First, let's set apart the style and art of writing from the plot. It's brilliant. I didn't describe it as an 'art' of writing for no reason, because...moreFirst, let's set apart the style and art of writing from the plot. It's brilliant. I didn't describe it as an 'art' of writing for no reason, because it's very near perfect throughout the book, making Maguire an inspiration to me.
The choice to portray the land of Oz the way he did, and to bring it through the processes he chose to, are also something to be inspired by; it's pure genius.
I loved Elphaba, she's one of my favorite female characters in fiction. She and the rest of the characters Baum and Maguire portrayed are deep, believable and well explained leaving nothing to chance, holes in the plot or the reader's imagination.
I did find the plot somewhat winding down towards the end and becoming a little too hectic without the backing up of energy from the writing itself, but it's forgivable as the whole book's such a wonderful piece.
Most recommended, I really enjoyed this book.(less)
You never really put your mind to it, the thought of what might really happen if Hitler was never born. To the many people who ignorantly see Hitler a...moreYou never really put your mind to it, the thought of what might really happen if Hitler was never born. To the many people who ignorantly see Hitler as the source of all evil in the nazi party, this book will be an eye-opener. The happy ending of the book was a little on the unbelievable side, but it was a great read nonetheless because of Fry's wonderful wit, style and wonderful research. I very much enjoyed this book and I highly recommend it!(less)
Often I ran around with this book in public and people though I was reading the bible...it's a bible of some sort, in a sense. The Hitch Hiker's Guide...moreOften I ran around with this book in public and people though I was reading the bible...it's a bible of some sort, in a sense. The Hitch Hiker's Guide trilogy-in-five-volumes is not all on the same level of amusement and good plot-weaving but it's a classic and a masterpiece nonetheless. It's very hard to create a whole fictional universe that's credible and interesting, and just for that Adams's Guide is art in fiction. Each of his characters in believable, endearing and captivating and, eventually, the plot all together in brilliant though the last couple of books show a somewhat decline in the rhythm of the early two books. Still; it's a classic, it's a must, it's wonderful! (less)
The Gormenghast trilogy is a wonderful read, written excellently and in a captivating style. The bizarre world of Gormenghast (and the world outside i...moreThe Gormenghast trilogy is a wonderful read, written excellently and in a captivating style. The bizarre world of Gormenghast (and the world outside it) are detailed so well it's a delight to imagine the plot's twists and events while reading and see the whole picture. Peake must have ripped this novel out of his very heart, as his experiences during the second world war loomed down on his psyche (and he was only a liberator, not the liberatee...) and are obvious, especially in Titus Alone which, in my opinion, not a direct sequel to the first two books in means of style and quality. Still, it's a wonderful read I highly recommend. (less)
What a wonderful book!! Probably the ultimate answer to all the annoying, sticky, romantically-obsessed Jane Airs and Emma novels where everything's w...moreWhat a wonderful book!! Probably the ultimate answer to all the annoying, sticky, romantically-obsessed Jane Airs and Emma novels where everything's who marries what, when and how much money they'll have. Thackeray puts a mirror before one of history's most pompous, shallow and grand times and reveals things as thy really are. I'm in love with his witty humor and his wonderful character, Rebbecca who is my number one favorite female fiction character. I highly recommend this excellent book!(less)
This book is art in fiction. This is the best example of an author becoming a character, to write and describe everything through his eyes until the r...moreThis book is art in fiction. This is the best example of an author becoming a character, to write and describe everything through his eyes until the reader truely sees what the character sees. The story's well explained, along with Humbert's complex, without blaming pious pointing fingers and no patronizing towards any of the personal issues every character suffers. A wonderful read, this book is a must to anyone who wants to read only the best and to aspiring authors who really aught to look at this book as a lesson in great writing.(less)
I liked Oz's drawing as a child so much I used to leaf through the pages of the copy I had as a girl just to look at them. Though I prefer Lewis Carol...moreI liked Oz's drawing as a child so much I used to leaf through the pages of the copy I had as a girl just to look at them. Though I prefer Lewis Carol's thinking and active Alice to Baum's needy and dragged Dorothy, this is still a sweet thing to read as a child and to a child.(less)
Yes yes yes yes, I hate cheesy romance nonsense but Scarlett's different; Scarlett's a sneaky, cunning little thing and she's no lady which only makes...moreYes yes yes yes, I hate cheesy romance nonsense but Scarlett's different; Scarlett's a sneaky, cunning little thing and she's no lady which only makes her an even better character in my opinion. It's a good look into the American civil war from a citizen's point of view, and that's always a good thing in a novel. Scarlett, to me, is one of a few but great female characters in fiction.(less)
How honest and true a picture can an American man paint on the world of a geisha? Not much, in my opinion. True, until the second world war starts, the...moreHow honest and true a picture can an American man paint on the world of a geisha? Not much, in my opinion. True, until the second world war starts, the book's a pretty nice window into that hidden world (as much as Golden's resources allowed him to know) but beyond that this book becomes another piece of American romantic kitsch trash as everything the main character ever wanted becomes reality and she moves to the mighty and wonderful America, to the country who flattened two of her nation's cities with atomic bombs. Reading and learning a little about the Japanese on my own, I tend to think she'd have too much pride to do something like that. Written in an OK style, not a work of art that's for sure. I don't recommend this book unless sticky romance novels are your taste.(less)
As usual, when Stephen king chooses to write about the human monstrosity, he produces some of his best works. Told as a fairytale, it hold within it f...moreAs usual, when Stephen king chooses to write about the human monstrosity, he produces some of his best works. Told as a fairytale, it hold within it far too many insights and reports of crude real human behavior to really be told as a children's story. It's a wonderful book, written in beautiful style and I highly recommend it.(less)
I like this book, which did not lay quite as heavily as her other books on the relationship between a Chinese mother and daughter and also managed to...moreI like this book, which did not lay quite as heavily as her other books on the relationship between a Chinese mother and daughter and also managed to incorporate a piece of China's life during the second world war. Amy's style is alway fun to read and it's hard to put the book away, no matter how the plot becomes too diluted often.(less)
Oh, Webster, why did you not live long enough to write more of this delightful book? To write more, in general? The world lost a great writer when you...moreOh, Webster, why did you not live long enough to write more of this delightful book? To write more, in general? The world lost a great writer when you died. Myth and Maneater is probably one of the first books to describes sharks as something other than a killing machine. With a mixture of attack tales, highlights of the shark species who actually pose a threat to humanity and extensive chapters on the shark in general (whatever information was achieved by the early 60s, that is) and of how to avoid shark attacks while pressing the issues of what wonderful animals sharks are and how their extinction would be humanity's and the planet's loos, Webster does his favorite animal a great favor. Written with the unique flamboyant, humorist style that makes me love Webster so much, it's a great read even if you're not big on biology, sharks or animals in general. (less)
It's an OK book. It's well written, though Ambrose's high school boy crush on Mr Winters and his buddies is a little too obvious and uncomfortable for...moreIt's an OK book. It's well written, though Ambrose's high school boy crush on Mr Winters and his buddies is a little too obvious and uncomfortable for a historian who's job is to tell history as it was. If you're a Band of Brothers fan this is a book for you. If you want a broad, informative book about the war, the American side or the Parachute section of the American army, find some other book...(less)
Aah, Webster, how I love thee and thine writing style. If you want to clean your head from the Spanks cheesy American kitsch about perfect hero soldie...moreAah, Webster, how I love thee and thine writing style. If you want to clean your head from the Spanks cheesy American kitsch about perfect hero soldiers, Parachute Infantry is the right book for you. Webster's eye misses nothing and his writing shies away from no cock up, no chicken shit behavior and no silly soldierly mischief. It's a wonderful introduction to David K. Webster and his wonderful style of writing as well as a personal testimony of an American paratrooper in the second world war. (less)
To be honest, it's not the best vampire book I've read (Anne Rice's early books are much better) and I admit I've nodded off halfway through it. The c...moreTo be honest, it's not the best vampire book I've read (Anne Rice's early books are much better) and I admit I've nodded off halfway through it. The climax has been written in the days before Hollywood and thus not the most horrifying thing I've consumed, the middle is ghastly boring thus leaving a rather disappointing book which was probably a much better read had I been reading in Victorian days.(less)
I love this early Lestat before the Mary Jane possessed his body and the lives of everyone around him. Perhaps one of the most educating books to the...moreI love this early Lestat before the Mary Jane possessed his body and the lives of everyone around him. Perhaps one of the most educating books to the Vampire Chronicles world and thus a very interesting read. I liked it very much.(less)
I enjoyed Interview whenever I read and re-read it; it's just written well. Anne Rice has an ability to write in an enchanting way and Interview is ce...moreI enjoyed Interview whenever I read and re-read it; it's just written well. Anne Rice has an ability to write in an enchanting way and Interview is certainly one of the best books with that phenomena. (less)
A brilliant comic book. Despite the 'mask' of animals on the people, the emotions, drama and horror are perfectly depicted by this very honest piece o...moreA brilliant comic book. Despite the 'mask' of animals on the people, the emotions, drama and horror are perfectly depicted by this very honest piece of art. I admire Art Spiegelman for being so open about both his life and the life of his parents, as he portrays his father whole. Highly recommended!(less)
I liked the idea behind watchmen; particularly the idea of crime fighters without super powers, who are eventually rejected by society, very refreshin...moreI liked the idea behind watchmen; particularly the idea of crime fighters without super powers, who are eventually rejected by society, very refreshing from the usual Superman, Batman babble. The art wasn't my taste, with colors too strong and clashing and women drawn like men. The plot definitely covers for that, though.(less)
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