I enjoyed the unpredictable storyline in this new novel and the exposition of Sudanese culture. This was just my second book by a writer from Sudan, tI enjoyed the unpredictable storyline in this new novel and the exposition of Sudanese culture. This was just my second book by a writer from Sudan, the other being "Season of Migration to the North" by Tayeb Salih (1966). ...more
3.5 stars, rounded up. An organized story with just two characters really, with Dostoevsky's usual penetration into how emotions can drive behavior.3.5 stars, rounded up. An organized story with just two characters really, with Dostoevsky's usual penetration into how emotions can drive behavior....more
This is the third Kundera novel I've read and the one I've liked the best. It has a slightly complicated structure which I think made it more entertaiThis is the third Kundera novel I've read and the one I've liked the best. It has a slightly complicated structure which I think made it more entertaining to read. It explores how futile it is to seek vengeance and that anger is often a waste of our energy. The story was engaging and kept my interest up....more
Excellent story which is centered on a family "returning" to Portugal when the colonial government in Angola is forced to vacate and the Europeans areExcellent story which is centered on a family "returning" to Portugal when the colonial government in Angola is forced to vacate and the Europeans are no longer welcome. In part it's a coming of age story but also more. 4+ stars. Available for kindle or kindle app for $3....more
This novel, set in Ireland about 1919, is both similar and dissimilar to Farrell's The Siege of Krishnapur, which I read a couple of years ago. Both aThis novel, set in Ireland about 1919, is both similar and dissimilar to Farrell's The Siege of Krishnapur, which I read a couple of years ago. Both are about English people under siege- some in Ireland and some in India. It's a little longer than I think it needed to be, but I enjoyed the story....more
On this novel Achebe continues his examination of the changes to Nigerian village life that took place in the early 20th century, when ancient customsOn this novel Achebe continues his examination of the changes to Nigerian village life that took place in the early 20th century, when ancient customs persisted but new customs challenged them. It also has themes of greed, pride, family solidarity and the mistakes of British colonialism....more
Recommended to me. A wonderful historical fiction based in a large part on the real history of the greatest racehorse of the US Civil War era. It has Recommended to me. A wonderful historical fiction based in a large part on the real history of the greatest racehorse of the US Civil War era. It has two connected stories, one from the time the horse was alive and one from modern time. U. S. slave history and current racial strife are major themes. Remarkably, it was written by an Australian who is a Pulitzer Prize winner for her novel "March". You don't need to be interested in horses (I'm not) to thoroughly enjoy it. ...more