The French Agent

Officially World War II is over but for Sabine Brouillette, a former member of the French Resistance, the battle continues to bring to justice to those who betrayed her country to the Germans. When she discovers that a member of the SOE who worked closely with her group of partisans was the person who betrayed them she is determined to track him down, even if it means travelling to the other side of the world.

In Sydney Diana White is waiting for the return of her husband who served with the RAF during the war. As well as looking after their seven year old son, Freddy, Diana is a landscape gardener involved in a number of exciting new projects. There is a severe housing shortage in Sydney and Diana wants to ensure that new large scale developments factor in the environment in the initial planning. Diana is looking forward to having Caspar home again with his family but when he returns it is obvious that something is definitely wrong.

The French Agent by Belinda Alexandra portrays a picture of the struggle of the resistance fighters in France as they fought the Germans and also attempted to protect their families and friends. It is largely a story of loss. It is also a story of politics as countries realign their allegiances due to changing threats to the nation - in this case the impending Cold War. How the experience of war affects not only those who were fighting but also the lives of family members if they return home is a theme of the book. The importance of preserving our bush and garden landscapes as housing developments move further away from the city is another theme.

Belinda Alexandra has provided the reader with another novel providing a perspective of the affects of war on the lives of ordinary people. Unfortunately many of the issues are still very relevant in 2023.

Lessons in Chemistry

Set primarily in the 1950s and early 1960s Elizabeth Zott wants to be a research chemist but discovers that being a woman made her aims almost impossible to achieve. She gets a job as a lab assistant at the Hastings Institute in California but she is not accepted by the male members of staff because she is a female attempting to work in a man's world. She is also not accepted by female employees because she aspires to be more than a secretary.

When Elizabeth meets another chemist, Calvin Evans, who has a great reputation as a scientist but also is not accepted by the other staff at the institute, they discover that they have much in common and form a permanent relationship. Elizabeth decides that she does not want to be married as that would make her professional aspirations even more difficult to achieve.  However living with a man when not married is also considered by society to be unacceptable. To compound problems Elizabeth does not want to be a mother but she and Calvin decide to fill the gap by adopting a dog, Six-thirty.

But when an event occurs causing Elizabeth to find another line of work she finds herself hosting a cooking show on TV five days a week to support her family. However this is not an ordinary cooking show. Elizabeth makes it clear that she is a chemist and she treats cooking as chemistry. The male producers are not keen on the idea but it soon becomes clear that most women (and some men) watching the program appreciate learning more than just putting different foods together to create a meal.

In Lessons in Chemistry, Bonnie Garmus encourages the reader to look at how far we have come in accepting equality in the workforce. The world in which Elizabeth lives is very different from that of the 2020s. In most cases women today have a chance to work with men in fields, as equals, which in the 1950s and early 1960s was considered not acceptable because of their gender. Attitudes to marriage and having children outside marriage have also changed in many countries. Although often humorous, Lessons in Chemistry shows that much of what we now take for granted has not always been the case.

The Satsuma Complex

The Satsuma Complex is a quirky crime novel by British comedian Bob Mortimer. When Garry Thorn meets a business associate in a pub he is not ready for the changes that are about to occur in his life. When Brendan leaves early Gary notices a girl sitting alone at a table. She is reading a book but she indicates that she does not mind him joining her. They start talking and sharing drinks. Then she just leaves without saying goodbye.

Next day Gary is informed by two policemen that Brendan is dead. He needs an alibi so sets out to find the girl from the pub. What happens next involves Gary facing many dilemmas as he attempts to establish who he can really trust and how he can escape the danger that he is walking towards.

The highlight of the book is the "conversations" that Gary has with a squirrel about his predicament. He also is provided with support from his elderly neighbour, Grace, and her dog, Lassoo.

So Shall You Reap

The story of Guido Brunetti continues in So Shall You Reap by Donna Leon, number 32 in the Commissario Brunetti series.

When Guido is called in the middle of the night to attend a potential crime scene he discovers that the body removed from the canal is that of a man he had spoken to the previous day. Inesh Kavinda , an undocumented Sri Lankan, has been working at the Palazzo Zaffo dei Leoni and living in a house in the gardens of the property. How did his stabbed body end up in a canal and why was he killed?

During the investigation Guido discovers that Inesh had been reading a collection of articles relating to political unrest in Italy in the 1980s. This revives Guido's memories of those times and also causes him to reflect on his youth and some of the beliefs and ideals he had when a student.

As usual the author provides the reader with a picture of Venice - its geography, history and culture. Our understanding of Guido is increased as we learn more of his past and as we continue to witness his family life with Paola and their children. As the investigation into Inesh's death continues it becomes obvious that a knowledge of Italian political history is central to solving the murder.

The Bookbinder of Jericho

During the COVID-19 lockdowns in Melbourne I did a great deal of reading but the book that I enjoyed reading the most was The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams. The recently published companion to this novel, the Bookbinder of Jericho, is another book that I thoroughly enjoyed reading.

Peggy and Maude are twins who have worked in the bindery at Oxford University Press since they were twelve. Their normal role is to fold each printed page into sections and then compile all the folded sections together to form a book. After a while the job can become monotonous but Peggy has been warned that her job is to fold the books, not read them. If, however, pages or sections of a book were damaged Peggy would take the copy home to add to the library that her mother had created on the canal boat on which the girls lived. Peggy's mother wanted Peggy to stay on at school however Peggy decided that it was her responsibility to keep an eye on Maude who was special. 

The book is set in Jericho, a district of Oxford. Parts of the university were next to the entrance to the bindery. 1914 and the advent of the First World War changed the lives of the people living and working in Jericho. Many of the men and boys at the bindery left to join the army. Some of the women left the bindery to work in ammunition factories. This placed extra strain on those left behind working in the bindery. 

Tilda joined the VAD and worked in hospitals initially at home and later at Étaples, the principal depôt and transit camp for the British Expeditionary Force in France and also the point to which the wounded were transported. Her letters to Peggy provide background to the horrors occuring in France and Belgium.

The war also provided additional opportunities for women to help the war effort from home. Peggy and Gwen volunteered for an hour or two several times a week at a hospital set up in Oxford where they wrote letters and read to soldiers who were far from home. Peggy later worked part-time with other women in community gardens where vegetables were grown to help feed the local community. When there was an outbreak of Spanish Flu, Peggy and Gwen joined the Red Cross to help those suffering from this disease that had crept into England with soldiers returning from France.

When a group of refugees from Belgium arrive in Jericho there is a mixed reaction from the locals as  English families lose their sons and fathers when fighting overseas. As the war continues and numbers of deaths and injured grows community attitudes to war change. The plight of the Belgians becomes one of the themes of the book.

The role and status of women in the community is another theme of the book. The suffrage movement had been growing before the war and it was hoped that women, especially as they had been so involved in helping the war effort, would achieve the right to vote. At the end of the war it was announced that some, but not all women would be able to vote if they wanted to. The fight for universal suffrage would have to continue.

Living in a university city it was obvious that the education system also favoured men. Although some women were able to study subjects at university they were not allowed to be awarded a degree. Many obstacle were also placed in the path of women wishing to enter the univerity unless they wre wealthy or knew people in high places.

The Bookbinder of Jericho provides an insight of what it was like for women and families on the homefront during the First World War. Many of the issues at the time were ones that we take for granted today, especially in Australia. The novel is also Peggy's story and how she adapted to the many changes and challenges to be faced at this time in order to decide how she really wanted to live her life. This is a book really worth reading.

Conquered: the last children of Anglo-Saxon England

The defeat of Harold Godwinson by the Normans in 1066 resulted in the end of the rule of Anglo-Saxons in England. In her book, Conquered, Eleanor Parker explores what happened to the children of some of the Anglo-Saxon families close to power at the time of the Conquest. How did the arrival of the Normans change their ambitions and their lives plus the lives of future generations?

The author examines what happened to five families after the Conquest basing her account on the limited records available at the time. The records include several versions of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicles plus extracts from church records and books written at the time. People discussed in the book include Hereward, Margaret of Scotland, grandchildren of Gytha and Godwine, Waltheof and Eadmer of Canterbury.

Many of the families remained in England but some tried for a new life in different countries. For Margaret's family unrest in England meant exile overseas where she was born and lived until returning to England with her brother. After the Conquest the family sought refuge in Scotland where Margaret eventually married King Malcolm III. Some years later Margaret and Malcom's daughter, Edith (Matilda) married Henry I of England, the son of William the Conqueror. This was one case where being part of the old regime was an advantage as the Normans attempted to further establish their rule of England.

In some of the chapters the information provided appeared disjointed as the author used a variety of texts, when available, to tell the story. However this is an interesting book to read by those interesed in this period of British history.

The Enigma of Garlic

The enigma of garlic by Alexander McCall Smith is the sixteenth installment in the 44 Scotland Street series.  Reading these books is like catching up again with old friends to discover what has happened in their lives since our last meeting.

The big news is that cafe owner Big Lou has married Fat Bob but is he being unfaithful to her? Her friends are determined to discover the answer. Then Bruce's personality has changed since being hit by lightning when walking down the street. He has decided to enter a monastery. But will this be a permanent change? Irene has announced that she is moving back to Edinburgh for two months. How will this affect Stuart, Bertie and Stuart 's mother, Nicola? Irene has also decided that Bertie will go to a camp during the holidays. Unfortunately Olive and Pansy are going to the same camp. Nicola has set up an online profile on a dating site for her son. What could go wrong?

These are  just some of the senarios revealed in The enigma of garlic as the reader observes the lives of Angus and Domenica, Matthew and Elspeth, Antonio and Sister Maria-Fiore dei Fiori di Montana, Stuart and Bertie, Big Lou and all the other friends as they explore and discuss philosophical issues and life's important and not so important issues.

The Secret Keeper

When sixteen year old Laurel Nicolson witnesses a horrific event in 1961 she tries to put it to the back of her mind. However in 2011 when the family is gathering to celebrate her mother's 90th (and probably last) birthday Laurel decides it is time to discover the truth about her mother's story. 

The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton gradually reveals the story through accounts of events occuring in different time frames, particularly the late 1930s and the Second World War and 2011 when Laurel  attempts to discover the facts of the family history. Laurel's bother, Gerry, assists her in this quest. 

Three people, Dorothy, Vivien and Jimmy met in London during the Blitz and it is learning of their stories that allows Laurel to understand the past leading to the event witnessed by Laurel and her young brother. This is a story of love, friendship, deception and misunderstanding. It also depicts how events from the past can still impact on the future.

Pippi Longstocking

Nine year old Pippi lives in a house in a village with her monkey and her horse. It is soon obvious that Pippi is a child who enjoys adventures and also has special powers. Tommy and Annika, who live next door to Pippi's house, soon dicover that life is never dull when they are with their new neighbour. Who else do you know who is strong enough to carry a horse? 

Pippi Longstocking by Swedish author Astrid Lindgren is a classic children's book which I introduced to my ten year old grandson during first term this year. The book was first published in 1945 and shortly afterwards English editions were published. The books in this series have been translated into fifty languages.

The edition of the book that I own is illustrated by Lauren Childs, well known for the children's television series Charlie and Lola. Consequently my grandson enjoyed examining the copious illustrations as well as sharing the reading of the story with me. At times he became so engrossed with the adventure that he would take over and not let me read at all! What more can I say? Most children and adults will enjoy reading this book.

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd

Recently I read Agatha Christie: a very elusive woman by Lucy Worsley in which the author discusses the life of the English crime writer, Agatha Christie, and also some of her works that made an impact on the writing of crime fiction. One title that kept being mentioned was The Murder of Roger Ackroyd which is the fourth book by Agatha Christie to feature the Belgian detective, Hercule Poirot. The book was originally published in England in 1926 and has been constantly in print. It was also made into a play and film under the title of Alibi and has also featured in the television series, Poirot. The book has been published in many languages.

Dr Shepherd is asked by Flora Ackroyd to ask his neighbour, Hercule Poirot, to investigate the murder of her uncle, Roger Ackroyd. Her uncle had been found in a locked room where he had been stabbed.Witnesses had said that the window had been locked but evidence suggested that the killer had entered by the window. A short time before Ackroyd's murder the woman he loved had committed suicide. She was being black mailed about the death of her husband.

Everyone is a suspect but everyone appears to have an alibi. Dr Shepherd accompanies the detective as he investigates and keeps notes of what has been discovered. It proves to be an extremely confusing case, particulalrly when one young man disappears. It soon appears that everyone has a secret. During the investigation many previously hidden stories are revealed. There are lots of red herrings. But eventually Poirot solves the case.

Almost one hundred years after it was published, The Murder of Roger Ackroyd is a crime story worth reading.

Queens of the Age of Chivalry

Queens of the Age of Chivalry is the third book in the series, England's Medieval Queens, written by Alison Weir . The stories of the five queens in this book include:

Marguerite of France, the second wife of King Edward I

Isabella of France, the wife of King Edward II

Philippa of Hainault, the wife of King Edward III

Anne of Bohemia, first wife of King Richard II

Isabella of Valois, second wife of King Richard II.

Alison Weir has written detailed accounts of the lives of these women based on the information available. Unfortunately many of the the records from this period have disappeared or have been reconstructed to support or discredit the main characters being portrayed but the reader is provided with a vivid picture of life lived in medieval times.

At the end of the book is an extensive  select bibliography, sources of quotes in the text and an index. There are also some coloured plates.

Queens of the Crusades

 Queens of the Crusades is the second book in the England Medieval Queens series by Alison Weir. The stories of the five queens in this book include:

Eleanor of Aquitaine, the wife of King Henry II

Berebgaria of Navarre, the first wife of King Richard I

Isabella of Angouleme, the wife of King John

Alienor of Provence, the wife of King Henry III

Eleanor of Castile, wife of King Edward I.

Alison Weir has written detailed accounts on the lives of these women based on thre information available. Unfortunately many of the original records from this period have disappeared or have been reconstructed to support or discredit the main characters being portrayed but the reader is provided with a vivid picture of life lived in medieval times.

At the end of the book is an extensive select bibliography, sources of quotes in the text plus an index. There are also some coloured plates.

Queens of the Conquest

Queens of the Conquest is the first book in the England Medieval Queens series by Alison Weir. The stories of the five queens in this book include:

Matilda of Flanders, the wife of William the Conqueror

Matilda of Scotland, the first wife of King Henry I

Adeliza of Louvain, the second wife of King Henry I

Empress Matilda, daughter of King Henry I and wife of Geoffrey Plantangenet of Anjou

Matilda of Boulonge, wife of King Stephen.

Alison Weir has written detailed accounts on the lives of these women based on the information available. Unfortunately many of the original records from this period have disappeared or have been reconstructed to support or discredit the main characters being portrayed but the reader is provided with a vivid picture of life lived in medieval times.

At the end of the book are appendices including a guide to the principal Chronicle sources, an extensive select bibliography, notes and references plus an index. There are also some coloured plates.