I admired this book more than I enjoyed it. Some of McCarthy's descriptions of the land reminded me of Marilynne Robinson, which is to say, they were I admired this book more than I enjoyed it. Some of McCarthy's descriptions of the land reminded me of Marilynne Robinson, which is to say, they were breathtaking. But the plot dragged and seemed to be told as a string of actions by the protagonist ("then he..." "then he"). I was determined not to start my McCarthy education with "The Road," but that's probably what I'll try next. I do like the idea of an existential approach to cowboys lol...more
I'm not sure that I liked this book, but I did enjoy reading it. This is my first Franzen (besides a collection of essays) so I don't know how it compI'm not sure that I liked this book, but I did enjoy reading it. This is my first Franzen (besides a collection of essays) so I don't know how it compares to his later novels, but I found the writing self-indulgent and show-offy, drawing attention to itself rather than to the plot or themes. The characters are all manifestly unlikeable, but that didn't necessarily put me off. We are in the age of the anti-hero! Rather, I found the characters so removed--each an occasion for Franzen to explore an interesting idea or commentary, rather than people who felt like people, however unlikeable. All this said, I did find much of the book bizarre in an entertaining way, and laughed quite a bit. ...more
A sprawling family saga told with simple elegance and warmth. Every character is treated with tenderness. There's a lot here about women's private sufA sprawling family saga told with simple elegance and warmth. Every character is treated with tenderness. There's a lot here about women's private suffering and the way it's passed on through the generations, as well as the ways that Korean families have worked with quiet dignity to make ends meet in the face of racial discrimination and war. A story I won't soon forget....more
Profoundly moral without being moralistic, hopeful, wise, intricate in its conjuring of another world that feels in some ways more real than our own, Profoundly moral without being moralistic, hopeful, wise, intricate in its conjuring of another world that feels in some ways more real than our own, a place where every action has profound meaning and cost, in many ways just fun (orcs! crazy Elvish singing! giant winged beasts!), and rewarding as a re-read, I suspect. ...more
I've tried to pinpoint what didn't work for me about this book, and it seems to center on this: All the characters felt like vehicles for Smith to do I've tried to pinpoint what didn't work for me about this book, and it seems to center on this: All the characters felt like vehicles for Smith to do something interesting formally or to explore "big ideas" like fundamentalism, but never flesh-and-blood people. That is, people you came to care about. There were so many moments when Smith could have chosen to explore how people relate to one another, and instead, she had them do something loud and quirky. I felt like behind most lines in this book was a big smirk. That said, the voice Smith has established is hugely original and very of-the times. I get why she's a giant of literary fiction. There was just something hollow at the center of this, and I forced myself to get through a lot of it. Ah well....more
250 pages of insanity--however meticulously recounted it is--was enough for me. The level of detail that Wright presents here is a journalistic feat, 250 pages of insanity--however meticulously recounted it is--was enough for me. The level of detail that Wright presents here is a journalistic feat, especially given how secretive Scientology is. But the storyline itself got bogged down in those details, and in some sections it was hard to know whether Wright had a thesis or central idea. But I found the machinations of Scientology's leaders very interesting, even if very disturbing....more
It took journalist Rebecca Skloot more than 10 years to tell the story of Henrietta Lacks and the until-now unknown origins of the HeLa cells, and theIt took journalist Rebecca Skloot more than 10 years to tell the story of Henrietta Lacks and the until-now unknown origins of the HeLa cells, and the depth and detail of the reporting here shows Skloot's investment. Picking up the book not knowing what it was about, I found myself nearly immediately drawn into the life story of Lacks and her kin and the questions of race, class, and medical ethics that it raises. Skloot touches on each of these thorny issues with a delicate nuance that nonetheless tips the scales toward compassion for the Lacks family. There are themes that become redundant (we hear maybe 30 times that Lacks didn't know how her cells had been used), and I wish we learned whether the Lacks received any financial compensation. Still, I hear that Oprah is making a movie based on the book, and I doubt it will improve upon the groundwork that Skloot has laid with this highly original and needed book....more
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