Category Archives: BOOK REVIEWS

INTERMEZZO by Sally Rooney – A review – 4/5

Posted on December 31, 2024 by SCARFMAN

Intense grief, brotherhood, and sex Intermezzo, the fourth novel by critically acclaimed Irish author Sally Rooney, is an absolute triumph that explores the impact of grief, family conflict, and unconventional relationships. Having never read a novel by Sally Rooney before, … Continue reading →

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Because We Are Bad by Lily Bailey – A review – The book I have always been longing to read

Posted on April 22, 2022 by SCARFMAN

“Wanker is someone who drives a car badly.” (p40, Because We Are Bad, Lily Bailey). Look Mr Irrational, I do not care what you say, I am starting this blog with that swear word. You sure though? What if Lily … Continue reading →

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Are you brave enough to scale the heights? ‘The Heights’ by Louise Candlish – a review

Posted on August 23, 2021 by SCARFMAN

Louise Candlish has done it yet again with The Heights.  The only way is up for this storyteller supreme! Having been mightily impressed by Louise Candlish’s last three novels (The Other Passenger, Those People and Our House), it was always … Continue reading →

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those people by Louise Candlish – a review. Neighbours from hell!

Posted on March 8, 2021 by SCARFMAN

New neighbours from hell might not be the most original of ideas for a whodunit, but in those people, author Louise Candlish has skilfully produced a right page turner that will leave you fully satisfied. The premise might not be … Continue reading →

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A magical love triangle – Here We Are by Graham Swift – A review

Posted on February 16, 2021 by SCARFMAN

Here We Are, by the critically acclaimed author Graham Swift, is a typically understated delightful read that you cannot help but be enchanted by. We first discover our three love triangle protagonists during the summer of 1959, in the holiday … Continue reading →

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Mayflies – Andrew O’Hagan. Manchester, music, and male friendship that lasts forever! A book review

Posted on December 21, 2020 by SCARFMAN

Mayflies is a rather touching tale about the wonder of male friendship.  Not perfect, but not rubbish by any means.  If you are after a bit of 1980s Manchester and indie music nostalgia, then the first part of this book … Continue reading →

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A likeable, touching mid-life crisis! Redhead by the Side of the Road by Anne Tyler. A book review.

Posted on November 29, 2020 by SCARFMAN

Male, forty-three going on forty-four, OCD sufferer, who likes to put the bins out for the neighbours and who hates radio phone-in shows.  No, this is not my profile from the Plenty of Fish dating website, but it could be. … Continue reading →

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Murder and laughter! The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman. A review

Posted on November 9, 2020 by SCARFMAN

A humorous whodunit that keeps you guessing right until the end.  This is the verdict of Richard Osman’s, The Thursday Murder Club.  As the novel states at the back this therefore is, ‘his first and, so far, best novel.’ How … Continue reading →

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Friends Reunited! Christmas at The Vintage Bookshop of Memories by Elizabeth Holland. A Review.

Posted on November 3, 2020 by SCARFMAN

We are once again invited into the magical world of the inhabitants of Ivy Hatch, in Elizabeth Holland’s brand-new offering, Christmas at The Vintage Bookshop of Memories.  Readable as a standalone book or as a follow-up to the excellent The … Continue reading →

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The woman with a plan! ‘EILEEN’ by Ottessa Moshfegh – A REVIEW.

Posted on July 18, 2017 by SCARFMAN

A sure way of knowing you’ve enjoyed a good book is when you’re sorry to have finished it, this is what has happened to me recently with the novel Eileen written by Ottessa Moshfegh! Not the best novel that I’ve ever … Continue reading →

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