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.
The Mannequin Makers by Craig Cliff
Why I have it: Spotted at A Life in Books.
Summary: Inspired by a travelling Vaudeville company, window dresser Colton Kemp decides to raise his children to be living mannequins.
I’m thinking: No – a little too gothic for my liking.
Soviet Milk by Nora Ikstena
Why I have it: Spotted at Madame Bibi.
Summary: The effects of Soviet rule on a single individual. A woman denied her professional calling. A troubled mother-daughter relationship.
I’m thinking: Yes.
The Porpoise by Mark Haddon
Why I have it: Was included on this list.
Summary: A newborn baby is the sole survivor of a terrifying plane crash. She is raised in wealthy isolation by an overprotective father. A suitor visits but he has an assassin on his tail.
I’m thinking: Maybe – is it going to get all mythological on me?
I haven’t read it myself, but I’ve heard good things from my favourite bloggers about Soviet Milk:)
Yes, and I immediately liked the writing style.
I wasn’t impressed with The Porpoise – very much mythological. The other two I haven’t read.
Seems that retellings of mythological stories is a bit of a trend lately – not something I usually go for. The premise of The Porpoise is terrific but My feeling was that the tone would change pretty quickly as the story progressed.
The Haddon is the one that doesn’t appeal. It doesn’t sound all that special a plot.
The opening chapter was interesting but not enough to make me keep reading.
Shame about The Mannequin Makers but thanks for the link. I thought Soviet Milk was superb but needs to be read when cheerful as you’re unlikely to be by the end of it.
Thanks for the link Kate 🙂 I hope you enjoy Soviet Milk but I second Susan’s advice! It is a novella though so its not an endurance test, and as you know I thought it was excellent.
You haven’t mentioned your around the world challenge for a while, where are you up to? I think peripatetic teacher son found a Morocco novel, if he’s home for xmas I’ll get him to look out a Malawi one.
I’ve done 41 countries (read a book for Morocco but not Malawi). It’s getting more and me tricky although there are a few gaps that should be easy, such as New Zealand.
Haven’t read any of these myself!
I’ve just started The Porpoise and it’s pretty gripping so far. It’s a bit more dramatic than I expected (more action, less introspection) but definitely engaging.