Historical mystery novel that seeks to answer the question: Did Richard III murder the his two nephews--the two Princes in the Tower? Less of a mysterHistorical mystery novel that seeks to answer the question: Did Richard III murder the his two nephews--the two Princes in the Tower? Less of a mystery and more of a look at the biases of history (as affected by time, propaganda, and other factors), reading this short novel led to my reading of some history and backstory. It was a wild time to be alive (if you could survive the times). ...more
I labored through 1/3 of this historical novel before declaring it "DNF."
While brilliantly researched and written and well-deserved of its acclaim, II labored through 1/3 of this historical novel before declaring it "DNF."
While brilliantly researched and written and well-deserved of its acclaim, I found it a difficult read. I would often read passages and, after consulting a summary, realize that I had not fully processed neither the the plot nor the implications of the passage. So I wasn't having fun reading this, and I was a bit frustrated with it. The pacing did not suit me.
Maybe this genre is not for me. Regardless, I won't spend another 2 weeks pushing through this one. I'll move on to something more fun for me....more
This book was nothing like I thought it would be. I was expecting a fun, creepy, psychological thriller. But it was more of a take on wealth, privilegThis book was nothing like I thought it would be. I was expecting a fun, creepy, psychological thriller. But it was more of a take on wealth, privilege, classism, unhappiness, and substance abuse. I listened on audible and it was a slooooow burn. ...more
I hadn't chosen to read a book as long as TCOW in a long time (it's 715) pages, but I wanted to tackle this one because of its acclaim. Also after re-I hadn't chosen to read a book as long as TCOW in a long time (it's 715) pages, but I wanted to tackle this one because of its acclaim. Also after re-reading "When Breath Becomes Air" (by another Indian physician of Faith) with an introduction by Verghese, I was inspired/reminded to take this one off the list (and its weight off my side table). So I set aside the month of February and got to it.
Abraham Verghese is an Indian physician, a professor of medicine at Stanford, and an author (and brilliant human) who is a man of Faith (Christian) as well as a man of Science. TCOW spans 3 generations of a Malayali family in Southwest India whose family is plagued by a "condition" that causes family members to drown, sometimes in shallow water.
Themes include classism and the caste system in India; politics and the British occupation of India; family; art; science and medicine; love and tragedy (lots of tragedy). The narrative is enriched by plot twists and the unexpected overlapping of characters in unexpected ways.
It was long, and it did take some discipline to push through to finish. But it was brilliantly written with a rewarding ending. To be a physician and a writer this talented is truly special....more
I'd seen a stage production of this once, MANY years ago. But I listened again on Audible, and it felt new to me.
So bleak! These people didn't look foI'd seen a stage production of this once, MANY years ago. But I listened again on Audible, and it felt new to me.
So bleak! These people didn't look for real solutions to problems. They just tried to cover up life's inevitable frustrations and turns in the road. Just listening to this exhausted me. So much tension, so much disappointment. I know sadness was the point, yet it still depressed me to hear it. Great writing, but not for me. ...more
#6 in Kate Atkinson's Jackson Brodie series of detective novels. I find this series brilliantly-written, oddly comforting, and deeply satisfying. I ho#6 in Kate Atkinson's Jackson Brodie series of detective novels. I find this series brilliantly-written, oddly comforting, and deeply satisfying. I hope there will be more! This one felt like an homage to vintage English parlor-room mysteries and a celebration of mystery writers....more
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