Rarely do I think the adaptation improves on the original, but this story absolutely had to be set to music, and Andrew Lloyd Weber did it to perfectiRarely do I think the adaptation improves on the original, but this story absolutely had to be set to music, and Andrew Lloyd Weber did it to perfection! Yes, Gaston Leroux deserves credit for the love triangle and the ingenuity of the Phantom's whole ruse, but the perspective shifts in the narrative made it annoying to read. Still, as a fan of the musical, it was worth reading just for my own education....more
J.K. Rowling has had to deal with mobs of haters in these past few years, and while some critics are calling this book her “revenge” on them, I say thJ.K. Rowling has had to deal with mobs of haters in these past few years, and while some critics are calling this book her “revenge” on them, I say that reads too much malice into her tone. It’s no secret that the fictional Edie Ledwell is her alter ego, but the book’s main message is about the toxicity of social media, and that’s something we all live with. Online divisiveness is what brought us Brexit and Trumpism. Rowling is talking about something much bigger than what she’s suffered personally. She’s talking about what humanity is letting itself become. But because she’s such a master storyteller, the novel isn’t preachy or bitter. It’s a rip-roaring ride.
The love story between Strike and Robin continues, of course, but what makes this book unique is that part of the narrative is formatted as online chats. “Anomie,” the founder of the chat space, requires that everyone use a false name. Sharing identifying details and pictures is strictly forbidden. This sets up a whole bunch of mini-mysteries within the plot. Who is who? When do Robin and Strike run across them? The identity of “Anomie” is the biggest mystery of all because he/she/they is the presumed murderer.
Reading the chat room conversations takes some getting used to. I recommend reading them vertically for content, and then horizontally to understand the timing of how they take place. It may sound confusing, but I assure you, it's entertaining. The cast of characters is compelling: ordinary fans expressing their devotion in varied ways, a tech expert horrified at the Frankenstein he helped create, critics hammering Ledwell from the left, white supremacists goading them, and Anomie, the master manipulator pitting everyone against each other. As I said above, it’s a microcosm of the online world.
Part of the hate campaign against Rowling has been to spoil the book by revealing the identity of the murderer. As a reader who came across the spoiler before finishing the book, I can tell you that the effect was minimal. Whodunnit isn’t the only thing we read mysteries for. The story is in the how and why. The final confrontation scene between Strike, Robin, and the murderer still had me on the edge of my seat, and the mini-mysteries of the minor characters kept the pages turning.
One criticism I’ve heard of the book is that it’s “too long” or “over-described.” I understand this in certain spots. Cormoran Strike may have extraordinary powers of observation, but would he really notice that a character he is interviewing is wearing Uggs? Does he care about the marks they leave on the carpet when he’s trying to discover the identity of a murderer? It seemed out of place to me. But I recognize that details are necessary to a novel, and Rowling uses them to hide her clues. If you re-read the book a second time, you’ll be dazzled at the hints she dropped right before your very eyes.
So take that, Rowling haters! A 5 star review! Cormoran and Robin are beloved characters, and this is their best case yet. With the book’s nods to fandom and the guessing game that invites audience participation, it’s as fun and unpredictable as any magic in Hogwarts....more
When I picked up this book, I assumed by the title that it was a time travel/alternative history novel, but it turned out to be a collection of short When I picked up this book, I assumed by the title that it was a time travel/alternative history novel, but it turned out to be a collection of short stories, and there isn’t a single fantastical element in any of them. Every story is set in this world as we know it, so instead of time travelers going back to correct the colossal mistakes of history, ordinary people have to grapple with them in the present. The main error we’re all contending with is racism and white supremacy. The title of the collection comes from the final and longest story. It reads like a mystery. As soon as the protagonist put the pieces together, I restarted the story, just to catch all the clues I missed the first time around. The ending was a real punch in the gut, and I didn’t it coming.
Though the final story was my favorite, the first one to have me riveted appeared third in the collection. It’s called “Boys Go to Jupiter,” and unlike the other stories, its protagonist is not a woman of color, but a white college student who finds herself at the center of a campus scandal after making some insensitive remarks. The book nearly earned its fifth star from me then, but the ending was inconclusive, which bothered me. I suppose the author was making the point that we’re all dealing with the ongoing problem of racial tension, and we don’t know the ending, but it still didn’t feel satisfying.
Another favorite was “Why Won’t Women Say What They Want.” It didn’t deal with racism, but relationships and the blurring of public and private life. What made it unique was the “names” of the characters. There’s no protagonist in the story, but there is an omniscient narrator telling you about everybody. I normally dislike that device, but it worked here because the overall piece had the consistent tone of a semi-journalistic gossip magazine.
I highly recommend this collection. The topic is difficult, but the storytelling is excellent, so despite the parts designed to make us uncomfortable, it was a pleasure to read. ...more
I was familiar with Etgar Keret’s wacky magical realism before reading this collection, and because the story that I read most recently was so hilarioI was familiar with Etgar Keret’s wacky magical realism before reading this collection, and because the story that I read most recently was so hilarious, I went into this book expecting to laugh on every page. It wasn’t like that; some of it is actually sad, which took a bit of an adjustment. But sadness is a big part of life, as well as the flip side of humor, so good writing draws from both. What was harder to get used to were the stories with ambiguous endings. I found those so unsatisfying, I considered docking a star. But I can’t give Etgar Keret less than a 5. He’s original, he’s mostly funny, and he melds together the Israeli spirit with the Jewish religious tradition so that they don’t conflict. If I ever get a chance to meet him, I want to ask if he believes in G-d. My guess is yes, based on the story “Pick a Color.” But my absolute favorite in the collection was “Lieland.” It’s both a morality tale and a statement about storytelling. Keret is truly a master of it.
If you haven’t exposed yourself to Etgar Keret yet, this is a good collection to start with. All his stories are short, so you can breeze right through them. But be prepared: he’s going to take you some places you won’t ever suspect....more
After reading The Good Lord Bird, a novelization of John Brown's raid on Harper's Ferry, I decided I really needed to learn more about the great HarriAfter reading The Good Lord Bird, a novelization of John Brown's raid on Harper's Ferry, I decided I really needed to learn more about the great Harriet Tubman. Of course, I knew she headed the Underground Railroad and that she was a Union spy, but I didn't really appreciate how much she called the shots until I read McBride's depiction. A formal biography seemed in order, but then I found this novel on a free give-away shelf in my neighborhood. The author is a historian, so I figured it would be trustworthy.
The main event depicted is the Combahee River Raid of 1863, which is an amazing story in and of itself. Some of the strategizing in the beginning got a little bogged down, but the end is as exciting and triumphant as any adventure novel. But to all you purists out there, I give warning. The author threw in a love story, which she admits in her afterword was her own invention. I can see why some people might object to that, but it made Ms. Tubman more relatable, and it was also a good contrast to the military history. I still need to read a proper biography of Ms. Tubman, but because of this book, I'll be going into it more informed than I was before, and so for a work of historical fiction, that's mission accomplished. ...more
My mother has Alzheimer's, and I've recently become her caretaker, so I'm unfortunately quite familiar with the disease and how it manifests. Perhaps My mother has Alzheimer's, and I've recently become her caretaker, so I'm unfortunately quite familiar with the disease and how it manifests. Perhaps a non-suffer can't *really* know the inner experience of cognitive decline, but I'm inclined to believe that this author got it spot on.
The main character is Maud. Because she can't remember seeing her friend Elizabeth in a while, she is desperately worried that her friend has been kidnapped or possibly killed. The reason she's so obsessed is that when she was a teenager, her older sister Sukey disappeared and was presumed to have been murdered. The crime remained unsolved for the rest of Maud's life. So even though she can't remember what she's doing from one minute to the next, she always feels the remnants of that family trauma.
The novel alternates between old Maud's perspective and young Maud's. Young Maud's story is the driving force of the novel. The reader, along with young Maud, comes to suspect several different characters of being Sukey's murderer. And like with any murder mystery, you want to see it resolved. Old Maud's story, on the other hand, is a character study on the human condition. The real brilliance comes when the two threads meld together. People who've been close to Alzheimer's will be especially interested, but ultimately, the author is talking about the human psyche, and that's relevant to all of us. ...more
Mary Dogood is the ironic name of title character of this novel, and from the very first page when she tells you how she attempted to kill her abusiveMary Dogood is the ironic name of title character of this novel, and from the very first page when she tells you how she attempted to kill her abusive father, you know she is capable of some seriously bad stuff. Some of the deaths in this book are pretty gory, so it's not for readers of a weak stomach, but what keeps the pages turning is her strategic and creative planning. Also, evil as she is, the people she takes on are worse, so you find yourself cheering her on. I've never been a particular fan of anti-hero stories, but this one had me riveted. I read it in a single day. My one criticism is that it has a few typographical errors. Perhaps it was self-published or something. But if you look past that, you're in for a harrowingly good story....more
I've never read Mary Higgins Clark before, but I once met someone who raved about one of her books, though I can't remember which. I knew this one wasI've never read Mary Higgins Clark before, but I once met someone who raved about one of her books, though I can't remember which. I knew this one wasn't it, but it was in my house, so I read it. It was pretty good. I liked the protagonist, who is a journalist covering a story that's forcing her into detective work. The trouble is, I read this book immediately after Await Your Reply, which was much better. In this book, the reader discovers the clues along with the protagonist. The other is not ostensibly a mystery at all, yet you as the reader are forced to play detective yourself. It was so much cleverer! But as light mysteries go, this one was pretty good....more
There are three seemingly unconnected storylines at the start of this book: the story of Ryan, whose father is rushing him to the hospital in the veryThere are three seemingly unconnected storylines at the start of this book: the story of Ryan, whose father is rushing him to the hospital in the very first scene; Lucy, a recent high school grad who is running away from her small town with her much older lover; and Miles, my favorite character of all, who is in search of his long lost twin brother. The book alternates between the three, but all the while, you're piecing together the clues that tie the stories together. And when the stories finally do intersect, it's an absolute roller coaster you didn't see coming. I was absolutely glued to this book, and I'm looking forward to more from this author. ...more
I never would have thought someone could write a comedy about slavery, but James McBride pulled it off. Granted, it's a very dark comedy, and it avoidI never would have thought someone could write a comedy about slavery, but James McBride pulled it off. Granted, it's a very dark comedy, and it avoids scenes that couldn't be laughed at, like the Middle Passage and slave beatings, but the main reason it works is that the protagonist is in a truly absurd situation. He's a teenage boy dressing as a girl, which turns out to protect him from having to carry a weapon and fight. The entire book is full of biting social commentary about race, but the disguise allows the author to explore gender roles, too. On top of that, the book is full of action, but I definitely liked the character insights best.
As with all historical fiction, the book has left me wondering which parts are true. This is the most heroic portrayal I've ever seen of John Brown. Even more surprising was seeing Frederick Douglass in an unflattering light. So aside from watching the miniseries adaptation, I intend to follow up with some author interviews on how he did his research. I also want to read his best-selling memoir, The Color of Water. Writers naturally tell their own stories first, and as an aspirant myself, I'd like to see how he grew from memoir into fiction. ...more
Whenever Jo Rowling comes out with a new novel, I’m floored at how she always manages to outdo herself, but this new novel shows a different kind of mWhenever Jo Rowling comes out with a new novel, I’m floored at how she always manages to outdo herself, but this new novel shows a different kind of mastery than the previous Cormoran Strike books. It’s nearly a thousand pages long, which means even the most devoted reader isn’t going to be able to tear right through it. Real life is bound to get in the way. The book is structured so that you can put it down, and when you do, you’ll have plenty to digest. It’s about a “cold case,” an unsolved murder that happened decades before. The action is slower paced than the other novels. An old murder mystery turns out to have a different tone than a recent one.
Cormoran and Robin spend most of the book interviewing witnesses and possible suspects. Each one of them seems to be harboring a shameful secret, so there end up being more possible suspects than in any of the other novels, making it the most complex book in the series. I definitely had to go back and re-read scenes just to keep the different characters and their impressions straight. Some might say that if a reader forgets details, it's a sign of dull writing and poor editing, but I say it was done by design. When Cormoran finally figures out whodunnit, he calls the murderer “a master of misdirection.” That’s exactly what Rowling has done in these nine hundred plus pages. The clues are hidden in the text – you can see them if you finish the novel and go back and look – but in order to achieve that sleight of hand, the author has to misdirect us with volume. Since it’s J.K. Rowling, though, every red herring comes with its own an emotional and entertaining story.
Now that I’ve mentioned emotion, I’ve got to address what most of us fans are reading for: Cormoran, Robin, and their relationship. Our beloved detectives are finally beginning to admit to themselves that they have feelings for one another, but both have hesitations about saying it out loud. So while the mystery proceeds at a slower pace in this book, it’s almost in contrast to the two protagonists, who take us on a real roller coaster ride in their personal lives.
And now, I have to address the recent controversy around Jo's comments about femininity and trans women. Many people were upset because cross-dressing is a feature in this book. For what it's worth, it's a relatively minor plot point. So even though it’s become politically incorrect to stick by J.K. Rowling, I'm doing it anyway. Entering the universe of Strike and Robin is as absorbing as diving into Hogwarts. It's a grittier world and there’s no magic, but it’s still feels like hanging out with friends....more
I read this book because it seems to making its way through communities of middle-aged white women who love to read. I found out about it from my bossI read this book because it seems to making its way through communities of middle-aged white women who love to read. I found out about it from my boss’ wife, who has many friends who've also read it, and when I was at the public library picking up another book, the woman standing on line with me was also taking it out. It has everything a book needs to become a commercial and critical success. It’s topical in that it's about a Mexican mother and son making the dangerous journey to migrate to the U.S. It’s also action-packed yet literary, which is what every novelist strives for. The characters undergo tremendous trauma, but they also experience plenty of generosity, so the book is not one unremitting trauma-fest. And the character of Luca is so charming, you immediately fall in love with him and identify with his mother as she faces challenge after challenge as she struggles to get him to safety. It’s no wonder this book is popular amongst women; it’s very much about being a Mom, and secondarily, about being sexually vulnerable.
After having enjoyed the book so much, it was disappointing to read that it’s been controversial. The Latinx community has called it stereotyping and even damaging. I will have to look into their criticisms more. The life experiences the book proposes to describe are not mine, so I am in no position to judge. But I will say that as a white woman, it made me more sympathetic, not less, and that strikes me as a good thing. But ultimately, I related to this novel in the way I relate to all novels of late: as a lesson in writing craft. From that standpoint, I have to say it was masterfully done. The storytelling is what accounts for its popularity. But apparently, the reality of migrant experience is more nuanced, and therefore, as so often happens, while the novel humanizes the story, it cannot stand alone as a source of information....more
The first few chapters of this book give the impression of being Austenesque, which is to say it’s a love story that exposes the phoniness of British The first few chapters of this book give the impression of being Austenesque, which is to say it’s a love story that exposes the phoniness of British society. I was pleased to discover that several of my Goodreads friends said the same thing, and the author considers Jane Austen to be one of her influences. But it diverges from Austen in that it’s set in modern times, and more than that, the couple is a British man and a Pakistani woman, so issues of race and imperialist history play into the plot. Jane Austen never dared to take on historical themes!
Since the title of the book tells you that the protagonist is going to have to take a stand for his love interest, you know the confrontation is coming, but you don’t know exactly how. He belongs to a country club (or whatever they’re called in England), and they’re planning a dance with an Indian theme, so as the reader, you know that’s going to go spectacularly wrong, but the last stand, which happens in the last few chapters, is so dramatic, action-packed, and totally unpredictable. In that way, it diverges from Jane Austen’s style, too.
I highly recommend this book. If you love Jane Austen, and even more if you loved The Raj Quartet, this is a book for you....more
Marcus Lehmann was the Artscroll novelist of his times. It's cool that he tried providing a Jewish alternative for the popular novels of the day, but Marcus Lehmann was the Artscroll novelist of his times. It's cool that he tried providing a Jewish alternative for the popular novels of the day, but the storytelling is still weak. The villain gets hit by lightning? Gimme a break....more
It's been over two decades since I read the Hitchhiker's Guide trilogy, but if you love lovable loser Arthur Dent, then you'll enjoy seeing him happy It's been over two decades since I read the Hitchhiker's Guide trilogy, but if you love lovable loser Arthur Dent, then you'll enjoy seeing him happy at last in this book. The overall ending of the story is as absurdist as the rest of Adams' sense of humor, and in fact, it's rather atheistic, but if you can just get a laugh out of it, you'll enjoy the book. ...more
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