Phyllis

I read most of this book in conjunction with my book club's discussion of William Goldman's “The Princess Bride.” None of the nearby libraries had this book available in print, which is why I only read part of the book.

I found many of the chapters well-written. Each chapter contained well-thought out explorations of “TPB's” themes and connections to classic philosophy. I can recommend this book as a nice companion to “TPB,” particularly if you want to delve into the genius of the novel.

I re-read this book for today's Great Books book club meeting and found it as charming as the first time. In fact, I forgot exactly how funny and subtle the book is!

I confess that part of the reason that I love this book so much is because of the Merchant Ivory production released in 1985. And I call myself a book fiend! I've probably seen the move 20 times, several with my beloved Grammie. Several nuances weren't clear to me the first viewing, nor would they have been evident the first time reading the book after this most recent read. Frankly, the movie version could not be a truer adaptation, from the settings to the fantastic acting. Kiri Te Kanawa is serenading me as I write this review, in fact.

One book club member found the Dickensian names of the characters to be a bit ham-fisted (Emerson for the “free-thinking father and son;” Lucy Honeychurch for the young, innocent girl who is the source of light for George; Cecil Vyse who wants to put Lucy a vice of sorts and whose name means blindness), but I liked Forster's use of this device, which I thought was intended as both a satire and an homage. Despite the transparency of the characters' names, the characters live and breathe. From Mrs. Honeychurch to Miss Bartlett to Mr. Beebe, every piece of dialogue contains the “everlasting yes,” supporting one of the themes of the book.

I found the plot akin to a Shakespearean comedy mixed with Jane Austen's comedy of errors and humanistic and transcendentalist tendencies. Yet, there is something very original and fresh about this novel. While the plot and love story seem somewhat simplistic on first glance, there is much more underneath the frolicking, tourism, and tennis. The view into the Edwardian era after the stuffy Victorian age is languid, lovely, and seems nostalgic, which isn't surprising given that the book wasn't completed until the end of the era.

I did not realize that this novel was somewhat autobiographical until preparing to lead the book club discussion. When E. M. Forster was 2, his father died; from then on, the author was raised by his mother and aunt. As a young man, he and his mother toured Italy on a trip much like Lucy and Miss Bartlett's. E. M. Forster later stated that his exposure to Italy's magnificent art opened his eyes in many ways. One wonders if the author also was kissed in a barley field, but we may never know due to the repression of homosexuals in Edwardian society. At any rate, we can thank that experience for the first half of “ARWAV.”

What I had missed the first time around (and definitely in the movie) is that Miss Bartlett had a romance 30 years prior to the events of the novel and that the young man must have caddishly gossiped about their encounter, resulting in Miss Bartlett becoming a spinster. We don't know if that was a choice, similar to what Lucy almost made, or whether her reputation was ruined. Without Miss Bartlett's intervention, George and Lucy would not have ended up together. What I found rather sad was Mr. Beebe's ultimate disapproval; he preferred that Lucy choose a life of celibacy, perhaps devoting herself to music, than to select George, despite his reoccurring comment that it would be delightful if Lucy took to living as she played. Perhaps, this was intended to be a commentary on vicars or religion, in general.

Below are the discussion questions from the book club meeting today, which I cobbled together from a few other question sets, and which gives a good overview of the rather spirited discussion.

1. The Bloomsbury Group, which included Virginia Woolf, John Maynard Keynes, Lytton Strachey, and the author, amongst others, believed that “one's prime objects in life were love, the creation and enjoyment of aesthetic experience and the pursuit of knowledge.” This view is in opposition to the strictures of the Victorians. In what ways does “A Room With a View” represent the views of the Bloomsbury group?
2. What is Forster's view of art in this book? Are there right and wrong ways to understand and appreciate artwork? How do the characters in the novel present this view?
3. What do you think about the way the British travelers conceive of Italians and Italy? How might their attitudes reflect the elitist, imperialist mindset that Forster seems to criticize throughout the book?
4. How does Forster use the variations of light and darkness, vision and blindness, and day and night to express the themes of clarity and shadow in the book?
5. What is the role of nature in the book and what is its relevance to the struggles of characters to make decisions about their lives?
6. A frequent criticism of Forster's plots is his reliance on coincidence and chance. What improbable circumstances are required to unite Lucy and George? Is George right when he says of their reunion in England, “It is Fate. Everything is Fate.”? Does the novel suggest an external force that brings the lovers together?
7. There are many kinds of deceit in the book: betrayal by friends, secrets between lovers, and most importantly Lucy's self-deceit. Four of the last five chapters show Lucy lying to nearly everyone else in the book. Which kinds of lies are most harmful to the “personal relations” that Forster cherished?
8. According to Mr. Emerson's view and the view that the book most sympathetically presents, the best way to live one's life is to be true to one's nature, and to follow it in spite of all societal pressures, which requires great strength. Do you think that Lucy has a strong character? Is she an example of a strong woman?
9. Lucy and George both stand outside Britain's traditional class structure. George is a clerk, the son of a journalist and grandson of a laborer. Lucy is the daughter of a lawyer and her social status is “more splendid than her antecedents entitled her to.” What role does social class play in the novel? Why did Forster choose Cecil to deliver the statement: “The classes ought to mix...There ought to be intermarriage—all sorts of things. I believe in democracy.”?
10. Charlotte and Mr. Beebe both act “out of character” near the end of the book. How can these behaviors be accounted for, given what is known about them so far? Do you think that Forster gives satisfactory preparation for their actions? If not, what purpose does the ambiguity serve?

I found this book about Integrative Rheumatology and others (Cardiology and Gastroenterology) in the Weil Integrative Medicine Library this summer. As background, I have two autoimmune diseases and have experienced serious medical events as a result. Also, I have been frustrated by the silos in Western medicine; one of my autoimmune diseases is a blood disorder that causes heart attacks, pulmonary embolisms, etc. Yet, my rheumatologist points me to hematologist and cardiologists, who then point me back or focus on just treating the heart, with no overall case management.

The book is aimed at medical practitioners, but, as a lay person, found the book clear and understandable, although I often have to look up unfamiliar medical terms.

What is exciting about Integrative care, in general, is that it offers a holistic approach, incorporating Western and Eastern approaches to patient care. For example, diet is one part of the care plan that includes traditional Western drugs along with meditation, exercise, etc. Unfortunately, the one Integrative Rheumatologist in the Chicago area recently left for California to teach. But, one can find useful information in this and other books in the series to supplement traditional healthcare and to consider additional options.

I intended to read this book before visiting Yellowstone National Park last week, but ran out of time. This book is actually even more interesting to read once you've experienced the incredible landscapes of the Park.

A friend who accompanied me on the trip exclaimed many times that the first people who saw Yellowstone must have been shocked and amazed. The 1871 Hayden expedition documented the extraordinary natural phenomena in word and picture, creating a basis for Yellowstone to become the first National Park in the US. And that's what this book does particularly well; distill that expedition's findings and include pictures, sketches, and anecdotes.

This book is aimed at the 7-8 grade level, but I think any adult will enjoy reading the book. There are some problematic views expressed about indigenous Americans, although the book is far more balanced than the history books I read in school.

Carrie Brownstein is a really fantastic writer. When I first watched Portlandia and learned that one of the members of Sleater-Kinney was partnering with Fred Armisen to do a sketch comedy show based on Portland's unique ways and people, I was intrigued. Then, after watching the first few seasons, I was impressed with Ms. Brownstein's agility in moving from music to comedy. Then, I heard Ms. Brownstein's interview on Fresh Air and felt required to pick up her book; the interview is a nude companion to the book.

The author's talents don't stop at music and comedy. Behind her lyrical, poetic writing is honesty that cannot be easy for a somewhat shy person to express to the public. As someone who is exactly one month younger than Carrie Brownstein, I also enjoyed both the similarities and differences in our childhoods, teen years, and adulthood.

To be frank, while I had huge respect for the Riot Grrl movement and bands in nearby constellations, I never really dug Sleater-Kinney. That's not to say that I didn't appreciate them, but their sound was just too harsh for my delicate ears. However, as someone who loves music, learning about the creative process and influences behind music is fascinating, so I plan to take another listen to Sleater-Kinney's catalogue.

What you won't hear about is Portlandia, but that's not the point of the book; it's about who Carrie was, is, and may become. If you're a fan of Portlandia, you'll certainly see some of the creative influences appear in this book.

Like many books, it's not fair to judge a book by books that came afterwards or today's sensibilities. “The Time Machine” is a Victorian time travel book, framed as a rousing tale told by a scientist during an evening dinner with friends.

For its time, the novella is revolutionary. Although Dickens and Twain beat Wells to the time traveling take, they didn't include a machine that the main character controlled. The book is a product of its time, certainly, including the colonial attitude of The Time Traveller, but it is, nonetheless, an exciting adventure that science still hasn't solved today. Just enjoy the ride.

The synopsis is compelling. As is the opening page's warning: “This is not for you.”

After reading the intro and some of the first chapter, then flipping through the rest if the book to see what lay in wait, I decided to turn the book back in to the library.

In my 20s, I probably would have stuck with this book because it's clearly intended to be a challenge. A challenge in the form of a big middle finger to the reader. As a previous spinster-cat-lady-turned-stepmom-of-3, I cannot devote the attention this gauntlet requires. Maybe one day, I'll give it another go, but until then, one less book on my list of almost 2,100 to read!

Really, a very strange little book and one that was supposed to be my end-of-2017 reading challenge sprint due to being rather slim. Yet, the book is quite compelling if you don't get thrown off kilter by the strangeness of the story and characters. You never really know what's going on, but the author's whimsical style draws you in and pushes you away simultaneously.

While the story at the center of “The Cellist of Sarajevo” is heart rending, the execution was lacking. With the exception of the chapters written from Arrow's point of view, which crackle and are the only reason I'm not giving this novel one star, the writing was plodding and uninspired. Every sentence in the other chapters was written in the same clunky meter and got in the way of the characters. In fact, the novel reads like a creative writing assignment which would be lucky to get a C-.

Atrocious. Date I start off my review in the one-word style of the author? Yes!

Lauren Groff's “Fates and Furies” is truly an overrated, pretentious waste of paper and time.

Other reviewers have selected examples of said awful writing, but i find that there are far too many poorly written sentences to list them here given the character limit.

I shall stop here as the time spent reading even the first three pages could have been used doing a million, more j teetering things.

Let me begin by stating that this book was a stretch for me, so some of my response may be a pulled muscle. Har har. My reading diet used to include some poetry, but I rarely read it in middle age. Some list or other recommended “The Most of It,” and I thought it was worth a go.

This collection of poem/essays is something. And that something is often not very good, such as “The Diary,” which had me rolling my eyes from sentience one; it was like the output of a junior high writing exercise. Babyish, really. Other times, the thought of the narrator are just dumb and spiral out of control dumbly, such as in “A Glass of Water” or “Hard-Boiled Detective.” I am not irritated by a lack of education here, but the author trying way too hard to present thoughts that are just trying way too hard. Spare me from such stuff!! When I throw a book down in disgust (a library book, so I wasn't as violent as I would have been with a book I owned), that is a clear indication.

From time to time, the imagery or stream of consciousness presentation did work, such as “My Pet, My Clock” or “Woman With a Yellow Scarf.” Even those two pieces, which did stick to my ribs a little afterwards, fell apart at certain points.

Just to make sure I wasn't being too closed-minded or thinking things through, I read both selections that I felt were bottom of the barrel and top of the heap to my boyfriend. Subsequently, we discussed the poem/essays and I found that I could further crystallize exactly what was lacking in this book and where the few shining moments were. I will not present the dissections here, although I'd love to further discuss this book should the opportunity arise. To sum up the lab results, the selections carry a good idea or image that just never gets fleshed out OR, even worse, are just plain ruined with nonsense. Not Wodehouseian nonsense, either.

“Surely you can tell I am pretending to write.” [from “If All the World Were Paper] That quote pretty much sums up what Ms. Reufle is doing; lame attempts at whimsy, too sloppy (at least not in that good way), and not worth the hour taken to read it.

Not good at all. There are so many things wrong with the various attempts at story lines, its hard to know where to begin. Furthermore, the writing style is reminiscent of a junior high creative writing exercise, but longer. Walk away from this one!

The Man Booker Prize (in this case, its long list) continues to underwhelm. Is it possible that this book received so much acclaim because the author is a well-known literary agent? Because, otherwise, I cannot account for the oohs and ahs about this book!

When I read the first chapter, I thought I might be in for a solid story with interesting characters. But, it was not to be. Mr. Clegg shifts the point of view after each chapter without taking the time to develop separate voices for each character, resulting in quite a jumble. The number of voices telling the story isn't necessarily the problem; it's that the story isn't compelling cushioned by a surprisingly draggy pace given the large font and margins. Who, again, am I hearing from? Even when major characters take the helm, I can't quite remember who I'm hearing from.

Perhaps, in more capable hands or with a much better editor, the bones could have satisfied my tummy just a bit. When we finally learn what caused the tragedy, are we supposed to particularly care about all these self-involved people? I suppose the upshot is that the Man Booker prize and any titles making the short and long lists can go jump.

Howard Axelrod can write. I mean really write. He's such a craftstman that I can't possibly do his book justice in this review. Whether you end up finding the author's journey and insights as compelling as I did, surely any reader could appreciate his syntax and poetic style.

This memoir of both the traumatic loss of an eye and the subsequent upheaval of both his own and everyone else's expectations was particularly touching. Mr. Axelrod exposes himself and truly does end up seeing himself and the world. Before the accident, he was blindly following the path in front of him: going to class, picking up girls playing basketball with friends. Then the breakdown of communication. Of expectation. Of trusting his own senses, which so many of us take for granted. Of finding solace in a woman's arms.

While transitioning from childhood to adulthood is a theme that has been explored time and again, it is rarely presented as both sharp and blurry in such elegant prose that I had to put the book down regularly simply to let the words wash through me. Does Mr. Axelrod tell us every detail of his days in near solitude? No, we aren't sure how he spends each day. What he remembers are those memories that shimmer or that clang at him like a rusty bell.

I read about 50 pages and kept asking myself, why am I reading this book? I specifically put it on hold and thought it had come from a good source of book suggestions. I finally figured out that this is the wrong “The Last Detective” and put myself out of my misery by returning the book.

This treasure chest of Poe's poems and short stories is the kind of book you savor over time. Each time I read Poe, I am reminded of what a great writer he was. Unfortunately, I missed the book club discussion (this being our October pick) and would have loved to hear what everyone thought or different ways of looking at his writing. This is a book to buy and keep at home!

This book started out well, but the author got a bit bogged down and lost Cassie and Rob along the way. Some other reviewers were disappointed that the mystery surrounding the disappearance of Jaimie and Peter was wrapped up. However, I think the author did provide enough clues to figure out what happened without necessarily providing the motive, which would have been more satisfying. In all, it's an okay book that will keep your attention for several hours.

What a disappointment after the brilliant “A Man Called Ove.”

1.5 stars for a nice premise and Grandmother. But, Elsa is far too precocious and not at all believable as a 17-year old. I'll have to try “Britt-Marie Was Here.”

My Great Books book club discussed “The Country of the Pointed Firs” on August 24, 2024.

I first learned about this book when Shimer College (a Great Books school) was closing down their library and moving to North Central College in Naperville. A few years later, I lucked into a family trip to the south east coast of Maine in September and absolutely loved it.

So, imagine my elation that I was finally able to convince the rest of the group to read this book! It was the perfect summer trip when one is not able to make it out to the coast.

At first, the book might seem simple or not have much of a plot. However, we receive an entrée into a tight-knit community devastated by dangerous fishing expeditions and the US Civil War. We also see a lonely author making friends with the wonderful people of Dunnets Landing; there is no question that her life is changed for the better after her summer there.

Considering that this book is set in the late 1800s during a Victorian, strait-laced time, there is a refreshing freedom to all of the characters' movements and thoughts. No one bats an eye when the main character, whose name we never learn, goes off on a walk in the country with her friends' brother.

The book also has a lot to say about friendship and is really worth a read, although it is often overlooked today.

Here are discussion questions I put together from a combination of online sources and some of my own questions:

1. The novella is considered a shining example of local color. Did the regional dialect used in the book add to, distract from, or have a neutral effect on the story?
2. Did you feel like Orne-Jewett transported you to coastal Maine about 130 years ago? How does the at times idyllic and other times harsh coast of Maine, or “Country of the Pointed Firs,” relate to the townspeople's inner lives?
3. How has the town of Dunnet Landing changed over time based on the stories related to the narrator? Has the community become tighter-knit as the men of the town died at sea or in the Civil War, the shipping industry declined, and younger folks moved away?
4. Why do you think we never find out the narrator's name? Is it unusual that none of the townspeople ever address her by name as would have been the custom of the time? How much writing do you think she actually accomplished? Do you think the narrator ever returns?
5. Throughout the story, several townsfolk tell the narrator stories featuring supernatural events. How did these second-hand accounts interweave with the realistic tone of the rest of the novella?
6. Meals are often served before major storytelling sections. What is the interconnection between food and people's lives?
7. Throughout the novella, the theme of friendship comes up in different ways. What was the author trying to express about this type of relationship for the townspeople?
8. Consider the story of Mrs. Todd's and the minister's visit to Joanna Todd. Also consider the book is set during the Victorian era. What is the view of religion in Dunnet Landing? Did the allusions to Greek mythology and other classics seem more pervasive than Protestant or Christian allusions?
9. Do you consider the novel a feminist work?
10. Did you read the “Four Related Stories” about Dunnet Landing? Did they provide a different view of the town and its people?


Sources and Further Reading:
https://www.gradesaver.com/the-country-of-the-pointed-firs-and-other-stories/study-guide/essay-questions
https://www.enotes.com/topics/country-pointed/themes
https://litdevices.com/literature/country-pointed-first/

Perhaps, my ultimate opinion of this books suffers from my expectations that there would be more about wolves in this book, whereas there was just the barest hint about those awesome animals.

This book does have it's merits. The story of a woman who has long been something of a wild herself, but who opens up to her brother a boyfriend over the course of the novel in parallel with the re-release of Wolves into northern England is interesting. However, I never did end up liking Rachel. While liking a character isn't required (who can say they like

Sarah Hall has stylistic tics, which ended up distracting me and may not have been noticeable in the hands of a more capable author. First, she never uses quotation marks or any other form of punctuation to designate dialogue. Even a dash signifying the beginning of dialogue would have been welcome. I'm not sure what her intent is with the style, but it didn't work for me.

Truly, a 1.5 star book.

I'm not sure why every book day these days has “girl” in the title when the book is about women. But, that's not the reason for the low rating as the publisher could have been behind such a ridiculous title (and only 2 “girls” are missing!).

An unreliable narrator can be an excellent way to sustain suspense, but, if the narrator is unreliable because the author decided to attempt a backwards chronology and ended up with a sloppy mess, then the reader doesn't know if the narrator is unreliable or not. How, for example, does Nic Farrell forget for the better part of two weeks exactly how her frenemy, Corrine, died, along with a million other things? One can only imagine what an awful counselor Nic is since she can't have a conversation with anyone without snarling at them.

There is very little likable about any of the characters, except Nic's Dad, mother, and unfortunate fiancé and they, like every single character, are cardboard. In fact, characters seem to devolve as the book progresses, even though we're theoretically having more and more unveiled. And, we're supposed to believe that all of these people are awful because everyone is a monster. Yay!

And, what about the small town? Usually, small towns are full of interesting characters, quirky customs, etc. What we have is a town where the fair comes once a year! Omg, that never happens anywhere else in the United States!!!!

The writing style reminded me of the “Twilight,” in which vocabulary is limited, conversations are choppy and generally arguments or mooning over nonsense, and is akin to very bad 9th grade books that one writes for fun.

Honestly, just don't bother. I told my Mom how awful it was and she borrowed it, likely because it's a quick read.

This just wasn't good. Language can be blunt and there can still can be great beauty in the work. Certainly, when you're weird twins who are foisted upon a grandmother who doesn't wash or change clothes, but who does gave interesting conversations with someone or other after imbibing at night, life is brutal. It's WW2 and the most interesting thing around is the neigh this harelip girl with rotten teeth. Compelling, though? No!!! I just didn't care what the twins were doing or how meta everything was. A real disappointment!

First, I should explain that I received a free copy of this book from the author. However, I would have read the book anyway as it was in my to-read list and feel that my opinion wasn't prejudiced.

Jacob Appel has a talent for fleshing out characters and situations quickly and with what feels effortless. Unlike some reviewers, I enjoy short stories, but particularly when the material is so well-crafted. I cannot point out any stories as my favorite and enjoyed each of them for their own merits. These stories stuck to my ribs yet left me hungry to read more of the author's material.

I should mention that I'm a fan of Mr. Bittman's cookbooks, of which his “[b:The Food Matters Cookbook: 500 Revolutionary Recipes for Better Living 7775632 The Food Matters Cookbook 500 Revolutionary Recipes for Better Living Mark Bittman https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1347283843s/7775632.jpg 10682122]Food Matters Cookbook” is on my kitchen shelf. Not only do his cookbooks provide recipes that fit into his suggestion to eat more plants and fewer animal-based products while avoiding processed, sugary foods, but they also provide straight-forward techniques that made food preparation simpler. In other words, Mark Bittman walks what he talks.Here's the but. If you're read books like “[b:Fat Land 290624 Fat Land Greg Critser https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1173454730s/290624.jpg 1023108],” “[b:Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal 1097 Fast Food Nation The Dark Side of the All-American Meal Eric Schlosser https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1388181135s/1097.jpg 2207547],” “[b:Salt Sugar Fat: How the Food Giants Hooked Us 15797397 Salt Sugar Fat How the Food Giants Hooked Us Michael Moss https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1361919312s/15797397.jpg 21520265],” “[b:Good Calories, Bad Calories 1820055 Good Calories, Bad Calories Gary Taubes https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320427468s/1820055.jpg 2449723],” [b:Tomatoland: How Modern Industrial Agriculture Destroyed Our Most Alluring Fruit 10222093 Tomatoland How Modern Industrial Agriculture Destroyed Our Most Alluring Fruit Barry Estabrook https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1347474148s/10222093.jpg 15121820],” or [a:Michael Pollan 2121 Michael Pollan https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1366396171p2/2121.jpg]'s books, you may find “A Bone to Pick” a bit sparse. However, if you haven't read those books, which I highly recommend doing, “A Bone to Pick” may be a good introduction. Each book, backed up by research and with sufficient detail has opened my eyes to different issues with America's food system and ways to change my everyday eating and food-buying habits. The point of Mr. Bittman's articles, of course, isn't to delve into the details that each of the aforementioned titles does, so it isn't quite fair to compare them.While I enjoyed Mr. Bittman's column in the “New York Times,” reading a compendium of his articles over a few days was a bit ho-hum. To be fair, I've had the same problem when reading other collections of articles or essays; I find it more compelling to read the news about a particular bill that is going through Congress or Wal-Mart's announcement to move towards healthier offerings and then read an op-ed piece deconstructing and opining on that issue. There's just not enough meat to these articles (har har har).It was odd that Mr. Bittman criticized First Lady Michele Obama's efforts both to support better food labeling, teaching children about gardening and cooking, and changing big business' behavior for being steps that are too small. In fact, her efforts and those of many others (including Mr. Bittman) to both expose deficiencies and offer solutions are making headway. The United States' food system is so gargantuan that it is unrealistic to expect overnight changes. It's better that someone try to switch from Wonder Bread to a multi-grain loaf than going straight to organic farro and fall off the wagon. My favorite pieces were about the sanctity of comfort or family foods, how those foods are tied to vivid memories, and how we may have to rethink what we hand down to the future. I also liked his criticism of the term, “foodie,” which I find quite irritating. The tone of some articles was a bit flip for my taste, but I still think that the book is worthwhile for those who are just learning more about ways to improve food selection, diet, and other food-related policies.

Ah, Chicago. How many episodes of greed, corruption, and crime have you seen? This one, about Leo Koretz, was news to me despite having occurred in the teens and twenties of the last century.

Dean Jobb does a fine job of keeping the action moving, providing interesting tidbits about both the swindler and his victims.