possessive, the male star of the company.Wren is delicate and shy, the Ophelia of the group. Alexander doesn't really know what to do with his life, James knows what to do but is too afraid to do it. The three most interesting characters are Oliver, Meredith and Filipa.Meredith is my spirit animal. Fierce, demanding, questioning everything, but sensitive and always uncertain of herself and her abilities. I love her! Filipa is a beautiful soul, loyal, tender, the rock that keeps everyone solid, struggling for them to retain their sanity. Oliver is the heat of the story, he is kindness and innocence and the proof that there is still some good in this world that cannot be destroyed. Poor Oliver...

The writing is exceptional! Oliver's speech on the essence of Shakespeare is the best I've ever read. The whole spirit of the Bard enclosed in a short paragraph, better than any collection of academic essays. Modern language interacts with Shakespeare's immortal lines in a brilliant flow of speech.

There are so many incredible twists, so much insight into the human soul. What about lies? Lies that are used to protect loved ones? Lies that we have taken for granted for all our lives? Who is the villain?Shakespeare knew human nature better than any psychologist. He knew that there is no clear line between a villain and victim. Just as it often happens in real life. And this is so beautifully transferred in Rio's marvelous novel that makes one wonder whether we actually know where our ‘'good'' self end and the ‘'bad'' begins. This duality is a never-ending battle...

This is a beautiful, moving book, created with darkness, strife and sensitivity. Read it and see for yourselves...

''When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?'‘''When the hurlyburly's done. When the battle's lost and won.'‘ Macbeth, Act 1, Scene 1

Image 1 : George Washington dressed like Bruce Willis in ‘'Armageddon''.
Image 2: A bloodthirsty, cannibalistic, white Easter bunny. I thought Ēostre's pets were mild...

If I were more sensitive, these two images would traumatize me for life...

This was a weird,little book. Quirky and fun, but strange. I don't think that these are ‘'lies'' told by parents in the Unites States ,or anywhere else in the world for that matter, but they were entertaining. If nothing else, there were imaginative. The pictures are a little bit creepy, even for a grown-up, and perhaps, a tad bit of Gothic. Wait, did I invent a new genre now? Gothic Childish?

Anyway, I'm sure it's not a book to be taken seriously. We all need a bit of dark, humorous distraction from time to time:)

ARC from Animal Media Group and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

‘'The steppe was quiet that night. So was the forest. Softly the wind moved over the land.''

Russia...Few countries are able to create such vivid images once you hear their names. Those of us who had the good fortune to visit that beautiful country will be able to understand the heart of this book even better. A land of antitheses, a land of classical and primitive beauty, a land created by blood, tears and religion, a land where every form of Art flourished, giving birth to Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, Pushkin, Gogol, Turgenev, Tchaikovsky, Borodin, Gorgi, Nureyev, and the list is endless. I won't deal with political issues, I couldn't care less about politics in any country and any era. All I am able to say is that bringing the course of Russia through the centuries into life is a daunting task. And I can think of noone better to bring it to fruition than Edward Rutherfurd.

Rutherfurd uses a small community named Russka and follows his familiar and fascinating technique. We follow the descendants of two families through time, starting from 180 AD all the way to the 90s, from the Roman times to the fall of the Iron Curtain. The characters are men and women that have their weaknesses and strengths, their hopes and fears, feelings that are mainly dependant on who has the absolute power over the troubled country at any given era. With the risk of sounding like an old, broken record to those who follow my reviews and have read my commentaries on Rutherfurd's books, I must say (for the millionth time) that he creates people that live right in front of our eyes. He inserts historical details which provide the necessary context for the interactions and the storylines, but he doesn't give a History lecture and, the most important, he doesn't choose sides.

He paints with words. His descriptions of battles, political machinations and daily life are equally exciting. He touches upon religious, political and philosophical matters in a simple, clear, confident manner. Each story-chapter is a small literary treasure, a necessary piece to the beautiful Russian tapestry he has created, but there are some that simple stand out.

‘'All nature seemed at peace in the vast Russian silence.''

‘'Forest and Steppe'' : The birth of Russia through the eyes of a young woman of mixed parentage. A tale set in 180 AD.
‘'The River'' : A story of rivalry between brothers and the caress of good fortune set in the 11th century.
‘'The Tatar'' : A dark story set in the 13th century, during the terrible Tatar invasions. An unusual text by Rutherfurd who shows he isn't afraid to deal with bold- nay, shocking- storylines. A word of caution, though. It is not a chapter for readers who are sensitive in issues like incest and problematic sexual relationships.
‘'Ivan'' : We move on to the time Ivan Grozny- more commonly known as Ivan the Terrible- and the era in which Moscow becomes the heart and jewel of Russia. In this story, Rutherfurd has created a very interesting and tragic relationship between Boris and Elena, a young married couple who do everything they can to destroy one another.

‘'You're free, Cossack- free as a bird over the steppe. But I'm alone with nothing.''

‘'The Cossack'' : Perhaps, the best moment in the book. A wonderful journey in the life of the Cossacks, during a tumultuous era in Russian history and the influence of Poland in the religious and political issues of the country.
‘'Catherine'' : We travel from Moscow to St. Petersburg, this glorious, mesmerizing city, and the Golden Age of Russia. The era when everything flourished under the reign of Catherine the Great.

‘'The wolf is near, but on a cold, dark night, the Tsar is very far away indeed.''

We enter the years of doubt, the time when the oppression is doubly-felt among the lower classes and the cries for freedom and change start rising above the level of whispers.The French Revolution has planted a mighty seed all over Europe and the people begin to question everything they used to take for granted. However, revolutions are always double-edged swords and Rutherfurd writes about the darkest times in Russian History with sensitivity and objectivity.

‘'Fathers and Sons'' : Turgenev and Bakunin's influence is very prominent on this chapter, leading us towards the final acts before the world explodes.

The following chapters describe the bloody days of the Revolution, the Russian fight and contribution in stopping Hitler's forces from advancing further,with the eventual defeat of the Nazi oppression, and the times of uncertainty following the fall of the Iron Curtain.

Trying to trace the complex history of Russia while being completely objective, professional and respectful, is toiling work. Even writing a simple, unimportant review about this great country is tricky,because there are always the ones looking for a fight, trying to lure you into cheap political commentary. I have read many, many books that combine History and Fiction to narrate the tale of the beautiful country. None could come close to Edward Rutherfurd's creation...

‘'Russia: where the plain is endless.''‘'Russia: where the east and west meet.''

Worrying... Is there anyone of us that can truly claim not to be plagued by stress? Both my parents are the definition of calmness and tranquility. Me,on the other hand? If nervousness and anxiety needed a picture, mine would be brilliant. I remember being like this from an early age, worrying over everything. Not just school or friends, but literally everything. Growing up didn't do much to improve it.

Now, I wish I had this lovely book while I was growing up. I'm not a mother myself, but as a teacher I interact with children of all ages for many hours and the worst thing is seeing them loaded with stress. Worrying over tests, grades,homework, what their parents would say if an essay went bad, etc. I feel awful knowing that I have contributed in all the enormous load they daily carry on their shoulders, so I thought ‘'well, I will take the book with me today.'' They really loved it.The younger children were absorbed by the pictures and with the older ones I had the opportunity to start a very interesting and liberating discussion about worrying over school, relationships, and family issues.

The headings and snippets were very well-written and simple enough for all children to understand and to me, they provided some real food for thought, beautiful and whimsical sentences of wisdom that I wish I had read when I was their age. The pictures are really striking and unique, almost Gothic in style, echoing Tim Burton and Lisa Falzon.

So, my opinion is of secondary importance with this book. The young ones loved it and so did I. Will it help me lower the levels of worrying just for the sake of it? Probably not, but it certainly motivates me to try.

John Updike chose to carry out a difficult task. He imagined and created the complex (?) relationship between Gertrude and Claudius before the climax of the events that consist Shakespeare's masterpiece. One could say that this is an attempt of a prequel to ''Hamlet'' and as such it has the quality of the majority of prequels and sequels in Literature and in Cinema. It falls frightfully short.

Even as I'm writing this review, I am unable to understand how I feel about this book. It left me completely indifferent, it didn't create any feelings in me, any images in my mind. I cannot say I hated it because hate needs a whole array of feelings to be invoked and those were simply absent here. Updike's writing was completely empty, devoid of any warmth and soul, any real sentiment that would be required when an author is dealing -or messing with- the task to breathe new life to the Bard's larger than life characters.

If I want to be honest, I need to say that I never considered Gertrude a villain. However, neither she nor Claudius are particularly interesting characters. Naturally, Hamlet erases all, but Laertes, Ophelia, Horatio are people I would like to read more about. So are Gertrude and Claudius. I've often wondered about the marriage between Hamlet's parents. Was it happy? Was Gertrude aware of her brother-in-law's intentions? These are questions that have been plaguing scholars for centuries. Updike presents his own vision, which I won't spoil here, and it is quite plausible. The problem is that it's inconsistent with the characters he reconstructed. He managed to turn the infamous couple into a snooze-fest, people who speak like automatons, without any substance. They're not even archetypes, they're plain air.There is nothing they offer to the reader. Even Polonius- who's named Corambis here after the version of the Bad Folio- becomes more boring than our familiar Shakespearean councillor. Well, at least that's an achievement there for you...

Where is Hamlet, you may ask? Hamlet is completely absent for the majority of the narration and thank Jesus and Mr. Wednesday and all the Old Gods and the New for that, because who knows what treatment would be in store for our beloved, melancholic, black clad Prince of Denmark?In the few lines that are uttered by Gertrude, Hamlet isn't positively portrayed. Yes, Updike creates the Queen as an unloving, cold mother whose only thoughts are how to fall in bed with her husband's brother. Forgive me, but I have lost count on how many times I have read ''Hamlet'' and I've never thought that she was distant, devoid of maternal feelings.

Many of the excellent reviewers here have already mentioned the writing issues so I won't bore you further. Updike attempted to create a kind of pseudo-medieval language. In my opinion,it didn't work to the advantage of the story. It was exactly this issue that made every interaction so dry it was almost unbearable. The fact that Claudius uses the word ‘'connoisseur'' or speaks Italian and Spanish interrupting his speech was something I couldn't take seriously. Not to mention, that the writer had the audacity to insert quotes from Shakespeare's play in the dialogues.

Updike is an author I wasn't familiar with before I read ‘'Gertrude and Claudius'' and I don't intend to try my luck with any other book of his. In our times,we have experienced examples of re-imagining Shakespeare with beautiful results. Unfortunately, this novel wasn't true to the Bard and to the nature of his characters. It wasn't even respectful. Perhaps, Hamlet and his troubled family should be left alone by now...No need to torture them more...

‘'One does see so much evil in a village.''
Agatha Christie

To use a quote of the Queen of Crime, spoken by the exquisite Miss Marple, in a review about a book that was mediocre at its best moments is almost a sacrilege. And yet, I confess I was fooled, because my expectations were quite high.

Jill, the main protagonist of the novel, discovers a dead woman, one of the most prominent members of Weycombe, and starts a personal investigation to find the solution to the crime, Perhaps, as a distraction to her own unhappy life and her problematic relationship with her husband. Who knows? And to be honest and forward, with such bad writing, who cares? The way the story unfolded made me lose all interest.

The start was more than promising, it was exciting and the first 100 pages just flew by. And then, it was a disaster. Endless pages full of uninspired descriptions of the hypocritical posh village residents, countless paragraphs about cosmetic products -which I really like, but not when I am reading a book that desires to be called a ‘mystery''- and dialogues that sounded like a bad American sit-com. The only redeeming qualities were Jill, who was quite a sympathetic and realistic character, and the crime itself which was well-composed and with a few interesting twists. I didn't get the feeling of a ‘'cozy'' mystery, the atmosphere was dark, but badly depicted. In my opinion, the execution was very inadequate,the writing was simply not there.

Perhaps, many will succeed in overlooking the plethora of pages about rich and famous that had nothing to do with the mystery itself and enjoy the book much more than I did. For me, even finishing it was a struggle.

Many thanks to Midnight Ink and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

‘'It is dark. The paths unplowed, the ice moltens. The river is not smooth, not skateable, but coagulate with floes.''

This will not be a review of many words, because this book doesn't need them. How can I place this haunting experience into sentences that analyze this and that? I will try, but I am certain to fail. This book needs to be read in order to be understood.

This isn't the usual short-stories collection. This is a series of seemingly disjointed snippets of Jean's life, focusing on her mother and the need for a past that is meaningful and clear. We move back and forth in time. From the 1920s to the 1980s, back to the 70s and the 50s. We travel in Cambridge, Brighton, Boston with little explanation why. In fact, there is hardly an explanation at all in the story, and this happens because Jean -our sole eyes of the tale- has no way to find answers to her questions. She struggles to reconstruct her mother's life in an attempt to provide some kind of meaning to her own present. So, she relies on her memories to give a full identity to her parent and tries to understand her motives and choices.

It sounds confusing and my clumsy attempt to summarize it makes it worse, but it isn't. It isn't, because the themes the story focuses on couldn't be clearer and more universal. Family and motherhood, in particular, is the main driving force. It influences the narration the way our family influences our course in life later on. But to what extent? And what happens when the loss of our family becomes a reality?

The language is haunting, almost bleak, and the light that comes through resemble the light emerging from shut windows. It is sparse and dim. The writing is poetic, with very little dialogue and a plethora of inner monologues and observations. The black and white photos of people and dogs make the reading experience even more realistic and dark, almost foreboding. However, these elements aren't the ones which make ‘'Fever Dogs'' stand apart. What makes the books truly unusual is the importance of dogs.

Dogs move in the periphery of the narration, claiming the role they're given in real life. They are caring animals. They do more than simply live amongst us. It seems to me that our dogs live WITH us, they share our lives and observe everything with their big eyes. What would they say if they had the ability to speak, one may wonder?How would they reprimand us once we took a decision that was stupid, illogical or even harmful? How would they try to stops us?

There is a beautiful passage in the book about the imagination of the readers, how each reader becomes a director in silence, how upset we may sometimes feel when we read something that doesn't ‘'satisfy'' the creations of our imagination. Do you need imagination to fully understand ‘'Fever Dogs''? Probably, along with a hint of suspension of disbelief. Will there be times when you'll have no idea what you're reading about? Yes, there will, and it won't matter. Let the faithful dogs be your trusted guides to the past and the troubled present...

Many thanks to Northwestern University Press and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Moving house must be one of the most upsetting and unsettling experiences we have to go through at least once in our lives. Sometimes, it may be almost unbearable. Five years ago, my beloved grandma passed away and I moved in her house. It was always meant for me and I remember how she used to beam with ride that her granddaughter would fill the rooms she would leave behind. And yet, when I began to create my own space, I felt so guilty. I felt as if I had no right to alter her house and throw away her furniture. I started seeing weird, frightening dreams that continued for months. And then, I settled in and now I feel her comforting presence and my house became a cocoon that will always protect me. But how much worse can it be when your new house belonged to a complete stranger? Someone who abandoned it under mysterious circumstances?

Eleanor, Richard and their two daughters move to a Victorian four-bedroom house and the problems start almost immediately. The source of the trouble seems to be in an upstairs room whose walls are covered with the word ‘'Emily'' written in childish letters. When Eleanor sees her eldest daughter changing into a wildling, she begins a fight with the house and the winner isn't guaranteed.

The story is not original, and yet it is innovative in the sense that it focuses on the characters, the way the house influences them, changing their lives. The steps, the sounds, the things that seem to be moving without any logical explanation provide the background in front of which we see Eleanor's family turning upside down. This is where certain problems of the novel start, in my opinion.

It is fortunate that Eleanor is such a complex, well-written and realistic character. The agony of the mother, the doubts and the persistence to fight through this horrible experience are depicted perfectly, flawlessly. This makes Richard and Zoe's characters appear even worse than they are. Richard is one of the most irritating, frustrating characters I've recently come across. I couldn't fathom why Eleanor chose him as her husband and I cannot understand why she put up with him and his absolute lack of understanding. I mean, if I were a ghost, I would attack him on the spot as a service to mankind. Zoe, on the other hand, is completely indifferent. Like one of those acquaintances you forget they exist until you meet them again. She has the personality of a doormat, tries to convince herself that she's an artist, but all she thinks about is how to fall in bed. Artistically, mind you...

Therefore, the writing confused me greatly. When the books was a mystery, the writing was top-notch, impeccable. The feeling of dread, the foreboding descriptions were some of the best I've ever read. But it went downhill, after the first 150 pages and rarely picked up again. In my opinion, it would be better if we had 15-20% less content. All these details about the main characters weren't really vital to the story, and Richard, Zoe and Eleanor were not the most interesting people in the planet in terms of life choices.

This brings me to my main complaint about the focus of the story. After a point and following many repetitions, the book moved towards a weird combination of a mystery story and a chic-lit novel of the worst kind. Zoe's affair was utterly ridiculous, badly written and added nothing to the plot. There was too much focus on sex and less on Zoe's development as a character. If the way she viewed sex had anything to offer to the book, I am sorry but I didn't notice it. It's a pity, actually. Modern writers create darkly beautiful Gothic stories and then try their best to destroy them by inserting cheap romance plotlines. Who has told hem that a story is incomplete without romance? Because of this, I skipped a few pages here and there, and I was less enthusiastic about reading further.

A story that could have been 4-5 star-worthy became a 2-3 star rating because of juvenile sex angst and chic-lit clichés. If the end hadn't been so satisfying, I would have rated it lower than 3, because nothing angers me more as a reader than wasted opportunities. However, you should definitely read it. The mystery part is extremely good and Kate Murray-Browne is clearly talented both with descriptions and with dialogue. Just be aware that the ghost of chick-lit is lurking. Perhaps it will bother you less...

Many thanks to Picador and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

''What do we human beings have if we don't have each other?''

''The Big Apple'', ‘‘The City That Never Sleeps'‘...There are certain cities in our world whose very name creates images in our minds, even though we may have never visited them. New York is certainly one of them. Its beauty and attraction lies in its rich diversity. In people, in cultures, in languages and beliefs. The stories in this striking collection celebrate variety and depict the comfortingly similar ways in which every human being expresses sorrow, joy, hope and despair.

''Out With The Trash'' by Kat Georges: A story about wise gnomes and a despicable woman who treats books like garbage. Set in West Village.

''Memory The Next by Benny Finberg: A moving story about a world that changes beyond all recognition.

''Lustrum at the Flushing RKO'' by Kirpal Gordon: A lovely tale about the joyous, rebellious Irish nature and the narrow-mindedness and oppression of the Church and the religious ‘‘schools''. Set in 1966.

''Namor'' by J.Anthony Roman: A strange story about a graphic designer from Bronx.

''The Cleaning Lady'' by Gil Fagiani: The lively notes of mambo and cha-cha cannot conceal the deep sadness of this story.Again, set in Bronx.

''Hook'' by Ron Kolm: An East Village bookstore becomes the target of nightly escapades.

''Upper West to Lower East'' by Michael Gatlin: This haunting Manhattan story contains a stunning description of the abandoned, silent playground during nighttime.

''Imitations of Christ'‘ by Peter Marra: A dark tale, raw and tragic.

''Compassion'' by Joanie Hieger Fritz Zasike: A story about hope and the kindness of strangers.

''A Park Bench For Two'' by Paul Sohar: In Central Park, two men engage in a weird conversation, the kind Beckett might have written if he had been a ‘‘Millenial'' playwright from New York.

''War, Sex, Money'' by Nina Zivancevic: A young woman desires to go against the rules and common ‘‘ethics'' of our modern world.

''A Clown A Day'' by Angela Sloan: There are a few weird clowns walking in New York...

''The Real North Eighth Street Romance'' by Richard Vetere: A disappointing romance and a naive young man who's fooled by external beauty.

''Dangerous Girl'' by Liz Axelrod: Travelling back in the 80s and the last days of disco. And Girl Power!

''Missing Daughter'' by Ghera Thompson: A worrying mum with an overwhelming imagination.

''A Moment of Wrong Thinking'' by Lawrence Block: A New York mystery story.

The stories are not fairy tales. They are urban to the core, raw, dirty, gritty and so, so real. They are the products of the greatest metropolis of our world. Where people so different and yet so alike come to live together, to love and lose, to cope with reality...

‘'Men drowned by the score for over three hundred years. Winter storms drove them there, that's where the name comes from. Winterbay. Cold,desolate place.''This is such a striking quote that perfectly describes not only the setting but the heart of the story. Cold, isolation and death...I was immediately won by the title and the cover and it didn't take me long to start reading. I confess I initially thought that this wasn't going to be anything original, but I didn't mind.After all, the majority of ghost stories are awfully similar to each other and still they manage to frighten us even though we tell them time and time again.My impression was correct. The premise isn't original but I found the novel to be a rather pleasing Gothic experience.Will is an architect with a whole load of problems on his back, both work-related and marital. He struggles to please all and meet expectations, while Emily, his expecting wife,is still trying to recover from past traumas.The renovation of Winterbay Abbey presents a good opportunity for Will to establish himself as a professional. On his first day, he sees a nun walking into the water. (There is probably a reason why I've always been a little bit afraid of nuns...)The story takes place after Halloween and I can definitely say that it is a great read for the spookiest time of the year. Winterbay Abbey certainly lives up to its name. The word ‘'Abbey'' always brings certain images to mind and abbeys have been consistent staples in Gothic Fiction for a long time. Here, there are many Gothic elements and familiar tropes of Horror Fiction, like birds, faces in dusty windows, rocking chairs and sudden cracks. They are skillfully used to create the necessary mood and with respect to the genre. However, there are many similarities to Susan Hill's [b:The Woman in Black 37034 The Woman in Black Susan Hill https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1327869942s/37034.jpg 2127172]. In fact, it seemed to me that the heart of the whole plot echoes the much-loved novella directly. As a result, the story becomes a little too predictable and unoriginal. After all, there can only be one Jeanette Humphrey and one Arthur Kipps, right?The characters are what make the story suffer a bit, though.Will and Emily are nothing to write home about. It seemed to me that Will isn't exactly the sharpest knife in the drawer and although he must be talented, he has a knack of running away from responsibilities, deadlines and obligations. Emily is overreacting, self-centered, full of self-pity, borderline dramatic and frankly, I think that the writers created an inconsistent character in her. She doesn't really know what she wants either of herself or of Will. But, I guess that in a horror story characters are not the focal point...The impact of the story is based on psychology and the fear of the unknown and there is no violence or bloody spectacles just for the sake of shock value. The atmosphere is built page by page and this is how a well-written mystery is made.

Just so you know. Any rude comments by phantom users who haven't read a single book and haven't written any reviews will be promptly dealt with. They will be deleted, flagged and the ‘‘users'' will receive an epic rant. Go mess with the likes of you the trolls who have no life. Don't presume that I will waste my time on people who think this is bloody Facebook. If you don't like what you read then stop reading! It's that simple!

‘'When it comes to my memory there are three categories: things I want to forget, things I can't forget, and things I forgot I'd forgotten until I remember them.''

I've always believed that Memory is what makes us individuals, it shapes our personality, it has the power to change our emotional state in the blink of eye.Many of us are haunted by memories that we'd give everything to erase and all of us have memories we turn to when we need to go back to those moments when we were truly happy. And while there are experiences we want to keep for ourselves, memories are made to be shared. Being unable to retrieve these special moments must be harrowing.

Fergus suffered a stroke that has influenced his memory severely. It comes and goes like the waves of the Irish sea. His daughter, Sabrina, is a young woman with a special job and three boys to look after, When she receives a box full of marbles that belonged to her father, she starts a quest to uncover the mystery of their existence in Fergus' life but discovers so much more in the process.She has one day to find her answers, but this isn't an ordinary day, not at all. There is a solar eclipse and a full moon, the elements of nature will play tricks on humans, on their hearts and on their minds.

When I was a little girl, I used to collect marbles. They would come in packages of 10 pieces each, representing a special collection. Planets, animals, minerals, everything you can imagine. I rarely played with them, I wanted them for their beauty. I used to put them in line and just stare at them for hours. I never thought that marbles could be something valuable or that somewhere there might actually be a World Championships. Ahern does a wonderful job in depicting the deep love of the collectors and the way this passion can cause a significant damage in their lives, especially when they are surrounded by people who show little understanding to anything beyond their own ‘'safe'' lives.

Ahern brings the issues of fatherhood and family ties into focus. Can you consider yourself a proper parent if you have kept all your life a sealed secret from your child? Can we, as children, claim that we know our parents as well as they know us? Memory is a central theme too, good and bad moments creating deep marks in our lives. We also come to see the changes in Irish society during the 60s and the 70s, the influence of the Church, the plague of alcoholism. I was fascinated by the symbolisms of the influence of the solar eclipse and the full moon. It gave an aura of mystery to the story, a fairy-tale touch.

The main characters are Fergus and Sabrina and they are interesting, sympathetic people with all the weaknesses, hopes, fears and disappointments. They share the spotlight of the narration equally, each one complimenting the other. Fergus' chapters have titles concerning marbles while Sabrina's chapters start with pool rules, symbolising all the rules that govern her life and make her feel suffocated. The other characters are equally approachable. I especially liked Fergus' mother, Cat and his friends and fellow marble aficionados. On the other hand, Sabrina's mother is a terribly irritating woman, self-centered, stupid, thinking of noone but herself. Aidan, Sabrina's husband, is not really much better. He is unable to understand his wife's needs and problems and he constantly accuses her of silence. I mean, she has noone to talk to, him least of all, how can she not keep silent? I couldn't see how a clever young woman like Sabrina could fall in love with that thick-head, but anyway...

This was my first attempt to the world of Cecelia Ahern's books and I was completely satisfied. I loved the way she communicates the inner thoughts of the characters without becoming repetitive or melodramatic and the plethora of themes that were skilfully woven in the story. And this book is proof that you can have deeply moving novel without resorting to silly romantic plot. If you love marbles, full moons, solar eclipses, Ireland, and even diving, then you're going to enjoy The Marble Collector as much as I did.

‘'We fight our own battles.''

One of the most well-known and fascinating monarchs in English History is Edward IV, brother to Richard III. In a land where most monarchs have made their mark- in a positive or negative way- his popularity certainly speaks for itself. His life, marriage and political acuteness have made him a figure that inspired some of the finest lines by Shakespeare in Richard III and became the focus of many books in the Historical fiction genre. Amy Licence's Son of York is one more example.

Edward's significance becomes more important when we consider that he was actually the first king of England to come from the York family. He married Elizabeth Woodville, causing a great scandal and produced many children who became notable figures in English History. He was believed to be an expert in strategic matters and he brought order to the realms after the long feud between the Houses of York and Lancaster. He was a lover of the Arts and acquired a significant collection manuscripts. Now, this very important man surely provides the material for a good Historical novel, doesn't he? Well, the answer is yes. Almost.

We find ourselves in 1455, when Edward is a boy of thirteen. He is the fearless, fiery, abrupt son of Richard Plantagenet and Cecily, while his favourite brother, Edmund, is the dreamer, the sensible one, the voice of reason. The focus of the story is the way this young man became a king and I found that very clever. The young boy who became king shows all the signs of his future self and Licence creates a very believable,well-composed Edward. All the characters that are in the centre of the narration are interesting and realistically portrayed and the historical events are depicted extremely accurately. This was a very welcome change from what usually happens in books, films and TV series that decide to butcher well-established historical characters just for the sake of viewership and readership. The fact that Licence is a historian certainly helped in retaining a level of historical accuracy that is respectable.The battles and tournament scenes are impactful and well-written and I particularly enjoyed the inclusion of Loveday, an event that has always intrigued me. The romance element is not overwhelming, but it is there and it isn't successful, in my opinion.The women Edward is interested in are not interesting or memorable at all.On the contrary, a relationship that is well-structured and consistent is the one between Richard and Cecily who was my favourite character in the novel.

So, why 3 stars? If you follow my reviews, you'll have noticed by now that a feature that can make or break a book for me is dialogue. Now, with Historical Fiction, language is a difficult thing to master. It may appear pompous or inappropriately modern. Here, it was a mediocre combination of the two. I had many problems with it, to be honest. From the early stages of the story,the dialogue seems wooden and uninspired, as if the writer took pieces of sentences from The Tudors -or any other pseudo-historical TV shows and films with dubious historical accuracy- and created this. In addition, she attempts to remind the readers of past events by including them in the dialogue only a few pages after said events have taken place right before our eyes. I mean, we don't forget THAT easily (I hope...) This results in interactions that are awkward, unnatural and, frankly, almost cringeworthy. The constant bickering between York and Edward over matters that have been discussed again and again was too tiring and the frequent use of the phrase ‘‘she-devil'' to refer to Margaret of Anjou was extremely bothersome. It was a pity, really, because the descriptive passages were well-composed, presenting facts naturally and not as a History lesson and the pace was consistent throughout. Perhaps, dialogue isn't the writer's strong point.

This was an interesting novel, quite enjoyable and faithful to the people and the events depicted, but it was nothing that we haven't seen before. When one has much experience by being an avid reader of Historical Fiction, the standards are too high, the expectations too many and Son of York didn't meet them to the fullest.

Many thanks to Endeavour Press and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

‘'In the darkness demons flew. Their shapes made a fearful noise until a voice called out, and they were still, and the silence was complete.''

When we have read 1984 and The Handmaid's Tale , it is reasonable to believe that it would be rather difficult to be touched by any other dystopian novel. Yet, we may be mistaken. At least, I was. Frightfully. I frankly don't know where to begin with The End We Start From. It shocked me, frightened me, moved me and disturbed me. And as far as I am concerned, it managed to enter my personal Holy Trinity of dystopian novels.

The story starts with a birth, the eternal symbol of life, hope and continuation. An unnamed couple is one of the few remaining parents of a hospital before it's forced to close down. Why?Because terrible floods have been plaguing the land and London has become almost uninhabitable. There is no electric power, no internet, no television, no work and food has become scarce. They abandon their flat in order to find shelter in camps, in areas that are still dry. The odyssey of coping with a new way of life is the heart of the novel.

‘'Our city is here,somewhere, but we are not.''

How does someone find the strength to carry one once everything is lost? Where do we find courage to survive and, perhaps, build our lives again? One of the most powerful motives- if not THE most powerful- is the welfare of our children. The mother, who is our sole eyes and ears in the entire story, finds comfort in the company of other mothers who try to provide for their newborns, and in watching her own son grow day by day. Little Z is blissfully unaware of the situation and discovers the world through his own instinct with his mother's help.One of the ways she implores to keep her sanity is going back, retreating in childhood memories.

‘'Once someone knocked me over. An accident, I presumed. He didn't look back.''

Humanity lies at the heart of the story. Why does she say ‘'presumed'' to refer to a past incident? An accident we all have faced, especially when commuting daily. Is the spreading of inhumanity and personal isolation one of the signs and causes of disaster? Perhaps we need to face a universal catastrophe in order to realise how wrong we have been, how imprisoned in our microcosm? The mother doesn't answer her own questions, she contemplates, tries to find something that could possible make sense and hold on until a new day dawns.

To talk about themes, characters and language in this book seems to me dry and completely unnecessary. There is no dialogue, only short sentences that reminded me of the best examples of existential poetry. And yet, in two short paragraphs there is more character development than we meet in whole chapters in other books. The mother's voice is completely humane, sometimes desperate,most of the times calm and acute.

The story of Noah from the Old Testament, the Greek myth of Deucalion and Pyrrha are constantly used in the narration. Most civilizations have their own myth of the Flood as a punishment for the avarice of men. Perhaps, mankind has been afraid of the power of water since the beginning of Time, perhaps we've known the damage we cause to everything that was given to us. There are also many references to myths of the Creation from many different cultures.

I don't think that anyone who is going to read this novel will manage to remain indifferent. It is a beautiful book, with a moving, profound and hopeful conclusion. A breath of fresh air in the zombie-filled, tortured and abused Dystopian Genre, a novel that we're going to discuss for years to come...

ARC kindly provided by Grove Atlantic and NetGalley for an honest review.

Disclaimer- I never grant more than 3 stars to a cozy mystery. For me, a 3-star rating means that this is an excellent example of the genre.

When I want to try my luck on a new -to me- cozy mystery series, I have a weird habit. I choose an installment at random and begin. It may be the 2nd in the series or the last, but never the first. I feel I am getting a better grasp of the writing and the characters and the introduction to the plot is quicker. It paid off in the Mary Russell mysteries, it was a disaster in the case of Maisie Dobbs, but here, my acquaintance with Phryne Fisher was interesting.

Without giving too much away, we find ourselves in Australia during the 1920s, where Phryne starts investigating a strange and disturbing case of missing girls. The Church, the social institutions, hospitals, brothels, the Press, everything plays a part in this sensitive case. So, Phryne has to face a number of well - set obstacles from the patriarchal society and the religious convictions in order to discover the truth and the reporter who went missing during the process of her personal investigation.

The novel was a nice deviation from what I have seen lately in the Cozy Mystery genre. Phryne is a charming character, brilliant, considerate, sassy and opinionated in a realistic way, without sounding too abrupt or condescending. She outsmarts her opponents with right arguments and sheer cleverness, not by trying too hard to appear ‘'bad-ass'' or however else they call it nowadays. (Honest to God, I do hate this expression...) Her minions, the young people who act as her ‘'Network'' -yes, too much ‘'Sherlock'', I know- are very entertaining. Each one represents a different ‘'type'' and provides a healthy kind of humour without trying to sound smart or inappropriate given the subject matter of the story.

What I really appreciated was the inclusion of many themes worthy of discussion in the novel. There is the tyranny of patriarchy that causes young people to rebel and react without thinking, trying to find an escape. There is the intense presence of the political conflict of the time, with the battle between Capitalism and Communism, the strengthening of the Women's Movement, and the emergence of the theory of Eugenics that caused disaster, mayhem and misery during the following decades. The fact that Kerry Greenwood didn't hesitate to deal with such a disturbing subject in a delicate, realistic and brave manner was a very pleasant surprise.

So, is this mystery something groundbreaking or innovative? No, it isn't, it doesn't have to be. All it needs to be is well-written, faithful in the depiction of the era and respectful towards the reader. And this installment succeeds in all these and becomes an entertaining ‘'quality'' light read.

ARC kindly provided by Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

''Stories seep into your cells and become part of you until sometime later you realise you know that story, and tell it again.''

Continuing the wonderful journey to the Folk Tales of Britain and Ireland, I found myself in beautiful County Clare. Here, I came across all those characteristic elements that give this special aura to the Irish myths and legends.

We meet brave women like Maire Ruad who refused to submit herself to men and conventions. Healers like Biddy Early, beautiful maidens and princess like Grian, the daughter of the Sun, and evil queens and witches like Mal and Mong Finn. We meet heroes like Cúchulainn and Brian Boru, mythical blacksmiths from the times of the Tuatha Dé Danann. Mermaids, fairies, ghosts and elves, saints and monsters, and naturally, magical water horses. (We are in Ireland, after all!)

My favourite stories were the Little Ark of Kilbaha -which if it is true, it must have created quite a blast- and The Woman Who Was Knitting. The last one reminded me of grandmother who used to say that noone should talk to a woman while she was knitting, because all the good wishes that were being woven with every movement of the needles would be disturbed. I suspect the real reason is quite a bit more practical, but anyway...

Ruth Marshall writes as if she's narrating each story to every reader, in a personal and quirky language and provides the sources of many tales, along with a handy pronunciation guide.

So, this one is highly entertaining and highly recommended. Next stop, Wicklow, the Garden of Ireland, and one of my most favourite places in the world.

‘'Who would look at this place and desire it?''

‘'The Siege'' by Helen Dunmore was one of the very first books I read in English, when I was 18. Since then, she has become one of the authors whose work I closely follow. Her stories are raw, with a distinctive kind of beauty, sometimes full of a kind of discomforting honesty as in the case of ‘'Talking to the Dead''. In ‘'Birdcage Walk'', she provides one more excellent example of Historical Fiction.

The original Birdcage Walk is a famous street in Westminster, in London, but here, Dunmore transfers it to Bristol. We find ourselves in 1792, in an era of violence, of political and social turmoil caused by the aftermath of the French Revolution. Our main character is a young woman named Lizzie Fawkes who was born to a mother of radical intellectual beliefs. This creates significant problems to her marriage with John Diner Tredevant whose conservative convictions and worries about the major difficulties caused in his job by the turbulent times, along with a dark secret of his past compose a suffocating environment for Lizzie.

I've always found the era of the French Revolution magnetizing and I haven't had the chance to read a great number of novels dealing with its impact on other European countries. In ‘'Birdcage Walk'', the consequences of the Revolution and the beginning of the Reign of Terror blend in the narration in a coherent, beautiful way. We witness the spreading of the news in England, and the fear caused by the upheaval in the sovereign monarchy of the Albion. Not to mention, the dread of a possible war between the two countries. I was pleasantly surprised to see the assassination of Jean-Paul Marat and the trial of Charlotte Corday being included in the story,an event that continues to fascinate and attract much speculation

So,when you're dealing with such an important, rich historical period, there's always the risk that your plot and characters may be overshadowed. This isn't the case here. Without presenting a large cast of characters, Dunmore creates realistically problematic protagonists, people that you can love, hate and connect to.

‘'You speak too freely.''

The focus is on Lizzie. She is clever, innocent, but fully aware of her surroundings and the traps that lay before her. She is a very earthly, very realistic character. A woman who tries to balance her love for her family and her feelings for her husband. Diner is, to put it simply, a despicable character.I may sound too harsh or dogmatic, but I hated him from the very first moment and my hatred grew with each page. He is cruel, cold, heartless. He wants to control Lizzie to the fullest. What she eats, whom she sees,where she goes, when she smiles, why she smiles, everything. He is a toxic, suffocating individual. It seemed to me that between him and Lizzie there was only a physical, sexual connection, dark and unhealthy. This is a man who's incapable of love of any kind.

The secondary characters are very well-drawn and very interesting.Julia, Lizzie's mother, a woman who follows her convictions to the end, Hannah, the nurse, the rock of the household, Augustus, Lizzie's stepfather, sensitive and with his head in the clouds, Phillo,the stern but faithful young maid, and Will, a young, radical poet, a dreamer. However, the character that casts a long,dark shadow in the plot, is Lucie, Diner's first wife and the spectre that haunts Lizzie's mind and marriage.

This brings me to the structure and the themes of the novel.There is the Prelude that I found so engaging.The story starts at a graveyard, following a middle-aged man and a striking discovery by his dog,The powerful presence of Death remains tangible during the first stages of the book, and the reader already begins to wonder. Does Dunmore give certain things away too early? Yes, she does and this adds to that gloomy, foreboding feeling of impending danger that shimmers constantly as the chapters fly. There is a distinctive echo of Du Maurier's ‘'Rebecca'', the similarities are unmistakable as the first wife's shadow falls on Lizzie, the gloomy,haunting landscape that surrounds her, the dilapidated estate begging for an owner that slowly becomes a prison...

Those who are already fans of Dunmore's writing are certain to enjoy ‘'Birdcage Walk''. The ones who wish to familiarize themselves with her work will find a perfect introduction in this novel, and a powerful example of well-written Historical Fiction.

Many thanks to Grove Atlantic for providing me with an ARC copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

1st incident: A week ago, I went on a short trip in a lovely town not too far from Athens for three days. We ended up leaving 15 minutes later than planned, because I just HAD to make sure that the door and the windows were locked. And then, I HAD to go back and check whether the boiler and all appliances were switched off. But then, I thought ‘'did I lock properly?'' Needless to say, I was almost thrown in the car by the other member of the household...

2nd incident: In my class, there are three rows of desks. Each desk has a set of two chairs,one painted in pistachio green and a second in canary yellow. They're so beautiful, they make me happy just by looking at them. One evening, I noticed that three chairs were out of place. I just couldn't leave until the colour coordination was properly restored.

3rd incident: Possibly the weirdest of all. When we travelled to beautiful Moscow,I insisted that we had to return to the hotel from the same route each night, no matter the spot of the city where we had found ourselves in. If we hadn't, I was convinced that something would have happened to us.

If you made it through these crazy moments, first of all, congratulations! Secondly, you're probably thinking this is OCD to the core.I thought so too, I even declared so in a half-ironic, half-serious manner, but after reading this book, I realised how wrong I was.

Sharon Begley's book attempts to shed light in the disorder that becomes more and more notorious and relevant to our age. There are facts and personal confessions that shocked me. I'm not exaggerating. They shocked me and frightened me. It can start harmlessly. Let's check the mobile phone one more time, let's check the e-mails even though we checked ten minutes ago, let's try to pass the level of this addictive video game. And what about all the buttons and the clippings and the clothes we don't need anymore? And the problems mount in frightening progress and the impact on the patients and their close relationships becomes almost irreversible.

What really made me sad was the bottom line in many of the cases referred to in the book. Loneliness, disappointment and a deep feeling of failure. People clinging onto things that they regard as their anchor to a past,happier life or to a life they wanted to live,but fate had other decisions in store for them.

I've always considered my mother to be a hoarder. Let's keep this jar, let's keep this lamp, keep this, keep that...when my grandmother passed away, she simply had to throw away and donate things, it couldn't have been otherwise. And she did so, but I could see the pain in her eyes while she was carrying out the task,and I remember I thought that was such an unhealthy clinging to the past. Now I know I was cruel. You see, I've learnt not to cling onto things. The teaching profession requires us to have almost no basis at all. This year we're in this school , next year we may found ourselves miles and miles away. But I understand now that my mother has no disorder,nor is she a victim of the past, and I will never call her ‘'a hoarder'' again.

I appreciated the fact that the writer provides no personal opinions and answers, She states the facts and let us decide and learn. She informs without imposing any explanations on such a delicate subject,and thus, this book does worth your time.

And as for me,next time we travel anywhere, I am determined to change routes to the hotel each and every day.Well, perhaps...

''There's an air of decency implied in the expression ‘human being'; it doesn't quite fit with the way we behave.''

Do not let the cute, charming front cover fool you. This isn't a ‘self-help' book in the mundane sense of the genre, it is rather a ‘self- awareness' book that poses questions that, most probably, we've all thought at certain points of our lives, but have been too afraid to ask. I know I have and I am only 32.

‘'On the Other Hand''...such a fitting title. Renee brings so many questions into focus, presenting the various sides of each argument but doesn't provide direct answers. This is what makes a big difference from other examples of the genre,and this is the main reason I've enjoyed this book so much.She allows us to stop and contemplate, and presents her own side in a subtle, warm way without imposing anything on the reader., In my opinion, this makes the message of the book even more powerful and the impact, at least on me, was significant. She touches upon subjects that we all face daily. Insecurity, memories, acceptance, independence, belief, life and death, and the list goes on...As I'm writing this review, my mind wonders in today's bleak news. My uncle passed away having lost a short battle with cancer,and her passage about death suddenly acquired a deeper, more personal meaning.Another subject that stood out, for me, was fear. For the first time, I came across a definition for this dreadful feeling that has been my plague for many years, and reading this helped me understand it a bit better.

As other reviewers have mentioned, this book isn't a light read and it's not for the faint of heart. It is raw and honest, too honest at certain points. You may come across passages that will challenge convictions you have retained for years, you may even disagree with some of the arguments presented. It doesn't matter, do not let that dissuade you. Everyone has a different opinion and this is the basis of every healthy arguments. At least, it should be...So, perhaps next time, we may allow ourselves ask these big questions and end up being less dogmatic and more accepting...

Many, many sincere thanks to Renee for providing me with the opportunity to read ‘'On the Other Hand''.

‘'All houses wherein men have lived and died are haunted houses. Through the open doors the harmless phantoms on their errands glide, with feet that make no sound upon the floors.''
From ‘'Haunted Houses'' Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I discovered the beauty of Kate Mosse's' writing when I read The Taxidermist's Daughter. That book quickly became one of my very favourites. The Gothic elements, the British Marshes, the darkness in the people's soul. My search to read more of her work brought me to this beautiful collection where spectres beyond this world meet the ghosts that lurk in our souls.

‘'The Mistletoe Bride'' : The well-known tale of the bride who was locked in a chest during her wedding night.

‘'Duet'': An unusual duet, a psychological tale, beautifully echoing one of Poe's most popular stories.

‘'Red Letter Day'' : A tale crossing the boundaries of time, set in the haunting city of Carcassonne.

‘'The Drowned Village'': A bittersweet story set in Brittany that brought to my mind the tales of St. Mark's Eve which was described in beautiful detail in The Taxidermist's Daughter.

‘'The House on the Hill'' : Yes, this story is as mysterious and engaging as its title.

‘'Why the Yew Tree Lives So Long'' : A beautiful text, an ode to the mysterious yew tree.

‘'Sainte- Terése'' : Another story from Languedoc. A woman trapped in a suffocating relationship finds comfort in the most unusual of places.

‘'The Ship of the Dead'' : A self-explanatory title, and perhaps, the scariest tale in the collection. Set in Brittany.

‘'La Fille de Mélisande'' : A beautiful tale that is inspired by Debussy's opera Pelleas et Mélisande.

‘'The Revenant'' : A tale set in the Fishbourne Marshes, in Sussex, where The Taxidermist's Daughter is set. A wintery tale of mists and sins of the past, containing many elements that made me believe it paved the way for Mosse's extraordinary novel.

‘'On Harting Hill'': A beautiful rendition of the Vanishing Hitchhiker legend.

‘'The Princess Alice'': The sad story of a doomed family. This story contains a lovely scene, where the main character is browsing books in the middle of a storm,lost in her own world. Every bookworm will find this moment familiar. .

‘'In the Theatre at Night'': When I was a child, I had this weird notion that my toys certainly came alive while I was sleeping, at those hours of the night when the world falls silent. (The fact that I grew up with Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker didn't really help...) When I became an adult -theoretically speaking- and up to this day, I want to believe that theatres come alive once the lights go out and the backstage door is locked. This is a beautiful,poetic text, an hymn to Theatre and the tangible connections between the Past and the Present.

‘'The Yellow Scarf'': The last story in the collection that brings the course full circle. We meet the Bride amidst the fight of the civil war.

‘'Syrinx'': The first short play by Mosse, a story of women who were wronged and who wronged others in their turn. I can't say I was impressed by it. In my opinion, it didn't fit in the collection, it lacked the atmosphere and the beauty of the previous tales.

This is one of the most beautiful collection of stories I've ever read. The language is beautiful, sometimes raw, always poetic, dark and thick as the mists that cover the landscapes where the hauntings take place. The illustrations by Rohan Daniel Eason are eerie and powerful in their simplicity and depict the essence of each story perfectly. And they're scary, I guarantee you that, There were two-three tales that had me looking over shoulder during the night.

I never, ever comment on reviews, but there were two things that attracted my attention and I just can't keep silent tonight. :). I read a comment in how the stories are clichéd. They're not. If you feel you had read something similar before, you are correct. Mosse has taken well-known tales and legends and presented her own image. If that is what ‘'cliché'' means, then every book ever written on King Arthur is clichéd as well. She explains her source of inspiration in Author's Notes at the end of each tale, which brings me to a comment about how this technique diminished the magic of the stories. No, in my opinion, it adds up to it and makes us want to search for even more sources and versions of the legends. If we bother, that is...

Do you know what made me appreciate this collection so much? The feeling of hope it inspires. Yes, we have darkness and death and injustice, but we have also hope, the human strength to overcome not only the ghosts of a supernatural universe, but the hauntings of our actions and wrongdoings that are far more resilient than their spectral kins.And once we overcome those, then there are too few things to be afraid of..If you want gore and jump scares and ‘'boos'' in the dark, then this collection won't suit your interests. If you love the haunting kind of beauty and a proper look into the human psyche, then read this book on a winter's night, on Midsummer's Eve, on Halloween, on a stormy evening...

Through History, there have been some figures, men and women, who have surpassed the boundaries of recorded time and galloped all the way through into the realm of legend. None has been more discussed and adored than Arthur, or at least, the warlord who provided the inspiration for the Arthurian Cycle and became the immortal symbol of a nation and one of the greatest heroes mankind has created. Who was he? What did he do during the age of his leadership? We don't know for sure. Did he exist at all? Even this is a much-disputed subject. And yet, most of us hardly care whether Arthur, Merlin, Lancelot, Guinevere, Morgan actually walked on this Earth. It wouldn't make any difference, they have achieved immortality until mankind exists no more. Still, the questions about Arthur and everyone associated with him are still going strong and, even though some small secrets have been uncovered, the mystery remains. This very interesting book by Daniel Mersey tries to provide some clues for the historical basis of King Arthur and describes the way he inspired Literature, Music, Art and Cinema.

Mersey traces Arthur's roots all the way back to the Roman times, from Julius Caesar's campaign in Britain, the decline of the Romans in the Albion, the disputes between the warlords, the coming of the Christian religion. What impressed me most was the number of tales created on Arthur and his knights that have their roots on many different countries. I didn't know, and I admit I could never imagine, that there are tales from Greece and Cyprus, dating back to the 8th century AD, which contain references to Arthur, Lancelot and Gawain, while stories centered on Morgan and Mordred can be found in a number of countries of the Balkan region.

Mersey refers to the most important Medieval biographers and their contribution to the creation and spreading of Arthur's saga, along with the influence of Chretien De Troyes and Thomas Malory on turning Arthur and his Knights into a tale alive through hundreds of centuries. There is a very interesting chapter focusing on the impact of Arthur as a Celtic hero, his role as a figure of power, peace and benevolence in Wales, Ireland and Scotland, and even further. We move on to the different candidates of Arthur's actual identity and the many ways in which his stories have inspired some of the best moments in Art and Cinema.

The book closes with references to today's research and questions about Arthur, Camelot and the legendary quest for the Grail and the Round Table, the symbols of justice, equality and prosperity. Will we ever know for sure who this great man was? Will we achieve to discover the end of the myth and the beginning of History? The odds are against it, but I think that each one of us has a personal view about Arthur in their minds, and this is how the legend goes on. Mersey's contribution in the quest for answers is one of the best.

P.S. And I, for once, tend to believe that Arthur is sleeping in his cave, but our world is too frustrating for him to wake up...

''Why shouldn't Samaritans be one of the profit making non-profits?''

When I was a child, there were three TV series that my parents would watch religiously. ‘‘Shaka Zulu'', ‘‘I, Claudius'' and ‘‘Yes, Minister''. As a result, I have very fond memories of those and, although, I am not a big comedy fan, I love the genre when it is well-executed. What better example than ‘‘Yes, Minister'' and its spin-off ‘‘Yes, Prime Minister''? Who can forget the outstanding Nigel Hawthorne as the ever-manipulating Sir Humphrey Appleby who was able to utter 300 words per second, Paul Eddington as the honest, kind-hearted and a litlle bit naive Jim Hacker and Derek Fowlds as Bernard Woolley, the secretary who knew everything and everyone. It was, therefore, with great pleasure that I started reading Jonathan Lynn's new novel, Samaritans.Not to mention that it comes with Stephen Fry's recommendation.

First of all, I must say that I will not commend directly on any political or financial situation, I avoid this type of discussion like the plague. I am simply going to write about the book, its characters and the reasons why it is such a well-made satire.

There are two main characters in Samaritans. First we meet Max Green who initially works in Vegas, in a casino, and then becomes the CEO in Samaritans Medical Centre, a non-profit organization. For Green, though, profit is everything in life, the only thing that matters. He is uneducated, coarse, completely devoid of any sensitivity, a cold, empty creature, one of the most despicable protagonists we'll ever meet. If you ever thought that Humphrey was bad, wait until you read about Green. Then, Appleby will seem an angel from Heaven in comparison. And yet, the power of Lynn's writing is such that makes you care for Green's actions, makes you curious as to how far he can go to serve his twisted vision, to see whether there any limits to his immorality and ruthlesness.

Andrew Sharp is a young celebrity cardiothoracic surgeon from England. He is a complex, very interesting character.He is persuaded to join Samaritans after Green promises the moon and the stars to him. After a while, his real self comes to surface and he starts listening to the voice of reason, trying to wake some scraps of decency and conscience to Max. The story evolves into a fascinating battle between the two men.

The other characters are equally well-written and anyone who's been working for a few years will be able to recognise these types of people that ‘‘grace'' every working environment. There is David Soper, the chairman of Samaritans. Poor David has major trouble understanding all those falshy words Max uses to talk about money and business and he quickly drops the ball. Dr. Weiner is the Chief of Surgery. I was so rooting for him to deliver a few punches on Green's smiley face...

The female characters are not a celebration of their sex, really. The only one who fully escapes is Cathy, Sharp's secretary. She is level-headed, honest, an all-around fun, sympathetic character. She provides a more humane touch in the story and makes Andrew see things under a new light. Blanche, another manager, act as Green's helper- in many ways- and retains strong Christian beliefs that don't really match her lifestyle. She seems as disgusting as Green. Emily Craven, a wannabe doctor, acts all slimy to advance herself further. She tries to be the teacher's pet (or the doctor's pet in this case) but her attempts are not that successful.

''We cannot harvest a heart from a living person. That's what we call murder.''


The central theme around which the story is developed is the moral and social decay as the most eminent result of austerity and the worldwide financial crisis. This becomes apparent rather quickly in the book, when Green and a nurse demonstrate complete indifference when scenes of a war are shown on the telly. Max orders David to make immediate cuts in order for him to hire celebrity doctors. He decrees austerity in order to bring more money in his way...Well, let's be honest, where have we heard this before? Yes, practically everywhere...When tragedies start taking place, one after another, Green's way of dealing with warnings is a bitter exclamation of ‘‘I thought you were my friend!'‘

One thing I had major difficulty with was all those sexual jokes. I admit I don't find this kind of humour particularly funny and it became irritating after a point. In my opinion, it made some parts of the narration sound cheap and crude. Other than that, the dry, British humour is there, enriching the story, making even such a disgusting character as Green somehow bearable.

The Epilogue is a magnificent example of the way our modern society treats people like Max Green. This book is the perfect combination of satire and mystery and an excellent research of the human nature and its darkness. Samaritans must be read by everyone involved in the medical profession and every politician, but the latter group doesn't even know how to read so...Perhaps then, there might be a slight glimpse of hope for our lunatic world...

''When did they change the start of the Hippocratic Oath from ‘First, do no harm' to ‘First, get the check?'''

Thanks to Endeavour Press and Caoimhe for providing me with a review copy of Jonathan Lynn's book in exchange for an honest review.