Serena Vitale

Advantages: An inspiring book that can improve the quality of life.
Disadvantages: ...

...As you would expect from me, this is a review about a book that is very Zen-related. Its author Karlfried Graf Von Dürckheim (1896-1988) was a philosopher and psychotherapist who lived in Japan learning the techniques of zazen (meditation) from Zen masters. A technique that focuses on the hara (lower abdomen) that is equivalent to focusing on the centre of Self - or True Essence of Being. I would think, that living to the age of 92, as many Zen masters tend to do, he learned something of considerable value for living in today's modern world. Dürckheim writes in an authoritative and convincing style that is also very inspiring, yet it is a style that seems devoid of ego. Hara, The Vital Centre of Man is a book I have owned since the early 80s and still refer back to its pages from time to time. It is not a long book being just... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Great characters, intersting plot twists
Disadvantages: The cover

...Virtue by Serena Mackesy must be the most mismarketed book I’ve ever read. I bought it as an afterthought as there was a buy two get one free offer in WH Smiths. It is a fascinating, complex well written book masquerading as chick lit. Thoughts on picking it up in the shop The book has a bright blue cover with a picture of an angel/devil girl. The blurb reads "Saints, sinners, and the mere mortals in between What do you do you do you need to become a saint these days? Ambition, determination and a good pr. but what o you do when your mother is a saint and you just want to be human? Anna and Harriet share a burden: hellishly saintly mothers. So armed with a wicked sense of humour, they set out to paint the town red. And for a while life goes swimmingly. But when they tread on one toe too many the find that they only have... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Well-told, humourous, stylish
Disadvantages: The ending fizzles out a bit; the rest is pretty flawless

...A writer many of you will never have heard of, and a title which few of you will have picked up in WH Smith's. And alas, it's your own loss, because Serena Mackesy is THE best new author of the last few years and 'Virtue' is one of the best new books to have been released recently. Although not has good as her debut 'The Temp' - how could anyone follow up such a strong debut? - 'Virtue' is nonetheless an enjoyable, clever read about the realr depth of friendhsips. The blurb on the back cover is terrible, but the basics are that Anna and Harriet are two friends whose lifestyles are very different to those of their mothers - 'Grace Waters' and 'Godiva Fawcett' who, in the novel, are two leading women in their generation. The ensuing tale - of tabloid embarrasment and, as suggested by the title, virtue in the face of animosity, is well told... Read review

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