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ClareR (5864 KP) rated Mrs Death Misses Death in Books
Feb 15, 2021
This is such an original idea: Mrs Death. Death in this book is a black, working class woman. This turns on its head everything we’ve all grown up believing about Death, and I love this. Why shouldn’t Death be a woman? As it says in the book:
“For surely only she who bears it, she who gave you life, can be she who has the power to take it.”
Seems logical to me.
“And there is no human more invisible, more easily talked over, ignored, betrayed and easy to walk past than a woman; than a poor old black woman.”
The thought of walking past death on a daily basis and not realising that’s who you’re passing, is rather a disconcerting thought!
I liked the playful language, starting with the title and moving on through prose mixed with poetry, and parts were written in script form too. This wasn’t reading for the lazy: it kept me on my toes. The historical deaths seen from Death’s point of view were fascinating too.
I did find myself wishing that Mrs Death had found herself another ghost writer, because Wolf Willeford is clearly a vulnerable person with mental health issues - I did wonder if it was written to illustrate a form of psychosis.
Either way, I loved it and read it FAR too quickly. If this is Salena Godden’s first foray into prose, I will be looking out for what she writes next - and looking out for some of her poetry too, when I can get back in to a library!
Many thanks to the publisher for providing me with an e-copy of this book through NetGalley.
“For surely only she who bears it, she who gave you life, can be she who has the power to take it.”
Seems logical to me.
“And there is no human more invisible, more easily talked over, ignored, betrayed and easy to walk past than a woman; than a poor old black woman.”
The thought of walking past death on a daily basis and not realising that’s who you’re passing, is rather a disconcerting thought!
I liked the playful language, starting with the title and moving on through prose mixed with poetry, and parts were written in script form too. This wasn’t reading for the lazy: it kept me on my toes. The historical deaths seen from Death’s point of view were fascinating too.
I did find myself wishing that Mrs Death had found herself another ghost writer, because Wolf Willeford is clearly a vulnerable person with mental health issues - I did wonder if it was written to illustrate a form of psychosis.
Either way, I loved it and read it FAR too quickly. If this is Salena Godden’s first foray into prose, I will be looking out for what she writes next - and looking out for some of her poetry too, when I can get back in to a library!
Many thanks to the publisher for providing me with an e-copy of this book through NetGalley.
Maddie (37 KP) rated An Alchemy of Masques and Mirrors in Books
Nov 30, 2017
Thoughtful Characters (2 more)
Unique World
Intelligent Prose
Thoroughly enjoyable and intelligent
I had a sudden craving for sci-fi/fantasy one day and stumbled across this book just days after it had been released. The lead character was a strong, boundary-defying female with her own flaws to overcome - and she was handled very well in terms of development and realistic emotion.
The writing was wonderful, I was sucked in and finished the book in less than a few days (with my busy schedule, that really is a feat!). The villains were not so easy to identify, making the tale of political intrigue that much more interesting.
If you're looking for a story of magic and a rebel heroine, then look no further. I cannot wait for the sequel!
The writing was wonderful, I was sucked in and finished the book in less than a few days (with my busy schedule, that really is a feat!). The villains were not so easy to identify, making the tale of political intrigue that much more interesting.
If you're looking for a story of magic and a rebel heroine, then look no further. I cannot wait for the sequel!
Autumn (3 KP) rated The Time Traveler's Wife in Books
Jan 18, 2018
this is a book i have to own. even before i was finished with it i wanted to read it a second time. it was so hard to finish just because i was so attached to the characters and their lives. it was like they nestled themselves into my heart and wouldn't let go.
unlike some other books where the author spouts off obscure literature and poetry and uses unrealistic prose this was very believable. their conversations, their actions, their passions. clare and henry felt like old friends. really amazing.
there was one tiny thing that bothered me though. it was niffenegger's religious comments. they weren't realistic. maybe to someone who grew up in the 60s but not in a post-feminist world. some didn't even make sense.
unlike some other books where the author spouts off obscure literature and poetry and uses unrealistic prose this was very believable. their conversations, their actions, their passions. clare and henry felt like old friends. really amazing.
there was one tiny thing that bothered me though. it was niffenegger's religious comments. they weren't realistic. maybe to someone who grew up in the 60s but not in a post-feminist world. some didn't even make sense.
Dalicat (20 KP) rated The Tin Roof Blowdown in Books
Sep 1, 2018
A novel one lives rather than reads
Each of the fifteen Dave Robicheaux novels which preceded this one are masterpieces and this is the Grand Finale. The plot and characters move within the devasted landscape of New Orleans following the destruction wrought by Hurricane Katrina. The scenes of environmental destruction are described with heartbreakingly beautiful poetic prose which serves as a counterpoint to a seering indictment of the socio-economic political landscape of the time. The extreme conditions under which the plot develops drive the characters to their limits of good and evil. The plot is as relentless as the driving force of the hurricane. Often difficult to read due to the sheer emotional weight of the work but too compelling to put down.
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