When my bookclub decided to discuss this one next, I was convinced I had a copy somewhere and had probably even already read it. Not the case, and to When my bookclub decided to discuss this one next, I was convinced I had a copy somewhere and had probably even already read it. Not the case, and to my surprise it was not easy to come by on the virtual library. Fortunately the copy I ordered came relatively quickly. This seems to be my week for reading very strange books. On the whole I enjoyed this, but I can't say it's a whole-hearted yes. This being said, I'm still mulling. The story drove me on, the writing was engaging, the characters were complex and strong... but somehow I found myself wondering "why?". Is there some huge metaphor happening here, or an analogy that I am missing? The main character is mostly endearing, but not always, and the book certainly provides an interesting take on America, especially at the beginning of the previous century. The various tragedies and difficulties faced and somehow endured are - dizzying. Perhaps that's the point. I'll be curious to hear what the others have to say when we discuss it later this month....more
I guess I should add "time travel" as a label here, because I don't know to what extent "paranormal-magic" is really appropriate. I read the Time TravI guess I should add "time travel" as a label here, because I don't know to what extent "paranormal-magic" is really appropriate. I read the Time Traveler's Wife too long ago to really remember it, but this feels a little similar in terms of the despair connected to the situation the Farrow women experience. This is a rather strange story, and I have to say I found it quite confusing. The heroine was confused too, so I guess that's fair enough, but despite the explanation with twine, I really didn't quite get how the loophole worked. This being said, eventually I was drawn into the story and enjoyed it, even if I couldn't grasp all the technicalities (so to speak). I did like Eamon and found his reticience totally comprehensible. An intriguing read....more
I received this as a gift from a friend I was visiting in Innerleithen (with some wonderful forays to discover the Edinburgh Fringe Festival). I was eI received this as a gift from a friend I was visiting in Innerleithen (with some wonderful forays to discover the Edinburgh Fringe Festival). I was encouraged to read it sooner rather than later as we had an outing scheduled to a café across from the Bass Rock later in the week. The outing was delightful, and it was indeed fun to be able to place the locations mentioned in the book. The book is rather strange but compelling. I struggled a bit with the way the book flipped between the various time periods, and I suppose I could have gone back and double checked the lead up to the last section set the furthest in the past as I had questions. This being said, I was keen to pass the book along, so it’s now in the hands of the third reader of our family. The theme of witchcraft was important on one level, but I felt it didn’t quite follow through as it could have, other than the modern day self-proclaimed witch doing good…. The issue of abuse was also tough, and the denial sadly credible. A very interesting read and a magnificent part of the world. (Also happy to have our theory about what causes the rock’s color confirmed.)...more
Is World War II the recent past? I guess it's moving quickly to plain old historical... but somehow it remains pretty present for me, even if I am a bIs World War II the recent past? I guess it's moving quickly to plain old historical... but somehow it remains pretty present for me, even if I am a baby boomer... (double checked just now to see if I really qualify for that term, but it seems I'm smack in the middle, born in the mid-fifties).
This is the continuation of the previous book and although I suppose it would be possible to read this without the other, I think it's well worth starting with the first. This was highly enjoyable and quite funny at times, despite the difficulties faced in Britain during the war years. The struggle of women trying to do their part in the war while caring for their children, often as sole wage earners, was made very real and human. A good read, I look forward to the next in the series. ...more
This book was lent to us by friends - as with other books they have lent us, this was a winner. Reading this as all of France is revving up for the OlThis book was lent to us by friends - as with other books they have lent us, this was a winner. Reading this as all of France is revving up for the Olympics (which start at the end of this week) was something of a happy coincidence. The fact that I am also listening to Malcolm Gladwell's podcast "Hitler's Olympics" at first seemed too crazy to be true until the penny dropped and I realized it was probably on the air now because of the impending Olympics. At any rate it has been fun having the cross referencing. I enjoyed this book very much, even if at times it felt like a slow read. The depth of detail sometimes felt tedious, but like the necessary care with crafting a boat, there was almost always a purpose. Centering the story on one main character provided emotion and personality, and placed the odyssey undertaken by those young people in a clearer light. The other characters highlighted gave further perspective to the era and the event. A fascinating history of a time so different from ours, yet not so long ago. ...more
As a teenager living in Kentucky, I learned about the horseback librarians while accompanying my father on a visit for his work to some fairly remote As a teenager living in Kentucky, I learned about the horseback librarians while accompanying my father on a visit for his work to some fairly remote communities in "hollers". I remember being fascinated by the existence of these hardy women, braving the elements and so much else, to deliver books. Perhaps because of this I was eager to borrow this book from the virtual library and put it on reserve as soon as I heard about it. Between the strip mining, company stores, union busting, racism, misogyny, small mindedness and the rest, much is touched on or dealt with more in depth in this book, making it a very good read. ...more
I received this thanks to the bookcrossing Alphabet VBB. This book may have suffered from lack of attention in that I was extremely busy with a familyI received this thanks to the bookcrossing Alphabet VBB. This book may have suffered from lack of attention in that I was extremely busy with a family wedding while reading this on the sidelines, but as suspected, I did enjoy plunging into the history of Ceylon, even if much of it was unpleasant. The sense of privilege and racial superiority were well described, while the crumbling edges of this society on the brink of its end were made clear as well. I was quite relieved by the explanation which came at the end (no spoilers so no details), as I struggled to accept the implications of what was seen as obvious. This was an intriguing book with very complex characters - quite a few of whom were pretty horrible. ...more
I heard about this somewhere and may already have put it on hold at the virtual library then. Recently there was (as always) discussion in my book cluI heard about this somewhere and may already have put it on hold at the virtual library then. Recently there was (as always) discussion in my book club about the next book to read, so I was happy to read this when it became available. I found this an interesting perspective on lower class immigrants to the United States at the end of the 19th and early 20th century, and how they made their way in that society. The relationship between various groups of blacks - those who had been free but were not free from rampant racism, and those who were either former slaves or the children of slaves was as interesting to me as was the interaction between the different groups - blacks, Jews, Italians, etc.. and the differences within each of those groups. Thinking back (and this has been an extremely busy time for me), I really enjoyed this and will probably recommend it for the group to discuss, even if I have yet to figure out what the others are likely to appreciate. ...more
It seems I found this bookcrossed book via bookmooch... and then it sat for a bit on my shelf. I was delighted to discover it at last (and look forwarIt seems I found this bookcrossed book via bookmooch... and then it sat for a bit on my shelf. I was delighted to discover it at last (and look forward to trying to find the others in this series). The heroine is extremely human, wanting to help others but stumbling over her own feet, so to speak. The description of war-time London rang quite true, as do the various misadventures of a would be journalist who finds herself working as a typist for a Ladies Magazine - and more specifically the section meant to respond to problems posed by readers who write in to the paper. It's a bit of a generation clash with a boss who refuses to cater to weakness or immorality or or or.. the list of reasons why so many letters get chucked into the bin is very long. An entertaining and moving read. ...more
About six months ago, I found this book abandoned at the Gare de Lyon in Paris, and after a run of light ebooks decided to pick this one up today.
Je About six months ago, I found this book abandoned at the Gare de Lyon in Paris, and after a run of light ebooks decided to pick this one up today.
Je ne savais pas vraiment à quoi m'attendre, mais ce livre m'a beaucoup touché. Ellis Island est un sujet fascinant en soi, mais c'est surtout le questionnement sur son identité que j'ai beaucoup apprecié.
En parlant du fait d'être juif, Perec dit (page 61-63) "ce n'est pas un signe d'appartenance, ce n'est pas lié à une croyance, à une religion, à une pratique, à un folklore, à une langue; ce serait plutôt un silence, une absence, une question, une mise en question, un flottement, une inquiétude (...) quelque part, je suis "différent", mais non pas différent des autres, différent des "miens": je ne parle pas la langue que mes parents parlèrent, je ne partage aucun des souvenirs qu'ils purent avoir, quelque chose qui était à eux, qui faisait qu'ils étaient eux, leur histoire, leur culture, leur espoir, ne m'a pas été transmis.
Je n'ai pas le sentiment d'avoir oublié, mais celui de n'avoir jamis pu apprendre..."
Dans ce monde d'exiles et migrations, de TCKs (Third Culture Kids), ce n'est pas que le sort des juifs, mais presque tous les enfants de la globalisation. ...more
I read The Tattooist of Auschwitz a few years ago, and as I remain intrigued by this period of history, I was keen to sign up to the bookcrossing ringI read The Tattooist of Auschwitz a few years ago, and as I remain intrigued by this period of history, I was keen to sign up to the bookcrossing ring for this one. As is often the case, between when I sign up and when I turn to the first page, I had forgotten all I read about it when signing up. For this reason I was not expecting this to be a story of the Gulag. As fascinated as I am by this period, I have strangely enough not read much (anything?) about this, so it made for an unexpected read. The very fact of Cilka being sent to within the Arctic Circle is shocking, and the life (can it be called life?) endured for so long was difficult but probably important to read about. I was never tempted to read The Gulag Archipelago by Solzhenitsyn, but now I am....more
Another winner recommended (and lent to us) by friends. As I am partial to books set in the subcontinent or southern Asia, this already had a headstarAnother winner recommended (and lent to us) by friends. As I am partial to books set in the subcontinent or southern Asia, this already had a headstart from the beginning. The fact that the story was fascinating and the prose lovely, did not hurt either. At some point one of the main characters dies, and I wondered how the book could continue on from there, but the book carries us from 1900 all the way up into what for me registers as modern times. Likewise, one of the characters who seemed to have disappeared returns at the end with an almost Shakespearean flourish. I very much enjoyed the medical details as well, and the quest to solve the congenital mystery. Not necessarily a quick read, but a very good one. ...more
Not the cover on mine. I was so moved by Still Life, given to me as an ebook, that I decided to buy a physical copy of it. I discovered and ordered a Not the cover on mine. I was so moved by Still Life, given to me as an ebook, that I decided to buy a physical copy of it. I discovered and ordered a box set, and this was one of the other books in the set. Having just finished the book, I feel a bit as though I've been hit by a truck, although it's not just the ending which has that effect. Part of the heaviness is the inevitability of the end - and it is more or less announced fairly early on. Initially there's just a sketch of what is to come, but gradually the lines are clearer and the figures are filled in and colored, so at the end the fullness of the loss is apparent. I found the characters credible and very human. Annie, who the author describes after the end of the book in a Q & A section, as being "the most important character. She is the hinge." Somehow though, because she does not have a section told from her point of view, she remains somewhat transparent. It is her role, her function, which is important, more than she herself, perhaps. A lovely book, although sad. No spoilers, so I won't go into what Michael is inevitably confronted with in the 1980s, but that adds to the heaviness....more
This doesn't really fit any of the goodreads labels I have readily available.. is it paranormal / magic? is it sci fi/dystopia/ fantasy? is it a mysteThis doesn't really fit any of the goodreads labels I have readily available.. is it paranormal / magic? is it sci fi/dystopia/ fantasy? is it a mystery? Here as a bookcrossing ring sent by the author, I think this novella is a bit of all that. It takes a bit of time to cotton on to what is happening (and have we really understood by the end?), but it's easy to take this and read it in one sitting. The imagery was stong, although at times I felt I lacked an overview of place, as I had the impression that if I were familiar with Sydney and the areas around it, I would have more of a sense of the strangeness. This is indeed all very strange, and I imagine the dream-like quality is intentional. An interesting read. ...more
Does WWII count as historical? I am never too sure how to label books about it, as in many ways it feels somehow recent to me, even though I was born Does WWII count as historical? I am never too sure how to label books about it, as in many ways it feels somehow recent to me, even though I was born afterwards. I had heard about this book a while ago and had in mind to read it at some point. Seeing that a film has been made of it, I decided I needed to read it first. There was a fairly long wait for it at the virtual library, and then when it did become available it was for a very short loan. I postponed it several times, but finally borrowed it now. I have read a lot about WWII, but I have not read many (any?) from the point of view of a young person enrolled in an academy for the Hitler elite. Werner's sense of duty and pride, counterbalanced by the whispers of conscience he feels from his sister, allow an understanding for those who did not necessarily have a choice. The fate of his friend Frederick further drives the argument home. The cursed gem adds perhaps something to the stories of exodus, near starvation and hardship, although for me those stories are worthy without the extra flourish. I realize that when caught in the present of a situation, it's hard to know to what extent there is danger - obvious to those with hindsight - but the father struck me as surprisingly naïve/oblivious about what is happening. I was disappointed in a way that there was no Shakespearean all's well at the end, bringing together all the main characters in a satisfying conclusion, but unfortunately that's not how things always happen in real life. The question marks remaining about the fate of some of the characters (avoiding spoilers) or unexpected deaths put the reader in the characters' shoes - they didn't have the contentment of a smooth ending either. A good read.
One note of dissatisfaction which has nothing to do with this book which I certainly enjoyed reading - in the kindle edition I had there were two teasers at the end, one of which is the Shell Collector. Another character who devotes his life to the study of molloscs, and who is blind? Clearly the book is very different, but I do wish I hadn't read the beginning of that book so close to completing this one - it made it feel less unique and special. ...more
It seems to me I have always enjoyed Landvik's books, but I think this is my favorite. Of course, to confirm that I'd have to re-read them all, which It seems to me I have always enjoyed Landvik's books, but I think this is my favorite. Of course, to confirm that I'd have to re-read them all, which is not really an option as many were here on loan, but still. Maybe it's just the right time for this one. Violet's life, which she intended to put a halt to pretty early on, is a series of obstacles surmounted and pinnacles reached, and at the same time the story traces a lot of the checkered history of the United States. The characters are credible and complex, and at the same time they evolve. Music, creativity, hope... A moving and beautiful book. ...more
This ebook was given to me by a friend who really liked it and thought I'd enjoy it - right she was. My only regret is that I would love to have the pThis ebook was given to me by a friend who really liked it and thought I'd enjoy it - right she was. My only regret is that I would love to have the physical copy to share with others more easily, but I think I'll remedy that soon. I found the book somewhat complicated to describe - it's about a love for Italy (or specifically, Florence), art history, philosophy, science, and the complicated relationships which connect people. Set partly in London and partly in Florence, the descriptions were eloquent and the writing, interspersed with poems and songs, quite beautiful at times. I found the story and the characters immensely moving.
March 2024 update. I was able to buy a boxset which included this book, so now have a proper copy (along with three other novels by this author). Meanwhile I have already given it as presents to two other people, and recommended it for our book club to read. It was meant to be for tomorrow night, so I just re-read it, and if anything I liked it even better this second time. I found it even more moving, perhaps because I felt I knew the characters even better, and took more time savoring the language. A super book. ...more
It might be stretching it a bit to label this a mystery, but as there is a disappearance which needs to be resolved, it might fit. I was asked what kinIt might be stretching it a bit to label this a mystery, but as there is a disappearance which needs to be resolved, it might fit. I was asked what kind of books Pearse writes, and I wasn't sure how to describe them. Often the characters are either victims of abuse or somehow find themselves in dire straits, and the story endeavours to narrate their way of dealing with it - usually surviving or at least escaping. Here we have Molly, lone friend of Cassie, the notorious woman who arrives in her small town with a mixed race child in tow. She sets off on a crusade of sorts to discover the fate of the missing child. (I am trying to avoid spoilers...). Herself a victim of abuse, she does not come by confidence and a crusading spirit easily. An interesting read. ...more
Apparently I selected this a while ago from the bookcrossing Alphabet VBB... I think I was of the wrong generation to discover Judy Blume who I have thApparently I selected this a while ago from the bookcrossing Alphabet VBB... I think I was of the wrong generation to discover Judy Blume who I have the impression (initally?) gained recognition as a writer of books for children and teens. At anyrate, hers has been a name I've been familiar with for ages but until recently I hadn't really read anything by her. (I say "really" because I may have read Summer Sisters, but it was before I was tracking my reading and so I can't check back). This does not specifically target teens, and a great many of the topics touched on might either go over their heads or be considered inappropriate by some. This being said, for most of the book, the main character is a teen. As I suspected, the airline crashes were based on real events, but that did not make the book a comfortable read. I felt Miri was well-portrayed and a very credible character. The reactions of the teenagers were pretty spot-on, I thought, with all their judgmental and sometimes peremptory or inflexible aspects. An interesting and in some ways unexpected read....more
This came to me at the end of a bookcrossing ray (which means I'm free to do with it as I wish)... so it sat on a TBR shelf for a few months. I'm not This came to me at the end of a bookcrossing ray (which means I'm free to do with it as I wish)... so it sat on a TBR shelf for a few months. I'm not sure what to say about this - there were parts I found very slow, but the sense of being drowned in obstacles as women of that time and place came through -just as it must have for those affected... The tenuous hold on the farm, and Elise's inability to fight for what was hers, and then the need to keep moving on. Fortunately the two women were able to find each other, and as Elise said (with less than ideal effect) - they were rich. I felt the connection with the other women in Upper Rosenys was strangely truncated. We can surmise that it bolstered Rene in ways, but the reasons behind her inability or unwillingness to talk about that encounter with Elise left a great deal to imagination. Indeed, much of the book's strength is off the page, what can surmise from what is there. The Ernest episode is quite horrific, and again, the consequences for the two women somewhat surprising, but again accentuating their impotence. A rather strange but interesting book....more
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