Book Browsing

The Canterbury Papers: a novel
-Judith Koll Healey
I have a soft spot for easy to read historical fiction, on one condition: that it isn't completely 'out there'. Unfortunately, this does seem to stray more on the fictional side of things rather than the historical. Its style, however, does make up for this. It is very easy to read and even though it is very predictable in its plot developments, the book does not bore. A light and easy read if you like a little bit of romance and intrigue set amongst those European royal houses of old.

The Lady in Blue
- Javier Sierra
This novel is a little bit of a Davinci Code, but fortunately the author has more literary style. The novel is set around the mystery of the Blue Lady, a nun that appeared to the Native Indians in Mexico 400 years ago and converted them to Christianity before the Spanish monks ever arrived. Sierra takes the reader down the paths of several characters in different times, all in some way connected to this enigmatic lady and wanting to solve her mystery. Naturally, the church is involved and perhaps their motives are not entirely as pure as they should be. The book keeps you guessing all the way, is not afraid to embrace the supernatural while not coming off as cliche, and though slow to get started, genuinely enthralls the reader with this facinating mystery. Well researched and well written, and puts Dan Brown to shame in my opinion.

The Salt Letters
-Christine Balint
I was drawn to this book for two reasons. One of my university lecturers reviewed it and it was written by an Australian while writing her Honours thesis. It facinates me how anyone could have the time or patience to write something else while attempting a piece of academic writing (having gone through my honours project recently) let alone how Balint managed to get shortlisted for the 1998 Australian/Vogel Literary Award while doing so! This aside, the book has enlarged upon a letter that the author read from Louisa Cobden to her daughter, Sarah, who had boarded a boat from Old England to New Holland. Balint has vividly written the journey of Sarah both upon the boat and in her mind as she experiences the many trials and few pleasures of being a single woman of no rank alone on the open sea, destined for a new life. It is clear that Balint studied the conditions on ship well and one is made to feel genuinely for our ancestors that made that journey. Balint's style, though accomplished, is a little unfocused however. I feel that this may have been purposeful, imitating the unfocused and wavering consciousness of the protagonist, but it left me unable to get completely drawn into the novel. In addition, the 'memory' sequences seemed a little cliche compared to the raw experiences on deck. Overall it was a pleasant surprise and I hope Balint grows into a great home grown author.