Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Cathy and Heathcliff versus Harry?

As you may have guessed, I've finished Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte, and Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by JK Rowling.

So which one did I prefer?

Wuthering Heights was very easy to read, I just flew through it. I think this was due to the story being narrated by the housekeeper Nelly. There ain't nowt like a common person to talk proper like!

Not sure if I actually liked the story, I think if Heathcliff was around today he'd have been given a restraining order, and possibly some anger management classes. As for Cathy, I think she was definitely missing a few shillings. Although I love my husband etc etc, I don't think I've ever been in an all-consuming love to the point where if we weren't together we'd hurt other people as well as each other. I'm kinda glad about that.
Who would I recommend it to? I don't honestly know is the answer. It is one of those books you "should" read but I don't know if I'd actually tell people to do so. Hmm .....


As for Harry Potter, again flew through the book. It filled in some gaps in my Harry Potter knowledge as up to this point I have only ever seen the films. The only downside I found was that my imagination wasn't really invoked as I pictured the characters as the actors (if that makes sense). I was surprised at almost how slow the story progressed, half way through and we'd only just reached Hogwarts. But as we got to the third corridor and past Fluffy, the story raced along.
Definitely would recommend this book, particularly for children who haven't seen the film and therefore can use their own imagination to bring the book to life and not rely on the box in the corner of the room.

As a final note if anyone hasn't seen this, have a giggle ....

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Without a Shadow of a Wind of a Doubt

Here is my very belated post on Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon.

Two words - READ IT!

I didn't know what to expect from this book and I thoroughly enjoyed it, I can't wait to read the other book by him from the list.

The story follows a young boy in his pursuit of the man behind the book. As he delves into the writers past, echoes appear in his own life going from child to young man. The writer is very good at adding twists and turns into the story, entwining the characters even tighter.

Would recommend it to anyone, and if you don't read a lot, it's a perfect book for holiday - especially if you're going to Barcelona.


Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Flog the blogger!

Eek, I am so sorry I haven't been blogging recently. A few weeks ago I had a routine health procedure done and it took the wind right out of my sails.

I'm still battling through Middlemarch - maybe this is a euphemism for Frodo's journey?!

I have had a real creative burst with the novel so fingers crossed some words should be meeting paper soon.

The sewing is coming on, I managed to sew some voiles for our windows so no more peeping toms dog walkers able to see straight into our living room. Unfortunately now I've fallen in love with my sewing machine which is older than I am and I want to start all my planned sewing projects. Next task is to add some straps to a dress for a friend's wedding coming up.
Last time I saw this friend's dad I was wearing a strapless dress and ended up doing a Judy Finnegan at him, for those who don't remember :



Hence why I need the straps!

On that note I will leave you with this question, what should I wear to an Abba tribute night?