Overall, I loved this little book. As to be expected, some essays resonated with me more than others, and one or two even got a little tedious, but soOverall, I loved this little book. As to be expected, some essays resonated with me more than others, and one or two even got a little tedious, but so much of the book was simply an etymological delight. I read it aloud to my husband while we drove to visit family in Nebraska, and it made for such a nice trip. I did have my husband's iPhone with me, and paused to look up words whose meanings we were unsure of (first, we'd each take a guess, and to our surprise and gratification, we were often fairly close).
I think that so often, with the amount of information at our fingertips, we rarely read for the enjoyment of the language anymore. We skim to get what we need out of whatever it is we're reading and then we move on. In Fadiman's book, we had the opportunity to slow down and revel in the wonder of words....more
I've been debating between 3 and 4 stars. This is a quick read (a plus in my life lately), and I found myself really liking most of it. I have to admiI've been debating between 3 and 4 stars. This is a quick read (a plus in my life lately), and I found myself really liking most of it. I have to admit that the ending left me a little flat, though, and I'm not exactly sure why. . .
I love the message that our lives influence the lives around us--that we are all connected--and that, because of this, no life is insignificant. I enjoyed Albom's writing and storytelling.
I wonder if I'm the only one who chuckled when I read the following, taken from the inside of the back cover: ". . .this is a book that readers of fine fiction, and those who loved "Tuesdays with Morrie", will treasure." (Is this a dig at people who "loved Tuesdays with Morrie"?)
Ok, on further consideration, I definitely give this 4 stars. It really is well-written and there are some great insights (I love the part where he talks about "all parents damage their children"--I no longer have the book so can't quote it properly, but it's a nice part)....more
We bought this book before a trip to Beijing in 2005, but Amazon was particularly slow with their delivery and it arrived just a couple of days beforeWe bought this book before a trip to Beijing in 2005, but Amazon was particularly slow with their delivery and it arrived just a couple of days before our departure. My husband began reading the book on the plane (and even though the book is banned in China, our bags weren't searched so our copy made it into the country without any problem), but didn't finish it until well after we'd returned home. At that point, my interest had waned a bit. In addition, I just don't like to read "sad" books, and my husband had told me some of the more tragic events in the book, so I chose not to read it.
When Wild Swans was chosen as our book group book (by a woman who is somewhat of a Chinese history scholar), I began reading with reluctance. The first half of the book took me a very long time to read, but the second half, I had a hard time putting down. I wondered if I had become hardened to all of the sorrow and suffering, but I think the second half was more compelling because it was when the author began telling her story, from her point of view, and it was easier to put myself into the story (and thus, more heartbreaking).
The writing is first-rate, and I appreciate the epilogue and the introduction to the 2003 edition (which I recommend reading AFTER you've read the book) which chronicle some of the author's difficulties in initally facing her past in China. It is a courageous book, with honest and emotional portrayals of a time in history that is still so little understood by the Western world. I, for one, am grateful to Jung Chang for sharing her family's stories.
I love the pictures of the author and her family that are included in the 2003 edition. I spent the first part of the book frustrated that the edition didn't include a map of China, only to discover that there is a great map in the BACK of the book. These extras, along with the timeline and family tree, help the non-Chinese reader keep track of names and places.
I wish I had been able to read the book before going to China. I think it would have given me a more acurate lense through which to see people and places. But, late is better than never, and I'm so glad to have read the book now....more
Terry Ryan does a really nice job describing her dysfunctional family without sugar-coating, yet still allowing her love for her parents to come throuTerry Ryan does a really nice job describing her dysfunctional family without sugar-coating, yet still allowing her love for her parents to come through. I've read it twice and must admit that I enjoyed it more the first time. The second time I found myself getting a little impatient with it. They are an integral part of the story, but the contest entries can get a little tedious....more
**spoiler alert** This was another book-group read. I loved the writing style, but I had a hard time with some of the "miracles," especially those tha**spoiler alert** This was another book-group read. I loved the writing style, but I had a hard time with some of the "miracles," especially those that seemed to have no real purpose. I also struggled with the ending. ...more
**spoiler alert** This was the first of the Bayern books that I read, and I think it would be best to read them in the proper order (this one after "G**spoiler alert** This was the first of the Bayern books that I read, and I think it would be best to read them in the proper order (this one after "Goose Girl"). A great Jr. Fiction read, though....more
**spoiler alert** My favorite of the Bayern books, and an impressive start to Shannon Hale's publishing career.**spoiler alert** My favorite of the Bayern books, and an impressive start to Shannon Hale's publishing career....more
**spoiler alert** Probably my least favorite of the Bayern books ("Goose Girl" and "Enna Burning" are the first two in the series), but still a good r**spoiler alert** Probably my least favorite of the Bayern books ("Goose Girl" and "Enna Burning" are the first two in the series), but still a good read. I think my biggest complaint with all of these was that, at times, the characters act more like modern teens than seems in keeping with the overall feel of the books. ...more
**spoiler alert** I actually think this is my favorite of Shannon Hale's books. Again, she has a wonderful protagonist, an exciting tale, and she's cr**spoiler alert** I actually think this is my favorite of Shannon Hale's books. Again, she has a wonderful protagonist, an exciting tale, and she's created a vivid world that which supports the story beautifully.
In my opinion, one sign of a great fantasy writer, is writing that can make you simply accept the fantastical and magical elements of the story (the "willfull suspension of disbelief" without realizing you're doing it). I think this is one of Hale's real strengths and one of the things that makes her books such fun to read....more
**spoiler alert** In some ways, I feel like this book was written wholly for the final scene(s) (which in the era of travel security in which we live **spoiler alert** In some ways, I feel like this book was written wholly for the final scene(s) (which in the era of travel security in which we live would never actually be plausible). While I enjoyed it, I do find the premise (a place where actors do whatever they need to fulfill a woman's "Austen fantasy") somewhat disturbing. Jane is a difficult character for me to relate to, but I did find myself rooting for a happy ending for her, so that says something.
I definitely think that Shannon Hale is stronger in the Jr. Fiction genre....more
**spoiler alert** This was the first of Shannon Hale's books that I read, and I found myself wishing I had a daughter to share it with. I loved that H**spoiler alert** This was the first of Shannon Hale's books that I read, and I found myself wishing I had a daughter to share it with. I loved that Hale created a strong protagonist who could still be young and feminine. I'm so glad to see more fiction for young people with characters that girls can really look up to. ...more
**spoiler alert** Very well written, amazing story, and one that, even several years after reading it, has stayed with me. If this makes sense, it's o**spoiler alert** Very well written, amazing story, and one that, even several years after reading it, has stayed with me. If this makes sense, it's one that I definitely recommend, but likely will not read again myself....more
**spoiler alert** I read book for a book group. It is not one I would have ever picked up on my own, but I really really enjoyed it. Once I got past t**spoiler alert** I read book for a book group. It is not one I would have ever picked up on my own, but I really really enjoyed it. Once I got past the first couple of chapters, especially, I found myself amazed at how fascinated I was by it. I was so impressed with the author's knowledge of the subject, but especially with his ability to convey so much information in a way that kept my attention and kept me, someone so removed, both geographically and temporally from the tale, emotionally involved....more
Wonderful little book. I found a great deal of wisdom, comfort and insight in it's pages. Wonderful little book. I found a great deal of wisdom, comfort and insight in it's pages. ...more