Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux

A couple of weeks ago I started doing book reviews on Mondays, but then I stopped, and now that I've fallen behind on my reading challenge for the year (50 fyi) I decided to reinstate them, starting with a book I read a few weeks ago; the Phantom of the Opera. 

Now I have seen the musical and the film of this story many times in the past, but I had never thought of reading the book, until I saw it in a charity shop for £1.50, because it'd be rude not to, right? The book is written really well, and I love that it follows the story of the musical that we all know. It even adds more to the story, which adds an extra layer to this tragic love story. In this book, the phantom is referred to as a ghost, which, although sounds less poetic than a phantom, still, in my opinion, accurately describes what most people think of the phantom. I like that Christine seems more, in a way, possessed by the phantom, and the angel of music persona is more focused upon. 

Overall, I really liked this book, it draws parallels to the musical and adds extra to it. I would recommend it to anyone.

Nic

xx

Codename Sailor V Part Two

So I finally got around to reading part two of the Codename Sailor V manga, and I loved it. The first part led perfectly on to this part, and, for such a short series, I felt that the story was well told and well rounded-off. This part of the manga sees Minako take on various enemies, before realising what her true destiny is and awakening as a Sailor Senshi. Believe me, that makes sense if you are familiar with Sailor Moon. 

I love how they have given Minako a back story, as I often felt that in the original Sailor Moon series, because she came into it relatively late, that she was important and had another story to tell. This series serves as a perfect prequel to Sailor Moon, and a perfect lead up to where Minako comes into the Sailor Moon story. I don't want to say too much about the plot as I don't want to spoil it, but if you like wonderful illustrations and a fun story, then this manga is one I'd highly recommend.

Nic

xx

Peter Pan by J M Barrie

 

'Just always be waiting for me, and then some night you will hear me crowing.'

When I love a film that is based on a book, I am always eager to read the book. This hasn't been more true than the case of Peter Pan by J. M. Barrie, I have searched high and low for this book for the longest time, so when I went to Central Library in Manchester at the start of the month, this book was at the top of my list to find. Luckily, they had a copy, so I snapped it up and took it out. 

I read the entire book in one sitting, which is not unusual for me when I read a Children's book, but this book was so enthralling that I couldn't put it down. The story was very similar to the beloved Disney classic, but, as always with an adapted film, there was so much more in the book. It was a wonderful book which evoked the spirit of childhood and imagination perfectly. I heard a rumour once that Peter Pan was actually Walt Disney's favourite story, and it is so easy to see why. The thing I love most about this book is that it is told in a very clever way, it follows a linear story, but each chapter is presented as a separate adventure, which also shows the playful, adventurous spirit of the book's title character. I also loved reading that this book was donated to Great Ormond Street by Barrie, which is an amazing act of kindness by the author which I knew nothing about.

Overall, I loved this book, I would 100% read it again, and it has made it's way into my list of favourite Children's books.

Nic

xx

A Kestrel For A Knave by Barry Hines

Having Lee as a boyfriend, I have seen the film Kes countless times, and I absolutely love it. It's funny but also really sad, and it captures the time in the North of England especially well. So, I obviously had high expectations for the book.

The book did not disappoint. It was well-written, very descriptive and the story flowed beautifully. As someone who is from the north, this novel perfectly encapsulates the 60s in the north, with the prose written in a gritty yet innocent way. The bonus of this book is it is exactly like the film, one of the rare occasions that this is a good thing. 

If you can understand the dialect, I'd highly recommend this book, it only took me about three hours to read.

Nic

xx

How to be Parisian Wherever You Are

With my trip to Paris now only five days away, I thought I'd give How to be Parisian Wherever You Are a read. The book contains tips from four Parisienne women on life as a Parisian. 

It is a witty read, and I got the impression that the four women weren't taking themselves or the tips too seriously. It is a nice lighthearted book, perfect for an afternoon of escapism in the sun.

Nic

xx

Bonjour Tristesse and A Certain Smile by Francoise Sagan

I originally picked up this book for one reason, and it wasn't because the author is French. It is because Sagan has been described as the French F Scott Fitzgerald. Now, whilst I am not a fan of this sort of comparison, I was intrigued. 

The book is divided into two stories: Bonjour Tristesse and A Certain Smile. The first story concerns a girl who lives a life of fun with her father, until one Summer, when he decides to remarry. The girl then launches a plot to stop the marriage, and have her life of fun with her father return. The second story concerns a young Parisian girl who embarks on a two week affair with a married man in Cannes, who, upon their return to Paris, tells her that he does not love her. 

Both stories are told in a way that can only be told by the French, with their free thinking on matters of a sexual nature, and both novels capture the spirit of the Parisians perfectly. The fact that Sagan was only 18 when she wrote the first, and 21 when she wrote the second, shows her true talent in writing. I loved this book, and would definitely read both stories again.

Nic

xx

Keep the Aspidistra Flying by George Orwell

Maybe it's because I don't review every book I've read, but it feels like it's been a while since my last book review. I have read two books other than this recently, but, to me, they just didn't warrant a review. 

Anyway, on to this review: Keep the Aspidistra Flying by George Orwell. I have a bit of a mixed view when it comes to Orwell; I loved Down and Out in Paris and London, but hated Animal Farm. This book definitely leans towards the liking end of my Orwell scale. It tells the story of Gordon Comstock, a man who hates money, he gives up his so-called good job in order to write more, but instead, he slips into poverty, and he gives up on ever becoming a writer, or anything else for that matter, until the end of the book. 

I like this book as it is written with a true passion that shines through each and every word. You really feel that this man hates the world of money, and only goes back to it because he has to. 

Nic

xx

Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift

Gulliver's Travels is one of those books that I can't believe I've never read. I've never even seen the film. Heck, before I read it, the only thing I knew about it was that tiny people tie a huge man to the floor. There is, however, more to this book than that.

The book tells the story of, well, Gulliver's travels; four of them to be exact. Each of these travels is as wildly imaginative as the last, and the parts of the world that Gulliver sees are vividly described and extremely exotic, and we as the readers really feel like we're on the journeys with Gulliver, or at least I did.

I really enjoyed this book, so much so that I read it in one sitting. I love it when I just can't put a book down, and this was one of those books. I highly recommend reading it if, like me, you've shockingly not read it.

Nic

xx

The Plague by Albert Camus

So it turns out I've done a few book reviews over here, contrary to what I said in my last book review. The latest book I've finished is The Plague by Albert Camus.

I had high hopes for this book, having loved The Outsider and The Rebel, and my expectations were met. The story of the book focuses on a town in Algiers that has been gripped by a plague. The reason I enjoyed this book is because it's written in a claustrophobic way, so, as a reader, you really feel like you're in the town, caught up in a fear of catching the plague. Camus is no doubt a great writer, and I did enjoy this book, but The Outsider will remain my favourite Camus book for now.

Nic

xx

Mary Poppins by P. L. Travers

Ok, here we go, my first ever review on here. I've got very fond memories of writing book reviews at Primary School, I was always a big reader so I used to end up writing loads of reviews. I knew that the first review I did on here would have to link to Disney in some way since I love it so much, and, after seeing this in the local library a couple of days ago, I knew I had to get it out.

First of all, I honestly do not know how I managed to almost get through 27 years of life without ever having read this book, it's one of my favourite feel-good films, and the book is equally as good. We all know the story of Mary Poppins: magical nanny who takes Jane and Michael on loads of adventures but will only stay until the wind changes, all of which happens in the book, but the book, naturally, has so much more. The book has extra little episodes in it, of which my favourite was the chapter named The Dancing Cow, which reminded me a bit of The Red Shoes. My favourite thing about this book was that each chapter was almost like its own little story, a self-contained episode in each, not like traditional chapters that flow, making a story. Despite these self-contained chapters, the story still seemed to flow, and by the end I was dreading the impending wind change.

I read the book in one go, it was that enjoyable. Overall, a fantastic little read.

Nic

xx

Book Review: The 39 Steps

So it seems my scheduled posts didn't post for the last two days, so I'll re-post them now. Sorry guys.

You know when you find one of those books that you just can't put down? The 39 Steps by John Buchan was one of those books for me. 

It follows the story of Richard Hannay, a man on the run in Scotland after a man is found murdered in his flat, an assassination which could bring the country to the brink of war. It is extremely fast-paced, full of suspense, and, because it's only short, it has you eager to finish it. Overall, I'd highly recommend it.

What have you been reading lately?

Nic

xx

Book Review: Down and Out in Paris and London

I'm just going to say it: I'm not an Orwell fan. He's a bit too 'I like to shove my political opinions down everyone's throat' for me, if that's even a thing. I don't go in for all those Big Brothers and Snowball and Napoleon kinda things, so I was pleasantly surprised when I read Down and Out in Paris and London. Sure, it's still a bit politicised (name me an Orwell work that isn't), but it's a bit more manageable, as its a bit more story guiding you along rather than political stance.

The book tells the partly autobiographical story of living in poverty in Paris and London, and captures the time it was written (1933) in a great manner, showing that, even at an early age, Orwell was a good writer. I may not like his books, but I can't deny he is a brilliant writer. That's what I love most about reading old books, the writing is just better.

Nic

xx

Book Review: The Last Tycoon

I have now come to the end of reading F Scott Fitzgerald's published work, sad face, but The Last Tycoon (or, The Love of the Last Tycoon as it's sometimes called) has definitely sealed itself as one of my favourites amongst the collection. It isn't number one, that's The Great Gatsby.

The book tells the story of Monroe Stahr, a film producer who is trying to keep his business afloat whilst also meeting a lady who looks a lot like his deceased wife. The story is told from the viewpoint of Cecilia Brady, the daughter of Stahr's business partner, and is a wonderfully told story which captures the essence of the time it was written, as all of Fitzgerald's works do. The only downside of this novel is that it is unfinished, which is a shame, as, had it been finished, it would've been an even better book.

What have you been reading lately?

Nic

xx