Jane Borodale’s first novel, THE BOOK OF FIRES, is a vivid portrait of 1750s England. The heroine, Agnes Trussel, leads the reader from countryside squalor to a sooty, bustling London. Part of a large family, struggling to even survive, Agnes clearly stands out from her siblings. Her interior thoughts, expertly drawn in present tense, add…
REVIEW: THE YOUNG VICTORIA (2009)
The Brits have a love/hate obsession with their royals that is still somewhat a mystery to Americans. We have our celebrities that we love to hate but rarely, if ever, do we follow their story from birth to death. The young princes William and Harry have been speculated about since before they were born. For…
REVIEW: SON OF RAMBOW (2007)
This little gem will sit and rot out in the multiplex for a week before being swept aside for the next big blockbuster. But if it came to your town, do go see it. It’s a sweet, nostalgic tale of childhood, imagination and growing up. Set in 1980s Britain (rural, not London) two school boys…
REVIEW: ATONEMENT (2008)
I admit to being wary of this film. I generally find the “toast of the Oscars” films to be less than satisfactory as a complete package. That buzz coupled with the two headline actors – Keira Knightley and James McAvoy – caused yet more trepidation. And as if that wasn’t enough, I was also doubtful…