This felt very much that the story was waiting for itself, waiting to happen... right until the end. I've always hated a certain kind of short story tThis felt very much that the story was waiting for itself, waiting to happen... right until the end. I've always hated a certain kind of short story that will leave you feeling like it was just getting going when it ended, and this novel felt very much like that - ending in the middle of a scene, right when you are starting to wonder what's going to happen to the characters.
While the background of pre-WWI and early WWI was very well drawn with details of life in intimate moments, it wasn't enough to pull through the lack of story. The characters felt too distant from everything, including themselves, and there was quite a lot of repetition of ideas and phrases between letters and narrative, so that the whole thing felt like one good idea that was dragged out over too many pages.
Barker's an amazing writer, but I don't think this one really has her best in it....more
A bit of a serious look at WWI and the effect injuries and war have on young soldiers. For quite a bit of this the focus was on the psychiatrist helpiA bit of a serious look at WWI and the effect injuries and war have on young soldiers. For quite a bit of this the focus was on the psychiatrist helping them heal and it in fact felt quite a lot like Equus... where the psychiatrist wonders who's treating who and what help he is giving to the patient by 'curing' them.
It also had a look at the way society interacts with those who have experienced the war and how crazy the world seemed to go during the Great War.
This did sometimes delve into a bit of goriness, and I was concerned it might give me some nightmare images. But overall a very good bit of literature and a satisfying read.
It will be interesting where the other two books in the trilogy go....more
Having now re-read this book, I am glad I picked it up to wipe the boringness of The Nuns out of my system, but I have to admit I wasn't quite as takeHaving now re-read this book, I am glad I picked it up to wipe the boringness of The Nuns out of my system, but I have to admit I wasn't quite as taken with it on second read as I was on the first. However, it was still enjoyable and it is so interesting to dig into these women's private reasons for going into their new vocation and to see some of their religious views.
Maybe my second reading led me to see more of the consistency between their answers to the questions about obedience, chastity and poverty. It felt a bit like they had all been drilled with the knowledge - and quite honestly they probably had been. The personal stories and reasons for joining were a much more interesting aspect of the book. Still will recommend to anyone interested in this, or just as a quirky different read.
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After reading The Nuns, a dry tome looking at the bigger picture of nuns and their life in the modern world, I am encouraged to go find my copy of this book and re-read it to get a sense of the modern nun in today's England 25 years after The Nuns was written....more
I found this book a nice review of the Getting Things Done system, and while a lot of what the essays are saying is general, I think anyone reading woI found this book a nice review of the Getting Things Done system, and while a lot of what the essays are saying is general, I think anyone reading would be better off already familiar with GTD.
These essays were a nice length, easily digested in a quick sitting with some interesting relevant quotes for each one. Some of them fire you up, some make you muse on your work and systems, but all succintly focus on an aspect of productivity, organisation, goals or structures. ...more
This book had quite a climax on it, and such a build up of tension. Very well done and enjoyable read.
I like how Westerfeld has the characters shiftinThis book had quite a climax on it, and such a build up of tension. Very well done and enjoyable read.
I like how Westerfeld has the characters shifting allegiances and attitudes as their new realities and facts come into knowledge. The interplay of Jessica's real-world annoyances of her little sister and the midnight-world's much scarier beasts in her bilateral reality.
This series feels like it has real weight behind it in that the world's history and realities have been well thought out by the author. Recommended reading for those not too afraid of spiders....more
I thought this series was much steadier on its feet than Westerfeld's Uglies series. The three books were all consistently good, and the characters weI thought this series was much steadier on its feet than Westerfeld's Uglies series. The three books were all consistently good, and the characters were well rounded.
Of course, they were still just that little bit creepy and I really didn't like having to shut the light out after I'd been reading them late *shiver*.
Blue Noon was a nice closure to the series. It felt like I would like to know more about what new adventures they get up to, but that it was still a satisfying ending....more
A beautiful book about a heartbreaking yet heartwarming story of a little girl who has no words.
I've been reading Rob's blogs for years, but I don't A beautiful book about a heartbreaking yet heartwarming story of a little girl who has no words.
I've been reading Rob's blogs for years, but I don't think my familiarity with the subject affected my opinion of this book - well, maybe a little. But I also think anyone that doesn't already know his writing will also find this memoir moving, evocative and very well put together. This didn't feel like any of those books where people pull their old blog posts together and try to publish it on the quick. Rob has thoughtfully structured the story to just the relevant points and reworked them from online writing to literature.
Rob doesn't pull punches: he gives you the whole story from his own perspective - it's not always easy for them, and he's not always the good guy. I am recommending this to everyone - you will enjoy this honest, fast paced writing and fall in love with Schuyler, her story and her father's writing. ...more
Although this feels quite far away from the world of Uglies, it was quite well written and a nice introduction to the world of midnight. The characterAlthough this feels quite far away from the world of Uglies, it was quite well written and a nice introduction to the world of midnight. The characters felt very real, very well drawn. Each has their own history and feelings, needs and desires. I liked Jessica and how she led us into midnight, first the dreamy weirdness, then the startling fear. Very nicely escalated until I flinched at the dark shadows in the hallway. ...more
Wow I was totally blown away by this book - I might have a new favourite author if his next books keep up the pace, characterisation and plot developmWow I was totally blown away by this book - I might have a new favourite author if his next books keep up the pace, characterisation and plot developments. I could NOT put this down once I picked it up - despite having to work the next day I was flipping pages until 6am. It grabbed me, tackled me and kept me in a headlock until the very last sentence. I have not been this impressed with a book in a long long time....more
What a fascinating read. I got this book after watching Downfall, which was based largely on this book.
However, you get even more of the story from TrWhat a fascinating read. I got this book after watching Downfall, which was based largely on this book.
However, you get even more of the story from Traudl Junge's memoir. As a young secretary picked for service as one of Hitler's pool of secretaries because of her Munich origins, she stuck through to the very bitter end. She witnessed so much and yet so little of what was going on in the doomed empire.
From this book you get a completely different side of Hitler and the war. He treated the women staff almost like beloved daughters, worrying about them and concerned after their love lives and personal comfort. They were partly sheltered from the realities of the war around them because of the isolation in Hitler's service and also because they were safe within the bubble of his enormous powerful charisma. He said things were going well and they wanted with their hearts to believe him, so they did. She tracks his increasing insanity and surreality of the situation so very well and so poignantly.
Just as fascinating as the actual memoir was the section from the editor Melissa Muller. She had insight into understanding Traudl's mixed emotions after the war. The survivor's guilt and the actual guilt of having worked for such an evil regime.
Absolutely riveting details and clear almost poetic language make this on a definite recommend to anyone who enjoys memoirs or WWII or glimpsing into a reality that hopefully will never be repeated again. ...more
I have just been more and more disappointed with Freya North's books lately. This book actually got me really annoyed and unhappy with life, myself anI have just been more and more disappointed with Freya North's books lately. This book actually got me really annoyed and unhappy with life, myself and all the characters in this novel. I thought everyone was frustrating and they should all be miserable forever, except maybe the one person most punished in the end. So, why did I give it 2 stars instead of 1? Maybe I'm a fool but I didn't think it was that awful, given how good a writer North is. She does have a bizarre way with the characters switching to 1st person at odd moments, but she is a smooth writer with a nice tone. This book just didn't hit the mark for me....more
I remember really enjoying the first three books with these characters: Fen, Pip and Cat. So I was very excited to see what has happened to each of thI remember really enjoying the first three books with these characters: Fen, Pip and Cat. So I was very excited to see what has happened to each of them after the original romances. Well, aside from discovering the mystery of their mother and getting a bit more insight into their uncle's motivations... it was just okay. Probably still a good summer read if you're familiar with the other novels but nothing special to go out and get for itself....more
The one section I needed iddn't feel like it gave me the information that would be useful, but otherwise it seemed very comprehensive (though perhaps The one section I needed iddn't feel like it gave me the information that would be useful, but otherwise it seemed very comprehensive (though perhaps not as good a fit as Collins). Some sections seemed a bit like they were babying too much while others were pushing me to rewire my entire house. The CD seemed a bit pointless and very slow moving with not enough detail....more
A few sections seemed useful, but didn't feel like the right fit for what I needed.A few sections seemed useful, but didn't feel like the right fit for what I needed....more
Thought this seemed like a good DIY book - actually put it on my wishlist, since now that we own a house it seems like we need to have a good manual aThought this seemed like a good DIY book - actually put it on my wishlist, since now that we own a house it seems like we need to have a good manual around!...more
Elderkin is such a complex writer, and while this her first book is a bit easier to read, it still packs a very hardy punch in the guts as you finish.Elderkin is such a complex writer, and while this her first book is a bit easier to read, it still packs a very hardy punch in the guts as you finish. I'm still contemplating the characters and circumstances in this novel, and wondering how anyone ever comes up with such ideas and complications. I found it an interesting journey to read, but I would only recommend it to serious readers who aren't afraid to be confused and aching after finishing a book. ...more
Given my penchant for memoirs lately, this one fit right in. I enjoyed the nostalgic look at the author's life and his absolute fondness for everythinGiven my penchant for memoirs lately, this one fit right in. I enjoyed the nostalgic look at the author's life and his absolute fondness for everything colours the harsh realities of life, yet you feel like you come away understanding what it was like to life in a small English village back between the wars. I liked the small snippets in each chapter that read perfectly naturally unto themselves, so that it wasn't a strict chronological retelling of everything that happened to him but a really enjoyable read. I found it perfect for train journeys, and dipping in and out at will. I'm not feeling a terrible tug to read the sequels, mainly because they sound much different, but if I come across them I will probably have them on my to-read pile....more
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