This novel follows the story of Ruthie, and her sister Lucille. Through several tragedies, they find themselves orphaned and put in the care of , first two great aunts - unsuited for raising two young girls, and then their aunt Sylvie, a drifter.
Life for the young girls is difficult living with their eccentric aunt, amid the mountains, and soon the sisters who were once so close, drift apart. Lucille leaves, looking for and finding social acceptance, and Ruth is now alone with Sylvie, drifting further from the socially accepted norm. She comes to be close to, and depend on Sylvie, as in her own way, Sylvie depends on her.
While not the most memorable novel I have read, it is a good book.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Middlesex - Jeffrey Eugenides
Winner of the Pulitzer prize for fiction in 2003.
This novel spans several generations of Greek immigrants, as they lead up to the life events of "Cal/Callie" a hermaphrodite that is undiagnosed until his/her teens. Raised as a female, we see life through her socially awkward eyes. We feel for her, in her inability to fit in, and the crushing blows and life altering events that are visited upon her in her teens. We come to like Callie, and we come to accept Cal.
This novel is not dry, although it's subject matter is serious. Eugenides takes us on a long journey, but entertains us the whole way.
This novel spans several generations of Greek immigrants, as they lead up to the life events of "Cal/Callie" a hermaphrodite that is undiagnosed until his/her teens. Raised as a female, we see life through her socially awkward eyes. We feel for her, in her inability to fit in, and the crushing blows and life altering events that are visited upon her in her teens. We come to like Callie, and we come to accept Cal.
This novel is not dry, although it's subject matter is serious. Eugenides takes us on a long journey, but entertains us the whole way.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
A Fine Balance - Rohinton Mistry
One of the best books I have ever read!
It is no wonder that this book won many titles; the Giller Prize in 1995, the Commonwealth Writers Prize for Best Book in 1996, The Los Angeles Book Award for fiction in 1996, among others, as well as being shortlisted for several other highly regarded awards, such as the Booker Prize.
Mistry is a master storyteller.
A Fine Balance, is a touching, beautiful, and yet sad tale. Intricately woven, and multi-dimensional this book will stay with you. Set in India, during a time political upheaval, corruption, and crushing poverty, four lives intermingle with each other. Though their initial meeting have them suspicious of each other, as they each face crises they come to depend on and bond with each other, in a deep and beautiful way. This books presents the best and the worst of what the human race has to offer.
It is hard to put into words my feelings on this book without saying too much for someone who has not yet read this book, but will read it. I can only say, as cliche as it is, this is a must read!
It is no wonder that this book won many titles; the Giller Prize in 1995, the Commonwealth Writers Prize for Best Book in 1996, The Los Angeles Book Award for fiction in 1996, among others, as well as being shortlisted for several other highly regarded awards, such as the Booker Prize.
Mistry is a master storyteller.
A Fine Balance, is a touching, beautiful, and yet sad tale. Intricately woven, and multi-dimensional this book will stay with you. Set in India, during a time political upheaval, corruption, and crushing poverty, four lives intermingle with each other. Though their initial meeting have them suspicious of each other, as they each face crises they come to depend on and bond with each other, in a deep and beautiful way. This books presents the best and the worst of what the human race has to offer.
It is hard to put into words my feelings on this book without saying too much for someone who has not yet read this book, but will read it. I can only say, as cliche as it is, this is a must read!
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Of Mice and Men - Jon Steinbeck
This of course, is a long time classic. A very short, but very good book.
I am convinced that the classics should be read as adults, and not as teenagers. In my youth, I would have not really appreciated this story in the proper way.
There is little for me to say about the story-line in this book. Even if like me, you haven't read it before, you have heard enough about it to know the basics. Even knowing that, it still brought tears to my eyes as I read the last pages.
This book does find itself on the lists of banned and challenged books. While there are racist terms, there is no racist message to the book. While there is violence, it is not overly graphic and does not promote a message of violence. Once again, this is a result of zealots who refuse to examine the work, in it's entirety, in the context of the time and place in which it is set, or was written. I think society would be better served to just ban the zealots instead!
I am convinced that the classics should be read as adults, and not as teenagers. In my youth, I would have not really appreciated this story in the proper way.
There is little for me to say about the story-line in this book. Even if like me, you haven't read it before, you have heard enough about it to know the basics. Even knowing that, it still brought tears to my eyes as I read the last pages.
This book does find itself on the lists of banned and challenged books. While there are racist terms, there is no racist message to the book. While there is violence, it is not overly graphic and does not promote a message of violence. Once again, this is a result of zealots who refuse to examine the work, in it's entirety, in the context of the time and place in which it is set, or was written. I think society would be better served to just ban the zealots instead!
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Into the Wild - Jon Krakauer
An excellent book
A sad but true story of a young man who embarks on an adventure, into the wilds of Alaska, only to die alone.
Krakauer does a superb job of telling Chris McCandless' story. Not only are his narratives artful and vivid, but his research of McClandless is so complete, you feel not only that Krakauer knew him, but you did as well. Krakauer is himself an adventurer, and his own experiences add to the overall feeling of the book, as well as add some insights that could only come from another who has truly experienced similar adventures.
I have not yet seen the movie, but fully intend to, I will amend this review at that time.
A sad but true story of a young man who embarks on an adventure, into the wilds of Alaska, only to die alone.
Krakauer does a superb job of telling Chris McCandless' story. Not only are his narratives artful and vivid, but his research of McClandless is so complete, you feel not only that Krakauer knew him, but you did as well. Krakauer is himself an adventurer, and his own experiences add to the overall feeling of the book, as well as add some insights that could only come from another who has truly experienced similar adventures.
I have not yet seen the movie, but fully intend to, I will amend this review at that time.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
We Are Now Beginning Our Descent (Advanced Reading Copy) - James Meeks
A good read.
This book follows Adam Kellas - a London based war reporter- as he explores not only the war torn regions of Afghanistan, but the war torn regions of the human condition as well.
Meeks characters are very well developed and believable, and we come to know them in a multi-faceted manor. Most are likable, but none are perfect.
Ironically, Kellas is writing a novel about terrorists, when terrorist action prompts a war. While in Afghanistan covering that war, he meets another reporter, Astrid. Suddenly separated, Kellas spends a year thinking about this woman. One day, while already emotionally volatile, he recieves a sudden email asking him to go to her. While his life seems to be falling apart around him, he finds himself questioning much of what he believed about not only her, but himself as well.
This Advance Reading Copy courtesy of HarperCollins First Look.
This book follows Adam Kellas - a London based war reporter- as he explores not only the war torn regions of Afghanistan, but the war torn regions of the human condition as well.
Meeks characters are very well developed and believable, and we come to know them in a multi-faceted manor. Most are likable, but none are perfect.
Ironically, Kellas is writing a novel about terrorists, when terrorist action prompts a war. While in Afghanistan covering that war, he meets another reporter, Astrid. Suddenly separated, Kellas spends a year thinking about this woman. One day, while already emotionally volatile, he recieves a sudden email asking him to go to her. While his life seems to be falling apart around him, he finds himself questioning much of what he believed about not only her, but himself as well.
This Advance Reading Copy courtesy of HarperCollins First Look.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Flowers for Algernon - Daniel Keyes
A great book that has withstood the test of time.
Originally copyrighted in 1959, this book is still available for purchase brand new. The story is as viable today, as it was in 1959, and still as meaningful. Warm, thoughtful and touching, Keyes deserved the accolades and awards given for this book, including the Hugo Award in 1960, and the Nebula Award in 1966.
The story went on to be adapted for stage, T.V., and movie (incidentally winning the lead actor Cliff Robertson an Oscar Award).
The story follows Charlie, a mentally impaired person in his quest to become "smart". He is brought to a lab and introduced to Algernon, a mouse who has had an operation, that has greatly increased his intelligence. Charlie soon receives the same treatment, and before long has reached genius status. Soon, our new genius notices changes in Algernon, and must come to terms with what these changes mean to him.
A social commentary on how we treat our mentally challenged segment of society, as well as the ethics of medical experimentation.
Originally copyrighted in 1959, this book is still available for purchase brand new. The story is as viable today, as it was in 1959, and still as meaningful. Warm, thoughtful and touching, Keyes deserved the accolades and awards given for this book, including the Hugo Award in 1960, and the Nebula Award in 1966.
The story went on to be adapted for stage, T.V., and movie (incidentally winning the lead actor Cliff Robertson an Oscar Award).
The story follows Charlie, a mentally impaired person in his quest to become "smart". He is brought to a lab and introduced to Algernon, a mouse who has had an operation, that has greatly increased his intelligence. Charlie soon receives the same treatment, and before long has reached genius status. Soon, our new genius notices changes in Algernon, and must come to terms with what these changes mean to him.
A social commentary on how we treat our mentally challenged segment of society, as well as the ethics of medical experimentation.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
What Dreams May Come - Richard Matheson
I saw the movie a long time ago. I remembered it being a really good movie, although dark and twisty. After my experience with another of Matheson's books/movies - "I Am Legend" (see recent reiveiw), I was a little apprehensive about reading this book. I had no need to worry.
Yes, it is dark and twisty at times, but a good read. There is a lot that differs between this book and the movie, but both are worth the time. While the book chronicles the journey of one man, through what can only be easily described as "hell", it is ultimately a love story as well, as he does this willingly, in search of his beloved wife. In the end, it does what so many books do, it encourages us to examine ourselves, and be the best people we can be.
Yes, it is dark and twisty at times, but a good read. There is a lot that differs between this book and the movie, but both are worth the time. While the book chronicles the journey of one man, through what can only be easily described as "hell", it is ultimately a love story as well, as he does this willingly, in search of his beloved wife. In the end, it does what so many books do, it encourages us to examine ourselves, and be the best people we can be.
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