Modern Fiction Books > Tony Black Modern Fiction Books

Holding Out for a Hero

Advantages: plot, characters, style
Disadvantages: /

...itself tells the story of Katy Carter. She may just be an English teacher, but she dreams of becoming a number one best selling author. Though she had to put her dream on hold for a while as she had a Dinner Party to plan for her partner James. Though when it all goes horribly wrong, Katy's life changes dramatically. Will she get her dream of becoming a top novelist, or will her writing just be scribbles on the page? This is most certainly an exciting ...
...about budding authors, as I always wonder if that is how the author of the book felt. Perhaps Ruth Saberton used to scrawl ideas and stories all over pages and pages! The author's style in this book is what makes it particularly interesting. It is incredibly descriptive, allowing you to create clear images of the events in your head. It's quite a busy book, with a lot going on in a short space of time, though it is so wonderfully written that I found ...

Amy69 16.11.2009 · Read full review
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Review of Katy Carter Wants a Hero - Ruth Saberton

Human Traces by Sebastian Faulks

Advantages: Amazing subject matter, well-handled and excellent characterisation
Disadvantages: May be a little long for some - but I didn't want it to end.

...understand the mystery of the human mind and in particular the meeting of thought and flesh. Jacques studies under the great neurologist Charcot in Paris; Thomas sees madness close up as a junior doctor in an English county lunatic asylum." I couldn't go further than this without giving away the entire story, but all I will say is that this brief description does capture the essence of the stroy and its three central characters in Thomas, Jacques ...
...epic sweeping study of the human mind that it is. The characters are outstandingly well drawn, and the subject matter handled sensitively and in an enlightening way. It's not fluffy lighthearted bedtime reading (I'd say avoid if Marian keyes et al - urgh - is your thing) but is well worth the investment of your time and energy. Overall, another masterpiece from Faulks. Summary: Just read it! ...

laukez88 16.11.2009 · Read full review
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Review of Human Traces - Sebastian Faulks

Crazy not to read it

Advantages: gripping read
Disadvantages: obvious

...to character, as a reader you always know where you are and what is happening which is quite nice for an easy read. Carole Matthews has an easy style of writing, and despite some of her books having too much information in this one fits perfectly around the plot with just enough information to draw you in and be living the life of Anna. I found that my heart strings were really tugged on during the book, despite guessing the ending very easily. ...
...made a nice happy ending so all was well. If you’re a fan of Matthews then I would really suggest you read this but if you like some slight mystery and suspense or twists in a book then this one really isn’t for you. ISBN: 978-0755309962 Published: 2006 ...

abbadabbado 16.11.2009 · Read full review
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Review of You Drive Me Crazy - Carole Matthews

The Gift

Advantages: Very Well Written.
Disadvantages: Start is a bit confusing.

This is the third novel of Cecelia Ahern's that I have read and, while PS I Love You was probably my favourite, this is still a very good book. This book is about Lou Suffern, a workaholic who seems to put his work, meetings and colleagues before anything else. His family seem to be way down at the bottom of his priorities. On his way into work one day, he stops to speak to Gabe, a homeless man and he becomes intrigued as Gabe seems to know more ...
...manages to be everywhere in the office at one time, Lou starts to become suspicious and resentful of Gabe - he wonders if Gabe is out to get his job. This book is set around Christmas time, when people put family first. Lou doesn't and Gabe warns him to do so before it is too late. There is a message in this book for everybody. This book was wonderfully written with very well put together characters, although the only thing that put me off this ...

jules.34 16.11.2009 · Read full review
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Review of The Gift - Cecelia Ahern

20 Fragments of a Ravenous Youth: Bittersweet.

Advantages: Realistic, enjoyable, bittersweet.
Disadvantages: Too short, some undeveloped characters, culture differences.

...buying that book I discovered 20 Fragments of a Ravenous Youth in my local library, naturally I picked it up so I could finally see how good of an author Xiaolu Guo was and see whether or not I should go look for the other books she has written. I can tell you now that I am planning on looking for a copy of her other works, she's brilliant. Fenfang has left the slow and boring life of the sweet potato fields and has come to Beijing, she now works ...
...made up for it. 20 Fragments of a Ravenous Youth consists of small chapter length snippets of Fenfang and life in Beijing through her point of view. I was confused at some points of the book because of cultural differences between England and Beijing about certain laws and social life but the confusion didn't take away any of my enjoyment while reading this. This book gave a fun but realistic look on life for the younger generation in modern time ...

Mistybrook 16.11.2009 · Read full review
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Review of 20 Fragments of a Ravenous Youth - Xiaolu Guo