Book Review: The Secret Countess by Eva Ibbotson

The secret countess if quite possibly my favourite book of all time. Set in the 1940s it tells the story of Anna, a young Russian Countess who is forced to flee Russia and moves to England. There she has to work as a maid at a manor house where no one can know her identity.

I love this book because it is so different from all the dystopian, typical teen fiction books that condense our bookshelves today. The Secret Countess is sweet and romantic but also helps teach about history. The books helped me understand more about what it was like in those times as well as causing a few tugs on my heart strings.

I love all of Eva Ibbotson's books and whilst this is my favourite I definitely recommend checking out The Morning Gift - which used to be my favourite - and A Company of Swans. All have similar premises, with romance stories being set in similar eras.

Charlotte

X

TV Review: Our Zoo

My dad and I are both Chester Zoo fanatics. We go several times a year and we like to think that we are both somewhat of an expert on the animals and how Chester Zoo started.


That was why I was delighted to find out that the BBC had commissioned a 6 part drama about the Zoo's history surrounding its founder George Mottershead. Of course with all things you look forward to there is a possibility of disappointment but I was thrilled to find that it exceeded my expectations.

SOURCE

'Our Zoo' is a light-hearted drama that tugs on the heart strings on occasion but also provides several laughs. The acting in this is superb and perhaps one of the greatest performers is Honor Kneafsey who plays young June Mottershead. She - along with the rest of the female actresses - I feel really adds a certain feel to the show, and stops it from just being about some mad man obsessed with animals.





'Our Zoo' is available on BBC IPlayer and the final episode of the six part series (episodes are an hour long) is airing tomorrow night! I can barely contain my excitement.


Charlotte
X

SOURCE

Film Review: What We Did On Our Holiday

SOURCE

When I walked into the cinema to watch 'What We Did On Our Holiday' I was quite looking forward to it. It looked like a feel-good family film with a quality cast (it stars Billy Connolly, David Tennant and Rosamund Pike) and of course it has to be good, it's directed by the same people who make outnumbered.


And indeed throughout the film several similarities between the film and outnumbered did appear. Three rowdy kids, two hapless parents with a difficult marriage and a story about coping with what you've got.


The film was great, however not so much the feel-good film I was expecting. There's a shock twist about half way through and the way the kids react to it is unexpected to say the least. I would definitely recommend the film (it is funny after all) although perhaps not to a younger audience as it isn't quite the family film you expect.


None the less 'What We Did On Our Holiday' is a quality British film that entertains and conveys a nice message. Family is family, no matter how annoying they might be.


Charlotte
X

SOURCE