Alan Temperley

Advantages: A fast paced adventure for young readers.
Disadvantages: a little on the long side for some children.

...I haven't reviewed a book for a while, so I thought that I would remedy the situation and write about a children's novel I found recently while working down in the Children's Library. This book is an adventure and fastasy tale aimed at 10 to 12 year olds. This story is Ragboy, Rats and the Surging Sea by Alan Temperley. ~~~THE PLOT. The book is about a boy called Silas Fisher. He survives by scavenging and beachcombing in a world of hunger, danger and cruelty. The adventure really starts when Silas finds a Mermaid (called Oooli) who has been hurt during a big storm at sea. Silas looks after the Mermaid and offers to protect her from harm, while tending her wounds and nursing her back to health. The problem begins when some very evil villains (Albert and Jasper Dredge) find out about Ooli and want to capture her to make money... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: the depth of the character, believable and each unique
Disadvantages: None i can think of

...Although the characters are finctional,grounded no doubt on Alan's past experience and chance meetings,They are colourful, bright and full of life. Each of the monologues are unique to the next, Bennett creates a world of his own allowing the reader to see through the eyes of his characters and gain an insight into their, more often than not, tragic lives. The alcoholic Vicar's wife, the lady with the dead husband, financially ruined yet continues, All the characters have tragedies, whether this is intentional on Alan Bennett's part or sheer coincedence, when you read this book, the colouful language, the minute discription, attention to detail.allows this book to touch your heart, allows you to identify with the characters and to become inveloped in the world that Alan Bennett created. A marvellous piece of literature... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: discriptive,tragic, humourous and charming
Disadvantages: none

...One of the most disturbuing parts of Alan Bennetts life is read aloud by him. When assaulted in Italy,Alan, then realises how many of his birthdays have been spend either ill or in hospital. He relects on the tragedy of his life in a way that is totally unsurpassed and unique to him. Bennetts, way with words, his unique sense of humour and ability to turn darkness to light , makes this a fantastic audio book. Allows the listener a privilaged insight into his private life, his thoughts and his feelings. This is a wonderful story, you feel honoured to be allowed to know so much about his life, and read from his own lips, makes his story all the more poignant. This is part 4 own his diaries and can be heard alone, but having heard and read all of his diary collection, it is a fitting sequel and would be well purchased alongside... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful