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E Riley (6 KP) rated The Kindness of Enemies in Books

Feb 7, 2019 (Updated Feb 9, 2019)

The Kindness of Enemies

Leila Aboulela | 2015 | Fiction & Poetry, History & Politics, Religion

7.5

(2 Ratings)

Book Rating

The older I become (currently 41) the more I clamour for knowledge so a book that allows a reader to experience learning as well as emotion and enjoyment comes high on my list.
The book skips between two time periods but is so well woven that it feels seamless - indeed as I found myself tiring of one character and keen to revisit another, I would turn the page and there they were.
Curiously there is much to dislike in the personalities and actions of the three main figures; their thought processes and choice of actions often unwise. And yet this is where the real strength of the book lays - to care for a protagonist enough to be disappointed in them is quite a feat, to be anxious of what they may do next and relieved, or not, at what they do.
A favourite for me (a white non-practicing Christian) was the opportunity to see into the Muslim religion from the viewpoint of many different people and points in history.
A book to own and lend.

Kudos

Eilidh G Clark (177 KP) rated Bitter Almonds in Books

Jul 2, 2019

It's nostalig and sweet (0 more)

Wasn't keen on the recipies but a nice touch (0 more)

Great wee book

I only wanted to read half of this book as the second half is recipes. After the first thirteen pages I put it down and sighed. I like to give a book at least a chapter so I persisted and I am glad I did. The book is written by Simeti about the life of Maria, a Sicilian woman who owns a bakery. The first chapter is all about the art of baking (old school) and I was worried that the whole novel would read along the same lines - after all it is memoir that I want to read. Things turn around after chapter one when Maria discusses her childhood in a nunnery, her feelings of neglect, her hunger but also of what she learned and how she was able to apply this to her later in life career. I found Maria's attitude to religion and family refreshing and enjoyed the conversational tone in which she delivers her own recollections.
This is a book worth persisting with.

Kudos

JT (287 KP) rated The Book of Eli (2010) in Movies

Mar 10, 2020

The Book of Eli (2010)

2010 | Action, Sci-Fi

7.4

(24 Ratings)

Movie Rating

A solid effort from the Hughes Brothers as they take on a post apocalyptic style western. Denzel Washington plays Eli a lone traveler who is following a path with a destination only he knows about. In his possession a book, so valuable to the resurrection of the human race that he’ll stop at nothing to protect it.

A story based around religion is not always going to be for everyone but if anything the cast is a shining light in an otherwise scrappy film.

Gary Oldman plays the true archetypal villain, looking like a cowboy but sounding like a biblical reverend, he truly knows how to play the bad guy. Washington gives an equally decent performance but is some way off his best.

The cinematography is stunning and the desolate landscape depicts a true reflection of the aftermath of nuclear war. It’s grainy and gritty but needed to pack more of a punch. The brief action and fight scenes are well choreographed and the twist in tale at the end should be enough raise a few questions in the car park.