Author: Steven Galloway
Published: 2003
Genres: Fiction
Rating: 3.5
Summary
Transylvania in 1919 is a place of poverty and persecution for the Rom people. Tragedy strikes early in Salvo's life when his parents are killed and he is separated from his brother and sister. Thus begins nearly a lifetime of being forced to flee from suspicion and misfortune that takes the reader from Europe to the US to British Columbia’s Fraser Valley and back to Manhattan via the medium of tight-rope walking in the circus.
Review
The author's writing style is very fluid. The characters are intriguing but not particularly sympathetic. Beginning the story with the main character's death--while a common writing element--is an error in this case. It makes the novel feel anti-climactic.
Notes
Somehow I mistakenly believed this story to be loosely based on the life of an actual individual. Don't make that error; it is purely fiction.
Friday, November 11, 2011
Fire in the Bones: William Tyndale-Martyr, Father of the English Bible
Author: S. Michael Wilcox
Published: 2004
Genres: Biography (LDS perspective)
Rating: 3
Summary
The leading personalities of his century would draw upon all their resources to stop him, from the brilliant Sir Thomas Moore to King Henry VIII; from Charles V, ruler of half of Europe, to the Pope. Both church and state hunted him relentlessly--at a time when the church held power over both soul and body and could condemn the heretic to execution by fire. His name was William Tyndale. His crime? Translating the words of the Bible into the "vulgar" English tongue.
Review
The biographical information is interesting. Tyndale was obviously a gifted linguist with a passion for translating the Bible into English. Much of his work was the precursor to today's King James Version of the Bible. However, this biography could have been more concise, better organized, and less repetitious.
Published: 2004
Genres: Biography (LDS perspective)
Rating: 3
Summary
The leading personalities of his century would draw upon all their resources to stop him, from the brilliant Sir Thomas Moore to King Henry VIII; from Charles V, ruler of half of Europe, to the Pope. Both church and state hunted him relentlessly--at a time when the church held power over both soul and body and could condemn the heretic to execution by fire. His name was William Tyndale. His crime? Translating the words of the Bible into the "vulgar" English tongue.
Review
The biographical information is interesting. Tyndale was obviously a gifted linguist with a passion for translating the Bible into English. Much of his work was the precursor to today's King James Version of the Bible. However, this biography could have been more concise, better organized, and less repetitious.
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Noah's Compass
Author: Anne Tyler
Published: 2009
Genres: Fiction
Rating: 4
Summary
A wise, gently humorous, and deeply compassionate novel about a schoolteacher, who has been forced to retire at sixty-one, coming to terms with the final phase of his life. Liam Pennywell, who set out to be a philosopher and ended up teaching fifth grade, never much liked the job at that run-down private school, so early retirement doesn’t bother him. But he is troubled by his inability to remember anything about the first night that he moved into his new, spare, and efficient condominium on the outskirts of Baltimore. All he knows when he wakes up the next day in the hospital is that his head is sore and bandaged. His effort to recover the moments of his life that have been stolen from him leads him on an unexpected detour. What he needs is someone who can do the remembering for him. What he gets is—well, something quite different.
Review
In Liam, Tyler demonstrates her amazing ability to create incredibly flawed yet symapthetic characters. As Liam travels his road of trying to remember, you are rooting for him to succeed despite his obviously quirks and challenges. And you are unsure--in a moment of challenging decision--which side he will take.
Notes
Anne Tyler is one of my favorite character writers.
Published: 2009
Genres: Fiction
Rating: 4
Summary
A wise, gently humorous, and deeply compassionate novel about a schoolteacher, who has been forced to retire at sixty-one, coming to terms with the final phase of his life. Liam Pennywell, who set out to be a philosopher and ended up teaching fifth grade, never much liked the job at that run-down private school, so early retirement doesn’t bother him. But he is troubled by his inability to remember anything about the first night that he moved into his new, spare, and efficient condominium on the outskirts of Baltimore. All he knows when he wakes up the next day in the hospital is that his head is sore and bandaged. His effort to recover the moments of his life that have been stolen from him leads him on an unexpected detour. What he needs is someone who can do the remembering for him. What he gets is—well, something quite different.
Review
In Liam, Tyler demonstrates her amazing ability to create incredibly flawed yet symapthetic characters. As Liam travels his road of trying to remember, you are rooting for him to succeed despite his obviously quirks and challenges. And you are unsure--in a moment of challenging decision--which side he will take.
Notes
Anne Tyler is one of my favorite character writers.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Escape from Rwanda
Author: John Yves Bizimana
Published: 2010
Genres: Autobiography, LDS Conversion
Rating: 3.5
Summary
John Yves Biziman was ony 7 when his family was caught up in the Rwandan genocide. He tells of their horrifying escape and subsequent experiences as refugees, traveling with his widowed mother and his younger brother and sister from country to country, searching for safety and a place to call home. When they finally reach Zimbabwe, they expect their lives will settle down; they don't suspect that even greater trials are yet to come.
Review
A story of faith admist incapaciting struggles. The challenges of the author's life are overwhelming; but the love and support that comes from many avenues are inspiring.
Notes
Odd word choices and awkward sentences constructions are a rarity despite English not being a first (or even a second) language for the author.
Published: 2010
Genres: Autobiography, LDS Conversion
Rating: 3.5
Summary
John Yves Biziman was ony 7 when his family was caught up in the Rwandan genocide. He tells of their horrifying escape and subsequent experiences as refugees, traveling with his widowed mother and his younger brother and sister from country to country, searching for safety and a place to call home. When they finally reach Zimbabwe, they expect their lives will settle down; they don't suspect that even greater trials are yet to come.
Review
A story of faith admist incapaciting struggles. The challenges of the author's life are overwhelming; but the love and support that comes from many avenues are inspiring.
Notes
Odd word choices and awkward sentences constructions are a rarity despite English not being a first (or even a second) language for the author.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
The Time Machine
Author: H. G. Wells
Published: 1895
Genres: Fiction
Rating: 3
Summary
The classic tale of the Time Traveler and the extraordinary world he discovers in the far distant future. A haunting portrayal of Darwin's evolutionary theory carried to a terrible conclusion.
Review
An interesting if not compelling read. The social commentary is overt to the point that the storyline is convoluted to fit that purpose. Particularly disturbing is the Time Traveler's condescending attitude towards all things futuristic. He treats the beings more as pets, and seems to feel no resposibility for his actions upon that future world.
Notes
This is a very short read. Worthwhile if you care about classics, the uproar over Darwinian theory in the late 1800s, and time travel.
Published: 1895
Genres: Fiction
Rating: 3
Summary
The classic tale of the Time Traveler and the extraordinary world he discovers in the far distant future. A haunting portrayal of Darwin's evolutionary theory carried to a terrible conclusion.
Review
An interesting if not compelling read. The social commentary is overt to the point that the storyline is convoluted to fit that purpose. Particularly disturbing is the Time Traveler's condescending attitude towards all things futuristic. He treats the beings more as pets, and seems to feel no resposibility for his actions upon that future world.
Notes
This is a very short read. Worthwhile if you care about classics, the uproar over Darwinian theory in the late 1800s, and time travel.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Something Wicked This Way Comes
Author: Ray Bradbury
Published: 1962
Genres: Fiction
Rating: 5
Summary
The carnival rolls in sometime after midnight, ushering in Halloween a week early. The shrill siren song of a calliope beckons to all with a seductive promise of dreams and youth regained. In this season of dying, Cooger & Dark's Pandemonium Shadow Show has come to Green Town, Illinois, to destroy every life touched by its strange and sinister mystery. And two boys will discover the secret of its smoke, mazes, and mirrors; two friends who will soon know all too well the heavy cost of wishes. . .and the stuff of nightmare.
Review
Through his creative prose style and vast vocabulary , Bradbury weaves a classic tale of good versus evil. The teenage-boy view point adds to the element of suspense and fear. And--without giving too much away--the climax is well worth the journey.
Notes
Originally read under duress for a book club, this quickly became one of my favorite Halloween tales. A must read for everyone this time of year.
Published: 1962
Genres: Fiction
Rating: 5
Summary
The carnival rolls in sometime after midnight, ushering in Halloween a week early. The shrill siren song of a calliope beckons to all with a seductive promise of dreams and youth regained. In this season of dying, Cooger & Dark's Pandemonium Shadow Show has come to Green Town, Illinois, to destroy every life touched by its strange and sinister mystery. And two boys will discover the secret of its smoke, mazes, and mirrors; two friends who will soon know all too well the heavy cost of wishes. . .and the stuff of nightmare.
Review
Through his creative prose style and vast vocabulary , Bradbury weaves a classic tale of good versus evil. The teenage-boy view point adds to the element of suspense and fear. And--without giving too much away--the climax is well worth the journey.
Notes
Originally read under duress for a book club, this quickly became one of my favorite Halloween tales. A must read for everyone this time of year.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
A Test of Wills
Author: Charles Todd
Published: 1996
Genres: Historical mystery
Rating: 4
Summary
In 1919, Scotland Yard Inspector Ian Rutledge remains haunted by World War I, where he was forced to have a soldier executed for refusing to fight. When Rutledge is assigned to investigate a murder involving the military, his emotional war wounds flare. It is a case that strikes dangerously close to home--one that will test Rutledge's precarious grip on his own sanity.
Review
Ian Rutledge is a fascinating hero. He precariously balances his intelligence in his detective work with his unbalanced mental state. The reader experiences the plot unfolding through Inspector Rutledge's investigation, which makes the solution both intriguing and unpredictable.
Notes
Thus far, I have read 10 of the (currently) 13 mysteries in this series. In each one, the author keeps "who done it" a mystery until the end--but does so without intentionally leading the reader astray. An engrossing series in which you always have to pay attention to little details and to every character.
This series feels like a darker version of the Maisie Dobbs mystery series.
Published: 1996
Genres: Historical mystery
Rating: 4
Summary
In 1919, Scotland Yard Inspector Ian Rutledge remains haunted by World War I, where he was forced to have a soldier executed for refusing to fight. When Rutledge is assigned to investigate a murder involving the military, his emotional war wounds flare. It is a case that strikes dangerously close to home--one that will test Rutledge's precarious grip on his own sanity.
Review
Ian Rutledge is a fascinating hero. He precariously balances his intelligence in his detective work with his unbalanced mental state. The reader experiences the plot unfolding through Inspector Rutledge's investigation, which makes the solution both intriguing and unpredictable.
Notes
Thus far, I have read 10 of the (currently) 13 mysteries in this series. In each one, the author keeps "who done it" a mystery until the end--but does so without intentionally leading the reader astray. An engrossing series in which you always have to pay attention to little details and to every character.
This series feels like a darker version of the Maisie Dobbs mystery series.
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