Gerhard Charles Rump

Advantages: Great photographs, good production value
Disadvantages: -

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Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Good story
Disadvantages: Selective

...Charles is according to its author, a biographical novel, not a biography. It aims to be accurate but it is also selective and interpretative. As such it is easy and interesting to read. My main desire on completing the novel is to read a real biography about Charles Dickens. Charles serves as an interesting introduction, a way of becoming familiar with personalities without becoming inundated by too much detail initially. It tells a good story which would compel even without the attraction of its famous name. I would recommend this book.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average not helpful

Advantages: Beautiful descriptions of everyday rural life
Disadvantages: Some may find it too old-fashioned and a little sexist

...I was brought up on rather an eclectic literary mix of Longfellow, Charles Dickens, Agatha Christie, Conan Doyle, A E Housman and H E Bates and still love the opportunity to dip back in to my childhood occasionally. H E Bates is probably best known as the author of The Darling Buds of May and the creator of the Larkins. For me, though, it is as a serious author that he is most appreciated. He has written a long list of books, mainly about the war and/or relationships with women, as well as a series of short stories. This particular book consists of a selection of 35 (hence the title) short stories spanning the 1920s through to the 1960s. As a fan of crime fiction, I do appreciate a nice, juicy murder mystery to get my teeth into. However, it is rare that an author of crime fiction is also a superb writer. As far as I am concerned... Read review

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