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David McK (3676 KP) rated The Valley of Fear in Books
Apr 13, 2024
Sherlock Holmes stories I had previously heard of / knew (even if only a little bit) about:
The Hound of the Baskervilles (natch)
A Study in Scarlet
The Sign of Four
The Red-Headed League
The Final Problem
.. and a few others whose name I cannot currently recall.
None of them, however, were this one.
Like "The Hound...", this was a later-written story, but is also set before Holmes encounter with Moriarty at the Reichenbach Falls. And like "A Study in Scarlet", it's also very much split into distinct sections: the first section in which Holmes and Watson are called to the English countryside to investigate a murder (or is it suicide?), and the a whole other section set in the United States of America filling in the backgrounds of the principal actor of the first section.
Being new to me, also, I have to say I did wonder - until the reveal! - just how this whole section (and the mention of the Pinkerton Detective Agency) fitted into the first part.
Perhaps because of its novelty (to me), I also fairly enjoyed this.
The Hound of the Baskervilles (natch)
A Study in Scarlet
The Sign of Four
The Red-Headed League
The Final Problem
.. and a few others whose name I cannot currently recall.
None of them, however, were this one.
Like "The Hound...", this was a later-written story, but is also set before Holmes encounter with Moriarty at the Reichenbach Falls. And like "A Study in Scarlet", it's also very much split into distinct sections: the first section in which Holmes and Watson are called to the English countryside to investigate a murder (or is it suicide?), and the a whole other section set in the United States of America filling in the backgrounds of the principal actor of the first section.
Being new to me, also, I have to say I did wonder - until the reveal! - just how this whole section (and the mention of the Pinkerton Detective Agency) fitted into the first part.
Perhaps because of its novelty (to me), I also fairly enjoyed this.
Jessica - Where the Book Ends (15 KP) rated None of the Above in Books
Jan 30, 2019
This book took my world by storm. From page one of None of the Above I was captivated. The characters latched onto my heart any wouldn’t let go. The fluid writing style had me flipping pages faster well into the night. I wasn’t expecting to love this book or these characters so much but I couldn’t help but love everything about this story.
Kristin’s story of learning that she is an Intersex Individual was both poignant and moving. The questions and thoughts rolling around in Kristin’s head really have us questioning what it means to be male or female, and Physical Gender vs. Gender Identity. Kristin’s story become exponentially more devastating when the entire school finds out that she is intersex. Kristin finds herself in the middle of an identity crisis all while losing her closest friends, her boyfriend, and truly questioning who she is. Throughout her crisis she finds there is an unexpected constant; the son of her father’s ex-girlfriend Darren who goes to school with Kristin. When her friends and peers turn their back on her Darren shows increasing support of Kristin and befriends when she needs him most.
There are points throughout this story where Kristin is a bit whiny and wallowing in her sadness, and it can get a bit old. To be honest I can’t really say that I would be any different had I been in her shoes. She goes through a monumental change and morphs into a strong, resilient, and empowered young woman. I couldn’t be prouder of this character and her growth. The author did a tremendously fabulous job creating Kristin and developing her character throughout the story.
The supporting characters are all great in their own ways. Kristin’s father and Darren are my two favorites of the supporting characters for that specific reason that they are supportive of her and what she’s dealing with. They are patient and kind and are willing to help her work through and process the changes she’s going through.
This book needs to be shared, loaned, and spread around. The teachings of acceptance, patience, and resilience is so valuable in todays society where there is so much intolerance. If you’ve read this book and enjoyed it I recommend reading Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides; or if you’ve read that book and enjoyed it I recommend None of the Above.
Kristin’s story of learning that she is an Intersex Individual was both poignant and moving. The questions and thoughts rolling around in Kristin’s head really have us questioning what it means to be male or female, and Physical Gender vs. Gender Identity. Kristin’s story become exponentially more devastating when the entire school finds out that she is intersex. Kristin finds herself in the middle of an identity crisis all while losing her closest friends, her boyfriend, and truly questioning who she is. Throughout her crisis she finds there is an unexpected constant; the son of her father’s ex-girlfriend Darren who goes to school with Kristin. When her friends and peers turn their back on her Darren shows increasing support of Kristin and befriends when she needs him most.
There are points throughout this story where Kristin is a bit whiny and wallowing in her sadness, and it can get a bit old. To be honest I can’t really say that I would be any different had I been in her shoes. She goes through a monumental change and morphs into a strong, resilient, and empowered young woman. I couldn’t be prouder of this character and her growth. The author did a tremendously fabulous job creating Kristin and developing her character throughout the story.
The supporting characters are all great in their own ways. Kristin’s father and Darren are my two favorites of the supporting characters for that specific reason that they are supportive of her and what she’s dealing with. They are patient and kind and are willing to help her work through and process the changes she’s going through.
This book needs to be shared, loaned, and spread around. The teachings of acceptance, patience, and resilience is so valuable in todays society where there is so much intolerance. If you’ve read this book and enjoyed it I recommend reading Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides; or if you’ve read that book and enjoyed it I recommend None of the Above.