Jerry-Book’s
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(group member since Feb 13, 2016)
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Always wondered if the movie is better than the book. I read the book so long ago and it does not stand out in my mind like the movie does.
Book Concierge wrote: "For the "young" set (i.e. middle-school age) this probably IS considered a classic! First published 1986.
Redwall
– Brian Jacques – 5*****
What a wonderful story; ..."My son loved the Redwall series.

This is the author's nostalgic looking back at his college days at Oxford in the 1920's. His protagonist, Charles Ryder, goes to Oxford where he meets Sebastian Marchmain and the Marchmain family -- an aristocratic English Catholic family. Like Remains of the Day, Upstairs Downstairs, Downton Abbey, etc. this work captures a period of history which has now disappeared. I cannot give this 5 stars because there is no redeeming character. Homosexuality was definitely frowned upon at that time by the Catholic Church and English society. The English hero, Alan Turing, was persecuted by the English even though he had helped win WW II by helping break the Nazi Enigma machine. Of course, the relationship between Sebastian and Charles is never overtly stated as homosexual. Anthony Blanche, a fellow student at Oxford and a flamboyant homosexual makes a telling remark about Sebastian. Blanche says he wants Sebastian to be a pincushion and he Blanche would stick in the pins. This seems to be the author's refence to St. Sebastian, a Catholic martyr who was tied to a stake and killed with arrows. It is a revealing study of early 20th century English aristocracy and English Catholicism. Sebastian's sister Julia and Charles finally get together but they cannot marry because of their divorces. Julia thinks this will be against the Catholic religion. Charles and Lady Marchmain fail to save Sebastian from his alcoholism. At Lord Marchmain's death, Charles, the agnostic, finds religion. This suggests Charles may be a version of the author since the author does convert to Catholicism.

This is the story of 16th century Portuguese missionaries who tried to bring Christianity to Japan. After an initial success, the Japanese decided Christianity was a threat. The Japanese then decided to institute gruesome persecutions to rid Japan of the perceived Christian threat. The author does a fictional portrayal of one of these missionaries which is largely based on real events. This missionary, Father Rodriquez, travels to Japan in part to find out what happened to Father Ferreira, his mentor. The first part of the book deals with Father Rodriquez's Journey and initial encounter with Japanese Christians. The second part concerns his capture and the effort to break him. The authorities want him to publicly renounce Christianity in order to discredit the religion. The author shows how Father Rodriquez is gradually broken down by psychological torture. The classic question is posed: if there is a God why is he silent in the face of this evil? I found it interesting and thought provoking in only 204 pages. It is not for the faint of heart.
I just read in the NY Times this is going to be made into a movie by Martin Scorsese. This is a Japanese classic and the winner of many Japanese awards.
Lara wrote: "So I'm reading Johnny Got His Gun by Dalton Trumbo and something happened that I don't think has ever happened to me while reading before...
I was so horrified and upset after reading..." Yes pretty devastating. It's been a long time but I still remember it.
Jerry wrote: "Lara wrote: "Jerry wrote: "Howdy all. I'm Jerry and I am a pining Shelfarian. It's good to see many of you from back in the day. If you don't remember, I was the voice of reason in this group :) Ac..."I read the entire Rabbit series many years ago. I would like to know what you group thinks of the book.

Currently watching a Shakespeare course on Great Courses and enjoying it! Thanks for the ranking. The Taming of the Shrew is the only one I have seen.
Lara wrote: "★★★
In my quest to read all of Shakespeare’s plays, this was #16.
In this comedy, the Duke of Vienna decides to leave his government in the hands of Angelo while he is away. Angelo is known to b..."Any chance you could rank the Comedies from best to worst. Thinking of reading them but might want to waste my time on the bad ones.
Book Concierge wrote: "Amester wrote: "I'd like to know that as well. I'm in the process of quitting my four (yes, four!) part time jobs and going back to full time work; once I have that settled I may be able to pitch i..."I also would be willing to pitch in and join the team.
The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest JourneyCandice MillardI was interested in this having read a bio of TR. I guess I will give it four stars out of five stars.
The project reminded me of Scott 's attempt to find the South Pole.
It was not professionally done so TR was lucky he escaped with his life

Attending a back to college class "Hitch in the Fifties" as part of my Osher Group. I wonder if we will see that movie.

The suspects:
Richard III --- eliminating the princes removed a threat to him from the York side. However, why didn't the young princes' mother ever claim he did it.
Henry Tudor, later Henry VII --- the young princes had a stronger claim for the throne than he did. And, he never accused Richard of the murder. As a Lancaster, it probably would have served his interests to accuse Richard III.
History was written by the Tudors who were the winners. So, it was in their interest to portray Richard III as the hunchback devil we see in Shakepeare's Richard III.
We will never know who killed the princes.

93 here at VA Beach heading for 100

Wow I was going to read this as a classic read but your review certainly discouraged me. Well I only spent $1.00 for the book. It's going back down to the bottom of my TBR pile.

I read this some time ago. It's theory of what happened to the two princes in the tower is as good as any. After reading everything about this I am still perplexed regarding who killed the two princes.

Seems a bit like "Alas Babylon" or some other dystopian fiction. Was it like that?

His best book!
Karin wrote: "NOT A CLASSIC
Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
★★★
Jacob finds his grandfather dead in the woods, clearly attacked by some sort of beast. Jacob sees a monster, but natu..."I read this recently. I think your review is spot on. Although I liked it, I am not sure I will continue with the series.

I must admit I refused to read the "Watchman" book. I did not think the "Mockingbird" bird could be improved upon. As a lawyer, I can say she set a pretty high standard with Atticus Finch.