⇒ PDF Free Foxglove Summer Rivers of London 5 Ben Aaronovitch 9780575132504 Books

Foxglove Summer Rivers of London 5 Ben Aaronovitch 9780575132504 Books

Download As PDF : Foxglove Summer Rivers of London 5 Ben Aaronovitch 9780575132504 Books

Foxglove Summer Rivers of London 5 Ben Aaronovitch 9780575132504 Books

This was a fun, fast read. Perhaps a bit TOO fast...I've noticed that Aaronovich is increasingly rushing his endings (as others have noted). However, the "Peter Grant and the Folly" premise remains imaginative fun, and I particularly enjoy the way he weaves in the continual tongue-in-cheek descriptions of the routines of police life when you're a lower ranking constable. In addition, the River goddesses provide constant comic relief. Beverly's a gem.

A continual draw for me is the writing style, which is consistently entertaining. For example, who else but Aaronovich would write a sentence like this about an ancient British chieftain: "Caratacus suffered the double indignity of being dragged to Rome in chains and having an opera written about him by Elgar"? Maybe you have to be English to understand why that's so funny, but I almost got kicked off the 'quiet car" in my train because I was laughing so hard.

Unlike some of the other reviewers, I enjoyed a story set outside of London. Yes, Grant's out of his element (but that's the whole point.) You may cavil about whether the author makes the most of the rural setting, but I found it a refreshing change. Plus, there's no question that there's just as much weird stuff going on in the English countryside as there is in London. (Anyone who's walked around an ancient British site at night knows things can get downright creepy in ways that have absolutely nothing to do with the living rural populace).

Lastly, this is the 5th (?) book in the series. May there be many more! However, I do agree with other reviewers that if you're coming to the series afresh, you really have to start with the original "Rivers of London". In each successive installment, Aaronovich assumes increasing levels of pre-knowledge about the whole "backstory"; as such (unlike other series), each of these books aren't really stand-alone. On the other hand, I could imagine few things more enjoyable with a summer in front of me than to have to read my way through all 5 books if I hadn't already done. Its a lot of fun...a real guilty pleasure.


Tags : Foxglove Summer (Rivers of London 5) [Ben Aaronovitch] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. 1st UK ed. 1st printing With a fine dust jacket.,Ben Aaronovitch,Foxglove Summer (Rivers of London 5),Gollancz,0575132507

Foxglove Summer Rivers of London 5 Ben Aaronovitch 9780575132504 Books Reviews

Ben Aaronovitch's "Foxglove Summer" is the fifth in his "PC Peter Grant" series. By now, you know exactly what to expect simultaneously both light-hearted and dark in tone, fast-paced paranormal murder mystery, excellent characterizations, wonderful vocabulary, and well-done world descriptions. Again, there are a few minor negatives jarringly purposeful incorrect grammar for the main character on occasions (a recurring motif), a bit slow at the start, and a bit abrupt at the end. Nothing big. So, once again, I'm rating the book at a Very Good 4 stars out of 5.

The novels in Ben Aaronovitch's "PC Peter Grant" (or "Rivers of London") series are

1. Midnight Riot (PC Peter Grant Book 1)
2. Moon Over Soho (PC Peter Grant Book 2)
3. Whispers Under Ground (PC Peter Grant Book 3)
4. Broken Homes (PC Peter Grant Book 4)
5. Foxglove Summer (PC Peter Grant Book 5)
6. The Hanging Tree (Rivers of London)
I have come to really enjoy the stories about Peter Grant, they are written in a very approachable down to earth style that feels more like a conversation. He is also very skilled at explaining the story without asides, those nods to the audience that fantasy writers often feel are needed. Aaronovitch's stories have a 'real' feel and seem to be set in a place where police-work just has the extra Falcon element.
Can't wait for the next one.
Peter Grant is asked to aid an investigation of two children who have disappeared. But this time, the locale is a small rural village and the fae he meets are raw, uncivilized and deadly. Once again we have Peter's laconic observations on the British police and their procedures ' no fish was harmed (sic) ' and their love of acronyms for example PEACE which stands for Planning, Engage and explain, Account and clarify, Closure, Evaluate training. These are pithy and amusing. We follow Peter's meanderings through the country as he meets various local identities and investigates sheep's intestines, bored holes in trees and ancient ruins. It was fun to be with Peter at the conception of a river god and to be given hints of Molly's background.

But the mad, exuberant climax we have come to expect from this series is missing. The story feels like a minor interlude from the main narrative of the Faceless Man and Lesley. Characters such as Hugh and Mellissa Oswald and her three neighbours, one with an Australian accent are introduced but never developed fully and I was left to wonder why the author bothered. I enjoyed Foxglove Summer but it never left me breathless or close to tears like previous novels in this series.

Eight months later.....
I have just reread Foxglove Summer. Instead of my usual manic devouring of a favourite series, I read slowly and carefully and enjoyed the experience very much. I appreciated the knowledgeable detail more and the many new characters were no longer a distraction. The mayhem may be missing but I have given "Foxglove summer" another star as a fair trade for this pleasurable revisit.
This was a fun, fast read. Perhaps a bit TOO fast...I've noticed that Aaronovich is increasingly rushing his endings (as others have noted). However, the "Peter Grant and the Folly" premise remains imaginative fun, and I particularly enjoy the way he weaves in the continual tongue-in-cheek descriptions of the routines of police life when you're a lower ranking constable. In addition, the River goddesses provide constant comic relief. Beverly's a gem.

A continual draw for me is the writing style, which is consistently entertaining. For example, who else but Aaronovich would write a sentence like this about an ancient British chieftain "Caratacus suffered the double indignity of being dragged to Rome in chains and having an opera written about him by Elgar"? Maybe you have to be English to understand why that's so funny, but I almost got kicked off the 'quiet car" in my train because I was laughing so hard.

Unlike some of the other reviewers, I enjoyed a story set outside of London. Yes, Grant's out of his element (but that's the whole point.) You may cavil about whether the author makes the most of the rural setting, but I found it a refreshing change. Plus, there's no question that there's just as much weird stuff going on in the English countryside as there is in London. (Anyone who's walked around an ancient British site at night knows things can get downright creepy in ways that have absolutely nothing to do with the living rural populace).

Lastly, this is the 5th (?) book in the series. May there be many more! However, I do agree with other reviewers that if you're coming to the series afresh, you really have to start with the original "Rivers of London". In each successive installment, Aaronovich assumes increasing levels of pre-knowledge about the whole "backstory"; as such (unlike other series), each of these books aren't really stand-alone. On the other hand, I could imagine few things more enjoyable with a summer in front of me than to have to read my way through all 5 books if I hadn't already done. Its a lot of fun...a real guilty pleasure.