What an excellent glimpse into a truly challenging historical time period. I've always been curious about Churchill. It inspires me to read more aboutWhat an excellent glimpse into a truly challenging historical time period. I've always been curious about Churchill. It inspires me to read more about him. ...more
I almost regret reading a book as great as this, because I'll never be able to read it for the first time again. I almost regret reading a book as great as this, because I'll never be able to read it for the first time again. ...more
I love strong willed eccentric artistic people, and this biography of George E Ohr fits the bill exactly. What an excellent example of the passion neeI love strong willed eccentric artistic people, and this biography of George E Ohr fits the bill exactly. What an excellent example of the passion needed to produce art!...more
The natural place setting in this novel is just as much a character of the story as the human characters. Beginning the story with the mother's exodusThe natural place setting in this novel is just as much a character of the story as the human characters. Beginning the story with the mother's exodus to the valley where the orchard is planted is a wonderful portrayal of indigenous people carving out their niche in the wilderness and shows the origins of Talmadge's solitary personality. Despite that solitary nature, Talmadge's yen for human interaction pulls the story forward with tragic results, but I don't want to spoil the story for the readers, because this beautiful turn of the century novel is one to be savored. ...more
I enjoyed this book so much that I read it in one day. The premise of the earth's slowing rotation changing the length of day and night and the stringI enjoyed this book so much that I read it in one day. The premise of the earth's slowing rotation changing the length of day and night and the string of consequences that followed were fascinating. I liked the ordinariness of the character's lives as an overlay to the slow catastrophe, but do think the story could have been improved with more detail. Age of Miracles is a fine dystopian novel reminiscent of Into the Forest by Jean Hegland. ...more
I usually don't like to write reviews that are summations of the book, but the following phrase from the book's epilogue says it all.
Baret's story s
I usually don't like to write reviews that are summations of the book, but the following phrase from the book's epilogue says it all.
Baret's story seems to provide the first-and so far, the last - example of an early-modern working-class woman who, refusing to be defined by her sex and her class, traveled the world in pursuit of what she loved.
This is the best biography that I've read for a long time. The description of the economic and political climate prior to the depression so closely paThis is the best biography that I've read for a long time. The description of the economic and political climate prior to the depression so closely paralleled today's events that the book was fascinating. We all assume that women have made giant strides advancing the cause of equal rights, but reading this book side by side with Enlightened Sexism by Susan J Douglas showed the two steps forward three steps back element of our progress. ...more
Before reading the new A.S. Byatt, I read some of the reviews posted on Goodreads. Several reviews complained that Byatt introduced too many characterBefore reading the new A.S. Byatt, I read some of the reviews posted on Goodreads. Several reviews complained that Byatt introduced too many characters at once and that it was difficult to keep them all straight. So, as I started reading, I kept a notepad at hand and recorded the characters' names with a short description and noted relationships with other characters. I'm glad I went to the extra effort since it made the book that much more enjoyable for me. When I finished the last page of Children's Book, I knew right away that it had become my favorite A.S. Byatt to date. Even though Byatt uses a similar style in each of her books, the subject matter was so different and intriguing that this title had the feeling of a first novel. If you're already an A.S. Byatt fan and you're ready for a complex and juicy read, you have a real treat in store for you. ...more
I love books by David Liss and this is one that I recommend to people when they tell me they like period novels. I think period novel is a more apt deI love books by David Liss and this is one that I recommend to people when they tell me they like period novels. I think period novel is a more apt description of his books, than labeling them as thrillers. The details and vernacular of the dialogue seem to be well researched and authentic which make his novels a delightful read. There's nothing that I dislike more than a novel that's supposed to be set in the past and uses contemporary language. ...more
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