“I really liked this book. I liked the main character and her dilemma. I liked the small town setting and the characters around her. I liked the monster and the magical-surrealist element. For me, it perfectly captured that moment when you have to take a time out from life, stop, re-group and prepare to step out into the world again, and the only way to do that is to go home, with all the ups and downs that come with that.”
“Every single story in this anthology is fantastic. The quality of the writing is excellent, the voices are different, and interesting, and engaging. Be brave, and take a chance on this one, it's a real treasure trove.”
“I didn't expect to like this book at all - Caitlin Moran isn't really for me, normally. However I loved this book. It made me laugh and laugh out loud. I've lent it to my flatmate, and I can hear her laughing over it. Funny, honest, engaging, and mostly true. ”
“One of the best books about how to write that I have read. He's not the greatest writer in the world, but he knows his field and his advice is very good. So good, in fact, that my copy has never been returned after I lent it to someone...”
“I enjoyed this more than I thought I would - it really gave a good insight into village life in that region at that time, however I didn't really relate to how some of the characters behaved towards each other.”
“I loved this book. Loved it. Beautifully judged dry humour, characters I appreciated, slow, gentle, lovely descriptions of landscape and a chance to read something from Iceland - a treat. One of my favourite authors, Annie Proulx, is quoted on the front as saying it's one of her favourite books of all time, and she's quite right. One of the best books I've read in ages.”
“The original ridiculous Gothic novel, as cited and mocked by Jane Austen. As melodramatic as you could possibly wish for, including a saintly (annoying?) heroine who faints regularly, a dastardly bad guy with designs on our lady's honour, castles, valiant goodly hero, etc etc etc. Chick lit as it was then. To be read in winter with a mug of hot chocolate and the wind and rain lashing your windows. Just for added atmosphere.”
“The story of an American boy and a Ukranian taking a journey through the Ukraine with the Ukranian's grandfather and dog. Your typical quirky road trip set-up, but with a deeper purpose - it's also the story of a small village surviving, or not surviving the Holocaust. Stylistically brilliant, but I don't think the author has had enough life experience yet to write the emotional bits well and meaningfully - I just didn't quite go with him to the places he wanted to take me. Hilariously funny but it sagged towards the end as the laughs got fewer and further between. I will keep an eye on the author though, I think he'll only get better and better as he writes more. Definitely one to watch.”
“I read this after a long dry spell of not reading anything good and to be able to just lose myself in this one was wonderful. Written in the style of Victorian ficiton, even though it's not Victorian in itself, this is a gently melancholy melodrama set in beautiful Dorset. Ah, it was good.”
“Trash ficiton at its best. Exciting, scary, fun. Nothing like the kids' movie it became, this is perfect holiday/rainy-Sunday-in-bed reading. Ooh, just writing this makes me want to read it again, I haven't read it in years.”
