[****] ISBN: 0007149824
What would it be like if most of the world's Jews were evacuated to Sitka, Alaska during WWII? This mystery novel set in that world paints a vivid picture of the possibilities. But the picture is personal and claustrophobic, centered on the life in that city of one rundown Yiddish police detective and a murder case that imposes itself on his life. In that regard, it is a successful homage to the noir detective novels of the 40s and 50s, such as those of Raymond Chandler.
The prose is rich and laced with Yiddish, most of which a non-Yiddish speaker will have to learn by context. The characters and settings are dynamic and richly described. I can understand how the author managed to win a Pulitzer (for another title). The story itself is somewhat lightweight and laughable, also in the vein of Chandler. It's just something to hang the character and settings on.
I liked the book, but would have liked a bit more story.
Showing posts with label literature. Show all posts
Showing posts with label literature. Show all posts
Sunday, June 08, 2008
Saturday, November 24, 2007
American Pastoral (Philip Roth)
[***] ISBN: 9780395860212
On the opposite end of the spectrum from In Cahoots is this Pulitzer Prize-winning book. While I did not finish reading this title (yet), I found that I liked the smooth and subtle prose and the rich character landscape created by the author. I understand why it won. Why didn't I finish it then and why didn't I give it more stars? Because it got pushed aside for some different reading I needed to do during NaNoWriMo and it became due at the library. Because I didn't finish it, I can't say that I recommend it yet, either. I may come back and try it again, mainly because I want to work my way through several Pulitzer books to see what make them tick.
On the opposite end of the spectrum from In Cahoots is this Pulitzer Prize-winning book. While I did not finish reading this title (yet), I found that I liked the smooth and subtle prose and the rich character landscape created by the author. I understand why it won. Why didn't I finish it then and why didn't I give it more stars? Because it got pushed aside for some different reading I needed to do during NaNoWriMo and it became due at the library. Because I didn't finish it, I can't say that I recommend it yet, either. I may come back and try it again, mainly because I want to work my way through several Pulitzer books to see what make them tick.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
The Incredible Journey (Sheila Burnford)
[***] ISBN: 0385322798
I've actually given this one more star than I really got out of it. That's because I can tell it's a good book. It just didn't do anything for me at this point in time. I like reading more junior material from time to time. And I got this one thinking it would be good research for a story I was considering in about the same genre. But I've put that project on the back burner and the story didn't otherwise click with me.
The animals are genuine characters, even though they don't talk. The situations are realistic, interesting, exciting and well told. I think where the author lost me was on the overall motivation of the animals to just take off on the journey. That may be part of the realism--how do you really know what an animal is thinking? But it made it hard for me to stick with it. Maybe I'll pick it up again sometime.
I've actually given this one more star than I really got out of it. That's because I can tell it's a good book. It just didn't do anything for me at this point in time. I like reading more junior material from time to time. And I got this one thinking it would be good research for a story I was considering in about the same genre. But I've put that project on the back burner and the story didn't otherwise click with me.
The animals are genuine characters, even though they don't talk. The situations are realistic, interesting, exciting and well told. I think where the author lost me was on the overall motivation of the animals to just take off on the journey. That may be part of the realism--how do you really know what an animal is thinking? But it made it hard for me to stick with it. Maybe I'll pick it up again sometime.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
The Great Gatsby (F. Scott Fitzgerald)
[***] ISBN: 9780684801520
Yes, it's really that Gatsby. I probably read this back in high school, but I have no strong memory of it. I think I probably enjoyed it more this time around. Yet was also disappointing.
The writing is evocative and beautiful. The plot is spun out in an interesting and charming manner, even though it is ultimately quite simple. The characters are richly drawn, if mostly unsympathetic, misguided and tragic. The settings appear sketchy, with only major features and no minor details. This is a book to which to return, in order to learn poetic, lyrical and emotional storytelling.
Yes, it's really that Gatsby. I probably read this back in high school, but I have no strong memory of it. I think I probably enjoyed it more this time around. Yet was also disappointing.
The writing is evocative and beautiful. The plot is spun out in an interesting and charming manner, even though it is ultimately quite simple. The characters are richly drawn, if mostly unsympathetic, misguided and tragic. The settings appear sketchy, with only major features and no minor details. This is a book to which to return, in order to learn poetic, lyrical and emotional storytelling.
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Robison Crusoe (Daniel Defoe)
[****] audiobook
Yes, this is the classic novel by Daniel Defoe. Yes, its old and stodgy in a way, but it's wonderful stuff. I read or heard something that said it was the original English-language novel. How did one guy get it so right? Yes, it's anachronistic. But it's also engaging and fun, especially when read aloud by someone with a British accent.
Yes, this is the classic novel by Daniel Defoe. Yes, its old and stodgy in a way, but it's wonderful stuff. I read or heard something that said it was the original English-language novel. How did one guy get it so right? Yes, it's anachronistic. But it's also engaging and fun, especially when read aloud by someone with a British accent.
Monday, January 30, 2006
Christ the Lord - Out of Egypt (Anne Rice)
[****]
Yes, this is by the Anne Rice of vampire fame (which I have not read). It turned out to be quite different from my expectations, but I liked it. It is written entirely from the viewpoint of a seven-year-old--a seven-year-old Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah. Anne did her research, which means the book is steeped in ancient Hebrew culture and history. It's probably a bit of a stretch for any adult to truly write from the viewpoint of a young child, much less from the viewpoint of one that is also divine. Anne may come as close as anyone could. I look forward to the next volume in the series.
Yes, this is by the Anne Rice of vampire fame (which I have not read). It turned out to be quite different from my expectations, but I liked it. It is written entirely from the viewpoint of a seven-year-old--a seven-year-old Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah. Anne did her research, which means the book is steeped in ancient Hebrew culture and history. It's probably a bit of a stretch for any adult to truly write from the viewpoint of a young child, much less from the viewpoint of one that is also divine. Anne may come as close as anyone could. I look forward to the next volume in the series.
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