Hello! The Ward & Walter Summer Read begins in this very hot first week of August with two interesting paperbacks to get your teeth into! On this page you will find our first audio podcast (the video below) plus a small collection of our views about the texts. There will also be summaries of the stories (although we won’t spoil the endings!), as well as details where you can buy the books and links to their catalogue records on the Essex Library online service. If you read the books, don’t hesitate to comment on this page and tell us what you thought.
The Summer Read Podcast, Episode 1 from BillericaySchool on Vimeo.
Mr & Mrs Fitzwilliam Darcy: A Novel by Sharon Lathan
Synopsis: The first in a series that follows “Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy” from their wedding day into married life, as the author vividly imagines this young and energetic couple as they immerse themselves in their profound love and face the challenges of their era. Elizabeth and Darcy adore each other and the burgeoning love and closeness between them drives the plot. As the narrative unfolds through the honeymoon and then the challenges of Elizabeth assuming the role of Mistress of Pemberley, Darcy and Elizabeth thoroughly reveal their differing points of view of how their relationship blossomed from misunderstanding to perfect understanding. As the couple grows in maturity and understanding, as they accustom themselves to each other and to married life, “Two Shall Become One” emerges as a fascinating portrait of a deep and passionate marriage.
What Charlotte Ward thought: Didn’t like it, but found it funny.
What Barnaby Walter thought:
You can reserve a copy of this book for collection at any library in Essex by clicking here, or you can buy it from Waterstones by clicking here.
The Folding Star by Alan Hollinghurst
Synopsis: Edward Manners – thirty three and disaffected – escapes to a Flemish city in search of a new life. Almost at once he falls in love with seventeen-year-old Luc, and is introduced to the twilight world of the 1890′s Belgian painter Edgard Orst.
What Barnaby thought: Loved it. Absolutely brilliant.
What Charlotte thought: Not as enthusiastic as Barnaby, but did like parts of it.
To reserve a copy of this book at an Essex library, click here. To buy the book from Waterstones.com, please click here.
