Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman

I have been voraciously reading like eating a box of delicious chocolates. Lost in the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan for a good chunk of it. Discovered many marvellous authors and seem to be very drawn to fantasy.

Gaimon's Neverwhere is urban fantasy, set in a world beneath London. It's an inventive, quirky escape into an unpredictable, imaginative ultra-reality that is violent, grimy and sinister.

The main character is Richard Mayhew, a typical Londoner who untypically rescues a bleeeding girl from the pavement. Thus a chain reaction of events propels him into the bowels of London, and hence begins a modern quest for the key that will save them all. The girl, Door, has an ability to open things, anything... or create a door between here and there. Her family has been foully murdered, and she needs to avenge their deaths. With them is the Marquis de Carabas. Hard on their heels are the well spoken but  viciously focused Mr Croup and Mr Vandemar, and let's not forget the rat speakers.

Colourful characters that are realistic and believable, teamed with a fast paced plot set in such a vivid world combine to create a spell binding journey into a place of that is hauntingly real. Will definitely read this one again!

As a side note, I did try to read Gaiman's Anansi Boys, and it sucked. No depth, slow paced, I gave up after a few chapters!

In Moral Danger by Barbara Biggs

"A true story", says the byline; and I feel emotionally wrecked. Not the kind of angst you get sitting in front of a big screen with a box of tissues for, not the heartache of national historic atrocities like you see on television, nor any of that kind of heavy duty emotion. The wrecked feeling is one of admiration. Yes, I am admirably wrecked. Can I help feeling wretched with admiration and awe for this woman who can recount her life in such a candidly honest way, a life of sexual abuse, crime and adventure? Not for one moment does BB wallow in self pity, she owns her emotions and experiences without blame or justification, and a lot of this stuff is pretty hardcore one would expect her to have the proverbial chip on her shoulder, or at least whine a little, or throw a more spectacular tantrum than the one that landed her in a psychiatric ward.

BB recounts her life with such clarity and realism, and even humour. Within the story, she skips back to flashes of her time as 'sex slave' to barrister Robert Vernon, whom she dubs "the Chief". Her articulation and colloquial way of writing is personal, concise yet full of depth, immediately drawing the reader in. BB manages to make hard core experiences, embarrassing events... somehow ok through her candid recounting. Somehow she manages to speak from the mindset of her age at the time, which I find a remarkable feat. She IS fifteen, with a teenager's angst and concerns and attitudes; and in this respect the book is skillfully written and flows along beautifully.

What I find astonishing is BB recounts succinctly, without directly acknowledging, the results of sexual abuse and it's impact on a child's life. Several suicide attempts, love affairs, casual sex and prostitution, international travel, and even obsession into hobbies, all play their part in BB recovering her sense of self. The book does not end with this resolution, but leaves the reader curious as to what comes next....

For me, a good book is one that leaves me affected, or changed somehow, after turning that last page. Four in seven teenage girls are sexually abused or assaulted at some point in their lives, it's an issue that touches a huge number of people. Within BB's extreme life experiences, I heard my own voice; I recognised and understood a little better my own life choices, that have been directly and indirectly touched by this issue; and maybe even in the process forgiven some of the choices I made when young. Beyond this, it's a book that will challenge you to be less judgmental, perhaps, of those who choose to live their lives in ways society would regard as less than optimal... petty crime, sex for sale or free, a maturing adult seeking acceptance and love and validation in, as the song goes, all the wrong places. It's enough to break your heart... but instead BB instills a sense of, through the pain and heartache, adventure and unconditional acceptance.

Barbara Bigg's Website

The Secret Cure by Sue Woolfe

Sophisticated and artistic from cover to eloquently glowing reviews on the back,  this book is somehow enchanting even though the author does not once mention the word stalking, even though this is what this fairytale-like book is all about!  The stalked become stalkers themselves in this believably poignant tale.

I really enjoyed reading this because I couldn't predict what would happen next. I was also very surprised to find it was about autism (showing I don't really read everything on the back of a book unless I get really sucked in!) For me, it highlighted the then current medical viewpoint on Aspergers Syndrome as being nurture shaping the child so it must be the parent's fault, and the implications this has on parents of autistic children - all twisted into a clever tale of deceit and aspirations, morals and good intentions. 

Under the characters voices and quirky humour- all Australian except for the German doctor / genius - we experience the pursuit of science and love at all costs with one of those twists of fate endings.

The front cover boldly states, Extraordinary" and yes, I agree; this book is worth reading, and one that stays living within you in some way...  marvelous (to put it mildly LOL)

The People Collection by Zenna Henderson

It's been quite some time since I read an un-put-down-able book, and this one certainly fits the bill as one I will read again! I purchased it for $1.50 at an op shop in the mall. As engrossing as Sheri Tepper and "The Time Traveller's Wife", this collection of stories written about The People almost sixty years ago has not dated. In fact, it could have been written in contemporary times, and the themes of both the storyline and subject slot perfectly in the current popular genres of supernatural themes and mystery.

A collector of ephemera, Zenna Henderson (born 1917, died 1983 aged 65) appears as a dichotomy to her writing - a homely looking lady with incongruous pig tails; also in many ways an archetypal teacher of the 1950's. The world she has superimposed on our own is one where supernatural powers are a natural part of one's makeup. Being able to read minds, or move objects, detect metal deposits or shares market returns, the gifts are varied. The original (Star) People are scattered over earth and many manage to reunite. The whole concept is fascinating and like good sci fi, utterly convincingly believable as being possible - which this series is.

Zenna Henderson writes in a lilting style, she plays with words in a way that is offbeat and expressive. Her turns of phrase and deep soul searching hook the reader into the plot almost instantly as you see the reality of the challenges the characters face. And these aren't the usual challenges in life, but ones of high drama, morals and virtues as much as death and separation.

I really enjoyed reading how the various characters met the challenges they faced in blending into the world of the outsiders. Their special gifts can cause a different reaction depending on whom they meet. They sometimes alienate, frighten, bewilder and draw others, and as their children have less control than adults in spontaneously revealing their differentness, they tend to live together in isolated areas. There's several themes in the book which address archetypal emotions from a sense of isolation to deep belonging, of community yet also individual drives and goals. which all come together under the lives of The People.

Magician by Raymond E Feist

I have been on a real fantasy binge lately - and not a book review writing binge, that's for sure!

Magician. Classic fantasy... highly regarded... and very enjoyable! I did find I skimmed quite a few pages, glossing over the finer details of war and blow by blow accounts... "A good yarn" certainly described this novel well!

My major quibble was later in the novel, one of the main characters finds a wife. That in itself is plot, however Feist totally left her an empty personality that was unbelievable. Pug unexpectedly returns after four years absence, they re-unite and within minutes their four year old child becomes hungry and she meekly absents herself to feed him - hello!!!! This character, after all the detailing of Carline, is a non-entity and certainly fits the sterotype of the non-dominant woman who has no opinions or participation other than "there." She should have become a major character, in my opinion!

I also found some of the major characters did not get enough attention. For example, Tomas' change of appearance and personality seems as abrupt as Pug's was... and why did not Tomas confide in anyone? His actions were not believeable, so I would say character development was both excellent AND lacking, even in the "author's preferred edition" that I read.

Don't let me put you off! If you enjoy fantasy this is worth escaping into! A nice thick book as well (even if you are like me and prefer to gloss over wars!) There's humour and plot surprises, intrigue and your curiosity is certainly aroused in places... yes, "not a bad yarn!"

The Time Traveller's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

What a brilliant novel! I thoroughly enjoyed this one, being hooked on the first page!

I picked it up in an opportunity shop in Weybridge, London where there were several copies... in several shops... wondering at the time if it was so good, (best seller embalzened on the cover), wouldn't it be a keeper and hard to find? Well whatever the reason, I am glad I didn't allow my pre-conceived judgment as to the plethora of second-hand copies to cloud my mind and preclude me from buying it.

One gratuitous thought was, as I started it, how wonderful it was a thick book... hours of venturing in a new world awaited me... Books are a little like drugs, pills with pages... you can forget everything and just immerse yourself... lose yourself... and live vicariously through the adventures, albeit fictionalised, of others.

I did make the mistake of being so excited about this novel, I googled it to see if there was a movie in the making (there is) and darn it, Wikepedia had spoilers! All the same, my enjoyment of this novel was not thwarted however I did find one small wee continuity error, such as it is... which of course, in the nature of the book, had me spinning in a few time zones.... and it wasn't just the fact I had time traveled myself from the northern hemisphere back to my home in the southern!

Henry has a genetic disorder that spontaneously places him into a different time zone and place... so of course, he inherited this from ... whom? I suspect his mother, which is what caused the car accident she was in... and is the deep seated motive Henry has in not ever driving... however one then surmises, why didn't the mother jump into the future to meet Henry after her death, why does he not once mention either of his parents having the disorder? To me, this leaves a very logical and obvious hole in the book.... Hmmmmm....

I became deeply attached to the characters, yes I cried reading this book, sucking up the pathos like a greedy slug reeling on the intense emotions... this review is short, because it can be so easily summed up with... grab a copy, if you haven't taken this journey.... I cannot imagine anyone not loving, and I mean LOVING, this book!!!

Dear God, What's Happening to Us? by Lynne Grabhorn

Dear God, what happened to Lynn Grabhorn?

I read the book, almost gave up half way through in shock and disbelief but out of respect for her previous books ("Excuse Me, Your Life is Waiting" & associated playbook) I persevered.

I then followed up with reading the very mixed reviews on amazon.

Phew!

The book does seem to have been written in a rush, with many inconsistencies and some areas a lack of information. I believe Lynn experienced a psychic attack of some kind (or emotional breakdown) and am very surprised Hampton Roads didn't at least give the book to another of their authors in a related field to review. Robert Bruce springs instantly to mind ("Practical Psychic Self-Defense", which I edited before it went to them!) Then at least Lynne may have had a framework or context in which to place her bizarre experiences!

The message in the book is the archetypal balance and battle of light against dark. It is total antipathy to her previous work, and in this respect I was ... shocked! Gutted, even! I just couldn't believe that Lynne was raving on about all this, that this was Lynne Grabhorn... and that this book even made it to the bookshelves - truly!

Did she lose credibility for me, as a person?

On a deeper level, I do believe Lynne had some kind of archetypal intuitive visionary experience coupled with an extreme psychic attack experience (as did her friend Bailey, and we never hear what happened to her; nor why in all her vast research Bailey (or any of Lynne's spiritual friends) didn't venture into the obvious area of psychic attack!) I suspect the book was written and published before Lynne had a chance to digest and assimilate everything. Then perhaps the theme of the book may have presented as a more concise visionary journey instead of as a nervous breakdown.

Some paragraphs just didn't make any sense! Was this book even edited????

In light (pun intended) of where Lynne was coming from, she did not lose my credibility, the publishers did! I can understand the shock value of her message, garbled and inconsistent as it is, may have had something to do with this. She isn't bringing forth anything new. It certainly was thought provoking in a nonsensical twisted kinda way.... and validated quite a few things for me on a personal level... beneath the external inconsistency/technical/editorial problems within the text.

It's up to you whether you would want to read it - obviously! If so, and you can get past the mumbled higgedly-piggeldy nature of the manuscript, you might find some little pearls to take home.... that may reinforce something you already have heard about, or know ...