I have a hard time liking main characters who do inexplicable, weird things. Marilynne Robinson made Sylvie from HOUSEKEEPING very likeable in her offI have a hard time liking main characters who do inexplicable, weird things. Marilynne Robinson made Sylvie from HOUSEKEEPING very likeable in her offbeat-ness. Barb, the main character in CLEANING NABOKOV'S HOUSE is similar to Sylvie, but I never quite warmed up to her. CNH is a quirky story, a bit reminiscent of Aimee Bender's work. There were a few problems that kept bugging me (like if your husband wins custody of the kids, but marries the social worker in charge of your case, wouldn't you go back to court immediately?). I kept reading because I wanted to know how the story would end, but overall I didn't find the story entirely satisfying. ...more
Charming, delightful, and witty. I loved reading Henrietta's account of life during wartime. I was surprised at how many varied subjects she touched oCharming, delightful, and witty. I loved reading Henrietta's account of life during wartime. I was surprised at how many varied subjects she touched on - like isolationist patriotism, feminism, and child-rearing - are still appropriate today. All of these subjects are touched on matter-of-factly in the course of the narrative, not as the end to the writing itself. The personal, after all, is the political. I can't wait to read more of these reissues by Bloomsbury....more
Very fun. I won this one from the first reads contest and enjoyed having a book of all the cute goggies. It's totally the kind of book you want aroundVery fun. I won this one from the first reads contest and enjoyed having a book of all the cute goggies. It's totally the kind of book you want around for a few minutes of happy entertainment, and a great book to pass along so someone else can enjoy it. Obviously there's no plot and it's a quick read if you just plow right through, but if you look at just a few pictures at at time, it makes for a very pleasant read. I also recommend Simon's Cat....more
I think Emily Giffin has a wonderful way with dialogue. I could hear the characters talking, and they sounded like people I know.
However, the plot felI think Emily Giffin has a wonderful way with dialogue. I could hear the characters talking, and they sounded like people I know.
However, the plot felt a bit like a soap-opera. A really well written soap opera, but not terribly believable. Sometimes that's what you want, though. This is a great summer read, good for an airplane or the cabin. Even though I wasn't really impressed with the plot, I did find myself wanting to get back to the book to find out what was going to happen next....more
The reading-voice-in-my-head had no trouble reading this in a strong British accent. Of course, the voice did have trouble reading aloud because it keThe reading-voice-in-my-head had no trouble reading this in a strong British accent. Of course, the voice did have trouble reading aloud because it kept laughing.
I probably wouldn't have picked up this book up without prompting, but I won it from one of the Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ first look offers. I'm quite glad I did. Bawdy humor isn't usually my realm -- I tend to think of it as guy stuff, but there were some lines in this so stupidly funny I had to read them aloud to my husband. I turned all Beavis-y reading this: "Ha ha, he said 'balls'".
Plus there were some disarmingly touching and beautifully written passages that had me checking the cover to make sure I was still reading the same book.
Now I'm going to need to pick up a copy of Mr. Moore's "Lamb", as well read King Lear, so I'll understand even more of the jokes of "Fool".
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