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Konstantin Melnikov & His House
Book
Konstantin Melnikov (18901974) is unquestionably one of the outstanding architects of the 20th...
ClareR (5854 KP) rated The Other Half of Augusta Hope in Books
Sep 29, 2020
Augusta Hope is the other twin - Julia is the beautiful one who everyone feels able to easily connect with. Augusta is harder work. Whilst Julia wants to stay at home and marry the boy next door, Augusta wants to go to University and travel. Her favourite book is the dictionary, she collates a folder on Burundi and hopes to go there one day. Augusta follows her own path, tells people what she thinks and drives her very conventional family mad.
Alongside the story of Augusta, chapters are alternated with Parfait and his story. He lives in Burundi - a country torn apart by Civil War. Parfaits family is destroyed by the horrors of this war, so he and his younger brother leave for what they feel will be a better life in Spain. Life has more sadness to throw at Parfait, though - and Augusta is dealt a cruel hand as well. She finds solace in Spain, which is where Parfait and Augusta are destined to meet.
I liked the alternating chapters of Augusta and Parfait - this device really highlighted the huge differences in their lives early on. As the story progresses though, it also shows that no matter how different we may all appear, there are actually more similarities than differences. We are all human; we all experience love and loss.
This was such a good way to highlight the refugee crisis in Europe. At a couple of points in the story, Parfait announces to the Spanish town how many people had died in the Mediterranean that year in their quest to live a better life. This book is heartbreaking in more than this one way. Both characters suffer unimaginable loss, and both learn to value life, a feeling of home and belonging.
It’s a wonderful book, and one that I’d heartily recommend. Many thanks to NetGalley and The Borough Press for my ebook copy.
Alongside the story of Augusta, chapters are alternated with Parfait and his story. He lives in Burundi - a country torn apart by Civil War. Parfaits family is destroyed by the horrors of this war, so he and his younger brother leave for what they feel will be a better life in Spain. Life has more sadness to throw at Parfait, though - and Augusta is dealt a cruel hand as well. She finds solace in Spain, which is where Parfait and Augusta are destined to meet.
I liked the alternating chapters of Augusta and Parfait - this device really highlighted the huge differences in their lives early on. As the story progresses though, it also shows that no matter how different we may all appear, there are actually more similarities than differences. We are all human; we all experience love and loss.
This was such a good way to highlight the refugee crisis in Europe. At a couple of points in the story, Parfait announces to the Spanish town how many people had died in the Mediterranean that year in their quest to live a better life. This book is heartbreaking in more than this one way. Both characters suffer unimaginable loss, and both learn to value life, a feeling of home and belonging.
It’s a wonderful book, and one that I’d heartily recommend. Many thanks to NetGalley and The Borough Press for my ebook copy.
Bride of Thunder
2.0
Rate It
Book
Betrayed by her husband, a beautiful Texas bride discovers the true meaning of faith, courage, and...
Marvel Pinball
Games
App
Marvel Pinball combines the greatest Super Heroes of all time with the definitive videogame pinball...
Modern Greece: What Everyone Needs to Know
Book
Just a few years ago, Greece appeared to be a politically secure nation with a healthy economy....
Molly J (Cover To Cover Cafe) (106 KP) rated My Daughter's Legacy (Cousins of the Dove #3) in Books
Feb 27, 2019
I love these two authors and their work, and I was excited to see where this book went. And honestly, while I loved that these authors came together and created a captivating story, I was a little lost in some of the areas of the story, so I'll definitely be going back to read the first two in the series.
That said, these characters, both present day, and historical, are beautifully chiseled. Told between two points of view, the authors take the reader on a whirlwind ride through history and contemporary times. I loved visiting Richmond during the Civil War. Historical eras are my favorite! Nicole and Therese quickly swept me into the heart of the story and I felt both of their emotions like they were my own!
Despite not reading book 1 and 2 and occasionally struggling to follow the story line, this conclusional book is definitely worth 4 stars. The writing styles of these two authors are beautiful, and mysterious and historical elements are awesome. This book is filled with emotions, thought provoking story lines, family legacies, and Godly messages of faith, trust and hope. I definitely suggest you get this book if you've read the first two! It will steal you away to another place in time and keep you up long into the night.<a href="http://cafinatedreads.com/13819-revision-v1/"; target="_blank">This review was originally posted on Cafinated Reads</a>
That said, these characters, both present day, and historical, are beautifully chiseled. Told between two points of view, the authors take the reader on a whirlwind ride through history and contemporary times. I loved visiting Richmond during the Civil War. Historical eras are my favorite! Nicole and Therese quickly swept me into the heart of the story and I felt both of their emotions like they were my own!
Despite not reading book 1 and 2 and occasionally struggling to follow the story line, this conclusional book is definitely worth 4 stars. The writing styles of these two authors are beautiful, and mysterious and historical elements are awesome. This book is filled with emotions, thought provoking story lines, family legacies, and Godly messages of faith, trust and hope. I definitely suggest you get this book if you've read the first two! It will steal you away to another place in time and keep you up long into the night.<a href="http://cafinatedreads.com/13819-revision-v1/"; target="_blank">This review was originally posted on Cafinated Reads</a>
Esteban Madrid Jr. (1 KP) rated Shazam! (2019) in Movies
Apr 18, 2019
Really good movie that could've done just a little more
After having some busy days of work, I finally had time to catch this movie and I'm really glad I did. With this being an origin story of a character I barely knew about about, it did one thing correctly they Marvel continues to do is make you care about your lead without much hesitation. At first he'll seem so idiotic for his actions (after all he's 15 years old), but considering what he went through, you'll get it.
I loved the acting and chemistry that went on between the entire cast, and one character will truly steal your heart (if you've seen it, you know who I mean). Main issue overall is the villain, unfortunately that's something else that this movie picked up from Marvel (weak villains up until Civil War). The actor did an excellent job from what he's given, but he seemed so one note that all he needed was the classic villain mustache to twirl and tie a damsel onto the train tracks.
Despite that issue, this is a definite recommended movie that you'll enjoy and worth a watch in theaters.
Also, be sure to stick for the first post credits scene, the second one is a silly joke that might not work for most.
I loved the acting and chemistry that went on between the entire cast, and one character will truly steal your heart (if you've seen it, you know who I mean). Main issue overall is the villain, unfortunately that's something else that this movie picked up from Marvel (weak villains up until Civil War). The actor did an excellent job from what he's given, but he seemed so one note that all he needed was the classic villain mustache to twirl and tie a damsel onto the train tracks.
Despite that issue, this is a definite recommended movie that you'll enjoy and worth a watch in theaters.
Also, be sure to stick for the first post credits scene, the second one is a silly joke that might not work for most.
Miguel Covarrubias (143 KP) rated Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015) in Movies
May 1, 2019
All Flash, No Bang
There are some major flaws with Age of Ultron. Didn't realize how bad it was until our most recent watch through of the Marvel movies. Joss Whedon's flaws run rampant in this film. If you find truth in the film stop reading now as I do not wish to ruin it for you.
Whedon does an excellent job at making television shows which does not translate very well to the big screen. He rushed this plot to get to his favorite parts, the fight scenes. The action has more screen time than any character arc. This reduces the characters to cartoonish caricatures of the work done in prior films. There is no real plot development, just jumping from one fight to the next. Ultron was reduced to a mere means to fight, which made it less believable rather than frightening; which Ultron should have been.
The story theme, "Justice was served because the Avengers are mightier than Ultron" became preachy when counterpoints were not set up in believable or thought provoking ways. Ultimately, it fell flat and was just a means to set up future films.
A better example of the theme in a better story format is "Civil War". Wherein the Russo's present the idea that justice was served, however, neither side was correct due to the complex nature of the issue.
Whedon does an excellent job at making television shows which does not translate very well to the big screen. He rushed this plot to get to his favorite parts, the fight scenes. The action has more screen time than any character arc. This reduces the characters to cartoonish caricatures of the work done in prior films. There is no real plot development, just jumping from one fight to the next. Ultron was reduced to a mere means to fight, which made it less believable rather than frightening; which Ultron should have been.
The story theme, "Justice was served because the Avengers are mightier than Ultron" became preachy when counterpoints were not set up in believable or thought provoking ways. Ultimately, it fell flat and was just a means to set up future films.
A better example of the theme in a better story format is "Civil War". Wherein the Russo's present the idea that justice was served, however, neither side was correct due to the complex nature of the issue.
Running for My Life: One Lost Boy's Journey from the Killing Fields of Sudan to the Olympic Games
Book
Running for My Life is not a story about Africa or track and field athletics. It is about outrunning...
Dracula's America: Shadows of the West: A Wargame
Book
It is 1875, and Count Dracula is President of the United States of America. In the wake of the Civil...