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What have you just read? Opinions, recommendations, reviews Part 2
I've finished A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara, for the sedcond time. And, as before, I've found it an outstanding read.
One of the best books I've read in the last few years.
A complex book; a VERY complex book. Looked at first sight it could be seen - and actually read - as a Victorian novel: a novel where 4 boys meet, and grow - together. A real "bildungsroman" of old times.
And it is a bildungsroman, it is indeed. Still it is much more than that.
Staring from the writing style – I know that she didn’t invent the technique of postponing the clarification of what hinted, but I think Yanagihara is a rea Master in this, and it keeps you chained to the novel till the very last page. And it is a LONG novel indeed!
But what makes it a real XXI Century masterpiece is, in my opinion, the description of pain, a pain so big, so huge, that can never be defeated. Notwithstanding friends – probably this is a book on friendship – love, support. If you are in pain, there’s nothing you can really do to escape that. Predestination at its hight
Like Dickens somehow said…
A "book-friend" of mine here said "An epic read of modern lit"; probably the best description possible
One of the best books I've read in the last few years.
A complex book; a VERY complex book. Looked at first sight it could be seen - and actually read - as a Victorian novel: a novel where 4 boys meet, and grow - together. A real "bildungsroman" of old times.
And it is a bildungsroman, it is indeed. Still it is much more than that.
Staring from the writing style – I know that she didn’t invent the technique of postponing the clarification of what hinted, but I think Yanagihara is a rea Master in this, and it keeps you chained to the novel till the very last page. And it is a LONG novel indeed!
But what makes it a real XXI Century masterpiece is, in my opinion, the description of pain, a pain so big, so huge, that can never be defeated. Notwithstanding friends – probably this is a book on friendship – love, support. If you are in pain, there’s nothing you can really do to escape that. Predestination at its hight
Like Dickens somehow said…
A "book-friend" of mine here said "An epic read of modern lit"; probably the best description possible
My review of What Abigail Did That Summer by Ben Aaronovitchhttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
My very brief review for Magical Midlife Invasion by K.F. Breene:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
4 stars
South Australian author Garry Disher's recent book Consolation is my favourite kind of writing. Perfect for place, plot, and people. This is rural Australia where crooks think they can get away with murder.
4.5~5★ Link to my review of Consolation
A Little Bit of Courage is all you need to fly high! Author/illustrator Claire Alexander created cute little "Ploofers" to show kids how to learn to be brave.
5★ Link to my review of A Little Bit of Courage with many illustrations
My review of The Bomber Mafia: A Dream, a Temptation, and the Longest Night of the Second World War by Malcolm Gladwellhttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
My review of A Fiancée's Guide to First Wives and Murder by Dianne Freeman
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I read Mr. Loverman by Bernardine Evaristo. It's funny. The central character is an endearing Shakespeare-quoting, dapper individual with a dry sense of humor. Character portrayals are brilliant. Highly recommend this book.My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Two reviews upMurder in the Storybook Cottage by Ellery Adams
3 and a half stars
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
When Things Are Alive They Hum by Hannah Bent
4 and a half stars
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
This was pretty good Other People's Houses by Kelli HawkinsMy review, three stars: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
My review of Nightmare Scenario: Inside the Trump Administration's Response to the Pandemic That Changed History by Yasmeen Abutalebhttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
My review of The Secrets of Saffron Hall by Clare Marchant
3 and a half stars
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Just finished, and would thoroughly recommend, The Burning Girls by C.J. Tudor
Loved all her three previous books and this one is no exception!
Rated it as 4* (9/10). My review is here:-
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Big catchup on reviews:52 Ways to Get Unstuck: Exercises to Break Through Writer's Block by Chris Mandeville - reviewed - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4110099854
The Colossus trilogy by D F Jones:
Colossus:The Forbin Project - reviewed - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4114093933
The Fall of Colossus - reviewed - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4114139204"
Colossus and the Crab - reviewed - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4114559855
The Raven by Aderyn Wood - reviewed - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4110369778
The Banished of Muirwood by Jeff Wheeler - reviewed - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1619655811
One more - just reviewed - Robert Louis Stephenson's Treasure Island - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4119475786
Amalia wrote: "Finished The Master of Chaos
by Pauline Melville5 stars
My review:www.goodreads.com/review/show/4120799666
In other news,..."
I thought it was just me with my review! Good to know...did you log a concern?
I just finished
. Such an emotionally charged and impactful one. My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...5*****
Indigenous Aussie author Adam Thompson's recent collection of short stories is spot-on. The fifteen stories in Born Into This take place in Tasmania, but the problems and challenges are nation-wide. Well worth reading.
4.5~5★ Link to my review of Born Into This
Derek B. Miller has given Sheldon Horowitz, his elderly protagonist from Norwegian by Night, a great back story in How to Find Your Way in the Dark. Sheldon wants to kill his father's murderer, but he's only 12. Loved it!
5★ Link to my review of How to Find Your Way in the Dark
I seemed to have enjoyed this one more than most - 4.5 stars
Everyone in This Room Will Someday Be Dead
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Finished reading The Abyss by Marguerite YourcenarMy review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I read 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World by Elif Shafak. It opens with the murder of Leila, a prostitute in Istanbul who recalls her life during the liminal phase between death but not quite death. The novel starts strongly, but parts 2 and 3 disappoint.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
2 reviews now upAll the Missing Girls by Megan Miranda
3 stars
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Crimson Rooms By Katherine McMahon
2 and a half stars
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I knew I'd enjoy Elizabeth Strout's latest book, Oh William!, and I was right. She knows people inside and out, and it is a delight to be caught up in her stories. This is Lucy Barton's memoir, but you don't need to have read My Name Is Lucy Barton first. It's a standalone.
5★ Link to my Oh, William review
I'm a fan of picture books that will prompt ongoing conversations between grown-ups and children. Together Again: A Story About Joy by Kochka is about a little boy who's about to burst with anticipation!
4.5★ Link to my review of Together Again with several of the exuberant illustrations
A fun one:
Tales of the City by Armistead MaupinReview: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
A short, strange tale:
Goblin Market by Christina RossettiReview: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
And some great historical fiction:
The Keepers of the House by Shirley Ann GrauReview: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Definitely the best read of 2021 for me:
The Rising Tide by Sam Lloyd https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
Books mentioned in this topic
Dark Mode (other topics)Critical Mass (other topics)
The Go-Between (other topics)
One, Two ... He Is Coming for You (other topics)
Death at Hungerford Stairs (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Ashley Kalagian Blunt (other topics)Daniel Suarez (other topics)
Willow Rose (other topics)
L.P. Hartley (other topics)
Luis Alberto Urrea (other topics)
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2 stars
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Where Secrets Sleep by Jane Green
4 stars
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Night Village by Zoe Deleuil
4 stars
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...