Review of "Elephant Moon"

(image taken from www.johnsweeney.co.uk)

This book examined the direct negative side of Empire in Burma in the early 1940s. The quotation I've chosen expresses what is finally beginning to change about how people consider various Western Empires. Attitudes are slowly but surely beginning to change in opposition to the very notion of Empire, and this is the only way we can move forward away from the heinous crimes which occurred under this hierarchical system.

Grace, schoolteacher to 62 half-caste orphans in Burma, realises that things are getting more dangerous as invasion strikes and she, alongside the children, need to leave. However, the schoolmistress refuses, and Grace must acquiesce to her decision. Moreover, these half caste orphans, the result of lusty imperialist soldiers enacting their desires, are outcast from society, and refused help because of their race on a seemingly never-ending basis.

Finally, Grace gets her way, and the entire school packs provisions and attempts to leave, but is it too late? Gone are traditional methods of getting away from Burma and there is no choice but to commence a long bus journey on a decrepit old vehicle which is never going to last the entire journey. When Grace meets Jem, it seems as though things may just work out, and her and the children will survive, but when tragedy strikes Grace is going to be forced to question everything she's previously believed. Especially when they are rescued by a group of elephant herders and begin to understand these beautiful but potentially deadly creatures.

This was a truly touching novel. This expressed for me in a better way than anything I've ever read just how debilitating it is for someone who is prejudiced against by people even during times of emergency. It speaks out about the blind inhumanity people can be reduced to. The fact that John Sweeney spent 12 years with this novel in the process of being written really highlights just how much thought is put into every step of the journey Grace and her orphans took. Moreover, it is inspired by a true story; if you want to learn more about this, check out Sweeney's explanation here.

Have you read it? What did you think?

Steph x

Review of Monsoon Mists

The juxtaposition of the description of these two places really highlights what's at the heart of Christina Courtenay's Monsoon Mists. I have to say, I loved this book from beginning to end. If you've read any of my recent reviews, you'll know that a lot of what I've been reading has been American fiction from the 19th and 20th Centuries, so this was a perfect refresher. Although I've not read the first two books in the trilogy (I do intend to now however!) I found it incredibly easy to step right in and pick up the storyline. So, if you've not read Trade Winds or Highland Storms, don't worry.

I have to say, I'm not the greatest fan of crime novels. Saying that I do love a bit of Castle, so who knows, maybe crime novels are for me? I initially expected Monsoon Mists to be a pretty standard romance novel, but the incredible skill with which Courtenay writes allowed her to interweave the crime and romance plot threads successfully, to make something that really stuck out to me. I would even go so far as to say that this is the most well written modern novel I've read in months.

So, to give y'all a little taster into the novel, I'm going to give some brief plot details, but (I promise) no spoilers. The novel is centred around our ruggedly handsome protagonist Jamie. With a dark, mysterious past behind him, Jamie seeks to escape Sweden and all it holds for him to venture forth in a new life in India. He becomes a gem stone cutter, a skill which proves both useful and harmful in the novel. Once in India, trouble strikes, and Jamie is forced to undertake a hazardous mission, which will change his life forever - and not only because he meets Zarmina, the beautiful Ice Widow, along the way. 

One reason why I was really struck by this novel was the way in which Courtenay tackled her romantic and sexual scenes. After the birth of Fifty Shades of Grey, many modern writers have taken to dealing with any kind of slightly intimate scene in a graphic and often obscene manner. Courtenay however seemed to get the balance write, creating sensuous and yet touching moments between the lovers in the novel. 

Have you read Monsoon Mists? What did you think?

Steph