by Ken Follett
**** [4/5]
This long (900+ pages) book is the first in a new series. The book follows characters in Russia, Britain, Germany, and other locations as their lives and countries enter the first world war. Each character is placed in a way that allows the author to narrate the key political decisions of the time. This is a fun book that provides good historical perspective on a difficult time. Well told.
Friday, November 01, 2013
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
The Shoemaker's Wife
by Adriana Trigiani
*** [3/5]
This book narrates the lives of two Italian immigrants to the US in the early 1900s. It is a love story that follows the individual lives from a childhood meeting in Italy through many encounters in New York and finally tells of the marriage and livelihood of the family. A pleasant story filled with family connections and the sadness of the WWI.
*** [3/5]
This book narrates the lives of two Italian immigrants to the US in the early 1900s. It is a love story that follows the individual lives from a childhood meeting in Italy through many encounters in New York and finally tells of the marriage and livelihood of the family. A pleasant story filled with family connections and the sadness of the WWI.
Monday, September 30, 2013
Anna Karenina
by Leo Tolstoy
** [2/5]
I read this book my freshman year in college. At the time I found it very upsetting, which may have been Tolstoy's intent. I recently watched the 2012 movie adaptation and I wish I liked the story more. The videography was wonderfully done and I liked the way the director used the "stage" to tie the scenes together. But as visually stunning as the movie is I still dislike the horror of this story. When I read the book I felt the inevitable conclusion was obvious with 2/3 of the book remaining. Then it became a waiting game filled with the madness of Anna. Painful read for me, but I never liked dark themes.
** [2/5]
I read this book my freshman year in college. At the time I found it very upsetting, which may have been Tolstoy's intent. I recently watched the 2012 movie adaptation and I wish I liked the story more. The videography was wonderfully done and I liked the way the director used the "stage" to tie the scenes together. But as visually stunning as the movie is I still dislike the horror of this story. When I read the book I felt the inevitable conclusion was obvious with 2/3 of the book remaining. Then it became a waiting game filled with the madness of Anna. Painful read for me, but I never liked dark themes.
Sunday, September 15, 2013
Game of Thrones
by George. R. R. Martin
*** [3/5]
I read this book because I had heard so much about this series. I admit I was pleasantly surprised by the pace and complexity of the characters. The books follow the members of one family during a change in power in a fictional fantasy kingdom much like medieval Britain, plus magic. I liked the story and the complexity of the plot line.
When I watched one episode of the HBO show I was shocked by how smutty the video version was compared to the relatively light treatment in the books. I stopped watching the show and the books are still fun.
*** [3/5]
I read this book because I had heard so much about this series. I admit I was pleasantly surprised by the pace and complexity of the characters. The books follow the members of one family during a change in power in a fictional fantasy kingdom much like medieval Britain, plus magic. I liked the story and the complexity of the plot line.
When I watched one episode of the HBO show I was shocked by how smutty the video version was compared to the relatively light treatment in the books. I stopped watching the show and the books are still fun.
Friday, August 30, 2013
Trapeze
by Simon Mawer
**** [4/5]
This book is set in the early years of WWII. The protagonist is a young British woman who grew up in France and speaks the language fluently. She is recruited as a spy and the book follows her as she is trained and posted behind enemy lines. Each decision and effort to hide herself is explicit to the reader, and you find yourself checking behind each corner on her behalf. The narrative has great twists, unexpected shocks, and well crafted characters. Recommended.
**** [4/5]
This book is set in the early years of WWII. The protagonist is a young British woman who grew up in France and speaks the language fluently. She is recruited as a spy and the book follows her as she is trained and posted behind enemy lines. Each decision and effort to hide herself is explicit to the reader, and you find yourself checking behind each corner on her behalf. The narrative has great twists, unexpected shocks, and well crafted characters. Recommended.
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Elizabeth Street
by Laurie Fabiano
*** [3/5]
This book tells the story of Italian immigrants in the US. Several generations of the same family are tied to the story line, and great tragedy and plight of immigrants during the time are explored. No surprising plot twists but a nice read.
*** [3/5]
This book tells the story of Italian immigrants in the US. Several generations of the same family are tied to the story line, and great tragedy and plight of immigrants during the time are explored. No surprising plot twists but a nice read.
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
She Wore Only White
by Dorthe Binkert
*** [3/5]
This story is about a woman who boards a ship to america wearing an expensive evening gown to escape her past. She becomes a mysterious figure on the ship for the duration of the voyage, and the author lets her ponder her life choices in depth. Ok book, interesting premise.
*** [3/5]
This story is about a woman who boards a ship to america wearing an expensive evening gown to escape her past. She becomes a mysterious figure on the ship for the duration of the voyage, and the author lets her ponder her life choices in depth. Ok book, interesting premise.
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