Page 29 - Cornwall Issue 4 2024

BOOKS

MR EINSTEIN'S

SECRETARY

By Matthew Reilly
A secretary like no other in an epic
spanning forty years. All Hanna
Fischer ever wanted to do was to
study physics under the great Albert
Einstein. But when, as a teenager
in 1919, her life is suddenly turned
upside down, she is catapulted into
a new and extraordinary life – as a
student, a secretary, a sister and a
spy.

From racist gangs in Berlin to
gangsters in New York City, Nazis in
the 1930s and Hitler’s inner circle
during the Second World War, Hanna
will encounter some of history’s
greatest minds and most terrible
moments, all while desperately
trying to stay alive. She is a most
unique secretary, and she will work
for many bosses – from shrewd R465
businessmen to vile Nazis, to the
greatest boss of them all, Mr Albert
Einstein. woman propelled through history’s most
dangerous times. But read it carefully,
This is the thrilling tale of a young because all may not be as it seems... R320

starts with kind and compassionate RAISING GOOD PLACE
A kinder, more compassionate world
kids. In Raising Good Humans,
you’ll find powerful and practical HUMANS R419 By Justin Fox
strategies to break free from “reactive
parenting” habits and raise kind, By Hunter Clarke-Fields In this gripping travelogue, Justin
cooperative, and confident kids. Fox goes on a one-of-a-kind journey.
Marrying his love for travel and
Whether you’re running late for writing, he sets off to explore the
school, trying to get your child to eat places of his favourite books. From
their vegetables, or dealing with an the mountainous eastern Karoo
epic meltdown in the checkout line of Olive Schreiner to the big-game
at a grocery store, being a parent is Lowveld of Sir Percy Fitzpatrick,
hard work! And, as parents, many of from Deneys Reitz’s wide-open Cape
us react in times of stress without interior to the Bushveld of Eugène
thinking and often by yelling. But Marais’s Waterberg, Fox reveals the
what if, instead of always reacting majestic power of place.
on autopilot, you could respond
thoughtfully in those moments, keep Through the savannah of Herman
your cool, and get from A to B on time Charles Bosman’s Marico, the
and in one piece? dusty plains of JM Coetzee’s
Moordenaars Karoo, the forests of
With this book, you’ll find powerful Dalene Matthee’s Garden Route,
mindfulness skills for calming your the subtropical hamlets of Zakes
own stress response when difficult Mda’s Wild Coast, and finally
emotions arise. You’ll also discover the sandstone crags of Stephen
strategies for cultivating respectful Watson’s Cederberg, he brings to life
communication, effective conflict the settings we’ve only seen through
resolution, and reflective listening. characters’ eyes.

In the process, you’ll learn to examine Place is a moving love letter to
your own unhelpful patterns and South Africa, merging literature and
ingrained reactions that reflect the they learn to act with kindness as well, landscape, and taking the reader
generational habits shaped by your thereby altering generational patterns for on a breathtaking journey – into the
parents, so you can break the cycle a kinder, more compassionate future. With heart of South Africa’s spectacular
and respond to your children in more this essential guide, you’ll see how changing landscape and the inner worlds of its
skillful ways. your own “autopilot reactions” can create most celebrated authors.
When children experience a parent a lasting positive impact, not just for your
reacting with kindness and patience, kids, but for generations to come.
Cornwall View • Issue 4 2024 27