“I’ve always had a hankering to read something by this well respected American author. Her new novel was chosen by our book group.
If you read the critic or some of the social network reviews you might be thinking 8/10. I felt it was slow and a time wasting book which prevented me reading something else, not for me. A generous 2.5/10 and our group liked it a little more with 3.9/10
Score 3/10
Date read July 2014
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“When I read this I hadn’t done any more than pick it up and begin reading, turns out to be written in 1970 and the second novel by American top crime writer.
This early work I feel was the beginning of JLB tuning his craft. It’s raw and direct.
In the vein of Grapes of Wrath, our anti hero is a down trodden youth whose family are poor mining folk. He tries to get a better life and has that one chance until his pappy is killed. It carries on in the depressing way I felt about Grapes of Wrath.
All this said I’ll give it above average 6/10
Score 6/10
Date read
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“Rather hard work this one and not as rewarding as others by the author.
The story is of a woman who has lost her lover and struggles to deal with the grief. She is a horologist and her boss gives her a plum job to construct a mechanical bird. This bird was a labour of love for a father to create for his son 200 years previously. Good and memorable in parts.
Score 5/10
Date read October 2012
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“This novel is loosely based on true events of some ghastly murders in 1800’s London.
Though this isn’t about a story describing ghastly doings, more of a weaving story dotting back and forth through time.
Set mainly in the Ratcliffe Highway (used by other authors) area of Wapping in East London the reader is treated to a great sense of time, place and atmosphere. I visited two of the pubs which are still serving beer, right on the banks of the Thames.
At times the author confuses us with dipping into some magical realism, some may like this, not for me. Perhaps he is giving us a metaphor for evil of humanity in the shape of the main character. Read it and feedback your take…
Good stuff and a first time novel too.
Score 7/10
Date read May 2012
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