Holy Days Winners Announced

Thanks to everyone who entered my giveaway to win 1 of 2 double passes to see Holy Days. The movie opens in cinemas this week and everyone correctly identified that Holy Days is a comedy set in New Zealand.

The giveaway closed at midnight last night and I drew the two lucky winners today. Congratulations go to:

Thomas & Diana

Congratulations Thomas and Diana, you're both off to the cinema thanks to Kismet Movies. But don't worry, you don't have to go together, you've each won a double pass to see Holy Days valued at $40 so you can go with a friend or family member. I'll be emailing your tickets shortly and hope you enjoy the film.

Carpe Librum!

WIN 1 of 2 Double Passes to see Holy Days

* Giveaway courtesy of Kismet Movies *

Intro

Can you smell popcorn? That's because I'm back again with more movie tickets up for grabs for lucky Carpe Librum readers. Holy Days is a comedy set in New Zealand starring Miriam Margolyes, Judy Davis and Jacki Weaver based on the book by the same name written by Kiwi author Dame Joy Cowley.

Holy Days is in cinemas from 6 August 2026 and I've teamed up with Kismet Movies to give away 2 double passes for the film valued at $40 per double pass. Enter below and you could be off to the movies!

Synopsis

In 1970s New Zealand, young Brian is devastated by the loss of his mother and determined to stop his dad from marrying the woman he sees as her replacement. Convinced he can reach his mother through prayer and penance, Brian finds refuge at a run-down convent with three delightfully eccentric elderly nuns. But when he overhears plans to shut the convent down and split the sisters apart, sending the most vulnerable to a terrifying institution, Brian sparks an unlikely mission: escape to the Southern Alps to find a former nun-turned-lawyer who might just save them all. For Brian, it’s more than a legal battle—he believes this is the miracle he’s been praying for, a chance to reunite with his mother atop the sacred mountain, Aoraki.

What follows is a wild, hilarious, and heartwarming road trip as a boy and three nuns face down their fears, outwit crooked officials, lose a sister to fishmongers, and even cash a bet shop win, all while racing against time to save their beloved convent. With its soul firmly planted in faith, family, and fierce loyalty, Holy Days is a joyful comedy packed with heart, humour, and high-speed hijinks. It’s a story about letting go, holding on, and finding home in the most unexpected places.

You can check out the trailer here and find out more details about the movie including which cinemas will be playing the film here.

Giveaway

This giveaway has now closed. It was open to entrants in Australia and entries closed at midnight AEST Sunday 2 August 2026. The double passes will be emailed, enabling the lucky winners to plan and attend the screening from the opening day onwards. Thanks to Kismet Movies for the giveaway and good luck!

Carpe Librum!

H is for Hawk Winners Announced

Thanks to everyone who entered my giveaway to win 1 of 3 double passes to see H is for Hawk. The movie is out this week and everyone correctly identified that the film is based on the memoir of the same name by Helen Macdonald.

The giveaway closed at midnight last night and I drew the lucky winners today, congratulations to:

Glen Donaldson, Liz H and Roberto Colombi

Congratulations Glen, Liz and Roberto, you're off to the movies! You've each won a double pass to see H is For Hawk valued at $40 thanks to Kismet Movies. I'll be emailing your tickets and hope you enjoy the film.

For those who missed out, I'm in the process of organising another giveaway so stay tuned.

Carpe Librum!

WIN 1 of 3 Double Passes to See H is For Hawk

* Giveaway courtesy of Kismet Movies *

Intro

Booklovers are often excited to see a beloved book being adapted for the big screen and H is For Hawk is in cinemas from 28 May 2026. H is For Hawk is a memoir by Helen Macdonald and was published in 2014 to great acclaim. The exciting news for Carpe Librum readers is that I've teamed up with Kismet Movies to give away 3 double passes for the film screening valued at $40 per double pass. Enter and you could be off to the movies!

Synopsis

When grief takes flight, so does hope. Claire Foy and Brendan Gleeson deliver a powerful, heartfelt performance in H Is For Hawk, the visually stunning cinematic adaptation of Helen Macdonald’s internationally bestselling memoir. Follow Helen’s journey as she navigates loss, forms a bond with the wild goshawk Mabel, and rediscovers herself through nature, courage, and love.

You can check out the trailer here and find out more details about the movie including which cinemas will be playing the film here.

Giveaway

This giveaway has now closed. It was open to entrants in Australia and entries closed at midnight AEST Sunday 24 May 2026. The double passes will be emailed, enabling the lucky winners to plan and attend the screening from the opening day onwards. Thanks to Kismet Movies for the giveaway and good luck!

Carpe Librum!

Review: Pan's Labyrinth - The Labyrinth of the Faun by Guillermo del Toro & Cornelia Funke

* Copy courtesy of Bloomsbury *

We're all familiar with book to movie adaptations (and each have our favourites) however we rarely see the reverse, the movie to book adaptation. Yet that's what we have here.

The 2006 film Pan's Labyrinth was written and directed by Guillermo del Toro and won 3 Academy Awards. Now he's teamed up with bestselling author and illustrator Cornelia Funke (Inkheart trilogy) to produce this dark fantasy novel Pan's Labyrinth - The Labyrinth of the Faun.

Set in 1940s Spain, Ofelia and her pregnant mother are forced to move in with her new husband Vidal, an evil man serving as a Captain in the Spanish Army. Vidal and his soldiers are charged with capturing the rebels in the forest intent on disrupting and undermining the Francoist dictatorship.

Ofelia is unhappy in her new surroundings and clings to her books for solace. She is obsessed with fairytales and the story takes off when she sees a real fairy in the forest and is given a set of tasks to do as part of a quest.

This is a dark fairytale for adults that is overflowing with fable, folklore and fairytale, including the following familiar tropes: the evil stepfather, the lost princess, a magical book, an enchanted forest, a quest, magical animals, a maze, good versus evil and more.

I immediately fell in love with Ofelia and really felt for her plight. My reading experience was further enhanced by the haunting illustrations that brought the magical realism of the story to life. And don't you just love that cover?

There is real violence here, although viewers of the movie and readers of the original Grimms' Fairy Tales won't be surprised. Despite this, Ofelia's bravery and heart shine through and the side stories of witches and curses were well placed and added further layers to the story.

I haven't seen the movie, but after enjoying the novel so much it's definitely going on my list.

Pan's Labyrinth - The Labyrinth of the Faun by Guillermo del Toro and Cornelia Funke is a spellbinding read and highly recommended!

My rating = *****

Carpe Librum!

Review: A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

It's taken a while, but I've finally read A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness. This is a moving young adult novel and I was instantly caught up in it thanks to Conor's voice.

Thirteen year old Conor is trying to cope with bullying at school, while at home his Mum is fighting cancer and his Dad is no longer on the scene.

Drawing on an element of magical realism, the novel reads like a fairytale at times as Conor interacts with the monster of the title and begins to face his problems.

A Monster Calls contains themes of terminal illness, love, loss and grief as well as the coming-of-age themes of bullying and fitting in at school.

This short book has been a huge success and I look forward to seeing the film adaptation starring Sigourney Weaver and Liam Neeson when I get the chance.

Highly recommended.

My rating = *****

Carpe Librum!

* I won this copy in an Australian Writers' Centre competition last year.

Review: The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn

* Copy courtesy of Harper Collins *

Some fast facts about The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn:
- The book has been sold in 38 territories around the world
- It's being adapted into a movie by Fox 2000 Studios

In this psychological thriller the main character is Anna Fox, child psychologist now agoraphobe who hasn't left her New York townhouse in almost a year. She's an alcoholic who stalks her neighbours online and spies on them through her windows until she sees something shocking.

I notice this is being compared to The Girl on a Train, but I only agree with that so far as the main character has a drinking problem, sees something and can be unreliable but that's as far as it goes. I like Anna and was cheering her on whereas Rachel made me groan out loud in frustration.

I seem to enjoy agoraphobic characters and it was no different here. It was fascinating to see how Anna struggled with her condition and what she does to fill in her time while still trying to remain useful to society.

There were a few twists and turns at the end that had me speeding through the pages and all in all this was an exciting and unpredictable read. Fans of old black and white films will love the cinema references and parallels between this novel and Alfred Hitchcock’s film Rear Window.

I enjoyed this more than The Girl on a Train and think it's going to be a fantastic thriller movie when it hits the big screen.

My rating = ****1/2

Carpe Librum!

P.S. Read a FREE sample of the novel here.

Review: Guinness World Records 2017: Blockbusters!

* Copy courtesy of Pan Macmillan Australia *

Guinness World Records (GWR) books are a household name and almost need no introduction at all. GWR continues to move with the times and their latest book Guinness World Records 2017: Blockbusters! is proof of that and a collection like no other.

With entertainment categories that include: Watch, Browse, Read, Play, Go and Consume, there is definitely something for everyone. Obviously I enjoyed the Read section the most, particularly the most expensive children's book sold at auction (the handwritten copy of The Tales of Beedle the Bard by JK Rowling bound in leather and mounted with silver and moonstones). I also enjoyed finding out the highest earning author and Top 10 kids' book villains.

I always enjoy seeing other people's collections and there is plenty to satisfy in Guinness World Records 2017: Blockbusters! The Browse chapter has a bunch of online stats and info including memorable memes, most viewed videos and most viewed wiki pages. I will say that some of the coloured font boxes were too dark and made reading the text inside them a little difficult at night. 

Other than that, there is a variety of information in Guinness World Records 2017: Blockbusters! to pique the interest of any reader regardless of age. Recommended for kids, libraries, schools and more.

My rating = ***

Carpe Librum!

Book vs. Movie: The Light Between Oceans

In 2012 I reviewed The Light Between Oceans by M. L. Stedman, giving it 5 stars. I enjoyed exploring the moral dilemma faced by the young married couple living on remote Janus Island post World War I. Tom is seeking refuge after the war and applies for the job of lighthouse keeper on Janus Island off the coast of Australia. He meets and marries Isabel and together they try to start a family; albeit unsuccessfully. When a baby in a boat washes ashore, they're faced with a moral dilemma and the repercussions of the dilemma weigh heavy on them both.

When I learned the book was being made into a film, I was excited and hopeful the movie would successfully capture the stunning scenery and communicate the isolation. I needn't have worried. I thoroughly enjoyed the film - and the cinematography in particular - and recognised a few well-known Aussie actors amongst the cast members. It's a slow and atmospheric movie exploring love and grief, so those looking for action and adventure will need to look elsewhere.

In this case I maintain the book was better, but the movie was a solid and true translation of the novel and was entertaining on the big screen. You don't need to have read the book to enjoy the movie.

Carpe Librum!

Review: Viva la Repartee - Clever Comebacks and Witty Retorts from History's Great Wits & Wordsmiths by Dr. Mardy Grothe

I always appreciate a witty comeback or clever retort and for that reason I picked up Viva la Repartee - Clever Comebacks and Witty Retorts from History's Great Wits & Wordsmiths by Dr. Mardy Grothe.

While I did enjoy some of the content, I was overwhelmingly frustrated by the fact that there was very little material post 1995, and the majority of examples were from actors and writers from decades ago, and an abundance of entries from Winston Churchill.

Now while Churchill has some of the best comebacks of all time, there was no current material to offset the time spent on silver screen actors and nation leaders from 50+ years ago.

Here are five of the best worth recording here:

From Page 30 
Outraged father says: "You think you can run this school any damn way you please, don't you?" In response, Educator Horace Dutton Taft replies: Your  manner is crude and your language vulgar, but you have somehow got the point.

From Page 33-34
I didn't know where the expression 'off the cuff' originated, and was fascinated to learn: it comes from the world of formal affairs in the 1930s, when tuxedo-clad dinner guests would jot brief notes on the cuffs of their sleeves during the meal in order to give the impression of speaking spontaneously later on when they were called upon to deliver a few after-dinner remarks. Such remarks were clearly not spontaneous, but as years passed the expression took on the meaning it has today.

From Page 186
As he got older, Churchill retained his sense of humor, despite many of the predictable problems associated with aging. When told by a friend that his fly was open, he suggested it was no big deal, saying with resigned acceptance: A dead bird does not leave its nest.

In summary, I'd recommend Viva la Repartee by Mardy Grothe as a coffee table book or a library selection, but don't expect to be 'wowed' on every page. The gems are sprinkled throughout.

My rating = **

Carpe Librum!

Review: The Shining by Stephen King

The Shining by Stephen King hardly needs an introduction at all. Most readers have either read the book, seen the movie or at least know the premise behind this thriller from the storytelling master of the page, Stephen King.

Being such a fan of Stephen King's works, I thought it was about time I read his 1977 classic and I wasn't disappointed. I won't bother re-hashing the well-known plot, except to say that young Danny and the chef-come-mentor Hallorann were my favourite characters.

The decline of Danny's father in the Overlook Hotel was convincing and creepy, although my favourite scene from the movie - where it is revealed that instead of writing his play, Jack has been writing the phrase 'all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy' over and over again on his typewriter - is not in the original novel. 

Reading The Shining has renewed my interest in the movie and I hope to watch it again soon. I have a copy of the sequel released in 2013, Doctor Sleep and look forward to finding out what became of Danny and his psychic gifts or the ability to shine.

So, have you read The Shining, and/or watched Stanley Kubrick's movie The Shining? Which did you prefer?

My rating = ****

Carpe Librum!

N.B. This book counts towards my participation in the Mount TBR Reading Challenge 2015.

Review: Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn & Movie Adaptation

I think it's fair to say that Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn was the 'it book' in 2012, and has now been made into a successful film featuring Ben Affleck.

Background
I didn't read Gone Girl when it was on top of the bestseller lists in 2012 and 2013 and am only coming to it now. I never like to be a 'sheep in the crowd' and if a book becomes too trendy it becomes a bit of a turn off for me and I prefer to see if it lasts the test of time before giving it a chance.

Well, Gone Girl has definitely gone the distance and the film adaptation of the novel is also receiving great reviews, so it was time for me to see what all the fuss was about.

Book Review
The only thing I knew going into Gone Girl was that there was a 'twist' of some sort and an unreliable narrator. This knowledge did not spoil the plot for me at all and I was equally surprised by both.

Nick and Amy were a fascinating couple and the thrilling plot kept me on the edge of my seat. I didn't like the ending (because of my bias for one of the characters) but as far as a book ending goes, it was brilliant; satisfying in that we know everything and there are no questions left unanswered, but frustrating in the predicament of one of the characters and the triumph of another.

I'll say no more, other than I now see why Gone Girl has continued to feature in top 10 lists and is a favourite of many of my bookish friends.

My rating = ****

Movie Review
I watched the movie version of Gone Girl relatively soon after finishing the novel, and I was very pleased to find it kept so closely to the book. With a run time of 2 hours and 25 minutes, there was plenty of time to do the different story arcs justice and the actors cast in the roles of Amy and Nick were very convincing.

I watched it with someone who had not read the book, and they had to revise their theory of 'who did it' several times, having no clue what was going to happen next, which was exactly how I felt reading the book.

Whether you read the book or choose to see the movie instead, Gone Girl is a great thriller and I highly recommend it!

Carpe Librum!

Interview with Tom Rob Smith, author of Child 44 and The Farm

Author Tom Rob Smith
Photo credit: James Hopkirk

Tom, thanks so much for your time and for joining me at Carpe Librum. I recently read The Farm, and wow! I was thoroughly gripped from the very beginning, and exclaimed out loud 3 times during the novel I was so entranced by your writing. Are you surprised by its success? (Published earlier this year and already the film rights have been sold).
Thanks, I’m really pleased you enjoyed the novel. The notion of surprise is a hard one to unpick. The truth is you never know how a book is going to be received by readers. You hope they’ll respond positively and connect with the material. You work hard to try and achieve that reaction but in the end, it’s out of your hands, so there’s always an element of surprise.

Without any spoilers, have you found the majority of your readers side with one particular parent?
I’m amazed by the variety of different reactions. This connects to your previous question, readers have such incredibly contrasting feelings, it’s quite remarkable to me, and fascinating.

Given the inspiration for The Farm was based on real events in your own family, how have your parents responded to the novel and upcoming film?
They’ve supported it – they read all the drafts, they were at the launch, and my mum is coming with me to the book fair in Gothenborg. The novel is a work of fiction, and all the characters are my creations, so the only intersection with reality is the concept of whether to believe your mum is insane, or your dad is a criminal.

I’m really looking forward to watching The Farm when it comes to the big screen, how much involvement will you have on the project? Will you be involved in any of the casting decisions?
This time round, I’m going to be involved.

Where do you do most of your writing and when do you do your best work?
In my study, but I’ve recently bought a very thin new laptop and I quite like working in public spaces now, it makes me view the writing in a different light, which is useful.

I’m very much a morning writer, I start early, if I’m not at my desk by 6.30AM I feel the day has got off to a bad start.

Do you listen to music when you write or do you prefer silence? Do you have a messy workspace or do you prefer a clutter free environment for writing?
I work in silence, mostly, but if I need to write in the afternoon, or evening, I’ll use music. My study is very tidy, but not obsessively so.

After falling in love with The Farm (your latest release), I read your debut novel Child 44 and the first thing I noticed was the different writing styles. Was this intentional or a result of the contemporary nature of The Farm versus Stalinist Russia in Child 44?
The big shift was from a third person narrative to a first person narrative, from a voice that the reader trusted emphatically, to a voice the reader questioned. But sure, the change in setting and the movement from historic to contemporary will have played a big part too.

Can you tell us about the research you undertake? What is some of the more unusual resource material you've consulted or research you've undertaken?
There’s nothing particularly unusual about my research, I just read a lot of books, as much as possible. The travel is useful too, but I would place all my emphasis on the importance of books, far more than the internet, which is full of brief extracts, bullet points, but for the internet, a few pages of text looks long, when in fact, it wouldn’t even be enough to constitute an introduction to a book. 

Did you buy these books or borrow them from the library? Do you prefer paper or e-books?

I bought them, even though I had very little money at the time, because I wanted to make a psychological commitment to finishing the novel [Child 44]. I’m glad I did, because they now sit on my shelves, and I feel a sort of connection to them. 

I much prefer hard copies of books, partly because I love having them on bookshelves. E-Books are spectacularly convenient though, particularly when traveling. 

Child 44 has been translated into 36 languages, is a major bestseller and quickly attracted the interests of Ridley Scott. It’s due to hit the big screen in April 2015 and I was wondering if your script to screen success is due to your experience and background in TV and screenwriting. What do you think?
I think writing in any medium helps writing in other mediums, even when they’re very different forms. Writing, for me, is about story and character and that’s true for novels and screenplays.

With regards to the movie of CHILD 44, I actually saw it recently for the first time, and it’s sensational. The love story is incredibly powerful and moving, the whole movie is beautifully directed, and there are some amazing sequences. The cast really couldn’t be any better, in my view. Sounds like we're in for a treat!

I noticed Noomi Rapace (who played Lisbeth Salander in The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo) has been cast as Raisa in Child 44 the movie. Did you ever have particular actors in mind when writing the novel, given you first pitched the idea as the basis for a movie?
I didn’t, actually, in fact, I’m often quite vague about the appearance of a character, except where it’s relevant to the plot.

What’s your first love now, books or TV and movies?
I couldn’t possibly rank them!

What are you reading at the moment?
I’m actually in the middle of researching my new novel: it’s something epic after the tight, claustrophobia of THE FARM. But I’m always cautious about discussing my new novels, ideas are fragile, and they need protecting until they're fully formed.

Do you have any literary influences?
Every book I’ve ever read is an influence, but if I was being more helpful, I’d point to writers who are great with narrative, Conrad and Orwell, for example.

I am happiest when…?
Writing. That might sound unbelievable, or glib, but I suspect it to be true, maybe there’s something wrong about that, I’m not sure. It’s probably the only time I feel completely at ease.

What's next? What are you working on at the moment?
I’m finishing the final rewrites on a television mini-series called London Spy, a contemporary thriller, which goes into production in a few weeks. Five episodes, for the BBC.

Thanks so much Tom! I really appreciate your time, and look forward to seeing your books on the big screen.  Best of luck with the new novel.

Review: The Farm by Tom Rob Smith

Oh my goodness! I've been hanging out to read The Farm by Tom Rob Smith ever since I heard the premise:

Daniel's parents have retired to Sweden, and all seems well until he receives a call from his father.
"Your mother's not well.  She's been imagining things - terrible, terrible things. She's had a psychotic breakdown, and has been committed to a mental hospital." 

But then his mother rings to say: "I'm sure your father has spoken to you. Everything that man has told you is a lie. I'm not mad. I don't need a doctor. I need the police. I'm about to board a flight to London. Meet me at Heathrow."  (Source: GoodReads).

Daniel then has to decide which of his parents to believe.  I was instantly hooked by the premise, and instantly gripped by the plot as soon as I picked up the book.

In fact, there was so much tension in The Farm, that I actually exclaimed, out loud, twice!  The first was when Daniel's Mum says the simple words: "I told him everything" and I instantly yelled out "NO!"

And the second was when it was clear Daniel had made his decision about which parent to believe (no spoilers though).  Oh, and the ending too, so I guess that makes three out loud exclamations and luckily for me they all occurred at home.

The Farm is a mystery and psychological thriller, which is surprising given the content is not driven by action so much as learning the truth about what took place.  The plot is tight and the tension is palpable, and I thoroughly enjoyed it and highly recommend it.  

I was also pleased to learn the movie rights have been sold, hopefully it's not too long before we can watch The Farm on the big screen.  Get it, read it now!

My rating = *****

Carpe Librum!

Review: The Book of Lists by David Wallechinsky & Amy Wallace

The Book of Lists - The Original Compendium of Curious Information by David Wallechinsky and Amy Wallace is a clever non-fiction collection of trivia and interesting stories and information broken down into the following chapters:

• People
• Movies
• The Arts
• Food and Health
• Animails
• Work and Money
• Sex, Love and Marriage
• Crime
• War, Politics and World Affairs
• Travel
• Literature
• Words
• Sports
• Death
• Miscellaneous

The book gets its title because all information contained within each chapter is presented in list form.  For example, in Chapter 1, People, we have a list of 6 People Whose Names Were Changed By Accident; which happens to include: Buddy Holly and Oprah Winfrey.

Here are some of my favourite lists from the book:

• 8 Memorable Lines Erroneously Attributed To Film Stars (Movies)
• 10 Famous Insomniacs (Food & Health)
• 10 Really Unusual Medical Conditions (Food & Health)
• The Cat Came Back: 9 Cats Who Travelled Long Distances To Return Home (Animals)
• 15 Famous People Who Worked In Bed (Work & Money)
• 11 Most Unusual Objects Sold on eBay  (Work & Money)
• Witticisms of 9 Condemned Criminals (Crime)
• 29 Words Rarely Used In Their Positive Form (Words)
• 10 Celebrated People Who Read Their Own Obituaries (Death)
• 16 Famous Events That Happened In The Bathtub (Miscellaneous)

The Book of Lists is the perfect book to have on the coffee table so that others may enjoy the obscure trivia and hilarity within its pages.  I also found it a great accompaniment to a novel I was reading at the time; enabling me to interchange quite easily depending on my mood.

The Book of Lists contains a wide variety of interesting tidbits, and I just hope I can remember them all.

My rating = ****

Carpe Librum!

Review: The Road by Cormac McCarthy

One way or another, the majority of the population will by now have come across American author Cormac McCarthy's hugely successful post-apocalyptic novel The Road, whether you have read it or not.  

In 2007, The Road won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and in 2009 The Road hit the big screen as a major film featuring actor Viggo Mortensen.

When a book gets too trendy it turns me off a little, but it's clear that The Road has now become an American classic and received much acclaim from all over the world. I knew I'd have to face it sometime, and now I have.

What is clear from early on, is that the two main characters aren't assigned names; they are instead referred to in the narrative as: they, the boy, Papa, he, we, us etc. Also absent from the book are any quotation marks to denote dialogue.

These two writing devices alone create a lean writing style in keeping with the post-apocalyptic setting the father and son find themselves in, the cause of which is never fully explained.  The situation is grim, starving in a land of ash, but the boy's pure heart add simple beauty to the page and balance the devastating story of survival.

I can understand why so many readers were touched by The Road, and furthermore why it has been embraced by environmentalists as a moving example of what could happen if we continue to treat the planet with complete disregard.  The thought is horrific.

For me though, it was a good read, but it didn't change my life, or influence me to go and buy copies for all of my friends and family.  I'm looking forward to watching the movie now though and am interested to hear your thoughts. Have you read the book or seen the movie? What did you think? Did The Road deserve the Pulitzer?

My rating = ***

Carpe Librum!

Review: 84 Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff

84 Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff is a book for booklovers, bibliophiles and those nostalgic for the days of letter writing. It is a collection of letters initiated by Helene Hanff living in New York to a second hand bookshop in London called Messrs Marks and Co.

Commencing in October 1949, Helene mentions that she is a poor writer and that she cannot find the books she wants in New York, and that the ones she can find are "grimy, marked-up school boy copies." She sends her wish list and a budget, and so begins a 20 year correspondence.

Writing back and forth with Frank Doel and requesting volumes, Helene's wit comes across loud and clear and is immeasurably enjoyable for any booklover. Sending parcels during times of rationing and shortages in London, Helene become very popular with the staff at the store, and an amazing relationship builds up over the years.

When Frank passes away after a 20 year correspondence, Helene was inspired to write a book, including some of their letters; with the family's approval of course. She fulfils a long held dream to travel to London to promote the book and keeps a diary during her stay. Her diary was published as The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street - her nickname during her stay - and this edition of 84 Charing Cross Road includes The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street at the back.  

I loved reading the letters for their historical and literary worth and their wit and humour was very uplifting. Here's an example from a letter Helene sends to Frank dated February 9th 1952: 

"SLOTH:
  i could ROT over here before you'd send me anything to read. i oughta run straight down to brentano's which i would if anything i wanted was in print. You may add Walton's Lives to the list of books you aren't sending me. It's against my principles to buy a book I haven't read, it's like buying a dress you haven't tried on, but you can't even get Walton's Lives in a library over here. You can look at it. They have it down at the 42nd street branch. But not to take home! the lady said to me, shocked. eat it here. just sit right down in room 315 and read the whole book without a cup of coffee, a cigarette or air."  Page 45

I heartily recommend 84 Charing Cross Road to those who love books, second hand bookshops and letter writing. This book was made into a film in 1987 starring Judi Dench and Anthony Hopkins and I'm looking forward to watching that next. Has anyone seen it?

My rating = ****

Carpe Librum!

Review: The Name Of The Rose by Umberto Eco

Well, it took 3 1/2 weeks, but I finally finished Umberto Eco's The Name of the Rose, and I've got to admit, it was pretty heavy going. Set in 1327, the tale is narrated by Adso of Melk, a young German monk who accompanies his master, William of Baskerville to a prosperous and wondrous abbey in Italy.

Upon arrival, William is asked by the Abbot to put his powers of observation to work and investigate the death of a monk in the abbey.

Meanwhile, the abbey is home to one of the richest libraries in the land, which is off limits to everyone in the abbey except for the librarian and assistant librarian. Adso and William are keen to unlock the secrets of the labyrinth library, as more monks turn up dead in what appears to be the work of the devil.

What made The Name of the Rose so heavy going for me were the religious discussions and scholarly debates in between the narrative outlined above. The monks discussed whether or not Jesus lived in poverty, whether laughter is a sin and the histories of various sects were discussed in such detail that I found it difficult to follow at times.

There were also frequent latin words and phrases without translation or footnotes, scattered throughout the book; almost one on every page. This was incredibly frustrating and I often felt I was missing out on key information at important junctures.

Having said all of that, I enjoyed the main plot, especially the adventures in the library (now there's a surprise). The Name of the Rose frequently appears on Top 100 and Must Read book lists and I'm glad I've finally read it, however Umberto Eco made me work as a reader and I could certainly tell that this was an Italian to English translation.

Those of you who have seen the 80s movie The Name of The Rose with Sean Connery playing the role of William and Christian Slater playing Adso, will know how the movie ends, however even knowing the ending didn't ruin the reading experience for me.

I was so glad to get to the end though, I can't honestly give it more than three stars.

My rating = ***

Carpe Librum!

Review: 10,000 BC Movie

I just came back from seeing the new movie 10,000BC at the Jam Factory and I loved it!!! It was even better than I was expecting and the CGI was very convincing.

It had me on the edge of my seat a number of times. Go along and see it!

My rating = ****

That's my four bucks!

Review: Perfume by Patrick Suskind

I needed a break from a book I'm reading, and managed to knock off Patrick Suskind's novel Perfume in just a few sittings. I was hooked on the first page, and was looking forward to a riveting read, especially since I have a heightened sense of smell and this promised to be the focus of the book.

Set in the late 1700s, the main character has a superhuman sense of smell. The novel follows his life from his horrific birth at a fish stall, where his mother squats to give birth, cuts the umbilical cord with her carving knife and throws him on the scrap heap.

His life to this point is fascinating, however the plot tends to get more and more unrealistic until it becomes just plain preposterous towards the end. I understand that this novel has been made into a film, and I'm very interested to see it, although I probably wouldn't recommend the book.

Rating = **

Carpe Librum!