Author: Bookworm&TheatreMouse

Tess of the d’Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

The last ‘Big Classic Book Buddy Read’ was ‘Tess of the d’Urbervilles’. Now, I am going to be honest, I was certainly willing to pick this up for our buddy read – however, it took such an event to make me pick it up. I have been told by several readers ‘not to do it’ and ‘it is so depressing’ – so, I had probably avoided it for quite some time. I was also intimidated by the fact that it is by Thomas Hardy; he seems, a little like Dickens, as one of those authors that everyone holds in high esteem.

However, a bit like not judging a book by its cover, maybe you should not judge a book by the opinions of others or its author (or at least its author before you have really read much). I really enjoyed this book and I think it may be one of my favourite classics, although when you think about how sad this book is, it seems odd to associate positive adjectives with the reading experience. And it triggers so many brilliant discussions as you go, which makes it a fantastic book to buddy-read.

Tess’ story is one of great tragedy but none of which is her own making; it is all created at the hands of others and, sadly, the attitude of society of the time. (Which, as we agreed as a reading group, is not quite as different from modern society in so many ways). Tess’ future is dictated to her by her parents and their desire to be better placed in the world, and the men who believe that they can control her, and the tragic consequences of finally being unable to take any more. If you do not know the full plotline, I do not wish to spoil it for anyone, but it is fair to say I think Alec d’Urberville is one of the most villianous characters I have ever encountered, hiding it in charm and redemption, which makes it all the worse.

Hardy’s writing style is fantastic, which I do not think I have ever really appreciated before. His books are very readable and have a modern feel despite their age. (I have read one Hardy before, Desperate Remedies, which was a Victorian Sensation novel, so I assumed that it would be different in style to his other work). I would not now turn down the chance to read more of his books, as I think it is safe to say I am a fan.

So thank you again to my fellow book buddies for another great read of a classic – I can not wait to see what we read next.

Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

This a book that I have had my eye on ever since it was on BBC Two’s ‘Between the Covers’ – so, when I had the opportunity to treat myself to a copy (when I was in fact shopping for other people) I was quite excited.

This is a beautifully constructed and thought-provoking novella, set in a small Irish town in 1985. Set in the week before Christmas, but certainly not your traditional festive read, it raises a lot of questions about the influence and control of the Catholic Church in Ireland, in living memory. It forces the main character, Bill, to question so much about what he has been led to believe about his faith and his past. In fact, he starts to reconstruct his past from the new evidence he has in front of him.

It is, again, difficult to write about this wonderful book as I do not want to create any spoilers for people who are considering reading it. However, it is a powerful novella that will stay with you for a long time. And Bill is a character that will also be with you for quite some time to come, as his bravery to challenge what he knows and help those that he can, make him a modest hero.

This is my first book by Claire Keegan and I am hopeful that it will not be my last, as I am keen to seek out others as she has a beautiful writing style that draws in readers from the first page.

The Stranding by Kate Sawyer

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

The bookstagram community is a great one. Just as I had mentioned I had not read ‘The Stranding’, it was kindly sent to me by a fellow bookstagrammer, Jill.

I had a bit of an idea about what this book was about as it had been recommended to me quite some time ago but, as usual, I did not read the blurb, I just went with word of mouth. But, I am not sure that quite prepared me for what a fantastic read this is.

Told by interweaving the past and the present, we find out what has led Londoner Ruth to be on the other side of the world, as the world as we all know it is changed forever. I do not want to give too much away as I feel that this is a book that needs to be read to be fully appreciated. It is a clever piece of post-apocalyptic fiction which may bring readers to this genre who would not normally find themselves there. I also enjoyed that some of the narrative is left to you to draw your own conclusions.

The two timelines in the story also make this quite an addictive read as you wait for them to collide, to make it clear what exactly has led to the events in the present.

This is the second strong female post-apocalyptic novel I have read this year. It is great to see that a genre that may usually be associated with male authors and male characters is moving into a new era of representing excellent women’s writing and storytellling.

So, if you are yet to read ‘The Stranding’, I would recommend it for 2023 – it is a page-turner.

Christmas Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

A friend lent me this book Christmas 2020, and to my shame I only picked it up Christmas 2022, as I fancied just this type of read as we battled through the last week of work. I, also, had not been the biggest fan of the first Shopaholic book, although I did enjoy the film, so maybe I had been subconsciously putting it off a little.

However, that may have been a little bit of a mistake as, actually, I rather enjoyed this book. And I thought the writing had developed since the first Shopaholic book.

This is a story full of humour and warmth. Becky is just a character who shows such tenacity and has such a kind heart, even if sometimes she manages to get herself into some rather crazy situations, which may occasionally seem a little far-fetched – but that make for a rather fun read, which is just what you need in the festive season.

I found myself ready to catch up with Becky every day, and it was a little like reading about a friend (especially, as I certainly know someone who is a little bit Becky) and although it may not be groundbreaking it is a joy to read and great fun.

So, sometimes it is worth reading that book that has been hanging around for a while, because you may be surprised after all.

The Christmas Murder Game by Alexandra Benedict

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

When I visited my favourite charity bookshop at the start of the festive period, I spotted ‘The Christmas Murder Game’ on the shelf and decided I had to give it a go. I mean, what more do you want at Christmas other than a good bit of crime fiction.

This book was a brilliant piece of Christmas crime; I could not put it down and just had to keep finding out what was going to happen next. In fact, it was so absorbing that at one moment, which was a little bit creepy, Mr Bookwormandtheatremouse managed to make me jump by silently walking into the room. Which, to me, is definitely the sign of a good, thrilling read.

This has everything that you would expect from a classic crime novel. There is a big house (waiting to be inherited), a family full of dark secrets, snow that traps everyone together and, well, mysterious clues that have been left to be found. Just an ideal set-up for cosy crime.

It also has one of the best characters I have ever read that you love to hate, although as the story progresses you realise that this may be a little unfair. But, no spoilers here – you are going to have to read the book to find out more about that.

If you a fan of good, well-structured crime fiction, then this is a book for you. And, to be honest, I would not just save it until Christmas if you manage to grab yourself a copy; any of the cold winter nights would be a perfect time to read such a book.

The Moth Catcher by Ann Cleeves

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

My next read to tick off one of my TV Detectives in my ‘TV Detective Challenge’ was ‘The Moth Catcher’; this was my chance to go on an adventure with Vera Stanhope.

This is one of the books that I have seen as a TV adaptation but I could not really remember the story, which meant that reading it I was discovering the story for the first time. It was great to be amongst the characters that we have learnt to love from the ITV TV adaptations and see how they differ from the book to the screen, as they always do just a little.

I enjoyed reading this as a piece of crime fiction. It is well constructed, with clever storylines that appear not to be linked at all, until they are. There is, also, throughout the book some great misdirection – sending your thoughts, just as they do to Vera and her team, in the wrong direction before you are brought back on track. I have to admit that I was a little surprised when the conclusion appeared to be reached so suddenly; however, I think that may have been down to my own tiredness when I was reading it, rather than a fault with the story or writing itself.

I think I am still Team Shetland a little more than Team Vera – although, let’s be honest, I enjoy them both in their own ways. They both have great, yet flawed, detectives at their centre, in beautiful parts of the world. I will certainly be giving more of the books a go when I need a bit of a crime fix – but will I be more likely to be in Shetland or Northumberland?

The Empire by Michael Ball

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

Not too long ago, it was the ‘Stratford Literary Festival Winter Weekend’, and when I spotted that Michael Ball was making an appearence, I knew I had to try and visit. Especially as my last attempt to see him in ‘Hairspray’, not long after theatres began reopening after Covid, had not quite gone to plan.

Michael Ball was attending to talk about his new book, ‘The Empire’. A novel set in the inter-war years, this is a love letter to theatre – clearly, I am sure we all realise, a subject close to the heart of the author. And this became even more obvious as Michael Ball spoke to the audience at the festival about his career, book and writing process.

I am just going to get straight to point: I loved this book. It was (a favourite phrase of mine) a hug in a book. This is a great comfort read, especially for these cold and dreary winter days as you are transported to all the glamour of The Empire. You meet such an amazing cast of characters (I mean, there is literally a cast list at the start of the book), who are all thrown together and connected by their love of the theatre and, especially, the Empire.

But what is really fantastic about this book is that it is also a story with a heart. It touches on key issues such as mental health and the attitudes of society at the time that make it such a thought-provoking read, too. Each issue is carefully handled and is accurately woven into the story, and it all adds to a rich tapestry, rather than seeming like any kind of token.

And, well, the drama throughout the book is such perfection – I was not expecting quite the number of twists and turns that the reader encounters, but it was brilliant and definitely creates a page-turner.

So, if you are a fan of a charming piece of historical fiction, which is full of life and fun, then this is the book for you – especially as a little escapism for the cold winter months.

The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

The Book Taster has given us such a treat as the November book pick in the form of ‘The Paris Apartment’ by Lucy Foley. This has been on my wishlist for quite some time, so the fact that ‘The Book Taster’ granted that wish, and that I get to read this book with so many of my fantastic book buddies, makes it even more of a joy.

So, when it is a thriller, it can be so hard to write a post because I absolutely refuse to risk giving spoilers. So, please excuse me if this is not a particularly long or detailed post. However, I can tell you that I really enjoyed this book. The start is sufficiently creepy, which makes it an instant page-turner. You just have to know what happens next and if Jess can find her brother Ben.

Then we are led all through the mystery, from the eyes of many different characters, with twists and turns galore. Until a conclusion that I was not expecting – but one that was very well done.

I enjoyed this book a lot, but I am not sure it is my favourite of Lucy Foley’s books. It was just a little longer than I think it needed to be in the middle – but that could be more the fault of how tired I have been when reading it, rather than the fault of the book. I mean, I was still keen to pick it up when I had the chance to read it and find out where the story was going, so it is not a huge criticism – and I will definitely be recommending it to those who enjoy a thrilling read with a strong female lead.

The Road Trip by Beth O’Leary

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

Miss W kindly lent me ‘The Road Trip’ by Beth O’Leary to read, and I am ashamed to say that it has been on my shelf since April, which really is not good enough. When I was politely reminded that I had not yet read it, I ensured it became my next read (if only picking my next read was always this easy).

Now, ‘The Flatshare‘ and ‘The Switch‘ were both fun reads. I really enjoyed both of them and their lighthearted but meaningful escapism, with ‘The Switch’ just coming out on top for me.

However, I found ‘The Road Trip’ a little harder to get into when I started it. I liked the idea, people thrown together on a road trip and all that entails, mishaps and more. Yet, this was just a little slow for me (as the rather awkward road trip was for the characters) and the characters were a little harder to engage with than in the previous books. I was not sure I was all that fussed what would happen, or what had happened in the past.

And, then, I suddenly hit a point where the book really picked up. Once you did know what had happened in the past, and why exactly it was as it was between the characters, I started to find it harder to put the book down. ‘The Road Trip’ did go on to handle an incredibly difficult event with sensitivity and heart, and brought to the fore exactly how important consent is, the tragic impact it can have on someone when they feel that it is very nearly taken from them, and how relationships can be changed as a result. Alongside dealing with the subject of the mental health of another character.

This will not go down as one of my favourite books, and maybe it could have been a little slicker, which may have held my attention a little more, as I whizzed through the final third once I felt that I had engaged with the story and the characters. But, it did very nearly become a DNF for me, which would have been a shame as I would have missed the best bit of the book.

Two for Tuesday – Childhood Favourites

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

I have been so lucky to have recently seen two of my childhood favourites on stage, and I felt it was time to share how much I enjoyed both of these shows (especially as my theatre posts have been slightly neglected recently).

The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe – The Gillian Lynne Theatre, London

In October, I was lucky enough to go to London to see the latest stage adaptation of ‘The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe’. And, I have to be honest, I was so flipping excited. The Narnia stories have been some of my favourites since I was young. I still remember when I first unwrapped the seven books for my birthday one year, and I have treasured them ever since. So, a chance to see another way that they had been adapted was just such a treat.

This production is absolutely stunning – fans will not be disappointed at all. The characterisation is fantastic, the White Witch is as spooky as you would hope, Aslan is as brave as you would expect, and the Pevensie children become the heroes of Narnia you have always hoped for (even if Edmund does not have the most positive start, as we all know).

The staging is also incredibly clever, a minimal set that transports you directly to Narnia. As well as the fantastic costume design that brings all the residents of Narnia to life – good or bad. I was just as nervous of Maugrim in this production as I am in any other, and the book.

So, I feel it is safe to say that the current West End production is a must see for all Narnia fans, young or old, as you will feel like you have really stepped through that wardrobe and been on the adventure that you have always imagined.

Strictly Ballroom – Birmingham Hippodrome

In, contrast, another favourite of mine, which I remember my Mum introducing me to, was Baz Luhrmann’s ‘Strictly Ballroom’. A film that I adored and would watch over and over again, especially if I needed a little bit of comfort viewing. So, as soon as I found out that Craig Revell-Horwood had developed a production of ‘Strictly Ballroom: The Musical’, I knew I had to see it – which of course I did.

And what an amazing celebration of the film it is. It has everything that you would expect: the music and songs from the film (plus some shiny new songs), the dramatic costumes and the fantastic characters. By the end, we were dancing in the aisles to ‘Love is in the Air’ – so, as you can imagine, it is amazing fun.

Maisie Smith is an absolutely wonderful Fran – with all her determination and slight awkwardness that makes her such a brilliant character. Kevin Clifton is quite the Scott Hastings – the rule-breaker extraordinaire, with (let’s be honest) all the moves, as you would expect.

Together they are a fantastic pairing – but they are also supported by an extraordinary ensemble who bring everything you love about the film to the stage – especially the fantastic subtle humour that makes the story such a joy.

If you are a musical fan, a fan of ‘Strictly Ballroom’, or just a general theatre fan, then I would really recommend catching this production if you can, because you will come out singing and dancing, and feeling like there is at least some joy in the world.

In fact, that is exactly what both these stage productions did for me as they transported back to so many happy childhood memories – as well as being a chance to make even more fantastic memories.