Yes, the author has biases. I don't think it's possible not to in biography, especially with regards to someone whWith regards to certain low reviews:
Yes, the author has biases. I don't think it's possible not to in biography, especially with regards to someone who lived a life with as many facets as Bonhoeffer did. This book is huge yet there's so much left unexplained; I don't think Metaxas tries to hide that. The man was a devout Christian, and I think it's questionable to suggest that the interpretation of a biographer from one particular sort of Christian background is somehow less valid. This is a readable overview of Bonhoeffer's life, not a comprehensive scholarly tome. It leaves one with a great deal of fascinating historical knowledge and much food for thought....more
This is definitely an emotionally effective bildungsroman full of well-drawn characters. But the staunch conviction that the war was a fight of good aThis is definitely an emotionally effective bildungsroman full of well-drawn characters. But the staunch conviction that the war was a fight of good and evil despite its terribleness...has not aged well. At the age of ten when I first read this, I knew very little of WWI and hadn't even encountered its echoes the works of such writers as Tolkien, but now I see a layer of sadness beyond what Montgomery intended. Ultimately, though, am I anyone to judge a book written in 1921?...more
I've received a pretty good education on slavery in the United States (including the reading of several slave narratives) so this book didn't really tI've received a pretty good education on slavery in the United States (including the reading of several slave narratives) so this book didn't really teach me anything I didn't already know about the enslaver-enslaved relationship and all that implied. Nonetheless, this was an excellent read (technically I listened, which was perhaps unwise considering the frequency of a certain infamous slur). The plot is unusual, compelling on both the literal and symbolic level. And the characters are achingly vividly realised....more
I reread this book because my mom characterized it as "how things would be if your dad were a widower." I do see what she's getting at. My father isn'I reread this book because my mom characterized it as "how things would be if your dad were a widower." I do see what she's getting at. My father isn't an exact clone of Mr. Meredith by any means, but they're definitely "kindred spirits." And the household chaos is eminently believable.
Other assorted thoughts:
This book doesn't hang together as well as HoD, being largely a string of colorful hijinks, hijinks which are all I really remember from when I read it as a middle schooler. They are cleverly-constructed episodes though.
This is the first of the original books where Anne is decidedly a background character. I miss her.
Montgomery is very skilled at crafting characters that are decidedly good people yet not the least bit bland. Even though it's not really an Anne book, people like Faith Meredith and Walter Blythe are decidedly enjoyable to read. I firmly disagree with those reviewers who consider the children here unrealistic and insufferable, (and so does my mom if that holds more weight).
Ellen West treated her sister badly. I like her but she should have been held more accountable for her actions.
Nothing reminds one how much language norms have changed like seeing Mary Vance casually drop the n-word in a book that replaces all references to damnation with "darn."
My goodness Montgomery is heavy-handed with the WWI foreshadowing....more
I don't know why this didn't make more of an impression on me when I read it as an 11yo. It's a delightful novel--sweet, sad, and hysterical by turns.I don't know why this didn't make more of an impression on me when I read it as an 11yo. It's a delightful novel--sweet, sad, and hysterical by turns....more
Strange, but carefully-thought-out and well-written. There's a lot of obvious Narnia influence; It really explored ideas of forgetfulness and otherworStrange, but carefully-thought-out and well-written. There's a lot of obvious Narnia influence; It really explored ideas of forgetfulness and otherworldliness Lewis merely touched on, particularly in the Magician's Nephew. I also saw echoes of Wordsworth and Hugo, though I can't say that was intentional. ...more
Why do all editions of this have such gloomy-looking covers? It is in fact a very funny book, providing a tour of early-19th-century Russian society iWhy do all editions of this have such gloomy-looking covers? It is in fact a very funny book, providing a tour of early-19th-century Russian society in the company of an only-kind-of-lovable rogue and some of the most amusing description I've ever encountered. Too bad that the third part of this work is nonexistent and the second part is unsatisfyingly fragmentary....more
I don't agree with everything here--Hamilton tends to make sweeping generalizations--but it's well-written and thought-provokThe Athenian Way, really.
I don't agree with everything here--Hamilton tends to make sweeping generalizations--but it's well-written and thought-provoking, as well as a good review of some major writers of the period. ...more
Austen really is the perfect writer....But now I’m sad that I'll never again have the experience of reading one of her six complete novels for the firAusten really is the perfect writer....But now I’m sad that I'll never again have the experience of reading one of her six complete novels for the first time....more
Some interesting thoughts, but a lot of overly general and strong statements. Probably wouldn't recommend.Some interesting thoughts, but a lot of overly general and strong statements. Probably wouldn't recommend....more
An excellent book. Well-written, and the story is truly remarkable--it's still hard to believe that everyone survived. (The audiobook I listened to waAn excellent book. Well-written, and the story is truly remarkable--it's still hard to believe that everyone survived. (The audiobook I listened to was also quite good.) My one issue is the abruptness of its ending; I wish there had been an epilogue with more elaboration on the men's subsequent fates....more
Little sister: What book are you reading? Me: The Mayor of Casterbridge. Sister: What's it about? Me: A guy who makes essentially the same mistake over aLittle sister: What book are you reading? Me: The Mayor of Casterbridge. Sister: What's it about? Me: A guy who makes essentially the same mistake over and over again. Sister: Does he learn from his mistakes? Me: He tries to, but doesn't succeed in any meaningful sense. Sister: Oh...Is he okay? Me: ...No. He isn't okay in the slightest.
I don't think I would have read this if not for Hardy's writing, which is extremely good in a difficult-to-quantify way. The characters are also well drawn. Very depressing ending. This despite, or even because of, the presence of a happily married young couple at the end. Far from the Madding Crowd ended with happiness despite tragedy, but the ending here feels like tragedy despite happiness.
Maybe I'll read Tess of the d'Urbervilles eventually, but frankly I'm scared of it....more
Maybe five stars is a bit much, but I love this book just as much--or more--as I did at age nine. It's a finely-crafted example of its genre. The writMaybe five stars is a bit much, but I love this book just as much--or more--as I did at age nine. It's a finely-crafted example of its genre. The writing is never less than excellent, and the pacing is consistently solid as it passes between a great many situations, from quasi-gothic creepy old uncle to brutality at sea to unexpected flight from the law. I'm currently just the age of David Balfour, and he's a very believable seventeen-year-old. And his interactions with Alan Breck--I just love Alan. I was surprised at the number of times this book made me laugh out loud. Stevenson was really a marvelous writer and storyteller....more
Utterly fascinating snapshot of a time and place. Orwell is an amazing writer. There are several chapters of dense political analysis regarding groupsUtterly fascinating snapshot of a time and place. Orwell is an amazing writer. There are several chapters of dense political analysis regarding groups it's difficult to care about, but I found them useful in contextualizing Orwell's own beliefs....more
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