by Maria Roden | Apr 1, 2024 | Book review, Fiction
A mysterious postcard with no signature or explanation arrives one morning at the author’s mother’s house. Just four names are written on the card – Ephraim, Emma, Noemie, and Jacques, four relatives all killed at Auschwitz. Who sent it and what does it mean?...
by Maria Roden | Mar 1, 2024 | Book review, Fiction
I must admit that I haven’t actually read Three Men in a Boat but only listened to it on audio narrated by Martin Jarvis. It is one of the funniest laugh-out-loud books I have ever heard! It is incredible to think that it was written in 1889 and still has much...
by Maria Roden | Feb 1, 2024 | Book review, Fiction
Second Best by David Foenkinos imagines the life of the young actor who was runner-up for choice of the character of Harry Potter in the 8 movies following the success of the books by J K Rowling. Martin Hill is ten years old, crazy about Arsenal and through no real...
by Maria Roden | Jan 1, 2024 | Book review, Fiction
The best novels take you on an unexpected journey and make you stop and think and relate on so many levels. This was one of those! Lessons covers so many aspects of history, politics, culture, family dynamics, marriage, love, loss and grief all through the life...
by Maria Roden | Oct 1, 2023 | Book review, Fiction
I loved this unique novel about a Greek film composer remembering the impact on her life of meeting and working with film director Billy Wilder during the filming of Fedora, set on the island of Corfu. There is her own coming of age story, a touching friendship...
by Maria Roden | May 1, 2023 | Book review, Fiction
I can’t believe I have only just discovered Niall Williams and feel I should apologize for picking yet another Irish author but I simply cannot help myself. This debut novel was first published in 1997. The writing is beautiful, and the story mind-blowing. And what’s...
