This genre (graphic novels) is not my usual; and tis a pity, because this book is gorgeous. I'm prone to tearing through a plot-driven (or, really, noThis genre (graphic novels) is not my usual; and tis a pity, because this book is gorgeous. I'm prone to tearing through a plot-driven (or, really, non-plot-driven, to be honest) book, and the amazing art here is rather lost on me. This story is chock-full of cool stuff besides the grisly-but-fascinating Ripper story: the historical aspect, Hawksmoor/Wren conspiracy theories, Freemasons, royal intrigue, etc etc. I may have enjoyed the endnotes the best-- the research for this book is impressive.
This is a view into the mind of a victim of pedophilia. I think we as a society feel virtuous about uncovering child abuse and pedophiles when it's eaThis is a view into the mind of a victim of pedophilia. I think we as a society feel virtuous about uncovering child abuse and pedophiles when it's easy to see, easy to procecute, easy to villify. But it gets murky in situations like these, where the abuse is just as horrific (maybe worse, given the psychological damage borne of ambiguity and false feelings of 'love'). I applaud Russell for delving deep into what sounds like a version of her past, even though it made me physically sick.
Could have used some editing; the prose was a little (okay a lot) self-consciously rabbit hole-y....more
Isn't it mean to rank this little classic less than five stars? I loved it; it was given to me as part of my birthday book gift from a dear friend. ShIsn't it mean to rank this little classic less than five stars? I loved it; it was given to me as part of my birthday book gift from a dear friend. She is the perfect embodiment of the lovely portrait of an old-fashioned English Christmas. Dylan Thomas' words are beautiful and his love of the hyphenated adjective aside, he can sketch a memory of even my childhood Iowa Chrismases in my Chinese immigrant house just as if we scampered down a white shore in Wales, wondering if the fishes knew it was snowing.
The work that women bear starts early and breaks our backs. Told from the point of view of girls, teenagers, young women, exhausted mothers and a grieThe work that women bear starts early and breaks our backs. Told from the point of view of girls, teenagers, young women, exhausted mothers and a grieving widow, Valentine catalogs the hurts that women endure mostly at the hands of men. It certainly sounds bleak, and is, much of the time, but it's also beautiful and fierce. Wetmore finds beauty in a landscape that's often hideous. ...more
Why are books about contemporary China so unrelentingly bleak? Is it being Chinese? Is it the historical events depicted? Maybe it's because it's *my*Why are books about contemporary China so unrelentingly bleak? Is it being Chinese? Is it the historical events depicted? Maybe it's because it's *my* heritage. I never considered my family history through a lens that would compare. My family never seemed so cynical, sociopathic or mean-spirited. They were also not poor, or rural.
I was drawn into parts of this novel, which was basically made up of character studies with an added look at one character, Su Lan, for whom we never get a first-person angle. She's a cipher. Her story also ends anticlimactically, something I think is common in debut novels.
Another book that I admired more than liked. ...more
A fable, really, incorporating slavery, racism, trauma amid Prohibition-era Alabama. Spinning the Ku Klux Klan reality (white pointed masks) into a meA fable, really, incorporating slavery, racism, trauma amid Prohibition-era Alabama. Spinning the Ku Klux Klan reality (white pointed masks) into a menacing fancy: monsters with cone-shaped white heads, eyes made of mouths, feeding on hate. The Gullah traditions and Deep South setting are fascinating. The horror is imaginative and rollicking, though somewhat scattershot for me. An exciting novella with serious undertones. Okay, serious overtones too.
And a reflection on the idea of anger and hatred being different things, which made me step back and think for a moment, as it should. ...more
I powered through this thing like a motherfucker and it left me standing in the middle of the road wondering what the hell happened. The writing is grI powered through this thing like a motherfucker and it left me standing in the middle of the road wondering what the hell happened. The writing is great and assured if intentionally vague, the plot is really an illusion and propulsive at the same time.
Whew. I’m impressed AND pissed all at once....more
Charlie "Bird" Parker tackles a series of murders in rural Arkansas early in his long, sad quest. I love Connolly's language, but dude. Poor white ArkCharlie "Bird" Parker tackles a series of murders in rural Arkansas early in his long, sad quest. I love Connolly's language, but dude. Poor white Arkansas trash (and, um, that's basically the point of this book-- the loss and desolation of the forgotten rural South) don't talk like this. Everyone is erudite and mournful. I will still read about Charlie Parker's long heartbreaking quest for justice and peace, but like I said LAST book-- it's time to wrap this up....more
This trifle of a YA book is basically made for University of Wisconsin alums. It’s fun to wander through the campus through time, and the time-travel This trifle of a YA book is basically made for University of Wisconsin alums. It’s fun to wander through the campus through time, and the time-travel plot, if full of holes, is still fun as well as sprinkled with a few interesting history-related nuggets to ponder (expulsion for getting pregnant, old-fashioned misogyny, expulsion for missing classes— I would have been in trouble).
This was a gift from my fellow Badger friend Laurel, who described it perfectly— a trip to Discount Den to buy gummy bears. ...more
Emma Donohue's Room really shook me. I mean, I felt it, physically. This book takes too many cues from that one, though admittedly in a new way. HowevEmma Donohue's Room really shook me. I mean, I felt it, physically. This book takes too many cues from that one, though admittedly in a new way. However, it still felt distant. I also have a bit of an issue with translated works, it seems. Maybe I'm an Ugly American. Anyway-- some ridiculous plot holes, some interesting ideas, too much torture porn. ...more
I’m torn. I just don’t *get* memoirs. I like the gossipy stuff and hate myself for it. I often don’t identify with the author’s personal journey and cI’m torn. I just don’t *get* memoirs. I like the gossipy stuff and hate myself for it. I often don’t identify with the author’s personal journey and can’t apply it to my life, which makes me feel inadequate or simply bored.
This book, however, makes me feel so badly for someone I love to watch. His food is intriguing, his perspective as an Asian American is an echo of mine. But his wellspring of rage and regret saddens me so. ...more
I used to love Jodi Picoult and I still am glad she’s writing; she delves into things in a whole-hearted way that I admire. But I’m meh about most of I used to love Jodi Picoult and I still am glad she’s writing; she delves into things in a whole-hearted way that I admire. But I’m meh about most of it. ...more
I'm not sure why I'm so impatient with a book/story/author that is nothing but gracious, but I am.
The memoir part, about the author's turbulent growiI'm not sure why I'm so impatient with a book/story/author that is nothing but gracious, but I am.
The memoir part, about the author's turbulent growing up, her marriage's dissolution, her connection with her son, I found harrowing, poignant, to the point that I found myself tearful for her. The decision/accident/whatever of creating Duchess, I found twee as shit. And Duchess herself, though I get that she's not overly precious, just doesn't move my 'twee as shit' needle either. Maybe I should be a better person. People who don't like Duchess Goldblatt or Ove from A Man Called Ove should maybe just sit in a room together and glare. ...more
I adore the Dublin Murder Squad books. French writes dense, literate character studies in which there just happens to be a mystery. Her stand alone ThI adore the Dublin Murder Squad books. French writes dense, literate character studies in which there just happens to be a mystery. Her stand alone The Witch Elm did not please me. And I must be pleased, do you hear me?
I liked this story story about an outsider. Who said that all stories are either 1) a stranger comes to town or 2) a journey begins? This is a good example of a kind of a First Contact story with an Irish lilt and a hidden hurl ready to break your kneecap then bean you right on the head....more
Reread this after seeing a virtual reunion of the young actresses from the movie, then rewatching the movie. Some cheesy stuff in that movie; but I stReread this after seeing a virtual reunion of the young actresses from the movie, then rewatching the movie. Some cheesy stuff in that movie; but I still love it so, partly because I saw it when I'd just had my daughter, and saw it with my dad. The actor in the movie who played June's father had the same gentle sweet voice as my dad, the same Chinese accent.
The younger generation of women in the book would be old ladies now--- born around 1950, they'd be 70. Wow. As we lose the stories of early 20th century China, lost to the behemoth corrupt monster that is modern China, I think about my mom, my aunties, my dad. ...more
There are many layers to this book. The ones that affected me most involved the near-future effects of climate change-- the loss of animals, all of thThere are many layers to this book. The ones that affected me most involved the near-future effects of climate change-- the loss of animals, all of them. Mammals, birds, fish. The idea of a world without other living beings. It's too early in the extinction event for the world to kill us, too-- so one can go to Yellowstone still-- a silent Yellowstone. Visit a shoreline-- with barely any seagulls screaming.
The story of Franny is harrowing but oddly for me, less compelling. I didn't like her much, and didn't like the hurt she inflicted on others, selfishly, even though that hurt was borne of trauma and pain. I just wanted to shake her. Her inability to love the people who loved her didn't just leave her barren of feeling-- it actually led to tragedy. I'd rather the terns live than Franny. But I will think of this book, as we say goodbye to the clawed and winged creatures that we destroy. ...more
I had the sublime and now rare experience of reading through tears many times while reading Hamnet. Even though you know the premise, and so the feeliI had the sublime and now rare experience of reading through tears many times while reading Hamnet. Even though you know the premise, and so the feeling of dread is real right from the start, you read on, hoping against hope that this little boy will not die. And of course he does.
Shakespeare is never mentioned by name; he is not the protagonist here. That would be Agnes, Hamnet's mother, but also, their marriage, grief, family. All are important characters here. And the language is so beautiful. The oft-mentioned (in reviews) chapter about how the plague reaches Shakespeare's twins is wondrous.
I hated to pick this book up every time, because I didn't want to finish it.
2021: re-read for book group. Still wonderful, still heartbreaking. The language glows. This time I saw more the theme of brother/sister, which speaks to me because I adore my brothers so. ...more
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