Author Archives: Melissa Beck

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About Melissa Beck

My reading choices are rather eclectic. I enjoy reading a wide range of books especially classics, literature in translation, history, philosophy, travel writing and poetry. I especially like to support small, literary presses.
September 2, 2014 · 12:00 am

Review and Giveaway: Conversations With Beethoven by Sandford Friedman

I received an advanced copy of this book from The New York Review of Books through NetGalley. I invite you to read my review and scroll down to the end of the page to win a copy of your own. Open Internationally.

My Review:

Conversations With BeethovenThe format and style of this book is nothing short of genius. Because of his deafness, Beethoven would use conversation books to communicate in the last years of his life. His friends and family would write their parts of a conversation in the books and he would respond orally. CONVERSATIONS WITH BEETHOVEN attempts to reconstruct the conversation book from the last year of his life.

These conversations with the great maestro portray a man who was irascible and paranoid. He believed that all women had loose morals that would give you a disease. He constantly accused people in his life of trying to poison him or steal from him. He had an explosive temper and those around him would often try to calm him down and make him stop shouting. Beethoven’s paranoia resulted in several hilarious exchanges between himself and his family members. There are many funny conversations between Beethoven and his brother Johann in which Beethoven is accusing Johann of stealing from him or Beethoven is telling Johann that his wife is sleeping around.

The conversations also reveal a touching side to the composer, who was thoroughly devoted to his family and always passionate about writing music. His nephew Karl, whom he adopted after the death of his brother, gives him many reasons for worry and heartache. Throughout all of the trials and tribulations with Karl, the affection and attention that he gives to his nephew never wanes. Beethoven also has several devoted assistants and friends that he cares for greatly. The unique style of the conversations lets the reader see, in their own words, the genuine affection that friends, family and acquaintances had for Beethoven.

If you read one new book this fall then it should be CONVERSATIONS WITH BEETHOVEN. The New York Review of Books had issued yet another great reprint that will allow a new generation of readers to enjoy and appreciate Sanford Friedman’s work.

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Giveaway:

I enjoyed this book so much and I know you will too so I have decided to do a giveaway.  If you would like to win a copy leave a comment below telling what is the most unique book (style, content, really anything) that you have read.  I will choose a winner on 9/5.  US/Canada can choose a hardcopy or Kindle edition from Amazon. Open Internationally as long as you can receive an Amazon Gift Code for the book.

The winner of the giveaway is Carolyn M.  Thanks to everyone for the great comments and book suggestions!

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September 1, 2014 · 12:00 am

Mini Reviews for September

September 2nd is a big publication day for lots of great books.  I thought I would do a mini review of some interesting books that will be published this week:

Feast for ThievesFeast For Thieves by Marcus Brotherton is an historical novel set in Texas in the late 1940’s.  Rowdy Slater is a World War II veteran that is trying to find employment and fit back into society.  When he ends up in Cut Eye, Texas under suspicious circumstances the local sheriff offers him a deal: serve as the reverend for the local church for a year.  Rowdy rarely goes to Church, so he is stunned when he finds himself preaching the Bible and leading a church community.  This is book is a page turner that includes bank robberies, high speed car chases and plenty of bad guys.  Brotherton has written an entertaining novel that is also thought-provoking.

 

10:04: A Novel is one of the most unique books you will probably ever read.   It not only contains elements of literary fiction, but also interweaves throughout the story poetry, short story, 1004 A Novelphilosophy, children’s fiction, and, I suspect, autobiography.  The main character in the novel is an unnamed author, living in New York City and enjoying literary acclaim after the publication of his first novel.   Despite the success of his career, he struggles with a serious medical diagnosis and his best friend has just asked him to donate sperm so she can have a baby.  Ben Lerner shows us a man who contemplates his past as he struggles to figure out his future while living in a big city in the early 21st century.  The title of the novel is a clever reference to the popular 80’s movie “Back to the Future.”

 

Code Name Nanette is loosely based on real women who went undercover for the Allies to spy on the Germans during World War II.  When the book begins, Nanette is an octogenarian living Code name nanettein a nursing home in Canada and she describes in great detail her time spent as one of these spies.  She poses as a prostitute in France who services German officers.  While she seduces the soldiers she learns important military secrets that she communicates back to the allies.  As you can imagine, many parts of Nanette’s story are erotic and this book is definitely not rated “G.”  However, I do think it is a good historical fiction read and the erotic parts of the story serve to help the reader understand Nanette’s story.

*I received advanced copies of all of these books from the publishers through Fresh Fiction. To read my full reviews of these books and more, click here.

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August 27, 2014 · 12:00 am

Review- Edmund Persuader: A Romance by Stuart Shotwell

If you  enjoy the style and setting of Jane Austen’s novels then you will love Edmund Persuader. In fact, I was searching for books similar to Austen when I found this novel. There is currently a giveaway on Goodreads to win lots of copies of this fantastic book. The link is at the bottom of this page after my review.

Edmund PersuaderI received Edmund Persuader as a Goodreads giveaway and I am so delighted that I did. I do not say this lightly, but it is one of the best historical fiction novels I have ever read. This is a very long book and is actually 2 volumes. But even after having read all 1500 pages, I was disappointed when it was over. So do not be discouraged by its length.

This novel is set in the early 19th century with Edmund Percy as the main character. He is the third son of a proud English gentleman and Edmund’s older brother Christopher will inherit the family estate. Edmund has studied Theology at Oxford and plans to enter the Church to earn his living. However, just before he takes orders, he is asked by his father to visit the West Indies and straighten out the family’s sugar cane plantation which has been abandoned by a corrupt estate manager.

While living in the Caribbean, Edmund has a crisis of faith as he learns about the brutally harsh lives of slaves that are used to work his family’s plantation. He also meets, falls in love with, and has a sexual relationship with a mulatto slave. This brings about a second moral crisis because he believes he has committed fornication and can in no way serve in the Church of England after committing such a sin.

When Edmund finally travels back to England and takes his orders, he finds his way to his Aunt Andromeda in Hampshire who, widowed and childless, serves as a second mother to him. It is in Hampshire that he receives a position in the church, first as curate and then later as rector. While in Hampshire he meets and falls in love with daughter of a local squire. It is evident, as the novel unfolds, that she is also deeply in love with Edmund as well but she has a dark secret that keeps her from accepting his offer of marriage. Edmund must find out what this secret is and use his keen powers of persuasion to win over the object of his desire.

There are several themes that this book explores about the struggles of men and women in 19th century England. Edmund finds great pleasure in his physical relationship with the mulatto slave in Antigua and he fears that he will never find a proper English woman who will also fulfill his physical needs. The theme of pride and the mistakes and prejudices that are the result of excessive pride are also explored.

This book makes us contemplate the fact that humans make mistakes but that these mistakes can be overcome through redemption and the love of others. The most important theme in this book is that, although we may feel at times that it is impossible to affect changes in society at large, it is important that we show kindness, love and understanding to those in our immediate circle on whose lives we can have a more immediate and positive effect. I highly recommend this book for anyone who loves historical fiction, a great story and engaging characters.

The publisher is giving away a lot of copies of this book on Goodreads. Head over to that site to enter the giveaway and add it to your “To Read” list.

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For more information on this book and to read an interview with the author visit the Edmund Persuader Website

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August 26, 2014 · 12:00 am

Review: Hostage-Kidnapped On the High Seas by Linda Davies (A Memoir)

Today I am very excited to welcome Sage’s Blog Tours to the Book Binder’s Daughter with a memoir entitled Hostage: Kidnapped On the High Seas by Linda Davies. I invite you to read my review, learn a little about the author and visit the other stops on the book tour.

My Review:
HOSTAGECOVERLinda, her husband Rupert and three children are British expats living in Dubai.  One bright and sunny autumn day they, along with their Australian Captain named Brad, take their catamaran out for a sail on the Persian Gulf.  When they try to moore on the island of Abu Musa they do not realize it is occupied by militarized Iranian forces and they are captured at gunpoint.  Linda, Rupert and Brad feel that at any moment they could be shot.  The men who captured them do not speak very good English, so they are never quite sure of what is going on.

The three captives are finally taken to men on the island who speak better English and are interrogated.  Their captors are afraid that they are spies and taking pictures of the military base.  How can Linda and Rupert convince their captors that they are tourists who have simply sailed to the wrong island?  After two days of being constantly interrogated that are put on a rickety plane and flown to Iran.

Linda also fills in the back story of how her family moved to Dubai and she gives us details about the beauty she sees in the place.  Even though she is terrified once she is in Iran, she also manages to be observant of her surroundings and gives us a description of that country as well.  The memoir also serves to educate the reader about Islamic customs such as how they dress, how they treat family and how they celebrate holidays.

The hardest part of being held hostage is the time that Linda and her husband had to spend away from their children.  They did manage to talk their captors into letting them have brief phone calls with their sons and daughter.  Linda and Rupert were adept at inventing ways to stay calm and sane under such stressful circumstances.  They would play Boggle, read, watch movies, exercise and even pray.  They are living proof that the human spirit is capable of  being remarkably strong under situations of extreme duress.

The end of the book deals with the aftermath of their captivity which also had a lasting impression on their children.  Linda reminds us that despite suffering horrible tragedies that we can and must move on with our lives and learn from our experiences.  This memoir is an inspiring and uplifting read.

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About The Author:

Linda Author PhotoLinda Davies is half Welsh, half Danish, or half Celt, half Viking, and loves myths, legends of warriors and the sea. A graduate in Politics, Philosophy and Economics from Oxford University, she worked for seven years an as investment banker in New York, London and Easter Europe before escaping to write novels. She grew up steeped in economics as both her late father, Professor Glyn Davies and her late brother, Professor John Davies, were economists. Like them, she believes that economics is more art than science and she particularly enjoys delving into the emotions of markets and market makers, both the honest (yes, they do exist!) and the fraudsters, many of whom remain invisible.

Her first Novel, Nest of Vipers, has been published in over thirty countries, selling over two million copies. It has also been optioned three times by major Hollywood studios. Linda has written four more novels for adults which have all been published internationally; Wilderness of Mirrors, Into the Fire, Something Wild and Final Settlement. She is known for her portrayal of strong, independent and rebellious women in extreme situations. Linda lived in Peru for three years, and in the Middle East for eight years, during which time she was kidnapped by Iranian government forces and held hostage for two weeks in Iran. After UK government intervention, she was freed.

Linda writes for Young Adults too. Her first series, the Djinn Quintet – Sea Djinn, Fire Djinn, Storm Djinn and King of the Djinn (and in time War of the Djinn) – has been optioned by Hollywood producer, Sandy Climan.

As well as writing novels, Linda also writes for The Times, Sunday Times, Daily Telegraph, Independent and the Guardian newspapers in the UK, and the National Theatre. She is a winner of the Philip Geddes Prize for journalism. Linda is married with three children. She lives by the sea in Suffolk.

Follow Linda On Twitter: @LindaDaviesAuth

Click on the banner below to see the full list of stops on the blog tour:

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August 24, 2014 · 5:21 pm

Review and Giveaway: Darcy’s Tale by Stanley Michael Hurd

Austen In August

I am thrilled to be taking part in the Austen in August event.  Thanks so much to Lost Generation Reader for organizing such a great literary exchange.  Jane Austen has been one of my favorite authors since I was in high school.  Please click on the image above to see the full list of blogs participating in this event.  I will be reviewing Darcy’s Tale Volume III: The Way Home and giving away a copy of Darcy’s Tale Volume I: Into Hertfordshire so that you can get started on the series (open internationally).

Review:

Last fall I decided to reread all of Jane Austen’s works, including my favorite novel which is Pride and Prejudice. After I finished Austen’s works I was still eager for more of Austen’s stories and became curious about the genre of Austen fan fiction that is so popular. I was particularly looking for a novel that would give me the story of Pride and Prejudice from Darcy’s perspective and in my search I came across Stanley Michael Hurd’s books. I quickly devoured Darcy’s Tale Volumes I and II and I was Darcy's Taledisappointed to find that I would have to wait for summer to read Volume III. But it was well worth the wait.

I believe that of all the characters in what is arguably Austen’s most famous work, Darcy is the one who undergoes the biggest transformation. From the time of his prideful proposal to Elizabeth at Rosings, to his encounter with her at Pemberly he is a changed and humbled man. I, like many others,  have wondered what exactly happened during this time to make him reassess his attitude and approach towards Elizabeth. Stanley Michael Hurd’s latest book Darcy’s Tale Volume III: The Way Home fills in the story of Pride and Prejudice from Darcy’s perspective and picks up Darcy’s story just after the failed proposal.

In Darcy’s Tale Volume III, Darcy is at first angry at his rejected offer but he admits that he still loves Elizabeth and he cannot stop thinking about her. After a heart to heart talk with his aunt, Lady Andover, who is also Colonel Fitzwilliam’s mother, he understands the error of his ways. He vows if he ever sees Elizabeth again that he will prove to her that he is a humbled man and a true gentleman.

This book also fills in the details about Darcy’s involvement in tracking down Wickham and Lydia. I enjoyed this part of the book because it showed us a more daring and adventurous side of Mr. Darcy of Pemberly. Colonel Fitzwilliam is also a character in this part of the book which is very interesting since in Pride and Prejudice he has a very limited role.

The final part of the book, as one would expect, deals with Bingley’s proposal to Jane, Darcy’s successful proposal to Elizabeth and the double wedding. Georgiana is also a character who features prominently in these books and it was delightful to see her grow from being shy and unsure of herself to a true friend and sister to Elizabeth.  I truly enjoyed all three volumes in this set and if you are a fan of Pride and Prejudice then all three volumes of Darcy’s Tale are a must read.

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Giveaway (Open Internationally):

Darcy's Tale V1In order to get you started on this great series, I am giving away a copy of Darcy’s Tale Volume I: Into Hertfordshire.   Please leave a comment telling me what your favorite Jane Austen novel is.  I will randomly pick a winner on August 28th and email the winner.  This giveaway is open internationally as long as you can receive an Amazon gift code.  If you live in the U.S. you may choose an electronic or hard copy of the book.

*The winner of the giveaway is Sylvia.  Thanks so much to everyone who entered!

Thanks for stopping by my blog.  If you like what you read, please feel free to sign up for The Book Binder’s Daughter via email on the sidebar so you don’t miss any posts or giveaways.

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