This superbly written book is about the rhythms of the seasons in a magnificent landscape and the life of the wild creatures that inhabit it.  From butterflies hibernating beneath the rafters to the flash of colourful kingfishers; shoals of fish glittering in the river, buzzards flying high and badgers emerging from setts; from the delight of newly fledged birds to the horror of rabbits dying of myxomatosis; from dawn chorus to bats navigating darkest night – the richness of Wales’ wildlife, particularly its birdlife, is revealed.

Although weeks could pass without him seeing anyone, Neil Ansell was not totally without human contact and we have glimpses of the people he meets and the way their lives fit into the local landscape.

We join him as he strides across miles that take in a peat bog, moorland, woods, high hills, river banks and fields, and we sit with him outside his cottage door, tired from sawing logs for the fire, as the sky turns black and fills with stars.  We learn that being alone does not equate with being lonely.

This is by no means a sentimentalised version of country life.  Far from making you want to pack your bags and head for the hills, it is likely to make you more appreciative of the car on your drive, the shop down the road and warmth at the flick of a switch.  But it does make you aware of all the life that is around you, the wonder of nature, and the joy of taking time just to watch the grass grow.

Reviewed by Valerie Cordell

The book is both a love story and a comment on the political and social history of Jamaica during its most turbulent and violent era.  Pao reflects back on his life and is constantly re-examining his ideals and ambitions. 

This book was captivating with some wonderful characters and surprising relationships - a fantastic story of race, class, colour, love and ambition in a country which is trying to determine its way forward.

Reviewed by: Jane Purdie

The unusual pairing of Will and Lou and the way they interact is the main theme of this novel.

There are many emotions that surface during the development of the relationship such as love, humour, arguments and sadness. As I read further into the book I noticed how Lou becomes more confident, forthright and determined as Will helps her to become more ambitious and to widen her horizons. In turn Lou tries to encourage Will to leave his room and to embrace life. She takes him to a concert as he enjoys classical music and this becomes a new experience for Lou too also to a wedding which becomes a hilarious event.

Both characters have endured a trauma, Will continues with his  preparations despite his family and Lou’s pleading. Lou I believe comes to understand his need for closure and to overcome her fear of the maze.

The author has a truly believable insight into the medical and physical needs of a quadriplegic and I applaud the wonderful work the carers and nurses  make a  to the lives of their patients. At times I was moved to tears at the descriptions of the pain endured by Will and the treatments he needed.

The other characters in the book paints a picture of Will’s non functioning family-the cool, controlling and snobbish mother ; the remote father who prefers to spend time secretly  with his mistress and the self centred sister.

Lou’s family interact well most of the time but I feel Lou is the one they all rely on financially   so as to support ‘the golden girl’ her sister in her academic  achievements. Is there one in most families? 

The end was very unexpected as Will is able to have his wish and die at the Dignitas clinic but not all is lost as he leaves Lou with a new purpose and perception of life.

An excellent read which sends you through the gamut of emotions and gives pause to consider people less fortunate than ourselves.

Reviewed by: Lilwen Bevan from Ceredigion Library’s Llanilar WI book club

Nia Jones – Flintshire Libraries

Nia Jones – Flintshire Library Service

During their time together in S-E Asia prior to their marriage, the author delves into the whole subject of marriage to an obsessive degree.  No stone is left unturned as she researches what marriage has meant for generations of people both in the West and elsewhere, how it has been viewed by people of various religions, and why, historically, people have felt the need to get married.  As a result of conversations with people in Laos, S. E Asia, with her own mother and grandmother and with friends, she comes to the conclusion that, while in a bygone age divorce was rare because a woman had no financial independence, in recent times the ability of women to earn rather than be dependent on their husbands, whilst enabling them to escape an unhappy marriage, has often simultaneously created a new set of problems due to clashes of opinion and differing expectations between the sexes. 

Occasionally, my attention was grabbed by some interesting snippet of information.  For instance, it appears that it was Queen Victoria who started the fashion in the West for white weddings; previously, the wedding day was frequently not very different from any other day, as vows would be exchanged in an impromptu ceremony, in a matter of moments.  Historically, apparently, marriage was necessary for economic reasons and to maintain social order.  I learned that traditionally, women in parts of the developing world are reluctant to acknowledge the existence of marital breakdown, for reasons similar to those which meant that divorce in the West was unthinkable until comparatively recently.

However, for the most part, I’m afraid I found Gilbert’s constant complaints about how much married women have to sacrifice, and her incessant searching for answers rather irritating.  There is little or no sequence of events in the book, and hardly any dialogue; mostly, the author is sharing with her readers her own thoughts and intense anxieties on the state of marriage. There is little mention of Felipe’s feelings or needs.  Whilst agreeing, to some extent, with certain of her comments, I frequently felt that she wants both the penny and the bun, and that it might be better for someone of her temperament to stay single.  In one interview (quoted in the back of my copy), she states that people getting married after the age of 35 have a very good chance of staying together; also that modern Americans expect too much from marriage.  Shouldn’t these 2 statements provide her with the answers she seeks?

Reviewed by: Margaret Rees of Llanilar

Gwenni is regarded as “odd” by her mother, particularly because she claims to be able to fly in her sleep. However, all is not at it seems in this family and community. One day a neighbour goes missing and Gwenni takes on the role of detective. In the course of her investigations Gwenni stumbles across dark secrets which she attempts to make sense of in her naive way.

All the characters in this novel are vividly drawn and I particularly loved Gwenni and Tada, her father, who supports and encourages her when her mother is particularly unpleasant to her.

I loved Mari Strachan’s debut novel.  It is an excellent read. I just can’t wait to start her next book.

Jen Horgan

‘The Burning’ is Jane Casey’s second novel and follows two main characters, a policewoman and the victim’s best friend. They are both the same age as the victim. The story is told almost completely through the eyes of these two women in alternate chapters.

At first sight it appears to be about a police search for a killer known to both public and police as ‘The Burning Man’; he has killed at least four young women and completes each operation by setting light to their bodies. However it isn’t long before the first quite gripping chapter where we are introduced to the crimes committed by the Burning Man seems almost superfluous as the main theme of the novel turns out to be a story of a copycat murder – the fifth killing.

The fifth victim appears to have been a popular and high flying young woman who has everything to live for. However, when DC Kerrigan delves into her past life all is not as it seems and further mysteries unroll. In an undercover operation, DC Kerrigan is injured and while recuperating takes time out to examine all the evidence very closely. It is at this point she discovers the true identity of the copy-cat killer but not the motive. So – unusual in crime novels – the suspect is arrested three quarters of the way through the book. The motive of the killer is revealed in a thirty-page letter at the end.

The characters in the tale are not well developed and I could not empathise with any of them. We see the heroine of the story, DC Maeve Kerrigan in her professional capacity which is quite well drawn and her home life which is very poorly developed. The way her strained relationship with her partner was depicted seemed neither believable nor interesting. Most of her colleagues on the police force seemed to be pretty obnoxious towards women in the force which I found did not endear them to me. As for the best friend, Louise, it was hard to find anything to like about her at all. She appeared sneaky and untruthful from the word ‘go’ and I found it difficult to care what she said or did.

I felt the story was predictable and the identity of the killer was obvious to me from very early on. It didn’t keep my attention for long periods as it was not a full of suspense and indeed moved quite slowly.  But it is well written, amusing in places and not difficult to read. Jane Casey has explored the psychological aspect of the criminal mind which does help to make it an interesting read. For Ruth Rendell fans ‘a must’.

Jayne Hancock

Llanilar WI

Dave Logan – Newport Libraries

Dave Logan – Newport Libraries