by Paulo Coelho
Introduction and Acquisition
Heard of it back a few years ago when it was at its height of popularity, as the self-help book of the day. finally got around to reading it now, October 2007, borrowed from library
What's cool
It's definitely a feel good book, well infused with Golden Nuggest of Wisdom and Universal Truths. but, as i desire to poke fun at it, I must say it was quite a salve on my agitated mind, two different hours of the day, two different causes of the irritation. pulls one out of one's limited life and reminds us all that there is a bigger picture, etc etc
What sucks
Simplistic, almost biblical language and tone, life lessons in the costume of parables. It's about men, of course, and women are reverted to the background. Adventures don't apply to women.
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Monday, October 1, 2007
Persuasion
by Jane Austen
Introduction and Acquisition
see notes for Northanger Abbey, September 2007
What's cool
good build up of suspense, for you know they hook up in the end but how and why and under what circumstances?
What sucks
Happy fairy tale ending, the girl gets her guy, again see comments under Northanger Abbey for the dated material
Introduction and Acquisition
see notes for Northanger Abbey, September 2007
What's cool
good build up of suspense, for you know they hook up in the end but how and why and under what circumstances?
What sucks
Happy fairy tale ending, the girl gets her guy, again see comments under Northanger Abbey for the dated material
Northanger Abbey
by Jane Austen
Introduction and Acquisition: with all the Jane Austen movie focus as of late, felt ashamed of how little I am acquainted with her works. library, September 2007
The Good: The characterizations were very good, each character well and distinctly developed. The tone and dialogue was right, well done.
The Bad: Only bad in that it is, well, two hundred years old, and much of the language and situation is outdated. It is hard to get excited or suspenseful over the social mishaps of a country dance, and one's position in society. Also, for my own sake, I know it was something of a parody on gothic horrors which were so popular at the time, and being unfamiliar with them I missed out on the razor-sharp and witty satire.
Introduction and Acquisition: with all the Jane Austen movie focus as of late, felt ashamed of how little I am acquainted with her works. library, September 2007
The Good: The characterizations were very good, each character well and distinctly developed. The tone and dialogue was right, well done.
The Bad: Only bad in that it is, well, two hundred years old, and much of the language and situation is outdated. It is hard to get excited or suspenseful over the social mishaps of a country dance, and one's position in society. Also, for my own sake, I know it was something of a parody on gothic horrors which were so popular at the time, and being unfamiliar with them I missed out on the razor-sharp and witty satire.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Oryx and Crake
by Margaret Atwood
Introduction and Acquisition: Well, it's Margaret Atwood, isn't it? - First read her when I was an early teen, The Handmaid's Tale, which left quite an impression - When Oryx and Crake came out I had kept it in the back of my mind to read - borrowed from library September 2007
What's cool: hard to put down because - whether this was a clever or cheap gimmick - I was lured into wanting to know what exactly happened to lead to this apocalypse. Interesting story, the dangers, the creative imagination, the eventual unlikely savior that snowman/jimmy became
What sucks: It is one of the problems of using some ever developing techology in a story, for it really dates it. Already, only a few years later, the sinister internet as portrayed in O&C is no longer, and the implications of the evil of mankind in using such technology is sort of ludicrous. But hey, what would I have thought if I read it three or four years ago? And I just don't vibe with the utter evil that human kind is portrayed as possessing. Maybe I am too optimistic, maybe I just like technology too much, maybe I was a little too involved in the industries she uses, but I didn't buy the premise.
Introduction and Acquisition: Well, it's Margaret Atwood, isn't it? - First read her when I was an early teen, The Handmaid's Tale, which left quite an impression - When Oryx and Crake came out I had kept it in the back of my mind to read - borrowed from library September 2007
What's cool: hard to put down because - whether this was a clever or cheap gimmick - I was lured into wanting to know what exactly happened to lead to this apocalypse. Interesting story, the dangers, the creative imagination, the eventual unlikely savior that snowman/jimmy became
What sucks: It is one of the problems of using some ever developing techology in a story, for it really dates it. Already, only a few years later, the sinister internet as portrayed in O&C is no longer, and the implications of the evil of mankind in using such technology is sort of ludicrous. But hey, what would I have thought if I read it three or four years ago? And I just don't vibe with the utter evil that human kind is portrayed as possessing. Maybe I am too optimistic, maybe I just like technology too much, maybe I was a little too involved in the industries she uses, but I didn't buy the premise.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
The Thirteenth Tale
by Diane Setterfield
Introduction and Acquisition: been hearing about the book all year, maybe it was the colorfully dark dust jacket - borrowed from Queens library, September 2007
The Good: good twisty plot, intriguing enough to keep me interested, keep me reading, enough to spend a whole day on it just to find out what happened. Good fluff novel in the realm of Dan Brown books.
The Bad: [*reactions in mid-read:] Not even through the first chapter, I am already disappointed with the sameness in voice between the first person narrative and the letter that is supposed to have been written by the mysterious Vida Winter. The first person narrative is already distinct in her choppy sentence fragments. Is this a clue, or bad writing? to be determined.
So far, the action is slow. For every present moment described, there follows a paragraph of unwieldy explanation. It's trying my patience. It is not a book that allows the imagination a chance to soar, for it tells you everything you need to know, like a certain ex-classmate of mine who insisted on telling you things you really did not care to know, information forced upon you in a most unpleasant way. Personal space is requested, please, in reading a book. We are offered none here.
[Reaction post-read:] too many repetition of the same gimmicks, e.g., reiteration of the same "favorite" novels seemed to contrite - the key to the whole mystery was not introduced until much later, sort of taking the fun out of reading a mystery novel hoping to be given the clue to figure it all out - flimsy explanation of Margaret's weightless mother - the twin thing seemed to be forced on Margaret's side, as I did not believe her anguish over her own lost twin - as somewhat mentioned above, the book was too tightly caged for the reader, no personal space to tickle one's intellectual imagination - do women really swoon over and over again when faced with a profound realization or thought? I thought not, and found it kind of silly. Was it three times that Margaret contracts vertigo at the realization of some profound thing? I thought she was an intellect, thus her mind must be stronger than that - Too much repetition kept the book from being believable in the most desired sense of the word. Rather than becoming one with the story, I remained a reader reading a book, words on a white paper sheet.
Introduction and Acquisition: been hearing about the book all year, maybe it was the colorfully dark dust jacket - borrowed from Queens library, September 2007
The Good: good twisty plot, intriguing enough to keep me interested, keep me reading, enough to spend a whole day on it just to find out what happened. Good fluff novel in the realm of Dan Brown books.
The Bad: [*reactions in mid-read:] Not even through the first chapter, I am already disappointed with the sameness in voice between the first person narrative and the letter that is supposed to have been written by the mysterious Vida Winter. The first person narrative is already distinct in her choppy sentence fragments. Is this a clue, or bad writing? to be determined.
So far, the action is slow. For every present moment described, there follows a paragraph of unwieldy explanation. It's trying my patience. It is not a book that allows the imagination a chance to soar, for it tells you everything you need to know, like a certain ex-classmate of mine who insisted on telling you things you really did not care to know, information forced upon you in a most unpleasant way. Personal space is requested, please, in reading a book. We are offered none here.
[Reaction post-read:] too many repetition of the same gimmicks, e.g., reiteration of the same "favorite" novels seemed to contrite - the key to the whole mystery was not introduced until much later, sort of taking the fun out of reading a mystery novel hoping to be given the clue to figure it all out - flimsy explanation of Margaret's weightless mother - the twin thing seemed to be forced on Margaret's side, as I did not believe her anguish over her own lost twin - as somewhat mentioned above, the book was too tightly caged for the reader, no personal space to tickle one's intellectual imagination - do women really swoon over and over again when faced with a profound realization or thought? I thought not, and found it kind of silly. Was it three times that Margaret contracts vertigo at the realization of some profound thing? I thought she was an intellect, thus her mind must be stronger than that - Too much repetition kept the book from being believable in the most desired sense of the word. Rather than becoming one with the story, I remained a reader reading a book, words on a white paper sheet.
Friday, September 7, 2007
Everyman
by Philip Roth
Introduction and Acquisition: recognized the author from various books, saw this small book on the New Releases shelf of the Queens Library, decided to pick it up - borrowed September 2007
The Good: it was short, succinct, everything relevant - began with the end of the man's life, then all the pages afterwards explained what was introduced in the first pages. it was neat, as in tidy.
The Bad: I must admit to not having much interest in the life of a middle-aged man from New Jersey; I'm more of an adventure story person. But the author has won many accolades, and this should be for my education after all. It's not a story that will stick with me, that's all. It's about a life, after the death, and how the life led up to the death. But I don't get inspired or turned on by the moral ambiguities of one's life which sound more to me like excuses, but maybe that's just too close to reality for me?
Note: interesting that I picked up this book at the same time I picked up Ian McEwan's On Chesil Beach, as I later read a few reviews that hold these two as comparable.
Introduction and Acquisition: recognized the author from various books, saw this small book on the New Releases shelf of the Queens Library, decided to pick it up - borrowed September 2007
The Good: it was short, succinct, everything relevant - began with the end of the man's life, then all the pages afterwards explained what was introduced in the first pages. it was neat, as in tidy.
The Bad: I must admit to not having much interest in the life of a middle-aged man from New Jersey; I'm more of an adventure story person. But the author has won many accolades, and this should be for my education after all. It's not a story that will stick with me, that's all. It's about a life, after the death, and how the life led up to the death. But I don't get inspired or turned on by the moral ambiguities of one's life which sound more to me like excuses, but maybe that's just too close to reality for me?
Note: interesting that I picked up this book at the same time I picked up Ian McEwan's On Chesil Beach, as I later read a few reviews that hold these two as comparable.
On Chesil Beach
by Ian McEwan
Introduction and Acquisition: saw it was short-listed for the Man Booker Prize, then a few hours later saw it in the shelf of New Books at the library, decided to pick it up. borrowed from Queens Library, September 2007. read on a train to and from Montauk, NY.
The Good: Nicely tied ending, like a final tug on a smart bow. Liked the painstakingly detailed description of a "forbidden" event, step by step, and the two participants' states of mind during such event - the process of consummation of their wedding night. The characters were fully developed, enough for the reader to take some care about what happens to them afterwards. Good mood setting. The climax (literally) was hilarious, a good peak.
The Bad: I did not find the woman's character, or state of mind about the issue, entirely believable. For such an intelligent woman, I should expect some curiosity about her undeveloped sexuality, rather than a blatant frigidity. But sure, okay, so this was a different era and society, but still. And until the final sentence, I was disappointed in the denouement, their life post-honeymoon, but see above about the tidy ending. The pacing was a bit slow for my preferred speed of action and consumption, but maybe that's not a bad thing, to be forced to read at a different pace. For what it gave me, I found it interesting. As a novel, it felt more like a study in psychology.
Introduction and Acquisition: saw it was short-listed for the Man Booker Prize, then a few hours later saw it in the shelf of New Books at the library, decided to pick it up. borrowed from Queens Library, September 2007. read on a train to and from Montauk, NY.
The Good: Nicely tied ending, like a final tug on a smart bow. Liked the painstakingly detailed description of a "forbidden" event, step by step, and the two participants' states of mind during such event - the process of consummation of their wedding night. The characters were fully developed, enough for the reader to take some care about what happens to them afterwards. Good mood setting. The climax (literally) was hilarious, a good peak.
The Bad: I did not find the woman's character, or state of mind about the issue, entirely believable. For such an intelligent woman, I should expect some curiosity about her undeveloped sexuality, rather than a blatant frigidity. But sure, okay, so this was a different era and society, but still. And until the final sentence, I was disappointed in the denouement, their life post-honeymoon, but see above about the tidy ending. The pacing was a bit slow for my preferred speed of action and consumption, but maybe that's not a bad thing, to be forced to read at a different pace. For what it gave me, I found it interesting. As a novel, it felt more like a study in psychology.
Faith of a Writer
by Joyce Carol Oates, subtitle: Life, Craft, Art
Introduction and Acquisition: part of our writing group's guiding books, reintroduced when we saw Joyce Carol Oates do a reading a few days ago - borrowed from Queens Library, September 2007
The Good: she references a lot of other writers, their writing and thoughts about their own writing, and parallels between their lives and what they write about, when it's autobiographical and not. some cute advice for beginning writers, granting the permission to read whatever one finds delight in and not what someone else suggests is wise for reading.
The Bad: In criticizing this book I run the risk of looking foolish, for I as the beginning writer am criticizing the advice and thoughts on writing by a writer who writes not only prolifically but successfully as well, and does not look to be stopping any time soon. In our day and age, being not only a successful writer but a professor at prestigious university as well teaching of all things her very craft, is a mark of high distinction and respect that is hard to shake. I shall look like a fool with my disagreements. So now, disclaimer aside, I shall procede.
I disagree, quite hardily, with many things she claims about the inspiration and instinct of a writer. I should clarify that I disagree with the nature of her academic analysis of literature and inspiration and autobiography. I find in my own unpublished, unrecognized (and thus unsuccessful) writing that her take and analysis is quite off, or, at best, irrelevant. It's too academic, and for those things that are intangible and thus fall out of the bounds of analysis, they are dismissed as mysterious, unknown. It sounds too like school work to me, having written many a paper on the basic formula of say it, say it again with supporting out of context blurb, then say it again to end it. And such formula works remarkably well in the academic setting for it suggests some sort of thought process, linking this to that, the teasing out of patterns and how it applies to said genres. But... but.... academic is all to well known for being an inaccurate depiction of reality, a false portrait, one done for the sake of the painter and not for the good and well being of the world in which the portrait's subject is living. Sublime at best, irrelevant at worst. I find many of the essays irrelevant.
So says the unsuccessful writer about the musings of the prolific, successful professor/author.
Later Note: I confess I wrote this review before I finished the book, since I had not intended to finish the book, but after reading the last essay on her studio, it's made up for some of the shortcomings, felt a little more humane.
Introduction and Acquisition: part of our writing group's guiding books, reintroduced when we saw Joyce Carol Oates do a reading a few days ago - borrowed from Queens Library, September 2007
The Good: she references a lot of other writers, their writing and thoughts about their own writing, and parallels between their lives and what they write about, when it's autobiographical and not. some cute advice for beginning writers, granting the permission to read whatever one finds delight in and not what someone else suggests is wise for reading.
The Bad: In criticizing this book I run the risk of looking foolish, for I as the beginning writer am criticizing the advice and thoughts on writing by a writer who writes not only prolifically but successfully as well, and does not look to be stopping any time soon. In our day and age, being not only a successful writer but a professor at prestigious university as well teaching of all things her very craft, is a mark of high distinction and respect that is hard to shake. I shall look like a fool with my disagreements. So now, disclaimer aside, I shall procede.
I disagree, quite hardily, with many things she claims about the inspiration and instinct of a writer. I should clarify that I disagree with the nature of her academic analysis of literature and inspiration and autobiography. I find in my own unpublished, unrecognized (and thus unsuccessful) writing that her take and analysis is quite off, or, at best, irrelevant. It's too academic, and for those things that are intangible and thus fall out of the bounds of analysis, they are dismissed as mysterious, unknown. It sounds too like school work to me, having written many a paper on the basic formula of say it, say it again with supporting out of context blurb, then say it again to end it. And such formula works remarkably well in the academic setting for it suggests some sort of thought process, linking this to that, the teasing out of patterns and how it applies to said genres. But... but.... academic is all to well known for being an inaccurate depiction of reality, a false portrait, one done for the sake of the painter and not for the good and well being of the world in which the portrait's subject is living. Sublime at best, irrelevant at worst. I find many of the essays irrelevant.
So says the unsuccessful writer about the musings of the prolific, successful professor/author.
Later Note: I confess I wrote this review before I finished the book, since I had not intended to finish the book, but after reading the last essay on her studio, it's made up for some of the shortcomings, felt a little more humane.
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Museum of Dr. Moses
by Joyce Carol Oates
Introduction and Acquisition: found a listing of JCO doing an author reading, and since it was my writing buddy's favorite author, we decided to go. Good reading, interesting woman. early September 2007
The Good: short stories that suck you in, very descriptive writing with a semi-detached tone that makes the horror all that much more visceral. Having heard her talk about the book before reading it, I read it with a little more intellect than I normally would, seeing the deliberate genre prose, the mechanics of the work, rather than just sitting back enjoying it
The Bad: It was all right, the stories.
Introduction and Acquisition: found a listing of JCO doing an author reading, and since it was my writing buddy's favorite author, we decided to go. Good reading, interesting woman. early September 2007
The Good: short stories that suck you in, very descriptive writing with a semi-detached tone that makes the horror all that much more visceral. Having heard her talk about the book before reading it, I read it with a little more intellect than I normally would, seeing the deliberate genre prose, the mechanics of the work, rather than just sitting back enjoying it
The Bad: It was all right, the stories.
Friday, August 24, 2007
Little Red Book of Sales Answers
by Jeffrey Gitomer
subtitle: 99.5 Real World Answers that make sense, make sales, and make money
INTRODUCTION AND ACQUISITION: end of summer 2007, realizing my fledgling business is going to expire if I don't bite the unpleasant bullet and start reading up on marketing and sales skills; borrowed from the Queens Library, Forest Hills branch
**Gonna do something a tad differently. Going to start adding my bits of thought as I'm reading this book. Maybe I'll only do it with this book, maybe I'll do it with others. We'll see....
8/24/07, up to page 87 of 202, so about half way done.... for the newbie like me who has never harbored any desire to become a sales person, let alone a better one, this book is quite interesting. It helps having an actual business to apply this advice to, at least in my imagination thus far. I see that I have been looking at sales/marketing all in the wrong way. I feared becoming a pest, as I see so many sales people are, rather than seeing that when I'm being the buyer/consumer, I go for products whose sale pitch does not annoy me, so much so that I do not realize the sale pitch exists. I just think it's a good buy or adds value to my life. It's interesting to try to see it as a helpful approach, rather than a money making scheme (hello PT Barnum).
The Good so far: The book is hardcovered but light, small enough to carry around. The pages are rather readable, very colorful and lots of spaces between the blurbs. Almost like a grown up picture book (actually it does have pictures in it). User friendly is a good description. There are many ideas (99.5 to be exact) and each idea is clearly broken down, each a small complete thought spread out over no more than three pages, averaging about two. I was please to see that a good bit of good writing can carry you along way, or, meaning it is a skill which if used properly can really get you recognized. It's the idea of getting yourself out there. Okay, so I've heard the ideas of writing articles before, but this one really hits it on the head why the article writing matters.
He encourages reading and analysis and hard work (yeay) and strongly discourages wasteful things like television watching (which he then contradicts himself later by suggestions a television show or two).
The Bad so far: well, it is about sales, after all. And some of the more "ballsy" suggestions he makes are nothing short of hokey. But that is what balls, or, er, courage is about, doing things at the risk of embarrassment for a greater cause. Luckily there are not too many ballsy bits of advice, at least so far.
Just discovered that Mr. Gitomer has authored quite a few books on sales, and this is merely a sequel to the initial Sales red book. Oh. Well, whatever. I was limited to the library's selection, and really had no problem getting any book that discussed sales.
8/29/07, book is now finished. My review is not much different now that my reading of the book is done. I really liked the advice, and have started to see how my inaccurate approach to "prospects" (prospective clients) has hurt me. I shall like to re-read this book before it's due back to the library, and look forward to seeing it add that "value" to my business. I have not yet followed Gitomer's prompting to hop onto his website to view the amazing and tantalizing tips in store for me, and maybe I will, maybe I won't. This book has helped me recognize the areas I am weak in and how to resolve them, helped me understand the awkwardness felt when my "sales pitch" talked all about what I can do for them, without really getting them to tell me what they want or need or "value."
I have read some of the criticisms of this book, but since they criticisms focus on its regurgitation of past sales bible-like publications of which I have no knowledge, I cannot comment. If you're new to business and sales and find it necessary to dive in, this seems like a good book to begin with.
subtitle: 99.5 Real World Answers that make sense, make sales, and make money
INTRODUCTION AND ACQUISITION: end of summer 2007, realizing my fledgling business is going to expire if I don't bite the unpleasant bullet and start reading up on marketing and sales skills; borrowed from the Queens Library, Forest Hills branch
**Gonna do something a tad differently. Going to start adding my bits of thought as I'm reading this book. Maybe I'll only do it with this book, maybe I'll do it with others. We'll see....
8/24/07, up to page 87 of 202, so about half way done.... for the newbie like me who has never harbored any desire to become a sales person, let alone a better one, this book is quite interesting. It helps having an actual business to apply this advice to, at least in my imagination thus far. I see that I have been looking at sales/marketing all in the wrong way. I feared becoming a pest, as I see so many sales people are, rather than seeing that when I'm being the buyer/consumer, I go for products whose sale pitch does not annoy me, so much so that I do not realize the sale pitch exists. I just think it's a good buy or adds value to my life. It's interesting to try to see it as a helpful approach, rather than a money making scheme (hello PT Barnum).
The Good so far: The book is hardcovered but light, small enough to carry around. The pages are rather readable, very colorful and lots of spaces between the blurbs. Almost like a grown up picture book (actually it does have pictures in it). User friendly is a good description. There are many ideas (99.5 to be exact) and each idea is clearly broken down, each a small complete thought spread out over no more than three pages, averaging about two. I was please to see that a good bit of good writing can carry you along way, or, meaning it is a skill which if used properly can really get you recognized. It's the idea of getting yourself out there. Okay, so I've heard the ideas of writing articles before, but this one really hits it on the head why the article writing matters.
He encourages reading and analysis and hard work (yeay) and strongly discourages wasteful things like television watching (which he then contradicts himself later by suggestions a television show or two).
The Bad so far: well, it is about sales, after all. And some of the more "ballsy" suggestions he makes are nothing short of hokey. But that is what balls, or, er, courage is about, doing things at the risk of embarrassment for a greater cause. Luckily there are not too many ballsy bits of advice, at least so far.
Just discovered that Mr. Gitomer has authored quite a few books on sales, and this is merely a sequel to the initial Sales red book. Oh. Well, whatever. I was limited to the library's selection, and really had no problem getting any book that discussed sales.
8/29/07, book is now finished. My review is not much different now that my reading of the book is done. I really liked the advice, and have started to see how my inaccurate approach to "prospects" (prospective clients) has hurt me. I shall like to re-read this book before it's due back to the library, and look forward to seeing it add that "value" to my business. I have not yet followed Gitomer's prompting to hop onto his website to view the amazing and tantalizing tips in store for me, and maybe I will, maybe I won't. This book has helped me recognize the areas I am weak in and how to resolve them, helped me understand the awkwardness felt when my "sales pitch" talked all about what I can do for them, without really getting them to tell me what they want or need or "value."
I have read some of the criticisms of this book, but since they criticisms focus on its regurgitation of past sales bible-like publications of which I have no knowledge, I cannot comment. If you're new to business and sales and find it necessary to dive in, this seems like a good book to begin with.
Monday, August 6, 2007
Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
by Ann Brashares
Introduction and Acquisition: Heard of the book in passing, then saw the movie a couple of years ago. cute, harmless. the book was hefted on me by a friend who was cleaning out her bookshelf.
What's cool: A good story of friendship, interesting take on the rites of passage for young women going from high school innocence. I do like the way she told four stories and four situations, rather than trying to cram all the dramatic twists on one person. From an adult point of view, it was interesting the implications of bipolar disorder suggested in Bee's character. The author leaves us with impressions, no needing explicit details of the characters' backgrounds. It was well kept in the present while explaining some of the past.
What sucks: While it's hard to call these catagorizations "criticisms", it must be recognized that this is a book that's firmly at home in the bounds of Young Adult section. The glossed over absent sex scene leaves it too old for younger kids, and that very same scene makes it too whitewashed for anyone older. And why are the two "beautiful" girls described in detail - olive skin, long glossy blonde hair - but the other two, well we know what they wear. And Carmen has a big butt.
Recommend?
Definite Young Adult book.
Introduction and Acquisition: Heard of the book in passing, then saw the movie a couple of years ago. cute, harmless. the book was hefted on me by a friend who was cleaning out her bookshelf.
What's cool: A good story of friendship, interesting take on the rites of passage for young women going from high school innocence. I do like the way she told four stories and four situations, rather than trying to cram all the dramatic twists on one person. From an adult point of view, it was interesting the implications of bipolar disorder suggested in Bee's character. The author leaves us with impressions, no needing explicit details of the characters' backgrounds. It was well kept in the present while explaining some of the past.
What sucks: While it's hard to call these catagorizations "criticisms", it must be recognized that this is a book that's firmly at home in the bounds of Young Adult section. The glossed over absent sex scene leaves it too old for younger kids, and that very same scene makes it too whitewashed for anyone older. And why are the two "beautiful" girls described in detail - olive skin, long glossy blonde hair - but the other two, well we know what they wear. And Carmen has a big butt.
Recommend?
Definite Young Adult book.
Monday, July 23, 2007
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
**DOES CONTAIN SPOILERS
Introduction and Acquisition: Needs no introduction. Acquired the day of its release, though I waited until a sober hour of 9am, rather than participate in the frenzy of its midnight release. Barnes & Noble on Austin Street, in line behind the other three dozen non-costumed fans.
Time and Circumstance: Day of release, summer of 2007. I made a point of setting aside the entire weekend for the read, giving my husband much advanced notice. Aside from a couple of minor breaks and one quick lunch breaks, read the whole thing through. Finished at 8pm the same night.
What's cool: Oh golly, where to start? The satisfying, epic ending which, if I would have given JKR any credit at all, should have been quite obvious. She did not plan a minor children's story, she planned your classic, historic, mythological ending. Three heartful cheers for Rowling. The Deathly Hallows mystery unfolded nicely. I loved her bringing back all of the best loved characters, like Oliver Wood, into the final Hogwarts frey. Loved the turnabout of Kreacher, and of the Malfoys, and admittedly the redemption of Snape. Ah, the power of love is alive and well in book 7. Loved how Harry continued to be shocked and surprised by the amount of support all the way through the end. Really loved the fleshing out of Dumbledore in all his flaws - nice twist there near the end, and I felt my heart drop when I thought "oh my god she's really going to kill Harry off! I hate her!"
What kinda sucks: Some of the beloved characters she killed off, including Hedwig (so messed UP!) and unbelievably, Fred. She proved her balls when she killed off half the twins. Also, the plot did get a little confusing, and while I think I followed her logic in killing but not killing Harry off, I'm not sure if I might have just injected my own two cents into it or not. Some of the middle parts, where HR & H were off on their woodsy adventures, dragged a bit. And then some of the parts that was supposed to shake off their draggedness where they got ambushed again and again were too similar, too cookie cutter. I was expecting her to do more with Ginny than just keep her as the muse. Why indicate the girl's extraordinary powers then shove her into the maiden in distress box? Oh, and hated the last epilogue chapter. Hated it. I can understand more now of why it was put in, but it sounded more like fanfic than Rowling herself. Too many jumbled names, I couldn't keep track of who belonged to who.
Leftover Thoughts: Entirely and surprisingly satisfying ending. Harry's story is nothing less than the counterparts to those of Luke Skywalker and Frodo Baggins, yet contributes a set of unique characters and imaginary worlds.
And like the Star Wars and LOTR universes, it's been left wide wide open for a plethora of stories to emergy, whether from her or from the millions of worldwide fans. I hope she comes out with an encyclopedia.
Introduction and Acquisition: Needs no introduction. Acquired the day of its release, though I waited until a sober hour of 9am, rather than participate in the frenzy of its midnight release. Barnes & Noble on Austin Street, in line behind the other three dozen non-costumed fans.
Time and Circumstance: Day of release, summer of 2007. I made a point of setting aside the entire weekend for the read, giving my husband much advanced notice. Aside from a couple of minor breaks and one quick lunch breaks, read the whole thing through. Finished at 8pm the same night.
What's cool: Oh golly, where to start? The satisfying, epic ending which, if I would have given JKR any credit at all, should have been quite obvious. She did not plan a minor children's story, she planned your classic, historic, mythological ending. Three heartful cheers for Rowling. The Deathly Hallows mystery unfolded nicely. I loved her bringing back all of the best loved characters, like Oliver Wood, into the final Hogwarts frey. Loved the turnabout of Kreacher, and of the Malfoys, and admittedly the redemption of Snape. Ah, the power of love is alive and well in book 7. Loved how Harry continued to be shocked and surprised by the amount of support all the way through the end. Really loved the fleshing out of Dumbledore in all his flaws - nice twist there near the end, and I felt my heart drop when I thought "oh my god she's really going to kill Harry off! I hate her!"
What kinda sucks: Some of the beloved characters she killed off, including Hedwig (so messed UP!) and unbelievably, Fred. She proved her balls when she killed off half the twins. Also, the plot did get a little confusing, and while I think I followed her logic in killing but not killing Harry off, I'm not sure if I might have just injected my own two cents into it or not. Some of the middle parts, where HR & H were off on their woodsy adventures, dragged a bit. And then some of the parts that was supposed to shake off their draggedness where they got ambushed again and again were too similar, too cookie cutter. I was expecting her to do more with Ginny than just keep her as the muse. Why indicate the girl's extraordinary powers then shove her into the maiden in distress box? Oh, and hated the last epilogue chapter. Hated it. I can understand more now of why it was put in, but it sounded more like fanfic than Rowling herself. Too many jumbled names, I couldn't keep track of who belonged to who.
Leftover Thoughts: Entirely and surprisingly satisfying ending. Harry's story is nothing less than the counterparts to those of Luke Skywalker and Frodo Baggins, yet contributes a set of unique characters and imaginary worlds.
And like the Star Wars and LOTR universes, it's been left wide wide open for a plethora of stories to emergy, whether from her or from the millions of worldwide fans. I hope she comes out with an encyclopedia.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
A Million Little Pieces
by James Frey
Introduction and Acquisition: On the bookshelf of my best friend/hostess, who insists she never re-reads a book. I of course had heard of the book, it having been embroiled in the scandal that this "purely-factual", Oprah-endorsed memoir had a few too many embellishments for its defenders' comfort.
Time and Circumstance: End of June 2007, in Southern California. I had just finished the book I was reading, and so picked that one up, just to satiate my curiosity.
What was cool: Holy Cow, that's some seriously powerful writing. From the start it was Bam! socked you right in the jaw with is pared down language, simple succinct rawness. It's one of those books that hooks you from the start, and only after a few pages do you wake up and realize the world you've been living the past few minutes was only on the page. He's a great writer, a very masculine writer, and some scenes graphic enough that I just had to skip them.
What sucked: For a memoir it was a little too "neat" in its tidy arcs and nicely rounded metaphroical backgrounds. Let's see, the detailed description of the storm coinciding with his rage that bubbles up, finally free from the numbness of alcohol and narcotics. A little too forced. The biggest suckiest thing is that this amazing, powerful writer will forever be branded in such a negative way that many people will miss out on experiencing the gift he has. I am amused how we, the media-brainwashed public, suddenly bought the idea that there are standards of integrity in literature especially biographies, and great writing and story telling is now suddenly judged on its factual accuracy. Please, people, it's a story, not a history lesson or accounting sheet. Didja really just pick up the book to seek out the facts? Or did you honestly vye for a great, mesmerizing story?
Leftover Thoughts: Great story. I know there is another book called "My Friend Leonard" that's the sequel, and I'm not dying to pick it up. Maybe, some day. Again, he's a great, powerful writer. I'm really hoping he can pick himself up out of this mess - a good publicist? - so we can see more of this man's great talent.
Introduction and Acquisition: On the bookshelf of my best friend/hostess, who insists she never re-reads a book. I of course had heard of the book, it having been embroiled in the scandal that this "purely-factual", Oprah-endorsed memoir had a few too many embellishments for its defenders' comfort.
Time and Circumstance: End of June 2007, in Southern California. I had just finished the book I was reading, and so picked that one up, just to satiate my curiosity.
What was cool: Holy Cow, that's some seriously powerful writing. From the start it was Bam! socked you right in the jaw with is pared down language, simple succinct rawness. It's one of those books that hooks you from the start, and only after a few pages do you wake up and realize the world you've been living the past few minutes was only on the page. He's a great writer, a very masculine writer, and some scenes graphic enough that I just had to skip them.
What sucked: For a memoir it was a little too "neat" in its tidy arcs and nicely rounded metaphroical backgrounds. Let's see, the detailed description of the storm coinciding with his rage that bubbles up, finally free from the numbness of alcohol and narcotics. A little too forced. The biggest suckiest thing is that this amazing, powerful writer will forever be branded in such a negative way that many people will miss out on experiencing the gift he has. I am amused how we, the media-brainwashed public, suddenly bought the idea that there are standards of integrity in literature especially biographies, and great writing and story telling is now suddenly judged on its factual accuracy. Please, people, it's a story, not a history lesson or accounting sheet. Didja really just pick up the book to seek out the facts? Or did you honestly vye for a great, mesmerizing story?
Leftover Thoughts: Great story. I know there is another book called "My Friend Leonard" that's the sequel, and I'm not dying to pick it up. Maybe, some day. Again, he's a great, powerful writer. I'm really hoping he can pick himself up out of this mess - a good publicist? - so we can see more of this man's great talent.
The Diana Chronicles
by Tina Brown
- Introduction and Acquisition
- Time and Circumstance
- What's cool
- What kinda sucks
- Leftover Thoughts
Monday, April 23, 2007
Swallows of Kabul
by Yasmina Khadra
Introduction and Acqusition: Picked it up at the end of my wedding/honeymoon week.
Time and Circumstance: Fall 2006, to satiate that need to get lost in someone else's world.
What's cool: It's short and sweet and poignant and sad. A book that expanded my universe just a bit, that taught me something about the whole Taliban/Afghanistan history, which is relevant to the current global concerns. Another heart-wrenching story that made me care about the characters, that made the people of this other culture very real, and human, rather than images on CNN.
What kinda sucked: Not much. Don't read this expecting a happy ending.
Leftover Thoughts: Sad and tragic.
Introduction and Acqusition: Picked it up at the end of my wedding/honeymoon week.
Time and Circumstance: Fall 2006, to satiate that need to get lost in someone else's world.
What's cool: It's short and sweet and poignant and sad. A book that expanded my universe just a bit, that taught me something about the whole Taliban/Afghanistan history, which is relevant to the current global concerns. Another heart-wrenching story that made me care about the characters, that made the people of this other culture very real, and human, rather than images on CNN.
What kinda sucked: Not much. Don't read this expecting a happy ending.
Leftover Thoughts: Sad and tragic.
The Keep
by Jennifer Egan
Introduction and Acquisition: New York Times book review, definitely, is when I first got wind of the book.
Time and Circumstance: Fall 2006, at the start of SFDS. My foray into modern literature. After reading the book we saw her do a reading at the Writer's Studio's anniversary shindig. Did not change my opinion of the book, or of the author.
What's cool: I could not put the book down! I read it all in one setting, which kept me up through the wee hours of the morning. If someone has stopped me in mid-read and asked my opinion, I would have said "eh, it's okay." and yet - I could not put it down. There's something to say about that. The language is simple, no fancy gimmicks here. Her plot was twisty, and I appreciated the Escher-like bends.
What kinda sucked: There was nothing that really sucked, so much that I can only say it was okay. It's like seeing a movie that did not necessarily waste your time seeing, but one that you left at the movie theater. Nothing soul-penetrating.
Leftover Thoughts: I like this author. Not love, merely like. But she's a keeper on the periphery of my Like-circle.
Introduction and Acquisition: New York Times book review, definitely, is when I first got wind of the book.
Time and Circumstance: Fall 2006, at the start of SFDS. My foray into modern literature. After reading the book we saw her do a reading at the Writer's Studio's anniversary shindig. Did not change my opinion of the book, or of the author.
What's cool: I could not put the book down! I read it all in one setting, which kept me up through the wee hours of the morning. If someone has stopped me in mid-read and asked my opinion, I would have said "eh, it's okay." and yet - I could not put it down. There's something to say about that. The language is simple, no fancy gimmicks here. Her plot was twisty, and I appreciated the Escher-like bends.
What kinda sucked: There was nothing that really sucked, so much that I can only say it was okay. It's like seeing a movie that did not necessarily waste your time seeing, but one that you left at the movie theater. Nothing soul-penetrating.
Leftover Thoughts: I like this author. Not love, merely like. But she's a keeper on the periphery of my Like-circle.
Teahouse Fire
by Ellis Avery
Introduction and Acqusition: The author is an acquaintance of a friend of mine. We saw her do a reading at Three Lives bookstore in the West Village, which is where I bought the book and got it signed.
Time and Circumstance: Early Spring 2007; Am heading to Japan in mid-May, and wanted to gain some familiarity with the country before going there. Plus, as mentioned above, we had just seen her do a reading which whetted my appetite for the book.
What's cool: A great introduction the Japanese culture for those beginners or even novices. For those with some experience with Japanese culture, this provides a wonderful look into the world of the tea ceremony. There is a great amount of respect and admiration for the tea ceremony in this book, as it is so lovingly portrayed.
What kinda sucks: While is is a great novel for a first time author, it still contains some (very few) first time author details. At times I thought the main character's difficulty with the language - even after 5 years in the country - was unbelievable. And occasionally the author would be describing or referencing something that happened, an in the attempts at being twisty about it, she lost me. I had no idea what the author was talking about. The last chapter was fatal in its lack of necessity. The story would have been better off it if ended with Uranko just leaving Japan. The lesbian bit at the end felt gratiutious, and frankly left an icky taste in my mouth.
Leftover Thoughts: The book stuck with me, the art of simplicity and beauty in everything. The time I spent reading the book was not only entertaining, but educational, about a whole different culture, about the mysteries behind such a beautiful culture, and about a significant chapter in the history of its evolution from the old ways to the new Westernization of the east.
Introduction and Acqusition: The author is an acquaintance of a friend of mine. We saw her do a reading at Three Lives bookstore in the West Village, which is where I bought the book and got it signed.
Time and Circumstance: Early Spring 2007; Am heading to Japan in mid-May, and wanted to gain some familiarity with the country before going there. Plus, as mentioned above, we had just seen her do a reading which whetted my appetite for the book.
What's cool: A great introduction the Japanese culture for those beginners or even novices. For those with some experience with Japanese culture, this provides a wonderful look into the world of the tea ceremony. There is a great amount of respect and admiration for the tea ceremony in this book, as it is so lovingly portrayed.
What kinda sucks: While is is a great novel for a first time author, it still contains some (very few) first time author details. At times I thought the main character's difficulty with the language - even after 5 years in the country - was unbelievable. And occasionally the author would be describing or referencing something that happened, an in the attempts at being twisty about it, she lost me. I had no idea what the author was talking about. The last chapter was fatal in its lack of necessity. The story would have been better off it if ended with Uranko just leaving Japan. The lesbian bit at the end felt gratiutious, and frankly left an icky taste in my mouth.
Leftover Thoughts: The book stuck with me, the art of simplicity and beauty in everything. The time I spent reading the book was not only entertaining, but educational, about a whole different culture, about the mysteries behind such a beautiful culture, and about a significant chapter in the history of its evolution from the old ways to the new Westernization of the east.
Special Topics in Calamity Physics
by Marissa Pessl
Introduction and Acquisition: A NYTimes article, I'm fairly certain of it. The reviews sounded promising, as I'm drawn to the quirkiness that it offered. I was also a fan of Donna Tartt's Secret History, to which the book was favorably compared.
Time and Circumstance: We just formed SFDS in late 2006, and I really wanted to start reading lots of books, wanting to immerse myself in literature, especially modern literature.
What's cool: Well, let's give Pessl an A for effort. She tried. She tried a lot. We have evidence of her effort in pages and pages and endless pages. I give her kudos for trying out a new shtick, the fiction tied into constant bibliographical references. If it was a short story, it might have been funnier. I did like the twist in the end - signs of author cleverness, very promising. Uhm... I liked the cover art.
What kinda sucked: The book was in sore need of an editor. It was unnecessarily long, and contained far too many of these 'shticky' bibliographical references to the point it drew irritation. It was not about the reader but about the author's ego, because the author seemed to underestimate the reader's intelligence that we couldn't get her shtick in the first place, thereby smacking us on the head over and over again with it. Yes, we get it - please stop. The supporting characters - the father, the teacher, the friends - were two-dimensional, and the main character did not hold my sympathies at all. And being a fan of Donna Tartts's Secret History, I am doubly offended at what looked like shameless plot-lifting.
What sucked most of all was the ridiculous amount of hype the book got, which was far beyond the actual quality of the book. It was amatuer at best, and there are far more interesting, intelligent, clever first time novelist debuts out there. This one did not by any means deserve the kudos it got.
Leftover Thoughts: I have introduced this book to my writing group as an example of what not to do as a first time author. I would probably feel less vehement about my dislike if not for the constant kudos the book receives. It was NOT that good, it was NOT worthy of such press. It reeks of politics in the publishing world, and has made me rather suspicious of the New York Times for putting it on their 2006 Most Notable Books list. Disgusting.
Introduction and Acquisition: A NYTimes article, I'm fairly certain of it. The reviews sounded promising, as I'm drawn to the quirkiness that it offered. I was also a fan of Donna Tartt's Secret History, to which the book was favorably compared.
Time and Circumstance: We just formed SFDS in late 2006, and I really wanted to start reading lots of books, wanting to immerse myself in literature, especially modern literature.
What's cool: Well, let's give Pessl an A for effort. She tried. She tried a lot. We have evidence of her effort in pages and pages and endless pages. I give her kudos for trying out a new shtick, the fiction tied into constant bibliographical references. If it was a short story, it might have been funnier. I did like the twist in the end - signs of author cleverness, very promising. Uhm... I liked the cover art.
What kinda sucked: The book was in sore need of an editor. It was unnecessarily long, and contained far too many of these 'shticky' bibliographical references to the point it drew irritation. It was not about the reader but about the author's ego, because the author seemed to underestimate the reader's intelligence that we couldn't get her shtick in the first place, thereby smacking us on the head over and over again with it. Yes, we get it - please stop. The supporting characters - the father, the teacher, the friends - were two-dimensional, and the main character did not hold my sympathies at all. And being a fan of Donna Tartts's Secret History, I am doubly offended at what looked like shameless plot-lifting.
What sucked most of all was the ridiculous amount of hype the book got, which was far beyond the actual quality of the book. It was amatuer at best, and there are far more interesting, intelligent, clever first time novelist debuts out there. This one did not by any means deserve the kudos it got.
Leftover Thoughts: I have introduced this book to my writing group as an example of what not to do as a first time author. I would probably feel less vehement about my dislike if not for the constant kudos the book receives. It was NOT that good, it was NOT worthy of such press. It reeks of politics in the publishing world, and has made me rather suspicious of the New York Times for putting it on their 2006 Most Notable Books list. Disgusting.
Sunday, April 22, 2007
One Hundred Years of Solitude
by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Introduction and Acquisition: Was not distinct introduction so much as the gradual recognition of a book that was frequently trumpted. I was intrigued by the description of "magical realism" and thought I would enjoy the fantastical bit of the story. I picked it up time and again, but for some reason it would always leave my hands after only a few bites.
Time and Circumstance: Soon after the formation of SFDS, I finally got possession of this book - purchased this time, so it would not leave my hands - and set about immersing myself in it. Winter 2006.
What was cool: The ending. The Ending! Never read a better ending. Never. It was tied up so neatly, so simply, with a twist that made me cry out loud "Ah!", and laugh at the ingenuity of it. Like a fine dessert that makes the entire meal shine. Amidst the large number of characters there were some unforgettable ones, like the Beauty and the large Jose who returned after years in the war.
What kinda sucked: It was a journey to read through, and I got a little lost as to who was who with all the characters so named after one another. It was put-down-able, though, as evident by the half dozen or so times I picked it up from the library only to return it with a mere 5 pages read. I suppose books with opening pages about firing squads and long Latino names don't grab me - it's just me I think. Got a tad tedious in the middle, and I wondered where it was all going.
Leftover thoughts: I enjoyed recalling some of the characters and attaching mythological archetypes to them. One really had to patient wait until the end of the book to be truly rewarded by its genius - but what a long wait!
Introduction and Acquisition: Was not distinct introduction so much as the gradual recognition of a book that was frequently trumpted. I was intrigued by the description of "magical realism" and thought I would enjoy the fantastical bit of the story. I picked it up time and again, but for some reason it would always leave my hands after only a few bites.
Time and Circumstance: Soon after the formation of SFDS, I finally got possession of this book - purchased this time, so it would not leave my hands - and set about immersing myself in it. Winter 2006.
What was cool: The ending. The Ending! Never read a better ending. Never. It was tied up so neatly, so simply, with a twist that made me cry out loud "Ah!", and laugh at the ingenuity of it. Like a fine dessert that makes the entire meal shine. Amidst the large number of characters there were some unforgettable ones, like the Beauty and the large Jose who returned after years in the war.
What kinda sucked: It was a journey to read through, and I got a little lost as to who was who with all the characters so named after one another. It was put-down-able, though, as evident by the half dozen or so times I picked it up from the library only to return it with a mere 5 pages read. I suppose books with opening pages about firing squads and long Latino names don't grab me - it's just me I think. Got a tad tedious in the middle, and I wondered where it was all going.
Leftover thoughts: I enjoyed recalling some of the characters and attaching mythological archetypes to them. One really had to patient wait until the end of the book to be truly rewarded by its genius - but what a long wait!
Tonio Kroger
by Thomas Mann (the short story in Death In Venice and Seven Other Stories)
Introduction and Acquisition: Picked up this book at the library sale, I believe, maybe a few years ago. Of course read Death in Venice in college, but never bothered with the seven other stories. This book was sitting on my shelf, and I wanted something to read.
Time and Circumstance: First warm weekend of spring, 2007, late April. First weekend after finishing graduate school. We were planning to sit outside at his parent's house, and I wanted something good to read.
What was cool: Manns' prose makes me slow down, the sentences are thick and without fluffly fillers and phrases. I have to stop skimming as I normally do, and read it word for word. That causes frustration at first, but it also makes me sit up and notice.
What sucked: Not being familiar with Mann's works other than Death in Venice, and having no idea what Tonio Kruger was about, I asked my DH after the first few pages, "Does Thomas Mann write about nothing but homosexual relationships?" - [after finishing story] Honestly, the end was a let-down. Not so much a story as some philosophical spewing. I got bored with the grown up Tonio's speech to Lisabeta, and skipped most of it, which was apparently a rather significant part. Anti-climactic ending.
Leftover thoughts: Might be better if I was in the mood for philosophizing.
Introduction and Acquisition: Picked up this book at the library sale, I believe, maybe a few years ago. Of course read Death in Venice in college, but never bothered with the seven other stories. This book was sitting on my shelf, and I wanted something to read.
Time and Circumstance: First warm weekend of spring, 2007, late April. First weekend after finishing graduate school. We were planning to sit outside at his parent's house, and I wanted something good to read.
What was cool: Manns' prose makes me slow down, the sentences are thick and without fluffly fillers and phrases. I have to stop skimming as I normally do, and read it word for word. That causes frustration at first, but it also makes me sit up and notice.
What sucked: Not being familiar with Mann's works other than Death in Venice, and having no idea what Tonio Kruger was about, I asked my DH after the first few pages, "Does Thomas Mann write about nothing but homosexual relationships?" - [after finishing story] Honestly, the end was a let-down. Not so much a story as some philosophical spewing. I got bored with the grown up Tonio's speech to Lisabeta, and skipped most of it, which was apparently a rather significant part. Anti-climactic ending.
Leftover thoughts: Might be better if I was in the mood for philosophizing.
Anil's Ghost
by Michael Ondaatje
Introduction and Acquisition: ebay! One of my very first and few ebay purchases. For a mere $.99 (minus shipping and handling costs). Loved his book The English Patient, was enamoured of his writing style, and finally got around to getting this book.
Time and Circumstance: End of March to mid-April, 2007, in the midst of my few final acts for graduate school. Shamelessly used as distraction and procrastination against the dreariness of exams and such.
What was cool: Ondaatje's prose, the way he writes, his wonderful turn of phrases, his precise, succint descriptions that, like an ant, carry far heavier loads than one would think possible. His characters are fully fleshed, as minor as some are to the story. It stops being so much about the story as it is this rich, beautifully detailed painting - all with words, merely with words. With black and white, he creates vivid colors.
And you know what? It made me cry. This book made me cry.
What kind of sucked: Not much. If anything, I was left wanting to know more about the character he wrote. I wanted Anil to be a better person, to be happier. I wanted the ending to be happy, I wanted the last page to be about them all riding off into the sunset. But this book is about ghosts, after all - hollowed shells, dusty barren places, barren souls.
Due to the circumstances under which I read it, the book would be put down and away for a long time(like weeks, rather than days or hours) before picking up the threads of the story again. Which caused me to sort of forget exactly what happened and who these people were and who was doing what at the time. So minor warning - don't put this book down for long! You may get lost trying to pick it up again.
Leftover thoughts: I have always found it difficult to describe exactly what it is about Ondaatje's writing that affects me so. It is written and unfolds the way in which one discovers other people in real life - tiny bits of detail float to the surface, revealing glimpses of them bit by bit. Eventually the whole tale is told, or sometimes it is merely left to mystery and imagination. The reader is introduced to the character as he or she is right here, right now. Along the journey, along the way you find out how and why they came to be. It's the world presented as is, and I like that about his books.
Introduction and Acquisition: ebay! One of my very first and few ebay purchases. For a mere $.99 (minus shipping and handling costs). Loved his book The English Patient, was enamoured of his writing style, and finally got around to getting this book.
Time and Circumstance: End of March to mid-April, 2007, in the midst of my few final acts for graduate school. Shamelessly used as distraction and procrastination against the dreariness of exams and such.
What was cool: Ondaatje's prose, the way he writes, his wonderful turn of phrases, his precise, succint descriptions that, like an ant, carry far heavier loads than one would think possible. His characters are fully fleshed, as minor as some are to the story. It stops being so much about the story as it is this rich, beautifully detailed painting - all with words, merely with words. With black and white, he creates vivid colors.
And you know what? It made me cry. This book made me cry.
What kind of sucked: Not much. If anything, I was left wanting to know more about the character he wrote. I wanted Anil to be a better person, to be happier. I wanted the ending to be happy, I wanted the last page to be about them all riding off into the sunset. But this book is about ghosts, after all - hollowed shells, dusty barren places, barren souls.
Due to the circumstances under which I read it, the book would be put down and away for a long time(like weeks, rather than days or hours) before picking up the threads of the story again. Which caused me to sort of forget exactly what happened and who these people were and who was doing what at the time. So minor warning - don't put this book down for long! You may get lost trying to pick it up again.
Leftover thoughts: I have always found it difficult to describe exactly what it is about Ondaatje's writing that affects me so. It is written and unfolds the way in which one discovers other people in real life - tiny bits of detail float to the surface, revealing glimpses of them bit by bit. Eventually the whole tale is told, or sometimes it is merely left to mystery and imagination. The reader is introduced to the character as he or she is right here, right now. Along the journey, along the way you find out how and why they came to be. It's the world presented as is, and I like that about his books.
This Is About...
First blog entry- am getting used to this. This one, this time, this room, this tiny section of the vast internet pie, focuses on literature. Books, to be so plain. Well yes mostly books, rather than say magazines or poetry or other blogs (is that now of the literature ilk?) dloqi's thoughts, opinions, preferences, scorns and praises for those books consumed....
Some consistent categories I'll try to include in each entry...
Some consistent categories I'll try to include in each entry...
- Introduction and Acquisition
- Time and Circumstance
- What's cool
- What kinda sucks
- Leftover Thoughts
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