Film Review - 'Midnight in Paris'

Midnight in Paris is a 2011 film from director Woody Allen. The film focuses on the main character of Gil, an American who navigates his way around Paris with his fiancée.

The film incorporates elements of fantasy and nostalgia as Gil mysteriously goes back in time to 1920s Paris each night at midnight.

 

The film presents a visible tension between American and French culture, or rather, the stereotypes that American culture holds of France.

 

 

Themes of nostalgia, memory, and history are ruminated upon against a romantic Parisian background and this allows for an exploration of characters and of the city itself.

With many of Allen’s films set in New York, ‘Midnight in Paris’ is a rich and vibrant departure.

The Movie Club will be screening ‘Midnight in Paris’ on Wednesday 8 November, 6pm sharp at Narellan Library. Tea, coffee and biscuits provided, BYO snacks are more than welcome. Stay after the screening for a short discussion about the film. See the discussion questions to get some ideas.

Film Review - 'Vertigo'

‘Vertigo’ is considered to be one of Alfred Hitchcock’s defining films along with ‘Psycho’ and ‘North by Northwest’. With an intelligent script and intense stylised editing it will keep you intrigued to the end.

The film begins with Scottie, a private investigator, who comes to the realisation he has vertigo. Now out of work, Scottie agrees to help his friend Gavin to investigate his wife’s odd behaviour. This leads to a series of tense and unforgettable events.

The film is compelling both as a stand-alone story which is mysterious and smart, but even more intriguing to know is that the film is one of Hitchcock’s most confessional. Scottie represents Hitchcock and the way he used, feared and controlled women.

 

An intense look at the dangers of obsession, desire and control, the film is striking in visual effects, particularly the final scene. The themes remain relevant to a contemporary audience, and will make you re-think the roles of men and women in society, particularly the way some can manipulate and ‘mould’ others.

The Movie Club will be screening ‘Vertigo’ on Wednesday 11 October, 6pm sharp at Narellan Library. Tea, coffee and biscuits provided, BYO snacks are more than welcome. Stay after the screening for a short discussion about the film. See the discussion questions to get some ideas.

Book review: The Season of the Beast

The Season of the Beast (The Agnes De Souarcy Chronicles by Andrea Japp)

This is the first in a series of historical mysteries about a young widow in medieval France. It has been translated from French, but is nevertheless a beautiful book to read if you don’t mind confusing narratives. I confess I skimmed over the many subplots and historical references I wasn’t sure of, because the characters and places described in between were very interesting. In particular Agnes De Souarcy is a strong character partly because she is depicted in such glowing terms as a renaissance woman and partly because she remains vulnerable in spite of her ample ability and intelligence. What was fascinating also were the various social skills and hazards of France in 1304, which are so different to those we use today. The historicity of these I found convincing, and made this book a worthwhile read. I read it very quickly, and due to a cliffhanger ending will now need to read the second and perhaps third in the series.

Amy

Book Review: Virals

14 year old Tory Brennan, niece of renowned forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan, has been living with her dad on a secluded island off the coast of South Carolina for six months. She meets a group of teenage guys (Hiram, Ben and Shelton) who are just as smart as she is. She quickly becomes the leader of their group, the “Sci-Philes”. Tory is obsessed with a wolf-dog pack that lives on Loggerhead Island where her dad works. When she notices her favourite wolf-dog Cooper is missing, she knows something is wrong. Upon breaking into one of the science laboratories on Loggerhead Island to clean an old army dog-tag, the friends find Cooper. He is sick and trapped in a cage for medical testing. The “Sci-Philes” take Cooper with them when they leave the lab and keep him for a few weeks to help him recover. As they are caring for him, they realise that they are exposed to an experimental type of canine parvovirus B19. The parvo alters their DNA; their senses heighten to become dog-like and they gain canine-quick reflexes.
Tory, Hi, Ben and Shelton combine their scientific knowledge with their new physical attributes to solve a cold-case murder mystery relating to the dog-tag they found. However, as they uncover more about the mystery, the murderer becomes anxious that they will uncover him, and decides to kill them. Fortunately, now they are a pack. They are Virals.

Kathy Reichs is a popular author who has written many adult crime novels. The TV show “Bones” is based on her adult books. Virals is the first of her books for youths and many critics were impressed. The terminology is all explained in a clear way, allowing people who don’t know much about science to understand the story line. Readers were also impressed with the way the characters were developed.

I recommend this book to any teenagers who are interested in “Bones”, mystery/crime novels or biology.

Thanks to Abbey for this greay review. You can reserve Virals through this link.

Book Review: The Angel Experiment

Did you know that you can post reviews on our catalogue? Share your experience with others! All you need is your library barcode number (on the back of your card) and you password to log in. Check out one of the great reviews left by a library patron below;

The Angel Experiment by James Patterson

Its been years since I first read this book, and i still manage to read the series over and over and get the same rush of emotions. Its powerful, its thrilling, and it just keeps getting better.

Once your halfway through the next time you put the book down you'll find you've finished the book, I read it till one in the morning and started the second book. Its seriously enthralling.

The characters melt into one another, each are unique and realistic, and all work together. Max is the main character, and she will take you on a journey you will never forget. This is one imaginitive rollercoaster that will leave you on the edge of your seat.

Check out the catalogue entry here, and get posting!

The Last Letter from Your Lover

Have you found out about our downloadable audio books yet? Clipper DL is free for our library members, allowing you to download audio-books to your home and devices.

One Clipper title, The Last Letter from Your Lover by Jojo Moyes, has won the RNA 2011 Romantic Novel of the Year Award.

The Romantic Novelists’ Association has announced the winners of this year’s Pure Passion Awards at a champagne reception in London.

Winner of the 2011 Romantic Novel of the Year – recognising the best of the year’s novels exploring the deep mysteries of the human heart – is Jojo Moyes for her book The Last Letter from your Lover.

“The book came about after I eavesdropped on some women unsuccessfully trying to decipher a text message – Later X” Jojo said. “It made me realise that all these added means of communication have actually served to make things more opaque. I feel sorry for the generations that are missing out on the joys of the love letter.”

The RNA Pure Passion Awards celebrate the very best in romantic fiction, encompassing the breadth of the genre.

Katie Fforde, Chair of the RNA said: “Once again, in our 51st year, the Romantic Novel of the Year Award has produced a sensational winner. Of Jojo Moyes’ The Last Letter from your Lover the judges unanimously agreed that ‘this novel combines exquisite writing, a truly romantic yet original theme and a blissfully satisfying ending. A worthy winner in a very strong list.’”

Book Review: That Perfect Someone by Johanna Lindsey

Johanna Lindsey is a very popular romance novelist. She’s had countless rewards, and warm recommendations from readers in the US, UK , and Australia too. Unfortunately, The Perfect Someone failed to live up to the reputation. This is probably the first negative review on this blog, oh dear!

That Perfect Someone follows the life of Julie, an heiress with a weak and unable father, who suffers from an arranged marriage. Set in a generic, vaguely historical context (there are pirates?), Julie intends to have the marriage voided, as her fiancé to be has been missing for over nine years. As it happens, said fiancé turns just before she can get it done, Richard returns under the guise of Jean Paul, a French buccaneer oozing danger and charm.

The plot was incoherent and poorly structured. The mystery of mistaken identity barely lasts for the first half, destroying a plot point with great potential. The climax of the novel occurs halfway through, making the last segment of the novel seem like a boring and overly descriptive coda. Tension also, was not well handled, lagging for the majority and quickly skipped over in favour of descriptive interior dialogue.

I can’t help but feel that romance fiction deserves more than this. Where was the fun? There was too much time spent on ‘feelings’ (and not the romantic ones a reader would be interested in! Just whinging!) and not enough time spent on action, intrigue, mystery, and of course, two characters finally falling in love.

Romance lovers would be better off with a Georgette Heyer or Nora Roberts number. One star.

What did you think of That Perfect Someone?

Reserve this (really?)

Book Review: The Three Emperors by Miranda Carter (Five Stars)

A vibrant, biographical perspective on the first world war, The Three Emperors is a perfect example of what Readers Advisory calls a ‘doorway’. A book like this can introduce a fiction lover to the intrigues and fascination of histories and topical non-fiction. When people think of interesting characters, an intense and complex plot, and intriguing cultures and places, they usually don’t think of picking up a history book.

Well, now is the time to do so. Miranda Carter flawlessly captured the chaotic mess that lead up to World War 1. Following the lives of three imperial figures; George V, Wilhelm II and Tsar Nicholas II, she shows us the fatal paradox that led to war. We see the ideological legacy of Queen Victoria, that royalty should play a vital and overarching role in foreign affairs, colliding with a world that embraced democracy, technology, and an increasingly educated body of citizens. Each of these monarchs, driven by the idea that their blood alone justified their rule, failed to realise they were missing the vital skills to manage government alone. These sentiments are illuminated beautifully with Carter’s examples: George V berating his prime minister over waistcoats in the House of Commons, Wilhelm II scribbling ‘Impertinent!’ over foreign missives that disagreed with him, and ministers scrambling to see Nicholas II at the last moment, knowing that the tsar, like clockwork, would support the last person to speak with him before a meeting. Carter presents World War I as a reorganisation of modern society, in which the old order has to be fully restructured to avoid bloodshed.

Fans of the historical works of David Starkey and David Hill will certainly like this one! If you’re a reader of historical fiction, this book might introduce you a whole trove of books you hadn’t though of before. Five stars!

Check availability @ Camden Council Library Services

The Minutes of the Lazarus Club by Tony Pollard (4 stars)

Of all the genred fiction that we provide at Camden Council Library Services, the Mystery genre is probably the most diffuse and varied. From the complicated puzzlers of Agatha Christie, to the crime thrillers of Patricia Cornwell and Lee Child, there’s certainly a lot to choose from. The book reviewed here fits into another sub-type- historical mysteries.

This medium sized novel is an enjoyable mystery/thriller set in the Victorian era. The main character is an established doctor in London whose expertise in the heart leads him into the path of entrepreneurs and iconoclasts that defined the progression of the Victorian era. As he becomes more and more entwined with the ‘Lazarus Club’, a group of well known individuals who fear their ideas may be too revolutionary for the general public, our poor protagonist is thrust into a deadly game of cat and mouse as an important object is put into his care.

The strengths of this novel lie in good characterisation and a well-paced plot. The main characters are human, with understandable motives and great quirks. There’s also a good balance between chases and intense moments as well as quieter exploration of the finer points of the plot. However, at times the language gets a little bit out of hand (think Arthur Conan Doyle on one too many red cordials) and a romance between Florence Nightingale and the main characters seemed a little ridiculous, which endangered the believability of the work on a whole. But on the whole- fun, complex, and exciting. Lovers of Sherlock Holmes, Nero Wolfe, and other historically based mysteries will certainly like this one!

Check availability of The Minutes of the Lazarus Club at Camden Council Library Services.

Review: Merlin Books (2-3 stars)

The relatively new television series Merlin has provided a much desired need for a new fantasy series. Lovers of Arthurian tales, Lord of the Rings, and other medievally styled fantasy fiction may well enjoy this televisual revisitation to the characters and stories once penned by the likes of Thomas Malory and T.H. White. As a natural follow-on from the series, a number of Merlin books have been published by the BBC for young adults. We’ve taken a quick look at two below; you can find the rest here on at the library catalogue.

The Labyrinth of Gedref recaps an episode in the first series in which Arthur, with his manservant Merlinin tow, inadvertently kills a unicorn in the forest adjacent to Camelot. This starts a series of plagues upon Camelot in vengeance for the killing of the purest of magical beings. With Merlin and his master, the physician Gaius working together, the two must track down the mysterious and powerful druid that seems at the heart of it. It’s a quick and well-paced read, but a tad too explanatory (do we always have to talk about how good Arthur is on the inside?), but nevertheless a fun one for Merlin fans.

The Mark of Nimueh details the malicious plot of the witch Nimueh against the King and his son Arthur, and all of Camelot. Merlin’s usual awkwardness and lack of responsibility leads to his good friend Gwen being accused of witchcraft and ordered to hang. This book has some glaring errors which break the sense of medieval fantasy. For example, Gwen fixes her father a sandwich (three hundred years or so before the invention of them) and Merlin’s magic books are written out in Copperplate (not in use until the 18th century). It’s by a different author than the first, so readers of this series will find some variation between each of the novels and the style within (and the dedication to providing an authentic medieval fantasy feel).
Have you read any of this series? What did you think?

You can also reserve the Merlin DVDs on our online catalogue.

1788 by David Hill (5 stars)

Every Australian child is taught the story of the First Fleet, but this short narrative history by David Hill inspired more interest in Australian history than my entire education. Conversational in prose, precise in detail, and smoothly paced, this book was an absolute joy to read. Forget dry, overloaded expositions; the talent of a historian and a writer combine here to create a work that will excite those, who (like me) don’t often pick up a piece of non-fiction.

1788 traces the origins of the First Fleet from originating causes of the expedition, through to planning, the course of the voyages, initial settling and the social/cultural problems that arose at each stage. David Hill paints vivid and fascinating scenes at every point; the overloaded prison boats clogging the Thames with filth, the cramped, diseased conditions for convicts on the voyage over, and the barren, unhospitable landscape of the Australian coast. Particular favourites on my part were parts of the story I had never considered before; the immediate depletion of resources at Botany Bay by the settlers, resulting in great disdain from the Aboriginal locals; the disastrous impact of higher ranked officials hating each other, as in the case of Governor Phillip and Major Ross; and the gaping void of communication with England, caused by the great distance between motherland and colony.

David Hill also excels in balancing different styles of history. As each new character if importance is introduced, we visit their background and previous life, which allows the reader to understand their actions in the course of events. Unfamiliar social conventions, linguistic expressions, and objects are also explained with just the right amount of brevity. What stands out, most of all, is how 1788 is above all a story, a complex and intriguing narrative that highlights the struggles of first Australians in an unknown world. I can’t recommend it highly enough.

Have you read 1788? What did you think? Please leave a comment below with your opinion!

Reserve 1788 now at Camden Council Library services.

“Cotillion” by Georgette Heyer (3.5 stars)

Historical Romance is certainly not the go-to for everyone, but lovers of historical fiction and social intrigues will have good reason to take a look at Georgette Heyer’s body of work, if the 1953 Cotillion is any gauge. This is smoothly paced ‘country girl in the big city’ novel a la Jane Austen that strikes a great balance between romance, adventure, and cultural exploration.

Cotillion follows the life of Kitty, an adopted orphan isolated in a dilapidated estate with her adopted father. In order to secure Kitty’s situation after his death, he sets up an ultimatum to his many nephews- marry Kitty and inherit his fortune. This leads to an amusing showdown in a quaint, musty drawing room in which various nephews make terrible and hopeless offers to Kitty, when her desired mate, the ridiculous dandy Jack, does not come at all. Poor cousin Freddy is roped in by Kitty’s design into a fake engagement, allowing her to come to London and seek a better life, and her desired husband to be. I particularly enjoyed the short tour of London from Kitty’s perspective, covering all manner of buildings and sites, delivered perfectly by Kitty’s wide-eyed innocence and Freddy’s bored and frustrated asides.

Heyer also wrote a number of detective novels, and this definitely adds another dimension to the plot. From beginning to end, the final pairing is uncertain, which leaves the leader guessing right up to the last chapter. Other nice touches are the fitting comeuppances for the villains and the distinctive voices that arise from each character (One character, Freddy, is particular enjoyable with his clipped sentences and over polite expletives. I admit I chuckled when I read Oh dash it, Kitty!). I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised with this one, and will certainly read another in the hopes of more humorous adventures and dalliance in 19th century England. I’m giving this one three and a half stars.

Review by Rebecca.

Have you read Cotillion? Loved it or Hated it? Leave a comment to this post with your thoughts!
Cotillion is available for loan at Camden Council Library Services. Reserve now.