In my year to read on Elizabeth II, there just seem to be a lot of books that focus on the time of relationship and courtship of Elizabeth and Philip,In my year to read on Elizabeth II, there just seem to be a lot of books that focus on the time of relationship and courtship of Elizabeth and Philip, and this is one of the better ones. But the book is more than that. Its really about the life and experiences of Marion (Crawfie) Crawford who raised the royal princesses and sacrificed her life to do so. It is written through her eyes, and the true love story is that of her and the children she loved, that were indeed hers, and the raising of the woman who would mother and steer England. ...more
I really adore this author - you know what it means to fall in love with an author that is new to you? I read Don't Forget to write by this author, anI really adore this author - you know what it means to fall in love with an author that is new to you? I read Don't Forget to write by this author, and i enjoyed and savored it so much, that I have literally bought at least ten copies as gifts this year, and have recommended it to maybe 25. i can't stop talking about how much I loved that book. Did I like this one as much? Possibly not - but it was also great. it really had everything. Fabulous quirky characters, the character of the past, and always, always love, and laughter sprinkled through. I really so enjoyed it....more
This is a short audio (2 hours 7 minutes) authored by Marie Benedict, who is my author of the year. Meaning that I am reading every book/work of hers This is a short audio (2 hours 7 minutes) authored by Marie Benedict, who is my author of the year. Meaning that I am reading every book/work of hers I hadn't, and I am delighted to hear she has just come out with the Mitford Files. What a wonderful author to pick! I absolutely went Wow over the Personal Librarian, The Other Einstein, and Hidden Genius. I also really liked the Mystery of Mrs. Christie, and Smoke Signals. Still left to go is Carnegie's Maid, and the Only Woman in the Room.
Like many of my beloved authors, Marie Benedict seeks to explore and elevate the stories of hidden and obscured, but very powerful women in history, who perhaps before now, never got their "due." This audio story centers on Agent 355, a woman at the center of the Culper Ring, during the Revolutionary War. Her character is fictional, but aligns with her supposition of whom it might have been and how it may have went. The story was great, and I really enjoyed it.
Merged review:
This is a short audio (2 hours 7 minutes) authored by Marie Benedict, who is my author of the year. Meaning that I am reading every book/work of hers I hadn't, and I am delighted to hear she has just come out with the Mitford Files. What a wonderful author to pick! I absolutely went Wow over the Personal Librarian, The Other Einstein, and Hidden Genius. I also really liked the Mystery of Mrs. Christie, and Smoke Signals. Still left to go is Carnegie's Maid, and the Only Woman in the Room.
Like many of my beloved authors, Marie Benedict seeks to explore and elevate the stories of hidden and obscured, but very powerful women in history, who perhaps before now, never got their "due." This audio story centers on Agent 355, a woman at the center of the Culper Ring, during the Revolutionary War. Her character is fictional, but aligns with her supposition of whom it might have been and how it may have went. The story was great, and I really enjoyed it....more
My 2023 year of Kate Quinn Canon and Works, has just blended into 2024. I finished the Mistress of Rome Series (all five books) and this one, The SerpMy 2023 year of Kate Quinn Canon and Works, has just blended into 2024. I finished the Mistress of Rome Series (all five books) and this one, The Serpent and the Pearl is the first of two that take place in Italy, in the time of the Borgias Family.
Our beautiful heroine Guilia is enslaved as a mistress to the rising Pope, and head of the Borgias family. The book is also narrated by a young cook with secrets, who lands in the employ of this family, and an embittered dwarf, bodyguard to our Guilia. The end of the book has our heroic but flawed and vulnerable threesome fighting for their lives, and entangled in a hell of a "pretty pickle", according to our dwarf. This continues in the Lion and the Rose.
For those of you who are Kate Quinn fans, count me as your leader, an interesting fact from the first few pages, is that I believe this series was written in the middle of the Mistresses of Rome series. I am going to bet this is Kate's third book, and its sequel was its fourth.
For those of you who "gotta know," I have an additional two books left of hers to finish, after the sequel to this one is completed. 2023's the Phoenix Crown, and 2024's the Briar Club. Are you curious about who the author is for 2025? I already have a short list going about whose works are going to get my full attention next... Stay tuned........more
How I absolutely adored the 4.5 installments of the Empress of Rome Series by Kate Quinn, and this finale was not only not an exception, but it pulledHow I absolutely adored the 4.5 installments of the Empress of Rome Series by Kate Quinn, and this finale was not only not an exception, but it pulled the whole thing together phenomenally well. If you had been involved in this series from the beginning, the way I (and Hannah from PBT) have been, you would see that this last book stacks up to any twisty wonderful thriller in our contemporary fiction today.
I wanted to read this series because last year, Kate Quinn was my author of the year. Having loved all of her works, I wanted to make sure I had read her entire compendium, from the early works on. But I didn't quite finish. I knew I would be into 2024 with her. Plus, I haven't yet read the Phoenix Crown, not the Lion, Serpent, Pearl, Borgia two. But let me tell you about Kate Quinn. From the beginning, what an astonishing writer, and boy can she weave a tale. She can make ancient Rome, and the Emperors, (Ceasars) Empressess, the royal court, the gladiators and legionnaires, the slaves, the wanna be heirs, the competitors, the senators, the warriors, the scholars, the soldiers. This is Rome, and what it means to be in the Emperor's world.
By the time we hit book 5 (#4), we are left with our beloved and intertwined main characters. Empress Sabina and Emperor Hadrian (true characters) Titus and Faustina (also true although Titus is given this name). We are with Vix (fictional character, Barbarian and devoted soldier and centerpiece of the novel.). Antinious (real character) who was the lover of Emperor Hadrian, and the son of Vix, friend to everyone in the book. Annia, (true character who has two mothers and two fathers) and Marcus, the Emperor that succeeds next. There are other side characters. Mirah, Dinah, and Chaya, Vix's (Jewish) wife and daughters, and Mirah's Uncle Simon, leader of the rebels in Judea, who is as caught between Rome and Judea as Vix is. There are also some powerful and yet ultimately irrelevant imperial wanna-be's who threaten through the book to gain power. In each of these books greed is a huge factor, but love, loyalty, commitment, honor, devotion, and righteous action, is always more powerful. Who is a good man, good woman, has been a theme through all the books, but never as pronounced and powerful as this one. Each character has to figure out who they are, and who they want to strive to be, and where their allegiance lies, where there heart lies, and what they are going to do to risk everything for what they believe and who they want to be. Every character must grapple with this at every turn. It more than captured my interest, I was enraptured. The synopsis on the back of the book tells us that ultimately the fate of Rome will lie with Annia, the red-haired spirited "untested" young girl, who while she only shows up in the last book is indeed the heart and soul of the series. She is the whole point, and watching her at every age exemplify the conflicts and the answers to the conflicts of each and all of the characters, well that was a wild and wonderful ride. i won't soon forget Annia, nor will I forget any of them. It makes sense to me that she has two mothers and two fathers, as she is everyone and the next generation of Rome. I simply loved it. What a pleasure and stunning conclusion to the series.
I found an interesting connection in the acknowlegements that thrilled me. Kate Quinn thanked Stephanie Thornton, an author I adore tremendously, but who I only became aware of in the last five years. She is quickly becoming a favorite. Kate thanked her at the time of this novel in 2015, where to be honest, I'm not sure either of their names were all that well known. I feel like Kate Quinn exploded on the scene with the Alice Network, while Stephanie's quiet explosion is happening now. Seeing their connection was thrilling to me, similar to my girl crush on the friendship between Alice Hoffman and Jodi Picoult, which I have commented on before. After loving this book so tremendously, seeing that connection just deepened my joy, and my connection to both authors, perhaps all four. I am now thinking of Marie Benedict and Victoria Chirstopher Murray, and wanting to know how Janie Chang fits in there too. Perhaps I am reminded of my own local book club, as well as the community I have built on Goodreads. Reading and writing together really does shape us and connect us and weave us together. Which is the perfect feeling to end the review, as the book did, which is inevitably how these characters were bound together in ways told and untold, powerful and connective, by fate and by action, and ultimately always, by love....more
I adored every single moment of this to the very last drop and it has stayed with me all day. What a divine book, perfectly crafted. I Laughed the whoI adored every single moment of this to the very last drop and it has stayed with me all day. What a divine book, perfectly crafted. I Laughed the whole way through, huge audible guffaws, I Cried by the end, and I Loved the whole way through. The dialogue was so witty and spot on. Loved the characters, oh Aunt Ada was the absolute best character.
The whole thing was just so perfectly done. Thank you to the Jewish Book Club for making this monthly pick! It was absolutely delightful. 5 stars from me.
It bears mentioning that the title is a double entrendre, as our heroine is trying to figure out, as a young woman in the 1950’s whose choices are limited, how to live and love on her own terms. The book is about her figuring out how to come into her own, and writing is a central piece of her learning to narrate her own story and chart her own course, just like her fabulous aunt. ...more
5 glorious stars for this unbelievably beautifully written tale. You guys know how a book might follow you for a while, everyone telling you, you've g5 glorious stars for this unbelievably beautifully written tale. You guys know how a book might follow you for a while, everyone telling you, you've got to read this next. And somehow I never did. The stars never aligned for me to get to this one. But then, a new friend lent it to me on the day of her son's 14th birthday party, where we had the opportunity to sit and talk about books, (mostly Covenant of Water) and aging parents, and kids, and a little of teaching. And I left that day with three books in the bag of books that lives in my car's backseat, or sometimes trunk when I have boys in the car. Left also with my very happy 13 year old who had greatly enjoyed the day and the BC Game. Then, a goodreads challenge (Steeplechase - Journey) allowed me to know it was finally time. The Gods lined it up for me, and as one knows, you just don't mess with the Gods. They always win. But this week, so did I.
Song of Achilles wraps you up from its opening pages. At its heart, it is is not just the tale of Achilles, and others when it comes to the Trojan War. Lying at its center, is the love story between Achilles and Patroclus, two men who deeply and quietly but somewhat openly, loved each other with a passion that burned bright and eternally. Patroclus is the point of view from which the tale is written.
I admit I spent some time thinking of our current social politics, and how non-heterosexual relationships that parallel Romeo and Juliet and Anthony and Cleopatra have been with us since the beginning of time. I also admit I spent a lot of time thinking about (King) David and Jonathan (the son of King Saul, who should have been heir to the throne) who obviously (to me) shared the same journey as Achilles and Petroclus. Although that is never ever talked about, and I wonder if i will somehow "get in trouble" for stating what has always just been obvious fact to me. But then again, I have been in trouble for other post biblical statements. For instance, it is not always greeted with warmth and welcome when I state that Moses (most noble father of Jewish and Judeo-Christian lore) likely had either oppositional defiant disorder, or far more likely an intermittent impulsive control disorder. After all, in my last and most recent son's torah portion of Korach. Moses is cool and controlled, while Korach looks much more defiant towards God, and towards the established leadership. Which doesn't necessarily make him disordered. It might even make him democratic that he questioned who and why can lead. But I digress. David and Jonathan had this kind of love, and we rarely talk about how long established gay marriages that defined a life and a love have been around and thriving. Since not just the beginning of time, but since the time of the Gods. But the Goddess Thetia, Achilles mother, did not like it. Some things never change.
Patroclus was the exiled son of a King as well, but is treated as a nothing by everyone he meets. Even as a Prince he was treated not with disgust or disdain, but as completely unremarkable or unworthy. Same with his time in Phthia, no one saw him as much of anything at all. He was irrelevant. Only two people "saw" him as the rising sun, and for his glory. Achilles, and Bresius. The woman who also loved him, who he loved and saved. Patroclus was noble and true and right in all of his actions every time. It is he who is known for his righteous actions, and as the moral arc of the tale. I found him so interesting. As someone who as a child killed, even somewhat accidentally or unintentionally, the son of a noble in his land, he works to be someone for whom a life is worthy and responsible. Though he does not name this. He turns to medicine and healing, having two such tutors in a lifetime. He turns towards the safety and honor of others. He is the true star of the book, equal to Achilles, although both in history and the book, few see it.
We have all heard the story of an "Achilles Heel." What is that? The only spot on the body where Achilles was mortal? It is the spot in us that makes us week or vulnerable. In this story, Achille's vulnerable spot was never his deep and abiding love for Patroclus, which made him stronger. It was always his hubris. Which was as strong a defining quality, if not stronger. Although hubris was not so much a quality in his life before the war, not in the least. It became part of his embracing of fate and destiny, so in that way, hubris was equal to his love for Patroclus. They were both a part of him because of they were both part of him embracing his destiny.
Speaking of destiny, some books feel like you were destined to read, enjoy, and never forget them. This one, was one of them. ...more
Well that was really fun, and I did this one on audio......
Add a huge cup of Victorian with a dollop of satire/poking fun. Throw in a murder, a sassyWell that was really fun, and I did this one on audio......
Add a huge cup of Victorian with a dollop of satire/poking fun. Throw in a murder, a sassy heroine (within the confines of proper breeding of course), and a haunted mansion and estate. Season well with secrets and mayhem, and throw in a turret or two.
This truly was just fun. I enjoyed it. Thank you to the Crime Tag of the Month that gave me an excuse to read it. ...more
Make no mistake, I did enjoy the book. It just wasn't a rave for me. 3.5 hits the spot. One thing about becoming a seasoned reader is that one can getMake no mistake, I did enjoy the book. It just wasn't a rave for me. 3.5 hits the spot. One thing about becoming a seasoned reader is that one can get "spoiled" by the lovely beautiful writing we get to see. There was nothing wrong with this book per se, it was perfectly a fine read. What anyone would give a 3.5.
I happen to love the Jazz Age, and I am somehow drawn to women who were good with a needle and thread and were emerging designers, although I wouldn't know what to do with a sewing kit or basket myself. But to be able to make something out of nothing, and look beautiful - well that has to be a talent and a passion....more
Perhaps its time to reveal my remarkable person of the year ~ It's Queen Elizabeth II. I never new much about her or the royals, despite having lived Perhaps its time to reveal my remarkable person of the year ~ It's Queen Elizabeth II. I never new much about her or the royals, despite having lived through some of it. But I loved the first five seasons of the Crown, and she keeps popping up on my TBR. I thought to maybe knock her off (the books that is) this year, and then see Season Six to wrap it up. But it doesn't begin with her. This book pairs with the Woman Before Wallis, and the abdication of King Edward, which gave the throne to Bertie, Elizabeth's father. Its great that it worked out to read this one first, because the character of Marguerite Meller, the woman, is a central presence in this fictional ditty. I really enjoyed this read, it was fun, and it gave me just the taste I needed to start this journey. ...more
Ten Weeks and 58 Audio Hours later, A Breath of Snow and Ashes is Done. This has been book number Six in the Outlander Series, and I really loved listTen Weeks and 58 Audio Hours later, A Breath of Snow and Ashes is Done. This has been book number Six in the Outlander Series, and I really loved listening to it. Feels like an old friend has just left after a long visit. I know I will not be getting to the next audio until January of 2025 or 2026. Speaking of Audio, I was one and done after the first book. But thanks to my friend Melissa, Outlander Fan Extraordinaire, she told me to listen to the rest on Audio. After Dragonfly In Amber, I couldn't quit if I wanted to. Totally hooked. Now I just gotta know how it all plays out. Book six ends with the family split between the past and the future.... Unlikely I can wait until 2026. But the mystery of both the murder and the fire has been resolved. Lizzie is safely and bizarrely married, and Roger and Fergus have new career purposes. So the focus is shifting to the American Revolution. To the varying sides of the war, and squarely on the relationship between Lord John Grey, Jamie, and Claire, and on the issue of Jamie and his son William (unbeknownst to him), who believes Lord John Grey to be his father. This war has them on opposing sides, facing one another, after his daughter and family/grandchildren are lost to him back to the 20th century. Claire and Jamie are left without his children. And then his son shows up, squarely on the other side of the war.
Case in point, the audio gave a teaser of Book Seven and it was all about William and his arrival to Wilmington and his relationship with Lord John Grey, and brief and haunting encounter with his sister Breanna, before she traveled forward in time. This is where our next story begins. But not for me for a while. It took me a handful of years to get to book six. But book five ended perfectly. This one has a leading edge. Could be early 2025 after all. Will keep you posted....more
I loved this twisty historical fiction tale. A young girl, devasted by her lover stealing her father's art collection, breaking her heart, and implicaI loved this twisty historical fiction tale. A young girl, devasted by her lover stealing her father's art collection, breaking her heart, and implicating her into the scheme, tarnishing her reputation, and broke her from her family, knows only art. She reinvents herself in Paris, and later America and Phildelphia, the book jumps between the two, by becoming the valued assistant and collaborator and colleague of Edwin Bradley, a renown collector and museum and school benefactor. She grows close with both Gertrude Stein and Henri Matisse. But the scandal of the past follows her, as does the man.
This has been on my TBR for an age. As usual, a challenge (with my friends) has allowed me to finally read it, and it was worth the wait. I really enjoyed it. ...more
Third of the Empress of Rome Series by Kate Quinn, who has been my author of the year in 2023, this book continues the tale set out by the first two bThird of the Empress of Rome Series by Kate Quinn, who has been my author of the year in 2023, this book continues the tale set out by the first two books, but particularly the second, Mistress of Rome. When we meet Sabina and Vix, they are children. But it is clear they will be starring roles in the continues series. Sabina's young sister Faustina, will likely play a much huger role in the following two (1.5). The book began with an intriguing opening, as the major players in the book were introduced. Then there was a lot of time in the book where the plot is much more slow moving. Not much rapid movement happens for the 200 pages in the middle, but these characters are so interesting and different and quirky, that they hold your attention. Each of them are very well developled and none falls into a trope or recognizable form. That is what keeps your attention. Then in the last 100 pages, it starts to move again, and one sees both the history of ancient Rome and Kate Quinn interweave to make it a plot of intrigue and power and everything is at stake. It left me immediately hungry for more.
But, the next installation, the Three Fates, is 139 pages, 43 in print, but only available on Kindle. Something I do not have. There is a way to download it on an Amazon Kindle Free App, but guys I am afraid to get involved with that. I fear it opens up a door I don't want to have opened. But I also fear that I do need to keep going with this. I am going to check Apple Books. Sometimes they come through in a situation like this. The last of this series is called the Lady of the Eternal City. Then I have just a one or two of Kate Quinn's older and unknown works yet to complete. Friends, I have never yet had to spill into a following year with an author of the year before. But I do see that with many of my personal challenges, I am tweaking them in 2024 to be a "catch up year." For one, there are a few authors that if I just read perhaps one or two books, I will have fulfilled their canons as well and will be all caught up with them, as if they had been my author of the year. I need to use 2024 to dive into some things that will help me clean out my TBR. I have a new plan to unveil about the series of the year and the Remarkable Person of the Year. Who I am thinking will be Queen Elizabeth II. Which will dovetail nicely with Season 6 of the Crown. That said, this year has been a great journey, and my journey with Kate Quinn has been quite fun. I think she was a great pick. Even better, Hannah is joining me for the Empress series, and its been really nice to have a partner for this rather obscure part of Kate Quinn's Canon. Its not like you are seeing these books pop up on the general feed or in conversation. But I (and Hannah too) get an early peak at a beloved author. This has been a great ride. For those of you who are curious, I think my central author of the year for 2024 is Elif Shefak. I really love her work (his? I had assumed her and I think its a her.). And I think I have under three books of hers unread. So here we go. We enter 2024 with Kate, and finish it with Elif. And there are a few other authors I can also just finish off, or make a dent in the bucket. If you have read this far, thank you for staying with me. What do you have planned for 2024?...more
Have you ever heard of a quagga? Of Frozen Charlottes? Of a card game called Happy Families from the mid-18oo's? This book was so interesting and I diHave you ever heard of a quagga? Of Frozen Charlottes? Of a card game called Happy Families from the mid-18oo's? This book was so interesting and I did quite a bit of looking things up, which is unusual for me. A quagga is actually an extinct animal, which is a cross between a horse and a zebra. Really, look it up, it was so interesting to see a picture of this.
I actually really enjoyed reading this book. Its more of a character driven and historical novel, than it is a fictional novel loosely based in history with twists and turns. The Lioness of Boston refers to none other than Isabella Stewart Gardiner, and her famous art (and people) collection, and her incredible museum today, the Isabella Stuart Gardiner Museum which is near the MFA and Northeastern University. The book was written by someone in my town, who is a mother of four, whose kids go to our elementary, middle, and high school, and college, possibly even beyond that. She is clearly a neighbor, though I have never met her. I (we) was sure impressed with her book though. The woman from the chocolate shop from the street where my office is located, she and I always talk books. She told me our book club should do it, and this author loves to come to visit tghe local bookclubs. We never ended up in time inviting her to come, but the chocolate shop owner gave us the wonderful idea, that we should all read the book and then plan a social event to visit the museum together, which we are doing in four weeks. We have planned a day at the museum together, further enriched by the reading and discussion of this book.
My husband and I just love HBO's the Gilded Age, I also really enjoyed the Social Graces, by I think Renee Rosen. I feel like I have read other books around this time. But the one we all agreed we were reminded of, is the Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray. Isabelle/Belle is similar to Belle, in that she doesn't fit in. She doesn't belong, is strong for her time, has a brilliant mind, and our Isabelle has the desire to be awakened. In both books, Bernhardt Berenson plays a role, and in this one there are many well known names. John Singer Sargeant, Zorn, Whistler, Henry James, (Frank) Marion Crawford and others. An interview with the author told one of us that she really had hoped to also teach something of that time and the masters and the events surrounding that age and the building of this collection. And that not everything was an exact match, because she was building a narrative and a story arc to try to make it compelling.
I enjoyed her writing and indeed learned a lot. Isabella Stewart Gardiner was not necessarily likable as a character. We agreed that while we were interested in her, we did not necessarily care for her like we were for Belle de Costa Greene. Isabella had so many losses, and so much heartbreak. Grief, exclusion, the need to be seen, the desire for "awakening" were all themes in the book, and she does come into her own, and created something of her life worth still preserving today. I really enjoyed the book. And I am really looking forward to the Museum....more
For one, Angela Hunt is an author I have only discovered in recent years. She is noted as an author oI really liked it. I have many swirling thoughts!
For one, Angela Hunt is an author I have only discovered in recent years. She is noted as an author of Christian Fiction, but it is mind-blowingly hard to believe that this woman isn't Jewish. Its not just the knowledge she holds, some that is so esoteric that many deeply knowledgeable Jews haven't ever learned these teachings, it is the soul with which she writes. She appears to deeply understand the soul of Jews. How it feels to be Jewish. How we think, believe, live, and breathe. I am stunned by the felt poignancy of her writing. I can't help wondering how this author became so spot on?
Jerusalem's Queen is the third installment of a series of four historical fiction novels called the Silent Years. The Fourth installment is rising higher on my TBR. I enjoyed hearing about this not oft talked about queen in Judea's history, Salome, and I enjoyed Kissa, the handmaid's dual narration. But by the end of the book, my thoughts turned into such an interesting direction. Which gave me a lot of hope about the current heartbreaking crisis in Israel, due to the recent horrific terrorist attacks.
During Covid, I attended a Monday night Faith and Calm class, and dutifully listened to stories and teachings about God being in complete control. That even when things look absolutely horrific, (Why do bad things happen to good people) that we are given these challenges, not easy ones, because we have something to learn, or because out of these losses, somehow God is preparing for the world to come out right in a better way. That even though the losses are horrible, that God is not only still there, but moving us towards a different and better place. I was reminded of this near the end of the book. What if at the end of this nightmare, somehow it ends up not just that the Jewish Israeli's achieve peace and safety and continued statehood, but that somehow things are better for innocent Palestinians, who have also been subject to their own harmful oppressive government. What if the outcome of this horror, is that we could possibly make their situation better as well? Two lines stood out to me that reminded me of the potential hope and the concept that God is for the good. For the good of everybody. One line in there illustrated the idea that by redeeming Israel, one also and redeems the entire country with everyone else in it as well. That thought offered me hope and a lot of comfort that perhaps there is a chance that at the end of this, it might be better for everyone. The next thought was the idea of evil being compared to "birth pangs" that precede new growth. I have been saying all along, that perhaps the pretty awful things that have happened in the last seven years, maybe they are evil's last gasps. It is hard to reduce what's recently happened as a last gasp. But what if even this extreme horror was going to put us on a path somehow that would be better for everyone? I find myself comforted by that thought,
Our Salome gained great comfort from Jewish law, while war raged around her. While families harmed one another due to grief or jockeying for power. While she had loss, and a mother who hated her, she also had the truth of God's law and God's healing compassion. In a way I didn't expect. by the tail end of the book, despite the books' violence, I found it quite healing.
I very much enjoyed it for its own sake. Brava Angela Hunt.
Kristin Hannah is an exceptional writer and she takes on rather tough topics. She is the PTSD/Loss/Trauma Queen of our book world. This one was also dKristin Hannah is an exceptional writer and she takes on rather tough topics. She is the PTSD/Loss/Trauma Queen of our book world. This one was also done extremely well. Well written important moving topic. And yet.... I am with Elaine on this one.
Elaine said she wasn't planning to listen/read this one for our beloved book group. Because its Vietnam, and she wasn't into that. I spent this entire well written moving book thinking about how often to always Elaine is right, and the persistent conversation that I have had with Suzanne over the years about choosing books, also with Elizabeth and Cindy and Elaine, and others, about how much we don't want to read books that have a darkness like this, even if there is redemption in the end. All four of us happen to be therapists/clinicians, and we carry a lot of trauma and emotions. I'm sort of for the first time ever, not looking forward to the book club discussion. Although I do love each and all of these women and being in their company. But I do have one nagging question. Everyone is saying (in real life and on goodreads) that they loved this book. Or really enjoyed it. What I want to to know is Why? I found it really hard to read. Truth is, I like WWII and Holocaust literature and I have read a ton of it. I know a lot of people who say that stay the hell away from that, and I completely understand that sentiment. I myself have to space these out. But I do avoid certain topics. They come up un expectedly anyway, but I don't necessarily choose them. I avoid the following. Cancer, Alzheimers/Dementia,Serious Abuse, the murder, kidnapping, or abuse of children. Child illness loss and grief. Oh and I am not a lover in general of books written from an Aspergers point of narration, though I did love The Maid. I often think of A Constellation of Vital Phenomena, where I gave it five stars and a total rave. Would I ever have picked to read and love a book about War Torn Chechnya? I would not, but that was a great book! The Women, however, am I as equally glad I read this one? I am not feeling particularly like I was in the mood for this level of trauma, nor that my life was enriched by it. I'm not sorry to have read it, but I wouldn't have chosen to. The world is a scary place these days and lately my reading has been escapist. This was sadly anything but. So... Back to my question. People are absolutely loving this book. Raving and Recommending it. I don't doubt its worth. My question is not about merit or deserve. Its more nuanced and emotional than that. Its an emotional question. Can I just ask why?...more
I think I am coming in slightly under the rave. Maybe at a 3.8? I have always felt its hard when a book gets an amazing 5 star stellar book from nearlI think I am coming in slightly under the rave. Maybe at a 3.8? I have always felt its hard when a book gets an amazing 5 star stellar book from nearly everyone. It sets the expectations really high. And there were certainly things I liked about it.
I am not inclined towards the format that McBride uses, with the narration from each character in the community building towards the story. It took me awhile to take to it with Deacon King Kong, which ended up being a 5 star and Top Ten read for me. But I listened to that in Audio, and I rather think that would have made a difference for this book too. I kept hoping to fall in love with it more as it fell together, and I think it was actually falling apart for me at the end, right when others found it magical and connective.
I was saddened and troubled by some of the more difficult events of the story. My heart broke in various chapters, and I think the residue of these traumas were not quite lifted. I know there is love and community and selflessness in the book, (and in life), but certain cruelties rather stayed with me. I almost felt too sensitive and tender for it. I did not find it an escape.
As always, McBride writes beautifully, and I am moved by his writing, even beyond the format. This is my fourth book of his and he somehow never disappoints. I am glad I read it, and I do look forward to talking about it with everyone. ...more
My year of Kate Quinn continues, although I will not finish it in 2023. Having read all of her more recent best-sellers, I am working my way through hMy year of Kate Quinn continues, although I will not finish it in 2023. Having read all of her more recent best-sellers, I am working my way through her earlier and earliest works. This one appears to be number two of five of the Empress of Rome series. The first one was a good start, but this one was much better. I found it fast paced and interesting. I actually really loved the storyline. I don't fancy all the needless violence, be it Caesar's treatment of women and slaves, and the sword-fighting and pillaging. But if there was need for a good story, Kate Quinn pulled it out again.
The central romance takes place between a Thea (a Jewish slave, turned singer, turned Mistress to the Emperor of Rome) and Arius (a gladiator, turned gardener). There is also a villainess from the first book, Daughters of Rome, who plays her Cruella part extremely well. Lady Lepida craves power and ultimate need to be desired. She will cross anyone who dares to try to threaten any sense of that.
The book ends with two 12 year olds, who are the next star crossed lovers, who we are told will see again. I love the spunk and heart of these two. Each of them have parents who are the perfect counterbalance to the pure evil and skank of Lady Lepida. Only.... for one of them, the girl, Lady Lepida is actually her mother. I thoroughly enjoyed this, despite all the blood and gore, and murder, and cruel mistreatment and suffering. I truly feel I picked well, in picking Kate Quinn for my author of the year. However, next year is going to be a bit of a catch up. As I won't be quite done with Kate. I have a few ideas of how to manage that one. Stay tuned........more
I was so looking forward to this one, and yet I am afraid it didn't engage me much. It had all the elements, including Paris, and two remarkable womenI was so looking forward to this one, and yet I am afraid it didn't engage me much. It had all the elements, including Paris, and two remarkable women in two points in history - connected of course by a love of baking. I finished it hours ago and I've already forgotten it. ...more
Did I miss something? Plenty of people with whom my tastes completely align, gave this four and five stars. I never check out other's reviews before wDid I miss something? Plenty of people with whom my tastes completely align, gave this four and five stars. I never check out other's reviews before writing my own. But I just did. I kept waiting for more, for the character(s) and stories to develop herself, and for the plot to take a turn, and untwine, and get somwhere interesting. I feel a little deprived. Like I am still waiting. A little like I want the four or five days back, that I invested in the book. Like what is it that I missed? I am not just under the rave. I can't connect with it - or find it.
This was a Jewish Book Club pick for the month of July. My synopsis just won't do. My suggestion is that you pair it with one of the many raves for what might be a truer look.
Two of many motherless siblings leave the desolation of Europe, this family is of Russian descent, but speak Yiddish. Two siblings, Pearl, and her younger sister Frieda who she has raised more like a daughter than a sibling, try to get to America to reunite with their eldest sister Basha. And for Frieda to chase what she believes is a love match with her intended Mendel, a boy from home who immigrated a year earlier with his older brother Ben (Ben the Oak.). But they cannot get there. Instead they land in Cuba, where both sisters struggle. Frieda does make it to New York, but Pearl has several botched attempts, leaving her to her own devices for much of the book stationed in Cuba alone.
Pearl is hard to like. She is closed, closed minded, not a dreamer. She does not dream of romance or fancy or love. She strives to lead a "good" life, one she thinks reflects the virtue of her father and mother country and religion. Despite this she has both feminist and lesbian stirrings, neither of which she understands or can interpret. She is so rather closed off and asexual, that marriage, nor love, is really on her mind. While we as the reader can see these nascent stirrings, none of this consciousness is a part of her world. She is an old world closed character, who feels her time is past. I kept waiting for her to emerge, for me she never did.
Pearl is a talented dressmaker and seamstress. She could go extremely far in every one of her settings. But she never seems to make more of her immense talent. It seems often and always a bit passionless and simply a means to an end. There are plenty of people who wish to support her, and plenty of people who try to trick and harm her, and they all seem to be treated and regarded equally by Pearl. She is alone, trying to survive, kind of flat, never really finding herself. She did have some kind of a trauma, a sexual assault from a soldier in the Old Country, but this is not something she ever resolves in her new life - which never really felt new or inspiring to me.
Mendel who Frieda loves, has never really seemed to be all that great shakes, and we are not surprised when he turns out to be less than ideal. Frieda is no more free in her new life, than she was in the Old Country. Neither is Pearl, nor Basha. We are not left with new hope, nor love, nor the success of the American Dream, or the fruits of Pearl's passion and talents. In fact, when she has the opportunity to truly choose an innovative path, the one that would have supported her more feminist sensibilities, she shies away. I get it, that the author (Frieda's grandson) is fictionalizing the story of his grandparents, but that would have been a better ending, and the one I was expecting and waiting for. That Pearl would bloom and find herself. But by the end of the book, I was like, what? This is how it ends? I want my 4-5 days back. I felt like I was engaged in the story, it just didn't go anywhere transformative with the plot or character development. It was a well written piece of historical fiction of a time of Jewish immigrants trying to make a better life. 3 stars, with a fallen flat feeling. ...more
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