Author:Mary Clive
An ideal stocking-filler for Christmas - CHRISTMAS WITH THE SAVAGES by Mary Clive is based on real events and people. It is the story of a small girl's Christmas holiday in a large Edwardian country house is effortlessly funny. At Tamerlane Hall, Evelyn finds a horde of children: the gentle Glens, the plaintive Howliboos, and above all, the uninhibited Savages. They are controlled - or not - by a host of parents, supernumerary Uncles and Aunts, Nannies and nursery-maids. Evelyn survives the Christmas festivities - just - returning home none too soon! Seen through the eyes of a prim little eight-year-old, this is an amusing and touching account of a childhood a hundred years ago.
Plaja's humour is subtle and the dialogue betwen the girls is spot on. The idea to write the novel from the point of view of both girls is genius
—— Carly Bennett , The BookbagLuisa Plaja's second novel is as brilliant as her first, if not better. The story flows and the characters are well developed and extremely easy to like and relate to
—— So Many Books So Little TimeOnce again, Luisa Plaja has taken a chicklit book, and made it so much more than that
—— About Books For TeensBridget Jones meets the Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants. A hilarious and entertaining read
—— Ultimate Book HoundI'd recommend Extreme Kissing to anyone who enjoys a fun, girly story with genuine heart. Heck, I'd recommend it to anyone who has a heart. It's a must-read
—— I Was a Teenage Book GeekWould make a great gift for literary eccentrics of any age
—— The Los Angeles TimesI think Uncle stuck with me because of its combination of excess, gadgetry and eccentricity - all of which are modes of being I have attempted to emulate in my adult life. I blame J.P. Martin
—— Will SelfIf there was ever a children's series generating fanatical, "cult" adoration, this is it. And deservedly so
—— GuardianA good read for 11-year-olds who want to know their counterparts a century ago were truly human
—— TESA most enjoyable book, full of life, warmth and humour
—— The School LibrarianCompelling and thought-provoking
—— Teach PrimaryWhat a fantastic job Adel Geras has done bringing these characters to life
—— Sarah's Book ReviewsFull of suspense and the characters were written so well that you were really pulled into their lives
—— Chrissie's CornerThe book comes billed as "a passionate tale of love, betrayal and revenge" - and it is indeed, an excellent, intelligent read which will stretch minds just as it will stretch vocabularies. It is vivid in the world it creates, intriguing as it takes you there and satisfying when it leaves you
—— Chichester TodayAdele Geras gave us brilliant evocations of the ancient world with Troy and Ithaka. With Dido she again takes a classical setting and story and breathes freshness, and above all an up-to-date connection, into the people and the places whilst skilfully remaining faithful to her sources
—— School Librarian