I'm an avid reader, to say the least. Books have always cluttered my room, overflowing my bookshelves and even my closet; and I can't walk into a library without finding at least ten books I just *have* to borrow. I thought I'd put all this reading to good use, and post reviews of some of my favorites (and least favorites) here. Ratings are out of 5 stars (*****). New reviews will be added at the top to save some scrolling. (^-^)
Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton
Reviewed 03.01.01
Setting: Starkfield, a small New England town
Basic plot: Ethan Frome is a man of mystery to the narrator, who is a newcomer to Starkfield. Bit by bit, the narrator learns (as does the reader) Ethan's sad story. He's had a hard life, caring for a sick mother and then a sickly wife, but there's an ironic twist which explains much more about his sorrow. Edith Wharton's writing style is formal (it was written in 1911), and I had a hard time remembering that the characters don't have English accents, since Wharton is an American author. This is my first read by this author, and I think I'll tackle The Age of Innocence next. Highly recommended.
Rating: *****
The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by AVI
Reviewed 03.01.01
Setting: The open sea, 1832
Basic plot: Another 13-year-old, Miss Charlotte Doyle, is set to take a voyage across the Atlantic, following her family back to their home in Providence, Rhode Island. However, her fellow passengers don't show up, and even the porters on the dock run away when they see her chosen vessel. Charlotte is plunged into an adventure on the high seas, trying to find where her loyalty lies: with the gentlemanly Captain Jaggery or with the sea-hardened crew. I read this in one sitting, and very much enjoyed it. I'll have to check out more of AVI's books in the near future. Highly recommended.
Rating: *****
Behind the Bedroom Wall by Laura E. Williams
Reviewed 02.17.01
Setting: WWII Germany
Basic plot: 13-year-old Korinna Rehme, a German schoolgirl, is an enthusiastic member of the Hitler Youth, along with many of her friends. Convinced that Hitler is "the most wonderful man," she must make a tough decision when she discovers that her parents are "traitors," and are hiding Jews behind her bedroom. This book gave a keen insight into the Hitler Youth organization and how it was able to garner so much support among the children of Germany. It also helps the reader better understand what life was like for Jews in hiding. Highly recommended.
Rating: *****
Peyton Place by Grace Metalious
Reviewed 02.06.01
Setting: Peyton Place, a small New England town
Basic plot: The town of Peyton Place is rocked by a series of events which don't belong in the typical image of a small town. However, author Grace Metalious reminds us that just because something isn't supposed to happen, doesn't mean it doesn't happen. I read this because we watched part of a documentary on the '50s in class which talked a lot about this book. Recommended if you don't mind slightly perverse fiction.
Rating: *** and a half
Of Men and Angels by Bodie and Brock Thoene
The Galway Chronicles, Book 2
Reviewed 02.06.01
Setting: Ireland, late 1840s
Basic plot: It was enjoyable to encounter Kate, Joseph, etc. again. I must say, though, that by the end of the book there's a feeling of "What HASN'T happened to this family?!?" It's not so much a question of knowing exactly what's going to happen, but of knowing that no matter what, they're going to get screwed. :p I still can't wait to read the other two books. Recommended.
Rating: **** and a half
Only the River Runs Free by Bodie and Brock Thoene
The Galway Chronicles, Book 1
Reviewed 01.18.01
Setting: Ireland, early 1840s
Basic plot: A miracle is foretold for the small Catholic town of Ballyknockanor; a stranger comes to town, and a struggle takes place against a cruel landlord. I really enjoyed this book. I've been reading a lot of books set in Ireland lately; I think it's time to dig out my history, folk tale, and poetry books from the Irish culture class I took a couple of years ago. (^-^) Anyway, this book is the first of a series (it has four books so far) by Brock and Bodie Thoene, well-known authors of many series of Christian fiction books. This is the second book of theirs I have read, and I think I enjoyed this one more than the first. It reads very easily and the characters are endearing, yet realistically flawed. The end surprised me, although the series plot as a whole is a little predictable. Recommended.
Rating: **** and a half
Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden
Reviewed 01.17.01
Setting: 1930s-1940s Japan
Basic Plot: Tells the story of a young girl's training and career as a geisha.
I also read this over winter break, in early January 2001. What confused me at first was that I couldn't tell if the book was fictional or an actual memoir. I mean, there's even a translator's note supposedly written by the man who sat down with Sayuri (the geisha) and listened to her life story. Sounds real, right? Well, it's all made up, even the translator, but you'd never know it. Golden writes as though he was really there, listening to a woman describe the story of her life as a geisha in Kyoto's Gion district. It's fabulous. It flows very easily... I finished it in only a couple of days. For anyone wondering what the life of a geisha was really like, I would definitely point them in the direction of this book. Highly recommended.
Rating: *****
Circle of Friends by Maeve Binchy
Reviewed 01.17.01
Setting: 1950s Dublin, Ireland
Basic Plot: Two girls from a small Irish town head to college.
I read this over my winter break, in December 2000. I couldn't put it down! It sucks you right in, and you get to know the characters so well that they practically become real people to you. A couple of my friends have read the book as well, and when we discuss the book we talk about Benny and Eve as if they're people we know. I must say though, I was so mad at the way the book ended that I threw it across the room and cried on my bed for ten minutes when I was done. Yikes. Still, I've mellowed a bit since then, and realized that it is still a marvelous book. I almost started it again a few days afterward (and would have if I didn't have a box full of books I haven't read yet). Highly recommended (as are all of Maeve Binchy's books that I've read).
Rating: *****
A Morbid Taste for Bones and One Corpse Too Many by Ellis Peters
Reviewed 01.16.01
Setting: 12th-century England
Basic Plot: Brother Cadfael, a Benedictine monk who came late to the cloister, uses his knowledge of herbs and of people to solve mysteries.
These are the first two books of the Cadfael Chronicles written by Ellis Peters. They are set in medieval England, during the period in which the Empress Maud and King Stephen were vying for the throne. In the midst of this turbulent time, Brother Cadfael works quietly in his herb garden, making medicines and enjoying the peaceful abbey life after being abroad in the world for a great number of years. When a mystery is at hand, he uses his detective skills to root out whoever is to blame. These books are a fun read, and quite well written. Cadfael, the Abbot, and several other characters are very well-created. Several of the stories were made into a TV series on PBS, starring Sir Derek Jacobi as Brother Cadfael (very well cast, I might add). For more information, please visit my Yahoo!Club, Cadfael's Herbarium.
Rating: **** and a half
The Neverending Story by Michael Ende
(translated by Ralph Mannheim)
Reviewed 01.16.01
Setting: Fantastica
Basic Plot: A young boy gets drawn into a book he's reading, becoming part of the story!
Bastian Balthazar Bux is a quiet, awkward, fat little boy who gets beat up by the bullies at school on a regular basis. But when he reads the Neverending Story, he becomes a hero, a prince, and has incredible adventures of his own! This book was originally in German, and I think the translator did a fantastic job, making it flow well and tell the story very vividly. I watched the movie after reading the book, and the movie is *NOTHING* in comparison. Definitely read the book. Highly recommended.
Rating: *****
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