Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier

Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This has got to be one of the most powerful books. I still think about some of the passages-the descriptions of the landscape, the precarious situations for the main character and the sweeping emotion make it a real testament to writing. I am very impressed by the detail and the vivid narrative. Definitely one I will read over and over.



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The Emperor's Children by Claire Messud

The Emperor's Children by Claire Messud

My rating: 1 of 5 stars


This is a book about New Yorkers. Self absorbed, selfish, and fairly unlikable New Yorkers. As someone who loves the city and people there, the book makes one ashamed of this characterization of the city's great minds.
The author's writing is substantial, and the storyline is well composed, but I felt disdain for the entire group of characters for most of the book.




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The Red Tent by Anita Diamant

The Red Tent by Anita Diamant

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


It becomes obvious by my list that historical novels are my favorite! And this was the one that started it all- the story of women in the bible was not something I thought I would be interested in, but after the first few pages, this book really captures you. Also one I will read over and over again. The strong women of this book are empowering, even in a time and place where that is unexpected.





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Loving Frank by Nancy Horan

Loving Frank by Nancy Horan

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This book is truly exquisite.



I did not know the history behind the story, and I was able to be completely absorbed in its pace and rhythm. I was overcome with the ending, and absolutely stunned by how engrossed I was in this real life story.



I cannot recommend this book highly enough.



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A Gate at the Stairs by Lorrie Moore

A Gate at the Stairs by Lorrie Moore

My rating: 1 of 5 stars


This book was very disappointing, to say the least. It was recommended so highly, and from what I've heard Lorrie Moore is a good author.

This does not indicate any potential, past, present or future.



The book was slow to start, has a descriptive prose that left me feeling brain dead, and I often skipped major sections where characters were having dull conversations "off screen" that simply had no impact on the story line. I think the author meant for these to mean something to a post 9/11 world, but they simply fell flat.

The only impact the story had on me, or the heroine for that matter, came near the end, and it then again limped its way to a completely uninteresting and unimportant ending scene.





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Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood

Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Margaret Atwood continues to be one of my favorite authors. Her writing style varies, but is always clear, imaginative, expansive in vocabulary, and empathetic.

The variety of her subject matter also belies her skill.



In this novel, based on historical accounts of a female convict, the reader is drawn into the life of Grace Marks. The story is presented in pieces, by Grace herself, her treating psychiatrist, her jailors, and questionably benevolent benefactors. Grace's conviction and the slow exposition of her story and her life before her crime are what drives the plot. It is this unfolding of her many protective layers that drives the protagonist's and the reader's interest in Grace.



Ultimately, Grace is given an opportunity to explain and to rehabilitate herself, though not in predictable ways. Where her life leads is left to the reader to interpret as justice or recompense.



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The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson

The Devil in the White City Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America by Erik Larson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I would be hard-pressed to find a better recommendation for this book, than documenting the fact that I read it while on a beach vacation. So, while this is not your typical sand/sun-blissful-ignorance-escapist vacation read, it was so enjoyable and absorbing that I found myself toting the large hardback around to the pool, beach, or anywhere I could find a shady spot and some time to myself.



The book is an intricately researched study of the men and the forces that converged in Chicago before and during the World's Fair of 1893. The men who were involved in creating the "White City" included notable architects, men of wealth and influence, and men who wanted wealth and influence as a result of their participation in the fair. A lot was riding on its success, and reputations were made and lost because of the fair's expansive extravagance.



Interspersed with this history, is the also true story of a serial killer. This part of the book was engrossing. This man, whose career of deception, forgery, manipulation and murder spanned years, several states and so many victims, was drawn to the city's growth in population and enterprise. While at fist seemingly another entrepreneur, his true endeavors have become the stuff of legend.



Erik Larson has my unflinching respect for creating such a wonderfully written story that so completely delves into the truth and history of this dramatic time.



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Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This author is one whom I have read before with his work When We Were Orphans. He is also the author of Remains of the Day.

His literary style is very detached, and the characters often seem to be emotionless despite quite dreadful experiences through the course of their narratives.



This novel is a perfect example of this style, and while it is an appropriate choice given the circumstances of his characters lives, I found the disengaged narration distracting and frustrating. In order to engage fully in a story, you want to be able to relate and even empathize with each character. That proved difficult with the narrator's borderline pathological distance from everyone in her life. Perhaps the indifference reflected by her tone is in fact a self-preserving mechanism given the future she anticipates, but again, the author's choice here leaves this reader as uncaring about the inevitabilities playing out in the off-page storyline as the unseen forces that have created such a predicament.



Honestly, the preview of the film version has more emotional intrigue than the novel was able to inspire in me.



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jen-isms

Exactually

Conunderfuffel

Actualistically

Homer and Langley by E.L. Doctorow

Homer and Langley by E.L. Doctorow

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


The story, based on true events, is intriguing not only for the perspective of our blind narrator, but also for the time capsule-like quality of this family saga.



The eccentric brothers of the title, who for a time were part of the New York City Society elite, eventually fell to disgrace, poverty and a tragic fate. How their lives weave into the historical events of the 20th century is the genius of the author's work. The characters are easily sympathetic, and also set apart from their society in ways that mark the interest of their story and beget the horrors of the end of their lives.



Weathering the choice between family and one's own dreams and the ties that bind us to those choices are themes that are central to the book. It was really quite a dramatic book, with riveting images painted by a great storyteller. Highly recommended.



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A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick

A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


This book was highly recommended, and while the author did not disappoint with his intense writing style, the story did not quite live up to texpectations.

The characters, while trying to change the inevitable courses of their lives, made choices so unsympathetic it became difficult to care how the story turned out for each of them.



Overall, while there are memorable moments, I found the lack of empathy the biggest hurdle to really enjoying this book.



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moving into the digital age 2.0

Today marks the first blog post via my phone, which will hopefully allow some improved access and timing.

It's interesting, the events that mark transitions in our life. A toilet dive by my trusty blackberry was the motivation I needed to move ahead with my blog by having more online access to prevent months going by without posting.


This will remain a private endavor, but the outlet for documenting my reading journey is still important to me to record.