Wednesday, September 29, 2004
In the Shadow of No Towers by Art Spiegelman
I broke into the other book I was reading when In the Shadow of No Towers arrived in the mail. This book of only 42 pages, including 10 double page comix style, took me two hours to read. After each page I had to take a break...go do some dishes or make a cup of tea.
I've talked about my experiences on 9/11/2001 many times. The first few monthes every get together seemed to make its way to what happened and what we did and what we saw. I was living in Maryland, just inside the Beltway, and my family and friends in DC and Virginia, well, we all were horrified and scared, and grieving. I had friends who were in Manhattan that day and their focus on detail of what they did helped distance the horror and yet made it even more clear. There were also the media reports of what happened; tv and radio reports in first and 3rd voice giving details and emotions. It all trickled away with followup stories on "where are they now" and the stories aren't told much anymore except on the anniversaries or when the gathering is the first since the attacks. In the Shadow of No Towers is that person-to-person telling of sequence and feeling magnified by Art Spiegelman's graphics.
In The Shadow of No Towers deals not only with the actual happenings of 9/11/2001 but with the domino effect of discrimination, Homeland Security, laws, paranoia, and politics that followed. The pressure to either appear extra-patriotic or seem a traitor was something I remember well and still feel on occasion.
I haven't read a wide range of Art Spiegelman's work; I've only read Maus I and II but they are masterpieces. They, like In The Shadow of No Towers, are intensely personal yet speak globally. They also speak specifically about Spiegelman's parents experiences in Auschwitz but the story is applicable to prejudice, hatred, and genocide worldwide.
I think this book is not one to recommend. If asked, then I would talk about it and recommend it (and would certainly lend it) but readiness is something personal that I could not gauge for someone else.
I've talked about my experiences on 9/11/2001 many times. The first few monthes every get together seemed to make its way to what happened and what we did and what we saw. I was living in Maryland, just inside the Beltway, and my family and friends in DC and Virginia, well, we all were horrified and scared, and grieving. I had friends who were in Manhattan that day and their focus on detail of what they did helped distance the horror and yet made it even more clear. There were also the media reports of what happened; tv and radio reports in first and 3rd voice giving details and emotions. It all trickled away with followup stories on "where are they now" and the stories aren't told much anymore except on the anniversaries or when the gathering is the first since the attacks. In the Shadow of No Towers is that person-to-person telling of sequence and feeling magnified by Art Spiegelman's graphics.
In The Shadow of No Towers deals not only with the actual happenings of 9/11/2001 but with the domino effect of discrimination, Homeland Security, laws, paranoia, and politics that followed. The pressure to either appear extra-patriotic or seem a traitor was something I remember well and still feel on occasion.
I haven't read a wide range of Art Spiegelman's work; I've only read Maus I and II but they are masterpieces. They, like In The Shadow of No Towers, are intensely personal yet speak globally. They also speak specifically about Spiegelman's parents experiences in Auschwitz but the story is applicable to prejudice, hatred, and genocide worldwide.
I think this book is not one to recommend. If asked, then I would talk about it and recommend it (and would certainly lend it) but readiness is something personal that I could not gauge for someone else.
Tuesday, September 28, 2004
Yes, another book already! A Recipe for Bees by Gail Anderson-Dargatz
I admit that I stayed up way too late reading A recipe for Bees. I first read this book years ago when it was given to me as a gift by a wonderful woman I met on the internet (Hi, Julie!). I blush when I tell you that for years after, people kept recommending Secret Life of Bees and I said I had already read it, because I was confusing it with this book.
It is interesting that lately I have read two books that inciorporate beekeeping and two about the isolated and difficult lives of family farmers, two of which are set in the same time period (Postcards and Recipe for Bees).
A Recipe of Bees tells the story of Augusta. She grew up on a family farm and her mother had a reputation for flirting (and more) with other men. Like Jewell in Postcards, Augusta struggles to find her place in the world; unlike Jewell Augusta does not wait until her husband is dead. Augusta is haunted by glimpses of the future and ghosts from the past who show her the limits of her life and the consequences of allowing her life spirit to be squeezed down to a small bland cube. Augusta, naive or just optimistic, gives people the chance to be wonderful and good but when they don't step up she takes matters into her own hands. Isolated on her father-in-law's farmstead while he and her husband work the sheep, Augusta accepts help from the Reverend and takes jobs in the nearby town. While there she has an affair that lasts for several years. One result of the affair is a pregnancy that Augusta has been seeking with her husband; the more important result is that Augusta feels beautiful and worthy of not only love but positive attention. Can she get those things from her husband?
The story is told in a series of flashbacks and story-telling from Augusta's present day old age. In present day Augusta you can see flashes of how she changed and how her core self remains.
It is interesting that lately I have read two books that inciorporate beekeeping and two about the isolated and difficult lives of family farmers, two of which are set in the same time period (Postcards and Recipe for Bees).
A Recipe of Bees tells the story of Augusta. She grew up on a family farm and her mother had a reputation for flirting (and more) with other men. Like Jewell in Postcards, Augusta struggles to find her place in the world; unlike Jewell Augusta does not wait until her husband is dead. Augusta is haunted by glimpses of the future and ghosts from the past who show her the limits of her life and the consequences of allowing her life spirit to be squeezed down to a small bland cube. Augusta, naive or just optimistic, gives people the chance to be wonderful and good but when they don't step up she takes matters into her own hands. Isolated on her father-in-law's farmstead while he and her husband work the sheep, Augusta accepts help from the Reverend and takes jobs in the nearby town. While there she has an affair that lasts for several years. One result of the affair is a pregnancy that Augusta has been seeking with her husband; the more important result is that Augusta feels beautiful and worthy of not only love but positive attention. Can she get those things from her husband?
The story is told in a series of flashbacks and story-telling from Augusta's present day old age. In present day Augusta you can see flashes of how she changed and how her core self remains.
Monday, September 27, 2004
Postcards by E. Annie Proulx
I have never read anything else by E. Annie Proulx; two
of her other books were recommended to me by the friend who passed on Postcards.
Postcards follows the Blood Family from their life as hardscrabble farm family to scattered individuals struggling to find out who or what they are. The book opens with Loyal, supportive son and apparent heir to the farm, raping and murdering his girlfriend. He hides her body and runs from home, family, and farm. Without Loyal's help Mink and his disabled son Dub cannot keep up with the work of the farm. Jewell and her daughter Mernelle have as much work as they can handle without taking on "barn chores". While Loyal wanders the country, working hard all the while, the family separates and the farm declines. Mink and Dub are caught in an insurance scam; Mink loses all but Dub goes from Vermont to Florida and discovers a whole new way of life. Jewell and Mernelle make better choices (though whether Mernelle is moving her dependency from her father to another man is debatable and debatedly better).
Loyal moves across the country sending postcards back to his family. He goes from despair and self-loathing to apathy and then to a sort of acceptance of himself where he can see the good. He helps people, he survives, and he makes friends.
In the end, the family members have come to be characters in themselves, individually important and complex in a way that they never could be as part of the Blood Family. Well, except for Mink, the family as a whole was who he was and he couldn't survive the breakup. Isn't that sadder than struggling and surviving?
I've already got an envelope addressed so that I can mail this book off to my next sister.
of her other books were recommended to me by the friend who passed on Postcards.
Postcards follows the Blood Family from their life as hardscrabble farm family to scattered individuals struggling to find out who or what they are. The book opens with Loyal, supportive son and apparent heir to the farm, raping and murdering his girlfriend. He hides her body and runs from home, family, and farm. Without Loyal's help Mink and his disabled son Dub cannot keep up with the work of the farm. Jewell and her daughter Mernelle have as much work as they can handle without taking on "barn chores". While Loyal wanders the country, working hard all the while, the family separates and the farm declines. Mink and Dub are caught in an insurance scam; Mink loses all but Dub goes from Vermont to Florida and discovers a whole new way of life. Jewell and Mernelle make better choices (though whether Mernelle is moving her dependency from her father to another man is debatable and debatedly better).
Loyal moves across the country sending postcards back to his family. He goes from despair and self-loathing to apathy and then to a sort of acceptance of himself where he can see the good. He helps people, he survives, and he makes friends.
In the end, the family members have come to be characters in themselves, individually important and complex in a way that they never could be as part of the Blood Family. Well, except for Mink, the family as a whole was who he was and he couldn't survive the breakup. Isn't that sadder than struggling and surviving?
I've already got an envelope addressed so that I can mail this book off to my next sister.
Saturday, September 25, 2004
Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson
Peter and the Starcatchers is a prequel to Peter Pan. Since J. M. Barrie is long dead, the prequel is written by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson.
In answer to the question of how Peter met Hook, these authors have come up with an ingenious story that would never have occurred to J.M. Barrie. There are lots of swashbuckling pirates and tense situations. Hook, then known as "Black Stache" is already a notorious pirate and Peter is a boy of indeterminate age (somewhere between 10-13). The story starts on the docks as Peter and some other orphan boys are loaded onto a disreputable ship and ends on the newly named "Never Land" island. Along the way some of our favorite characters meet and mingle with characters developed just for this book.
I may be remembering the Disney movie and not the original book (it has been a while since I read it) but I thought Peter was lost when he was a baby and he remembered that being lost in a shadowy way. Certainly he would remember if he had been 10-12 when the big change happened. Right? Peter seemed an awful lot more mature than in Peter Pan which was disconcerting. Though a boy may (by magic) not grow up, it bothered me that he seemed to regress. I suppose it is a hazard of writing to make characters more what we would be if we were in the story.
Several times I wished the story would move a little faster. If it had, they probably could have cut 120 pages off the length without hurting the story flow or leaving out fun and story building information.
I liked the book. It was very entertaining! I read it in about a day and have set it aside for several children ages 8-14. I bought it for less than $11 at Costco, so if you are not going to buy it from an Independent Bookstore I recommend Costco.
In answer to the question of how Peter met Hook, these authors have come up with an ingenious story that would never have occurred to J.M. Barrie. There are lots of swashbuckling pirates and tense situations. Hook, then known as "Black Stache" is already a notorious pirate and Peter is a boy of indeterminate age (somewhere between 10-13). The story starts on the docks as Peter and some other orphan boys are loaded onto a disreputable ship and ends on the newly named "Never Land" island. Along the way some of our favorite characters meet and mingle with characters developed just for this book.
I may be remembering the Disney movie and not the original book (it has been a while since I read it) but I thought Peter was lost when he was a baby and he remembered that being lost in a shadowy way. Certainly he would remember if he had been 10-12 when the big change happened. Right? Peter seemed an awful lot more mature than in Peter Pan which was disconcerting. Though a boy may (by magic) not grow up, it bothered me that he seemed to regress. I suppose it is a hazard of writing to make characters more what we would be if we were in the story.
Several times I wished the story would move a little faster. If it had, they probably could have cut 120 pages off the length without hurting the story flow or leaving out fun and story building information.
I liked the book. It was very entertaining! I read it in about a day and have set it aside for several children ages 8-14. I bought it for less than $11 at Costco, so if you are not going to buy it from an Independent Bookstore I recommend Costco.
The Winds of Change by Martha Grimes
The Winds of Change is a Richard Jury mystery. I have enjoyed reading Martha Grimes' books for over a decade. I first chose one of her books off the "Local Author" rack at Trover's Books on Capitol Hill.
Over the years more characters have entered her stories and stayed giving a wider community for Richard Jury to interact with in stable ways. Her language is still rich and her writing invites the reader to see both the details and scope of the story; that is why this book failed me. The dramatic plot twist is painted in as part of the big picture from the very beginning and when Martha Grimes puts her talent to painting that big picture the salient points jump out.
Over the years more characters have entered her stories and stayed giving a wider community for Richard Jury to interact with in stable ways. Her language is still rich and her writing invites the reader to see both the details and scope of the story; that is why this book failed me. The dramatic plot twist is painted in as part of the big picture from the very beginning and when Martha Grimes puts her talent to painting that big picture the salient points jump out.
Thursday, September 23, 2004
Inkheart by Cornelia Funke
Previously I've read The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke; I really enjoyed it as did the 8and 11 yr old girls I recommended it to.
Inkheart is good in the ways that Thief Lord was good: rich language that uses context to introduce new vocabulary, interesting but flawed characters, and a world that is all too real in the details (sweat, bugs, dirt. weak bodies). There are many literary references in Inkheart. Every chapter starts with a quote and many characters and plots are mentioned within the story.
Meggie lives with her father Mo. Their lives revolve around reading and repairing books. They both read a lot and treasure books and Mo repairs and rebinds books. One night a weird stranger shows up at their house; he says his name is Dustfinger and he calls Mo "Silvertongue". He warns them that an evil man is after them. Mo tries to act unworried but he and Meggie prepare to flee. Dustfinger comes with them but he brings more trouble. It turns out that Mo has, in the past, read characters out of the world of their books into our world. Dustfinger and Capricorn (the evil man) are two of these characters. Unfortunately, when someone comes out of the book, someone or something goes into the book. Meggie's mother was the first victim to disappear into a book. Capricorn has tried to collect every copy of the book he came from so that he can destroy them and stay forever in this world. He and his ruthless band of henchmen will stop at nothing to get their way.
Can Meggie survive Capricorn? Will she, and her friends, find a way to stop him? Will Meggie and Mo ever find Meggie's mother? I'm not saying!
There is suspense and acts of violence against people and books are described. The power of intimidation and how it can limit instead of expand are brought into the story.
I'm recommending it to several girls 8,9,12, and 15 and to two boys 10,14. And to teachers of 4-6th grade classrooms and 7-8th grade classrooms.
Inkheart is good in the ways that Thief Lord was good: rich language that uses context to introduce new vocabulary, interesting but flawed characters, and a world that is all too real in the details (sweat, bugs, dirt. weak bodies). There are many literary references in Inkheart. Every chapter starts with a quote and many characters and plots are mentioned within the story.
Meggie lives with her father Mo. Their lives revolve around reading and repairing books. They both read a lot and treasure books and Mo repairs and rebinds books. One night a weird stranger shows up at their house; he says his name is Dustfinger and he calls Mo "Silvertongue". He warns them that an evil man is after them. Mo tries to act unworried but he and Meggie prepare to flee. Dustfinger comes with them but he brings more trouble. It turns out that Mo has, in the past, read characters out of the world of their books into our world. Dustfinger and Capricorn (the evil man) are two of these characters. Unfortunately, when someone comes out of the book, someone or something goes into the book. Meggie's mother was the first victim to disappear into a book. Capricorn has tried to collect every copy of the book he came from so that he can destroy them and stay forever in this world. He and his ruthless band of henchmen will stop at nothing to get their way.
Can Meggie survive Capricorn? Will she, and her friends, find a way to stop him? Will Meggie and Mo ever find Meggie's mother? I'm not saying!
There is suspense and acts of violence against people and books are described. The power of intimidation and how it can limit instead of expand are brought into the story.
I'm recommending it to several girls 8,9,12, and 15 and to two boys 10,14. And to teachers of 4-6th grade classrooms and 7-8th grade classrooms.
Shadow's Daughter by Shirley Meier
Shadow's Daughter is the last of the Fifth Millennium books that I own.
Like Snowbrother, this is a backstory. Shadow's Daughter is Megan's story. It chronicles her fall from pampered daughter of stable working class parents to her years as sexually abused slave and then back up to strong, reliable, ship owner and saviour to her cousin.
A good look at Zak life in the city: their politics, family structure, coming of age, and ties to the pre-apocolyptic world.
Like Snowbrother, this is a backstory. Shadow's Daughter is Megan's story. It chronicles her fall from pampered daughter of stable working class parents to her years as sexually abused slave and then back up to strong, reliable, ship owner and saviour to her cousin.
A good look at Zak life in the city: their politics, family structure, coming of age, and ties to the pre-apocolyptic world.
Catching up
I'm not that far behind but I told myself to log the books waiting by the computer before I started a new book. I bought two new books this morning and they are waiting...so tempting!
Snowbrother by S.M. Stirling
Snowbrother by S.M. Stirling is another from the Fifth Millennium series. This story is about Shk'aira before she leaves her people and meets Megan. Snowbrother fills in a lot about the people/tribes/races in the Fifth Millennium world and how they interact even though their lives and social mores are divergent.
Shk'aira is sent on a glory and treasure seeking excursion against a small village. The village is easily taken, since they hadn't finished their defenses, but help is on the way. Shk'aira and her band of warriors and support plunder the people and belongings of the village and prepare for the long winter trip back home. There are scenes of rape of males and females by males and females. Shk'aira lets her guard down with one of the new slaves. The trip home becomes a fiasco as the newly organized militia harries the caravan, a mysterious "Snowbrother" kills guards from within the scout pattern (very demoralizing), and the tension between Shk'aira and the Shaman escalates over spiritual protection and the use of human sacrifice. The shaman sees a glimpse of Shk'airas future.
Shk'aira is sent on a glory and treasure seeking excursion against a small village. The village is easily taken, since they hadn't finished their defenses, but help is on the way. Shk'aira and her band of warriors and support plunder the people and belongings of the village and prepare for the long winter trip back home. There are scenes of rape of males and females by males and females. Shk'aira lets her guard down with one of the new slaves. The trip home becomes a fiasco as the newly organized militia harries the caravan, a mysterious "Snowbrother" kills guards from within the scout pattern (very demoralizing), and the tension between Shk'aira and the Shaman escalates over spiritual protection and the use of human sacrifice. The shaman sees a glimpse of Shk'airas future.
Friday, September 17, 2004
Lion's Heart and Lion's Soul by Karen Wehrstein
Lion's Heart and Lion's Soul by Karen Wehrstein are two more of the Fifth Millenium series. These books take us beyond the lands covered already by Megan and Shkaira in Arko and Yeoli. Chevenga is in line to be the demarch, leader of the democratic Yeoli. The demarch must do as the people will. Chevenga is a solid hero, he thinks and acts and later thinks about why he acted as he did. He feels remorse and pride and tries to stay human despite the adoration of his people and the hatred of his enemies. In Lion's Heart Chevenga ascends as demarch, travels under treaty into Arko, is betrayed, subjected to torture, and set as a gladiator in the Arkan mezem. Through it all his willing heart and love for others (aided by the yroli practice of imagining oneself to be the other) bind people of all races and walks to him while fueling the hatred of those who compare unfavourably. Chevenga has foreknowledge of his death before he is 30 years old so he struggles with living well and accomplishing what he can.
In Lion's Soul Chevenga escapes from the Arkans and goes back to lead Yeoli against the Arkans, breaking a centuries old tradition of defending borders but not moving into other lands in war. The struggle within a man who respects the dignity of human choice and yet sees the terrible harm that is done to the powerless is strong in this book. Chevenga allows the sack of Arko by not making a decision (a very powerful message about indecision in our hearts). The war is successful but the struggle to keep Arko Arkan while bringin in democratic practices is very dificult. Chevenga is deposed through a vote and takes to his normal life where he must learn to let go of what "the people will" and see what it is HE wants to do.
Lovely stories, lots of things to think about. It brought to my mind the US intervention in Iraq. Sudam Hussein was a cruel leader who allowed graft and abuse of power but the US can not impose their social and political decisions on another country. We have to allow the choices of the people to have power even if they are not the choices we have chosen.
In Lion's Soul Chevenga escapes from the Arkans and goes back to lead Yeoli against the Arkans, breaking a centuries old tradition of defending borders but not moving into other lands in war. The struggle within a man who respects the dignity of human choice and yet sees the terrible harm that is done to the powerless is strong in this book. Chevenga allows the sack of Arko by not making a decision (a very powerful message about indecision in our hearts). The war is successful but the struggle to keep Arko Arkan while bringin in democratic practices is very dificult. Chevenga is deposed through a vote and takes to his normal life where he must learn to let go of what "the people will" and see what it is HE wants to do.
Lovely stories, lots of things to think about. It brought to my mind the US intervention in Iraq. Sudam Hussein was a cruel leader who allowed graft and abuse of power but the US can not impose their social and political decisions on another country. We have to allow the choices of the people to have power even if they are not the choices we have chosen.
Thursday, September 09, 2004
The Cage by S.M. Stirling and Shirley Meier
The Cage is the next book in series after Saber and Shadow. These books were my first introduction to S. M. Stirling (years ago) and they lead me to other of his work. I recommend his Nantucket series.
Megan and Shk'aira are headed back to Megan's homeland to bring their anger and some justice down on Habiku, who had betrayed Megan and taken over her business holdings. As they ,move closer to Habiko, he panicks and tries many ways of having them killed. It costs him everything including the support of his lover who is also the mad king's wife. Lots of fights, another good 'over the city' race, and ingenious attacks which reveal much of the culture of the country.
Along the way Megan and Shk'aira save/find/buy many of Megan's old crew, increasing their support and their responsibility. Shk'aira also attaches 2 children to their group; children who must be loved and trained and to whom the adults must model tolerance for diversity.
The major struggle is whether Megan will find peace through revenge and whether her revenge can be limited to justice or if it will reflect all the emotional anguish and physical hurt she feels.
Megan and Shk'aira are headed back to Megan's homeland to bring their anger and some justice down on Habiku, who had betrayed Megan and taken over her business holdings. As they ,move closer to Habiko, he panicks and tries many ways of having them killed. It costs him everything including the support of his lover who is also the mad king's wife. Lots of fights, another good 'over the city' race, and ingenious attacks which reveal much of the culture of the country.
Along the way Megan and Shk'aira save/find/buy many of Megan's old crew, increasing their support and their responsibility. Shk'aira also attaches 2 children to their group; children who must be loved and trained and to whom the adults must model tolerance for diversity.
The major struggle is whether Megan will find peace through revenge and whether her revenge can be limited to justice or if it will reflect all the emotional anguish and physical hurt she feels.
Wednesday, September 08, 2004
The Painter by Will Davenport
The Painter links a visit by Rembrandt to Hull in 1662 with modern day Amy Dahl and her work restoring an old mansion of Hull. The mystery of what Rembrandt was doing in Hull and what his relationship was with the beautiful wife of the house, Amelia, is clouded by his rivalry with the poet Marvell and the political intrigue of Amelia's husband, Captain Dahl. Amy has the mystery of Amelia's multiple journals, Rembrandts paintings, and two (or three) violent acts which may have been the work of her sexual interest, Don.
This was an interesting book and I read it quite quickly and with focus but now that it is over I cannot pull out exactly what made it worth that much reading energy and I can think of not much to use for recommendation.
This was an interesting book and I read it quite quickly and with focus but now that it is over I cannot pull out exactly what made it worth that much reading energy and I can think of not much to use for recommendation.
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
The Secret Life of Bees asks us what our mothers did for us and who we are. There are questions of forgiveness, race, and redemption.
Lily lives with her father T.Ray, who is filled with anger and suspicion. Lily knows little of her mother who Lily accidently killed. Following an incident where Lil's nanny Rosaleen is beaten while on her way to register to vote, Lily and Rosaleen flee town. Lily follows a clue about her mother, a Black Madonna, to Tiburon, SC where she meets an unusual trio of sisters. May, June, and August take Lily and Rosaleen into their home and give them space to heal.
This book was recommended to me by several people including my mother, a teacher, and 2 middle-aged women. I've recommended it to a 40 year old woman, a 14 year old girl, and two women in their 50's.
Lily lives with her father T.Ray, who is filled with anger and suspicion. Lily knows little of her mother who Lily accidently killed. Following an incident where Lil's nanny Rosaleen is beaten while on her way to register to vote, Lily and Rosaleen flee town. Lily follows a clue about her mother, a Black Madonna, to Tiburon, SC where she meets an unusual trio of sisters. May, June, and August take Lily and Rosaleen into their home and give them space to heal.
This book was recommended to me by several people including my mother, a teacher, and 2 middle-aged women. I've recommended it to a 40 year old woman, a 14 year old girl, and two women in their 50's.
Sunday, September 05, 2004
Chindi by Jack McDevitt
Chindi is a scifi thriller. A ship stumbled upon a message being transmitted from an invisible thing. Research shows that the message is being relayed but from where and to whom? Priscilla Hutchins is handpicked to Captain a vehicle to trace the messages and perhaps find sentient aliens. When the chindi is found, the seekers are baffled by its cargo. Who gathered these things and why?
This novel is fast paced and exciting. One after the other there are exciting and horrifying discoveries. Mistakes are made. Things that look harmless turn out to be deadly. There are cool math problems that I couldn't begin to solve but I felt a certain satisfaction when the scientists or AI's worked the problems of acceleration, fuel, etc.
Most of the characters feel substantial (Nick seemed a little thin to me) and even central characters are at risk so that until the last page my throat was clenched.
Have I said before that I know very few people who read science fiction or even fantasy? Well, I know very few, few men and even fewer women. I cannot think of anyone I know who would be interested in Chindi so I will throw my recommendation into the web and hope that it reaches someone.
This novel is fast paced and exciting. One after the other there are exciting and horrifying discoveries. Mistakes are made. Things that look harmless turn out to be deadly. There are cool math problems that I couldn't begin to solve but I felt a certain satisfaction when the scientists or AI's worked the problems of acceleration, fuel, etc.
Most of the characters feel substantial (Nick seemed a little thin to me) and even central characters are at risk so that until the last page my throat was clenched.
Have I said before that I know very few people who read science fiction or even fantasy? Well, I know very few, few men and even fewer women. I cannot think of anyone I know who would be interested in Chindi so I will throw my recommendation into the web and hope that it reaches someone.
Lady's Maid by Margaret Forster
Lady's Maid was one of the books passed to me by a friend, the same friend who gave me those horrible Wendy Holden books. I approached Lady's Maid with trepidation and was impressed and pleased.
Lady's Maid is a novel about the relationship between Elizabeth Barrett Browning and her maid. A detailed look at the duties and life of a Maid, neither Understairs nor Upstairs - not family nor a regular servant. Mrs. Wilson (unmarried but gets a Mrs. out of respect) is privy to the most personal part of E.B.B.'s life from her fragile health to her correspondance and visitors. Close as her relationship is and as much as Miss Barrett counts on her for daily survival, any thoughts on Mrs. Wilson's part of a friendship are mistaken. Wilson has worked her way up to the position of Lady's Maid and is thrilled and a bit overwhelmed to be serving such a wonder as Miss Barrett.
The story follows Wilson as Wilson follows Elizaeth Barret into her marriage and to Italy. Over the years Wilson sacrifices her personal life and finds herself frozen in time at the same wages but adding many tasks to her daily regimen. Within a short time she is organizer, traveller, nanny, and housekeeper, all for her original wages as Maid. It takes a while for Wilson to start fretting at the restrictions though she has been warned that Mistresses are thinking of themselves not of their servants and care only for the inconveniences that their servant's problems bring to them.
When it becomes obvious that although married Wilson had become pregnant prior to the marriage, she is cast aside. Struggling back to the only way she knows to support herself, Wilson sacrifices again and again to get back into the Browning's employ. At times she must choose between her husband or a child or serving the Brownings. Mrs. Browning's literary understanding and empathy for lower caste women and their lack of power makes her treatment of Wilson even more galling.
On the other hand, I sometimes sympathized with the Brownings. Wilson did count on them to fix her problems and did count on them to bail her out of the difficulties that her expectations of support had brought her to. Time after time they wouldn't help her and time after time she asked. (sigh)Despie her anger and frustration and loss, Wilson felt real compassion and responsibility for Elizabeth Browning; these feelings were a tighter bond that wages or employment.
A heartbreaking look at 19th centures life for a servant.
Lots of recommendation for this one mostly to women in their 30-60's but a few to men who I know enjoy the 19th century or the Brownings.
Lady's Maid is a novel about the relationship between Elizabeth Barrett Browning and her maid. A detailed look at the duties and life of a Maid, neither Understairs nor Upstairs - not family nor a regular servant. Mrs. Wilson (unmarried but gets a Mrs. out of respect) is privy to the most personal part of E.B.B.'s life from her fragile health to her correspondance and visitors. Close as her relationship is and as much as Miss Barrett counts on her for daily survival, any thoughts on Mrs. Wilson's part of a friendship are mistaken. Wilson has worked her way up to the position of Lady's Maid and is thrilled and a bit overwhelmed to be serving such a wonder as Miss Barrett.
The story follows Wilson as Wilson follows Elizaeth Barret into her marriage and to Italy. Over the years Wilson sacrifices her personal life and finds herself frozen in time at the same wages but adding many tasks to her daily regimen. Within a short time she is organizer, traveller, nanny, and housekeeper, all for her original wages as Maid. It takes a while for Wilson to start fretting at the restrictions though she has been warned that Mistresses are thinking of themselves not of their servants and care only for the inconveniences that their servant's problems bring to them.
When it becomes obvious that although married Wilson had become pregnant prior to the marriage, she is cast aside. Struggling back to the only way she knows to support herself, Wilson sacrifices again and again to get back into the Browning's employ. At times she must choose between her husband or a child or serving the Brownings. Mrs. Browning's literary understanding and empathy for lower caste women and their lack of power makes her treatment of Wilson even more galling.
On the other hand, I sometimes sympathized with the Brownings. Wilson did count on them to fix her problems and did count on them to bail her out of the difficulties that her expectations of support had brought her to. Time after time they wouldn't help her and time after time she asked. (sigh)Despie her anger and frustration and loss, Wilson felt real compassion and responsibility for Elizabeth Browning; these feelings were a tighter bond that wages or employment.
A heartbreaking look at 19th centures life for a servant.
Lots of recommendation for this one mostly to women in their 30-60's but a few to men who I know enjoy the 19th century or the Brownings.
Interstellar Pig by William Sleator
Interstellar Pig is the story of a bay named Barney and the three strange neighbours at his beach cottage. The neighbours are strange because they appear to charm everyone they meet, they lie about why they want to access to Barney's house, and they use good words (complicated, higher level words) but sometimes use them inappropriately.
Barney has already stumbled on a mystery attached to the house regarding a sea captain and a dying (or murdered!) castaway. Do the neighbours know about a hidden treasure?
In his enthusiasm for hanging out with luscious Zena and finding out more about the mystery, Barney gets sucked into a dangerous game that may mean the end of the world. I was happy to see that logic was a big help to Barney at the end.
I passed this book onto a 12 year old girl who liked it more than I did.
Barney has already stumbled on a mystery attached to the house regarding a sea captain and a dying (or murdered!) castaway. Do the neighbours know about a hidden treasure?
In his enthusiasm for hanging out with luscious Zena and finding out more about the mystery, Barney gets sucked into a dangerous game that may mean the end of the world. I was happy to see that logic was a big help to Barney at the end.
I passed this book onto a 12 year old girl who liked it more than I did.
Wednesday, September 01, 2004
Just in case you were wondering WHEN I do all this reading
I read off and on throughout the day. I keep a book in my car (and now one on my Palm) so that if I have to wait for an appointment or the school bus I can get a few pages or chapters read. I read while I wait for the pasta water to boil. I read after dinner with my children. I read for the first half hour after my children go to bed so that I can help them settle down (I don't read out loud to them, I read just beyond their room). And, last but not least, I read at night after everyone else is asleep and my chores are done. I confess that if the book is REALLY good I skip the chores and read through the night.
Faerie Wars by Herbie Brennan
Faerie Wars is a great example of a young adult book about the faerie world. Herbie Brennan joins together two boys of about the same age, one a Faerie prince and one a youth from our "Analog" world. Henry has just had a terrible shock, his family is shaken by an affair but it is nothing Henry could ever have imagined would happen to HIS family. Prince Pyrgus is in a lot of trouble but there may be more to it than a run of bad luck. He is jerked from what is expected to be a safe and temporary exile into the danger of Henry's world. Treachery, romance, scientist bank robbers, and demons (who resemble Aliens) all figure into the convoluted plot.
This book is amusing without being cutesy and tough without being crude. The traitor wasn't who I thought it would be.
The affair and an incident where Henry sees a girl in her bath are not prurient but some parents may not think them suitable for their children.
I barely finished this book when a 12 year old girl collected it from me so she could read it. I had to get it back for this review. An engaging book, I read it through in a day and look forward to the sequel The Purple Emperor.
This book is amusing without being cutesy and tough without being crude. The traitor wasn't who I thought it would be.
The affair and an incident where Henry sees a girl in her bath are not prurient but some parents may not think them suitable for their children.
I barely finished this book when a 12 year old girl collected it from me so she could read it. I had to get it back for this review. An engaging book, I read it through in a day and look forward to the sequel The Purple Emperor.
Persepolis 2 by Marjane Satrapi
Persepolis 2 is, of course, the sequel to Persepolis which I read earlier this Summer. At the end of Persepolis, Marjane was being sent away from Iran by her parents to the safety and sanity of Vienna. In Persepolis 2 Marjane chronicles, with great honesty, her sojourn. She has been sent to live with an Aunt but soon finds herself living without the support of family or community. Marjane struggles to fit in and to not fit in...to be normal but to find that normal outside of the mainstream (where she REALLY doesn't fit in). She encounters situations and adopts habits of which even her liberal parents would not understand or approve. Looking for friendship and stability Marjane finds herself stumbling along believing the best of everyone until she can not mistake their racism or use of her for anything close to friendship. Betrayed and embarrased to admit her failure to her family, MArjane burns several bridges behind her and ends up living on the trains and streets for several monthes. She finally reaches out to her parents only to find that they have always had their arms and hearts open to her. Shaken by her failure in the West, Marjane returns to Iran. Always sassy, she returns to the veiled life a depressed woman. She attempts suicide, her anger and pain are very present. Failing at suicide, she feels a new lease to life and embarks on a dichotomy of veiled life and wild parties. She attends art school, marries, and divorces. Along the way she tries to retain the confidence that her parents had nurtured in her from her childhood; she argues for more appropriate clothing for female art students, talks back to religious enforcers who chastise her for the way her bottom bounces when she runs for a bus, and re-evaluates who she is and who she wants to be. This is all done against the backdrop of militant religious oppression the effects of which are show on Marjane and among her friends and family.
I gave copies of this book to a 12 year old girl, those women in their 30's-40's, and the couple in their 70's. I recommended the book to several men and women in their 40-50's. I read this book along with a 9 year old girl who read Persepolis; we were able to talk about the drug and sexual experiences as part of Marjane's whole story.
I gave copies of this book to a 12 year old girl, those women in their 30's-40's, and the couple in their 70's. I recommended the book to several men and women in their 40-50's. I read this book along with a 9 year old girl who read Persepolis; we were able to talk about the drug and sexual experiences as part of Marjane's whole story.
Speaker For The Dead by Orson Scott Card
Speaker For The Dead is part of the Ender Wiggins saga. At the time of this book Andrew Wiggins has been Ender the Hero, Ender the Xenocide, and Speaker for the Hive Queen and her buggers. Andrew carries all this history, and the cocooned Hive Queen, with him across time and many planets as a Speaker for the Dead. Speakers are called to speak the true story, not whitewashed and sanded down nor short-focused on one part of his/her life.
Andrew has been called to the planet of Lusitania to Speak the life and death of Pipo, a xenologist. Andrew will arrive 22 years after Pipo's death. The Roman Catholic colonists of Lusitania were already established when they discovered that there was a native sentient lifeform which they named Piggies. The Interplanetary government, responding to the xenocide of the Buggers, has strictly curtailed all contact with the Piggies. Pipo was one of only three people who was allowed to have contact. Just before Andrew lands to Speak for Pipo, Pipo's son Libo is also killed by the Pigges and a Speaker is colled for to Speak Libo and another colonist, Marcao.
Andrew lands in the colony and is faced with the antagonism of the local Church, the dysfunction of Marcao's family which is strongly tied to Pipo and Libo, and to the threat of dissolution of the colony by the interplanetary government.
The underlying concepts of humanity (with regard to other species) and the dignity of all human beings (through the Speaking) are likely to raise questions and while the story and messages are strong they encourage expanding the questioning to other areas rather than smacking one over the head with preconsidered conclusions.
A great book. I recommend Orson Scott Card to many people with a caveat about his spiritual and religious themes.
Andrew has been called to the planet of Lusitania to Speak the life and death of Pipo, a xenologist. Andrew will arrive 22 years after Pipo's death. The Roman Catholic colonists of Lusitania were already established when they discovered that there was a native sentient lifeform which they named Piggies. The Interplanetary government, responding to the xenocide of the Buggers, has strictly curtailed all contact with the Piggies. Pipo was one of only three people who was allowed to have contact. Just before Andrew lands to Speak for Pipo, Pipo's son Libo is also killed by the Pigges and a Speaker is colled for to Speak Libo and another colonist, Marcao.
Andrew lands in the colony and is faced with the antagonism of the local Church, the dysfunction of Marcao's family which is strongly tied to Pipo and Libo, and to the threat of dissolution of the colony by the interplanetary government.
The underlying concepts of humanity (with regard to other species) and the dignity of all human beings (through the Speaking) are likely to raise questions and while the story and messages are strong they encourage expanding the questioning to other areas rather than smacking one over the head with preconsidered conclusions.
A great book. I recommend Orson Scott Card to many people with a caveat about his spiritual and religious themes.
Unicorn's Blood by Patricia Finney
Unicorn's Blood is a political thriller set during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. The politics is thoroughly tied up in religion and the social mores of the time. Rumour has it that there exists a private diary from Queen Elizabeth's youth which has a secret so terrible that anyone who holds the book may command the Queen or bring her down from power. Who is trying to find the book? The Queen, Roman Catholic supporters of Mary Queen of Scots, several highly placed British politicians, and several men whose instructions are clear even if their loyalties are not.
Patricia Finney shows us many details of life at court from dueling to courting to the Queen's fits of rage. Clothing and buildings are described in colour and smell and the characters (many based on real people) are thoughtfully fleshed with reasonable reactions and motivations.
I enjoyed reading this book but I didn't tear through it; it took me almost a week to read with a few pages here and there. A good book but not one that kept me up all night finishing it.
There are a few people I will recommend this book to including a lawyer in her 40's who likes British mysteries and period romances; I think this is an interesting mix but departure for her.
Patricia Finney shows us many details of life at court from dueling to courting to the Queen's fits of rage. Clothing and buildings are described in colour and smell and the characters (many based on real people) are thoughtfully fleshed with reasonable reactions and motivations.
I enjoyed reading this book but I didn't tear through it; it took me almost a week to read with a few pages here and there. A good book but not one that kept me up all night finishing it.
There are a few people I will recommend this book to including a lawyer in her 40's who likes British mysteries and period romances; I think this is an interesting mix but departure for her.
