Thursday, August 21, 2014

The Girl You Left Behind by Jojo Moyes

Two part story, WW I and nearly now.  German Kommandant in occupied village in WWI admires a painting, of a local woman, Sophie, whose husband did the painting.   She wants her husband to come home from the war.  What did she do to ensure he does?  Nearly 100 years later that painting is owned by young, widowed, Liv.  It was a gift from her husband. Valuable, traceable, art is being awarded to descendants and that painting has been traced to Liv. How can Liv prove the painting her husband says looks like her, is hers to keep?  What did Sophie do with it?  How did it leave Sophie’s family?  The person proving in court that the painting should go to the descendants of Sophie, is also Liv’s romantic interest.  So many conflicts spanning a century. Wonderful story. 9 out of 10 again for author Moyes.

Thursday, August 14, 2014

The Fault In Our Stars by John Green

How can one possibly write realistically about terminal cancer characters, without having “been there?”  This seems like the author has been there.  Hazel is struggling with cancer, trying new meds, always on oxygen.  She is pushed by her parents to go to  a support group where she meets Gus, also a cancer patient, but one who has survived the curse.  Alas, one of his legs didn’t survive.  It’s a touchy relationship, but it survives beautifully although not in a typical manner.  I just finished it tonight and for the first time ever, I am ready to start a book again as soon as I have finished it.  10 out of 10.