Book Review: 'The Versions of Us' by Laura Barnett

My Mum was given this book as a gift last summer. It was a best seller and listed by Waterstones as one of their top picks, and a quick read of the blurb persuaded me that it was right up my street ...

Brief Summary: Eva and Jim are both students in Cambridge. One day, they bump into each other in the street. What happens after that could completely change their life paths and the books goes onto to follow the pair in three different versions of their lives.

The concept was quite intriguing ... can a single moment or event that we occur on a day to day basis totally change our futures? Possibly. The setting, the fact that it was about 19 year old students, and the fact that Eva is an aspiring author all drew me in. However, because the book follows the pair through their lives, those elements on feature a little.

I must admit I didn't love this book overall, for a few reasons. One tell-tale sign of this was that it took me AGES to read, and I kept leaving it for a while and coming back to it, whereas if I had been engrossed I would have devoured it haha.

This probably also didn't help with my second point - confusion! Each chapter was simply entitled Version 1, 2, or 3, but it didn't alternate between them evenly, rather flipped between the three in a rather random order, and so I quickly found it impossible to fully keep up with which version I was reading about, and got so tired of trying that I gave up and just muddled through, hoping to catch up a few pages into each chapter! This confusion was exacerbated by the fact that all the version were fairly similar and covered similar events, but just slightly differently.

While I appreciated that Barnett was a very good writer, and enjoyed her style, I began to find the book kind of boring because nothing exciting really happened, it literally just went through their lives, picking out events.

Furthermore, and probably my biggest criticism in terms of plot, was that basically all of the major relationships introduced in this novel not only ended, but ended due to infidelity. Like, literally every couple split up because one of them cheated! While I have no problem with reading about infidelity, it was definitely overused here in my opinion, and served little purpose other than to create a very pessimistic view of marriage!

Despite all I have said, Barnett did create characters the reader cared for, empathised with, and wanted the best for. You find yourself rooting for certain scenarios, and upset when things go wrong. She successfully describes the joys and heartbreaks of a number of different types of relationships- not only romantic, but between children and their parents, between friends and colleagues, etc.

In my opinion, this book is quite flawed, but is not badly written and so, while I won't personally be in a rush to recommend it to friends (and I am honestly just glad to have reached the end!) I wouldn't be put off reading more of Laura Barnett's work in the future.

Catriona x



Reading Challenge: 3/21

Film Review: Their Finest

I am currently at home for the weekend, and my friend and I had planned last week that we would try and catch the new Anna Kendrick film 'Table 19' while I was here. However, I don't think it can have done that well, because it is already out of the cinemas, so that plan fell through a bit!

Anyway, although I had made the decision to have a totally chilled, work-free weekend, my friend was working and busy, so it didn't seem likely I'd see her after all, until she texted me on Saturday night to say that her Dad had leant her the car, and did I want to take a trip to Cineworld.

So we decided to spontaneously catch a showing of 'Their Finest' and both agreed on the trip home that it was well worth it!


Brief Summary: In London in 1940, as WW2 rages on and the Blitz is in full swing, Catrin takes a job at a  government controlled film production company who need to produce a film which will act as propaganda, raising the people's morale while simultaneously convincing the Americans that they really need to get involved in the war effort. Alongside Buckley, the process of creating this film begins, and leads Catrin to question many things, her own abilities, the position of women, her relationship, her desires, and what life is truly worth.

I knew that this film sounded right up my street from the moment I read the official blurb. It had history, romance, and the trials and tribulations of a young writer! It also featured a cast jam-packed full of stars.

We showed up and were like little kids- hyper over the pick and mix and Tango ice blast slushies haha! It was just so nice for us both to take an evening together away from uni stress.

I hadn't been to the cinema on a Saturday night in a while and couldn't believe how busy it was! I must admit, the majority of others in the cinema were middle aged couples.. at 20, we were probably the youngest there. But I think this film is Pretty suitable for all adults to be honest!

Sam Claflin, who played Buckley, was excellent. I've now seen him in a few things and he seems to be in a lot coming out this year .. he's like a new Eddie Redmayne .. just really good and at the age where he suits so many leading parts! When he delivers his lines they just don't sound like lines, they sound like words that are naturally coming out of his mouth, and that's pretty special.

This was a little less so, the case, in my opinion, with Gemma Arterton, who was nevertheless very good as Catrin too, and the pair certainly had chemistry. I didn't recognise Arterton from anything previously, but a quick IMDb search tells me she has been in quite a bit, just not much that I've seen, apart from St Trinian's and its sequel- her character in that, Kelly, couldn't be more different!

The comedy element of the film was mostly provided by Bill Nighy's character, and he really did a very good job! He's just naturally amusing, but seems like such a nice guy too!

One of the main themes I took from this film was the treatment of women back pre-WW2 and the suffragette movement. It was just disgusting, but not overplayed in this film, just subtly and colloquially referenced and disputed.

The story is mostly quite feel-good, and lulls you into quite a false sense of security, where you begin to predict things that happen and wonder if its all that good a film after all, and then BAM a twist, and then BAM another twist!

Without spoiling, I'm not totally convinced I liked the ending, but I can totally understand why it was done the way it was. As my friend and I discussed after, it was important that we knew little about the film beforehand to fully appreciate it, so you'll just have to go and watch it to see what I mean by that ...

Book Review: 'The Girl On The Train' by Paula Hawkins

When the film of this book came into the cinemas at the end of 2016, Sainsbury's had cheap paperback copies for sale on a stand near the self service machines and, one day, I just couldn't resist and treated myself!

I don't normally read thrillers, but I'd heard good things and was excited to get reading this. It was one of those things where, after submitting a bunch of essays, I was decided that I WAS going to start a book for pleasure, even if it was a just a few pages a night! Finished it a few days ago.

Brief Summary: Rachel is a young women who turned to alcoholism when her marriage ended, but who still look longingly from her regular train out onto the street that was once home. She  even invents stories for a couple living there. But then she hears that the women there has gone missing, and suddenly finds herself in the middle of a very chaotic mess of suspicion, blame, love, heartbreak, hurt and ... murder?

Sorry.. I got a bit carried away on that summary and started writing my own blurb haha! The book is told through the perspective of the three central female characters: predominately Rachel, but with chapters scattered throughout from the perspective of the missing girl Megan, and the ex-husband's new wife Anna, who moved into the house on Megan's street that Rachel once lived in.

The style of writing from different perspectives is something I've encountered before and have been particularly attracted to, as both a reader and a writer. I thought it a very effective method for the most part, as Hawkins' maintained a central narrator, and used the other two women to relay information that Rachel would not know. However, there were a couple of very short chapters from the girls' perspectives which I kind of found unnecessary, as though they had been put in there just to break up Rachel's narration a bit!

From early on the story had me pretty gripped. The character of Rachel, while very different from me in many ways, definitely bore resemblances for me, and Hawkins' description was very 'relatable' in the sense that it perfectly summed up, for example, a commuter train trip, without sounding too forced, too descriptive.

It was certainly intriguing enough that I really had to force myself to put it down when I had other things to do and places to be. However I found the middle section to drag a little and lack action.

That said, the ending cannot be faulted in terms of action - it was totally thrilling .. and gave me nightmares that night! On that point, I'm not entirely sure I like how Hawkins chose to conclude the story... it was well written, but, without including spoilers, I felt as though both male characters were unnecessarily nasty - and that this could cause some people to read the book quite differently to me - I saw really negative qualities in all of the female characters throughout the novel, but the dramatic nature of the end kind of brushed over that and focused on male brutality.

Overall, a fantastically well written book with a great concept. Would like to see the film, although I'm a little apprehensive having been told its set in America rather than London! Also would love to read more Paula Hawkins as she has really encouraged me to broaden my reading list to different genres. Highly recommend.



Reading Challenge: 2/21

Sunny Disposition

The weather here in St Andrews has been amazing for the last week and a bit! It's been so sunny and warm, and the town has therefore been buzzing with tourists. It's also been iced coffee weather, which is always fine by me!

I've had the best week mood-wise too. At the start of the week I had an essay to hand in, which was a little stressful, but even that didn't make me feel that bad! I've felt organised, social, been able to exercise and eat well, and be pretty productive. Yesterday I tidied and hoovered my room and that helped even more! I've been a little tired, as being a busy uni student will always make you feel, but not unbearably so for once!

I know it can't last forever, but until the end of the semester would be wonderful haha! Especially with exams and LOTS of revision coming up.

I don't like to self-diagnose, as I know there are many people who suffer far worse than me, but, although I haven't spoken much about it on here as it's still something I'm figuring out myself, I don't always have the sunniest disposition, or the easiest time with mental health. It's not uncommon, or unusual, and I reckon it may even be linked to (or somewhere on the spectrum of) Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) which basically means that when there's more daylight, your body produces less melatonin and so you aren't as sleepy/low, and vice versa!

I tend to avoid such distinct labels, but its fair to say that, as much as I've always considered myself a winter gal,  this wonderful weather is doing me the world of good.

I LOVE to hear the kids next door playing outside; to see families walking their dogs and queuing for ice cream; to, as was the case last night, comfortably sit with friends around a bonfire on the beach at night. I think it probably has something to do with my creative side too, with my love of people watching and sentimentally reflecting on my surroundings. Even sitting in the library, as I am now, is so much less depressing with the sun streaming in. Yes, it would be even better if I could be out enjoying it rather than contemplating the ever-increasing pile of books by my side, but, hey, I can't expect the sun to cure my every responsibility now can I?! Plus the recent extra energy and motivation applies to my studies too.

It makes me SO excited for summer, when I'll be free and able to explore and socialise in what I hope will continue to be a very sunny UK! I actually think having so many lovely things to look forward to in the coming days and weeks and months help too... life just becomes more fun at this time of year haha. The less vibrant lull between Christmas and Summer is slowly fading to a memory.

For now, I better get some work done, but I hope everyone has a fabulous weekend and appreciates the sunshine while it graces us with its presence!

Catriona :)

Film Review: 'Beauty and the Beast'

A fortnight ago, I took the train North, ready to begin a week away from uni in the comfort of my family home. I knew I had a lot of coursework etc. to work on while I was there, and my friends from home weren't yet finished with college and uni because my uni gets off earlier (which means I'm now back in the library slogging through an essay, or not, while they are relaxing!). Anyway, in order to catch up with each other we made plans to have dinner out and go to the cinema to see the new Disney live action film Beauty and the Beast.

I had SO been looking forward to it. Firstly, I loved the live action remake of Cinderella a couple of years ago and so reckoned this one would be up my street too - as much as I love the originals, I've always been more into films with actors as opposed to animations. And, secondly, it was starring Emma Watson who I have a slight girl-crush on haha.

On the run up to our night out, I had watched lots of trailers, clips, and interviews with Emma Watson on Youtube, and was getting very excited!

In the restaurant beforehand, my friend told me that the beast was being played by Dan Stevens, who played Matthew Crawley in 'Downton Abbey' - another of my obsessions! This made it even better!

The film was just beautiful and captivating from start to finish. It was perhaps due to how good a mood I was in anyway, but I just adored every minute, and even found myself tearing up towards the
end.


I don't think I really need to include a brief summary... the story of Beauty and the Beast is pretty well known! I'm also not sure that this will be a particularly balanced review - it met all of my expectations and I can feel myself gushing!

Emma Watson portrayed a very beautiful, strong, kind and intelligent Belle - she was very much determined to keep Belle independent, and not for her to appear intimidated or manipulated by men, the beast or otherwise!

Dan Stevens conveyed the perfect mix of anguish, anger, frustration, but also love, tenderness and vulnerability. You do not get to see him in full human form until right at the end, and its a magical moment.

The character of Gaston, played by Luke Evans, was the perfectly stupid yet charming villain, not too over the top, but just enough that he was a real Disney baddy! His side-kick LeFou, played by Josh Gad, was hilarious, as were the pair as a comedy duo. I liked that LeFou was openly gay, something I honestly probably wouldn't even have picked up on as a viewer if it wasn't for the fact that there was lots of controversy surrounding the subject in the media coverage prior to release - which is the way it should be, not the controversy but the complete integration of such a fact that it doesn't draw major attention, in my opinion of course.

I loved all the animated items of furniture and crockery - it was so cool that the features of the actors who voiced them were present in their faces! I particularly enjoyed the dynamic between these characters - the chirpiness and feelings of hope and unconditional love despite tragedy.

The music was phenomenal - possibly one of my favourite Disney soundtracks actually. Some people I know were upset that the actors cast were not first and foremost singers, and perhaps were slightly autotuned in the recording process (I don't known that this is the case, I am simply repeating criticism I have heard).

However, it was clear to me that all of the actors could, at least to some extent, sing and dance, and their voices complimented each other beautifully, so I didn't have a particular issue with the casting (although I suppose I do see where such critics are coming from). I have re-listened to many of the songs since, with my favourite being 'Something There' between Belle and Beast, closely followed, of course, by Mrs. Pott's 'Tale as Old as Time'.

I won't include spoilers, but it is fair to say that the last scene is sooooo enchanting. Not overly soppy, not 'oh and then everyone got married and snogged and lived happily ever after' rubbish. But implied, so beautifully, so heart-warmingly.

I have never been twice to see the same film in the cinema, at least I don't think I have. However, I must say I have been exceptionally tempted with this one and who knows, it may still happen, there's time yet!

The perfect pick-me-up, and a must-see.

Book Review: 'All My Friends are Superheroes' by Andrew Kaufman

So, some of you may remember that, around the time of my 20th birthday back in January, I set myself a challenge to read 21 novels for pleasure before I turn 21 at the beginning of 2018. We are now at April, and this is my first review, and it is a very short novel too!

I am currently studying a module in Comparative Literature at university. This semester we are reading and discussing plays, a new one every week. I am really enjoying it, as I don't read much in the way of drama for pleasure, but have always enjoyed theatre and studying it at school etc. However, the reading takes up a fair amount of time, hence my lack of other reading. It has been wonderful to be surrounded with books on such a regular basis though, only thing that keeps me sane haha! I'll get there though, with the challenge I mean.  I do have a 16 week summer coming up after all!!

Anyway, I downloaded this book for my kindle before going on holiday last July and never got round to reading it until recently. It was a recommendation from the actress and Youtuber Carrie Hope Fletcher, as she has previously named it her favourite book.

Before starting it, I really had no idea what to expect. As I had bought it for my Kindle, I knew nothing about the length, and hadn't even read the blurb as I would with a physical book.

Brief Summary: All of Tom's friends, acquaintances, and even wife are in fact superheroes. The novel tells the story of how Tom became invisible to his wife, and how he must strive to make her see him before he loses her forever, interjected with descriptions of many of Tom's superhero friends: who they are, their superpower, and how they discovered their abilities.

This has to be one of the strangest books I've ever read. It's just bizarre. There is an assumption from the beginning that to be a superhero is perfectly possibly, like there is no explanation for their inclusion or existence, it's just a thing?!

What I love about it is I think there are so many different ways people could interpret this story, and so many different things that different people could take from it.

For me, it was very much about labels. What characteristics and quirks we define ourselves by, how others define us, how we perceive others to define us, and how we define other people. It was a discussion around the idea of our prominent characteristics, whether good or bad, being our superpowers, being our strengths and our challenges and basically our identities. And whether or not we should embrace them, and allow ourselves to be defined by certain things, or fight them.

In that sense, I felt that the book put across a very powerful message which didn't necessary provide answers, but made you think about the function and power of labels.

On the other hand, it could just be read as a rather quirky superhero story with lots of weird and wonderful and abnormal characters, rather than normal people.

The book did make a distinction between superheroes and non-superheroes, but for me also made the point that we are ALL superheroes, so I don't know if perhaps it suggested that to be a superhero we must admit to or embrace what makes us unique and individual, or if I've read more into that than I needed to?!

It's a bit of an odd one to explain, but it doesn't take long to read and I doubt you'll ever read anything similar to it, so if I were you I'd just give it a go!

I personally don't think I could ever call it my favourite book because I don't feel like a lot happens! But I certainly appreciate it as a very creative and amusing discussion of serious topics, which despite its short length is engaging and emotional and captivating all at once. Just read it. Go on, you know you want to.

Catriona


Reading Challenge: 1/21