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Book of the day Mothering Sunday: A Romance by Graham Swift review — a perfect small tragedy. A last moment of intimacy between English maidservant and heir is at the heart of this masterful novella. Paperback writer Graham Swift: The author of England and Other Stories, returning to short fiction after many years writing only novels, wonders why the two forms are considered so radically distinct.

The best novels The best novels: England and Other Stories review — Graham Swift's affectionate chronicle of everyday lives. The author of Waterland and Last Orders tells Susanna Rustin how 'joyful' he feels to be writing short stories. Alex Clark's best young British novelists. He was extremely hard on Danni and while I'm all for expecting people to do their best, he was awfully critical of her simple mistakes. Jan 22, Jackie rated it it was ok. I tried to give this one 3 stars, but just couldn't manage it. Even as I was reading yet another over-long-over-heavy book from Mr. Lund I kept wondering if he was afraid of running out of words so decided to pack as many as he could into this one novel.

In order, I suspect, to help those who read this book as a stand alone, there are multiple references to things that occurred in the first book. This contributes to the length, but not much. And I - personally - found so many issues with this one. Even so that here I am nearly two weeks since finishing the book and I'm still annoyed with some of them. I've not been a huge fan of Mr. Yep, I know that puts me in the minority. I might be the only reader around that was simply unable to make it through even the first volume of "The Work And The Glory".

I think he is generally an overrated novelist. He can hold my interest - though that grasp on my interest is intermittent, and greatly varies not only from book to book but often within the same book. I confess I had to push myself to keep reading when frustration with the book prompted tossing it aside. But persevere I did and when finally I reached the final page, it was with a mixture of emotions. Generally, though, it was relief that this over-the-top-fantasy had reached a conclusion.

Jessie Burton

I'm still uncertain who the target reader is -the main character is a teenager. But, somehow it didn't feel like a teen book. Lund, himself isn't quite sure. I'm aware that this book is comprised of bedtime stories he told his children. What a wonderful origination. Still, I'm not sure those stories translate well into 2 volumes meant for "the whole family" to read.

I'm thinking it might have been better to publish these in a series of much shorter chapter books with illustrations for the tween readers. This, however, is only my own personal opinion, that I know will not meet with much agreement. I'm thinking I might stick to his non-fiction works in the future.


  • Graham Swift | Books | The Guardian.
  • Die Geschichte des Unternehmens Bertelsmann am Beispiel des Leserings und von Lycos Europe (German Edition)?
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  • The Guardian, Book 2: To Run with the Swift - Deseret Book.
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Nov 11, Rebecca rated it it was amazing. The plot is fast-moving and unexpected. The bad guys were unpredictable in their schemes, plus Danni is such a fun, spunky, flawed heroine, and it really shows in this second book. She's not a superhero in the strict sense of the word, but there were a few points where she felt like it, and I loved her for it.

Another great, classic, surprise-twisting Gerald Lund plot with memorable characters. A great read for YAs and adults. Dec 31, Shauna rated it it was amazing. As the story continues you will be led along with plot twist and turns that you never thought possible Danni's life, and that of her family's, has been hard these past few weeks.

To Run With The Swift

Just as they feel that life might get back to normal Things start to happen And once again the family is caught in an elaborate plan of one family trying to destroy her family. FUN to r As the story continues you will be led along with plot twist and turns that you never thought possible You won't be able to put this one down! This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

While waiting for some other library holds to come in, I decided to see what the second half of The Guardian had to offer. While I do think Lund is good at coming up with a compelling story, I sometimes feel like Deseret Book editors don't really help their authors craft better writing.


  1. The Death of Liberalism.
  2. The Guardian, Book 2: To Run with the Swift.
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  8. Besides annoying little things like using the same adverb twice in a sentence, pacing in this book was sometimes irritatingly slow while racing forward at other times. It felt like the author himself didn't quite While waiting for some other library holds to come in, I decided to see what the second half of The Guardian had to offer.

    However, reality is already suspended when reading a book about a pouch with magical powers, so there's that. Feb 23, Sandy rated it it was amazing Shelves: Now, as Danni faces evils even more sinister than before, she has to wonder if even the Guardian will be equal to the After Danni McAllister and her family escaped from El Cobra and his kidnapping ring, they thought life would basically return to normal. May 08, Julie rated it really liked it. I liked this book - it kept me wanting to listen to see how things were going to work out. I got a little frustrated with some of the wining of the characters, but I guess it fit who the author had built them to be.

    I like it overall. Jan 07, Betty Ann Baer rated it liked it. This book takes place in Southern Utah and France. There are many twists and turns, Le Guardian is taken, The family is held hostage, Danni Caruthers and Rick help solve the problem. Jul 15, Rosalyn Starling rated it it was amazing. Jan 17, Marcy rated it it was amazing. Sep 02, Sarah rated it it was amazing. I can't recommend it high enough. A must read in my opinion. Mar 25, Ed rated it it was amazing. Dec 18, Krista rated it really liked it.

    Very intricate and detailed. But sometimes I felt like this book was too long.

    To Run With the Swift (Guardian , book 2) by Gerald N Lund

    This is the second book in this series and it is a big,thick book- pages to be exact! That's a lot of book, right? The first book is just as big. If you have ever read anything by Gerald Lund, you know he knows his craft. He's been writing for so many years, successfully. His research is obvious and he can paint real vibrant mental pictures through his words. This series is a bit different than anything he has ever done.

    Audio Editions

    At least for me. Lund takes his time weaving a story of intrigue and mystery with a bit of the magical. This story moves slowly but allows you a chance to really get to know the characters and the history. My favorite parts were the jumps back in time and history. The back story, if you will. This book kind of reminded me of those old radio programs that used to come on in episodes each week. The author mentions how this started out as a bedtime story he used to tell his kids. I think it would be a fun book to read aloud as a family. Danni is a fiesty girl. She struggles with typical teenage insecurities and drama but generally comes off much older than she actually is.

    Lund that I read. The first book in the Work and the Glory series was one of my favorite books of all time. Unfortunately, for me this second book falls even farther below the Lund standard I was used to. It just doesn't seem to flow real well, is hard to believe at times and I'm not referring to the supernatural powers of the "Guardian" and often seemed to bog down. International intrigue, realism with a touch of magic, characters to entertain any age, clean and suspenseful, a hint of romance, written by the masterful Gerald N.

    Lund--what's not to like? Yeah, probably would have been a good idea. I was especially intrigued with the first section of the book, but wasn't quite prepared for when it jumped from Europe to the US and totally different characters.

    I know, if I'd only read the first book After that, the excitement seemed to take a little time to get going again. Much of the first half was taken up with "wrapping up" what transpired in the first book. By the middle, when the family went overseas, I found myself more invested in the story and it finally felt like its own plot rather than a continuation of the first.

    It was then that I became immersed in the McAllisters' world and the pace picked up, though my favorite part remained the history and back story. Keepers of Blackbird Hill.