So long

I'm going to try and keep all my postings on my main blog.
I'm not deleting this blog.

Rather.

I've decided to focus on one main blog and review there (even though people don't really like it when I do).

Oh dear.

Words Don't Hurt by Monica Gabb

Launched in April 2007, Words Don't Hurt by freelance designer and illustrator Monica Gabb, is both a creative and an inspiring read.

It is a self funded project, overlooked by major publishers.

Books like this are rare, unique.
The voice speaks of experience, of understanding.
It will stimulate and engage the child reader. This book will encourage the voicing of all that is confusing and disturbing.

Told from a child’s perspective, the poetic narrative tells of the pain that the bullies are causing. It encourages confiding, sharing. The simple rhymes are given depth by the creative illustrations. The use of art, of texture to create mood, is striking.

“Whoever said that words don’t hurt,
I have to say is NO expert!”

For me:

Words Don't Hurt has a simplicity, a contemporary look, an honesty, that will vibrate within any child or adult who has ever been bullied.

Details:

Words Don't Hurt can be bought direct from Monica's website.

There are school packs available and 10% of all sales go to Bullying UK.

Deborah Rey - Rachel Sarai's Vineyard

This is a duplicate posting, cut to fit this blog.

For an unabridged review, please go to my MAIN BLOG

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Rachel Sarai’s Vineyard is a fragmented story switching, flashing, recalling. The reader is inside the head of Rachel Sarai as she attempts to formulate, to reorder and make sense of the mosaic of her life.

The story begins with Rachel Sarai going back for her mother’s funeral and in doing so, she confronts her past. Rachel Sarai is a survivor, having experienced mental and physical abuse from the person who she calls mother. The certainty about Rachel ‘s true birth mother is a bitterly kept secret which unfolds with the story.

“Sticks and stones … Poor Mother, your words don’t really hurt me. Or do they?”

The story is horrific, no shying away, no hiding, no making rosy with bright pink flowers.
It is real, it breaths, it haunts, it disturbs.
My stomach churned, my reaction was a triggering of tears.

What makes this story so very remarkable, so devastating, is that this is the author’s life, narrated through Rachel Sarai's Vineyard. This autobiographical novel tells of the author’s work during WWII as a 'baby-courier' in the Dutch Underground, but it is so much more than that.

This autobiographical story speaks louder of the struggle to survive, exist and belong.
And what makes this story linger, stab, ache is that this Rachel is real, another name but the events, the destruction, the loss - they all happened.

We will have our own reasons for reading this story, there is historical, political morality being thrown into question. I have read holding on to certain phrases, words and feeling my heart swell.

I wonder if anyone could read this novel and not feel an overwhelming need to hold the young and adult Rachel close to their hearts.

“This wanting to go home was a bottomless melancholy feeling that followed me wherever I went.”

As a reader you fall into fiction, but with this story you plummet into words that combine and make the stomach spasm. Suddenly, the reader is reminded, this is real, a life.

In parts I had to force myself to read the words, not skim, rather to absorb. I found myself wanting to peep through my eyelashes, to hide.

But you can’t hide, not really, because this is a life and that life deserves a voice.

Ultimately, away from the abuse, this is a story of hope, of healing, of love and of survival. This story will pull and squeeze the heart, it will turn the stomach, it will cause deep agony and despair, but the read it emotionally satisfying in so many ways.

This is the story of a life, of a survivor and the words are spilled from a soul that is true and pure. This life inspires, it talks of love and the finding of self.

When you are stripped to nothing, you have choice. You rise, you grow or you lay down and curl into death. Deborah Rey tells the story of a life that grew out of abuse and the ultimate survival comes from the unconditional love that Rachel is able to give to her daughter and her husband.

It is simply outstanding. A true and unabridged story of survival.

For me:
A profoundly affecting story from a survivor who knows the true meaning of a healing heart.

Details:

The hardback, signed limited (100 only) edition is available for £22.50 direct from the publisher.
The standard hardback will be available from April 7 and can be pre-ordered HERE.
Deborah Rey’s website can be found HERE.

* * *

Currently Reading.

Rachel Sarai's Vineyard -Deborah Rey.

"We're a pair of children that survived mental and physical abuse, two children that are scarred for life and yet, somehow, managed to reach adulthood."

This book has been to Malta and back again.
It stayed close to me, in my handbag.

I wish that I had more reading hours in each day.

Silent in the Grave - Deanna Raybourn

A historical setting, with a delicate attention to detail, Deanna Raybourn has captured a time, a place and a voice that combines into a thoroughly convincing piece of writing. There is wit, mystery and an engaging charm that makes this a most memorable read.

Silent in the Grave is refreshing, featuring a strong convincing leading lady, spirited and outspoken, oozing class and sophistication.

This novel undoubtedly has one of the most engaging opening lines, ever;

“To say I met Nicholas Brisbane over my husband's dead body is not entirely accurate. Edward, it should be noted, was still twitching upon the floor.”

setting the tinged unique tone that is consistent throughout the novel.

After this opening line and the death of her husband, Lady Grey’s period of mourning is broken by the arrival of Mr Nicholas Brisbane, the dark stranger mentioned within the opening line. As the story unfolds, Brisbane informs Lady Julia that her husband did not die of a heart condition, rather that he suspects murder. This marks the beginning of the duo’s quest to solve the crime, taking Lady Julia outside of her snug environment and into darker worlds. The friction, the chemistry, the exchanges between these two characters is wholly convincing. The story, the visuals and the voice all jump from the pages.

Raybourn has created a thoroughly likeable strong female character, oozing intelligence, sharpness of tongue and yet balanced with vulnerability . The characterisation is refreshing, unique and I am finding it difficult to compare her to another writer. Her originality is worthy of comment. The plot has twists and turns that delight the darkest of minds.

This is a thoroughly delightful read, one that I recommend to you without reservation. Dark, sinister, tinged with a familiarity that I can’t quite put my finger on.

This is outside of the genres that I usually read, originally recommended within Scott Pack's top ten reads of 2007. I am left thoroughly satisfied, anticipating the next in the series and in awe of Deanna’s craft. I truly enjoyed this book.

For me:
A stunning tale from a writer who appreciates the worth of the finer detail, an outstanding debut.

Details:

Deanna Raybourn’s website is HERE.
Silent in the Grave is published by MIRA.
Scott Pack’s INTERVIEW with Deanna.

Silent in the Grave can be bought HERE

Currently Reading.

Silent in the Grave by Deanna Raybourn.

I was asked to recommend a book ...

HERE and realised just how long the Sarah Salway stories are staying with me.