Why Kings Confess

 

Why Kings Confess (#9 of Sebastian St. Cyr Mystery)

Author: C S Harris

Genre: historical mystery

Number of pages: 349

First published: 2014

Setting: London

Rating: 4 stars

First sentence: Paul Gibson lurched down the dak, narrow lane, his face raw from the cold, his fingers numb.

One sentence comment: It told a fascinating story about the outcast French royalty whose absurdity is unfathomable.

 

The book's focus on the Bourbon family in exile is an unusual topic. It paints a desperate picture of their lives, particularly the obese, wheelchair-bound uncrowned king and other stubborn royals, who were forced to endure their plight in a run-down corner of Britain. I quite like the author's attempt to present the unorthodox resistance to a modern audience, especially since the French royalty normally receives little sympathy from people due to their ruthless attitude toward widespread poverty.

 

I ‘m also taken by Gibson’s love story in this installment. The one-legged surgeon was so completely overwhelmed by the tough Frenchwoman he had rescued. I expect to read more about them.

 

 

The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency

Author: Alexander McCall Smith

Genre: mystery

Number of pages: 235

First published: 1998

Setting: Botswana

Rating: 4 stars

First sentence: Mma Ramotswe had a detective agency in Africa, at the foot of Kgale Hill.

One sentence comment: It’s a heart-warming and intriguing series.

 

This delightful book offers a glimpse into the simple, peaceful lives of the people of Botswana. While the author uses a detective story as a clever framework, the true purpose is to show us how these people live and what their daily worries are. Through the book, we get a taste of the difference between their aboriginal life and our complicated urban environment. It sometimes made me laugh and sometimes made me envious, because their lives and task are simple.

 

My rearched found that the author had worked at the University of Botswana in the 1980s, and he got the inspiration from a woman in a red dress chasing a chicken in her yard, preparing it for a meal. She became the genesis for the character of Mma Precious Ramotswe. Mma Ramotswe's cases were often more about helping people with the "problems in their lives"—such as a missing husband, a cheating partner, or a fraudulent business—than about catching murderers. The series seemed to explore themes of kindness, compassion, and common sense.

 

The protagonist, having been abused in her first marriage, was initially adamant about never marrying again. Her past with her first love was a painful reminder of her ordeal. However, a series of events eventually changed her perspective, allowing her to move past the bitterness and find a new outlook on life.

 

Evening Class

 

Evening Class

Author: Maeve Binchy

Genre: fiction

Number of pages: 537

First published: 1996

Setting: Ireland, Italy

Rating: 5 stars

First sentence: There was a time back in 1970 when they would love filling in a questionnaire.

One sentence comment: The novel effectively conveys the theme of individuals' inability to keep up with societal changes.

 

The author's portrayal of characters is remarkably effective, often compelling me to pause and contemplate while reading.

 

The first protagonist, Aidan, found such vivid difficulty adapting to contemporary family interactions that his workplace became his sanctuary—a place where his self-worth was still affirmed. This made me reflect on my own life: Am I, too, treating school as an all-consuming passion, even as the teacher-student dynamic has drastically changed, often leaving educators aghast at unthinkable situations? This led me to ponder whether feeling out of sync is a sign that it's time to retire. But how do we then fill the void that a career once occupied? It truly challenges the wisdom of older individuals to discover new purpose in their later years, to acquire new skills, and to find ways to stay fulfilled.

 

The second protagonist, Nora, though perhaps unrealistically romantic, commanded my admiration for her fiercely independent approach to love and life. She seemed unconcerned about her future, which might strike some as naive. However, having matured in a religious environment where everyone had a predefined place, she found herself completely out of sync upon encountering 1990s Dublin. Fortunately, her past experiences of following her heart ultimately rewarded her with skills she could apply to a newly emerging trend: evening classes.

 

While Maeve Binchy's books often explore themes like reconciling with the past and second chances, this one places a special emphasis on aging. Getting old is a central theme in the book, exploring the gains and losses that come with aging. We may be surprised to find ourselves with nothing to show for our efforts, compared to what we started with and what we originally wanted. Despite this, the characters find comfort in an evening class, which symbolizes lifelong learning and is a common practice in many developed countries. This pursuit of continuous learning, the book suggests, may be the true meaning of life.