Diana Stevan
Fabulous book. Took me some time to get into it, because of the different character names. I made myself a family diagram so that I could keep track of the family members. But having said that, Madeleine Thien is a wonderful writer. I first discovered her when I read her short story collection, Simple Recipes years back, before she won all her awards, and was entranced. Her metaphors are not just literary devices to embellish a story. They are poetic in themselves and I found that I would stop and savour them before continuing.
As my husband and I had visited China and toured Tienanmen Square the year after the student revolution, and had read many non-fiction articles about the event and horror of it, I was prepared. But what I wasn't prepared for was the historical narrative leading up to the tragedy. Very well told with engaging characters.
I liked Sandra Brown's depiction of the flawed Detective Sergeant Duncan Hatcher and his understanding detective partner Dee Dee Bowen. The author knows how to spin a story. There was enough going on to keep me reading. My only problem with the book is my own weariness with crime stories that seem somewhat predictable.
Fascinating read. Story told from adult son's point of view regarding his mentally ill mother. The narrator weaves in and out of the past with ease, vividly describing his relationship, her emotional challenges, and her struggle to find comfort in her life. Beautiful portrayals of the main characters.
A fascinating account of what lies in our forests, how trees cooperate, how they endure in relationship to the plants and fungi in their midst. The author has received some criticism of this account but then again, there are always naysayers. With our forests depleting around the globe, this book gives a good argument as to why we need to protect these natural giants.
I was so impressed by the way P.D. James juggled the point of views of all the characters. She succeeded in keeping me guessing as to who did what. Her books are full of description, both character and setting. I found myself skimming these parts after awhile but there is no denying that she is a master storyteller.
And what was most interesting is how she followed up her first line - “Murderers do not usually give their victims notice.” And then we are told that Venetia Aldridge, a criminal lawyer, who we will get to know, is going to be murdered. I found that unusual and intriguing. The author did not disappoint in how she set up the scene, all the suspicious characters and there were many. Now I'd love to read another one of her books.
Edgar Sawtelle is a fascinating character. What I loved about this story was the complexity and believability of the family dynamics. The dogs are also such a big part of this dog breeding family. I learned a lot about the business as I was taken for this wonderful ride.
The author took his time building Edgar's world and I appreciated the pace. Though he is mute, Edgar is larger in life through his thoughts and motivations. The family is so true to life, it's heartbreaking to read how each member gets so much wrong even when love is what binds them to one another. The prose is exquisite. Though it's a big book, it's one I wouldn't mind reading again.
I read this when I was in high school. It's a book that resonated with me and one that I'd like to read again. The characters are compelling, and the story of racial prejudice couldn't be more alive than it is here.
I love Joy Fielding, but this was not of my favourite books of hers. I think because it seemed she threw everything at it. There was certainly enough heightened drama, and for the most part, all characters were very believable. I especially liked the mother and daughter relationship. The mother has Alzheimer's and Joy Fielding did a great job revealing not only her challenges but the family's as well. The family in turmoil over so many events was also very real. I don't want to say anymore as I'm apt to include spoilers, but this is certainly another one of her books that I'd highly recommend.
So impressed with this book and author. I couldn't put it down. A mystery involving a young woman who's lost her memory and unless she discovers the trauma that got her in that position she will lose her family as well. An addictive read
I read this decades back. Brilliant. It's hard to believe that the same author who wrote In Cold Blood also wrote this wonderfully poignant tale of a young woman at sea in New York.
A very enjoyable read. What struck me was the fact that this was a story about three middle-aged women with secrets. They were all accomplished in some way: a therapist, a romance writer and an interior designer. Each had their share of marital woes and family complications. I was very impressed with the author's ability to weave in each woman's challenge and at the same time show how their friendship with one another sustained them. I'm so glad I've discovered this wonderful author. It's not often I come across a novel with female protagonists who are not young.
I love Julia Cameron, a big fan after reading Artist's Way. This is a much lighter read, playful and romantic.
Loved this book, especially as we were preparing to travel to Mississippi. Great overview of a state and its people.
Fantastic read. Strong and clean prose with compelling characters. Kept me turning the pages. Can't wait to read the next book in this trilogy.
Loved this story, especially since I've just finished writing(not published yet)a story about my own grandmother. Donna Mabry did a beautiful job illustrating her grandmother Maude's challenges through life, her joys and disappointments. Tragedy is always compelling, and to know that Maude had more than her share made for a very sympathetic read. Life is like that. Truth is often stranger than fiction, and there were certainly examples of that in this book.
Martha Conway's story about four sisters in Northwestern Ohio in the 19th century is a compelling and informative read. I not only learned about the times, and the intimate relations that the Quiner sisters had with other pioneers and native Americans, like the Potawatomi, but I was also enthralled with the narrative, which was well researched and beautifully written. It was a joy to read about that time in history, when dreamers were settling the Midwest. Especially when it's brought to you in such vivid detail. To write about nature, the outdoors, takes an incredible eye and an even more incredible writer to pull it off. And the heroine of the story, Susanna, is an engaging spirit, a woman with a lot of fire and heart. Highly recommend this novel.
Since I had recently attended a workshop that Hallie Ephron did on Voice and Point of View at the Surrey International Writers Conference, I wanted to read one of her works. The story moved well and the ending surprised me, which is what you'd expect from any clever mystery writer.
Soon after I started reading it the story seemed vaguely familiar. Like the author, when I was a child, I had heard of a murder that a Hollywood star was involved in. Ephron reveals in her author's note that that same story had inspired her to write this novel.
Ephron, whose own parents were Hollywood screenwriters, sprinkles celebrity names throughout and for any old-time movie lover, those parts are fun to read. Night Night, Sleep Tight was a quick read. It's been nominated for an Edgar mystery award.
There's no question, Mary Gaitskill is a brilliant writer. What impressed me the most was her poetic imagery. She has a unique spin on describing what her character feels, notices, and says. Her protagonist's relationship with Veronica and her father were particularly intriguing, and there I found she had some heart.But though I was impressed, I wondered why I found the book so easy to put down. At first, I thought it was because the main character seemed to fall into situations that didn't serve her. It was like she had little control over her life and I soon became weary reading about one dilemma after the other, where she came out the loser. But as I analyzed the book further, what bothered me and slowed down my reading, was her overuse of adjectives and the poetic prose.
So, even though I admire the author's brilliance, I had to stop at times to consider what she'd written, much as you do when you read poetry. Mary Gaitskill is a master of painting scenes and the inner world of her characters, but I guess as Hemingway pointed out, less is more.
A very interesting profile of a young girl, raised by a father, who's an addict and extremely immature, in a sketchy area of Montreal. Creative and bright, she learns to rely on her own wits but unfortunately, gets involved with a pimp, who takes advantage of her. The writing is compelling as the reader is introduced to a world that is full of pitfalls for someone so young and without guidance. Her saving grace is her own intelligence and courage to keep going no matter what and who she encounters.
I met Heather O'Neill at the Words on the Water festival in Campbell River this year and her talk inspired me to buy her book. I wasn't disappointed.
I wanted to see what the fuss was about so I bought the book.
I can see why it was so popular. The lead characters, Rachel and Megan are interesting with their faults, but as I progressed through the story, I got weary of their disturbed thoughts. It was a fascinating read because of the unique premise of a girl on the train, being a witness to what she believes are happier relationships only to discover in the end something completely different.
I have no intention of spoiling by revealing how this story turns out, but it was a surprise and on that score, the book more than met my expectations. But having said that, I was disappointed in the depiction of the “guilty” character in the end. He seemed almost cartoonish, a villain in a melodrama. As an author myself, I'm not sure about ratings. I wanted to give this author more than three but less than four. But again, reading is so subjective. I think this is an excellent debut by Paula Hawkins.
Excellent read. The time and place have obviously been well researched. Love the courage two sisters display under Nazi occupation in France during WWII. There's also some romance, which I find always appealing, and yet it's unconventional and therefore surprising in some of its twists and turns. My only problem was with the parts where the Germans show no mercy. This is well-known, but I still had trouble reading those sections.
Loved this book about some friends from childhood who end up on the opposite sides of the law. The pace and characterization are brilliant.