Book Review: The Outer Banks House by Diann Ducharme

Author: Diann Ducharme
Title: The Outer Banks House 
Genre: Historical Fiction & Romance
Pages: 290
First Published: 2010
Where I Got It: My shelf (Given to me by the author/publisher for my honest and unbiased opinion)

As the wounds of the Civil War are just beginning to heal, one fateful summer would forever alter the course of a young girl’s life.
 
In 1868, on the barren shores of post-war Outer Banks North Carolina, the once wealthy Sinclair family moves for the summer to one of the first cottages on the ocean side of the resort village of Nags Head. Seventeen-year-old Abigail is beautiful, book-smart, but sheltered by her plantation life and hemmed-in by her emotionally distant family. To make good use of time, she is encouraged by her family to teach her father’s fishing guide, the good-natured but penniless Benjamin Whimble, how to read and write. And in a twist of fate unforeseen by anyone around them, there on the porch of the cottage, the two come to love each other deeply, and to understand each other in a way that no one else does.
 
But when, against everything he claims to represent, Ben becomes entangled in Abby's father's Ku Klux Klan work, the terrible tragedy and surprising revelations that one hot Outer Banks night brings forth threaten to tear them apart forever.
 
With vivid historical detail and stunning emotional resonance, Diann Ducharme recounts a dramatic story of love, loss, and coming of age at a singular and rapidly changing time in one of America’s most beautiful and storied communities.

Wow. I am speechless.

First I want to say that this is much more then a romance, there is so much more at play. The author certainly did capture the time period. The American Civil War just ended the year before. The slaves are free and have rights now. However, the South is falling to shambles. Plantations and businesses are failing. There is still hatred and racism flowing; the Klu Klux clan has been born. It's a tense word for sure.

In the midst of this is Abby and her family. For some odd reason, Mr Sinclair built a house on the shore of North Carolina. It seems silly to spend that money since their planation is falling apart since their slaves and Uncle Jack died in the war. There are not enough hands to tend the fields. So I find it strange to build a house for the summer....such a waste of money and time in my opinion.

I liked Abby a lot and I liked Ben as well even though he was unkept and smelly. It took a long time for them to fall in love, which I am grateful for, because this certaily was unlikely match. Why? Well, Abby is a rich plantation owner's daughter, while Ben is poor, uneducated fisherman who is helping her daddy out with fishing and touring the area. Very unlikely match, but it was nice.

While Abby is teaching Ben to read and write, something dark is brewing. You can feel it the whole time. Certainly unsettling, but it did add to the story. It took a long, LONG time for the drama to hit its climax. I felt the ending was a little rushed compared to the rest of the book. I think she should have lengthened the book a little bit or cut off some scenes not needed. I hope there is a sequel! Which will be nice, because I must know what happens! Yes, yes, a cliffhanger. However, the cliff-hanger wasn't too cliff-hangerish, because you could stop there and think everything worked out. I am hoping for a HEA! It seems to be so, but then you must read on to truly know.

Am I bad? I was kinda rooting for Hector for the majorty of the book until he had a tantrum at one point and said some nasty things. Nope. All pity and rooting gone for you. A secret part of me was wishing that he would end up with Eliza. hahahahaha now THAT would be an unlikely match.

I will stop now before I give off some spoilers.

I really, really liked this book. It was such a wonderful adventure. So dark, so full of hope. I am glad that the author picked this time period, because this certainly was a tense and strained part in America's history. Even though Abby and Ben have an unlikely love story, I rooted for them! The ending left me wanting more. I NEED to know what happens next. I recommend this for everyone who likes historical fiction mixed with a touch of romance (not over-the-top romance, a nice blend). Out of five stars, I stamp this with 5 stars. It was certainly good even though I wanted it to last longer ;)

Favorite Character(s): Abby, Ben, Winnifred, Charlie, Martha, & Mrs Sinclair (near the end though...she was not nice at the beginning)
Not-so Favorite Character(s): Mr Sinclair & Eliza

Movie Review: It's Such a Beautiful Day (2012)

Length: 23 minutes
Released: 2012
Genre: Comedy, Short film, drama, & animation
Rating: Unrated (I would guess a PG)
Where I Got It: Watched on Netflix

SUMMARY:
A series of dark and troubling events suddenly force Bill to consider the meaning of his life, blending traditional animation with experimental special effects. Don Hertzfeldt's "Everything will be OK" trilogy winds to a close in this chapter that finds a hospitalized Bill wrestling with his failing memory.










TRAILER: 

REVIEW:

You can't help but adore Don Hertzfedlt and his work. He uses such simple animations, but it is amazing. He is hilarious, but this tale of Bill goes MUCH deeper then the rest of his work. Yes, it still holds his classic humor, but it really makes you think and feel. Even though I like the mindless humor from time to time, a real story with some meaning is truly the best. 

I had watched the "trilogy" of Bill earlier on and I had always wanted more and then this movie came out. It also finally came to Netflix, so I was a happy camper! However, I didn't watch it right away....I was afraid this mini film was going to ruin the story of Bill. Silly of me, in hindsight, but still. I was worried it would turn out like all those other YouTube turned into movie/shows. One night, Boyfriend and I were "forced" to watch this by our friend, Sam. Thank goodness for him! I am kicking myself for waiting soooooooooooooo long!

The mix of animation and some real life clips is beautifully done. The sounds and the narration truly pull the film together. It's an interesting way to pull a movie together, but I am glad that Don Hertzfedlt kept his classic stick figure drawing. He tried something new with blending in real life clips and like I said earlier....beautiful.

Some fans of Don Hertzfedlt are probably curious about the humor aspect. YES, it still is funny, but it is bitter sweet humor. You know that humor where you kind of feel bad laughing, because you know Bill is suffering a serious stuff? That is the humor, BUT it is done well and doesn't make the film "awkward" or "cheesy". It is beautiful. It does really capture life...life is bitter sweet. We have our laughs, but horrible things happen all the time.

Look at me getting deep. ^_^ 

ANYWAYS.

My biggest complaint is that it was too short. I would have tried to make it at least 30-45 minutes. Any longer would have made ruined the movie. Just a few minutes longer would have made it be even better! My second complaint is the order in which the film takes place. I honestly wished it didn't time job as much. I'm not a huge fan of flashbacks (there are a few exceptions) and I would have outlined this movie a little bit differently.

Other then those two complaints, this was certainly a great movie. I could watch it a million times like the "trilogy" and never get tired of it. PLUS it is short, so THAT is a bonus, so you can watch multiple of times without feeling like you are wasting your day away. haha

In the end, this was a wonderful film. It certainly did wonders to the story of Bill. WHICH, poor guy. I must applaud Don Hertzfedlt and his creative genius. Not only is he funny, but he can add so much meaning to his story. Now, you don't have to watch the the "trilogy", but I highly recommend you do before watching this. Out of five stars, I stamp this with 5. It's more like 4.5, but I rounded since I don't give decimals. 

Re-watch?: YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEES! I love Don Hertzfedlt! MORE PLEASE!

Book Review: A Child Called "It" by Dave Pelzer

Author: Dave Pelzer
Title: A Child Called "It"
Genre: Non-fiction & Autobiography
Pages: ebook
First Published: 1995
Where I Got It: Borrowed from a friend

This book chronicles the unforgettable account of one of the most severe child abuse cases in California history. It is the story of Dave Pelzer, who was brutally beaten and starved by his emotionally unstable, alcoholic mother: a mother who played tortuous, unpredictable games--games that left him nearly dead. He had to learn how to play his mother's games in order to survive because she no longer considered him a son, but a slave; and no longer a boy, but an "it." Dave's bed was an old army cot in the basement, and his clothes were torn and raunchy. When his mother allowed him the luxury of food, it was nothing more than spoiled scraps that even the dogs refused to eat. The outside world knew nothing of his living nightmare. He had nothing or no one to turn to, but his dreams kept him alive--dreams of someone taking care of him, loving him and calling him their son.


This is my second read through of the book and it still shocks me and disgusts me. 

So, so sad. However, it is like a car accident and you can't help but flip the page and want to know if this poor kid is going to make it alive. Of course he does because 1) this is the author's tale and 2) The first chapter says so. It still bummed me out that he pretty much tells the story of him being saved FIRST. Save it for the end...I know you live, but I want to see the journey and how long and how many things happened before he was saved.

I know a lot of people call this a "fake" and it "never happened". I will admit...maybe some parts are over-exaggerated, but it happened. His brother and some other confirmed it. One younger brother and one grandma (who didn't even live in the same state) says its crap. 1) The Younger brother was not abused, he was a favorite and 2) The Grandmother was not even around during the years of the abuse....so yeah. Other people ask, "How in the world would he remember any of that in such great detail? SO it has to be fake." It falls along the lines of soldiers in war who remember every horrible memory and other people who were abused. My own mother was abused as a child and she can describe the scene as if it JUST happened. The human brain rarely lets horrible things go. 

Now...I will not suggest this book to those that have a weak stomach or who cannot handle child abuse. There are some graphic and really horrible scenes. I wish some scenes he would have brisked over, but alas that is not the way of the world. 

In the end...this is a quick read and it is simple. He wrote in his younger self's POV, which made me happy. It felt real. Yes, sometimes it gets too real, so again...weak-of-stomach or hates child abuse...stay away. Some scenes are graphic. However, I do recommend everyone read this book, because it is important. Not all cases are child abuse, but the ones that are is important and they need help. Out of five stars, I stamp this with 4 stars.

Blodeuedd Reviews - Return to Fourwinds by Elisabeth Gifford

Blurb:

At Fourwinds they gather: Alice and Ralph, Patricia and Peter, to celebrate the marriage of their children. The marquee is on the lawn, breathing in and out in the summer heat. But the bride is nowhere to be seen.

As both families are drawn together, the past floods through the corridors of the old house. What secret has Ralph been keeping from his wife? What is it about Alice's wartime encounter with Peter that has haunted her ever since? And what could have caused Sarah to vanish without a word to any of the people she loves?

Moving from the orange groves of Valencia and the spacious houses of the British countryside to the post-war slums in the north, Return to Fourwinds is a sweeping, lyrical story of the things we tell and the things we keep to ourselves. Is Sarah's disappearance a culmination of the pressures that have kept the two families apart? Or can they work together to bring her back to Fourwinds?

My thoughts:

As for big secrets, yeah, I would not say they were big. People were just stupid. Everything had to be perfect, to look perfect, and if something was the slightest off, not good. They came from that era so it was understandable.

The book starts with Nicky and Sarah about to get married. She runs away and we go back in time.

Alice who grew up privileged, but not privileged enough for some so she strive for perfection.

Ralph her husband grew up in Spain. His story is the one of his mother and her new husband and the secrets there.

Then we have Patricia and Peter. Patricia does not really have a secret, and neither does Peter. But Peter grew up in the slums and wanted to make something for himself. He also knows Alice from the war. Ok so that secret was not really something she should feel bad about.

Their life before the war, and during the war, and after it. Lives were shaped. But I must say, Sarah's choice had nothing to do with those secrets. I'd rather have it as an aftermath of all of that. She still had a secret and I will say nothing more than I totally understood why she ran.

I liked what we later learned about Spain, now there was a book. I also liked the social clashes. Rich and poor. Newly rich. They all looked down on someone else.

Conclusion:

An interesting book

Paperback, 368 pages

Published June 4th 2015 by Corvus (2014 previous publication)

Historical fiction

For review