Book Review: Dolly by Susan Hill

The remoter parts of the English Fens are forlorn, lost and damp even in the height of summer. At Iyot Lock, a large decaying house, two young cousins, Leonora and Edward are parked for the summer with their ageing spinster aunt and her cruel housekeeper. At first the unpleasantness and petty meannesses appear simply spiteful, calculated to destroy Edward's equanimity. But when spoilt Leonora is not given the birthday present of a specific dolly that she wants, affairs inexorably take a much darker turn with terrifying, life destroying, consequences for everyone.
[The above is from http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16069121-dolly]

I found this to be much scarier than 'The small hand' but not entirely sure I fully understood it. I won't spoil the ending but I came away thinking that what happens to the male character isn't necessary and quite unfair. I think I needed further explanation and I felt that it ended quite abruptly leaving a lot unanswered.

As with all her books Susan Hill has got the atmosphere perfect and I could picture myself in the house, on the fens, in the church yard but always with that sense of unease. I particularly hated Leonara but couldn't help feel sorry for her at the end of the book.

An enjoyable spooky story that will while away a few hours.
 

Susan Hill's ghostly novella is set in the damp and desolate landscape of the English Fens. Young orphan Edward Caley is sent to spend the summer holidays with his Aunt Kestrel at Iyot House. There he gets to know his spoilt cousin Leonora. What happens that summer has lasting consequences... - See more at: http://www.susanhill.org.uk/dolly#sthash.YJidM1HK.dpuf

Susan Hill's ghostly novella is set in the damp and desolate landscape of the English Fens. Young orphan Edward Caley is sent to spend the summer holidays with his Aunt Kestrel at Iyot House. There he gets to know his spoilt cousin Leonora. What happens that summer has lasting consequences... - See more at: http://www.susanhill.org.uk/dolly#sthash.YJidM1HK.dpuf

Susan Hill's ghostly novella is set in the damp and desolate landscape of the English Fens. Young orphan Edward Caley is sent to spend the summer holidays with his Aunt Kestrel at Iyot House. There he gets to know his spoilt cousin Leonora. What happens that summer has lasting consequences... - See more at: http://www.susanhill.org.uk/dolly#sthash.YJidM1HK.dpuf

Susan Hill's ghostly novella is set in the damp and desolate landscape of the English Fens. Young orphan Edward Caley is sent to spend the summer holidays with his Aunt Kestrel at Iyot House. There he gets to know his spoilt cousin Leonora. What happens that summer has lasting consequences... - See more at: http://www.susanhill.org.uk/dolly#sthash.YJidM1HK.dpuf

Susan Hill's ghostly novella is set in the damp and desolate landscape of the English Fens. Young orphan Edward Caley is sent to spend the summer holidays with his Aunt Kestrel at Iyot House. There he gets to know his spoilt cousin Leonora. What happens that summer has lasting consequences... - See more at: http://www.susanhill.org.uk/dolly#sthash.YJidM1HK.dpuf

Susan Hill's ghostly novella is set in the damp and desolate landscape of the English Fens. Young orphan Edward Caley is sent to spend the summer holidays with his Aunt Kestrel at Iyot House. There he gets to know his spoilt cousin Leonora. What happens that summer has lasting consequences... - See more at: http://www.susanhill.org.uk/dolly#sthash.YJidM1HK.dpuf

Book Review: The Small Hand by Susan Hill

In this short book written by Susan Hill of 'Woman in Black' fame we are told the story of Adam Snow, an antiquarian book dealer, who happens upon an old house and that's when strange ghostly events begin to happen.  Adam is haunted by the ghost of a child and although it begins quite benevolent terrifying events begin to occur.  This book is only 167 pages long so its difficult to give a detailed synopsis without giving too much away.

Even though it was short I thoroughly enjoyed it as a proper spooky ghost story which suited the wintry, stormy weather we've been having recently.  The story although not exactly gripping in my opinion set the scene and atmosphere perfectly and you could quite easily put yourself in Adams' shoes...not that you would want to!  I found it hard to date and it wasn't until towards the end that I mention of the internet helped me place the story in recent times, afterwards I discovered it was published in 2010 but honestly it could have taken place any time between 1850 onwards.  Everything had that feel of dark and enclosed, almost claustrophobic feel, until the very end when doors are open wide and bright lamps are put on.

I found all the characters intriguing in their own way and although we followed the story of Adam I thought that each character played their part well and was believable.

If I had to select a favourite scene it would have to be anywhere at 'White House' where the author goes into great and glorious detail about the state of the house and gardens.  I feel it sets the background for a proper haunting very well without being overly hacked.

Although I enjoyed that the story was short and character backgrounds were kept to a minimum I felt that I came away with a lot of questions that should have been answered, but then a good ghost story should let you make up your own mind I suppose.

Physically I thought the book had a wonderfully ornate cover (shown above), I had the hardback version, and I liked the feel of the paper and the look of the font used throughout.  I liked that the initial in each new chapter was made to reflect the growing of the garden which was at the heart of the story.

If you are looking for a good proper spooky ghost story then this should be your first choice...then read the Woman in Black.

Happy 2014!

Hello and welcome to my first post of 2014.  We're now two days in to the new year and I have been thinking about what I would like to accomplish this year. So here goes:

Knitting

• Finish the knitted squares/blanket from 'Art of Knitting' magazine.  This blanket has been around 6 years in the making and I would love to get it finished this year.  From what I can remember I am half way there and on the learning how to do cables so its quite an exciting project made up of lots of quick, fun knits.
• Stash busting - either sell (eek), give away (bigger eek) or actually use the yarns in my stash.  I'm thinking each month I will make something or give away/sell something that should cut it down by quite a bit.
• Learn to knit in the round.  I realised making the Robin decoration in December I hate making up so think knitting in the round will suit me nicely.
• Knit a pair of socks.  I would love to learn to do this and would really love to start with a book I have called two at a time knitting.  

Watercolour

• Paint a picture representing that month/moment.  Each month aim to paint a picture using my watercolours that represents what is happening that month, any moments or just for fun.
• I'm very much the beginner so anything I do with watercolours is completely new and exciting and I know I have so many techniques to learn.

Sewing

• I want to have a go at making some items I can wear.  I can't help think I'm struggling to find nice pyjamas so might give that a go.  I have a giant white cotton bed sheet we never use so might use that to have a practice
• I also need some napkins for the dining table, not sure what colour or how yet but thats another idea.

Books

• The plan is to go swimming every Friday and I have a waterproof MP3 player that I am hoping I can add an audio book to so I can listen to an audio book each month.
• Each month I attend the Builth Wells Reading Group so have a monthly read from them an often find it difficult to make it through any more books but I do have a wishlist on Amazon the length of..well...the Amazon and a whole bunch of unread books on the bookshelf and on my kindle so it would be nice to make a dent in them this year.

Creative writing

•  I haven't done any since that course last September and it would be nice to try writing something each month but think I may have given myself enough tasks!  Although I hope to use what I learned to write a good book review each month if nothing else.

Exercise

• Keep up the weekly Yoga sessions although this time at home and not at a class.
• Start weekly swimming sessions, Friday nights will probably work best as Mr C is often out with friends so I get a bit of time to myself.
•  In general I'd like to up the amount of walking I do, both throughout the week and a big weekend walk with Mr C.

I think that's quite enough for one year!  So my aim for January is to:

• Knit a square for the knitted blanket
• Give away or knit an item from my stash
• Paint a watercolour for January
• Sew some napkins
• Read Stephen Kings' 11.22.63; Listen to Kate Atkinson Life After Life
• Write book reviews for the above
• Do 4 Yoga sessions, 4 swimming sessions and get out walking

By the way my official new years' resolution is this, to be more optimistic and a friendlier person.  I wasn't sure exactly how to word that and then I seen the new years' message from the Dalai Lama and it clicked.  So my new years' resolution is this...

Book Review : Doctor Sleep

I was keen to read this follow up to 'The Shining.'  Although I only ever watched the film it was a story I enjoyed and was looking forward to getting stuck into another Stephen King novel.  I've read several of Kings novels over the years and loved Misery, Salem's Lot, Gerald's game, Desperation, The Green Mile, The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon, was a touch meh about Liseys story and hated Dream Catcher! I'm also making my way through the audio book versions of The Dark Tower series and enjoying the stories and links to the other novels...but back to the purpose of this review, Doctor Sleep. 

This synopsis is from Stephen King UK website  or you can see the American website here. 

On highways across America, a tribe of people called The True Knot travel in search of sustenance. They look harmless - mostly old, lots of polyester, and devoted to their comfortable Recreational Vehicles. They live off the 'steam' that children with the 'shining' produce when they are slowly tortured to death.  Following a childhood haunted time he spent with his parents at the Overlook Hotel, Dan Torrance has been drifting for decades, desperate to shed his father's legacy of despair, alcoholism, and violence. Finally, he settles into a job at a nursing home in rural New Hampshire where his remnant 'shining' power provides the crucial final comfort to the dying. Aided by a prescient cat, he becomes 'Doctor Sleep.'  Then Dan meets the evanescent Abra Stone, and it is her spectacular gift, the brightest ‘shining’ ever seen, that reignites Dan's own demons and summons him to a battle for Abra's soul and survival . . .

I was fortunate to come across this video of Stephen King reading from Doctor Sleep.  This video explains more about The True Knot, the main 'bad guys' of the book...

I honestly don't know where to begin on how much I enjoyed this book.  The characters were very well drawn and throughout I was enthralled by Danny's story going through a roller coaster of emotions. Their is a particular seen towards the end that almost had me in tears!  I felt protective and drawn to the 'good' characters although was freaked out by the second appearance of Dick which didn't seem to bother Danny.  

Apart from being on the front cover the cat isn't a major player in the story but I felt we would have missed something without him an only relied in the humans. Something about the independent yet caring attitude of the cat that is reflected in Danny's character.

As for the bad guys, the True Knot, I'll never look at a camper the same way again! I didn't see them so much of a threat to begin with but as the story unfolds I found myself being more and more terrified.  I don't want to go on about the scenes I particularly enjoyed as their were quite a few twists and turns and I don't want to give them away but trust me it was a brilliant read!  All I will say is the ending was right for me and ended Danny's story nicely.

As I said at the beginning I am working my way through the Dark Tower series and did pick up early in the book Doctor Sleep the phrase "...their are other worlds than these..." which in the Dark Tower, I think book one, is spoken by one of the characters Jake.  Coincidence? I think not :)

I also picked up a phrase which was in my previous read Resistance (I'm sure just a coincidence and me King isn't stalking my reading habits) "..the devil is beating his wife..."  Hmm, I wonder, is it possible to be haunted by a phrase?

I bought the W.H Smith special collectors edition of Doctor Sleep which differs from the main copies by having purple cat eyes and wisps of steam. The cover felt nice with embossed steam and good paper and print font. I also liked the size of the hardback and format throughout.

If I had to summarise Doctor Sleep in 100 words or less (which I do for several book review sites) I would say:

This sequel to the shining is a must read not just for any King fan but for any fan of horror.  The characters are well drawn and the story keeps you hooked. A magnificent ending to one of Kings earlier stories, the proper ending that the character Danny deserved.

Book Review: Resistance by Owen Sheers

Last week I attended a creative writing taster session.  Never having done creative writing in my puff I didn't have high expectations for the night but have to say I thoroughly enjoyed it.   So as this is a crafty blog and writing is a craft (of sorts) I thought I would publish some of my writing here.  As you can expect with me I don't have much time to knit or sew so the chances of the worlds greatest novel being published here anytime soon is a long shot but hey ho you never know.

I thought I would start gently by posting a book review.  This is something I have wanted to hone my skills on, as I run the Builth Wells Reading Group blog over here, so below is my review of Resistance by Owen Sheers...

Resistance is set in an alternative universe where the Germans are winning World War II and are invading Britain.
Set in a Welsh valley between Hay on Wye and Hereford where a small community of farmers have disappeared in the middle of the night leaving behind the women.
We are led to believe they have gone off to join the 'Resistance' and we are left to explore the unfolding lives of the women left to work on the farms, in a harsh winter, with a German patrol living nearby.
My feelings towards this German patrol were tested throughout the novel.  Initially I began by feeling unsure and a little scared then as the story progressed I found my opinion changing and I became quite fond of them all, especially Albrecht.
My changing feelings were particularly highlighted when in one particular scene a character mistakes the German patrol for the valley farmers and you see the German patrol through those eyes, as though they were the farmers and see no difference between them.
I found I cared for all the characters in the valley and enjoyed the authors descriptions of the area and working farm life.  The audio book in particular was beautifully narrated and although I read some chapters too I wasn't overly keen on the format/look of the print.  I loved the front cover and thought it captured the story well.
The cover is black and white with a lone woman, could be our main character, standing atop a black mountain.  Comforting herself from the elements she seems to be searching for someone, her body language echos both loss and hope.
However I didn't like how the story jumped viewpoints and found it quite disorientating when listening to the audiobook.
Although the was is the backdrop to the novel I didn't feel it was prominent and it was more about working through hardship, community spirit and looking beyond what at first may appear to be a threat which could also be a lifeline.
I liked the valley characters.  The women for their hard work and determination against the Germans, the war and an altered way of life.  I loved how the women didn't give up when the men left, they took on more work and tried their hardest to keep on going.  I also liked the German patrol as although you start believing they are Nazi monsters it goes to show just because you put a uniform on someone and a gun in their hand it doesn't make them a soldier.  And that their true means of survival in the war wasn't to fight.  So you had the women fighting and the men trying hard to abstain, they were a perfect mirror image of each other in a mirrored universe.
Overall I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to those who enjoy historical fiction but especially those living or have an interest in the Welsh valleys.

You can find out more about Owen Sheers and Resistance on the Owen Sheers website.

Incidentally I am now reading 'A casual vacancy' by J.K. rowling as part of the book group read this month, feel free to join in and post comments on our blog :)