The Headmaster's Wager: A Novel
by Vincent Lam
A Sure Bet for a Great Read (7/15/2012)
The Headmaster's Wager is a well-crafted, deeply engaging book - one that I read in only two sittings because it was that hard to put it down.
Reading a novel where the story is about an individual paying little attention to the war unless it served his business opportunities provided a whole new perspective on both the Vietnam War and how individuals deal with political events around them. Percival served as a striking metaphor for societies that ignore human events around them in service of their own interests. Lam makes Percival's character aptly complex, so it was easy to be drawn completely into his life and understand his motivations. His love for his son, coupled with his continued choices to ignore events around him, made him a character that I couldn't easily turn away from. Lam's coupling of Percival with the character Mak, who operated from totally different motivations, made the story far from superficial or trite.
This is my favorite book of the summer. It is one I will recommend to my picky reader friends. I also promptly ordered his other book because his writing is so terrific.
The writing is very strong: compelling, authentic and highly interesting.
Three Weeks in December
by Audrey Schulman
A Lasting Impression (12/27/2011)
It's not often to find a book that makes this deep of an impression after the last page is read. This is a book to savor, one that is difficult to put down. The writing in this book is perfectly balanced- descriptive without being overdone, richly paced without being incoherent or predictable. The characters are the kind of characters that stay with you long after the book is closed. The alternating perspectives in this novel from one time period to another propel the story along. Both perspectives stand strongly alone, but are richer and more vibrant together. As they weave toward their final connection, it is difficult to put the book down. This is the best kind of novel; one that makes you think about humanity, your own connections to the world and to how you interact within that world. This is a great read.
The Face Thief: A Novel
by Eli Gottlieb
The Steam Engine (12/27/2011)
One of the best sounds of impending excitement or suspense is that of a steam engine getting ready to launch off. It starts out with a slow, chug, chug and builds to a whistling hum. Reading the Face Thief, I kept thinking about this metaphor. This book has all the right parts. An interesting plot, really well designed characters and a strong writing style. I started chugging along in this book and was drawn into the different characters, wondering how they would converge together. Each character had their own distinct level of intrigue. Thinking about the connections between them at first created momentum into the story. But, the book never really got whistling. Perhaps because it alternates perspectives, the author never crafted enough coherence to make the story live up to its potential. The characters would sometimes carry from one chapter to the next, but would ultimately lose its steam as it shifted perspectives. The writer left off with a cliffhanger of sorts at the end of the chapters, but this became more predictable than intriguing. The book as a suspenseful thriller is one of "almost". It almost gets going, but not quite.
Next to Love
by Ellen Feldman
A book that you won't want to leave (7/20/2011)
Next To Love is a terrifically engaging and provocative book. The characters are so well drawn that one can't but help to be engrossed in their lives. Ellen Feldman has a knack for creating vivid characters that stay with you, still speaking to you long after you close the book. Watch out, you might find yourself opening the book and needing to hunker down and read it straight through. Feldman gives us a portrait of war that is unique and original, but resonates with anyone who reads the novel. This is a book worthy of the best book club discussions and one that is worthy of rereading so that the nuances of her language can be uncovered.
The Kitchen Daughter: A Novel
by Jael McHenry
Perfect ingredients for a memorable story (3/27/2011)
The Kitchen Daughter is a delightful and satisfying read. Ginny is a very compelling character. Her struggle to cope in a sometimes confusing world make the book difficult to put down. Living inside Ginny's head, experiencing the world through Ginny's eyes was powerful. In this book, we don't read about what it's like to have Asperger's Syndrome through distant narrative; we see, feel and experience it as Ginny does. I found solace in Ginny's cooking as much as she did. This book and all the emotions it evoked will stay with me for a long time.
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