About Me

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Australia
I am passionate about the written language. I love writing, reading, reviewing, selling and promoting books. I am an independent bookseller with over 20 years of experience in the book trade. Together with my partners, I actively aim to improve our bookstore's range and services to better reflect the needs of our community and clientele. In 2008, my memoir 'Under A Starless Sky' was published by Hachette, Australia. Since then, I had a short story 'Jasmine Petals' published in 'Stories of Belonging' (Finch) and in 2013, released my first full-length novel, The Russian Tapestry, also by Hachette. I am currently writing my second novel. I strive daily to improve my skills and stretch the limits of my craft. My love of books has naturally lead to reviewing. You can follow me on Twitter @B_Serov, Facebook www.facebook.com/BanafshehSerov and Goodreads www.goodreads.com/author/show/1429016.Banafsheh_Serov

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Bronte's Story - Bronte Cullis


Bronte's Story
Bronte Cullis
Random

Bronte Cullis is a neurotic teenager. Despite coming from a loving, supportive family, she is anxious and obsessive. Her life is ruled by phobias and fears over protecting her family. Fragile and brittle, she's an easy target for bullies at school. Its not surprising that when her grandmother develops cancer and her only friend leaves the school, her neurosis and anxiety spill into self harm. For six long years Bronte listens to voices inside her head. And the voices tell her to stop eating.

Bronte's Story outlines the destructive power of anorexia and its hold on its victims. Scattered are entries from Bronte's journal that provide an insight into her dark inner thoughts. Whilst struggling through her illness, Bronte comes to the notice of Channel nine's 'A Current Affair'. She and her family are interviewed by Ray Martin and her progress becomes the focus of several follow up segments.

Bronte's Story should have remained a five-minute segment on television - or alternatively a 6-page women's Day article. The journal entries combined with a narrative repeating the same thought come off clunky. The publishers were clearly trying to fatten the word count by adding supporters' letters and the exhaustive journal entries. As fascinating Bronte's Story is to me, the narrative failed to hold my interest and I spent half the time skipping entries. 2 stars

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