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The Far Pavilions

by M.M. Kaye, 1978

Over 900 pages – set in 1800s – India & Afghanistan. British rule India – Ash, Juli, Wally – EPIC – Ash main character from birth to young man. What a life! What he went through, not accepted by Britain or India. His thoughts and ideas could have saved 1000s of lives – they wouldn’t listen to him. Still he told them (Cavagnaro, etc.). They invaded Afghanistan – won one battle – forced Amir to set up a mission – ended up getting slaughtered – just as Ash warned. Afghan people don’t want any other country ruling them. Hate the infidels. And this was just the last 100 pages – went all through his trip with 2 princesses to Bhithor – the evil kingdom – falls in love with Juli, his childhood friend in the palace. Years later, he rescues her, marries her, takes her to Kabul, then escapes Kabul to find their own valley in the mountains – the Far Pavilions.

The Caine Mutiny

by Herman Wouk, 1951 (Pulitzer Prize winner for 1951)

One of the best books I have ever read! Willie Keith, WWII Navy, serves Queeg, a poltroon (wretched coward), end up taking over ship in a typhoon, court-martialed. Keefer chickens out – lies – on witness stand. Looks good – gets ship (the Caine) and he’s almost as bad as Queeg. Willie grows up – rich, spoiled Princeton Kid – loves May Wynn & finally gets it. What a fantastic writer – a fantastic book!!!

A Walk in Wolf Wood

by Mary Stewart, 1980

A children’s book not just for children. John & Margaret go on a picnic in Bavaria w/parents. While parents are napping, they go exploring in the forest. Come upon a cabin in the woods, meet a man who is a “werwolf” and embark upon an adventure to save him, Mardian, from the evil spell that Almeric has put on him.

Thunder On the Right

by Mary Stewart, 1957

Set in French Pyranees – 2 cousins, Gillian & Jennifer. Jennifer goes to convent to find Gillian – mystery – she’s dead – but Jennifer figures it out – it was someone else. Jennifer finds her finally – w/help of Stephen.

Lost Horizon

by James Hilton, 1933

“Shangri-La – Conway – is it real? Lamasery – Lama – He died – centuries old – picked Conway to succeed him. Conway left with Mallinson. What happened to Mallinson? He died? He was the skeptic. Conway started to believe him. Left with Lo-Tsen, the little Manchu they both loved. Sounds like the whole thing was true. She aged and dropped him off (Conway) at a convent. Then I think he made his way back.”

You can tell I didn’t really know about this book when I wrote the above in 2007. I am writing this in 2019, 12 years after reading it, and my memory tells me I didn’t like this book.

This Rough Magic

by Mary Stewart, 1964

Lucy visits her sister on the Isle of Corfu. A dolphin swims with her – she and Max save it, fall in love, solve the mystery of the near death of Spiro and the death of Yanni (not a main character). What beautifully written details – the walk down through pine forest, stream, rose garden, to the sea. Loved it!

Scarlet Feather

by Maeve Binchy, 2001

Irish-Dublin-Tom & Cathy start dream catering business and they are the best. They both are with others (Marcella & Neil) but end up together at the end. Yahoo! Neil is a jerk and so is his family – the Mitchell’s. Marcella wants to be a model but at 25, finds out she’s too old, except for porn. Maud & Simon – twin 9 year olds adopted by Cathy’s Mom (Lizzie) and Dad (Muttie). Muttie bets on horses – all his life. Ends up winning an accumulator on Christmas day – 130,000 pounds!!! (Walter – the evil cousin – don’t forget about him!)

The Pilot’s Wife

by Anita Shreve, 1999

Page-turner. Pilot’s wife coping with his death in plane crash – mystery – was it a bomb or suicide – set in New Hampshire coast – plane crashed in ocean off Ireland. Turns out he had a secret marriage and 2 kids in Ireland – and it was IRA involvement that caused bomb in plane.

In This Mountain

by Jan Karon, 2001

Pastor Tim hits a man and his dog due to diabetic shock – kills the dog, man is okay – Baptist pastor – nice guy! Never thanks Hessie Mayhew for the gorgeous arrangement she brought him. He gave to head nurse. I don’t know about that – oversight on Jan Karon’s part?) One of the best Mitford books.

The Year of Pleasures

by Elizabeth Berg, 2005

What a quick read! Bette Nolan loses her husband, John, to cancer. Leaves Boston, drives to Midwest, picks a town, a house, starts a new life. Opens a store, ‘What A Woman Wants,’ renews friendship with 3 old college roommates. Doesn’t open store until the very end. Great book! Loved all of her lists of “things” – things to put in her store.

(more…) “The Year of Pleasures”

A New Song

by Jan Karon, 1999

Cynthia and Father Kavanaugh go to island church on White Cap. Frenchwoman, Helene Pringle, rents the rectory in Mitford – steals the angel. Is an heir of the Baxter’s. Morris Love, organist with Turrette’s Syndrome and deformities – starts out as enemy, becomes friend, comes to Jesus.

Death in Cypress

by M. M. Kaye, 1984

Wonderful mystery set on the Isle of Cyprus in the 1940’s. Loved the characters of Steve and Amanda. Love story intertwined in a mystery. Amanda is young, beautiful, and stays with Miss Moon in Kyrenia in the Villa Oleander. One person is murdered in the drawing room after another was murdered on the boat on the way over. Loved descriptions of the harbor and the Villa Oleander: “sunbaked dust.”