Comments for the view from chesil beach

Comment on Book reviews: “Bonjour Tristesse” and “A Certain Smile” by Françoise Sagan by Chimera

Chimera — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 09:36:02 +0000

I don’t read nearly enough french authors and I’ve never read anything by Françoise Sagan, so I’ll have to give this a try. Thanks for the great review!

Comment on Book review: “Love Begins In Winter” by Simon Van Booy by chesilbeach

chesilbeach — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 16:23:15 +0000

Thanks for taking the time to respond to my review, and I couldn’t have been more delighted to see a book I’ve actually read and enjoyed win a prestigious award, and I’m looking forward to reading his novel when it’s published next year.

Comment on Book review: “Love Begins In Winter” by Simon Van Booy by beautiful

beautiful — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 10:32:51 +0000

Thank you for this wonderful review, and for spotting, on BCF website, that The Guardian (UK) picked up on Simon Van Booy’s Award win last Sunday! It was a complete surprise to everyone, but a fab one, and I am glad that you too have realised the quality of Simon’s writing.

Comment on About me by chesilbeach

chesilbeach — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 06:51:40 +0000

Thanks, Chrissy! Glad to be of service. I wish I had more time to write reviews for every book I read, but I try to make sure I put down my thoughts on the ones that have stood out for a reason – good, bad, disappointing or surprising.

Comment on About me by Chrissy

Chrissy — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 06:00:49 +0000

I love popping in here from time to time. Your thoughts on the books you have read always make for an interesting read – and there have been one or two that I have added to my ever increasing wishlist!

Comment on Book review: “Half of a Yellow Sun” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie by susan stewart

susan stewart — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 12:12:25 +0000

I completely agree with you! The book had such rave reviews that I kept plodding on with it – and I normally read fast. I’m pleased to learn more about Africa, of which I’m quite ignorant, but as a tale I could not have cared less about the protagonists. I also would have liked to have seen more character development of Kainene.

I had just finished reading Cold Mountain by Frazier – an epic tale set in the American Civil War, of a deserting soldier’s journey to return home. The brutality of war, and the thin line between civilisation and chaos, is lyrically told in this novel. The characters are much more sympathetic and better developed. Maybe that’s why I felt Half of a Yellow Sun failed.

Comment on Book reviews: “Chocolat” and “The Lollipop Shoes” by Joanne Harris by Sandra

Sandra — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 22:03:59 +0000

I enjoyed The Lollipop Shoes but was put off by the magic stuff too. I’ve since acquired a copy of Chocolat and suspect I will like it much more as I have seen the film.

Comment on Book review: “The Yellow-Lighted Bookshop” by Lewis Buzbee by Sandra

Sandra — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 21:59:23 +0000

A nice review. I enjoyed this book very much myself, I think it’s a treasure for book lovers.

Comment on Book review: “The Other Hand” by Chris Cleave by Sandra

Sandra — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 21:51:55 +0000

I really enjoyed this story too. I reviewed it just a week ago. I’ll leave you the link in case it interests you, and add your link to my review if you don’t mind.

http://freshinkbooks.blogspot.com/2009/07/little-bee-by-chris-cleave-review.html

Comment on Book review: “The Earth Hums in B Flat” by Mari Strachan by chesilbeach

chesilbeach — Wed, 27 May 2009 16:55:32 +0000

It is such a good book, and it’s still sticking in my mind, despite being a few books ago now. I thought the writing was very good for a first novel, and as the author is in her sixties, it just shows you’re never too old to start a new career!