**spoiler alert** A true gripping, classic, gothic horror novel. That's the best way to summarize why I loved this book, and why, despite practically **spoiler alert** A true gripping, classic, gothic horror novel. That's the best way to summarize why I loved this book, and why, despite practically thriving on scary stories growing up, this still had me scared to turn my lights out when going to bed. It's not so much of a jump-out-at-you or gorey type of horror, it's,a s I've said, a gothic type horror with multiple tense moments and your imagination running wild. It's exactly what the characters are going through.
You do have to give this book some time, though, when starting up. It's a very slow and gradual build up, full of lengthy, but beautiful, descriptions and narratives. In the beginning there's a lot more normalcy with just a tiny dash of the oddness that will later come in full force. The slow build combined with that normalcy creates the base a solid momentum to make the scary happenings absolutely terrifying. That's why I tell you to stick through the beginning, it will lend you a false sense of security, but fall into it if you want to actually be scared. Waters' flowing, realistic and steady narrative also lends a huge hand to the creeping fear and heart-pounding terror, because it makes you think and see this all really happening. To me, there's nothing scarier than the idea that something so creepy could very well be real.
The only real downside I had with the book was that right near the end of the book the story sort of drifted and lost my attention. Thinking back on it now I could see it as Waters luring her readers back into that safe bubble they had been in at the beginning, thus allowing them to be completely caught off guard by what I'd call a second (and startling) climax. Still, it caused the book, which had built up such good speed, to lose that momentum.
One thing I should warn some potential readers about, and this is where the spoiler I warned you about comes in (highlight to read): is that there is a rather unnerving dog death in the book. It is neccessary to the plot (at least in my opinion), but as an animal lover I was really, really disturbed by the situation leading up to and causing the dog's death. The death is far from violent, but it's the reason behind the death that could disturb you as much as it did me. I just wanted to give other animal lovers a heads up, especially if you can't even go near anything dealing with an animals death.
If you're looking for a good, classic and creepy read The Little Stranger is definitely a book you should investigate. Let me reiterate, it's not a Stephen King type scary, nor is it a gratuitous violence type scary. It is a classic, Edgar Allan Poe, messes with your mind, bump in the night type scary. Waters perfectly captures that fear we all feel when we're home, alone in the house at night, and every dark corner holds something secret, menacing, sinister... a little stranger....more
Upon finishing this book I was not surprised it had gotten the recognition and awards it did. Everything about this book was crafted in such raw realiUpon finishing this book I was not surprised it had gotten the recognition and awards it did. Everything about this book was crafted in such raw reality no matter where you were in the book you saw it, felt it, smelt it, lived it. The characters were all real and utterly flawed, and their situations just as much. Honestly, there isn't really anything to complain about this book.
I have to encourage you though: stick through the beginning of the book. It has a very slow start and can initially be slightly boring and long-winded, but stick through it, it's completely worth it in the end. The slow build up actually helped the story and helped bring the main characters to life. Someone asked me if the book was a true story or a work of fiction and I actually had to stop and think about it for a moment. Certain situations are described with such clarity and detail that I wouldn't have been surprised if they actually had taken place. And unfortunately with the bombing of England during WWII, it's pretty likely Levy didn't really need to stretch her imagination and writing. It's also unfortunate and frustrating to know that the racial prejudice rampant throughout the story is also very reflective of history.
I can't say anything more about this book. Just that- it was amazing. Upon the halfway point I had trouble putting the book down. Levy's research, writing, characters, story, places... everything was brilliantly combined to create a unique and beautiful novel. Pick it up, keep going through the slow build and watch everything come together in a book that will leave you reeling....more
According to my mom I was told I need to put all other books on hold and read this one. Not just because it was so good, but because if I waited any lAccording to my mom I was told I need to put all other books on hold and read this one. Not just because it was so good, but because if I waited any longer she may not remember it amongst all the other books she's reading and then not be able to talk about it in nearly as much depth as she wants too. Thank you, Mom. Of all the wonderful books I've read this year, I have to say that this one has nestled into the top five.
I was a little edgy at first, as I'm sure most people were and are about reading this book, to know that two out of the three main characters are black and the author is a white woman. Were their voices going to come across as unrealistic, stereotypical, and affected? Within a page my doubts were gone. Every voice, black or white, that spoke in this novel was a real person. Stockett's author's note gives the impression that two characters were based on her own maid growing up and our third leading lady was a reflection of Kathryn herself. But despite the real inspirations, there was still a lot of Stockett's own skill as a writer coming through to make these characters their own; fully developed and multi-demensional. Even bit players that graced only a few pages were real to me.
Gripping is the best word to describe the novel. By the final chapters there was no way I could put it down. I needed to know what the final outcome for Minny, Aibileen and Skeeter was going to be. I don't think I've felt my heart pound and my stomach clench as much, even when reading an action book. The whole time I was placed right in the thick of things, and even though Stockett doesn't quite go into detail describing people and places most of the time, I could still see everything down to the last tea cozy in Miss Walter's house. She gives the reader freedom in seeing things the way they want.
It's an upsetting read too. It's outrageous to read what blacks in the south had to live with every day. The segregation, hatred, laws, etc. What's so upsetting is that Stockett didn't have to make it up. All those laws and attitudes actually existed, and unfortunately still exist today. There will always be Hilly Holbrooks to varying degress out there, that we will still have to fight against. Speaking of Hilly Holbrook- she will be a new character to add to your most vile characters in existence list. We all have that list in our heads. And as much as you will hate her, she's one of the main things that will keep you reading the story.
Actually, there are a lot of things that will keep you reading this book. From wonderful beginning, to exciting middle, to absolutely perfect end, this book takes you on a roller coaster ride of emotions. It's definitely a ride everyone needs to take....more
Recommended to me by a fellow Sam I should have known that this was going to be a good book. I trust my taste in books, so why not a fellow bookworm nRecommended to me by a fellow Sam I should have known that this was going to be a good book. I trust my taste in books, so why not a fellow bookworm named Sam? It was better than good, it was great. Not at all what I expected there's not a book out there like this and I highly doubt there ever will be. Some books kind of come close with the absurdity rampant throughout the book, but while totally out there it's also very real which is what made the book.
You question yourself being so devoted to following a character so... foul. Ignatius is not all that likeable. He has his okay points, such as he's intelligent, well-spoken and sticks to his guns, but everything else about this character is as disagreeable to everyone and everything as his stomach is to him. The characters he interacts with day in and out could be considered just as awful, but in comparison to Ignatius they practically come across as saint-like.
Toole's approach to his storytelling is one of my favorites for authors to do and one I try (not always successfully) to emulate, and that's just letting the story tell itself. He doesn't fill it with character background information, or lengthy discriptions of places. If it needs it to enhance the story, he'll do it, but for the most part he leaves that stuff alone. Therefore the reader now has free reign over the story, imagining and picturing things the way they want to picture them. Toole's writing is also some of the most articulate, clever and witty I've read in a while. With another author a passage may illicit a small smirk, with Toole I was laughing out loud and then reading the passage to whomever may be listening nearby.
I am now going to be leaving the book at home for my parents to read, and I'm going to tell you the same thing I've been telling them- this book is fantastic and a definite must-read. It's uniqueness may rub you the wrong way at first, but you'll find yourself quickly falling into it, and before you know it, you'll be completely emmersed....more
I totally laughed out loud for a lot of this book. Just the realistic absurdity of most of the situations Sedaris finds himself in were enough to makeI totally laughed out loud for a lot of this book. Just the realistic absurdity of most of the situations Sedaris finds himself in were enough to make me chuckle, but his dry, slightly buffoonish wit made me bark and caused other people to stare. That's exactly what Me Talk Pretty One Day did to me.
Sedaris is the awkward, every day man you can't help but be drawn to. At least in writing. In person he might be that guy you edge away from as subtly as possible for fear he'll engage you in uncomfortable conversation, talking about something you're not really interested in and you just aren't in the mood to nod as if you were. But in his writing you want to hear more. He thinks things we are all constantly wondering and he does things we all wish we had the balls to do. He clearly has a way of writing though, that people will either love or they'll hate, so don't be surprised (and I'm not) if you run into people that just don't like his books.
When You Are Engulfed in Flames chronicles David's life in the last decade or so with only a few brief forrays into the past. He finally reveals his secret of keeping regular notes about the odd things he observes and the strange thoughts he has throughout the day, thus why his essays are so detailed. The notes, combined with a seperate diary (from what I've gathered) allows David Sedaris to go from just recapping his day to becoming what he really is: a storyteller.
It's hard not to like Sedaris. Despite his prowess with words, he's just an everyday, average, non-intimidating guy. It's why you end up liking him. I've read three of his books so far (I own Holidays on Ice but have yet to read it seeing as I feel I should read it during the holiday season) and I've enjoyed all of them. I fully intend on reading his entire collection. Reading them, and more than likely, laughing and loving them....more
It took me way too long to finally read this book and I'm kicking myself for it. If I remember correctly I saw the movie and didn't like it. There wasIt took me way too long to finally read this book and I'm kicking myself for it. If I remember correctly I saw the movie and didn't like it. There was something about the way the movie approached the story or the characters that I didn't like and that completely turned me off from reading the book. I basically did something I know better than to do. I know the book is always better than the movie. The proof is right here.
Golden's writing is completely hypnotic. It flows steadily and evenly through the places, people and actions with a certain musical quality that not many writers possess. What pleased me the most was that it never seemed as if he got lost or tired in his writing. Every section, every word came across to me as perfectly planned and thought out, and never rushed through, so I never felt that I was robbed of something vital.
The thing that I liked most about the book was that Chiyo/Sayuri was very real. She wasn't some sort of heroine thrust into this lifestyle that decides to start breaking all the rules and becoming a rebel. She lives the life. She accepts the life (for the most part) and she follows the rules and actions. As much as I love the tough women who assert themselves as equals to men, there was something refreshing about Sayuri following the rythm and rules of geisha. Geisha are, by no means, submissive and Sayuri still comes across as a very strong character, but it's not blown to an unrealistic, Joan of Arc-type of proportion. That alone sold the book for me.
Honestly, nothing about this book disappointed me. Everything came together perfectly to create a beautiful piece of literature. The ending, without giving anything away, might be disappointing for some people, with Sayuri's difficult choice and the results that come from it. Despite having seen the movie, I was still very much surprised by it. If you are like me and waffling about reading this book... just read it. I'm about 98% sure you'll be so happy you finally did. I know I am....more
Okay, I officially want more from Tana French. The Likeness was just as good, if not better, as In the Woods. There's something about the intricacies Okay, I officially want more from Tana French. The Likeness was just as good, if not better, as In the Woods. There's something about the intricacies and details she puts into literally everything with this book that sucks you in then blows you away. I almost don't want to say anything more than that, fresh from turning the last page, but I'll try.
I'm going to refer you back to my review of In the Woods because a lot of the same elements I liked in that book were present in the sequel. Her characters, her in depth descriptions on the things that were truly important and that the reader should become invested in (and not in an overly obvious "Look at that!" sort of way), her clever and thought out story line. Everything I liked about the last book I can say increased tenfold with this one.
Perhaps I enjoyed this book just a bit more because this time we're following Detective Maddox and her character just comes across as more sympathetic and relatable than Detective Ryan, who was our protagonist in the last book. Maybe it was the more dramatic and unique storyline that really sucked me in this time. Most likely it was just that this was a very well done follow up to an already amazing first book. Often times a follow up is a pathetic let down.
In the end what probably did it for me this time around, was that I felt everything was wrapped up nicely. Not in terms of a happy ending but the fact that there was actually a resolution. I didn't find myself going, "What a minute- what about...?" all of my questions were answered. Something I found lacking in In the Woods.
Finally, and best of all, French's unique style of realistic whimsy was still prevelant. It was a style I loved but couldn't put my finger on in the last book. It's hard to describe exactly what it is, but to put it simply the book comes across as real but there are these beautiful, almost fairytale-like elements woven throughout. It's gorgeous and fascinating to read. Ironically enough these fantastical pieces seem to enhance the realness of the story as a whole. I don't know how French does it, but I can't wait to read more from her and see how she does it again....more
This book struck a very strong chord with me. Within the first couple of pages we learn that Montgomery's father is struggling with lung cancer. My daThis book struck a very strong chord with me. Within the first couple of pages we learn that Montgomery's father is struggling with lung cancer. My dad was diagnosed with lung cancer at the beginning of the year. From that moment on, this book took a completely different tone with me.
The Good Good Pig is really just as much about Sy as it is about Christopher Hogwood. Maybe even a little more. Sy's growth in her community and with her fledgling family is coincided by Christopher's growing (both literal and figurative). She defines family as what it really is, making a home with the ones you love, be they related by blood or not (or in the same species). I appreciated her use of the phrase "child-free" rather than "child-less." There are many couples out there who choose not to have children and to consider them child-less makes it seem like they are lacking something. Clearly Sy lacks nothing in terms of family. She has an adoring husband, a loyal dog, a fanclub of clucking chickens, and one smitten pig.
Montgomery has a light wit throughout her writing, never getting too serious and only highlighting a few poignant and memorable moments throughout the life of Christopher Hogwood. Christopher was the highlight of a very wonderful, tumultous and exciting time in Sy's life, and he was always there for her. Montgomery describes all of Christopher's characteristics and his surroundings in such crisp detail you feel like you know Christopher just as well as Sy. You'll also put the book down having an entirely different opinion about pigs than before. I already felt I knew that pigs were smarter than most people give them credit for, but I never knew they had such strong personalities, loud opinions and refined taste. Thanks to Sy Montgomery and Christopher Hogwood the stigmas attached to pigs for centuries are being torn down one page turn at a time....more
Again, another piece of amazing storytelling from Anita Diamant. Taking a moment from not-so-distant history and breathing life back into it. Like Again, another piece of amazing storytelling from Anita Diamant. Taking a moment from not-so-distant history and breathing life back into it. Like The Red Tent this was a very difficult book to put down so allot yourself some time to read it.
Something interesting Diamant did with this book was making the span of a month (was it just a month?) seem like years, thus allowing the reader to experience the same sort of time manipulation the "prisoners" felt. Every day felt like a month and after a while you don't really know how long it's been. Time has slowed to a standstill. Perhaps it's her attention to detail and characters that has time dragging, but though time is dragging at no point did the book. She maintains a certain flow to her writing. Despite jumping from character to character and event to event, there was no bumping the reader out of the moment. The changes were so subtle and smoothe the reader was easily able to stay with the story.
Diamant clearly has a gift with creating characters as well. Of course there was a central conflict point to push the story along, but really, for me, it was mostly character driven. Each woman was so unique and well developed I kept having to remind myself that though this was based on a real story, the characters themselves weren't real. They were flawed, not over the top, with varying personalities. The way they responded to the horrors they had been through was not stereotypical but you definitely know it was probably how most people did act afterwards.
Between the characters, the flow of the beautiful writing, the obviously meticulous research, and the story itself, Day After Night end up being a superb read and another one that I'm talking to my friends and family about. I'm excited to see whatever is next from Anita Diamant, and excited to see the new characters she'll bring to life....more
People who have never owned a dog, or even never owned a hyper-active, large and naughty dog may read this book and think half the stories have to havPeople who have never owned a dog, or even never owned a hyper-active, large and naughty dog may read this book and think half the stories have to have been embellished in some way. Surely no dog could get into so much trouble! And then there are those of us who know- have experienced it ourselves- that the stories are told by word for word fact. There's no need for embellishment. Larger-than-life dogs like Marley give us larger-than-life stories.
It's those stories that Grogan shares with readers in Marley & Me, written for everyone, not just dog lovers. His recall, wit and humorous writing bring the reader in and keep them there. Marley is the main focus of the story, but through Marley were drawn into the lives of the Grogans and share ups and downs with them. When the story shifts to focus more on John or Jenny, Marley is still there in the background, chewing on a couch, slobbering over a shoe, or wolfing down his food in one bite. Marley highlights the events that don't star him, and blow you away in the ones that do.
Just like Marley himself the book is fast-paced and exciting, but still manages to slow down for those touching poignant moments that appear throughout. Grogan has a columnists style to his writing that is funny and descriptive but not overwhelmingly so. Told in stories and events, and strung together with small bridges to the next story.
I knew I was going to love this book the minute I heard about it. Being raised with two happy, street-smart but not the brightest, mischeiveous Irish Setters, every feeling Grogan described at seeing another item lost to the cavernous mouth and stomach of Marley, or the shock at having a leash suddenly ripped from your hand and a streak of yellow (red in my case) go flying into the distance was familiar to me. The occasional annoyance with these large and goofy creatures always dwarfed by the unconditional love and mutual love you feel for one another. Grogan captures that relationship between dog and owner (friend and partner in crime more like it) perfectly.
When I put down the book I was touched, not only by Marley's story, but by the memories of my own underwear-eating, never-listening, screendoor-crashing, endlessly-loving, tender, caring dogs.
It really doesn't matter if you've owned a dog (or a pet at all). You will still, hands down, enjoy Marley & Me. I also say, if you're considering getting a dog, Marley & Me is a must-read for it gives you the hands-down truth in owning a dog. It's not easy, by any means, but if you're willing to deal with all the troubles the Grogan's and countless other dog owners before have gone through, than you'll be rewarded with something far greater than anything you could ever imagine....more
I put a question mark by the genre Children's Lit because I think this is borderline Children's Lit. I should put Decepetive Children's Lit really. YoI put a question mark by the genre Children's Lit because I think this is borderline Children's Lit. I should put Decepetive Children's Lit really. You start reading this book with the mindset that it's written for a younger audience. And the book of course starts off in a similar manner. But gradually as you turn the pages and see the pictures you begin to drift into a frightening world you wonder if a child could wrap their heads around... and then escape.
Coraline is a freaky as hell book and the childlike simplicity and wonder with the way it is written makes it even freakier. The illustrations by Dave McKean that are peppered throughout the novel don't help either. Gaiman writes just descriptively enough to give the reader a start and then lets their imagination fill in the rest. That's what makes the book so scary, because everyone can imagine something different, they can imagine a picture that scares them the most.
Also- the idea of what has happened to Coraline, and what she's going through chills me to the bone. I kept thinking myself as a young girl and tried to think of what it would be like to be in such a backwards, yet wonderful world, only to realize that my real parents, as much as I butt heads with them, were gone for good. The night she spends alone in the house is both saddening and nervewracking.
All in all, my vote for scariest part of the book is at the end. With the hand. I hate spiders, but the idea of this evil woman's hand scuttling about, trying to get to Coraline, scratching at windows and attacking dogs... ugh... I'm shuddering just thinking about it.
And for all you cat lovers out there, if there's one reason for you to pick up the book it's for the cat that features prominently in the story. Gaiman writes him as the quintessential cat, which for me was the icing on this delicious cake....more
Stunning. Absolutely stunning. What an amazing way of telling your life's story. Or at least the story of your first nineteen years on this earth. ThiStunning. Absolutely stunning. What an amazing way of telling your life's story. Or at least the story of your first nineteen years on this earth. This didn't read like a memoir, full of funny stories and important, yet fleeting figures, that all combine in the end to give a moral or a lesson. Rather this is just a raw and honest look at a hard life.
When I talk to people about Angela's Ashes most have the reaction of, "Oh my gosh it's such a sad book." Or "I loved that book." Or variations on the two. The former reaction seemed to come from people without strong Irish heritage. The latter- Irish. There's a bitter humor that runs throughout the book. A very, what I've come to realize is an Irish humor.
If asked- I'm American. Really, most of my family has been in this country since it was first founded. But when tracing family lineage I'm a strong 25% German, and the rest of me is Irish. Maybe just a dash of French, Scottish and English thrown in there- but mostly Irish. I found myself laughing at so many things, that other people, without that bitter, biting, Irish sense of humor would find unsettling. There is an Irish personality I've noticed, especially after reading this book and thinking about my family. We laugh at hardships, they (or at least Frank) laughed at hardships.
Yes, Frank McCourt had an extremely hard life. Yes, there were dispicable things happening, disturbing and sad. But he writes it all with such an innocent and storylike quality to it, you feel that he's kindly putting up a window so you're not right in it, and you can watch in comfort.
His style of writing is so unique as well. It's story-telling done so well you have trouble remembering this all really happened. There are depressing moments, there are touching moments, and like I keep saying there are many funny moments.
Angela's Ashes is a perfect book to help you really remember that life is what you make it. Shit is going to be thrown at you, but you can't let it weigh you down. You can change your circumstances. Yes, it's hard work, but with determination and the ability not to take it all so seriously, you can turn things around your way. And really, things aren't so bad.
Oh- I guess there was a moral here. Well done, McCourt. Well done....more
I was pretty blown away by this book and I completely understand why so many of our current historical romance/fiction writers look to her as a model I was pretty blown away by this book and I completely understand why so many of our current historical romance/fiction writers look to her as a model of how this genre should be written. She definitely set a high standard though.
Seton manages to capture over thirty years of historical events, romances, friendships, intrigue, drama, life itself in 500 pages and does so without making it neither long winded nor rushed. It managed to flow from moment to moment effortlessly. One moment you're seeing Katherine nursing her baby the next the same baby is sitting upon a horse and riding off with a young future king. The bits of history that are intricately weaved throughout the book remain just as vibrant and alive as the characters living it. Often times historical novels, when they get to the historical part, can become dry and boring, causing the reader to lose interest in the rest of the story. Perhaps this is done by Seton's own desire to stay as historically accurate.
The character of Katherine herself is the strongest part of this book, which is good seeing as the book is about her and a weak main character can just destroy a book. Katherine is very real, not just in the fact that she actually existed and much that was written in the book about her actually happened, but in the way Seton has written her. She's not some lovely beauty flitting about like a ditz (Gwenyvere?), she is a strong woman torn between rights and wrongs, love and loyalty. The best part of Katherine? She grows. I barely recognized the young Katherine on page one from the sweet, older and wiser Katherine on page 499. This again Seton does with flawless grace, there is no awkward "here's Katherine growing up" moments... it just happens, perfectly capturing how it happens to us. Katherine is shocked at the decisions she makes one day as she knows years before she wouldn't have made the same decision, just like we feel the same proud glow for doing something "adult."
It's not really fair to call this just a story about Katherine's love affair with the Duke of Lancaster, though does play a major part as that was the driving force for most of her life. The story is Katherine. It follows Katherine, taking brief side trips to the Duke and the events of England he is so involved in. But we don't get to know the Duke as we do Katherine, nor do we get to know and love the Duke's companions as we do the ones who are such a close part to Katherine's life.
There's a lot more I could expand upon, but I like to keep these reviews short and brief. There was so much about this book I really liked and could constantly keep thinking of more things to address that I enjoyed about it. So as a lover of historical fiction to all you other historical fiction lovers- if you haven't read this book do it. It is by far one of the most well written historical fiction books I have read. I will definitely be seeking out more of Seton's work in the hopes this one wasn't the best of her work and that they all shine just as brightly....more
I've been living a lie. Why has no one told me? Why, after reading The Da Vinci Code, did no one turn to me and say, "If you thought that was good, reI've been living a lie. Why has no one told me? Why, after reading The Da Vinci Code, did no one turn to me and say, "If you thought that was good, read this!"? Katherine Neville definitely went above and beyond the excellence of Dan Brown. Plus, she was there first, in this genre of historical mystery I guess you could call it.
This book was enthralling. At times the dialogue was a little cliche and unrealistic, but that was easily passed over for the overall intelligence of the book. She wrote in such a way that while you may not understand chess, physics, historical figures, etc. you can follow the ideas of it all with ease, and she doesn't dumb it down either! There were moments where a sudden influx of dry facts came in and I found my eyes glazing over, but I kept through those because the payoff was going to be great and it definitely was. Everything was thought out, planned out and intelligently written. The characters seemed fleshed out, and while occasionally silly and cheesey, still fun additions to the story. Cheesey does run rampant at points in the book, but it seems to fit well with the classic "the game's afoot" theme of the book.
Most notably for me was that both story lines, were wonderful to follow. So many times in a book with two story lines that are later weaved together, one is so much more interesting than the other and it's that stupid one that makes the book just awful. That didn't happen with The Eight though. I was disappointed everytime one story took a break for the other one to start up again, but it was only a momentary disappointment because than I was back in another storyline again. It's hard to describe but I loved it, and it was the fact that both lead characters and both their stories were so well written that the book flowed along so well.
I'm cutting this review short because there aren't a lot more compliments I can pay to the book. If you like a good, fun, slightly cheesey, historical mystery than really pick up The Eight. I'm off to read the sequel that came out twenty years later in the hope that it's just as good....more
This is definitely a long book that challenges you to stick with it until about halfway through. It is daunting, heavy and, at times, overwhelming. EvThis is definitely a long book that challenges you to stick with it until about halfway through. It is daunting, heavy and, at times, overwhelming. Eventually you get to the peak of that hill, and the rest of the journey is smooth and easy. For the most part.
I picked up The Mists of Avalon knowing it was a classic and a must-read for people even remotely interested in the fantasy genre, and especially for those who love the tale of Arthur. Marion Zimmer Bradley takes a truly legendary tale that everyone either knows or has at least heard of and makes it completely new. Taking it from a completely different angle, focusing on the misunderstood women of the tales and giving it a different take. All the while following the old stories. My issue, which isn't really an issue, in reading this novel is that I have never previously read any other Arthurian books, so my knowledge going into this is only what is commonly known. I had no prejudices or preconceived ideas starting the book. It made my experience different from people who have read books like The Once and Future King and others, because now they're hearing the story from a new perspective, while I'm hearing it for the first time. Hopefully having read this novel will now not cloud my judgement on future Arthurian novels as I have heard it has been known to do. But The Mists of Avalon sparked my interest in other Camelot-centric books so I'm still very interested in tracking down those no matter how this novel has marked me.
Bradley's novel is breath taking in it's descriptions and language. Every word brought me further and further into the world of Morgaine and Avalon. I could feel the damp earth beneath my feet, hear the lap of water on the lake shore, shiver in the mists the reader is so often brought to. Each character was so real too. The slow beginning was worth it in the end because it allowed me to get to know each character so intimately I felt as if I'd known them my whole life. And it wasn't long-winded explanations either, it was just a literal start from the beginning that made the novel so long for the first half.
In terms of characters though, I didn't find Gwenhyfar redeemable or engaging at all, despite any attempts Bradley may have made otherwise. I disliked it when the story shifted to her and wanted to punch her in the face more times than I can recount. I wish someone had punched her in the face because then it would have made her by far more interesting. The only purpose she really seemed to serve was as a stark contrast to Morgaine, therefore enhancing Morgaine's bravery, cleverness and independence.
Between Morgaine (our true heroine) and Bradley's beautiful writing there's no question as to why this novel is considered a classic in many circles. If you've been questioning picking it up and starting it, constantly frightened off by it's bulk, just get over your fear and read it. If you've started this book and thought that it's just too slow and you can't keep going, trust me- keep going. The second half is when things will pick up and you'll appreciate the time you spent on the tedious first half. Bradley created an epic, carefully crafted masterpiece, every word definitely worth the read....more
I can definitely say I was not expecting what I got when I finally read this book. I thought it was going to be sweeping and romantic, with a dreamy yI can definitely say I was not expecting what I got when I finally read this book. I thought it was going to be sweeping and romantic, with a dreamy yet mysterious male figure my secretly romantic self would fall in love with. Sort of along the lines of a Mr. Darcy. Mmmmm- Mr. Darcy. I'm sorry- I got distracted a moment there.
Yeah- I didn't fall in love with our dark and admittedly mysterious Mr. Heathcliff in any way shape or form. Rather I couldn't stand Heathcliff. Or anyone else for that matter. The only person I could remotely say I liked was Ellen/Nelly and even then there were a couple times I wanted to jump into the pages and just full on bitch-smack her.
Wuthering Heights is truly it's own novel. There isn't anything like it, and considering this was published in 1847 just blows my mind. I can understand why this book wasn't so well received at first. What is this? This isn't something people of those days would neccessarily be drawn to read. It's about the dark, twisted shapes love can take. About injustice and cruelty you inflict on those you care deeply for. It follows unsympathetic characters who range from weak and whiny to angry and spiteful. Why would anyone like this book?
You end up liking this book for those very reasons. That there is not a single character you root for, and you only keep reading because you want to see their end rewards. You want to be able to go and spit on their graves in the end. The book is like a train wreck, it's everything awful and ugly but you just can't turn away.
It's a slow go at first. And it really wasn't until I was halfway through that I finally found it interesting and engaging. The way she writes the story also makes it a little hard to follow at first. It's a story being told to someone else who's relaying it to us. Just confusing enough it's hard for me to even tell you how it's being told. It definitely deserves it's classic status as a classic book, mainly because it's maintained it's uniqueness for over a hundred years....more
Okay, I seriously have a new favorite author! Nicole Galland has a fun, witty, elegant, descriptive, and flowing way of writing that grabs you at the Okay, I seriously have a new favorite author! Nicole Galland has a fun, witty, elegant, descriptive, and flowing way of writing that grabs you at the first page and doesn't let you go until the final word on the last page. Something that was refreshing in my current favorite genre of historical fiction. I know there's a lot of us out there who have become addicted after those Philippa Gregory novels and we're constantly searching for another gem of an author, I've found her for you!
What really made the story was Galland's writing combined with her characters. She's got a really nice flow to her writing that has an underlying (or in the case of Gwirion, outlying) humor to it and that just engages you and carries the story. Then, every character that even just passed by in the background seemed to have a story behind them, a life they were living and that helped give the novel a full and real feeling. Of course if that's how a background character seems, you can't even imagine how our three main characters are.
Gwirion, Noble, and Isabel all are imperfect and that's what makes them real. It's what makes them well-rounded. And, to me, it's what makes a well-rounded character. If you've read a lot of my reviews you'll realize that I'm typically drawn to books that have real characters who are flawed. Each of our three characters all have stories behind them as well. It helps you understand them, sympathize with them, and see what motivates them. You also will become drawn more to one character than another, but that's not due to how Galland writes it. It's not because she wants you to like one more than another, it's because you will choose who you like. You're always drawn to one character in any book, even if they're all the "good guys." Galland doesn't force one on you, which is another reason I fell in love with the book.
Of course the book isn't without a flaw or two, the only really major one being that it did end up feeling a little cliched at times, but that's about it. It gets remedied though by the surprising ending, which if I hadn't already thought the book worth the read, would have made it so. Seriously, if you want any reason to read the book, it's the ending. Unique and surprising, I was floored. I'm not giving anything more than that away.
Really, if you've been looking for another good historical fiction (historical romance) author, I've found her for you. Nicole Galland! If you've read her, or once you finally do, please tell me what you think....more
Okay, this is going to be a short and sweet review since it's a non-fictional autobiography and you can't really critique things like characters and sOkay, this is going to be a short and sweet review since it's a non-fictional autobiography and you can't really critique things like characters and story. But I'm going to say what I can...
This book was a hard one to read yet I couldn't put it down. There's a different something in Dave's story that will keep different people reading. Mine was: Why? I wanted to know why his mother did this. I wanted to know what made her do it. I wanted to know how she could to it. And I wanted to know why it was Dave she picked out of him and his brothers. What made Dave the one she singled out for such monstrous torture. But that's something people involved in child abuse cases ask themselves every day.
You really do feel for Dave. You don't feel with him because there are moments so bad that he has to disconnect himself. I couldn't do that while reading it though. I almost felt that if I could send my anger and frustration and sadness and hope out there it would stop. Of course it was foolish of me seeing as it happened many years ago and he's a grown man who escaped his mothers claws.
I was only annoyed by the fact that the book was too short and that dividing his story into three seperate books seemed unnecessary. Especially because by the end the reader has become so invested in Dave and feels like they're such a part of his life, they want to go with him as he continues on to the next, hopefully happier chapter in his life. Perhaps it was a publishers marketing scheme to get more money or something. Goodness knows it wasn't Dave's. His goal was to tell his story, thank those who helped him, and open a door to shed light on an issue that is often hidden away. All of which he accomplished magnificently.
What we learn in Dave's story is that child abuse is real. It comes in many forms, but it's out there and it's up to those of us in the lives of children to stand up and be the voice for the abused. Another thing we learn is to not back down in that fight, of course there will be road blocks, but if you champion for a child as those special people in Dave's life did, you can help. You can save a life, heart, and soul. You can give a child hope.
This book is a must-read I'd say. I of course went out and got the follow-up (I hate to use the word sequel with something like this) and read it right away. That's a review to follow later. If you are debating about reading this book I will just say that it is a hard read. If you're a mother it will probably be especially hard. If you have a deep compassion and love for children it will probably be hard. If you yourself have experienced abuse it will probably be hard. If you just have a heart it will be hard. But don't give up. It would be even harder to just quit in the middle, trust me on that. It's that end, despite being a beginning, that will bring tears to your eyes and a much needed smile to your face....more
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