Some more book reviews
'Rebecca'
One of the best books I have read recently was “Rebecca” by Daphne du Maurier
. It is a thriller and I read it because twenty-five years ago, I saw the film about this book and I liked it very much.
It is set in Manderley, in England, before the Second World War, more or less, and it is about Rebecca. She was Maxim de Winter´s first wife and he was the man who owned Manderley.
The story follows the events that take place in Manderley when Maxim and his second wife are living there.
The main character is Maxim´s second wife. At the beginning of the book she talks about her dream of Manderley. After that, she begins to talk about how she met Maxim de Winter. While you´re reading the book, you don´t know her name: it´s a mistery.
Also, another important character is Mrs Danvers. She was the housekeeper of Manderley and she was a mysterious and creepy woman. When I was reading the novel I really felt frightened of this woman.
I found the book gripping and emotional. I think Daphne du Maurier is a great and gifted writer. If you like a good thriller, You will love Rebecca. The ending is amazing!
Maribel Rodríguez Delicado (2º Intermedio)
'All I want'
Margaret
Johnson wanted to tell us a story of a normal girl, and this is why she wrote “All I Want”.
The main character is Alex, a 30 year-old girl who is in love with her new boss Brad, and has to talk to her boyfriend. Alex is a very ambitious girl that wants a lot of things for her future and a change in her life. However, when she spends some days at Brad´s house, she realizes that she has all she wants.
The book isn´t just a story, It makes you think and you realize that the most important things in your life are always next to you.
The book is also available on CD and you can listen to it. If you like romantic and funny stories you will love “All I Want”. The ending is thoughtful and unexpected. You will not be disappointed by this book.
Verónica Fernández Escobar (2º Intermedio)
“The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas” by John Boyne
“The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas” is the story of an adult conflict from the point o
f view of a naïve young boy. Written by John Boyne in 2006, it is a cautionary tale of a surprising friendship set on both sides of a fence at Auschwitz Concentration Camp.
Set during the Holocaust, the tale is about two boys, Bruno (a nine-year-old boy whose father is appointed Commandant by Hitler) and Shmuel (a Jewish boy), who come face-to-face at a fence that separates and, eventually, intertwines their lives. The novel explores themes such as friendship, injustice and humanity, often through exploring their opposites, and the author uses Bruno’s innocence and naivety as a foil to expose the hatred and injustices of the Holocaust.
There is also a movie based on this book, but I strongly recommend reading the book instead of watching the movie, because the real essence of the novel is lost.
If you like a light reading but a good book, you’ll love this novel. The ending, though predictable earlier than desired, is so emotional and well-written that you cannot put it down. Your mouth will not make the shape of an O, but this book deserves to be read, to be discussed, to be recommended.
David López Vilela, 2º Intermedio
