Great premise, though good and evil (though clearly defined) mix into one roiling pot of humanity. Kazantzakis's reverent, poetic style is a bit inapp...moreGreat premise, though good and evil (though clearly defined) mix into one roiling pot of humanity. Kazantzakis's reverent, poetic style is a bit inappropriate for a serfdom controled by torturous Turks, but it does light the sky with some wonderful turns of phrase. (less)
Great, informative piece that outlined his thinking in an easy-to-understand way. Some of the examples are a little outdated, and heavy on the militar...moreGreat, informative piece that outlined his thinking in an easy-to-understand way. Some of the examples are a little outdated, and heavy on the military / political sphere. I skipped over some of those. All in all, I learned a lot about time management, and making the right decisions. (less)
While the manga style is engaging and adds a contemporary take on a oft-told story, it boils down the storytelling elements a little too much, and rea...moreWhile the manga style is engaging and adds a contemporary take on a oft-told story, it boils down the storytelling elements a little too much, and reads less like a heartfelt story than a sequence of important events. Like a bouillon cube leached of most of its natural goodness. A bit preachy at the end. A noble effort.(less)
A sweet story written by a non-writer, layering her story of loneliness and recovery over the much more fascinating story (in my opinion) of the rescu...moreA sweet story written by a non-writer, layering her story of loneliness and recovery over the much more fascinating story (in my opinion) of the rescued library cat. Skipped some parts.(less)
I only got to 75 pages, partly because of time constraints before book group meeting about this title. But then, at the discussion, no one liked the b...moreI only got to 75 pages, partly because of time constraints before book group meeting about this title. But then, at the discussion, no one liked the book, and so I'm not going to bother finishing it. I enjoyed the narratives by Lewis, but not the points of view of the Natives, while others argued for the other way around. Oh well. I hear his other novel is worth reading. (less)
The book group voted this title in the rotation, so I read it--with reservations, as I am not a deep political thinker and presumed this book would be...moreThe book group voted this title in the rotation, so I read it--with reservations, as I am not a deep political thinker and presumed this book would be heavy on theory and such. To the contrary, the author writes an unflinching but loving memoir about her life in as an ardent Somali Islamist, and her transformation into womanhood. True womanhood, which to her, meant being free from the bonds of Islam.
Her prose is exacting, and there is not a wasted sentence in this narrative. With compelling detail and supreme compassion, the author tells a story of poverty, religious rule of law, and a family that did not know how to repair its damaged relationships. Her characters are complex and her love for them obvious.
This book captures the transition from Islam into Europe better than Marjane Satrapi's Persepolis novels because our protagonist has more motive to live. It's a survivor's tale. I identified deeply with Hirsi Ali's devotion to her books, her longing for spiritual truth, and ultimate renunciation of outmoded family models in favor of the individual.
Politically, she is unapologetic in her views, and it shows in this book. There are very few points of nostalgia and sentimentality. Because this is an autobiography written in the middle of her life, it finishes with no promises. No happy endings. She's found a place in America that welcomes her. But there is so much more work to be done. (less)
I read this ARC in a day--stylistically, it's a breeze, easy to get through. Chua doesn't delve deeply into the standard mothering memoir, but rather ...moreI read this ARC in a day--stylistically, it's a breeze, easy to get through. Chua doesn't delve deeply into the standard mothering memoir, but rather gives a defense of her style of childrearing, in her 15 years of experience.
The author is unapologetic about her tireless efforts to form her young children into over achievers. At first, I wasn't sure if this was supposed to be a slightly humorous look at the struggles and failings of mothering the "Chinese Way". But in the end the book was a very "Chinese" defense for irrational and crude behavior.
Chua has written other books, is an accomplished Yale law professor, and not one unused to Western ideas. As an Asian woman reared traditionally, I am appalled that the author is proud of following such a strict parenting plan, at the expense of her children's happiness. She was not raising her children in China, but in a very privileged American setting. Chua's methods and reasoning are ego-based (so she can proudly boast about her children), and not forward-thinking. She details the hours spent doing this and that for her children, and compares this to Western lackadaisical parenting styles (in her opinion) while acknowledging that they also shuttle their kids to and fro in an over scheduled life. She thinks she is the better parent.
I am so glad my mother did not know any better. For that I can forgive her. (less)
Loading...
