Official Review: The Walls of Rookwalk by Angela Gait

Please use this sub-forum to discuss any fiction books or series that do not fit into one of the other categories. If the fiction book fits into one the other categories, please use that category instead.
Forum rules
Authors and publishers are not able to post replies in the review topics.
Post Reply
User avatar
Christinar81
Posts: 142
Joined: 06 Mar 2015, 13:22
Favorite Author: Too hard to pick one
Currently Reading: Barracuda
Bookshelf Size: 104
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-christinar81.html
Latest Review: "Revelations From the Past" by Lori J Gordon

Official Review: The Walls of Rookwalk by Angela Gait

Post by Christinar81 »

[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Walls of Rookwalk" by Angela Gait.]
Book Cover
3 out of 4 stars
Share This Review


The Walls of Rookwalk by Angela Gait is a fictional novel. It tells the story of the lives of Annabelle Tait and her family, as seen through Annabelle's eyes. The novel is set in England, in a 30 bedroom mansion belonging to the Tait family. The head of the family is Margaret, the mother of five children. The oldest child is Lydia, who is referred to as the beautiful one. Hugo is the oldest boy and the Third Baron of Wraxley. The middle child is Annabelle, the narrator, who is epileptic. Rosalind is the youngest girl and is very spoiled. The baby of the family is Jeremy, who considers himself " The Invisible one". Their father died when the children were very young.

The story takes place over a period of 20 to 30 years. It starts in what seems to be the 1960s and flashes back to the past throughout the book. In the flashbacks, it describes how beautiful and grand the mansion is. The mansion sits on a large amount of land that also houses a chapel, sawmill, stable, dairy and numerous cottages. There are beautiful gardens with walkways leading through trees throughout the property. In the present, the mansion is crumbling and falling into ruin. The gardens and grounds are all grown over with weeds, nettles and thorns. Most of the mansion is closed up because only Hugo and Annabelle live there now. Lydia, now a wealthy widow, only comes around when she finds out there is something of value in the mansion. Rosalind has been married several times and her health is declining. Jeremy, who is something of an explorer, hasn't been heard from in 2 years. Hugo appears to have become mental unstable and Annabelle is his caregiver. Annabella sees the mansion is deteriorating but is unable to do anything about it by herself. Throughout the story Annabella flashes back to the past telling the story of how each person came to be where they are.

The plot includes a lot of deep, dark and sad issues that the characters dealt with in their lives. The issues include miscarriages, mental disease, attempted suicide, divorce and the results of war. They live in a time and social class where its about how they look on the outside. So a lot of the issues are ignored or hid. This leads to a lot of problems in the lives of the characters as they age.

The author, Angela Gait, is very eloquent. Her writing is very descriptive and graphic. All the troubles and turmoil the characters experienced gave the book a bleak feeling, in my opinion. There's a sadness throughout the story that made it a little hard for me read. I tend to like to read books that are happy-go-lucky. The writing and plot were so well executed that I wanted to finish the book even though I found it very bleak. I'm happy I did finish it because the author was able to bring the whole story around and end it in a very happy way. I'll leave it at that so I don't give anything away.

I rate the book a 3 out of 4 stars for great writing and plot, even if it was a little too melancholy for me. I would recommend this book for adult readers. I would like to read more books by this author, if I can find one that's a little happier.

******
The Walls of Rookwalk
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | Hassle-Free Sample

Like Christinar81's review? Post a comment saying so!
"You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.”
― Mae West
Latest Review: "Revelations From the Past" by Lori J Gordon
User avatar
bookowlie
Special Discussion Leader
Posts: 9071
Joined: 25 Oct 2014, 09:52
Favorite Book: The Lost Continent
Currently Reading: The Night She Went Missing
Bookshelf Size: 442
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-bookowlie.html
Latest Review: To Paint A Murder by E. J. Gandolfo

Post by bookowlie »

I enjoyed reading your review. I can relate to your wish for a happier story. I read a book recently that was excellent, although very depressing in the way the characters were treated. I don't need hearts and flowers in a book, but too much hardship is not my cup of tea.
"The best way out is always through" - Robert Frost
User avatar
[Frank]
Posts: 1
Joined: 10 May 2013, 11:42
Bookshelf Size: 0

Post by [Frank] »

I am the author, so I don't really know what I'm allowed to say here, but thank you for this review.
User avatar
Michelle-lit
Posts: 104
Joined: 22 Sep 2014, 19:49
Currently Reading: Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister
Bookshelf Size: 24
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-michelle-lit.html
Latest Review: "Take Her" by Midnight Taylor

Post by Michelle-lit »

Thanks for the review. When it comes to general fiction, I kind of like the dark and bleak; so, I think I'll give this book a shot.
Latest Review: "Take Her" by Midnight Taylor
User avatar
Ealasaid
Posts: 1272
Joined: 08 Apr 2015, 11:04
Favorite Author: Unfair To Ask That
Favorite Book: <a href="http://forums.onlinebookclub.org/shelve ... 284">Emily of New Moon</a>
Currently Reading: The Princes of Ireland: The Dublin Saga
Bookshelf Size: 185
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-ealasaid.html
Reading Device: B00L89V1AA

Post by Ealasaid »

Thank you for this review. While I enjoy happy books, I also like reading darker books as well so I am interested in trying this one and will add it to my to-read list.
"I dwell in Possibility" - Emily Dickinson
User avatar
Christinar81
Posts: 142
Joined: 06 Mar 2015, 13:22
Favorite Author: Too hard to pick one
Currently Reading: Barracuda
Bookshelf Size: 104
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-christinar81.html
Latest Review: "Revelations From the Past" by Lori J Gordon

Post by Christinar81 »

It is a good book. So if you enjoy a story that has a darker bleak feeling I definitely recommended. The author has an incredible talent for describing places and people. I was able to picture every place so well. At first the way the book jumped back in forth between the present and past confused me but as the book went on it was easier to grasp. I'm glad I finished it and will be keeping an eye out for more books from this author.

-- 12 May 2015, 15:41 --
bookowlie wrote:I enjoyed reading your review. I can relate to your wish for a happier story. I read a book recently that was excellent, although very depressing in the way the characters were treated. I don't need hearts and flowers in a book, but too much hardship is not my cup of tea.
I agree, I don't need all rainbows and puppies and I like a story with some meat to it. I find that I'm very empathic with characters and once they go through so much I start to feel like I've been through it myself. Then it takes me a while to shake the depression and sadness off.
"You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.”
― Mae West
Latest Review: "Revelations From the Past" by Lori J Gordon
Post Reply

Return to “Other Fiction Forum”