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Kate Cayley

Autore di The Hangman in the Mirror

6 opere 71 membri 10 recensioni

Opere di Kate Cayley

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Informazioni generali

Sesso
female
Nazionalità
Canada

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Recensioni

This year’s solid collection of stories chosen from Canada’s literary journals and magazines includes two each from Souvankham Thammavongsa and J.R. McConvey. That’s remarkable because the three esteemed judges read these stories “blind”, not knowing who wrote them or from which journal they came. But it is not surprising once you read the stories in question, since all four are excellent. Indeed, looking over the eleven stories in this collection, I’m hard pressed to pick a favourite. I enjoyed the muscular grief of Alex Leslie’s “The Person You Want to See”, and awkward perceptions of Mahak Jain’s “The Origin of Jaanvi.” I thought Carleigh Baker’s “Chins and Elbow” to be vivid while Paige Cooper’s “The Roar” might be described as uncanny, and though it seems unusual to find a ghost story that reaches this select crowd, Charlie Fiset’s “If I Ever See the Sun” definitely earns its place here. You’ll find your own favourite. Enjoy!… (altro)
 
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RandyMetcalfe | Oct 13, 2016 |
I feel like that synopsis is too long for the book. And I always forget that I really don’t like old-timey books. I don’t know how to explain it. Anyways. I was originally going to buy this book a long time ago on amazon for cheap, but didn’t, so when it was on netgalley I jumped to review it for free. I don’t really know what happened there. Anyways. I started reading this book, and realizing my mistake, put off reading it. I thought it would get better along the way. It didn’t really, not in the way I hoped it would, but I actually started to like the story. Only from when she was in the prison with the boy in the cell next to her though. It happens. I thought it was cute, and I wanted to keep reading. I probably would have gone crazy in a jail cell that long, but somhow Francoise didn’t. Which is great. Overall, it wasn’t a bad book. I’m sure someone will fall in love with it. It just wasn’t totally for me.

Thanks for reading!
… (altro)
 
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radioactivebookworm | 7 altre recensioni | Mar 23, 2014 |
No doubt, when this world comes to an end by Kate Cayley is a thought provoking read. Questioning how one sees the world around one's self is one of literature's most necessary deeds, and that is what Cayley has done here.

link to my complete review
 
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steven.buechler | Mar 7, 2014 |
The Hangman in the Mirror by Kate Cayley tells the story of a girl named Francoise as she struggles through life in New France. Her parents are poor and there is no hope for her rising beyond the situation that she was born into. Ever since she was small, it's been her greatest desire to be like the ladies that stroll around the more desirable parts of New France. She wants the pretty dresses, the air of importance, and she definitely already has enough pride for the part. It is a tale of her rise and fall as a New France lady.

I typically really like historical fiction. But this one just didn't do anything for me. I felt like I was reading Wuthering Heights all over again (and yes, I don't like that one either). For those of you who love Wuthering Heights, I believe you would like this but me personally... Yeah. I just couldn't do it.

Francoise is the main character of the story. You are introduced to her in a way that makes you sympathize and want her to succeed in her endeavor to rise in the ranks of society. It's hard not to feel pity for her as she struggles to help her mother with her business and keep her dad from making trouble. It's obvious that her home life is horrible, she has no moral support from either parent and they could care less if she did anything stupid. But once her parents die, I lost all sympathy for the girl who should've been born into a better life. She gets her dream job as a maid to the lady of a wealthy household. It seems like her life is looking up but once again, I begin to not like her. She becomes cold and callous to the people she'd once considered her friends. When she got thrown into jail, I kind of didn't know whether I should feel bad or smile.

Now, here's what I do love. This story definitely has no trouble transporting you back into the time of New France, even if you do hate your companion. I loved the way everything is brought to life on the page and you can count the characters. Everything seems very real and tangible. It's like you are living Francoise life but I definitely would have done things differently.

The ending was a tad disappointing for me. It seemed like the story ended on what I would've considered the climax and that bugged me. I was finally getting back into the story, curious about what was going to happen, and then BAM! It's over. I kind of wanted to pull my hair out in frustration. Really? I am intrigued and it ends?

Once again, if you like Wuthering Heights, check this story out. I personally don't so that's probably my problem.
… (altro)
 
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BailsChris | 7 altre recensioni | Jan 26, 2013 |

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Statistiche

Opere
6
Utenti
71
Popolarità
#245,552
Voto
½ 3.5
Recensioni
10
ISBN
16

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