Monday, March 11, 2024

Richard II

Richard II is by William Shakespeare. The first in Shakespeare's classic tetralogy of history plays covering the reigns of Richard II, Henry IV, and Henry V. The story follows the dethroning of Richard II by Henry Bolingbroke. A wonderful play and well worth the effort to read. The magnificent John of Gaunt speech about England in Act II is worth the price of admission. 

Ratings: 11th grade - 9 out of 10. 

13 1/2 Lives of Captain Bluebear

13 1/2 Lives of Captain Bluebear is by Walter Moers. The first book in the charming fantasy Zamonia series. A blue bear, named Bluebear, tells the story of his very action-packed life in the land of Zamonia. A blue bear has 27 lives and 13 1/2 of them are related here. This book is fast paced and fun to read. It is filled with lots of strange characters and is absolutely enchanting. It's an adventure story, an epic fantasy, and a biting satire all at the same time. 

Ratings: 10th grade - 9 out of 10. 

The Feast

The Feast is by Margaret Kennedy. A classic historical fiction novel set in 1947 Cornwall, England. A small hotel is demolished by a landslide. As the funerals for the dead approach, a flashback tells the stories of the owners, workers, and guests of the hotel - both those who survived and those who did not. This book is a character study; there is not much "action," but it is still intense and thought-provoking. Each character's soul is revealed in this amazing novel. 

Ratings: 11th grade - 9 out of 10 - AC (some mature thematic content).

Rogues: True Stories of Grifters, Killers, Rebels, and Crooks

Rogues: True Stories of Grifters, Killers, Rebels, and Crooks is by Patrick Radden Keefe. An interesting set of nonfiction essays. These essays cover a variety of unsavory characters doing unsavory things, as well as characters like Anthony Bourdain, who are famous and interesting. These can easily be read one at a time or in any order you like. Don't expect Empire of Pain however. 

Ratings: 6 out of 10 - 11th grade - AC (some adult thematic content). 

Matrix

Matrix is by Lauren Groff. An interesting historical fiction novel. Marie de France was seventeen when she was sent to a poor mismanaged convent by Eleanor of Aquitaine. At first shocked by her new life, she realizes her need for a family and vows to care for her new sisters. She becomes the new head of the convent and begins to implement a new course for the women under her care. This is a fictionalized version that the devout may take issue with, but it is a powerful story. 

Ratings: Adult - 6 out of 10 - AC (mature thematic content). 

When Ghosts Come Home

When Ghosts Come Home is by Wiley Cash. A realistic fiction crime novel. When Sherriff Winston Barnes, who is running for re-election, decides to drive out to the local airfield in the middle of the night to check out a low flying plant that work him up, he is not prepared for what he finds. The son of the local school principal dead on the runway next to the abandoned, and empty, plane. The FBI arrive and believe the plane was carrying drugs, but Winston can't believe the dead man was involved with drug running. A complicated investigation that involves everyone in the community ensues. I enjoyed the novel until the ending, which I hated very much! 

Ratings: Adult - 3 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content) - V (violence). 

The Crimes of Clearwell Castle

The Crimes of Clearwell Castle is by Benedict Brown. The seventh installment in the Lord Edgington historical fiction mystery series. Lord Edgington and Christopher decide to visit some distant relatives in the Forest of Dean, but when they arrive they discover two towns embroiled in the fall out of an ancient curse and a castle full of really strange relatives. Then a local bar owner is murdered and the death seems to be linked to a previous death and the local curse. Lord Edgington and Christopher must wade through a gothic mystery, complete with ghost, to solve the case. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 8 out of 10.