a historical fiction set on Salisbury plain, around Stonehenge.
a village, it's different members, tensions, secrets... the desire for power, and the a historical fiction set on Salisbury plain, around Stonehenge.
a village, it's different members, tensions, secrets... the desire for power, and the desire to survive.
seems a story of ambition, men desiring and taking power, peoples of old, traditions and times changing. ideas about the building of Stonehenge, the astrological learning and traditions.
**spoiler alert** when i finished this short novel, I noticed I was initially finding it a tricky one to rate. I think in part because of the greatnes**spoiler alert** when i finished this short novel, I noticed I was initially finding it a tricky one to rate. I think in part because of the greatness (imo) of some novels it followed wrt my recent reading. and while I hadn't been trying to compare, there was an almost automatic, unthinking comparison, and a disappointment (in the language/writing and content). my disappointment might also I think in part have been because of my expectations from others' reviews. so I've been trying to take a bit of time to try see it for what it was ...more
**spoiler alert** this was one of two books I finished at the weekend, that had an interesting structure, and what felt like a perfect closing sentenc**spoiler alert** this was one of two books I finished at the weekend, that had an interesting structure, and what felt like a perfect closing sentence ...more
I left this review a long time cos I wanted to see what I thought of the story with abit of space from it. it's still hard to decide - kinda good, kinI left this review a long time cos I wanted to see what I thought of the story with abit of space from it. it's still hard to decide - kinda good, kinda not!? ...more
**spoiler alert** it's abit confusing having read the novels out of order - I wasn't sure I'd read some of the previous stories referenced, and I've r**spoiler alert** it's abit confusing having read the novels out of order - I wasn't sure I'd read some of the previous stories referenced, and I've read one or two later ones, so I'm getting abit confused around some characters and storylines ...more
**spoiler alert** my second library book find wrt novels set in Essex - from a very similar area to the other ('Midnight is a Lonely Place' by Barbara**spoiler alert** my second library book find wrt novels set in Essex - from a very similar area to the other ('Midnight is a Lonely Place' by Barbara Erskine), tho rather more precisely/exactly located in the village of Wivenhoe, across the Colne from where I was wandering.
the novel is a post apocalyptic story of sorts, tho also a potential near future story, wrt environmental, political and national/social collapse.
the UK as an island on its own is interesting to explore in extremity (like with Daphne du Maurier's post-Brexit-like 'Rule Britannia') - the possibility that the island might experience something so very localised and isolated (from the rest of the world). the government have relocated to mainland Europe, and the populace/rest of us have either gradually headed to 'the exit point' to seek their own refuge on the continent, or been left to mostly fend for themselves... a few choosing to stay in place, and some in their home village of Wivenhoe.
the snow started just over a year ago... and didn't stop
**spoiler alert** I really enjoyed this novel. it's the third book by Hannah Kent that I've read, and I enjoyed the others alot too. I like her use of**spoiler alert** I really enjoyed this novel. it's the third book by Hannah Kent that I've read, and I enjoyed the others alot too. I like her use of language, and the descriptiveness of her writing and stories, and the way she crafts and weaves them. all so far have focussed on women, and women in remote communities under difficult circumstances. this was no exception.
the novel was apparently inspired by time the author spent living in Iceland as an exchange student, and is based on real events that happened in the 19th century, in an area close to where she stayed. I wasn't familiar with the events and people the novel was based on, and can't comment on its historical accuracy. I read it more as a work of fiction, than historical fiction even.
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