Kaseys Korner

The Splendid and the Vile

We're all familiar with Winston Churchill, fearless Prime Minister and one of the power brokers of the British Isles/Allied victory in WWII. 'The Splendid and the Vile' will introduce a whole other side to Churchill. An intimate personal reveal. That of an extremely energetic, silk bathrobe wearing, night owl extraordinaire, two baths a day, megawatt personality of a man. Wow. So much more than a stiff upper lip leader! I honestly wonder what the outcome of the war would have been if Churchill hadn't been at the helm when Germany started relentlessly bombing England. It really impressed upon me the importance of leadership during crisis.

So many tidbits about the war that conveyed an understanding that it could have had quite a different outcome. If German had actually launched a ground invasion of England or if Hitler hadn't been set on invading Russia and making it a two front war ~ how long could London/England have withstood the full-on assault?? I felt frustrated reading how helpless Britain was against all the nightly bombings because the RAF wasn't able to fly after dark. How figuring that out could have made a difference in overall loss of English life. What the people endured with destruction all around them while maintaining a semblance of life was heroic. It hardly seemed real. I can't imagine watching bombs explode from the rooftops at night then going to work in the morning?? It almost seemed impossible that any part of London remained after so many successive nights of bombing.

Erik Larson fleshed out the real man behind the larger than life Churchill persona. He's so good at digging up the details ~ and about more than just Churchill too. This book encompassed many of the peripheral characters in his family and cabinet as well. I found myself googling name after name to put faces with each person.

Another fantastic read. If you've read any other book by Larson, you're likely to love this one too.

A Murderous Relation

I'm such a fan girl of this series and it's main characters, Veronica and Stoker. They've been exactly the kind of lighthearted diversion I needed in 2020 ~ the year of Covid.

The storyline in this one wasn't necessarily my favorite but the ending ~ yes, please!!! It was everything Deanna Raybourn trussed us up for in Book One and left us on slow simmer over ever since. *sigh*
Therefore, whatever was lacking for me before the final chapter, I've forgiven in spades.

Devoted readers of the series, we're happy now, aren't we??!!  I'm not even sure why we need Book Six??  But you can bet I'll be reading it!!!

The Art of Tea

I love the concept of "tea." The rituals, the beauty and the grand traditions behind it. I didn't grow up experiencing afternoon tea, it seems too genteel a custom for a working class family?? As an adult tho, I grew to love all the accoutrements that surround the taking of tea: the beautiful porcelain, the ornate antique silver, the table linens and of course, who doesn't love amazing bite size morsels? The appreciation of those finer things naturally led to an interest in the custom of tea itself. Having purchased a previous book published by Victoria (Our Hearts Are in England) I had an expectation about the quality of 'The Art of Tea' before seeing it. I can unequivocally say the book exceeded those.

If you're a fan of lovely table styling in equally stunning settings plus all the aforementioned items ~ this is a book that will lodge itself in your heart. It's not a coffee table book although it could be, the number and quality of photographs certainly qualify it for that category.
It could also fall into the category of being a gorgeous cookbook. So many recipes that accompany the photos of each tea styling. It's an absolutely beautiful book and covers every aspect of this fabulous custom. If you share any of these same interests, I don't doubt that you'll love this publication as much as I do.

The Priory of the Orange Tree

How I wished I'd known there was an index at the end of this book with a list of characters and a glossary of all the new words about to become internalized in my vocabulary. Another reason to love a BOOK instead of downloading an ebook version. Or maybe I just haven't learned to work my kindle in the same exploratory fashion I work a book over?? Either way, had I known what I was getting into, I would have definitely bought the book. I'm pretty sure I cursed when I found it. This is a vast, vast world, filled with innumerable characters and how a reference could have enhanced the journey!

Off the top of my head, I'd rattle off "Game of Thrones(ish)" if asked for a quick description. The author spun a tale about a world populated with distinctive countries, eccentric rulers, dragons, wyverns, magic, pirates, waxing & waning jewels ~ you name it, if it was fantastical, it was included. I was surprised to find it was written from a strong feminist point of view. There are two male characters who stuck with me, Niclays Roos and Loth but every other pivotal character was female!

I almost wish the author had separated the book into two works. It's ambitious enough to warrant that division. The first part could have been an introduction to the characters, the back stories and revelation of the plot line (so much there.) The second book could have involved the build up & battle with 'the Nameless One' and the aftermath. As it was, the culmination/battle itself felt rushed to me (didn't occur until 90% of the book was read) then took less than 5% of the pages to finish. My head is still spinning with how quickly it escalated, transpired and wrapped. Killing Kalyba seemed too easy?? and maybe even the dreaded 'Nameless One??' Whiplash anyone??!!

The ending also left me hanging regarding a couple characters. Primarily Tane. Did she die?? When she fell asleep by the Mulberry Tree, in the morning she's got a white butterfly cupped in her hands & her side is soaked in blood?? I went back & re-read twice but obviously I missed something?? Also what happened to those two coveted jewels?? Did they get tossed into the Abyss with the fierce 'Nameless One?' I missed that part too. So many characters left without resolution or their futures quickly summarized. I'm sure I have other questions but my brain is fried right now.

Title & Cover are 5 star. Although this says "stand alone" novel, I could absolutely see a sequel down the road, centered around the hunt for Fyredel, a romance for Loth, etc., etc. This was my first foray back into fantasy since GoT's and it was enjoyable to touch base with that genre again. I'd categorize this book as a YA Fantasy and think it could be especially enjoyable on audible.

 

 

I'll Be Gone In The Dark

I lost more than a couple hours sleep to this book & closed every blind in my house because of it. Definitely not a selection I would pick up on my own. I'm sure I groaned inwardly as my book club voted to read it and wondered if I could actually get thru it ~ serial killers are guaranteed to keep me up at night!!

Sure enough, the Golden State Killer or EAR (East Area Ransacker) was true to form. But shockingly enough, despite the terrifying accounts of breaking/entering, rape and ultimately murder, I was riveted and actually read the entire book in two nights.

The book is divided in three parts ~ Part I focused primarily on descriptions of the victims and the individual cases. Part II and III are more technical and delve into police methodology in trying to catch the "responsible one." What do you call a messed up person like the Golden State Killer? A boy/man who cried after raping, asked his Mom for forgiveness, was pervert-like in his peeping and stalking behavior yet heinous in the way he tortured his victims. The book alluded to the "hunt" being as thrilling (if not more so) than the actual act of raping and killing. It seems true when the victims accounts of the rape are read ~ sex wasn't the motivator if he barely touched the woman and it was over quickly. Nevertheless, the violations of home, body and mind were extraordinarily devastating and altered many lives.

It seemed incredible that he couldn't be caught earlier until you remember that DNA evidence was in its infancy. The fact that this man was actually a police officer turned my stomach. I wish an addendum had been added about his arrest, conviction, etc. I want to know what creates a monster like the GSK?? What happened to him that made him think terrorizing women was a sport or pastime?? There were multiple mentions of his small penis size ~ it made me wonder if this was the only way he could feel more of a man? In some twisted, screwed up way??? I usually don't think I'm a proponent the death penalty but it makes me furious that our tax dollars are paying to take care of someone like him. He doesn't deserve it when he's left such a trail of victims who won't ever find peace as a result of his actions.

The author is quite an incredible individual as well. It has to be fairly unique to have a lifelong fascination with murder and serial killers?? Or that could just be my opinion because I want nothing to do with them??! Her painstaking research all based on personal interest is remarkable. It's so unfortunate she wasn't alive to witness the publication of this book or see Joseph James DeAngelo arrested and incarcerated.  I'm sure both would have been very satisfying life achievements. 

American Dirt

 

This could have been a book I passed on. Thank goodness it wasn't. The swirling vortex of negativity/controversy surrounding it was a bit off-putting. I wondered if I wanted to point my shoes down that potentially messy path? Now, my very humble opinion is that everyone should take a tumble into the pages. I dare to predict you'll topple out a changed person.

To the voices who said it wasn't "real" enough or accurate enough in its portrayal of migrants to "el norte," I say consider it then as a "jump off" point. The casual reader (in which category I firmly plop myself) is not realistically going to read a textbook style book or hardcore documentary about migrants coming to the United States of America. If we delve into the topic at all, we need a starting point. A fictional story, especially one with a firestorm of press, like 'American Dirt,' is a realistic way to engage readership. Lydia is relatable, I suspect intentionally for the demographics of the book market. She owns a bookstore, has a family, cooks dinner while listening to stories of other people migrating away from their beloved homeland. She feels a passing empathy but then quickly gets distracted by the details of her everyday life. She can't imagine being uprooted from her comfortable home and then, suddenly she is. Forced to rely on her wits, intuition, stamina and only whatever she & Luca can carry to survive. What an "about face." God forbid most people don't suffer a life change as drastically as hers but let's get real. It happens. Hopefully not all that and a drug cartel Jefe on your heels too tho. Long story short, whatever kind of book/story it takes to engage a larger percentage of the population on this current hot topic and get conversation going, IS NOT A BAD THING. Maybe it will elicit more compassion from people who previously felt far removed from these circumstances? Or perhaps it will start a movement to effect a real solution, finally. Never underestimate the power of a book!

I can't comment about the accuracy of the Spanish, I don't speak the language but even if there are linguistic problems, are they really enough to detract from the message of the story??

I also doubt the rapes, (btw, beware if sensitive to that subject) deaths, monetary fleecings and other calamities that occur along a migrants journey are sensationalized. These people are in the most vulnerable positions and desperate to boot. I'm glad the author included some good Samaritan gestures along with the more prevalent despicable conduct the migrants encountered. If there was absolutely no Good Will demonstrated along the way, the stress & casualties would only escalate more. A difficult situation, fueled by constant fear and adrenaline, would become more impossible than it already is.

It's an emotional wringer of a book ~ at times I almost wanted to read it with my hands covering my face, peeping thru my fingers. Lydia and Luca are fictional characters but they'll grab your heart and have you feeling all the feels.

I say read it. If you're on the fence, jump off on the side of "READ." I found it quickly engaging, fast paced and filled with a variety of intriguing characters. Those characters put faces on migrants instead of lumping them into color categories. Again, that's a positive. Zero regrets!

The Glass Hotel

I can think of no better start to this review than the book cover! It's absolute perfection in setting the scene for the story that transpires within the pages. That misty evocative image of Hotel Caiette rising (seemingly) from the sea, surrounded by nothing except water and pine forests. Simply fantastic! It's really the one common thread to the whole story too so why not start here??! Everything circles back to this magnificent 5 star hotel in the middle of bleeping no where. The hotel (and island) is the beginning, the connection piece and the ending.

As far as the story, Ms. Mandel writes outside of the box. Kind of like coloring outside of the lines. Her thoughts work differently than most of ours. She likes to dabble in otherworldly subjects and assemble large casts of characters that don't always make sense until she snaps the pieces into place at the end. I remember the first book I read of hers (at the beginning of 2020 ~ 'Station Eleven') it took me forever to get into it, understand the point of "Station Eleven" but then by the ending, I finally had that "ah ha" moment, and I thought she was genius for a second. Then the actual 2020 pandemic hit and I cursed the day I read the book!

In 'The Glass Hotel' another large cast of characters (you wonder if they're all necessary at times??)
that meander about the story. At times, I felt it was all an exercise in memory retention to place them. Some had satisfactory conclusions, many others did not. The book starts with Jack, and one might think it's his story we're about to embark upon, but surprise ~ the bulk of the book revolves around a ponzi scheme. It's surprisingly interesting to read about even to someone with little or no interest in finances. It impresses the idea that the 'Kingdom of Money' is fraught with greed, corruption and little redeeming value.

There's an underlying theme of a parallel universe running throughout the book, whether it's the "other" life, the "counter life" (as Jonathan Alkaitis referred to it), or whatever you want to call it, it's too omnipresent to ignore. The part that resonates is we've all wondered about that "counter life," if only we'd made different choices, what might our lives be like now??

Thought provoking. Those two words describe Emily St.John Mandels writing style to me. Her characters don't always engender sympathy nor are they particularly likeable (at least not to me) but I'm always left in a deeper place of introspection than when I started.

 

 

The Guest List

omfg. Let me sleep on this! Wait, maybe a few thoughts before my head hits the pillow.

First, I've never read anything with a more entangled web of characters. The author does a great job connecting all the threads.

This book started slow. I was fooled. I kept tapping my toe, trying to get a handle on chapter after chapter of introductions to all the main characters. Then trying to keep them straight, remember their stories, and wonder when the story line would escalate. Once introductions were finally made tho, the reading kicked into gear and I blew thru the rest of the book.

Every guest had a back story, some more sinister than others. Pay attention to them all! They're all going to "gel!"

The isolated, foreboding island = a fabulous setting. Although even the description of the dark shape looming ahead of the wedding party boats would probably have my chicken heart staying on board & returning to the mainland without ever setting foot on shore. I think I'd be too spooked to consider staying overnight. Celebrity couple or not.

The right person ends up murdered but the twists and turns of who and why (with plenty of motives to go around) are jaw dropping. I did not figure out the perpetrator until the author was ready for that reveal!!!

Things In Jars

** spoiler alert ** I seriously wanted to like this book. I love a good gothic mystery, nothing beats one for creating that dark "brooding" atmosphere. So maybe I'm just feeling a bit cranky because of this pandemic that won't go away?? Who knows? Was it me?? Or did the book (despite its creative, magical, perversion-laden leanings) drop the ball?? Eeny, meeny, miny moe...

The story contained a multitude of unusual, colorful and just a touch shady characters but the one character that intrigued me the MOST and I wanted to know more about was Christabel. Sadly, the parts involving her were minor and the explanations about events surrounding her, even more deficient. So she's a merrow. Okay... Was the reader supposed to innately understand the surrealness of such a legend/creature? Like why the walls were wet everywhere she physically resided? Or what the consequences were if she were to bite a person? There was a man (involved in stealing her from Sir Edmund Berwicks estate) that got just such a bite and seemingly had to be "put out of his misery" because of it. Yet, little Myrtle had an armful of bites and was skipping around perfectly fine?? Ummmm??? Also, Christabel ate a diet of snails and newts and said diet just arrived "en masse" (no less) of their own accord & offered themselves up banquet-style to be devoured?? Where in the world does that happen? The fear of her capabilities meant she had to be locked down like a hardened criminal but at the end of the book, she was physically handled by several people (Bridie included) without any repercussions?? Because she was such a curiosity, maybe I was TOO curious about her and less involved in the mystery of who stole her (like the author intended us to be.)

Bridie was obviously the main character and the detective investigating Christabels disappearance. She was suitably eccentric for a Victorian era woman. She also came laden with her own mysteries including a hot boxer who happened to be dead but was amorously attached to her. Ummm yeah. Way to get street cred talking to a ghost while walking around pursuing leads. Best way to get a wide berth in the seamy underbelly of Victorian London! I always thought I liked this era but after traipsing thru the muck, squalor and stench of the places Bridie haunted, I think I'll pass. The book was that good at developing atmosphere. I should bump up my rating based on that aspect alone.

The dual storylines (of Bridies past & Christabels disappearance) were wrapped neatly by books end. Some more violently and grotesquely than others. As I type this, I think if a pandemic weren't going on, I'd feel more up to the "strangeness" of the story than I do now. I mean ya'll know I normally like folklore, magic, and otherworldness. Maybe this review should be another "thing in a jar??"  Sealed tight, never to be opened ~ a la 'The Winter Mermaid.' 
2.5 stars.

A Treacherous Curse

So I actually backtracked to read the 3rd installment of this series after skipping ahead to read the 4th book. I wouldn't say it was a mistake because they can stand alone but oh my, so much personal history was revealed in this one!

We get to "meet" Stokers ex-wife and find out the story behind their marriage and subsequent divorce. That was every bit as interesting to me as the mystery at hand.

More sparkling dialogue, more intrigue and at last, the teensiest acknowledgement from Veronica's father!!! These books are pretty dreamy literature and have given me countless hours of joy during our summer at home.