Thursday, December 31, 2015

The Quality of Silence, by Rosamund Lupton


Such a brilliant story, a uniquely chilling thriller in an extraordinary setting. It features two resourceful women who ignore all advice to tackle the harshest environment in search of their beloved husband and father while in denial of official reports of his loss.  It is a book of the best, with suspense and danger aplenty.  Meanwhile, mother and daughter learn to know each other anew, revealing strength, intelligence and creativity as both strive for survival in the bitter bleakness of North Alaska in November.  An extraordinary.piece of writing, with a strong message we should all heed.

Monday, December 14, 2015

A Spool of Blue Thread by Anne Tyler


Anne Tyler writes so well about family life, and I was totally caught up in the lives of the .Whitshank family.  It covers a long period of time, right back to when Red's parents meet and become involved, but not altogether chronologically.  I know some readers dislike tales that leap about the time continuum, but this is presented in clear and  manageable chunks which are easy enough to negotiate.
Some personality traits are passed on down the generations while individuals in families are affected differently by events and attitudes: the Whitshanks are no exceptions to this.  The story explores the details of everyday life, while not ignoring those influences which shape us in the background.  It would be difficult not to find characters to identify with in this story, and the events will resonate with the lives of many of its readers.  A good and enjoyable tale.