Catching up on Classics (and lots more!) discussion

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Bingo Archives > Samanta's 2021 Bingo Challenge

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message 1: by Samanta (new)

Samanta   (almacubana) | 328 comments


message 2: by Samanta (new)

Samanta   (almacubana) | 328 comments Classics Bingo 2021

The goal is to focus your reading on literary classics.

Read a classic that fits the description of a square. You may NOT count the same book twice for different categories in this challenge. Each book can be applied to only one square, even if it fulfills the requirements of multiple squares. All books read to mark off squares must be finished in 2021.

Challenge Levels:

Level One Bingo
Four Corners: Mark off the four outside corners of the Bingo board.
OR
Five-in-a-Row: Mark off five squares in a row. This can be done horizontally, vertically, or diagonally.

Level Two Bingo
Small Box: Mark off all the 9 inner squares of the board (including the free square), leaving blank the 16 outside border squares.

Level Three Bingo
Outside Box: Mark off all 16 of the outer squares, leaving blank the 9 inner squares.

Level Four Bingo
Blackout! Mark off all twenty-five squares of the board.


message 3: by Samanta (last edited Dec 27, 2021 02:17AM) (new)

Samanta   (almacubana) | 328 comments B1: Book From Our Group’s Shelf Prior to 2021
B2: Book That Has Been Made Into Film - FINISHED 25.04.2021.
The Feast of Love by Charles Baxter
B3: Booker Prize Winner
B4: Classic Romance - FINISHED 22.10.2021.
Salad Days by Françoise Sagan
B5: Classic of Europe - FINISHED 13.10.2021.
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and other Classic Novels by Jules Verne

I1: Classic Adventure - Crni lav u zlatnom polju by Jan Vab Dorp
I2: Book Published or Written 1700 or earlier
I3: Classic Short Story Collection - FINISHED 08.02.2021.
The Best of Roald Dahl by Roald Dahl
I4: Book Published in the 19th Century
I5: New To Me Classic Author - FINISHED 12.01.2021.
The Nutcracker by E.T.A. Hoffmann

N1: Nobel Laureate - FINISHED 05.06.2021.
Blindness by José Saramago
N2: History or Historical Fiction - FINISHED 28.03.2021.
Under the Light of the Italian Moon by Jennifer Anton
N3: Reader’s Choice - FINISHED 06.06.2021.
Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality by Eliezer Yudkowsky
N4: Classic Satire or Comedy
N5: Newberry Medal Winner - FINISHED 24.03.2021.
Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis]

G1: Classic Female Author - FINISHED 01.01.2021.
The Romance of a Christmas Card by Kate Douglas Wiggin
G2: Book Published in the 18th Century
G3: Nonfiction - FINISHED 22.03.2021.
Turizam i kultura by Marija Valčić
G4: Book Published in the 20th Century - FINISHED 17.05.2021.
An Equal Music by Vikram Seth
G5: Book From Another Book Club or Library List - FINISHED 29.01.2021.
The View from Castle Rock by Alice Munro

O1: Classic of Africa
O2: Classic Mystery, Suspense, or Thriller - FINISHED 26.12.2021.
Footsteps In The Dark by Georgette Heyer
O3: Pulitzer Prize Winner - FINISHED 18.01.2021.
John Adams by David McCullough
O4: 100 Must-Read Classics in Translation Crime and Punishment
O5: Book From Our Group’s 2021 Bookshelf


message 4: by Cynda (new)

Cynda  (cynda) | 4872 comments Samantha, good to see you here. I look forward to seeing what books you may read this year. Happy New Year.


message 5: by Samanta (new)

Samanta   (almacubana) | 328 comments Happy New Year, Cynda! :)


message 6: by Katy, Quarterly Long Reads (new)

Katy (kathy_h) | 9397 comments Mod
Glad to see you joining us in the Bingo Challenge. Have fun reading.


message 7: by Samanta (new)

Samanta   (almacubana) | 328 comments Thanks! I look forward to it each year but have yet to finish it.


message 8: by Samanta (last edited Jan 18, 2021 06:29AM) (new)

Samanta   (almacubana) | 328 comments G1: Classic Female Author - FINISHED 01.01.2021.

The Romance of a Christmas Card by Kate Douglas Wiggin by Kate Douglas Wiggin Kate Douglas Wiggin
Finish Date: 01.01.2021.
Genre: Christmas, Short Story
Rating: A
Review: A lovely feel-good novella about the meaning of Christmas and family. It was a fast and enjoyable read.


message 9: by Veronique (new)

Veronique | 1154 comments Nice start!


message 10: by Samanta (last edited Jan 18, 2021 06:28AM) (new)

Samanta   (almacubana) | 328 comments I5: New To Me Classic Author - FINISHED 12.01.2021.

The Nutcracker by E.T.A. Hoffmann by E.T.A. Hoffmann
Finish Date: 12.01.2021.
Genre: Children, Christmas, Novella
Rating: B
Review:
A young girl Maria and her brother Fred get different gifts each Christmas by an eccentric Godfather Drosselmeier, who also happens to be a watchmaker. On this particular Christmas, they receive a figurine of an ugly little man who cracks nuts with his jaws. Fred manages to break Nutcrackers jaw and Maria "nurses" him. During the night, the Nutcracker comes to life and leads an army of toys into battle against the evil seven-headed Mouse King.

This is the original work upon which the famous Tchaikovsky's ballet The Nutcracker was created. I have to admit that my only reference to the story is the Barbie in the Nutcracker animated movie, which is to this day one of my favourite movies and one I watch every year during Christmas-time.


message 11: by Samanta (last edited Jan 18, 2021 12:16PM) (new)

Samanta   (almacubana) | 328 comments O3: Pulitzer Prize Winner - FINISHED 18.01.2021.

John Adams by David McCullough by David McCullough David McCullough
Finish Date: 18.01.2021.
Genre: Biography, History, POTUS
Rating: A-
Review: I've decided to read this book as part of my Pulitzer challenge and because I love biographies and David McCullough as a writer. The name John Adams sounded familiar to me as a name connected to US and I was vaguely sure I read it on the list of the presidents of US. Reading the book, I got to know John Adams as a person, both private and as a public figure, and grew to like and esteem him a great deal. Throughout his life, he stayed true to his principles (and they were really good), but also showed that he was, after all, only a human, painfully aware of his faults, but not always able to control them (never seriously harming the people he loved in the process).

I love how David McCullough makes a long-dead person come alive in my mind and how he makes me connect to her on a personal level. Reading the book, though, I found myself wondering what happened to the original principles of the people of the United States, of not getting involved in foreign affairs and not trying to take more than their share. Were these principles, on which the Declaration of Independence was based, just a surface below which a desire for expansion was lying dormant and waiting for its turn to emerge? I could already see glimpses of that desire in the times of John Adams and I was greatly disappointed.


message 12: by Veronique (new)

Veronique | 1154 comments Both sound really good! Tempted. I’ve been reading fictional historical novels, one taking place during the American revolution, and which mentions Paine’s Common Sense...

I do like your stats layout and comments for each :0)


message 13: by Samanta (new)

Samanta   (almacubana) | 328 comments I used to be an admin in a group where the founder was a tyrant that insisted on this layout. I eventually escaped, but took the good stuff with me. :D :D


message 14: by Samanta (last edited Oct 23, 2021 12:02AM) (new)

Samanta   (almacubana) | 328 comments G5: Book From Another Book Club or Library List - FINISHED 29.01.2021.

The View from Castle Rock by Alice Munro by Alice Munro Alice Munro
Review only for The View from Castle Rock story
Finish Date: 29.01.2021.
Genre: Short Story
Rating: B
Review: The View from Castle Rock is a story about a Scottish family emigrating to Canada in the 19th century. The story starts with Scene from when one of the characters of the story, Andrew, was a little boy visiting the Edinburgh castle. Reaching the top, Andrew's father points at a land in the distance, saying it's America (which it is not, but never mind), dreaming of, one day, going there in search of a better life. Present-day (1818), Andrew (a grown man) and his family (his father, his brother and sister, his pregnant wife and infant son) finally take a ship for Canada and we get a glimpse of all the is happening to them and inside them in the course of the six weeks it takes to reach the new continent.
Overall, I did like the story and it was interesting to see the mass emigration of the 19th century and what was going on in the heads of people taking such a huge step in their life. I did not really like any of the members of the family, except Walter, who seems to be the kindest of them all.


message 15: by Samanta (last edited Oct 23, 2021 12:02AM) (new)

Samanta   (almacubana) | 328 comments I3: Classic Short Story Collection - FINISHED 08.02.2021.

The Best of Roald Dahl by Roald Dahl by Roald Dahl Roald Dahl
Finish Date: 08.02.2021.
Genre: Short Story Collection
Rating: C
Review: First, I'd like to say that I expected something completely different. I didn't know (and still don't) a first thing about Dahl's works and the genre he wrote. Looking at the cover of this book, I thought he maybe wrote something more for the children (taking a better look, again, I do not know what I was thinking). I also vaguely remember him as the author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, of which I've seen the movie adaptation with Johnny Depp and loved it.
This collection is creepy, to put things mildly. Some stories are a bit on the boring side, some downright unreadably boring, some interesting, but all with a creepy twist, or maybe macabre is a better word. So, if you are into that kind of a story, I would recommend this book, and if not, steer clear because some of the stories really leave a bad taste in your mouth.


message 16: by Veronique (new)

Veronique | 1154 comments Dahl had an ‘unconventional’ side, one that was indeed macabre as well as sad, offensive, etc. I haven’t read these short stories, although I want to one day, but I knew that they were representative of his style. If my memory is correct, there was a tv adaptation of some of these and they were definitely not for kids. I also think it is his unconventionality that made him invent such great kids stories (I’ve read a handful and they were all great, especially Matilda).

By the way, if you have time, do watch the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory movie with Gene Wilder. It is in my opinion a thousand times better than the one with Depp. Oh and the Matilda film is wonderful too :O)


message 17: by Samanta (new)

Samanta   (almacubana) | 328 comments Thank you for the recommendation, Veronique. I'll try to find the movies. I would also like to see the new one that's in the cinemas now (at least in Croatia it is), The Witches.

The one that shocked me the most in this collection, is Pig, and I just had a feeling that the ending would be gruesome and my prediction was correct, but still....


message 18: by Veronique (new)

Veronique | 1154 comments Samanta wrote: "Thank you for the recommendation, Veronique. I'll try to find the movies. I would also like to see the new one that's in the cinemas now (at least in Croatia it is), The Witches..."

Haven’t seen the new one - just the old one with Anjelica Huston, which was very good. Let me know how it goes :O)

And yes, Pig - I can just imagine...


message 19: by Samanta (last edited Oct 23, 2021 12:03AM) (new)

Samanta   (almacubana) | 328 comments G3: Nonfiction - FINISHED 22.03.2021.

Turizam i kultura by Marija Valčić by Marija Valčić
Finish Date: 22.03.2021.
Genre: Tourism, Culture
Rating: A
Review: A very informative book about Tourism, Culture and Culture as part of Tourism. The author gives and overview of the history of Tourism, definitions of it as well as definitions of Culture and the difference between a Cultural tourist and a tourist that gets to see culture as part of his trip to a destination. She also gives an overview on how Culture is being used and can be better used as part of the tourist offer of a destination and talks about sustainable tourism and culture.


message 20: by Samanta (last edited Oct 23, 2021 12:03AM) (new)

Samanta   (almacubana) | 328 comments N5: Newberry Medal Winner - FINISHED 24.03.2021.

Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis by Christopher Paul Curtis Christopher Paul Curtis
Finish Date: 24.03.2021.
Genre: Historical Fiction, Newbury Medal Award, African-American Authors
Rating: A
Review: Bud is a 10-year-old orphan, living in an orphanage in Flint, Michigan in 1936. At the beginning of the story the "Home" directress places him in a foster home where he is immediately bullied by the 12-year-old son of his foster family. After being accused by his foster parents of attacking their son and thrown into their shed, he escapes their house and starts looking for a way to find the man he believes to be his father. Bud's mom died when he was only six years old, and to be able to survive as an orphan, he became an accomplished liar and went as far as writing his own book called "Bud Caldwell's Rules and Things for Having a Funner Life and Making a Better Liar Out of Yourself". This book of guidelines helped him, as a child, an orphan and an African American, to survive the harsh 1930's racist US society. During his quest, he will find himself in many strange situations and meet many interesting people, but will eventually find his happy ending.

I really enjoyed reading this story. It's filled with different kinds of emotions, but is, at the same time, very light-hearted and humorous. It also won Newbery Medal Award in 2010.

Fun Fact: The two prominent characters in the story, Lefty Lewis and Herman E. Calloway, are based on the author's grandfathers, Earl "Lefty" Lewis and Herman E. Curtis.


message 21: by Samanta (last edited Oct 23, 2021 12:03AM) (new)

Samanta   (almacubana) | 328 comments N2: History or Historical Fiction - FINISHED 28.03.2021.

Under the Light of the Italian Moon by Jennifer Anton by Jennifer Anton Jennifer Anton
Finish Date: 28.03.2021.
Genre: Historical Fiction,
Rating: B
Review: I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.


Under the Light of the Italian Moon is a lovely story of Italian rural families struggling to survive the turbulent 20th century., told from the point of view of the women.

The story starts in a small Northern Italian village of Fonzaso, just as the "Great War" (WWI) is about to start. The protagonist, Nina Argenta, is a young girl just getting to know the small world around her. Many of her neighbours, including her oldest brother Antonio, are thinking of going to USA (America as they refer to it) in search of a better life. She also finds out that Pietro, a boy a few years older than her and to who she is inexplicably drawn to, is also leaving for USA. Years pass, the Great War is over, and Nina is now a young woman, ready to have some fun an fall in love. She sees Pietro again, who is visiting from the USA, and realises she has feelings for him, but thinks he is in love with her sister Onorina, the village beauty. A few more years pass with Nina now 18-years old and finally finding out that Pietro is in love with her. They decide to marry but, to oblige her stern mother Adelasia, the local midwife, also known as the Captain, they decide that Nina is to stay in Italy while Pietro goes back to America to earn money. So begins Nina's adult life, which will be filled with love, sorrow, happiness, loss, death, turmoil, fear and insecurities, but also a never-ending hope of a better life with the man she loves.

Jennifer Anton writes a story about her Italian ancestors. Although she writes about both men and women of her family, her focus is on women. The same women who were working hard, giving birth to children, losing those same children, picking themselves up after tragedies and continuing with their lives, while at the same time being obliged to do it alone, because men were either abroad working, were victims of war or simply couldn't be counted on to be present and provide for their families in the times when women were almost always housewives and completely dependent on men. All of the women in the Argenta family were strong women whose lives were not at all easy, with poverty, war, death, loss and uncertainty always looming around the corner. Despite all that, they managed to survive and carry on, ensuring the wellbeing of both present and future generations of their family.

I do admit that it took me awhile to get into the book. The topic of the book is a bit heavy and we are living in difficult times that are very trying for our nerves, but once I got into it, I could not put it down. I loved all the female characters, except Evira, which is completely understandable given her difficult character. Adelasia reminded me a lot of my mum, a strong-willed, dominant woman born in Dalmatia, the coastal part of Croatia (Mediterranean character, through and through :D), and I could see a lot of myself in Nina, so this story really resonated with me. Lasia and Rita are also very interesting individuals and I would have liked to know more about their adult life, beyond the fact that they eventually married. I think theirs is definitely a story that merits its own book(s).


message 22: by Samanta (last edited Oct 23, 2021 12:03AM) (new)

Samanta   (almacubana) | 328 comments B2: Book That Has Been Made Into Film - FINISHED 25.04.2021.

O Banquete do Amor by Charles Baxter by Charles Baxter Charles Baxter
Finish Date: 25.04.2021.
Genre: Fiction
Rating: B
Review: An aspiring author, Charles Baxter, suffers from insomnia and writer's block. One night her decides to get out of bed and take a walk through his neighbourhood. While walking he comes across his neighbour, Bradley Smith, who tells him that he should listen and write down life stories of regular people, with him being the first to tell his story. Over the course of the book, Charles will talk to Bradley, his two ex-wives, Bradley's neighbour Harry, and Chloe, a young woman with a though exterior and a difficult story in its own right.

Each chapter is written in the first POV so the reader doesn't notice that the characters are talking to the writer Charles. You get sucked into their stories and (with some of them) anxiously wait to see what happens. All in all, an enjoyable read, but definitely a one-timer.


message 23: by Samanta (last edited Oct 23, 2021 12:04AM) (new)

Samanta   (almacubana) | 328 comments G4: Book Published in the 20th Century - FINISHED 17.05.2021.

An Equal Music by Vikram Seth by Vikram Seth Vikram Seth
Finish Date: 17.05.2021.
Genre: Fiction, Music
Rating: C
Review: Michael Holmes is a violin player living in London and playing in a Quartet made of his friends, but not quite. He is in a sort of, but not quite (again!) relationship with his 16 years younger violin student from France. He is a profoundly unhappy person, who can't get over the one woman that got away (or that he let go). Since the day they said goodbye due to his depression, he unsuccessfully tried to find her, but she didn't want to be found. Then one day she reappears in his life and both will try desperately to have what they had in the past, but will find out that sometimes you just can't go back, no matter how much you try.

I seem to instinctively choose books that are too depressing and end up not enjoying them, because they are too depressing. The story had some interesting parts, but did not wow me. I happen to love music (both classic and modern), but the love the characters felt for music did not get to me. I also wasn't in love with the protagonists, Michael and Julia, or at least I wasn't cheering them on in their second attempt at love. There was too much hurt and resentment between them and also new people who did not deserve to be hurt in the process.


message 24: by Samanta (last edited Oct 23, 2021 12:04AM) (new)

Samanta   (almacubana) | 328 comments N1: Nobel Laureate - FINISHED 05.06.2021.

Blindness by José Saramago by José Saramago José Saramago
Finish Date: 05.06.2021.
Genre: Science Fiction, Dystopia
Rating: B
Review: In a nameless city in a nameless country, a man with otherwise perfect vision, suddenly goes blind while driving home. But his blindness is not dark, it's blinding white. The people on the street help him to get home. Once there, his wife takes him to see an ophthalmologist, who is baffled by the man's condition. A few hours later, he and all the patients and the nurse in the waiting room go blind, too. Slowly, anyone who was in contact with those people goes suddenly and inexplicably blind. Everyone except the doctor's wife, who for some reason does not lose her vision and will be crucial for survival of many people. It seems that blindness is contagious. The government, of course, reacts instantly, taking away and the first cases of the "pandemic" and placing them in an abandoned mental asylum, abandoning them to inhuman conditions and leaving them under surveillance of the military that treats them like dirt (out of fear). Soon, a blind collective living in terrible sanitary conditions and with small amounts of food given by the government, but that will eventually stop coming, will put to test all the learned good manners and put on display all the best and the worst of the human nature.

The premise of the book is really interesting and I read it almost avidly, though it was at times really philosophical (not strange given that Saramago was a philosopher). I wanted to find out what would happen in the end and if the people would survive the pandemic and in what condition. Despite all that, I do not recommend this book to those with week stomach, because the writer does not spare us from gruesome scenes and details.


message 25: by Samanta (last edited Oct 23, 2021 12:04AM) (new)

Samanta   (almacubana) | 328 comments N3: Reader’s Choice - FINISHED 06.06.2021.

Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality by Eliezer Yudkowsky by Eliezer Yudkowsky Eliezer Yudkowsky
Finish Date: 06.06.2021.
Genre: Fantasy, Fan-Fiction, Harry Potter Universe
Rating: D-
Review: I've been suspecting for some time now that I'm a masochist and I've proven it to myself by wasting my time on this book. Good thing I love Harry Potter enough that this attempt at fan-fiction cannot ruin it for me. This must be one of the most boring books I've ever read (and the most ridiculous), but I'm giving it a D for effort. There were some interesting scientific ideas and a few funny moments, but otherwise, it was 2184 pages of pure boredom, incredulousness and time-wasting. Did I mention masochism?


message 26: by Cynda (last edited Jun 28, 2021 09:57AM) (new)

Cynda  (cynda) | 4872 comments Samanta wrote: "I3: Classic Short Story Collection - FINISHED 08.02.2021.

The Best of Roald Dahl by Roald Dahl by Roald Dahl Roald Dahl
Finish Date: 08.02.2021.
Genre: Short ..."


Hi Samantha. I have been wanting to read some Dahl. Yes, his writing is often very strange, I may take a chance, I did like James and the Giant Peach. I belidve I readnthis edition. It is a strange story too. I am okay with this level of strangeness. I hope to find stories of similar levels-but not much more--of strangeness. Any suggestions, if you remember. ? ?.
James and the Giant Peach


message 27: by Samanta (new)

Samanta   (almacubana) | 328 comments Hi Cynda! Sorry, but this was my first Dahl book and I haven't read anything similar for a while now so can't think of a recommendation for you.


message 28: by Veronique (new)

Veronique | 1154 comments Gosh! Lots of reading done!
Saramago is another one I’d like to give a go..


message 29: by Cynda (last edited Jun 28, 2021 10:02AM) (new)

Cynda  (cynda) | 4872 comments Hi Samantha. Looking forward to finding out what you think of t
the Romance of a Christmas Card. You and another I know at Catching Up have it in their tbr list. I will check in later in year, see if you found opportunity to read.


message 30: by Samanta (last edited Oct 23, 2021 12:05AM) (new)

Samanta   (almacubana) | 328 comments B5: Classic of Europe - FINISHED 13.10.2021.

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and other Classic Novels by Jules Verne by Jules Verne Jules Verne
Finish Date: 13.10.2021.
Genre: Science Fiction, Classic
Rating: B
Review: There isn't anything new I can say about this classic. I was always drawn to Verne's ideas, but the execution was sometimes a bit boring. Also, I didn't really care for the translation I read. I would love to read this again sometime, either in English or in a newer Croatian translation.


message 31: by Cynda (last edited Oct 16, 2021 08:44PM) (new)

Cynda  (cynda) | 4872 comments Yes, Samanata, that is my thought too. I vaguely remember movies made of his three best-known novels and remember enjoying them with my family long ago as a child. . . . Glad you enjoyed the novel.


message 32: by Lynn, New School Classics (new)

Lynn (lynnsreads) | 4757 comments Mod
Hi. Congratulations on your reading Samanta! Jumping in on the discussion, The BFG by Roald Dahl was my daughter's favorite book when she was younger. I read it as an adult for the first time two or three years ago. If you are interested in this author, that is a book I would suggest. Matilda is another great choice.


message 33: by Samanta (last edited Oct 23, 2021 12:05AM) (new)

Samanta   (almacubana) | 328 comments B4: Classic Romance - FINISHED 22.10.2021.

Salad Days by Françoise Sagan by Françoise Sagan Françoise Sagan
Finish Date: 22.10.2021.
Genre: Classic Romance - supposedly
Rating: D
Review: This is the second and the last time I'm giving a chance to Francoise Sagan. Her books are just not my cup of tea and even though they are short (both were less than 150 pages), it took me ages to finish them. Btw, neither the English nor the Croatian translation of the title have anything to do with the original title.


message 34: by Samanta (new)

Samanta   (almacubana) | 328 comments Cynda wrote: "Yes, Samanata, that is my thought too. I vaguely remember movies made of his three best-known novels and remember enjoying them with my family long ago as a child. . . . Glad you enjoyed the novel."

I like them and the various movie adaptations I saw, especially the more modern ones as they are full of adventures and are really entertaining.


message 35: by Samanta (new)

Samanta   (almacubana) | 328 comments Lynn wrote: "Hi. Congratulations on your reading Samanta! Jumping in on the discussion, The BFG by Roald Dahl was my daughter's favorite book when she was younger. I read it as an adul..."

Thanks for the recommendations, Lynn. I really did not expect him to be such a dark author, but I would like to read more. I also want to read Witches.


message 36: by Cynda (new)

Cynda  (cynda) | 4872 comments Sorry to hear this. This weekend I hope to read Sagan's first novel Bonjour tristesse. Some of my friends rave about her. I look forward to seeing what I think of her writing. See what happens. . . .


message 37: by Terry (new)

Terry | 2174 comments Looks like you are doing great!


message 38: by Samanta (new)

Samanta   (almacubana) | 328 comments O2: Classic Mystery, Suspense, or Thriller - FINISHED 26.12.2021.

Footsteps In The Dark by Georgette Heyer by Georgette Heyer Georgette Heyer
Finish Date: 26.12.2021.
Genre: Classic Mystery
Rating: B
Review: Five family members come to live in an abandoned house in a small English village that is said to be haunted. The village folk tell stories about the Monk, a hooded figure gliding through the house and its surroundings chases the tenants away. Non of the five members believe the story until they start hearing footsteps in the house a soon as the night starts falling. Soon, people will start dying and some of the family members will start believing that there really is a ghost, but some of them will stay true to their belief that it's really a living person who is trying to chase them away for some reason.

This is an interesting, more or less easy read. You have a small village with a apparent ghost, village gossipmongers, suspicious strangers that appear in the village just as the protagonists arrive and village folk who are adamant in spreading the ghost stories. Heyer doesn't disappoint in this one. I was sure from the very beginning that the main suspect wasn't guilty but I wasn't sure about the real culprit until the last 80 pages or so.


message 39: by Cynda (new)

Cynda  (cynda) | 4872 comments I have read my first romantic novel of Heyer this year. I hope to read some of her mysteries, especially as you seem to have enjoyed this mystery. Nice to have saved an easier read for the end of the year.


message 40: by Samanta (new)

Samanta   (almacubana) | 328 comments I realised that this year I haven't really read anything that compelled me to read more. Now, I've finally taken up The Last Wish by Andrzej Sapkowski (the first in the Witcher saga) and I'm flying through it because I'm a huge fan of the Witcher world. And I thought I lost the will to read and I've just been choosing the wrong books.


message 41: by Sara, Old School Classics (new)

Sara (phantomswife) | 8569 comments Mod
So glad you got your mojo back, Samanta. I have had periods like that, and always so excited when I find that book that sparks the love again.


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