M. J. Saxton

Heartfelt, 21 Mar 2014

Customer review from the Amazon Vine Programme (What's this?)

I found this a very intriguing book and enjoyed it from beginning to end. While it ostensibly traces the history of one piece of jewellery and those who have owned it, it has a much deeper theme of the treatment of the property of Jewish people that was confiscated during the war and uncovers the unjust redistribution of it in the post-war years.

There is also a brilliantly woven tale of love won and lost and the struggle of women to gain recognition in the pre-war years. that may all seem a bit dry, but the weaving of three tales is compelling and full of characters of depth and integrity. there is something epic about it that sweeps you into a colourful world of struggle,… Read more

At The Copa-, 4 Mar 2014

Great original cast recording with some great numbers. Barry Manilow put together some good musical theatre songs for this show; if you're expecting a string of his hits, then I'm afraid you're in for a disappointment, but buy it anyway because there is loads of good stuff here.

The Latin-American influenced numbers are especially joyful.

Just Enough Time, 4 Mar 2014

Such a cleverly told story which deals with some big issues in a very readable way.

Morris Gleitzman is a master storyteller with a light touch.

Colin is a fed-up twelve year old who can't see why he should be sent to Britain from Australia just because his brother is ill, but then has the bright idea that he can get the Queen to help, or at least the best doctor in the world. As it turns out, he makes a new friend who is much more help than the Queen might ever be.

It's confusing to be in a strange country, but if you are as resourceful as Colin you can manage well to get around and find the people you need to. Gleitzman gets convincingly into the head of… Read more