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279th out of 1,014 books
—
691 voters
As Happy As Ling
by
Carlos Aleman (Goodreads Author)
A story about three artists, a young woman named Cara, her uncle, Diego, and Ling, the emotionally unavailable woman he loves. Diego is the great encourager, but there is no one in his world to encourage him. Despite his disillusionment with life, he succeeds in planting seeds of hope that eventually flourish. The family endures a summer of storms, and eventually discover...more
Kindle Edition
Published
August 4th 2010
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When you find it difficult to read passages because you feel the characters' pain so acutely, the writer has done a good job. It is easy to be a little flippant about divorce simply because it happens so often, but this story brings the pain of it to light. Not that it is a story about divorce - in fact that is only one, small element in the book. I would say that it is a story about family, and about love and how both of those things can bring joy and grief.
This book made me care about the char...more
This book made me care about the char...more
Love, dreams, life. Sometimes, we get so caught up in our fears that we hold off. We think we have time to heal or love then realize too late that we don’t. We don’t think we have what it takes to make our dreams come true, so they don’t.
As Happy as Ling follows a flow of people. We meet one person and get to know him or her. Then, we delve deeper into this person’s fears and personal interactions. Then, we expand to the lives of these others. Each kind of a hand off of life lessons, often lear...more
As Happy as Ling follows a flow of people. We meet one person and get to know him or her. Then, we delve deeper into this person’s fears and personal interactions. Then, we expand to the lives of these others. Each kind of a hand off of life lessons, often lear...more
Article first published as Book Review: As Happy as Ling by Carlos Aleman on Blogcritics.
Depression is a common and little discussed condition that reaches across all walks of life. An illness often left unattended and with a stigma, many live their lives never knowing what it is to be happy or content.
In As Happy as Ling by Carlos Aleman, you follow the lives of a family that knows of the darkness in just about every way. It is the story about the life of Octavio and Adrianna along with their c...more
Depression is a common and little discussed condition that reaches across all walks of life. An illness often left unattended and with a stigma, many live their lives never knowing what it is to be happy or content.
In As Happy as Ling by Carlos Aleman, you follow the lives of a family that knows of the darkness in just about every way. It is the story about the life of Octavio and Adrianna along with their c...more
This seemed to me to be an autobiography written as fiction. It’s been a while since I looked at the reviews and other postings on this book so I don’t remember how it was billed but it could have been either I guess. I liked the story. It kept me interested throughout but I felt it was a bit long. There might have been places where some minute details could have been left out without it hurting the story.
I love the interaction between the children and the uncle. Considering how messed up in hi...more
I love the interaction between the children and the uncle. Considering how messed up in hi...more
This incredibly special novel is a story within a story, a skillfully crafted melding of magical realism, current events, human trials and drama, as well as life's mysteries and questions. Don't expect this to be an easy or shallow read - instead, be prepared to be moved beyond measure, to be filled with joy and sadness, to fall in love with, relate to and learn from each wonderfully flawed and touchingly human character. Expect to be inspired, to ponder deeply, to have your eyes opened. Expect...more
Cover
I've always loved looking at dolphins. They always seem to be in such a happy mood. Perhaps that is why one was chosen to grace the cover of this book ... not to mention the fictional reference to this very scene within the pages of this book.
Plot
There was a lot of sadness in this book. Every time I thought maybe, just maybe, someone was finally going to end up happy, tragedy struck. It became sort of depressing after awhile.
Not only was there an abundance of sadness, but it seemed like eve...more
I've always loved looking at dolphins. They always seem to be in such a happy mood. Perhaps that is why one was chosen to grace the cover of this book ... not to mention the fictional reference to this very scene within the pages of this book.
Plot
There was a lot of sadness in this book. Every time I thought maybe, just maybe, someone was finally going to end up happy, tragedy struck. It became sort of depressing after awhile.
Not only was there an abundance of sadness, but it seemed like eve...more
Carlos Aleman's novel was compelling, and insightful. I found myself quoting Aleman's mantras for love, war, and the creative spirit through the voice of Uncle Diego, an artist and hopeless romantic loyal to the untouchable Ling. His characters speak to human truth, pain, depression, redemption, inspiration and the never ending search for love. Dialogue between characters became my daily affirmations and helped stir my artistic energy. His characters could be found in my friends, neighbors and f...more
This book will touch your very core. It will touch the senses of your heart, soul, and mind. You will laugh, cry, pray, curse, disdain, and love. It touches the humanity in ones self.
As Happy as Ling is beautifully written. I love the details. I find my emotions changing with along with the emotions of the characters.
Apr 09, 2013
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Carlos Aleman has a background in painting, drawing and art history. He lives in South Florida with his wife and two dogs.
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