March Challenge: hope

 

March book 1 A book with a hopeful or uplifting theme

The Copper Beech


Author: Maeve Binchy

Genre: fiction

Number of pages: 391

First published: 1992

Setting: Ireland

Rating: 5 stars

First sentence: Father Gunn knew that their housekeeper Mrs. Kennedy could have done it all much better than he would do it.

One sentence comment: As in other Maeve Binchy novels, this book offers heartwarming narratives where every challenge, whether bitter or sweet, finds a satisfying resolution.

 

This book is structured around chapters, each focusing on an individual or aspect of the seaside Catholic  school. Through these focused narratives, we gain deep insight into each person's feelings and motivations, fostering a profound sense of empathy.

Maddy is a particularly compelling character. She possesses an almost ethereal quality, which makes her passionate connection with a young priest all the more poignant. "She was a girl who liked her own company, since so little of anyone else’s company was offered to her.” Accustomed to solitude, Maddy's strong spiritual connection leads to a dramatic shift in her perspective when a kindred priest enters her life. Her unconventional plans may not unfold as expected, but she experiences significant personal growth.

 

The book expertly weaves together individual stories, building upon previous mentions of characters to create a rich and comprehensive portrait. Each chapter provides a crucial piece of the puzzle, revealing the complexities of their lives and illuminating the interconnectedness of the community.

 

March book 2 A book by an author whose first or last name begins with the letter H or O or P or E

What Darkness Brings (Sebastian St. Cyr Mystery #8)


Author: C S Harris

Genre: historical fiction

Number of pages: 336

First published: 2013

Setting: London in 1812

Rating: 4 stars

First sentence: The man was so old his face sagged in crinkly, sallow folds and Jenny could see pink scalp through the thin white hair plastered by sweat to his head.

One sentence comment: The characters are as always enticing, but the plot is not as fun as others.

 The author’s prose sparks a playful excitement within me. It's as if I'm granted a privileged view of an exquisite spectacle, or better yet, allowed to roam freely through the very society she portrays, with endless wonders to behold. I frequently find myself pondering those conversations, their subtle humor curving my lips into a knowing smile. Their discourse reveals a keen awareness of a world that falls short of their ideals, yet they navigate it with a determined, steady rhythm. Beyond her writing, I deeply admire her skill as a historian. She possesses the rare ability to weave academic rigor with compelling narrative, bringing to life the nuanced personal stories of the past. Through her work, she elicits a deep emotional response, fostering an understanding that those who came before us experienced lives remarkably similar to our own.

 To engage readers, the mystery skillfully weaves together the Golden Fleece, the lost Crown Jewels of Louis XV, and a Renaissance Key of Solomon grimoire. Without this narrative, these historical items and their stories would likely remain unknown to contemporary audiences. My subsequent internet search revealed the truly captivating 2010 Crown Jewels replicas.

Golden Fleece

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