Review of the script 'A Doll's House' by Henrik Ibsen (English language version by Simon Stephens)

For this post I will be reviewing the story of 'A Doll's House' which is a famous play written by Henrik Ibsen. The play is currently being performed at the Young Vic Theatre in London and I went to see this production recently. I thought that it was an incredible performance with emotions illustrated well for the audience and the sympathy portrayed for the main character, Nora, was done excellently. In the programme included the script of the whole play so afterwards I decided to read it again. 'A Doll's House' premiered in 1879 in Copenhagen and is the second in a series of realist plays by Ibsen. It provoked huge controversy with its apparent feminist message. The characters in the story consist of Nora Helmer, Torvald Hemler (Nora's husband), Helene (the maid), Anna (the nanny),  Dr Rank (a friend of the Helmers), Kristine Linde (an old friend of Nora's) and Nils Krogstad (whom which Nora had an acquaintance with, over a serious matter, also a worker for Mr. Helmer). The play takes place in the Helmers' house in a town in Norway in 1878. Nora Helmer has secretly borrowed some money to save her husbands life after he falls ill from working too hard to earn money for the family. Nora took him away to Itlay and he returned healthy and well again. Torvald's perception of his wife is silly and naive calling her his child or referring to her as a animals like birds, "Has my little hamster been spending all of my money again?" At first this seems quite innocent however when it is revealed that Nora did not get the money from her father - as she said she did - she is very worried about Torvald finding out that she borrowed it and what his reaction might be. Krogstad, a current worker for Mr Helmer, picks Nora up on this and threatens to tell Torvald unless she saves his job. It all turns very complicated with a friend of Nora's turns up which Nora receives help from as well as dying Dr Rank admitting he has always loved her. At the end of the play Torvald receives the letter explaining what Nora did and is furious. He calls Nora a dishonest and immoral woman who is unfit to raise their children. He says that from now on their marriage will be only a matter of appearances. But Nora receives a letter from Krogstad saying there is not a worry anymore and that he will not reveal this to anyone else. Torvald's mood suddenly changes and is overjoyed that no-one will find out what his previous 'dishonest' wife had done, however Nora realises something is very wrong. It shows how badly she was being treated and not realising it. It releases unmendable cracks in their marriage and Nora knows that she must do the right thing...

My favourite quote is: "I think I'm a human being before anything else. I don't care what other people say. I don't care what people write in books. I need to think for myself."

I would give the plot of 'A Dolls' House' 5 out of 5 stars as the performance and words of the script are gripping. I would recommend the age of 14 up as it is very deep and meaningful which children may not understand. 

Here is a video to the performance at the Young Vic:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOuFocD10hU

My Book Review of Skulduggery Pleasant

This time I am reviewing Skulduggery Pleasant, a book written by Derek Landy. The book begins with  a girl named Stephanie Edgley attending her Uncles funeral. Stephanie's uncle, called Gordon, is a novelist who leaves his large mansion and the royalties from his best selling books to her. At the reading of the will, a strange man arrives in a long tan coat and hat and scarf who no-one has seen before, and is left only a piece of advice from Gordon. Also at the reading of the will Stephanie's aunt and uncle are there but are very ungrateful for what they receive which was a brooch, a boat and a car. I find that section quite amusing! Because of certain consequences Stephanie decides to spend a night alone in her uncles mansion that is now hers, however she is surprised to be attacked by a strange man demanding for a 'key'. Just as this happens the man from the will reading in the tan coat reveals himself and saves Stephanie from being hurt, doing this by creating a ball of fire in his bare hands and aiming it at the strange gentleman. The mysterious man in the tan coat goes by the name of Skulduggery Pleasant. After aiming the fire ball and shooting him, in all the movement, the disguise of a wig, hat and scarf fall off to reveal that Skulduggery is in fact a structure of bones. Stephanie is intrigued by all of the recent events and as she speaks to Skulduggery she finds out more about his adventures, how he is connected to her late uncle and how he can control elements of the earth: fire, water and air, wanting to join in! Then Skulduggery takes Stephanie on a journey and she finds out much more about what her uncle did for a living. Stephanie delves deep into the inner lives of many individuals.
Can Stephanie (Known later in the book as Valkyrie Cain) and Skulduggery defeat Serpine and stop him from destroying the earth?
I would rate this book 5 out of 5 stars as I couldn't put it down! When I first was the book I didn't know what to make of it as it looks out of the ordinary however I am glad I read it! At first the story is a little confusing however once you get your head round it you will be hooked. I great read where you cannot wait to find out what happens next! 

The book that I have read and chosen to review this time is 'War Horse'. It is a very famous book by Michael Morpurgo and has been turned into a stage show and film. It was also relevant for me to read this book as we are studying the World War's. The book is about a very courageous horse that goes on a journey meeting different people throughout the war.
The journey starts in Devon where a boy named Albert first brings the horse up. Albert calls this horse Joey as his father brings it home after he bought it one evening at an auction. Albert’s father can be a harsh man on the outside especially when he is drunk however during the book you get to see how his character changes with his feelings towards Joey.
Albert brings Joey up and gets very close to him coming to visit him in his stables every day and talks to him in confidence about many different subjects. The war then begins, a time of deep sadness for all, especially Albert’s father who is struggling to keep his farm going. One morning he sneaks the horses out to be sold to the army. Even though this section of the book is upsetting I like it as you get to see how Albert’s father reacts. Even though he needs to sell the horse for the money he still realises he is doing the wrong thing, and he knows that Albert will be heartbroken.
From this point on, Joey is put into different environments and situations throughout the book where he meets new friends and looses friends too.
I think that this book is good because it is written in the perspective of the horse itself and this, I feel, brings you closer to the character Joey. It also shows you that even though humans throughout the book dismiss the horses’ capability to understand humans it still shows the connections it has between the characters he meets and defiantly Albert his owner from the beginning.
I liked the section of the book, after Joey has been through a journey himself – escaping from the army and has got lost trying to survive - where the two soldiers an English and German are on ‘no man’s land’ having a civilised discussion about who should keep the horse. I thought that this was a comical moment as it is quite unlikely that it would happen actually during the war and that they were quite warming characters.I would defiantly recommend this book to everyone as it has a gripping storyline and I couldn’t put it down until I finished it. This was because I couldn’t wait to find out whether Joey would survive or whether he would be reunited with his rightful owner Albert. I would also recommend this book as it is a short, sweet and simple read, suitable for all. 

Book Review of The Lady Grace Mysteries - Assassin - by Grace Cavendish

Over this half term I have been reading, but not quite finished, 'The Lady Grace Mysteries'. I think that this is a good book as it is historical and adventurous. You get engrossed into the storyline and discover different things to do with a murder that I would never have guessed.
Grace is a lady's maid for Queen Elizabeth I and then has to chose a husband out of three men that the queen had chosen for her. To complicate the situation further one of the suitors gets murdered with the other the suspect. Lady Grace has different feelings towards what has been going on and decides that she has noticed something that nobody else has but could make all the difference. The Queen then gives her permission to discover what has been going on with her two companions a maid and jester.
The book is written in diary entries written by Grace herself so this gives you an insight into what she thinks about different people for example the Queen or other maids and the murder case. You really get to know her bright  and determined character well.
I dont really think that this book is for my age group (Age 13) as it is simple to read and would recommend it to 8-11 or 12 years. Even though it is a quick read I would possibly recommend it to people my age if they need something quick and cheerful.
I would rate this book a 4 out of 5.
On Amazon this book is rated 4.8 out of 5 for a younger age group.

Book Review of The Hunger Games

The book that i am reviewing this time is, The Hunger Games.

Personally i think this book is the best book i have ever read. Let me tell you the plot. There are 12 Districts and each year a boy and a girl are chosen from every district to take part in the Hunger Games. The Hunger Games is when all the chosen candidates are put in an arena but it is very big and they have to fight til there death. The last one standing is the winner.

The book begins on reaping day when the names are picked from the bowl. Katniss is the main character and it is her sisters first reaping day. There is one in a million chances that Prims name will get picked - however the girl that gets chosen is Prim...

Katniss is very brave and doesn't want her sister to be part of the Hunger Games so volunteers herself. Will she survive?

I love this book as it is not like any book that i have ever read before in my life. It is a really good adventure and i like the fact that there are different things that happen and then fit all together. I would recommend this book as it is a great read and will leave you captured with amazment!

I would rate this book 5 out of 5.

Book Review of 'Why Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit' by Judith Kerr

This book 'Why Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit' is based on a real story of what Judith Kerr had to do due to the events of World War II. The main character is Anna and her father is a famous writer. Her father ends up having to escape from the Nazis. They family travel to different countries, experiencing different events and lifestyles. However, will they be able to escape from Hitler or will they be caught? This story is called 'Why Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit' because Anna leaves her favourite pink rabbit behind.

I am really enjoying reading this book as i can hardly put it down! When reading it you really grow fond of the characters and love following their travels.

Michael Morpurgo read this book and said,"The most life-anhancing book you could ever wish to read."

I would rate this book 4 and 3/4 out of 5 because it is an excellent storyline and you can't put it down!

Book Review of Dear Olly by Michael Morpurgo

The book that I am reviewing is 'Dear Olly' by Michael Morpurgo.
This story is written in three different perspectives. These are Olly's Story, Hero's Story and Matt's Story. It is about a boy named Matt who is a very happy boy. He has a sister called Olly and Matt and Olly have a very close relationship.
Matt has a dream and one day decides to go at Africa to work in an orpanage and keep the children happy but Olly and her mother are very worried about him. One day something happens to Matt but how will Ollly and her mother find out if he is ok.
Along with the human story there is the story of Hero. He is a swallow and also has an adventure travelling like Matt. It turns out that the two stories collide but will they both have happy endings?
I would rate this book 4 out of 5 becasue you really feel like you get to know that characters and it is a quick and sweet read for all to enjoy.