"Oh my, thank you, Lordor, but I'm afraid this is just one of those times when mere words are just not adequate. It's certainly beyond beautiful or euphoric. I would say 'sublime' is the only word that comes close, and even that doesn't capture it. All I can say is it's a feeling you never dream existed, and it just keeps going."
-Katrina Nordstrom, from the novel
What do you think heaven will be like? The folks at Still Meadows cemetery in Elmwood Springs Missouri try to let us in on it in this novel. In fact, the quote above is from one of the "heavenly" residents who is describing it for a new arrival. It may seem a bit far-fetched but the images are pleasant enough.
The Whole Town's Talking begins in 1889 with the arrival in America of young Swede, Lordor Nordstrom. He makes a home and begins building a dairy farm in Missouri. He finds a mail-order wife, starts a family, becomes successful and is beloved by the town he has founded, Elmwood Springs. His legacy is carried on throughout the story. The novel is laid out in decades all the way up to 2016, and beyond. Interestingly a lot of American history and culture come into play for example women's suffrage, Lindbergh's flight, Bonnie and Clyde, the bombing of Pearl Harbor, etc. In the WWII era, it was interesting that Ms. Flagg tied in the WASPs that she had written about in detail in a previous novel The All-Girl Filling Station's Last Reunion. (An excellent one, I must say!)
There were an awful lot of characters to keep up with here---family and townsfolk over many years. When they died you still had to keep track of them because they were still around "in spirit." And then there's the mystery of why some of the deceased in Still Meadows disappeared. You must keep reading to learn! I am rating this one a 4. I really liked it but not as much as most of Flagg's other work. I'd be interested to know what YOU think of the ending!
Thursday, December 22, 2016
Tuesday, December 13, 2016
Let the Circle Be Unbroken by Mildred D. Taylor
"Will the circle be unbroken
By and by, Lord, by and by?
There's a better home a-waiting
In the sky, Lord, in the sky."
from "Will the Circle Be Unbroken?" by Ada R. Habershon
Since my discovery of a series of books by Mildred Taylor while teaching fifth grade, she has become one of my favorite authors! By far the best, and even a Newbery Medal winner (1977) was Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, an historical novel about a black family in rural Mississippi during the depression. It is a powerfully moving story that will make you laugh and cry and give you goosebumps. I read it aloud so many times to my students, I knew what was coming and my stomach would start churning or I would get a little choked up. The racism is pretty intense, but realistic, I think, and the upside is how the Logan family survives it all. The Horn Book says this: "The fear, cruelty, and the bewildering injustice of a hopelessly racist society are transcended by a family's strength, self-respect and determination."
Let the Circle Be Unbroken is the first sequel, a continuation of the Logan family saga, with similar themes and a few added characters and situations. For example, friend T. J. goes to trial for a crime that occurred in Roll of Thunder...., cousin Suzella passes for white and beloved neighbor Mrs. Lee Annie is determined to register to vote. The last two characters were introduced in this sequel along with some union men trying to enlist farmers, white and black, to fight back against the unjust system of government controls.
I was rereading this novel for the first time in quite a while and found it a page-turner since I had forgotten some of the details. It gets a 5 rating from me, along with anything else written by Mildred D. Taylor!
By and by, Lord, by and by?
There's a better home a-waiting
In the sky, Lord, in the sky."
from "Will the Circle Be Unbroken?" by Ada R. Habershon
Since my discovery of a series of books by Mildred Taylor while teaching fifth grade, she has become one of my favorite authors! By far the best, and even a Newbery Medal winner (1977) was Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, an historical novel about a black family in rural Mississippi during the depression. It is a powerfully moving story that will make you laugh and cry and give you goosebumps. I read it aloud so many times to my students, I knew what was coming and my stomach would start churning or I would get a little choked up. The racism is pretty intense, but realistic, I think, and the upside is how the Logan family survives it all. The Horn Book says this: "The fear, cruelty, and the bewildering injustice of a hopelessly racist society are transcended by a family's strength, self-respect and determination."
Let the Circle Be Unbroken is the first sequel, a continuation of the Logan family saga, with similar themes and a few added characters and situations. For example, friend T. J. goes to trial for a crime that occurred in Roll of Thunder...., cousin Suzella passes for white and beloved neighbor Mrs. Lee Annie is determined to register to vote. The last two characters were introduced in this sequel along with some union men trying to enlist farmers, white and black, to fight back against the unjust system of government controls.
I was rereading this novel for the first time in quite a while and found it a page-turner since I had forgotten some of the details. It gets a 5 rating from me, along with anything else written by Mildred D. Taylor!
Sunday, December 4, 2016
The Death of Santini by Pat Conroy
"Though I had written my novel as a way of trying to save myself, the screams of the hurt boy I had been still echoed in the deep well he fell in when I became a man. The stories I hadn't told or was afraid to tell were the ones that were killing me. My course and my history as a writer were now set in granite---my work would be father-haunted and emotional enough to ward off these exhausting bouts of madness."
-Pat Conroy in The Death of Santini
I may be repeating myself but Pat Conroy has recently become one of my favorite authors. I read The Great Santini several months ago and was intrigued by the story and captured by the beauty of the writing. Most of Conroy's writing involves his dysfunctional family, in fact he is quoted by John Berendt in Vanity Fair: “One of the greatest gifts you can get as a writer is to be born into an unhappy family. I could not have been born into a better one....I don’t have to look very far for melodrama. It’s all right there.” This is probably why his work seems so realistic and compelling---he has experienced most of the characters, settings and events.
The Great Santini is thinly disguised fiction, with the main characters being Conroy's family with changed names, e.g. Marine fighter pilot Colonel Don Conroy is the abusive father Bull Meecham. On the other hand, The Death of Santini is noted as fiction on the copyright page but seems very autobiographical to me. In the latter, the author tells about the aftermath of the first Santini novel as well as relating background and inspiration for his other books. He tells of his teaching experience on Daufuskie Island about which he wrote The Water Is Wide. (As a former teacher, I found it extremely touching and inspirational.) Conroy describes his time at the Citadel, happenings in the lives of his siblings, his own depression and breakdowns (see beginning quote) and the deaths of his parents with vivid emotion. The story of his grandmother, Stanny, and friend Bernie visiting the graveyard is a humorous interlude.
While it is unpleasant to read of children growing up in an abusive home, Conroy's authentic voice and stellar crafting of language make the story irresistible. His lush prose is lyrical in parts, particularly when describing his coastal South Carolina home. I will rate this book a 5. It has made me wish to see "The Great Santini" and other movies based on Conroy's work and I have decided I will read every book in his repertoire. I have a few to go!
-Pat Conroy in The Death of Santini
I may be repeating myself but Pat Conroy has recently become one of my favorite authors. I read The Great Santini several months ago and was intrigued by the story and captured by the beauty of the writing. Most of Conroy's writing involves his dysfunctional family, in fact he is quoted by John Berendt in Vanity Fair: “One of the greatest gifts you can get as a writer is to be born into an unhappy family. I could not have been born into a better one....I don’t have to look very far for melodrama. It’s all right there.” This is probably why his work seems so realistic and compelling---he has experienced most of the characters, settings and events.
The Great Santini is thinly disguised fiction, with the main characters being Conroy's family with changed names, e.g. Marine fighter pilot Colonel Don Conroy is the abusive father Bull Meecham. On the other hand, The Death of Santini is noted as fiction on the copyright page but seems very autobiographical to me. In the latter, the author tells about the aftermath of the first Santini novel as well as relating background and inspiration for his other books. He tells of his teaching experience on Daufuskie Island about which he wrote The Water Is Wide. (As a former teacher, I found it extremely touching and inspirational.) Conroy describes his time at the Citadel, happenings in the lives of his siblings, his own depression and breakdowns (see beginning quote) and the deaths of his parents with vivid emotion. The story of his grandmother, Stanny, and friend Bernie visiting the graveyard is a humorous interlude.
While it is unpleasant to read of children growing up in an abusive home, Conroy's authentic voice and stellar crafting of language make the story irresistible. His lush prose is lyrical in parts, particularly when describing his coastal South Carolina home. I will rate this book a 5. It has made me wish to see "The Great Santini" and other movies based on Conroy's work and I have decided I will read every book in his repertoire. I have a few to go!
Wednesday, November 16, 2016
Page Turners' Books 2016
PAGE
TURNERS’ BOOKS 2016
4.8 The
Invention of Wings October
4.7 The
Light Between Oceans November
4.2 Caleb's
Crossing August
4.1 Elephant
Company April
3.9 The
Wright Brothers February
3.7 The
Space Between Us March
3.6 Circling
the Sun May
3.4 Girl
on the Train January
3.4 Live
by Night July
3.3 By
Its Cover September
3.2 State
of Wonder July
The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery (translated from French by Allison Anderson)
"Madame Michel has the elegance of the hedgehog: on the outside, she's covered in quills, a real fortress, but my gut feeling is that on the inside, she has the same simple refinement as the hedgehog: a deceptively indolent little creature, fiercely solitary---and terribly elegant."
-Paloma Josse, from the novel
With a trip to Paris coming up, I selected this book which is set in "the City of Lights." The plot sounded intriguing enough and it was available in paperback from Amazon. All I can say is, it was VERY challenging for me. I was not surprised to learn that it was written by a philosophy professor! A person I met on the trip had read the book and encouraged me not to quit. She said the ending was worth it and I'll admit I'm glad I stuck with it to the end.
The novel has two protagonists and the story alternates between them in first person narratives. The first is Madame Renee Michel, concierge of what is called an elegant hotel, but what seems to me to be more like a condominium. She appears to the hoity toity residents as a common person but secretly is an autodidact. I had to look that up: it means self-educated. The second is Paloma Josse, a super smart 12-year-old, who is planning to commit suicide on her 13th birthday. The reason still isn't very clear to me. Paloma's chapters are somewhat like diary entries or advice columns. Both characters express very profound thoughts. (No problem finding worthy quotes!) Fortunately Paloma adds some humor occasionally.
The book was entirely too transcendental for me. It required too much concentration at a time I needed lighter reading. The characters must have been somewhat engaging though---by the end I was rooting for them both! I rate it a 3.
-Paloma Josse, from the novel
With a trip to Paris coming up, I selected this book which is set in "the City of Lights." The plot sounded intriguing enough and it was available in paperback from Amazon. All I can say is, it was VERY challenging for me. I was not surprised to learn that it was written by a philosophy professor! A person I met on the trip had read the book and encouraged me not to quit. She said the ending was worth it and I'll admit I'm glad I stuck with it to the end.
The novel has two protagonists and the story alternates between them in first person narratives. The first is Madame Renee Michel, concierge of what is called an elegant hotel, but what seems to me to be more like a condominium. She appears to the hoity toity residents as a common person but secretly is an autodidact. I had to look that up: it means self-educated. The second is Paloma Josse, a super smart 12-year-old, who is planning to commit suicide on her 13th birthday. The reason still isn't very clear to me. Paloma's chapters are somewhat like diary entries or advice columns. Both characters express very profound thoughts. (No problem finding worthy quotes!) Fortunately Paloma adds some humor occasionally.
The book was entirely too transcendental for me. It required too much concentration at a time I needed lighter reading. The characters must have been somewhat engaging though---by the end I was rooting for them both! I rate it a 3.
The Light Between Oceans by M. L. Stedman
"Oh what a tangled web we weave,
When first we practise to deceive!"
-from Marmion, a poem by Sir Walter Scott, Scottish author & novelist
What a page-turner this was! The plot was unique and spellbinding with characters just complicated enough by their emotional baggage. I had chosen this novel for our Page Turners' November read because the film version was just being released, it had been a best-seller for some time and it could be found in paperback. Also one of our members had recommended it. It did not disappoint! I am rating it a 5.
Tom Sherbourne, a decorated war hero, takes a position as light keeper on Janus Rock, a remote island off western Australia. Soon after, he marries Isabel Graysmark. For a time they are deeply in love and very happy in their isolated life but after two miscarriages and a still-birth, Isabel becomes an emotional basket case. Not long after the third devastating loss, Tom and Isabel hear an infant's cry and discover a boat has washed up on shore and it contains a dead man and a live baby. Isabel quickly sees this child as God's gift to them to make up for their losses and begs Tom not to report it. An inveterate rule-follower and stickler for details, Tom goes against his better judgement and gives in to his wife. They bury the dead man and begin to bond with this foundling child they call Lucy.
The quote with which I began the post will hint that the future will not be a rose garden for this family and when, at Lucy's christening, Tom and Isabel become aware that a young widow of the church has lost a husband and a baby, the reader is quick to discern the dead man in the boat was her missing husband and Lucy, the lost infant. I cannot say much more without spoiling the plot so I will end my commentary here.
----------------------------------
When our book club met, we had a smallish group. The change of regular meeting day caught some out of town and others with Wednesday conflicts. We had a wonderful discussion of The Light Between Oceans with everyone having liked the book. The average rating was 4.7, one of our highest of the year. One of our members had visited the area in Australia used as the setting and said it made the descriptions more meaningful for her. We all admitted we learned a lot about lighthouses and their keepers and even thought it would be interesting to follow up with a "field trip" to a local lighthouse. (Florida has many!) It was mentioned that isolation was a big factor in the story and that themes of family dynamics, making tough choices in life and the importance of forgiveness were compelling. We were amazed this novel is the author's first and will eagerly await her next!
Saturday, October 22, 2016
Forever by Pete Hamill
"...Cormac too looked back at Ireland, and the crossing of the ocean sea, the first years in New York and the years of the Revolution, and thought of them as part of his youth, that strange youth prolonged by a gift from African gods. That youth filled with miracles and magic. But a youth that was, he thought, only sporadically real."
This novel is appropriately titled for a couple of reasons. Protagonist Cormac O'Connor immigrates from Ireland via a slave ship to the colony of New York in 1740. He is in search of an enemy responsible for the deaths of his parents. By his kindness to a slave called Kongo, who happened to be a babalawo (what I understood as a shaman), he receives the gift of eternal life so long as he stays in Manhatten; essentially he can live forever. As a printer's apprentice, a painter, and a journalist he becomes involved in a slave revolt, the American Revolution, the corruption of Tammany Hall, and so on, until he finally is eyewitness to the 9-11 terrorist attacks.
Historical fiction is my favorite genre and I liked this book at the start. However, at 608 pages it seemed as if it would take me forever to finish it. It became rather tedious half way through; I found myself wanting just to get to the end! I will rate this one a 3. I think New Yorkers would like it much more than folks like me who were raised in the South.
This novel is appropriately titled for a couple of reasons. Protagonist Cormac O'Connor immigrates from Ireland via a slave ship to the colony of New York in 1740. He is in search of an enemy responsible for the deaths of his parents. By his kindness to a slave called Kongo, who happened to be a babalawo (what I understood as a shaman), he receives the gift of eternal life so long as he stays in Manhatten; essentially he can live forever. As a printer's apprentice, a painter, and a journalist he becomes involved in a slave revolt, the American Revolution, the corruption of Tammany Hall, and so on, until he finally is eyewitness to the 9-11 terrorist attacks.
Historical fiction is my favorite genre and I liked this book at the start. However, at 608 pages it seemed as if it would take me forever to finish it. It became rather tedious half way through; I found myself wanting just to get to the end! I will rate this one a 3. I think New Yorkers would like it much more than folks like me who were raised in the South.
Saturday, September 17, 2016
By Its Cover by Donna Leon
"...There's nothing to understand. People steal them for money....That's the only reason that animates thieves. Forget the articles about the men who suffer a mad passion for maps and books and manuscripts: that's all romantic nonsense. Freud in the library...People steal books and maps and manuscripts, and they cut out single pages or whole chapters because they can sell them."
-Contessa Morosini-Albani to Commissario Brunetti
This was the first novel I've read by this author. The book was chosen for the Page Turners by one of the members who is a fan of Leon. I must admit the story grew on me but I can't give it higher than 3.
The setting was one of my favorite things about the novel---the city of Venice. I was intrigued by police taking boats to the scenes of crimes and it was a fun challenge to figure out some Italian phrases from the context. Commissario Guido Brunetti is called to investigate some significant thefts from a renowned Venetian library. In the process a murder is discovered and it is probably related to the thefts. The suspect list is not extensive but includes a mysterious library researcher who is supposedly American. I found the ending abrupt and disappointing but I'll not be a spoiler.
One interesting thing about this author, who apparently has written a series of mysteries featuring Commissario Guido Brunetti, is her mention in another book I read very recently. In The Little Paris Bookshop set in France, a character is listing books, among them "who-dunnits by Donna Leon." It seems she is well-known in Europe.
Well, I won't rule out another of the series but it will likely be a while. So many books in my queue!
-----------------------------
When the Page Turners met on our usual day, several regulars were missing but the discussion was great! The group average rating was 3.3 with most members liking but not loving the novel. I don't believe any of us had read this author before (well, maybe the one who selected it). Apparently Leon is quite prolific and well-known in Europe. Perhaps we will try another of her "who dunnits" one of these days.
Most in the group enjoyed the setting and we found Commissario Brunetti plenty resourceful and a bit more simpatico than most detectives. It was interesting hearing everyone's take on the value of antique books and/or pages of the same. And discussion about the possible theme of "You can't judge a book by its cover" was thought-provoking. Several of us admitted the plot thickened when the murder took place. The most common complaint about the book was the abruptness of the ending. You are warned!
-Contessa Morosini-Albani to Commissario Brunetti
This was the first novel I've read by this author. The book was chosen for the Page Turners by one of the members who is a fan of Leon. I must admit the story grew on me but I can't give it higher than 3.
The setting was one of my favorite things about the novel---the city of Venice. I was intrigued by police taking boats to the scenes of crimes and it was a fun challenge to figure out some Italian phrases from the context. Commissario Guido Brunetti is called to investigate some significant thefts from a renowned Venetian library. In the process a murder is discovered and it is probably related to the thefts. The suspect list is not extensive but includes a mysterious library researcher who is supposedly American. I found the ending abrupt and disappointing but I'll not be a spoiler.
One interesting thing about this author, who apparently has written a series of mysteries featuring Commissario Guido Brunetti, is her mention in another book I read very recently. In The Little Paris Bookshop set in France, a character is listing books, among them "who-dunnits by Donna Leon." It seems she is well-known in Europe.
Well, I won't rule out another of the series but it will likely be a while. So many books in my queue!
-----------------------------
When the Page Turners met on our usual day, several regulars were missing but the discussion was great! The group average rating was 3.3 with most members liking but not loving the novel. I don't believe any of us had read this author before (well, maybe the one who selected it). Apparently Leon is quite prolific and well-known in Europe. Perhaps we will try another of her "who dunnits" one of these days.
Most in the group enjoyed the setting and we found Commissario Brunetti plenty resourceful and a bit more simpatico than most detectives. It was interesting hearing everyone's take on the value of antique books and/or pages of the same. And discussion about the possible theme of "You can't judge a book by its cover" was thought-provoking. Several of us admitted the plot thickened when the murder took place. The most common complaint about the book was the abruptness of the ending. You are warned!
Saturday, September 10, 2016
When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
"Like my own patients, I had to face my mortality and try to understand what made my life worth living---and I needed Emma's help to do so. Torn between being a doctor and being a patient, delving into medical science and turning back to literature for answers, I struggled, while facing my own death, to rebuild my old life---or perhaps find a new one."
-Paul Kalanithi
I believe this book was recommended to me by a friend some time ago and I had seen it on the Best Seller list for many weeks so I requested it from the library. When it arrived I put it off in favor of others in my book queue. When I saw that it was on hold and could not be renewed, I began reading and finished in a day and a half. I was hooked by the Foreword by Abraham Verghese, author of Cutting for Stone, one of our book club selections years ago. His impressions of Paul Kalanithi, the author of When Breath Becomes Air, were so beautiful I just had to keep reading.
This memoir by a gifted neurosurgeon/neuroscientist was the most powerful book I have read in ages! Just over 200 pages contain the story of an amazing and brilliant doctor with a terminal cancer diagnosis and his poignant advice for living and dying. It reminded me so much of The Last Lecture, a memoir written by Carnegie Mellon University professor and computer guru Randy Pausch who also died of cancer. Both are beautifully written, very inspiring and could appropriately be represented by Billy Joel's "Only the Good Die Young."
I found this book to be a page-turner even with its medical jargon way above my head. My rating is definitely a 5! Although it was very sad that Kalanithi's life was cut short (he was only in his mid-30's) he left an amazing legacy through the patients he helped and the writing of this book to share his journey as physician and patient as he confronted what was most important in life.
-Paul Kalanithi
I believe this book was recommended to me by a friend some time ago and I had seen it on the Best Seller list for many weeks so I requested it from the library. When it arrived I put it off in favor of others in my book queue. When I saw that it was on hold and could not be renewed, I began reading and finished in a day and a half. I was hooked by the Foreword by Abraham Verghese, author of Cutting for Stone, one of our book club selections years ago. His impressions of Paul Kalanithi, the author of When Breath Becomes Air, were so beautiful I just had to keep reading.
This memoir by a gifted neurosurgeon/neuroscientist was the most powerful book I have read in ages! Just over 200 pages contain the story of an amazing and brilliant doctor with a terminal cancer diagnosis and his poignant advice for living and dying. It reminded me so much of The Last Lecture, a memoir written by Carnegie Mellon University professor and computer guru Randy Pausch who also died of cancer. Both are beautifully written, very inspiring and could appropriately be represented by Billy Joel's "Only the Good Die Young."
I found this book to be a page-turner even with its medical jargon way above my head. My rating is definitely a 5! Although it was very sad that Kalanithi's life was cut short (he was only in his mid-30's) he left an amazing legacy through the patients he helped and the writing of this book to share his journey as physician and patient as he confronted what was most important in life.
Thursday, September 8, 2016
The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George
"Books are more than doctors, of course. Some novels are loving, lifelong companions; some give you a clip around the ear; others are friends who wrap you in warm towels when you've got those autumn blues. And some...well, some are pink candy floss that tingles in your brain for three seconds and leaves a blissful void. Like a short, torrid love affair."
-Jean Perdu, from the novel
The word Paris in the title drew me to this novel since my husband and I will be traveling there in October. Right in the front of the book there is a map showing Paris and some other places we'll be visiting along the Rhone River, among them Lyons and Avignon. If that wasn't enough to hook me, the title bookshop is on a barge in the Seine River. Add to all that the fact that I am a fan of bookshops and this novel became a must-read for me!
The story involves Jean Perdu, the owner of the floating book store, known as la pharmacie litteraire (literary pharmacy) because Perdu prescribes books for his customers according to their emotional needs. The reader realizes early on that Perdu is grieving a lost love---one who is not even named for several chapters---merely represented by a blank, for example "He fought off the blurry picture of himself sitting at this table, not alone but with _____." This mystery woman sent him a letter some 20 years prior after she had left him to return to her husband. He has never opened it out of fear or bitterness, I am not sure which. When he finally does open the letter, he is in for a shock and a mountain of guilt. By the time we get to the first excerpt of "Manon's Travel Diary" we learn the identity of Perdu's lost love and some of their back story.
I had trouble settling on a quote to begin my post because there were many rather poetic and/or profound expressions, especially having to do with books. I liked The Little Paris Bookshop at the beginning but later I found it a bit tedious. I neither loved nor hated it but I am rating it a 3 because I am glad I read it. Here's why: the ending held a bit of a surprise. Also the mention of the "Saint Benezet Bridge, which had been immortalized in song." I remember "Sur le Pont D'Avignon" from high school French class and we will see this bridge at Avignon in person soon. Also in one of Perdu's letters, he suggests how to organize books by genre and mentions "whodunits by Donna Leon." My Page Turners book club is reading By Its Cover by Donna Leon this very month.
The book jacket calls this a "warm and charming tale of love, loss and the power of reading." Most readers will find it so.
-Jean Perdu, from the novel
The word Paris in the title drew me to this novel since my husband and I will be traveling there in October. Right in the front of the book there is a map showing Paris and some other places we'll be visiting along the Rhone River, among them Lyons and Avignon. If that wasn't enough to hook me, the title bookshop is on a barge in the Seine River. Add to all that the fact that I am a fan of bookshops and this novel became a must-read for me!
The story involves Jean Perdu, the owner of the floating book store, known as la pharmacie litteraire (literary pharmacy) because Perdu prescribes books for his customers according to their emotional needs. The reader realizes early on that Perdu is grieving a lost love---one who is not even named for several chapters---merely represented by a blank, for example "He fought off the blurry picture of himself sitting at this table, not alone but with _____." This mystery woman sent him a letter some 20 years prior after she had left him to return to her husband. He has never opened it out of fear or bitterness, I am not sure which. When he finally does open the letter, he is in for a shock and a mountain of guilt. By the time we get to the first excerpt of "Manon's Travel Diary" we learn the identity of Perdu's lost love and some of their back story.
I had trouble settling on a quote to begin my post because there were many rather poetic and/or profound expressions, especially having to do with books. I liked The Little Paris Bookshop at the beginning but later I found it a bit tedious. I neither loved nor hated it but I am rating it a 3 because I am glad I read it. Here's why: the ending held a bit of a surprise. Also the mention of the "Saint Benezet Bridge, which had been immortalized in song." I remember "Sur le Pont D'Avignon" from high school French class and we will see this bridge at Avignon in person soon. Also in one of Perdu's letters, he suggests how to organize books by genre and mentions "whodunits by Donna Leon." My Page Turners book club is reading By Its Cover by Donna Leon this very month.
The book jacket calls this a "warm and charming tale of love, loss and the power of reading." Most readers will find it so.
Wednesday, August 24, 2016
Nine Florida Stories by Marjory Stoneman Douglas edited by Kevin M. McCarthy
"The nine stories have been selected not only for their excellence but also for the picture of life in South Florida during the first half of this century. They are told by a woman who has lived in Miami for the last 70 years and has spent her career writing about the area's problems and scoundrels and its beauty and heroes. For her writing and her contribution to the state's environmental concerns she might very well be Florida's Woman of the Century."
-Editor Kevin M. McCarthy, in his introduction, copyright 1990
I must admit I am not a huge fan of short stories. I read this one in preparation for a class I am teaching on Florida's Three Marjories, of which Douglas is one. I hoped to discover one to share with my class. She won an O. Henry Award in 1927 for "He Man" which is included in this collection. It was interesting and the surprise ending made me think of O. Henry's work.
My favorite was "By Violence," the one I will offer my students. It takes place near Chokoloskee Island in South Florida. It involves a very young man who has lost his father and wants to find a way to keep his siblings together. He takes a boat out hoping to find a way to make some money, perhaps by transporting tourists. He soon finds 3 men who seem to need rescuing but it doesn't take long to figure out these are some of the "scoundrels" mentioned in my quote.
-Editor Kevin M. McCarthy, in his introduction, copyright 1990
I must admit I am not a huge fan of short stories. I read this one in preparation for a class I am teaching on Florida's Three Marjories, of which Douglas is one. I hoped to discover one to share with my class. She won an O. Henry Award in 1927 for "He Man" which is included in this collection. It was interesting and the surprise ending made me think of O. Henry's work.
My favorite was "By Violence," the one I will offer my students. It takes place near Chokoloskee Island in South Florida. It involves a very young man who has lost his father and wants to find a way to keep his siblings together. He takes a boat out hoping to find a way to make some money, perhaps by transporting tourists. He soon finds 3 men who seem to need rescuing but it doesn't take long to figure out these are some of the "scoundrels" mentioned in my quote.
March by Geraldine Brooks
"If a war can ever be said to be just, then this war is so; it is action for a moral cause, with the most rigorous of intellectual underpinnings. And yet everywhere I turn, I see injustice done in the waging of it. And every day, as I turn to what should be my happy obligation of opening my mind to my wife, I grope in vain for words with which to convey to her even a part of what I have witnessed, what I have felt. As for what I have done, and the consequences of my actions, these I do not even attempt to convey."
-Mr. March, from the novel
After reading Caleb's Crossing by this author, I wanted to read more of her work. When I saw that March won the 2006 Pulitzer Prize for fiction, it was the obvious choice. I really liked it but perhaps a bit less than Caleb's Crossing. I will still rate it a 5. As an historical fiction of the Civil War era it was quite unique in that it ties into the classic Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. Most of the story is told by the father of the "little women"---Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy---who is away from home, involved in the war as an army chaplain. In the book he is known only as Mr. March. The author's style includes good use of flashbacks, first person narration of action by March and his letters home to his wife, Marmee. It really made me want to reread Little Women---it has been MANY years and I don't remember much of the plot.
The setting is 1861 at the start and the story moves around to battle sites, a plantation in the south, a military hospital in Washington, DC, and back to the March family home in Concord, MA, where they are friends of Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson. The reader learns that the March family home has been a station on the Underground Railroad and they have helped numerous "packages" to their freedom. Most of the story is told by March but near the end, the perspective changes to Marmee's and it was bit confusing at first.
There were references to John Brown which were familiar to me but I found it interesting how the Marches became involved with his crusade. I did not know that the Union took over plantations in the South where they farmed with "contraband labor," slaves by another name.
At the end of the novel, March is suffering with a great deal of guilt about the experiences he has had. Today I think we would call it PTSD.
The Afterword fascinated me as the author told how she based the main character on Alcott's own father, who left behind his journals and letters. Her research is amazing.
Of course, I love historical fiction so March was right up my alley! I will look forward to reading another by Geraldine Brooks, perhaps Year of Wonders.
-Mr. March, from the novel
After reading Caleb's Crossing by this author, I wanted to read more of her work. When I saw that March won the 2006 Pulitzer Prize for fiction, it was the obvious choice. I really liked it but perhaps a bit less than Caleb's Crossing. I will still rate it a 5. As an historical fiction of the Civil War era it was quite unique in that it ties into the classic Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. Most of the story is told by the father of the "little women"---Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy---who is away from home, involved in the war as an army chaplain. In the book he is known only as Mr. March. The author's style includes good use of flashbacks, first person narration of action by March and his letters home to his wife, Marmee. It really made me want to reread Little Women---it has been MANY years and I don't remember much of the plot.
The setting is 1861 at the start and the story moves around to battle sites, a plantation in the south, a military hospital in Washington, DC, and back to the March family home in Concord, MA, where they are friends of Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson. The reader learns that the March family home has been a station on the Underground Railroad and they have helped numerous "packages" to their freedom. Most of the story is told by March but near the end, the perspective changes to Marmee's and it was bit confusing at first.
There were references to John Brown which were familiar to me but I found it interesting how the Marches became involved with his crusade. I did not know that the Union took over plantations in the South where they farmed with "contraband labor," slaves by another name.
At the end of the novel, March is suffering with a great deal of guilt about the experiences he has had. Today I think we would call it PTSD.
The Afterword fascinated me as the author told how she based the main character on Alcott's own father, who left behind his journals and letters. Her research is amazing.
Of course, I love historical fiction so March was right up my alley! I will look forward to reading another by Geraldine Brooks, perhaps Year of Wonders.
Saturday, August 6, 2016
Caleb's Crossing by Geraldine Brooks
"Every happiness is a bright ray between shadows, every gaiety bracketed by grief. There is no birth that does not recall a death, no victory but brings to mind a defeat."
-from the novel
I selected Caleb's Crossing for our book club because it was a "book bundle" from our library (multiple copies), it was historical fiction and because we had read People of the Book by this author and liked it. I am giving it a 5---I LOVED it! I am not sure everyone in our group will. You may remember historical fiction is my favorite genre but you may not know I have a particular interest in colonial America. It was right up my alley!
The story is told, almost as if a diary, by Bethia Mayfield, who is 12 years of age in 1660. At the outset she is living on an island now known as Martha's Vineyard with her family, having originated from the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Her father is a missionary among the native Wampanoags. Bethia meets a native near her age who becomes a secret companion; she calls him Caleb. As fate would have it, he ends up under her father's tutelage.
The story proceeds to Cambridge when the very bright Caleb and another native, Joel, end up at Harvard College. Bethia arrives there, too, not as a student, but due to circumstances with her brother. Though the daughter of a minister, she is a headstrong young woman with feminist ideas ahead of her time. I don't want to give away much of the plot but I will comment on some other things that kept my attention.
First, I was so very impressed with the dialect used in the book. I recently selected a historical character of colonial Williamsburg and wrote a script for myself. It was very difficult finding proper words and phrases of the 18th century and my script was only a few pages. The author's research was meticulous. I felt transported! Also, I have visited Martha's Vineyard and the Wampanoag village at Plimoth Plantation. I remembered John Winthrop, Anne Hutchinson and King Philip's War from history. The Afterword is fascinating as the author explains that Caleb's character is based on a real man and Bethia is completely fictional.
I liked the challenging vocabulary---several words I noted to look up later. I found the word "salvages" interesting as it was used in place of savages. I just watched a TV documentary on the lost colony of Roanoke and the stone being researched had the word salvages. As you know I like to find a juicy quote to begin each post. There were SO many in this book, it was hard to settle on one!
There was a scene I really enjoyed early in the book where Bethia is beginning to teach Caleb the alphabet. It reminded me so much of a YA novel called The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare, a favorite of mine when I was teaching 5th grade. In it a young pioneer attempts to teach a native to read. I found humor in both situations.
I have now realized Geraldine Brooks won a Pulitzer Prize for her novel, March, another historical fiction of the Civil War Era. Guess what I am reading next!
------------------------------
When our Page Turners met, the average rating for Caleb's Crossing was 4.2. The discussion was lively and enjoyable. Most of the participants liked the book and found the clash of cultures thought-provoking. Several in the group expected Bethia and Caleb to become a couple but we agreed that just wouldn't have worked. We liked that Bethia was an independent thinker, questioning much of the Puritan theology and accepting the natives as they were.
-from the novel
I selected Caleb's Crossing for our book club because it was a "book bundle" from our library (multiple copies), it was historical fiction and because we had read People of the Book by this author and liked it. I am giving it a 5---I LOVED it! I am not sure everyone in our group will. You may remember historical fiction is my favorite genre but you may not know I have a particular interest in colonial America. It was right up my alley!
The story is told, almost as if a diary, by Bethia Mayfield, who is 12 years of age in 1660. At the outset she is living on an island now known as Martha's Vineyard with her family, having originated from the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Her father is a missionary among the native Wampanoags. Bethia meets a native near her age who becomes a secret companion; she calls him Caleb. As fate would have it, he ends up under her father's tutelage.
The story proceeds to Cambridge when the very bright Caleb and another native, Joel, end up at Harvard College. Bethia arrives there, too, not as a student, but due to circumstances with her brother. Though the daughter of a minister, she is a headstrong young woman with feminist ideas ahead of her time. I don't want to give away much of the plot but I will comment on some other things that kept my attention.
First, I was so very impressed with the dialect used in the book. I recently selected a historical character of colonial Williamsburg and wrote a script for myself. It was very difficult finding proper words and phrases of the 18th century and my script was only a few pages. The author's research was meticulous. I felt transported! Also, I have visited Martha's Vineyard and the Wampanoag village at Plimoth Plantation. I remembered John Winthrop, Anne Hutchinson and King Philip's War from history. The Afterword is fascinating as the author explains that Caleb's character is based on a real man and Bethia is completely fictional.
I liked the challenging vocabulary---several words I noted to look up later. I found the word "salvages" interesting as it was used in place of savages. I just watched a TV documentary on the lost colony of Roanoke and the stone being researched had the word salvages. As you know I like to find a juicy quote to begin each post. There were SO many in this book, it was hard to settle on one!
There was a scene I really enjoyed early in the book where Bethia is beginning to teach Caleb the alphabet. It reminded me so much of a YA novel called The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare, a favorite of mine when I was teaching 5th grade. In it a young pioneer attempts to teach a native to read. I found humor in both situations.
I have now realized Geraldine Brooks won a Pulitzer Prize for her novel, March, another historical fiction of the Civil War Era. Guess what I am reading next!
------------------------------
When our Page Turners met, the average rating for Caleb's Crossing was 4.2. The discussion was lively and enjoyable. Most of the participants liked the book and found the clash of cultures thought-provoking. Several in the group expected Bethia and Caleb to become a couple but we agreed that just wouldn't have worked. We liked that Bethia was an independent thinker, questioning much of the Puritan theology and accepting the natives as they were.
Wednesday, July 27, 2016
Live by Night by Dennis Lehane
"'The night,' Joe said. 'Tastes too good. You live by day, you play by their rules. So we live by night and play by ours. But, D? We don't really have any rules.'"
-from the novel
This book was chosen for our Page Turners group partly because it was a "book bundle" (several copies available in a set) and partly because the author attended college in our home state of Florida. I must say it is far different than any we have read. The language was strong and the violence was intense with more graphic sex than we are used to seeing. I am giving the book a 4; it was pretty well written, a definite page-turner but not really enjoyable. If this were a movie, you could close your eyes at the bloody, sadistic parts but, of course, that's impossible with a book! A fellow reader described Live by Night as more of a "guy book" and I agree.
Joe Coughlin is the wayward son of a Boston police captain, a self-described outlaw as opposed to a gangster. He gets mixed up with crime boss Maso Pescatore while in the Charlestown Penitentiary. When they are both released, Maso sends Joe to Ybor City in Tampa to run his illegal businesses, rum running and others. It isn't long before Joe finds he has become a gangster. (Outlaws do illegal things, gangsters kill!)
Part I was set in Boston, 1926-1929 but I particularly liked Part II where the action moved to Tampa, FL, 1929-1933. I knew about the cigar industry in Tampa and Henry Plant's Tampa Bay Hotel, called "Plant's Palace" but I didn't know that Ybor City was named for Vicente Ybor, a cigar magnate. I really didn't realize the racism of that time and place, though I should have. There was serious prejudice against blacks and Cubans and a dangerous presence of the KKK. By Part III, Joe is working in Cuba.
Joe was not a respectable citizen but I found myself rooting for him when he found his true love and stood up, at great risk, to the Boss as he refused to kill his longtime friend and right-hand-man. There certainly are plenty of characters to hate in the novel. I look forward to hearing what our group members think about the book tomorrow so I will be back.
-----------------------------------
Park Lake Page Turners met this morning, always an enjoyable occasion. The average rating for Live by Night was 3.4, no 5's and no 1's. There was plenty to discuss, in fact with 18 questions from the publisher found on litlovers.com, more than we could get around to. Some talk centered around main character Joe and his seeming to have some good in him which he kept hidden much of the time. We found it interesting to speculate about his upbringing, particularly the loss of his mother, and how he became an outlaw. Being Floridians, we liked the Tampa setting with Ybor City in the forefront because many of us have been there. We pretty much agreed that Graciela was a refreshing character amidst so many heartless criminals and we thought she brought out the best in Joe. To say much more would possibly spoil the plot so I will sign off here.
-from the novel
This book was chosen for our Page Turners group partly because it was a "book bundle" (several copies available in a set) and partly because the author attended college in our home state of Florida. I must say it is far different than any we have read. The language was strong and the violence was intense with more graphic sex than we are used to seeing. I am giving the book a 4; it was pretty well written, a definite page-turner but not really enjoyable. If this were a movie, you could close your eyes at the bloody, sadistic parts but, of course, that's impossible with a book! A fellow reader described Live by Night as more of a "guy book" and I agree.
Joe Coughlin is the wayward son of a Boston police captain, a self-described outlaw as opposed to a gangster. He gets mixed up with crime boss Maso Pescatore while in the Charlestown Penitentiary. When they are both released, Maso sends Joe to Ybor City in Tampa to run his illegal businesses, rum running and others. It isn't long before Joe finds he has become a gangster. (Outlaws do illegal things, gangsters kill!)
Part I was set in Boston, 1926-1929 but I particularly liked Part II where the action moved to Tampa, FL, 1929-1933. I knew about the cigar industry in Tampa and Henry Plant's Tampa Bay Hotel, called "Plant's Palace" but I didn't know that Ybor City was named for Vicente Ybor, a cigar magnate. I really didn't realize the racism of that time and place, though I should have. There was serious prejudice against blacks and Cubans and a dangerous presence of the KKK. By Part III, Joe is working in Cuba.
Joe was not a respectable citizen but I found myself rooting for him when he found his true love and stood up, at great risk, to the Boss as he refused to kill his longtime friend and right-hand-man. There certainly are plenty of characters to hate in the novel. I look forward to hearing what our group members think about the book tomorrow so I will be back.
-----------------------------------
Park Lake Page Turners met this morning, always an enjoyable occasion. The average rating for Live by Night was 3.4, no 5's and no 1's. There was plenty to discuss, in fact with 18 questions from the publisher found on litlovers.com, more than we could get around to. Some talk centered around main character Joe and his seeming to have some good in him which he kept hidden much of the time. We found it interesting to speculate about his upbringing, particularly the loss of his mother, and how he became an outlaw. Being Floridians, we liked the Tampa setting with Ybor City in the forefront because many of us have been there. We pretty much agreed that Graciela was a refreshing character amidst so many heartless criminals and we thought she brought out the best in Joe. To say much more would possibly spoil the plot so I will sign off here.
Tuesday, July 19, 2016
Emma A Modern Retelling by Alexander McCall Smith
"Emma looked at Miss Taylor. She felt the tears welling up in her eyes. Jane hated her; that had been spelled out to her. Frank took the view that she had grossly complicated his life through her indiscretion. Harriet regarded her as a rival, and Philip no doubt blamed her for his downfall and disgrace. Nobody, it seemed, liked her---apart from her father, and possibly George, and even then he had been cross about her rudeness to Miss Bates, even if he later gave her credit for trying to make amends. All of these people, she thought, could so easily see me as an enemy."
Emma's revelations, from the novel
I was not familiar with the original Emma written by Jane Austen so after reading this novel, I found the following on Wikipedia:
"Emma, by Jane Austen, is a novel about youthful hubris and the perils of misconstrued romance. The novel was first published in December 1815. As in her other novels, Austen explores the concerns and difficulties of genteel women living in Georgian-Regency England; she also creates a lively comedy of manners among her characters. Before she began the novel, Austen wrote, 'I am going to take a heroine whom no one but myself will much like.' In the first sentence she introduces the title character as 'Emma Woodhouse, handsome, clever, and rich.' Emma is spoiled, headstrong, and self-satisfied; she greatly overestimates her own matchmaking abilities; she is blind to the dangers of meddling in other people's lives; and her imagination and perceptions often lead her astray."
Except for the modern day setting, this describes Smith's Emma quite well. I was especially struck by "comedy of manners" and by Austen's intention that the reader wouldn't much like the heroine at the start. This updated Emma does seem very self-centered and a bit snobbish but by the end, this reader somehow ended up rooting for her. My quote at the beginning of the post comes from near the end of the novel when Emma discovers some unflattering facts about herself, partly due to the ever-so-wise, Miss Taylor, her former governess. By choosing this quote I thought I could pique your interest in the plot without any actual "spoilers."
I found this version of Emma to be quite entertaining---light reading, to be sure, but with some challenging vocabulary thrown in from time to time. I will rate it a 4 and recommend it to ladies, particularly.
Emma's revelations, from the novel
I was not familiar with the original Emma written by Jane Austen so after reading this novel, I found the following on Wikipedia:
"Emma, by Jane Austen, is a novel about youthful hubris and the perils of misconstrued romance. The novel was first published in December 1815. As in her other novels, Austen explores the concerns and difficulties of genteel women living in Georgian-Regency England; she also creates a lively comedy of manners among her characters. Before she began the novel, Austen wrote, 'I am going to take a heroine whom no one but myself will much like.' In the first sentence she introduces the title character as 'Emma Woodhouse, handsome, clever, and rich.' Emma is spoiled, headstrong, and self-satisfied; she greatly overestimates her own matchmaking abilities; she is blind to the dangers of meddling in other people's lives; and her imagination and perceptions often lead her astray."
Except for the modern day setting, this describes Smith's Emma quite well. I was especially struck by "comedy of manners" and by Austen's intention that the reader wouldn't much like the heroine at the start. This updated Emma does seem very self-centered and a bit snobbish but by the end, this reader somehow ended up rooting for her. My quote at the beginning of the post comes from near the end of the novel when Emma discovers some unflattering facts about herself, partly due to the ever-so-wise, Miss Taylor, her former governess. By choosing this quote I thought I could pique your interest in the plot without any actual "spoilers."
I found this version of Emma to be quite entertaining---light reading, to be sure, but with some challenging vocabulary thrown in from time to time. I will rate it a 4 and recommend it to ladies, particularly.
Saturday, July 16, 2016
The Great Santini by Pat Conroy
"From the halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli,
We will fight our country's battles on land, on air, on sea.
First to fight for right and freedom, and to keep our honor clean,
We are proud to claim the title of United States Marines."
-from the Marines' Hymn
I have recently discovered Pat Conroy and love his writing but I must say this novel was not entirely enjoyable. In its 536 pages there were some touching moments and some humor but a lot of physical and verbal abuse to get through. I will rate it a 4.
Ben Meecham is the oldest son of Lt. Col. Bull Meecham, a Marine fighter pilot,"The Great Santini." He is at best rigid and dictatorial in his parenting and at worst, cruel and abusive. These qualities are most often visited on Ben, a gifted athlete who also has many of the softer qualities of his mother---kindness, compassion, the love of words. The entire book is really the family story in the year 1962.
In reading the biography from the author's website, I learned some interesting things related to the author and this novel:
".... the Conroys moved to Atlanta, where Pat wrote his novel, The Great Santini, published in 1976, and later made into a film starring Robert Duvall, that explored the conflicts of the author's childhood, particularly his ambivalent love for his violent and abusive father. The publication of a book that so painfully exposed his family's secret brought Conroy a period of tremendous personal desolation. This crisis resulted not only in his divorce, but the divorce of his parents; his mother presented a copy of The Great Santini to the judge as "evidence" in divorce proceedings against his father."
I guess the plot seemed very real because much of the story was autobiographical. I certainly gained an appreciation for not being born a "Marine brat"! Also I didn't know there was a movie. Now I have to decide if I really want to see it. I do have a copy of The Death of Santini that I look forward to reading soon.
We will fight our country's battles on land, on air, on sea.
First to fight for right and freedom, and to keep our honor clean,
We are proud to claim the title of United States Marines."
-from the Marines' Hymn
I have recently discovered Pat Conroy and love his writing but I must say this novel was not entirely enjoyable. In its 536 pages there were some touching moments and some humor but a lot of physical and verbal abuse to get through. I will rate it a 4.
Ben Meecham is the oldest son of Lt. Col. Bull Meecham, a Marine fighter pilot,"The Great Santini." He is at best rigid and dictatorial in his parenting and at worst, cruel and abusive. These qualities are most often visited on Ben, a gifted athlete who also has many of the softer qualities of his mother---kindness, compassion, the love of words. The entire book is really the family story in the year 1962.
In reading the biography from the author's website, I learned some interesting things related to the author and this novel:
".... the Conroys moved to Atlanta, where Pat wrote his novel, The Great Santini, published in 1976, and later made into a film starring Robert Duvall, that explored the conflicts of the author's childhood, particularly his ambivalent love for his violent and abusive father. The publication of a book that so painfully exposed his family's secret brought Conroy a period of tremendous personal desolation. This crisis resulted not only in his divorce, but the divorce of his parents; his mother presented a copy of The Great Santini to the judge as "evidence" in divorce proceedings against his father."
I guess the plot seemed very real because much of the story was autobiographical. I certainly gained an appreciation for not being born a "Marine brat"! Also I didn't know there was a movie. Now I have to decide if I really want to see it. I do have a copy of The Death of Santini that I look forward to reading soon.
Monday, June 27, 2016
Murder at Ford's Theatre by Margaret Truman
"That was one of many reasons I got out of the business, Yale. Criminal law is easy, provided you don't have to deal with people. Like most everything else in life."
-Mac Smith, from the novel
This is the second murder mystery in Truman's Capital Crimes series that I have read. The other was Murder at the Library of Congress. I enjoyed them both. I will rate this one a 4.
Obviously Margaret Truman knows her way around Washington, D.C. It is particularly interesting to read one of her who-dunnits that takes place somewhere you have actually visited. I have been to the Library of Congress but not Ford's Theatre so I was more involved with the former. I will definitely read more of her novels.
Early in the novel a young intern is found murdered outside Ford's Theatre. Detectives Rick Klayman and Mo Johnson discover several unique suspects as they investigate. They have serious doubts about the guilt of the one eventually arrested, Jeremiah Lerner, the son of a powerful senator and his ex-wife who is the head of Ford's Theatre and in line for the top spot in the National Endowment for the Arts. I found myself conflicted as to who to root for. I really liked the two detectives but also identified with Georgetown professor/defense lawyer, Mac Smith. I even felt sorry for Jeremiah even though he was not very likeable. It seems Truman is pretty skilled at character development.
The book becomes a page turner as the plot thickens. The ending is surprising but isn't that what we want in a murder mystery?
-Mac Smith, from the novel
This is the second murder mystery in Truman's Capital Crimes series that I have read. The other was Murder at the Library of Congress. I enjoyed them both. I will rate this one a 4.
Obviously Margaret Truman knows her way around Washington, D.C. It is particularly interesting to read one of her who-dunnits that takes place somewhere you have actually visited. I have been to the Library of Congress but not Ford's Theatre so I was more involved with the former. I will definitely read more of her novels.
Early in the novel a young intern is found murdered outside Ford's Theatre. Detectives Rick Klayman and Mo Johnson discover several unique suspects as they investigate. They have serious doubts about the guilt of the one eventually arrested, Jeremiah Lerner, the son of a powerful senator and his ex-wife who is the head of Ford's Theatre and in line for the top spot in the National Endowment for the Arts. I found myself conflicted as to who to root for. I really liked the two detectives but also identified with Georgetown professor/defense lawyer, Mac Smith. I even felt sorry for Jeremiah even though he was not very likeable. It seems Truman is pretty skilled at character development.
The book becomes a page turner as the plot thickens. The ending is surprising but isn't that what we want in a murder mystery?
Wednesday, June 15, 2016
Angel City by Patrick Smith
"A few miles north of Homestead, Jared thought he recognized the spot beside the highway where they had stopped to let the radiator cool on the day they arrived in Homestead. He remembered the lunch of sausage and crackers and hot Coke, and the conversations about the fruit stand and the ocean and fishing and bathing suits and things to come. He knew now that all those dreams they had talked about were only dreams, and they had been washed away like a sandcastle in a mountain stream."
-from the novel
This novel was very much a page turner, mostly because of the emotional intensity. I am giving it a 5 but not really because I enjoyed it. If you read it, you will know exactly why I say that!
To begin the novel Jared Teeter and family must sell their failing farm in West Virginia and they plan to try their luck in Florida. By a terrible twist of fate, they end up near Homestead, Florida, picking tomatoes and living in a labor camp called Angel City, a misnomer if ever there was one! Though wife Cloma is very pregnant and cannot work, Jared, daughter Kristy and son Benny put in brutal hours in the fields. The boss is Silas Creedy, a character reminiscent of Simon Legree. Jared tries to stand up for himself and his family only to be defeated at every turn, often violently. He cannot seem to find any way out of the situation; they are prisoners by another name.
I felt such sympathy for the characters---Jared, with his self-proclaimed mountain-man integrity, and his sweet family, and also Cy, a black man and fellow worker who shows himself to be a wonderful and faithful friend.
The book reminded me of a mission trip I took with our church youth group several years ago. Part of our time was in Immokalee, Florida, cleaning a building that would become a community center and learning about the plight of the migrant workers who lived there. They were tomato pickers working so very hard for so little. Their lives were likely better than the workers in Angel City but far from comfortable. Perhaps the memory of that made the theme of this novel even more personal.
I understand the author lived as a migrant for a time to get a true picture of life in such a camp. Later "Angel City," a CBS Movie of the Week starring Ralph Waite, further publicized the evils of such labor camps and forced some positive changes in laws and policies. What a blessing for an author to feel his writing has made a positive difference in people's lives!
-from the novel
This novel was very much a page turner, mostly because of the emotional intensity. I am giving it a 5 but not really because I enjoyed it. If you read it, you will know exactly why I say that!
To begin the novel Jared Teeter and family must sell their failing farm in West Virginia and they plan to try their luck in Florida. By a terrible twist of fate, they end up near Homestead, Florida, picking tomatoes and living in a labor camp called Angel City, a misnomer if ever there was one! Though wife Cloma is very pregnant and cannot work, Jared, daughter Kristy and son Benny put in brutal hours in the fields. The boss is Silas Creedy, a character reminiscent of Simon Legree. Jared tries to stand up for himself and his family only to be defeated at every turn, often violently. He cannot seem to find any way out of the situation; they are prisoners by another name.
I felt such sympathy for the characters---Jared, with his self-proclaimed mountain-man integrity, and his sweet family, and also Cy, a black man and fellow worker who shows himself to be a wonderful and faithful friend.
The book reminded me of a mission trip I took with our church youth group several years ago. Part of our time was in Immokalee, Florida, cleaning a building that would become a community center and learning about the plight of the migrant workers who lived there. They were tomato pickers working so very hard for so little. Their lives were likely better than the workers in Angel City but far from comfortable. Perhaps the memory of that made the theme of this novel even more personal.
I understand the author lived as a migrant for a time to get a true picture of life in such a camp. Later "Angel City," a CBS Movie of the Week starring Ralph Waite, further publicized the evils of such labor camps and forced some positive changes in laws and policies. What a blessing for an author to feel his writing has made a positive difference in people's lives!
Monday, June 13, 2016
State of Wonder by Ann Patchett
"In truth she did not care. She did not care that the Lakashi were having 3.7 times the number of children as compared to other indigenous Brazilians over the course of their lifetimes. She didn't care where they lived or if they were happy or if they wanted the children they had. What she did care about, cared about very much in fact, was that her employer, who had virtually proposed marriage and then sent her off to the equator after one of Vogel's employees had died there, now refused to share with her the basic information of the research question."
-Marina's thoughts, from the novel
For a number of reasons, I'll rate this book a 2. I found it tedious with its long chapters, some over 35 pages and long paragraphs, often a whole page. I also found the premise rather hard to believe---a drug to extend women's reproductive years into their 70's. Who would want that? And I kept wishing there would be a "little less talk and a lot more action."
Main character Dr. Marina Singh works for a pharmaceutical company which has researchers working on a potentially valuable drug in the Amazon. Chief scientist on the project, Dr. Annick Swenson, will not respond to requests for updates. Mr. Jim Fox, Marina's boss (and lover) sends Anders Eckman, another Vogel employee to locate Swenson, and report on the progress of the research. Later Swenson writes that Eckman is dead but provides no details. Marina is sent to uncover the mystery and hopefully disclose to Fox how the project is moving forward.
Marina finds Brazil both beautiful and potentially dangerous. The insect-infested jungle with anacondas and cannibalistic natives possessing poison arrows would have been enough to have me on the first plane back to the USA! After Marina finally locates Swenson, she finds her challenging to work with, to say the least. Swenson's sarcasm and my-way-or-the-highway attitude is very unpleasant.
Patchett's character development is good. I came to like Easter, Milton and Barbara, especially. I found it very odd that Marina called her boss, and lover, Mr. Fox, whether in a professional setting or not. The Lakashi culture was interesting also. I suppose Ms. Patchett did some extensive research there.
I will stop here rather than risk revealing any spoilers. More after our Page Turner meeting and discussion. I am predicting few in the group will like this one.
-------------------
Our group average for this book was 3.2. There were no 5's at all, but only two 2's (one being mine, you may recall). Several members liked the writing style and enjoyed certain aspects of the novel but most of us thought it was slow getting started. We had an interesting discussion about having children later in life but most in our group are retired and were horrified to think of having a baby at our age. I can tell you not one of us was ready to go do research in the Amazon after reading this book! One lady in the group has been on a medical mission in the region and could shed some light on the native culture. She had not encountered cannibals, thank goodness!
-Marina's thoughts, from the novel
For a number of reasons, I'll rate this book a 2. I found it tedious with its long chapters, some over 35 pages and long paragraphs, often a whole page. I also found the premise rather hard to believe---a drug to extend women's reproductive years into their 70's. Who would want that? And I kept wishing there would be a "little less talk and a lot more action."
Main character Dr. Marina Singh works for a pharmaceutical company which has researchers working on a potentially valuable drug in the Amazon. Chief scientist on the project, Dr. Annick Swenson, will not respond to requests for updates. Mr. Jim Fox, Marina's boss (and lover) sends Anders Eckman, another Vogel employee to locate Swenson, and report on the progress of the research. Later Swenson writes that Eckman is dead but provides no details. Marina is sent to uncover the mystery and hopefully disclose to Fox how the project is moving forward.
Marina finds Brazil both beautiful and potentially dangerous. The insect-infested jungle with anacondas and cannibalistic natives possessing poison arrows would have been enough to have me on the first plane back to the USA! After Marina finally locates Swenson, she finds her challenging to work with, to say the least. Swenson's sarcasm and my-way-or-the-highway attitude is very unpleasant.
Patchett's character development is good. I came to like Easter, Milton and Barbara, especially. I found it very odd that Marina called her boss, and lover, Mr. Fox, whether in a professional setting or not. The Lakashi culture was interesting also. I suppose Ms. Patchett did some extensive research there.
I will stop here rather than risk revealing any spoilers. More after our Page Turner meeting and discussion. I am predicting few in the group will like this one.
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Our group average for this book was 3.2. There were no 5's at all, but only two 2's (one being mine, you may recall). Several members liked the writing style and enjoyed certain aspects of the novel but most of us thought it was slow getting started. We had an interesting discussion about having children later in life but most in our group are retired and were horrified to think of having a baby at our age. I can tell you not one of us was ready to go do research in the Amazon after reading this book! One lady in the group has been on a medical mission in the region and could shed some light on the native culture. She had not encountered cannibals, thank goodness!
Saturday, June 4, 2016
Allapattah by Patrick Smith
"Allapattah. Old long snouts. You may be called allapattah by some, but your real meaning is death. You would like to eat me, heh? You would kill all you touch, like instant death. But in the end you'll die too. You'll see. Only four of you are left, and someday soon there will be none. They will kill you, just as they are killing me, and there's nothing for both of us but death."
-Toby Tiger, from the novel
I am teaching an adult class using Patrick Smith's novel A Land Remembered. Until recently it was the only book by the author that I had read. Earlier this year I read Forever Island which also involves the plight of the Florida Seminoles. Allapattah was a short read at a mere 200 pages and it did get better the more I read. I will rate it a 3, enlightening but no fun at all. If you read it, you will see what I mean.
In the novel, Toby Tiger, a young Seminole is very bitter toward white men. He blames them for the destruction of his homeland and the death of his parents. He is married to Lucy Cypress, a Seminole whose father is a Christian pastor. Toby sees even Christianity as a threat to his way of life. His anger causes him to make some rash decisions and his poor judgment brings on more and more trouble. Even with good friend Josie Billie trying to talk sense into him, he is heading down a road of despair.
Toby's story is sad and one cannot help hoping that it is more exception than rule among these Florida native people. But, alas, I suspect it is all too common. With an elderly grandfather and pregnant wife to take care of, he loses his job and is forced to wrestle alligators and carve cypress figures for the tourists. Luckily Big Jim Bentley, owner of a small café/grocery store and the only likeable white man in the story, gives him a job. Unfortunately, Toby still tries to retaliate for the hurt he's experienced and the law is not on his side.
-Toby Tiger, from the novel
I am teaching an adult class using Patrick Smith's novel A Land Remembered. Until recently it was the only book by the author that I had read. Earlier this year I read Forever Island which also involves the plight of the Florida Seminoles. Allapattah was a short read at a mere 200 pages and it did get better the more I read. I will rate it a 3, enlightening but no fun at all. If you read it, you will see what I mean.
In the novel, Toby Tiger, a young Seminole is very bitter toward white men. He blames them for the destruction of his homeland and the death of his parents. He is married to Lucy Cypress, a Seminole whose father is a Christian pastor. Toby sees even Christianity as a threat to his way of life. His anger causes him to make some rash decisions and his poor judgment brings on more and more trouble. Even with good friend Josie Billie trying to talk sense into him, he is heading down a road of despair.
Toby's story is sad and one cannot help hoping that it is more exception than rule among these Florida native people. But, alas, I suspect it is all too common. With an elderly grandfather and pregnant wife to take care of, he loses his job and is forced to wrestle alligators and carve cypress figures for the tourists. Luckily Big Jim Bentley, owner of a small café/grocery store and the only likeable white man in the story, gives him a job. Unfortunately, Toby still tries to retaliate for the hurt he's experienced and the law is not on his side.
Thursday, May 26, 2016
Circling the Sun by Paula McLain
"We're all of us afraid of many things, but if you make yourself smaller or let your fear confine you, then you really aren't your own person at all---are you? The real question is whether or not you will risk what it takes to be happy."
- Karen Blixen, from the novel
One of the other Page Turners selected this book for our group. I enjoyed it very much and gave it a 5 rating. I confess I read much of it before I realized it was a fictionalized account of a real person's life. The cover says A Novel and I took that at face value, never having heard of Beryl Markham. As it turns out she was a real woman and ahead of her time in many ways.
Beryl's story is sad in parts and inspiring in others. Her mother abandons her when she is very young and she is raised by an emotionally distant father in colonial Kenya, and in some ways by the nearby Kipsigis tribe. It reminded me of "it takes a village to raise a child." She grows up loving her freedom, the land and the animals, particularly the horses they tend and train. She later becomes the first woman to earn an English trainer's license. It was an interesting coincidence that I was reading this novel during Triple Crown racing season.
Beryl's social life is a roller coaster as she gets involved in several toxic relationships with men. When she finally meets her soul-mate, it is someone she cannot have.
Much later in the book she learns to fly a plane and becomes the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic, east to west. You would think I would have heard of her! Amelia Earhart, yes; Bessie Coleman, yes; Beryl Markham, no.
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Refreshments at our meeting today? Tasty edibles and delicious faux champagne! (Hey, we meet in a church.) A creative choice since characters were drinking champagne frequently!
I found Circling the Sun a real page turner, but not everyone in our group agreed. The group average was 3.6 with only one rating of 5 besides my own. Many of us agreed that Ms. McLain's writing style is pleasing and she develops the sense of place beautifully to make us see and feel Kenya in the 1920's.
One member who had read Beryl Markham's memoir, West with the Night and Isak Dennison's Out of Africa (story from Karen's perspective, see quote above) thought this book was a "shameless rip-off of the actual autobiographies." One thought it presumptuous of McLain to write Beryl's fictionalized story in first person but others of us found it more personal.
Our group had a hard time relating to the decadence of this society with all the drinking and marital infidelities. But we were reminded of the time---Roaring 20's, and place---British colonial Africa. I said it seemed a bit Gatsbyesque to me. Not a good thing for most of our group since we couldn't identify with those characters either.
Several of us who never heard of Beryl Markham were glad we read the book. Perhaps some who had not read the other two books mentioned above enjoyed it more than those who made the comparison. A few were heard to say they want to watch the film "Out of Africa" again.
One thing's for sure: this one gives you plenty to talk about!
- Karen Blixen, from the novel
One of the other Page Turners selected this book for our group. I enjoyed it very much and gave it a 5 rating. I confess I read much of it before I realized it was a fictionalized account of a real person's life. The cover says A Novel and I took that at face value, never having heard of Beryl Markham. As it turns out she was a real woman and ahead of her time in many ways.
Beryl's story is sad in parts and inspiring in others. Her mother abandons her when she is very young and she is raised by an emotionally distant father in colonial Kenya, and in some ways by the nearby Kipsigis tribe. It reminded me of "it takes a village to raise a child." She grows up loving her freedom, the land and the animals, particularly the horses they tend and train. She later becomes the first woman to earn an English trainer's license. It was an interesting coincidence that I was reading this novel during Triple Crown racing season.
Beryl's social life is a roller coaster as she gets involved in several toxic relationships with men. When she finally meets her soul-mate, it is someone she cannot have.
Much later in the book she learns to fly a plane and becomes the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic, east to west. You would think I would have heard of her! Amelia Earhart, yes; Bessie Coleman, yes; Beryl Markham, no.
----------------------------------
Refreshments at our meeting today? Tasty edibles and delicious faux champagne! (Hey, we meet in a church.) A creative choice since characters were drinking champagne frequently!
I found Circling the Sun a real page turner, but not everyone in our group agreed. The group average was 3.6 with only one rating of 5 besides my own. Many of us agreed that Ms. McLain's writing style is pleasing and she develops the sense of place beautifully to make us see and feel Kenya in the 1920's.
One member who had read Beryl Markham's memoir, West with the Night and Isak Dennison's Out of Africa (story from Karen's perspective, see quote above) thought this book was a "shameless rip-off of the actual autobiographies." One thought it presumptuous of McLain to write Beryl's fictionalized story in first person but others of us found it more personal.
Our group had a hard time relating to the decadence of this society with all the drinking and marital infidelities. But we were reminded of the time---Roaring 20's, and place---British colonial Africa. I said it seemed a bit Gatsbyesque to me. Not a good thing for most of our group since we couldn't identify with those characters either.
Several of us who never heard of Beryl Markham were glad we read the book. Perhaps some who had not read the other two books mentioned above enjoyed it more than those who made the comparison. A few were heard to say they want to watch the film "Out of Africa" again.
One thing's for sure: this one gives you plenty to talk about!
Sunday, May 22, 2016
Bridget Jones Mad About the Boy by Helen Fielding
"Wednesday 5 June 2013
134 lb, hours in a day 24, hours required to do all things supposed to do in day 36, hours spent worrying about how to fit in all things supposed to do in day 4, number of things supposed to have done actually done 1 (go to toilet)."
-from Bridget's diary
I fondly remembered Bridget Jones's Diary, both the novel and the movie with Renee Zellweger from years ago so I thought I'd like this one from 2013. I DID enjoy it but my rating is a 3 because it became a little tedious in parts. At 476 pages, it's probably longer than it should be.
Fielding uses a similar style to the original ...Diary in this sequel but along with diary entries she uses texts, emails and tweets to move the plot along. The quote is a great example.
In Mad About the Boy screenwriter Bridget Jones, still grieving over the tragic death of her precious husband Mark, tries to reenter the dating scene with a "toy boy" named Roxby McDuff who is 21 years younger. They call each other Roxster and Jonesy.
I found it difficult to identify with Bridget: she is British, a widow of a younger generation with 2 small children and more involved with social media, especially Twitter in this novel. I did find many of her antics amusing such as the treatment of her children's lice problem. It was a crazy coincidence that I had just watched an episode of "Fresh Off the Boat" on TV about the same subject! I also enjoyed the references to London since I had been there a year ago.
Basically I would recommend this book to women in their 40's or 50's. I don't believe most of our Page Turners group would find it satisfying.
134 lb, hours in a day 24, hours required to do all things supposed to do in day 36, hours spent worrying about how to fit in all things supposed to do in day 4, number of things supposed to have done actually done 1 (go to toilet)."
-from Bridget's diary
I fondly remembered Bridget Jones's Diary, both the novel and the movie with Renee Zellweger from years ago so I thought I'd like this one from 2013. I DID enjoy it but my rating is a 3 because it became a little tedious in parts. At 476 pages, it's probably longer than it should be.
Fielding uses a similar style to the original ...Diary in this sequel but along with diary entries she uses texts, emails and tweets to move the plot along. The quote is a great example.
In Mad About the Boy screenwriter Bridget Jones, still grieving over the tragic death of her precious husband Mark, tries to reenter the dating scene with a "toy boy" named Roxby McDuff who is 21 years younger. They call each other Roxster and Jonesy.
I found it difficult to identify with Bridget: she is British, a widow of a younger generation with 2 small children and more involved with social media, especially Twitter in this novel. I did find many of her antics amusing such as the treatment of her children's lice problem. It was a crazy coincidence that I had just watched an episode of "Fresh Off the Boat" on TV about the same subject! I also enjoyed the references to London since I had been there a year ago.
Basically I would recommend this book to women in their 40's or 50's. I don't believe most of our Page Turners group would find it satisfying.
Friday, May 20, 2016
Still Life with Bread Crumbs by Anna Quindlen
"It's a funny thing, hope. It's not like love, or fear, or hate. It's a feeling you don't really know you had until it's gone."
-Rebecca, from the novel
I prejudged this book by its cover----the title aroused my curiosity. Besides, it was on sale!
Main character Rebecca Winter is a photographer with a fading reputation and bank account who sets out to reinvent herself. She seemed very believable as a middle-aged woman----a member of the "sandwich generation"---with a son just beginning a career and aging parents. I could identify with her efforts to find purpose in her life.
Rebecca had been an award-winning artist especially known by a series of photographs called the Kitchen Counter Series, one of which was Still Life with Bread Crumbs, giving the novel its title. In her new life, she makes some mysterious discoveries which become a fresh series of photographs. Could this lead to a second chance at success?
I found the story confusing at times when the author would introduce a new character and suddenly begin narrating background about him or her. Quindlen's use of foreshadowing was frequent and interesting, eg. "Rebecca Winter knew that well, was about to learn it even better." Chapter titles are clever and help to keep the reader engaged, as well.
I am rating Still Life with Bread Crumbs a 3---good, but not great.
-Rebecca, from the novel
I prejudged this book by its cover----the title aroused my curiosity. Besides, it was on sale!
Main character Rebecca Winter is a photographer with a fading reputation and bank account who sets out to reinvent herself. She seemed very believable as a middle-aged woman----a member of the "sandwich generation"---with a son just beginning a career and aging parents. I could identify with her efforts to find purpose in her life.
Rebecca had been an award-winning artist especially known by a series of photographs called the Kitchen Counter Series, one of which was Still Life with Bread Crumbs, giving the novel its title. In her new life, she makes some mysterious discoveries which become a fresh series of photographs. Could this lead to a second chance at success?
I found the story confusing at times when the author would introduce a new character and suddenly begin narrating background about him or her. Quindlen's use of foreshadowing was frequent and interesting, eg. "Rebecca Winter knew that well, was about to learn it even better." Chapter titles are clever and help to keep the reader engaged, as well.
I am rating Still Life with Bread Crumbs a 3---good, but not great.
The All-Girl Filling Station's Last Reunion by Fannie Flagg
"The rest of the day, Sookie kept catching glimpses of herself in the mirror. She knew she looked the same on the outside. She walked and talked like the same person. But she didn't know who or what she was on the inside."
-from the novel
I have been a fan of Fannie Flagg (pun intended) for years but had somehow missed reading this book from 2013. In reading it I realized how much I've missed the Southern charm of her stories.
The novel begins in Point Clear, Alabama in 2005 when Mrs. Earle Poole, Jr., called Sookie, receives a registered letter which reveals a shocking family secret. This revelation throws Sookie into a serious identity crisis. Sookie's conflict alternates through the novel with a secondary plot involving the Jurdabralinski family from 1928 into the 1940's.
Polish immigrants, the Jurdabralinskis come to own Wink's Phillips 66 filling station in Pulaski, Wisconsin. Spunky Fritzi and her sisters run the station when their father is taken ill and brother Wink is serving in the army, explaining part of the title The All-Girl Filling Station... Ahead of her time, Fritzi learns to fly, becomes part of a flying circus and later joins the WASPs (Women's Air Force Service Pilots), a little-known unit serving gallantly in WWII.
Discovering the intersection of Sookie and Fritzi's stories make the book a page-turner. The interesting characters add even more charm.
"A Conversation with Fannie Flagg and Pat Conroy" in the Reader's Guide section at the end was a treat for me because Conroy is a favorite of mine, as well.
I am rating The All-Girl Filling Station's Last Reunion a 5. I enjoyed it very much and even gained some knowledge and appreciation for women's contributions in WWII.
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This novel became our March 2017 selection for the Page Turners group. Since I had read it close to a year before, I had to do a little review, including reading this blog post. Our group seemed to enjoy the book with ratings of 4 and 5. The average was 4.3. Several of us had known little about the WASPs in WWII but one member of our group has personally known women who were pilots of that organization. She, too, is a pilot and has flown with some of them. She assured us that Fritzi's character combined many of their attributes. The All-Girl Filling Station.... made for an enjoyable discussion!
-from the novel
I have been a fan of Fannie Flagg (pun intended) for years but had somehow missed reading this book from 2013. In reading it I realized how much I've missed the Southern charm of her stories.
The novel begins in Point Clear, Alabama in 2005 when Mrs. Earle Poole, Jr., called Sookie, receives a registered letter which reveals a shocking family secret. This revelation throws Sookie into a serious identity crisis. Sookie's conflict alternates through the novel with a secondary plot involving the Jurdabralinski family from 1928 into the 1940's.
Polish immigrants, the Jurdabralinskis come to own Wink's Phillips 66 filling station in Pulaski, Wisconsin. Spunky Fritzi and her sisters run the station when their father is taken ill and brother Wink is serving in the army, explaining part of the title The All-Girl Filling Station... Ahead of her time, Fritzi learns to fly, becomes part of a flying circus and later joins the WASPs (Women's Air Force Service Pilots), a little-known unit serving gallantly in WWII.
Discovering the intersection of Sookie and Fritzi's stories make the book a page-turner. The interesting characters add even more charm.
"A Conversation with Fannie Flagg and Pat Conroy" in the Reader's Guide section at the end was a treat for me because Conroy is a favorite of mine, as well.
I am rating The All-Girl Filling Station's Last Reunion a 5. I enjoyed it very much and even gained some knowledge and appreciation for women's contributions in WWII.
----------------------
This novel became our March 2017 selection for the Page Turners group. Since I had read it close to a year before, I had to do a little review, including reading this blog post. Our group seemed to enjoy the book with ratings of 4 and 5. The average was 4.3. Several of us had known little about the WASPs in WWII but one member of our group has personally known women who were pilots of that organization. She, too, is a pilot and has flown with some of them. She assured us that Fritzi's character combined many of their attributes. The All-Girl Filling Station.... made for an enjoyable discussion!
Saturday, April 23, 2016
Elephant Company by Vicki Constantine Croke
"I meant what I said and I said what I meant. An elephant's faithful one hundred percent."
-Horton, Horton Hears a Who by Dr. Seuss
I probably would never have thought to read this book without one of our book club members selecting it. I surely would not have taken on another nonfiction after working my way through The Path Between the Seas. I did enjoy the book, however, and learned a great deal. I am rating it a 4.
Mostly biographical, the book tells the story of Brit James Howard Williams who comes to be known as Elephant Bill. It begins in 1920 when Williams, as a very young man, arrives in Burma to work for Bombay Burmah Trading, the top teak-cutting corporation in the area. He will end up working with the elephants who haul the teak timber. Over time, he falls in love with these huge animals and becomes something of an elephant whisperer.
In the latter part of the book, Bill, also known as Jim by his family, becomes a hero during WWII when he saves many lives---people and elephants---against great odds. I had never heard of him before reading the book, nor did I know elephants had affected the war effort in any way.
Elephant Bill is a very admirable character---brave, determined, caring, smart. His relationship with the elephant Bandoola, who could easily be called the king of the Burma jungle, was very interesting. One often hears the saying "an elephant never forgets" but who knew that along with a good memory they have many other fine qualities: "courage, loyalty, the ability to trust (and the good sense to know when to be distrustful), fairness, patience, diligence, kindness, and humor." (p xii) Williams felt that he acquired some of these virtues from working with the animals. He said, "...the elephant takes a more kindly view of life than we do."
I was familiar with The Faithful Elephants, a children's picture book by Yukio Tsuchiya. It was also set in WWII. I am glad Elephant Company was not so sad!
If you are an animal lover, I think you would enjoy this book.
-Horton, Horton Hears a Who by Dr. Seuss
I probably would never have thought to read this book without one of our book club members selecting it. I surely would not have taken on another nonfiction after working my way through The Path Between the Seas. I did enjoy the book, however, and learned a great deal. I am rating it a 4.
Mostly biographical, the book tells the story of Brit James Howard Williams who comes to be known as Elephant Bill. It begins in 1920 when Williams, as a very young man, arrives in Burma to work for Bombay Burmah Trading, the top teak-cutting corporation in the area. He will end up working with the elephants who haul the teak timber. Over time, he falls in love with these huge animals and becomes something of an elephant whisperer.
In the latter part of the book, Bill, also known as Jim by his family, becomes a hero during WWII when he saves many lives---people and elephants---against great odds. I had never heard of him before reading the book, nor did I know elephants had affected the war effort in any way.
Elephant Bill is a very admirable character---brave, determined, caring, smart. His relationship with the elephant Bandoola, who could easily be called the king of the Burma jungle, was very interesting. One often hears the saying "an elephant never forgets" but who knew that along with a good memory they have many other fine qualities: "courage, loyalty, the ability to trust (and the good sense to know when to be distrustful), fairness, patience, diligence, kindness, and humor." (p xii) Williams felt that he acquired some of these virtues from working with the animals. He said, "...the elephant takes a more kindly view of life than we do."
I was familiar with The Faithful Elephants, a children's picture book by Yukio Tsuchiya. It was also set in WWII. I am glad Elephant Company was not so sad!
If you are an animal lover, I think you would enjoy this book.
Saturday, April 16, 2016
The Path Between the Seas by David McCullough
“It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out
how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done them
better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face
is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly, who errs and
comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great
devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows in the
end the triumph of high achievement; and who, at the worst, if he fails, at
least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those
cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”
- Theodore
Roosevelt, as displayed in the Rotunda of the Administration Building
I honestly would never have undertaken the reading of this book except for a planned cruise through the Panama Canal. Aside from being 600+ pages, it was quite technical at times and had so many names to remember. McCullough's historical writing, though, is so much more interesting than most nonfiction and far more entertaining than a textbook.
The Path... definitely presented more information than I needed to know and likely a lot I won't remember. However, when I hear lectures offered on the cruise ship I'll have some background and probably recall some of the pertinent facts.
Some surprising things I learned in reading (and I confess I knew very little beforehand):
- Interest in and research of the idea of a canal to connect the oceans began in earnest with Grant's term.
- The French began the canal in Panama and worked on it about 8 years before the project went bankrupt.
- When a canal was being discussed in the U.S., many in authority wanted a Nicaraguan route.
- Theodore Roosevelt made the final decision to continue the canal in Panama, influenced greatly by a Frenchman named Phillipe Bunau-Varilla.
- When Columbia would not sign a contract to allow for the building of the canal, the U.S. fomented a rebellion of Panama, then part of Columbia. When Panama won independence in an almost bloodless revolution, thanks to the U. S. Navy, an agreement was reached with the Panamanians.
- Three chief engineers were in charge of the building: John Findlay Wallace, John Frank Stevens and George Washington Goethals (the only name I actually remembered.)
- Though Goethals was given a great deal of credit for the success of the canal, he later said "the real builder of the Panama Canal was Theodore Roosevelt."
- William Howard Taft was very influential, as well. As Secretary of War he visited Panama 5 times and as president, twice. More importantly he hired Stevens who had a huge impact on the successful start of the U.S. efforts and recommended Goethals who brought it to a conclusion---the "giant engineering feat of the ages." [Roosevelt]
I am very glad I read The Path Between the Seas; I will rate it a 4. Now I'm looking forward to reading a novel for fun!
Saturday, March 26, 2016
One Summer by David Baldacci
"Because life doesn't work that way. You can do everything perfectly. Do everything that you think you're supposed to be doing. Fulfill every expectation that other people may have. And you still won't get the results you think you deserve. Life is crazy and maddening and often makes no sense."
-Jack to his daughter, Mikki
I have been trying to finish this one for at least 6 weeks, not because it was so challenging; to the contrary, it was an easy read. I just had to keep putting it aside to finish other things, the last two book club selections and research for the class I was teaching. Compared to all of those, One Summer was a breeze.
At the beginning of the novel main character Jack Armstrong has a terminal disease and is making preparations for his death. By a cruel twist of fate, his wife dies in a tragic accident. But Jack makes a sudden, inexplicable recovery to the point of being labeled "Miracle Man" by some. Thinking they would be orphans, Jack has already had their three children "farmed out" to grandparents. Now Jack wants to get his kids back, move them to the South Carolina coast (his wife's childhood home which he has inherited) and try to make a good life for them all.
Short chapters and familiar subject matter made this one pretty easy to read, as I mentioned, especially after finishing The Space Between Us with foreign words and phrases of India and The Wright Brothers with quite a lot of technical details. The plot is fairly predictable and simplistic. I will give it a rating of 3: pretty good but I doubt it will stay with me for long.
-Jack to his daughter, Mikki
I have been trying to finish this one for at least 6 weeks, not because it was so challenging; to the contrary, it was an easy read. I just had to keep putting it aside to finish other things, the last two book club selections and research for the class I was teaching. Compared to all of those, One Summer was a breeze.
At the beginning of the novel main character Jack Armstrong has a terminal disease and is making preparations for his death. By a cruel twist of fate, his wife dies in a tragic accident. But Jack makes a sudden, inexplicable recovery to the point of being labeled "Miracle Man" by some. Thinking they would be orphans, Jack has already had their three children "farmed out" to grandparents. Now Jack wants to get his kids back, move them to the South Carolina coast (his wife's childhood home which he has inherited) and try to make a good life for them all.
Short chapters and familiar subject matter made this one pretty easy to read, as I mentioned, especially after finishing The Space Between Us with foreign words and phrases of India and The Wright Brothers with quite a lot of technical details. The plot is fairly predictable and simplistic. I will give it a rating of 3: pretty good but I doubt it will stay with me for long.
The Space Between Us by Thrity Umrigar
"And so I have to live. Even though I'm already dead, I know I will have to live. Because we live for more than just ourselves, hai na, beta? Most of the time we live for others, keep putting one foot before the other, left and right, left and right, so that walking becomes a habit, just like breathing. In and out, left and right."
-Bhima's thoughts at her daughter's funeral
This was the first Page Turners selection made by someone other than me in quite a while. I thought the writing was beautiful and the story compelling. I gave it a rating of 5 but the group average was 3.7. A couple of members rated it a 2. It wasn't exactly an enjoyable read but for me it was a page-turner.
The story is set in Bombay and revolves around two women of different classes and circumstances. Bhima is the hired servant of Sera. Bhima is the guardian of her granddaughter and Sera, a widow, is living with her daughter and son-in-law who are expecting a baby. From this point of the story, both Bhima and Sera frequently flashback to their courtships and early marriages giving the reader insight into their behaviors. Suffice it to say, neither marriage turns out as planned and neither woman has a "perfect life."
I want to avoid any spoilers so many of my comments will be general. As I mentioned I thought Umrigar's writing was excellent, often profound, sometimes poetic. Her use of Indian words and phrases made the setting seem more authentic to me though it was a challenge. (see the quote) Some readers in our group were put off by that. In the dialogue there was the use of rhyming pairs or doubling of words quite often, e. g. hard-hard, money-foney, big-big, bhola-bhala, friends-schends. Odd, but interesting.
The relationships with mother-in-laws reminded me of my own. My husband's mother told me years ago that her mother-in-law was quite hateful to her and she had vowed, as a result, to be a kinder, gentler one when her sons married. She was true to her word, a wonderful mother-in-law! It also came to me how blessed I am to be an educated, liberated American woman with many options for my life!
If you want a fun read, this one might not be for you but I am glad I read it!
-Bhima's thoughts at her daughter's funeral
This was the first Page Turners selection made by someone other than me in quite a while. I thought the writing was beautiful and the story compelling. I gave it a rating of 5 but the group average was 3.7. A couple of members rated it a 2. It wasn't exactly an enjoyable read but for me it was a page-turner.
The story is set in Bombay and revolves around two women of different classes and circumstances. Bhima is the hired servant of Sera. Bhima is the guardian of her granddaughter and Sera, a widow, is living with her daughter and son-in-law who are expecting a baby. From this point of the story, both Bhima and Sera frequently flashback to their courtships and early marriages giving the reader insight into their behaviors. Suffice it to say, neither marriage turns out as planned and neither woman has a "perfect life."
I want to avoid any spoilers so many of my comments will be general. As I mentioned I thought Umrigar's writing was excellent, often profound, sometimes poetic. Her use of Indian words and phrases made the setting seem more authentic to me though it was a challenge. (see the quote) Some readers in our group were put off by that. In the dialogue there was the use of rhyming pairs or doubling of words quite often, e. g. hard-hard, money-foney, big-big, bhola-bhala, friends-schends. Odd, but interesting.
The relationships with mother-in-laws reminded me of my own. My husband's mother told me years ago that her mother-in-law was quite hateful to her and she had vowed, as a result, to be a kinder, gentler one when her sons married. She was true to her word, a wonderful mother-in-law! It also came to me how blessed I am to be an educated, liberated American woman with many options for my life!
If you want a fun read, this one might not be for you but I am glad I read it!
Friday, March 18, 2016
The Silkworm by Robert Galbraith
"A clear picture of the killer was emerging out of the mass of disconnected evidence, and the image was stark and terrifying: a case of obsession, of violent rage, of a calculating, brilliant but profoundly disturbed mind."
-from the novel
I read The Cuckoo's Calling a few years ago and I think I liked it. I certainly knew Robert Galbraith was the pen name of J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter series which I loved. When I recently noticed Career of Evil on the Hot Picks table at the library and realized it was another in the series, I picked it up and took it home. I enjoyed it but soon realized it was the third in the series and I had been completely unaware of the second, The Silkworm.
I think The Silkworm would have been a page-turner if I had had time to do more sustained reading. I was researching and planning lessons for an adult class this month so I had little time for pleasure reading. I will rate it a 4.
The Silkworm again features Cormoran Strike, a detective who wears a prosthetic leg as a result of an IED encountered in Afghanistan. In this novel he takes on a search for the missing author of Bombyx Mori, Owen Quine. When Quine is found brutally murdered, the list of suspects is long and centered in the publishing world where Quine had angered many by his representations of them in his novel. As it turns out Quine was slain in a manner described in Bombyx Mori. The chief suspect of law enforcement is Leonora Quine, the wife who hired Strike to find her husband, and whom Strike believes is innocent. Added to this interesting plot is the romantic tension between Strike and his assistant, Robin, who happens to be engaged.
Rowling, aka Galbraith, is an excellent writer. She knows how to weave a plot and the vocabulary is challenging. The Cormoran Strike series takes place in London and I enjoy the British jargon and references to landmarks since I visited there last spring. My followers know I like quotes but in this novel the author begins each chapter with an unfamiliar quote, leaving me confused as to why they were there. A couple referred to silkworms but as to the others, I have no clue.
I wondered for some time about the title Bombyx Mori. Upon further reading one discovers that it translates silkworm.
I recommend reading this series in order. If you like detective stories, you will probably find them more "meaty" than most!
-from the novel
I read The Cuckoo's Calling a few years ago and I think I liked it. I certainly knew Robert Galbraith was the pen name of J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter series which I loved. When I recently noticed Career of Evil on the Hot Picks table at the library and realized it was another in the series, I picked it up and took it home. I enjoyed it but soon realized it was the third in the series and I had been completely unaware of the second, The Silkworm.
I think The Silkworm would have been a page-turner if I had had time to do more sustained reading. I was researching and planning lessons for an adult class this month so I had little time for pleasure reading. I will rate it a 4.
The Silkworm again features Cormoran Strike, a detective who wears a prosthetic leg as a result of an IED encountered in Afghanistan. In this novel he takes on a search for the missing author of Bombyx Mori, Owen Quine. When Quine is found brutally murdered, the list of suspects is long and centered in the publishing world where Quine had angered many by his representations of them in his novel. As it turns out Quine was slain in a manner described in Bombyx Mori. The chief suspect of law enforcement is Leonora Quine, the wife who hired Strike to find her husband, and whom Strike believes is innocent. Added to this interesting plot is the romantic tension between Strike and his assistant, Robin, who happens to be engaged.
Rowling, aka Galbraith, is an excellent writer. She knows how to weave a plot and the vocabulary is challenging. The Cormoran Strike series takes place in London and I enjoy the British jargon and references to landmarks since I visited there last spring. My followers know I like quotes but in this novel the author begins each chapter with an unfamiliar quote, leaving me confused as to why they were there. A couple referred to silkworms but as to the others, I have no clue.
I wondered for some time about the title Bombyx Mori. Upon further reading one discovers that it translates silkworm.
I recommend reading this series in order. If you like detective stories, you will probably find them more "meaty" than most!
Thursday, February 25, 2016
The Wright Brothers by David McCullough
"I like to think about that first airplane the way it sailed off in the air...as pretty as any bird you ever laid your eyes on. I don't think I ever saw a prettier sight in my life....It wasn't luck that made them fly; it was hard work and common sense; they put their whole heart and soul and all their energy into an idea and they had the faith."
-John T. Daniels, eyewitness to historic 1903 flight of the Wright Brothers
The Wright Brothers was selected for February at the recommendation of another book club which came with the offer of a couple of copies to loan. I was familiar with author McCullough, well-known for his biographies and histories so I knew he was an excellent writer.
I can't say I loved the book and it surely was NOT a page-turner. However, I am glad I read it because I learned a great deal about two true American heroes. My foreknowledge was limited to the invention of the airplane and that Kitty Hawk, NC was involved. So for me the book held many surprises---the closeness of the Wright family, their beginnings as bicycle manufacturers and much of their early work being done in France. The speed of development in the field of aeronautics was amazing, as well, considering how much competition the Wright brothers had just a year after their break-through events. When one thinks of the progress in manned flight since, one cannot help being inspired by these two brilliant, unrelenting scientist inventors!
I enjoyed the photographs included, not just of the flying machines but also of family, friends and supporters of Orville and Wilbur. They helped to humanize these larger-than-life characters. Some of the technical aspects were well over my head, but necessary for the accuracy of the story. I couldn't help being impressed with the amount of research required for such a book. I have decided on a rating of 4 for the reasons I have mentioned.
I had visited the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. a few years ago and vaguely remember seeing the Wright Brothers exhibit including the 1903 Flyer, noted as the first airplane. I do wish I could return having read McCullough's book. I would appreciate it so much more now!
-------------------
When our Page Turners group met, our average rating was 3.9, with a preponderance of 4's. Our members were glad to have read it. In our midst were two lady pilots who may have enjoyed it (and understood the technical parts) better than the rest of us. In discussing the differences between the brothers, it was said that they complimented each other. One participant went so far as to predict one could not have accomplished the same feats alone. We noted that both brothers were patient, persistent, and determined with great vision and imagination. While Wilbur was an intellectual genius, Orville had amazing mechanical ability. The teamwork was invaluable.
Most participants did not realize the "French connection" of the Wrights, just as I had not. One member who has read more extensively on this topic said that France had been fascinated with flight for years before the occurrences in this book, especially balloon flight. That would be a major reason why the early accomplishments of the Wrights were embraced and celebrated by the French more than in the U.S. at first.
In discussing the rapid and plentiful changes in the world of aeronautics after the 1903 break-through, one member used a popcorn analogy. Discoveries made in science, much like Wilbur's first flights, are like the first kernels of corn that pop slowly. It doesn't take long for the popping to become fast and furious.
We were surprised that the whole Wright family was so supportive, encouraging and proud of Wilbur and Orville. Chapter One begins with this quote from Wilbur: "If I were giving a young man advice as to how he might succeed in life, I would say to him, pick out a good father and mother, and begin life in Ohio."
-John T. Daniels, eyewitness to historic 1903 flight of the Wright Brothers
The Wright Brothers was selected for February at the recommendation of another book club which came with the offer of a couple of copies to loan. I was familiar with author McCullough, well-known for his biographies and histories so I knew he was an excellent writer.
I can't say I loved the book and it surely was NOT a page-turner. However, I am glad I read it because I learned a great deal about two true American heroes. My foreknowledge was limited to the invention of the airplane and that Kitty Hawk, NC was involved. So for me the book held many surprises---the closeness of the Wright family, their beginnings as bicycle manufacturers and much of their early work being done in France. The speed of development in the field of aeronautics was amazing, as well, considering how much competition the Wright brothers had just a year after their break-through events. When one thinks of the progress in manned flight since, one cannot help being inspired by these two brilliant, unrelenting scientist inventors!
I enjoyed the photographs included, not just of the flying machines but also of family, friends and supporters of Orville and Wilbur. They helped to humanize these larger-than-life characters. Some of the technical aspects were well over my head, but necessary for the accuracy of the story. I couldn't help being impressed with the amount of research required for such a book. I have decided on a rating of 4 for the reasons I have mentioned.
I had visited the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. a few years ago and vaguely remember seeing the Wright Brothers exhibit including the 1903 Flyer, noted as the first airplane. I do wish I could return having read McCullough's book. I would appreciate it so much more now!
-------------------
When our Page Turners group met, our average rating was 3.9, with a preponderance of 4's. Our members were glad to have read it. In our midst were two lady pilots who may have enjoyed it (and understood the technical parts) better than the rest of us. In discussing the differences between the brothers, it was said that they complimented each other. One participant went so far as to predict one could not have accomplished the same feats alone. We noted that both brothers were patient, persistent, and determined with great vision and imagination. While Wilbur was an intellectual genius, Orville had amazing mechanical ability. The teamwork was invaluable.
Most participants did not realize the "French connection" of the Wrights, just as I had not. One member who has read more extensively on this topic said that France had been fascinated with flight for years before the occurrences in this book, especially balloon flight. That would be a major reason why the early accomplishments of the Wrights were embraced and celebrated by the French more than in the U.S. at first.
In discussing the rapid and plentiful changes in the world of aeronautics after the 1903 break-through, one member used a popcorn analogy. Discoveries made in science, much like Wilbur's first flights, are like the first kernels of corn that pop slowly. It doesn't take long for the popping to become fast and furious.
We were surprised that the whole Wright family was so supportive, encouraging and proud of Wilbur and Orville. Chapter One begins with this quote from Wilbur: "If I were giving a young man advice as to how he might succeed in life, I would say to him, pick out a good father and mother, and begin life in Ohio."
Tuesday, February 16, 2016
All the Stars in the Heavens by Adriana Trigiani
"Alda had also observed how strange Hollywood could be. Nothing was as it seemed, including the emotions under the surface. Gorgeous actresses who wore furs and jewels and waved to the crowds at premieres, in private had crushing bout of self-loathing and engaged in all kinds of self-destructive behavior. Actors who were handsome, strong, athletic, and robust on the set, in private could not stop drinking. Their working world of heightened emotions and perfection was an illusion that fed their unworthiness." -from the novel
This historical fiction tells the love story of Loretta Young and Clark Gable. Loretta, whose real name is Gretchen Belzer, confesses that she falls in love with all her leading men. On the rebound from her involvement with Spencer Tracy, she stars in Call of the Wild with Gable and she falls hard for him. I found myself wondering if I ever saw that movie and thinking I would like to watch it.
The other main character is Alda Ducci, an aspiring nun, who is dismissed by the Mother Superior as not being ready and ends up working for Loretta Young. She is treated very well by the family and ends up being a true and valued friend and advisor to the actress. Her own love story is woven into Miss Young's affairs of heart.
I remembered several actors mentioned in the story---especially Spencer Tracy, David Niven and Hattie McDaniel. Of course, I knew Clark Gable, mostly from "Gone with the Wind." I knew he was very handsome but apparently he was also quite charming with a great sense of humor. He did have a roving eye for the ladies---was married 5 times!
When I began the book, I knew who Loretta Young was though I couldn't recall a specific movie in which she had performed. In reading her story I admired her willingness to take risks as in using radio and, later, television to keep working and maintain her fan base past an age when many actresses could not. I think I remember her TV show in the 50's.
I was surprised that at age 21, Loretta already had several movies to her credit. It was interesting to find that she was a devout Catholic, though certainly not a pious one. It was not surprising that the Hollywood of the early days was similar to how we think of it today with faithful, lasting marriages being few and far between.
My rating is 3.5, an interesting story but not really compelling and having little literary value.
This historical fiction tells the love story of Loretta Young and Clark Gable. Loretta, whose real name is Gretchen Belzer, confesses that she falls in love with all her leading men. On the rebound from her involvement with Spencer Tracy, she stars in Call of the Wild with Gable and she falls hard for him. I found myself wondering if I ever saw that movie and thinking I would like to watch it.
The other main character is Alda Ducci, an aspiring nun, who is dismissed by the Mother Superior as not being ready and ends up working for Loretta Young. She is treated very well by the family and ends up being a true and valued friend and advisor to the actress. Her own love story is woven into Miss Young's affairs of heart.
I remembered several actors mentioned in the story---especially Spencer Tracy, David Niven and Hattie McDaniel. Of course, I knew Clark Gable, mostly from "Gone with the Wind." I knew he was very handsome but apparently he was also quite charming with a great sense of humor. He did have a roving eye for the ladies---was married 5 times!
When I began the book, I knew who Loretta Young was though I couldn't recall a specific movie in which she had performed. In reading her story I admired her willingness to take risks as in using radio and, later, television to keep working and maintain her fan base past an age when many actresses could not. I think I remember her TV show in the 50's.
I was surprised that at age 21, Loretta already had several movies to her credit. It was interesting to find that she was a devout Catholic, though certainly not a pious one. It was not surprising that the Hollywood of the early days was similar to how we think of it today with faithful, lasting marriages being few and far between.
My rating is 3.5, an interesting story but not really compelling and having little literary value.
Friday, February 5, 2016
Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson
"There have been Starcatchers on Earth for centuries, Peter. Even we don't know how long. But our task is always the same: to watch for the starstuff, and to get it, and return it, before it falls into the hands of the Others."
-Molly, from the novel
I had not read this youth novel before I saw a play entitled "Peter and the Starcatcher" at the Orlando Shakespeare Theater. The play was a wacky but enjoyable pirate story. I decided I needed to read the book from which the play originated. I can tell you the play was loosely based on the novel. It featured the same human characters but many of the fantasy elements couldn't be portrayed on a stage---things like flying animals, devilish mermaids and talking porpoises.
This novel was written as a sort of prequel to the familiar story of Peter Pan. Did you ever wonder how Captain Hook lost his hand, how Peter connected with Wendy and Tinker Bell, or what happened to make Peter stay a boy? Those questions answered and more in this 450-page book!
Though I read the whole book, I wondered why, because I didn't really enjoy it that much. I guess I was just curious enough to see how it would end. I will rate it 2.5. Fantasy is not a favorite genre of mine although I LOVED the Harry Potter series and thought all seven were superbly conceived and written.
I can see how boys would like this pirate saga with the adventure and fighting and some magic thrown into the mix. I would recommend it for upper elementary to middle school age.
There were numerous errors in the edition I read; it should definitely have been edited more thoroughly. There are 2 other novels in this series but I won't be searching them out!
-Molly, from the novel
I had not read this youth novel before I saw a play entitled "Peter and the Starcatcher" at the Orlando Shakespeare Theater. The play was a wacky but enjoyable pirate story. I decided I needed to read the book from which the play originated. I can tell you the play was loosely based on the novel. It featured the same human characters but many of the fantasy elements couldn't be portrayed on a stage---things like flying animals, devilish mermaids and talking porpoises.
This novel was written as a sort of prequel to the familiar story of Peter Pan. Did you ever wonder how Captain Hook lost his hand, how Peter connected with Wendy and Tinker Bell, or what happened to make Peter stay a boy? Those questions answered and more in this 450-page book!
Though I read the whole book, I wondered why, because I didn't really enjoy it that much. I guess I was just curious enough to see how it would end. I will rate it 2.5. Fantasy is not a favorite genre of mine although I LOVED the Harry Potter series and thought all seven were superbly conceived and written.
I can see how boys would like this pirate saga with the adventure and fighting and some magic thrown into the mix. I would recommend it for upper elementary to middle school age.
There were numerous errors in the edition I read; it should definitely have been edited more thoroughly. There are 2 other novels in this series but I won't be searching them out!
Sunday, January 24, 2016
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
"Life is not a paragraph, and death is no parenthesis."
-from the novel
This novel had been on the bestseller list for so long I figured it HAD to be good. With agreement from a few others in our Page Turners group, I chose it for our first selection of 2016. A mistake? It remains to be seen. We don't meet for a few more days but I already have some negative feedback; however I really liked the book. I found it to be a true page-turner! I am giving it a solid 4 rating.
Rachel is "the girl on the train" mentioned in the title. She certainly has some emotional problems including drinking in excess and lying frequently. Rachel takes turns telling this story with Megan, whose disappearance drives the plot and Anna, now married to Rachel's ex. At first this back and forth between the characters is confusing but the author does provide dates and even times of day along with who will narrate each section.
Two other primary characters are Tom, Anna's husband and Rachel's ex, and Megan's husband, Scott. Add in a male psychotherapist and we have a gripping who-dunnit. Somebody is responsible for Megan's disappearance but the author keeps the reader in suspense until very near the end. Not wanting to be a spoiler, I can't say much more. I was struck by a line in a quote on the book jacket from author Kimberly McCreight: "...clever structure and expert pacing will keep you perched on the edge of your seat, but it's Hawkins's deft, empathetic characterization that will leave you pondering this harrowing, thought-provoking story about the power of memory and the danger of envy." If you read it, I think you will understand the part I italicized.
I will revisit after the group meets on Thursday.
---------------------
Fourteen in the group rated The Girl on the Train and the average was 3.4; votes ranged from 5 down to 2. The rating was pretty good considering people I had talked to about the book, both members of our group and others, seemed to either love it or hate it! Several participants didn't like the main character, Rachel, very much, while others were sympathetic. Someone wondered if the ending showed a change in her and another suggested it might point to a sequel. More than a few of our members were disappointed in The Girl on the Train because they had heard it compared to Gone Girl, but it was not as good. We pretty much agreed it was a novel you didn't want to put down.
Most of us said if the book becomes a movie, we would go see it. It would be particularly interesting to see how it is cast. Next month's selection is The Wright Brothers by David McCullough. Should be quite a contrast.
Would love to know your opinion if you care to share!
-from the novel
This novel had been on the bestseller list for so long I figured it HAD to be good. With agreement from a few others in our Page Turners group, I chose it for our first selection of 2016. A mistake? It remains to be seen. We don't meet for a few more days but I already have some negative feedback; however I really liked the book. I found it to be a true page-turner! I am giving it a solid 4 rating.
Rachel is "the girl on the train" mentioned in the title. She certainly has some emotional problems including drinking in excess and lying frequently. Rachel takes turns telling this story with Megan, whose disappearance drives the plot and Anna, now married to Rachel's ex. At first this back and forth between the characters is confusing but the author does provide dates and even times of day along with who will narrate each section.
Two other primary characters are Tom, Anna's husband and Rachel's ex, and Megan's husband, Scott. Add in a male psychotherapist and we have a gripping who-dunnit. Somebody is responsible for Megan's disappearance but the author keeps the reader in suspense until very near the end. Not wanting to be a spoiler, I can't say much more. I was struck by a line in a quote on the book jacket from author Kimberly McCreight: "...clever structure and expert pacing will keep you perched on the edge of your seat, but it's Hawkins's deft, empathetic characterization that will leave you pondering this harrowing, thought-provoking story about the power of memory and the danger of envy." If you read it, I think you will understand the part I italicized.
I will revisit after the group meets on Thursday.
---------------------
Fourteen in the group rated The Girl on the Train and the average was 3.4; votes ranged from 5 down to 2. The rating was pretty good considering people I had talked to about the book, both members of our group and others, seemed to either love it or hate it! Several participants didn't like the main character, Rachel, very much, while others were sympathetic. Someone wondered if the ending showed a change in her and another suggested it might point to a sequel. More than a few of our members were disappointed in The Girl on the Train because they had heard it compared to Gone Girl, but it was not as good. We pretty much agreed it was a novel you didn't want to put down.
Most of us said if the book becomes a movie, we would go see it. It would be particularly interesting to see how it is cast. Next month's selection is The Wright Brothers by David McCullough. Should be quite a contrast.
Would love to know your opinion if you care to share!
Thursday, January 14, 2016
A Spool of Blue Thread by Anne Tyler
"The disappointments seemed to escape the family's notice, though. That was another of their quirks: they had a talent for pretending that everything was fine. Or maybe it wasn't a quirk at all. Maybe it was just further proof that the Whitshanks were not remarkable in any way whatsoever."
-from the novel
I found enough reason to finish this novel but I can't say I really enjoyed it. The chapters were long and the sequence was confusing at times. Both factors kept it from being a page-turner, in my opinion but the characters were well-developed and the writing style was clear. I will rate it a 3.
The story involves the Whitshank family, 1994, at a time when the mother is acting strangely and the family descends on her and her husband to "help out." Of course there is sibling rivalry, disagreement and some deep-seated resentment among the siblings. This includes the "black sheep" of the family, but not the one you think! All this was a little too close for comfort since my husband and I are about the ages of Abby and Red Whitshank!
Flashbacks to 1959 take the reader back to the beginning of Abby and Red's relationship and even as far back as Red's father and mother in the 1920's. So basically we meet four generations with the same affection and jealousy, celebration and tragedy, and occasional dysfunction of many families, but with one big secret underlying it all.
-from the novel
I found enough reason to finish this novel but I can't say I really enjoyed it. The chapters were long and the sequence was confusing at times. Both factors kept it from being a page-turner, in my opinion but the characters were well-developed and the writing style was clear. I will rate it a 3.
The story involves the Whitshank family, 1994, at a time when the mother is acting strangely and the family descends on her and her husband to "help out." Of course there is sibling rivalry, disagreement and some deep-seated resentment among the siblings. This includes the "black sheep" of the family, but not the one you think! All this was a little too close for comfort since my husband and I are about the ages of Abby and Red Whitshank!
Flashbacks to 1959 take the reader back to the beginning of Abby and Red's relationship and even as far back as Red's father and mother in the 1920's. So basically we meet four generations with the same affection and jealousy, celebration and tragedy, and occasional dysfunction of many families, but with one big secret underlying it all.
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