If you are interested in my review of No. 15, you can find that here.
Everything I said back then about the previous book in the series is true about this one; those who like the series will like the newest instalment, and those who never got "into" Turnham Malpas and its inhabitants won't all of a sudden get hooked by "A Village in Jeopardy".
The writing is less than elegant; sometimes I wonder whether the editor didn't notice, couldn't be bothered or left a sentence as it was because it reflects the author's personal style. Compare this to, for instance, Frances Garrood's writing - there are galaxies between them.
And yet, there is something about this series that makes we go back for more, and look forward to the next one. Maybe it is the way all the characters age and develop and their lives change at the same time, just like people in a community do in real life, while at the same time each book focuses mainly on one or two families or individuals whose stories provide the thread keeping the book together.
This time, one such principal character is Beth, now 21 years old; the series begins when she and her twin brother are born. Beth has just finished her first year at university and is about to take a decision her parents are not happy with. Actually, there are two decisions; one involves her (possible) future career and the other - surprise, surprise! - a man. At the end of the book, the young woman does what everyone hopes she will do, which left me a bit disappointed, to be honest. I would have much more liked her to go for what she seemed to really want for most of the period during which the reader accompanies her.
Some other people have to face life-changing decisions, not all of them are doing what everyone in their right mind thinks appropriate and good, but such is life, isn't it! How many times have people you know in your circle of friends, family or acquaintances done something (maybe yourselves included) others can't really understand?
Anyway, this book provided me with three evenings of pleasant reading, while during my lunchbreak I kept my mind occupied with a more challenging read - finally, some good non-fiction again, as my next post will show.
Feel I need something relaxing to read, but this doesn't quite sound as if it will fit the bill for me. Thanks for the review, though.
ReplyDeleteJenny, knowing you a little bit through your blog and your highly appreciated comments on mine, I wouldn't expect you to be a "Village" reader :-)
DeleteHello Meike:
ReplyDeleteWe have never read any of the 'Village' books but, we do not think that we shall start. Whilst we are all for some novels which are less demanding, somehow Rebecca Shaw has never appealed. So many books, so little time, the Village will remain sidelined, we fear, at least for now!
Hello Jane and Lance, can't blame you there - in fact, I was debating with myself whether to actually write about this book on my blog or not. But in the end, The Librarian in me won; I decided to give a complete account of the books I am reading and not obliterating one simply because it is less than intellectually demanding.
DeleteI agree that if you are reviewing books you shouldn't leave one out just because it is 'less than intellectually demanding'. I read a lot of very light ('cosy') historical crime ansd they suit me for those moments when I'm not feeling like an intellectual challenge of any sort.
DeleteAt least those with similar tastes can see whether any particular one was better or worse than another in my view. (At least they could if I were keeping my book blog up-to-date).
I will now have to read the book I bought years ago which has three Shaw "village" books in one. I haven't read it yet, and now I want to see what I think. And it's a fat book which I really should give away if it turns out that I don't care for it. Usually I like English village books.
ReplyDeleteKristi, I suppose it depends very much on what one expects from a book and what mood we are in while reading; I remember how much I liked the first few of the series, sent to me by my mother-in-law, and the "serial" effect took hold of me - I wanted to know how the characters and their lives and the whole village was going to develop over the years. In that, I was not disappointed with these books.
DeleteIt will be interesting to read what you think of them.
I know what you mean about getting to know the characters, its a commitment.
ReplyDeleteI think its one of the many reasons Agatha Christie is so loved.
I sure love the cover of this book!
xx
julie
I like the covers, too; they are all done in the same style, which is something I always appreciate when I collect a series of books.
DeleteI have enjoyed reading Rebecca Shaw's book, too. I was hooked from the first chapter of the first book in the series.
ReplyDeleteSo what if it's not the best writing on the world. The characters are interesting and, for the most part, believable.
I have trouble finding the books in the States. Thank goodness for Amazon UK.
Hello Margie, thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment!
DeleteYes, thank goodness for Amazon - that's where I get many of my English books, too, if they are not sent to me from England by my mother-in-law.