Book Reviews

From Skaneateles Students and Staff

 

 

Ines of My Soul by Isabel Allende

Review by Mrs. Gail Sullivan

                 If you think January in CNY is boring, read Allende’s fictional, but historically accurate, tour of ancient Chile’s exploration and colonization in the 1500’s.  The snakes and lack of water make the reader grateful for the ice and snow that keep reptiles and insects in deep hibernation most of the year.  Ms. Allende describes being a female pioneer in a man’s world of Conquistadors and Indian Chiefs that is so inhospitable as to be truly a “no-man’s land” at all.  Yet here she finds for her heroine love and magic, and the reader will, too. 

                 In all, this is a terrific winter get-away read.

 

The Shakespeare Stealer by Gary Blackwood

Review by Grace Gist

                 To be your next read, or not to be.  There’s actually no question here.  The Shakespeare Stealer, by Gary Blackwood is a great historical fiction.  Set in Elizabethan England, orphan Widge learns a unique form of shorthand

writing, gibberish to the untrained eye.  Then one day, a fearsome cloaked stranger learns of Widge’s ability, and comes into Widge’s life.  The stranger forces Widge to use his shorthand to copy Shakespeare’s masterpiece Hamlet.  When he’s nearly found out, he has to pretend to be a player in the Lord Chamberlain’s Men.  Torn between his assignment and his new friends, Widge has to decide between copying the lines, or facing his master’s wrath.

                 A fast-paced historical novel, this is a great book to whisk your mind away to jolly old England.

 

Shakespeare’s Scribe by Gary Blackwood

Review by Grace Gist

                 If you enjoyed Gary Blackwood’s first book, The Shakespeare Stealer, you’ll love his next book, Shakespeare’s Scribe. Widge has to cope with a new player who’s very conceded. But the Black Plague has descended upon Europe,

having London ban all public gatherings, including plays, until the threat clears up. With the Globe closed, the Lord Chamberlain’s Men decide to go on a tour of England. While on tour, Widge is asked by Will Shakespeare to take

dictations of his newest play. Then while visiting his old hometown, a stranger enters Widge’s life, claiming to be his father. But some of the members of the company have suspicions about this stranger. Will he be more

trouble than he’s worth?

                 I found this book very captivating. It’s a bit of a let-down from the last book, but not enough to disappoint. It still brings you into the interesting adventures of 17th century England.

 

 

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