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| Name : | Yvonne O. |
My Reviews
If you can totally ignore the blatant errors in this Victorian tale, and just concentrate on the story, the book is passable. But, being a British Victorian Fiction major in College, I could not. The author did not do his homework in terms of what was in use at the time, what people wore, ate or spoke like and just over-used the comma in general. I would not reccommend this to a picky reader!
I adored this book - more because the piano teacher does not end up with ANY guy than anything else. Given the time period that this is all taking place, it is remarkable that such a young expatriot would choose to go it alone instead of either remaining miserable with her husband or throwing herself at her lover in a despertate attempt to sway him.
The historical portion of the story is both sad and moving - I really would love to see this book made into a tasteful film because the characters could share so much in the unspoken word that would translate so well on film.
Others in the book club did not like the "sad" aspect to the book and didn't understand her choice in the end.
I think taking this perspective (of a white woman looking in at the world of african-american maids in the south during this critical period in history) is unique and makes me want to recommend that people read the book. But, I don't think the author winds-up the book very well. The focus shifts too suddenly from a good balance between the two worlds to being all about the author and her struggle to get the book written and published. I'm not buying a lot of the sterotypes in the book because they were too heavy-handed - things are much more shades of grey on both sides of the fence. But - I would think the book would appeal across generations and would be good for almost any club.
I adored Flavia and her adventures in this book so much that I pre-ordered the next in the series and cannot wait to revisit this family! This story was slow to start (you will be wondering whether anything other than chemistry experiments and bike rides will ever happen) but once it got going, I was hooked.
Some in the club thought that this was more of young adult reading, but I disagree. I think that the many layers of activity and conversation are present - and just because the novel is told from an 11 year old's point of view does not mean only those around that age will enjoy the tale (think of the Lovely Bones - she was 14 - or the Chronicles of Narnia - many of which revolve around children - or the Lord of the Flies!)
This is a fabulous book not only for the pictures of the novels inside, the smart chronological organization and the heft and sturdy binding, but the sheer ability to start to "check-off" things on a "list". I immediately went through it and checked the ones I had read and was pleasantly surprised I was halfway there - and only in my 30's! Ah, the joy of a good education.
I have not read Glass Castle, but based on this one, I don't think I would want to continue with the tedious writing style of this author. Although her grandmother certainly overcame hardship, the book lacks any real message and the woman never seemed very endearing to me!
These books are addictive, but not in the cheesy, young adult sense. Sure, the narrator is an 11 year old girl, but the subject matter and treatment that the story receives is way beyond that and clearly meant for adults. I loved the souble story line going on in this second installment of the series and am thrilled that Alan plans for 7 at the current time!!
This book has a little something for everyone. It's not the typical, "here we are ten years or twenty years after college" sappy kind of treatment. This is a serious, gloom and doom kind of examination of people's choices and the lives that just seem to happen to us all. Although you're never really feeling totally attached to any of the characters, you can totally feel what they are struggling with and going along for the ride, if nothing else, makes you examine your own life and choices!
The author takes what is a true event and takes A TON of creative license with the facts. That being said, I still love the story. I just hate to think that people read this and think that what is on paper is what really happened and/or that the timeline that is represented is really true. I think he could have done more with the middle of the story surrounding the alleged breakdown, and the ending is a little far fetched (And totally false) but overall it is well-written and certainly compelling.
There is nothing about this that screams "great literature", but it is a fun read, an interesting plot (especially when you move on to volumes 2 and 3) and compelling main characters. If it gets people talking (in relationships more than coffee klatches) about sex, then it is a great thing.
Being of Japanese descent, I am always amazed at how little Americans know about the Japanese being sent to Internment Camps during WWII. This book takes that critical history lesson one step further and, in the format of what is really an epic poem, gives the reader a background of the journey to America and the struggle to adapt and make a life leading up to the Camps that took all of that away.
This is a great story about a lot of historical Chicagoans who don't usually get referenced. You begin to see Mayor Thompson as more than just a "buffoon" as the media portrayed him and you get insight into the post WWI sentiments that affected political life in a city of immigrants. Race riots, a blimp that crashes into a downtown full of people ignoring Prohibition, there is something for everyone.
I really expected more out of this book than an overly technical explanation of wave-radio signals for torpedos. I never got the feeling that the two stories of the two "inventors" was really put together well and I there were huge chunks of time that were given short shrift.
Because you will miss the intricate details of this short and deliciously fascinating book. No one here is admirable or without flaws and that is what makes the book so enjoyable.
Once you accept that this is just a fictionalized biography of a once-famous bank robber who has a unique memory of his past, you will enjoy the ride.
So many gimmicks at work in this novel and for no apparent reason. All the people I know who "love" the book still can't explain the vast majority of them, either. Hideously long and awful.
When you find yourself, near the end of the book, just wanting the guy to find her so that you can stop reading, you know something is wrong. That whole sequence was so ridiculous and drawn-out, it was as if the author was begging for someone to turn the book into a movie. Please don\\\'t.
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