The fact that this is a small book containing early works of Langston Hughes CURATED by Danez Smith indeed, makes for a duet of voices that spans the The fact that this is a small book containing early works of Langston Hughes CURATED by Danez Smith indeed, makes for a duet of voices that spans the 20th century. Thoughtfully assembled by Danez Smith who adds commentary on the poems. As Clint Smith reviews, "Langston Hughes transformed the way America understood Black literature and Black life. The suffering. The joy. The violence. The resilience. His poetry revels in the music of our language. His love for his people leaps from the page." Hughes is known for the question "what happens to a dream deferred?" As a young black poet, Danez Smith and his friends learned that a dream could dry, fester, run, stink, crust and sugar over and even explode. They stretched their minds to meet Hughe's imagination. It is hard not to be moved by Hughes, age 18, writing a poem where his "I" is big enough to hold all of us, and "the Negro" is both individual and all Black folks. "The Negro Speaks of Rivers" became his first published poem in June 1921, in "The Crisis", the NAACP's monthly magazine edited at the time by W.E.B. DuBois. Danez Smith claims this poem changed the canon of poetry, the history and sound of American poetics....more
Carefully researched and laden with the complex history of slavery in the US, the civil war, the underground railroad. Wonderful audacity of Ellen andCarefully researched and laden with the complex history of slavery in the US, the civil war, the underground railroad. Wonderful audacity of Ellen and William Craft. The thread of the story follows the harrowing escape of this couple, but 12 chapters, organized by title from Overture to Coda, and 10 locations fill out an extensive history of the 19th century in the US. Chapters: Macon, Georgia, Savannah, Charleston, Overland, Pennsylvania, New England, The US, Canada, Overseas. From a small town in the south, to the overall state of Georgia, and its larger capital, another city in N. Carolina, the scope of locale keeps growing.
The cover and reviews call it a love story, but I felt the historical rigor was the predominant force, not the drama or suspense of facing the dangers this couple did. It provides an impartial examination of morals and thorough information about the laws, figures involved in antebellum America. ...more
**spoiler alert** Hemingway had famously declared that all modern American literature comes from one book by Twain, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. "M**spoiler alert** Hemingway had famously declared that all modern American literature comes from one book by Twain, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. "Make it two books" says Datta in the Hindu Review, "for Everett’s James is the perfect companion to Huck, giving agency to a voice we have been conditioned to not hear".
I could not put the book down, fascinated by James, who through Everett's powerful writing, reveals all that instinctively should be perceived to be wrong with slavery, racism, misuse of power. Chapter 2 explains the double-life of being a literate slave, and the importance of disguising-- cleverness, insight, wisdom, all that the powerful should value, but don't, and yet, if they see it in their subordinates, will annihilate them to squash it flat. I feel like Huck who observes injustice, says about whites misusing power, "I don't like white folks, and I's one of them". By the time you get to Part III, and witness rape as common practice, it is hard not to hate the world that refuses justice -- and worse, treats anyone who retaliates with injustice. Jim points out to Huck "good" has nothing to do with "law", that "religion" is a controlling tool whites adhere to when convenient, but any "Christian attitude" of white Masters toward another human being not of their tribe is unheard of: a slave is property to dispose of, work to death, flagellate when needing a punching bag to dispense rage with no reason, blame without honest self-examination; torture, hang for any reason. As James points out, we are create with a CAPACITY to become equal, but otherwise, equality has nothing to do with this country. Belief has nothing to do with truth. What teaches you to do whatever job or problem? Necessity.
All that aside, the cleverness of the novel is underscored by the constant existence of the outward façade of slave-language (and behavior) and inner understanding. Given a chance to read, write, study philosophers such as Voltaire, a slave is as capable as any privileged master who as a rule, shuns his own advantage. Chapter two is delightful in showing the reader how this works. Is it "proleptic or dramatic"? I had to look up proleptic... what makes an "end more tidy by resolving plotlines". At one point when James reveals himself without the mask of slave-talk, he asks Huck, if his shock is from "his diction of his content".
This is a FABULOUS novel in all senses of the word, painting not just the Civil War era of America, but the importance of determination, ingenuity for survival. We are given a mirror, asked to join the drama, decide which part we will play. ...more
One reviewer called it, " ressembling Conrad trapped in novel by Garcia Marquez". Hyperconnected, exhaustingly charted story that takes place over 2 y One reviewer called it, " ressembling Conrad trapped in novel by Garcia Marquez". Hyperconnected, exhaustingly charted story that takes place over 2 years involving shipwreck, battles with pride, struggles for survival. As the author notes, "we have not lived what these men lived" and asks us to respect that this is a work based on washed out log books, moldering correspondence, half-truthful journals with conflicting accounts. Let History be the judge. Well... I LOVE the opening sentence. "The only impartial witness was the sun." He quotes Mary McCarthy, "We are the hero of our own story" and William Golding (Lord of the Flies), "Maybe there is a beast. Maybe it is us."
I really struggled with reading it, it was horrifying to me and depressing. I might not have stuck with it, but wanted to finish it for discussion of my book club. A perfectly dreadful (but well told) story of deceit, murder, mutiny in the days of the British Empire, sending out its "wooden cities" i.e. 250 men in Sailing Vessels to navigate the high seas, acquire more land, plunder Spanish Galleons filled with silver, etc. It does not endear me to this species called "human beings". I learned a lot about what it must have been like to live the marine life in 1740-- whether as gunner, captain, or seaman.. David Grann provides a vivid description of what these "Man o' War" ships were like, and gripping descriptions of battles, whether braving the horrors of Cape Horn or firing cannons at close range. ...more
**spoiler alert** Every review seems to rave about this book and the cover says charming, witty and compulsively readable. I did not find it charming **spoiler alert** Every review seems to rave about this book and the cover says charming, witty and compulsively readable. I did not find it charming or witty in the least, and much as it is a clever conceit to involve a giant pacific octopus in the mystery of the disappearance of a beloved son, I found it quite tedious to trip over the tentacles of the intertwined chapters. Perhaps the one saving grace about the book were the chapter titles, alternating with the count of days "of My Captivity" and teasers taken from what characters said. The only chapter title that convinced me to continue reading was the quote from Shakespeare, (p. 171) "Conscience Does Make Cowards of Us All". To finally stumble on something that didn't sound like trite lines from a cast of characters doomed to a hard fate with no saving grace in sight, frankly, drove me to search for more reasons to continue reading, including skimming the last 40 pages. (I did re-read them in sequence from p. 171 to finish the book.) So... a shadow of suicide is established. I know it is fiction, but increasing hints of "just like your father" are embellished like "just like your mother" did not make up for what felt like non-sequiturs such as an odd inclusion of the supportive Aunt in a sudden out-of-character drunken response in a phone call; an unlikely drive of thousands of miles, only to turn around and still be able to show up to work. I felt the "voice" of Marcellus was rather flat, even if portrayed as "well-meaning" and the relationship with Tova a flimsy foil to only partially disclose a mother's agony over losing her son. I was glad that Cameron turned out to be a "remarkably bright creature", but to only have this confirmed on p. 347, eight pages before the end of the book did not justify the title of the book. I was not convinced by the quick wrap up at the end where everything falls into place, or the penultimate chapter "Day 1 of My Freedom" where the relationship of "finding a key" and the "bones" of a beloved son settle in the depths where Marcellus will find his final resting place and the story concludes. Yes, "keys" and "bones" are important metaphors in the book, but their mention felt haphazard given what felt like a slog of non-stop dialogue that hid not only "what happened" to Eric, the son (which is revealed in one sentence about a boom at the end) but created a whirlpool of extraneous, pathetic detail that didn't really hang together.
Instead of drawing out in me a sense of compassion for any of the characters as I read, I felt an increasingly sense of irritation. Even the delightful Scotsman provided more conundrum than pleasure. I wish the details about Tova's Swedish background, the Dala Horse, her father's house, had not been saved until the end. Finally, her character felt fleshed out and grounded, after the swirls of surreal fiction. I will listen carefully to two different book groups who will be discussing this book in hopes they counter these impressions....more
I love historical fiction, and this book is a prime example to explain why. It is not just details of the Gilded Age, nor the biography of an extraordI love historical fiction, and this book is a prime example to explain why. It is not just details of the Gilded Age, nor the biography of an extraordinary woman, or an introduction to the giant power of JP Morgan and the establishment of his library as one of the most important museums in the world of precious manuscripts and art, nor even the main thread of the story which is that tenuous line we have invented between races and class where black is relegated behind the scenes, never to enjoy the privileges this country pretends are "for all", and white declares the rules for the rich to be successful.
It is carefully researched, and aside from a luxuriant overdose of name droppings involved in the art world, the upper crust society of New York, the personal story of Belle and slow reveal about her father, the reasons for her mother's insistence of an alleged Portuguese heritage, the story of race and the pressure of playing high stakes is gripping. It is important to note the dual authorship of the book and the excellent touch of Victoria Christopher Murray to add the layer of post-civil war history of racism and how the war did not end it. I fell in love with Belle, became her second Mama, worrying about her as she played her amazing cards in a game she had to teach herself. The love story unfolding in the second part of the book is indeed heart-breaking and adds yet another dimension to this extraordinary woman.
There is a mirror effect of the book to examine yourself, perhaps as well the "luxury of making mistakes" and what they might they be, or the fun of flirtation vs. real emotion . The bottom line of being human is our struggle to know who we really are, and how that matches what we seem to be. Shakespeare appears towards the end with the well-known lines: "a fool thinks himself to be wise and a wise man knows himself to be a fool." Indeed. ...more
I was swamped with other books to read, so did not read each page. However, I highly recommend the beginnings chapters filled with delightful prose! RI was swamped with other books to read, so did not read each page. However, I highly recommend the beginnings chapters filled with delightful prose! Reminds me a bit of AA Milne with mention of "Received Good Advice from Responsible Persons" (p. 42), both the noun of that received and the noun of the collective givers of it deserve the capitalization, which underlies a wry sense of humor that pervades her style. To think of traveling solo, as a woman, IN JANUARY of all seasons, in 1963 all that distance takes enormous gusto and determination. "I travel for travel's sake. The great affair is to move, to feel the hitches of our life more nearly� to come down off the feather-bed civilization and find the globe, granite underfoot and strewn with cutting flints." -- In her kit, beside the spare pair of scratchy woolen ankle-length underpants, a viyella shirt and a few other things, a copy of William Blake poems. List of expenditures from 14 Jan. to 8 July 1963: 64 pounds 7 pence. The description of travel from Dunkirk to Zagreb took only a few pages, but does include mention of 6 foot icicles crashing down, and status change from "traveler" to demoralized fugitive from the weather. In Afghanistan, she waxes lyrical, with mention of "numble sparkling fountains, with richly scented shrubs about her, the mountains jagged against the royal blue sky, and the air like silk as a little breeze moves among the birch trees. The description of camels and traffic is comical. Insights on the giving of alms; deception by police and sordid attempts of rape are also included in the beginning as well as the passing comment that "gunshots in wee hours are not regarded as signs of emergency". An eye opening book. Grateful to know about it!...more
One can't take a philosopher in a "slice a day" and chew, assuming the swallowed result will provide a satisfying meal. Bakewell's book offers a more One can't take a philosopher in a "slice a day" and chew, assuming the swallowed result will provide a satisfying meal. Bakewell's book offers a more realistic approach, blending biography and analysis of one of my favorite humanists. It is refreshing to be reminded of the human propensity for contradiction, especially on a romp not just through Renaissance times, but the ancient traditions feeding them, and a healthy drink of perspectives from 4 centuries afterwards.
Published in 2010, I find it a friendly companion to accompany the attempts to understand how to live Montaigne penned 400 years ago.
I enjoyed very much the clever presentation of "20 retorts to one question". I finished the book feeling the satisfaction of having viewed a thoughtfully prepared mosaic of possible perspectives on "how to live" which will linger in my mind like an unforgettable painting.
In one of my favorite chapters (#6: use little tricks) Bakewell talks about Stoicism, Epicureanism and Skepticism; ataraxia (freedom from anxiety). How do you compromise with the world? How do you deal with the fact you are not in control and are continually doomed to fail to pay careful attention despite your best intentions? Tricks are thought experiments the best of which call on the imagination. The trick of acceptance of things are as they are given that it is futile to change it, does not mean "give up", but allows one to look at time circling around itself; troubles will come and go, swell up and shrink... and so? Catch yourself changing your mind about what might be considered the same thing. Mental rehearsals, distractions, diversions, reliance on nature all fall in the category of "tricks" as you collect stories. / Perhaps you will reach the conclusion of the uselessness of human reason, but at the same time, be reminded how easily we forget the good things and obsess about the bad.
Surprise and delight deliver a new spin on "Prosoche" -- the Greek word for "mindfulness" and the Greek word, "Epeko" (I suspend judgement) engraved on Montaigne's seal. I like that Bakewell used the French word, "branloire" (see-saw) which comes from "branler": to wobble as metaphor to describe a study of a shifting systems dancing. We are but patchworks of contradictions, in search of experiences and stories. Montaigne provides a marvelous example of a feast which Bakewell serves us on a well-appointed table!
Fascinating introduction to Artificial Intelligence using a collaboration between a "pioneering technologist" and visionary writer of science fiction.Fascinating introduction to Artificial Intelligence using a collaboration between a "pioneering technologist" and visionary writer of science fiction. We know AI has been around and gathering steam so, reading 10 short stories set in the future 20 years from now that paints a world where health, education, entertainment, relationships, jobs, war, transportation are run by AI with pros and cons does not feel far-fetched. That I found that Kai-Fu Lee's introductory remarks and analysis were far more interesting than the stories perhaps speaks to my subjective preferences for old-fashioned humanism. It's akin perhaps to preferring classical vs. experimental music.
Indeed, what humans do better than machines is nicely explained, as well as the dangers of what humans do to each other. I enjoyed very much the epigrams before each chapter, calling on a wide range of sources from the Bhagavad Gita, Herman Hesse, to lines from Shakespeare's Tempest. My favorites were for Chpt. 2 "Truth and Morning Become Light with Time" (African Proverb) and the final chapter on Plenitude: "Those who lose dreaming are lost."
I imagine Montaigne being transplanted from his 16th century French world entering into this 21st century conversation. How does one live? Will reading no longer be a past-time? Will we still care about the past, be curious about how the world works, trade in friendship and discussion for convenience and convention? Will that pillar of the Renaissance, "CURIOSITY" be effaced along with MINDFULNESS?
I bring up Montaigne, who seems to me to have puzzled long and hard on the question of human happiness. Kai-Fu Lee's final chapter on "Plenitude" does as well and is worth pondering deeply. If happiness is totally subjective, if human beings are prone to dismiss good things, and focus on the bad, appoint Judge Brindlegeese to be in charge who dismiss reason, continue new wars of religion now currently equipped with "slaughterbots" and continue to wage general wars with drones called "Fire and Forget"... the problem is not AI but rather our human complexity.
What stories do we tell ourselves? Can AI help us invent a useful story that can liberate us from our presumptive assumptions? How do we address the human condition of longing for something more, that "elusive something else" we think we desire?
The ancient sages have always help the truth that one need start with one's self, examine as best one can with as much honesty as possible our qualities and possibilities. This book provides a small mirror in which to start such an examination....more
Lovely meditative book to savor slowly. Part I is somewhat repetitive and preachy, and the editor's introduction includes a poem which reflects the soLovely meditative book to savor slowly. Part I is somewhat repetitive and preachy, and the editor's introduction includes a poem which reflects the sort of innocence that might turn a sceptic away. "Each flower smiles with me... Peace is every step. It turns the endless path to joy". If you DO the work of meditation, living mindfully, this can be true for you. This is not something external.
Part II is delightful, filled with Thay's gentle humor! Favorite chapters for me, "Cooking our Potatoes", where, nothing is wrong with a raw potato -- it's just not ready to be served .. . or "look into your hand" -- and you can see others who are missing... or asking "what's not wrong"-- planting seeds that can nourish. The Buddha only points the way... we ARE capable of doing good...
I am reminded of Maria Popova reminding us that we are "a breathing accident of chance, ample with reverberations of the impossible-- a buoyant moment in the dark... made to blaze with love and readiness for life."
I used his idea of "mouth yoga" in our Christmas card-- you cannot use your facial muscles to smile if you are preoccupied with worry or anger. Breathe in... calm... breathe out the same and smile. It really does work....more
What a page turner that continues to haunt after the last page. It is refreshing to follow a mystery that has such strong character development! The pWhat a page turner that continues to haunt after the last page. It is refreshing to follow a mystery that has such strong character development! The plot thickens, skillfully threaded with multiple subplots in different time frames, in 7 divisions of chapters. This is no straight forward tale . If you do not know the history of monied privilege and private camps in the Adirondacks, this is a fine introduction. This book will rile any inner feminist from the slow but quite precise etching of two of the characters, where lines charcoal into greasy smears of unmistakable darkness. The story provides mirrors for several versions of impossible situations which develop from a hint of trouble to full-flown predicament. - [ ] ...more
**spoiler alert** I enjoyed learning so much! This is a multifaceted book of historical fiction. I love the title, and the link to Captain Kidd whose **spoiler alert** I enjoyed learning so much! This is a multifaceted book of historical fiction. I love the title, and the link to Captain Kidd whose job it is to travel about to share the news -- and the various implications of what news is, how it is received. For example, the Horrell Brothers of Lampasas County, who want only to hear accounts of themselves. What to read where, fresh after the Civil War, where Davis is not be mentioned in certain Texas towns. I loved the sign reproduced on the wall in Thurber's News and Printing Establishment above the hand-fed Chandler and Price paten press: THIS IS A PRINTING OFFICE. This is a printing office. crossroads of civilization refuge of all the arts against the ravages of time Armoury of fearless truth against whispering rumor, incessant trumpet of trade. From this place words may fly abroad, not to perish on waves of sound; not to vary with the writer's hand but fixed in time having been verified in proof. Friend you stand on sacred ground, THIS IS A PRINTING OFFICE.
Indeed, let us not forget how important the role of the press... and may it continue to be a sacred place.
What is the world? is another question raised. In the 19th century, as the US Army fights against native tribes, when the history of massacres, captives is perhaps more common place, the clash of cultures presents opposed ideas of how to live in the world. To have a white child wrenched from the European roots settling in the West, to learn and cherish the ways of the Kiowa, only to be wrenched from this world in which she was nurtured is the focus of the story. However, Jiles weaves the theme with an Irish variation of one of the characters, Doris Dillon who understood the similar predicament of children surviving the Irish famine. "To go through our first creation is a turning of the soul we hope toward the light, out of the animal world. To go through another tears all the making of the first creation and sometimes it falls to bits." She understood from the Irish famine, when children sent to "people on the other side"... are unfinished, forever falling.
It is touching to follow the growing affinity between the Captain and Johanna (mostly referred to as "the girl" and first introduced by the translation of her name, Cicada, given to her by the Kiowa).
The book sketches as well different kinds of battles, and difficulties the duo face, the surprising ingenuity of Johanna. The vocabulary is quite precise regarding guns and not being someone familiar with firearms, I enjoyed learning about their unpredictability-- but also the versatility of what shot could be used.
I found the end quite sad -- the hardness of the supposed "family" who even the community rejects. I found the fairytale ending unrealistic, but glad for the happy ending.
Dame Judi Dench is inimitable and this book provides a delightful autobiography! Although it is based on interviews about her acting career Dench's twDame Judi Dench is inimitable and this book provides a delightful autobiography! Although it is based on interviews about her acting career Dench's twinkly-eyed humor, her love of these plays and an amazing scene-by-scene analysis of many of them (which provides a "roll-on-the-ground with laughter summary), delivers her personality through and through. I admit... I didn't read every word especially when entire scenes/sonnets were quoted -- I just wanted to absorb the pith of her. She includes childhood anecdotes in a seamless manner! And boy... I learned a lot about Mr. Shakespeare. What a genius... he knew how to deal with the politics of his times and the universalities of being human!!! The blurbs do not lie: "Swirls and dances with brilliance and mischief... the wisdom here is breathtaking... " You'll also appreciate her insights on why Shakespeare's writing is so successful with non-pendantic mentions of examples of his craft. ...more
**spoiler alert** The jacket and blurbs pay just homage to the author for her research and compelling narrative, of this love story of "epic proportio**spoiler alert** The jacket and blurbs pay just homage to the author for her research and compelling narrative, of this love story of "epic proportions" in the fast-changing turn of the century. I learned so much about the the iconic architect, with plenty of detail to support both his gifts, his "inscrutable, discordant elements" but even more about this amazing woman who chose to go beyond convention in so many ways.
The choice of the title deepens as the reader progresses through this gripping story of Frank Lloyd Wright and Mamah Borthwick Cheney. What does it take to love an eccentric genius? I had no knowledge about Mamah and found this novel thrilling both in the details of the biography of this unique, ground-breaking feminist, and understanding a personal side to this revolutionary architect. The book speeds along revealing the conflicts, struggles and obstacles they each face, and one senses a vivid presence of both in their devotion to each other and understanding of the importance of their individual "authenticity" in pursuing what brings passionate meaning to their lives.
I had no idea of the tragedy at Taliesin. So much of the third part centers about this place whose name means "Truth Against the World." I cannot see the word without thinking of how integral Mamah's role played a part in its creation. ...more
**spoiler alert** Each novella is about 120 pages. I finished the first one two nights ago... I think she does a splendid job bringing in the problem **spoiler alert** Each novella is about 120 pages. I finished the first one two nights ago... I think she does a splendid job bringing in the problem of the 6-day war in Israel, the shift in attitudes in the university where the protagonist teaches Hebrew...into the story. The older Hebrew teacher is painted with a patient, understanding attitude at first... but then as she starts to realize what she feels is an insult to her, to her 40 years of dedicated and starts to complain... this changes in color and texture. The power of the fancy (pretty incomprehensible) young hot shot professor, painted as someone who has "no time" for ridiculous, old fashioned practises and where the adjective "begruding" is used several times for his manner, only increases. A very successful portrait of arrogance... and disheartening portrayal of the slow take over where an older once-successful teacher is thanked for her services, dismissed as she interferes with the new wave of teaching literature which dismisses reading Jewish literature, dismisses the importance of speaking Hebrew, dismisses the Jewish traditions and focusses on abstractions and politically correct positions.
That wasn't too much of a spoiler was it? The theme of feeling dismissed is a hard one... and the story shows also the extent to which the Hebrew teacher has spent her life arranging situations so everyone feels they belong. I could picture all the situations, they felt so real.
The other two novellas are well told, addressing familiar problems which I read with a sinking heart, looking at unfixable (and one wants to think, unnecessary) problems. Heart-breaking as they are, I admit... I did speed-read, picking up on the clash between the "old Jewish traditions" and modern life.
Story 2: a grandmother comes from Israel to visit her grandson -- the façade of her son, trying to make his fortune in Silicon valley... his "beautiful young wife from afar, far from beautiful close up" and the convenient blaming of their frictions on this unwanted visitor is painful. The cracks widen as the novella go on.
Story 3: painful exposure of what it's like to be a teen-ager in today's world... and fine portrayal of the generation gap and agony of mother, unable to understand the pain her daughter undergoes as a middle schooler. I admit I had to look up ROTFLMAOPMP (rolling on the floor laughing my ass off peeing my pants) and I'm guessing "Make New Friends" is the one of 14 definitions MNF can mean... What kind of world do teens have to navigate, when the standard response is IDC?
Maya Arad writes in Hebrew, translated by Jessica Cohen. I am not Jewish, but enjoyed learning the Hebrew words sprinkled in-- and in the first novella, was introduced to Ma'Aleh Adumim, near Jerusalem, which I looked up � finding out more about the complexity of the West Bank. I really enjoyed the first novella (even the nauseating character Yoad with his "calcified smile", his insults of the ladies of the Hebrew Club as a "gaggle of old ladies looking to stay busy in retirement, and his disgust at the "shitty Hebrew poetry contest"). I love that the Hebrew Teacher wants to write her memoir to help people remember what was so important to her.
All good mirrors for taking a good look at myself!...more
It doesn't seem possible that military police would do such damage to a precious instrument that is allied with one of the highest of the arts human beings have produced. As soon as I read that the quartet was working with Schubert's Rosamund in a minor, I continued reading the book, listening to this music. The book, is organized in 4 sections, like this quartet. Like the music, I could not put it down, hungry to hear the entire piece.
It is not an accident that Mizubayashi has chosen this opening detail in a frightening description of the entry of the police : the son of the violinist is reading. The opening page describes its cover , next to the boy's "petrified feet": "its white cover edged with a thin orange stripe. The title in thick black characters shamelessly offers itself to the bright light: "How Do You Live?" Below, in small characters, the author's name is printed, and at the bottom, medium-size, the name of the book's collection: The Little Citizen's Library. An eerie, fear-fused dark surrounds the boy hiding in a wardrobe, and a window of light, where he is handed the broken violin "almost flat, its four strings formed a warped contour; in the dark it looks like a little dying animal". We only learn in a much later chapter the true translation of Kurokami, the name of the man who hands it to him. We learn that the sound like "faint stubborn trill of dying cicadas" is tinnitus, the "sound of silence."
I will not give more spoilers, but hope this beginning will have you rush to the library to pick up a copy. This is masterful description. As reader, how can you not now speed through these opening pages entitled "Pause for Contemplation"?
I enjoy books that travel through time. From the initial "dark stairway of time" in Tokyo, 1938, we arrive in Paris in 2003, and find out the boy, Rei, has been raised by a French friend of his father and is now called Jacques, and has chosen the career of luthier. His path to mend the instrument parallels his effort to reconcile the past with the present....more
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