Great Escape Books Newsletter: March 08 Edition
Beat the rain and brighten your day at Great Escape Books
Great New Fiction
The Enchantress Of Florence by Salman Rushdie
A tall, yellow-haired young European traveller calling himself ‘Mogor dell’Amore’, the Mughal of Love, arrives at the court of the real Grand Mughal, the Emperor Akbar, with a tale to tell that begins to obsess the whole imperial capital. The stranger claims to be the child of a lost Mughal princess… a great beauty believed to possess powers of enchantment and sorcery.
The Enchantress of Florence is the story of a woman attempting to command her own destiny in a man’s world. It brings together two cities that barely know each other – the hedonistic Mughal capital, in which the brilliant emperor wrestles daily with questions of belief, desire and the treachery of sons, and the equally sensual Florentine world of powerful courtesans, humanist philosophy and inhuman torture. These two worlds, so far apart, turn out to be uncannily alike, and the enchantments of women hold sway over them both. RRP: $32.95
The Cellist Of Sarajevo by Steven Galloway
Sarajevo is a city under siege. As the mortars fall and the snipers conduct their deadly business, a cellist sits at his window, playing Albinoni’s Adagio in G Minor. Then a bomb kills twenty-two people waiting in line to buy bread on the street below .For the next twenty-two days he will carry his cello into the cratered street at four each afternoon and play the Adagio in memory of the dead.
The Cellist of Sarajevo imagines those twenty-two days through the eyes of three of its citizens: Kenan who sets out every few days to fetch water for his family; Dragan who longs to be reunited with his wife and son; and Arrow, a crack ‘counter-sniper’ who is assigned the job of keeping the cellist alive.
Review: ‘Though the setting is the siege of Sarajevo in the 1990s, this gripping novel transcends time and place. It is a universal story, and a testimony to the struggle to find meaning, grace, and humanity, even amid the most unimaginable horrors.’ by Khaled Hosseini, author of The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns.
A powerful story of survival, in 1999, Sinan is caught up in everyday problems. Despite hardships, he must be a role model for his nine-year-old son Ismail, who is preparing for his coming-of-age ceremony. Meanwhile his teenage daughter Irem grows more resentful of having to help her mother run the house, cover her glorious hair beneath a headscarf, and refrain from watching Western television. But the delicate stability of this family is about to be tested in the wake of an earthquake that will strip Sinan of his home and livelihood, and with them his certainty as a father, husband and man of faith.
Sinan becomes entangled in a series of increasingly dangerous decisions. Pushed towards a final betrayal, Sinan may yet find that everything he holds dear is destroyed, like the streets of Istanbul that lie in rubble beneath his feet. East meets West with indelible consequences in this moving and beautifully written novel which brings to life two unforgettable families and the sacrifice and love that bind them together. RRP: $32.95
Readers Pick: Change Of Heart by Jodi Picoult
Local Review:
“Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult is arguably one of this authors best novel’s yet. It is thought provoking with many twists and turns and with the end so completely unexpected. It would make an excellent choice for a book discussion group on moral and ethical grounds. Excellent!” by local reader Lyn Ubrihien, Aireys Riverbend B&B
This book is simply glorious, it’s a cross between a travel guide book, a stunning garden book and culinary heaven cookbook.
Mary Moody is a well-known author, cook, gardener, TV celebrity and a woman who is determined to grow old disgracefully. Great for a gift, especially Mother’s Day. RRP: $49.95
This is just delightful. Nim lives on an island in the middle of the wide blue sea with her father Jack, a marine iguana called Fred, a sea lion called Selkie, a turtle called Chica and a satellite dish for her email. No one else in the world lives quite like Nim, and she wouldn’t swap places with anyone.
But when Jack disappears in his sailing boat, and disaster threatens her home, Nim must be braver than she’s ever been before. And she needs help from her friends, old and new. Charming, bright inspirational read. Perfect for ages 9 plus. RRP : $14.95.
Chronicles Of Krangor 2: The Missing Kin by Michael Pryor
The best of Deltora Quest meets Dinotopia in this classic fantasy quest from the bestselling Australian author, Michael Pryor. Great for ages 9 +, this is second in the series. RRP: $14.95.
Sebastian Darke Prince Of Pirates by Philip Caveney
This is great fun. Sebastian, Max and Cornelius are heading to the bustling port of Ramalat where they intend to embark on a perilous sea journey in search of the fabled lost treasure of the pirate King, Captain Calinestra. But first, they must make it through the mysterious forest of Geltane and survive an encounter with Leonora; a powerful enchantress, with a terrifying secret and a magical hold over Sebastian’s senses. And as if that wasn’t bad enough, when they finally reach Ramalat, a feisty female sea captain; an infamous young pirate; ravenous sea creatures, giant lizards; furious sea battles and breathtaking action await them. Will they discover the lost treasure? Will Sebastian live to tell the tale? Will Cornelius be beaten in armed combat? And will Max EVER stop moaning? RRP: $24.95, this is the second in the series. Perfect for ages 9 plus.
Pip: The Story Of Olive by Kim Kane
There is lots of humour in here for grown ups and big kids alike. Teenager, Olive Garnaut likes things in pairs. But even with her own perfectly symmetrical family, birthday and bedroom, Olive has only ever felt half. How extraordinary, then, that one day Pip should appear…This is a touching journey through highs and lows of the early stages of high school. A lovely read. Great ages 12 +. RRP: $15.95.
Tim Defender Of The Earth by Sam Enthoven
Hilarious, wild and utterly original… Chris and Anna are classmates – and after a trip to the British Museum, they’re caught up in something very big and scary. Chris is the human link to TIM, a genetically modified dinosaur - can he help control this hugely terrifying but good-hearted monster? And Anna is the Prof’s daughter and the only thing keeping him under control… for now. Can these two kids help at all as TIM and Professor Mallahide, his creator do battle? Great for ages 10 +. RRP: $29.95
Skulduggery Pleasant: Playing With Fire by Derek Landy
There’s nothing like having dead person as the hero… “So you won’t keep anything from me again?” He put his hand to his chest. “Cross my heart and hope to die.” “Okay then. Though you don’t actually have a heart,” she said. “I know.” “And technically, you’ve already died.” “I know that too.” “Just so we’re clear.”
Funny, quirky and a totally different take on the notion of good guys, this will have even the most reluctant teenager reading. This is Book 2 of the series for Ages 12 plus. RRP; $19.99.
Maximum Ride The Final Warning Maximum Ride Book Four by James Patterson
Max, Fang, Iggy, Nudge, Gazzy and Angel are six extraordinary kids created by the crazed Uber Director in a twisted laboratory experiment that left them with the ability to fly.
They are back for another wild adventure as they try to save the world and themselves. Be scared… Strictly for ages 12 + to adults.
Enjoy the school break and hope to see you soon. Happy Reading!
