Foppe Jellema

This is the 3td book I have read of Laila. I did not think so highly of this story compared to ‘The Moor’s account’. The introduction and ‘the before’ part is particular depressing. Laila always has a message contained in the storyline. Getting stuck in the lives of the 4 characters( and one has the hope/ illusion that their lives will improve in the ‘ after’ chapter), it takes time to realise that Laila wishes to bring to the attention the value of Moroccan values and traditions. For the characters to rediscover these beautiful little things of Moroccan customs. What I miss is Laila’s empathy with the characters. It is as if she observes them from behind a window and describes their ordeals factually without empathy for the hardship they endure. It appears Laila has more concern about traditional values and customs than with the characters. The story could have been 3 times the length and not leaving the 4 storylines open ended. Foppe Jellema

I wish I had read this story 30 years ago!!! Tracy’ insightfulness regarding her own, and so many other teenagers, chaotic feeling life growing up in whatever the circumstances is a story that all teachers should read. I could not put this book down until later there comes a point in the book that you want to read again and again and one wants it to stop there and live with what Tracy’s message is: “what if I am wrong”. Thank you Tracy. Foppe Jellema East Lothian

This novel is simply awful. The extreme sanguine style of writing fails to connect the 3 story lines of development. We are having to read about dysfunctional characters both female and male who continually throughout the day drink whisky from morning till midnight. The only two sane characters are Michael, who is dead, and Bernadette. The latter does not take a central role. Yet she is the one who can bring 2 stories lines together. There is no connection between Sarah and the house. But she is meant to haunt the inhabitants. However ghosts don’t hang around until their allotted time of death occurs. It simply does not make sense. The author’s fantasies run ‘wyld’, rather let her imagination come to life in far more preparation work. Just once the word gannet is used in the book, the bird that is synonymous with Bass Rock. It’s the sanguine style that keeps ones attention. But this book will end up in the bin I am afraid. Foppe Jellema East Lothian

This story is infused with so much fantasie that it looses all credibility. Piranesi apparently knows every part of the labyrinth. He makes a note of everything. Paranesi is portrayed with an incredible inquisitive mind. Yet he fails to follow up the question where the Other is when he is not in the Labyrinth. At the end we find out suddenly there is a hidden corridor leading to our world when he leaves with Raphael. Admittedly Paranesi does not remember our world and forgot its existence. However the bones of the dead he takes care of tell him that these people come from some place other than the Labyrinth. His inquisitive mind fails to ask: from whence? This story fails to adequately connect our world with the Labyrinth in a believable manner. At the end it magically appears. Foppe Jellema