Modern, well executed. Be careful reading reviews; high potential for spoilers. Scene early in book when protagonist assaults a young man on campus feModern, well executed. Be careful reading reviews; high potential for spoilers. Scene early in book when protagonist assaults a young man on campus felt a little "off" to me. ...more
Another huge winner by a gifted non-fiction writer. Hard to over-praise this book, in nearly every way an equal to Grann's last knockout -"Killers of Another huge winner by a gifted non-fiction writer. Hard to over-praise this book, in nearly every way an equal to Grann's last knockout -"Killers of the Flower Moon". Let's keep fingers crossed Scorsese doesn't decide to make this later book into a movie....more
The strong start pulled me in. The deft turns of phrase throughout ("... relief and disappointment in a single syllable..."; "...an ocean of love in hThe strong start pulled me in. The deft turns of phrase throughout ("... relief and disappointment in a single syllable..."; "...an ocean of love in his eyes..."; "...as the sun in its indifferent glory kept rising out of the sea."), the compelling story, and author's honesty kept me turning pages through the procedural detail. Then, beginning around Chapter 42, as the author's pain finally caught up to me and his journey neared its end, it almost felt like I'd been by his side. But I wasn't; he did this mostly alone and I can only guess at the price he paid. ...more
Moving and involving. For me, Books One & Three - told in third person voice by Colum McCann - worked marginally better than the much longer Book Two Moving and involving. For me, Books One & Three - told in third person voice by Colum McCann - worked marginally better than the much longer Book Two - told in the first person voice of Diane Foley. ...more
Although wildly dissimilar in subject matter, setting, and style, a novel every bit the equal in scope and skill of Everett's latest, widely and justlAlthough wildly dissimilar in subject matter, setting, and style, a novel every bit the equal in scope and skill of Everett's latest, widely and justly praised novel "James". ...more
Engaging with sharp insights about marriage, money, and NYC. Prose is sturdy throughout with a notable exception: Quindlen needs better editors to aleEngaging with sharp insights about marriage, money, and NYC. Prose is sturdy throughout with a notable exception: Quindlen needs better editors to alert her to how often both "had had" and "that that" appear in her writing. This annoying tic - which good editors are paid to catch - sometimes distracted enough to me pull me out of the compelling story. If Quindlen's editors doubt me, I direct their attention to page 85 when two "had had's" appear in a single sentence. That sentence begins with "While Nora's ambition..." and was by no means the first example in the book (BTW, a good AI program could easily fix this better than a high-paid bad editor). Just one other egregious example: On page 237 (not the last instance in the book), there is a "that that" in a sentence near the middle of the page that starts with "Bebe had once..." and then a "had had" in a sentence further down that same page beginning with "Sometimes Gershwin or ..." This is not petty quibbling. Quindlen deserves better; she's a talented novelist and an exceptional essayist and this IS the job of a good editor. Anna: I'm available if you're interested. p.s. I noticed the same quirk in an earlier, equally excellent novel of yours called "Blessings." p.p.s. You're not getting your money's worth. ...more
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