Book Review: Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier

This book was recommended to me by a trusted source (my Dad) with whom I often share books with. He said this was a brilliant novel, so I picked it up secondhand and looked forward to reading it, as I expected to love it too.

My problems started with the first chapter. I slowly turned the pages but found something in the writing style disagreeable, it's just. so. slow. The book opens with war invalid Inman in hospital, so I assumed that perhaps it was simply a case of needing to 'get in to the story', many a good book has proved a struggle initially, so I was prepared to give this one the benefit of the doubt, even if it felt like staring in to space on the tube was preferable to reading it.


But try as I might, I could not enjoy it. Quarter of the way through, half way through, I was no more interested or enthusiastic. By now I knew of Ada, Inman's love interest back at home and struggling to run the farm following her father's death. I knew that Inman was trekking back across the mountain to meet her. This is ALL you need to know. The characters are flat, bland in their 3rd person narratives. Why is Inman facing death on a daily basis? Why does he keep up the journey? I still don't know! He barely speaks, let alone explain the motive for such a mission. Similarly Ada, bar one letter at the beginning, reveals nothing of her heart's desires- unrealistic for a young girl.


If the characterisation wasn't enough to upset me, Frazier also decides to avoid a linear plot, instead choosing to meander through 'episodes' concerning strangers. These bear little or no relevance to anything, and I got bored of reading monologues from folk I would never hear of again. I like to get to know my characters. It was so bad, that one day to the next I would faithfully take out the book on my commute and forget who or what I was reading about; it jumps from scene and characters with no reason.

I did a brief Google of this book, to see if others had thought the same, and couldn't believe the number of people giving it 5 stars 'best book I've ever read', 'the most beautiful book I've ever read'...there is much discussion of the detailed representation of the scenery, but for me, this is what made it so difficult to read. The descriptions are hyperbolic, but not in a good lofty way, the words seem trundling pointless, too high in concentration when there is no real plot movement. Page upon page, I suffered blocky paragraphs rambling on pretentious nonsense about the natural world. I'm ashamed to admit it, but it got to the point where I skimmed read pages and whole chapters.

I did finish the book, but it took me weeks. I find it incredible that it has such acclaim; clearly my Dad is not the only one who enjoyed it, the blogs would suggest that I am the anomaly! It's amazing how subjective reading is.

GlossyBox February

Always delightful to see a new GlossyBox arrive. This time someone opened the door for the postman, which was a nice change from having to trek to the postal centre to collect on Saturday morning - my one complaint with the box design is that is doesn't fit through the postbox. The products are usually miniatures, so streamlined packaging would make everything much more convenient...anyway, on to the contents:

1. Duwop Venom Gloss
I love this stuff, it has a spicy stingy formula that quicky plumps lips in to a pout. It's quite pricey, so this small handbag sized tube was probably my favourite product in the pack

2. Impress Press - on Manicure
I've worn falsies a few times this year, and am quite the convert so will definitely try these out. Unfortunately I received a strange brown beige shade, which is a little outdated post Chanel Particulière

3. Awapuhi by Paul Mitchell
A hair treatment oil with natural extracts. Handy prep for blowdrying

4. BM Beauty
I hardly ever wear colour on my eyes these days, but this is a universal gold shimmer that I will store in case an occasion requires it.

5. Como Shambhala Invigorate Shower Gel
Travel-sized wash gel is always handy for weekends away

All in all, I felt everything in this box was quite 'small', and it seemed on opening that everything was in miniature with no full sized products. On closer inspection, the nails and hair oil are probably full sized, making for one of the most useful GlossyBoxes yet.

UGG Spring12 Collection Launch

Last week B and I went to see the new UGG collection at their new Knightsbridge store. The very mention of UGG SS12 is an oxymoron, what an earth could this collection contain? I must have been under a rock somewhere, as the brand now design a myriad of shoes of all types- sandals, peepetoe boots, heel...you name it they do it, and not a shearling lining in sight!

We browsed the collection as we supped strong cocktails and feasted upon risotto balls, mini burgers and lemon meringue pies. Delish! There was also a photo booth, which, I defy any blogger to resist! We went in it twice, the above is our second try, the first lot took us by surprise!


PS. You can see I've dyed my hair red! I shall be posting about this soon- still getting to grips with the upkeep and trying to stop the colour washing down the drain!

Review: Batiste Dry Shampoo, Original, XXL Volume and Brit

This is not really a Batiste review, but rather a buying guide. I'm sure we all have a bottle stashed somewhere in our room, we know it works and have come to rely on it (the ultimate oversleep saviour) but when presented with a shelf full of different types, which is the best purchase? I was sent 3 bottles to try and have spent the past week or so testing them



1. Original

The original Batiste, but is it the best? I've overlooked this in the past, though the retro-style bottle is actually quite snazzy. It works to absorb oil and give greasy roots a boost, and leaves the hair with a clean scent with citrus undertones. I think this fragrance is one of the least overpowering in the range, and perhaps the closest to mimic the smell of freshly washed hair. It's not too feminine either, so could definitely be purchased as a unisex product.


2. XXL Volume


As I suffer with chronic flat hair syndrome I was excited to try this. I sprayed it in to clean hair and teased the roots. It looked good! It added a little matte texture and spruced up the volume an impressive amount! I headed out the the karaoke in good spirits, but sadly it was not to last, and my barnet resembled a pancake by the time we sang Backstreet Boys. It's no more costly than any of the other options, so there is no harm in trying it, though I suspect that perhaps any of the other versions may act exactly the same if sprayed at the roots?



3. Brit

Love this bottle! And the with the Queen's Diamond Jubilee this year it is oh so on trend! The copy on the back describes it as a 'truly British fragrance' but goodness knows what defines that! Eau de fish and chips? Roast Dinner de toilette? Let's just say that it's a strong floral that will linger throughout the day. It smells so strong that it masked my Dior Hypnotic Poison perfume, so beware if you are a subtle soul.


Verdict? Call me boring, but I think I will be repurchasing the Original. It is the best replica for freshly washed hair of the lot, and also helps with volume when worked in to roots. I think that personal preference factors highly in this debate, so the only way to truly decide which is best, is to try them all!