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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
By sara_northey
I really enjoyed Ruth Hogan's previous book, The Keeper of Lost Things, and so I was really keen to read her latest, Madame Burova. I loved the premise of a tarot reader/clairvoyant and a child found on the steps of her card reading booth on the seafront of Brighton. This book was delightful and I really enjoyed it. I loved the way it flitted between the 1970s and present day. Ruth Hogan writes such vivid characterisations and I felt that I really got to know all the characters so well. I loved Madame Burova, and her mother, Shunty-Mae! I also fell in love with Dasha and Mabel, the two dogs who feature in this story. There is a large cast of characters and if they weren't so well depicted and described I could have got lost, but instead I felt a part of the crowd and could picture them all so clearly. This story is joyful but also bittersweet. Another success for Ruth Hogan and I am so grateful for the opportunity to read an early copy.
A reader could be forgiven for thinking this book was about Madame Burova and her fortune telling business. In fact it has more to do with the secrets passed to her that she keeps in the same way as aPriest keeps the secrets of the confessional.
In fact it is one huge secret and the person trying to unravel it that forms the main part of this book. Billie finds out after her father's death that she is adopted and further communications give her hints as to her beginnings. The narrative takes place mainly in 2 time periods the 1970's and the 2010's or early 20's only ever referred to as now.
The author has created a real patchwork of characters and events drawing them together into something living and breathing as a narrative. It is the sort of book where good wins out over bad, the less likeable characters meet their comeuppance and those who could do with a boost or a bolstering receive it.
I read this in only a few hours and enjoyed every minute
In fact it is one huge secret and the person trying to unravel it that forms the main part of this book. Billie finds out after her father's death that she is adopted and further communications give her hints as to her beginnings. The narrative takes place mainly in 2 time periods the 1970's and the 2010's or early 20's only ever referred to as now.
The author has created a real patchwork of characters and events drawing them together into something living and breathing as a narrative. It is the sort of book where good wins out over bad, the less likeable characters meet their comeuppance and those who could do with a boost or a bolstering receive it.
I read this in only a few hours and enjoyed every minute
Such a lovely and well written story!
I loved the great characters and found the story entertaining, poignant and engrossing.
The author did an excellent job in managing the dual timeline and developing excellent characters.
I appreciated how she describes the past in a realistic and vivid way.
I loved her previous books and I loved this one.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
I loved the great characters and found the story entertaining, poignant and engrossing.
The author did an excellent job in managing the dual timeline and developing excellent characters.
I appreciated how she describes the past in a realistic and vivid way.
I loved her previous books and I loved this one.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Ruth Hogan books feel magical but at the same time the characters leap off the page with realism. The Moon, The Stars, and Madame Burova is a dual timeline story about a retiring fortune teller and a woman, Billie, trying to figure out her life after a divorce and finding out she’s adopted.
What I liked: I loved the friendships throughout - watching the characters bond and protect each other.
The stories all intertwined and resolved in present day: Billie’s birth parents, Imelda’s love interest, and Treasure adopting Star. The resolutions all made sense, too.
What didn’t work for me: Henry and Billie’s relationship seemed to develop quickly but I also know that you can feel instantly connected to someone.
At times, I just wanted Imelda to just tell Billie what she knew instead of saying fortune teller readings were confidential.
Vivienne was the worst. She was the typical mean girl but seemed mean for no reason other than she could. I hated how she used Jeanie, taunted Imelda, and thought she could sexually harass Cillian.
Who should read it: fans of Hogan’s previous book, The Keeper of Lost Things, or if you’re looking for a novel about connections that aren’t always romantic.
What I liked: I loved the friendships throughout - watching the characters bond and protect each other.
The stories all intertwined and resolved in present day: Billie’s birth parents, Imelda’s love interest, and Treasure adopting Star. The resolutions all made sense, too.
What didn’t work for me: Henry and Billie’s relationship seemed to develop quickly but I also know that you can feel instantly connected to someone.
At times, I just wanted Imelda to just tell Billie what she knew instead of saying fortune teller readings were confidential.
Vivienne was the worst. She was the typical mean girl but seemed mean for no reason other than she could. I hated how she used Jeanie, taunted Imelda, and thought she could sexually harass Cillian.
Who should read it: fans of Hogan’s previous book, The Keeper of Lost Things, or if you’re looking for a novel about connections that aren’t always romantic.
This was a “palate cleanser” after reading “Shuggie Bain”. It’s a lovely read. Nice and easy to get through with good characters and a decent storyline. I found the ending a little disappointing but overall this was a good read and the perfect antidote to the gritty and heartbreaking book that went before.
Such a good read!!!
The Moon, the Stars, and Madame Burova tells a story of love and loss through two main characters. I love the time changes within the book from the 1970s to modern times.
Billie and Imelda are both such interesting characters with such rich history in relation to one another.
I really expected this book to have much more to do with Tarot readings and was hoping to include it in my October spooky reads but it wasn’t spooky at all!
The Moon, the Stars, and Madame Burova tells a story of love and loss through two main characters. I love the time changes within the book from the 1970s to modern times.
Billie and Imelda are both such interesting characters with such rich history in relation to one another.
I really expected this book to have much more to do with Tarot readings and was hoping to include it in my October spooky reads but it wasn’t spooky at all!
Ruth Hogan is very good at creating good, engaging characters, and with Madame Burova I felt she's succeeded in that again. Imelda herself is great - interesting and funny, and I really wanted to know what had happened to her in her past. But also, the little side-character storylines are very good. I especially liked Treasure's story, and Clive, and I would have loved more of Imelda's mum and dad.
There's a real warmth to the story. It's just what's needed for pandemic reading matter, and although sometimes the plot has to reach a little to resolve, you forgive it because it's done so charmingly.
I enjoyed the Brighton setting, and the jumps between the 1970's and the present day work well. The story really drew me in, and I looked forward to reading more each night.
With thanks to Net Galley for my copy.
There's a real warmth to the story. It's just what's needed for pandemic reading matter, and although sometimes the plot has to reach a little to resolve, you forgive it because it's done so charmingly.
I enjoyed the Brighton setting, and the jumps between the 1970's and the present day work well. The story really drew me in, and I looked forward to reading more each night.
With thanks to Net Galley for my copy.
Madame Burova is retiring from her 50-year career as a Palmist, Tarot Reader and Clairvoyant on Brighton Pier, but first she has two envelopes to deliver that she's been holding onto for decades, that she knows contains long-buried secrets. Meanwhile, Billie has found herself adrift after the breakdown of her marriage and is looking for a fresh start - but isn't quite prepared for what's coming her way!
Having loved The Keeper of Lost Things, I knew what to expect from this new novel by Ruth Hogan and it did not disappoint - it was a warm, cosy read, with a cast of engaging and interesting characters and several charming sub-plots adding into the overarching theme of love, loss and identity. Perfect summer time getaway reading.
Having loved The Keeper of Lost Things, I knew what to expect from this new novel by Ruth Hogan and it did not disappoint - it was a warm, cosy read, with a cast of engaging and interesting characters and several charming sub-plots adding into the overarching theme of love, loss and identity. Perfect summer time getaway reading.
After reading and LOVING Hogan's The Keeper of Lost Things a few years ago, I was so excited to get my hands on the ARC for her latest novel, Madame Burova.
I am just starting out my reading career with regards to fantasy novels, and whilst this has some elements of magic in it, I expected more of the content to be centred around Imelda's clients and her readings, which it wasn't. Imelda was coming to the end of her career so it frustrated me a little when people's readings were glossed over. It was much more character driven and not as plot driven as I would have liked.
It has to be said, maybe my reading has altered over the years and I need more engagement or maybe I have less patience because my life restricts my reading more than it used to.
Ruth Hogan is a great writer and I continue to chase the wonderful qualities I found in The Keeper of Lost Things.
I am just starting out my reading career with regards to fantasy novels, and whilst this has some elements of magic in it, I expected more of the content to be centred around Imelda's clients and her readings, which it wasn't. Imelda was coming to the end of her career so it frustrated me a little when people's readings were glossed over. It was much more character driven and not as plot driven as I would have liked.
It has to be said, maybe my reading has altered over the years and I need more engagement or maybe I have less patience because my life restricts my reading more than it used to.
Ruth Hogan is a great writer and I continue to chase the wonderful qualities I found in The Keeper of Lost Things.