Booklover Book Reviews

BOOK RATING: The Story 4 / 5 ;  The Writing 4 / 5

BOOK DETAILS:  A House To Let (The Book Depository), A House To Let (Amazon)

BOOK REVIEW: What’s not to love about an inquisitive elderly lady playing Miss Marple? A House To Let, a collaboration between some of the greatest classic British authors Charles Dickens, Wilkie Collins, Elizabeth Gaskell and Adelaide Anne Proctor, is your quintessential cosy mystery. It comes from a time where deception and intrigue were enough to underpin a compelling story – no blood or murder were necessary.

The charm of this story is partly brought about by the age of its protagonists – an independently wealthy and opinionated but ailing elderly woman called Sarah and her ever loyal and dependable, longstanding man-servant named Trottle. Add into the mix another elderly gentleman (or suitor), Jarber, vying for the lady’s attentions much to the chagrin of Trottle and you have all the ingredients for a story to make one smile. Sarah becomes fascinated by a neglected and rundown house she can see from her window, and when one day she believes she sees someone peering out of one of its windows, she sets her male companions the challenge of finding out all they can about that house for her. The reader is then taken on a journey through each of that house’s past residents and in each of their tales we uncover mysteries also.

A House To Let exudes British decorum and etiquette, the banter of the storytellers is charming and the ending is satisfying. The underpinning theme is people finding joy from shared understanding and companionship, and how can that not make one feel warm and fuzzy.

Other books by Dickens and Collins that I have reviewed: A Tale of Two Cities, No Thoroughfare 

Find out more about this book:
No Thoroughfare by Charles Dickens and Wilkie Collins (The Book Depository)
No Thoroughfare (Amazon)

Other notable titles by Wilkie Collins include: The Woman In White, The Moonstone, Armadale, No Name

This title counts towards my participation in the Global Reading Challenge (Europe).

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BOOK RATING: The Story 5 / 5 ;  The Writing 5 / 5

BOOK REVIEW: Amazing. What can I say that will do justice to this classic other than, “Why didn’t I read this years ago?”. Of course I watched Dickens’ The Christmas Carol and Oliver Twist movies many times as a child, but this is the first Dicken’s novel I’ve actually read – a travesty I know, off with my head! I must say it took me a few pages to get my head around reading the ‘old english’ phrasing but once in tune with the writing style of that day, I found the description and value packed into every sentence mesmerizing.

The plot/story itself is a mammoth achievement, with minute details elegantly and intricately woven into the tapestry painted by Dickens, ready to be so cleverly called upon again as the story reaches its climax. The character development is flawless and context provided around historical events and settings only adds to the story’s telling. I can’t recommend this book more highly - if you haven’t read it, don’t let the old english phrasing deter you - it’s well worth the effort!

Read the book summary for A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens (The Book Depository); A Tale of Two Cities (Barnes & Noble Classics) (Amazon).

This title counts towards my participation in two great challenges, the French Revolution Mini Challenge and the Global Reading Challenge (Europe).

Other notable titles by Charles Dickens include: Great Expectations, David Copperfield, The Old Curiousity Shop, Bleak House, Our Mutual Friend

Have your reviewed this book also? If so, add the direct link to your review here: