THE THUNDER GIRLS by MELANIE BLAKE

 THE THUNDER GIRLS

BY MELANIE BLAKE

THE BLURB:-

The

Chrissie, Roxanne, Carly and Anita: an Eighties pop sensation outselling and outclassing their competition. Until it all comes to an abrupt end and three of their careers are over, along with their friendship.

Thunder

Thirty years later, their old record label wants the band back together for a huge money making concert. But the wounds are deep and some need this gig more than others.

Girls

In those decades apart, life was far from the dream that they had been living as members of the Thunder Girls. Breakdowns, bankruptcy, addiction and divorce played a constant part in their lives. They've been to hell and back, and some of them are still there.

Can the past be laid to rest for a price? Or is there more to this reunion than any of them could possibly know? While they all hunger for a taste of success a second time around, someone is plotting their downfall in the deadliest way possible...

THE REALITY:-

Light, bright and trite in the nicest possible way, my SuperDean gave this to me to read as he thought I'd like it, as it's a book about four rock chicks who are roughly my age, and therefore my contemporaries. He wasn't wrong!

The author has been described as the “new Jackie Collins-” well, it's a long time since I've read Jackie Collins so I'm not quite sure about that, but I will say that it didn't come off as quite as glamorous as Ms Collins' offerings. But I think that's maybe because of the setting- to me, the UK is never going to be as enthralling as foreign soil, and the Collins world of Los Angeles society.

This certainly had a lot going on, in many layers, with a real mixture of characters. I have to say, I remain untouched by any of them, although they entertained me. I didn't quite get the defeatism of the three rejected Thunder Girls. Had I been writing the book, I would have had them forming their own triplet, maybe calling themselves the Thunder Queens, writing their own music and wiping the floor with the so-called charismatic “leader” of the gang. But then that would be a different story.

The author worked in the music business for real, so it's interesting that this is no doubt based upon autobiographical fiction and real people, as that's something I do too. There is a Thunder Girls play, which I will make a point of seeing (should things ever get back to normal). Another review I've seen mentioned the over-use of references to putting on lip gloss, and I have to say, enough of the lip gloss, already! I wish I had counted them, as there were way too many and seriously annoyed me.

But do make time for this good, easy read.

THE LAKE OF DREAMS by KIM EDWARDS

 

THE LAKE OF DREAMS

BY KIM EDWARDS

THE BLURB:-

The darkest secrets are the ones we hide from ourselves...

Ten years ago, traumatised by her father's death, Lucy left her home and her country. Now she returns to her family's rambling lakeside home to lay old ghosts to rest.

Sleepless one night, Lucy makes a momentous discovery. Locked in a moonlit window seat is a collection of family heirlooms- objects whose secrets no one was ever supposed to find. Piecing together her family's true history, she realises that the story she has always been told was a fiction.

Mesmerising and haunting, The Lake of Dreams is a startling story of family secrets and lies, lost love and redemption, and of the many puzzles and pieces that make up a life.

THE REALITY:-

Again, this book took me some time to devour as I read it towards the end of my MA course, and theoretical coursework reading had to take priority.

Sensual. Yes, I would describe this book as sensual, with every nuance of Lucy's connection with her environment in Japan and New York State brought to life with detailed descriptions covering all of the senses. Through characterisation, we got a real feel for Lucy's connection with the facets that make up a planet. I say through characterisation, as Lucy's a hydrologist, so I suppose she would be interested in natural geography. Art was also covered, through the beautifully designed historical stained glass windows we get to see, described in fine detail, and astrology too, as Haley's Comet makes an appearance, in 1910. Incidentally, I think I may have seen it when it returned, in 1986. I can't be sure- it was well covered in the news at the time, I was 14 and did look up to the sky that evening to see if I could spot it, having always been interested in astronomy after seeing a total eclipse of the moon circa 1981. Did I see Haley's Comet? I'm not sure. Maybe. But the sparkling thing in the sky could just have well have been an aeroplane!

Back to the novel, and it certainly grabbed me whenever I was able to catch up with it, although the distance in times between picking it up meant I had to backtrack more than once. Told, in parts, in the epistolary style, with letters mainly from Rose, the “hidden” ancestor (hidden as she had an illegitimate child), it wove beautiful tale towards a satisfying conclusion. There were many great characters in this book- I liked artistic Keegan, Lucy's first love, Reverend Suzi and Lucy's mother. I also adored the idea of a moon garden, planted with ethereal fauna and flora, and part-inspired by a Virginia Woolf quote. I also enjoyed reading about not-so-pleasant people, such as Lucy's cousin Joey, and her uncle with his dark secret (nope, I'm not going to do a spoiler alert!) I also enjoyed the theme of the family's locksmith company, and the fact that most of them could have alternative careers as safe breakers if they so desired!

However... (there has to be a “however,” doesn't there?) there were discrepancies. If Avery is running a vegetarian restaurant, then why was it serving up turkey sandwiches? The last time I checked, turkeys were not considered to be vegetarian. Also, was it really necessary to have four generations of men called Joseph Arthur? Talk about confusing the issue. There was also a family tree at the back of the novel (a strange place to put it), but I think there was a reason why it was stuffed at the back. Joseph Arthur Jarrett I died in 1970. Joseph Arthur Jarrett II (his son) in 1972. Why then, on page 323, was the will of Arthur Jarrett I mentioned to be written in 1972? It's a bit hard for dead people to write wills, so maybe the author/ publisher realised there was a cock-up and shoved the family tree at the back at the eleventh hour. Also, Rose's relationship with Frank was hinted at; she had tuberculosis in 1938, so it was assumed (by me) that that was what killed her, in 1942. Frank also died that year. Was his demise down to the same condition? That was something that was never explained, and it needed to be.

A good read, but discrepancies such as these need to be addressed.

A WOMAN OF SUBSTANCE by BARBARA TAYLOR BRADFORD

 

A WOMAN OF SUBSTANCE

BY BARBARA TAYLOR BRADFORD

THE BLURB:-

SHE HAD POWER. SHE NEEDED LOVE. SHE WANTED REVENGE.

In 1905 a young kitchen maid leaves Fairley Hall. Emma Harte is sixteen, single and pregnant.

By 1968 she is one of the richest women in the world, ruler of a business empire stretching from Yorkshire to the glittering cities of America and the rugged vastness of Australia.

Emma Harte is A WOMAN OF SUBSTANCE. But what is the price she has paid?

THE REALITY:-

I may be being a little bit naughty in putting a review of this book on here, as it's not the first time I've read- or owned- it.

I saw the mini-series on television (it remains Channel 4's most watched programme EVER) over the Christmas 1984 break, and I can honestly say that it's one of the films that's changed my life. It moved me to tears (something that's not easy to do!) and to this day I own the DVD.

When I left school (the first time- I am now on my third period of schooling!) I bought the book once I'd started working (I had friends who didn't read saying, 'What are you buying that for?' I pity them their ignorance...) and devoured it, immediately warming to the heartfelt emotions on the page. Boy, does Mrs BTB know how to write. It didn't survive a house move and I bought it again in 2002, this time a version with the “war chapter” (BTB had to get the size of her book down from 1500 pages- the copy I have is 868- and it didn't initially make the cut). I have to say, the war chapter didn't do much for me, and didn't enhance the book- but then again, war chapters never do much for me anyway. That version also didn't survive a house move, so I re-bought this book a few months back, as I wanted to refer to it whilst working on my MA Creative Writing course. This version has no war chapter, although it does have a couple of typos...

I haven't been able to blog much, recently. All of my reading has tended to pertain to my course (I have less than a month to go), and that's included a lot of theory. I also haven't been able to visit many tourist attractions, as most were shut due to coronavirus. They are gradually opening up, but I'm not keen on visiting in this boiling weather, especially as travel currently involves mask-wearing, which I disagree with, and therefore try and avoid. We have immune systems for a reason, I am responsible for only my own health, not that of other people, but don't get me started- I've made my feelings clear on this elsewhere, so won't be pontificating more.

This writer describes herself as “adjectival” as she likes to use flowery prose. Well, I like that too and have an aversion to writing that's been too pared back to the bone, although I get that this style of writing may well be considered old-fashioned nowadays. I certainly learn new words every time I pick this up (although BTB's style had changed considerably over the years, becoming less ostentatious). I love a good family saga tome, and this rags-to-riches delight doesn't disappoint. It has the accolade of being my most favourite book EVER, being rich and detailed, and getting into the hearts of characters within descriptive settings.

As with a lot of novels of this time, coincidence does feature a wee bit- namely Gerald Fairley being the kind of fool who orchestrates his own demise, and Emma doing financially well from Joe's death- enough to help assist her most destructive business venture. But this doesn't detract from the fact that our heroine is an exceptional human being and a hard worker we could all learn from. The chapters after Emma gets together with Paul permanently seem a tad rushed, but I don't think there's a need for more detail anyway. My only gripe is that Emma never got to meet up with Edwin again. Now that reunion I would have liked.

Well, my course is almost over, tourist attractions are open again, so therefore I hope normal service resumes ASAP. Unless, of course, I decide to apply to do a PhD....

MISS ELAINEOUS VISITS FAIRLOP WATERS...

I hopped on the bus and headed to Fairlop Waters, Essex, as I fancied a semi-rural walk.  

Here is the entrance, not far from Fairlop Underground Station...

'Watch out for balls' warning!  You don't want one of them clocking you in the face...

Deserted golf course...

This snowy plant is cow parsley.  There was an abundance of it and it was as light as gossamer...

Blossom...

There was talk of developing this area back in 2011, to include housing.  Obviously the idea was rejected- I have to say, I'm quite glad, although these derelict buildings need to be torn down...

I did have a nosey inside, and no dossers appeared to be living there...

Fairlop Waters is three miles north of Ilford town centre and consists of open land providing space for sport and outdoor activities, on an area originally known as Fairlop Plain...

The Lakeside Suite can be hired for functions and is licensed for weddings...

The lake is not accessible to the general public.  You have to be a member of a club to take part in water sports including swimming, canoeing, paddleboarding and rowing.
Many clubs offer a pay-per-go service...

Swans and buoys...

Launching/ landing deck.  It was actually quite peopley around the lake, and I had to work hard to include as few as possible in my photos!

Boat dock...

The walk was certainly picturesque...

I made some friends on the way...😁

The centre holds approval from various watersport bodies, including British Canoeing and the Royal Yachting Association.

The district took its name from an old oak tree, the Fairlop Oak,  which stood in Hainault Forest when the area was much more bosky than it is today.  The oak is said to have had a trunk which measured 66 feet in circumference!  17 branches sprang forth from the tree, with most of them measuring more than 12 feet in girth.

In the 18th century, a pump and block maker from Wapping named Daniel Day would take his employees on an annual fair in the forest on the first Friday in July.

They dined on bacon and beans, and it's thought that this could be the origin of the English phrases bean-feast and beano (meaning a get together/ day out/ shindig...)

By the mid 18th century the annual excursion to Fairlop had become one of London's most popular entertainments.  As a result the area became known as "Fair" (after the fair) and "lop" (after the tree flourished after part of it was used to make Daniel Day's coffin).  He is believed to have died in 1767.

A society of archers- the Hainault Foresters- met under the Fairlop Oak.

Quackers...  

For lockdown this place was quite busy, with walkers and cyclists abounding...

Close-up...

Webbed friend showing me his bum!

Webbed friend and a view across the lake...

Gaggle of geese...

...And a family of geese...

Family photo...

The Lakeside Suite from over the water.  The lake is not that big and I was quick in circling it...

You can take part in night fishing on the lake.

Roach, carp, bream and pike live here, with some specimens weighing up to 30 lbs.

Legend has it that Queen Anne visited the Fairlop fair.  One of the songs sung at the fair was called "Come, come, my boys."
One verse states:

The Hainault Forest Queen Anne Did Ride,
And saw the old oak standing by her side,
And as she looked at it from bottom to top,
She said to her court, it should be Fairlop.

In June 1805 the tree caught fire and was blown down in 1820.  The site is marked (roughly) by the boat house by the lake.

In nearby Fulwell Cross is a pub called the Fairlop Oak.

It's a Wetherspoon's pub and it's quite nice.  I've had many a good meal in there, and also four Christmas Day dinners!😀

More gaggles of geese...

Closer...

I like this little island, and what looks like an upturned boat...

The Boulder Park is a climbing area, and was cordoned off during my visit.

The centre is licensed by the Adventurous Activities Licensing Authority...

There was no danger of me even wanting to climb onto boulders...

In these shoes?

I don't think so....😁

These are designed for solo climbing...

And are a great place to practice bouldering and traversing skills...

They are constructed of sprayed and carved concrete and vary in heights and standards, to suit all levels of climber...

The interesting island from another angle, and I didn't realise it but I'd almost completed a full circuit of the lake...

Wooden climbing area...

It was a muggy May day, but nice to get out and have a good walk.

Fairlop Waters, I shall return.

TTFN

The Miss Elaineous

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MISS ELAINEOUS CROSSES THE PLESSEY BRIDGE...

This wasn't a visit as such, as it was only a walk over a bridge!

Footbridge 151, known locally as the Plessey Bridge, is an iron footbridge which connects Ley Street with High Road, in Ilford, Essex.
It's local to me and it wasn't the first time I've had a nosey across it.

This is the approach from Jaffe Road, just off Ley Street.  The obligatory wino was standing drinking his Special Brew at the top of the stairs...

Crossrail trains as I gawped through the iron grill section, right at the part where the stairs meet the bridge... 

View down the length of the footbridge.

Ilford suffered a large amount bombing during World War II; the target of the Luftwaffe being the Plessey electronics factory, where equipment vital to the war effort was being manufactured.  

German pilots frequently unleashed streams of machine gun fire, in an effort to interrupt the supply lines.  They were unaware that the factory had already been moved underground to a stretch of the Tube between Leytonstone and Gants Hill.

Apparently the Plessey underground factory was so large that foremen were issued bicycles to get from one end of the factory to the other!

View through a hole, a scar left over from one of these attacks and considered to be a vital part of local history.  There are more at a lower level, but I didn't nosey around looking for them, preferring an easy day taking photographs at eye level.  Plus, by this stage I was not alone on the bridge, and had to consider my own health and safety.  

This is my favourite 'through the hole' photo, taken from my previous visit in 2017 where you can clearly see the brand new Crossrail trains.

 Sticking my camera right into the hole, and I was surprised at how big this junction was, and at the amount of working lines, as Ilford Station has only four platforms plus one siding...

The way down onto Ley Street..  There is local concern that the history of the area might be swept away by modernisation, but there's no sigh of that happening yet.

View from the ground.  Apparently the Luftwaffe never did get to know about the existence of the underground factory...

TTFN

The Miss Elaineous

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