Review:- Walk On by Amy McLean

disclaimer:  this review may contain spoilers, and may also be a bit biased (or not).

From the moment I finished the first chapter of Walk On.  I knew I wouldn't be able to put it down.  The book is structured in a very imaginative way and it keeps you reading.

Walk On contains some scenes of harsh brutality, most of it coming from her husband, and miserable disgrace of a character, Peter.  Maggie's way of escape is into the four walls inside her head, where she can lock herself away from the terrors of reality.  There is also a very spiritual element to the novel, in the form of an Angel, named Ariana, who is of course Maggie's guardian angel.  Ariana shows Maggie some visions of the past, a tragic tale of two lovers and misunderstandings.  Throughout the novel there is a running theme of a bridge. For instance Maggie's favourite painting is Claude Monet's Bridge over a Pond of Water Lilies, and the cover of the novel shows a bridge as well.  Once you finish the novel, it is clear why the author chose to use such a beautiful image for the cover of the novel, and also the beautiful metaphor of the bridge throughout.

This is Amy McLean's first outing as a novelist.  Currently sitting her third year in her English Degree, Amy has coped well balancing a novel on top of all of her workload.  It amazes me how well thought out and how well written the novel is, considering she hasn't finished her degree yet.  I will definitely read more of Amy's work, as she has a true talent that not many people still in university can say they have.

Before reading the book, I found out that Amy had been heavily influenced by her favourite book, The Boy Who Could See Demons, written by her favourite author, Carolyn Jess-Cooke, and whilst reading, I felt this definitely shone through because you can clearly see the effort that she has put into this, after her writer's block was cured by Jess-Cooke's wonderful novel.

Overall Walk On is definitely worth the read, and if you haven't already, you should definitely buy the book and read it for yourself.  It is hard to say a bad word about it and I think it will captivate you and leave you with a very open mind.

From the bridge in Maggie's favourite painting, to the bridge of the novel, Walk On leaves the reader wondering how it will end, if it will end well, or if it will all end in tears... How exactly does it end? You'll just need to read it to find out! ;)

This review can also be found on my goodreads page here :)

Book Review - The Guardian Angel's Journal by Carolyn Jess-Cooke

Back in April/May I was recommended to read The Boy Who Could See Demons by Carolyn Jess-Cooke. So I did, and I thoroughly enjoyed it, so much so that I ended up writing about it in my English exam since it fit one of the questions...

I knew back then that Jess-Cooke's first book was The Guardian Angel's Journal and after enjoying The Boy Who Could See Demons so much, I decided that I would read it.

Before I go into my thoughts let me give you a taster of the story.  Margot Delacroix suddenly dies and when she gets into heaven, God gives Margot the task of being her own guardian angel, under the new name of Ruth.  Under the direction of Nan, another angel in heaven, Ruth realises that she will watch over Margot from the very beginning of her life.  Ruth knows exactly what happens all through Margot's life (having lived it all before) and she wishes she could change Margot's life for the better after everything that happened, however it's not all that simple, as she soon learns what consequences are in store for her.

I really enjoyed this book.  It was interesting to read Jess-Cooke's first outing second, because after reading Demons and enjoying it so much, I did wonder if this book would be less appealing to me being a first novel, but it did not take away from the enjoyment of the story at all.  Both The Guardian Angel's Journal and The Boy Who Could See Demons have their similarities and differences. This one was told from the point of view of an Angel, and the other was kind of told from the point of view of the Demon (albeit the demon isn't really there.).  It was interesting to see how demons fit into this story, after reading about them in the other book.

In short, The Guardian Angel's Journal is unlike anything I have ever read before.  I love the style of writing Jess-Cooke has and how the story developed and also how the characters developed.  Early on we see a completely different side of Ruth and then as it progresses we gradually see her develop and change and it really did keep the story going; her determination to be able to change things when she couldn't really shone through the whole novel.  When reading about Margot's life, how dark and horrible it was, right from birth, it is, in parts, incredibly moving.  In the early chapters, I nearly found myself in tears, and that hasn't happened since I read the end of Victor Hugo's Les Misérables.  The power of the narrative and what is going on in Margot's life, feeling sorry for both Margot and Ruth at the same time, it all really makes you want to bawl into your pillow.

I also found this book was one that couldn't be put down.  That sounds very cliché, but the past few nights I have lost track of the time during the reading of it.  It really grabs your attention and makes you want to read more and more, which is what I feel makes this book one that I won't forget for a long time.  I bought my own copy yesterday and I've also ordered The Boy Who Could See Demons because I know that at some point in my life I would love to go back and relive these books again.  I hope Jess-Cooke continues to write novels because right now I have been left with the desire to read more.  It's probable I will pick up her poetry collection, Inroads at some point too.  But probably not for a little while yet.

I wouldn't recommend this book to young teenagers, but older teenagers and adults will definitely appreciate this book, and if you are into books about Angels and Demons, this is definitely one you should read.

kind regards

Gordon H

PS: The cover is gorgeous!

A rather late update

Hi all

This is an update for you all.  I know I failed to keep my promise of a blogpost per evening every night during Les Misérables and Oliver! at the Edinburgh Fringe.  There were many reasons for the failure.  One I was too fecking tired after nearly every show that I either forgot or simply couldn't be bothered (I know, it's very bad of me...), another being that I didn't have anything new to say about the subject at all.  One other major blip was the fact my camera packed in and the footage I took backstage of the final show which would have been showvlog 2 was lost.

But fear not.  I do plan to keep doing videos since I enjoyed doing the Playing Javert vlogs.  It gave me something different to do every evening for a while which was nice.  I'll probably be doing a mixture of vlogs, reviews, tag videos yadayadayada. (look out for my first attempt at "Actor Hopping" coming soon!

So Les Misérables finished with an incredible last performance, which was sold out and received the best standing ovation I've ever witnessed at a show.  That night backstage was very emotional (not just for me, but for everyone else and all the audience as well.  It became apparent that the audience felt the pain of the last night along with the people involved in the show.

My lovely Amy saw the show and reviewed it. During the next few days we saw the wonderful Caroline Rhea (Aunt Hilda from Sabrina the Teenage Witch).  Amy had tweeted her before the show saying we were looking forward to it, and Caroline actually came and said hello before the show started (Amy knows her quite well I'd say) and best of all, before I'd even said a word she took my hand and said "Oh you're Gordon"...  Safe to say I was a little starstruck but that did not take away from the enjoyment of her comedy show at the Gilded Balloon.  Sadly, we didn't get to meet her afterwards, which was really gutting, but can't be helped since she was apparently called away urgently afterwards.  Whilst waiting outside of the Gilded Balloon, some guy who had a show on, came up to us and asked us to choose a song for him to play on a small bespoke instrument.  He claimed to know every single song and asked us to name any song for him to play as a small demonstration.  So I picked I Dreamed A Dream, but I do regret not asking for Stars, as I'm not sure he would have known that one, but ah well.  Once we'd been serenaded with I Dreamed a Dream, whilst walking back to get the bus, we heard Les Mis again, this time it was being blasted from Edinburgh Castle...  Weirder still it then became Darth Vader's march....  We won't question it.

Over the last few days I've found out that I've been accepted onto a Performing Arts course at the University of Sunderland.  During the University Open Day, I managed to bump into the person I had talked to over the phone about gaining a place, who then very kindly arranged a trip to East Durham College in Peterlee to have a look around the facilities and get a feel of my future surroundings.  It seriously sounds like the best course ever, and I can't wait to share some of my experiences with you very soon.

Whilst staying in Sunderland I'm also coming to terms with student life, how to look after my money etc.  God Bless TESCO and cheap food!

And apart from that nothing much else is happening really. University for me starts on the 11th September (well, that's when induction is, it starts fully on the 23rd) and by then I'll hopefully be posting a lot more videos and blogposts for you to read, watch, appreciate (or laugh at if you prefer...  I don't care, I'm still getting the views aren't I?)

All that's left for me to say is roll on University!

Kind regards

Gordon H

Playing Javert - Days 8 and 9

I cannot believe I forgot to blog for a couple of days!  Shame on me!

Day 8 was the day of runthroughs of both Oliver and Les Misérables and both shows are coming together extremely well.  Les Misérables is basically ready to perform in my opinion.  There are a few things to fix, but very minor and little things.  Oliver needs a lot more work, but today is an all Oliver! day so we'll see how things go!

Day 9 saw the Les Misérables band call.  It was incredible.  It felt so amazing to sing along to the orchestra. Nearly got quite emotional since a lot of the orchestrated bits of the Schools Editon matches the professional West End production and the soundtracks.

Time is passing swiftly and this coming Friday sees the first Oliver! show (afternoon) and the first Les Misérables show (Evening).  I believe there are still tickets for both these events, so go to www.edfringe.com or www.captivatedrama.com to buy yours and come and see the shows!

Day 8 I got footage of Oliver! which can be viewed in the form of an unofficial trailer here:
















I have since done 2 vlogs but forgotten to update the blog, so apologies for this being a very rushed, not very well thought out post, but there's nothing I can do now I've missed the days they should have been up.  Here are the vlogs for days 8 and 9:

Once again thank you for following my journey to becoming Javert!  I promise this blog will be updated every night from now on and I won't forget!

kind regards

Gordon H

Playing Javert - Day 7

It's been a week already...

How time flies!  I mean seriously, it does not feel like last Thursday was the first rehearsal.  It's amazing how far we've all come in a week!

I mean seriously?!  As far as today is concerned, it's like we've had months and months of rehearsals!  In reality of course.  We've had 3 days without chorus and 4 days with...  I've never ever rehearsed a show which has come together so quickly!  Les Misérables is simply stunning!  No other word for it (except incredible of course, but as you know I over-use that word a lot...)

10:20am saw the start of our first complete runthrough of the show from start to finish.  It felt a lot different today, because it felt like we were performing to an audience (the chorus of girls.)  And even on the stage... it just all feels real now.  Who knew the schoolboy who became obsessed with the one who sings about being ready for schoolboys, would become the one singing about being ready for the schoolboys?  (is your mind fecked yet?  Mine certainly is... and I'm the one typing...)

Today also marked my first ever interaction with Sandy, our Master Thenardier, having interacted with Ali, the understudy, for days, it was time to see what Sandy was like.  And he was shockingly good. He played it just like Ali did, except with his own twist.  I dunno how he does it... Sandy is Thenardier!

Today also marked another first.  It was the first time someone recorded some footage of ME.  Javert's Suicide, one of the hardest songs I've ever sung and one of the most emotional/horrible to feel/act out.  That's all I'll say for now.

In short, Les Misérables is going to be incredible, and if you miss out, you'll be kicking yourself that you didn't turn up!

On the Oliver! front, I'm not entirely sure how to play my other character, Dr Grimwig.  I'm half considering asking Sally if I can do it in full Eleventh Doctor get up and goofiness (but I don't think it would go down well...).  Ah well, I'll work it out eventually!

and so I promised you a longer blogpost tonight, and you've got one.

Don't forget to watch the Youtube Video (linked below) and also like my facebook page, follow my twitter, all that jazz.  Only if you want to though (however I'd advise it in case you miss an update!)  Remember all will be updated every night from now until August 11th!

kind regards

Gordon H

Playing Javert - Day 6

Once again I'm knackered and need to be up early in the morning, so here are some more photos like yesterday.  I'll try my best to get a longer blogpost done for tomorrow though.

Kind Regards

Gordon H

Playing Javert - Day 5

Another very exciting, very brilliant, very exhausting rehearsal we had today.  There's not much to say here that I haven't already said in the video, so do forgive me for such a short post.  I took footage today and that's in the video. :)

I did however also take some stills from the video footage so you can see these above.

I promise tomorrow's post will be more exciting, I'm just exhausted right now, and need time to think!




kind regards

Gordon H