If it weren't a Book Group book I don't think I would have finished this book, yet I'm glad I did.
There's rape within the first twenty pages and a maIf it weren't a Book Group book I don't think I would have finished this book, yet I'm glad I did.
There's rape within the first twenty pages and a main character is killed off before page 100.
I noted on page 115 that the book was totally depressing and that I would have dropped out. That's when Elizabeth gets fired from Hastings because she's pregnant and unmarried. And then on 118 I noted "Is this necessary? Gross! Rude!" It's Six-Thirty (the dog, I loved the dog!) saying that "In the park, children eat everything. This included whatever they could find up their nose." Was there a point here or was it just gratuitous?
Garmus does have some good insights. As in this passage: "It's one thing to be brilliant, but to be brilliant without opportunity -- that was something else. If Mozart had bee born to a poor family in Bombay instead of a cultured one in Salzburg, would he have composed Symphony no. 36 in C? Not a chance." (p. 35)
I also liked "Having a baby, . . . was a little like living with a visitor from a distant planet. There was a certain amount of give and take as the visitor learned your ways and you learned about them, but gradually their ways faded and yours ways stuck. Which she found regrettable. Because unlike adults, her visitor never tired of the smallest discovery; always saw the magic in the ordinary." (p. 162)
I laughed at this interchange between Wakely and Evans: "I wanted to ask: Don't you think it's possible to believe in both God and science? "Sure," Calvin had written back. "It's called intellectual dishonesty."" (p. 193)
And then things change in Chapter 24, page 200. Suddenly with Elizabeth giving "lessons in chemistry" with her TV cooking show, all of a sudden it was funny and engaging. Elizabeth engages the audience with her no-nonsense chemistry lessons on cooking. It's humor at its best, like this passage: "The best thing about poisonous mushrooms," she continued, "is how easily they adapt to to different forms. If not a casserole, why not try a stuffed mushroom? something you can share with your next-door neighbor - - the one who goes out of this way to make life miserable for his wife. He's already got one foot in the grave. Why not help him with the other?" (p. 269)
It does have a happy ending and I loved this sentence, which in the book is all in caps: "You don't believe in God for scientific reasons, Miss Zott?" she suddenly exploded. "Well, I don't believe in God for personal reasons." (p. 380)
So read or not, it's very popular and does have a TV mini-series based on it. I'm glad I stuck with it....more
This is the book that was chosen by the NH Humanities Council as the "Big Read" book for the state, with lots of book discussions and special events sThis is the book that was chosen by the NH Humanities Council as the "Big Read" book for the state, with lots of book discussions and special events scheduled. It will also be a CALL book.
I could not suspend disbelief. It never rang true to me as a "post-apocalyptical" book. The only part I could believe was the father getting bit by an animal and getting lock-jaw (rabid animal). There is magical realism, talking bears and pumas, and an eagle willing to exchange a goose for a trout. Sorry, I just couldn't get in to it or believe it.
It does read as an allegory. The writing is lyrical. The themes of solitude, survival, and grief are all handled well. That said, I'm not sure I would take the time to read it again.
In a second reading for discussion at Tuesday Academy, though I still couldn't believe the narrative, I did find that there is much to be said about grief and remembrance, even from early on in the book. There are six different bears, 1) the ledge that looks like a bear, 2) the first bear the girl sees and asks if it's her mother, 3) the dream bear (appears twice), 4) the bear who talks and helps her, 5) the Great Bear, Ursa Major, who also guides her, and 6) the bear who buries her.
Krivak's language is outstanding. He knows the names for collections of animals, onomatopoeia, and just words that are different. So, I did read it again and it was better. Maybe a third reading would give me even more -or not....more
Because I like Emma Donoghue and because I took Kathy Fleming’s class in urban or retold fairytales, I picked this up. It did not disappoint! Each stoBecause I like Emma Donoghue and because I took Kathy Fleming’s class in urban or retold fairytales, I picked this up. It did not disappoint! Each story retold an old tale but in a unique way. Each tale led to the next. Women were always the heroines or at least the focus. A fun read! Well worth it!...more
I had read this long ago when I was reading everything by de Lint that I could get my hands on. I didn't keep it though I own many others. Perhaps my I had read this long ago when I was reading everything by de Lint that I could get my hands on. I didn't keep it though I own many others. Perhaps my disinclination toward short stories is the reason I let it go.
At any rate, reading it again after probably fifteen to twenty years, it is not a compelling as it was to my younger, more fantasy-inclined self. The stories still hold up though and I do love the Newford stories best, especially the ones with the Kelledys.
I reread it because I am taking a CALL class on fairy tales in modern fiction and thought de Lint should have been included in the mix. We do have Gaiman after all. So I'll be passing this one on to the instructor with the hope that she likes it as well as I did....more
This is one of those books that as soon as I finished, I immediately started to read it again. There is mystery, and fantasy, and magic. There is a whThis is one of those books that as soon as I finished, I immediately started to read it again. There is mystery, and fantasy, and magic. There is a whole other world. Other reviewers have said it best, there is no sense in saying anything about it, except that I agree it could have been a whole lot longer, best to let others discover the mystery on their own.
There is one quote I want to remember, and it truly is a good summary. “The search for the Knowledge has encouraged us to think of the House as if it were a sort of riddle to be unraveled, a text to be interpreted, and that if ever we discover the Knowledge, then it will be as if the Value has been wrested from the House and all that remains will be mere scenery. The sight of the One-Hundred-and-Ninety-Second Western Hall in the Moonlight made me see how ridiculous that is. The House is valuable because it is the House. It is enough in and of Itself. It is not the means to an end.”
Second reading: Susanna Clarke has a gift, she writes magical stories and, of course, about magic. I'm glad I reread this immediately. It had the advantage of knowing what happened and shed a different light on the story and characters. Do go in without knowing the magic and that may be enough for you, but the second reading for me was thoroughly satisfying.
If you like fantasy and a good unraveling, I highly recommend this book!...more
I picked up this little book to read to make space on the bookshelf. I'm not sure when I had gotten it, but it certainly had been languishing. To my sI picked up this little book to read to make space on the bookshelf. I'm not sure when I had gotten it, but it certainly had been languishing. To my surprise, it's a translation of traditional Norse mythology. I had read (or actually listened) Neil Gaiman's take on these stories. It really does not end well for these gods. All things must pass.
This was a wild ride! Truly "weird" fiction! Having read a short story for the CALL class and of course being attracted by the title, I had to pick itThis was a wild ride! Truly "weird" fiction! Having read a short story for the CALL class and of course being attracted by the title, I had to pick it up. If I had the stamina, I'd start right over and read it again, this time looking things up so I could better understand all the nuances, and they were legion!
Going from an eight t0 ten page short story to a 500 page novel was truly a leap. Crazy though, I'd pick up another of his books if I want a crazy ride. And it's all about the ride!...more
This was fun, a collection of what I would call "fractured fairy tales," some better than others but amusing none the less if you like that sort of thThis was fun, a collection of what I would call "fractured fairy tales," some better than others but amusing none the less if you like that sort of think. I did appreciate the author's notes on her stories....more
This was about two to three hundred pages too long. There was less real history here though there was the section about the Mohawks, their village andThis was about two to three hundred pages too long. There was less real history here though there was the section about the Mohawks, their village and customs. That seemed accurately depicted though there were Mohawks siding with both the French or the English depending on where they lived. If this story is set in North Carolina, it seems that New York, prime Mohawk country, would be more than a six day trek.
So not as engaging as the first three, I'm not sure if I will continue or not. But then, I'm not a quitter and I would like to know if Brianna and Roger ever get back to the 20th century....more
I forget how I learned about this book, but I was curious. It seemed a children's book, yet I read it was for all ages and that I should gift it to evI forget how I learned about this book, but I was curious. It seemed a children's book, yet I read it was for all ages and that I should gift it to everyone I knew. So I ordered it and thought I would pass it on after I had read it. NO, it's a keeper. It's like a little zen book with all these feel good phrases: " "What do you want to be when you grow up?" "Kind" said the boy " and "Sometimes all you hear about is the hate, but there is more love in this world than you can possibly imagine." So, I was hooked, so hopeful. Maybe it's this generation's Jonathan Livingston Seagull but that's ok. We all need some of those.
So I'm keeping it on my shelf with my other reflective/meditation books. It's to read when I need to smile, when I need hope, and to feel better about this crazy world.
"Thank you, Charlie Mackesy!"
So, I've reread this little gem. The book was made into an animated short and has been nominated for an Oscar award this year. It's too bad the short seems to indicate that the boy wants to get home while in the book, getting home is the reason to keep going. Both do end with saying that "Home isn't always a place is it?" Friends can give the comfort of home. I can pass this book along now....more
Yes, the books are verra long, but there are more twists, turns, and adventures to keep anyone keep reading. I didn't even think the book should have Yes, the books are verra long, but there are more twists, turns, and adventures to keep anyone keep reading. I didn't even think the book should have ended where it did, close to 900 pages, but then I guess that makes the reader just want to pick up the next one. I pity the poor readers who came to these as they were being written.
Well I do seem to be hooked but I have other readings for CALL, so book 4 will just have to wait a while. And I still have the season 3 television series to watch. Good that I have time.
If you like action, romance, a bit of history - the ship with typhoid fever gives a good picture of what it must have been like at the time as does the fire in Edinburgh with the fire brigade. It's amusing, so go for it if you want an 18th century escape....more
Well, I was curious, having read the first book and now watching the series for television. It's long, it rambles, there's always trouble, or intrigueWell, I was curious, having read the first book and now watching the series for television. It's long, it rambles, there's always trouble, or intrigue, or fighting, or death, or sex, or politics. What's not to love, plus most of it takes place in the Paris of young Louis (king at 5!) XV, excess but it will be his son to the guillotine. So maybe I'll try book 3....more
During my career in education, I prided myself on reading the Newbery Medal Award winners each year. By the time I retired I had read all of them fromDuring my career in education, I prided myself on reading the Newbery Medal Award winners each year. By the time I retired I had read all of them from the beginning of the Award in 1922. (One year there was a reissue of The Story of Mankind with an update by van Loon's son.)
But then came retirement, I am four books behind, so during this 'stay at home' time I thought I would catch up on them. I had two and needed to order the newest two.
I can easily understand why this won the award. It is a delightful fantasy of a girl coming of age to her magic (at 13 - menses, drinking the moon indeed), good (witch) versus evil (witch), courage, love, poetry, family, who could ask for more. I found it endearing that all the chapters titles began with "In which" and of course, love does conquer all in the end.
I just wonder what happened to Fyrian and how do you pronounce his name? Fire-ian? That would fit.
What a great find! Though this book was very inexpensive, there are many gems. There are fanciful adventures (Stephen King & Robert Siverberg), lyricaWhat a great find! Though this book was very inexpensive, there are many gems. There are fanciful adventures (Stephen King & Robert Siverberg), lyrical prose (Catherynne Valente), and many great stories. This is one to be savored and reread. ...more
What a quirky little book! Dean Koontz is a guilty pleasure, a beach read usually. This was an inexpensive e-book, so I thought, why not. It's crazy dWhat a quirky little book! Dean Koontz is a guilty pleasure, a beach read usually. This was an inexpensive e-book, so I thought, why not. It's crazy days here.
It's impossible, fast-paced, with very unusual, eccentric characters that are on the one hand annoying and endearing on the other. Unlike some of his books where there is science or technology gone wrong, this is just plain crazy horror-slapstick.
So if you want to be entertained and don't mind a nonsensical plot, go ahead pick it up. It's a very quick read and will keep you shaking your head, and yes, laughing at the nonsense....more
Though not as good as her first book, The Night Circus, this one was also magical, with lots of twists and turns, and great characters - well developeThough not as good as her first book, The Night Circus, this one was also magical, with lots of twists and turns, and great characters - well developed. It's a very complicated tale, of stories, of different time-streams, of cats, and pictures, and bunny pirates. well, maybe not really that last one.
Definitely amusing and captivating, but only if you like a good fantasy. The end was not quite as satisfying for me, it seemed there were still too many dangling threads. No matter, still worth it....more
What a wild ride! This book was recommended by a friend and I had read Sloan's first book which was complex and delightful.
This book was also fun: "AWhat a wild ride! This book was recommended by a friend and I had read Sloan's first book which was complex and delightful.
This book was also fun: "Adventures in serious bread baking!" With Larry's adventures baking bread, I really think we should build an oven in the back yard, like the one in the book. Just think of all the lovely loaves and pizzas.
For an escape, and if you like science-fiction, I recommend this book! You will enjoy it!...more
I could hardly put this book down and finished it in three days. Guess I should have taken it out of the library with book 2.
Yes, it's a love story, I could hardly put this book down and finished it in three days. Guess I should have taken it out of the library with book 2.
Yes, it's a love story, sort of bi-racial if you will and the conclusion tries to disband a group that tries to keep them separate. There's lots of science with DNA sequencing which basically says that diversity is healthier. It also makes a case for nurture.
Some of the 'bad' characters have smaller parts in this book while one of the less developed characters (though important) plays a much bigger role. Benjamin should have been highlighted more in the first two books but he does make for an evil foil. The characters from the first two books and a few new ones, are familiarly back. Sometimes they are referred to by first name, sometimes by last. Since there are so many, a chart would have been nice.
Still, a great series with lots of spin-off possibilities. ...more
Though it wasn't as compelling as A Discovery of Witches, it had more historical characters, some of whom were a bit cartoonish (Christopher "Kit" MarThough it wasn't as compelling as A Discovery of Witches, it had more historical characters, some of whom were a bit cartoonish (Christopher "Kit" Marlowe, a daemon) or just seemed to be put in for name value (Queen Elizabeth and William Shakespeare). The history was a good backdrop however and I would think Ms. Harkness did her research to truly portray those characters who were featured who were real.
I wish there had been warning when it would switch back to present vs. past time, even just a date at the start of the chapter. I always seem to have to do a double take. Might just be me.
The plot thickens and I can't wait to get my hands on the third book which is currently out at our library. Yes, hooked I am....more
Loading...
