Thursday, April 12, 2012

The Forest by Edward Rutherfurd


The Forest by Edward Rutherfurd is a collection of short stories that follow a set of family lines in the English New Forest through history. The families are fictional but the events they live through are historical facts. It's a great way to learn what was happening in and around the area. I found myself skeptical at first that I would enjoy this book but I found myself hooked. The stories had all the right elements:

  • Coming of Age
  • Sacrifice
  • Epic Battles
  • Falls from Grace
  • Love
  • Revenge
  • Trickery
  • Mystery
  • Danger
  • Intrique

Don't let the size of the book intimidate you either. The stories keep it bite sized and very manageable. I even found myself so attached to the family lines that I was sad when the book ended.

So what are you reading lately? 

14 comments:

  1. This actually sounds really interesting! Right now I'm reading Miss Peregrine's School for Peculiar Children at work and a biography about Rufus Wainwright at home. I try to keep my work and home reading very different or else I end up confusing the stories (if not when reading them, then later when I'm trying to recall what a book was about)

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  2. This looks fascinating. I've just finished reading Angela Carter's The Magic Toyshop and Herman Hesse's Short story collection Strange News From Another Star. Both are extraordinary.

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  3. Oooh this looks interesting. I've been searching for another book to read for a while now. Added to my list!

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  4. I am reading A Princess Remembers, the memoirs of the Maharini Jaipur. It's amazing! I actually found it in a charity shop when I was home in the New Forest at the weekend. This book looks so good, will definitely have a read. I want to find a really good book on the mythological history of the New Forest. Let me know if you ever find one. xx

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  5. Interesting. I'm currently reading textbooks about computers, social media, and world history. LOL When school is pau (Hawaiian word for finish), I'm going to add this to my summer reading list!

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  6. You know, I think it was actually Uni which broke me of reading for pleasure. I was so busy working or going to school that I had no free time or spirit to read outside of what was necessary. I'm so glad I've finally gotten back to reading for pleasure. Let me know what you find to read once you're finished!

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  7. I'll have to see if I can get my hands on a copy of that. It sounds right up my alley. I'm also looking for something about the mythological history of the New Forest. I'm completely unfamiliar with it so that would be fascinating for me to learn.

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  8. I can't take lightly the recommendations from someone so well read as yourself. I'll definitely be looking for these to read!

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  9. I'll have to look into these books. How come you read a different book at work vs home instead of carrying and reading one book at a time? Is it for work purposes? I can't read two books at a time. I get this weird obsessive compulsive need to finish a book once I start it. I actually picked up a random heroic fantasy type book of my husbands yesterday afternoon and couldn't sleep till it was done. I then railed at the book lol. It wasn't a bad book but I wanted more from it.

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  10. I don't bring my work book home because I have an awful habit of forgetting to bring it back to work. Since I do not eat at work, it makes for a very long lunch break if I don't have a book to keep me company! I actually find it helps me to read different books, too. I go slower through each and retain more. I do always finish everything, though, and believe me there have been some awful awful reads in there. I'm like you, though, can't start a book and not finish it!

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  11. It has been too long since I have gotten the chance to read a good book. Pity. :(

    http://www.glamkittenslitterbox.com/
    Twitter: @GlamKitten88

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  12. Hm...that sounds interesting! I'll have to check it out!

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  13. I love reading and I love the New Forest. I also really enjoyed Sarum.

    I'm currently reading Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Mauriler. I'd read a later book in the series and am as drawn in to this one.

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