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Kristy H (1252 KP) rated All Our Pretty Songs (Metamorphoses, #1) in Books
Feb 13, 2018
Two girls grow up, as close (or closer) as sisters, until a boy and a strange man (?) come between them. Aurora is the daughter of a famous musician, who died when she very young; her mother still spends most of her days in a drug-induced haze. It's up to her best friend (whose name we never learn -- she's simply the narrator of this tale) to protect Aurora, who is described as lovely and other-worldly, from herself. The girls spend their days together -- watching movies in Aurora's bed, partying hard, dancing in mosh pits at concerts, etc. One day they meet a musician named Jack, a beautiful man/boy, who enraptures the narrator, and seems to set them on a course to be torn apart.
This is a very strange book. The first half or so is actually pretty compelling and interesting. The story of Aurora and the narrator's friendship is fascinating, and their "girls gone wild" story is plausible, if not a little much. Aurora's mom could clearly care less where her daughter is. The narrator's mom, Cass, was friends with Aurora's mom, but they clearly fought when the girls were young and are not on speaking terms, though Cass cares deeply for Aurora. This is all good stuff.
Once Jack arrives and Aurora meets Minos, a bizarre music producer, things get weird. The book takes on this mystical, paranormal feel, and it's just strange. It almost feels like this part of the plot was forced into what was otherwise just a good (really, good) story about friendship and teenage girls and life. I won't go into many more details about the plot, but the narrator basically goes on a quest, which I didn't completely understand and then the book just ends, leaving you hanging and everything unresolved. And despite the fact that there is another book in the series, it looks to be about the girls' mothers, not the girls, therefore giving me no resolution whatsoever! Grr.
That's not to say that McCarry's writing isn't lovely. It's a beautiful, poetic book - almost too much at times, as I found myself practically skimming to get to the actual plot. The narrator was a compelling character, and the whole story was so well-written that I could imagine every person, every wild party, every journey. I just think that it almost would have been just as good, if not better, without all the crazy characters and odd mythology-type "stuff" thrown in. But what do I know, really? And I'll probably read the second book out of total curiosity because Maia (Aurora's mom) and Cass were pretty fascinating.
This was probably closer to 2.5 stars for my overall feeling at the end, but bumped up a bit for the beginning and the general writing.
This is a very strange book. The first half or so is actually pretty compelling and interesting. The story of Aurora and the narrator's friendship is fascinating, and their "girls gone wild" story is plausible, if not a little much. Aurora's mom could clearly care less where her daughter is. The narrator's mom, Cass, was friends with Aurora's mom, but they clearly fought when the girls were young and are not on speaking terms, though Cass cares deeply for Aurora. This is all good stuff.
Once Jack arrives and Aurora meets Minos, a bizarre music producer, things get weird. The book takes on this mystical, paranormal feel, and it's just strange. It almost feels like this part of the plot was forced into what was otherwise just a good (really, good) story about friendship and teenage girls and life. I won't go into many more details about the plot, but the narrator basically goes on a quest, which I didn't completely understand and then the book just ends, leaving you hanging and everything unresolved. And despite the fact that there is another book in the series, it looks to be about the girls' mothers, not the girls, therefore giving me no resolution whatsoever! Grr.
That's not to say that McCarry's writing isn't lovely. It's a beautiful, poetic book - almost too much at times, as I found myself practically skimming to get to the actual plot. The narrator was a compelling character, and the whole story was so well-written that I could imagine every person, every wild party, every journey. I just think that it almost would have been just as good, if not better, without all the crazy characters and odd mythology-type "stuff" thrown in. But what do I know, really? And I'll probably read the second book out of total curiosity because Maia (Aurora's mom) and Cass were pretty fascinating.
This was probably closer to 2.5 stars for my overall feeling at the end, but bumped up a bit for the beginning and the general writing.
The Spinner of Dreams
7.0
Rate It
Book
Inventive, empathetic, and strange in all the best ways, The Spinner of Dreams draws from the...
MPMcDonald (8 KP) rated Blue Water, White Water in Books
Jan 12, 2018
I work as a respiratory therapist so I deal with patients on ventilators all the time. This book has made me more aware of what the patient is going through and I hope, it's given me a little more patience with my patients.
One thing I found very strange was that the family had to pay separately for a nurse at the hospital and had to find coverage if a nurse couldn't be there--and this takes place at one of the most well-known hospitals in the country. I have never heard of a family having to do that and I've worked in several different facilities and have since a few years after the events in the book took place. I've even worked in a rehab facility and nursing care was included. (More LPNs than RNs, but still, someone was there to take care of patients.)
One thing I found very strange was that the family had to pay separately for a nurse at the hospital and had to find coverage if a nurse couldn't be there--and this takes place at one of the most well-known hospitals in the country. I have never heard of a family having to do that and I've worked in several different facilities and have since a few years after the events in the book took place. I've even worked in a rehab facility and nursing care was included. (More LPNs than RNs, but still, someone was there to take care of patients.)
Niten. NR (75 KP) rated Dead Man (1995) in Movies
Jul 28, 2017
Johnny Depp (3 more)
Gay Farmer
Black and white beauty
Cool guitar soundtrack by Neil Young
Indie Western Wizardry
Seemingly meek & mild William Blake (Depp) travels from Cleveland to the town of Machine, with all his hopes pinned to taking up a a promised position as an accountant. Soon after arriving he finds the job already taken and his path taking an unexpected and deadly turn, that leads him into the spirit world of Nobody, his new and strange Indian friend.
This film is a little dark, alot violent, pretty mysterious and atmospheric. As well as the amazing work of Depp and Farmer, there is a star studded cost including, Robert Mitchum, John Hurt, Gabriel Byrne, Billy Bob Thornton & Iggy Pop to name a few. Depp is nothing less than brilliant as he evades those hunting him down and as he follows Nobody deeper and deeper into his unusual world.
This film is a little dark, alot violent, pretty mysterious and atmospheric. As well as the amazing work of Depp and Farmer, there is a star studded cost including, Robert Mitchum, John Hurt, Gabriel Byrne, Billy Bob Thornton & Iggy Pop to name a few. Depp is nothing less than brilliant as he evades those hunting him down and as he follows Nobody deeper and deeper into his unusual world.
SummerLGrant (185 KP) rated Sense8 - Season 1 in TV
Aug 11, 2017
The Wachowski siblings are on fine form (3 more)
The idea
The way it was executed
Stunning location, stunning writing and stunning acting
Instant classic
This series has to be one of the best shows Netflix has put their money behind. The original story follows eight individuals as they're visited by a strange vision of a blonde woman. Soon, they find themselves able to visit each other's minds, share their skills and pop up in the strangest of places - all as part of this new cluster they find themselves in. But there's some danger with their newfound ability.
As you'd expect from the Wachowski siblings, it's beautifully complicated and at no point do they talk down to their audience. Everything is wrapped tightly in mystery and you learn things naturally throughout the course of the story. Pretty much every episode feels like a cliffhanger and the story comes to a crashing crescendo.
As you'd expect from the Wachowski siblings, it's beautifully complicated and at no point do they talk down to their audience. Everything is wrapped tightly in mystery and you learn things naturally throughout the course of the story. Pretty much every episode feels like a cliffhanger and the story comes to a crashing crescendo.
Erika (17788 KP) rated The Seven Deaths Of Evelyn Hardcastle in Books
Feb 9, 2019
In the USA, this book had to be published as 'The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle', due to it being too close to a book released a few months previously. I actually think the US title is more accurate than the original title.
I found it hard to get my bearing when I began reading this, trying to figure out exactly what was happening. I found the fixation on Anna was very strange, and slightly unnecessary in my mind. I just got tired of her. It is slightly convoluted, and it probably could have been cut down by at least 100 pages.
While I figured out the answer around 1/4th into the book, I did end up liking it for the most part. This would make a really good 10 episode series, and I hope a company has bought the rights so an adaptation can occur.
I found it hard to get my bearing when I began reading this, trying to figure out exactly what was happening. I found the fixation on Anna was very strange, and slightly unnecessary in my mind. I just got tired of her. It is slightly convoluted, and it probably could have been cut down by at least 100 pages.
While I figured out the answer around 1/4th into the book, I did end up liking it for the most part. This would make a really good 10 episode series, and I hope a company has bought the rights so an adaptation can occur.
Neon's Nerd Nexus (360 KP) rated Perfume: The Story of a Murderer (2006) in Movies
May 13, 2019
Amor et Psyche
Number 6 of my #top10 #favourite #films is 'Perfume The Story Of A Murderer'.
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#Perfume is such a #strange film, it extreamly long and almost feels like 3 separate films about the same character sewn together. Every time i watch it i feel absorbed by in this amazing #fairytale, maybe its the #magic, the #wonder and the sheer #beauty of it thats so intoxicating. Then theres the #violence, the #filth and the straight up #creepy but no matter how odd the film seems to get you cant help but be #mesmerized by it constantly. With such memorable characters, smashing dialog, huge well designed sets/costumes, great acting and an absolutely griping/highly satisfying story Perfume for me is an incredible hidden gem. If you like #fantasy, #gothic #horror, #serialkillers and #beautiful #perioddramas its a must see. ------------------------------------------------
#sundayfunday #weeked #scary #killer #alanrickman #dustinhofman #purfumethestoryofamurderer #runlolarun
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#Perfume is such a #strange film, it extreamly long and almost feels like 3 separate films about the same character sewn together. Every time i watch it i feel absorbed by in this amazing #fairytale, maybe its the #magic, the #wonder and the sheer #beauty of it thats so intoxicating. Then theres the #violence, the #filth and the straight up #creepy but no matter how odd the film seems to get you cant help but be #mesmerized by it constantly. With such memorable characters, smashing dialog, huge well designed sets/costumes, great acting and an absolutely griping/highly satisfying story Perfume for me is an incredible hidden gem. If you like #fantasy, #gothic #horror, #serialkillers and #beautiful #perioddramas its a must see. ------------------------------------------------
#sundayfunday #weeked #scary #killer #alanrickman #dustinhofman #purfumethestoryofamurderer #runlolarun
Fruit Bat (42 KP) rated The Strange Case of Caroline Maxwell in Books
Mar 1, 2018
Recommended reading "The Strange Case of Caroline Maxwell "Paperback – 12 Sep 2014 by Amanda Harvey Purse.
This book has all the ingredients that makes a great mystery novel. The question is what is there not to love history mixed with fiction, Sherlock Holmes, Jack the Ripper with a great references to Agatha Christie and a famous little Belgian detective.
Amanda's book deserves so much more then the twos reviews it has on Amazon .
The book is truly well researched and comes across as a great labour of love , I loved spotting the historical cases that where mixed among the fiction. If you have the opportunity to read this book I recommend you do it's not to be missed.
Amanda I loved this book from start to finish thank you for the opportunity to read it I hope to see more of this wonderful character
This book has all the ingredients that makes a great mystery novel. The question is what is there not to love history mixed with fiction, Sherlock Holmes, Jack the Ripper with a great references to Agatha Christie and a famous little Belgian detective.
Amanda's book deserves so much more then the twos reviews it has on Amazon .
The book is truly well researched and comes across as a great labour of love , I loved spotting the historical cases that where mixed among the fiction. If you have the opportunity to read this book I recommend you do it's not to be missed.
Amanda I loved this book from start to finish thank you for the opportunity to read it I hope to see more of this wonderful character
Erika (17788 KP) rated A Spy Among Friends: Philby and the Great Betrayal in Books
Feb 18, 2018
If you're looking for a non-fiction book that reads like fiction, this is definitely a must-read.
Kim Philby is infamous, he was responsible for compromising countless agents/missions from the 1930s to the 1960s. He's the inspiration behind a lot of spy fiction, one of the biggest ones being Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. The book has a few main sources, Philby himself in his strange memoir written after he fled to Moscow, Nicholas Elliot, a friend and co-worker from MI-6, and James Angleton, also a friend from the CIA. Of course, hindsight is 20/20, but there were so many signs of treachery, it's hard to believe that it took 30 years to finally get a confession from him.
And, I mean, come on, the dude decided on giving himself the nickname of Kim, like the character in Rudyard Kipling's novel.
Kim Philby is infamous, he was responsible for compromising countless agents/missions from the 1930s to the 1960s. He's the inspiration behind a lot of spy fiction, one of the biggest ones being Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. The book has a few main sources, Philby himself in his strange memoir written after he fled to Moscow, Nicholas Elliot, a friend and co-worker from MI-6, and James Angleton, also a friend from the CIA. Of course, hindsight is 20/20, but there were so many signs of treachery, it's hard to believe that it took 30 years to finally get a confession from him.
And, I mean, come on, the dude decided on giving himself the nickname of Kim, like the character in Rudyard Kipling's novel.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2204 KP) rated Time of Fog and Fire (Molly Murphy Mysteries, #16) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Daniel accepts a temporary top secret assignment with the Secret Service. Molly is trying not to worry about her husband until she gets a strange note in the mail. The more she looks at it, the more she thinks he is asking her to come to San Francisco. Why would Daniel ask for Molly’s help? What will she find when she arrives?
This is another wonderful trip back to 1906 with Molly and her family and friends. We get to see them before and after the time in San Francisco, but that never really slows down the plot. The mystery does get a bit sidetracked by the real events unfolding in the city during that time, but it still makes for page turning reading.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/04/book-review-time-of-fire-and-fog-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This is another wonderful trip back to 1906 with Molly and her family and friends. We get to see them before and after the time in San Francisco, but that never really slows down the plot. The mystery does get a bit sidetracked by the real events unfolding in the city during that time, but it still makes for page turning reading.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/04/book-review-time-of-fire-and-fog-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.