"Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close"
by Jonathan Safran Foer
5 out of 5 Stars
I had bought this book well before the movie was promoted. When I saw the movie trailers, of the burning World Trade Center towers, I knew I'd never be able to see it. It's still too close to me to watch anything like that.
The book, however, I felt ok about. And after reading it, I wanted to start reading it all over again. I also wondered how the heck there could be a movie that would ever evoke the WORDS. Because this book is about the WORDS and how they're said and when. That doesn't make sense, perhaps, but if you read the book, you'll see.
I couldn't figure out if Oskar, the child, was a prodigy, had Asperger's, was an autistic savant, or what, but he's definitely unique, clever, hilarious, irritating at times, and poignant. He travels throughout NYC looking for the lock to a key he found in his father's closet -- his father who died in the Towers.
Intertwined in the book is also the story of Oskar's grandfather and his tumultuous relationship with his wife, and Oskar's many relationships with the people he meets as he looks for the lock. Sometimes it's hard to keep up, but you'll get it.
Please read this book.
The book, however, I felt ok about. And after reading it, I wanted to start reading it all over again. I also wondered how the heck there could be a movie that would ever evoke the WORDS. Because this book is about the WORDS and how they're said and when. That doesn't make sense, perhaps, but if you read the book, you'll see.
I couldn't figure out if Oskar, the child, was a prodigy, had Asperger's, was an autistic savant, or what, but he's definitely unique, clever, hilarious, irritating at times, and poignant. He travels throughout NYC looking for the lock to a key he found in his father's closet -- his father who died in the Towers.
Intertwined in the book is also the story of Oskar's grandfather and his tumultuous relationship with his wife, and Oskar's many relationships with the people he meets as he looks for the lock. Sometimes it's hard to keep up, but you'll get it.
Please read this book.
by Tatiana deRosnay
Three out of Five Stars
This is the second time I've read this book, as it's the pick for next week's book club and it's been a long time since I first read it.
"Sarah's Key" was hard to rate. The story line that followed Sarah through her trials and tribulations during the Holocaust was interesting -- heart-breaking, but interesting and well-written. However, I disliked the story line of the journalist and her husband. I found the husband detestable and the wife far too ... I don't even know what the right word is -- but I didn't find her sympathetic at all. The last half of the book I just wanted to rush through and get it over with already.
Not sure how I feel about recommending this -- on the one hand, parts were quite good. And it's entirely possible that I have too much personal opinion wrapped up in the rest of the book to make a decent recommendation. So I'll leave it to you.
by George R. R. Martin
Three out of Five Stars
I absolutely loved the first four books of this series -- devoured them, even. But I think the author made a critical mistake in splitting Book Four and Book Five into separate books. Book Four and Book Five take place during the same time period, but each book ONLY focuses on certain characters. Book Four handled the happenings of some characters, and then whack, they were cut off and Book Five rarely, if ever, mentioned them.
I am fortunate I picked up this series when all five books were already published, but those poor people who have had to wait five and six years between books! How confusing!
I just could NOT get into this book. My favorite character, Tyrion, was in this portion, but his sections stumbled. And I really, really don't like the entire Daenerys. I get why she's important, but her world is so far removed from Westeros, where everything else takes place, that I can't get the two to come together. I'd compare it to England and the Middle East, and even in real history, with England and the Crusades, it has to be written just so -- and that's missing here.
I'll absolutely read the rest of the series (whenever Martin decides to write them!) but this book disappointed me.
I am fortunate I picked up this series when all five books were already published, but those poor people who have had to wait five and six years between books! How confusing!
I just could NOT get into this book. My favorite character, Tyrion, was in this portion, but his sections stumbled. And I really, really don't like the entire Daenerys. I get why she's important, but her world is so far removed from Westeros, where everything else takes place, that I can't get the two to come together. I'd compare it to England and the Middle East, and even in real history, with England and the Crusades, it has to be written just so -- and that's missing here.
I'll absolutely read the rest of the series (whenever Martin decides to write them!) but this book disappointed me.
Lori Anderson creates jewelry for her web site, Lori Anderson Designs, and wrote the blog An Artist's Year Off. She is the creator of the Bead Soup Blog Party.
I was also disappointed with A Dance with Dragons, thought it was just me. Then I read the reviews of this long awaited book on Amazon and discovered I was not alone. Hope we don't have to wait another 11 years for the next book in the series!
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