Best example of don’t judge a book by its cover.
V fun story of an 80 year old man who gets the chance to go back to his 10 year old self while retainBest example of don’t judge a book by its cover.
V fun story of an 80 year old man who gets the chance to go back to his 10 year old self while retaining everything he knows. Chaos and brilliance ensues. ...more
For two years in a row, Sarah and I have visited the world’s largest bookstore, Powell’s in Portland, with a mission: find a book the other would enjoFor two years in a row, Sarah and I have visited the world’s largest bookstore, Powell’s in Portland, with a mission: find a book the other would enjoy. She got me this one and another about a cafe run by cats. The latter turned out to be all about astrology, which I find so insufferable that even quirky cats couldn’t save it. But this book � this one was fantastic. The stories lean sad, but there are plenty of redemptive moments to keep you going. If you’re looking to dip into literary short fiction, this is wonderful. ...more
Interesting concept of telling the story of one plot of land over hundreds of years. It read more like a collection of short stories, so I didn’t haveInteresting concept of telling the story of one plot of land over hundreds of years. It read more like a collection of short stories, so I didn’t have enough time with the characters to fall in love with them. The first half was 5 stars for me since I thought the stories were more interesting � like an apple farmer, spinster sisters, and con artist. But the second half dragged on and I became more interested in the beautiful writing about nature than the stories themselves. ...more
Writing is as good as it gets. But gahlee Conroy tells the saddest stories. Unlikely high school friends grow old together and navigate the worst painWriting is as good as it gets. But gahlee Conroy tells the saddest stories. Unlikely high school friends grow old together and navigate the worst pains possible. For Conroy, if anything can go wrong, it (probably) will. ...more
2.5 stars. The feminism was too on the nose for me. It felt like every other page was a soapbox of how much harder women have it in life. I believe th2.5 stars. The feminism was too on the nose for me. It felt like every other page was a soapbox of how much harder women have it in life. I believe that reality and didn’t need 100 cliche monologues to get me there.
The stereotypes were exhausting too. It made it seem like every man in the 50s was a manipulative sexist. And every woman was being held hostage in her home.
It was also hard to be cool with how religion is treated in the book, like you must be an idiot to believe in God. The way it made science clash with religion seemed elementary. They don’t have to be mutually exclusive, Elizabeth Zott.
Lastly, Elizabeth Zott drove me crazy. She was always right in her eyes and everyone else was stupid or out to get her. She constantly rebelled against her boss just because she felt like it � and he was one of the few decent guys in the book! She refused to make reasonable compromises (even though that’s a normal part of any job for a man or woman.) And she came across as smug, pretentious, and cynical � the last person I would want to hang out with � but then again, she wouldn’t want to hang out with me because I’m a guy not named Calvin.
P.S. My dissatisfaction with this book compared to the high reviews from about every girl on my Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ makes me think this would be a great co-ed book club read....more
Ishiguro’s first novel shows that he’s always been into eeriness. Love his writing but this one seemed a bit too clever for me, like he’s the only oneIshiguro’s first novel shows that he’s always been into eeriness. Love his writing but this one seemed a bit too clever for me, like he’s the only one who actually knows what’s going on. ...more
Picked this out at a bookstore because of the cover and the Booker Prize sticker. The prose is as beautiful as the cover, although I wish the author dPicked this out at a bookstore because of the cover and the Booker Prize sticker. The prose is as beautiful as the cover, although I wish the author didn’t reference his thesaurus so much � sooo many words I’ve never heard of. Here are some of them…just in the first 100 pages:
Besides those annoying words just about every page, it was a moving story about grief, memory, childhood, and losing loves. Would recommend if you like sad stories and/or pretentious language....more
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