Sarah Dreher

Advantages: a personal story of a mothers in turmoil
Disadvantages: none

...This book I have read three times now.... It is written by Sara Payne.. Mother of Sarah Payne who was sadly murdered by Roy Whiting a known sex offender.. The book follows Sara & Michael's story from before Sarah's birth taking you through their feelings of having a girl after already having two sons on a low income, all through Sarah's early childhood... you get a sence of knowing the family quite well through the early chapters... The book then turns to that dreadfull day in July (july 1st, 2000) from the children playing happily on the beach in sussex to the moment Sarah was gone.. It then takes you through the weeks of searching for Sarah, the families feelings how they coped.. or didnt.. and to the day that Sarah's body was found... a very very traumatising day for the family, through this book Sara talks of her pain anger... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Excellent reading, makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up.
Disadvantages: None

...John Smith (Johnny)had an accident while skating on ice in January 1953 he had a head injury. But now he's all grown up and works as a high school teacher. He has a friend called Sarah Bracknell who is also a teacher. They go to a county fair where Johnny realises that he loves Sarah and she loves him. As they are about to leave Sarah eats a bad hot dog and starts to feel rather sick. On the way back to the car they stop at a the Wheel of Fortune stand. Here Johnny gets some strong vibes and wins five hundred and forty dollars. After driving Sarah home he calls a cab from Sarah's apartment. On the journey back to his house the cab crashes head on into a car thats been racing in the street. Johnny is sent through the windcscreen. Johnny ends up in a coma. The shock sends his already deeply religous mother into increasingly more crazy... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Evocative, great story lines
Disadvantages: Long wait between works!

...Sarah Waters is, perhaps, one of the most intelligent and appealing writers of sapphic stories. Her real appeal lies in her ability to tell a very good tale, in wonderful detail, without becoming boring. Often, in an attempt to provide enough detail to 'paint the picture' for the reader, authors become muddled, serving only to turn the reader off. Sarah Waters doesn't forget that although the reader is keen to understand all the facets of any story, he or she isn't devoid of imagination, so doesn't need to be spoon-fed. This great approach means that the sapphic content is often subtle, sometimes only hinted at. This seems appropriate as for many people, perhaps their own sexuality is part of their make-up, rather than the reason for their existence. It's great to read work written by an author that can evoke an atomosphere... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful