Ethan Manning
My 2nd Dostoevsky novel, the first was TBK. The characters in this explode off the page, there's an exuberance that I'm never quite ready for but always draws me in. I loved this book, it's moral (the pensive reflection that is contagious), there are great characters and monsters at times, great foils, and the ending. THE ENDING. Just so beautiful, honest and perfect.
I loved the richness of this story, from our main characters unique personality and adventures, to the long family saga we become familiar with. The POV of a young person accentuates every part of this book, kids are at the mercy of adults, there is a powerlessness and a refuge found in imagination and invention and our main character embodies this. I don't remember reading a book that so carefully and exhaustively renders the inner workings of a kids mind. We see her in full dimensions, we know what drives her, her curiosity for the wide world, we see her try to understand things that kids can't really understand, it's stunning character work. Tartt also weaves into this the relations between white society and black housekeepers in Mississippi, it was powerful and sad esp through the eyes of a kid.
A decent sequel to Red Mars, I was most interested in the continuation of the political storyline. Some of the familiar characters had good sections, others were a little too introspective for my taste. For some reason the technicalities of the geology and terraforming bored me, and there was something missing from the narrative that RM had. The Convention and third act are the best parts. For all my problems, the “point” of this series and what it's exploring is too interesting to put down. There's little like it that engages with what a revolution or alternative econ. structure would look like (with nuance and critical detail) if it was to be built alongside the modern neoliberal capitalism model. It's not perfect but it's refreshing, and relevant to modern day with parallel crises occurring on the periphery/Mars and in the interior/Earth.
A great ending to the trilogy. Donaldson's writing here is excellently balanced between the different plotlines.
A propelling story of a young man's love. Beautiful flowing prose, metaphor and description on point.
4.5 Stars. Extremely well written and well researched - books like this normally are dry, yet Mattei's writing is clear and invigorating. I learned a lot about economic Austerity, and Italian and British history in the interwar period. So many footnotes.
Recommended to anyone looking for a book about Austerity.
3.5
A unique fantasy book that makes use of intergenerational oral traditions, an interesting framed narrative, and mythology. There were times I wanted different things out of the tale, and the resolution was a bit clunky. That being said the authorial voice of this story is very unique, how different local POV's are woven throughout. I have not read anything quite like it.
To the point, episodic, thoughtful, a fantasy story about an eccentric sorcerer king who must quest to help his kingdom and save someone. Loved the dynamic of living up to the traditions of your culture vs wanting to improve it through some kind of enlightenment. There is tropey "damsel" element to the story, but it was small and hopefully said character gets more agency further on. This was a weird one but thought provoking, great character introspection, cultural reflection, and interesting things that manage to fit into the story rather than stand out or too bluntly mirror our world.
A desert epic following a rebellion, a refugee caravan desperate for the last safe city, and a young girl who will do anything to survive the horrors of slavery.
Jade Legacy is a great end to the Green Bone Saga.
One of my favorite aspects of the series and most of all this book, is how it maps on to world history, how Lee has crafted a story about national independence, shattering the yoke of neo-colonialism, and outmaneuvering one's enemies through every avenue (street warfare, government/politics, business ventures, public sentiments).
Any similarities to modern history are merely intriguing backdrops to the real story, they sit behind the saga of the Kaul family's long struggle to wrestle control of the destiny of Kekon away from a fated rival clan. As each individual fights their own unique battles, some dancing along a tight-rope of independence and duty, others fully committed to the clan above all, times passes and the world changes demanding much from all who would keep control of their nations precious resources, or protect their clans interests abroad in hostile countries.
This book balances its addicting characters, the overarching plot, its historical analogues, and political themes so well. And the long span of time covered allows you to see characters pass through different stages of life, it is both superbly fulfilling and melancholy. Jade Legacy was a joy, and at times a very sad read, it is a credit to Fonda Lee's mastery of her craft that those moments struck so hard, I will miss reading the Green Bone Saga, the Kauls, and the winding rivalry between the No-Peak Clan and the Mountain Clan.
5 Stars.
Unlike anything I have ever read. This book had some of the best characters I have ever read in fiction. It was uneven in a good way, it would surprise me with the most interesting, heart-rending, worth-considering, and absurd occurrences in the most unsuspecting parts of the story. I will say it was a challenge because of the writers style, some passages are very long but it was a great exercise for the brain to grapple with a very different writing style. I expect much ink has been spilled over the GI in this book and other parts too (I'm excited to research this).
Overall an unforgettable, and totally unique read.
2.5 stars.
This book has some rough edges, combat scenes were hard to follow, and there was not a strong hook in the beginning. But through flashbacks, getting to characters I recognized, and warming up to some new ones I ended up enjoying myself. It was very cool seeing this fantasy world through its co-creators eyes.
The flashback with the “Sword” was a highlight, as was the man who walks edges, and a certain Mage with a queue.
An excellent sequel! The world Fonda Lee built in JC continues to expand, the characters are put through...a lot, and the Green Bone action stays at a high level even as the story delves into new geopolitical depths. This book was a thrill to read, a spellbinding mixture of drama, political intrigue, and action.
This 2nd trilogy begins with a fantastic premise, everything has changed. We get to explore and try to discover both why, and how to fix things. Donaldson gets a lot of mileage out of this conceit.
I enjoyed that Covenant is different this time, he feels matured or at least at peace with his life and history. This “tilted” quest is very good, the new sidekick is extremely intriguing though their arc does not get finished. In fact this whole book very much so feels like 1/3rd of a story - so the conclusion is not super conclusive (more on this later).
I think the themes have to do with how things that we are supposed to love and cherish get corrupted, by ourselves, and others, and how facing and experiencing that affected “thing” can be extremely hard, but that it is worth risking yourself in order to make things right (I think. I'm only ⅓ into a trilogy). Corruption is built on falseness, in word and deed. In this novel the corruption of words and the record of history is explored and leads to profound moments.
The book drags a little bit in the third act and the familiarity of fantasy quest tropes made it a little repetitive. But remember how I said the conclusion isn't conclusive? Well it IS cathartic - Donaldson manages to make you forget the larger story and dwell on a bow that needed to be tied. What we got was one of the most powerful and good feeling moments in all of his work I've thus read. Home run of an ending, it was both perfectly logical for his story and also a rabbit out of a hat.
Such a strange and imaginative experience this book was. Dick's ability to imbue a scene or book with paranoia and uncertainty is astounding. If this is mid-tier Phillip K Dick, then I certainly will be reading more.
A timeless book. Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley wrote it at 19, it's a masterpiece of a story. This is why we read classics.
Better than book 2. The Jordan quirks are still there and still annoying. But the different story arcs were more consistently interesting compared to the first 2 books, and the finale was also better. I was definitely impressed with the quality improvements in some areas, I felt much more balanced and there was an improved pace to the story. But it still has long plain descriptions, juvenile relationships and conflict, a weird gender dynamic with heavy undertones of repressed sexuality, and the main plot is just good and evil. It can still be fun despite all this. I'll say I hope future books have setting/culture changes because each place feels the same and the people act the same with paper-thin cosmetic changes.
I loved this book. The prose was very different but when you get accustomed to it things even out. His sentences are longer but that's his style. Speaking of, when Dickens spends a passage describing something stark and evil, you feel it, when there is a dramatic and righteous condemnation, it is poetic and cutting. Also this book is FUNNY, once you get a feel for the style and type of humor. I have heard Dickens focuses a lot on the problems with Victorian society too and some of his books can be a downer but Nicholas Nickleby is not a downer. There was a main character to root for, there was hope in the midst of misfortune and that made this book quite enjoyable. The villain is a cruel money lender (an excellent character), and there were loads of entertaining side characters BUT it was unfortunate none of the female characters were given the same dimensionality as the male ones . The books ending was surprising and affecting.
A very intricate and slow burn novel. Here Dickens is not in a hurry, and the spread out side characters are challenging to remember...the story's end was tragic and sad but then very tender and happy. Dickens manages to tell a mystery, and also a coa story, and a tragedy. I know this story contained nuances that I missed and I plan on reading it again, I do not blame Dickens style for this I think I needed a different approach. Read this book with other people, a buddy read, bookclub, take your time and you will get the most out of this winding work.
This book was amazing, and funny, and thrilling and beautiful. Wurts' writing is startlingly poignant and aggressively different than the majority of fantasy writing. She packs in details about things that makes the world feel more real (ex. horse/horse riding knowledge). The main characters were fascinating and very appealing, the world itself has so many mysteries I can't wait to read more. This book plays on a lot of fantasy tropes, exploring them from different angles and confronting ugly aspects of fantasy/quest/prophecy stories that are often overlooked. Can't wait for what's in store.
A fantastic and very detailed account of the business communities attack on the New Deal, and all the various ways they networked and coordinated to change public opinion, pool resources, and try to affect the politics of their present and future.