TENSY FARLOW AND THE HOME FOR MISLAID CHILDREN

Don't you hate it when you just finish the last book of a really good series? I do. After finishing that final page, although elated at finally finding out the ending, I can't help feeling somewhat empty. So in the post novel boredom that comes after reading a book so intently for so long I managed to pick up one of the weirdest ones I have ever read. Seriously. And weird is just modest. I was scouting round my sisters room for something to feed my 'emptiness' when I came across Tensy Farlow. I guess ts my own fault thinking my sister could ever read something NORMAL!

The book seems to have been set in the 1950's, but seems partly earlier in the sense of some of the language used and abundance of more modern necessities, and tells the story of Tensy Farlow, a young girl whisked up in an odd world. It opens with the very start of her life, when she ends up In a laundry van with Albie Gribble, unaware of her presence in one of the bins. Basically, the van manages to skid of a cliff (I'm still not sure how!) and into a rivet but Albie finds the will not to drown and also save the baby teensy who is happily afloat on the water. Albie becomes attached to tensy, but his mother does not want any part in the flaming redhead girls life, so calls Matron pluckrose, head of the home for mislaid children. Que scary evil antagonist who Even manages to intimidate you on paper. Some humour is designed through her character by her eccentric ways (and also hairless head!). Matron in the end manages to get her hands on teensy and sends her off to a rich family for adoption and gains a lot of money (matrons main obsession in life apart from herself.) but ten years later teensy reappers at the home with her new prents who want to give her back As all they wanted was to not be cut out of one of heir mothers will. The home is horrid but teensy makes friends and gets in trouble etc... But then I got confused. Basically this whole extra plot and idea of guardian angels and purgatory is weaved into the book and It is really confusing. Turns out this angel gone bad wants Tensy Farlows soul because she has no angel to protect it. A couple of kids go missing and everyone thinks it's tensys fault. Oh yeah and she can also connect and see angles of other people but doesn't quite know what they are. Anyway, inThe end somehow she destroys the bad angel because she is a Way shower. By the way, I don't know what a way shower is either. I was just finishing the book thinking how they where going to escape from the cave or whatever they where doing when suddenly tensy kind of explodes and takes the bad angel with her. And of course it makes perfect sense- because she is a WAY SHOWER! Excuse the heavy sarcasm, but i mean, they could have at least told readers properly what way showers are! This might sound like a bad review, but the book was just too random and confusing to make sense of anything! 

Apart from the odd plot and confusing outlook, the quality of the writing is definitely very high. the author did create a very good atmosphere to the book- a dreamy and magical one- that really kept me from giving up when I didn't understand a word from a chapter. They also filled it with sweet extra details, that seem to metaphorically convey the story and emotions felt within it. For example, at the beginning of the book, the author aims to create a very bleak and miserable outlook and mentions how all the swans disappeared from the river Charon ( the one the van fell into ) but right a the end of the book-the final line in fact- goes,' the swans had returned to the river Charon' thus emphasising the peace and return to old ways that ended the story.

Overall, I would give the book  stars because Although confusing and oddly ended, the tone used by the author was consistently witty and perfectly suited to the type of book it was.

The Wonderful Wizard Of OZ

PLEASE DON’T QUICKLY COMMENT AND GO BECAUSE YOU MIGHT FIND THIS INTERESTING, JUST READ THE FIRST PARAGRAPH AND MAYBE THE LAST AT LEAST!

Before I start, I want you to rid your mind of all angelic faces of Judy garland and plastic sets from the film, because the book is completely different. It tells of extra, funnier, scarier and more enjoyable stories, which weave a far more intricate yet still classic and original plot. All the little details the film and recent musical could never capture as vividly and beautifully, are discovered with a growing appetite for the unknown, and all add a pinch of L. Frank Baum’s magic. The chase from the Kalidahs, (I will not give it away!) the meeting of the field mice (and their queen!) and the mood change of the flying monkeys give reason to believe that the books superiority is far greater that you could ever forethought. I found it a refreshing and revitalizing break from the usual teen supernatural thriller, which I have made a bit of an obsession in my life, and even if it doesn’t play to your music, it will surely improve your English skills (I’ve stolen several phrases for my own use…)! I will finish with the first sentence from Franks introduction, “ folk lore, legends, myths and fairy tales have followed children through the ages, for every healthy youngster has a wholesome and instinctive love for stories fantastic, marvelous and manifestly unreal.” It rocked!!!

If you don’t know the basic story of the wizard of oz, no offence, but you are in my opinion deprived of basic life literacy learning! The essence of the book is far more than a story, but a blessed sacrament of English, that when received, can be taken over and over, each time furthering your joy and amazement. It can reach particles of your mind that have never been used or touched yet can glorify reading to its full extent. If you don’t know the plot, well the film goes something like this; Dorothy and Toto dropped by cyclone in oz. get RED SLIPPERS. Meet scarecrow, tin man and lion. Oz says they must kill witch before granting them they’re wishes. They kill witch and he grants. Flies of in balloon. Dorothy uses RED SLIPPERS to get home. However, the book goes more like this; dropped by cyclone in OZ. gets SILVER SLIPPERS (I know you cant believe it, neither could I! what happened to the ruby red we all thought it was?). Gets big party with munchkins. Follows yellow (at least that’s the same) brick road and meets lots more colorful and bright munchkins and animals. Meets scarecrow, tin man lion. Go off on adventure after adventure that never fails to excite the mind. Get to emerald city and stay with the gatekeeper and see the great sites. Oz tells to kill wicked witch then he will grant wishes. Long and hazardous journey through many lands. Eventually kills witch. Has a not so hazardous journey home. Oz grants wishes. Flies away in balloon. Dorothy and Toto use slippers to go home.

It’s basically much better than the film!

A main triumph of the book is the way the author portrays his characters. I would like to have spent a day in his mind when he wrote the book, swapping between totally different, but perfectly tuned mindsets. One moment an innocent yet remarkably clever young girl, intent on the well being of others, especially of her dog, and with a clear sense of right and wrong, then a second later a melancholy scarecrow with no brains. I loved this feature of the book and through it, Baum’s ability to provoke sympathy and empathy from the reader in any type of situation for his characters.

Part of the charm was in my opinion down to the in all respects beautiful wording of the book. I adore the old-fashioned phrasing and writing, for reasons yet unknown to myself, but it seems to add elegance to his writing, which is often hard to find if you look at the seemingly blunt and blocky structure of a lot of modern novels. His tone throughout the book reflects past times and sets you, if reluctantly, into a nostalgic and almost dream like set of mind.

I know I have written a lot, but I could write so much more! I truly believe in this story by L. Frank Baum, and remember, no one is too old for a book, but perhaps our tendency as children to truly understand and love stories like the wizard of OZ is fading-so read it while it will make the best impression on you! For all the reasons displayed in this blog I cannot hesitate to give the book 5 stars. There are even colour illastrations byW.W Den Slow, which adds to its beuty.It is a book to enjoy slowly and not rush, because if you do, the charm of this remarkable writer will be lost.

Thanks for reading and here are some links to discover more about the story and its writer:

For another opinion and outline: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wonderful_Wizard_of_Oz

To find out about the film: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wizard_of_Oz_(1939_film)

More about the writer: http://www.online-literature.com/baum/

By the way, the picture is as profile because it would not load.

The Wonderful Wizard Of OZ

PLEASE DON’T QUICKLY COMMENT AND GO BECAUSE YOU MIGHT FIND THIS INTERESTING, JUST READ THE FIRST PARAGRAPH AND MAYBE THE LAST AT LEAST!

Before I start, I want you to rid your mind of all angelic faces of Judy garland and plastic sets from the film, because the book is completely different. It tells of extra, funnier, scarier and more enjoyable stories, which weave a far more intricate yet still classic and original plot. All the little details the film and recent musical could never capture as vividly and beautifully, are discovered with a growing appetite for the unknown, and all add a pinch of L. Frank Baum’s magic. The chase from the Kalidahs, (I will not give it away!) the meeting of the field mice (and their queen!) and the mood change of the flying monkeys give reason to believe that the books superiority is far greater that you could ever forethought. I found it a refreshing and revitalizing break from the usual teen supernatural thriller, which I have made a bit of an obsession in my life, and even if it doesn’t play to your music, it will surely improve your English skills (I’ve stolen several phrases for my own use…)! I will finish with the first sentence from Franks introduction, “ folk lore, legends, myths and fairy tales have followed children through the ages, for every healthy youngster has a wholesome and instinctive love for stories fantastic, marvelous and manifestly unreal.” It rocked!!!

If you don’t know the basic story of the wizard of oz, no offence, but you are in my opinion deprived of basic life literacy learning! The essence of the book is far more than a story, but a blessed sacrament of English, that when received, can be taken over and over, each time furthering your joy and amazement. It can reach particles of your mind that have never been used or touched yet can glorify reading to its full extent. If you don’t know the plot, well the film goes something like this; Dorothy and Toto dropped by cyclone in oz. get RED SLIPPERS. Meet scarecrow, tin man and lion. Oz says they must kill witch before granting them they’re wishes. They kill witch and he grants. Flies of in balloon. Dorothy uses RED SLIPPERS to get home. However, the book goes more like this; dropped by cyclone in OZ. gets SILVER SLIPPERS (I know you cant believe it, neither could I! what happened to the ruby red we all thought it was?). Gets big party with munchkins. Follows yellow (at least that’s the same) brick road and meets lots more colorful and bright munchkins and animals. Meets scarecrow, tin man lion. Go off on adventure after adventure that never fails to excite the mind. Get to emerald city and stay with the gatekeeper and see the great sites. Oz tells to kill wicked witch then he will grant wishes. Long and hazardous journey through many lands. Eventually kills witch. Has a not so hazardous journey home. Oz grants wishes. Flies away in balloon. Dorothy and Toto use slippers to go home.

It’s basically much better than the film!

A main triumph of the book is the way the author portrays his characters. I would like to have spent a day in his mind when he wrote the book, swapping between totally different, but perfectly tuned mindsets. One moment an innocent yet remarkably clever young girl, intent on the well being of others, especially of her dog, and with a clear sense of right and wrong, then a second later a melancholy scarecrow with no brains. I loved this feature of the book and through it, Baum’s ability to provoke sympathy and empathy from the reader in any type of situation for his characters.

Part of the charm was in my opinion down to the in all respects beautiful wording of the book. I adore the old-fashioned phrasing and writing, for reasons yet unknown to myself, but it seems to add elegance to his writing, which is often hard to find if you look at the seemingly blunt and blocky structure of a lot of modern novels. His tone throughout the book reflects past times and sets you, if reluctantly, into a nostalgic and almost dream like set of mind.

I know I have written a lot, but I could write so much more! I truly believe in this story by L. Frank Baum, and remember, no one is too old for a book, but perhaps our tendency as children to truly understand and love stories like the wizard of OZ is fading-so read it while it will make the best impression on you! For all the reasons displayed in this blog I cannot hesitate to give the book 5 stars. There are even colour illastrations byW.W Den Slow, which adds to its beuty.It is a book to enjoy slowly and not rush, because if you do, the charm of this remarkable writer will be lost.

Thanks for reading and here are some links to discover more about the story and its writer:

For another opinion and outline: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wonderful_Wizard_of_Oz

To find out about the film: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wizard_of_Oz_(1939_film)

More about the writer: http://www.online-literature.com/baum/

The Wonderful Wizard Of OZ

PLEASE DON’T QUICKLY COMMENT AND GO BECAUSE YOU MIGHT FIND THIS INTERESTING, JUST READ THE FIRST PARAGRAPH AND MAYBE THE LAST AT LEAST!

Before I start, I want you to rid your mind of all angelic faces of Judy garland and plastic sets from the film, because the book is completely different. It tells of extra, funnier, scarier and more enjoyable stories, which weave a far more intricate yet still classic and original plot. All the little details the film and recent musical could never capture as vividly and beautifully, are discovered with a growing appetite for the unknown, and all add a pinch of L. Frank Baum’s magic. The chase from the Kalidahs, (I will not give it away!) the meeting of the field mice (and their queen!) and the mood change of the flying monkeys give reason to believe that the books superiority is far greater that you could ever forethought. I found it a refreshing and revitalizing break from the usual teen supernatural thriller, which I have made a bit of an obsession in my life, and even if it doesn’t play to your music, it will surely improve your English skills (I’ve stolen several phrases for my own use…)! I will finish with the first sentence from Franks introduction, “ folk lore, legends, myths and fairy tales have followed children through the ages, for every healthy youngster has a wholesome and instinctive love for stories fantastic, marvelous and manifestly unreal.” It rocked!!!

If you don’t know the basic story of the wizard of oz, no offence, but you are in my opinion deprived of basic life literacy learning! The essence of the book is far more than a story, but a blessed sacrament of English, that when received, can be taken over and over, each time furthering your joy and amazement. It can reach particles of your mind that have never been used or touched yet can glorify reading to its full extent. If you don’t know the plot, well the film goes something like this; Dorothy and Toto dropped by cyclone in oz. get RED SLIPPERS. Meet scarecrow, tin man and lion. Oz says they must kill witch before granting them they’re wishes. They kill witch and he grants. Flies of in balloon. Dorothy uses RED SLIPPERS to get home. However, the book goes more like this; dropped by cyclone in OZ. gets SILVER SLIPPERS (I know you cant believe it, neither could I! what happened to the ruby red we all thought it was?). Gets big party with munchkins. Follows yellow (at least that’s the same) brick road and meets lots more colorful and bright munchkins and animals. Meets scarecrow, tin man lion. Go off on adventure after adventure that never fails to excite the mind. Get to emerald city and stay with the gatekeeper and see the great sites. Oz tells to kill wicked witch then he will grant wishes. Long and hazardous journey through many lands. Eventually kills witch. Has a not so hazardous journey home. Oz grants wishes. Flies away in balloon. Dorothy and Toto use slippers to go home.

It’s basically much better than the film!

A main triumph of the book is the way the author portrays his characters. I would like to have spent a day in his mind when he wrote the book, swapping between totally different, but perfectly tuned mindsets. One moment an innocent yet remarkably clever young girl, intent on the well being of others, especially of her dog, and with a clear sense of right and wrong, then a second later a melancholy scarecrow with no brains. I loved this feature of the book and through it, Baum’s ability to provoke sympathy and empathy from the reader in any type of situation for his characters.

Part of the charm was in my opinion down to the in all respects beautiful wording of the book. I adore the old-fashioned phrasing and writing, for reasons yet unknown to myself, but it seems to add elegance to his writing, which is often hard to find if you look at the seemingly blunt and blocky structure of a lot of modern novels. His tone throughout the book reflects past times and sets you, if reluctantly, into a nostalgic and almost dream like set of mind.

I know I have written a lot, but I could write so much more! I truly believe in this story by L. Frank Baum, and remember, no one is too old for a book, but perhaps our tendency as children to truly understand and love stories like the wizard of OZ is fading-so read it while it will make the best impression on you! For all the reasons displayed in this blog I cannot hesitate to give the book 5 stars. There are even colour illastrations byW.W Den Slow, which adds to its beuty.It is a book to enjoy slowly and not rush, because if you do, the charm of this remarkable writer will be lost.

Thanks for reading and here are some links to discover more about the story and its writer:

For another opinion and outline: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wonderful_Wizard_of_Oz

To find out about the film: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wizard_of_Oz_(1939_film)

More about the writer: http://www.online-literature.com/baum/

THE CITY OF BONES

The city of bones

I will try and keep it short so you can read this, but if you have got to be quick, just read the last paragraph!

I’ve had a bit of a sci-fi action-reading mode at the moment, and after reading the Percy Jackson series I was pretty addicted! I searched around the library and came up with the city of bones, the first book in the series “the mortal instruments’. I was a bit skeptical at first as it did seem a bit like all those other teenage books-you know, the main character actually possesses special powers and they fall in love and save the world in a week- but I was ready to give it a go!

The book is by Cassandra Clare and tells the story of Clary frays introduction to the magic and mystical world-the real world. A world full of vampires, werewolves, warlocks, faeries and shadow hunters. Shadow hunters are said to be a mix of angel and human and are there to slay as many demons in their life as possible, but when Clary bumps into a few at club with her best friend Simon at a club her life had changed for ever. She gets drawn to a boy with bright blue hair, who, in the end, gets attacked and killed by three teenagers about her age, but is desperate to find out why. After this first incident that sends here spiraling into this new and crazy world at full speed, things just get weirder and weirder… but Clary won’t give up finding as many answers as possible.

The story is fast paced, action packed and I advise you not to read it drinking hot chocolate (even if you can’t put it down!) as the amount of surprises the book has to offer will surely see it being spilled over the whole thing (I speak from previous experience). In a way, the book seems to be copying a lot of the slightly sci-fi, romance and generally abnormal book creations of the period, and this doesn’t give it the edge that highlights the creativity and difference. It is very typical and written in much the same way as things like the Percy Jackson series (which is in my opinion completely original, fascinating, bewildering, the best…) but it seems my views of the book are different tot those of a higher book authority, which doesn’t mean they are correct, but the just have a more positive outlook on the whole thing. Justine Larbalestier, Magic of Maddness, claims that City of Bones has it all. While Holly Black, Valiant, says this book is ‘Funny. Dark. And sexy.’ To have another bloggers opinion, please visit:

 http://blogcritics.org/books/article/book-review-city-of-bones-book/#ixzz1FYTfaW9l

overall, I would give it ***1/2 stars, as it does have an interesting, well thought out and carful plot, but I feel it is not trying to be original, just trying to fit in with the average teenage books at the moment. However, if you are looking to get back into reading, or just try something new, the book is very addictive and even has two more in the series.

Top tip: to find out more, visit the official  mortal instruments website.

http://www.mortalinstruments.com/index.php

R