At the Wolf's Table
by Rosella Postorino
A Disappointment (10/11/2018)
Although I've read many books on WWII, I had never heard of Hitler's food tasters and was excited to learn more. Ten young women were hired to eat the meals prepared by Hitler's chef to make sure that he was not poisoned. At a time when many Germans were going hungry, the food and pay was most welcome to the women. However, the stress was not. Besides the fear of poison, they were continually bullied by SS guards.
The historical details about Germany in the waning days of the war were interesting, but I found the writing hard to follow at times. For example, at the end of Part two, Rosa is fleeing the countryside hidden in a freight car headed for Berlin. Germany is losing the war, and all is chaos. Then, the beginning of Part three has her arriving in Berlin, but many years have gone by. We are not told anything about her arrival in Berlin, whether she survived or not. Instead, we are jolted into the future, and unprepared for the few revelations to come. The ending was very unsatisfying and puzzling to me.
The Travelling Cat Chronicles
by Hiro Arikawa, Philip Gabriel
A Unique Journey (5/1/2018)
The Travelling Cat Chronicles begins as a simple story relating the devotion between a man and a stray cat. What makes this story different is that it's told from the cat's perspective. Satoru, a Japanese man, and Nana, his cat embark on a journey to see the countryside, and to visit old friends. Throughout the journey, Nana shares his thoughts about Satoru, his friends, and other animals. I really enjoyed Nana's often sarcastic remarks about humans and other animals. Not surprisingly, he clearly believed cats to be superior to dogs in every way.
Yet, along with this simple story are life lessons to ponder. Kindness, gentleness, loyalty to friends, and love for family are evident in Satoru's well-lived life. Although he doesn't have an easy life, he is never bitter about the losses he suffered.
Animal lovers and those who enjoy a slower paced read would enjoy this book.
The House of Broken Angels
by Luis Alberto Urrea
Endless Drama (2/7/2018)
Since I have a good friend who is Mexican, I requested this book in hopes of better understanding Mexican culture. Sad to say, I was greatly disappointed, but managed to plow through to the end. The family loves Big Angel, who is dying, but seems to equally love bravery, sex, and drugs. The only part of the book that I enjoyed was the story of Mama America and the parrot, and Big Angel's final big scene. I do intend to give the book to my friend to see what she thinks of it.
Never Coming Back
by Alison McGhee
The Power of Words (8/29/2017)
This is so much more than another book about Alzheimer's disease. It's about the power of words to heal or harm, or to evoke calm or tension. Words connect us to the people we know and love in so many ways. Clara makes her living crafting just the right words to meet her client's needs. Yet, in her own life, she often struggles to find the right words to say to those she loves.
The book is also about accepting people as they are. I loved how Sunshine and Brown overlooked Clara's obvious poverty and eccentric mother to become her best friends.
The major theme is about relationships, especially the one between mother and daughter. Clara sees her mother through the cloudy lens of immaturity, not at all the way others view her. That changes as she begins to learn more about her mother.
I would recommend this book to any daughter who is not as close to her mother as she'd like to be. That is me, and I've learned some valuable truths here. Also, I think it would make for good discussion in book clubs.
The Stars Are Fire
by Anita Shreve
A Sentimental Journey (2/19/2017)
I was born in 1946, so this book was a fond trip down memory lane for me. I loved reading about the wringer washing machine, and ironing leaves placed between sheets of waxed paper. I think the author did a good job in portraying that time period with only a few exceptions in the dialogue of her characters. For example, on page 161 when Marjorie tells Grace that all used car salesman are crooks, she replies, "And you know this how?" That phrase is very contemporary, as is "Good luck with that," Grace's reply to Amy on page 198.
But these are minor issues. I couldn't give a five star rating because I had a hard time accepting the ending. It was just too pat and did not seem credible to the time period. Still, it is a dramatic story, with the extreme weather and runaway fire a metaphor for what is going on in Grace's life.
News of the World
by Paulette Jiles
Frontier Charm (8/14/2016)
After reading a few pages, I was prepared to dislike the book. The narrative seemed choppy, and did not flow together. But when I got used to Jiles' writing style, I began to enjoy the ride.
The author does a good job of mixing the charm of frontier life with the expected violence. The Captain is a philosopher who reads the news; a very likeable good guy whose character drives the story. Johanna behaves like the typical Indian captive until she learns to trust the Captain. Their developing relationship makes the book special, lifting it above other Indian captive stories.
The ending was predictable, but satisfying. I liked that I learned a bit of Texas history along the way, and would recommend this for book clubs.
The Forgetting Time
by Sharon Guskin
Intrigued, but Skeptical (12/31/2015)
Many years ago I read "Twenty Cases Suggestive of Reincarnation" by Dr. Ian Stevenson. It was a fascinating read, but if I remember correctly some of cases could not be verified. And Dr. Stevenson admits that the evidence for reincarnation cannot be tested scientifically as in a laboratory. It is interesting to me that most cases of past life memories occur in cultures with a strong belief in past lives, thus very few American children remember a past life. The author seems to "push" reincarnation as fact, because she doesn't include scientific studies that are contrary or inconclusive. In my opinion, the human mind is still a mystery, and there may be other explanations for the phenomenon of reincarnation.
That said the book was a quick read with a fast moving plot very much in the writing style of Jodi Picoult. It invites speculation, and may encourage readers to explore the subject further. I recommend this book to book clubs, and to fans of Jodi Picoult.
Ruth's Journey: The Authorized Novel of Mammy from Margaret Mitchell's Gone with the Wind
by Donald McCaig
An Unremarkable Journey (9/9/2014)
Since I enjoy reading about the Old South, I chose this book to read and review. I found the first part of the story, set on the island of Saint Dominque (Haiti), difficult to follow. The writing seemed choppy and the dialogue uneven. It's hard to imagine people talking like that even a long time ago.
When the story shifts to Savannah and Charleston, the writing becomes somewhat clearer, but the dialogue still does not always ring true. On the one hand, I think the author described the turmoil caused by the Denmark Vesey uprising quite well. And I appreciated the humorous way that Ruth viewed the white folks and their doings. But, on the other hand, one important event involving Jack Ravenel's horse and his wife and daughter was just too hard to believe. And most disappointing of all: Ruth's character never quite succeeded in becoming "Mammy" from GWTW for me.
House of Bathory
by Linda Lafferty
Ancient Evil Begets Modern Evil (12/20/2013)
I chose to read House of Bathory because I am of Hungarian descent, and wanted to learn more about Countess Erzsebet Bathory. What I learned was appalling: she tortured and killed over 600 females in an effort to preserve her youth. How can such horrific crimes go unpunished for so long? The author's historical research describes the culture of Europe in 1610, when the all-powerful royals had exclusive rights to their servants, and the common folk, the peasants had no rights at all.
The book toggles back and forth between 1610 and 2010, depicting the evil that has returned to the House of Bathory. I found the events in 1610 much more interesting, because I like historical fiction. Although the author's use of vampirism in her 2010 chapters may appeal more to other readers, I found some of the characters and situations a bit unbelievable.
I thought the book was well-written, and I liked the short chapters that Lafferty used to keep the reader hooked on her dual plots. However, I was disappointed in the abrupt way the book ended. After the horrific experiences the characters had gone through, I expected more explanation and more closure from the author.
Through the Evil Days: A Clare Fergusson/Russ Van Alstyne Mystery
by Julia Spencer-Fleming
A Nail-biting Thriller (9/2/2013)
There are many plot-driven thrillers out there; what sets this one apart are the interesting characters and the interplay between them. A police chief, newly married to a younger Episcopal priest who is pregnant, and also happens to be a combat veteran makes for some exciting family drama. Other subplots swirl around the main plot of kidnapping and murder.
I have not read any other books in this series, but even so, the author gives enough background information about the characters to make a first-time reader comfortable. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes mysteries that are police procedural, that deal with contemporary issues, and whose characters are not without fault.
City of Tranquil Light: A Novel
by Bo Caldwell
A Refreshing Change of Pace (7/19/2013)
Our book club read this book some time ago, and it was one of the few books that everyone liked. We found the story about a missionary couple very interesting, without being "preachy." We thought the characters were believable, and we were caught up in the hardships they had to endure. The ending was bittersweet, and perfect for a novel of this type.
Lookaway, Lookaway
by Wilton Barnhardt
A Southern Melodrama (6/10/2013)
When I read the first chapter of "Lookaway, Lookaway," I thought I was reading another stereotypical southern novel: rich Daddy's good girl (Jerilyn) goes to college and then goes wild. The fraternity pranks reminded me of the movie "Animal House," but were not nearly as funny. I thought I was in for a disappointing read, until the next chapter when Gaston "speaks." The book was redeemed by his sarcasm and caustic wit. From that point forward, each character "speaks" and they all prove more interesting than Jerilyn. Jerene (Mama) is a typical upper class southern woman, very concerned with her image in the community, but she has some unique qualities and some secrets too.
The author's description of the family's Christmas dinner was such a disaster that it begs belief. How can one family have so much drama! Because I found the excessive amount of drama to be depressing, I really did not enjoy reading this book. However, I gave it four stars because it was well-written.
The Light Between Oceans: A Novel
by Margot L. Stedman
A Stunning Debut (6/29/2012)
This novel has all the elements of a great read. The poetic language carried me to a lonely lighthouse miles from land where I could almost feel the wind and hear the waves crashing. "The wind pounced on him like a predator..." and "The water sloshed like white paint, milky-thick..." Light vs. darkness was used throughout the novel as a metaphor for choices made and their consequences. The characters were so richly drawn that I became emotionally involved with them, caring deeply for what they were going through. But most of all, this is just such a good story. It pulled me in and kept me guessing until the very end.
I will be recommending this novel to my book club, to all my friends, and to anyone who enjoys getting lost in a good book.
A Simple Murder
by Eleanor Kuhns
An Unremarkable Mystery (4/9/2012)
My favorite genre is mysteries and my second favorite is historical fiction, and I found this book disappointing on both levels. I think that the author could have improved the mystery by developing the characters more fully, especially those in the Shaker community. Also, more details about Shaker beliefs, their history, and their place in the community would have added greatly to the setting. I read historical fiction to learn about a certain period in history, and to be transported back in time. Somehow, while reading this book, I did not feel that I was back in the late 1700's.
A Good Hard Look: A Novel
by Ann Napolitano
Almost Flannery (3/29/2011)
When I read Flannery O'Connor's short stories in college, I found them thought provoking and disturbingly honest. Reading Napolitano's book was almost like reading Flannery again. I liked the title, so ironic, and so very much like the titles of Flannery's stories. If some of the characters in "A Good Hard Look" had only taken a good hard look, then tragedy might have been avoided. One of the major themes of the novel is our interconnectedness with others. No one acts alone, especially in a small southern town.
My only criticism is the peacocks. While they were necessary to tie the characters and plot together, I thought the author's use of them was overdone, so that the story seemed unbelievable at times. Fans of Flannery O'Connor will love the book, and those who have never read her will want to.
Pearl of China: A Novel
by Anchee Min
An Insightful Book About China and Its People (1/30/2010)
I have long been interested in China and Chinese culture, and so I selected "Pearl of China" to read and review. Although Min explains the ups and downs of China's political history very well, it is the human side of that history that outshines everything else. In her characters, we see the very best of human nature: friendship, love, loyalty, and kindness, contrasted with the very worst: greed, deceit, hatred, and brutality. I found Min's descriptions of Chairman Mao and Madame Mao to be especially interesting.
I would recommend this book to all readers, even if you're not interested in China or Pearl S. Buck, because it's a dramatic story filled with the human emotions that are the same across all cultures.
Serena: A Novel
by Ron Rash
Mountain-high Drama (8/26/2009)
After reading the first few sentences, I was drawn into the story and could not put it down. Now, the memory of it lingers, and I still find myself shaking my head in wonder at the sheer ruthlessness of the characters. They are larger than life and seem even more powerful than the mountains around them.
Besides being memorable, I enjoy reading fiction that can teach me something new. Set in the mountains of North Carolina, the author often relates native wisdom about plants and animals with tidbits such as salamanders in a spring help keep the water pure. The writing is sometimes homely and poetic as when the author describes the fall colors as "bright and various as a button jar." Sadly, I also learned much about the history of the timber business and its brutal impact on the environment.
This is a powerful novel and one of the best I have read in a long time. I would highly recommend it to individuals and book clubs.
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