Everybody's probably familiar with this story by now? Criss-crossing America looking for the great American Dream?
I was all set to love it. It sounded exactly my cup of tea. I REALLY didn't expect to dislike it as much as I did. It was such a struggle to finish, I just got so bored with it. I didn't find any of the characters particularly likeable, and all in all I'm going to consider it a victory that I finished it.
(Apologies if this is your favourite book. If it is, I'd love to hear why, because I'm missing something.)
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Update
Hi everyone,
Just a small update, in the next few days i'm going to be playing around with the template on the blog (just in case you click on here and get a shock) - AND i'll finally start seriously updating the 100list etc. and other things that i've been neglecting lately (sorry!).
Remember if you want to be included on the members blogroll (on the sidebar) - email me at emilycross09@gmail.com with your name and blog link
On other news . . .
We have over 70 authors now (71 to be exact)! YaY!
And Corra (a recent member) has given the blog an award - the One Lovely Blog Award! So thanks Corra for that :)
According to the rules, we've to link back to Corra (done!), then pass the award on to ten blogs we've recently discovered, letting them each know we chose them.
Well this is a community blog so i think that it might be nice if people wanted to leave a comment about a blog they've recently discovered and liked? and if they wanted - they could contact said blog etc.
Might be a nice way of getting to know some other bloggers too
Now back to our usual programming :)
Just a small update, in the next few days i'm going to be playing around with the template on the blog (just in case you click on here and get a shock) - AND i'll finally start seriously updating the 100list etc. and other things that i've been neglecting lately (sorry!).
Remember if you want to be included on the members blogroll (on the sidebar) - email me at emilycross09@gmail.com with your name and blog link
On other news . . .
We have over 70 authors now (71 to be exact)! YaY!
And Corra (a recent member) has given the blog an award - the One Lovely Blog Award! So thanks Corra for that :)
According to the rules, we've to link back to Corra (done!), then pass the award on to ten blogs we've recently discovered, letting them each know we chose them.
Well this is a community blog so i think that it might be nice if people wanted to leave a comment about a blog they've recently discovered and liked? and if they wanted - they could contact said blog etc.
Might be a nice way of getting to know some other bloggers too
Now back to our usual programming :)
The White Earth - Andrew McGahan
William is only eight years old when he sees the mushroom cloud of smoke on the horizon, and at first he doesn't understand what it means. Only in the rush of cars and people to his farmhouse in the Darling Downs does he realise that his father has been killed.
After the funeral, William and his unstable mother accept the charity of a great-uncle he never knew existed and go to live at Kuran House. William soon realises however, that his invitation to the station was not an act of charity: his uncle, after finally obtaining what he had worked for his whole life, needs someone to ensure that his legacy at Kuran House continues on. However, he is not going to just hand over the station to William. First he must prove himself.
The book is set against the backdrop of the Mabo ruling in 1992, when the Australian government recognised that the Aboriginal people had owned the land prior to white settlement, and still had a claim on it. William's Uncle John is a member of the Australian Independence League, essentially an organisation to protect the interests of white farmers, but in the book is taken over by white pride zealots. While William enjoys the camaraderie of the League, he soon begins to question its motives and its arguement.
I'd never heard of The White Earthuntil I started looking for books to put on my list, but I'm so glad I did. I was pretty little when the Mabo ruling was made, so it was interesting to be able to view it from this angle. There is also something very Dickensian about the story, with the hermit uncle living in a dilapidated old farmhouse and the general feel of the story.
I definitely recommend it, it's a fantastic read.
After the funeral, William and his unstable mother accept the charity of a great-uncle he never knew existed and go to live at Kuran House. William soon realises however, that his invitation to the station was not an act of charity: his uncle, after finally obtaining what he had worked for his whole life, needs someone to ensure that his legacy at Kuran House continues on. However, he is not going to just hand over the station to William. First he must prove himself.
The book is set against the backdrop of the Mabo ruling in 1992, when the Australian government recognised that the Aboriginal people had owned the land prior to white settlement, and still had a claim on it. William's Uncle John is a member of the Australian Independence League, essentially an organisation to protect the interests of white farmers, but in the book is taken over by white pride zealots. While William enjoys the camaraderie of the League, he soon begins to question its motives and its arguement.
I'd never heard of The White Earthuntil I started looking for books to put on my list, but I'm so glad I did. I was pretty little when the Mabo ruling was made, so it was interesting to be able to view it from this angle. There is also something very Dickensian about the story, with the hermit uncle living in a dilapidated old farmhouse and the general feel of the story.
I definitely recommend it, it's a fantastic read.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
The Remains of the Day - Kazuo Ishiguro
I've been slacking in keeping tally on here, so this is me catching up, starting with The Remains of the Day
James Stevens, the aging butler of a once grand house, has a world view confined to the realm of his profession. When the opportunity arises to take a trip across 1950s England to visit a former work colleague Stevens reflects on the nature of his job, his former employer Lord Darlington, and the woman whom he is about to visit.
This book is one of the most understated books I've ever read, and its way one of the most melancholic. The story of his devotion to the job, while his father lay dying upstairs is one good example. Steven's quiet pride in his ability to continue his job while his father lay dying upstairs was just so very sad, as was the way in which he not only defended Lord Darlington but spoke of his 'honour' at being in a position of service to great world events.
In the end Stevens realises that his quest for dignity has cost him a life of love and fulfillment, which was the saddest moment of all. But, like a true butler, he drives back to the house to face his most pressing concern - how to react when his new American boss banters with him.
I loved this book. It's so quiet and elegant, and although you probably wouldn't think it there are some truly funny moments in there. I definitely recommend it.
James Stevens, the aging butler of a once grand house, has a world view confined to the realm of his profession. When the opportunity arises to take a trip across 1950s England to visit a former work colleague Stevens reflects on the nature of his job, his former employer Lord Darlington, and the woman whom he is about to visit.
This book is one of the most understated books I've ever read, and its way one of the most melancholic. The story of his devotion to the job, while his father lay dying upstairs is one good example. Steven's quiet pride in his ability to continue his job while his father lay dying upstairs was just so very sad, as was the way in which he not only defended Lord Darlington but spoke of his 'honour' at being in a position of service to great world events.
In the end Stevens realises that his quest for dignity has cost him a life of love and fulfillment, which was the saddest moment of all. But, like a true butler, he drives back to the house to face his most pressing concern - how to react when his new American boss banters with him.
I loved this book. It's so quiet and elegant, and although you probably wouldn't think it there are some truly funny moments in there. I definitely recommend it.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Linda P Review-Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier
Much has been made of the story's homage to The Odyssey, the origins of which are found in an oral tradition. One can't help but hear echoes of Homer when listening to Frazier's soft, deliberate voice give life to his lyrical writing and to his understated, yet convincing rendering of the overwhelming events of war. Both Frazier's prose and reading are leisurely, recalling a slow foot pace. His delivery is uniquely suited to Innman's arduous, adventure-filled walk toward home and to the possibility of a reunion with Ada, the woman he loves. The author's reading does equal justice to Ada, who is being transformed by her struggle for survival on her father's farm. There is precious little dialogue, and Frazier makes no effort at acting out the characters.
I choose to read Cold Mountain because I enjoyed the movie so much. Since I read the book after seeing the movie, I'm comparing the two. The movie follows the movie very closely. Some changes but follows the book pretty faithfully.
Frazier's prose is beautiful. He describes wonderful encounters (like when Ada says goodbye to Inman before the war) and sad events (Sara's encounter with the Federals) with the same loving tone. I got sucked into the world of Cold Mountain quickly and enjoyed my stay.
BOOK REVIEW
"The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" by Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows
I so loved this book! I want to move to Guernsey! I have had this book on my TBR list for quite awhile. One of the ladies in my library book club was talking about it and highly recommended it. But every time I went to take it out, it was gone. Very poplar book at our library.
I was so hoping this book was about real people. But of course it wasn't, but I can dream about Juliet, Dawsey, Sidney, Isola and all the members of the Society. I started this book at midnight January 1 and read it off and on all day. I finished it this morning. I didn't want it to end, but of course it did. My review is at my book blog, Just Books.
My list has been changing and evolving over this past year. I have taken a few off and added a few. I hope that's OK.
Carry On, Jeeves, by P.G. Wodehouse
A nice, quick, satisfying one to knock off the list--all light fluffy slapstick humor, and also a coup for me since it's my first taste of Wodehouse and thereby a real Gaps filler! My report is here.
I very much enjoyed the read, and am glad I have been exposed to Jeeves and Wodehouse. I'm not sure I need to read any others, but who knows. I know there are some real Wodehouse adherents who find him addictive--any in these parts?
I very much enjoyed the read, and am glad I have been exposed to Jeeves and Wodehouse. I'm not sure I need to read any others, but who knows. I know there are some real Wodehouse adherents who find him addictive--any in these parts?
