When the Wind Blows - By Ma Shelley

 When the Wind Blows by Ma Shelley.

Let me start by saying, this book was a 5 star read for me. The writing was beautiful and fluid, the storyline had me flying through it, and I really cared for the characters. I'm surprised it was not picked up by a larger publisher, and marketed better. I think the current cover doesn't really give the story any justice. I'd love to see it remarketed and republished and it's image changed. When I read the book I felt like I was in a fairytale, or in a fable. The magic of this book is Ma Shelley's love of nature, and how beautifully she writes her nature scenes.

The book has two storylines that converge together so beautifully and tragically. The main POV being from Tad, a tiny frog. Yes, I said a frog and he was utterly charming. (Just ask Raindrop). The second POV was of the human family living in the bayou, with their Ma and Pop living on a house built literally above the swamp. The family is one of few that live this close to the bayou, and are looked down on by the town folk. 

The biggest part of the book's charm, for me, were the tiny animals that come together to make it through the storm, each learning trust, cooperation, and the meaningfulness of each other's existence. Little Tad and his clan lived not far from the family in the story, and the frog would watch the "two-leggers" and ponder them. Sometimes those same two-leggers saw Tad and swore he was following him. Something about the nature observing the human while the human observed (or in some ways were oblivious to) the wildlife around them just tickled my soul. 

I told the author that Tad's storyline was so adorable that it could be a separate middle grade story on it's own! However, when the hurricane hits, and the levy breaks, and that sweet family - the Bugaloo's (the most country name I can imagine LOL) lives become endangered, and help comes in the most unexpected places. 

I believe this story is set in the path of Hurricane Katrina, and I will think on some more questions I have and send them to the author, to highlight her in an interview.

Do not let this cover deceive you, this is a LOVELY story with so much heart, faith, love, and unexpected poignancy, please read - especially if you love a story that loves nature!!

The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins - Jane Eyre July 2021

 

I loved this book!!!! I saved it for my Jane-Eyre-July-2021 - a month where I take time to read adaptations or retellings of my beloved classic - Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. Whenever I see a remake, I ask for a copy, borrow, or buy. In this case I was lucky enough to be sent the Advanced Reader Copy from St. Martin's Press.  It was my very first Jane Eyre inspired read of this month, and wow, did it deliver! 

This is the first book (honestly) that I've read in which all of the characters are beyond unlikeable, more like - despicable! From rich and spoiled housewives, to conniving roommates, to a handsome-but-suspect widower, to frienemies, to one plain-little sticky-fingered dog-walking Jane.

I loved the modern take on this book. I loved the references to the classic with the similar names (and/or surnames), loved  "Reader, I....."  I won't tell you, it's too good. I laughed out loud when I read it. 

This story wound up being profusely different than Jane Eyre in many ways, but I loved all of the allusions to the original story. I loved the multiple perspectives. I loved the deviance, the sneakiness, and the reprehensible, yet intriguing characters. Not one was really trustworthy or decent, not really even Jane.

 I loved the ending. I didn't see that twist coming, and it was so satisifying. I flew through the bulk of the book today, but started it on the 4th of July, which ironically, is a date / scene mentioned in the book. Gotta love it when that happens! This book was really so much fun, so addictive, so immersive, even if you are not a fan of Jane Eyre. Seriously, give it a read for a quick, fun, and clever summer thriller!