I devoured this in one day, on a plane flight back from Maui. This is a book about a certain place and moment in time, but the love story is timeless.I devoured this in one day, on a plane flight back from Maui. This is a book about a certain place and moment in time, but the love story is timeless. The story is set in the Caucacus, on the Caspian Sea in what is now Azerbaijan, on the eve of World War I. Ali Khan, a muslim boy, loves Nino, a Georgian Christian girl. Somehow, their love survives their cultural differences, family hostilities, blood feuds, and never-ending war. By the end of the book, I knew more than I ever imagined about the early 20th century history of the Caucasus and Persia. But it's the love story that kept me turning the pages. A beautiful little book, I highly recommend it. ...more
This is a gorgeously harsh novel. Or harshly gorgeous? I'm still reeling from the ending. It is a fictional account of the life of a pre-revolutionaryThis is a gorgeously harsh novel. Or harshly gorgeous? I'm still reeling from the ending. It is a fictional account of the life of a pre-revolutionary man living in China. Beautifully and simply written, if occasionally a little bit colonialist in tone, it is basically a rags-to-riches story. But oh, what a story! It is so believable, so real life. Everything is here - marriage, gender politics, natural disasters, education, markets, incipient capitalism and globalization, revolution, sexual infidelity, child-rearing, and the constant presence of and inevitability of death. You may hate the characters (it's very likely you will at least sometimes hate the main character, who is as deluded as your average human being) but you can't deny that their lives are full of real pain and change and joy.
Ms. Buck doesn't hit you over the head with any particular ideology, yet this is that rare novel that you could found an ideology on - something about the land, the land, the land! It made me want to start a commune and get closer to my agrarian roots.
My only problem with the novel (hence the missing star) is not really about the novel, but its reception at the time of its publication in the 1930s, when it was seen as a "realistic glimpse into life in China." Given that the book was written by a white woman (albeit, one who lived in China most of her life), I get the heeby-jeebies when I hear this described as a history or ethnography, rather than a work of fiction. Eeeeek! Read Edward Said's "Orientalism," people!
But, seen for what it is - a fictional work based on a white woman's experience with the Chinese in the early 20th century, I think we can appreciate this book as a great work of *Western* art....more
Yes, I have now read this THREE times. That should really speak for itself. ___________________________
12/1/07 I've been thinking and thinking about thYes, I have now read this THREE times. That should really speak for itself. ___________________________
12/1/07 I've been thinking and thinking about this book, so I find myself coming back to this review.
The basic plot (such as it is - this is a character driven book in the most basic sense): An old preacher finds out that he is dying, and writes a journal/memoir to his seven year old son.
There are a couple of breathtaking scenes in the book, that have stuck with me. The narrator remembers a time in his childhood, in the late 19th century, when the local church burned down. The community came out in force to clean up the wreckage and salvage what could be salvaged. The women sang hymns while they worked. It began to rain, and the girl's skirts were dirty and wet, and their hair hung down their backs. His father offered him bread from his hands, covered in ash and soot. To the narrator, this was the most important "communion" of his life. The image comes up over and over again, and the theme is repeated when the narrator gives his son communion in his own church many years later (although he is too young to formally take communion). I thought it was so beautiful, the essence of what communion should be about.
Which brings me to another thing I loved about the book: The strong sense of generations, the passing of love and knowledge and problems from father to son through the generations. As my friend Elizabeth says, the book lingers long on issues of masculinity. I related so strongly to the characters that I didn't even really notice that until it was pointed out to me! But it's true, this is a book about how to be a righteous man (in the best, least judgmental meaning of "righteous"), and how to grow your sons into righteous men.
I also loved the very last scene. I don't want to spoil it, but it is so beautiful. This is one of those rare novels where the end does not disappoint.
And, of course, there's the rhythm of the narration, and the language. So slow, lilting, sad, and lovely, like one of the slower Sacred Harp hymns I love to sing. It's almost Homeric, in the sense that it feels like oral history, with the rhythm of very old-fashioned storytelling.
Reading around on Goodreads, this is apparently something many readers found difficult and criticize on their reviews. I can see that it's an acquired taste.
I loved it, but I read older novels all the time, constantly seeking out that softer, slower, more detailed rhythm of writing that seemed more common pre-TV. If your obsessions tend more towards the cyber-punk post-modern, this book might seem too heavy and slow - in fact, it has almost no plot at all, which might throw some people off.
But of course, the adoption of an older style is, in itself, a bit interesting and pastiche-y. But now I'm out of my comfort zone - I'll let someone else deconstruct it.
Meanwhile, I highly recommend this book to all of my serious, thoughtful, passionate friends who like serious, thoughtful, passionate books....more
This is a great book, even better than "Cesar's Way." In "Be the Pack Leader," Cesar really goes deeply into his theories of dog rehabilitation, fleshThis is a great book, even better than "Cesar's Way." In "Be the Pack Leader," Cesar really goes deeply into his theories of dog rehabilitation, fleshing out the great but sometimes vague techniques outlined in "Cesar's Way." Lots of great, concrete advice here.
But the best parts of this book are aimed at humans, rather than dogs. In the easy voice of a friend, Cesar describes perfectly the primal connection between people and dogs, suggesting that humans learn as much from their dogs as dogs learn from their people. Because dogs don't care about individuality in the same way that we do, they can teach us about being part of something that is greater than ourselves. Not only have dogs helped me to experience unconditional love and loyalty, but my dogs remind me to put my ego aside and try to act for the best of the "pack." Dogs show you the unlikely joys of routine and structure and doing your duty. This is a surprisingly good little self-help book.
(As an aside, Cesar addresses many of his critics in this book, and does a good job of defending his MO. Although some of his techniques are controversial, he always applies them with a very light touch, and they are very effective, especially with big beefy pit bulls and other powerful breeds, who don't always respond to pure positive reinforcement techniques, as I've discovered.)...more
It takes some nerve to say that anything written by Elie Wiesel is actually bad, but I'm going to steel my nerves and say it. This little novella is pIt takes some nerve to say that anything written by Elie Wiesel is actually bad, but I'm going to steel my nerves and say it. This little novella is ponderous and dull and heavy and bor-ing. The only thing that it has going for it is that it is thankfully short. "Night" is absolutely amazing, of course, but I don't think I'll be bothering with Elie Wiesel novellas from here on....more
This book takes about five minutes to read, but it's a really nice, fun five minutes, during which you don't feel quite so alone in your bookwormy nerThis book takes about five minutes to read, but it's a really nice, fun five minutes, during which you don't feel quite so alone in your bookwormy nerdiness. I would love to have a beer (or perhaps she would prefer a nice wine) with Anne Fadiman. Sure, I am lumper while she is a splitter, and her obsession with correct grammar and vocabulary puts me to shame, but I think we would find lots of fun things to talk about, including, hello, a love of essayists and polar exploration. Anne, if you're reading this, feel free to drop me a line anytime....more
I am giving this four out of five stars because 4/5 of the essays deserve 5 stars, if that makes sense. I highly recommend this selection of incrediblI am giving this four out of five stars because 4/5 of the essays deserve 5 stars, if that makes sense. I highly recommend this selection of incredibly intelligent, interesting, and honest essays on a variety of eccentric topics. The first essay, in particular, which describes Ms. Fadiman's childhood obsession with collecting things from nature, including butterflies, is just stunning (lots of interesting references to Nabakov and lepidoptery). I also loved the essays on Charles Lambs' essays (meta-Lamb?), ice cream (she actually includes a recipe for Liquid Nitrogen chilled ice cream), and, especially, artic exploration. I've always been obsessed with the early artic and antartic explorers - how lovely to learn that I am not alone in this particular brand of nerdiness! I just wish my naturalist/explorer friend Marc had lived to read this book - he would have loved several of these essays. At times, it seems almost to be written with him in mind.
I already bought Ex Libris, which I have heard is even better. Is this possible? What a treat....more
This is the touching memoir of a Maine game warden chaplain, full of dark disturbing stories of children lost in the woods and snowmobile accidents. BThis is the touching memoir of a Maine game warden chaplain, full of dark disturbing stories of children lost in the woods and snowmobile accidents. But what you remember about the book is the author's self-deprecating humor and the sense of warmth and love she conveys. Most importantly, I couldn't stop turning the pages....more
This is a tough little book, written from the depths of despair and doubt. But it's honest, and in the end, worthwhile. Reading this increased my apprThis is a tough little book, written from the depths of despair and doubt. But it's honest, and in the end, worthwhile. Reading this increased my appreciation of C.S. Lewis, because it takes guts to be this honest about such a hard topic, especially for a famous Christian apologist. He does not have any easy, pat answers here, and I respect that. In the end of the book, when the worst part of his grief recedes and the sun comes out a bit, you breathe a sigh of relief with him....more
Very odd, very interesting, imagined ethics of Jesus. How would Jesus deal with a gay person? Or even better, a gay disciple? Even better, Judas, who Very odd, very interesting, imagined ethics of Jesus. How would Jesus deal with a gay person? Or even better, a gay disciple? Even better, Judas, who turned him in in a jealous rage, because he was in love with Jesus? How would he deal with a woman who had had an abortion? What would he have said to the adultress after he saved her from being stoned? This guy isn't called a "Renegade Christian" for nothing. He is a walking challenge to the Christian Right's judgmental "values." The book is written in a heavy, odd prose, so I couldn't quite give it five stars, but whoa! I've never read anything quite like this before. ...more
No spoiler here - this book almost killed me, to say nothing of Harry Potter! My whole life has been on hold for the past few days while I finish it uNo spoiler here - this book almost killed me, to say nothing of Harry Potter! My whole life has been on hold for the past few days while I finish it up. Of course, this whole series is excellent and not to be missed. It's like being a kid again. The good parts, that is (like not being able to put down a book in your excitement)....more
What a beautiful, sweeping novel. Everything is pulled in, every ethical question of the day. It's "extreme adventure" for Victorian women - the questWhat a beautiful, sweeping novel. Everything is pulled in, every ethical question of the day. It's "extreme adventure" for Victorian women - the quest for an appropriate and emotionally beneficial marriage. Trollope's ideas on this issue come through loud and clear, but his women are more complex, nuanced, and believable than most fictional Victorian women. A Trollope woman is never truly a tragic figure - rather, his women are all, for good and for evil, surprisingly self-possessed and intelligent. I wish I could have a drink and a chat with Lady Glencora, who has got to be one of the most complex, and delightful, female characters of all time. Sure, Elizabeth Bennett is sweet and funny, but Lady Glencora is sweet, funny, and a bad girl who comes around in the end. If you like Austen, this is not to be missed....more
This is a great collection of personal essays by people who have decided not to have children, people who are wondering, and people who have taken theThis is a great collection of personal essays by people who have decided not to have children, people who are wondering, and people who have taken the plunge. Some of the essays are a little preachy - the no-baby folks, in particular, sometimes sound a bit defensive in a high-pitched, "You can't make me have children!" way. And of course, the parents were eager to validate and rationalize their choice; but this isn't a choice that lends itself well to reason. Still, overall, I felt that this very difficult question was honestly and sincerely tackled by a variety of different writers....more
In this book, Philip Yancey tries to reconstruct who the man Jesus really might have been in his historical context. I loved all of the history of JudIn this book, Philip Yancey tries to reconstruct who the man Jesus really might have been in his historical context. I loved all of the history of Judaism and Jerusalem under Roman Occupation. Although the book is written from a Christian perspective, Yancey is extremely sympathetic to and respectful of Judaism. This is really a book about Jesus, the Jew. This is one of my favorites of Yancey's....more
I'm a huge fan of Rabbi Kushner's - his books are all about finding what is truly important and focusing on that, letting go of the our superficial anI'm a huge fan of Rabbi Kushner's - his books are all about finding what is truly important and focusing on that, letting go of the our superficial and hurtful urges....more
I loved this book. It's so funny, I found myself laughing outloud on my BART commute. And as the proud owner of a crazy, rescued pit bull, I certainlyI loved this book. It's so funny, I found myself laughing outloud on my BART commute. And as the proud owner of a crazy, rescued pit bull, I certainly relate to the struggles and hilarity of taking in a dysfunctional dog....more
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