While reading The Portrait of A Lady, I kept thinking, this is a book that should be illustrated by John Singer Sargent. There is an opulence, a lushnWhile reading The Portrait of A Lady, I kept thinking, this is a book that should be illustrated by John Singer Sargent. There is an opulence, a lushness and attention to detail here so in tune with the painter's work, and, too, there is a distance, a slight chasm between the subject and the audience.
I won't summarize the plot, but for such a long book, I have to say, I was engaged and interested the whole time. Despite several characters' slight frostiness, the scenery was almost a character in itself, and I was fascinated to read about the expats in Italy and England, and enjoyed James' descriptively fluent language. Ralph was by far my favorite character, and I definitely think James did his best work in developing him and fleshing him out. I heard that in this novel, James was trying to accurately portray the way a woman felt, really considering her psyche and not just her veneer. In this, I am not certain he succeeded, as Isabelle never truly felt developed to me. Complex, yes, but somehow not quite like a real person. This book really raises interesting questions about the roles of women, cultural differences, and significantly, distinctions between the classes, particularly for women. He does a nice job in showing us characters from different generations and backgrounds and pushing them all together on one stage. It's one of those books I think will stay with me for a long time. The way everything was described, the nuances and attention to details just painted such an intense image.
This was only my second book by Henry James, but I have already bought The Europeans and The Wings of the Dove, which is probably the most telling testament regarding my reception of this novel. Like Edith Wharton, it's sort of a slow burn, but one I won't be quick to forget.
Brilliant, though I'm feeling a bit bereft now. Better review to follow, but for now I'll just say that this has been a year of great reads for me, hiBrilliant, though I'm feeling a bit bereft now. Better review to follow, but for now I'll just say that this has been a year of great reads for me, highlighted boldly by Ferrante's Neapolitan Novels. Read them, trust me. Find more reviews and bookish fun at http://www.princessandpen.com...more
I had heard so much about this book and its author, I was finally compelled to see for myself what the fuss was about. Americanah is, on the surface, I had heard so much about this book and its author, I was finally compelled to see for myself what the fuss was about. Americanah is, on the surface, a love story, but it is also a coming-of-age-story, one about identity, both as an individual and a product of one's environs. I found the story instantly engaging, the characters vibrant and memorable and the insights well worth pondering. The central figures, Ifemelu and Obinze are brought together as teenagers in Nigeria. Through a change in circumstances, Ifemelu manages to go to America, though it is Obinze who carries a true fascination for the country and its culture. Once there, she starts a blog, highlighting her experience as in immigrant in the country, her interactions with people of different races and the same as well as her perception of the divide that still, sadly, exists. I found it particularly interesting to consider the different attitudes of African Americans and Black Africans. There are so many subtleties that I was quite unaware of, and I was fascinated to read, for example, about the meaning of African women wearing their hair naturally. Adichie is an enormously talented writer, even beyond the interesting story, it is worthy to note the fluent way she maneuvers and emulate speech of so many different people of different races and nationalities in her writing. There were aspects of the story, particularly around the last quarter, which I found at times unfairly antagonistic. Everything, every flaw does not need to be reduced to race and that, I think, was where Adichie could have carried the story further, exploring other issues, digging deeper. The story is so much about race, I occasionally felt Ifemelu was holding herself back, because she was so focused on picking up on injustices, I felt she couldn't see the goodness, acceptance and friendship people were offering her in many areas of her life. Despite this, I found the book in its entirely absolutely worth reading, thoughtful, funny and insightful. I have already bought Adichie's Half of a Yellow Sun, so I suppose that tells you how impressed I ultimately was with her writing.
What a strange and memorable story! I had seen this book in the store for quite a while before finally picking it up as a summer read. Little did I knWhat a strange and memorable story! I had seen this book in the store for quite a while before finally picking it up as a summer read. Little did I know what an absorbing, unique story awaited me. I don't want to give away too much, in terms of plot, but the story centers around Melanie, a zombie of sorts - am I losing you? I know I was skeptical, too, normally shying away form reading books about the undead,but it's definitely not your average dead-man-walking story. Melanie is a being that doesn't want to succumb to what it means to be a zombie. She is desperate for human kindness, for learning and understanding, an this makes her a fascinating character. Along on this strange ride are a few other human characters, notably, my favorite, Melanie's teacher and advocate, Miss Justineau. This is an odd story, but a very moving, thoughtful one as well. The ending was a little rushed, as I saw it, but otherwise, an excellent read!
I was a bit late on the boat with this one, but better late than never. When this book came out, it was very popular, however I didn't know what to maI was a bit late on the boat with this one, but better late than never. When this book came out, it was very popular, however I didn't know what to make of the summary and forgot about it. Then, as these things happen, a copy made its way into my bookshelf, and I was finally compelled to open it:-) From Germany myself, I was charmed and excited that the book was not only set there, but contained so many cultural references that were so familiar to me, and a part of my own childhood. Fortunately, that is where the parallels between my life and this book end because, as you might have guessed from the title, little girls begin to go missing in the small town of Bad Muenstereifel. The story is told by ten-year-old Pia, though she tells it as an adult, so her mature and elegant language never feels out of place in the narrative. Pia was a lovely, clever character and I especially liked her school friend, StinkStefan (despite the unflattering nickname...) The plot is twisted and certainly reminds of Grimm fairy-tales, perfectly fitting the book's setting, and I could see it all before me as I was reading, so familiar are the dark German woods and charmingly gloomy Fachwerk cottages. The story is not fluffy and light, despite the fairy-tale connection, but much like the Grimm tales themselves, dark and strange and not lacking the odd big bad wolf. Definitely a page turner, and an author I will absolutely keep an eye on!
Fantastic! Hopeful! Inventive! I am happy to report that all the fuss about this book is warranted. It's so unlike something I would usually read, thaFantastic! Hopeful! Inventive! I am happy to report that all the fuss about this book is warranted. It's so unlike something I would usually read, that I was quite skeptical going in, but once I started, I couldn't stop. The story is very imaginative, yet it feel oddly plausible. Mark is stranded on Mars and he is truly the MacGyver of space travel, because he figures out just about the most interesting ways to survive. I was totally absorbed by his story and though there was some anxiety about his fate, the story was about far more than space travel and wacky survival techniques. It's a story about what it means to be human and what a human life is worth; it's the story about an individual's potential and an individual's fears and flaws. The surprise I AM PILGRIM was for me last year, THE MARTIAN is this year. Cannot recommend it highly enough!
4.5 stars Wonderful! This was such a treat, and such a change from my regular fare of murder and mayhem (literary style, of course). The story combines4.5 stars Wonderful! This was such a treat, and such a change from my regular fare of murder and mayhem (literary style, of course). The story combines contemporary YA with a generous splash of magic and history, and the blend is a winner. Jeremy Johnson Johnson can hear ghosts. That his how he comes into contact with the spirit of Jacob Grimm, one of the German Grimm brothers who collected fairy tales. I grew up in Germany and was read these tales all the time, so there was something quite nostalgic about this part of the story. The German phrases McNeal used were always correct and appropriate,too, which often is not the case when an author uses foreign phrases. Jeremy is a kind and thoughtful teenager, who has been dealt a tough hand. His mother is gone, his father has been unemployed for half his life, and to make matters worse, the threat of eviction has become very real. Added to his troubles, comes the dubious fact that young people and children have been going missing in the small town in recent years. Fortunately, Jeremy has Jacob and his sage advice and his new friend, Ginger, to rely on. All the same, trouble manages to catch up with them, and the story turns quite dark, though I was happy with the ending. The only tiny issue I had was that I had guessed who the villain was rather early on, and there was one mystery that, at least as far as I can see, was never resolved. Nonetheless, this was a wonderful, very atmospheric and memorable book, and I cannot wait to explore what else McNeal has written! Definitely for fans of Gaiman, Hilari Bell, Johnathan Stroud...
I really enjoyed Crowfield Curse, and Crowfield Demon met my high expectations easily. This story picks up three months after the last one ended, withI really enjoyed Crowfield Curse, and Crowfield Demon met my high expectations easily. This story picks up three months after the last one ended, with Will and Shadlock bound to one another (though not really unhappily), and facing a new threat from an otherworldly demon, which has been causing trouble for the monks. As far as plot goes, this one was quite engaging, but the story is really about the interesting characters. I particularly like that they are not black and white, even the bad guys are not wholly evil. Walsh has a really flowing style, which balances action with descriptiveness so well, that the story seems to constantly be moving, and the scenes are very vividly painted without her going overboard. The only thing that might be missing is a female character, of which there is only one and she happens to be evil. All the same, I very much look forward to what is next for Will, Shadlock, the hob and Brother Snail.
After reading "Americanah" earlier this year, I finally picked up Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's "Half of a Yellow Sun". I had heard so many great reviewsAfter reading "Americanah" earlier this year, I finally picked up Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's "Half of a Yellow Sun". I had heard so many great reviews, I was worried it wouldn't live up to my high expectations, but I am very happy to report that it has. "Half a Yellow Sun" tells the stories of a cast of intriguing, flawed and very real characters around the years of the Biafran War. I have to admit, this conflict was, shockingly, not one I knew much about. It was not mentioned in my history classes, not in school and not in university, and so I approached this book with little understanding of what I was about to learn. About a quarter of the way through, I kept feeling the urge to lay it aside and research some of Nigeria's history. Adichie has crafted a book that is hard to place into a genre. It is literary fiction, certainly, because this woman can write, but it is also history in the way it so thoroughly and thoughtfully illustrates the lives of all manner of different people during this horrible crisis. Like many children in the developed world, I grew up being told to eat what was on my plate, the image of the African child with its spindly arms and distended belly a present image to teach us to appreciate what we have. I did not know, however, that this image was even named Biafran Child, an effect of the starvation the Biafran's were subjected to. The characters in this book were very different from those in "Americanah". There was less humor, which would have felt ill at place in this story, and they all seemed somehow more adult that Ifemelu and Obinze in Adichie's other book. The story was well plotted, though at times, a little repetitive. I liked that it wasn't all hopeless and miserable, that the characters, even if they suffered, did not become caricatures of martyrs or victims, but rather survivors, which added a further dimension to them, developed them and made them into people I could easily consider real. "Half a Yellow Sun" is one of those books that will linger with me for a long time. I read a lot, and a lot of books sort of blur and fade in my memory, but there are some like this that stand out in one way or another - they have fascinating characters, exceptional writing or teach me something I didn't know before. I would recommend this to anyone!
If you have read anything by Wharton, you will know that mirth is rarely to be found in her work;-) That being said, her style of storytelling, for meIf you have read anything by Wharton, you will know that mirth is rarely to be found in her work;-) That being said, her style of storytelling, for me at least, is so compelling and really draws you in. I liked this even more than The Age of Innocence, which was a surprisingly engaging novel, once you get past the fact that it's rather depressing. The House of Mirth is the story of Lily Bart, a beautiful young woman, who gets into money-related trouble, which haunts her for many years to come. What I found so fascinating about this book was not so much the story, but the character of Lily Bart, who stays with you long after you close the book. I am the kind of reader who can love a mediocre book if its characters are memorable, and Wharton just does really intriguing characters. Lily was not always likable; arrogant or proud at times, but those flaws were balanced with kindness and self-awareness, that made her multi-dimensional. In years to come, I will probably forget many of the story's details, but I think I will still remember Lily Bart. Now I have to find some of Wharton's other books, fortunately for me, she was quite prolific.
I know I am very late in the game with this one, and I will say, I usually stray from vampire-related lit, but the sun was shining, it was blazing hotI know I am very late in the game with this one, and I will say, I usually stray from vampire-related lit, but the sun was shining, it was blazing hot, and I felt like sitting in the garden with a good and creepy book. I won't go into details of the plot, I assume the story of the ominous Count Dracula is more or less common knowledge. Despite this, I had never seen a Dracula film, or TV adaptation, so did not know the ending, or specific details to ruin the plot (I loathe spoilers...) Anyway, so I was surprised and pleased to find that the story is told from multiple POVs and in various forms. I found this added to the mysterious aspect of the tale, and really tied together all threads. My favourite character was easily Professor Van Helsing - do NOT think to compare the literary figure to the one in the awful Van Helsing film from a few years ago - who was at times amusing, and at others so clever and intriguing in his own right. Dracula, interestingly enough, does not get a voice in this book, rather the story is told about him, adding to his mystique. He is, of course, a true marker for all vampires to follow, from the description - pale and eerily beautiful - to his manner, we can see him mirrored in more modern forms of these creatures. Often times classics promising a scandal, or scary atmosphere fall slightly flat on that front, as contemporary audiences seem to be more inured to a fright, and need something truly terrifying to jolt us. I am not a fan of the horror genre, so I cannot judge how it might compare with a juicy Stephen King, but I found it surprisingly creepy and disturbing. I have been reading or re-reading a few classics these past months, and am happy to say, this one absolutely deserves that title. If anyone has a recommendation for a good film adaptation, I would be happy to hear it!
"The Remains of the Day" is my second novel by Ishiguro, after the eerie and excellent, "Never Let Me Go". The tone is similar, though the story entir"The Remains of the Day" is my second novel by Ishiguro, after the eerie and excellent, "Never Let Me Go". The tone is similar, though the story entirely different. Ishiguro has a quiet voice, if one can say that much about the written word, but one that seems to hit every tone right. This is the story of a butler, loyal to a fault, who is given a holiday by his new employer, and thus becomes lost in reminiscences and past acquaintances. The plot unfolds slowly, as though you are carefully unwrapping a fragile parcel, but it is a pleasant pace, never dull or tedious; in other words, I did not feel like ripping the wrapping paper in my urgency to find what was hidden. Not much actually happens in the whole - albeit short - novel, but it is nonetheless one I do not think I will quickly forget. Ishiguro was an author, I have to admit, I thought I would consider pretentious, simply because of all the fuss made about his work. I am glad to discover this is no the case, and truly look forward to exploring what else this author has written.
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