Books: September & October 2019

It's getting to that cosy time of year when snuggling up with a good book in bed, or on the sofa under a handmade quilt when it's lashing down outside is what is called for. 

Under the Greenwood Tree by Thomas Hardy

I mentioned before that I was reading Thomas Hardy in chronological order. So, it has taken me some time to make it to his second novel (I read Desperate Remedies in November/December 2018). It focuses on the courtship of Dick Dewey, a local musician and a school mistress, Fancy Day, who does in fact fancy herself as something special! She is the honey of the neighbourhood and has offers from several suitors, but can't quite make up her mind (even when it is too late)! It has a very calming pastoral feel and would make a great Christmas read. 

Vox by Christine Dalcher

I would not say that this is particularly well written, however the premise is fantastic. In a contemporary world, women are limited to speak 100 words a day. Dalcher draws heavily from Atwood's Handmaids Tale for this interesting novel about how a leading expert in aphasia, Dr Jean McClellan is given an opportunity to really make a difference, but can she do it in time?

Britt-Marie Was Here by Fredrik Backman

A crossbreed of Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine  with A Man Called Ove, another gentle tale of the effect that Britt-Marie has on a small deprived community when she insists on taking a job in their community centre. A sweet read.

The King's General by Daphne du Maurier

Du Maurier is one of the best storytellers. At the time of the English Civil War, Honor Harris meets Richard Grenville and despises him, and yet is strangely drawn to him. Shortly after they fall in love, she has a terrible riding accident and is wheelchair bound. She is an incredibly strong character and when their paths cross again, she is instrumental in shielding his son. 

The Trauma Cleaner: One Woman's Extraordinary Life in the Business of Death, Decay and Disaster by Sarah Krasnostein

This biography reads like a love letter, as Krasnostein is clearly infatuated with Sandra, the trauma cleaner. No job is too big and she regular cleans up after murders and suicide attempts with a good few hoarders helped along the way. The biography is absolutely fascinating, and interspersed with stories of people that she has helped during the course of her cleaning. I don't want to elaborate further because there are a good few surprises, but she really has had an extraordinary life.

Happy reading!

Love Mrs Jones x