I’ve finished some books several weeks ago (months?) and as much as I wanted to do these books justice I realize some details are fading fast and well I decided to do some quickie reviews and at least tell you something about them.
First up is Matrimony by Joshua Henkin. This book was all over the blogosphere last year and I kept reading great reviews about it but it got to the point that I felt like I knew all about it and I needed a bit of a break before starting it. I’m glad I gave myself time because I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is a portrait of a marriage; the joys, losses, jealousies, etc., but also about friendships and the dynamics that those bring to our other relationships.
The story begins with Julian Wainwright in the fall of 1986 when he arrives at Graymont College in New England ready to learn the craft of fiction writing. He meets Carter Heinz, another aspiring writer who has a different background from Julian but nevertheless the two strike a friendship. As the years pass we get to see what happened to their aspirations and how their lives changed.
Next is the 1oth book in the Inspector Banks series, In a Dry Season by Peter Robinson. I’ve been eagerly reading each book in this series and this installment doesn’t disappoint. As a matter of fact, I think it’s one of the better books in the series so far. Sometimes with series books we come to them because we know what to expect, familiar characters with familiar situations but in this book I almost feel like a whole new game plan is open for the inspector.
At the start of the book his job is in shambles, so his personal life for that matter, and then he gets sent to investigate a crime scene which all signs point to be a dead-end case. But the skeleton of the woman found will take him to investigate a crime that occurred decades ago and which will put him right back in the game. I’m definitely looking forward to the next book in the series.
Finally, a book that was highly recommended by so many of you The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins. This book took me a while to finish but never did I find it a chore or lagging. On the contrary, I just wanted to find good chunks of time to be able to sit down and enjoy this story.
When Walter Hartright meets a mysterious woman dressed in white little does he suspect how much of an impact she will have on his life. There are strange happenings, odd people, a lot of suspense and several narrators who tell this story. I definitely felt a keen sense of suspense as I followed each narrative and wondered who to believe or trust and all the while looking forward to how it would all play out in the end. A fabulous book.
All three books I really enjoyed, and even better, they all count for several reading challenges so yay for making progress.
I am so glad you ended up enjoying Matrimony, Iliana. I think sometimes distance from the mass reviews can really help. I’m holding off reading a few books for that very reason. I’m glad too that you enjoyed The Woman in White. Such a mesmerizing story!
I’ve heard so many great things about Matrimony and like you, I didn’t read it immediately when it was first released. I still haven’t read this book yet but I know I’ll get around to it, it’s just a matter of time. 😉 The same applies to The Woman in White but my other reason for not getting to it sooner is I’m kind of intimidated by the thickness of the book, LOL.
I’m like you, I read so much about Matrimony last year that I have waited to read it for myself. I have had Woman in White on my TBR for awhile. I know when I do get around to it that I will enjoy it!
So many people have told me that I should read The Woman in White too!!! It sounds like I definitely need to put it on my list.
I won Matrimony from Natasha earlier this year, but still haven’t read it yet! Maybe I’ll catch it within my Random Reading Challenge…
As far as The Woman in White, I just can’tt wait anymore! I will finish “Her Fearful Symmetry” soon, then that will be my next project! I can’t wait!
The Woman in White has been one of my all time favorites for years! I re-read it for the RIP challenge a couple of years ago and found it just as good as I remembered–and how often does that happen?
Peter Robinson is one of my favorite mystery/crime authors, right up there with Reginald Hill.
I’ve got a copy of Matrimony still waiting to be read. I’m glad it’s worth all the publicity it got.
Fun! I’m still in the midst of Woman in White if less than 100 pages in can be called in the midst. I am enjoying it but got distracted by being sick and then picking up a different book I had been in the midst of for some time while I was ill. It’s a juggling act sometimes! anyway I look forward to getting back to it because I was enjoying it very much.
I was just searching a used bookstore and the library for Woman in White this last week. I have heard so many good things about this book. Glad to see another reason to continue my search.
Literary Feline – I am really glad I did too. I know sometimes I’ve followed up on books rather quickly when there’s a lot of hype and then I’m disappointed by them but I get the feeling a lot of times it’s just that my expectations were overblown!
Melody – Yes, The Woman in White is quite a chunkster and at least for me it’s one of those books you really hate to put down a lot. You kind of lose more of the sense of the atmosphere so it’s better to get to it when you think you’ll be able to give it more time.
Kathleen – Well, both are good books to keep on your radar for when you are ready 🙂
Karen – It’s really great so I hope you’ll add it to your list!
Sandy – Oh I really want to read Her Fearful Symmetry. Keep hearing so many good things about that one!
jenclair – I think a re-read of that one would definitely be worth it. Of course now I want to read The Moonstone! Oh and one of these days I must try the Hill series. I know I’ve read some of your reviews on his books and they sound so good.
Melanie – I hope you’ll enjoy it when you get to it!
Stefanie – Well I don’t blame you putting that aside when you got sick. I hope you’ll be able to get back into it easily – I had to put my copy aside for a few days here and there and luckily never got totally out of the narrative.
Juliann – I hope you find a good copy! Mine was all beat up and will more than likely pass it to a friend but I wouldn’t mind adding a nicer copy to my keeper shelf 🙂
The Woman in White and Rebecca have knocked be like a feather! I love all the twists and turns, although WIW does take a bit longer to read than i have expected.
Matt – Oh both of those are wonderful aren’t they? I really must read more by Daphne DuMaurier too. I especially want to read some of her short stories!
Glad to hear that you enjoyed Matrimony and The Woman in White. I’m looking forward to reading some more Collins soon. I can’t remember now if you’ve read Fingersmith by Sarah Waters but you definitely should now that you’ve read The Woman in White!
I think I have a Robinson title in my stacks somewhere but I’ve never read any of his series. One of these days…
Holly Matrimony! Finally 🙂
I have to read the Women in White and Rebbecca too.
Matrimony is still sitting on my shelf for that same reason! I look forward to reading it some day, and I’m glad you liked it.
I loved a Woman in White and really must reread it! Glad you enjoyed it as well.