Trumpets Sound No More

Trumpet Sounds No More Blog
Feb. 19/10
By: Anthony Mariano
“Trumpets Sound No More” is the second novel written by Rob Redfern. The novel takes place in 1840 during the Victorian era. The theatre world is shocked to hear that one of their youngest and famous entrepreneurs Mr. Cake was murdered. Inspector Owen Endersby of the London Detective Police Force was assigned to solve the murder. The inspector must deal with street vendors, servants, moneylenders, and performers of the theatre world, who know the victim well. Using unorthodox techniques such as disguise, break and enter, bribery and physical force; Inspector Endersby must find the person knew Mr. Cake, and silenced for good.
Throughout the novel, Redfern gives many descriptions of Victorian London. I think that most of his descriptions were very or quite accurate because as he describes London as the reader is transported back in time to Old Victorian England. I especially like his descriptions of the cobblestone streets and the references to their liveliness through the day. “The streets across the river were frantic with crowds…Houses and carts dogged Waterloo Road. A red banner across the front of the Coburg announced the upcoming Christmas extravaganza.” (Ch. 4, p. 116) His vivid descriptions of London put colour into the novel and to mesh with the murder story.
We meet many characters in the novel. Inspector Endersby is the protagonist of the novel. He could be compared to the central character in Dickens’ “Great Expectations,” Pip. Both Inspector Endersby and Pip have high expectations in life. Pip has high expectations of becoming a successful gentleman, while the inspector has high expectation of maintaining a reputation of becoming a great detective. The difference between the two characters was that Redfern did not give any information on the inspector’s early life, as Dickens did for Pip in “Great Expectations.” Harriet is the inspector’s trustworthy and caring wife, whereas Herbert Pocket is Pip’s caring friend and companion. Both of these characters were the perfect complement to each protagonist of both novels. The superintendent in “Trumpets Sound No More” could be compared to Jaggers in “Great Expectations.” Both characters seem too tense and hesitant at work. However, the superintendent maintains that same personality while Jaggers has a different personality when at home, as he is more relaxed and having more fun than ever. It seems as if the characters in both novels have similar personalities, with nothing different at all.
There are three main themes in the novel. One of those themes was high expectation. Both Inspector Endersby and Pip have high expectations in life. The inspector has a high expectation on solving the murder of Mr. Cake, while Pip has high expectations on succeeding life as a gentleman. Another theme is the act of struggling. The inspector was struggling to solve the murder by asking strangers such as street vendors and servants, while Pip was struggling to change his behaviour towards his family when he became a gentleman. The third theme is murder. Throughout the novel, no one has admitted to the fact that anyone has murdered Mr. Cake. It seems as if the recurring theme of high expectation and struggling shows in both novels.
Redfern uses two prominent symbols in the novel. One symbol he used was a metaphor, to depict people who might be involved in the murder. “A tall man in a fur cape was walking into the stable yard. The shadow of he theatre at first darkened the features of his face, but as he moved into the pale afternoon light, Edersby saw he was Italian or Spanish and that he had an air of authority about him.” (Ch. 4, p. 86) Another symbol used was a simile. “He seems so like a spirit, she thinks.” (Ch. 1, p. 3) He uses the similes to describe people in the streets of London. These two prominent symbols are what makes this book interesting.
I thought that Redfern’s depiction of the theatre world was well written. The thing that surprised me the most was how he explained that the theatre world was a huge part of Victorian England. He mentions that the theatre was a huge part of entertainment back then and how it is still part of England today. Overall, I thought that the novel was not too bad. I think that if Redfern adds more plot to it, people would want to read it.

Candor

Candor Blog
Jan. 4/10
By: Anthony Mariano
“Candor,” is the debut novel of Pam Bachorz. Set in the fictional town of Candor, Florida; Oscar Banks is the son of the town’s founder. Everything in Candor is perfect because subliminal messaging runs the town. The founder sends the messages to the people and they do exactly as they are told. However, that is all about to change when a new girl, Nia, moves to town. Oscar takes an immediate liking to her and has a sudden change in attitude. Before, Oscar was a perfect student and son; now he is more of a rebel influenced by Nia’s individuality.
Subliminal messaging is a common motif in the novel. The influence of these messages helps the town of Candor maintain its ideal of perfection for its youth, and the people seem happy with it. Everyone in the town does the exact same things from chores to give each other outward signs of respect. However, Oscar becomes tired of the fact that Candor is run by subliminal messaging. He thinks that it is unfair how his own father controls the town. There is uncertainty and fairness in Candor, which are the main themes.
Bachorz writes from Oscar’s point of view and it seems as if Oscar is telling us the story himself. He sounds like he is desperate and wants to get out of town, with Nia by his side. He is just getting sick and tired of how his hometown is run and wants to change that and turn against his own father. He wants to escape the influence of the messaging as well as the need to be perfect. Instead, he wants to lead a “normal” life with Nia, one where they can both be themselves.
There are a few issues in the novel that bother me personally. I was annoyed by the fact that the people in Candor are manipulated by the subliminal messaging and how they are not controlling the way they respond to the messages. Oscar was the only one who knows about the subliminal messaging and able to do something about them. At one point he is perfect, but changes his behaviour with Nia. The issue is that Oscar must decide whether the messaging should influence Nia and lose her forever, or keep Nia and face exposure.
Although they share different plots, “Candor” could be compared to “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Once Nia moves in, not only does Oscar fall for her, but he begins to doubt the course of what he set out to do; in “MSND,” when Lysander is given the potion, he falls for Helena and messes up the love triangle between him, Helena, Hermia (whom he loves) and Demetrius (his sworn enemy). In this way, both plots are similar in that messaging and potion work to change each character’s destiny through the influence of liking or love for another.
I thought that Bachorz’s debut novel was good. The plot was intense and wrote with emotion. If she had a few more years experience, she would become a good author. I would definitely recommend it to adolescents who are looking for something new to read and who likes an intense, exciting novel.