I have heard about the Thursday Next series for years now. The book was a zany delight, depicting an alternative version of 1985 where literature and...moreI have heard about the Thursday Next series for years now. The book was a zany delight, depicting an alternative version of 1985 where literature and the arts ARE popular culture. Thursday is a fantastic heroine, very cool with a good aim. Some of the character names made it slightly confusing at times, but didn't detract from the pure fun of the story. I'll seek out more books in the series.(less)
I have absolutely no interest in The Da Vinci Code or any books of that sort, but I picked this up for two reasons: my last name is Cato, and it was o...moreI have absolutely no interest in The Da Vinci Code or any books of that sort, but I picked this up for two reasons: my last name is Cato, and it was only $2 for a hardcover at the Phoenix VNSA sale. Personally relevant and cheap![return][return]I was pleasantly surprised by this massive book. Once it got going, I was completely snared. The main character, Ottavia, is a high-ranking nun working in the Vatican. She specializes in ancient manuscripts and research, and therefore she's stunned when her superiors need her expertise in a new assignment - identifying unusual tattoos on the corpse of a dead Ethiopian. To complicate things more, the dead man was carrying along bits of the True Cross - the one Jesus died upon - and bears scarification that suggests a long-lost religious order may not be lost after all. Along with a stoic Swiss Army captain and brilliant Coptic Egyptian, the three of them work through linguistic riddles and discover the key to everything is hidden in plain sight - Dante's The Divine Comedy. As other churches around the world reel from the theft of their fragments of the Cross, Ottavia and the others rush to join this hidden order so they can stop the pilfering and confront the enigmatic leader of the group, Cato.[return][return]Reading the book reminded me of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. This is an intelligent, well-researched book and it was a great deal of fun. The ending had a nice twist that was followed by a bit of a cliche, but that was fine. I was concerned that I'd go through all 458-pages and be disgusted by the ending, as I was recently with Edgar Sawtelle, but that wasn't the case here. It ended like it should. I have no regrets about this $2 purchase.(less)
Mike Resnick is one of the most prolilfic speculative fiction authors around, but I had never read his work before. When I saw this steampunk novel, I...moreMike Resnick is one of the most prolilfic speculative fiction authors around, but I had never read his work before. When I saw this steampunk novel, I jumped at the chance to give him a try and read more in one of my favorite sub-genres. Unfortunately, this novel doesn't encourage me to read him again.[return][return]First of all, the positive: the world here is fascinating, and Resnick has definitely done his research. His Tombstone is populated by people who really lived and died there. The tale is told through Doc Holliday, and his perspective is interesting and yet...[return][return]It's very hard to carry suspense in a book when your character is already dying of tuberculosis and doesn't fear death. A lot of dramatic things happen and Holliday doesn't really react. Actually, the entire cast consists of very stoic men. They make witty banter in conversation, but don't show any expression. It made the entire thing feel stiff and emotionless. The only women in the cast are Big Nose Kate, a madam, and her whores (which includes robotic ones). Most of the men in the book also frequent the whorehouse. That may be historically accurate, yet... meh. I also found the whole shiny steampunk robot sex thing to be a turn-off, and was glad it never showed a scene of it.[return][return]There was an entire subplot with Bat Masterson that seemed to be there to distract the others. I had been excited that Bat was a character, but he simply showed up, did weird stuff because of a curse, and never touched the main plot. Speaking of the main plot, the entire book works up to the big gunfight between Doc Holliday and Johnny Ringo. Doc quickly figures out why Ringo hasn't killed him yet, but every time they meet it becomes a chat of, 'You here to kill me yet?' 'No. Let's talk classic literature.' It was cute at first but got old as it dragged on. And then when they do fight, it's anticlimactic; actually, that's the pattern of the whole book--lots of talking and very little action. Because it's a steampunk book, it's like Resnick had to force steampunk into the resolution and then did the most obvious and practical thing (which involves fire).[return][return]Actually, a number of the steampunk elements felt forced in but didn't really make sense. For example, the point of the book is that the gunmen are there to protect Thomas Edison and Buntline. Their houses are reinforced by bullet-proof brass and even has a FORCE FIELD to keep them safe. Yet the men, especially Buntline, keep wandering all over town with chest armor but nothing to protect their heads. If they are really in danger, don't leave the house! And no one ever shot them.[return][return]In case you couldn't tell, I was disappointed by the book.[return][return]The concept is incredibly cool. I loved the world. But it really felt like it would have been better as a novella focusing on a steampunk O.K. Corral battle.[return][return]I won't be picking up the other books in the series, and I'll hold off on reading Resnick for a while, too.(less)
This book is an ARC received through the LibraryThing Early Reviewer program.[return][return]Ida Mclaird has returned to the isle St. Hauda's Land, th...moreThis book is an ARC received through the LibraryThing Early Reviewer program.[return][return]Ida Mclaird has returned to the isle St. Hauda's Land, the place she visited on holiday only months before. However, this visit is not a vacation. Her feet are turning to glass, and a mumbled sentence from an eccentric islander leads her to believe she may not be the only one to suffer this disorder. As she searches for a cure, she encounters Midas Crook. Midas is a photographer and a loner, emotionally stunted by the torturous relationship of his parents and his father's suicide. As the glass spreads upward, Ida doesn't give up on herself - or on Midas - as they stumble across a landscape where small moth-winged bulls flitter about and jelly fish glow in the bay by night.[return][return]This is a beautiful, eloquent novel of magical realism. St. Hauda's Land is as real a character as the people who inhabit it, maybe more so. Some of Shaw's gorgeous descriptions made me gasp out loud. The theme of the novel is fairly straightforward: Ida, the girl with glass feet has lived vibrantly, and won't go down without a fight, while other characters such as Midas live as though they have glass feet and don't really live at all. This book really grew on me as I read, and I think it will linger with me for some time.(less)
Alexia Tarabotti, despite the social connections of her family, is rather resigned to her condition as an old (late-20s) spinster in Victorian society...moreAlexia Tarabotti, despite the social connections of her family, is rather resigned to her condition as an old (late-20s) spinster in Victorian society. After all, there are several factors against her: a rather plain appearance, olive-toned skin and dark hair as a legacy from her deceased Italian father, and the fact that she completely lacks a soul. The latter ends up being a gift when a socially-inept vampire attacks her in a library, and Alexia's touch nullifies his supernatural powers, enabling her to kill him in self-defense. To further complicate matters, Queen Victoria's agent Lord Maccon, an insufferable Scottish werewolf, is sent to investigate. Alexia soon realizes that a wider scheme is afoot, and she needs the help of all of her friends - ranging from a foppish vampire to the gruff Lord Maccon - if she is to survive.[return][return]I loved this book. Out of over a hundred books read this year, this is among my very favorites. It was just outright fun. Carriger does a lovely job of creating a Victorian England where werewolves and vampires have openly been in society for centuries, with added steampunk touches as well. Alexia is a fantastic heroine, smart, well-read, and not afraid to wield her trusty parasol in defense. She and Lord Maccon create wonderful chemistry. I didn't expect the romance element to be so strong (or exist at all), but it really sizzled at points. I don't have a thing for werewolves, but wow, Lord Maccon is indeed quite a catch. The voice of the book is thoroughly British and only added to my delight. I will be buying the sequel to this as soon as it comes out.(less)
I'm so glad I bought this for only $4 at Goodwill.[return][return]This book garnered a lot of attention last fall when Oprah selected it for her book...moreI'm so glad I bought this for only $4 at Goodwill.[return][return]This book garnered a lot of attention last fall when Oprah selected it for her book club. I can see why it merited such attention. The writing is beautiful. It tells the story of the Sawtelle family and their own special breed of dogs. Trudy and Gar's son Edgar is born mute, but as he grows they develop their own sign-language - one that their unusually intelligent dogs also pick up. But when Gar's brother Claude returns to the farm and Gar dies soon afterward, Edgar is left struggling. Bad things happen. Edgar flees into the wilderness. Etc.[return][return]Unfortunately, this is the sort of book that makes the whole literary fiction genre look bad. The writing is beautiful, yes, but it's also overwritten. Half the book could have been edited away and the story would have remained the same. It took two-hundred pages for any genuine plot momentum to begin. When Edgar fled the farm, the story became much more interesting to me - his survival, Henry, and the tension leading up to the ending.[return][return]And then the ending happened. Um, what? I can understand wanting to make the ending non-cliche, but Wroblewski's ending is heavily contrived and completely unsatisfying. I didn't expect a happy ending, but the ending he wrote is just stupid. It made the entire 562-pages feel like a complete waste.[return][return]Sorry. Pretty writing does not make up for lousy storytelling.(less)
In her asylum, Sarah is different than the rest. She only speaks in memorized verse--especially Shakespeare and Blake--and always has her vinyl two-he...moreIn her asylum, Sarah is different than the rest. She only speaks in memorized verse--especially Shakespeare and Blake--and always has her vinyl two-headed dragon close by. However, she's not really autistic. When budget cuts force her onto the streets, she falls into a street gang that guards her with fierce protectiveness. Sarah soon realizes something strange: she can hear the voices of more objects than her dragons. Walls speak their security codes, and paintings tell their history. And when a doctor from the asylum that raised her begins a frantic search for Sarah, she'll need all the wiles of her street friends and her own gifts if she'll make it out alive.[return][return]I love the premise here. Sarah is an amazing character, and first person narration works perfectly here because she can think like other people, but she doesn't speak or listen like others. The beginning of the book is filled with vibrant characters from the street; on some levels those interactions worked, though some sexual elements felt forced and didn't fit with the rest of the book. Her friend Abalone shines. In the latter half, that feeling isn't there. Sarah is on the run and the cast is limited, and some of the best characters from the beginning fall into stereotypes. It makes the book feel unbalanced. One of the big plot twists at the end was easy to see coming, too. It's not a bad read--it's good for a study of technique alone--but I don't feel it's worth keeping.(less)
I am ashamed to say that I'm a writer of scifi and fantasy and I had never read this classic before.[return][return]Ender Wiggin isn't simply a recrui...moreI am ashamed to say that I'm a writer of scifi and fantasy and I had never read this classic before.[return][return]Ender Wiggin isn't simply a recruit in the Earth's battle against the buggers. He's the chosen one, monitored before he was even born with one specific task in mind: save humankind. At age six, he's sent to begin his training amongst other brilliant children. His coursework isn't merely academics; it's psychological manipulation at the highest, with the goal of isolating Ender and forcing him to be the best soldier ever produced... whether he wants to be or not.[return][return]I was hooked within the first chapter. It's a disturbing story on many levels, but a gripping one because of the fast pace and ease of reading. It flows (at least, up till the ending when it kind of info dumps). Card made Ender a sympathetic character with a supporting cast that felt just as real.(less)
In the year 2047, humanity struggles to survive in the ruins of coastal California. Almost 50 years before, nuclear blasts decimated thousands of citi...moreIn the year 2047, humanity struggles to survive in the ruins of coastal California. Almost 50 years before, nuclear blasts decimated thousands of cities across the United States. However, this is the only world teenaged Henry knows: a world revolving around harvests, fishing, the howl of the Santa Ana, and the danger of wild-eyed scavengers in Orange County. His ancient mentor, Tom, taught him how to read and of the way things used to be. Henry's world shifts when strangers from the outside arrive. San Diego seeks to unite the coastal communities by handcar rail, even as outside forces bomb their efforts. Henry must decide where his future lies.[return][return]This was a fascinating coming-of-age tale. It's not a suspenseful read. It builds slowly, and shows how people have scraped by. I loved the details on fishing and harvest time, and all of the characters felt real and complicated. Some people might find the detailed world building to be dull, but in some ways, it reminded me of a childhood favorite, The Other Side of the Mountain, or a pioneer book. Those details made their hardship feel genuine to me.[return][return]This apparently is part of a trilogy called The Three Californas. I'm a little disappointed that the other books cover different interpretations of the future Orange County and won't continue this post-apocalyptic setting. However, as a native Californian, I adore speculative fiction set in the state, and I will read the next books at some point.(less)
In Changless, Alexia Maccon has adjusted to seeing the odd and unusual, and not just because she was born without a soul. Now married to the werewolf...moreIn Changless, Alexia Maccon has adjusted to seeing the odd and unusual, and not just because she was born without a soul. Now married to the werewolf Lord Maccon, she's used to seeing naked men and wolves roaming about the grounds. However, when a crisis hits Queen Victoria's London, she's as baffled as the rest: all supernatural powers within a certain radius turned off. Werewolves were stuck in human form, vampires became mortal, and the local ghosts were permanently exorcised. When Lord Maccon heads back towards Scotland to deal with a family matter, the nullifying entity begins to travel north, too. With her trusty parasol in hand, Alexis heads northward by dirigible, determined to solve the mystery... and maybe find out more about her husband's mysterious past as well.[return][return]This book had all the fierce British wit of its predecessor. Carriger has created a magnificent world where the supernatural have an obvious presence in society and are indeed the backbone of the British Empire--which is in complete steampunk style, of course. [return][return]I have to say, though, that the cliffhanger ending was quite frustrating, especially as Lord Maccon's logic is concerned. Instead of merely making me want the next book, it made me feel downright angry because the truth was so obvious and other people are so dense. I would have rated it higher if not for the ending. I will definitely buy the third book when it's released, but in the meantime I'll remain rather peeved.(less)
This is how to write a non-direct book sequel.[return][return]I read Boneshaker a year ago. It set the background for Priest's Clockwork Century world...moreThis is how to write a non-direct book sequel.[return][return]I read Boneshaker a year ago. It set the background for Priest's Clockwork Century world: A United States where the Civil War has gone on for decades, resulting in advanced steampunk technology. There's also the small matter of a massive drill digging a hole in Seattle that released volcanic gases that turns people into zombies.[return][return]Dreadnought begins on the east coast. Mercy Lynch is a nurse in a Confederate war hospital when she learns her husband died in a POW camp. To complicate things further, she gets a telegram informing her that her estranged father is near death in Seattle. With no reason to stay in Virginia, she sets off on a cross-country journey complicated by skirmishes and the looming presence of a massive Union train known as the Dreadnought. When the Dreadnought ends up being the safest passage west, Mercy buys the ticket, only to find there is much more going on. The Dreadnought isn't a safe ride--it's a moving target, with several rail cars of particular interest to rival parties. Mercy's going to need all of her know-how and a steady aim if she'll make it off alive.[return][return]Mercy is a fantastic heroine, all smart and spunky. I have a fondness for healer characters, and it was refreshing to see a nurse in a lead role. It really brought a new perspective to an alternative history book. This ends up as a gripping action book, with steampunk vehicles such as the Dreadnought becoming characters in their own right. There were a few plot elements that were left dangling, but overall this is a tight and very well-written book, and one I am definitely keeping on my shelf.(less)
Some steampunk books lean more towards certain genres than others--this one is, at heart, a mystery novel with a steampunk London setting. It's a bit...moreSome steampunk books lean more towards certain genres than others--this one is, at heart, a mystery novel with a steampunk London setting. It's a bit stiff in some regards, and it does contain many cliches of the genre (historical steampunk does have an odd affinity for zombies). However, I found it to be a delightful romp of a read, flaws and all. I enjoyed the subtle chemistry between Sir Maurice and Veronica and how Veronica is a true lady of her time period yet still has plenty of spunk. I admit, the scenes with Veronica's sister were fascinating in a way that tended to steal the glory of the rest of the plot; I can only hope that relationship is explored more in future books. [return][return]I would really like to read on in this series.(less)
This is the tale of two cousins, a cadre of superheroes, a war, and sacrifice. In 1939, young Joseph Kavalier employed his Houdini-inspired escape tal...moreThis is the tale of two cousins, a cadre of superheroes, a war, and sacrifice. In 1939, young Joseph Kavalier employed his Houdini-inspired escape talents to smuggle himself out of Prague and into the United States. His cousin in Brooklyn, Sammy Clay, loves comic books and is awed by Joseph's natural artistic talents. Together the two young Jewish men toil to create the Escapist and Luna Moth, among others, while Joe dreams of saving his family from the devastation of Europe under Hitler. The beautiful Rosa Saks captures his heart, even as Sammy takes a very different path. Then on the eve of the Pearl Harbor attack, everything changes.[return][return]My feelings on this are mixed. It's beautifully written and captures the spirit of the time period. Joe, Sammy, Rosa, and the rest of the wide cast are alive and vibrant. I can see why Chabon won the Pulitzer for this work. However, sometimes he went into exhaustive detail. In the middle of a scene it will dive into a three page history of the comic book, or a particular setting that never returned. Sometimes the perspective changes were dizzying as well, diving into characters we only see for a few pages. It felt as though the author had so much good material, he had to make sure all of it made it into the finished product. Yes, it was interesting stuff, but an info dump is still an info dump and it detracted from the flow of the story. It's worth reading, but not keeping.(less)
I was familiar enough with William Marshal to know he was a major medieval knight of great esteem, but little else. This book covers most of his life...moreI was familiar enough with William Marshal to know he was a major medieval knight of great esteem, but little else. This book covers most of his life and creates him as a complex and comprehensive character from his youth as a tournament champion to his older years as a devoted husband and magistrate. I have a great deal of respect for the man, especially as he was known for regarding women with respect at a time when that was not regarded as prudent.[return][return]Very good, solid historical fiction, and I will be seeking out more of Chadwick's work.(less)
This young adult book focuses on a historical tragedy that is otherwise ignored - the yellow fever epidemic that crippled Philadelphia in the blisteri...moreThis young adult book focuses on a historical tragedy that is otherwise ignored - the yellow fever epidemic that crippled Philadelphia in the blistering summer of 1793. The story is told through the eyes of Mattie, a 14-year-old girl who works in her family's coffee shop. The first sign of tragedy is the death of a serving girl, but things only worsen from there. When Mattie's mother becomes ill and Mattie is forced to go to the countryside to safety, her entire world collapses. She has to be stronger than she ever thought possible to survive this ordeal.[return][return]Fever 1793 is a excellent piece of historical fiction for any age. If I found this when I was about ten, I would have read it ragged. I especially love the details that Anderson wove into the story, such as the vital role the Free African Society played in the recovery efforts and the clashing treatments of various doctors.(less)
When Maisie Thomas and her family return to Grange House in 1896 for their annual summer visit, she has no clue how this particular year will change h...moreWhen Maisie Thomas and her family return to Grange House in 1896 for their annual summer visit, she has no clue how this particular year will change her life. The almost-spectral figure of Miss Grange invites Maisie to be part of the house's story - one fulls of ghosts, lost children, and disasters visited upon generation after generation - and Maisie runs in fear. However, fate will not let her stray far. Calamity falls upon her family, and Maisie is drawn into Miss Grange's mystery, even as two young men begin to vie for her affection. As young as she is, Maisie knows one thing: she will not marry simply because it's what she is supposed to do, and nothing will ease her heart until she knows the secret of the grave in the woods.[return][return]Grange House is beautifully written with a strong clear voice. It would be easy to read it and assume it was written over a hundred years ago. Every scene - even the sentence constructive - has a distinct Victorian-Gothic lilt. The story is enjoyable as well, with the ghosts, secrets, and hidden identities that one would expect. Maisie is a likeable girl, and very true to her time period. One of the major twists to the ending seemed obvious to me for a while, but I didn't foresee everything so it still had a nice surprise.(less)
I received this ARC through the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program.[return][return]China Mieville's work is extremely difficulty to summarize, but h...moreI received this ARC through the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program.[return][return]China Mieville's work is extremely difficulty to summarize, but here we go: Embassytown is at the extreme reaches of humanity's diaspora in space. It's a place where Avice is born amongst a fully biological world; houses live and breathe, as well as most machines. All are tended by the enigmatic Hosts, aliens in the most alien sense. Hosts speak in two overlapping voices and hear via wings. They cannot comprehend voices of individual humans, and don't acknowledge their existence. Human Ambassadors are the mediators: twins created with a particular mind-meld so that they speak like the Hosts. And then a new Ambassador arrives, one different from the rest. The Hosts don't notice the physical changes; it's all about the voice. And that voice drives Embassytown to starvation, insanity, and war.[return][return]This is the dense sort of science fiction book that scares people away from the genre. I struggled through the first 100 pages. I felt like I'd been thrown into the deep end of the pool without any swimming lessons. The world was too alien, with no basis of comparison to Earth. The book also jumped from past to present, and that left me more confused. However, when things start to fall apart about halfway through the novel, it became interesting. The Hosts are fascinating and complex, and the concept here is outright brilliant. It's about the power of words and language, how a simile can change the entire world. It's incrediblely deep stuff... if you can make it through to the end.[return][return]There are also issues of characters. The supporting cast is fantastic. However, Avice, the first person narrator, plays the observer for most of the book. She's connected to everyone (actually, she sleeps with most of the other main characters) but never feels alive. Her gender neutrality doesn't bother me; compared with the Hosts, male-female differences mean nothing. It's more than Avice felt... blank. That her presence in most of the book is because of nosiness, up till the end where she takes action. I never cared about her as a character because she never came to life for me, not like the others. The most brilliant presence of all is Embassytown itself. My curiosity about Embassytown's fate was why I kept reading. Avice could have narrated from beyond the grave as far as I cared.[return][return]If you love language and words, try and make it through the first 1/3 of the book. The end result is brilliant in many ways. Would I read this again? No way. But I'm glad I forced myself through this pass.(less)
Miranda is a typical teenage girl. When news reports state that a meteor is going to hit the moon, she just grumbles that it's another excuse for home...moreMiranda is a typical teenage girl. When news reports state that a meteor is going to hit the moon, she just grumbles that it's another excuse for homework. The reality is something much more nefarious - the moon is knocked closer into earth's orbit, triggering global tsunamis, starvation, and tectonic shifts. Miranda's diary relates the day to day struggles as her entire family changes in order to survive in this new Earth.[return][return]This was really, really good, and exactly what I hoped it would be. Miranda begins as a selfish, average teenager, but not unlikeable. In the course of the book, she grows even as she starves, and it really speaks a great deal about human endurance in a time of trial. I can't speak as to the accuracy of the science, but it was quite thought-provoking. The ending is good, too - not a cop-out, but good. Highly recommended.(less)
I have to review this from two perspectives: as an adult and as a kid.
As an adult, I found it rather dry. The book is told through the viewpoint of Jo...moreI have to review this from two perspectives: as an adult and as a kid.
As an adult, I found it rather dry. The book is told through the viewpoint of Joey the horse and he doesn't have much voice. He observes World War I and has a peculiar knack of understanding what is spoken in any language. It's not that I wanted Joey to be anthromorphized more... I just wanted more character overall, as in the old Robert Lawson book Mr. Revere and I. That said, this would be an excellent book to teach middle graders about the Great War.
]Now if I had read this during my horse-obsessed childhood, I would have adored the book and probably read it dozens of times.[return][return]The movie based on the book comes out next month and I hope to see it, even though the trailer alone is a tear-jerker. I think the John Williams soundtrack will bring Joey the horse to life in a way the book couldn't quite manage.(less)
Boneshaker, Priest's first book of her Clock work Century series, set an awfully high standard. It used the background a steampunk-style Seattle overr...moreBoneshaker, Priest's first book of her Clock work Century series, set an awfully high standard. It used the background a steampunk-style Seattle overrun by noxious gas and zombies, all while the Civil War continues to ravage the rest of the United States well into the 1880s. Clementine takes place immediately after the first book, though following different characters across the country. While I enjoyed the setting, the emotional punch simply wasn't there. Part of the appeal of Boneshaker was the sense of danger with every step, especially as a mother sought out her missing teenage son in the ruins of Seattle. No such motivation drove this plot.[return][return]Clementine is a short action-adventure novel involving dirigibles, a former-Confederate spy named Belle Boyd, and a escaped slave pirate who just wants his flying ship back. The characters are fun, but the stakes didn't feel high enough. It was implied that Very Bad Things could happen, but nothing did. Belle Boyd and Captain Hainey are both ruthless and shrewd, but not endearing in the slightest.[return][return]In all, it's not a bad story, but it doesn't have the luster of the first book. Maybe I set my expectations too high. If you enjoy steampunk and alternative histories, it's a good read--but wait until it's out in paperback.(less)
MEN AT ARMS:[return]This is the first book of the Sword of Honour Trilogy.[return][return]Evelyn Waugh wrote these books in the 1950s based on his per...moreMEN AT ARMS:[return]This is the first book of the Sword of Honour Trilogy.[return][return]Evelyn Waugh wrote these books in the 1950s based on his personal experiences in Word War II, yet altered enough to be fiction. The main character is Guy Crouchback, the last son in a rather prestigious English Catholic family. He's spent a great deal of time living in his family villa in Italy, but has nothing else to show for himself. His wife left him years ago and has since had a string of husbands. As England readies for the second World War, Guy sees his opportunity to be of some use. After much finagling, he ends up in the Halberdiers amongst some very colorful characters.[return][return]I found this book interesting, which rather surprises me because very little happens. Guy isn't a very vivid character, and he seems very aware of that. It's very much a 1950s literary novel - lots of description, and a gradual, plodding pace. I liked it well enough to continue on to the next volume. There is something appealing about the writing and I can't quite determine what it is.[return][return]OFFICERS AND GENTLEMEN:[return]Back in England after a rather disgraceful episode abroad, Guy Crouchback is determined to make himself useful as World War II worsens. After settling the affairs for a deceased colleague, Guy ends up on the Isle of Mugg, working alongside his wife's second husband. Guy still feels adrift, not really belonging to any regiment, and is rather excited when the opportunity for action arises. The outcome is not what he expects, and he begins to understand the devastating nature of defeat - and that it's possible that England may not win the war after all.[return][return]I still can't quite determine what it is about this series that appeals to me. Guy is not a deep character. There is a sort of gentle Britishness to the whole thing. [return][return]UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER:[return]This is the third book in the Sword of Honour Trilogy.[return][return]World War II is finally nearing end, and Guy's travails to prove his honor continue to backfire in the bloated bureaucracy of the British military. He trains as a parachutist with the intent of using his Italian language skills to work with partisans. Meanwhile, his former wife Virginia is in a bit of a predicament, and it turns out she may be interested in Guy again after all - especially since his father just died and left a tidy sum. Bombs continue to fall on London, planes crash elsewhere, and Guy persists doing his utmost for the cause.[return][return]The ending of the book seems very realistic and appropriate, and yet somehow empty. I enjoyed the historical aspect of the series, and the dialogue was delightful. But overall? I can't really recommend them unless the reader is a big WWII enthusiast or wants to read all the British classics.(less)
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