While this is a young adolescent novel, I read it with fascination. I loved reading the authentic details about what it was like to be in a TB sanitar...moreWhile this is a young adolescent novel, I read it with fascination. I loved reading the authentic details about what it was like to be in a TB sanitarium post WWII (especially since my mom worked in one as a nurse in the late 1950s). And as a native Californian and lover of California history, I also enjoyed reading about all the references to California during this time period.
This book is a nice companion to "Dune Child", Ellis' memoir (which I recently reviewed). Read "Dune Child" first because you learn about her childhood and relationship with her parents in it. And then "The Year of My Indian Prince" chronicles the next phase of her life. Although this book is fictionalized, it's closely based on Ella's experience of being in a TB sanitarium as a teenager. And as she tells us in the book's afterward--yes, a prince from India, who was also a patient there, courted her!(less)
I wavered back and forth between three and four stars. There is so much to love about this book, but there are aspects that frustrated me.
I love the f...moreI wavered back and forth between three and four stars. There is so much to love about this book, but there are aspects that frustrated me.
I love the fantastical, whimsical, even creepy aspects of this story. I reveled in Pi's vivid voice, and the ways he "sees" (both how he literally sees his world and his philosophical ramblings); I love the tender, interested voice of the "writer."
Yet the ending felt both rushed and too cynical for a story that claims it will "make you believe in God" and in the "miracle of life." The end becomes self-conscious and overly post-modern/meta for my tastes, undercutting the book's beauty.
I felt like this could all be fixed by making the first chapter the last chapter. In fact, I re-read the first chapter when the book was over, which is what I would recommend to everyone!
Maybe I've been reading too many essays...but the book doesn't seem to "earn" its godly claims. I never quite understood how the religious aspects interwove with the rest of the story.
Yet, overall, the read is quite a journey--and I look forward to seeing the movie.(less)
Frustrating to try to keep track of all the characters.
Powerful moments.
Very depressing subject matter.
Focuses on how the past can s...moreBeautiful writing.
Frustrating to try to keep track of all the characters.
Powerful moments.
Very depressing subject matter.
Focuses on how the past can seep up into the present.
Fortunately, by the end there's hope. And I understand Susan Straight will now be writing about this hopeful character in her next book. That's one I will read. (less)
My favorite parts were the voluptuous descriptions of the food at the parties.
Flaubert can write beautifully. I get it.
I just never bought into the ma...moreMy favorite parts were the voluptuous descriptions of the food at the parties.
Flaubert can write beautifully. I get it.
I just never bought into the main character's journey. I gave it a 150 page chance then sent it back to the library so I can--let's hope--engage in the journey of the next book in my stack.(less)
I gave it the old college try--read 80 pages--but just couldn't get into these characters. They all seemed to whine a lot. I really enjoyed Chocolat a...moreI gave it the old college try--read 80 pages--but just couldn't get into these characters. They all seemed to whine a lot. I really enjoyed Chocolat and found Vianne so full of life. She's basically depressed in this sequel, and not in an interesting way.(less)
I started out really enjoying the literary theory-nerd stuff as stated above. However, I never really connected to the characters.
I've been pondering why and I think it mainly has to do with voice. The voices of Eugenides' first two novels were so compelling: "The Virgin Suicides" is told in the plural third person from the point of view of the boys of a town; and the "Middlesex" voice of Cal is kind of like omniscient first person that telescopes in and out of time and space in such fascinating ways. In contrast, the relatively dry third-person voice depicting the three main characters in "The Marriage Plot" wasn't compelling enough to make me feel like I really understood their struggles. The one character suffering with depression felt like a sketch of a character developed of case studies from medical journals. I just wanted the characterizations to go rich and deep, as Eugenides did with his other books.
That said, a not-too-great Eugenides book is better than many. There are many gems in this novel, small moments that shine. I don't regret that I made it to the last page.(less)
This is one of those "classics" I'd never read until "forced to" by my job. (Yay, job!) It's such a wonderful romp of a novel, woven through with poig...moreThis is one of those "classics" I'd never read until "forced to" by my job. (Yay, job!) It's such a wonderful romp of a novel, woven through with poignant gravitas... Doctorow has an amazing voice. This book is as bustling and baggy and interlaced as America.
He'll be on our campus in May. Can't wait to meet the man in person.(less)
Loving the voice of this novel! I'm excited to hear Doctorow speak when he comes to our campus this spring. ---
I wasn't thrilled about the ending, but...moreLoving the voice of this novel! I'm excited to hear Doctorow speak when he comes to our campus this spring. ---
I wasn't thrilled about the ending, but overall, I just loved this book!(less)
I'm reading this because I'm teaching it in my Literature and Film course, in which we are reading novels and watching the corresponding films, and di...moreI'm reading this because I'm teaching it in my Literature and Film course, in which we are reading novels and watching the corresponding films, and discussing adaptation. The theme of the course is: Journeys and Transformations. Thought this book, coupled with the film, would be a good place to begin discussion about archetypes of journeys and home.
The other books/films we are doing are listed here:
I read this book in manuscript form and loved it so much I blurbbed the book. Here's what I said:
"Unflinching and mysterious, Conquering Venus is that...moreI read this book in manuscript form and loved it so much I blurbbed the book. Here's what I said:
"Unflinching and mysterious, Conquering Venus is that rare combination of poetic and page-turner. Collin Kelley – who refreshingly faces taboos head-on – has packed his cinematic debut novel with compelling characters, meaty plot twists and satisfying surprises. This novel is freshly contemporary as well as, in its own fashion, a love letter to Paris."(less)
I saw the film Eat, Pray, Love yesterday and thought the adaptation was a good one. Really enjoyed it. The acting on all fronts was very good... perha...moreI saw the film Eat, Pray, Love yesterday and thought the adaptation was a good one. Really enjoyed it. The acting on all fronts was very good... perhaps one of Julia Roberts' best outside of Erin Brockovich. Richard Jenkins and Javier Bardem were superb. I enjoyed the book, too, particularly since I listened to it on tape and thought Elizabeth Gilbert was excellent at evoking the passion and humor of the book with her voice.
Given all this, you'd think I wouldn't be too thrilled with a parody of Eat, Pray, Love...but quite the opposite. I just started reading it last night and haven't laughed this hard reading a book since I read Cactus Eaters (by Dan White). So far, the humor is good because Gottlieb has excellent timing and a self-depracating wit to match. And the section on Ireland--although ostensibly about just getting drunk--is really about camraderie easing grief. It's also about being true to yourself.
Can't wait to get to the rest of the book!
UPDATE AFTER FINISHING: The second two parts of the book didn't make me laugh as much as the first part. Overall, I enjoyed it and give it 3.5 stars....(less)
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