Sample Saturday is when I wade through the eleventy billion samples I have downloaded on my Kindle. I’m slowly chipping away and deciding whether it’s buy or bye.
Wait For Me, Jack by Addison Jones
Why I have it: Spotted Susan’s great review.
Summary: The story of Jack and Milly’s marriage over sixty years.
I’m thinking: No. Despite Susan’s review, I didn’t love the writing style (and I’m reminded why reading a sample is such a good idea…).
The Collector by John Fowles
Why I have it: Spotted on Bonnie’s list of books with unreliable narrators.
Summary: The story of a lonely clerk who collects butterflies and of the beautiful young art student who is his ultimate quarry. In other words, creepy.
I’m thinking: Yes.
The House at the Edge of the World by Julia Rochester
Why I have it: Think I just liked the cover…
Summary: Twins Morwenna and Corwin’s father dies accidentally when he falls off a cliff, drunk. Years later, the twins return to the family home when their grandfather, Matthew, becomes ill. For decades, Matthew has painted every important event in the family’s life on an ordnance survey chart. Part record and part legend, the map has long been a subject of fascination for the twins but does it reveal family secrets?
I’m thinking: Maybe. First few chapters were all over the shop but I could be convinced because I liked the style.
The Collector sounds *really* creepy – definitely gets my vote.
I’m so sorry that Wait for Me, Jack didn’t work for you although you’ve certainly proved the worth of sampling before buying! Thanks for the link. I read The Collector years ago and did find very creepy indeed.
I loved the sound of it from your review – instant appeal – and was expecting something along the line of Yates (which in retrospect is setting the bar very high!) but I found the style too fussy.
Ah, it’s not nearly as literary as Yates.
The Collector sounds creepy, in a good way.
The pressure is on! I hope you enjoy it. Although enjoy it is probably the wrong word. haha
The Collector is one of those books that I’ve meant to read many times but I’ve never got around to. Sounds like a winner to me!