Anyone who has been reading my reviews knows that I am a typical Historical/Suspense novel lover. Once in a while I get out of my comfort zone and delve into something completely different. Project Hail Mary was one of those leaps into a genre that I normally don't gravitate towards!
I can imagine that anyone who loves Science Fiction and Mystery stories would absolutely love this book. So if there is a Sci-Fi Lover on your Christmas List this book is one for them.
This book is a #1 Best Seller on Amazon and has won much acclaim!
Synopsis:
Ryland Grace is the lone survivor on a mission that has been set into motion at some point in the past. He's not sure exactly when or where and what the mission is all about. He's been in a prescheduled coma for a while and his mind is kind of fuzzy.
Looking around he finds himself millions of miles away from earth with only his two deceased comrades for company.
What has happened and what is happening? His memories are slowly coming back and he realizes that he has an almost impossible task ahead. One that will be either the salvation of mankind or it's complete demise.
The sun is losing it's strength and the earth is cooling. There is another ICE AGE on the horizon unless he can find a way to capture and/or disarm the alien entity that is causing this loss of heat energy.
What else can possibly happen while Ryland is on this quest?
I found this book to be a total all encompassing read. While there were many parts that I could not wrap my head around, I think the author did an amazing job of making all of this believable, even though I don't necessarily understand all the science around it. I let my imagination run with the possibilities!
Is Earth the only planet that will suffer if the solution to the problem isn't found? Are there other possible populations in outer space that will also suffer this fate? It's time to pick up this book and find out. I can almost guarantee that once you start, you won't want to put this book down again.
I did have to re-read a few chapters in order to get a clearer picture in my mind's eye, but that was not a deterrent or a difficulty because I really wanted to understand the situation better.
Would I recommend this book? You better believe I will. As I said earlier it's not my favorite genre of book, but I think I will need to make an exception in this case. I might even have to get his other book, The Martian and read it too. Broadening my horizons is part of why I love reading.
I'm sure that a Sci-Fi lover would find this book totally engrossing and even the ending has a poignant cast to it.
If you sign up for an Audible Trial you can enjoy both of these books free of charge.
I'm sure that these books will become a favorite for any Science Fiction Lover! Enjoy it, I sure did.
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A couple of weeks ago, Fran was looking for something to watch on Netflix and
came upon this Netflix limited series, "All the Light We Cannot See"
If you love historical fiction, like I do, you will love this limited
series. We were hooked from the very first episode and binged the whole
series in one night.
All the Light We Cannot See is based on the critically acclaimed novel by
Anthony Doerr.
The book was published in 2014 and was a New York Times Best Seller, and
also won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction.
Netflix released the limited series on November 2, 2023. This series will
have you on the edge of your seat through every episode.
Set during World War II the story follows two young individuals whose lives
intersect amid the chaos of the war.
Newcomer Aria Mia Loberti as Marie-Laure LeBlanc, a blind French
teenage girl and the daughter of
Daniel LeBlanc played by Mark Ruffalo.
Aria Mia Loberti is really blind and this was her first acting
experience.
Louis Hoffmann as Werner Pfennig, a young German orphan who
eventually becomes a soldier specializing in detecting and tracking radio
frequencies.
Lars Eidinger as Reinhold von Rumple, an officer of the SS who
certifies and evaluates art, and jewelry.
Hugh Laurie as Etienne LeBlanc, a reclusive World War I veteran
suffering from PTSD and the great uncle of Marie-Laure.
The series spans from the years 1934 to 1944. When Nazi Germany invades
France, Marie, and Daniel flee to Saint-Malo to take refuge in her
great-uncle's house.
All the Light You Cannot See is a rollercoaster of emotions as the series
balances moments of intense drama, heart-melting romance, and the harsh
realities of war.
I was emotionally invested in the journey of each character. I found
myself rooting for their triumphs and feeling their heartaches as their
lives intertwined. You find out early on in this series what bonds Marie and
Werner, and you are eager to find out how it ends.
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The Beauty Doctor is a work of fiction set in the early 1900's when the medical field was in it's infancy. Regulatory bodies were not yet in place and quackery abounded.
It was also a time of social upheaval as well. Women were just starting to demand attention not only for their family ties, but also for their own inherent worth as individuals. It was a time when the old and the new were very much at loggerheads with each other and social status was not the defining standard.
Many people made fortunes selling snake oils that promised all kinds of magical results and often times these potions and lotions were causing some very serious problems.
European trends on what constituted beauty abounded. Hence some very unsavory characters who called themselves "Doctor", managed to make themselves known to those who were wealthy and could afford their services. Working on these women's weaknesses was what worked for them. Subtle and sometimes not so subtle augmentation could make a woman feel beautiful and therefore much more attractive to her peer group.
The Beauty Doctor is the story of a young woman (Abigail), whose father was a decent doctor, and in whose footsteps she had hoped to follow. She routinely would aid her father when he made house calls and became quite efficient and proficient at many of the tasks she assisted with. What she needed now was the proper education to continue in her quest to become a doctor in truth. Alas, such was not to be the case, Abigail's father has died and her mother remarried. The new step father was not adverse to make lewd advances to his beautiful new step-daughter.
Stunned by this turn of events in her life, she decides to leave home and ask a friend for sanctuary. Arthur has taken her into his home. Being part of New York society at that time, it was only shortly after her arrival in the Hennessy Family that Arthur knew he would have to propose so that the family could keep their heads held high in their social circle. Again Abigail's life is taking a turn she did not wish for herself. She wants to become a doctor and has to find a way to do just that.
At the party to introduce Abigail to the rest of New York society, Abigail finds herself seated next to Dr. Franklin Rome, who is accompanying another wealthy socialite to this affair. He has a way about him. ""Beauty is power," Dr. Rome told her. "And with enough power, one can achieve anything." And here the plot thickens. Abigail sees a possibility that might just get her out of this engagement and further her own desires.
What follows is a twisting and turning story of her introduction to what we know today as cosmetic surgery.
This book was a very interesting story and you could picture yourself watching these lives unfold. What lengths some people would go through for their own sometimes perverse ideas of what human beauty should be and look like. I'm sure you will find it interesting and thought provoking. So many ideas being put forth by the new medical establishment and funded by those who have the money to do so.
This book certainly makes you see what was possible in an unregulated profession such as medicine was and why it's a good thing that regulations are in place today. It's a history lesson that I won't forget anytime soon for sure.
For anyone who enjoys historical novels and the development of society as we know it today, this book will surely be a hit. The Beauty Doctor scores more than 4 out of 5 stars on it's Amazon ratings.
I was given an advanced copy of the second edition by #booksirens.com in exchange for my honest review,
I would not hesitate to recommend this as a great book to read and/or enjoy with a book club. It certainly makes you stop and think!
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The Last Eligible Bachelor is the third book in the
Seasons of Change series
The series is written by several authors who each write separate books in
the set.
Thus far, I have found that these books could easily be read
as stand-alone books if a particular story appeals to you. Since the
series is historical Christian romance fiction, which is my favorite genre,
I have chosen to read the entire series and I started with the first
book. However, they do not even require being read in order since the
characters in the books are all different. They are related in theme
only.
None of the books have had a huge emphasis on religion. Rather, they
are simply clean reading without any violence, gore or explicit sexual
content.
I have previously read, and reviewed, books written by Ashtyn
Newbold. I really enjoy the humor and witty conversations in her
novels, which has now placed her in a category of favored authors for
me.
Synopsis of The Last Eligible Bachelor
When Sophia Sedgwick is invited to a private party of "acceptable" young
socialites to vie for one eligible bachelor, she is not interested in
going. However, her parents insist on her attendance. It is a
month long event, requires traveling across England to the hostesses estate,
and living there for the duration. Sophia doesn't know anyone who will
be there, including the matchmaking hostess, and they have never met
her. She devises a plan that will allow her to spend the month with
her friend, while still satisfying her parents. After all, they need
never know that the "Sophia" in attendance is not her. She will send
her personal maid in her place.
The Last Eligible Bachelor: A Regency Romance (Seasons of Change Book 3)Check PriceDue to her father's recent arrest, Tillie Sherbrooke and her mother are now
household staff on the estate of friends who took pity on them after their
downfall from society. They certainly did not want to see them
homeless. Tillie becomes Sophia Sedgwick's personal maid. At
first, that is a difficult position for Tillie since she had previously
known Sophia as an equal. Sophia seems to have no problem relegating
Tillie to the lower class. She tells Tillie that since she was born
and raised a lady, she is the perfect stand-in for her. When Tillie is
hesitant to play along, Sophia threatens to have both her and her mother
removed from their positions and home. Tillie reluctantly agrees to
the plan. Sophia further instructs her to simply attend and make sure
she did not appeal to the bachelor.
Mr. Hill is immediately drawn to Sophia (Tillie) because she is kind and
less conceited than the other women he has already met. She makes it clear she is not seeking a husband. She would suit his purposes perfectly. She would allow him to
distance himself from the match-matching and overtly flirtatious women in
attendance. He devises a plan that will allow him to fulfill his
obligations without having to commit to one of the other women. He
proposes that he and Sophia (Tillie) pretend to court each other until the
end of this ridiculous party. Tillie is reluctant to agree.
After all, she is supposed to be Sophia. Anything she does will be
attributed to Sophia. However, when she discovers that Mr. Hill is
related to someone who has the power to change her life drastically, she
agrees to his plan.
With this alliance, the two interact with each other without reservation or
pretense and they become friends.
As I previously stated, this is a romance novel, so you can probably surmise what happens next. But I assure you, there are surprises. I found this to be a very enjoyable read. The witty characters humored me greatly. I anticipated a happy ending, therefore the novel did not make me feel stressed or overly anxious. However, when I was 80% of the way through the book, even though I was very sleepy, I refused to give in to rest until I had finished the book. So, be forewarned, you might not be able to put this book down until you have reached the end.
Previously Reviewed from the Seasons of Change Series
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Seasons of Change is a historical Christian romance book series that is
written by multiple authors. The books do not share the same
characters. They simply share the same theme.
A Forgiving Heart by Kasey Stockton could easily be read as a stand
alone book and is one I would recommend even if you do not wish to commit to
the entire series. The main character is quite believable. She
does, indeed, possess a forgiving heart, but not in a way that seems beyond
reason. While she has forgiven childhood mistreatment by other
children, it is clear she still struggles with the memories of the selfish
adult who was filled with anger and took it out on her.
This is a book that has stayed with me for days. I realize it is
fiction, but the injustices are all too real. Children can be cruel,
and people who should be looking out for you, often take advantage of their
power. Even if our own lives have been easy, comparatively speaking, I
think we all need the opportunity to consider how others may well have very
painful pasts. Just telling someone they need to forgive someone seems
trite and unsympathetic. Giving them time and room to work through
something step by step is a more thoughtfully considered response.
That is the reminder this book offered me, while also entertaining me with a
romantic story.
I will warn you in advance. This is not a light reading
romance. There is a pervasive evil throughout the story, starting with
the uncle and continuing with someone viewed as a friend. Perhaps,
that is another life lesson we should all be reminded of. People are
not always who or what they seem.
A Forgiving Heart Synopsis
A Forgiving Heart (Seasons of Change Series)Check PriceKate Kingston is now an adult, content with her life as a teacher.
When an attorney arrives one day at the school to inform her of her uncle's
death and her inheritance, she is thrown back into her past. A past
she would prefer to leave behind.
When she was 4, her parents were killed. Her uncle moved into the
ancestral home in Larkfield and sent her to live with strangers. When
she returned to Split Tree Manor at the age of 9, he treated her as a house
servant and would not let her go outside. When she was not working in
the house, she had to remain in a room with a hired woman. The one day
she did manage to slip out, she was assaulted by two male neighbors while
trying to defend a smaller boy. When she returned home, she was
switched by her uncle for disobedience. Finally, at 12, she was sent
off to school, which turned out to be a much needed reprieve.
Kate returns to Split Tree Manor, where her only real memories are
dominated by her cruel uncle. She was simply too young when her
parents died to remember Split Tree Manor as anything other than an unhappy
place. But, this was her father's home. As the older brother,
her father had inherited Split Tree Manor. Unbeknownst to her, Uncle
Bartholomew was only managing her inheritance until she reached the age of
20. She had been 20 for six months, yet her uncle did not contact her or inform
her of her inheritance. Had he not died, she would not have known that
she was the rightful heir of Split Tree Manor in Larkfield.
Kate doesn't return alone. She takes an ally with
her. Alice James, the cook from the school, is thrilled with the
opportunity to become Larkfield's cook. She is also joined by another
married friend, Emily Nielsen, whose husband is away at war. Her hope
is that these two friends can help her establish a home and re-enter
society, a place where she belonged by birth, but was previously denied.
Shortly after her arrival, she meets Martin Evans who reveals that he is
the younger boy from that day long ago and how he has always remembered her
as his valiant defender. He wishes to repay her kindness, but he also
expresses his interest in courting her.
One afternoon, when Emily doesn't return home from horseback riding, Kate
and the house staff set out to find her. Kate is not the only person
who finds Emily unconscious. Sir Peter
Evans is there and he is carrying Emily to his own horse. Kate does not recognize Peter as one of the boys from
years ago, nor does she realize he is the owner of Evanslea, but she had seen him several times recently. She acquiesces to his plans and allows him to carry Emily away while she tends to Emily's horse.
As the days pass, Kate finds unexpected friendship with one of the brothers and isn't quite sure why she is hesitant to get too close to the other one. There is something there that she doesn't quite understand or trust.
Once I started reading this book, I could not put it down. I stayed up late into the night reading. After a few hours sleep, I awoke ready to start reading again, forgetting any work I was supposed to do that day. It is an excellent book that I would recommend to anyone who enjoys a combination of romance and mystery.
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Strange Sally Diamond is set to be the talk of the book world when it is published on July 18, 2023!
I love to read and I'm generally drawn to Historical Fiction and Cozy Mysteries. But once in a while I like to stretch my boundaries and search for something completely new!
Strange Sally Diamond caught my eye as a book that might interest me mainly because of the title. We just found out that one of our grandchildren is on the Autism Spectrum, she can be a little strange sometimes and I thought I might learn something when reading this book. Well, I did learn something for sure, but nothing that I had expected! This book was a real eye-opener for me.
Well, it has nothing at all to do with Autism per se, but rather what happens when someone is so damaged early in life (by circumstances imposed on them) and how the human spirit helps (or hinders) the very fragile psyche of the individual in the outer world.
Strange Sally Diamond is that girl. She has a horrific childhood that she cannot remember. At the tender age of 7 she is adopted by the very people who "found" her. So damaged was her mind, that no one was considered capable of caring for this youngster. So the psychologist and the medical doctor (The Diamonds) who were working with her, were granted guardianship of this young girl and adopted her.
Sally is a reclusive person, by nature of where she has come from and what she has been through, and encouraged to be so by her "new family". Much media attention followed her for many years after she was first rescued. In order to help her the Diamonds decide to live in the country away from media attention while Sally grows up.
She has a loving relationship (in her mind) with her new mom and dad as they don't make too many demands on her personally. She is home schooled and doesn't have too many friends. Sally's problems begin when she tries to incinerate her father after his death in their home. He left instructions for her and she followed them to the letter! Media frenzy ensues as Sally is arrested for this "crime" and she's no longer protected by the confines of the family home. She only has a couple of really good family friends who have been with her from the time of her arrival on the family 's farm.
Stepping out into the world for the first time Sally must learn to navigate a world she does not know or understand and really has not been a part of for most of her life. Her new mom and dad had sheltered her completely. After mom's death, dad kept her even more isolated from the "outside world". But then he died too.......
The twists and turns in this book are enough to keep you turning the pages. What is "normal" and how do you help someone who is NOT part of that very narrow definition?
Sally has some help, but she also has a lot to learn both about the present, the past and the future.
You can pre-oder this book through Amazon and it will be published July 18 of this year. It is a page turner and if you enjoy mind bending books, this one will keep you totally captivated.
I'm going back to re-read it once again, it is that good. Mark your calendar or pre-order the choice is yours, but you will not regret reading this book!
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In this exciting prequel to Martha Hall Kelly's best-selling Lilac Girls, we
follow the lives of Eliza (Caroline Ferriday's mother) and her two friends
from Russia-Sofya and Luba Streshnayva. Sofya and Luba are cousins of
Tsar Nicholas II and although all three women have grown up in
privilege, they all have a strong desire to help others.
Background
Like Caroline Ferriday from Lilac Girls the characters in Lost Roses are
real people from history. Martha Hall Kelly did meticulous research to
make sure her facts were correct and then built a wonderful work of
historical fiction around events from history. This second book in the
Lilac Girls series takes place in 1914 in the days leading up to and during
the Bolshevik Revolution.
Plot Summary
The book begins as Eliza Ferriday from New York City is going to visit
her good friend Sofya in St. Petersburg, Russia. They had met years
before in Paris and become good friends. Even though it is 1914 and
the world would seem to be on the brink of war, Eliza is excited for her
trip and a visit with her good friend. She arrives safely and all
seems to be going well till there is word that they must flee the city
because of the revolutionaries are nearby and are trying to overturn all the
wealthy ruling class. Eliza sails home to New York and Sofya and her
family escape to their summer home in the countryside.
While they are in their summer home they hire a local
fortuneteller's daughter, Varinka, to work in their
household. This turns out to be a very bad decision. As time goes on
the revolutionaries kidnap the family and keep them captive in an
outbuilding of the family's luxurious summer home. The
storyline continues and keeps us on edge as we wonder how the family will
survive and will they escape to Paris as they hope.
As the story continues, we see the ways both Eliza and Sofya work in
these troubled times to help those in need.
I found this book to be very interesting. Martha Hall Kelly has a way
of making her characters come to life and I found myself reading into the
night to find out what would happen next.
Book One of the Series
The first book in the series, actually chronologically comes after Lost
Roses. It is set in a World War II time frame and features Eliza's
daughter Caroline. It too was a very compelling story that I had a
hard time putting down.
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I love reading historical fiction, and although I have read lots of books from the World War II era, I had not read any from the American Revolutionary War period. The title on this book is what first intrigued me to download this book. What an amazing story! It kept me interested from page 1 and now I feel I know a lot more from that period of history.
The Story
Deborah Samson was born in 1760 in Massachusetts. When she was quite young her father abandoned her family, and her mother was unable to provide for Deborah and her siblings. Deborah ended up being bound out to be an indentured servant at age 5. She stayed with various people in her early years, but when she was 10, she was indentured to a young farmers family that had 10 boys. It was Deborah's duties to help look after the boys.
The family was very kind to Deborah and from them she was able to learn a lot. Although she didn't go to school herself, she had a thirst for knowledge and was able to learn from the boys as they were growing up. She had a friend and mentor in the Reverend Conant and when she was 15, he gave her a journal for her birthday. In this journal she would discover her longings through her writings. The Reverend also put her in touch with his niece Elizabeth, who became Deborah's pen pal. Elizabeth was older and married and provided Deborah with advice and someone to share her ideas.
When the American Colonies were gearing up for war, each of the 10 boys in turn ended up enlisting in the Continental Army. Deborah yearned for a life of freedom and equal rights for women. She had learned much from the boys and could shoot a rifle with the best of them.
When Deborah turned 18, she was free from her bounds and could go out on her own. The family welcomed her to stay on with them, but Deborah wanted adventure. She ended up dressing up as a young man and enlisting in the Continental Army.
The story now gets really interesting as Deborah works hard to maintain the secret of who she really is. Eventually she falls in love in a surprising twist to the story.
My Recommendation
I would highly recommend this book for anyone interested in historical fiction. This story is loosely based on a young woman from history named Deborah Samson. It is a great testament to the power of a young woman daring to chart her own way despite the circumstances.
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Get Ready to Wear Your Leprechaun and Shamrocks for St. Patrick's
Day!
St. Patrick's Day is only a week away. Last year, we let the holiday
slip-up on us and we were not prepared to wear our green. For me, I
work at home, so there was no one around to pinch me for not wearing
green. However, our son works in an office that has apparel
restrictions.
Thinking outside of the box this year, I wanted him to be able to have fun
wearing the traditional green shamrocks or leprechauns. The only things I
could think of that would be hidden apparel that he could wear were
undershirts, boxer shorts and socks. It is already too warm to wear a
thick undershirt and you can't really show off boxer shorts in the office
setting. I thought socks would be the perfect choice.
I had no idea there were so many St. Patrick's Day socks available! Since
he still needed to appear to be in dress code with his black socks, I opted
for black socks with green shamrocks, but I also purchased the socks with the
St. Patrick's Day puppy on them for after work.
Fun St. Patrick's Day Socks
If you are free to wear whatever your heart desires on St. Patrick's Day,
there are a lot of fun designs on socks for you. Choose from
leprechauns, clovers, lucky horseshoes, the puppy I chose, just plain green
socks or a combination of fun designs.
Whatever your preference, embrace the luck of the Irish and have fun
sporting the green on St. Patrick's Day. Above all, avoid being
pinched!
Be sure to look for the socks that ship from Amazon for faster delivery!
Crafting in St. Patrick's Day Green
Craft ideas for St. Patrick's Day! Creating crafts in green is a fun way to add to the pleasure of St. Patrick's Day.
The Famous Wigleys Corned Beef Reviewed
Enjoy the "Best" corned beef! Wigleys Famous Corned Beef will not disappoint. Perfect for St. Patrick's Day and the traditional boiled dinner.
Galway Bay - A Must-Read Irish Historic Fiction
Galway Bay is a story of an Irish mother's love and so much more. A beautifully-written historical fiction based on a the epic tale of a family who survives the Great Starvation.
Irish Mug Reviewed
An Irish mug for St. Patricks Day or just to celebrate your Irish ancestry.
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Alaska is an epic novel by James Michener that spans an unimaginable
length of time and describes Alaska and it's people from the beginning. From
the formation of mountains and land masses to Mastodons to modern times. As
soon as I pick up where I left off in the story I find myself surrounded by
the people in the unique land that eventually became a U.S state.
Introduction by Steve Berry
Steve Berry explains how he came to read his first James Michener novel
then goes on to tells us a bit about James Michener the man and author.
Michener was reportedly an orphan, adopted by Mabel Michener. He lived in
poverty in Bucks County, Pennsylvania for at least a portion of his
childhood. Then as a young adult, he traveled the country by train (in
boxcars to be more specific) and found odd jobs. James Michener wrote his
autobiography in 1991 titled The World is My Home. He attributes his
curiosity about people and their lands. I feel that his curiosity about
people, their cultures, and their lands as well as his love of travel shines
through his writing.
Fact and Fiction
Alaska is a
historical novel. Fiction. But based in fact. The Fact and Fiction chapter
explains some of the examples in which fact and fiction come together. For
example, it is widely accepted that the order of the arrival of humans in
Alaska was The Athapascans first, followed by the Eskimos then followed by
the Aleuts (with the Tlinglits being offshoots of the Athapascans). But the
time of their arrival is unclear and possibly somewhere between 12,000 B.P.E
and 40,000 to 30,000 B.P.E.
Alaska by James Michener
This novel has me hooked. I am writing this before I've finished the novel
but due to the length, I feel that's acceptable.
Michener describes how the land was likely formed. How the collision of
plates created the Aleutian Islands and the mountains of Alaska. How the
Mastodons and Mammoths arrived, lived, and perished in the area. The arrival
of humans. And how conflict begins as soon as different groups live in
proximity of each other. As time moves on, we learn about the Russians who
settle there under Tsar Peter the Great and how others such as Vitus Bering
and Georg Stellar explore the area. The story goes on to include the
introduction of different religions; Shamanism, Russian Orthodoxy, and
eventually Christianity. The area transfers from Russian ownership to
American. Then comes the Gold Rush and moves on to more recent places and
events.
I wish I could write the review this story deserves. I can't. Some online
reviews describe the beginning of the book as slow and hard to get through.
For me, I enjoyed thinking about the massive number of years that it took
for the land to form over time, mountains being sent to great highs due to
the movement of the plates and volcanos forming due to the geographical
events that are beyond my comprehension.
I am amazed that Alaska was settled at all. People walked to get there.
They rode in tiny kayaks to hunt whale for survival and to change their
location Conflict, war, and slavery occurred long before I had imagined.
Larger ships began to move people up the Yukon and into the land but became
frozen in the ice and stranded for months until the thaw. Humans have gone
through a lot to find and keep a home.
The writing is beautiful.
"And each one was formed by some segment of the Pacific Plate bulldozing
it's way into the North American Plate, submerging along the edge, and
causing such tremendous commotion and movement of forces that the great
mountains erupted as a consequence. When one looks at the glorious
mountains of Alaska he sees proof of the power of the Pacific Plate as it
noses its way north and east... "
"The ten children were like a collection of colorful flowers, for the
clothes they wore were varied in design and color. Some wore short tunics
with stripes of white and blue, others long robes and heavy boots, but all
wore in their hair some ornament, some flashing bit of shell or
ivory"
I find myself cheering on the adventurers, crying with those who have
suffered loss, and booing the villains. All while learning how Alaska became
a place where humans chose to call home.
I have two regrets with reading this book. First, I regret that I
don't have more time that I can dedicate to getting comfy in a chair and
reading for days upon days. Second, I'm not sure that starting this novel
during my winter holiday break was the best choice. My area was hit with a
powerful ice storm that wrecked havoc in our county followed by an Arctic
blast that was most uncomfortable. Choosing to read Alaska during that time
frame was almost as bad as choosing to read Jaws before going to an ocean
beach for the first time. Other than those two things, I am enjoying this
immensely.
Related Link:
The first James Michener novel I read was Chesapeake. It was a
wonderful read and I enjoyed the setting around the Chesapeake Bay.
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
I found this book to be totally captivating on many levels. First of all, the author made the characters so believable that you couldn't wait to turn the page and find out what was going on in their lives. Secondly, for me the storyline and characters sounded like they stepped right out of my family history. The similarities include: my father growing up in a German Lutheran community, my parents eloping, and my father and uncles going off to fight in World War II.
The Characters
An Enemy Like Me is seen through the characters that make up the book. There are three main characters that bring the book to life.
Jacob Miller
Jacob Miller is a second generation German American. He was brought up by his mother, a widowed immigrant. Although they were poor they had each other and she instilled into Jacob a strong sense of patriotism for America.
Jacob meets Bonnie Phillips and they work to make ends meet after the depression. They are starting to get comfortable and buying their first home to bring home their son William. Then the unthinkable happens, the country they love is drawn into the war in the Pacific and in Europe. Jacob is torn, he is very patriotic and feels he must help the war effort and yet he has a new young family that he loves and does not want to leave. Add to that part of the war is being fought against people from his parents homeland and he is even more torn.
Bonnie Phillips
Bonnie's family were once very wealthy and that is the background she brings to her marriage with Jacob. During the depression her family loses much of their wealth. Bonnie falls deeply in love with Jacob and they elope and begin their live together. What they don't have in money they make up for in their love and desire to carve their place in America. Although Bonnie is also a strong patriot she does not want Jacob to leave. She can't imagine life without him.
William Miller
William is Jacob and Bonnie's son, who is 4 years old when Jacob feels the call to join the fight. The story is told through alternating chapters of Bonnie, Jacob and William. William's chapters are also told in the present time where we find him on Veteran's Day 2016 visiting his father's grave and reminiscing about his memories of the war. We see how those years when Jacob was gone made a difference in William's life.
This book brings to life the joys and perils of German Americans during WWII. It made me think of my own family and how their time during WWII shaped their lives.
The Book on Amazon
About the Author
I always find it interesting to learn more about the author on books that I enjoy. Here is a bit about Teri M Brown taken from her media kit. Take a few minutes to also look at her website where she recommends other books of historical fiction.
Born in Athens, Greece as an Air Force brat, Teri M Brown graduated from UNC Greensboro. She began her writing career helping small businesses with content creation and published five nonfiction self-help books dealing with real estate and finance, receiving "First Runner Up" in the Eric Hoffman Book Awards for 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home Now, finalist in the USA Best Books Awards for How To Open and Operate a Financially Successful Redesign, Redecorate, and Real Estate Staging Business and for 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home Now, and Honorable Mention in Foreword Magazine’s Book of the Year Award for Private Mortgage Investing. In 2017, after winning the First Annual Anita Bloom Ornoff Award for Inspirational Short Story, she began writing fiction in earnest, and published Sunflowers Beneath the Snow in January 2022. Her second novel, An Enemy Like Me, launches in January 2023. Teri is a wife, mother, grandmother, and author who loves word games, reading, bumming on the beach, taking photos, singing in the shower, hunting for bargains, ballroom dancing, playing bridge, and mentoring others. Learn more at www.terimbrown.com.
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Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris is an absolute gem of a movie. I
discovered it while perusing American Airlines' in-flight entertainment
selections during a recent flight home from California. This comedy/drama was
released earlier this year and received enthusiastic positive reviews from
film critics and audiences alike. However, likely because it wasn't promoted
heavily or well, it had only a short run in theaters and I hadn't heard about
it before. (Such a shame to stint on the marketing for such a terrific
picture!) It deserves a much wider audience.
I am delighted to share my review of this wonderful, delightful, inspiring
movie, which is available to purchase or rent via DVD or streaming media.
Based on the First of Paul Gallico's Bestselling 1958 Novel
Mrs. 'Arris Goes to Paris
Paul Gallico started his career in the 1920s as a sportswriter, sports
columnist, and sports editor of the New York Daily News. After
switching to writing fiction in the late 1930s, the prolific author wrote 41
books, numerous short stories, 20 theatrical movies and 12 TV movies and had a
TV series based on his Hiram Holliday short stories. Two of Gallico's most
famous works were the short story The Snow Goose (1941) and
the novel The Poseidon Adventure (1969), which was also
adapted for the big screen.(Source)
Mrs. 'Arris Goes to Paris (1958) was the first of Gallico's four
novels about the adventures of Mrs. Ada Harris, a war widow and hard-working
charwoman for London aristocrats. Mrs. Harris's adventures continue in the
subsequent books in the series, Mrs. 'Arris Goes to New York (1960),
Mrs. 'Arris Goes to Parliament (1965), and
Mrs. 'Arris Goes to Moscow (1974).
Mrs. 'Arris Goes to Paris has been adapted multiple times for stage and
screen:
A 1958 American TV episode for the television series Studio One starring
British comedian Gracie Fields.
A 1982 West German TV film, Ein Kleid von Dior (A Dress by Dior) starring Inge Meysel.
A 1992 television movie starring Angela Lansbury, Diana Rigg and Omar Sharif
(produced by Lansbury's production company and directed by her son, Anthony
Shaw).
A 2016 musical-theatre adaptation, Flowers for Mrs Harris (the
Gallico novel's UK title) produced by Sheffield Theatres in May 2016, with a
new production mounted in 2018 at Chichester Festival Theatre, which was
streamed online in April 2020.
The 2022 feature film adaptation I am reviewing, Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris (note the tweak to the title).
A Fabulous Cast of Characters
Here are the main characters of this charming movie set in the mid-1950s:
Ada Harris (Lesley Manville), a charwoman in London who cleans up the
messes of her well-heeled, arrogant clients. She learns that her beloved
husband, Eddie, a soldier who had been missing for seven years, was killed
in action.
Violet Butterfield (Ellen Thomas), Ada's best friend, who also works
"in service." Vi encourages the grieving war widow to try to enjoy herself
and get on with her life now that she finally knows Eddie's fate, taking her
out to a dance club in the evening and to greyhound races on their day off.
Archie (Jason Isaacs), another friend and bookie who takes their bets
at the races. Although he fancies Ada, she thinks it's too late for her to
love again and makes it clear their relationship is strictly platonic.
Giles Newcombe (Christian McKay), a womanizing bachelor and house
cleaning client.
Pamela Penrose (Rose Williams), another of Ada's clients, is a
beautiful but spoiled, scatterbrained, pouty and self-centered actress who
is also a slob, tossing and leaving her clothes and accessories all over the
floor for Ada to pick up and put away.
Lady Dant (Anna Chancellor), another client who spends lavishly on
parties and clothes (including a one-of-a-kind, beaded and sequined
Christian Dior dress that Ada falls in love with at first sight), yet
repeatedly deflects Ada's requests to be paid her long-overdue wages.
Christian Dior (Philippe Bertin), the world-famous
haute couture fashion designer whose first collection under his
own label in 1947 was dubbed "The New Look" by the editor-in-chief of
Harper's Bazaar.
Claudine Colbert (Isabelle Huppert) is the directrice of
the house of Dior and guardian of its refined, elegant, exclusive image. She
is offended and supercilious when an English charwoman invades the hallowed
halls of Dior, mistakes Madame Colbert for a shopgirl and naïvely assumes
she can purchase one of the master's iconic, one-of-a-kind
haute couture creations just because she has brought enough
money to Paris with her to pay with cash.
Marquis de Chassagne (Lambert Wilson), a wealthy, aristocratic
widower whose late wife used to enjoy attending the exclusive Dior couture
shows. He continues to attend in her honor and, when Ada is rebuffed by
Madame Colbert, the marquis invites her to attend as his guest. He
subsequently buys her roses and invites her over for tea.
Natasha (Alba Baptista), Dior's top model with an Audrey
Hepburn-eque, waif-like beauty. She would rather be at home curled up on a
couch, wearing a plain black sweater and reading Sartre than parading around
as a fashion model.
Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris is a story about how kindness, courage,
honesty, hard work, a willigness to dream big and a single-minded commitment
to achieving your goals can, indeed, make your dreams come true.
It's a modern fairy tale grounded in some historical fact. Director Anthony
Fabian takes some liberties with Gallico's story. In an interview for a
July 22, 2022 article in Town & Country magazine, Fabian said, "The key to this story is that it is magic realism, so it has
to have an equal dose of magic and reality. If you go too far into magic, you
won’t believe it; if you go too far into the realism, it wouldn’t have that
uplifting fairy tale quality."
Check Out the Official Movie Trailer
If you are reading this on a mobile device and the video player doesn't
display, you can click on this line to watch the MRS. HARRIS GOES TO PARIS Trailer (2022) on YouTube.
Stream, Rent or Buy This Heartwarming and Inspiring Film
There are multiple options for watching this movie, including:
This wonderful story encourages us to dream big but also keep our priorities
straight. I definitely plan to rent or buy the movie so I can watch it again
and plan to get the audiobook as well. Both the movie and the book would make
a lovely gift for any occasion, as well as a great stocking stuffer.
Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris: A Wonderful, Delightful, Inspiring Movie — Reviewed by Margaret Schindel
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
