The Blind Assassin

I had never read a Margaret Atwood book but now I think I'm a fan (I'm just afraid that the next book of hers that I read is not as good as this one). "The Blind Assassin" is a fascinating novel about the sombre aspects of human nature and the weight of actions and omissions. The "novel within a novel" approach is mastered superbly by the author, adding depth and colour to the plot; 20th century customs and history are skillfully intertwined with the characters' fate, giving the book additional plausibility. The plot itself is simple but played out with some complexity, as real life does tend to go.

Synopsis

Even now, at the age of 82, Iris lives in the shadow cast by her younger sister Laura. Now poor and trying to cope with a failing body, Iris reflects on her far from exemplary life, in particular the events surrounding her sister's tragic death and the novel which earned her such notoriety.

Monster Mission

When Ana finished reading Eva Ibbotson's "Monster Mission" she recommended it to me. Since I like to share her books every now and then (some of them are quite enjoyable and I like to keep up to date with what she knows, enjoys and understands), I took up her suggestion.

I found the book quite enchanting, even though I'm starting to feel slightly worried that so much literature for kids these days is about magic and fantasy (Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials Trilogy, J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series, all of Eva Ibbotson's books, all of Roald Dahl's books, and many, many more). Has real life become so dull and unbearable for kids that all they want to read about is magic to get away from it all ? Some magic is OK, surely, but this is overkill.

I kept on nagging Ana not to read so many Jacklyn Wilson books, but I think I'll stop. At least those are about kids like any real kids with real problems in a a real life.

One thing this book did open my eyes to: the widespread and growing use of "aunts agencies" to take care of kids when parent's won't and there's no family or friends to help. Apparently taking kids to the Zoo, to the dentist, on a train trip or out to dinner are things hired aunts do nowadays ! I've checked. No wonder kids need magic !

Synopsis

Attack of the Killer Aunt's scream the headlines Aunt Plague Menaces City! Three children have been dramatically kidnapped by some mysterious, mad aunts. But Myrtle. Coral and Etta are far from killers - they need the children for a special mission. The secret island where they live is a sanctuary for magical creatures - mermaids, selkies, the amazing boobrie bird and even the great Kraken himself, and the kidnapped children help to care for them. But the Island of Monsters has become the target of some dangerous villains who want to turn it into a theme park.