Teddy Rose Book Reviews Plus More


Outlander By Diana Gabaldon

Posted by Teddyrose@1 on December 2, 2007
Posted in Books Read 2007Diana GabaldonHistorical FictionScotland  | 11 Comments

Fun Filled Adventure in 17th Century Scotland
When I first heard of this book and all the positive hype, I was skeptical. It’s a book that is hard to classify as just one genre. It’s part historical novel, romance, suspense, action, and science fiction. I right away wonder how much romance was in it, you see, I don’t mind some, but I don’t like true chick lit or Harlequin romance. However, the more I heard about it the more I wanted to at least give it a fair try.

It did end up having a lot of sex and some romance, but it was also an excellent historical adventure in 17th century Scotland. I thoroughly enjoy this romp through time. Diana Gabaldon writes with near perfect pitch and prose. The only thing I found a bit annoying in parts was that it was a bit repetitive in parts. I think a little more careful editing was needed.
Though the book is over 800 pages, it reads very fast and be for warned, it is very hard to put down! I spent some wee hours in the morning with this book! Don’t suffer from sleep depravation like I did. Learn from my mistakes. Don’t read it right before sleep time!

4/5

Copyright 2007-2010: All the posts within this blog were originally posted by Teddy Rose and should not be reproduced without express written permission.

1916: A Novel of the Irish Rebellion

Posted by Teddyrose@1 on November 12, 2007
Posted in Books Read 2007Historical FictionIrelandMorgan Llywelyn  | 6 Comments

High Praise to Morgan Llywelyn!

This wonderful work of historical fiction is based on the 1916 Irish Rebellion, known as the Easter Rising.

Were introduced to the main character Ned Holloran, a 15-year-old survivor of the sinking of the Titanic. Neither of his parents survive. He is given the choice to stay in the United States with his sister Kathleen and her new husband. He chooses to go back to Ireland, where he attends an Irish school lead by Padraic Pearse, who is a scholar, poet, and rebel for the Irish cause. Ned gains a new appreciation for Ireland and it’s culture and gets involved in the rebellion.

Llywelyn weaves the true facts and real life historical people of the rebellion with her fictional character Ned Halloran seamlessly. She introduces us to the amazing Irish history and people of the time in an informative and entertaining way.

This is the first book in an Irish Century Series. I can hardly wait to read the next one, 1921: The Great Novel of the Irish Civil War! 4.5/5

Copyright 2007-2010: All the posts within this blog were originally posted by Teddy Rose and should not be reproduced without express written permission.

The Secret River by Kate Grenville

Posted by Teddyrose@1 on November 5, 2007
Posted in AustraliaBooks Read B/4 2007Historical FictionKate Grenville  | 13 Comments

Historical Fiction at it’s Finest!

The Secret River by Kate Grenville is historical fiction at it’s finest. It starts off as a quiet pondering story of the toils in poverty-stricken 19th century England where most must resort to stealing to survive. Here Grenville focused on her central character, William Thornhill who got caught thieving to feed his family. He was sentenced to death, however that was commuted to life in New South Wales.

The story then turns to the survival of the Thornhill family in a new world, with a harsh hot climate and struggles with it’s original inhabitants, the aboriginals.

Grenville writes in a quite meditative style until the Thornhills encounter the aboriginals. Then she breaks out as she shows the brutal price that must be paid by both the new inhabitants and aboriginals of New South Wales. The Secret River is a very satisfying read that will make you hungry to read more by Kate Grenville! 5/5

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Copyright 2007-2010: All the posts within this blog were originally posted by Teddy Rose and should not be reproduced without express written permission.