A Wonderful Gem of a Novel...
This is one of my favorite books of 2008 - a sweet, fast-paced, wonderful novel about a woman who quite frankly, I can't believe is a work of fiction. I LOVED the characters, and most of all, the protagonist Juliet. She is so full of love, life and is positvely hysterical! The characters and their stories (forming their literary society under false pretenses and right under the noses of the soldiers who occupied Gurnsey Island during the War) were so real, so absorbing and so enjoyable to learn about. This novel is a perfect blend of historical-fiction and a coming-of-age-discovering-oneself story told from different perspectives via letters, which enable the reader to feel like he/she is uncovering a heretofore undiscovered treasure. I can't stress highly enough how terrific this book is - a "must read" and "must-share" novel!
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Steig Larsson
Couldn't get into this one...
I'm astounded reading all the positive reviews and hype for this novel since I personally could not get into it and can't imagine it being worthy of such praise. I felt the first hundred or so pages were quite boring, convoluted and slow - the complete antihesis of what would normally lure me into a mystery/thriller. Perhaps there was something missing/lost in the translation. Or perhaps the characters were too one-dimensional and didn't speak to me at all. Regardless, I gave up around page 200; when I come up with every excuse not to pick up a book I'm reading, I just have to throw in the towel, as there are too many gems out there to discover.
I'm astounded reading all the positive reviews and hype for this novel since I personally could not get into it and can't imagine it being worthy of such praise. I felt the first hundred or so pages were quite boring, convoluted and slow - the complete antihesis of what would normally lure me into a mystery/thriller. Perhaps there was something missing/lost in the translation. Or perhaps the characters were too one-dimensional and didn't speak to me at all. Regardless, I gave up around page 200; when I come up with every excuse not to pick up a book I'm reading, I just have to throw in the towel, as there are too many gems out there to discover.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Black + White by Dani Shapiro
A "GREY" review...
I read this novel in one sitting in a matter of about three hours, and actually spent more time trying to figure out if I loved it or hated it- that's how polarizing it felt upon finishing it. However, since nothing in life is clearly "black" nor "white," I have somewhat of a grey review and will settle on giving it three stars.
On the one hand, I respect and admire the author for forcing her readers to deal with uncomfortable subject matter, while raising the question of whether provocative/nude photographs of a young child by her famous photographer mother were art or abuse. I thought the story, told in a series of flashbacks, was very well-written; it felt very real and relevant for modern readers.
On the other hand, I was so uncomfortable reading it at times that I felt myself literally squirming. For me, this was so clearly a situation of power and abuse, as opposed to art, that I had a hard time with the subject matter. So, while I commend the author for putting these topics and feelings out there for readers in general, for me personally, it was a little too hard to read about.
While some readers may perhaps feel that the mother redeemed herself at the end of the novel (I won't give anything away), for this reader there was no redemption because even though it seems like Clara had a choice at the end, there was never any choice and her childhood- life's most precious and formative experience- was taken away from her.
So, despite this mixed review and my continued "grey" feelings towards it, would I recommend this book? Yes and No. Yes, I would recommend it to those who, knowing what the book it about, still want to read it. You will find a well-written, intellectual, thought-provking novel. However, I would not recommend it to anyone who has a hard time with this type of subject matter, because it would be too upsetting.
I read this novel in one sitting in a matter of about three hours, and actually spent more time trying to figure out if I loved it or hated it- that's how polarizing it felt upon finishing it. However, since nothing in life is clearly "black" nor "white," I have somewhat of a grey review and will settle on giving it three stars.
On the one hand, I respect and admire the author for forcing her readers to deal with uncomfortable subject matter, while raising the question of whether provocative/nude photographs of a young child by her famous photographer mother were art or abuse. I thought the story, told in a series of flashbacks, was very well-written; it felt very real and relevant for modern readers.
On the other hand, I was so uncomfortable reading it at times that I felt myself literally squirming. For me, this was so clearly a situation of power and abuse, as opposed to art, that I had a hard time with the subject matter. So, while I commend the author for putting these topics and feelings out there for readers in general, for me personally, it was a little too hard to read about.
While some readers may perhaps feel that the mother redeemed herself at the end of the novel (I won't give anything away), for this reader there was no redemption because even though it seems like Clara had a choice at the end, there was never any choice and her childhood- life's most precious and formative experience- was taken away from her.
So, despite this mixed review and my continued "grey" feelings towards it, would I recommend this book? Yes and No. Yes, I would recommend it to those who, knowing what the book it about, still want to read it. You will find a well-written, intellectual, thought-provking novel. However, I would not recommend it to anyone who has a hard time with this type of subject matter, because it would be too upsetting.
The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough
Wanted to love this book but felt it too outdated...
I went into this book knowing its a beloved classic therefore I really wanted to love it; for the first half of the book I really did. I felt connected to the characters and thought the author's ability to capture both time and place was supurb; she really made the Australian Outback come alive. I truly felt the Cleary family hardships, their bitterness and secrets. However, after awhile I found it somewhat outdated. I can't put my finger on precisely what made me feel this way, but perhaps it was the unrealistic and weak dialogue that finally did me in. Or perhaps Father Ralph's somewhat obsessive feelings towards the young Meggie made me feel uncomfortable. Regardless, despite its cult-like status, I simply can't recommend this one.
I went into this book knowing its a beloved classic therefore I really wanted to love it; for the first half of the book I really did. I felt connected to the characters and thought the author's ability to capture both time and place was supurb; she really made the Australian Outback come alive. I truly felt the Cleary family hardships, their bitterness and secrets. However, after awhile I found it somewhat outdated. I can't put my finger on precisely what made me feel this way, but perhaps it was the unrealistic and weak dialogue that finally did me in. Or perhaps Father Ralph's somewhat obsessive feelings towards the young Meggie made me feel uncomfortable. Regardless, despite its cult-like status, I simply can't recommend this one.
The Gate House by Nelson DeMille
Unreadable disappointment from my favorite author...
I was thrilled to start The Gate House, especially since Nelson DeMille is my favorite author and I got the opportunity to meet him and have him sign my copy of the book (at the Huntington, NY "Book Revue" - an incredible book store on Long Island)- what a treat! However, the book was so disappointing that I finally had to give up (which I very rarely do!) around page 300 or so for it was simply unreadable.
First, I can't understand why Mr. DeMille would have chosen to write a sequel to The Gold Coast, since it was pretty close to perfection on its own, too many years had passed, and sequels hardly ever bode well (even when greatly anticipated).
Second, the entire concept behind the plot (John and Susan reuniting on their former grounds for the inevitable death of a former servant, while Bellarosa's son still living next door wants revenge for his father's homicide) seemed way too trite for DeMille, whose story lines I typically find much more sophisticated and relevant.
Finally, as much as I love the way Mr. DeMille writes, there was so much regurgitation of the same idea over and over again (summing up the past) and such poor dialogue and timing that I can't believe it was actually written by DeMille himself. By the time John and Susan finally encountered one another, it felt so unrealistic and laugh-out-loud silly that I threw in the towel.
As much as I would love to tell other readers to avoid this novel at all costs, I know many will want to read it for themselves nonetheless (just as I did), simply because of DeMille's incredible reputation and fabulous body of work. So the best I can do is warn not to go into it with high (or any) expectations and hope others like it better than I.
I was thrilled to start The Gate House, especially since Nelson DeMille is my favorite author and I got the opportunity to meet him and have him sign my copy of the book (at the Huntington, NY "Book Revue" - an incredible book store on Long Island)- what a treat! However, the book was so disappointing that I finally had to give up (which I very rarely do!) around page 300 or so for it was simply unreadable.
First, I can't understand why Mr. DeMille would have chosen to write a sequel to The Gold Coast, since it was pretty close to perfection on its own, too many years had passed, and sequels hardly ever bode well (even when greatly anticipated).
Second, the entire concept behind the plot (John and Susan reuniting on their former grounds for the inevitable death of a former servant, while Bellarosa's son still living next door wants revenge for his father's homicide) seemed way too trite for DeMille, whose story lines I typically find much more sophisticated and relevant.
Finally, as much as I love the way Mr. DeMille writes, there was so much regurgitation of the same idea over and over again (summing up the past) and such poor dialogue and timing that I can't believe it was actually written by DeMille himself. By the time John and Susan finally encountered one another, it felt so unrealistic and laugh-out-loud silly that I threw in the towel.
As much as I would love to tell other readers to avoid this novel at all costs, I know many will want to read it for themselves nonetheless (just as I did), simply because of DeMille's incredible reputation and fabulous body of work. So the best I can do is warn not to go into it with high (or any) expectations and hope others like it better than I.
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