Hello, to those who love to read!
Gene Tierney
It's been a long while since I've done a book post!
Since we last met I've read Kate Morton's The Secret Keeper,
and Peaches for Monsieur Le Cure.
Both books were a bit drawn out and uneventful in the first half but rocketed ahead after that!
The Secret Keeper shifts between the present, the 1960s and the the 1930s, revealing the life and times of Vivien, Jimmy and Laurel. In the summer of 61, Laurel sees her mother kill a man, and it is not until her mother is close to death in 2011, that Laurel decides to resolve the mystery that has haunted her all those years - who was that man and why did her mother kill him? The story is quite disjointed and difficult to follow in the first half, as characters are established and pieces of history are pieced together. It is interesting though to see how Laurel goes about her research of the mystery, putting together the scattered fragments of information until the stunning conclusion reveals all.
Quite a heart-wrenching, clever story, with a thought-provoking ending.
In Peaches for Monsieur Le Cure, Vianne is back in the town of Lansquenet, where Father Reynaud is believed to have burned down Vianne's chocolate shop, after a school for Moroccan girls was housed there. Vianne makes it her mission to mend (often with chocolate or peaches!) the disharmony between the locals and the Moroccans, however the two cultures are fiercely protective of their own and lives are at risk. Religious and cultural views are explored here, with a focus on the way women are regarded. When Reynaud is kidnapped half way through the story, the pace and interest quickens! The shocking reveal of why Ines is determined for the Moroccan girls to continue to wear a veil at all times is devastating.
While the story was a bit slow in parts, I simply enjoyed the setting and characters. Vianne is a bewitching character, as are her free-spirited children and their whimsical friends. I adore reading of their festive get togethers, Vianne's magical ways, and picturing Johnny Depp as Roux!
Currently, my reads are:
Now I am off to the Book Journey to visit some more bookworms!
Love to you
xxx
I just added The Secret Keeper to my TBR list!
ReplyDeleteOh good! It's a great read if you persevere through the first part. :)
DeleteWhat a great selection of books. I have always meant to read Little Men. I don't think I read it after reading the first two books in the series (am sure I never went further than that). I am embarrassed to say that Kate Morton and Joanne Harris are two authors I have yet to try. Heard good things though
ReplyDeleteI should have started back at work teaching Kindy kids last week, but with a sore back I haven't been able to, and am off this week too. Reading Little Men is like meeting my new class. Lots of vibrant interesting characters, all with their own strengths and weaknesses. Loving it! :)
DeleteGive Kate Morton a go. Her books generally cover a range of eras, and shift between Australia and Europe and her characters are beautifully portrayed.
Joanne Harris writes about relationships, prejudices and hope. I love seeing the growth in her characters and the bonds that are created between them. Definitely worth a try. Start with Chocolat - so good!
I liked both The Secret Keeper and Peaches for Monsieur le Cure.
ReplyDeleteHave a great reading week!
Shelleyrae @ Book'd Out
Yes I must read some more of each of these authors.:)
DeleteI also read the Joanne Harris book recently. Not as good as Chocolate, I thought, but still a good read. I love that quiet place Lansquenet!
ReplyDeleteHave a good week!
Lansquenet had changed so much in this book. It was really interesting to me to see how much a town can change when a new group of people from a different culture arrive.
DeletePeaches is a sequel, but it seems to sit well on its own.
ReplyDeleteHere's my It's Monday! What Are You Reading? Hope you will stop in and share your thoughts.
I would probably only recommend it to people who have read Chocolat, as I think you gain much from having known the characters previously. The second book in the series though, The Lollipop Shoes, is quite separate, I thought.
DeleteI loved Chocolat, the book and the movie. I would love to read this sequel. Sounds good.
ReplyDeleteI see you have a Juliet Marrilier novel in the current reads, also. She's a very good writer, isn't she?
Rabid Reader
I have really enjoyed the Marillier books I've read and this is a good one too. More aimed at Young Adult readers I think, but avoids the soppy teen stuff that's in a lot of the YA books. :)
DeleteI haven't gotten to that Morton yet but I hope to, very soon! I hope you're enjoying Anna K, such a great book!
ReplyDeleteHave a great week of reading :D
I picked up Anna K after seeing ads for the movie, and was expecting a dry old classic, but I was pleasantly surprised by the seemingly modern image of a husband sleeping on the couch after an argument with his wife. Tolstoy makes a dark subject into a comedic scene, and I found that intriguing enough to read on. :)
DeleteKate Morton is a wonderful author!! Hope you enjoyed, haven't read that one but have enjoyed her other titles. :)
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely reading week!
Whatcha readin’ this week @ the Brunette Librarian
There are three Kate Morton books I haven't read yet - must get onto that! :)
DeleteI ended up loving The Secret Keeper too, definitely read The Forgotten Garden, it's wonderful. Peaches for Mon Sieur Le Cure is on my wishlist, I've seen positive reviews. Have a wonderful week and enjoy your reads :)
ReplyDeleteThe Forgotten Garden is the other one of Kate Morton's books I have read and I agree it was awesome! :)
DeleteI've added the secret keeper to my tbr list. It looks perfect for my book group.
ReplyDeleteHave a great week!
Yes! Perfect for a book club, so you can discuss the clever twist at the end. :)
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