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Carol Jones

Author of The Boy With Blue Trousers and The Concubine's Child

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All articles filed in The Gift of Rain

Reading Now

By: Carol Jones July 13, 2018
Author, Book Review, LiteratureTan Twan Eng, The Gift of RainLeave a Comment on Reading Now

A rich and complex narrative of divided loyalties…

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Author, Book Review, LiteratureTan Twan Eng, The Gift of RainLeave a Comment on Reading Now

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REVIEW** I thoroughly enjoyed reading this modern classic from Hungary. The central mystery was tantalising, keeping me guessing until the end. The characters were all intriguing, albeit often contrary. Set in the post WWII years, essentially it is a portrait of the tumultuous relationship between Magda, a young writer, and the eccentric ageing woman she engages as a housekeeper. Athough often kind and generous, Emerence has only ever lived by her own rules. And as the story progresses we discover just how strange some of those rules may be. Beautifully written, with an expert handling of pace, The Door was a wonderful introduction to Hungarian literature. I look forward to reading more. #thedoor #hungarianliterature #magdaszabo #historicalfiction #nowreading #bookreview #bookstagram #bookish #books #igbooks #readersofinstagram #hungary #classicfiction #vintageclassics
Rose Tremain is another favourite author whose books I have collected over the years. Sadly, I am missing what may be her most famous work, 'Restoration' although I have certainly read it. Might have to rectify that. Tremain knows how to tread the line between historical atmosphere and storytelling in her historical fiction. And I love her sense of irony and humour in the two Merivel books. Her contemporary fiction is a joy too. Have you read any of Tremain's books? #historicalfiction #favouritereads #favouriteauthors #rosetremain #merivel #thecolour #musicandsilence #evangelistasfan #theroadhome #bookstagram #bookish #books #igbooks #readersofinstagram
#librariesoftheworld Stuck inside for the duration I am thinking of past travels. Here is a photo of the magnificent Nanjing Library, third largest in China, and too big to fit in this picture. What are some special libraries you have visited in your travels? Perhaps you might post a pic so we can live vicariously. Hoping our libraries, our cities and our borders reopen soon. #librariesoftheworld #libraries #bookstagram #bookish #books #igbooks #booklover #readersofinstagram #writersofinstagram
About to begin reading Leah Purcell's The Drover's Wife, 'a brave reimagining of the Henry Lawson short story that has become an Australian classic... a compelling thriller of our pioneering past'. What are you looking forward to reading in these troubled times? #tbr #nowreading #newbooks #newfiction #australianfiction #australianhistory #historicalfiction #aussiewriters #writersofinstagram #bibliophile #booknerd #thedroverswife #leahpurcell #bookstagram #bookish #bookstack
I was searching my shelves for a possible colour-themed flatlay of green covers when I realised how many Anita Shreve books I had. Plus I think I've read another one or two from the library. Her talent as a writer, like the number of her books on my shelves, kind of sneaks up on you. Sadly, there will be no further books from Ms Shreve as she died in 2018. Her books, whatever their plots or themes, however thrilling their mysteries, are always centred on the intricacies of relationships, especially those between men and women. Books to be taken away by. And as a bonus they often have beautifully moody covers. Do you have a favourite Anita Shreve novel? I think mine is probably The Weight of Water as I love the historical mystery. Fortunes Rocks is also a favourite. #anitashreve #bookflatlay #theweightofwater #favouritereads #favouriteauthors #bookstagram #bookish #books #igbooks #historicalfiction #bibliophile #booknerd
REVIEW** This was the first of Tony Birch's work I have read and I hope to read more. An affecting story set on the fringes of a small country town during the 1960s, it centres on the dreadful era of Australia's stolen generations, where authorities removed thousands of indigenous children from their parents. Fairskinned children like Sissy in this story were particularly at risk. Although her grandmother Odette seeks to protect her from the danger and the fear that accompanies it, she can't protect her forever. As the novel progresses, Birch heightens Odette's fear, even as the naive Sissy walks ever closer to danger. Odette has raised Sissy since her mother took off when the child was a baby. She is a warm, pragmatic and resourceful woman who makes a safe home for her granddaughter on the fringes of town in a scant home with no electricity. Other wonderful characters are the kind and gentle junkyard proprietor and Odette's friend Millie, married to an Afghan horseman and former camel herder. The book, although a little didactic at times, was eye opening to me. Although I knew about the stolen generations and the apallling treatment of indigenous Australians, who did not have the same rights as others until the referendum of 1967, I had not thought through the full implications of this: not being able to open a bank account, vote or travel freely being some of them. An enjoyable, affecting story. #thewhitegirl #newrelease #newfiction #newbooks #fiction #historicalfiction #aussiewriters #writersofinstagram #australianfiction #australianhistory #aussiereaders #bookstagram #bookish #books #igbooks
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