I initially was intrigued by the title. As opposed to Chairman Mao's saying of "let a hundred flowers bloom", I felt the title was a chilling indicatiI initially was intrigued by the title. As opposed to Chairman Mao's saying of "let a hundred flowers bloom", I felt the title was a chilling indication of what China values-- you have to be the right ethnicity, speak the right language and of course obediently follow whatever the CCP says.
This book is a collection of reporting that spans multiple issues but it just left me flat. There's nothing new and the stories have multiple timelines that were confusing. Is it important to know what's going on in China? Of course, but I'm sure there are a lot better ways to learn than to read this book....more
A ridiculously over the top story involving the Russian Mafia, the Italian mob and dirty law enforcement all centered around a murder trial. Will I reA ridiculously over the top story involving the Russian Mafia, the Italian mob and dirty law enforcement all centered around a murder trial. Will I read the next book in the series? Probably, if I have a long flight. It's a fine airplane book/beach read....more
My college alumna book club sponsored this as their latest pick and it sounded intriguing after listening to the author so I picked it up at the libraMy college alumna book club sponsored this as their latest pick and it sounded intriguing after listening to the author so I picked it up at the library.
Wow, was this an intense read. I knew it was going to delve into South Africa's amnesty tribunals but didn't expect the present day story to play out as it did. It ended up being a bit over the top, but I'll be thinking about this for quite a while....more
This book presented an intriguing look at the ballet world however the story itself was rather banal and cliche. The excessive timeline jumps3.5 stars
This book presented an intriguing look at the ballet world however the story itself was rather banal and cliche. The excessive timeline jumps were distracting and only added a layer of complexity that wasn't warranted....more
Insightful background on Yemeni Jews, especially related to their large 1949 immigration to Israel. Had no idea how derisively they were trea3.5 stars
Insightful background on Yemeni Jews, especially related to their large 1949 immigration to Israel. Had no idea how derisively they were treated or of the kidnappings. That part set the book apart, however the modern section was more of a typical chick lit/family drama....more
2.5 stars for an original theme, but there was way too much backstory and then at the end, my only thought was.... THAT'S IT?!? Very disappointing.2.5 stars for an original theme, but there was way too much backstory and then at the end, my only thought was.... THAT'S IT?!? Very disappointing....more
They say you can't judge a book by its cover, but with a title like Victorian Psycho I think you pretty much know what you're getting into. I2.5 stars
They say you can't judge a book by its cover, but with a title like Victorian Psycho I think you pretty much know what you're getting into. I was hoping for something clever in the horror genre but what I got was just gruesome and weird with way too much foreshadowing....more
A follow up to Red Notice bringing us up through 2022.
It is incredible how Russia has perverted justice and continues to launder money, murder dissenA follow up to Red Notice bringing us up through 2022.
It is incredible how Russia has perverted justice and continues to launder money, murder dissentents and cozy up to Washington with efforts to stop it seemingly few and far between....more
This was an incredibly interesting book. The beginning and end were truly mesmerizing (the middle got a bit bogged down and could have used some betteThis was an incredibly interesting book. The beginning and end were truly mesmerizing (the middle got a bit bogged down and could have used some better editing).
Zeleekah's story was my least favorite but I was entranced by Arthur's story from the beginning.... and then to find out that it was based on a real person was amazing.
And then there is Narin. I must admit I did not know anything about the Yazidis or their culture or of the brutality and genocide that they have experienced by ISIS. It was truly heartbreaking.
This is not an easy or quick book to read. Parts felt a bit didactic which makes sense knowing the author is a distinguished educator and a fellow at Oxford. All in all the metaphor of the connection of water brought together the stories of the three main characters in a thoughtful and meaningful way....more
A well written and well documented story centered around both high finance and corruption in Russia.
This was written 10 years ago and I hate to say tA well written and well documented story centered around both high finance and corruption in Russia.
This was written 10 years ago and I hate to say this but if I had read it when it was published I think I would have been more outraged and more emotionally impacted. Putin's Russia is just so corrupt and evil from the executive branch to the judicial, legislative and police that the brutality didn't shock me, it just cemented what is already known. Truth is nowhere to be found and is certainly not respected. The brave people that fight for basic human rights and for a free and open society in Russia are few and far between and almost all have to be constantly vigilant lest they are poisoned or murdered or sent to the gulag....more
I'm definitely in the minority here, but I found this book to be boring, tedious, pretentious and, at the end, cheesey. Not even sure why I bothered tI'm definitely in the minority here, but I found this book to be boring, tedious, pretentious and, at the end, cheesey. Not even sure why I bothered to finish it but I did want to see how everything was resolved....more
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