Drama & Literary

Latest Drama Reviews

The Sunrise Sisterhood

Cathy Bramley

Drama Novel

Standalone

Our review: Ideal for anyone who can relate to being a sister or an aunt of grown-up nieces. A lovingly written, summer drama that keeps moving forwards with humour and a happy ending.

Ideal novel for reading on holiday by the pool.

Book cover for "The Sunrise Sisterhood" by Cathy Bramley. The cover features an orange and blue illustrated scene with a sailboat, a woman diving into the water, and a woman sitting on a dock. The background depicts a sunset over a small town with a few birds flying.
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The Exhibitionist

Charlotte Mendelson

Drama Novel

Standalone

Our review: Despite the slow pace it’s worth a read for the writer’s very acute observations of family dynamics, flaws and motivations. Ray, the narcissistic father was all too real and I’m afraid I wanted to shake the other characters at times.

The Times Novel of the Year 2022

Good if you want to read about narcissists.

Book cover for 'The Exhibitionist' by Charlotte Mendelson, featuring a green haunted-looking house with roses and a snake, set against an orange background.
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The Mad Women’s Ball

Victoria Mas

Drama, paranormal Novel

Standalone

Our review: Scenes, moods and thoughts are encased in succinct and sophisticated narrative. Set in historical Paris and partly based on shocking events related to mental health. With a sprinkling of paranormal which feeds the moody atmosphere this is a novel you won’t regret reading. Also now a movie.

Thought-provoking whilst still lightly entertaining.

Book cover of 'The Mad Women's Ball' by Victoria Mas, featuring intricate, symmetrical gothic illustrations and a black and white kaleidoscope pattern at the center.
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The Queen’s Gambit

Walter Tevis

Drama Novel

Standalone

Our review: Refreshing coming-of-age drama for a broad audience. Beautifully written and entirely reflective of 1950’s 1960’s America featuring a young girl’s graceful mission to find her place in life.

The TV series follows the book quite closely.

You don’t need to know chess to enjoy!

Cover art for the Netflix series 'The Queen's Gambit,' featuring a woman with red hair sitting at a chessboard, resting her chin on her folded hands, with mugs of whiskey and chess pieces in the foreground.
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Latest Literary Reviews

The Librarian Of Auschwitz

Antonio Iturbe

Literary Novel

Standalone

Our review: A poignant novel based on a true story and offering insight and a different perspective into the ‘family camp’ at Auschwitz.

Antonio Iturbe is a talented writer and his succinct and fresh writing style remains pacey until the end.

Heart-breaking but heart-warming.

Book cover for "The Librarian of Auschwitz" by Antonio Iturbe, translated by Lilit Zekulin Thwaites. The cover features a butterfly, barbed wire, and the Auschwitz concentration camp.
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Rush Home Road

Lori Lansens

Literary Novel

Standalone

Our review: Brilliantly written with mindful observations of characters’ experiences. An elderly woman is prompted to reflect on her challenging past when her neighbour’s little girl comes to live. Set in 1920’s & 1970’s Canada with aspects of the Underground Railroad woven in.

Character-centric with an interesting and rare storyline.

Close-up of the book cover for "Rush Home Road" by Lori Lansens, showing a person's legs in white sneakers, pink socks, and beige shorts on a concrete ground.
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The Bell Jar

Sylvia Plath

Literary Novel

Standalone

Our review: Set in 1950’s America. Profound but relatable even after several decades have past.

Exquisite writing that summons the turmoil and beauty of another human with candid insight.

A story that will stay with you.

The cover of a book called 'The Belle Jar' by Sylvia Plath, featuring a woman with red lipstick looking into a mirror, with a red background and a white label that reads '50th Anniversary Edition'.
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Yellowface

Rebecca F. Kuang

Literary Novel

Standalone

Our review: Very up to date subject matter and aids reflection.

From a purely entertainment perspective it is enjoyable to read but you may not find yourself warming to the main protagonist.

The hype is a little OTT.

Classed as literary which it might be in thirty years given the subject matter.

Book cover for 'Yellowface' by Rebecca F. Kuang, featuring a yellow background with simplified black and white illustration of closed eyes and eyebrows, quotes praising the book at the top, and the title in large white letters at the bottom.
Full Review