The Last Flight of Poxl West
by Daniel Torday
The Last Flight of Poxl West (1/11/2015)
Uncle Poxl is a complicated man. He lived his life in the past, forever regretful for fleeing relationships just when he needed to not. Elijah Goldstein is an adolescent significantly influenced by the time the two of them spent together in his youth, and the stories he told. It gets more complicated when Poxl writes a memoir of his experience as a Jewish pilot during WWII that is subsequently debunked as inaccurate, and Poxl leaves Elijah's life in shame. There are frequent references to Shakespeare's works that are interwoven with events that take place throughout the novel, and the author's choice of words had me reaching for the dictionary more than once.
This is an excellent book, extremely well written, prompting me to order Daniel Torday's first book, The Sensualist.
The Life I Left Behind
by Colette McBeth
A Page Turner! (11/12/2014)
Eve is dead, but Melody lives, though they both experienced an almost identical attack. We hear Eve from the afterworld, and Mel, trying to recover from the devastation of the attack, and the betrayal of the person who was proved guilty of attacking her. But did he? Eve's attack and death followed her investigation into the did he or didn't he of the convicted attempted murderer, and she got too close to the truth.
A well written thriller with the requisite twists and turns.
The Nightingale
by Kristin Hannah
Unsung Heroines (10/12/2014)
This is an excellent rendering of the dire circumstances innocent people had to tolerate during the German occupation of France in WWII. It is hard to fathom the interminable suffering that took place under the Nazi regime. Two sisters come face to face with the horror of war, and both find ways to make a difference.
Wonderfully told story, totally engaging, and the saddest part is that even if it is a novel, we know too well the awful truth of what happened, and that the author has embedded that truth in this novel.
Her
by Harriet Lane
Revenge is Sweet....or is it? (5/11/2014)
Emma is a new mother, an "elderly primagravida," one of the many words and phrases in this book that turned me to my dictionary. She is overwhelmed with motherhood and "the tyranny of domesticity," and she laments that she is "lonely, but never, ever alone." Nina on the other hand, is the sophisticated, well-known artist and mother of a teenage girl, whose deviousness contrasts sharply with Emma's naivete. The novel alternates chapters written by each character, so the reader can see the events of their unlikely friendship from each perspective. The climax, or rather anti-climax, is the result of a perceived injustice, but disappointingly, the author leaves the ending vague. Perhaps the author has left it open for a sequel. Except for the ending, I enjoyed this well-written novel.
The Cairo Affair
by Olen Steinhauer
Some of the best information comes from uninformed people trapped in a stressful situation (12/25/2013)
That is a quote from Zora, and it speaks volumes, since everyone in this book is looking for information to benefit his side, or country, or both or none. In spite of that, though, I found this book difficult to get through. It took too long to get going, and when it finally did, it sort of just plodded along, and for this reason, it took me way to long to read it. It's a typical spy story where nobody is who they seem, everybody lies to everybody else, and deceit is the operative word. The book would really benefit from a map so the reader can place the characters as they move around the world.
If you are a true lover of the genre, it is probably a good representation.
Buying In
by Laura Hemphill
Buying In (10/25/2013)
Full disclosure: I have never worked on Wall Street nor in the investment industry. But I am aware that the best and the brightest are hired out of the top schools for large salaries, and then asked to devote themselves night and day to the firm.
Laura Hemphill's first novel leads us through the day to day trials and tribulations at one of those New York investment firms through first person accounts by three employees: Sophie, the naïve 22 year old new hire, Vasu, her boss, and Ethan, her boss's boss. I thought the characters were well developed, and the story line mostly feasible. It's a ruthless business, and ruthlessness contributed to the eventual demise of the the fictional firm. Sophie's naivete does not last long in this world she has chosen. The college boyfriend falls by the wayside, but the relationship was not meant to be in the new reality of Sophie's life. And the ending proves that Sophie learned her lessons well. Great book, good read.
Songs of Willow Frost
by Jamie Ford
A Sad Fairy Tale (7/9/2013)
I always hold high hopes for second books of authors who hit it just right the first time, but so often those second books disappoint. This book disappoints. Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet is on my all-time best list; this book falls short. Yes, it is well-written, and it tells a poignant story, but it just is not as believable. It is more like a sad fairy tale, with a happy ending. It could be a Walt Disney movie, and a perfect vehicle for a musical, considering Willow's talents. You can almost picture the scenes in the orphanage being staged. We even have the requisite villains. I think there is a large audience out there who will love this book; it just wasn't for me. I didn't exactly struggle to finish it, but it was close.
The Lion in the Lei Shop
by Kaye Starbird
War through different eyes (6/5/2013)
This book is a reprint of an out-of-print book written in 1970 by Kaye Starbird. It begins on December 7, 1941, the day Pearl Harbor was bombed, and details the lives of the wives and children of the soldiers stationed at Scofield Barracks. Most history books deal with the effects on the soldiers, more so than on their families, making this novel different in that regard. It was a narrative in the voice of 5-year old Marty, she with the fear of lions in lei shops, and of her pregnant mother, April. Marty, of course, does not understand what is happening and why her father is no longer coming home; and April is devastated to find herself alone without him, with no way to know how long he will be gone and when or if he will even return. How much better to be able to count the days, so there is a light at the end of the tunnel, but you can't count infinity. Their experiences through each of their eyes, and their interactions with the other women and children, and the decisions those individuals make under very trying circumstances, add up to an entertaining and thought-provoking read, well-written and ageless in its presentation.
All You Could Ask For
by Mike Greenberg
Three Women, One Disease (11/17/2012)
One thing about this book is that I can't wrap my head around the fact that it is written by a man. Mike Greenberg is a man, isn't he? He is the same Mike Greenberg who is co-host of ESPN's Mike and Mike in the morning, isn't he? This book is written in the first person of the three women, and deals with a very sensitive topic for women, and he pulls it off exceptionally well.
The other thing that struck me about this book is that all three women speak the same. There is a lack of nuance that would help distinguish each from the other. If close attention isn't paid to their individual stories, one could be mistaken for the other. Of course, the chapter heads make it clear who is speaking. Chapter heads are necessary in this book.
I enjoyed the book, and I would recommend it. especially to women, and especially to those women who have dealt with breast cancer.
Salvation of a Saint
by Keigo Higashino
Another Intricate Murder (9/22/2012)
I was fortunate to have reviewed this author's prior book, "The Devotion of Suspect X," when it was offered for review two years ago. I am particularly happy to now have the chance to read and review this novel, as well.
The familiar characters are back with a new mystery. Detective Kusanagi and Yukawa, the physicist dubbed "Detective Galileo," are joined by junior detective Utsumi to solve a murder. Again, it is an intricate plot that unwinds slowly and methodically. Cultural differences abound, and perhaps those cultural issues contribute to the method and timing of the murder. In addition, the Japanese are exceedingly polite and civilized to suspects and witnesses alike during their investigations, very unlike what our police procedure reflects. The methodology of the police department itself adds further contrast to crime-solving in our country, as well as an additional level of enjoyment. It is a very well thought-out and well-written novel, an excellent read, and I enjoyed it even more than the first one.
The Starboard Sea: A Novel
by Amber Dermont
The Offspring of the Privileged (2/14/2012)
This first novel, by Vassar graduate Amber Dermont, is a coming of age story for the advantaged, as opposed to the disadvantaged. No bootstraps to be pulled up among these kids. There are butlers to do that. It is a very well-written story, with flowing prose, and the characters are well-depicted, if somewhat hard to love. The novel takes place at a New England Boarding School, the school of last resort for obnoxious, over-indulged rich kids who have been kicked out of every other boarding school.
If this review sounds conflicted, it is. I enjoyed the book a lot, but have a hard time accepting the behavior of these kids, and accepting that adults running the schools can overlook or condone some of the acts, which border on evil. But then, it is fiction. There are any number of sub-plots here, and if you are a sailing enthusiast, there are fine descriptions of racing. Overall, The Starboard Sea is a good read with twists and turns and sexual identity issues. . .more than enough to keep you interested and guessing until the last page.
Defending Jacob: A Novel
by William Landay
Can You Love Your Children Too Much (10/12/2011)
Jacob was a quiet 14 year old kid who did not go around with the “in” crowd. He didn't have a lot of friends; he was “bullied.” And his grandfather was a murderer. Is violence genetic? Does it skip generations? Or can it be suppressed, while lying latent, waiting for some provocation. Is there such a thing as a “murder gene?” What responsibilities lie with the parents when faced with the accusation that their child may have committed murder? All of these questions come into play in this absorbing, well-written novel, which story rotates between the transcript from a Grand Jury testimony and the prior events that took place place following a murder. It offers thought-provoking insights into marriage and parenthood, and dealing with very difficult circumstances, and it is an excellent read.
The Devotion of Suspect X
by Keigo Higashino
Physicist vs. Mathematician (12/25/2010)
I can understand why this author is so highly regarded in his country. His novel is an intricately woven mental duel between a mathematician, Ishigami, who has contrived a complicated cover up to a crime, and his friend, the physicist Yukawa, who has figured it out, and whose actions bring us to the dramatic finale. The detective on the case, Kusanagi, is a cog in the wheel, at best. One could draw a parallel to “The Gift of the Magi.” Our mathematician sacrifices to the ultimate degree for his unrequited love, Yasuko, and she, in turn, unknowingly offers up her own sacrifices as well. Justice prevails, I think, but in a somewhat disturbing and unsatisfying way. Even so, it was an engrossing read that I would highly recommend.
Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother
by Amy Chua
The Mother is a Tiger (11/7/2010)
This is the most subjective review I have ever written, but I cannot be objective about this book. I find it very hard to relate to Amy Chua. She is a fiercely driven woman, and as such, she is fiercely driving her two daughters. The elder seems able to go with it, but the younger is rebellious. The author paints a picture of a household in perpetual upheaval, with acrimonious shouting contests between her and each of her daughters, mostly Lulu, the youngest, contrasting her methods as a “Chinese mother” to the comparatively passive and permissive style of western mothers. Yet she is a Chinese woman born in this country, married to a Jewish man, and almost psychopathic about being a “Chinese mother.” There is a disconnect here that I have a hard time grasping.
When I first started this book, I wasn't sure I would make it through; I couldn't believe what I was reading. Can any woman really, honestly believe this this kind of behavior is beneficial to her children? Is she really so disillusioned as to be able to convince herself and the reader that her way is the right way?
I managed to finish this book, since it is an engaging read; but I was shaking my head more often than not. Her husband is a saint, or an idiot, I'm not quite sure which. Both of them are extremely high achievers, yet somehow he seems normal and you wonder how he can stand by and watch this behavior toward his children. She has created a seemingly dysfunctional environment for her very talented girls. One wonders why she would “put it all out there” as she does in this book. To what end?
Your Republic Is Calling You
by Young-ha Kim
A Day in the Life of a Spy..... (7/24/2010)
This was an excellent read. The premise was timely and coincidental, in view of the recent arrest and deportation of embedded Russian spies who were rounded up and exchanged for prisoners, a la the cold war scenarios. There is an interesting parallel between the two events, which make the writing of this book prescient. But, in this novel, unlike in the recent news story, the central character is suddenly called home after 20 years living a lie, and the suspense of discerning the whys and wherefores of the apparent call-back and the subsequent consequences make an intriguing read. We learn about the spy, his wife, his daughter, and all of the novel takes place within a 24 hour period. The twists and turns make for an enjoyable, thought-provoking, suspenseful read.
Beautiful Assassin: A Novel
by Michael C. White
Disappointing (3/11/2010)
I was first introduced to Michael White's talent when I read “A Brother's Blood.” I have since read several of his subsequent novels, and always enjoyed and admired the detail, as well as the link to history each novel contains, and his ability to create the story vividly in a particular historical period, remaining true to that era. This book falls short. It tells the story of a young Russian woman who gains fame as a sniper during World War II, and who the Russian higher-ups send to the United States as an emissary (carefully monitored in the inimitable Russian fashion) in order to try to get Roosevelt to hasten his involvement on behalf of the Russians. The relationship that develops between her and the first lady belies believability. While it was an entertaining novel, it was a bit far-fetched. It might make a good movie, though, since movie audiences tend to be less discerning than readers, and don't necessarily care whether or not a story is plausible, as long as the movie is entertaining. As a reader, though, I prefer to read a book that is not only entertaining, but also creditable. I'm a little disappointed, since my expectations were higher.
The Wives of Henry Oades: A Novel
by Johanna Moran
A wonderfully written debut novel based on a true story (12/3/2009)
The year is 1890, and the Oades family travels from London to New Zealand, where Mr. Oades has accepted a new position. Traveling across oceans in 1890 with three children is a harrowing experience in and of itself, but just the tip of the iceberg of what this family endures over the next 20 years. Suffice to say, the events lead to a trusting, loyal husband and father, being accused and prosecuted for bigamy, as well as the family being ostracized by the community in which they live. But, what really impacted me most about this book was the relationship that developed between the two Mrs. Oades, one now in her 40s, having lived through, and having watched her children live through, more horrible and difficult experiences than one can imagine; and the other, a young widow with an infant, who not only willingly takes in her husband's first wife and his children, but is protective and supportive of them under the onslaught of the community and the law. Absolutely fascinating read. I look forward to other books by Johanna Moran.
Under This Unbroken Sky
by Shandi Mitchell
A Picture is Worth A Thousand Words (9/15/2009)
A picture is worth a thousand words, or so the saying goes. In this book, "Under This Unbroken Sky," the words are worth a thousand pictures. You can see the stark landscape, the animals, both wild and human, scavenging for survival, which is the operative word here, because in the 1938 savage Canadian wilderness, life as we know it does not exist; rather life is about survival.
My words cannot do justice to the beauty, albeit stark, of this first novel. I have seen the word "depressing" used to describe it, but even if that is the case, i could not put it down. I'm there, in the cold, dreary, angry winter, and I'm there in the warm months when the ground needs to be planted with the seeds of the families' survivals. There is love, the love of the land "under this unbroken sky," and there is hate and misunderstanding; there are good people, who work hard and try to do what is right and just, and there are bad people. Or are there? This was a wonderful novel.
Gifts of War: A Novel
by Mackenzie Ford
Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive.. (4/20/2009)
Sir Walter Scott's quote is an apt beginning to describe this novel of romance and intrigue that takes place during the Great War. The story grabs from the opening scene, which depicts the Christmas truce that took place between the British and German troops in 1914, and continues to hold interest through the last page.
It is an excellent novel, and one I enjoyed immensely. It has romance, intrigue, deception, family dysfunctions, and most of all, a very tangled web. The author is Mackenzie Ford, which is a nom de plume of a well-known historian, and this is his first novel. Not being a history buff, I cannot attest to the integrity of the times, but I can say that as a reader, I was never transported to that time as I was, say, with Caleb Carr's The Alienist. The writing seemed somewhat anachronistic to me, with dialogue that seemed to be more 21st century, than early 1900s, but that did not at all detract from my enjoyment of the story. The novel was excellent, and I am looking forward to the author's next book.
Valley of the Lost
by Vicki Delany
Valley of the Lost (12/12/2008)
This book started out pretty good. It takes place in British Columbia, where a young girl is found dead of a drug overdose, with an infant lying by her side. There are some interesting characters, including Molly (given name: Moonlight), a young, probationary constable with a tragic death in her past, and her mom, Lucky, who takes in the baby. The story moves along well enough, but the last quarter of the book, when the villains and the plot begin to unfold, it gets mired down in grade B dialog and plotting. It's a shame that the novel dropped to that level, since it had potential. This book is apparently the 2nd in the Constable Molly Smith series, but I don't plan to go back to read the first.
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