What can I say? This is Barbara Kingsolver after all and there isn't a bad book in her canon.
If you like stories that explore love, loss, and t...moreWhat can I say? This is Barbara Kingsolver after all and there isn't a bad book in her canon.
If you like stories that explore love, loss, and trying to figure it all out, this is the book for tou. Packed within the three separate but tied together plot lines, is a wealth of information about predators, plants, and surviving as a small farmer in Kentucky. Kingsolver is such a skilled writer that the story does not suffer from being overwhelmed by her vast knowledge of ecology.(less)
Charles Frazier has hit another one out of the ballpark. Anyone who loved Cold Mountain and Thirteen Moons will fall in love with this one. Set in p...moreCharles Frazier has hit another one out of the ballpark. Anyone who loved Cold Mountain and Thirteen Moons will fall in love with this one. Set in post-war Appalachia and peopled with remarkably complex, yet fully believable, characters, the twists and turns in this near-gothic tale will stay with the reader forever. (less)
Eh. It was okay, but not the tour de force of her magnificent Autobiography of Henry VIII. Could have been shorter, with less filling in with weathe...moreEh. It was okay, but not the tour de force of her magnificent Autobiography of Henry VIII. Could have been shorter, with less filling in with weather reports. Found myself plugging away. And, in the end, she dies.
Nonetheless, if you're a fan of the Tudors, Liz the first never fails to impress.(less)
Although it took me a little while to get past the rather stilted prose, an effect of the period in which this book was supposed to have been written,...moreAlthough it took me a little while to get past the rather stilted prose, an effect of the period in which this book was supposed to have been written, this entertaining mock-autobiography quickly takes in the reader. Lavinia, "Vinnie" Warren Bump Stratton is the real life 'miniature' woman who toured with P.T. Barnam's Museum. Looking at the world through the eyes of a proper Victorian lady, albeit one less than two and a half feet tall, is no mean feet and the author, Melanie Benjamin, pulls it off with taste and a clear admiration for her subject. Although a woman in miniature, Vinnie is as big as they come in her opinions and adventures.(less)
The term 'gritty' was invented for this reprise of Doyle's character Paula Spencer from The Woman Who Walked Into Doors. Not having read that first b...moreThe term 'gritty' was invented for this reprise of Doyle's character Paula Spencer from The Woman Who Walked Into Doors. Not having read that first book was a bit of a handicap in enjoying this one. Having said that, Paula is without doubt one of the best drawn embattled heroines going. Struggling to bring herself out of the depths of alcoholism, Paula is nothing if not realistic with herself, and, hence, her readers. You gotta root for a woman who is the survivor of an abusive marriage, a struggling but recovering alcoholic, a loving if oftentimes strained mother. And, in the end, there is hope. I kind of hope that Doyle will show us Paula a few years hence.(less)
If this is Rebecca Hunt's first novel, I can't wait to see what she does for her sophomore effort. Mr. Chartwell, of the title, is the personificatio...moreIf this is Rebecca Hunt's first novel, I can't wait to see what she does for her sophomore effort. Mr. Chartwell, of the title, is the personification of depression. He's a dog. A big black dog that haunts Winston Churchill and our recently bereaved widow, young(ish) Esther Hammerhans, with humor, cruelty, and all that is crass about large, hairy, slobbery, overwhelming dogs. The analogy turned physical is a view into the blackness that rules the lives of those suffering from this illness, and Hunt draws it so well that anyone who has ever known--or suffered--will recognize this apt metaphor.(less)
What isn't there to love about a book by Fannie Flag? She creates the best in southern characters without 'over' southerning them, if you know what I...moreWhat isn't there to love about a book by Fannie Flag? She creates the best in southern characters without 'over' southerning them, if you know what I mean. Warm, funny, flawed, gracious and catty. Woo hoo. When Maggie Fortenberry decides that "tomorrow is the day" that she'll end it all, life just plain gets in the way. Too well-mannered (a former Miss Alabama) Maggie is driven to make things right. Her coterie of equally charming characters help keep Maggie in the here and now. What Flagg does just right is give us mature women, and, though a little trite to say so, ladies we would love to really meet. (less)
I had the privilege of reading a galley of this book and was asked to blurb it. I only blurb books I like...and I really liked this one. Disturbing,...moreI had the privilege of reading a galley of this book and was asked to blurb it. I only blurb books I like...and I really liked this one. Disturbing, yes. The whole concept of human use of animals for human benefit is frightening because it exists. No amount of 'this is just a story' takes away from the fact that modern research still uses primates. That said, the main story of a man in despair at the death of his wife, being watched over by that wife, is a lovely construct and tender without falling into pathos. Definitely a good read for both romantics and animal advocates. As I said in my blurb...a remarkable book. Actually, I said a lot more, but that's what they printed on the cover, to wit: Neil Abramson’s UNSAID not only speaks of the abiding love of one human for another, but the transcendent love of humans for the creatures in their care. It leaves an indelible mark on the reader with its story of kindness and cruelty, grief and guilt, love and truth. What is said and what remains unsaid. (less)
I am the first to admit that I'm not a huge fan of the short story form, probably because I'm such a lousy short story writer. That said, this is a w...moreI am the first to admit that I'm not a huge fan of the short story form, probably because I'm such a lousy short story writer. That said, this is a wonderful book for folks like me. Each story (collected from Drabble's ouevre from 1964 to 2000 and in chronological order) is a precise and whole story. Not like today's metafiction wherein things are often left unresolved and hanging, Drabble pinpoints the essence of her characters and gives us a window into their lives at the moment they are being lived. Clearly her short story characters inform those of her larger works, but that analysis would take a lot longer review that this. Grab this book, sit down with a cup of tea and enjoy.(less)
This littel gem came recommended to me via Facebook, with the added incentive that 10% of the profits will be donated to the Humane Society of the Uni...moreThis littel gem came recommended to me via Facebook, with the added incentive that 10% of the profits will be donated to the Humane Society of the United States by editor Wayne Rouse.
This is a collection of real life dog stories by an eclectic group of writers and humorists like Rita Mae Brown and Jane Green, Bob Smith and Chunk, Chelsea Handler's dog. Among these stories is the typical my-dog-was-a-wretch-but-I-loved-him/her-anyway genre, but some, like Rita Mae Brown's heart-wrenchingly elegant story of her foxhound Idler, transcend that trope. All in all, a nice read for anyone who has ever liked humor. And dogs.(less)
This book will appeal to anyone who loves the Bard...and to anyone who loves the story of the eternal struggle among sisters. Really lovely, funny, s...moreThis book will appeal to anyone who loves the Bard...and to anyone who loves the story of the eternal struggle among sisters. Really lovely, funny, sensitive and entertaining book. (less)
Love, love love Gunning's work. Not only does she write a cracking good story, but teaches the reader something along the way. Gunning knows her his...moreLove, love love Gunning's work. Not only does she write a cracking good story, but teaches the reader something along the way. Gunning knows her history, and she knows how to weave a good story--a true gift.(less)
Another domestic drama novel from Elizabeth Buchan. Good premise, a dysfunctional family brought together by further dysfunction, but sort of a one-t...moreAnother domestic drama novel from Elizabeth Buchan. Good premise, a dysfunctional family brought together by further dysfunction, but sort of a one-trick pony, beating the rift between husband and wife to death. Readable, love those British novels.(less)
I seem to be reading Doig backwards, i.e. his slowly unfolding history of Montana from most recent to oldest books so that the characters I encounter ...moreI seem to be reading Doig backwards, i.e. his slowly unfolding history of Montana from most recent to oldest books so that the characters I encounter I kind of know where they'll end up, but it's great fun meeting them at their beginnings. Excdept I love this one almost as much as Work Song, and Whistling Season.
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Who doesn't love a book with an overweight, egotistical protagonist? Not entirely sure the ending fit the build up, but would definitely recommend to...moreWho doesn't love a book with an overweight, egotistical protagonist? Not entirely sure the ending fit the build up, but would definitely recommend to folks who enjoy a good, literate read.
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