One of the best of the series, so far. Of course, I am biased because I loved the character of Death.
It was funny, wise, thoughtful, ironic - you nameOne of the best of the series, so far. Of course, I am biased because I loved the character of Death.
It was funny, wise, thoughtful, ironic - you name it. I am sure I lost many of Pratchett's winks and many allegories. I could read it instantly again I would have as much joy as I just had....more
An enjoyable reading. Regency romance that didn't make me annoyed (like many others of the genre). Without Heyer's and Austen's depth, but nice to reaAn enjoyable reading. Regency romance that didn't make me annoyed (like many others of the genre). Without Heyer's and Austen's depth, but nice to read.
A gripping novel. Not from the first page, but when the childhood memories started I was fully in.
I liked the description of childhood and growing up A gripping novel. Not from the first page, but when the childhood memories started I was fully in.
I liked the description of childhood and growing up in Canada after the IIWW the most. Not only everyday life things and happenings but also the relations between people, and their views.
The relationship between girls, their friendship, and abuse were fascinating.
Some parts about feminism, the roles and rights of women are today (happily) not valid, sadly some others still are.
My scientific part liked the bits about physics, biology, etc., yet, there was nothing new or revealing. The novel was written almost forty years ago, and then, I am sure it was more thrilling.
It was my second try with the author. The first one, The Handmaid’s Tale, I ended with abandoning it. It was probably the wrong moment for that story. I must try more by Margaret Atwood.
Well, my beginnings with the author weren't great. I liked An Unsuitable Attachment but not as much as I hoped. Then I tried, but didn't finish ExcellWell, my beginnings with the author weren't great. I liked An Unsuitable Attachment but not as much as I hoped. Then I tried, but didn't finish Excellent Women - the novel considered as her best. So, I was starting to think, something was wrong with me, because I am a fan of the genre (British humor, cozy, small societies, etc.). But "Crampton Hodnet" gave me back the hope.
It was funny, observant, and enjoyable. I adored the characters and watched them with bated breath....more
It's really hard for me to describe the book. Horrible, important, unforgettable.
Repeating after GR description: One of the most important testimoniesIt's really hard for me to describe the book. Horrible, important, unforgettable.
Repeating after GR description: One of the most important testimonies of a gulag and at the same time one of the most important works in the history of Polish – and world – literature of the 20th century.
A shocking vivisection of the mechanisms of Soviet totalitarianism and a picture of human nature exposed to the hardest of tests. In a word: a book that – as Albert Camus stated – “should be published and read in all countries of the world.”
I understand why the book isn't more known in the Western world. People know much about Nazi concentration camps, but almost none about the gulags. It is sad because (according to estimates, unfortunately, there is no exact data) almost 20 million people were in gulags and almost 3 million died there. And what the system did with those people (physically and psychologically) was beyond imagination.
If you are able to read such stories - do what you can to get to read this memoir....more
There are so many bad (awful, untruthful) books about IIWW, the Holocaust, etc., we can not forget about those priceless.
Hanna Krall's reportage, her There are so many bad (awful, untruthful) books about IIWW, the Holocaust, etc., we can not forget about those priceless.
Hanna Krall's reportage, her interview with Marek Edelman - one of the few survivors of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising was like a blow to the heart. I felt the same reading it for the first time, in High School.
On those hundred pages, you don't get a chronological list of events, names, dates, etc. You get the point of view, struggles with what happened, no definitive answers, many questions, and most of all the feeling that there is no way to fully understand people who had to cope with that horrible reality.
Perhaps some readers will find it difficult to read because it was a bit chaotic. But let me remind you, that not only Edelman was recounting events from about 30 years, that in a way he wanted to forget probably, but also simply because he recalled life, surviving that was chaotic.
If you think about yourself as a reader who is interested in IIWW, the history of Jews, etc. - you have to know this book....more
I have read it (only skimming many pages). I needed some light story, even if unrealistic. But there were too many repetitions and "Harlequin sentenceI have read it (only skimming many pages). I needed some light story, even if unrealistic. But there were too many repetitions and "Harlequin sentences" to my taste (or mood). I didn't buy Vince's better site - he was too brutal initially. I can understand the romance has fans - it was written for a specific target. Yet, to me, the hero was too awful and all that angst was overused.
As often in Marion Chesney's books, there was a subtle satire of the times (in this case the Edwardian era) and the upper class in the background. ThrAs often in Marion Chesney's books, there was a subtle satire of the times (in this case the Edwardian era) and the upper class in the background. Through it, the sad, unfair aspects of that world were visible. The love story, which is "officially" the main plot of the book, is often the weakest addition for me. And so it was this time.
Chesney could afford to have such fun without worrying about the unrealistic plot, creating comic characters, and at the same time being a critic of the eras she chose as the background of her novels.
My favorite books by the author are those where the romance was more engaging than in this case. But it's also not the worst of those I've read so far. [2.5-3 stars]...more
It was a well-constructed story showing the fascination and allegory between boxing (a brutal sport) and a love story (a love game). The main characteIt was a well-constructed story showing the fascination and allegory between boxing (a brutal sport) and a love story (a love game). The main characters were innocent, moral, etc., and through them, London showed how much of our animal nature is in us and that, although it is natural and often unavoidable, it sometimes brings a brutal ending.
Jack London was great at describing animals and their nature, which is why this story was so vivid and true.
...lifting him from the certainty of turmoil and dropping him in a turmoil of uncertainty.
A gripping story about people and culture I know little
...lifting him from the certainty of turmoil and dropping him in a turmoil of uncertainty.
A gripping story about people and culture I know little about. I have no idea how representative the characters were, but they were fascinating and moving. The sentence: For you, a thousand times over will stay forever with me, and it will probably always wrench my heart.
The last part of the story seemed to me a bit too sentimental, and, when I think about it now, the whole book had such an atmosphere. But, Khaled Hosseini squeezed my heart in a way, that didn't feel melodramatic (save the mentioned last part) when I read it.
It is not probably for all, because at times it was awfully brutal. Yet, the world it described was/is cruel.
But only such legends, which were not true, had prepared her for the strangeness of life.
A great novel. Well-written historical fiction. A psychol
But only such legends, which were not true, had prepared her for the strangeness of life.
A great novel. Well-written historical fiction. A psychological study. It isn't easy to say what genre the book was. There was political intrigue, philosophical reflections, a bit of mystery and adventure, quite thorough thoughts about Russians (between centuries, the XIX and XX).
The dialogues and monologues of the characters totally gripped me.
What was beauty, what was ugliness? Only existence mattered.
Perhaps not every reader would be able to follow the story and characters. I had enough knowledge (and understanding) of Russia to enjoy it enormously.
The river has broken its dams and it's made mud of all our land. Your grandfather and I and all Russians have to stay where the flood waters have cast us, where we were sucked down into the marsh, we can't free ourselves, we've just go to wait there.
The story was fictional, but it was also similar to many other real stories (not only about Russia). Treachery and idealism, greed, power, and cluelessness are parts of many social changes (not always for good).
After reading the beginning when there were too many names (characters) introduced in too short time, the rest of the reading was fast and interestingAfter reading the beginning when there were too many names (characters) introduced in too short time, the rest of the reading was fast and interesting. I enjoyed the glimpse at that time and of the class of people.
There was something in the hidden wit, the way of describing heroines and their political views that I couldn't fit completely, nonetheless, it didn't lessen my enjoyment of the novel. After finishing the book I read that Mary McCarthy's stories were a bit satirical and that the reality created in "The Group" was a bit exaggerated. And that makes sense.
I called it "the stories" because, to me, the book contained stories of a few women, and the connections between them weren't as important.
[3-3.5 stars]
Although I really liked it while reading, now, after gathering my thoughts I agree with Christine Boyer that the characters and plot were rather flat and the whole book was so popular mostly probably because of controversial topics. Still, I don't regret reading it at all. I even recommend trying it, because I learned a lot from it....more
A great reportage/literary journalism about crime and punishment and about the power of media manipulation and social hysteria. Wojciech Tochman used A great reportage/literary journalism about crime and punishment and about the power of media manipulation and social hysteria. Wojciech Tochman used mostly Lidia Ostałowska's work about the topic. Her materials, interviews, and observations. I will have to check her books someday.
Yet, personally, the parts about Ostałowska disrupted the flow and muddled my interest.
Still, it is always a pleasure to pick Tochman's book, although the topics of his stories aren't pleasurable.
Well, I tried to read it a few times. Each time, I got bored or confused by the preface/dedication. This time I finally went through it.
Had anyone aftWell, I tried to read it a few times. Each time, I got bored or confused by the preface/dedication. This time I finally went through it.
Had anyone after Machiavelli said something new about ruling and invading? I don't think so.
What Machiavelli wrote was sad and depressing but it was true. I can be angry, I can stamp my foot and repeat "No, I don't agree with such a world", but it would not make it less true.
Absolutely a must-read for everyone interested in the topic. The language is old-fashioned (and a bit fatiguing), so if you are not able to go through it, read some good summaries (or use ChatGPT, etc.)....more
- But your past is you (...) - Your past isn’t you; it’s just what piles up to make the present-day you
I found Julia's doubts touching and real. Th
- But your past is you (...) - Your past isn’t you; it’s just what piles up to make the present-day you
I found Julia's doubts touching and real. The whole book was, more or less, about changing, growing up, etc. And as such, it was interesting.
Then you suffer—and then what? Nothing. A sort of memory, and pretty dim at that. So next time you find yourself swooning off, what do you say to yourself? You say: Here it is again,
I also liked that Miriam, the character "of the background" in the whole series, found her courage and happiness.
but seeing something or somebody constantly made one blind to the fact that they might be changing, developing
But I was rather disappointed in Elaine Morley, her story didn't convince me fully, and her constant crying was a bit annoying.
It is sad, that there are no more books about the family. I was so enchanted by Dominic and Simon in the first book, that I would really like to see more of them.
Well-research and deeply considered analysis (by an author who feels like a part of the institution).
The Polish Catholic Church has looked very bad foWell-research and deeply considered analysis (by an author who feels like a part of the institution).
The Polish Catholic Church has looked very bad for many years, to tell it mildly. Ignacy Dutkiewicz proved why it is so. There isn't an easy answer, that allows to easily make changes. The corruption and distortion of ideals are so deep they will require many years of hard work and fundamental changes. Personally, I am not even sure if it is worth it.
This sequel about the Waynes siblings wasn't as funny as the previous one, but it was psychologically more absorbing. Elizabeth Cadell memorable portrThis sequel about the Waynes siblings wasn't as funny as the previous one, but it was psychologically more absorbing. Elizabeth Cadell memorable portrayed the relationships between Nicholas, Cliff, and Estelle.
I found the mystery twist interesting because between the lines it had something to tell, yet it was too big a coincidence for my taste.
The main idea, a historical fact was fascinating, and a marvelous material for a novel, without a doubt.
Sadly, Christina Baker Kline didn't do justiceThe main idea, a historical fact was fascinating, and a marvelous material for a novel, without a doubt.
Sadly, Christina Baker Kline didn't do justice to this great idea for a book. The reading was very fast but without a feeling of attachment.
The "orphan train" was at the center for a part of the story, and then it was like a speeded summary of Vivian's life (especially the last part).
I understand, I think, why the author added Molly, but again, it was wasted, not to mention, rather badly done.
Moreover, I felt that there was something wrong with the narration. Once I thought the narrator (no matter if it was Molly or Vivian) had the perspective of a child, a sentence, or a few later, it was an adult and all-knowing narrator.
Not getting too much into it, I would say formally it was ok (and probably well-researched), but I didn't feel a touch of a good novelist.
I don't recommend it if you want to learn about Orphan Train - better go on Wikipedia.
I will try another novel someday, where the topic is a part of the storyline, The Chaperone by Laura Moriarty - I hope it will be more engaging.
"But we'll never be the same." "Do you have to be?"
Another good story by the author. I recommend never reading a blurb for her books, just pick one
"But we'll never be the same." "Do you have to be?"
Another good story by the author. I recommend never reading a blurb for her books, just pick one and read, that way there are more fun and surprises.
I was gripped by this novel too. I loved the characters. There were a few important messages. The romance was lovely too (although, I miss Higgins' first books, where I read more romantic scenes, etc.)
Yet, I found a bit annoying some repetitions. E.g. repeating that Lark's first love started in kindergarten or Ellie's fixation "Did he sleep with her or not?". But I have finished the novel in two days, so perhaps if I read it slower I wouldn't have seen those things.
So, not one of my favourites by the author, but still a great novel. [4-4.5 stars]...more
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