Merlin's Dragon

 

 

Author: T. A. Barron

Basil is a dragon like no other. He is as small as a bird, green in colour and does not breathe fire. Born in Woodroot - one of the seven Realms that make up the roots of the Great Tree of Avalon - Basil longs to find out what and who he really is.

The novel is about Basil's journey of self-discovery, and by the end (or very near it) he discovers that (big) size does not matter - it's what you do that counts. In fact, his small size worked to his advantage at the most crucial moment.

While I liked the message that the story was trying deliver, the narrative disappointed me somewhat. Basil spends a long time whining and reflecting all by himself (in between being chased by various creatures), and it isn't until the middle of the novel that something really significant happens (i.e. he meets Merlin) - and then the pace slacks again. When he finally sets off on his journey across the realms, there is very little time and pages left, so Basil (and unfortunately his reader) is forced to rush through all the different places.

I also found the dialogue awkward - the author could not seem to decide which type of tone to use: modern 20th/21st century high school or Elizabethan middle ages/typical myth & legend. Granted, the book is targeted for children (age group 9-12) but that inconsistency is still jarring. All in all, this is one trilogy that I shall not finish - not in a hurry to find the related books.

Twenties' Girl

Author: Sophie Kinsella

Lara Lington is a sweet girl trying to make it as an entrepreneur in the headhunting business. She has set up a partnership with her best friend, who unfortunately leaves her for a sudden vacation in Goa. To make things worse, she is also in denial over her break-up with Josh, which leaves her parents worried as they all prepare to attend the funeral of 105-year-old Great Aunt Sadie.

At the funeral, Lara sees the ghost of Sadie, who appears as a Twenties Flapper. Sadie is upset that her favourite necklace is lost, and will not rest until it is found. She enlists Lara for help, and thus begins a strange but ultimately deep friendship between the two.

This novel is written in typical Sophie Kinsella style, and I absolutely loved Sadie! Lara was also more likable than Becky Bloomwood, in that she truly wanted to believe the best of everyone. Except for her infatuation with ex-boyfriend Josh, she seemed to have her head screwed right throughout the story.

I would have rated it 3.5 stars out of 5 on Goodreads.com - very close but not quite up to a 4. Unfortunately it dragged a bit in the middle, and the ending rushed together towards a convenient, happy conclusion. I would have liked certain parts to last longer, especially when Sadie reconciles with her past (sort of, trying not to give the plot away here). It would have been nice to know more about her life, but I suppose going in that direction would require a bittersweet tone in the narrative, whereas Kinsella was probably playing it safe by sticking to her usual witty lighthearted dialogue.

I also wish the plot could have expanded more on the other characters, especially the relationship between Lara's father and her uncle. There was a nice sweet twist at the end involving Lara's mum though.

Water for Elephants

Author: Sara Gruen

Genre: Fiction

Film tie-ins are convenient. If I know who the actors and actresses are, I immediately imagine them playing the same characters in the movie - despite the fact that I have never seen the film myself. This usually sets me up for a potential disappointment when I DO get to see the film, as some scenes are not played the way I saw it in my mind, and some lines are inevitably changed.

However, reading this book disappointed me in a different way. If I were in Reese Witherspoon's shoes, I would feel insulted at being offered to play Marlena from this novel. Imagine - an Oscar-winning actress who has played such diverse roles since her teenhood reduced to playing a one-dimensional part (but hang on, didn't she do the same for 'This Means War'?).

Marlena is a circus performer caught in a love triangle between the circus' seasoned animal trainer and the new circus 'vet'. That's about all there is to her, as the story is told from the vet's POV.

It is set in the 20's or 30's, and is told in flashback by the vet who is now languishing in an old folk's home. The circus is a travelling circus, criss-crossing America on a train to perform shows or acquire new acts from bankrupt competitors. One of their acquisitions is an elephant that the circus owner insists on being made the star attraction, despite not being able to follow instructions.

The premise is interesting, and the novel started off quite well, but halfway through the pace dropped and things began to get quite humdrum. It was only in the last few chapters that the action picked up again, but even then it became a tad too predictable.

The Boy who Harnessed the Wind

Author: William Kamkwamba & Bryan Mealer

This is an autobiography of an African boy who built a windmill to generate electricity in his poverty-stricken village. He has since received worldwide fame and recognition, and his story even appeared in Wallace & Gromit!

The book starts with William's account of his family and their life in Malawi. His father, like many other Malawians, is a tobacco and maize farmer. William takes us through his childhood - his family and friends, the games they play, the stories they listen to and the scrapes they get into.

Then one year a drought strikes the farming community, and they are forced into starvation and poverty. William drops out of school after failing to pay the school fees, but, not wanting to fall behind, he visits the public library where he finds several science books. One of them has a picture of windmills on the cover.

This book is written with such a positive outlook on life. I do not know how much of the book is really written in William's voice, but it is a voice full of wit, humour and a 'what's next?' attitude. I especially enjoyed his account of witch children playing some form of football tournament using people's heads that they steal while the owners are asleep. But most heartwarming is his experience speaking at the TED Conference: struggling with his English, his simple statement summed it all:

"I try, and I made it."

Undomestic Goddess

Author: Sophie Kinsella

I have wanted to read this book for ages, and I am glad I finally did. If anything, this book redeemed my faith in Ms. Kinsella's writing (although she did write this before Mini-Shopaholic).

I also love the fact that the protagonist in this book is so different from Becky. Samantha Sweeting is an intelligent, no-nonsense, workaholic lawyer aiming to make it big. But just before she is about to achieve her dreams, she makes a terrible mistake and goes into a sort of nervous breakdown. Somehow she gets hired as a housekeeper - despite not knowing how to cook or clean.

I suppose the premise is too far-fetched, but at least Samantha does not annoy me as much as Becky did. And despite her lack of domestic skills, she quickly learns her new trade and even excels at it (oh, I am so jealous!!!). Things tie up nicely in the end when it appears her earlier mistake was -SPOILER ALERT!!! - actually a set-up. And of course she gets the guy.

The only grouch I have about this book is the lack of development of the other characters, especially the employers. All in all, an enjoyable read.

Mini Shopaholic

Author: Sophie Kinsella

Chick lit is usually dependable when I need a pick-me-up. Ever since I read the first Shopaholic book, I could always rely on Sophie Kinsella to deliver the goods. And so this time I returned to Becky Bloomwood, several years after I left her at the altar married to Luke Brandon.

This is the latest in the Shopaholic series, I think, and while Becky's circumstances have progressed - she's married, has a 2-year-old daughter and is hunting for a family home - unfortunately her shopping habits have not improved much. In fact, for a mother of one who is hankering for another child, she seems to have regressed into some childish behaviour herself.

Although some of her antics are funny, and there is a bittersweet, heart-tugging moment or two, I can't help but be a little frustrated with Becky for being so immature when it comes to her family. Some events have a big build-up only to end in a sort of anti-climax. Even her moments of brilliance do not match the scale of her achievements in the first few books (the articles, TV show etc). Except for the party - which turns out to be - SPOILER ALERT!!! - absolutely grand. This annoys me even more, in a-'What has she done to really deserve having all her plans come truer than she herself expected it to be?'-kind-of-way.

The Old Man & The Sea

Author: Ernest Hemingway
Genre: Fiction, Classic

This book was lying around in the house - it belongs to Hubby. He seems to have a collection of classics about men, fishing and the sea - before we were married he was reading Moby Dick but never got round to finishing it. Is there a trend here?

The story is basically about an old fisherman whose best days seem to be over. One day he strikes out to sea earlier and further than before, hoping to make one great catch. He snags a giant marlin, and from then on it is a battle of strength, wits and tenacity as he tries to subdue the creature and make his way home with his bounty.

 Anyway, this was a short book, which I finished fairly quickly. The writing was meant to be revolutionary at the time it was published. For me, I prefer my classics to be more meandering with long descriptive sentences. This has a very modern, conemporary feel to it.

Although I did not care so much for the writing style, the story and theme got me hooked. The ending particularly touched me and reminds me of the conundrum I used to face during staff performance appraisals - how do you address no results despite the great efforts you have put in?