Saturday, 26 January 2013

Reviewing "The Best of Times" by Penny Vincenzi for the ARC challenge (Book 1 of 12)

This booked begins with a crash on the M4 motorway. It tells the stories of those involved in the crash and the lives that are changed forever as a result of this devastating event. Throughout the book Penny reminds us how life can be changed in a split second. However much we like to think we're in control of our own destiny, life can throw the odd curve ball and nothing will ever be the same again. There are many characters in this book but the author helpfully provides a list of characters and their main relationships at the beginning of the book. I found I referred to this list a couple of times, but not as much as I expected, given the amount of characters involved (a credit to the author I think).

As the story unfolds we begin to discover what brought the characters to be on that motorway, on that day, at that exact moment. We learn that some have secrets they don't want revealed and will go to any lengths to ensure they stay hidden. Others have waited a lifetime to meet a long lost love and journey to the airport to be reunited - now they fear they will never meet again. Everyone in the crash has a story, a poignant reason to be there - we learn how life for all of them will never be the same again. Penny Vincenzi weaves a detailed and rich story about the intertwining of lives and how in one second an event so catastrophic can turn your world upside down. Penny's book is well paced and makes you want to read on to find out what happens next. Slightly predictable but not so much that it becomes boring. I'd give this book 6/10.

Here is the art that I created inspired by this book. It's an ATC and it represents the intertwining of the lives of the characters in the book. I decided to use some zentagle type patterns in reverse (white on black instead of the usual black on white).

Next month I will be reviewing "The Life of Pi" by Yann Martell on 25th February.

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25 comments:

  1. Carmen 26 January 2013 at 08:28

    I really love the art that you've created from this book - the intertwining threads, they almost have a feel of one of those zany motorway patterns as well, going under and over and around.

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  2. Darcy Marshall26 January 2013 at 08:51

    love your tangled ATC, the white on black makes it really pop, far more interesting thant he usual black on white I think. The book sounds like a good easy read, the list at the front is a good idea I don't think I have come across that in a book before.

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  3. P.J.26 January 2013 at 09:17

    This sounds like an interesting book and I might have to look it up online to give it a peek. The artwork is pretty cool. I like how things are tangled looking.

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  4. Julia26 January 2013 at 09:22

    Sounds like a book I would like to read. I love the ATC you have created too x

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  5. Sophie26 January 2013 at 09:30

    I really love your artwork inspired by this book, great review too :)

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  6. San @ Made in Hem26 January 2013 at 10:12

    This sounds like a good read! Really like your art too! ♥ It looks very intricate, I bet I would have messed up several times... :)

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  7. Virginia26 January 2013 at 11:18

    The art you've created is fantastic, an interesting read and interesting concept for a book!

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  8. manomij26 January 2013 at 14:39

    This sounds like a good book to read, I am going to make a list for next year's reads and this will be on there. I love the art.
    ManonX

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  9. Jenny26 January 2013 at 16:08

    I really love the sound of this book Dee... fab review... and gorgeous ATC... love the book inspired take on it... clever and creative...

    Jenny ♥

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  10. Jez27 January 2013 at 08:13

    Sounds like a good one to add to the reading list - enjoyed the review. As for the artwork, it's inspired - as you say it references the characters' interwining lives, and also a difficult section of the motorway.
    It makes me think of what used to be called Spaghetti Junction, an early complicated interconnecting set of junctions at Birmingham. Really liked the artwork and the zentangle doodles - and the ATC shows that it doesn't have to be big to be effective.

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  11. Sarah27 January 2013 at 15:42

    Your book sounds interesting - a good idea for a story - and Jez beat me to it, your ATC reminds me of the spag junction too :) so very appropriate given the subject matter of the book

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  12. Fallingladies27 January 2013 at 17:15

    I hadn't heard of this book before but now i think i need to add it to my list to read! Great aceo too!

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  13. Leialoha28 January 2013 at 13:33

    Interesting review and I love the zentangle designed ATC illustrating the entangled lives of the characters...FAB!

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  14. Magaly Guerrero29 January 2013 at 04:53

    I love the twists and turns in the lives of eclectic people. Great representation ;-)

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  15. Just Words29 January 2013 at 07:13

    Great art interpretation of the story you reviewed. The ribbons reminders of how lives and roads all intersect. Thanks for the informative review. Michelle Vanstrom

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  16. Janet29 January 2013 at 12:19

    Wonderful atc design that beautifully depicts the interwoven lives of the characters.

    Janet xx

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  17. Gina30 January 2013 at 01:41

    The weaving of loves and lives on your atc is just beautiful, and a great representation of the intricacies of the story line :D XXX

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  18. Ali30 January 2013 at 12:49

    An interesting review and a great piece of art you have created in response to the book. As Janet said above an interesting concept of interwoven lives and the varied and woven paths to that point at a given time.

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  19. Shirley31 January 2013 at 12:03

    Your ATC artwork is really brilliant, the way you have interpreted the intertwining of lives and the devastation of a motorway crash. The book sounds like a great read.

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  20. Maz2 February 2013 at 09:49

    Sounds like an interesting read and I love your representation of the book on your ATC - great.

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  21. KraftyKaren7 February 2013 at 08:10

    Sounds like a really good read and I love your ATC - fab x

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  22. Jen8 February 2013 at 02:29

    Clever idea for your art work, super. Sounds like a book where one gets really involved with thye characters.
    Jen x

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  23. Teri8 February 2013 at 18:54

    cool tangle. Love your clever idea for reversing the colors.

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  24. Catie Cuddles9 February 2013 at 15:25

    What a zingy zen tangle... Love it!

    Also quite fancy the book too ... Wow this list of books is getting a bit mad!

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  25. Diane13 February 2013 at 18:20

    Your read for the month sounds really interesting. I always love books that have strong character development and it sounds like that is the case with this book. I will be adding it to my list of future reads. Your Zentangle-inspired artwork is fantastic. Doing the patterns in white on black has a very dramatic effect.

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