Everything We Never Knew: A Novel
by Julianne Hough
Skeptical but Curious (7/19/2024)
This is not a book I would have picked up on my own, but "Free Books to Request" gives me the opportunity to try something new and different. Everything We Never Knew broadened my view of astrological phenomena and kinetic energy fields. However, I found the healing session descriptions over-dramatic and unbelievable. I think the book's greatest strength was in the well-written dialogue. The face-to face conversations and confrontations between the various characters made them feel real. I liked that everything was not tied up neatly at the end of the story. Lexi's journey of self discovery was positive and hopeful. However, her relationships with others would continue to be a work in progress throughout her life. What interested me most was how the book was written. Did Julianne supply the plot ideas, with Ellen doing the writing or was it a different process altogether? The conversation and acknowledgements at the end of the book did not make this clear.
Help Wanted: A Novel
by Adelle Waldman
Help Needed (1/24/2024)
Adelle Waldman has written a book with a pulse on what is happening to retail/warehouse workers in this country. Low wages, cut hours, and a lack of benefits combine to make it impossible for people in these positions to make ends meet, let alone have opportunities to advance. Despite these miserable conditions, the author has created characters that are doing their best to survive and to maintain some degree of hope to find a place in this world. They are not stereotypes - each one has individuality, humanity, and a desire to be acknowledged and respected. This was a book of compassion, and a reminder that "There but for fortune, go I."
The Stone Home: A Novel
by Crystal Hana Kim
History Continues to Repeat Itself (11/11/2023)
The Stone Home uncovers yet another story of evil, cruelty and inhumanity inflicted upon innocent victims. It is difficult to read about the atrocities that occurred in the "reformatory" institutions of South Korea, and Crystal Hana Kim does not spare the details. What she does so skillfully, however, is to weave this history, with believable characters and a compelling story that kept my interest to the last page. By rotating chapters with Eunju and Sangchul's points of view, and by going back and forth from 1980 to 2011, Kim was able to reveal bits of information slowly and fully develop her characters. My only criticism is that I was often confused with Korean words, especially terms of address. I highly recommend this book for its fine writing and for uncovering a dark period of history.
Above the Salt: A Novel
by Katherine Vaz
Where is the Editor? (10/3/2023)
Although there are things to like about Katherine Vaz's novel, After the Salt, it is an overly ambitious novel in need of major editing. As historical fiction, the descriptions of the Civil War, the religious hatred between Protestants and Catholics, and the racial and class struggles of Portuguese immigrants enrich the plot. However, the author's overuse of figurative and poetic language is disconcerting. These "lyrical" passages are often long and rambling and appear
at inappropriate moments.
In an epic novel, the passage of time needs smooth transitions. Moving back and forth with John and Mary's lives is detailed and well-written early in the book, but after Mary becomes pregnant with John's child and commits to her marriage with Edward, the time sequences do not flow. Long periods of time pass with little detail in between. For example, after the 1906 earthquake the story jumps to 1919 with Catherine and Zachary. For some time, it's not known know how they relate to the story or if they are connected to Mary and Edward. This is distracting.
The characters are well-developed initially, but as time moves on less so. Mary's relationship with Edward is initially interesting because of their class differences. The dialogue between them is crisp. Edward is a contentious character, who always has excuses for his actions, but presents them convincingly. However, there seems to be an unexplained disconnect between someone who is always defending himself and later becoming the loving and devoted father and husband. The references to real people (e.g., Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Edison, Mary Pickford, etc.) feels contrived even if the novel is based on a true story that loosely connects these figures. The ending is heartwarming but seems rushed with a multitude of unbelievable coincidences.
Devil Makes Three: A Novel
by Ben Fountain
Nothing Has Changed After 32 Years (9/5/2023)
"U.S. Embassy Urges All Americans to leave Haiti" - September 2023
Ben Fountain writes a compelling and comprehensive history of Haiti, that begins in September 1991 with a violent coup - a broken country filled with political instability, mismanagement, substandard infrastructure, corruption and violence. The novel feels like it's set in 2023.
Fountain develops a host of intriguing characters, but the main protagonist is definitely Haiti. This is such a book of place. The author's knowledge of the country is remarkable. He is able to describe everything in infinite and exquisite detail - geography, political machinery and foreign intervention, scuba diving, colonialism and racial issues, illegal arms, vodou, Kreyol and much more. Early in the novel, he writes "From the mountains came the sound of Vodou arms, faint tremolos and mutterings of the drummers." Comparing the experience to the call to prayer in Turkey, he continues, "Here the drums affected him much the same way, as a framing device that served to take you out of yourself – to lift the spirit ... while strangely, paradoxically, concentrating one's sense of self." I began copying other memorable passages, but they came with practically every page, so I had to stop. Devil Makes Three is dense with description.
The title was perfect. It seemed like all the characters were "dealing with the devil" at some point in the story. I liked that the main characters were complex, often contradictory and involved in difficult relationships and situations. Throughout the book I felt the constant tension of being in Haiti and was always anticipating that violence was near.
I don't think I've ever read a book quite like this one. I found some of the political content confusing, especially Audrey's involvement as a CIA agent, but the book held my interest on many levels. There was a lot packed into 531 pages. While reading, I was transported to Haiti. I must admit, I am glad to be back home.
All the Lonely People
by Mike Gayle
More later (8/3/2022)
I loved this book in so many ways and will write more when the discussion is posted.
On a Night of a Thousand Stars
by Andrea Yaryura Clark
Searching for Truth (2/18/2022)
Thirty years ago I learned about the "Dirty War", the Desaparecidos, and Argentina's military dictatorship when I read The Argentina Trilogy (Imagining Argentina, Naming the Spirits and Tales from the Blue Lagoon). Before that time I had extremely romantic notions about Argentina - gauchos, the pampas, tango, etc. What was remarkable about the books is that Thornton was able to balance the horror with the power of the human spirit to survive. Thornton writes, "If you are forced to live in a nightmare, you survive by realizing that you can re-imagine it, that some day you can return to reality." Andrea Yaryura Clark has now written an equally powerful book about this period of history told in chapters that alternate between 1998 and 1973 -1976. The two stories connect and converge as Argentine history and family secrets are revealed layer by layer. Clark is a wonderful storyteller who is able to weave fact and fiction seamlessly. On a Night of a Thousand Stars is the perfect title for this book! I still have romantic notions about Argentina, but Thornton and Clark have put them in a much broader context.
The Family Chao: A Novel
by Lan Samantha Chang
The Brothers Karamazov-Chao (11/7/2021)
Having enjoyed the Hogarth Shakespeare Project (modern novels by well-known authors adapted from Shakespeare plays), I was delighted to read Lan Samantha Chang's reimagining of The Brothers Karamazov by Dostoevsky. The author captured the same themes (ambition, betrayal, loyalty, rivalry, dysfunction, guilt, forgiveness, love) but made the story her own. The setting was changed to a Chinese restaurant in a small town owned by immigrant parents with three American-born sons. Although Katherine and Brenda had counterparts in the Russian novel, Chang's additional female characters were important to the plot and offered a modern perspective – Winnie, O-lan, Gu Ling Zhu Chi, Alice, Mary Wa and Lynn. The book was hard to put down. I loved the mystery, the tension, the courtroom drama and especially the family dynamics.
New York, My Village: A Novel
by Uwem Akpan
A Mixed Review (8/24/2021)
Before reading New York, My Village I had little knowledge of Nigeria and the Biafran Civil War. Uwem Akpan's novel interwove the history of Nigeria with storytelling from many perspectives. Not only do we hear the story of Ekong, the narrator, who comes to America on a four-month fellowship. We also hear stories of family members in Africa and America, neighbors in New York, and colleagues at the publishing company. Through these stories the themes of cultural misunderstanding, racism, guilt and the need for human contact unfold. The main characters were complex, and Akpan was not afraid to show their strengths and their flaws. That said, I thought the book was too long. The meanings of many of the Anaang expressions interspersed in conversations was not evident. Songs were not translated. Although other readers have found parts of the book humorous, I found them tedious (e.g., the bedbugs).
All the Water I've Seen Is Running: A Novel
by Elias Rodriques
Confusing and uneven (7/3/2021)
I actually enjoyed this book until Page 82. I suddenly became lost and didn't understand what was happening. From that point on I would find myself intrigued for a while and then slip back into confusion. It seemed like two different people were writing (or editing) the story. When the author changed narrators in the last chapter it seemed like an add-on. Many of Elias Rodriques' descriptive passages were quite beautiful, but they didn't feel like they came from Daniel, the first person narrator, when compared to the passages with dialogue. I think the author tried to include too many themes in one book and, as a result, came out with an uneven and unsatisfying novel.
Anxious People
by Fredrik Backman
Clever and wonderful (7/3/2021)
I loved this book. Backman is a genius. So many surprises and laughs that unfold until the very end - I can't imagine how his mind works. He not only creates fascinating characters, but devises a complicated plot with every detail tied together brilliantly. I noticed the book just came out in paperback. It would be an excellent choice for an online discussion. Any chance that could happen?
Waiting for the Night Song
by Julie Carrick Dalton
Not another metaphor (3/19/2021)
I found the plot and characters interesting, but every paragraph contained one or more metaphors. I got bogged down and definitely distracted by the figurative language.
The Woman Before Wallis: A Novel of Windsors, Vanderbilts, and Royal Scandal
by Bryn Turnbull
Enough of the rich and the royal (7/22/2020)
The only reason The Woman Before Wallis receives a 3-star rating is that I feel Bryn Turnbull is a good writer. She tells an interesting story, but I don't think it should be billed as "the true story". I was put off by the imagined conversations and contrived coincidences that were used to pull the plot along. I like historical fiction and realize that authors take license with the facts, but this seemed over the top. The main characters were spoiled, shallow and unappealing. I was interested in the relationship between Thelma and Prince Edward (David), but the breakup was never really explained in the detail that was given to other important parts of the story. Why did David marry Wallis (also a divorcee), but not Thelma? Was Thelma aware of David's pro-Nazi sentiments before the war? In comparison, I felt that the TV series, The Crown did a much better job of describing both the rich and the royal.
The Paris Hours: A Novel
by Alex George
Life is full of surprises (3/11/2020)
Alex George has written a beautiful book that had me mesmerized from beginning to end. He masterfully wove the stories of his four main characters by slowly unfolding their memories and secrets with rotating chapters. The various connections between the characters did not feel contrived. I was continually surprised by the twists and turns throughout the novel and found the ending extremely satisfying. In general, I am not fond of real-life characters appearing in fiction, but with this book Marcel Proust, Gertrude Stein, Ernest Hemingway, and Josephine Baker were not only important to the plot, but helped to make Paris a character in itself. I really loved this book.
Remembrance
by Rita Woods
Mixed Review (10/25/2019)
It took me a long time to finish Remembrance, and I'm not sure why. In the end, I thought it was too long and could have used more editing. I liked the interconnected stories, especially those between Margot and Winter, and thought that the author wrote lovely descriptions of places - Haiti, New Orleans and Remembrance. The scenes with the slavers were so intense. Frank and Colm could definitely be the cause of bad dreams. Mysticism and magic usually bother me, and I often have a hard time relating (e.g. Colson Whitehead's, The Underground Railroad.) However, it seemed to work, for the most part, in this book. The ending wasn't satisfying to me. I'm not sure I really understood Josiah. I would have liked to have known more about Gaelle - she didn't seem well-developed. Upon reflection I would give this book a 3.5.
Conviction
by Denise Mina
Disappointed (9/11/2019)
I was intrigued at first how the podcast was woven into the story line. However, once the story focused on Anna/Sophie I found the plot unbelievable and sometimes hard to follow. The characters weren't fully developed and the "surprise" ending seemed contrived. Gone Girl was the only book of this type that I would recommend highly to others.
You Were There Too
by Colleen Oakley
Wishing for more (8/14/2019)
There were many things in this book that piqued my interest: Mia's marriage, her attraction to Oliver, Harrison's obsession over Noah's death, the shared dreams, and Mia's art. Unfortunately, I was disappointed in how the book unfolded and how things were resolved. I thought the trip to the psychic was unnecessary and the line "he will give you baby" inane. It was a letdown that there was never an explanation for the dreams. I thought Mia's character was developed well, but the plot contrivances distracted me.
I have one minor pet peeve. When did "graduated high school" become acceptable. (Even Obama, who has a great command of the English language, uses that phrase.) You don't graduate a school, you graduate from a school. Am I the only one out there who is bothered by this?
America for Beginners
by Leah Franqui
Intriguing Characters (7/29/2019)
Franqui’s characters in America for Beginners are cleverly created and developed. The story explores many interesting themes such as class, prejudice, parental expectations and cultural differences. Each character had problems but grew and changed in some way during the course of the book. I like a book that doesn’t tidy up everything in the end and leaves me wondering what’s next. A very enjoyable read.
The Shadow King: A Novel
by Maaza Mengiste
Conflicting Feelings (6/30/2019)
My feelings about this book are mixed. Mengiste's use of foreshadowing was very effective. The story unfolds layer after layer. The structure of the book (Chapters followed by an Interlude, Chorus and/or Photo) was intriguing and often compelling, but sometimes I found it dense, difficult to follow and distracting from the story. I had some knowledge of the Italian invasions of Ethiopia and of Haile Selassie before reading this book and felt that The Shadow King explored Ethiopian culture and class but was more a work of fiction when it came to historical accuracy or the role of women in the rebellion. It might have helped if the author cited sources about the role that women played in the invasions. I was most interested in character. Hirut, Ettore, Fucelli, Fifi and the cook seemed the best developed. I never really understood Aster or Kidane, but wanted to know more. It was confusing to me that Hirut told Ettore at the end of the story that she and Aster were the closest of friends. Could it be the horrendous experiences they shared? What I liked best about the book was Maaza Mengiste's descriptive language. She is a very talented writer who is able to write both beautiful and sometimes horrifying passages about life in times of war.
Never Have I Ever
by Joshilyn Jackson
A Dangerous Game (4/10/2019)
I began this book not knowing that Never Have I Ever was a popular drinking game. When Roux introduced the game to Amy's book group, my immediate response was to put down the book. It was hard for me to envision that anyone would bare their innermost secrets in a group setting let alone with a total stranger. I guess I'm naive. It seems to happen all the time. What kept me reading was the secrets. Joshilyn Jackson did a great job of gradually unfolding the layers of subterfuge in both Roux and Amy's life. The competitive interplay between the two characters was fascinating. It was definitely a page turner. I was never sure how the story would be resolved because of all the twists and turns, and found the ending both surprising and satisfying. I felt that Amy still held secrets that could possibly come back to haunt her.
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