Review: The Saturday Night Sauvignon Sisterhood

Title: The Saturday Night Sauvignon Sisterhood

Author: Gill Sims

Publisher: 6th July 2022 by HarperCollins Australia

Pages: 343 pages

Genre: contemporary, humour

My Rating: 3.5 cups

Synopsis:

Claire’s family has gone nuclear. Her precious moppets keep calling Childline when she feeds them broccoli, she’s utterly Ottolenghied out at weekends, and her darling husband is having an affair with her best friend.

The question isn’t whether she needs a glass of wine, but is there one big enough?

Enter the Sauvignon Sisterhood, a new set of friends brought together by a shared love of liquid therapy. Together they might just be able to convince Claire that, like a good bottle of red, life really can get better with age. Or at least there’s more to it than the joy of an non-iron school uniform.

My Thoughts

‘A toast’, said Claire, standing up unsteadily. 'To us! The Saturday  Night Sauvignon Sisterhood. We're divorcees and widows and marrieds an' all, an' here's to us!’

I found The Saturday Night Sauvignon Sisterhood to be funny in places but the surprise was the underlying tones that contained messages that I found to be heartwarming. This book is, of course, a comical realistic tale of motherhood and marriage, yet it also deals with more serious issues and this was done with care and sincerity.

The story follows Claire as her life gets turned upside down, but aside from the laughter, it’s a journey of her reinvention as someone stronger and truer to self. Yes, there is much wit revolving around family, marriage, school, work and friendships with it often being the simple observations that we all come across. This is what makes it relatable and provides comic relief to so many. Whether it be the interactions between parents and their children, or the stereotypical playground parents, readers are sure to find many laugh out loud moments. 

‘Anyway, the important thing is that you've got to keep hold of who you are. You. Yourself. Not a wife, not a mother, not an employee, but you. Have you done that?'

What was pleasantly surprising was the wisdom wound around the wit from all these messy emotions. When this seemingly normal life begins to unravel, how do people work through it to come out the other side different but better? The central theme here is really one of support and friendship and having that ‘tribe’ of people surrounding you to hold your hand (and being reciprocative) as together you laugh, cry and set about, through much honesty, making  changes.

For me, whilst I was not that caught up in the humour, I did very much appreciate the story of growth and personal development. The strength and resolve Claire demonstrated in making the necessary adjustments (with support) to evolve into a new life was worthy. A much relatable tale that is both lighthearted and uplifting.

‘Claire felt a sense of peace that had been missing for a long time, and she also felt a new sense of pride that however sad it was that this life was now over, it was finishing on her terms, and at her say-so. She had let herself drift along at the mercy of other people's whims for too long, and now it was time to take charge of her own life again.’

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

Review: The French Agent

Title: The French Agent

Author: Belinda Alexandra

Publisher: 7th September 2022 by HarperCollins Australia

Pages: 390 pages

Genre: historical fiction, mystery

My Rating: 5 cups

Synopsis:

A world in chaos. Two very different women. And the mystery of the man who may connect them. The stunning new novel from beloved Australian storyteller Belinda Alexandra.

Paris 1946: Sabine Brouillette is a war crimes investigator with the French secret service. She lost her family, including her young son, when her Resistance circuit was betrayed near the end of the war. New evidence comes to light that the traitor was a British double agent who went by the codename 'the Black Fox'. Now her quest for revenge has a single focus: find the Black Fox and kill him.

Sydney 1946: Landscape designer Diana White has been waiting six years for her husband, Casper, to return from the war in Europe. Her son, Freddy, was only a baby when his British-born father joined the RAF. But Casper is a changed man when he returns from the convalescent hospital in England where he has spent the past year under mysterious circumstances. No longer the easygoing personality Diana fell in love with, he is now darker and more secretive.

Soon Sabine and Diana find themselves on a collision course - one seeking vengeance, the other willing to go to any lengths to protect her family.

My Thoughts

Can Belinda do it all? It would seem, yes she can! The French Agent is a stunning story that held me captivated all the way through. From plot twists and turns that I knew had to come and couldn’t wait to see how Belinda would ultimately place the puzzle pieces for her readers; to simply exquisite writing that was both lyrical and mystical; to research that ever so beautifully captured a love of the natural environment - this book has it all!

‘Investigating war crimes was like delving into the mind of evil. Every evening, when Sabine went home, she took a bath even when the water was freezing. She had to wash that evil off herself.’

Firstly the plot is ever so clever as readers weave through timelines with such sublime segues that Belinda made it look easy. Whether it be 1920s flashbacks, to during the war, to after the war - Belinda effortlessly guided her readers to collecting breadcrumbs towards the final revelation and action. Secondly, Belinda’s knowledge and obvious love of nature, art and music is rich and rewarding. Whether I was strolling through an art gallery or listening to a sonata, Belinda took me there. However, it was the delivery of Belinda’s knowledge, not only on horticulture, but also the importance of the natural environment that I lapped up.

‘Diana had learned to appreciate silence. The pauses between notes of music, the quiet of the stars, the way paintings spoke without using words.’

Other themes are pursued - espionage, war tragedies and trauma, PTSD, Sydney - housing crisis and town planning after the war, domestic violence and family drama - this certainly is a tale that is rich and highly engaging for its readers. So I state once more … can Belinda do it all …  yes she can! 

‘We are here to appreciate beauty,' she continued. 'When people forget that, they create strife and wars and all manner of ugly things. They destroy what is beautiful and precious instead of appreciating and respecting it.’

I have loved all Belinda’s books and she just seems to get better and better with each one. The French Agent being such a well rounded novel with love and loyalty, secrets and spies and a story that will sit with you long after turning the final page. I highly recommend this to not only historical fiction lovers but anyone who wants to get lost in a great story. 

“To honour her I try to live by her favourite proverb: "One today is better than ten tomorrows.”

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

Review: Daughter of Calabria

Title: Daughter of Calabria

(Previously published as Echoes of War)

Author: Tania Blanchard

Publisher: 7th September 2022 by Simon & Schuster Au

Pages: 448 pages

Genre: historical fiction

My Rating: 4.5 cups

Synopsis:

Previously published as Echoes of War

Set in Mussolini’s Italy amid great upheaval, this is the story of one woman’s determination to find her place in a world that men are threatening to tear apart. Another heart-rending novel inspired by a true story from Australia's bestselling author of The Girl from Munich.

Calabria, Italy, 1936

In a remote farming village nestled in the mountains that descend into the sparkling Ionian Sea, young and spirited Giulia Tallariti longs for something more. While she loves her home and her lively family, she would much rather follow in her nonna’s footsteps and pursue her dream of becoming a healer.

But as Mussolini’s focus shifts to the war in Europe, civil unrest looms. Whispers of war are at every corner and her beloved village, once safe from the fascist agenda of the North, is now in very real danger.

Caught between her desire to forge her own path and her duty to her family, Giulia must draw on the passion in her heart and the strength of her conviction.

Can she find a way to fulfill her dreams without sacrificing all she holds dear?

My Thoughts

‘You have to be smart, be realistic, work within the boundaries to find a way to do what you want.’

Daughter of Calabria (previously published as Echoes of War in 2021) is the fourth novel by Aussie author Tania Blanchard and I was excited to read it as I have very much enjoyed her previous offerings. On this occasion we have a young girl, Guilia, who just wants to be a healer like her Nonna. However, this puts her at odds with her father who’s only wish is to see his daughters married off as quickly as possible. Add into the mix, the outbreak of WWII and it is a recipe for a drama filled tale. 

‘I was finally free of Papà’s controlling ways and about to learn from one of the best herbalists in Calabria.’

Extending from 1936 into the 1950s, the reader follows Guilia’s struggles between her dreams and her family’s wishes. In the background, Mussolini and the world are waging war. Tania does a fantastic job of bringing to life not only this dictatorial government but also the patriarchal society and how life might have played out for someone such as Guilia.

‘The greatest responsibility of all rested on the shoulders of women. We were the ones who kept the family together, kept our farms and businesses running, put food on the table and made sure we all survived. But we couldn’t do it without each other.’

The story is inspired by Tania’s grandparents as mentioned in her Author Notes and she does another sensational job of melding fact and fiction. As in her previous works, Tania blends the events of the war beautifully with a story, in fact, the war most definitely is in the background for this one. With themes of family and ambition, dreams and heartbreak, I recommend lovers of historical fiction to take this journey with all the drama that this period brings with it. 

‘Oh, Giulia, you’ve always had a passion for life, a thirst for knowledge and the strength of will to reach for your dreams. You only needed to know how to harness your talents and recognise the strength within you.’

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

Review: The Mapmaker's Daughter

Title: The Mapmaker's Daughter

Author: Clare Marchant

Publisher: 1st September 2022 by Avon Books UK

Pages: 400 pages

Genre: historical fiction

My Rating: 4 cups

Synopsis:

Can a map from the past reveal the path to the future?

A rediscovered map…

Present day: After a tragic event froze her life seven years ago, Robyn is now focused on helping her father’s map shop as she struggles to heal. But when she discovers an exquisite map from the Tudor period, mysteriously ringed with a splatter of blood and whose creator is unknown, Robyn finds herself caught in a centuries-old mystery. One that will send her halfway across the world to London and then Amsterdam in search of the truth. A truth that could hold the key to changing her life forever.

A lady cartographer…

1569: After being forced to flee her home, Frieda is determined to start over in London, England and keep her family safe by continuing the family trade of map drawing. Through her rare and skilled work, she catches the eye of the royal monarch Queen Elizabeth I who demands her and her sea captain husband’s help with the Crown’s battle against the Spanish King Philip. And so Freida embarks on a dangerous quest, one that will lead her to discover, the ultimate danger can happen even across the seas…

Two women, centuries apart. Can one mysterious treasure bring them together?

My Thoughts

The Mapmaker’s Daughter is such a unique and interesting tale. A dual timeline narrative told from two women’s points of view, alternating between 1569 and 2022. These two women share a connection not only through a mysterious map but also the men they marry and loved ones they lose. 

‘She had placed a part of herself in it, something unique and distinctive that would always connect them together.’

I appreciated the extensive research undertaken for the book. In all honesty, the 1569 timeline was far more interesting with strong characters and an engaging storyline. The detail, inclusive of everything from religious persecution, to map making, to the Elizabethan Court was thorough and well told. The present day timeline, as is often the case, suffered because it was the medium through which the connections and discoveries were to be made. It lacked the same depth and attention to detail. The lead character’s story was not convincing and only became so when she ventured into finding the origin of the map. 

The Mapmaker’s Daughter was a good story that came together for a satisfying conclusion. The historical aspect of the book was rich and inviting particularly the cartography detail on creating maps in the 1500s. Lovers of historical fiction are sure to find something inviting from this story. 

‘The more she engraved, the more of her soul was being buried in the lines she cut. What had begun as a simple commission was becoming a part of her, every house or building, every street was important to her in some way. This was beginning to be a part of her, her life flowing down the blade of her tool and into the copperplate.’

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

Review: A Question of Age

Title: A Question of Age

Author: Jacinta Parson

Publisher: 7th September 2022 by ABC Books & HarperCollins Australia

Pages: 266 pages

Genre: nonfiction, women, biography

My Rating: 5 cups

Synopsis:

A beautifully written, searing and powerful examination of women and ageing that you will not be able to put down: intense, compelling, poetic, raging.

Warning: this is not a self-help book. Or, a helpful book, necessarily. No one really needs 'help' with ageing. It will happen no matter what we do. Neither is it a book to guide you through these stages of ageing. This book will not ask you to love your lines. Or to post on social media that you feel privileged to age. This book is, instead, a howl of rage.

Grappling with ageing is one of the most confronting elements of being a woman. When we become invisible, when we lose our sexual currency, when we lose that elasticity in our skin, when our bodies soften and change, when our perceived 'value' to society dramatically falls, when our notion of self-worth takes a radical shift.

What do we do when our outside self doesn't match our inside self? That old woman staring back at her reflection in the mirror doesn't understand why she feels so young. So how do we adjust our perceptions of getting older? What does it mean to age as a woman? How do we adjust our thinking about being in the world? What is our currency now?

Jacinta believes that midlife is a crucial reckoning with despair and hope, a time when you are naked in the centre of the world and no-one notices or perhaps cares to look. Midlife is a time when you take stock – to look back and understand how you were made as a woman, and to look forward into the future, to see how you might unmake yourself to live the life that perhaps you should be living.

A Question of Age is incendiary, raging and raw, but also compassionate, insightful and powerfully energising. It is a book for every woman looking in the mirror thinking she no longer recognises herself. It is a book for our times.

My Thoughts

Something drew me to this book and it became the book I needed to read …. HAD to read. I cannot convey how much I needed to read these words. If I could buy a copy and place it into the hands of every woman I know I would - from my teenage daughter to my elderly mother. All I can say is that this is a MUST read. My review will not be able to do it justice, but here goes ….

This is a first person exploration of the many challenges that arise being female and, in particular, ageing in our society. It is honest - at times brutally so - yet so life affirming with words every woman NEEDS to hear. It’s about acknowledging and witnessing a change in one’s life into, not just another stage of phase, but something completely new. Ageing - something we are taught to be terrified of even though, as the years creep by, we really feel not that different on the inside than we did decades ago. It is SO confirming to feel a sense of positivity about entering this stage of life and looking back to reflect upon all that has come before that led you to this point in your life. For some it might be about undoing all that was done over a lifetime in order to finally live the life that is suited to you best. 

Still we feel the need to go down with a fight, a rage almost. Yet this could be a rage based upon all we have been told about ageing. What if that line of thinking were to change? 

‘Unlike the transition from girl to woman, moving into an older body is about the act of disrobing, undressing from the identity we had spent our lifetimes forming … This time is about removing a layer of skin so that you are rubbed raw in readiness to start the process of beginning again.’

This book challenges you to take the blinkers off and encourages you - No! - demands that you now see yourself in a new and better light. ‘There must be a middle point you can cross that changes the meaning of your journey’ so that it's not just a downhill run to the ultimate finishing line. Instead midlife should be a time of reflection and contemplation.

‘I understood that ageing and this moment of midlife would only be about renewal if I was prepared to lose it all so that I might find myself again. That the moments of firsts might return if I was prepared to see myself reflected back as something new.

To see myself again for the first time.

This book is not just about ageing - it is this and so much more. That is why I would give it to my teenage daughter to read so her journey could somehow be better, insightful and wishfully smoother. This book taught me to understand that ageing is not only a privilege but something that was really important and rejuvenating to do. 

‘ Is time the element we need to combat if we hope to be free of our ageing? Do we need to spend more of our lives not looking, not counting, not assessing ourselves against the concepts that time imposes on our lives? … When we are finally forced to understand that our bodies will break, we can no longer hide from the truth-telling of our own mortality. What seems so horrifying is nothing but a beautiful twist, but at this point it is impossible to see it that way.’

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

The Lord of the Rings

#1 The Fellowship of the Ring

#2 The Two Towers

#3 The Return of the King

Author: J.R.R. Tolkien

Publisher: 6th July 2022 by HarperCollins Australia

Pages: 407 / 744 / 1031

Genre: fantasy, classic, adventure

My Rating: 5 cups

Book One: The Fellowship of the Ring

Synopsis:

One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them

In ancient times the Rings of Power were crafted by the Elven-smiths, and Sauron, The Dark Lord, forged the One Ring, filling it with his own power so that he could rule all others. But the One Ring was taken from him, and though he sought it throughout Middle-earth, it remained lost to him. After many ages it fell into the hands of Bilbo Baggins, as told in The Hobbit.

In a sleepy village in the Shire, young Frodo Baggins finds himself faced with an immense task, as his elderly cousin Bilbo entrusts the Ring to his care. Frodo must leave his home and make a perilous journey across Middle-earth to the Cracks of Doom, there to destroy the Ring and foil the Dark Lord in his evil purpose.

“The wide world is all about you: you can fence yourselves in, but you cannot forever fence it out.”

Book Two: The Two Towers

Synopsis:

The Two Towers is the second part of J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic adventure The Lord of the Rings.

One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them.

Frodo and his Companions of the Ring have been beset by danger during their quest to prevent the Ruling Ring from falling into the hands of the Dark Lord by destroying it in the Cracks of Doom. They have lost the wizard, Gandalf, in a battle in the Mines of Moria. And Boromir, seduced by the power of the Ring, tried to seize it by force. While Frodo and Sam made their escape, the rest of the company was attacked by Orcs. Now they continue the journey alone down the great River Anduin—alone, that is, save for the mysterious creeping figure that follows wherever they go.

“There’s some good in this world, Mr. Frodo… and it’s worth fighting for.”

Book Three: The Return of the King

Synopsis:

The Return of the King is the third part of J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic adventure The Lord of the Rings.

One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them.

The Dark Lord has risen, and as he unleashes hordes of Orcs to conquer all Middle-earth, Frodo and Sam struggle deep into his realm in Mordor.

To defeat Sauron, the One Ring must be destroyed in the fires of Mount Doom. But the way is impossibly hard, and Frodo is weakening. The Ring corrupts all who bear it and Frodo’s time is running out.

Will Sam and Frodo succeed, or will the Dark Lord rule Middle-earth once more?

“Courage is found in unlikely places.” 

My Thoughts

I first became interested in these books in my early teens. My Grade Six teacher had read The Hobbit to the grade and I became obsessed. Thus ensued a lifelong passion for all things Middle Earth. I have my precious battered copy my mother bought me (having finally become frustrated with having to constantly run to the library to renew these awesome tomes) in 1983.

I have watched all the movies (multiple times) from the first original release in 2001 and each follow up movie onwards. They are one of the truest representations of book to movie adaptations I have ever come across. 

Coming to the end of LOTR feels like coming home or visiting an old friend. The story, the world building, the characters are phenomenal and will never leave you. I mean Tolkien even invented an entire new language for his precious tales. The stories are so well written with strong themes of friendship, camaraderie, loyalty, duty above self. It connects back to a past of greatness where good will conquer evil when we band together for the greater good. It is an incredible literary experience. 

Now, this Friday (*drumroll please) comes The Rings of Power which has me salivating once more. I can’t wait! I simply had to revisit this fantastical tale to lose myself once more in this incredible world. Readers who are cover collectors (and the variety of covers that The Lord of the Rings has is a hobby in itself) will be delighted with the release of a Rings of Power series tie-in editions. The new covers will each show images out of the promotional poster series that was first released back in February.

Are you ready to begin your journey into Middle Earth? Do yourself a favour and dive into the original trilogy in readiness for the upcoming series The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.