I read the first chapter and thought, "What the hell is wrong with this guy?" then I realized he didn't know either. I love it when the char...moreI read the first chapter and thought, "What the hell is wrong with this guy?" then I realized he didn't know either. I love it when the characters in the books is just as confused as I am. When I read the book, I don't feel like I'm some spectator, watching the issues of this family from far away. The author writes so well that my emotions and thoughts develop as the characters develop their understanding and emotions themselves. Interesting concept.(less)
I didn't believe that these people existed out side of my family, but you really can't make it up if you actually think about. Though his dads words m...moreI didn't believe that these people existed out side of my family, but you really can't make it up if you actually think about. Though his dads words might be a bit harsh, there is a good moral to learn behind each statement. If you read this book you will reminice to your child hood scoldings and realize that our parents were trying to make us better people. It is a hilarious narrative that anyone who felt they had a tough love childhood needs to read. You won't stop laughing.(less)
Clay's Way is author Blair Mastbaum's first novel. The novel centers around the emotionally confusing Sam. He is a rebellious boy living in Hawaii whe...moreClay's Way is author Blair Mastbaum's first novel. The novel centers around the emotionally confusing Sam. He is a rebellious boy living in Hawaii where he feel that he does not fit in because everyone is a surfer or Hawaii. Sam himself is self-deprecating in his looks and his family. He falls in love with a self-unaware surfer guy, the very type of guy that Sam hates, and the story is then centered around their one-sided love affair.
Mastbaum tries to introduce some local dialects which I find commendable, but it becomes obvious that he did not consult an actual person who spoke the Pidgin Hawaiian Dialect. This is the one major qualm I have about this book. Living in Hawaii and speaking pidgin as a second language, many people like myself can recognize good pidgin and bad pidgin. Beyond the incorrect pidgin grammar, the story begins with a good interesting start, but as we reach the climax of the story, Sam becomes much more irritating in his rudeness. I'm not sure if Mastbaum intended Sam to be this way or if I was the only one who felt being irritated, but this really didn't make me feel empathy for Sam when during the climatic scene at the beach.
Also, some scenes and people were included that had no real purpose in the main story of the novel. Also, in an desperately obvious Narration technique, Mastbaum, makes Sam sneak in to the house of his love to ease drop on the detailed story. Overall, I wanted to like the book; the first few chapters really pulled me in. But I do have a bias towards books that include Hawaii as the main backdrop and I do feel the author needs to do more research in the culture of Hawaii. When I got to the end of the book I was left feeling unsympathetic towards Sam or any of the other characters in the book. I don't recommend this book if one wants to learn or read about Gay Hawaiian life.(less)
Because this book was written so long ago (50 years is a long time ago in my years) it opens some unknown facts about the early years of environmental...moreBecause this book was written so long ago (50 years is a long time ago in my years) it opens some unknown facts about the early years of environmentalism and ethics. Brower had such empathy and foresight in protection of natural resources that many people who go green now may love to learn about the forefathers of the movement. The book is broken up in two 3 sections and each section is unique and metaphorical to any one living anywhere. I loved this book.(less)
Our American English though similar in grammar and function from our Mother Tongue, has become it is own a bastard child in search of making its own h...moreOur American English though similar in grammar and function from our Mother Tongue, has become it is own a bastard child in search of making its own history from chaos.(less)
I have not seen many things that I have learned. I've learned the names, descripitions and uses of many of nature's creatures, but I have yet to been ...moreI have not seen many things that I have learned. I've learned the names, descripitions and uses of many of nature's creatures, but I have yet to been accustomed from memory the feel and scent and first sight of these creatures.
It really makes me think about what life is like from the plant's point of view. I can hear the grass crying everytime i step on it. I can see the ma'o wincing when pluck it's corolla.(less)
**spoiler alert** The book started out interesting with it's depiction of the US holding secret rooms and basements, but slowly the story begins to ju...more**spoiler alert** The book started out interesting with it's depiction of the US holding secret rooms and basements, but slowly the story begins to jump from mystery to metaphysical. Its hard to remember that we're reading a mystery because slowly we feel like we're being taught a lesson about ourselves and our beliefs. His hinting is obvious and lends no mystery at all, and his overall twist is one leaving us saying, "Is that all?"
Spoliers:
The Lost Symbol is the lost true meaning of the Bible.
Robert Langdon does not die, but is actually submerged in a breathable liquid chamber to force him to feel like his is dying.
Mal'ank is Peter Solomon's son and is mad at his father for leaving him in a Turkish prison.
Bellamy sees video of Mal'ank's ritual ceremony in Masonic tradition with glimpses of prominent US politicians and leaders.
The Pyramid holds symbols that are revealed with boiling the Pyramid in water.(less)
**spoiler alert** Hundreds of unnamed people in a unnamed country succumb to sudden blindness. It's seems to be a more modern story of how the people ...more**spoiler alert** Hundreds of unnamed people in a unnamed country succumb to sudden blindness. It's seems to be a more modern story of how the people with leprosy were confined to Kalaupapa by the government health authorities. (less)
It's really erratic in his writing style. In his anecdotes he refers to other anecdotes that refer to other anecdotes. It's really confusing, however ...moreIt's really erratic in his writing style. In his anecdotes he refers to other anecdotes that refer to other anecdotes. It's really confusing, however his layout of 11 chapter or so of detailed examples of being a Stealth politician reads like a manual for a stereo. No need to read this book from 1 to infinity, start in the middle, or open up to any page. There's something you'll learn.(less)
It was ironic how they loved each other and gave each other clues in their secret diaries, but in the end she left him because he never learned that t...moreIt was ironic how they loved each other and gave each other clues in their secret diaries, but in the end she left him because he never learned that the clues were intentional.(less)
A great book to learn about where we came from and how far we have modified this earth, and how the earth will do just fine, if we all disappeared. No...moreA great book to learn about where we came from and how far we have modified this earth, and how the earth will do just fine, if we all disappeared. Not a good book if you're feeling suicidally anti social. (less)
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