Smalltime: A Story of My Family and the Mob
by Russell Shorto
The Search for Answers (3/1/2021)
I enjoyed reading SMALLTIME because it is both interesting and informative in its personal and historical aspects. Shorto informs the readers about the reasons Italians came to the United States and also what tempted them to become involved in the illegal activity of the mob, especially in small towns in the United States. At the same time, he seeks to uncover his roots in this part of American history.
As he gleans more information in his research which includes personal interviews and discussions with his father, he and his father form a relationship they never had before. Not only does the author learn more about his grandfather and his role in the mob, he also learns that some things his father told him were not factual, but more importantly, Shorto learns to better understand himself as he researches his ancestors and the story of small town mob activity.
The Yellow Bird Sings: A Novel
by Jennifer Rosner
THE YELLOW BIRD SINGS (12/12/2019)
As the atrocities of war and its effects rage on, a mother and her five year old daughter are secreted for safekeeping in a barn in Poland. Silence, stories and song are used by Roza to protect her daughter. The yellow bird is imaginary, and his song plays in Shira's mind as she silently remembers her experiences with music--past and present. This device keeps the child and mother connected even when they are separated.
This story is filled with beautiful imagery and symbolism. the reader is also made aware of the following: love, music, connection, hope, and survival throughout the worst of times.
Courting Mr. Lincoln
by Louis Bayard
COURTING MR. LINCOLN (2/28/2019)
I especially enjoyed the voices of Mary Todd and Joshua Speed as they expressed their views and feelings in their own words. This technique gives the reader insight into the relationships, moods, and frustrations between and among the characters.
Bayard's entertaining and thought provoking novel has motivated me to learn more about Lincoln and these two key figures in his life. I found this historical fiction work an enjoyable, fascinating, well written read which explores the fragile nature of emotions and gives the reader an opportunity to see how the characters deal with their particular feelings and the resulting consequences they may face.
Home Sweet Home
by April Smith
Revisiting History (12/18/2016)
April Smith is retelling the true story of John and Sally Goldmark and paralleling them through her own characters the Kusaks. The author shows how misunderstandings, interpretations, accusations, and fears during a particular period in history can affect the lives of present and future generations.
Reading this prompted me to revisit this period in our history and to further research various viewpoints regarding McCarthy, McCarthyism and the Cold War.
This is an interesting presentation that I would recommend to book clubs whose members readily engage in political discourse.
Shocking Paris: Soutine, Chagall and the Outsiders of Montparnasse
by Stanley Meisler
SHOCKING PARIS (1/19/2015)
In SHOCKING PARIS, Stanley Meisler has painted an informative narrative of Eastern European expatriate artists--Modigliani, Chagall, and Soutine--in the School of Paris between World War I and the beginning of World War II. The relevance of the artists, their works, the interplay among them and others in their lives along with the history of the times was illuminating and compelling. I was especially drawn into the descriptions of the lives, hardships, and paintings of those artists with whom I was familiar but also with those to whom I was newly introduced.
SHOCKING PARIS was an interesting, informative read but not a captivating one--perhaps it would be better suited for an art oriented reader.
Vanessa and Her Sister
by Priya Parmar
A View Into The Lives of the Bloomsbury Group (11/3/2014)
Priya Parmar does a commendable job in weaving fact with fiction in VANESSA AND HER SISTER. The author's technique of Vanessa's journal entries and correspondence via letters and telegrams among members of the Bloomsbury group adds to the uniqueness of this novel.
Interestingly, by showing the familiarity among members of the group, the author invites the reader to witness the most intimate details of each individual's character, personality, foibles, and relationships. Furthermore, Parmar gives us a view into the mores, the privileged lifestyles, and the many talents of those real life intellectuals and artists of the early 1900's in London, a view I thoroughly enjoyed.
The main thrust, though, is the relationship between Vanessa and Virginia; because of Virginia's possessiveness, jealousy, and bouts with depression, their relationship is never mended--as Vanessa's words to Virginia indicate: "There can be no beginnings again. Love and forgiveness are not the same thing."
Enlightening and enjoyable--worth a read!
The Race Underground: Boston, New York, and the Incredible Rivalry That Built America's First Subway
by Doug Most
The Race Underground (12/28/2013)
An interesting account of what was involved in determining the best means of implementing an effective rapid transit system and its locomotion in two late Nineteenth Century major East Coast cities.
Most does a commendable job in outlining the individual differences between the Whitney brothers, their approaches in building a subway system in Boston and New York, and the trials and tribulations each faced in achieving his respective goals. It was truly a rivalry and a race to be first.
Overall, a good look into the creativity, ingenuity, and perseverance of the American imagination and spirit.
This book is one for the history buffs.
A Man of His Own
by Susan Wilson
A Man Of His Own (8/15/2013)
So much more than what I had expected...
Using different points of view, Susan Wilson, with great simplicity and understanding, has written a heartwarming story of pain, complex relationships, and believable conflict resolutions.
This is much more than a dog story, though Pax is a major force in the story and its outcomes. It is a story of WWII and how it changed the lives, personalities, attitudes, and futures of Rick, Francesca, Keller, and Pax. It is a story of love--rebuilding and renewing past love, finding love, unrequited love, and, of course, unconditional love. And it is a story of healing and the incredible role Pax plays.
The author displays a knack for storytelling, a deep understanding of the restoration of the human spirit, and a keen knowledge of the healing capabilities of a canine companion. All of this in one novel--BRAVO!
The Daughters of Mars
by Thomas Keneally
Endurance (6/5/2013)
In The Daughters of Mars, Thomas Keneally aptly provides his readers with the horrors, pain and destruction of war, specifically World War I, on humanity and on the environment. Furthermore, we are privy to the relationship between the Durance sisters, both Australian nurses, and the interactions of the many characters involved with and changed by the circumstances of war.
The end results for many of the characters are not always uplifting thus mirroring the bleakness of war and its effects on those touched by it. Keneally shows the vastness of war as well as the details of it.
Interestingly, Keneally provides alternate endings for the protagonists--a great springboard for discussion among book club members
I enjoyed the novel and highly recommend it to anyone interested in reading a long novel about relationships--both enduring and lost--heroism, and the details and casualties of war.
The Aviator's Wife
by Melanie Benjamin
Who Were The Lindberghs? (12/23/2012)
In this novel, Melanie Benjamin successfully delves into a complex life led by complex characters. Exquisitely portrayed is Anne Morrow Lindbergh in a way few have been privy to. She is not the shrinking violet forever stuck in the shadow of her famous husband but rather a loving, courageous, strong-willed, intelligent, creative woman. During the course of the novel, Anne comes to realize her strengths as a wife, a mother, and a woman. Anne doesn't need a hero; she is a hero and more than just "the aviator's wife." Anne's voice is strong and reassuring as she relates her own story in the first person narrative.
A thoroughly enjoyable read--a book club hit!
The First Warm Evening of the Year: A Novel
by Jamie M. Saul
Out of the Past...And Into? (4/21/2012)
When I received this novel, I couldn't wait to read it. I wish I could say that it held my interest. I can't because as I read page after page, I became like the characters--stuck in the past with ghosts from the past, waiting for and hoping for something to happen, waiting for e-mails or phone calls, and ruminating about what might/could happen in the future. I found the characters unremarkable in a plot that lacked depth. Without hesitation I can say that this is not a book I shall reread, readily recommend, nor long remember.
Accidents of Providence
by Stacia Brown
Accidents of Providence (12/23/2011)
The author does a good job in referencing history and in presenting characters--some based on real people who lived in London during the 17th Century and other fictitious characters who fit in and complement the story.
The story is woven around the Puritan assumption that a woman's sexuality was not hers to do with what she wished ergo Rachel Lockyer's dilemma and its effects on members of her community.
If a book group were to select ACCIDENTS OF PROVIDENCE as a choice, the title could act as a springboard for discussion. How interesting would that be?
Though I found the book interesting in its topic, I did not find it remarkable in its presentation.
The Homecoming of Samuel Lake: A Novel
by Jenny Wingfield
What's Not to Like? (7/13/2011)
What's not to like in a book filled with traditions, family values, miracles, faith, integrity, unforgettable characters, the author's ability to weave a well-conceived story--and of course the forces of good and evil? I hated to see this book end; it was a page turner. Though tragedy and sadness play a part in the novel, the author adeptly presents her readers with hope for the characters and faith in their futures. Perhaps Wingfield has considered a sequel with Swan and Blade as main characters?
Outlander
by Diana Gabaldon
Interesting, but... (3/22/2011)
A friend of mine expressed great interest and enthusiasm after reading this series; therefore, I couldn't wait to read Outlander. Though I found the book an interesting read, I doubt that I will continue with the series.
I must admit that the reason this book holds the interest of many readers is the scope of its content. The 850 pages certainly move the reader through history, mystery, romance and time travel. Also presented are scenes of sex and violence along with graphic descriptions of abuse, rape and torture. So Gabaldon is correct when she says her novel includes "the usual stuff of literature."
Literature is also filled with many memorable characters--I would not give Outlander top billing on my memorable character list.
Interesting, but...
A Box of Darkness: The Story of a Marriage
by Sally Ryder Brady
A BOX OF DARKNESS (1/15/2011)
A poignant, compelling memoir which allows the reader to revisit the ever haunting question: "Does one ever really know another person" along with the ever present human frailty of ignoring the truth about those whom we love until we are forced to face stark realities.
I commend the author for allowing her readers to eavesdrop into her complex, painful marriage and search for truths. This was a compelling yet difficult read.
Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter: A Novel
by Tom Franklin
M-I-S-S-I-S-S-I-P-P-I (10/1/2010)
Great title, realistic, sympathetic characters, interesting plot, readable narrative style! In Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter, Tom Franklin has mastered well the ingredients of a memorable novel. Though some reviewers have hinted at predictable events, this is, nevertheless, a page turner and well worth the read.
The Confessions of Catherine de Medici: A Novel
by C.W. Gortner
The Confessions of Catherine de Medici (5/24/2010)
The trials and tribulations of Catherine de Medici "in her own words." An interesting, successful technique to present the reader with events in the life and times of a complex historical figure whose life story is permeated with sadness, betrayals, exaggerations and intrigue. Gortner's historical novel is well worth reading--well written, informative and enjoyable. His rendition could well encourage readers to compare his treatment and research of this historical figure with another of Catherine de Medici's biographers. In Gortner's words, "All stories have two sides, and Catherine's is no exception."
The Wives of Henry Oades: A Novel
by Johanna Moran
Interesting But Not Riveting (12/5/2009)
I am a big fan of historical fiction; unfortunately this book did not hold my interest. I was anticipating a more interesting read because of the subject matter. One weakness I found was the underdeveloped, flat characters. Although the author conveyed the interrelationships of Margaret and Nancy, the children, and Henry, I often lacked empathy for the characters and their plight. Frequently, I found myself questioning some of their motives and reactions to certain situations. There were times when the characters hardly seemed real. In my opinion, another weakness was the brevity with which the author dealt with the actual bigamy court proceedings.
This historical fiction wasn't a page turner; all in all the novel was interesting but not riveting.
Sweeping Up Glass
by Carolyn Wall
Sweeping Up Glass (8/10/2009)
Carolyn Wall's novel would present itself well at a women's group book club. The discussion could be spirited in exploring the following aspects presented in the novel: love, hate; honesty, deception; good, evil; sanity, insanity; courage, cowardice; benevolence, animosity; murder, mystery, and prejudice. All of this in 319 pages--an ambitious undertaking, indeed.
There are characters to be admired as well as those to be abhorred but nevertheless unforgettable since they could well exist anywhere. The dysfunctional relationship between Olivia and her mother Ida, between Olivia and daughter Pauline are sad and remain unresolved.Then there are characters to be protected--the wolves and their offspring, Will'm, Olivia's grandson, the "coloreds" and Olivia's father Tate.
In the novel, Wall hints at "the mystery"and gives subtle clues; however, by the time the mystery is solved for us, the novel ends--almost too quickly.
Overall, an interesting read with characters to analyze, incidents to marvel at, and hard times to ponder. I recommend this debut novel.
The Weight of a Mustard Seed: The Intimate Story of an Iraqi General and His Family During Thirty Years of Tyranny
by Wendell Steavenson
An Iraqi General's Dilemma (2/6/2009)
Wendell Steavenson reveals the book's main character, Kamel Sachet, through interviews she conducted with fellow military peers, associates, friends, and family members. Sadly, death has silenced Sachet; therefore, his voice is never heard.
Through these interviews, Sachet's personality, character, motivations, and actions are revealed. Not only is he revealed but the author also reveals aspects of Iraq, its struggles, and its people.
Steavenson's book is not necessarily filled with new facts of Iraq under Saddam, but one which reinforces accounts of the brutality and atrocities during Saddam's reign of terror. His brutal actions affected not only those on the receiving end but also those meting out the deadly punishments. It was most interesting to read the first hand accounts of what motivated Saddam's military to comply with his orders and their regret in their complicity. In the words of Dr. Laith, a senior Iraqi army physician, "I felt the lie, but I could not say anything or they would cut my neck." He further states, "I would do my best as an officer with my duties and then I would come home and speak against the regime. All Iraqis have two characters. It was the only way to survive." Though we never hear the words from Sachet's lips, he too was torn between conflicting loyalties--the soldier's duty to his country and Saddam and his duty to his family and to his moral sense.
For more, I recommend that you read the book.
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