The Ghost Of Thomas Kempe by Penelope Lively

Mar23

Entertaining

The Ghost Of Thomas Kempe by Penelope Lively is a children’s adventure for ages ten years and over. Though written in 1973, it still entertains audiences today.

Penelope Lively has a young boy, James, as the central character. Having moved into a new house, things go bump in the day and night – and James gets the blame. It is only James who recognizes this for what it is, and sets about trying to help a spirit lay to rest. Few people believe James, except a carpenter.

James is a very likable lead character. He is very plucky and able to save the day on more than one occasion.

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Playing For Keeps In Starr’s Fall by Kate Hewitt

Mar23

Very Charming

Playing For Keeps In Starr’s Fall by Kate Hewitt is a very charming contemporary novel. It is the second book in the Starr’s Fall series but can be read as a stand-alone.

All the characters are well drawn, believable and easy to empathise with. We see that Starrs Fall is a warm and welcoming community, where everyone knows your name – and your business! The residents help each other as they journey through life.

Starrs Fall offers a place to heal from life’s hurts. Various residents all have different stories – from the original resident of the town to the teenage boy recovering from bullying, and all those in between.

Life deals us blows. Life squashes the life out of some people – but lives can be redeemed and restored.

We learn of lives being controlled by others. “She’s let herself be changed.” Sometimes others are coercive in ways that are not recognized at the time. “Her life behind the glowing, golden bars of what had felt… like a gilded prison.” Riches do not make one happy, love and care do.

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The House In Norham Gardens by Penelope Lively

Mar22

Highly Entertaining

The House In Norham Gardens by Penelope Lively is an entertaining novel for children aged ten years and over. It was penned in 1974 but is still reaching audiences today.

The action is set in Oxford as we follow a young girl, living with her aunts. She has the most amazing experiences as she sleeps – could this be real? Or imagined?

Having found artefacts from New Guinea, the young girl has vivid dreams about the tribes. Penelope Lively brings the exotic landscapes to life, with her magnificent descriptions. The book springs to life in glorious technicolour.

The leading lady is very kind, having empathy for those around her. Her elderly aunts are taken care of as the teen anticipates their needs.

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Hope On Hope by Susan Gray

Mar22

Love Wins

Hope On Hope by Susan Gray is the most charming historical novel that I absolutely adored.

The novel is mainly set in the north west of England in 1946. War is over but families are still feeling the effects. There are empty spaces around tables.

We also cross the channel to France to re-connect with family as the war years kept families apart.

War brings secrets. Even after it has ended, a character keeps quiet about her role in the resistance, for fear of reprisals. “She played her part – a small but vital part.”

For so long, fear ruled in even the bravest of hearts, so it isn’t surprising that a character is still cautious. “How long would it take for the memories to fade and the fear to subside?” One never knows just how brave one is until called upon to act without thought to personal safety. “War makes people inventive. It causes them to step outside their comfortable places.”

We see the importance of having hope. “Hope is my lifeline.” Clinging to hope, even in the bleakest of circumstances means a character declares “hope helps me to move forward.” Without hope, the people perish. She “trained herself to never lose hope. Hope was her anchor.”

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