Totally fascinating read - like being in a dream where nothing and everything makes perfect sense. Definitely suggest it! It just pulls you forward ...moreTotally fascinating read - like being in a dream where nothing and everything makes perfect sense. Definitely suggest it! It just pulls you forward - I read it every possible moment over a weekend and enjoyed every minute of it!(less)
Tried reading this a few times and couldn't get into it. But picked it up in Amsterdam on the way to Florence and started reading it in a little cafe...moreTried reading this a few times and couldn't get into it. But picked it up in Amsterdam on the way to Florence and started reading it in a little cafe on a rainy Florence day. And fell totally and madly in love with most of the essays and stories in it (some I skipped.) I thought "This is what and how a writer should write" - which means, of course, that I meant this is the what and the how that I like (and as my book club knows, I often like things that no one else likes! :-)(less)
This was a little Sci-Fi break from more serious stuff. But it still had a few interesting thoughts about human nature, human evolutionary potential ...moreThis was a little Sci-Fi break from more serious stuff. But it still had a few interesting thoughts about human nature, human evolutionary potential (in terms of evolution away from behaviors that cause war, suffering, dark ages, etc.), and the way passions can lead to very non-optimal outcomes (something that's very relevant in today's world.) It's a little slow, but only in that it's actually about searching/exploring, looking and finding - no massive space wars with lots of explosions.
Here are a few passages I liked and that made me think:
Summarizing the writings of a woman from an earlier period in Earth (actually American) history when the government had become a fusion of secular and religious thought with strong theocratic trends:
"[She:] laid out their objections to various governmental policies....Basically they were concerned that each generation was subjected to a series of ideologies which, once imposed, were hard to get ris of, hampered independent thought, and let to various hostilities. She spells everything out. Get the religious groups under control. Reign in the corporate types. Recognize that dissent is healthy. Provide a level playing field so no on is disadvantaged."
Something we could use today, particularly given that most recent Supreme Court ruling on corporations and campaign advertising....
A summary of human behavior in an exhibit on humans on a non-human world:
"Individuals tend to be docile and may usually be approached without fear. but when humans form groups their behavior changes and becomes more problematic. They are more likely to ascribe to a generally held view than to seek their own. There seems to be a direct correlation between the size of the group and its inclination to consent or resort to violence or other questionable behavior, and/or the predilection of individuals to acquiesce when leaders suggest violent or simplistic solutions to perceived problems."
This author has written a few books so I might have to try another when it's time for a little break. I read this book (about 400 pages) yesterday in a lovely day of reading. It was raining outside, so I bundled up and had a good read.
I really like Alarcon's earlier book - War by Candlelight. And I've enjoyed a story or two in the New Yorker. But this book was boring - everything ...moreI really like Alarcon's earlier book - War by Candlelight. And I've enjoyed a story or two in the New Yorker. But this book was boring - everything that happened (except for one or two minor things) was known long before it happened. There was no dramatic tension, no surprising insights in to the human condition, no perspective that was unusual or moving. So a disappointment.(less)
This is a fantastic book. A mix of a modern tale about families and Arabian Tales-type stories that sometimes illuminate the other story and sometime...moreThis is a fantastic book. A mix of a modern tale about families and Arabian Tales-type stories that sometimes illuminate the other story and sometimes don't. I didn't want to put it down - it's a great, smooth read that just carries you along and you end up caring about the Lebanese family members as well as the characters in the other stories - the emir, his wife, Baybar the caliph, Otham, Layla and all the rest. I highly recommend this book!(less)
Very disappointing book! I was so interested to read it, particularly after several other books by other authors that delivered on what was promised ...moreVery disappointing book! I was so interested to read it, particularly after several other books by other authors that delivered on what was promised here. This is really a mildly annoying book, with the author using Herodotus as nothing more than a meaningless prop to offer his fairly basic and very fragmented opinions and views of India, China and other places. Too bad...and his observations of the places he visited are very pedestrian, unenlightening and ultimately conform to basic archetypes/stereotypes.(less)
Really fantastic book. A little bit of magical realism, but only a bit. Fiction, but based on history. Generations of an Indian family told in a co...moreReally fantastic book. A little bit of magical realism, but only a bit. Fiction, but based on history. Generations of an Indian family told in a compelling and engaging way. Definitely recommend it.(less)
Fantastic book! The author moved with her husband to a small village in Turkey and these are short essays describing her life, her neighbors, her tri...moreFantastic book! The author moved with her husband to a small village in Turkey and these are short essays describing her life, her neighbors, her trials and successes. Some images remain in my mind still.(less)
Superb book that describes the causes and aftermath of the collapse of civilization across the world. It's fiction but not too far from a reality tha...moreSuperb book that describes the causes and aftermath of the collapse of civilization across the world. It's fiction but not too far from a reality that could come to pass. Definitely worth reading!(less)
Andrey Kurkov writes very interesting books if you're looking for dry humor, post-Soviet of course, but very much all about the human condition. They...moreAndrey Kurkov writes very interesting books if you're looking for dry humor, post-Soviet of course, but very much all about the human condition. They are easy to read and quite fun.(less)
This is a fantastic book. The author has an immense knowledge of Persian/Iranian history, architecture, art, philosophy and the dynasties that have r...moreThis is a fantastic book. The author has an immense knowledge of Persian/Iranian history, architecture, art, philosophy and the dynasties that have ruled there. He brings all of this to bear as he travels around the country and meets regular people. It's a view of a type of life hat no longer exists in our hectic depersonalized western world and it brought tears to my eyes more than once. I've long had the thought of visiting Iran back in the back of my mind; now it's moved to the front. So I need to find at least one Iranian who can start the chain of introductions. That will have to be my 2009 - 2010 goal.
Loading...
