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Category Archives: Fiction
Five Children and It by E. Nesbit
Five Children and It, written by E. Nesbit and first published in 1902, is about a strange-looking Psammead (also known as a sand fairy) who grumpily grants one wish a day. But somehow the wishes always seem to go wrong … Continue reading
Posted in 20th Century Children's, 7 years and up, British, Children's Classic, Children's Classics, Fantasy, Fiction, Novel
Tagged 20th Century, 7 and up, British, children's classic, fairies, fantasy, fiction, humour
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Hornblower by C. S. Forester
The Hornblower novels by C.S. Forester are a terrific blend of plot and characterisation. Set during the Napoleonic wars, they are action packed and fast moving but this action also serves to develop the complex character of Horatio Hornblower. Even … Continue reading
Posted in 20th Century Classics, British, Episodic Novel, Fiction, General adult audience, Historical Fiction, Novel, War Story, Young Adult
Tagged 20th Century, action, adventure, boats, British, classic, drama, fiction, historical, humour, Napoleonic Wars, navy, travel, war novel, wartime
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A Void by Georges Perec (trans. Gilbert Adair)
What to say about this book? A lipogram writ by a Parisian of Oulipo’s school, using all but our fifth, most significant sign. Now (amazing!) put in words for a Briton or Australian too. A cast looks for a missing … Continue reading
Posted in 20th Century Classics, Classic, Fiction, French, General adult audience, Mystery, Novel, Parody
Tagged 20th Century, classic, fiction, French, humour, Lipogram, Murder, noir, Wordplay
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The Magician’s Nephew by C.S. Lewis
The Magician’s Nephew by C.S. Lewis is the first (chronologically) in the Narnia series. If you’ve never read Narnia then start with The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe but make sure you come back to the prequel. It’s a … Continue reading
Posted in 20th Century Children's, 7 years and up, Allegory, British, Children's Classic, Christian, Fantasy, Fiction, Novel, Speculative Fiction
Tagged 20th Century, 7 and up, animals, British, C.S. Lewis, children's classic, Christianity, classic, good out loud, Narnia, The Inklings, whimsical
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I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith
I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith begins “I write this sitting in the kitchen sink” and is the delightful story of an impoverished family living in a crumbling castle in the early 20th century. It has a delightful cast … Continue reading
The Magic Pudding by Norman Lindsay
The Magic Pudding is a delightful Australian Children’s Classic by Norman Lindsay about puddin’-owners, puddin’-thieves and, of course, a cantankerous puddin’ that answers to the name of Albert. It’s basically an excuse for food, fighting and nonsense poetry. Thanks to … Continue reading
Persuasion by Jane Austen
Persuasion is probably my favourite Jane Austen novel. It lacks the bright humour of Pride and Prejudice, but both book and heroine share a lovely, gentle pensiveness. It explores ideas of regret and duty, as well as the difference between being … Continue reading
Posted in British, Fiction, General adult audience, Novel, Novel of Manners, Pre-Victorian
Tagged 19th Century, British, classic, fiction, good out loud, Jane Austen, novel of manners
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The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is a delightful book set just after WWII and featuring an unlikely group of people who learn to love reading under the Nazi occupation of the British Channel Isles. It is an … Continue reading
All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque
All Quiet on the Western Front provides a great insightinto the human cost of World War I as it portrays a generation of men whose formative years are spent in the trenches. Remarque weaves narrative together with reflections on the … Continue reading
Posted in 20th Century Classics, Fiction, General adult audience, Novel, Realism, War Story
Tagged 20th Century, classic, fiction, German, war novel, wartime, WWI
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