A sort of story where you know it can and should be made into a movie. A fast-paced unfolding of a woman’s glamorous life, the truth under the surfaceA sort of story where you know it can and should be made into a movie. A fast-paced unfolding of a woman’s glamorous life, the truth under the surface, and a reminder that to be human is perhaps the most delightful thing of all.
Incredible storytelling about historic Ireland and its culture around LGBTQ issues and AIDS. I was mesmerized from the first page. A story of love, coIncredible storytelling about historic Ireland and its culture around LGBTQ issues and AIDS. I was mesmerized from the first page. A story of love, connection, and accepting who you are, in an environment so far from peace. To all the men and women who have suffered and who live this reality today....more
My first audiobook experience in more than a decade. Not sure I would recommend it for this story, but it did the job in isolation.A feel good story.
My first audiobook experience in more than a decade. Not sure I would recommend it for this story, but it did the job in isolation. Backman writes fantastic story endings, and I thoroughly enjoyed this one. It made up for the pieces in the middle. ...more
Murakami always has a way of capturing the essence of loneliness. He chronicles various stories of men and their encounters with women- ultimately allMurakami always has a way of capturing the essence of loneliness. He chronicles various stories of men and their encounters with women- ultimately all are impacted by loss of presence . Found the creativity in how the women manifested in each story delightful.
Would have liked to see more nuance than just glaring hurt from having loved; a few stories began to expand on this though most fell short. Nevertheless- the Kino story is by far my favorite!...more
Just like Patricia’s speech at her Final Talk, this book is a meandering narrative where we are drawn to the content & wonder, and are desperate for tJust like Patricia’s speech at her Final Talk, this book is a meandering narrative where we are drawn to the content & wonder, and are desperate for the climax- the final takeaway- but have to settle for an “unsuicide.�
Powers weaves stories into a dream like structure bringing lives of five people together- under the branches of a Tree, or rather, the plight of the foundation of our planet. A bit unnecessarily lengthy, though the descriptions of trees and their immense power felt special to read, particularly given my love for them.
The book begins with death and despair, and ends with death and despair, much like the prophecy of mankind. “Man wastes away and dies and gives up the ghost,� while “there is hope of a tree, that if it goes down, it will sprout again.� All hail the forests and the environment that we have taken for granted.
Lots of symbolism and diversity in narrative. Recommend to those interested in a long journey and appreciate prose over character development. ...more
Pachinko is a story of four generations of Koreans in Japan around WWII- who all live life with immense suffering, pride, and a deep (perhaps indelibl
Pachinko is a story of four generations of Koreans in Japan around WWII- who all live life with immense suffering, pride, and a deep (perhaps indelible) connection to their heritage. Overall wonderful storytelling, though I often struggled to connect to characters that I felt didn’t have much development (Noa and Solomon for example). Lee writes about how it is the essence of a woman to suffer through life, though this story shows that suffering is not only reserved for women, but also for the unlucky and poor (most Koreans in Japan during that time). Made a strong case for fate/predetermined destiny. No matter what the family did to avoid certain outcomes, those outcomes seemed quite inevitable....more
It has been a while since I have had a hard time putting a book down, this was one of them.
That this story was embellished from a true story of a womIt has been a while since I have had a hard time putting a book down, this was one of them.
That this story was embellished from a true story of a woman who was responsible for leading a child trafficking ring that involved kidnapping, molesting, and murdering� creative to provide insight into this and turn it into historical fiction. Gutting information about the Tennessee Children’s Home Society.
Gripping, like a movie. But beyond that, I found the ending to be a bit “Disney,� especially with the second subplot of Avery’s love life. There was also very little nuance. The foreshadowing/what-could-it-be was a bit too on the nose.
4.5 stars. Gripping read!! First time in a while where I spent hours/days completely engrossed in a novel. Wonderful storytelling with plots and subpl4.5 stars. Gripping read!! First time in a while where I spent hours/days completely engrossed in a novel. Wonderful storytelling with plots and subplots that feel a bit like the dark and confusing hallways of the house on Avenida Tibidabo. In search of the mystery behind Shadow of the Wind, Daniel finds himself in the world of Julian Carax, whose life strangely mirrors his own. A story about coming of age and love, shrouded in traditions of the past, and how human compassion is the thread that holds us all together....more
First impressions...a fast read that missed the mark on a profound delivery. Felt like a trite love story where decisions were predictable and a bit bFirst impressions...a fast read that missed the mark on a profound delivery. Felt like a trite love story where decisions were predictable and a bit boring. Two stars, though the institutional racism lens added a much needed dimension of how injustices faced by black people in America trickle down into all facets of life.
That love is often hinges on timing; great theme. That one can love two people simultaneously yet differently, also nice. But the ending was mild (telling of the entire plot) and left little for the readers� hearts to grapple with.
This is probably a book that will be turned into a movie, where the movie may just well be better than the book. Meh....more
Felt very YA in the beginning. Certain parts didn’t fall well with me� Marianne’s (out of the blue) yearning to be hurt during intimacy as a result ofFelt very YA in the beginning. Certain parts didn’t fall well with me� Marianne’s (out of the blue) yearning to be hurt during intimacy as a result of her trauma� but I liked the structure of the book as a concept in its own. Would I recommend? Probably not. But it’s a quick read....more
Dizzying, dreamlike, imaginative, biblical. This book would have been enjoyable if not for my utter lack of knowledge of biblical allegories/themes/chDizzying, dreamlike, imaginative, biblical. This book would have been enjoyable if not for my utter lack of knowledge of biblical allegories/themes/characters. Needed to read a book guide to help me understand/ get through the novel. Unsure how I felt about the overall novel....more
Fascinating novel. An intersection between philosophy and science, with a foundation of fantasy, set in the background of the Chinese Cultural RevolutFascinating novel. An intersection between philosophy and science, with a foundation of fantasy, set in the background of the Chinese Cultural Revolution and beyond. Admittedly confusing at times with physics concepts going above my head, causing an incomplete understanding of scope, though basic themes (communication with the outside world, downfall of human civilization, factions created within a political uprising) were well done. A good read....more
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