review by Ro Bennett on recorded show
This book is described as combining gripping detective action with Tibetan Buddhism
Product Description
"Don't ignore intuitive tickles lest they reappear as sledgehammers." That's the first rule of Ten. Tenzing Norbu ("Ten" for short)-ex-monk and soon-to-be ex-cop-is a protagonist unique to our times. In The First Rule of Ten, the first installment in a three-book detective series, we meet this spiritual warrior who is singularly equipped, if not occasionally ill-equipped, as he takes on his first case as a private investigator in Los Angeles. Growing up in a Tibetan Monastery, Ten dreamed of becoming a modern-day Sherlock Holmes. So when he was sent to Los Angeles to teach meditation, he joined the LAPD instead. But as the Buddha says, change is inevitable; and ten years later, everything is about to change-big-time-for Ten. One resignation from the police force, two bullet-wounds, three suspicious deaths, and a beautiful woman later, he quickly learns that whenever he breaks his first rule, mayhem follows. Set in the modern-day streets and canyons of Los Angeles, The First Rule of Ten is at turns humorous, insightful, and riveting-a gripping mystery as well as a reflective, character-driven story with intriguing life-lessons for us all.
About the Author
Gay Hendricks, PhD, has served for more than 35 years as one of the major contributors to the fields of relationship transformation and body-mind therapies. Along with his wife, Dr Kathlyn Hendricks, Gay is the co-author of many bestsellers.
I enjoyed the book and found it a page turner. The storyline was good and I liked the character of Tenzing Norbu, but to me the ending read like a script for some sort of Indiana Jones cum Dan Brown movie - almost as though it was written with the idea of it being turned into an action packed, suspense filled, guns a-blazing film with a melodramatic conclusion.
This might be because the co -author Tinker Lindsay is a screenwriter who has worked in the Hollywood entertainment industry writing and developing feature films.
Having said that , it was a feel good book and I will certainly read the rest of the trilogy when they become available
Monday, 27 February 2012
Richard Zimler - The Last Kabbalist of Lisbon
review by Ro Bennett on recorded show
There are very few books that I want to read more than once and countless books I have read and forgotten. The Last Kabbalist of Lisbon is a memorable book that I have referred to several times.
The cover is attractive, a colourful, eye catching medieval design. The book begins with a historical note: In December 1496, four years after Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain expelled all Jews from their Kingdom, King Manuel of Portugal was convinced to do the same. In exchange he was to receive the hand of their daughter in marriage. Just before the expulsion order was to take effect however, King Manuel decided to convert the Portuguese Jews rather than lose such valuable citizens. In March of 1497 he closed all ports of disembarkation and ordered the Jews rounded up and dragged to the baptism font...
The historical note section ends with: Even so, many of the New Christians persisted in their beliefs. In secret and at great risk, they said their Hebrew prayers and practised their rituals, in particular those related to the Sabbath and the celebration of Jewish holidays. One such secret jew was Berekiah Zarco, the narrator of the Last Kabbalist of Lisbon.
The author’s note is about the the discovery of the Berekiah Zarco’s manuscript. Richard Zimler writes that he was staying in the house of an acquaintance in Istanbul in 1990, whilst researching Sephardic poetry. The 16th Century Hebrew manuscripts were found hidden in the cellar during routine building work. Intrigued, Zimler started to translate them. Some were Kabablah texts but amongst them he found an account dated 1507 which was about the Lisbon massacre of about two thousand New Christians in April 1506. In particular they recount Berekiah Zarco’s search for the killer of his beloved Uncle Abraham, a renowned kabbalist.
The manuscript reveals Berekiah as an intelligent, confused young manuscript illustrator, fruit seller and kabbalist. His frank language includes the use of swear words, openly blasphemous statements and even slang which the author has tried to retain in the translation.
The memoirs written after Berekiah’s own escape from Lisbon to Turkey where he eventually wound up, read like a murder-mystery. It is not a story easily forgotten. Zimler combines the historical aspect of this tragedy with a suspense-filled story well worth the read. The characters have great depth and the reader gets drawn into the atmosphere of the time. In places the violence is graphic and terrifying.
I presumed that Zimler’s introduction was factual, however, one reviewer has written: This novel lays the foundation for Zimler's magnificent Zarco series, which charts the fortunes of the descendants of Zerkiah Zarco over several centuries. It is surprising that some readers have failed to see that this is a work of fiction - Zimler likes to mix up fact and fiction and to lay a documentary trail for his work, which, while definitely fictional is based on solid historical research.
So there is some controversy as to whether it is based on a translation of actual manuscripts. Whether it is a translation or pure fiction based on historical fact, I found it really interesting, a page turner, brimming with suspense, sometimes horrendous - full of meaty content and memorable. It’s a book I will probably enjoy reading several times.
There are very few books that I want to read more than once and countless books I have read and forgotten. The Last Kabbalist of Lisbon is a memorable book that I have referred to several times.
The cover is attractive, a colourful, eye catching medieval design. The book begins with a historical note: In December 1496, four years after Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain expelled all Jews from their Kingdom, King Manuel of Portugal was convinced to do the same. In exchange he was to receive the hand of their daughter in marriage. Just before the expulsion order was to take effect however, King Manuel decided to convert the Portuguese Jews rather than lose such valuable citizens. In March of 1497 he closed all ports of disembarkation and ordered the Jews rounded up and dragged to the baptism font...
The historical note section ends with: Even so, many of the New Christians persisted in their beliefs. In secret and at great risk, they said their Hebrew prayers and practised their rituals, in particular those related to the Sabbath and the celebration of Jewish holidays. One such secret jew was Berekiah Zarco, the narrator of the Last Kabbalist of Lisbon.
The author’s note is about the the discovery of the Berekiah Zarco’s manuscript. Richard Zimler writes that he was staying in the house of an acquaintance in Istanbul in 1990, whilst researching Sephardic poetry. The 16th Century Hebrew manuscripts were found hidden in the cellar during routine building work. Intrigued, Zimler started to translate them. Some were Kabablah texts but amongst them he found an account dated 1507 which was about the Lisbon massacre of about two thousand New Christians in April 1506. In particular they recount Berekiah Zarco’s search for the killer of his beloved Uncle Abraham, a renowned kabbalist.
The manuscript reveals Berekiah as an intelligent, confused young manuscript illustrator, fruit seller and kabbalist. His frank language includes the use of swear words, openly blasphemous statements and even slang which the author has tried to retain in the translation.
The memoirs written after Berekiah’s own escape from Lisbon to Turkey where he eventually wound up, read like a murder-mystery. It is not a story easily forgotten. Zimler combines the historical aspect of this tragedy with a suspense-filled story well worth the read. The characters have great depth and the reader gets drawn into the atmosphere of the time. In places the violence is graphic and terrifying.
I presumed that Zimler’s introduction was factual, however, one reviewer has written: This novel lays the foundation for Zimler's magnificent Zarco series, which charts the fortunes of the descendants of Zerkiah Zarco over several centuries. It is surprising that some readers have failed to see that this is a work of fiction - Zimler likes to mix up fact and fiction and to lay a documentary trail for his work, which, while definitely fictional is based on solid historical research.
So there is some controversy as to whether it is based on a translation of actual manuscripts. Whether it is a translation or pure fiction based on historical fact, I found it really interesting, a page turner, brimming with suspense, sometimes horrendous - full of meaty content and memorable. It’s a book I will probably enjoy reading several times.
Thursday, 23 February 2012
Lucy Dillon - The Ballroom Class
review by Babs Simpson on show 23rd feb.
Thanks to a friend, I have found a new author! I was lent Walking Back To Happiness by Lucy Dillon and enjoyed it so much I ordered another from the library. This was even better and will be welcomed by anyone who enjoys reading Maeve Binchy or Erica James.
Th Ballroom Class is about Angelica Andrews, a former ballroom champion, who comes back to her home town to sort out her old family home following her mother's death. Now in her fifties, Angelica revisits the Longhampton Memorial Hall where she danced as a little girl with her father and remembers the excitement of those days, the smells of perfume, the swirling dresses, the french chalk on the sprung floor, and decides to see if anyone would be interested in using her expertise to learn ballroom dancing.
Several couples, some already proficient, some complete novices, turn up in response to her posters and the novel is all their stories, their marriage problems, their search for a partner, learning to dance so the first dance at a forthcoming wedding will look good. It is very well told with penty of humour and pathos and the reader wants to stay with them all, as well as Angelica herself, to find out what happens.
Anyone who enjoys Strictly Come Dancing will love it. I don't follow that programme, but I loved it too. A really enjoyable relaxing read and I can't wait for the next Lucy Dillon to turn up at the library!
Thanks to a friend, I have found a new author! I was lent Walking Back To Happiness by Lucy Dillon and enjoyed it so much I ordered another from the library. This was even better and will be welcomed by anyone who enjoys reading Maeve Binchy or Erica James.
Th Ballroom Class is about Angelica Andrews, a former ballroom champion, who comes back to her home town to sort out her old family home following her mother's death. Now in her fifties, Angelica revisits the Longhampton Memorial Hall where she danced as a little girl with her father and remembers the excitement of those days, the smells of perfume, the swirling dresses, the french chalk on the sprung floor, and decides to see if anyone would be interested in using her expertise to learn ballroom dancing.
Several couples, some already proficient, some complete novices, turn up in response to her posters and the novel is all their stories, their marriage problems, their search for a partner, learning to dance so the first dance at a forthcoming wedding will look good. It is very well told with penty of humour and pathos and the reader wants to stay with them all, as well as Angelica herself, to find out what happens.
Anyone who enjoys Strictly Come Dancing will love it. I don't follow that programme, but I loved it too. A really enjoyable relaxing read and I can't wait for the next Lucy Dillon to turn up at the library!
Vikram Seth - An Equal Music
review by Babs Simpson on show 23rd Feb.
I read Vikram Seth's first novel - A Suitable Boy - when it was first published ages ago, and hadn't really heard much about him since, so An Equal Music came as a really wonderful surprise. It is a superb, brilliantly written novel set in the world of classical music mostly in London. Michael is a violinist with a successful string quartet and I can only imagine that if Mr Seth isn't a musician himself, he has many close friends who are. I had a good friend who free-lanced with all the big London orchestras playing the oboe so went to a great many concerts and got to know lots of orchestral players. Everything about this novel was exactly right, from tense rehearsals to the extraordinary electricity just before the concert - how the players feel about the music, their fellow musicians, their agents - everything.
The main story is of a love affair between Michael and his lost love Julia who he met long ago in Vienna. They meet again in London: Julia is now married with a loving husband and a small son, Michael is still on his own. Their feelings for each other haven't changed but circumstances have and to far greater than extent than Michael at first realises.
It is a wonderful story and what particularly drew me into it was the fact that it is a proper, grown-up recounting of feelings and all the little things that make people what they are - pettiness, jealousy, deep love and lack of understanding. It is real in a way that so few novels are and it is privilege to read such wonderful prose written in such an unpretentious way.
For anyone who enjoys music, it is especially exciting, but I don't think that matters too much. It is a brilliant novel written by a really excellent and talented author.
I read Vikram Seth's first novel - A Suitable Boy - when it was first published ages ago, and hadn't really heard much about him since, so An Equal Music came as a really wonderful surprise. It is a superb, brilliantly written novel set in the world of classical music mostly in London. Michael is a violinist with a successful string quartet and I can only imagine that if Mr Seth isn't a musician himself, he has many close friends who are. I had a good friend who free-lanced with all the big London orchestras playing the oboe so went to a great many concerts and got to know lots of orchestral players. Everything about this novel was exactly right, from tense rehearsals to the extraordinary electricity just before the concert - how the players feel about the music, their fellow musicians, their agents - everything.
The main story is of a love affair between Michael and his lost love Julia who he met long ago in Vienna. They meet again in London: Julia is now married with a loving husband and a small son, Michael is still on his own. Their feelings for each other haven't changed but circumstances have and to far greater than extent than Michael at first realises.
It is a wonderful story and what particularly drew me into it was the fact that it is a proper, grown-up recounting of feelings and all the little things that make people what they are - pettiness, jealousy, deep love and lack of understanding. It is real in a way that so few novels are and it is privilege to read such wonderful prose written in such an unpretentious way.
For anyone who enjoys music, it is especially exciting, but I don't think that matters too much. It is a brilliant novel written by a really excellent and talented author.
Sunday, 19 February 2012
Dorothy Koomson - Marshmallows for breakfast
review by Maggie Perkovic on show
This i suppose falls into the chick lit category, it is also a Richard and Judy bestseller in 2007.
The main character kendra returns to England after a traumatic experience in Australia.She rents a flat from Kyle a separated father with six year old twins and looks forward to a new job and a fresh start in life, however the twins Summer and jaxon have other ideas and more or less adopt her as their new mother while their own is away in New York. Without realising it she becomes an important part of their lives and is happy until the man who caused her such grief in Australia comes into her life again and she suffers a near enough breakdown. I read on intrigued to find what is going to happen, but the author irritates who over dramatic descriptions and also because she seems to set herself up as an advisor to everyone with opions on every problem except her own obviously!!!.That she is wonderful with the children is a bonus especially when their mother reappears and we find out actually why she deserted them, but Kendra herself is not a heroine i could like particularly!!!! Engrossing in parts!!!
This i suppose falls into the chick lit category, it is also a Richard and Judy bestseller in 2007.
The main character kendra returns to England after a traumatic experience in Australia.She rents a flat from Kyle a separated father with six year old twins and looks forward to a new job and a fresh start in life, however the twins Summer and jaxon have other ideas and more or less adopt her as their new mother while their own is away in New York. Without realising it she becomes an important part of their lives and is happy until the man who caused her such grief in Australia comes into her life again and she suffers a near enough breakdown. I read on intrigued to find what is going to happen, but the author irritates who over dramatic descriptions and also because she seems to set herself up as an advisor to everyone with opions on every problem except her own obviously!!!.That she is wonderful with the children is a bonus especially when their mother reappears and we find out actually why she deserted them, but Kendra herself is not a heroine i could like particularly!!!! Engrossing in parts!!!
Sue Elliott with James Fox - The Children who fought Hiltler
review by Maggie Perkovic on show
I am always interested in stories about children in wartime, and this one is quite different.
After the Great War a lot of men employed to create and tend the cemeteries in Ypres and other
places in France and Belgium who later married local girls and had families. The British Government, concerned that these children would grow up without realising their British heritage decided to create a British School to educate them and teach them the english language. This was done, it was called the British Memorial school and fulfilled all the pledges and many of the youngsters later returned to Britain when the second world war started and served their country with honour, that they were also multi lingual was a great bonus as they also were involved in intelligence and resistance work abroad. When the war was declared Captain reginald H aworth was chosen to arrange the evacuation fom the invaded countries, unfortuately the Government did not realise the seriousness of the situation till too late, but thanks to the captain's diligence many escaped in the confusion of Dunkirk, and those left behind managed to sabatoge a lot of Hitler's plans behind enemy lines!!!!This book tells the story of the School and traces the former pupils.
There are some excellent photos and a touching one of the present day suvivors outside the school today. Well researched and recommended.
I am always interested in stories about children in wartime, and this one is quite different.
After the Great War a lot of men employed to create and tend the cemeteries in Ypres and other
places in France and Belgium who later married local girls and had families. The British Government, concerned that these children would grow up without realising their British heritage decided to create a British School to educate them and teach them the english language. This was done, it was called the British Memorial school and fulfilled all the pledges and many of the youngsters later returned to Britain when the second world war started and served their country with honour, that they were also multi lingual was a great bonus as they also were involved in intelligence and resistance work abroad. When the war was declared Captain reginald H aworth was chosen to arrange the evacuation fom the invaded countries, unfortuately the Government did not realise the seriousness of the situation till too late, but thanks to the captain's diligence many escaped in the confusion of Dunkirk, and those left behind managed to sabatoge a lot of Hitler's plans behind enemy lines!!!!This book tells the story of the School and traces the former pupils.
There are some excellent photos and a touching one of the present day suvivors outside the school today. Well researched and recommended.
Joan Hessayon - The Helmingham Rose
review by Maggie Perkovic on show
This is an interesting little story set in 1929 with two girls in their twenties sharing a flat in Londonand enjoying the buzz therof. Joyce an orphan works in an office while American born Marsha who is financially better off is free to visit retaurants and theatres and happy to pay for Joyce to accompany her with their assorted friends. Things change drastically when Joyce is found to be the heiress to the helmingham estate in Suffolk as the present one has been lost in the brazilian jungle and presumed dead. She leaves her flat and takes up residence in this beautiful house but finds herself quite out of her comfort zone, as she is now reponsible for her estate, her village her servants and everything which goes with being the Squire!!! It is very hard for her and the only friend she makes is the gardeners's wife who is trying to grow the rose in the title of the book. This friendship is frowned on by the locals, and when she invites her London friends down for a weekend it gets worse, as they insult her servants and mock the locals. Her erstwhile friend Marsha is so jealous of her new status they nearly come to blows!!! Another complication is Laurence a war time compatriot of the Head Gardener Tom who is acting as chauffeur but himself concealing a secret while he tries to come to terms with post war trauma after serving in the Great War. Joyce begins to wonder where her happiness lies . a good story, very enjoyable.
This is an interesting little story set in 1929 with two girls in their twenties sharing a flat in Londonand enjoying the buzz therof. Joyce an orphan works in an office while American born Marsha who is financially better off is free to visit retaurants and theatres and happy to pay for Joyce to accompany her with their assorted friends. Things change drastically when Joyce is found to be the heiress to the helmingham estate in Suffolk as the present one has been lost in the brazilian jungle and presumed dead. She leaves her flat and takes up residence in this beautiful house but finds herself quite out of her comfort zone, as she is now reponsible for her estate, her village her servants and everything which goes with being the Squire!!! It is very hard for her and the only friend she makes is the gardeners's wife who is trying to grow the rose in the title of the book. This friendship is frowned on by the locals, and when she invites her London friends down for a weekend it gets worse, as they insult her servants and mock the locals. Her erstwhile friend Marsha is so jealous of her new status they nearly come to blows!!! Another complication is Laurence a war time compatriot of the Head Gardener Tom who is acting as chauffeur but himself concealing a secret while he tries to come to terms with post war trauma after serving in the Great War. Joyce begins to wonder where her happiness lies . a good story, very enjoyable.
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