The Hopkins Manuscript by R. C. Sherriff is a classic novel originally published in 1939. I grabbed this end of days audiobook in part because of narrator Nicholas Boulton. I stayed for the gripping, amusing & touching story that unfolded. Grab a cup of tea and travel to the small English village of Beadle, where Edgar resides….I promise you won’t regret it.

The Hopkins Manuscript
by R.C. Sherriff
Narrator: Nicholas Boulton, Lameece Issaq
Length: 11 hours and 35 minutes
Genres: Science Fiction
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Audible *affiliate

Rating:
Narration: 5 cups Speed: 1.5x

For fans of the popular and award-winning Netflix movie Don’t Look Up, a prescient, rediscovered speculative novel about how a small English village prepares for the end of the world.

Edgar Hopkins is a retired math teacher in his mid-fifties with a strong sense of self-importance, whose greatest pride in life is winning poultry breeding contests. When not meticulously caring for his Bantam, Edgar is an active member of the British Lunar Society. Thanks to that affiliation, Edgar becomes one of the first people to learn the moon is on a collision course, headed towards Earth.

Members of the society are sworn to secrecy but eventually the moon looms so large in the sky that the government can no longer deny the truth. It’s during these final days that Edgar befriends two young siblings and writes what he calls The Hopkins Manuscript—a testimony juxtaposing the ordinary and extraordinary as Edgar and the villagers dig trenches and play cricket before the end of days.

First published in 1939, as the world was teetering on the brink of global war, R.C. Sherriff’s classic speculative novel is a timely and powerful warning from the past that captures the breadth of human nature in all its complexity.

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The Hopkins Manuscript was found one thousand years after it was written. The author was Edgar Hopkins, a retired math teacher in his mid-fifties. He professed to us he wanted to be a writer and thus penned this manuscript. In the beginning of our story, Edgar has an air of self importance about him. It makes him sound rather pompous, but I quickly came to enjoy his company.

Edgar lives in Beadle, a rural English town where he is a member of the Lunar Society. Because of his membership, he becomes one of the first to learn that the moon is on a direct collision course with the earth and scientist know the impact date. Towns are ordered to construct bunkers and given specific specifications. The villagers are told it’s to prepare for war, but as the moon looms ever closer, the government is forced to confess.

The story is split into two parts. Before the moon collision and after the moon hits. While I am not at all sure of the accuracy of a moon collision, thru Edgar, Sherriff’s portrayal of humanity’s reaction is poignant and realistic.

I loved the characters and the rebuilding. We witness Edgar form a sort of family with survivors as they work to feed themselves and make life easier. We see other towns open trading and witness the country getting back on their feet. Indeed, a little utopia forms, that is until the world powers jockey for the moon.

The Hopkins Manuscript had a wonderful flow and has me looking to read more of Sherriff’s works. It felt relevant and present. It offered a fascinating look into human nature.

Nicholas Boulton and Lameece Issaq, did a wonderful job of bringing this story and its characters to life. Indeed, I could listen to Boulton every day and never grow tired of his smooth, addictive tone. The story is well written and lends itself perfectly to the audio format.

Whether you are looking to meet a classic literature challenge or want to dive into a well-written science fiction, I encourage you to download and listen to The Hopkins Manuscript.

Amazon | Audible

Reading this book contributed to these challenges:

• 2023 Audiobook Challenge
• COYER 2023 Upside Down
• COYER Upside Down Chapter 1: It's a Cold Summer

Source

Original source: https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2023/02/the-hopkins-manuscript-by-r-c-sherriff.html

Donald Brown’s book Experiences of a Lifetime is a memoir of his life. At the age of 88, he wrote a book that tells the stories he has experienced since his childhood as a farm kid living in New Mexico to various places not only in the USA but also in Europe and elsewhere in the world. He studied at Eastern New Mexico University, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and worked in several different positions, including president of a pharmaceutical company, national sales director, director of missions, and pastor.

All the stories and experiences that the author of the book shares with the reader are not chronological, but it does not affect the quality of the content in any way; in fact, it gives you a greater picture of his life when you finish the book and reflect on it. Experiences such as being assaulted by thieves in Egypt while visiting the pyramids, which eventually led to a new opportunity, helping people who survived hurricanes in several places, watching the sun ceremony of the Ute tribe, educational Hawaiian experience, and ordinary daily situations that will convince you that even in the little things there are hidden strong messages. The experiences that Brown shares are sometimes breathtaking. Each of his stories has a reference to the holy scriptures, as the author says, “in the hope that the reader will receive a practical benefit,” and in several cases, a powerful lesson.

Experiences of a Lifetime is a poignant memoir and inspirational story. It is written in an engaging but light style; quotations and references to holy scriptures do not feel like a sermon but rather like the narration of an acquaintance who tries to advise you in various situations and directs you more toward God. If you like traveling and short stories and are open to perceiving the world in a way other than logic, it is worth reading this book.

Pages: 180 | ASIN : B07Q5LXCKC

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/02/07/experiences-of-a-lifetime/

Terry Karger and Jay Margolis have written the mesmerizing story, My Maril, in memory of Marilyn Monroe, Jane Wymann, and Ronald Raegan, three of her confidantes and Hollywood stars. This unfiltered story contains stories that no one has heard about these three legendary figures, who, despite their fame, were humble and down to earth. Her father, Fred, began dating Marilyn when Terry was just six years old. However, Marilyn remained a family friend even after the affair ended. Of the three superstars, Marilyn is the main focus, and Karger goes into detail about the beautiful relationship their “Maril” had with this family. In addition, the author shares unseen pictures and stories about Marilyn’s sweet nature along with the sorrowful events that occurred after her unfortunate passing.

The authors have written an unfeigned memoir that displays the intensity of their feelings toward Marilyn Monroe. Karger and Margolis have reawakened Marilyn Monroe’s legacy by sharing these personal and intimate stories. Readers get an insight into Marilyn Monroe’s life from someone who saw her as an elder sister and a mother figure. Furthermore, they talk about her stepmother Jane Wymann, her ex-husband Ronald Reagan, and their children, Maureen and Michael.

Despite being surrounded by celebrities her entire life, Karger always saw them as ordinary, and she has shared some of her engrossing encounters with other Hollywood stars. As a foster child, Marilyn regarded the Kargers as her adopted family. In spite of her admiration for Marilyn, Karger has also spoken of the superstar’s insecurity as a young actress who struggled in the spotlight. Several people believe that Marilyn did not commit suicide but was murdered, and Terry Karger supports that claim by sharing numerous pieces of evidence.

My Maril: Marilyn Monroe, Ronald Reagan, Hollywood, and Me is a beautiful and heartfelt biography and memoir that humanizes Marilyn Monroe and honors her in a way readers have not seen before. This passionate telling of her life and the impact she had on the writers is something readers will remember and hold onto. The emotions and motivation behind writing this story come from someone who knew and loved Marilyn as if she were her own family.

Pages: 292 | ASIN : B0B3LNLBVJ

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/02/07/my-maril/

Here Are The Pros and Cons When You Decide To Bring The Bedroom To Work by Melissa Owens is a gritty and unflinching look at the complexities and nuances of dating a co-worker. Through a series of short stories, the author delves into the various scenarios that can arise when personal and professional lives intersect. From falling in love with a co-worker who is already in a relationship to the aftermath of a breakup when the employer is dating an employee, Owens paints a realistic picture of the pros and cons of dating someone at work and the potential impact on one’s job.

Owens masterfully crafts vivid scenarios. After reading the first few stories in this book, readers would be led to believe that Owens aims to create a didactic work with her writing where workplace romance is absolutely bad news. But stories like ‘EMT and Outreach Counselor’ as well as ‘Maintenance Man’ cast new light on how different the outcome of bringing the bedroom to work can be.

Through these relatable tales, Owen astutely illustrates the pros and cons of workplace romance while weaving in valuable life lessons. One of the standout features of the book is the author’s unfiltered writing style. The language is raw and unapologetically graphic, making the characters feel all the more realistic and genuine while distinguishing this book as a ‘tell-it-as-it-is’ book. Although there is little artistic polishing to the writing, any form of aesthetic relish that can be enjoyed from it can only come from how easily the stories flow. It all ties up to make it an easy and enjoyable read despite the weighty subject matters it explored.

The author does not shy away from tackling controversial topics such as power imbalances and harassment, and she presents them in a way that is both honest and sensitive. Here Are The Pros and Cons When You Decide To Bring The Bedroom To Work is a valuable resource for anyone considering dating a colleague and anyone who wants to learn more about the complexities of workplace relationships.

Pages: 100 | ASIN : B09H7R93YW

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/02/07/here-are-the-pros-and-cons-when-you-decide-to-bring-the-bedroom-to-work/

Could It Be?: Biblical Gems from the Garbage Dump takes an alternative look at various bible passages which are often discarded or misinterpreted. Joseph C. Way reflects on why many believers are losing faith and attempts to make these passages easier to understand and more applicable to modern-day life. Joseph C. Way, a past minister, believes that it is essential to ‘stir the status quo’ in order to be able to grow spiritually. Each chapter of Could It Be? begins with a bible verse and some insight into how believers usually interpret it, followed by Joseph C. Way’s deep reflections and thoughts.

I found this eye-opening book to be of great interest and recommend it to readers, no matter their religious beliefs. Author Joseph C. Way comes across as highly intelligent, and it is evident that he has years of spiritual experience. He writes in an encouraging and informative tone without coming off as dry. The author explains his experience to the reader so that we have a better understanding of his experiences and his faith in God.

The last chapter was my favorite part of the book, where Joseph C. Way explains the difference between tithing and stewardship. He promotes giving material goods to the church or charities and using and caring for what we have. In parts like this, I believe that he provides good advice that can be helpful to people of any faith. However, I would recommend the book to those who already have some involvement in the Christian faith or are questioning their faith. Although the author explains some metaphorical or symbolic meanings of the passages, the book assumes that the reader believes in the existence of God.

I learned a lot from Could It Be? but would have loved Joseph C. Way to address some of the more ‘controversial’ parts of the Bible, such as the subjects of evolution, gender roles, and homosexuality, which are huge talking points right now.

Could It Be?: Biblical Gems from the Garbage Dump is an inspirational look at Bible passages that are often overlooked and forgotten and give a modern take to make them accessible to younger generations. This would make an excellent book for a Bible Study group or a book club that wants to focus on Christian topics.

Pages: 190 | ASIN : B0791L6DZB

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/02/07/could-it-be/

Tree of Redemption by Jim Davidson is a mystery set in the year 1995. Readers follow the book’s main protagonist, Chris Hamilton, who travels to Texas to pay respects to his mentor and father figure, Armando Guerra, who died a few days ago. While staying with Armando’s sisters, their head servant reveals to Chris that Armando didn’t die of natural causes but that he was killed. Being the type of man who doesn’t know when to leave a sleeping giant well alone, Chris resolves to get to the bottom of who murdered his dear friend and why. Following the clues slowly reveals a conspiracy and many people who are ready to kill to keep their secret.

The storytelling and the worldbuilding in this book are vivid and detailed. Readers who have never been to the locations in the book can imagine it in such great detail as if they’d just visited it last week. Not only does the author describe the setting visually, but he also mentions the feel of the place, the smells, and the atmosphere. As a result, readers will be able to immerse themselves in the story and feel like they are right there with Chris searching for answers.

The dialogue flows nicely, and most of the characters are remarkably believable. I would’ve liked the female cast, especially the minor side characters, to have a more important role rather than just to be looked at. I feel that most of the female characters appear to exist just for the protagonist to admire, having little depth or substance. However, the main characters are well-fleshed out and relatable to readers.

Tree of Redemption is a gripping action and adventure story with great writing and a mystery to solve. With a little romance added into the story, there is something for all fiction readers to enjoy in this captivating novel.

Pages: 321 | ASIN : B0BNZQKG3Z

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/02/07/tree-of-redemption/