I will have to come back to this another time. This is shameful how long I have had this lovely book and did NOT finish it. I would pick it up at nighI will have to come back to this another time. This is shameful how long I have had this lovely book and did NOT finish it. I would pick it up at night with every intention of reading it before bed, and then...nothing. I would read a page or two....more
Some of the story I knew already; some was entirely new to me; yet the whole book was wrenching and searing. The challenge at the ending in so compellSome of the story I knew already; some was entirely new to me; yet the whole book was wrenching and searing. The challenge at the ending in so compelling that it frustrates me to hear people deny the past or deny what is happening right here and now or maybe even worse be hardened to the very real circumstances of those at our borders right now.
The illustrations are strongly and clearly done; the story is enabled by how they enrich what is often not spoken. Takei tells his story well--nudging the reader along when one might dig in over a point--and gently guides through potentially unfamiliar cultural issues. All the historical, behind-the-scenes, "what led from point a to point b" matters is deftly laid out through the story so that everything flows throughout the book.
I highly recommend this, not only because of the rich historical story but because of Takei's spirit as he tells this for future generations. It is this spirit, the pride he takes in the power of liberty and democracy and forging on despite others' evil and the wrong-doing done to him and countless others, that makes the telling of the story so valuable today....more
I was assigned to read the classic in 9th grade. No one in 9th grade appreciated having to read To Kill a Mockingbird. And then, slowly and subtly, thI was assigned to read the classic in 9th grade. No one in 9th grade appreciated having to read To Kill a Mockingbird. And then, slowly and subtly, the story started to work on me. Some others started to open up to it too. We groaned amongst ourselves while others in the class mocked and moaned at having to read "this stupid old book." Later, we watched the movie after finishing the book, and Gregory Peck WAS Atticus. Even the kids who didn't get the book said the movie was "all right...for a black and white movie." (There's a hidden meaning in that, you know.)
Now I have read this graphic novel, and wanted to cry all over again, and my 9th grade self remembers injustice and the immediacy of EVERYTHING, and I wonder if Madam would be ready for this? For this strong, powerful, amazing, ugly, beautiful book? She's already growing up so fast; how fast do I want her to grow up?
I've been meaning to read this FOR-EV-ER, and a vacation to the beach seemed like an excellent time to finally buckle down and do some adul4 1/2 stars
I've been meaning to read this FOR-EV-ER, and a vacation to the beach seemed like an excellent time to finally buckle down and do some adult reading! (Especially when I saw that they had made a movie of it with tons of people from "Downton Abbey," then I knew I had to tackle this before watching the movie...and I'm glad that I read it first! After watching the trailer, I can already tell that they've made a number of ridiculous changes--that of course, didn't need to be made!--to the plotline. *sigh* Once a book purist, always a book purist!)
Anyway, I struggled a bit a first honestly, because while I ADORE reading books written in letter form (there's a word for that and I'm not going to take the time to Google it now...epistolary? is all that my brain can summon), there are a bit of characters writing back and forth and I couldn't quite pin down who was exactly whom at first. Once I got everyone sorted out, I struggled with coming back to reality and rather resented it quite honestly.
I wanted to live with my characters because their voices were so witty and charming and funny--their circumstances weren't always!--but chucking tea pots at people who are disagreeable(!) yes! that I fully could support! Ha! Falling in love? Yes! Trying to find something to be passionate about all of the time? Yes! I LOVED these characters! And then the whole mystery element of what happened during the war...I NEEDED to know more!
When the book came to an end. Oh. Oh, no. I wanted to stay with my friends longer. Everything ended in a satisfactory sort of way, except that it ended. *sigh* I could watch the movie now, and make snarky comments about the changes, however, it just won't give me the same satisfaction as this truly marvelous book. I may just read the book again (it's just never the same as the first time, if you know what I mean).
I'm so glad that I finally read it. I'm glad that when I did read an adult book, that it was SO VERY GOOD.
This would have been a homerun 5 stars (see what I did there?), but the language is so strong that I drop it down one. I LOVE everything about this boThis would have been a homerun 5 stars (see what I did there?), but the language is so strong that I drop it down one. I LOVE everything about this book (but the swearing)....more
A friend recommended this to me, and so I read it. Then when I got to the end--after wading through this heavy, rather depressing book--it was a totalA friend recommended this to me, and so I read it. Then when I got to the end--after wading through this heavy, rather depressing book--it was a total WHAT was THAT?!...more
It took me a few pages to get into this and get into the story (the pace doesn't exactly move here until the very end. Once I was into it, I loved thiIt took me a few pages to get into this and get into the story (the pace doesn't exactly move here until the very end. Once I was into it, I loved this version of the classic golem protection story....more
I would have given this more stars--I find this subject fascinating--but the whole flipping back and forth through time and introducing people and theI would have given this more stars--I find this subject fascinating--but the whole flipping back and forth through time and introducing people and then introducing even more random people (and please don't hate, but I found SO MANY of the characters looked TOTALLY the SAME; thank goodness Sally had red hair or I NEVER would have been able to identify throughout!); it was just a bit of a hot mess.
If I didn't already have a bit of knowledge of the characters or if I wasn't so interested in the subject I would have given this up because the layout, the plotline, and all the female characters not being given enough differentiation was a HOT MESS.
p.s. Also, Sally is a made-up character which I felt detracted from the story. It made me wonder why they didn't focus on a real hero of this time? I know there is very careful documentation at the end of the book about everyone/everything, but I still wonder why do a "Sally"?...more
I want to go to Bora Bora after reading this! But what is it with Sarah Jio books and her characters falling for married men???!!! I am DONE with thatI want to go to Bora Bora after reading this! But what is it with Sarah Jio books and her characters falling for married men???!!! I am DONE with that! Horrid. Everyone one of her books that I've read so far (3 of them) has had some character--major or minor--falling in love w/ or sleeping w/ a married man! WHY?!
Other troubled areas that dragged this down for me: pre-marital sex, smoking, drinking, swearing, lying, violence, the whole married man thing.... Arrgh. Some of these are plot-driven and historical and so are necessary? Double blech....more
My regard for this series continues to grow as the author continues to build her world and characters develop and questions are answered. Can't wait tMy regard for this series continues to grow as the author continues to build her world and characters develop and questions are answered. Can't wait to read the next!...more
Loved this! So many times it reminded me of Pride and Prejudice and other Austen works. Having glamour (magic-weaving) woven into the story worked flaLoved this! So many times it reminded me of Pride and Prejudice and other Austen works. Having glamour (magic-weaving) woven into the story worked flawlessly and added just the right element of enchantment (pun intended). Would love to visit a world like this. Can't wait to read more! ...more
The whole time I read this I was distracted by the pictures, which sometimes showed VERY different things from what the text was saying. Which was whiThe whole time I read this I was distracted by the pictures, which sometimes showed VERY different things from what the text was saying. Which was which? Or is the truth somewhere in between? What a confuzzlement; knocked off a star because of this. I wish I knew. Fascinating though....more
I struggled with liking the characters because I didn't connect with them or their lives; I didn't like the lies, the deceptions, the affair, the painI struggled with liking the characters because I didn't connect with them or their lives; I didn't like the lies, the deceptions, the affair, the pain and suffering. It's not that I don't understand pain or suffering or choosing to deceive oneself for a period of time--been there and have the scars--maybe that's why I was standing on the sidelines the whole time I was reading this, just wanting to scream at them: "Stop!!! You're only wounding yourself!" So awkward. The weird thing was that I could identify more with Olive and I am a mother who loves kids. Weird, yes?
Ok, now for the worst: the affair, the drinking, the lies, the sex (w/ and w/out consequences), the stealing, the viewpoint of God and any belief in Him or any belief system is so NEGATIVE and skewed that it cannot even be talked about except in a negative way, the violence, the pain, sexism, classism, people accepting payment of all sorts for sex, . . . it just goes on and on....
Ok, now for the good: people genuinely care for each other & take care of each other, equality among the sexes is preached (in a negative sort of way, if you count the smoking bit), people work hard to get ahead, cool vintage clothes, cool settings, being brave in the face of great adversity, perseverance, showing love for children, um, I am struggling here.
This book left a bit of a sour taste in my mouth. A bit of the bad can really do that....more
So many people told me that I HAD to read this book, that I would LOVE it, blah blah blah, and rats on them they were right. *sigh* Every time I thougSo many people told me that I HAD to read this book, that I would LOVE it, blah blah blah, and rats on them they were right. *sigh* Every time I thought I knew where the plot was heading, the author threw in a twist! Good-o. ...more
Forgive me for saying what everyone else is saying, about how powerful it is and how much it moved me, and how I had to call my mother up and check anForgive me for saying what everyone else is saying, about how powerful it is and how much it moved me, and how I had to call my mother up and check and make sure that our family had never had any help (I'm 35 at the time of writing this and grew up in the North/Midwest so I had always felt a bit smug, until this book just really hit home).
But the last chapter, the last few pages, really, were a bit of a let-down for me. I finished the book thinking: "This is it? This is what the author chooses to do to her main character? This is how she ends it? How wrong."
And maybe that is just real life. And maybe I need to grow up more. Blech. It was so unsatisfactory....more
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