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Shrewdunnit: The Nature Files
Book
Conor Mark Jameson has spent most of his life exploring the natural environment and communicating...
Connemara: A Little Gaelic Kingdom
Book
The triumphant conclusion to Tim Robinson's extraordinary Connemara trilogy, which Robert Macfarlane...
Rimbaud: Complete Works, Selected Letters
Jean-Nicholas-Arthur Rimbaud, Wallace Fowlie and Seth Whidden
Book
The enfant terrible of French letters, Jean-Nicholas-Arthur Rimbaud (1854-91) was a defiant and...
Spilt Milk
6.0
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Book
The new novel from the author of 22 Britannia Road, Amanda Hodgkinson. 'Hogkinson's second novel is...
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated As I Lay Dying in Books
Oct 25, 2017 (Updated Oct 25, 2017)
A timeless American classic
This is a classic among American literature - as with most of William Faulkner's novels, it can be hard work at times, but it is tragic, darkly funny and full of compelling characters.
It begins with the death and burial of Addie Bundren, the matriarch of the family. Members of the family narrate the story of carting the coffin to Jefferson, Mississippi, to bury her among her relatives. And as the intense desires, fears and rivalries of the family are revealed in the vernacular of the Deep South, Faulkner presents a portrait of extraordinary power.
The narrative, told from each character's perspective, yet often about the same event, left the reader to interpret the underlying motive or conflict of feelings within the Bundren family. It is intriguing but requires careful reading of the dense prose.
It begins with the death and burial of Addie Bundren, the matriarch of the family. Members of the family narrate the story of carting the coffin to Jefferson, Mississippi, to bury her among her relatives. And as the intense desires, fears and rivalries of the family are revealed in the vernacular of the Deep South, Faulkner presents a portrait of extraordinary power.
The narrative, told from each character's perspective, yet often about the same event, left the reader to interpret the underlying motive or conflict of feelings within the Bundren family. It is intriguing but requires careful reading of the dense prose.
Book Divas (227 KP) rated Tongues in Books
Dec 12, 2017
Since I'm torn between four stars and five stars then I will give this crazy read four and 1/2 stars. I don't think that crazy is the correct term for what I need. This read had some sick and repulsive scenes .... definitely some of the best I've encountered in sometime and contains just the right amount of evil and chaos that pushes your mind into boundary lines that you never knew existed. I recommend you read this book when you have the time to do it all in one sitting because if it hadn't been for prior commitments, that's exactly what I would have done... read it all in one day. The author's writing style and descriptive prose make this a MUST read. However, if you have a weak stomach then read at your own peril.
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated Engleby in Books
Aug 20, 2017
Disappointing new book from Sebastian Faulks
I usually admire author Sebastian Faulks, who is a literary hero, especially for his lyrical and beautiful prose so I was definitely disappointed with the plot of this story. No doubt, it is well written, but the protagonist is so odious that I wanted to stop reading this. He is a pretentious, arrogant snob, and as you'll read, he also has a fair few demons. And I understand why he has been written as such because you'll hate him even more in the end. But it's borderline between having to read to the end and just wanting it to stop. So I'm not completely convinced.
There is an element of exploring mental illness and what makes a psychopath, but it is covered up by the self-serving first person narrative. Very cringe-worthy indeed.
There is an element of exploring mental illness and what makes a psychopath, but it is covered up by the self-serving first person narrative. Very cringe-worthy indeed.
Dr. Gupta takes his readers on a wild ride through modern medical science. I learned so much from this book! It was interesting, fast-paced, informative, but also held a certain amount of adventure and suspense as Gupta tells stories and relates interviews with people who have had amazing experiences with life and death—and in-between. Prepare to have your mind boggled with modern day science written in easy-to-understand and easy-to-follow prose.
Audio review: The audio-book was read by the author, and he is one of the best readers I’ve listened to. Gupta takes pride in his own work, and it shows through his voice. It’s not too fast or slow, is read with energy, and is enjoyable and engaging.
Recommendation: Ages 16+ to anyone who likes non-fiction, medical thrillers, or thrillers of any kind.
Audio review: The audio-book was read by the author, and he is one of the best readers I’ve listened to. Gupta takes pride in his own work, and it shows through his voice. It’s not too fast or slow, is read with energy, and is enjoyable and engaging.
Recommendation: Ages 16+ to anyone who likes non-fiction, medical thrillers, or thrillers of any kind.
Sean Farrell (9 KP) rated Station Eleven in Books
Mar 15, 2018
There's a good reason this book has been appearing on so many of this year's best lists. It tells the tale of our world in the not too distant future, after a major flu outbreak has all but wiped out humanity, something which is all too possible and portrayed here with frightening realism. A few survivors are followed throughout the story, as they struggle to survive, both before and after the catastrophe. The prose is beautiful and the characters wonderful, the plot may seem to meander at times, but it all comes together in the end, to show how the actions of one can have an effect on so many, and even the most seemingly inconsequential events can have such great meaning over the course of time. A literary masterpiece, and easily one of the year's best books.
Dalicat (20 KP) rated charlie parker series in Books
Aug 30, 2018
Charlie Parker has captured my soul
I picked up one of these novels off the Library shelf at random and have been unable to stop reading the series since (currently awaiting the next one). These novels tackle all the great themes of love and loss, of Good and Evil, of fall and redemption. The author's journalistic background is evident in the painstaking research that has been carried out to create these works. Charlie Parker is the most intriguing and multidimensional fictional detective I have encountered. Oh, and John Connolly's prose sometimes makes me have to stop and catch my breath so I can pause and just reread the magical combination of words I have discovered like diamonds in a mine.