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bookshelves: started-but-put-down, to-read
I plan on trying this book again sometime because I REALLY want to read and love this book. This is my favorite movie and perhaps that was holding me back as I attempted to read this book. As usual the book seems much different from the movie which is why I always try to read the book first. I am finding it difficult to keep all the Russian names straight but right now I don't have the attention span/patience so I am going to put this aside and wait for the right mood to strike so I can start over and make it through this book. ]]>
I loved the opening lines of this book- what a great hook to reel you into the story! As I read this book I was blown away by the talent of Atwood! I loved the parts of the novel that were told through the eyes of Iris as an elderly women. I also love how the story of these 2 sisters (Iris and Laura Chase) was told beginning with their ancestors all the way through to their deaths. In the book the author used newspaper clipping as part of the story which reminded me of another Canadian writer Carol Shields who used the same technique in "The Stone Diaries". The whole idea of a novel being told within the novel is a unique idea but I really didn't care for those "Blind Assassin" chapters that were like a bizarre science fiction love story. There are chapters throughout the book describing 2 unnamed lovers meeting in secret. I thought I knew who these 2 characters were only to discover at the end of the book I was wrong (this was a little disappointing to me). Although I really really liked this novel it is not without it's flaws. It took me a while to get through this book, the subject matter can be a little depressing, the novel being told within the novel was boring (although I realize it was filled with symbolism ), I didn't quite figure Laura out, and in my mind it was an unhappy ending. This book was a journey and I can understand why some may not like it. There was a lot going on: novel within novel, flashing backwards and forward in time, unnamed characters, and trying to figure out all the secrets going on in this family. I can't wait to read more titles by this gifted author. ]]>
bookshelves: to-read
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Well I am torn between 2 or 3 stars but in the end I guess I found the book just OK (2 stars). I didn't particularly care about any of the characters in this book and I liked the Belle sisters the very least. There were sections of the book that were in fact page turners but then it would fall flat again. I hit several chapters that I could have easily put the book down and forgot about it (but it was a library book so I pressed on). There were many different characters introduced in this novel but I disagree with some reviews that feel the characters were well developed. Despite this seemingly negative review I didn't hate the book, I just found it forgettable. I would consider this an easy, fast read and probably makes good vacation reading. Most of the other reviews of this novel are very positive so I would still recommend giving this book a try because I appear to be in the minority. Even though I didn't love this book I still plan on trying another title by the same author called Wilde Women. ]]>
bookshelves: to-read
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Peggy
read and liked
Cherlyn's
review of The Killer Angels:
"Almost at a loss of words to describe how I felt when the final pages of this book were read. Even though I've been to Gettysburg, as well as other civil war battlefields, I've never been able to put life and emotion into the historic facts. Killer...more "
"Almost at a loss of words to describe how I felt when the final pages of this book were read. Even though I've been to Gettysburg, as well as other civil war battlefields, I've never been able to put life and emotion into the historic facts. Killer...more "
bookshelves: all-time-favorites
I checked this book out of the library on a whim and didn't have high expectations. I then put off reading it and almost returned it without even opening the cover. Fortunately, I felt guilty returning a book with out at least reading the introduction and first few pages. Once I started I couldn't put it down! It was an easy, fast read, and very inspirational. This book made me want to travel, cook, write and figure out what my passion in life really is. Prior to reading this book I didn't know anything about Julia Child, but now I can't wait to check out some of her cookbooks. ]]>
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