Month: September 2016

Book Review, Uncategorized

The Bear and the Nightingale

‘The snow fell thrice, deep and solid, after midwinter, and after the last snowfall came a great blue frost, when men felt their breath stop in their nostrils and weak things grew apt to die in the night.’

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The Bear and the Nightingale By Katherine Arden invites its readers to be entranced by Russian fairytales and traditional folklore. The Bear and the Nightingale is about a young girl called Vasilisa and her journey to adulthood. Vasilisa however is bound for greatness, something in which her stepmother, Anna wants for her own daughter. Once Vasilisa’s father remarries, incidents begin to occur that threatens her village and her home. It is best described as a coming of age novel that is encased in fairy tales.

screen-shot-2016-09-13-at-15-43-27The language that Arden has used is descriptive when it needs to be and lyrical, throughout. The lyrical prose blends itself well to the voice of Vasilisa as it expresses a sense of naivety and purity. The description in the novel appears very similar to that of Jessie Burton’s The Miniaturist. Both texts describe with their senses and it was rather refreshing to read about the winter-king in the peak of summer. Arden’s language also demonstrates her extensive research into Russian fairytales and traditional folklore. It is for this reason that this piece could be described as authentic. Each page oozes droplets of Russian culture whilst allowing the reader to breeze through the novel.

The plot itself mirrors the structure of sheet music. Every scene, discussion and description is needed to carry the reader deep into the novel. Arden’s novel is fluid and grips the reader from the very start. The Bear and the Nightingale is a great book to read for escapism and provides its readers with a warm log fire to cosy up to, even in the summer!

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel and have found it an honour in reading it as a proof copy. I believe that this book is for anyone and can be read whatever the time of year. I would urge anyone to buy or pre-order this book  here as I feel that your money would definitely not be wasted. A great read and a great gift to give.

Book Review, Uncategorized

The Help

The Help by Kathryn Stockett, 2010, paperback, ISBN: 0399155341, £7.99.

I was a little hesitant at reading this book as I thought the subject matter may have been a difficult read. However The Help discusses how black maids are trusted within a household with some form of lightness. The Help is about a woman called Miss Skeeter, who wishes to give black maids a voice. All of the main characters are strong women that have potential to be strong within society. Stockett’s novel is well written and also touches upon community as well as a controversial subject, from an angle that makes it easy to discuss. I laughed and cried with this book and felt like no matter what part I put the book down on, I would always be excited to read it again. For this reason I believe it to be a timeless piece and in my eyes, a classic.
Stockett’s writing style is extremely fluent and oozes her characters personalities. The writing also highlights the character’s voices: without making it difficult to read, this  adds a sense of authenticity. The character’s stride past the author in this book and put their mark on what the reader sees. The descriptions of Jackson, Mississippi add to the originality of this book as the location sometimes can feel like a character in itself. At times I felt as if I could almost feel the warm Mississippi air on my face.

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So quick summary– If anyone is looking for a quality read with strong main characters and is interested in American history or post-colonialism, then this type of book would be a great read. Lighter than post-colonialism, it is a fun read that seems guaranteed to be enjoyed. The book follows Minny and Aibileen on their journey of living as the Help within a white household. Miss Skeeter longs for her old maid Constantine and sees the help differently than her other friends do. The Help follows Minny, Aibileen and Skeeter on their relationship with each other and their freedom. A journey not to be missed.