Category: Book Reviews
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An Essay on Writing by Way of The Time Traveler’s Wife
I have just finished reading The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. Some months ago I co-founded a rather studious book club, and this one has been nominated a number of times without ever being selected for group discussion. I had a vague understanding of the premise, and it sounded appealing. I decided to pick…
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My Favourite Authors of Historical Fiction: Sharon Kay Penman
Hello everyone, While I wait for the ISBN number for my next novel, Zulu, I thought I’d add to my ongoing 11-part series on my favourite authors of historical fiction. #5 – Sharon Kay Penman I’ve written about Sharon Kay Penman before in one of my earliest blog posts, a lengthy book review that I…
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My Favourite Authors of Historical Fiction: Colleen McCullough
Hello everyone, Here’s my fourth selection for my 11-part series on my favourite authors of historical fiction. #4 – Colleen McCullough I would like to begin by saying I have a tremendous respect for Colleen McCullough’s work, and I use that word deliberately: When I think of Colleen McCullough’s books, I always envision her work…
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My Favourite Authors of Historical Fiction: Gary Jennings
Hello everyone, My e-book is still ‘Publishing’ according to Amazon. I imagine later today I’ll have some good news to announce. While we wait, here’s my third selection for my 11-part series on my favourite authors of historical fiction. #3 – Gary Jennings Gary Jennings has been mentioned on this blog several times in the…
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My Favourite Authors of Historical Fiction: James Clavell
Hello everyone, My e-book’s publication has been pushed back at least a day by a formatting error that I have now remedied. While I wait for Amazon to process the corrected version, I thought I would blog about my favourite authors of historical fiction. A writer is first and foremost a reader. Reading great books…
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Book Reviews: Kurt Vonnegut’s Mother Night and Slapstick
I’ll admit I’ve been intimidated at the thought of reviewing Kurt Vonnegut’s work. Literature with a capital L is something I enjoy without feeling like I have all the tools to really take it apart and see how it works. Even then, with most Literature, I can talk about what I appreciate. Kurt Vonnegut, though,…
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Book Review: Bernard Cornwell’s The Burning Land
Bernard Cornwell is another one of my favourite authors. He writes smart, adventurous historical fiction in both stand-alone novels and long-running series, and he does so at a prolific rate: He has put out at least a book a year every year from 1981 up to the present; more often than not he’s written a…
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Book Review: Sharon Kay Penman’s Henry II Trilogy
Sharon Kay Penman has recently cemented her place in my pantheon of favourite authors. I love historical fiction, and she is one of the shining lights of the genre today. Her specialty is the Middle Ages of Great Britain and France, and her attention to detail in that time period is every bit as impressive…