In the High Peaks
















Thursday, August 18, 2022

Two Reads: The Half Life of Valery K and Fellowship Point

I loved reading The Half Life of Valery K by English novelist Natasha Pulley. It’s definitely one of my top 5 reads of this year, and one of my top 2 books of this Twenty Books of Summer. It’s categorized as a work of historical fiction, which makes sense given that the setting is mainly in 1963 and 1957 in the Soviet Union. It is based on fact as reviews will tell you, but loosely. The science of radiation is factual, and was skillfully interwoven with the plot. Overall, this novel had strong science fiction overtones, which I found captivating. Goodreads rating is 4.3, and what is most unusual about that is 49 percent of reviewers gave it 5 stars. Fascinating characters that I came to love (Valery K has such a droll, understated sense of humor), and a riveting story of survival. Be prepared—it is an edge-of-your-seat kind of read. Without hesitation, this was a 5-star read for me, my 15th book read this summer.

     Fellowship Point by Alice Elliott Dark may be long (576 pages), but I found it an excellent way to spend lots of time. Two women in their early 80s, who have spent summers on Fellowship Point, Maine, since their childhoods reflect back on their lives and deal with current dramas that enter their lives. Family relationships, romantic loves, high drama that is revealed from the distant past, and the Point itself, which they hope to preserve against their family’s wishes, all figure here. Don’t let the number of pages daunt you, the font is good-sized and there’s comfortable leading between the lines.

     Currently reading Rumer Godden: A Storyteller’s Life by Anne Chisholm and have nearly finished. That will be my 17th read. So two weeks from today is September 1st and I need to read three more books. Some of the books I was hoping to read are still on order at the library, so I’ll have to rummage around here to see what I find. Will I make it by September 1st? I’d like to.

6 comments:

  1. I hadn't heard of The Half Life of Valery K but, glad you liked it so much. I have a copy of Fellowship Point and I love that the story has (2) seniors in their 80s. Maybe this fall.

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    1. Hi Diane,
      That fact alone is what caught my eye months ago when I first read a publication announcement about the book.

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  2. This is the first I've heard of The Half Life of Valery K and it sounds excellent! Fellowship Point just came from the library and I'm hoping I can read it next week, rather than just preview it for later.

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    1. JoAnn, I think you will love both books. So glad Fellowship Point is on your shelf. It's a book to savor! Will be interested to hear what you think of it.

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  3. Both of these books sound very very good. I am glad you are reading newer books so I can see ones that really appeal to me and follow up on them. I will have to wait until they come out in less expensive editions, but I will look forward to getting a copy someday.

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    1. Hi Tracy,
      I do hope you have the chance to read these two before too long.
      Do tell me about the status of libraries where you live. I am so dependent on mine, I don't know what I'd do if I didn't have the library resources I have.

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