People Who Changed the World - Rodney Castleden

Advantages: Great characters, amusing
Disadvantages: not hard to put down

...marrying and believes that he can get Emma out of his system if only she would sleep him. He is obviously the Simon Cowell type character. Beryl Blenheim - The world's favourite mum, except she used to be a man, Buster Blenheim a major rock star who married Serenity then decided that he wanted to be a woman. Since then Beryl has become a cosmetic surgery addict as she wants to look her best for her fly on the wall TV show, The Blenheims. Beryl and Serenity are still married and beryl has twin step-daughters Lisa-Marie and Priscilla. So Beryl is the Sharon Osbourne of the judges. Rodney Root - Rodney the third judge on the panel, he's a pop manager and is very envious of his fellow judges and the treatment they receive. Rodney had a romance with one of last year's contestants Iona, from the band Shetland Mist. Rodney promised the group... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Sympathetic characters,interesting story
Disadvantages: The ending is possibly a bit predictable

...Catherine Cookson is, of course, one of our best-known and best-loved authors. I have enjoyed many of her books, and “A House Divided” did not fail to please. The novel centres on Capt.Matthew Wallingham, who is blinded during the last days of the Second World War.He returns home to his wealthy family, but it is not a happy homecoming. His father is ill, his mother very unhappy and his younger brother, Rodney, resents having Matthew around. Matthew’s only ally is his strong-willed gtandmother. Also, Matthew cannot forget Liz, the nurse who cared for him in hospital, and knows that he is in love with her…but could she love a blind man…or is it just pity she feels for him? Liz breaks off her engagement to be with Matthew, with devastating results. And then, the rivalry between Matthew and his brother Rodney, sharpened by Liz’s presence... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: You can get it for a penny on Amazon plus a few laughs
Disadvantages: That is about all it is worth

...I love to read - anything (books, Corn Flake packets, reviews) and so when my son gave me a copy of Ben Eltons book 'Chart Throb' I was instantly curious. I had not read anything by the author since his debut novel 'Stark' in '89 which was okay I suppose, for a first attempt, but lived close to my heart as I had Mr. Elton himself sign the thing. 'Chart Throb', his 11th novel, tells the tale of Calvin Simms (all-round bad guy, womaniser and Simon Cowell mimic) and his popular TV show of the same name. By his side are Beryl Blenhiem (a sex-changed former rock star now married to another woman with two dysfunctional kids - Sharon AND Ozzy in one) and Rodney Root (non-descript entity who blends into the background with the skill of a potted plant - Louie Walsh) as they create an 'X Factor' beater(?) for the salivating British public... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful