Major Pettigrew’s last stand : a novel
by Helen Simonson
[Book]
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Debut author, Simonson, has written a delightful and surprising love story that takes place in the beautiful English country town of Edgecombe St. Mary. Retired Major Pettigrew is a proper English widower who falls in love with kindhearted Pakistani widow, Mrs. Ali, much to the chagrin of the community. Drama and humor ensue.
Reviewed by Jennifer
Tagged: Fiction, Literary fiction, Romance
La gran final = The great match
[DVD]
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Soccer fever has reached the remote corners of the globe. Follow the adventures of a family of Mongolian nomads, a camel caravan of Tuareg in the Sahara, and a group of Indios in the Amazon as they stop at nothing to watch the World Cup on television. I was laughing hysterically through the whole movie. In Kazajo dialect (Mongolia), Tamashek (Niger) and Tupi (Brazil), with optional English subtitles.
Reviewed by Jennifer
Tagged: Feature film, Foreign film, Soccer
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
[Book]
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Following World War II, British author, Juliet Ashton is looking for inspiration for her next book. She begins corresponding with a man from Guernsey who was part of a book club, the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, during the war while the island was occupied by the Germans. The club acted as an alibi to protect the residents from arrest. She begins corresponding with other members of the club and draws inspiration from their story of courage and preservation. The book is told through the correspondence and is a touching read.
Reviewed by Jennifer
Tagged: Europe, Fiction, Historical fiction
Arranged
[DVD]
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Two young women, an Orthodox Jewish and a Muslim, meet as first year teachers a public school in Brooklyn. They become friends as they share their troubles in finding suitable matches for arranged marriages. Arranged is a satisfying, warm, and at times, amusing independent film.
Reviewed by Jennifer
Tagged: Brooklyn, Drama, Feature film
Memoirs of a Geisha
by Arthur Golden
[Book]
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Nitta Sayuri is a celebrated Japanese geisha. In this beautiful coming of age story, Nitta shares how she was sold into slavery as a young girl, learns the art of being a geisha, survives World War II, and struggles to win the man she loves.
Reviewed by Jennifer
Tagged: Fiction, Historical fiction, Japan
Heart’s Blood
by Juliet Marillier
[Book]
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In 12th Century Ireland, Caitrin is fleeing an abusive suitor and finds work as a scribe to a struggling and crippled chieftain, Anluan. Caitrin goes through his family documents and begins to uncover an evil sorcery that has plagued Anluan’s family. With enemies approaching, Caitrin must help Anluan overcome this evil and save their budding romance. Heart’s Blood is an adventurous love story and reminded me of Beauty and the Beast, one of my favorite fairy tales.
Reviewed by Jennifer
Tagged: Fantasy, Fiction, Ireland, Romance