Comments on 'Nobody's Child'

'The book covers the whole spectrum of adoption from an historical and international prospective'
'Chapter headings ask interesting questions but sometimes seem at odds with the content of the matching chapter'
'I found the reference to Thomas Coram and his foundling hospital very interesting and would like to visit the museum celebrating his work next time I visit London'
'On balance it would have been interesting to hear about adoption stories that were not as successful as the ones in the book'
'The Fatime Whitbread adoption story was my favourite chapter'
'I found the reference to the orphan trains of America fascinating'
'Russia's attitude to Down's Syndrome babies horrifying'
'An interesting book but a little surprised that it was not concerned more with Kate Adie's own adoption story'
'Should the book have been called 'Somebody's Child' rather than 'Nobody's Child?'

Further Reading:
'Coram Boy' by Jamila Gavin

Nobody's Child by Kate Adie

Inspired by her own circumstances as an adopted child Kate Adie
explores the lives of those who have survived the experience of abandonment. Each chapter begins with a simple question. When
were you born? What is you mother's name? What is your religion?Questions adopted children may not be able to answer. Having recently read Coram Boy by Jamila Gavin I particularly enjoyed the chapter Where is your home? which concerns the history of the foundling hospitals. Took a while to get into this book but glad I stuck with it.
Tony Riley

Comments on 'The Sixth Lamentation'

'The book opens up the debate about the right and wrongs of persecuting elderly war criminals'
'Some of the references to monastic life unnecessary'
'I liked the relationship between Lucy and her grandmother'
'I suspect this is the first of a series of cases that Father Anselm will become involved in'
'The reference to the sixth lamentation intrigued me. I now realise that the Holocaust is the sixth lamentation'
'The references to the part that Vichy France played in the war were interesting. Particularily the fact that sometimes family members were split in their loyalties'
'I have read better books on the same theme'
'This is one of those books where you needed a piece of paper and pen with you as you read to work out plots and the relationships between characters'
'A lot of the tying up of loose ends at the end are a little contrived'

Further Reading:
'Bad Faith' by Carmen Callil

The Sixth Lamentation by William Broderick

Eduard Schwermann a suspected nazi war criminal seeks refuge at Lakewood Priory. Father Anselm a monk at the Priory is asked by the church authorities in Rome to investigate and in so doing an intriguing story unfolds. An overly complex plot which at times I found difficult to follow. However I can understand why the book has had so many good reviews.
I suspect we may hear more from Father Anselm the ex barrister turned monk.
Tony Riley

Comments on 'The Kite Runner'

veryone agreed that this is the best book we have read so far.
"Hassan is a Jesus like character, humble and forgiving. Such characters are central to many religions"
"The incident which happens on the afternoon of the tournament is described in a simple but powerful way"
"The early relationship between Amir and his father is not very good. After the move to America this changes and the two become very close"
"I found myself wanting to find out more about kite running and its place in Afghan society"
"I learnt a great deal about Afghan culture through reading this book"
"Ending slightly disappointing in that we are left in the dark about whether Amir's adopted son would recover"

Further Reading
'Bookseller of Kabul' by Asne Seierstad

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

Amir and Hassan grow up together in Afghanistan like brothers. Amir however is a member of the upper class Pashtuns while Hassan is his devoted servant. On the day of the famous kite flying contest Amir fails his friend - he hides away while Hassan is beaten by bullies an act which haunts him for the rest of his life. Its a story of love betrayal and redemption. A terrific read. Highly recommended.
The book is currently being adapted into film with a release due in 2007.
Tony Riley