As Nelson's books go this is good story like he always writes, as gripping as most of his stories it lacks punch. I think it is timely with the idea oAs Nelson's books go this is good story like he always writes, as gripping as most of his stories it lacks punch. I think it is timely with the idea of unleashing an atomic bomb in New York harbor, but the bad guys are the Russians and they are really not into that kind of thing anymore. So with that in mind I give this book 4 stars for great storytelling from a great writer of suspense and detective dramas. Keep writing Nelson your fans await your next story about Cuba it appears....more
As a fan of Yann Martel's Life of Pi I eagerly read his latest, I was not disappointed. I love his style of writing. I think he is as clever in usingAs a fan of Yann Martel's Life of Pi I eagerly read his latest, I was not disappointed. I love his style of writing. I think he is as clever in using metaphors and imagery as Garcia-Marquez. Yann is at his best in this intriguing story about spirituality and loss. It is actually three stories in one. All tied up very neatly or perhaps not so neatly in the last and most memorable one. I actually cried at the end of this book I was so moved. I haven't done that since The Bridges of Madison County got me many years ago. But then I cry at movies. And I am not ashamed to say it. I wish I could write like that, and hey I can, several of my readers told me they cried at the end of Waypoint 90. And they all said they felt it was a very real story of Love and redemption. Anyhow back to Yann. I don't want to give you any spoilers but suffice it to say that I felt like I was on that search for spirituality after a devastating loss in my life. And what I found I am happy to say, is the same conclusion that Yann came to, we all need someone to love and to love us back. We need to believe in an afterlife and in a connection with our fellow man. Kudos to Yann Martel for making me feel wonderful and loved....more
Overall I liked the book. It was daunting at times to decipher the technical aspect of the prose as I am not a techkie nor do I particularly like schoOverall I liked the book. It was daunting at times to decipher the technical aspect of the prose as I am not a techkie nor do I particularly like scholarly jargon such as chemistry and botany etc. But the story was sound and gripping and kept you reading. The writing is OK, not my favorite style. The movie was more enjoyable. One of those rare times that the visual was better than the written. I mean it took ten minutes in the movie to show the growing of potatoes what he takes to do for almost two hours of reading in the book!...more
This is one of my top five books ever read. Perhaps because I'm Cuban I feel this book hit a nerve of what it is to be Cuban. The family experience, tThis is one of my top five books ever read. Perhaps because I'm Cuban I feel this book hit a nerve of what it is to be Cuban. The family experience, the music, the love and passion. This novel has it all and is extremely well written as well. Pulitzer Prize award was right on the money....more
Due diligence This is a timely tale right out of current headlines. From Paris to Havana and Miami. Romance, intrigue, political espionage and betrayal eDue diligence This is a timely tale right out of current headlines. From Paris to Havana and Miami. Romance, intrigue, political espionage and betrayal everything you need to keep you reading till the last page. Written by a knowledgeable author and financial guru who knows the ropes of Wall Street and Cuban history and politics. Assassination plots stock offerings and love affairs what more can a reader want? You will love this great story....more
Well, this is not vintage TW! I'm Cuban and I was not too disturbed by his treatment of us, I just did not like his characters. They did not move me.Well, this is not vintage TW! I'm Cuban and I was not too disturbed by his treatment of us, I just did not like his characters. They did not move me. I love a good character there were none in this book. I listened to this book on audio, read by Lou Diamond Phillips. At first I thought he would be horrible, but no, he is a talented reader with great voices of the various characters its just that he did not know Miami and mispronounced street names and his attempt at Spanish was lacking. I had high hopes to make this a book club selection but backed off for The Great Gatsby. ...more
This is a wonderful book for all of us who love books. How can you not fall in love with the little seamstress? I also experienced a totalitarian regiThis is a wonderful book for all of us who love books. How can you not fall in love with the little seamstress? I also experienced a totalitarian regime that censored "subversive" writing. I remember friends being sent into the mountains of Cuba to teach the peasants to read. Great idea, no one in our country had ever done that, it could have changed the lives of the peasants if only once they could read and write they had the freedom of choice of what to read. But alas, the great Cuban revolution went the other way, the way of tyranny and persecution. And it continues to this day. Perhaps someday this wonderful book can be read in a free Cuba. Anyhow it hit a nerve with me and the story, although simple and short, made me laugh and at the end, I also felt I lost the little seamstress. This is what a book should do; get you involved in the story and make the characters your friends, if for a brief time. Great read. Made me want to get back to my Balzac!...more
Let me begin by saying that I loved this book. I cannot believe it has not been made into a miniseries, perhaps it has. Anyhow the length was not as dLet me begin by saying that I loved this book. I cannot believe it has not been made into a miniseries, perhaps it has. Anyhow the length was not as daunting as it seemed when I started reading. I feel he could have said it all in 600 or even 700 pages, but no matter it was a great read.
I firmly believe that books that are just great style and smart prose lose me if they do not include compelling and interesting characters within a good story. Follett achieved both. Wonderful real people with great knowledge of the period.
Ok, I'll admit it up front, I shed a few tears at the end. Mr. Beck is a courageous man, and his faith healed and gave him strength to speak from theOk, I'll admit it up front, I shed a few tears at the end. Mr. Beck is a courageous man, and his faith healed and gave him strength to speak from the heart. I am Joy. I know this. I found myself in a similar way. I daresay most of us have. I am a late "bloomer" like St Augustine, I waited and waited and finally made the "leap of faith". This is not a book to be judged by its writing. It is a testimony woven into a story. As a work of fiction I prefer Dante, this is the same story, modernized, condensed and spoon fed to the masses, I can only hope and pray that everyone, especially young readers, the ones that read all the vampire crap, will read this book along with all the stuff we ALL read for escapism.
Anyhow I will leave you with Dante..."Lost are we, and are only so far punished, That without hope we live on in desire." Canto IV, lines 41-42...more
Wow, this story touched my heart, it gutted me as well. I am finally coming to grips with global warming and the future of our planet, nuclear holocauWow, this story touched my heart, it gutted me as well. I am finally coming to grips with global warming and the future of our planet, nuclear holocaust, etc. Cormac put the final strokes on my psyche. I got a glimpse of hell, the one we create. Heaven help us. A must read for all who care about the human race, humanity, love and what really matters to us. Cormac's best work....more
Wow! A ride through nostalgia, a sensory acid trip, with ethnic flavor. You really have to be Cuban to get the complete bang of this book. As difficulWow! A ride through nostalgia, a sensory acid trip, with ethnic flavor. You really have to be Cuban to get the complete bang of this book. As difficult yet rewarding as Quixote, and 100 Years of Solitude and a good smackling of Ulysses. Wow again!...more
My son told me to read the book and think about reading McCarthy. I am totally hooked on this great writer. I will read his other books and see if theMy son told me to read the book and think about reading McCarthy. I am totally hooked on this great writer. I will read his other books and see if they are as good as this one. There is magic in his prose. A magic that comes from living the life of the west, the down-to-earth, rooted characters. In McCarthy's words these characters are very real and you feel they could be your next door neighbor or family. Awesome dialogue. He tells a story with the least amount of words. Every word counts not a one is wasted. I predict the Nobel in the future for this most american of writers....more
I must admit that in all my reading I had never heard of Durrell which of course makes me not so well read. He is a great writer. I am currently readiI must admit that in all my reading I had never heard of Durrell which of course makes me not so well read. He is a great writer. I am currently reading the second installment of the quartet, Balthazar. About Justine. Wonderful writing if sometimes a bit verbose and his use of uncommon words for describing something simple, well lets just say his poetic license if much higher than mine and most of the reading public. He was a book club selection and I am glad for it.
Justine is a modern woman. She lives by a different set of rules than the women of her age, she is a Katherine Hepburn type. The men on the other hand are impotent. They are passive bystanders. She moves, digests, uses them and in the end she leaves them.
Alexandria is the mother city with her ample bosom of diversions and ethnic flair.
But its the language and the rhythm of Durrells prose that makes you feel that you are experiencing a book not just reading it. Well done. ...more
A book club selection. I am a believer and spiritual person. The book is sacrilegious and I took offense at some of his ideas and twist on the GreatesA book club selection. I am a believer and spiritual person. The book is sacrilegious and I took offense at some of his ideas and twist on the Greatest Story Ever Told. However, I admit I liked it and laughed along the way. The author did his research, as well he should treating the subject with a good dose of scripture and facts, but in the end (afterword) he gives us his "apology" where you get the feeling he is covering his bases, just in case he meets the Lamb one day and he says: "So you are that wise-ass Moore who wrote that trashy book about me!" OOPS!!!...more
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