I had a hard time reading the letters while jumping to footnotes and back again - it took me out of the moment and I felt the footnotes distracted froI had a hard time reading the letters while jumping to footnotes and back again - it took me out of the moment and I felt the footnotes distracted from the intimacies of the correspondence. I read this as part of a book club and did not have prior knowledge of either poet - perhaps with background knowledge of Lorde and Parker, it would have been a smoother read....more
Quick fun read. You have to let yourself go while reading, to sink into the imaginative world of dreams and poetry. I love the accompanying illustratiQuick fun read. You have to let yourself go while reading, to sink into the imaginative world of dreams and poetry. I love the accompanying illustrations, maps, photos, telegrams, etc. The prose is very descriptive if you completely ignore logic, embrace the romanticism of a parallel universe and imagine your alter ego in bliss....more
A quick read, it is three letters - her letter to him, his reply and then her final reply. The letters are written as poems. There are a few cultural A quick read, it is three letters - her letter to him, his reply and then her final reply. The letters are written as poems. There are a few cultural and historical references but the story is easy to follow even if you don't get them. I have the 1905 edition with illustrations which are wonderful....more
Wow. These letters are so difficult to read. I am sure the thoughts are well thought out, but the words contradict themselves. Also, the vocabulary isWow. These letters are so difficult to read. I am sure the thoughts are well thought out, but the words contradict themselves. Also, the vocabulary is so repetitive that it hard to keep one's place while reading the paragraph. "And even if a grown-up does know everything about everything, the important thing is to know everything about oneself, because that is where knowing everything about everything must begin."...more
There is a reason why this book is a classic. Loved it! Listened to the audio book (which has a great introduction by Bel Kaufman explaining why she wThere is a reason why this book is a classic. Loved it! Listened to the audio book (which has a great introduction by Bel Kaufman explaining why she wrote the book, so details about her experiences as a teacher and author, and the aftermath from publishing it) then went back to read the book and watch the movie. I highly recommend the experience of reading the book. This is an epistolary novel and the book is printed such that each type of correspondence looks different and the students slang is written phonetically- both help transport you into Sylvia's world of chaos. The story unfolds over the first three months of the school year and it's like a fast moving traffic jam, if that makes sense. The disrespect of the students, bureaucracy of the administration, and anxiety of a rookie teacher make for a world for of chaos, learning, and defiance. I loved it.
As a footnote, the movie is good but just different enough and not in epistolary form that I recommend reading the book first.w...more
This was my first Discworld book and I thoroughly enjoyed it! I never imagined a fantasy world with a post office and I loved being transported into aThis was my first Discworld book and I thoroughly enjoyed it! I never imagined a fantasy world with a post office and I loved being transported into a world things worked differently to get the same end result - the delivery of a letter. Terry Pratchett's writing style is very accessible and descriptive. I am not normally a reader of fantasy, but was easily captivated by the world in which Moist lived. If you love the post office and mail-themed books, this is a nice change the typical mail-themed romance novels.
Also, I listened to the audio book so I missed out on some of the cool stamp illustrations in the book (not the ebook or pocket paperback though)....more
I loved the tone of the book - the creative stories that Tolkien came up with year after year about happenings at the North Pole and in London; the faI loved the tone of the book - the creative stories that Tolkien came up with year after year about happenings at the North Pole and in London; the fantastic illustrations; and the genuine love and pleasant manner that comes through each carefully crafted letter. I can almost hear his wife giggling about their secrets. This book made me believe in Father Christmas again!...more
Beautifully and imaginatively designed, but not a stand alone book. If you haven't read the Unfortunate Events series, the mystery surrounding the letBeautifully and imaginatively designed, but not a stand alone book. If you haven't read the Unfortunate Events series, the mystery surrounding the letters will make no sense - there is no character development or back story. On the other hand it is fun to read the clever correspondence with the typical Lemony Snickett tone. If you are reading the Unfortunate Events series,, I imagine this is a must read - especially for the love letter ❤...more
Very sweet easy read. I was right there along with Judy through the whole story as she discovered the world outside of the orphanage. Highly recommendVery sweet easy read. I was right there along with Judy through the whole story as she discovered the world outside of the orphanage. Highly recommended....more
This is a very quick read - but the story will stick with you. I love how the characters developed through the writing styles of their letters. It's tThis is a very quick read - but the story will stick with you. I love how the characters developed through the writing styles of their letters. It's the kind of story that makes you want to write letters, just to have that mysterious relationship with a stranger far away - one that is real but also mostly in your imagination. One of my new favorite books!...more
Funny parody. Don't expect it to mimic Griffin & Sabine too much. The art is simple and the story is simple. It won't transport you to another world lFunny parody. Don't expect it to mimic Griffin & Sabine too much. The art is simple and the story is simple. It won't transport you to another world like G&S, but it will make you laugh and cringe!...more
"Hallmarks" was a good description of the book. It's a tender story with some tension and conflict built in. Nothing that will have you on the edge of"Hallmarks" was a good description of the book. It's a tender story with some tension and conflict built in. Nothing that will have you on the edge of your seat or grabbing for tissue. And the more turns the story takes, the more sighs....more
Loading...
