I was delightfully surprised by this story; somehow I expected something cynical . Instead the reader meets three key characters, including Madeline, I was delightfully surprised by this story; somehow I expected something cynical . Instead the reader meets three key characters, including Madeline, an English major with great interest in female Victorian writers, who is attracted to two very different men. Their intellectual pursuits and other interests make this story very thought provoking and enjoyable......more
A penetrating view of the close relationship between 2 roommates at a New England boarding school in 1942-3... While their personalities are very diffA penetrating view of the close relationship between 2 roommates at a New England boarding school in 1942-3... While their personalities are very different they develop a very unique friendship before tragedy strikes.......more
**spoiler alert** I just can't finish this... I'm 35% into the book and still have no hint of a plot-- just a summary of drunk night, whore encounters**spoiler alert** I just can't finish this... I'm 35% into the book and still have no hint of a plot-- just a summary of drunk night, whore encounters, blocked writers...just can't bother...more
More novella than novel the author creates a future where most big animals are extinct but are able re- establish mammoths due to DNA technologies andMore novella than novel the author creates a future where most big animals are extinct but are able re- establish mammoths due to DNA technologies and other unusual methods... that I will not reveal!...more
Not sure how chat gpt rated this one the best hard sci-fi books of the last ten years when the technical content is so limited and half of the book coNot sure how chat gpt rated this one the best hard sci-fi books of the last ten years when the technical content is so limited and half of the book covers their childhood friendship...fun summer read, also YA......more
A broad, detailed look of how the adult children of Korean immigrants decide to live their lives and assimilate -- or reject-- the American dream of mA broad, detailed look of how the adult children of Korean immigrants decide to live their lives and assimilate -- or reject-- the American dream of moneyed success and mobility....more
After 700+ pages some might feel like we never got to as a dramatic peak as you might expect for a sci-fi book that covers a 5000 year time period. ItAfter 700+ pages some might feel like we never got to as a dramatic peak as you might expect for a sci-fi book that covers a 5000 year time period. It reminded me of the Red Mars books : lots of science, select glimpses of selected characters, with lots of drama buried by all the detailed descriptions....more
**spoiler alert** Lots of interesting short stories but I liked the 'Paradises Lost' story the best-- several generations have lived in a one ship tha**spoiler alert** Lots of interesting short stories but I liked the 'Paradises Lost' story the best-- several generations have lived in a one ship that left Earth for a new world and somehow evolved its own new religion that rejects ever leaving the ship!...more
Two very different plots converge in this 1100 page book which covers about 70+ years of India's history. You need to be patient to get there but I reTwo very different plots converge in this 1100 page book which covers about 70+ years of India's history. You need to be patient to get there but I really enjoyed the journey....more
A love story with an unexpected ending, a town well portrayed by it's eccentric and interesting inhabitants.A love story with an unexpected ending, a town well portrayed by it's eccentric and interesting inhabitants....more
Finally finished this laugh out loud book! The characters are so interesting and fresh and the plot flows in unexpected directions. Look forward to seFinally finished this laugh out loud book! The characters are so interesting and fresh and the plot flows in unexpected directions. Look forward to seeing how it's portrayed in the new tv series...more
Thought provoking portrayal of the steps preceding a women's onset of dementia, with dark humor and pathos as witnessed by her daughter. Somewhat disjThought provoking portrayal of the steps preceding a women's onset of dementia, with dark humor and pathos as witnessed by her daughter. Somewhat disjointed story telling makes this a 3 stars but I am very interested in this author now....more