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Book reviews
Jul. 31st, 2007 09:05 amThe Passion, Jeanette Winterson
( PW review )
This slim story wastes few words and its fantastic elements are palpable. As an overt fantasy, I found myself entertained more than annoyed (my normal reaction to fantasies). I think the historical setting helped, though a Napoleonic scholar would likely hate this book. Then again, a Napoleonic scholar would hate most of the books I've read... The story lines cross neatly, and the characters hold up both independently and together. I would definitely try another of her novels.
The Great Fire, Shirley Hazzard
( Booklist )
Hazzard's previous novel, The Transit of Venus remains among my favorites. I was hesitant and excited to read this latest one; I found I was not disappointed. Hazzard takes her time writing the story and telling the story. Each word is deliberate, like each step Leith takes as he crosses East Asia. The story is dense, classic literature at its best.
Divisadero, Michael Ondaatje
( PW Review )
If you like a happy ending, or, an ending period, this novel is not for you. Multiple stories weave in and out, almost imperceptibly, and the most observant reader will note the similarities across miles and decades. Events happen chronologically for the characters, but events are revealed in a more emotional timeline--we learn when we are allowed to, keeping the characters omnipotent and the reader waiting and discovering. I read The English Patient, but never really got into the book--perhaps because of the movie, perhaps because of something else. Divisadero is the rare novel that I want to reread immediately.
Gilead, Marilynne Robinson
I read about half of this book before giving up. It just wasn't interesting to me.
The Whistling Season, Ivan Doig
This is another book that I couldn't get into. I read about a third of it before I convinced myself that I didn't need to waste my time.
( PW review )
This slim story wastes few words and its fantastic elements are palpable. As an overt fantasy, I found myself entertained more than annoyed (my normal reaction to fantasies). I think the historical setting helped, though a Napoleonic scholar would likely hate this book. Then again, a Napoleonic scholar would hate most of the books I've read... The story lines cross neatly, and the characters hold up both independently and together. I would definitely try another of her novels.
The Great Fire, Shirley Hazzard
( Booklist )
Hazzard's previous novel, The Transit of Venus remains among my favorites. I was hesitant and excited to read this latest one; I found I was not disappointed. Hazzard takes her time writing the story and telling the story. Each word is deliberate, like each step Leith takes as he crosses East Asia. The story is dense, classic literature at its best.
Divisadero, Michael Ondaatje
( PW Review )
If you like a happy ending, or, an ending period, this novel is not for you. Multiple stories weave in and out, almost imperceptibly, and the most observant reader will note the similarities across miles and decades. Events happen chronologically for the characters, but events are revealed in a more emotional timeline--we learn when we are allowed to, keeping the characters omnipotent and the reader waiting and discovering. I read The English Patient, but never really got into the book--perhaps because of the movie, perhaps because of something else. Divisadero is the rare novel that I want to reread immediately.
Gilead, Marilynne Robinson
I read about half of this book before giving up. It just wasn't interesting to me.
The Whistling Season, Ivan Doig
This is another book that I couldn't get into. I read about a third of it before I convinced myself that I didn't need to waste my time.
