Saturday, March 31, 2012

The Lantern by Deborah Lawrenson

     Eve and Dom have a whirlwind romance. They move to an abandoned home among the lavender fields of southern France and happily begin to renovate. It is here that the mystery of the house and Rachel, Dom's first wife, begin to eat at Eve and change her relationship with Dom.  Why is he so secretive about Rachel? Where is she now? Why has Dom lied to her? There is also the matters of missing young women in the area and a possible haunting of their dream home. And then they begin digging the new pool . . .

     Alternate chapters also tell the story of Benedicte and her sister during the first half of the 20th century. We learn of their horrible brother and the perfume industry of that time. And there is a mystery surrounding them that eventually connects to Eve and Dom.

     This book was compared to DuMaurier's Rebecca in reviews but, other than a mystery about the first wife, there was no similarity. And the suspense did not begin to compare. I did enjoy the read, though I don't think it is a 'keeper'.

     Even so, The Lantern brought me out of my reading slump, so right now I am feeling quite fond of it  . . .

   

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

The Reading Slump

All readers have them - the dreaded reading slump.

During a slump, no book beginning catches your interest. No suggestions from friends pan out.  The stacks of books beside the chair (All of them you just had to have!) do not contain a single volume with a back cover or jacket flap that reveals a plot line or character you think you could give a flying leap about.  So what if you have 269 books downloaded onto your Kindle?  They all seem to be BORING.  

This has happened before. During these times I sit around, after the kitchen is cleaned from dinner, gazing at a TV I don’t really see.  I wonder into the study.  I stare at the books.  There must be 1000 – more counting the e-books. None call to me.  I go to my old favorites.  On occasion, I find I can enjoy the familiar lines; I can care about my loved characters. I sit and begin to read. Slump over! Other times it takes a dry spell of several days – a week – two weeks- before something about a certain title or discription of a scene will catch me and I’m off and reading for months!

What ever will work, I need it now. Life is weird.  Nothing is right. I feel as if I have a missing limb, or my best friend has moved away.

All readers have them - the dreaded reading slump.