This books's concept was wholly unique and I deeply admire the author's approach.
The book is, in itself, a fascinating read. I admittedly...moreThis books's concept was wholly unique and I deeply admire the author's approach.
The book is, in itself, a fascinating read. I admittedly found the ending to be lackluster, hence only 4 stars. But the book is well worth a read, in my opinion.
These are characters that will stick with you ...(less)
Thoroughly disappointing. Even one star may be generous. This is the 2nd book of his that I have been completely unmoved by. And it's not in order of ...moreThoroughly disappointing. Even one star may be generous. This is the 2nd book of his that I have been completely unmoved by. And it's not in order of publication, yet in order of my reading.
He took the magical realism I like so much and squashed it like a bug. Boo.
Not bothering with a full run-down. Just not worth it.(less)
"The Happy Man" drew me in with book jacket copy stating that Schertenleib was on a mission to write compellingly about a happy person.
...more"The Happy Man" drew me in with book jacket copy stating that Schertenleib was on a mission to write compellingly about a happy person.
However?
This novella is decidedly /not/ happy.
I really enjoyed it until the end ... which made all of it ... not worth it. Very disappointed. It had such potential. I'm all for the German gothic ideal, but to tell me I'm reading a happy book, and then squash me like a bug at the end? Not cool Mr Schertenleib. Not cool at all. Boo.
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This book wasn't quite what I expected ... which is a good thing, quite honestly. Purchased on a whim at discount, I expected a brand X little palate-...moreThis book wasn't quite what I expected ... which is a good thing, quite honestly. Purchased on a whim at discount, I expected a brand X little palate-cleanser.
At first, there was a bit too much fantasy for my taste. (I like reality with a hint of fantasy, as I've mentioned previously. The swap does not appeal to me in the least.) But the names were pronounceable, so I troopered on!
This is the tale of Cinderella as told by her fairy godmother: an aging woman who works in a bookstore in New York City. The story is heart breaking, but lovely in a sense.
I don't know how to classify it. I'm glad I read it, not sure I would recommend it ...
Another excellent novel by Graham Joyce. Though I suspect it would be closer to a novella with normal-size typeface. The large print (granted, I read ...moreAnother excellent novel by Graham Joyce. Though I suspect it would be closer to a novella with normal-size typeface. The large print (granted, I read the UK version, not the US) was a bit jarring. Were it not for the shagging scenes, I might have mistaken it for a YA novel.
That being said, the storyline was excellent. The lines between Joyce and Carroll (as in Jonathan) were blurred a bit, as Joyce typically does not venture into Carroll’s preferred setting. I found his take fascinating. Premise: A young couple go out for a morning ski and are caught in an avalanche. They dig themselves free to find the hotel and ski-town devoid of life. A series of strange events ensue. (Honestly? There was an early part of the book in which I suspected the potential for a zombie outbreak/end of the world. I had to remind myself I was reading my favorite author who likely would not delve into that particular genre.)
I did guess the ending fairly early on. For some authors, this might have ruined the story for me. But honestly, it only enriched my experience with this selection. He remains my absolute favorite author, hands down.
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Only Hoffman can make it so I empathize with a story about city gang warfare, drugs, and women so used and abused they are completely ambivalent.
...moreOnly Hoffman can make it so I empathize with a story about city gang warfare, drugs, and women so used and abused they are completely ambivalent.
Why am I working my way through every book she's ever written? See above.
"Property Of" was her very first novel, so it's a bit rough if you're accustomed to her current style. She wrote it while still in college.
As a result of this novel I've started researching addiction and its effects on the body/psyche. I've also started watching "Intervention" *L* Addiction is fascinating.
She seems to open doors that lead to places I'd rather not go. But once I get there, I'm completely enthralled and must know more.
“There is no later. This is later. All things of grace and beauty such that one holds them to one’s heart have a common provenance in pain. Their birt...more“There is no later. This is later. All things of grace and beauty such that one holds them to one’s heart have a common provenance in pain. Their birth in grief and ashes. So, he whispered to the sleeping boy. I have you.”
I went into this book looking for hope. What I found was pain, devastation and the most horribly pessimistic view of humanity as a whole I’ve read to date.
This is not to say McCarthy is not incredibly intelligent in his story development and prose. His writing in engaging, and his “simple” characters are so palpable, your heart aches for them at every bloody turn.
There were very few inconsistencies (which is one of my major pet peeves), which I appreciated.
But I just refuse to believe the worst of humanity.
For the few who may be unawares, “The Road” is post-apocalyptic, Pulitzer-prize winning novel. A man and his child travel a highway through a wasted land of ash and death. Decomposed corpses and heinous cannibalistic humans are all that’s left of Earth. Well, and them. The “good guys” who “carry the fire.”
The grammar is terrible. (Although, I do think he specifically left out the apostrophes in contractions for not, like “shouldnt” and “wont” and left them in any for “is” and “are” on purpose ... to prove that “not” is not an option or some such.) On reading an interview with CMC, he dubbed punctuation “squiggly marks” that mess up his pages. He also noted he’d rather keep company with scientists than authors (he has NO author friends, on purpose), and that any book that does not deal severely with life and death cannot be considered literature. So, in other words, he’s a pompous ass. An elitist prick of a writer who’s got a self-importance stick shoved so far up his arse, his feet likely don’t even touch the ground.
Bleh.
I’m looking forward to the bookclub discussion on this one, b/c there are a ton of themes. I grudgingly give this book good marks. I feel passionately about it ... it made me think. It made me abhor this author from start to finish ... and love his characters so fiercely I felt sick for them. Over and over.
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