Holiday reading …
As I prepare for a holiday, for a break in the day to day grind, I’ve been gathering together a pile of books to read. To be honest, I had already started Ann Swinfen’s Testament of Mariam and finding it to be such a strong narrative and such a different interpretation to the familiar story of Jesus and his followers I had to keep reading and finished it last night. It was a superb read written by an author who has great sensitivity. Ann’s description of Galillee and Judaea, her interpretation of the religious truths, her depiction of Jesus and Judas through the eyes of Jesus’s sister Mariam, was emotive and intensely thought-provoking. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction, especially historical fiction of ancient days.
I start Dawn French tonight … indeed have already read a para and swear Dawn sits across the room from me. This is her voice, her manner, her irreverence. I can’t wait.
The only other book I have sampled is Juliet Marillier’s fantasy Seer Of Sevenwaters. I have been a Marillier devotee for a long while now and the Sevenwaters series has been a favourite, as it chronicles the generations of that strange, enchanted place. With one delicate foot in Celtic myth, Marillier’s books always make me feel as if I could look out the window and see an ivory mist winding through the silver birches of my garden and some wight or other watching me through the branches. The first chapter of this latest is enthralling as a Druidic apprentice watches a shipwreck happen on the strange isle of Inis Eala. This is a book I can’t wait to read.
The others are unknown titles, although writers like Helen Fielding and Maggie Alderson are favourites. All that remains is for the holiday season to begin so that I may devour them all!
We all love Dawn French. Let me know how it is… I might need to read that.
I’ve read 4 chapters of Dawn so far and I swear it’s hard to say which is the fictional voice and which is not. Sharply funny and the ring of truth for those of us who have had kids and a prophecy perhaps for those with little ones growing up. Do get it and read!
As for Ann’s book: I am not a religious person at all although like most brought up in a western Christian culture I know the basic story of Jesus. This story turns the inculcated views of the Church on its head for me. And I much prefer the reality (for reality I suppose one must read fictional) of Mariam’s voice than that which we all know so well. Being a writer of Roman historical fiction, Victrix, I have a feeling this one will really appeal to you.
Prue, this sounds like absolute bliss! All those wonderful books – no wonder you can’t wait. Sitting down with a good book is just a memory for me these days. Even if I get a few minutes to read, I end up falling asleep. But my time will come… eventually!!
It will come, Nikalee and all the more special because it has been a long time coming!
My holiday readings:
– Fall of Giants (halfway that one) – Ken Follet.
-What would Jane Austen do? – Laurie Brown
– Prague Cementery (not sure it’s the title in english) – Umberto Eco.
I want to find time for all that and fanfic stuff. Let’s see if I get it. LOL
Goodlaura, Anyone who reads Ken Follett must have srong hands and arms … big books to read! Jane Austen spin-off? A nice foil to Follett. Umberto Eco: wow!
Good luck with the time factor.
Fall of Giants is a very heavy book that’s why it’s taking me longer to read LOL.
And after that, I always need a change so the Jane Austen one looks good for that. It’s sort of Lost in Austen if I must believe the person who recommended me.
And I like Umberto Eco and this last book seems interesting. Plus Prague is one of my dream cities so… =).