Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Wednesday=Book Review Time--What a tangled web!

I'm really excited for what I have up for next week and was hoping I'd be able to do it this week, but with the DC trip and family visiting when I got back, I wasn't able to finish reading it--something to look forward to. Here's a book I read a few weeks ago.

Up for this week:  WHAT I SAW AND HOW I LIED by Judy Blundell

What I Saw And How I Lied

Why I bought it?  This was one that I put on my Christmas list. I found it on a list of good books to read, and the synopsis sounded interesting. 

Synopsis:  It is set 2 years after World War II. Evie is 15. Her stepfather is back from the war and life is resuming. When he unexpectedly takes Evie and her mom on a trip to Palm Beach, FL, and they meet up with a handsome young man who served with her stepdad in Austria after the war, a complicated web of secrets and lies starts to surface. Evie falls in love with the young man and hopes for a future with him. An unexpected death throws her life upside down and Evie has to sort through her priorities about where her loyalties lie.

What I thought?  It was an unexpected story with interesting twists. The ambiance does bring with it the feel of the 1940s. It is well researched. It is definitely worth reading. I enjoyed it pretty well, but I'm not really interested in reading it again. It is a National Book Award Winner, so you know it has some literary merit. Blundell does a great job making the story very vivid.

My Rating:  ****

Cleanness Score:  5, It has some language, but the score is mostly for sexual situations--nothing really bad or anything mostly just innuendo and making out. It'd be a PG-13 kind of rating.

You may have gotten a little short shifted on this book. I'm too excited about the next one to work up much enthusiasm for this one. It is good though, if the premise strikes you.

17 comments:

Rebecca Ramsey said...

Sounds interesting. It's a great title.

How have I missed your latest posts? I so envy your trip to DC. The photos are fantastic! We lived there ages ago, before kids, and I LOVED feeling in the middle of everything!

I'm off to make sure I'm still one of your blog followers.
Becky

Rebecca Ramsey said...

Duh.
I could just look at the list on your blog.
Sorry. I'd like to blame it on the coffee, but I think it's just me.

lotusgirl said...

Haha! I've missed your comments.

Natalie Whipple said...

I've almost picked this one up a few times, glad to hear it's a good read. Maybe once I get through my current stack...

PJ Hoover said...

I haven't picked it up yet! I'm so not a literary gal, but maybe one day I'll read it!

lotusgirl said...

Natalie, What good stuff do you have in your stack?

PJ, It's not too terribly literary. It has some of those elements, but it's not over the top or anything.

Alix said...

This has been on my list for a while, it sounds really good.

Can't wait to see what you'll be raving about next week, sounds intriguing :)

Unknown said...

Seems interesting...I may have to add to the TBR pile :)

lotusgirl said...

Alexa, I'm really excited to share next week's selection, but I have to finish reading it first.

beth, it was different than what I expected, so in a lot of ways that's a good thing. It surprised me.

Jenni James said...

LOL! You crack me up in your reviews sometimes. Thanks so much for doing these! And I don't feel short shifted, I like hearing your honest opinion. And I love, love, love your rating score at the end! Awesome! Jenni

Cortney said...

Hey, I forgot to ask you last night at church- is anything happening with the book club formation?

lotusgirl said...

Jenni, I'm so glad you enjoy them.

Cortney, there are still not enough people.

About Me said...

Lotus,

That sounds like an interesting read. I'm not too much into historical fiction, but the way your describe this one, it seems like it would be good. Thanks for the review.

lotusgirl said...

Crimey, This one is kind of a crime drama set in the 1940s, so it might appeal to you more than your standard historical fic.

Alyssa said...

i'm thoroughly intrigued by the title. and i love all things WWII/40s. i just might have to pick this one up! :)

lotusgirl said...

Alyssa, You would prob. enjoy it. Next week's is also from that time period. I think you would like it even better.

About Me said...

Good to know! :)