Book Review: The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert
By AntonyAmazon, Books & Authors, ReviewsNo Comments |
The Signature of All Things is the magnificent novel by the delightful writer Elizabeth Gilbert.
The Signature of All Things is set over the lifetime of Alma Whittaker, a woman of means in the early eighteenth century, who is obsessed with the study of moss, unlucky in love, boggled by the altruism of her adopted sister and always on the search for answers in the natural world. Alma’s journey is wonderful, fascinating and captivating. Alma’s journey and that of her father before her takes the reader around the globe transporting them to: London, Philidelphia, Tahiti, Peru, Tenerife, Hawaii and many places in-between. Gilbert should be praised for her superb factual research within this novel and her ability to weave it subtly into her work of fiction. |
Everything about The Signature of All Things is exquisite and exotic, yet bound together in familiarity by the experience of emotions that all human beings share.
Gilbert’s writing voice is engaging, warm and at times exciting. Gibert’s description brings the readers imagination fully to life. The reader can actually imagine being there alongside their new friend Alma.
The plot is intriguing, brilliantly plotted and has lots of very clever twists. The reader wont have read such cleverly plotted novel as The Signature of All Things in a number of years (I certainly hadn’t!). The expert unravelling of the plot and twists makes readers find it tough to put the book down.
Gilbert’s pacing is suitable for the plot and The Signature of All Things has 580 pages, so is slightly longer than the average novel.
The Signature of All Things is a priviliage to read, nothing less than exceptional and life enhancing.
The Signature of All Things is available to buy on Amazon and at all good book shops.
Blog soon,
Antony
Friday 11 May 2018
Handmade Pumpkin Spice Scented Candles – Made with My New Candle Wax Melting Pan from Candle Shack
By AntonyHappiness & Joy, The WebNo CommentsHello all,
I’m excited to be writing to share news of my latest creative project. This afternoon I have completed a batch of 15 handmade Pumpkin Spice scented candles as presents for Samhain. All 15 candles are spoken for, but you’ll have to wait till around Halloween to see if you’re one of the lucky people getting one.
I had the initial idea for these candles back in the end of 2016. But like most of my creative projects, lots of time passes between the idea and the completion of the project.
I bought the wax and dye from Supplies for Candles. I bought the fragrance from craftovator on ebay.
I treated myself to this brilliant candle wax melting pan from Candle Shack. If you make candles as a hobby you need this pan. I used to use a plastic jug in a pan of boiling water. This melting pan has quartered the time it takes me to make candles.
Once you have this candle wax melting pan, you’ll wonder how you ever did without it. Here are some photos of my new candle wax melting pan:
 My new candle wax melting pan from Candle Shack (1). |
 You fill the melting pan with water like an iron. It holds a massive 1.5 KGS of melted wax. I had been using a plastic jug in a pan. This melting pan has quartered the time it takes me to make candles. |
Here are some photos of the candles. They just need finishing off by tying a witchy charm to the jar.
 My batch of handmade Pumpkin Spiced Scented Candles. |
 One of my Pumpkin Spiced Scented candles. They just need some witchy charms tying to each jar. |
Blog soon,
Antony
Saturday 28 April 2018
Book Review: The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin
By AntonyAmazon, Books & Authors, ReviewsNo Comments |
In the late 1960s, as children, four siblings visit a mystic who tells them when they will die. The exact date. But she doesn’t tell them how they will die.
The Immortalists tells the fantastically imagined and written stories of siblings Simon, Klara, Daniel and Varya. How will they live their lives, knowing exactly when they will die? How will they decide on what’s important in their life? What will be their life’s purposes? How far will get in completing their life purposes, especially with other events that life brings along with it. One becomes a dancer, another becomes an illusionist, another a doctor and one a researcher of longevity. The Immortalists is a delightful read. The first chapter in any book should captivate the reader and reel them in. However the first chapter in this book had the opposite effect. |
Benjamin appeared to be trying too hard in the first chapter. She made the characters appear unrelatable.
But I implore readers to read on, as they are rewarded with a simple but genius idea, a fairly predictable plot with the odd charming twists, great description, characters that readers come to care about and a perfectly paced tremendous read.
Benjamin lacked a distinctive writers voice, although to be fair The Immortalists is only her second book.
The Immortalists is an addictive, easy, relaxing, engaging, captivating, heartwarming read and the perfect book to read holiday. You will throughly enjoy The Immortalists.
The Immortalists is available to buy on Amazon and at all good book shops.
Review soon,
Antony
Friday 27 April 2018
About
Antony Simpson - Author, Blogger, Nurse & Witch.
Author of eight books.
Categories
Amazon
Antony Simpson is a participant in the Amazon EU Associates Programme, an affiliate advertising programme designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk.