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The House of Odysseus
9.0
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From the author of the critically acclaimed Ithaca - A Sunday Times Historical Fiction Book of the...
Historical fiction Greek mythology
The Dream Collector (Sabrine & Sigmund Freud #1)
Book
The Dream Collector immerses the reader into the exciting milieu of late 19th Century Paris when art...
Literary Fiction Historical Fiction
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated The List in Books
Nov 9, 2017 (Updated Nov 9, 2017)
Quite a few plot holes, not very developed writing style
I enjoyed the concept of mixing both an apocalyptic scenario with a dystopian fiction, such as a cross between the Hunger Games and High Rise, however, I thought it fell short in many ways. The context was not particularly developed as we had little understanding of what really happened before and after the Melting. The idea of language as a weapon pre-apocalypse was also not very clear. There was a wild amount of movement and action that was also not fully formed, so it made it difficult to envisage the characters travelling from A to B. Overall, a great, relevant and contemporary topic with a few descriptive flaws.
LissaBeth21 (6 KP) rated The Years of Rice and Salt in Books
Jan 8, 2018
What a stunning, epic tale. A collection of lives, a group of souls described as a jati, wending their way across the centuries of an alternate history.
What if the western / European world was wiped out completely in the 14th century instead of only 1/3rd of the population? Kim Stanley Robinson vividly imagines the stages of life and consequences to the world. The rise and spread of Islam instead of Christianity. The different minds who would awaken to the natural sciences. The empire building of China into the New World. The continuation of Native American cultures through their cooperation and shared values.
Dystopian historical science fiction with serious questions of religion, philosophy, and sociopolitical theories expertly woven together.
What if the western / European world was wiped out completely in the 14th century instead of only 1/3rd of the population? Kim Stanley Robinson vividly imagines the stages of life and consequences to the world. The rise and spread of Islam instead of Christianity. The different minds who would awaken to the natural sciences. The empire building of China into the New World. The continuation of Native American cultures through their cooperation and shared values.
Dystopian historical science fiction with serious questions of religion, philosophy, and sociopolitical theories expertly woven together.
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated The Men Who Stare at Goats in Books
Jul 24, 2017
Truth is stranger than fiction
While a lot of readers may find this conspiratorial, it is actually bizarrely captivating and incredible to listen to. Some of the areas explored borders on bonkers, but actually much of it is true. Around 75 per cent of the time, it is absolutely hilarious, but there poses a genuine concern about what our intelligence agencies are doing outside of public knowledge.
Having read Jon Ronson's works before, it hardly comes as a surprise that he has managed to infiltrate such an eccentric part of the US military. I only wish each idea was more carefully investigated rather than feeling like Alice tumbling down a rabbit hole. Thoroughly enjoyable nevertheless.
Having read Jon Ronson's works before, it hardly comes as a surprise that he has managed to infiltrate such an eccentric part of the US military. I only wish each idea was more carefully investigated rather than feeling like Alice tumbling down a rabbit hole. Thoroughly enjoyable nevertheless.
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated Behind Closed Doors in Books
Jul 25, 2017
Extremely disturbing - needs a trigger warning
I've never felt so moved and violently uncomfortable /ill at the same time while reading a book before. The level of graphic psychological abuse described definitely requires a trigger warning before survivors listen because unfortunately the truth is stranger than fiction, despite many readers wanting to wave away the experiences as 'absurd' on some of the Amazon reviews.
While there were some instances that were unclear especially near the end, and slightly inconclusive in the climax, which was a bit unsatisfactory - it should be listened to as a psychological cautionary tale rather than a thriller as such. To describe it as a mystery would be insulting to those who have experienced it.
While there were some instances that were unclear especially near the end, and slightly inconclusive in the climax, which was a bit unsatisfactory - it should be listened to as a psychological cautionary tale rather than a thriller as such. To describe it as a mystery would be insulting to those who have experienced it.
Chris Hooker (419 KP) rated The Girl Who Came Home in Books
Jan 12, 2018
[The Girl Who Came Home] by [Hazel Gaynor] will appeal to fans of the movie Titanic. Fortunately this story has more depth and more believable characters.
[Gaynor] tells the story of Maggie, and Irish girl, who is leaving her home to travel to America with her aunt after the death of her mother. Maggie does not want to leave unlike those she is traveling with since she is in love.
This novel does a good job mixing history with fiction and making it believable. It is also told as a memory to Maggie's granddaughter, Grace, who has made her own sacrifices for family. It is an enjoyable read with a slight twist at the end.
[Gaynor] tells the story of Maggie, and Irish girl, who is leaving her home to travel to America with her aunt after the death of her mother. Maggie does not want to leave unlike those she is traveling with since she is in love.
This novel does a good job mixing history with fiction and making it believable. It is also told as a memory to Maggie's granddaughter, Grace, who has made her own sacrifices for family. It is an enjoyable read with a slight twist at the end.
Chris Hooker (419 KP) rated The Big Burn in Books
Jan 12, 2018
[The Big Burn] by [Jeanette Ingold] is an excellently written historical fiction that deals with an interesting topic. The plot is focused around three young people: Elizabeth, a homesteader with her sister, Jarret, a fire fighter, and Seth, and African American soldier. The even that brings them all together is the forest fires of 1910 in Idaho and Montana know as the Big Burn.
[Ingold] tells a fast moving tale through the various perspectives of those involved. The fact that she chose very different characters but remained historically accurate says a lot about the skill of the author. This book is a welcome addition to any classroom library, especially for those reluctant readers.
[Ingold] tells a fast moving tale through the various perspectives of those involved. The fact that she chose very different characters but remained historically accurate says a lot about the skill of the author. This book is a welcome addition to any classroom library, especially for those reluctant readers.
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated Based on a True Story in Books
Jul 27, 2017
A clever psychological thriller
How many books do you trust to be actually based on reality and are non fiction books completely factual? These are some of the questions that arise in this descriptive, slick psychological thriller. It follows the journey of a novelist with writer's block who seems to have been befriended by a woman who takes a lot of interest in her. The woman is enigmatic and secretive and who knows how much of her is real. It is written in the perspective of the writer and so it shows in detail how her mind unravels and is manipulated.
It leaves you pondering whether the protagonist actually imagined the entire thing?
It leaves you pondering whether the protagonist actually imagined the entire thing?
Haley Mathiot (9 KP) rated Catch Me If You Can: The True Story of a Real Fake in Books
Apr 27, 2018
Frank W. Abagnale tells his amazing story. He was a genius, though a criminal. That is why it took him so long to get caught (and stay caught).
I'm not going to summarize the story, because it takes away from the trill. Basically, Frank decides to leave his former life and "live it up." But of course he does it by forging checks and faking identities.
In today's modern technological world, his process wouldn't work. However, it was amazing to see Frank learn and use the system to his advantage.
I recommend this book to ages 14+ to anyone who wants a good non-fiction adventure. There is some sex but it's not explicit.
I'm not going to summarize the story, because it takes away from the trill. Basically, Frank decides to leave his former life and "live it up." But of course he does it by forging checks and faking identities.
In today's modern technological world, his process wouldn't work. However, it was amazing to see Frank learn and use the system to his advantage.
I recommend this book to ages 14+ to anyone who wants a good non-fiction adventure. There is some sex but it's not explicit.