Friday, August 22, 2008
Quote of the Day
I suggest that the only books that influence us are those for which we are ready, and which have gone a little farther down our particular path than we have yet got ourselves. ~ E. M. Forster
The Sacrifice of Tamar by Naomi Ragen
Read it and weep....
I absolutely loved and HIGHLY recommend this gem of a novel!
The story of a young ultra-religious girl in 1950s Brooklyn having to deal with having been brutally raped by a African American man and unable to tell anyone or deal with the consequences, was gripping, intriguing and an extraordinary premise. Yet this book is about so much more....it is about friendship, beliefs, tradition, family loyalties, truth, honor and love. It is a book that will stick with you a long time after reading it and hopefully you'll feel as compelled as I to pass it along to friends/family.
Despite its predictabilty, I would consider this a "must-read" and recommend it highly. For those of us who grew up Jewish, or at least familiar with Jewish culture/traditions, it will be extremely compelling and relatable....(I was proud to recognize/understand all those yiddish words I heard growing up!) However, I hope it finds a universal readership, across cultural and religious lines, as I believe it is through learning about other people/cultures, that we become a more tolerant society.
I absolutely loved and HIGHLY recommend this gem of a novel!
The story of a young ultra-religious girl in 1950s Brooklyn having to deal with having been brutally raped by a African American man and unable to tell anyone or deal with the consequences, was gripping, intriguing and an extraordinary premise. Yet this book is about so much more....it is about friendship, beliefs, tradition, family loyalties, truth, honor and love. It is a book that will stick with you a long time after reading it and hopefully you'll feel as compelled as I to pass it along to friends/family.
Despite its predictabilty, I would consider this a "must-read" and recommend it highly. For those of us who grew up Jewish, or at least familiar with Jewish culture/traditions, it will be extremely compelling and relatable....(I was proud to recognize/understand all those yiddish words I heard growing up!) However, I hope it finds a universal readership, across cultural and religious lines, as I believe it is through learning about other people/cultures, that we become a more tolerant society.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Loving Frank by Nancy Horan
Loving Mamah.....
While I really enjoyed this novel and was captivated by the romance between Mamah and Frank Lloyd Wright in the first few years of the 20th Century, I really LOVED Mamah's character and found her extremely relatable, complex and indeed a woman ahead of her time. Her only condition/vice/weakness was her love for a man not her husband, for which her society shunned her, and perhaps rightly so.
What bothered me about Mamah's character was the ease with which she abandon her children for her own romantic happiness, something I personally find so hard to imagine. However, despite my inabiltiy to comprehend this aspect of her character, I still had enormous respect for her as a woman, admired her lifestyle, and continued to "root for her" throughout the novel.
While some will argue that Mamah was the love of Frank's life, I never truly felt his love for her came close to hers for him. It is true he abandoned his wife and their children to live with Mamah in Talesin, however, I believe even if Mamah never come along, his journey may have led him to live apart from them nonetheless. Frank seemed, from this novel, a man obsessed with his work, his ideals, and his idea of truth (despite his affair), all of which he valued above his love for Mamah. While there is no doubt they were in love, it seemed (as the name of the novel suggests) that this is really Mamah's story of loving Frank, more than a love of equality or of her being the love of his life.
I HIGHLY recommend this novel and know avid readers will welcome and love this novel
While I really enjoyed this novel and was captivated by the romance between Mamah and Frank Lloyd Wright in the first few years of the 20th Century, I really LOVED Mamah's character and found her extremely relatable, complex and indeed a woman ahead of her time. Her only condition/vice/weakness was her love for a man not her husband, for which her society shunned her, and perhaps rightly so.
What bothered me about Mamah's character was the ease with which she abandon her children for her own romantic happiness, something I personally find so hard to imagine. However, despite my inabiltiy to comprehend this aspect of her character, I still had enormous respect for her as a woman, admired her lifestyle, and continued to "root for her" throughout the novel.
While some will argue that Mamah was the love of Frank's life, I never truly felt his love for her came close to hers for him. It is true he abandoned his wife and their children to live with Mamah in Talesin, however, I believe even if Mamah never come along, his journey may have led him to live apart from them nonetheless. Frank seemed, from this novel, a man obsessed with his work, his ideals, and his idea of truth (despite his affair), all of which he valued above his love for Mamah. While there is no doubt they were in love, it seemed (as the name of the novel suggests) that this is really Mamah's story of loving Frank, more than a love of equality or of her being the love of his life.
I HIGHLY recommend this novel and know avid readers will welcome and love this novel
Women of the Silk by Gail Tsukiyama
Wonderfully written, interesting tale...
At first blush, I thought this was a sweet, simple summer read, but having finished it I can safely say it is so much more than that. It is deeply moving, wonderfully written, and fascinating in its exploration of women in China in the early 20th century.
As the reader follows the story of Pei, a young girl born to a poor farming family who is sent to the "big city" to become a silkworker, we learn of the constant struggles and hardships faced by women in Chinese society at this time, where it was much more adventageous and acceptable to send a female child away to work and reap the benefit of her income, than to have her at home with the family and face shame from the community. Her story is one of hope, love, tenderness, and loss, and it will continue to follow you long after the book is closed.
I highly recommend this novel to everyone, especially those with interest in womens' issue, Chinese society, the early 20th Century, or silkworkers.
At first blush, I thought this was a sweet, simple summer read, but having finished it I can safely say it is so much more than that. It is deeply moving, wonderfully written, and fascinating in its exploration of women in China in the early 20th century.
As the reader follows the story of Pei, a young girl born to a poor farming family who is sent to the "big city" to become a silkworker, we learn of the constant struggles and hardships faced by women in Chinese society at this time, where it was much more adventageous and acceptable to send a female child away to work and reap the benefit of her income, than to have her at home with the family and face shame from the community. Her story is one of hope, love, tenderness, and loss, and it will continue to follow you long after the book is closed.
I highly recommend this novel to everyone, especially those with interest in womens' issue, Chinese society, the early 20th Century, or silkworkers.
The Emperor's Children by Claire Messud
Mixed feeling about this one...
As a thirty year old who lived in Manhattan during my twenties (and still lives nearby), I know so many people who fit the profiles of the characters in the novel, so for me, their lifestyles, self-importance, and overprivileged aimlessness was nothing out of the ordinary and quite relatable (unfortunately). However, I could see how readers from other parts of the country may be unable to relate to the main characters and their experiences.
I loved the author's style of writing and found the book entertaining and interesting. I would compare it to "The Secret History" and "Special Topics in Calamity Physics" due to similarities in the characters' circumstances (wealthy, overprivilegd youth), yet would not give it as high a rating as either novel.
I have a very hard time recommending this to a general audience, however, I would definitely recommend it to those living in NYC and/or in their late twenties/early thirties, for relatability reasons.
As a thirty year old who lived in Manhattan during my twenties (and still lives nearby), I know so many people who fit the profiles of the characters in the novel, so for me, their lifestyles, self-importance, and overprivileged aimlessness was nothing out of the ordinary and quite relatable (unfortunately). However, I could see how readers from other parts of the country may be unable to relate to the main characters and their experiences.
I loved the author's style of writing and found the book entertaining and interesting. I would compare it to "The Secret History" and "Special Topics in Calamity Physics" due to similarities in the characters' circumstances (wealthy, overprivilegd youth), yet would not give it as high a rating as either novel.
I have a very hard time recommending this to a general audience, however, I would definitely recommend it to those living in NYC and/or in their late twenties/early thirties, for relatability reasons.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
The Appeal by John Grisham
eh...
While I can't say "The Appeal" was the worst book I have read, I can't recommend it either, and gave it two stars as opposed to one because I liked how Mr. Grisham put it out there that judges and indeed politicians in general can be bought...something that without a doubt happens too often.
As a litigator in New York, this book hit especially close to home for me, as my office had the largest personal injury verdict in a certain county reversed for extremely shady reasons. Indeed, the very judge who reversed the decision was overheard saying he would do anything in his power to make sure our client never saw a dime of the multi-million dollar verdict that not one, but two, different juries awarded him. Thus, having lived through an extremely similar set of circumstances, this book struck a chord with me. Hopefully Mr. Grisham exposed the reality of "juducial discretion," the frustrating process of so-called justice in our legal system, and the ways in which judges can be bought, bribed and controlled. For that reason alone, this book is a worthwhile read. However, I prefer his earlier works such as "The Firm," "A Time to Kill," "Pelican Brief" and "Runaway Jury" much more.
While I can't say "The Appeal" was the worst book I have read, I can't recommend it either, and gave it two stars as opposed to one because I liked how Mr. Grisham put it out there that judges and indeed politicians in general can be bought...something that without a doubt happens too often.
As a litigator in New York, this book hit especially close to home for me, as my office had the largest personal injury verdict in a certain county reversed for extremely shady reasons. Indeed, the very judge who reversed the decision was overheard saying he would do anything in his power to make sure our client never saw a dime of the multi-million dollar verdict that not one, but two, different juries awarded him. Thus, having lived through an extremely similar set of circumstances, this book struck a chord with me. Hopefully Mr. Grisham exposed the reality of "juducial discretion," the frustrating process of so-called justice in our legal system, and the ways in which judges can be bought, bribed and controlled. For that reason alone, this book is a worthwhile read. However, I prefer his earlier works such as "The Firm," "A Time to Kill," "Pelican Brief" and "Runaway Jury" much more.
Monday, June 30, 2008
The Rossetti Letter by Christi Phillips
Outstanding historical fiction!
Lovers of historical fiction, this one will be right up your alley! Christi Phillips' debut novel is a remarkable work of art with wonderfully rich characters, alternating and inter-connected storylines from 1618 and today, and a beautiful, vivid, true-to-life portrait of one of the world's greatest and most unique cities, Venice.
Alessandra Rossetti's world in 1618 Venice is consumed by Spanish Conspiracies, courteseans, spying, intrigue, and falling in love, while Claire Donovan's Venice of today is haunted with questions of the past, handsome potential lovers, solving puzzles, finding oneself, and letting go. Both protagonists are interesting, multi-dimensional female characters, and their tales are both so intriguing that you're guaranteed to be on the edge of your seat until the very last chapter.
I can't imagine finishing this novel and not wanting to hop on the first flight to Venice or read much more from this talented and giften author. Thankfully, Ms. Phillips is said to be writing a sequel to this one, which I will probably be first in line to procure!
I HIGHLY recommend this book to everyone, but especially for those who love historical fiction, as it is a singular example of the genre at its best!
Lovers of historical fiction, this one will be right up your alley! Christi Phillips' debut novel is a remarkable work of art with wonderfully rich characters, alternating and inter-connected storylines from 1618 and today, and a beautiful, vivid, true-to-life portrait of one of the world's greatest and most unique cities, Venice.
Alessandra Rossetti's world in 1618 Venice is consumed by Spanish Conspiracies, courteseans, spying, intrigue, and falling in love, while Claire Donovan's Venice of today is haunted with questions of the past, handsome potential lovers, solving puzzles, finding oneself, and letting go. Both protagonists are interesting, multi-dimensional female characters, and their tales are both so intriguing that you're guaranteed to be on the edge of your seat until the very last chapter.
I can't imagine finishing this novel and not wanting to hop on the first flight to Venice or read much more from this talented and giften author. Thankfully, Ms. Phillips is said to be writing a sequel to this one, which I will probably be first in line to procure!
I HIGHLY recommend this book to everyone, but especially for those who love historical fiction, as it is a singular example of the genre at its best!
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