The first title read from my 10 Books of Summer list, Heather Rose’s extraordinary novel is set against the backdrop of one of the greatest art events in modern history.
Book Reviews
Paula Bardell-Hedley reviews a variety of books.
BOOK REVIEW: Conversations with Wilde: A Fictional Dialogue Based on Biographical Facts
Imagined by Oscar Wilde’s own grandson, this fictionalised conversation presents a fascinating biography of the poet, playwright and gay martyr.
BOOK REVIEW: Barnhill: A Novel
I share my thoughts on Norman Bissell’s fictionalised retelling of a crucial period in George Orwell’s life.
THE CLASSICS CLUB: The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
I share my thoughts on a collection of twelve short stories by Arthur Conan Doyle, featuring his fictional detective Sherlock Holmes.
THOUGHTS ON: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
Written with warmth and humour as a series of letters, this novel appeared in my life when most needed.
BOOK REVIEW: Intimate Ties: Two Novellas
First published in 1911, Intimate Ties is Robert Musil’s second book, consisting of two novellas, ‘The Culmination of Love’ and ‘The Temptation of Silent Veronica.’
THOUGHTS ON: The Bookshop
In a small English town of Hardborough Florence Green decides, against polite but determined opposition, to open a bookshop.
THOUGHTS ON: Public library and other stories
A splendidly inventive collection of short stories from Ali Smith, author of How to be both, winner of the Baileys Women’s Prize and the Costa Novel Award.
BOOK REVIEW: The World of Moominvalley
The World of Moominvalley is simply the ultimate guide for any Moomin fan, old or new.
THE CLASSICS CLUB: The Wind in the Willows
I share my thoughts on one of the most adored children’s novels of all time.
BOOK REVIEW: Doggerland
A cleverly inventive, well-crafted debut novel about loneliness and hope – set on an offshore windfarm in the near future.
BOOK REVIEW: The Unhappiness of Being a Single Man: Essential Stories
A collection of Franz Kafka’s short stories showcasing his dark imagination and wry humour.
THOUGHTS ON: The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion
We look back at a powerful memoir exploring death, illness, marriage and memory from an iconic American writer.
THE CLASSICS CLUB: Treasure Island
A voyage for buried treasure spells trouble for cabin boy Jim Hawkins, who finds himself in the middle of a mutiny with some of the nastiest pirates to ever sail the seven seas.
READING: Bodily Harm by Margaret Atwood
We look back at the 1981 political thriller ‘Bodily Harm’ for Margaret Atwood Reading Month.
BOOK REVIEW: Crimson
Crimson is a tale of love, lust, despondency and queer life in modern Greenland.
THE CLASSICS CLUB: The Haunting of Hill House
A classic supernatural thriller by an author who helped define the genre.
REREADING: Matilda by Roald Dahl
Reading the original, magical story after thirty years before sampling a collectors edition with a brand new cover from Quentin Blake.
BOOK REVIEW: Murder by the Book: The crime that shocked Victorian literary London
A gripping investigation into a crime that scandalized literary London.
THE CLASSICS CLUB: Alias Grace
Based on the true story of one of the most enigmatic and notorious women of the 1840s, Margaret Atwood has created an extraordinarily potent tale of sexuality, cruelty and mystery.
