I started out loving this book. I found the characters and story compelling. Having said that I am not sure why the magical time stopping trick was inI started out loving this book. I found the characters and story compelling. Having said that I am not sure why the magical time stopping trick was included - it made me wonder where the story was going, until I realized it was a red herring. I really enjoyed the main character’s development of the first sections right up to and including the Chinese revolution, but then I started drifting away. To me this was a five star until I got to the end and found it complicated and confusing. Lots of family drama and angry people to the point where I wanted to say ‘enough’, but it’s a book, I get it!...more
Another five star book from Rachel Joyce. I have read several novels written by this author and have enjoyed them all, but this one and Miss Benson’s Another five star book from Rachel Joyce. I have read several novels written by this author and have enjoyed them all, but this one and Miss Benson’s Beetle are my favourites.
The story centres on the relationship between a mother, Diana and her son Byron. Diana is desperate to raise her children to the high standards of her over achieving absent husband, and her wealthy upper crust and judgemental neighbours. She is trying to do it all. Meanwhile a parallel story is told about Jim who has spent his life in and out of a mental institution.
There’s lots going on and reading this book I’m laughing, cringing, empathetic, angry and at times extremely frustrated - but I can’t put it down.
A good story with some life lessons for us all....more
I loved this book! It is an uplifting story about feminism, believing in your self, deep friendship, resilience, and a lesson on never judging a book I loved this book! It is an uplifting story about feminism, believing in your self, deep friendship, resilience, and a lesson on never judging a book (or person) by their cover. Miss Benson had a tragic childhood and a dreadful career as a teacher but made an epochal decision to roll the dice and go on a life altering quest in search of an illusive coleopteran. I have read other books by Rachael Joyce - The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy and The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, both good but this is by far my favourite....more
I’m not saying this is the worst book I have ever read, but it is the worst book I have finished reading. The only reason I finished was because it waI’m not saying this is the worst book I have ever read, but it is the worst book I have finished reading. The only reason I finished was because it was recommended to me and I kept looking until the very end for the reason - alas, I never found it.
To demonstrate my point, here are a few of the more ridiculous passages in the book:
Someone even started a Change.org petition that claims I'm too pretty to go to jail. It has half a million signatures.
I'm sorry I didn't come and help you. I think they drugged me or tried to mind-control me or something. I wasn't acting right—wasn't thinking right. It wasn't until they made me eat a mouse-
Then, they all pop their mice into their mouths. Chew, chew, chew, crunch, crunch, crunch. Swallow. They look refreshed, happy, aglow. I want to be like them. Happy and aglow. Not afraid.
Here is my suggested re-write:
"This is a ridiculous book," says Emmeline. "The worst," replies Maya. "Unbelievable," adds Sophia. "A waste of time," murmurs Ana. "WTF," questions Kelly. "It’s disconnected, disordered, garbled, illogical, scattered, unconnected and incoherent.," says Bella Marie. "So glad it wasn’t just me," says Julie/Chloe. “I have a rash,” says Viktor...more
A disturbing and difficult book to read. Hard to believe people could (and probably still do) treat each other in such a hideous and disgusting mannerA disturbing and difficult book to read. Hard to believe people could (and probably still do) treat each other in such a hideous and disgusting manner because of skin colour. ...more
Hard to believe that Jeffery Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell’s abuse of thousands of girls went on for so long when so many were abused and so many watcHard to believe that Jeffery Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell’s abuse of thousands of girls went on for so long when so many were abused and so many watched and even participated. Hopefully there is a special place in hell for Ghislaine Maxwell, Jeffrey Epstein, (the ex) Prince Andrew, Ron Eppinger, Leslie Werner, Emmy Tayler, Matthew Groening, Flavio Briatore, Billionaire Number one: two: three; a well known Prime Minister, Jean-Luc Brunel, Marvin Minsky, Harvey Weinstein, Larry Nassar, Richard Stallman, Alex Acosta, Alan Dershowitz, Donald Trump, Joichi Ito and many, many more. Not an easy read but unfortunately a story that must be told....more
I really enjoyed this book. If I ever decide to go on a marathon horse ride across the country I want to be sure my companẽros are Augustus McCrae andI really enjoyed this book. If I ever decide to go on a marathon horse ride across the country I want to be sure my companẽros are Augustus McCrae and Woodrow Call. These two are the ultimate Swiss Army knife outdoorsmen who can fiord rivers on horseback, shoot hostiles while in a full gallup, heal any wound with a mud poultice, sleep while riding a horse and of course make the ladies swoon with their aww-shucks charm. Of course it also helps if you happen to have friends with cool names along on the ride - Pea eye, Po Campo, Newt Dobbs, Needle Nelson, Soupy Jones, Lippy, Deets, July Johnson, Dish Boggett, Jake Spoon, Jasper Fant, the Spettle boys, Roscoe, and a chef named Bolivar who can make a gourmet meal out of beans, roots and grasshoppers over a campfire of buffalo chips. But besides wanting me to get on my old horse Smoke and ride at full tilt, blinded by a sandstorm across the prairies, Lonesome Dove is a mix of so many stories. It’s a bit of a slow start but the author introduces more people and their anxieties, hopes, fears, emotions, loyalties, promises, love interests, and crazy family dynamics than you can rope and corral. While there is lots of homey, folksy talk - ‘I ain’t been scorched by lightning, but I doubt it could be hotter than being scorched by you’, ‘my goodness you’re as shy as a colt’, ‘why’s he crying? He’s a man’, there is a lot of politically incorrect and inappropriate references to Indigenous peoples and women, as there are in many classics. I enjoyed this book from page one. Many pages but it’s a keeper, dang it....more
**spoiler alert** I really enjoyed this book - until the end. The book tells the story of gun toting, homophobic, racist, Nazis loving, fascist, radic**spoiler alert** I really enjoyed this book - until the end. The book tells the story of gun toting, homophobic, racist, Nazis loving, fascist, radical, book banning/burning, misogynistic, knuckle-dragging, good old boys, versus God fearing, honest, gender equality seeking, wholesome, hard working small-town-America folks. There are lots of good lessons in pay-back, and quotes I hope to remember and use someday like ‘When you have everything, the only luxury left is taking things away from others. It is an indulgence you certainly seem to relish.’ It also has one of the best cursing passages I have happened across in any of the literature I have read, but a WARNING it is not for children or delicate ears… “"Fuuuuuuuck! Fuck you, Russell, for breaking your vows. And fuck you, Janelle, and your fucking cleavage. Fuck me for believing in happily ever after. And fuck you, Mama, for not telling me how things really are. And fuck Lula Dean and her book banning posse! Fuck that fucking Nazi! Fuck Mr. Pig! Fuck my kids for not calling every week after I worked my ass off to raise them! Fuck all you fucking fuckity fuckers!!!" Another warning - if you have not read this book I am going to talk about the end. The Pollyanna ending was too much for me. All the bad people either died, moved away or otherwise disappeared to be replaced by all good people who believe in justice, honesty and the American way. Rah-Rah-USA made me a little queasy....more
A story of so many tragedies. Two young psychopaths aspire their names go in the history books with the Oklahoma City bombers and their Nazis heroes. A story of so many tragedies. Two young psychopaths aspire their names go in the history books with the Oklahoma City bombers and their Nazis heroes. Other had different goals: The police mishandled and lied about their incompetence for years after; various religions wanted to increase their flocks; lawyers encouraged litigation to increase their bottom lines; the media wanted to entice their audience and keep the story alive until the next shooting; the NRA wanted to ensure their annual convention and gun show took place in Denver months after the shooting; the Colorado Republican Party wanted to ensure they were not on the same stage as President Bill Clinton in support of gun legislation; parents of the victims wanted their kids back; and survivors wanted their lives back. Meanwhile the carnage in the USA continues. Thoughts and prayers....more
DNF. What is happening? Got about one third through and when the ghost of her father and the ghost of a freewheelin’ Bob Dylan appear inside a cactus DNF. What is happening? Got about one third through and when the ghost of her father and the ghost of a freewheelin’ Bob Dylan appear inside a cactus with her, I knew it was time to move on....more
I think I would have enjoyed this book more when I was in middle school, but I was too busy to read books back then. Terrible story of animal cruelty.I think I would have enjoyed this book more when I was in middle school, but I was too busy to read books back then. Terrible story of animal cruelty. I lived in the North for many years and never met a musher who would treat their dogs so poorly, but it is a novel and a classic at that....more
Another funny, sad, shocking and thought provoking book by Roald Dahl - such a talented writer. Dahl’s style of telling his life stories in a matter-oAnother funny, sad, shocking and thought provoking book by Roald Dahl - such a talented writer. Dahl’s style of telling his life stories in a matter-of-fact approach that makes me laugh, cringe, feel his pain, understand his emotion and wish I could hang out with him to witness some of his experiences first hand. There are good people and nasty people in this world and it appears Roald Dahl has had plenty of experience with both groups....more
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