Category Archives: British Literature

Alchemy Arts: Recycling is Chic by Kate MacKay and Di Jennings

British Literature February 4, 2010 Superfast Reader 1 Comment

Synopsis: A collection of DIY patterns for sewing projects using found objects. Review: The projects in Recycling is Chic were born out of Alchemy Arts, an arts group that began in Edinburgh and now exists worldwide. The book is filled with tons of fun and funky projects, most of which aren’t made with a pattern. There’s everything from jewelry made out of toys (like Monopoly game pieces) to a huipil (Mayan shirt) made from an old t-shirt and fabric scraps to skirts made from curtains…

Queen Victoria: Demon Hunter by AE Moorat

British Literature January 5, 2010 Superfast Reader

Synopsis: A tongue-in-cheek tale of Queen Victoria’s rule of a demon-infested England. Review: Capitalizing on the unexpected success of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, Queen Victoria: Demon Hunter is wittily written and a breezy read, even if the concept feels a bit stale. Many thanks to Hodder for the review copy.

The Killing Doll by Ruth Rendell

British Literature December 28, 2009 Superfast Reader

Synopsis: A lonely young man sells his soul to the devil so that he will grow tall, but it’s his troubled sister who falls under the sway of the occult. Review: The Killing Doll is an odd little book, with more horror elements than can usually be found in a Ruth Rendell crime novel. I’m used to the pettiness of her characters, but usually there are one or two who engage me. I really didn’t connect to any of these people, and was glad when…

Cute New Chick Lit Imprint

British Literature December 5, 2009 Superfast Reader

I don’t ordinarily do promotion-only books–I pretty much only post book reviews. But recently I got an unsolicited package in the mail from the publishers of Little Black Dress Books, and the books just looked so cute that I wanted to let people know about them in case I don’t have time to read every single one of them. If you like British chick lit, then I think you would like these–they’re contemporary and just a bit sassy. I will post reviews when I get…

No Night Is Too Long by Barbara Vine

British Literature December 5, 2009 Superfast Reader

Synopsis: A love affair turns murderous during a voyage among desolate Arctic islands. Review: No Night Is Too Long was not my favorite Barbara Vine. While I found the central murder to be wonderfully original, I didn’t care for the characters and felt like some of the plot was a bit too contrived. The book appears to be out of print, so someone will get a lucky treat at my local thrift store this week!

The Red Velvet Turnshoe by Cassandra Clark

British Literature November 24, 2009 Superfast Reader

Synopsis: 14th century nun Hildegard makes a hazardous journey from England to Italy in search of a holy relic, and finds herself embroiled a both a murder mystery and a political intrigue involving King Richard. Review: I’m afraid I don’t remember enough of Mrs. Philips’s eight grade British History class in order to appreciate Cassandra Clark’s The Red Velvet Turnshoe. I really liked Hildegard’s spunk and levelheadedness, but got lost in the details whenever the plot turned towards politics. I was also surprised by how…

The Blood Doctor by Barbara Vine

British Literature November 12, 2009 Superfast Reader

Synopsis: While researching a biography on the life of his ancestor, a hereditary peer in the House of Lords on the verge of losing his privileges thanks to a new bill faces his own family demons and uncovers the dark secrets of his heritage. Review: The Blood Doctor was not quite as dark or titillating as some of Barbara Vine’s other books. It doesn’t use crime as the engine for the mystery; rather, the story is fueled by the current Lord Martin Nanther’s obsession with…

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

British Literature November 6, 2009 Superfast Reader 2 Comments

Synopsis: His true love thwarted by unfeeling family and Cathy’s callow thoughtlessness, foundling Heathcliff wreaks havoc on all who fall under his sway. Review: Wow, I had no idea what I was in for when I started Wuthering Heights! I knew it was a classic of Gothic romanticism, but I was expecting a florid love story of the kind I don’t usually enjoy. Instead I got a pile-on of selfish people behaving very, very badly and I loved every minute of it. What i liked…

The Water’s Lovely by Ruth Rendell

British Literature October 28, 2009 Superfast Reader 3 Comments

Synopsis: Convinced her sister murdered their stepfather, a young woman unravels when her relationship ends while her sister’s flourishes, and she wonders whether she should finally tell. Review: The Water’s Lovely is one of Ruth Rendell’s quieter books, with a fineness to it despite the emotional (and sometimes physical) violence that lurks in most of the relationships. While most of the characters have deep emotional flaws, some of them are appealingly good, even brave and admirable, and that’s what kept me really engaged in this…

Luxury by Jessica Ruston

British Literature October 16, 2009 Superfast Reader 1 Comment

Synopsis: The drama and tragedy surrounding the friends and family of a wealthy hotel magnate. Review: Since I have read and re-read the novels of Jacqueline Susann about a million times, I’m always on the lookout for the next big, juicy, trashy read. Olivia Goldsmith does it for me; so did The Best of Everything. And now I can add Luxury to my greatest hits list of decadent, over-the-top smutty books that make me feel like I’m taking a vacation in my head. Logan Barnes…

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