The Pale Horse

I've been reading some Agatha Christie books of lately. The Pale Horse does not disappoint. It was a bit slow in beginning and around the 100th page it started to pick up. I've read some reviews and I can see how it could be seen as dark. Speaking of witches,and rituals can be scary.

I like reading about the different characters that Christie weaves into her stories. Mark Easterbrook a stand alone for a stand alone book, is very interesting character. Usually these characters put themselves into situations that people don't ask for. Which is annoying. But Mark was different he was asked for his help. He had friends, cousin that could use his help. Ariadne Oliver that was a well known writer of detective stories. She had a weird way of getting into her story characters. She was very eccentric . "The moment you've done a murder the whole thing is terribly obvious", and there is where she needed to be creative and ran things by Mark.Too bad there wasn't so much about her this time. Hope to read more about her again. She seemed fun.

The story alluded to the Shakespeare play MacBeth. And Mark felt that Shakespeare might get a few surprises if he saw his plays acted nowadays. To be able to call up a handy murderer whenever you wanted a little job done. Sounds strange but it can happen. And there lies the plot of the story.

The Pale Horse I believe had a couple of mysteries in one story. A mysterious list of names, people being dead (murdered or died of other causes?). Visited my Mark Easterbrook and friends, The Pale Horse an Inn, more going on there than just what you see from outside. Inside maybe witchery. Mark had to find out if this to be true. After finding out about Mr. Bradley he and his lady friend Ginger put together for a nice, scary experiment .  Who would've ever thought that people would go to the extreme of knowing there is a business to get rid of people they just don't want around anymore.

Having other characters that might be the one that did it. To find out that it was a totally different person/s. So the simple truth behind the Pale Horse ------. You'll have to read it to find out.

And a little romance for a couple too ;)

Very cleverly done. When the real murder/s please stand up! I can see how that came together. Well done Ms Christie! I love the idea "And I look and behold a Pale Horse: And his name is death, and Hell followed him". Now that is creepy.

One of my enjoyable Agatha Christie stories so far I read. Looking forward to more.

I give The Pale Horse 5

The Favorite Daughter

This story was very interesting. I thought the character of Jane was way out there. As I read it was believable that Jane felt all these things that she was saying about her family. I kept trying to find out how her behavior came about. Why she would think this of her family treating her the way she said. From the beginning I knew Jane was obsessed with death. When she was looking out at neighbor, the little boy playing dangerously (or so she says) knowing that "child is about to die". From than on it was all about her and how her husband and daughter treated her. Hmm... interesting to the point that both her husband David, and daughter Betsy was scared of her. Leads me to wonder whatever happened to her other daughter Mary.

Up until chapter 23 I wasn't feeling sorry for Jane. But I started to question where is this story taking me through Jane. I thought, Oh No! the characters around her, including David and Betsy were playing a part to actually make her tell the truth. Like the move Shutter Island. Than I thought no the ending is going to play out fast. Bam! we will know what happened to Mary, the end. 

But not bad how it all lead up to what happened to Mary. For sure there were others who knew certain things and played out nicely. I actually didn't think of what Jane was til end.

Jane Harris is not much different in her mind of what is a perfect life. Her mind was a powerful tool to lead her to believe of everything she did was for the better to protect her family. Her life a perfect routine. And when that routine is disrupted is when it goes wonky.

I don't think Jane had a favorite daughter. It's a part of what she is. Jane would play both girls. Whoever sizes up with her yardstick and she felt at the time was her favorite. For Mary she was Jane's favorite because Mary was gone. It was agreed the Jane would be her mother. For all purposes Betsy was her favorite when Jane focused attention on her. But when Betsy didn't do what Jane wanted than Betsy was stupid, not as graceful as Mary.

Again in Jane's mind she really wanted to become a better mother. With Mary gone she knows something is not right. And again she needs routine .

I don't think Elizabeth James was going to steal Mary from Jane. Mary found out about her biological mother and wanted to know more about her. And with the tension that Mary and Jane had to begin with Mary found peace with Elizabeth. Than things took off from there. Why shouldn't Elizabeth James know and offer to Mary?

I believe society does have this picture of what an ideal mother is. And yes Jane keeping up the facade of being this ideal mother in which (Jane believed) covered the true self of Jane.

No it wasn't hard for me to imagine a mother who isn't what she seems. In a whole we as mothers do seem to have to live up to this idea that we need to be perfect. Our children are our blood, our extensions of ourselves. But we falter. Including me. My daughter at some point made me believe I was this awful mother. That I punished myself. Now that she has children everything is coming back to her, and i wasn't so bad after all.

I think Betsy is like Jane in some way. But what she was doing was protecting herself. What she thinks is right was from what her mother thought of her. Jane really had her on a rollercoaster . Betsy couldn't leave her guard down. But I believe Betsy to have a happy life needs help professionally.

I do in a way feel sorry for Jane. Her reality was a play in her head. She thought all men loved her, she thought she could do no wrong. Jane did mention quite a bit about her acting.

Now that is a tough question about Kylie. Did she deserve what she got? In the end the question was never answered . It was just said that Jane better be right about Kylie. And since Jane the way she was, I believe she was telling the truth and yes Kylie deserved it. She shouldn't been messing around anyway with another women's husband.

I think David liked the thrill of the feeling of a new woman that he can conquer and impress. Even before the weirdness of Jane he was on the hunt. Which is not impressive at all. I think he is just a waste of time.

The behavior of Jane I heard, read about but never thought of a name for it. Narcissist, yes so that's what it is. Jane the protector. Protecting so much that she intruded in her daughter's lives as well as her husband making them hate her. I guess being a narcissist that sadly they make what is good, horrible.

A mind is so powerful the tricks it can play. 

And I will be looking forward to the author's next book.

I give The Favorite Daughter 5 

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan

I had mixed feelings about this book. I did like it. Very interesting about the culture. I agree with some reviews on the toughest thing to read is about the girls how their foot binding proceeds. Man that's tough!

Lily who is the narrator I believe her strengths were that she knew of the rules for a Chinese woman to abide by and did what was expected. She would think what she would have to do and do it. But on the other hand I believe the same was her weakness. Lily believed what she heard. She wanted to be loved, especially by her mother. So when someone paid attention like her "old same", she believed everything she was told. And that was forever.

I think there is a concept of "old sames". Women have been good friends for many years. Some will be there for each other, thick and thin. What I notice is that todays girls know more info on each others SO's than when I was young. It wouldn't take a second for them to get involved to make sure their friend has a back to lean on. No friend would be alone.

For me I never had a "old same" or a part of being a "sworn sister". I just wasn't that lucky. I wish I did maybe I wouldn't feel so alone at times.

I think Lily tells her story to Snow Flower so Lily feels less guilty about the way she treated Snow Flower toward the end. But I do believe the two did love each other. Certainly  Snow Flower excepted her fate because of her father. And Lily understanding Snow Flower would be there for her for life but the level that she married into was a hard juggle for her to Snow Flower. But forgot there might be things going on in Snow Flower's life that of all Snow Flower needed someone to listen, and Lily forgot that.

I think Snow Flower would tell her story a bit differently. I think she would tell her story how she was jealous of Lily coming from a farmer's life to being the wife of a prominent family. But Snow Flower would always say she loved Lily and would stand with her. And did what was asked.

I must say when I was reading about Lily and Snow Flower as girls I did think that they were taking their relationship in a different direction. But I believe it really wasn't anything more than friendship. To think about it the culture the girls being "old sames " brings them very close, are curious about each other since they learn things that normally girls don't know.

That is a tough question, being a mother I don't know what I would do if I had to make the choice about my daughter doing foot binding on her. If it was this century, no I would let her choose. I don't think she would do this willingly, if it was part of tradition or not.

For me, yes I would be like Third Sister. First I have something wrong with my one side anyway. But my mother may not push to have foot binding done. She thought me worthless anyway. I was only good for what she wanted.

"Mother Love" pain-love. I believe true. My own mother raised all of us with a yard stick. What ever came out of her mouth if it gave me pain so be it. It would make me stronger. Wouldn't see it was hurting and I would do opposite. I got away from my mother as soon as I could.

Like Lily was doing to SnowFlower at the end.

For the most part Lily and Snow Flower showed their valve by stepping up to what was needed in their marriage for their families and friends.

We are still bound in some way. Families that are big tends to lean always toward that big family, forgetting about the other side. Work, is always demanding. Can't get anything without giving. The rules of our own culture such as women are expected to do things a certain way. Rules of the country, there is always something. If not in some ways life would be chaos.

Yes very much there are times in this day people take a e-mail, text, the wrong way. I too had that happen to me. And explaining sometimes makes it worse. And a response sometimes happens so off the wall. It is hurtful. Communication is very lack now a days.

Madame Wang I don't think she was a necessary evil. She was a strong business woman. Something that the Chinese women of that century needed. Wang might of gave off the impression of evil. But to keep economy and hopefully good matches kept the country going.

Today we have strong women. Same thing always looked as not knowing anything to being evil. A job needs to be done. A world needs to turn.

I give Snow Flower and the Secret Fan 5 

a son called gabriel

I'm not sure what to think about this story. I feel for Gabriel. He had these feelings and didn't know why or who to turn to.

I feel his relationship with his mother was like any mother in Ireland. She raised her kids the best way she knew. It was a job. And it is a job to take care of the family the way she did. I think Gabriel's parents were happy. But not in the sense as we know of. Mrs Harkin had a good provider, and she kept wheels of the family and marriage going. I think when she spat out to Gabriel who his father was, I think Gabriel had a hard time making peace with her. Somethings that he thought he could talk to his mother now made him think before he spoke.

And his relationship with Gabriel's father was strained. It always felt that he was picking on Gabriel. But than again Gabriel didn't see how Mr.Harkin was. He played sports, worked hard, did what was expected out of him. Made Mr. Harkin confused when Gabriel would be interested in things that were off beat. But there were good times too between them. Which made Gabriel confused of his father. It comes down to both had a horrible time communicating with each other. But again in Ireland that wasn't even thought of like that.

I think by Gabriel being bullied did change his personality a bit. I think he became shy and again with his feelings of not "being normal" had to keep that in check. As he got older though enough is enough. He fought back, got himself some friends, trying for the normality. Although family makes it easier. I have experience in bullying. I was bullied. I would go out of my way not to be around these people as Gabriel did. It made me more withdrawn. I really never had friends when I was growing up. Until high school, but not a lot than either. But I think I turned out ok. Married my friend's brother, had a couple of kids. They accepted me as I am.

I think Gabriel thought that would happen to him by going to England and starting anew.

Well since Gabriel went to a lot of dances the 1st one is a little blurry. But I think being in a romantic setting shows that Ireland was/is changing with the world. Especially America these kids (girls), make themselves older than they are just to keep up with everyone else. It is hard to know what age they are. Why is everyone so eager to grow up so fast?

This novel I believe just focuses on the troubles of the Catholics and Protestants. I don't think the author really dug in with the politics. He tried with bringing the IRA character in. Which made Mr. Harkin more political than Mrs. Harkin. The IRA soldier might have a point on comparing the family of The Grapes of Wrath. Both the Irish and Joad Family put the families in the community to be stronger and safer against all. 

Gabriel is just as well a Irishman as anyone else. It's just that Mr. Harkin believes that you need to be strong and fight. Like a well rounded person like everyone else in that time.

The shocking news that Gabriel's mother had told Gabriel the news of his biological father was interesting. By this time I was waiting for something to come off the pages. I feel Gabriel needed to take all in with his siblings. All these years he thought they were blood. In time he will accept them, for they accepted Gabriel. They truly love each other. Mrs. Harkin eventually would take back what happened. She goes on instinct and didn't think how hurtful everything would be for Gabriel.

I know I wouldn't know how to handle things back than. I probably would of acted the same. But today, getting older, maturing I feel there is more acceptance with me. I love my kids. I choose sharing there lives with me. Being a part of family. I'm just sad that Gabriel was trying to find a way to be normal. That he had to make so many comprises to just fit in. And still there was a mystery of who he was. I have a feeling that Mr. Harkin even though knew it wasn't a 'phase' knew Gabriel was normal and will be who he is. I think he was the only one that believed in Gabriel.

I do agree on one of the reviews that the cliche's of being gay that they can't do anything else than being a hairdresser, fashion designer, play sports etc.. is wrong. That is why today we should be teaching our children that they can be anything, anyone. Even President!

I give a son called Gabriel 4 

Just because the story was more slow than the flow moving. It had it's moments but far in between.

Be Home By Dinner

A local author that gives his outlook down memory lane around the neighborhood. I tried to look at some reviews and many have said that the author captured how it was to grow up in the 70s,80s, and 90s. I was pretty excited to read about my old neighborhood and new again.

He hit on a lot of the homemade memories I remember. Like WillowGrove Mall, Springfield Mall, Flourtown, Lancers Diner without saying the name, only diner I know that looks out on the AF field. And the famous Treasure Island, Boy Scout camp. (Where my son had went and also he and his sister worked).

I tried looking for a common storyline but got bored with the story. Seemed like it was a never-ending one. Garvey went through what most of us did with growing pains. Had many friends. But also grew apart from them one way or the other. Had girlfriends for awhile. Rode Huffy bikes, calling back, be back. As long as he was back by dinnertime. Of course getting into trouble. Garvey's parents purchased their home with the G.I. Bill. (Just like my parents did).

There was a thread of a mysterious yellow car that wasn't so nice. We find out that this man, Kova and a Father Pal wasn't the nicest or the up and up people they claimed to be. Sadly some who Garvey knew were hurt by them.

Besides everyone listening to KYW News Radio, using gas powered lawn mowers, coming home from a good day of doing stuff outside the house and walking into a home that had a lemon smelling and Windex clean house, everything else was a story about a kid growing up. 

With watching tv and using a "Clicker" to turn the channels, the days of pimple popping until accomplished with blood, drinking beer (as Garvey puts it a "cold urine flavor"not a fan of it either) and what a surprise,  a welcome rebirth of my identity when I went to high school. Pretty much a nice memory lane book.

I am hoping Carl Franke, the author does better with his next book. There is something there. I just don't enjoy reading never-ending books.

I give Be Home By Dinner 3