Well, my beginnings with the author weren't great. I liked An Unsuitable Attachment but not as much as I hoped. Then I tried, but didn't finish ExcellWell, my beginnings with the author weren't great. I liked An Unsuitable Attachment but not as much as I hoped. Then I tried, but didn't finish Excellent Women - the novel considered as her best. So, I was starting to think, something was wrong with me, because I am a fan of the genre (British humor, cozy, small societies, etc.). But "Crampton Hodnet" gave me back the hope.
It was funny, observant, and enjoyable. I adored the characters and watched them with bated breath....more
It was a well-constructed story showing the fascination and allegory between boxing (a brutal sport) and a love story (a love game). The main characteIt was a well-constructed story showing the fascination and allegory between boxing (a brutal sport) and a love story (a love game). The main characters were innocent, moral, etc., and through them, London showed how much of our animal nature is in us and that, although it is natural and often unavoidable, it sometimes brings a brutal ending.
Jack London was great at describing animals and their nature, which is why this story was so vivid and true.
But only such legends, which were not true, had prepared her for the strangeness of life.
A great novel. Well-written historical fiction. A psychol
But only such legends, which were not true, had prepared her for the strangeness of life.
A great novel. Well-written historical fiction. A psychological study. It isn't easy to say what genre the book was. There was political intrigue, philosophical reflections, a bit of mystery and adventure, quite thorough thoughts about Russians (between centuries, the XIX and XX).
The dialogues and monologues of the characters totally gripped me.
What was beauty, what was ugliness? Only existence mattered.
Perhaps not every reader would be able to follow the story and characters. I had enough knowledge (and understanding) of Russia to enjoy it enormously.
The river has broken its dams and it's made mud of all our land. Your grandfather and I and all Russians have to stay where the flood waters have cast us, where we were sucked down into the marsh, we can't free ourselves, we've just go to wait there.
The story was fictional, but it was also similar to many other real stories (not only about Russia). Treachery and idealism, greed, power, and cluelessness are parts of many social changes (not always for good).
After reading the beginning when there were too many names (characters) introduced in too short time, the rest of the reading was fast and interestingAfter reading the beginning when there were too many names (characters) introduced in too short time, the rest of the reading was fast and interesting. I enjoyed the glimpse at that time and of the class of people.
There was something in the hidden wit, the way of describing heroines and their political views that I couldn't fit completely, nonetheless, it didn't lessen my enjoyment of the novel. After finishing the book I read that Mary McCarthy's stories were a bit satirical and that the reality created in "The Group" was a bit exaggerated. And that makes sense.
I called it "the stories" because, to me, the book contained stories of a few women, and the connections between them weren't as important.
[3-3.5 stars]
Although I really liked it while reading, now, after gathering my thoughts I agree with Christine Boyer that the characters and plot were rather flat and the whole book was so popular mostly probably because of controversial topics. Still, I don't regret reading it at all. I even recommend trying it, because I learned a lot from it....more
The beginning reminded me of many similar stories, like the wonderful Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day. I liked the humor of Milne's narration, it was cThe beginning reminded me of many similar stories, like the wonderful Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day. I liked the humor of Milne's narration, it was charming.
But, I found "the creation of the stage" too long. I got the feeling that the author was preparing me for a twist. I like such a convention. Yet, there was not enough "essence" while I was guided to the main point of the novel. Perhaps it was just me, that I had enough of Chloe's maneuvering between appointments with her men. I understood it after a chapter or two. After a few next ones of that, I had enough....more
The main idea, a historical fact was fascinating, and a marvelous material for a novel, without a doubt.
Sadly, Christina Baker Kline didn't do justiceThe main idea, a historical fact was fascinating, and a marvelous material for a novel, without a doubt.
Sadly, Christina Baker Kline didn't do justice to this great idea for a book. The reading was very fast but without a feeling of attachment.
The "orphan train" was at the center for a part of the story, and then it was like a speeded summary of Vivian's life (especially the last part).
I understand, I think, why the author added Molly, but again, it was wasted, not to mention, rather badly done.
Moreover, I felt that there was something wrong with the narration. Once I thought the narrator (no matter if it was Molly or Vivian) had the perspective of a child, a sentence, or a few later, it was an adult and all-knowing narrator.
Not getting too much into it, I would say formally it was ok (and probably well-researched), but I didn't feel a touch of a good novelist.
I don't recommend it if you want to learn about Orphan Train - better go on Wikipedia.
I will try another novel someday, where the topic is a part of the storyline, The Chaperone by Laura Moriarty - I hope it will be more engaging.
There is a chance that I would have enjoyed it more if I hadn't listened to it at an accelerated pace and if I wasn't often tired and sleepy listeningThere is a chance that I would have enjoyed it more if I hadn't listened to it at an accelerated pace and if I wasn't often tired and sleepy listening to it.
Still, it was an interesting and well-paced story....more
It was probably one of the most beautiful homages of nature (and the old way of living) in literature. The flora and fauna of Transylvania sang througIt was probably one of the most beautiful homages of nature (and the old way of living) in literature. The flora and fauna of Transylvania sang through the pages the poignant story of the past. Of people who lived then and don't live anymore, of wildlife that had to change, and some parts even died, because humans saw (often still see) Mother Nature as an obstacle to progress.
The language the author used in the descriptions was brilliant. I regret I had a copy from a library, not my own copy or ebook - I would have marked hundreds of quotes. Look at examples (my own translation from Polish):
...it was raining outside and the evening was leaving on its thin threads.
Time cuddled the silence.
The deep blue funnels of gentian tried in vain to make the forest believe in summer; the forest didn't believe them anymore. In the depths of the ravines, in the shadow of the valleys, the ground was already ready to receive the first frost. And the air was pure and cold as steel, as if the winds had drained the last drops of summer from it.
Something that had no beginning has begun.
The characters were memorable and remarkable too. I don't think I ever forget Ivan, Birtalan, Wolf Dumitru, Toderic, Fur-eared (the Armenian bartender), Rotter Abraham, Nátu and Indrei Sándru, Juon, to name a few. Their stories were heart-wrenching to the core of the soul. The two main characters Nuca and Gáspár were in comparison less fascinating than the rest.
What to add, I am speechless, the words I have in my mind are like fairy-tale realism, a hypnotic image of a 19th-century land, a delightful be-gone world.
I am so enchanted by this book that I will search for a copy of the novel to buy for myself.
PS The third part of the book was not as great as the first two. And not because it was the saddest one (which it was). But because in two parts the magical/fantasy bit was more subtle. In the third one, that thread was too plain, too unbelievable. And the fatalism of it was too heavy. Nonetheless, before I could feel too much disappointed in it, the book ended....more
This story had a few well-written characters and a few interesting insights into the Victorian world.
I am not sure how much I would have enjoyed it whThis story had a few well-written characters and a few interesting insights into the Victorian world.
I am not sure how much I would have enjoyed it while reading it by myself but an audiobook on LibriVox was adeptly done, and the novel was enough absorbing.
I would call it a comfort read, despite that a significant part of the story took place in the time of the IIWW.
An interesting study of characters. ItI would call it a comfort read, despite that a significant part of the story took place in the time of the IIWW.
An interesting study of characters. It took me some time to feel gripped by them, but when I did, I liked how the author captured the family. The parents who shouldn't have been parents. Children who (probably for the rest of their lives) searched for that precious place/thing they should have got as kids.
It was also another time travel to an English countryside before, during, and just after the IIWW.
No matter whether Jesus Christ and his mother even existed. No matter what he did actually. No matter what you believe iTouching, fascinating, poignant.
No matter whether Jesus Christ and his mother even existed. No matter what he did actually. No matter what you believe in.
Colm Tóibín portrayed a heart-wrenching story of a mother, who had no power and no say in what her son did and what happened to him.
He also showed a different point of view on what many people believe that happened. And it was priceless. Everyone who believes in any version of Christ should read it.
I recommend listening to Meryl Streep's reading. (As of the date of this review, the audiobook is available on YouTube.)...more
--> knowledge about the XVII century Scottish history --> a bit of feeling about how the "Scottish aristocracyI had big hopes for the novel.
What I got:
--> knowledge about the XVII century Scottish history --> a bit of feeling about how the "Scottish aristocracy" could live then.
What I didn't get:
--> a sweeping away love story - it had some nice parts, but not as much as it could have been done --> a gripping intrigue and action --> a look at the everyday life of Scottish people in the XVII century.
Most of all, I was disappointed in the style of writing. There were so many repetitions, and boring dialogues (next to some interesting ones). I think, Jennifer Roberson wanted to give me the feeling of those people, of their pride, etc. It was a good idea, but in my opinion, she overdid it.
I am glad I picked the book because I learned a lot (in the novel and checking more on the Internet), but I skimmed and skipped many paragraphs, otherwise, I would not have finished it....more
The message and the psychological (and sociological) level of the story were absorbing. A great start for discussions, about misplaced affections: in The message and the psychological (and sociological) level of the story were absorbing. A great start for discussions, about misplaced affections: in religion and people, about hope and love.
But, the form of two sentences (the novel consisted of only two sentences) was fatiguing. I had to take many breaks, and it wasn't good for feeling the story.
Worth reading, but only for those opened to other forms, especially stream of consciousness.
The novel powerfully documents the insidious rise of a fascist regime - the seething paranoia, the sudden arrests, the silence and fear. [a summary]
The novel powerfully documents the insidious rise of a fascist regime - the seething paranoia, the sudden arrests, the silence and fear. [a summary]
Fear is the condition in which a certain idea begins to overrun everything else.
It was a knowing portrait of the perils of ordinary life in Hitler's Germany before the IIWW. [Joseph Kanon]
She knew nothing of the shadow behind the border posts of reality, and less than nothing of the strange proceedings that take place between the border posts: when reality fades into nothingness and can never return, or when the shadows show a desire to come crowding back in order to be taken for real once more.
The story gave the sense of an endless string of unbelievable things happening, leading to a murky, underwatery sensibility. [J.]
Was it permissible to jeopardize man because of another? If so, under what conditions? Yes, it was permissible. Not only permissible, but imperative.
The characters were so human that it hurt. Their life choices, their lot, the unfairness, hopelessness, and striving for happiness were heartwrenching.
Only when nothing at all is possible any longer does life pass by like a shadow. But the periods when everything is possible contain all of life — and of destruction.
I think there are not many books, novels that remind us of ordinary Germans that were also victims of time and Nazi ideology. It is important to remember those Germans too.
All of us felt how ruthlessly and fearfully outward powers could strike to the very core of man, but at the same time we felt that at the very core there was something that was unassailable and inviolable.
Things had to be judged in the whole, not in part, and the whole was mainly good.
A fascinating, observant, deep study of marriage.
This watching cl
Things had to be judged in the whole, not in part, and the whole was mainly good.
A fascinating, observant, deep study of marriage.
This watching closely two marriages for a few months, one new and one thirty years after the wedding was a priceless glimpse. No drama happened, yet those two couples went a long way to be where they were at the end of the book.
I think this novel could be used in the author's time as a couple therapy, self-help, personal development book.
The characters were complex, and I totally believe in their changes.
The ending was simply marvelous, although it was opened. A reader can't know for sure how Dahlia's and Jenny's marriages would look later. But it is just so - we never know. ...more
Like everybody else, she wanted to change the world and its inhabitants to suit herself.
E.H. Young had definitely an observant eye. Her characters
Like everybody else, she wanted to change the world and its inhabitants to suit herself.
E.H. Young had definitely an observant eye. Her characters were fascinating and complex. It was interesting how she analyzed social/class prejudice.
Yet, the first half of this book was a struggle for me. I kept losing interest or attention. With many other authors, I would have given up. I am glad I didn't. The second part held firmer my attention.
The story was important, not only as a question about class prejudice but also as an exploration of the relationship between a mother (a father) and daughters and a view at first young love.
[3.5 stars, although there was potential for 5 stars]...more
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