Mikejencostanzo - The United States (284 books)

Mikejencostanzo marked as to-read:

The Unexpected Mrs. Polifax
by Dorothy Gilman

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Mikejencostanzo marked as to-read:

Our Mutual Friend
by Charles Dickens

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The Sparrow (The Sparrow, #1)
by Mary Doria Russell (Goodreads Author)

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The Kitchen Counter Cooking School by Kathleen Flinn

The Kitchen Counter Cooking School: How a Few Simple Lessons Transformed Nine Culinary Novices Into Fearless Home Cooks
by Kathleen Flinn (Goodreads Author)

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Unbroken: A World War II Story Of Survival, Resilience, And Redemption
by Laura Hillenbrand

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Mikejencostanzo gave

to:

Her Fearful Symmetry
by Audrey Niffenegger (Goodreads Author)

read in February, 2012

My rating:

A failed experiment takes place between the covers of Her Fearful Symmetry, methinks. Author Audrey Niffenegger sets out to take the reader on a grand tour of the afterlife. Only, one without God. I call this an experiment, because it feels like Niff...moreA failed experiment takes place between the covers of Her Fearful Symmetry, methinks. Author Audrey Niffenegger sets out to take the reader on a grand tour of the afterlife. Only, one without God. I call this an experiment, because it feels like Niffenegger accepted a tricky assignment from her Creative Writing Teacher: "Your next book must depict the afterlife in a convincing way, only, 'Imagine there's no heaven.'"

And so she does. It's convincing in some ways. Have you ever believed in ghosts? Even from a Christian understanding of the spiritual world, as derived from the Bible, I can swallow some of Niffenegger's spirit-lore. A ghost returns to the home where she last lived. She can be contacted via ouija board. Spirits of the dead inhabit other people's bodies. Etc, etc. Okay, yes. I have a healthy understanding of the occult and how it plays out in our real world. So, there are aspects of Her Fearful Symmetry that are utterly convincing.

However, Niffenegger's experiment falls flat when she fails to acknowledge, even in the least, Christianity's rich heritage of input about the afterlife. This omission leaves a noticeable black hole, which serves to swallow up the credibility & believability that Niffenegger starts out so effectively weaving.

And so, in what I only presume is meant to be a moment of triumph on the final pages of the book, our dearly departed is ushered into a glorious eternity of carousing in the graveyard with fellow dead folk. Let's sweeten the deal with the promise of an occasional bird-guided field trip over the suburbs of Great Britain.

Valentina, I wish you knew the real story.

"Imagine there's no heaven." I would say it is hard to do (convincingly).

--Jen

Postscript: I can still remember the first time I was introduced to the concept of "character growth" as a way to evaluate a book's plot. It wasn't something I was taught in Lit. Class, but rather, a co-worker of mine mentioned it off-handedly: "The main character really grew as a person by the end of the book--that's what made this book fantastic." Unfortunately, were my co-worker to crack the covers of Her Fearful Symmetry, she would find that it falls painfully short. I ought to be fair; all of the supplemental characters do grow significantly. However, the four main characters--the four twins--burrow more deeply & resolutely into their own particular dysfunctionalities by the end of book. I don't know if this was simply an oversight by Niffenegger, or whether it was an intentional effort to weave an extra strand of tragedy into an already dark work.(less)

Mikejencostanzo gave

to:

Recipes from the Root Cellar by Andrea Chesman

Recipes from the Root Cellar: 250 Fresh Ways to Enjoy Winter Vegetables
by Andrea Chesman

read in February, 2012

My rating:

How much of a cookbook do you have to read before being qualified to write a review? I haven't read Recipes from the Root Cellar cover to cover, but in the two months I've owned the book, I've made about 25 of the recipes and counting. I know a lot m...more

Mikejencostanzo made a comment on their review of Tokyo on Foot: Travels in the City's Most Colorful Neighborhoods

"Oleg,

Thanks for your comment--you're reminding me that I wanted to update this review. I was able to inquire at my local library, and they indicated t...more"

Mikejencostanzo added:

Art for God's Sake by Philip Graham Ryken

Art for God's Sake: A Call to Recover the Arts
by Philip Graham Ryken

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Mikejencostanzo is currently reading:

Best Ever Indian Cookbook
by Mridula Baljekar

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Mikejencostanzo marked as to-read: The Unexpected Mrs. Polifax by Dorothy Gilman	My rating:
Feb 20, 2012 01:48pm
Mikejencostanzo marked as to-read: Our Mutual Friend by Charles Dickens	My rating:
Feb 17, 2012 08:51pm
Mikejencostanzo marked as to-read: The Sparrow (The Sparrow, #1) by Mary Doria Russell (Goodreads Author)	My rating:
Feb 17, 2012 08:50pm
Mikejencostanzo marked as to-read: The Kitchen Counter Cooking School: How a Few Simple Lessons Transformed Nine Culinary Novices Into Fearless Home Cooks by Kathleen Flinn (Goodreads Author)	My rating:
Feb 17, 2012 08:49pm
Mikejencostanzo marked as to-read: Unbroken: A World War II Story Of Survival, Resilience, And Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand	My rating:
Feb 17, 2012 08:48pm
Mikejencostanzo gave to: Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger (Goodreads Author) read in February, 2012	My rating:
A failed experiment takes place between the covers of Her Fearful Symmetry, methinks. Author Audrey Niffenegger sets out to take the reader on a grand tour of the afterlife. Only, one without God. I call this an experiment, because it feels like Niff...more
Feb 14, 2012 09:28pm · see review
Mikejencostanzo gave to: Recipes from the Root Cellar: 250 Fresh Ways to Enjoy Winter Vegetables by Andrea Chesman read in February, 2012	My rating:
How much of a cookbook do you have to read before being qualified to write a review? I haven't read Recipes from the Root Cellar cover to cover, but in the two months I've owned the book, I've made about 25 of the recipes and counting. I know a lot m...more
Feb 14, 2012 08:52pm · see review
Mikejencostanzo made a comment on their review of Tokyo on Foot: Travels in the City's Most Colorful Neighborhoods "Oleg, Thanks for your comment--you're reminding me that I wanted to update this review. I was able to inquire at my local library, and they indicated t...more"
Dec 28, 2011 09:19am · see review
Mikejencostanzo added: Art for God's Sake: A Call to Recover the Arts by Philip Graham Ryken	My rating:
Dec 15, 2011 12:45pm
Mikejencostanzo is currently reading: Best Ever Indian Cookbook by Mridula Baljekar	My rating:
Dec 15, 2011 12:45pm

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