The Old Curiosity Shop by Charles Dickens
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This well known Dickens' book was much longer than I expected and for quite a while I felt like giving up on it. It was so tedious and predictable. But then, when I looked forward to Quilp getting his come-uppance and seeing the back of the crooked lawyers there was a reason to read on! And a new heroine in the form of the 'small servant' took my attention; she had replaced Joe Gargery, from Great expectations in my list of favourite Dickens characters. There was a race to the end and the famous tragic denouement. Loved it in the end.

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The Way We Live Now (Centaur Classics) [The 100 greatest novels of all time - #76] by Anthony Trollope
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

There were so many names to keep in mind from the start in this intriguingly satirical novel. But each character had a tale that was curious enough to keep me turning the pages. There are typical situations about snobbery from the upper classes making a good marriage for their sons and daughters, particularly when seeking either a rich fortune, or a suitable aristocratic position in society. This was marvellously exemplified by Lady Carbury and Lady Pomona at various times in the story. Trollope’s eloquent comparisons of contemporary society now with that of the Victorian age had me smiling and amused throughout the book. This extremely long novel became my favourite of all his books, including all of the Barchester series.

There is a scheming swindler at the heart of the story; one Augustus Melmotte. This very rich villain seems to be capable of duping many of the innocent and simple-minded people surrounding him, while his daughter, Marie, becomes a target for marriage by many of the impoverished upper class families. Too few of the characters show much to admire in their behaviour or personality. Roger Carbury and his cousin, Hetta, came across to me as reasonable people, although he was too stiff at times in his attitude towards Mrs Hurtle and Paul Montague; Roger’s supposed best friend. Another character who occasionally invited my sympathy was Georgina Longstaffe, and I leave future readers to discover why. I also admit to having a very small amount of pity for Melmotte towards the end of the book. But no spoiler here!

The way that all these long and multiple character tales, are brought together and so expertly written by Trollope is a brilliant example for any aspiring author. It was a real pleasure to read ‘The Way We Live Now’ and I have no doubt that I will come back to it again sometime in the future. Recommended.


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Desolation Island by Patrick O'Brian
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Having read and enjoyed the first four books in this series I was fully prepared to find many more maritime, and technical terms about the rigging of large sailing ships from the early 19th century. This and the naval orders flung out at the crew from their captain, Jack Aubrey, and his dutiful group of officers and midshipmen, meant the reader had to keep alert! I was not disappointed, although a large part of the story takes place on land at the start of the novel. Additionally, there were several places towards the last third or so, where I found the author’s sentence construction a bit strange, and had to go back over it again to construe what it was actually meaning. The syntax felt clumsy and rushed, somehow, and sadly in need of some punctuation.

However, my overall enjoyment of this book was not spoilt, and it is an exciting but quite different tale compared to the ones I’d read before. When Jack is at home in England with his family and surprisingly involved in their garden we find him to be a more caring and soft hearted man. Although there are negative things happening in terms of his new affluence that could threaten to take some of this money away. He seeks a new voyage and when it comes it is not altogether quite what he expects: a mission to Australia, with prisoners aboard, both male and female, and in charge of an old ship with a doubtful reputation. Stephen Maturin is his ships surgeon once again and he has his own problems; with opium as well as his fated love still for Diana Villiers. Fortunately, the captain and his surgeon still have their deep love and respect for music, which is a consolation and escape from their chaotic times during this dangerous voyage. When O’Brian describes their infrequent duets together one can almost experience the brotherly emotion within the scene.

This is a highly recommended historical fiction once more.


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White Fang by Jack London
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a fantastic story with its amazing ‘insights’ into how the young wolf cub, and later on, the frighteningly experienced adult, White Fang reacts and learns throughout his short life. Admittedly Jack London includes great chunks of anthropomorphic behaviour for the wolf-dog but I willingly accepted this because of his exciting tale! What struck me after reading quite a few chapters, was that this story seemed to be a reverse of London’s first book, The Call of the Wild, when Buck a sledge dog, is ‘trained’ to become a fierce fighting hound. I read that many years ago as a teenager but never got round to White Fang.
The opening chapters about a wolf pack hunting a two-man sled team, does prepare you slightly for what you may be in for as you read on. But there may be one or two shocks and surprises for some readers.
White Fang’s survival, growing up in the Indian camp and then with a viciously cruel owner, is a terrible and upsetting read for many pages. His new experience later and changes within his inner self, when owned by a much kinder man, is a touching and rewarding read. And what a fabulous ending to a remarkable book! I daresay I won’t leave it so long before I read it again. Recommended to young adults and to more mature adults.


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The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This early crime/detective novel was not so much about who was the murderer, at least not to me. I have wanted to read this book for many years and finally got round to it, finding it much more about the peculiarities of the many characters. Wilkie Collins has several narrators of the story, all with their own viewpoint of course. But what I found so fascinating was how much the author steered me in different directions, all the time wanting to know more about the narrator – rather than who did the crime! They each seemed to have a strange personality, one of whom had me chuckling most of the time because of her faith and devotion to Christianity. (No spoiler here!) Most surprising was how freely laudanum, i.e. opium, was used by the greater and lower members of this Victorian society. Comparing things with contemporary society and how smoking tobacco has become such a ‘No! No!’ for various reasons, one of the main characters is criticised for trying to give up cigars!
I enjoyed this book much more than I’d expected when I started reading it. Great read – recommended.


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The Mauritius Command (Aubrey/Maturin ) by Patrick O'Brian by Patrick O'Brian
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Wow!
‘Mauritius Command’ is not so much a novel about Jack Aubrey’s personal life as it is about his drive to be a successful commander of the squadron of vessels to defeat the French enemy. Once again it is set against the background of the Napoleonic Wars and proves to be just as exciting as the previous novels. He does express how much he misses his wife, Sophie, and their children from time to time. Indeed Jack also reveals to Doctor Maturin how difficult it is to bring up a family when compared to the much easier task of commanding a ship full of sailors and soldiers! However, there are times when Aubrey’s attempts at using the necessary tact and diplomacy to deal with fellow and senior officers frustrate and annoy him caused me to smile. His inner admission as to how alien it feels to him evoked some sympathy from this reader.

Stephen Maturin’s additional role as a secret military agent is also written about much more in this book, and provides an interesting side issue from time to time. A lot of this novel includes Stephen Maturin’s thoughts and his writing in a diary and in journals. It allows him to reflect on his disapproval and criticism of the military and naval system, and which pervaded the British imperial approach throughout that century. This contrasted dramatically with the views of his close friend and ‘brother’ – Jack Aubrey. It made very interesting reading. However, the author does not allow you to forget who and what the world in general was fighting against, and in particular the British Navy.

Some of the battle scenes are very exciting, while the occasional touches of romance and family love are delightful. I enjoyed this book tremendously and cannot wait to start on the next book in Patrick O’Brian’s series!


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Industrial Revolution by John Farman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Although this was a very fast read I found it so helpful as a quick reminder now and then for information that I needed for a book I was writing. Not only is it very amusing and entertaining in its approach it was very helpful and most importantly accurate!

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Post Captain by Patrick O'Brian
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The second book in the Jack Aubrey series is a little different to the first in that it includes a more romantic side of Jack. The friendship between him and his ship surgeon, Maturin, is tested in different ways, even including a swarm of bees! However, the war with Napoleon is not forgotten and the eventual battles at sea are just as thrilling as in book one. Some of Jack’s awkwardness when on land becomes something that a reader might find quite amusing at times, as I did. But he does admit to his distinct preference to being aboard a ship and floating across any ocean or sea if possible. While Maturin is a definite land lubber, trying at all times to learn about seafaring, the Navy, and of course the natural world of fauna and flora.

The women in their lives cause something of a friendly conflict, even maybe jealousy at times; but always, whenever they can play favourite pieces of music together, there is a calming harmony to help cement their undoubted camaraderie. And the author displays an excellent talent – not only for writing about ships and naval warfare – but the relationships between men and women, mothers and daughters and competing sisters during the mores of those times.

A large part of this book is devoted to Jack Aubrey’s problems of debt incurred through spending money he is shocked to find he has not earned. A previous victory of his is not categorised as an expected prize by the Navy, according to an admiral who Jack despises. He is constantly hiding and running from debt collectors, providing the reader with some alternative excitement and amusement.

I enjoyed Post Captain very much and cannot wait to complete book three, The Surprise, which I am already well over half way through. Highly recommended.

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A Life on Our Planet: My Witness Statement and a Vision for the Future by David Attenborough
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a fantastic read!
When I read this book it felt as though I was actually listening to Sir David’s voice with the explanations and statistical revelations about the state of our planet after some of the ways humans have ‘abused’ it for many hundreds of years. Of course the problems have become much bigger than any single individual can solve or put right quickly enough. It will take large organisations, even countries and their governments, to correct things to make a real difference. Such words of wisdom of course came from David Attenborough in this book.

As expected it was information that we, as individuals need to follow if we wish to save our beautiful world for future generations. Without doubt this ultimately sounds just too depressing to easily contemplate, but the likes of Attenborough and very many others will maintain that it is achievable. Things can be done even when so many powerful industrialists and financial executives have issues against this. The issues that David Attenborough discusses in detail include population, the oceans, biodiversity and plastic waste and it makes so much complete sense. Changes in the way certain industries, for example energy production, carry out their business should be commenced as soon as possible according to him. We are trying to reverse the effects of climate change and global warming after all. The book includes plenty of data and methodology to support his arguments. It is encouraging, helpful and convincing throughout and needs to be taken seriously by everyone living today. Sir David and his ilk must be allowed to champion the ultimate cause of saving our beautiful world – maybe before it is too late?
s one of the most

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