Book Reviews Blog

This page only shows books that have a review. By default in date order of reading with newest at top

Saturday 24th January 2026

1923

Original Language: Portugese mins

Crooked Plow

Author : Itamar Vieira Junior

Summary :
Descendants of freed african slaves still living in poverty and modern slavery on plantations in rural Brazil through the 20th Century with a cultural memory back to Africa
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Reviewed by rogerco, on 24 Jan 2026

Cutural history holds the key

At first I wasn't sure what I was reading as it was so alien to me - what century are these events taking place in. And even more the puzzle of which twin is which adds to the feeling of disconnection



Thursday 8th January 2026

2025

Original Language: Icelandic mins

The Mysterious Case of the Missing Crime Writer

Author : Ragnar Jonasson

Summary :
Icelandic crime. A crime writer has disappeared, as has a detective. Open ended conclusion.
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Rated by rogerco, on 08 Jan 2026

Review Summary :
Mildly entertaining


Thursday 11th December 2025

2025

Swift Blaze of Fire

Author : Lin Rose Clark

Summary :
The life of Robert Hilliard - Olympian, Cleric, Brigadista - and his family
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Reviewed by rogerco, on 11 Dec 2025

Review Summary :
Very interesting in lots of ways. The central story clearly linked to immediate and historical circumstances which as filled in in good detail.

Much more than a simple biography

I learnt a lot about both life in Ireland in the late 19th early 20th century and also about the political history of the Irish revolution and civil war and the 1930s anti-fascist movement in London and the Spansih civil war.



Friday 28th November 2025

2024

The God of the Woods

Author : Liz Moore

Summary :
At a summer camp in upsate NewYork in 1961 and 1975 a brother and sister disappear. ...
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Reviewed by rogerco, on 28 Nov 2025

A murder mystery?

Enjoyable read although sometimes difficult to keep track of who was who from the names. Each chapter jumps in the timeline and the character's voice - ("keep up at the back") which could make it confusing if you pause reading for a few days.

At about 80% I felt that I was starting to know what happened and who did it but I couldn't quite put it into words until much closer to the end. Which was good and satisfying.



Sunday 23rd November 2025

2025

Against the Machine

On the Unmaking of Humanity

Author : Paul Kingsnorth

Summary :
The Machine is what others call The System, or Global Capitalism etc.. ...
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Reviewed by rogerco, on 23 Nov 2025

Review Summary :
re-connection

Another really important book

Very powerful argument for continuing the slow opt-out. Disengaging as far as possible from the machine. Rediscovering one's roots. Past, Place, People, and Prayer. The last meaning the re-connection with the spiritual and non-material realms.



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