Stop the presses! A disappointing book by John Grisham! Hard to believe, but I was bored and depressed throughout. Maybe because—like the main charactStop the presses! A disappointing book by John Grisham! Hard to believe, but I was bored and depressed throughout. Maybe because—like the main characters—I hated law school and have been saddled with student loan debt for nearly 20 years since. Or maybe it was because I was just too familiar with too much of the material in the book. (It is possible that I need even MORE years between me and law school before I can enjoy a book about the experience.) Or maybe I am still “recovering” from reading the WINDS OF WAR and WAR AND REMEMBRANCE, and frankly, much as I love Grisham, he is no Herman Wouk.
For whatever reason, I did not enjoy this book, although for those who have not attended law school, it probably makes for an interesting read. ...more
Enjoyed this story about the life of Joy Davidman, wife of C.S. Lewis. I had no idea she was so smart (a genius with a photographic memory) and such aEnjoyed this story about the life of Joy Davidman, wife of C.S. Lewis. I had no idea she was so smart (a genius with a photographic memory) and such an accomplished writer. (I had always thought she was a fan only because her sons enjoyed reading the Narnia series. But in fact, there was so much more going on.)
She and Jack had an interesting relationship, to say the least. Interesting how she admired him and how easily he could find the flaws in her thinking on various subjects, in spite of her apparent brilliance. To hear her tell it, she was not half the intellect he was. Imagine a marriage with such a love of debate! And yet, they clearly grew to love one another. This is a good book and well-researched, and adds a lot to what we know of C.S. Lewis.
I also found it interesting on a personal note to consider a few parallels with the life of my grandmother (also an accomplished student who loved to write). She lost a husband (to death) married a professor after her own cancer diagnosis, they had a few short years together, and then the professor was left to look after her two daughters—and all of this happened just before it happened to Davidman and Lewis. But again, just an intriguing parallel personally—not relevant to other readers....more
I can't remember the last time a book kept me up at night, or made me turn off the television to read, or had me carrying it everywhere I went in caseI can't remember the last time a book kept me up at night, or made me turn off the television to read, or had me carrying it everywhere I went in case I had a free minute...
I began this book annoyed. I’d bought a hardcover for $30.00, something I never do. Then as I read the early chapters, I could not stop thinking of THE GLASS CASTLE—and was convinced this book suffered by the comparison. I thought the older book was Marcia Brady, where this one was the perpetually-second-place, less-beautiful, Jan Brady. (“Marsha, Marsha, Marsha!”)
Then my impression changed. As the story progress, the girls’ lives and families are so different, their stories so different, I forgot the other book and was swept up in this amazing, outrageous tale. The fundamentalism, the mind-control, the conspiracies hiding under every rock, the absolute disregard for books or education (at least in THE GLASS CASTLE, Mom and Dad nodded at the importance of education now and then)—this story is staggering. And Tara Westover did not earn a journalism degree. She earned a PhD in history in an academic program so rigorous the achievement is nearly beyond belief. To have accomplished so much, having NEVER attended school? It’s incredible.
Two amazing books, and a singular, unforgettable journey through World War Two. Great characters. These two novels, some 2,200 pages on World War Two,Two amazing books, and a singular, unforgettable journey through World War Two. Great characters. These two novels, some 2,200 pages on World War Two, move quickly. This is not James Michener—it is a page turner. Wouk covers the war admirably and the reader can learn a lot. But this is an epic saga, not a history class. I enjoyed it so much.
I love Captain Henry, later Admiral Henry, a man with two sons, both of whom reminded me of my own. He’s steady, clever when he needs to be, and committed to his marriage and his duties no matter what storms may blow. It is great to read two novels with a main character who is ordinary, but not so flawed he is an anti-hero. Captain Henry is a regular hero. And of course, he would say only that he is a common sailor doing his part.
I love the worlds of Herman Wouk, a great writer who does not feel the need to mention every trip his characters take to the toilet, or to spell out every detail between the sheets. He is not interested in such matters; this book is so much larger than that....more
The author’s approach was bit dry for me. I don’t mind a boring and technical read, but this book lacked the sort of layering that can make such a sigThe author’s approach was bit dry for me. I don’t mind a boring and technical read, but this book lacked the sort of layering that can make such a significant story even better. This read like a dry report, rather than an engaging chronicle of some of the most incredible achievements of the twentieth century.
I picked up the sequel, WAR AND REMEMBRANCE, and read about 100 pages before I was too tired of being confused to continue. The author says you can reI picked up the sequel, WAR AND REMEMBRANCE, and read about 100 pages before I was too tired of being confused to continue. The author says you can read these separately and out of order, but I don't recommend it.
It took a while to track this book down, but I was excited to get back to a world created by Herman Wouk. The CAINE MUTINY was a great book and I knew I would love these two.
This is a great saga and a fascinating way to experience WWII. But aside from both the characters and the plot, there is a "meaningfulness" that I enjoy in Wouk's works. The beauty of art, writing fiction particularly, is that the artist orders otherwise random events, giving them meaning and purpose. Wouk's worlds make sense. There is justice; there is hope. There are bad actors and good guys, heroes and selfish guys who never amount to much.
His world is our world, and he loves our world. He has an affection and a tenderness for the people and the places--even those he surely despises, Hitler, Stalin, and Hirohito, for example. Wouk does not like them or "support them," but he is a good enough writer to be able to draw a picture that includes both good and bad traits. Hitler's clothes may be baggy and he may be awkward and withdrawn at times, and come across a raving madman at others. But Wouk describes the way Hitler smiles upon meeting Victor Henry and his wife and it is as if the Americans have been visited by some charming uncle, with an engaging eye and a smile that won't let you go.
These people are not one-dimensional. World events are not simple. But truth and justice will win in the end. Pearl Harbor may be coming, but there is yet hope on the horizon.
Wouk encounters terrible cynics, particularly Armin van Roon, the fictional German general whose post-war book Victor translates. Wouk reports the views of the cynics, but does not share them. Wouk does not believe all nations are the same, and that Germany's only moral failing is that it lost the war. Wouk still believes in the United States. He believes in a place of wins and losses, good and evil, and failures. But most of all, he believes in hope....more
I’m not normally a fan of this genre, but I loved this collection of short stories. They were just right: the length matched the subject matter. And GI’m not normally a fan of this genre, but I loved this collection of short stories. They were just right: the length matched the subject matter. And Grisham does such a great job painting these little sketches of all sorts of small-town Southern folk. I enjoyed each story.
Hearing Grisham read them on the audiobook was fun too. He’s hardly a professional actor, and should never win an Audie or a Grammy for reading aloud. But his folksy, Southern voice adds another layer of credibility to these portraits of quirky, desperate, amusing people. ...more
More beautiful, lyrical writing from this master of alcoholic and former-alcoholic cops from Bayou Country, the “Bobsy Twins from Homicide.” This is aMore beautiful, lyrical writing from this master of alcoholic and former-alcoholic cops from Bayou Country, the “Bobsy Twins from Homicide.” This is a good story, perhaps a bit larger than others by Burke if only because it seems to be a longer, more involved novel. Bad guys die, good guys survive near misses and brushes with death only a fictional character could endure. The usual. Justice is done.
Great Montana scenery. Burke’s skills are great anywhere; if Cajun country was no longer a challenge, Big Sky Country was a good second choice. ...more
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