It's as though a phantom snow plow had skimmed off the top and deposited a great heap of unnecessary 'thoughts' at the end of the road.
For god's sake...moreIt's as though a phantom snow plow had skimmed off the top and deposited a great heap of unnecessary 'thoughts' at the end of the road.
For god's sake stop! Don't attempt to ram through all that!(less)
The philosophy is solid, but Mill spends too many words defending it (admittedly probably quite necessary at that time.) I would have been interested...moreThe philosophy is solid, but Mill spends too many words defending it (admittedly probably quite necessary at that time.) I would have been interested in seeing more about how he saw it being applied.(less)
Bill Kirton’s gripping novel revolves around a leisurely-paced mystery that allows readers to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of dockside life of...moreBill Kirton’s gripping novel revolves around a leisurely-paced mystery that allows readers to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of dockside life of the Aberdeen of 1840. The complex characters are skillfully drawn, and the city itself is so vividly presented that it becomes a major entity in the drama.
Violence and depravity are tempered by glimpses of devotion and budding love, and little is exactly as it seems. (less)
This is as good a piece of prehistoric fiction as I've read. The characters are engaging and the story is gripping and plausible.
The author's research...moreThis is as good a piece of prehistoric fiction as I've read. The characters are engaging and the story is gripping and plausible.
The author's research is sound, and he's left us leeway to believe that the 'trolls' may have survived long enough to be a vestigial memory in fairy tales. I like that.
The less entertaining take-away, of course, is the serious probability that some of our more unreasoning prejudices have very deep roots. (less)
The author has created a great new fairy tale here. And like most, there are no fairies in this one either. But plenty of magic, knights, princesses,...moreThe author has created a great new fairy tale here. And like most, there are no fairies in this one either. But plenty of magic, knights, princesses, a couple of heroes, a prince and a dragon. Oh...and a wizard.
It has all the traditional trappings presented in a contemporary voice, and was a delight to read.(less)
The conquistadors fancied themselves saviours, bringing Christianity to a pagan world. When their results proved too unsavoury to accept in this light...moreThe conquistadors fancied themselves saviours, bringing Christianity to a pagan world. When their results proved too unsavoury to accept in this light, they became reviled as monsters, destroying a vulnerable ancient civilization. They were neither. And they were both.
Colin Falconer has presented a balanced, realistic narrative, showing all involved in a more sensitive and much more probable light. There was incredible brutality on both sides, but the fascinating story is relieved by sensitivity, bravery, fierce loyalty, self-doubt and deep affection.
Cortes himself is much more complex than he is elsewhere portrayed, and the complex Malinali embodies the enigma that had to result when two passionate belief systems collided.
This well-researched book should be read by anyone who wishes to have a rounded view of a painfully dramatic period in world history.
But maybe you’re just looking for a good story. Well, it’s that too, so enjoy! (less)
Witty, pragmatic, and generally showing an intelligent flexibility unusual in books purporting to help writers learn their craft, this is certainly am...moreWitty, pragmatic, and generally showing an intelligent flexibility unusual in books purporting to help writers learn their craft, this is certainly among the more useful of such offerings. While the advice it offers is more applicable to short story writing, it is nonetheless a worthwhile read for a novelist, and the section on metaphors should be required reading for anyone presuming to offer a piece of fiction writing to the reading public.
The takeaway here is that words matter. Choose them carefully. (less)
The Blighted Troth is a dramatic tale of blameless innocents and the gross and gratuitous abuse of power. It’s also a story of redemption and the forg...moreThe Blighted Troth is a dramatic tale of blameless innocents and the gross and gratuitous abuse of power. It’s also a story of redemption and the forgiveness of unforgivable abuse.
It is set in French Canada in the 18th Century—a fascinating place and era that is little represented in fiction—and is a faithful representation of the conditions that existed there and then, when the seigneur (overlord) wielded near absolute power and the village priest commanded respect, regardless of his personal deficiencies.
As a Canadian, I can assure readers that Ms. Patzer has done a fine job of capturing the aura and timbre of her characters. (less)
The medieval struggle of the Scots for independence from England is told through the voices of 3 narrators: James Stewart, Prince Edward (to become Ed...moreThe medieval struggle of the Scots for independence from England is told through the voices of 3 narrators: James Stewart, Prince Edward (to become Edward II of England) and Robert the Bruce himself. In a time of turmoil and perfidy, Robert attempts to bring together the pugnacious Scots in a cobbled alliance against the English King Edward Longshanks. Young James Stewart develops a deep respect and loyalty toward the Bruce, while the perverse Prince Edward impatiently awaits his father’s death for many reasons, not the least of which is to indulge his thirst for vengeance against Robert.
The three points of view relieved the book from the danger of excess sentimentality and allowed the focus on Robert’s affectionate familial ties to avoid becoming overweening. It is, after all, a historical novel, not a romance. The protagonists as well as the secondary characters are well drawn, and Scotland is vividly enough presented to become an additional entity, harsh but beautiful and worthy of the dedication it inspired. (less)
While this book is never likely to be counted among the classics, I don't really think the author meant it to be. The violence aside, I think he inten...moreWhile this book is never likely to be counted among the classics, I don't really think the author meant it to be. The violence aside, I think he intended it as an amusing piece of fluff in the adventure genre, and that is certainly is.
He has presented a colourful, overblown group of characters with little complexity, playing out an unlikely sequence of events in an exotic setting, well described. And it works. That can't be an accident.
There's little depth here--in fact it stops just short of farce--but if you're looking for an entertaining read, I'd recommend it. (less)
Simon de Montfort has been brought to life in this excellent book. Befriended, then cast off, by King Henry III of England, Simon’s natural abilities...moreSimon de Montfort has been brought to life in this excellent book. Befriended, then cast off, by King Henry III of England, Simon’s natural abilities as a warrior and as an administrator enable him to rise above his very human failings. His star rises and falls with dramatic rapidity, and not always through fault of his own.
Meticulously researched, the book draws us deep into the life and politics of the 13th Century, and allows us to know Simon personally, giving us an intimate understanding of the heart and the motivations of this remarkable man. It was a fascinating time, and his was an exceptional life. I was sorry to reach the end, and look forward to reading the next book in the series. (less)
Loading...
