Comments for Vulpes Libris

Comment on Armistice Week on Vulpes Libris by Moira

Moira — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 18:28:26 +0000

It has been a pretty solemn couple of days, hasn’t it? I’ve been on the verge of tears several times over the weekend, and I’m not a remotely weepy person. Mum and I watched both the Festival of Remembrance and the ceremony at the Cenotaph, and they’ve taken on so much extra significance over the last few years – with the deaths of the last of the WWI veterans, and Afghanistan … Remembrance Day almost dropped off the calendar at one point, but it’s come back with a vengeance now, which is an excellent thing.

That monument at Vimy Ridge is just stunning – that’s only a tiny part of it – the main part of the monument rises behind her, and can be seen for miles – but somehow her life-size figure, standing on the wall looking out over the killing fields is the most powerful part of it.

Comment on Samuel Pepys: The Unequalled Self – Claire Tomalin by Luise Hermann

Luise Hermann — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 18:11:49 +0000

I agree that this is a spell binding book, and Pepys’ wide rangeing activities, his energy (despite horrendous health issues) and in some ways very “modern” outlook (e.g. demanding training for officers, cutting across the traditions of the prvileged classes) are truly impressive.

Considering the turbulence of Pepys’ times and the to me almost incredible turn-and turn-again of often fanatical beliefs, I would have liked to read more about the background, and perhaps a bit less of tit-bits and scandals. I feel a little let down; the book is full of incidents of minimal importance, when the events of the time were so fundamental to the development of modern Britain. It’s an excellent book, but a different slant might have satisfied me even more.

The number of personalities is astounding: how on earth does Claire Tomalin manage to give credible details? – and I suppose her research has been sound.

All in all, the book is very impressive.

Comment on Armistice Week on Vulpes Libris by Nikki

Nikki — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 16:41:20 +0000

That picture is beautiful. It’s been quite a sad weekend really, with the news of the latest deaths and the Remebrance Festival and Centotaph ceremony this morning. But I am looking forward to these reviews.

Comment on Medina Hill by Trilby Kent by kirstyjane

kirstyjane — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 15:11:00 +0000

Congratulations Trilby! And yes, I’m hungry now…

Comment on At Seventeen by Celeste Walters by Natasha

Natasha — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 12:38:07 +0000

i’m 16 and i just read this book for english- i thought it was confusing and boring. I was waiting for the big ‘WOW’ to happen, but it never did..then it just ended. I really did dred every time I had to pick this book up. haha.

Comment on Medina Hill by Trilby Kent by Trilby

Trilby — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 08:59:07 +0000

Many thanks, ladies! And to Eve – who I think may have been the first person to tell me, way back in 2005, that the ending moved her to tears…(I hope for the right reasons!)

Comment on Hidden Conflict: the highs and lows of historical GLBT war fiction by Jackie

Jackie — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:54:08 +0000

This does seem like a mixed bag, but at least 3 sound very inviting. The last one, with the slow burn of grief is something not often tackled in fiction. And the first with the alternate voices of a diary is an unusual idea, as we usually think of diaries as private, singular things.
You always find works that are off the beaten path & it’s like you are showing us little gems alongside the trail that we may have missed. Thanks for that.

Comment on Red Dust by Ma Jian by Jackie

Jackie — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 23:35:36 +0000

Ah, thanks Moira, appreciate it!

Comment on Red Dust by Ma Jian by Moira

Moira — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 07:01:51 +0000

It's Books, Time and Silence Jacks. I forgot to put it at the bottom of Sam's piece this month - but it's there now! (Sorry ...)

Comment on False Colors by Alex Beecroft by Hidden Conflict: the highs and lows of historical GLBT war fiction « Vulpes Libris

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 06:55:17 +0000

[...] top grade of those one or two good historical GLBT writers I mentioned above. Indeed I’ve already reviewed her latest novel, False Colors, on this site. Very favourably [...]