The Prince of Mist - Carlos Ruiz Zafon

I found this bizarrely easy to read, and then when I read the bio about Zafon in the back of the novel I realized why that was; ‘first published in Barcelona as young adult fiction.’ Right, well that may have had something to do with it. The book is largely about magic, and the outcome of making a pact with the ominous Mr. Cain. When Max Carver and his family move into a house at the beach to escape war time terror in the city, a whole new set of dangers are posed to them as dark secrets of the past are dragged up.

There aren’t too many characters in the novel; it is mainly Max and his sister Alicia and their friend Roland. Whilst Roland’s grandfather Victor Kray, and the other members of the Carver family are involved hugely, they are more passive whereas the three young adults are the main focus. I felt that the characters were one of the best parts of the novel actually. They were used to capture the atmosphere via their reactions, which also brought us closer to them. The brother – sister relationship that developed was also a very interesting element.

The themes toyed with good versus evil, but also debt and pacts. Cain never forced people to make pacts with them, though he did seem to target children, however he always expected his end of the bargain to be upheld. He does insinuate that he is the Devil, and interestingly, at the end of the novel he is not ‘defeated’. There was an interesting play on the dynamics of friendship, and both sexual and familial love, not just in the present day, but also linking back into the flashbacks.

Stylistically, it is a very artfully crafted novel, in a unique setting. The picturesque beach down is an unlikely setting for the harrowing events, so the novel doesn’t become overtly dark, and as such, when Cain does strike, it has much more impact. Overall, given that it is young adult fiction, it is a well written, interesting book, but too easy for an adult reader.

The Old Man and The Sea - Ernest Hemingway

A very short, but beautifully written book. Every single word counts in this tale about an old man going out in his boat to catch a very big fish. The old man, who is unnamed, has had no luck with catching fish, and when he takes his skiff far out into the ocean he manages to snare an enormous 18 foot fish after a two day battle against him. However, catching the fish and the return journey takes his toll on the man, and by the time he gets back his success doesn't seem quite so victorious to him.

There are only two (three if you count the fish) characters who we have proper interaction with, the old man and the boy. The old man is philosophical and wise. He understands the ocean, nature and life, which is why he is so accepting of his unfortunate situation. The boy cares a great deal for the old man, and although he is young he feels a fierce need to protect and care for him.

Themes of man versus the elements, the challenges of time and age and the very state of nature all come into play. In a literary sense, the whole book is narrative art. At only 100 pages long, Hemingway doesn't have a lot of room and so each image is evocative and powerful.

Stylistically it is very simple. The old man and the boy are never named, and if something doesn't absolutely need to be divulged to the reader then it isn't. This means the plight of the old man stands out starkly and is what the reader remembers long after they have finished the book.

White Mischief - James Fox

This is the first 'true crime' novel that I have ever read, and I have to say I completely loved it. It investigates the murder of Josslyn Hay - Lord Errol, who was shot in Kenya in 1941. His lover, Diana Broughton was married at the time, and her husband, Jock Delves Broughton was put on trial. Fox starts the novel long before the murder, introducing us to the key players in the story, as well as recreating the lifestyle of the 'Happy Valley' crowd. They were able to live in a much more liberal way than their counterparts back in the UK and thus took full advantage of this by drinking, drug taking and frequent bed hopping. Even without the murder, the love triangles and spats are almost enough to keep you captivated. As the investigation continues more information comes to light, little tidbits found by Fox and Connolly along the way, all serve to solve the classic 'who dunnit?'

Unlike a fiction novel, the characters are real, and so Fox has had to be careful to find out accurate portrayals of each person. Fortunately his research appears to be beyond thorough and so I never felt that I was reading his opinions of people. Josslyn is portrayed as the wealthy, privileged and yet enchanting young man, able to capture the heart of any woman. His conquests, Idina, Molly, Alice de Janze and later Diana are all fascinating, and we are given an insight into each of their lives too. Jock Broughton, who initially appears to be a relaxed older gent becomes more and more suspect and mean as the book investigates him.

In terms of theme, there isn't much to be said, as White Mischief never attempts to be a novel of fiction. Stylistically however, it is beautifully written. Fox creates a clear picture by breaking the novel down into three clear sections of before the murder, the murder and the trial and then the fall out after the trial and things that came to light once it was all over. Before the murder, there is such rich detail that I almost was lulled into thinking it was fiction. Fox paints Kenya very accurately, as well as the colonial view of their little world. The only flaw came at about 3/4 of the way into the book, when it dragged for one or two chapters. I felt like some of the information was just being re hashed and as it is written in a very clear linear way, I wanted to keep taking steps forward. However, it only lasted two chapters and then more information came to light. It is very much a journalistic investigation, and Fox's writing skills coupled with the mysterious murder make White Mischief a gripping read.

The Somnambulist - Essie Fox

The tagline reads 'Every heart holds a secret', and the novel itself revolves around the reveal of each characters long held secrets. Phoebe, the central character lives with her mother Maud, a religious fanatic, and her Aunt Cissy who is a theatre performer. After a bizarre encounter at the theatre one night with an older man in the audience and a younger man backstage, Phoebe senses something is amiss. However, shortly after her beloved Aunt Cissy dies, and the Millais painting after which the novel is named is stolen. Facing destitution, Nathaniel Samuels, Cissy's former lover (who is the Devil in Mauds' eyes), hires Phoebe to be his wife's companion. Phoebe heads to Dinwood Manor, where she finds dark secrets held by Lydia Samuels and her entourage of servants. Without wanting to give too much away, as mystery is the books greatest strength, Phoebe discovers a string of affairs, murders and ghosts which haunt those involved. After Lydia dies, Phoebe discovers her true parentage, and is shaken to her core. However she manages to pick up the pieces and mend bridges with her real father, and the novel itself ends with a classic happy ending.

Phoebe is the main character, through whom the majority of the story is told. Whilst Fox paints a good picture of a young girl conflicted by the religious zeal which her mother has imbued in her and her love of theatre, there are times when Phoebe is difficult to sympathise with. It gets hard to enjoy the constant back and forth of her emotional turmoil, as it tends to slow the pace of the novel form time to time. Maud Turner, Phoebe's mother, is a member of the 'Hallelujahs.' Her vitriolic rants on the rest of society, contrasted with her hypocrisy make her a good character to not like. Cissy, though only present in the first third of the novel, is talked about throughout, and is one of the most intriguing and likeable of the lot. Nathaniel and Lydia Samuels show the dysfunctional family with untold secrets. They are tied to the Turners in a vicious knot of deception.

At one point in the novel, Phoebe compares Dinwood Manor to Walpole's 'Castle of Ontario'. The gothic novels of the Victorian era have clearly inspired Fox, and the ideas of dark secrets, ghosts, hauntings, and mysterious illnesses are central elements. Love plays an important role, although at times the ideas of love, sex and family become twisted, creating another sinister facet. Phoebe growing up and discovery, not just of the secrets but also of herself, is the line which the novel traces in order to progress. Although these themes are captivating, there were times when I felt some were rather obvious, and tracking the outcome was too easily done.

Fox creates a beautiful picture of the vivid theatrical life, and contrasts this to the grimy underworld of London. Fox has done a huge amount of research, and her accuracy to the details of the era brings truth to the novel. Sometimes it can be a bit too poetical in the prose, with one to many adjectives or lengthy descriptions slowing things down a bit. However this does serve to contrast well to the more gothic elements.

All in all, the novel was quick to read and enjoyable, a good modern take on the gothic, but the pace could've done with being a bit faster. Some twists which were a little predictable, but some that you definitely don't expect!

Their Eyes Were Watching God - Zora Neale Hurston

Well, by the end I loved the book, but I certainly didn't start off feeling that way about it.

It is the story of a woman's quest for love, and the trial and tribulations that she faces along the way. We meet Janie, who is forced into marrying a much older man by her Grandmother, in an attempt to secure her wealth and security. She leaves him to be with Joe Starks, a self made business man who treats her with disrespect and at times, cruelty. After his passing, she meets Tea Cake, a man around twenty years her junior, who she elopes with. It is only then does she find love and happiness. After Tea Cake dies, in an unfortunate situation involving a rabid dog, a shotgun, and Janie, Janie returns back to the home she once shared with Joe Starks to finish out the remainder of her days.

The characters in the novel are exquisite. Janie is one of the most likeable and personable characters I have ever come across, as is Tea Cake. Hurston builds them up slowly so that you feel as if you have known them your whole life. With the somewhat less likeable characters, such as Joe Starks, she doesn't portray him using only his negative qualities, but rather, lets them be revealed in his actions as he ages. Some of the smaller characters, such as Janie's grandmother, and Janie's first husband - Logan Killicks, are important, so although they are only briefly mentioned Hurston manages to give them depth. I felt in terms of characters, Hurston manages to show us them rather than simply tell us about them.

Love is a rather obvious theme, and one we are presented with at the very start with Janie's revelation beneath the pear tree. As we see her grow older, we are always holding out for that one true love, which eventually comes in the unexpected form of Tea Cake. Another key theme is fate and destiny. Janie's philosophy by the end of the novel is one which accepts the ups and downs of life as all being part of a bigger picture. Religion also comes into the picture, as does the quest for fulfilment. For Joe Starks, fulfilment is power and control, for Janie's Grandmother, relationships, land and stability equate to happiness, whilst for Janie, it is love and independence.

Stylistically, Hurston uses a rural Southern dialect for all the discourse, which is paralleled by high literary narration. Although initially, I really struggled to get to grips with the dialogue, I was drawn to the complexities and how it contrasted to some of the more descriptive paragraphs. It certainly presents the reader with a very clear picture of the people and places which we read about. Furthermore, it means that when Janie refrains from speaking, as she is suppressed by Joe Starks, it is all the more noticeable and profound. The novel starts at the end, with Janie returning home, and then she begins to tell her friend Phoeby her story from beginning to end, so a linear structure is followed.

The Night Circus - Erin Morgenstern

As Erin Morgensterns’ first novel ‘The Night Circus’ is truly captivating. The genre is hard to place, because although it is fantasy, it seemed to me to be more of an adult fairy tale.

At it’s most basic level, it is a love story. The novel starts with a rivalry between two gentlemen, who have selected players to prove which of  their teaching methods are better. The forum for this competition will be the Circus. We track the birth of the ‘Cirque Des Reves’, the battling of the two players as they discover who the other is, and the tolling effects their magic is having on those within the circus. As the novel progresses they must work out a way to beat the other, although this is complicated by their love for one another.

The characters are wonderful, each one multifaceted and with mysteries of their own. Morgenstern introduces us to a wealth of people, but without creating too many characters to keep track of. The Murray twins and Tsukiko the Contortionist are particularly interesting. The main characters, Celia and Marco, use tents to display their love and interact with one another, which allows the reader to discover them alongside their lover.

Several themes and motifs occur throughout. We are presented at the very start with the tale of Merlin being trapped in the tree, and throughout freedom, entrapment and bonding recur. The idea of magic, but also of dreams and manipulating reality are key. Interestingly these are weighed up beside the fine line between what is and what is not real. Mr. Barris and Herr Fredriksen are especially important as architect and clockmaker at showing how their engineering borders on magical.

Stylistically, Morgenstern writes with a beautiful flowing prose, that is as enchanting and ensnaring to the reader as the content. She flicks between past and present, using a third person narrator, to reveal snippets of information which keeps you intrigued throughout. The descriptions are particularly vivid, with as Morgenstern pays particular attention to all five senses, ensuring the reader can create a powerful mental image of all aspects of both characters and circus.

The Year of the Flood - Margaret Atwood

Margaret Atwoods’ latest novel takes us into a dark and dangerous future scape. A man made plague ‘The Waterless Flood’ has brought on the apocalypse and few have survived. Those that have have become our narrators, Ren and Toby, two young women. As the novel progresses, we flash back to see the state of the world before the flood, and track their lives. Both women are searching for other survivors and they must navigate new and dangerous terrain in hopes of finding them.

Ren and Toby have both been members of the same religious cult called the ‘Gardeners’, and they display many similarities, however each woman is unique. Ren works as an exotic dancer, prostituting herself to earn her keep, yet she maintains a childish innocence, whilst Toby, who had previously suffered sexual abuse, is almost asexual and is wise beyond her years. Their alternative world-views give us the inside scope on what the world has become.

Themes of religion, morality, and apocalypse are key, with the Gardeners calling all men Adam and all women Eve. These are explicit motifs which show the polarity between believers and non-believers. Nature and the environment are very important, especially in terms of its decline. Pollution and genetical modifications are largely to blame for many of the issues as well as the ‘Corps’ conglomerate who exert their control over almost everything.

Stylistically, the novel is told between a combination of first person narration (either Ren or Toby) or a third person narrator for some of the intermediary parts on the Gardeners. This means that we are being presented with views on the subject, not an objective stance, which actually makes the reader take a view themselves. I found that as the two women were used to the state of their environment and were almost blase about it, I was riled by what had become of the earth. Cleverly Atwood has created an eerily possible outcome of our earth. Toby’s narrative is concise and sharp, and Ren’s is detailed and descriptive, so between the two of them we are able to paint a clear and accurate picture of their world, and the story moves at a fast pace.