Baldwin’s writing takes my breath away, just incredible. Very few are the authors who can articulate such deep insights and feelings. While Baldwin isBaldwin’s writing takes my breath away, just incredible. Very few are the authors who can articulate such deep insights and feelings. While Baldwin is gay, this ia a fictional story. I knew nothing of the lives of gay men in Paris during the 60’s. Sex is not the focus here, but a deeper understanding of the mental torment....more
That's it. I'm done. Listened to over half of this, and can go no further. Maybe I should not submit as "read," but it took a lot of effort to get as That's it. I'm done. Listened to over half of this, and can go no further. Maybe I should not submit as "read," but it took a lot of effort to get as far as I did. Yes, I see all the five star reviews, oh how brilliant and subtle this fine work of art is. So reminiscent of Melville, Joyce, Mr. Magoo (Sorry, those are all I can think of). I'm sure this is wonderful for literature lovers, but I was a science major. The life of a boring and indifferent man just doesn't do it for me. I didn't live in that century, and am so thankful for that. Oh yes, but there is so much of his life that is apparent in us all. Sure, if you let life happen to you. Is life just determined for us? I'm sure there are many deep questions this invokes, and it's wonderful for those who found this "work" so meaningful. Read one review that talked of Stoner's numbness to life. Give me a good memoir of an alcoholic any day. Yes, I gave literature a try. No, it's not for me....more
Just wrote a long review. It has disappeared. Maybe I will try to write another one again, but for now, all I can say is don't miss this book. The parJust wrote a long review. It has disappeared. Maybe I will try to write another one again, but for now, all I can say is don't miss this book. The parallels to what is happening in today's world are profound, the writing incredible!...more
This is my first read by Paulo Coelho, and it won't be my last. What an amazing author. That old saying of "When the student is ready, the teacher wilThis is my first read by Paulo Coelho, and it won't be my last. What an amazing author. That old saying of "When the student is ready, the teacher will appear" is exactly how this book felt to me. While the story involves a man who can perform miracles and his decision to give it all up for the woman he loves, it's meaning is much deeper. It is really about falling in love with a higher power which no words can describe, and connects us all. I loved that it also included the feminine side of this power. I don't think I've ever highlighted so many passages. This is a real masterpiece. It's underlying meaning brings a profound message to our world. Highly recommended....more
What an incredible book, unlike anything I have read before. It took me awhile to read, as almost every paragraph carries the weight of a poem. This iWhat an incredible book, unlike anything I have read before. It took me awhile to read, as almost every paragraph carries the weight of a poem. This is a story of a young Japanese man discovering he is gay, set against the U.S. air war in the mid 40's. It speaks to the split that occurs in one's psyche for those who do not meet the social norms. It tears the soul in two at so many different levels. The entire book focuses on the author's inner life. All his thoughts, feelings, fantasies, and hungers are laid bare for the reader to digest. His later introduction to a woman he cannot forget seems to represent some sort of purity, yet even this is fraught with contradictions. One cannot change the core of who they are, and a hidden life often brings torment. The raw honesty and stark reality of this book will not soon be forgotten....more
Debbie "DJ"
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Books:
classics
(8)
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