Great story (and incidentally one of the best written nonfiction books I've read in foreverGreat story (and incidentally one of the best written nonfiction books I've read in forever...more
I gave this last volume of the Dark Materials Trilogy a four instead of a five because Pullman kind of lost me at the end. It was still a very very goI gave this last volume of the Dark Materials Trilogy a four instead of a five because Pullman kind of lost me at the end. It was still a very very good book. But somehow once the kids moved into the final grim death march toward the ending ... I started feeling like I was on a bit of a death march too. To Pullman's credit, I did finish the book, and I am a fickle reader who drops books like hot potatoes when they start to bore me. But still ... something about the last hundred pages or so kept this book from fully living up to the first two books....more
One of my favoritest books ever. I loved it as a kid, and I still reread it regularly enough that I always know where it is on the bookshelf. This goeOne of my favoritest books ever. I loved it as a kid, and I still reread it regularly enough that I always know where it is on the bookshelf. This goes on the "best books about growing up in New York" list, alongside Stuart Little and A Cricket in Times Square. Konigsburg really, really gets it. Plus I'm always amazed at how this book -- so short -- packs in so much more story than many longer, newer kid's books. A great classic....more
Maybe I just love this book because I read it long, long ago in middle school English class with my favorite teacher. But I think the book had somethiMaybe I just love this book because I read it long, long ago in middle school English class with my favorite teacher. But I think the book had something to do with it too........more
Got Dwarves? Seriously, I'm supposed to "review" The Hobbit? It's one of the great fantasy books of all time. Just read it. The only comment I have toGot Dwarves? Seriously, I'm supposed to "review" The Hobbit? It's one of the great fantasy books of all time. Just read it. The only comment I have to make about it that seems even remotely worthwhile is that it's really, really different from The Lord of the Rings. There are people who love The Hobbit and hate the LOTR. And there are people who love the LOTR and hate The Hobbit. Personally, I always find Tolkien is at his best when Hobbits are on the scene to deflate the pretentiousness of the Heroes. Heroes are fine as far as they go, but they need someone around to remind them about the merits of large meals, hot baths, and not spending an unpardonable amount of time Speaking in Ringing Tones About How the Fate of Mankind Depends Upon Us. That's what Hobbits are for....more
One of the most beautifully-written YA books I've come across in years. It's not fantasy, and I don't normally read all that much straight historical One of the most beautifully-written YA books I've come across in years. It's not fantasy, and I don't normally read all that much straight historical fiction ... but it was so good that it put Laurie Halse Anderson on my instant "I need to read everything by this writer" list. ...more
Forget about the Nobel Prize for a minute. This is not stuffy pretentious Capital L Literature. It's a potboiler family saga in the grand 19th centuryForget about the Nobel Prize for a minute. This is not stuffy pretentious Capital L Literature. It's a potboiler family saga in the grand 19th century tradition. If you have ever complained that Trollope didn't write ENOUGH, then Naguib Mahfouz is your new best friend.
Oh ... And there's poignant irony, proustian characters, profound insights into human nature, the history of modern Egypt all wrapped up into one soaringly poetic masterpiece .... Yeah. Fine. Whatever.
The main point is that you'd better make sure to buy all three volumes in the trilogy up front, because once you crack page one you are not coming up for air until it's done, done, done. These books will take control of your life and make you forget to eat, sleep or breathe until you're finished with them. They really truly are that good. ...more
Don't be frightened away because these are two novellas, not a single novel. They're both great. And creeeeeeeepy. Also, fun tidbits for entomologistsDon't be frightened away because these are two novellas, not a single novel. They're both great. And creeeeeeeepy. Also, fun tidbits for entomologists. ...more
George Eliot is the greatest. Why, Oh Why doesn't anyone read her any more? It really makes you wonder if Joanna Russ wasn't right after all. George Eliot is the greatest. Why, Oh Why doesn't anyone read her any more? It really makes you wonder if Joanna Russ wasn't right after all. ...more
This is simply one of my favorite books ever. That's all. I really have nothing else useful to say about it. This is simply one of my favorite books ever. That's all. I really have nothing else useful to say about it. ...more
An elegantly drawn history of an Industrial Age that never was. It's interesting that most reviewers describe it as alternate history. Technically it An elegantly drawn history of an Industrial Age that never was. It's interesting that most reviewers describe it as alternate history. Technically it certainly is that. But to me it has a strong whiff of proto-steampunk about it. And the back cover copy 'what if the Spanish won?' descriptions don't do it justice. This is a rich, subtle, resonant book. It is not a big book physically, but it is so full of big ideas, and so subtle in how it weaves them into the intertwined stories, that it takes a certain amount of quiet contemplation to digest what Pavane is truly about. I know it sounds bad to say that a book is a slow read ... But this book is one you'll want to read slowly. ...more
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