Jul 06, 2008 21:06
Book: The Beach House
Author: Jane Green
Blurb: Known in Nantucket as the eccentric woman who lives in the rambling house atop the bluff, Nan doesn't care what people think. She's sixty-five years old, her husband died twenty years ago, her beauty has faded, and her family has flown. If her neighbors are away, why shouldn't she skinny-dip in their swimming pools and help herself to their flowers? But when she discovers the money she thought would last forever is dwindling and she could lose her beloved house Nan knows she has to make drastic changes.
So Nan takes out an ad: Rooms for rent for the summer in a beautiful old Nantucket home with water views and direct access to the beach.
Slowly, people start moving into the house, filling with with noise, with laughter, and with tears. First arrives handsome Daniel, quiet and contemplative and struggling to break free of his secrets. Then there is Daff, a recent divorcee who is looking to relax and reconnect with that part of herself that is neither wife nor mother, while her rebellious teenage daughter spends the summer with her father. Nan's son comes home for the summer, and as the house comes alive again, Nan finds her family expanding until an unexpected visitor turns all their lives upside down.
My thoughts: I really enjoyed reading The Beach House. I wasn't sure what to expect, as the characters were a little different from Green's usual characters, but I found I really liked them, especially Nan. The book was filled of great descriptions of summers, the characters memories and Nantucket. It makes me want to go there, although I'm sure I wouldn't be able to afford it! lol There's also an interesting twist at the end which I won't ruin for you. But I do recommend this book.
My Rating: 8/10
I also went to see Wicked at the Regent Theatre today with San, Diana and Melissa. I wasn't sure what to expect, although I had heard good things about it, but I really enjoyed it. It was an interesting idea of what happened before Dorothy went to Oz (although it does show how the tin man, the lion and the scarecrow became the way they did and part of Dorothy's story), and the relationship between the Wicked Witch (or Elphaba) and Glinda. The costumes and set were beautifully done, and I thought very good choices for the roles, especially Rob Mills as Fiyero.
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