Classics: A Review of Lady Snowblood By Lauren Ennis

 "Yuki, you will live your life carrying out my vendetta. My poor child, you are an asura demon" Sayo tells her newborn daughter. With these final words from her mother infant Yuki is transformed from an innocent into a living embodiment of her mother's thirst for revenge. So begins one of the most brutal, thoughtful, and strangely beautifiul depictions of vengeance ever put to film. Adapted from the manga of the same name, 1973's Lady Snowblood remains one of the most enduring and influential depictions of the dark side of mother-daughter relationships and vengeance in modern cinema. For the mother of all revenge movies follow the blood-soaked trail of Yuki in Lady Snowblood.

The story begins in 1874 Japan with the birth of Yuki in a women's prison. The film then flashes back to when her mother, Sayo, was brutally attacked by a gang of criminals. Sayo's husband and son are murdered in the attack and she is raped. While she survives the attack she is imprisoned after killing one of her attackers in self-defense. While imprisoned she concocts a plan to conceive a child who can be raised outside the prison walls and exact revenge on her behalf. She then seduces a series of prison guards and conceives Yuki only to die in childbirth. As she lays dying she instructs her fellow inmates to ensure that Yuki is raised with one purpose; to exact her mother's revenge. From that moment on Yuki's entire existence is in pursuit of a singular goal; to avenge Sayo and rid the world of the men who wronged her. Can the thirst for vengeance ever truly be satisfied? Can justice ever be fully served? These are the questions that haunt  Lady Snowblood.

While Lady Snowblood  ranks amongst the top cinematic revenge sagas the most haunting aspect of the film is its depiction of a life lived in the shadow of parental expectations. From the moment that she is conceived Yuki's entire fate is set. Before she is even old enough to understand the loss and trauma that Sayo suffered she is already tasked with avenging her mother. The burden of another's trauma and vendetta are too heavy a burden for any person to bear, let alone a child, and yet the adults in her life raise Yuki to do just that. By the time that she reaches adulthood her mother's goal has become her entire identity, leaving her life beyond her mission completely lacking in meaning or purpose. While her singular quest for vengeance is the stuff of cinema, her desperate desire to live a life that would make her mother proud is entirely relatable. Although most of us are not in pursuit of a family vendetta all too many of us have pursued careers, romantic relationships, and other goals not to fulfill our own desires but instead to live up to our family's wishes for us. When viewed through this lens, Lady Snowblood is a cautionary tale of the price that we pay when we live for others' goals for us. While we may not leave a trail of blood behind us, when we live our lives in the shadow of someone else's expectations we can cause just as much destruction as Yuki, even if only to ourselves. Even as it explores the pathos behind its assassin's lonely life Lady Snowblood never forgets it is first and foremost an action-packed thriller. As a result, the film offers up a blend of thrills, stunts, and that drama that continues to influence filmmaking today. 

The film transports viewers to the tumultuous world of Meiji-era Japan thanks to the work of its cast. Yoshiko Nakada portrays Kobue, the daughter of one of Yuki's targets forced into prostitution, with warmth and innocence. Toshio Kurosawa imbues Yuki's admirer, reporter Ryurei, with intelligence, determination, and charm. Miyoko Akaza embodies steely resilience as Sayo. Meiko Kaji alternates between personification of vengeance and a living, all too human woman, with equal skill. She also lends her exquisite vocal talents to the film's soundtrack and performs the film's main theme "Flower of Carnage".

Over fifty years after its release Lady Snowblood still cuts as deep as it's heroine's blade. The trend-setting script blends action and pathos to expert effect and continues to inspire filmmakers both at home and abroad. The performances bring the film's vision of a world at war with itself to visceral life. For a bloody good time follow the path of Lady Snowblood.

Appearance on Storycomic

 Hello Readers,

I couldn't resist sharing my latest podcast appearance on New England Art's podcast Storycomic. I had a fantastic time and am so grateful for the chance to share Daughters of Attrition and A Boy's Best Comrade with Storycomic's audience. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuOQVM_7HIM&t=29s

Classics: A Review of The Bletchley Circle By Lauren Ennis

 "All that's necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing...or women" World War II codebreaker Jean McBrian declares. It is this sentiment that unites four war-time colleagues in their hunt for a serial killer in post-war London. 2012's BBC drama The Bletchley Circle follows the quartet as they embark upon a mission that puts their war-time skills to the ultimate test in three of the most riveting episodes of modern television. Crack the code with the ladies of The Bletchley Circle.

A fab four

The story begins in 1940's London as Susan, Millie, Lucy, and Jean are working for MI6 intercepting and breaking enemy codes. The scene then flashes ahead to 1953 with the quartet settled into civilian lives that are drastically different from their war-time heroics. Susan is now living a quiet life as a London housewife in a predictable marriage to a husband who is blissfully unaware of her former life. When a series of gruesome murders begin dominating the local news she sets her skills to work analyzing the case and searching for a pattern. She brings her findings to the police but is dismayed when their ensuing search turns up no new evidence. It is then that she realizes she needs help and recruits her former colleagues. The women then set off in a race against time as they struggle to catch a killer before he catches his next victim.

The Bletchley Circle blends the best in British period dramas and mysteries while breathing fresh life into both genres along the way. The premise of four ex-code breakers pursuing a killer is a fascinating one, but it is the execution of that premise that sets the series apart from other period dramas. Rather than using the women's codebreaking work as some sort of super-skill or novelty the series instead utilizes it as a means to explore vital questions regarding women's changing roles in society. The stark contrast between their war-time work and their post-war lives is nothing short of jarring. While librarian Jean and housewife Susan are leading lives that society would consider successful, neither has achieved the fulfillment that they experienced during the war. The difference between wartime and post-war life is even more drastic for the group's other two members. Adventurous Millie has resigned herself to waiting tables at a local greasy spoon and innocent Lucy is trapped in an abusive marriage. The series' depiction of the women's adjustment to civilian life highlights the difficulties that both women and Britain at large faced in the aftermath of the war. In this way, the series serves as an apt exploration of social history and compelling character drama. Even in the midst of the leads' compelling stories the series maintains a tightly plotted, tension-filled mystery. Through its every twist and turn the plot keeps viewers guessing all while remaining firmly grounded within its period setting. For an explosively engaging mystery step into The Bletchley Circle.

Sewing circle I think not

The series transports viewers to the gritty, ruin-strewn streets of post-war London thanks to the stellar work of its cast. Sophie Rundle infuses the group's youngest member, eidetic data analyst turned abused housewife Lucy with a winning combination of innocence and resilience. Julie Graham imbues spy supervisor and eventual librarian Jean with maternal warmth and no-nonsense charm. Rachael Stirling oozes cool charisma as codebreaker turned struggling waitress Millie. Anna Maxwell Martin makes for a compelling everywoman and keeps the story grounded through every twist and turn as the glue that holds the group together, Susan.

At once a taut thriller and an insightful exploration of women's changing roles in British society The Bletchley Circle crafts a mystery in the very best of the British tradition. The script transports viewers into the rapidly changing society of post-war London and offers an apt tribute to some of the unsung heroines of World War II. The performances bring each of the very different characters to life with a complexity and nuance worthy of the real life code-breakers of Bletchley Park. For some of the most riveting mystery viewing this side of Agatha Christie join the ladies of The Bletchley Circle.

There go my heroes, they're ordinary

Readers' Favorite Review!

 Thank you to Tanya Kays at Readers' Favorite for the phenomenal review!

Lauren Ennis sets A Boy’s Best Comrade in 1930s Moscow during Stalin’s rule. A small puppy named Sasha starts out with Sofia and Mikhail, who adopt her during a New Year’s celebration that the government briefly permitted. But their happiness doesn’t last forever. The NKVD comes at night and takes the couple away, leaving Sasha all on her own. She deals with hunger and danger, including rats and other dogs, before eventually attaching herself to the Rostov family. This family includes Doctor Andrei, his wife, Tania, and their young son, Yuri. As Andrei reports a tuberculosis outbreak that officials refuse to admit exists, suspicion grows around them. A heartbreaking arrest shatters Yuri’s world, pushing him into cramped communal housing and later an orphanage. Through streets, metro tunnels, and constant danger, Sasha refuses to leave his side. In a city ruled by silence and informers, can a boy and his dog outrun a system determined to control them?

There are very few truly safe adults in A Boy’s Best Comrade, and Lauren Ennis does not soften the reality of the Stalinist terror, even though the story is told through Sasha's point of view. The officials are cold, neighbors are cautious, and even children are drawn into state loyalty through the Young Pioneers. Yet the novel is not only about cruelty. It is also about attachment, hunger, pride, and survival in cramped spaces such as the kommunalka kitchen or the echoing metro platforms. I was struck by how Sasha’s instincts (like protecting the people she cares about) expose the moral failures of the regime more clearly than any speech could. I also found myself thinking about Yuri’s brave endurance as a child. He is young, but he is not naïve. Ennis balances harsh history with moments of stubborn hope, allowing loyalty to stand as a simple act of resistance. It is a tough story, but one that earns its place on the shelf. Recommended.

5-Star Reviews!

 Thank you to the middle-grade readers and teachers at the Wishing Shelf Awards for the amazing feedback!

Billy Buttons

Author 19 books199 followers

April 4, 2026

This book was entered in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. This is what our readers thought:
Title: A Boy's Best Comrade
Author: Lauren Ennis

Star Rating: 5 Stars
Number of Readers: 15
Stats
Editing: 9/10
Writing Style: 9/10
Content: 9/10
Cover: 4/5

Of the 15 readers:
13 would read another book by this author.
12 thought the cover was good or excellent.
15 felt it was easy to follow.
14 would recommend this book to another reader to try.
Of all the readers, 4 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
Of all the readers, 7 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
Of all the readers, 4 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘writing style’.
14 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
13 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.

Readers’ Comments
“I liked how it was from the POV of the dog. It was an interesting story, sad too, but with lots of suspense. I was rooting for the dog and the boy.” Boy, aged 12
“Highly original, well-written, and accessible to 9 – 13 year olds. The historical background is also interesting for young readers. Would be fab as a class reader.” Primary school teacher, aged 55
“Loved Sasha. It’s horrible how nasty governments can be. I think I’m glad I live in England. I listen to the news, and I don’t think Russia would be fun to live in now. They always seem to be at war with everybody. I liked the characters, and how brave they were.” Girl, aged 12 – with a little help from dad
“I really felt for the boy. The book made me wonder what it would be like to be alone with just a dog. I liked how I learned a little history too, but it’s never overwhelming.” Girl ,aged 13 – with a little help from her TA#
“Best book ever! Sad, exciting, interesting, suspense filled. I will read other books by this author.” Boy, aged 11 – with a little help from mum

To Sum It Up:
“A suspense-filled, historically based novel for 9 – 12 year olds. A FINALIST and highly recommended!” Wishing Shelf Book Awards

Classics: A Review of The Passion of the Christ By Lauren Ennis

 The word 'passion' comes from the Latin word meaning 'to suffer' or 'to endure'. Today the word is more closely associated with enthusiasm, love, and devotion. Perhaps no film better captures the duality of passion than the 2004 drama The Passion of the Christ. This bold and brutal portrayal of Christ's final day captures the full agony of Jesus' suffering and the awe-inspiring devotion to his fellow man that inspired it. Over twenty years after its release the film remains arguably the most bold and unforgettable portrayal of the crucifixion ever put to celluloid.

The story begins with Jesus' arrest and follows the biblical account of the crucifixion. While the film follows the familiar beats of the Bible, it intersperses a series of flashbacks which show the events leading up to the arrest. The film also utilizes scenes from the peripheral characters' perspectives, highlighting the political intrigues and personal failings that ultimately culminated in the execution of Christ. The Passion of the Christ sets itself apart from other biblical epics through its harrowing, unflinching portrayal of his ultimate sacrifice.

Over twenty years after its release the film continues to stand in sharp contrast to other religious films, and is all the more powerful for it. Much like historical films, religious films often fall into the trap of offering a sanitized, more audience friendly, version of the past. Through this softening of history these films attempt to highlight positive messages and ensure that viewers can relate to characters. While this approach may broaden a story's appeal, it also dilutes the reality that it is attempting to portray at best and leaves viewers misinformed at worst. At the time of its release The Passion of the Christ faced backlash for refusing to sanitize its difficult, graphic, subject matter. While the film's unflinching portrayal of the crucifixion makes for uncomfortable, visceral, viewing it serves the greater purpose of emphasizing the lengths to which Christ was willing to go to ensure that humanity's sins were forgiven. Even as it offers a harrowing portrayal of the crucifixion, the film still highlights the humanity of each of the characters. Through a series of flashbacks viewers are treated to intimate moments between both Jesus and his followers and him and his mother, which show the beating heart behind the divine being. Similarly, the film includes scenes which highlight the conflict of the characters Christ encounters throughout his passion as they wrestle with the questions of morality and faith that humanity continues to struggle with today. As a result, the film maintains an essential humanity without shying away from the full devastation of its subject matter. This Easter experience humanity at its most horrifying and inspiring in The Passion of the Christ.

The film transports viewers to the grit of first century Judea thanks to the work of its cast. Francesco De Vito portrays Peter's weakness and remorse as he goes from Christ's most ardent supporter to denying even knowing him. Luca Lionello aptly captures Judas' torment and regret following his fateful betrayal. Maia Morgenstern is a portrait of anguish and maternal love as the Virgin Mary. Monica Bellucci personifies devotion as sinner turned devout follower of Christ, Mary Magdalene. Rosalinda Celetano is positively skin crawling in her cold, calculated, depiction of an androgynous Satan. Hristo Naumov Shopov offers one of the film's most fascinating performances in his nuanced portrayal of Pilate's struggle between doing what is right and doing what is politically convenient. Even in the midst of stellar supporting performances the film belongs to Jim Caviezel as Jesus. Caviezel portrays Jesus' suffering with an agonized realism that is difficult to watch. Even as he offers an unflinching portrait of the savior's passion, however, he infuses Jesus with a warmth and humor that highlight his humanity. 

At once a brutal portrayal of humanity's worst and an inspiring call to rise to our best The Passion of the Christ is more than a movie, it's a cinematic experience. The film blends familiar biblical accounts with more personal depictions of historical figures to expert effect. The performances bring biblical figures to haunting, all too human, life. This Easter remember the reason for the season with The Passion of the Christ.

Latest Podcast Appearance!

 Hello Readers,

I'm so excited to share my latest podcast experience chatting with Beth Jordan on Indie Voices Uncovered!

Miss E.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0pIKhKKcUM&t=556s