How did I go so long without finding out about Maeve Binchy's books?!
I know some of you are (quite justly) allergic to yarns for the sake of yarn. ButHow did I go so long without finding out about Maeve Binchy's books?!
I know some of you are (quite justly) allergic to yarns for the sake of yarn. But Binchy's a rare comic novelist of manners. One of those incisive, observational writers who'd have accurately gotten a reading of your character (and mine) during a one-minute elevator trip. ...more
Moody, spare folk tale of earliest Ireland. But it's hard to say who would be the intended audience. Editions without the illustrations run just 48 paMoody, spare folk tale of earliest Ireland. But it's hard to say who would be the intended audience. Editions without the illustrations run just 48 pages, short even for a YA novella. The illustrated editions feature *very* large print that seems aimed at young children, but the majin plot point (view spoiler)[of human sacrifice by drowning (hide spoiler)]) seems pretty harsh for kiddos.
I do like how this particular illustration seems to reimagine Botticelli's Birth of Venus as a mater dolorosa [image]...more
Winman uses a lovely and original narrative framing device for a Cornish town's history: flashbacks narrated by the oldest, quirkiest citizen, who's aWinman uses a lovely and original narrative framing device for a Cornish town's history: flashbacks narrated by the oldest, quirkiest citizen, who's a mermaid's daughter. From that single sentence you probably already know if this book's for you. For me, it got a little (view spoiler)[too precious and too tidy. (hide spoiler)]...more
Dutch author Rijneveld explores how a family's grief leads each member (view spoiler)[to a nervous breakdown. (hide spoiler)]
[image]
Closely observDutch author Rijneveld explores how a family's grief leads each member (view spoiler)[to a nervous breakdown. (hide spoiler)]
[image]
Closely observed, lyrically written, full of gallows humor but also an unsettling frequency of (view spoiler)[ abusive anal probing. (hide spoiler)]
In tone, reminded me of the Swedish movie My Life as a Dog (1985, dir. Lasse Hallström). Except Dog was marginally more optimistic. And if I live to be 90, this book will probably stay with me as long as Dog has.
Wry & bittersweet historical fiction of sophisticated, educated Dr. Mahmoud Ezzedine, banished from his beloved Constantinople and forced to live amonWry & bittersweet historical fiction of sophisticated, educated Dr. Mahmoud Ezzedine, banished from his beloved Constantinople and forced to live among the stinking yahoos of Queen Elizabeth I's court.
Plot movement centers on political intrigue. But the author's really more interested in how Dr. Ezzedine hangs on to his sanity and dignity while he has so *very* little control over the events of his life.
Poet John Masefield's 1935 British Empire-era fantasy finds twelve-year-old Kay Harker home from his boarding school just in time to help a magical olPoet John Masefield's 1935 British Empire-era fantasy finds twelve-year-old Kay Harker home from his boarding school just in time to help a magical old Punch and Judy showman. At least, that seems to be what happens. The plot's pretty convoluted. But the images Masefield conjures up are gorgeous.
[image]
UK stained glass artist Tamsin Abbott's gorgeous panel of Masefield's She-Oak Tree
Adventures include getting tiny to tour a mouse tribe's amazing multi-level tree home, riding magical horses, and dodging sinister silent airplanes. Guest appearances by strong-minded girl cousins, Herne the Hunter, cathedral bell-ringers, and Reverend Stalwart, a former heavyweight boxer.
Eleven-year-old me would have been enchanted with all the period detail & would have giddily given it four stars. Old-old me says, eh, it's a three.
p.s. This is book 2 of Masefield's decent-chap rich-orphan Kay Harker two-volume series. I skipped book 1 because it was too Lemony Snickety for me. YMMV.
Sample quote: "In the busy market-place there were open-air booths selling all manner of matters for Christmas; chiefly woollen mufflers, nailed boots, cloth caps, hedger’s gloves and the twenty-eight-pound cheeses, known as Tatchester Double Stones."
[image]hedger's gloves were thick leather mittens ...more
Dead depressin' t'read if you've got any current difficulties yerself. *But* if you're feeling decently grounded, you should read this beautifully wriDead depressin' t'read if you've got any current difficulties yerself. *But* if you're feeling decently grounded, you should read this beautifully written novel because it rings true from first to last.
Young Shuggie Bain's best memories date to his family's years in a housing project high-rise. It's all downhill from there. The gloom is lightened by Shuggie's sheer dogged loyalty to his more-than-a-little-bit-flawed mother. And by frequent flashes of Shuggie's dead-on self-awareness, especially regarding how the neighbors view his differences:
“I’m having a bit of bother with my boy, the wee one.”
“Aye, he’s no' right. Yer gonnae have to watch that one. Always has too much to say for himself. I saw him skipping a rope the other day. Ye’ll be whanting tae nip that in the bud.”
But Agnes, Shuggie's mother, actually understands him better than anyone else does and accepts and loves him exactly as he is. She encourages him when she's able.
Stuart unflinchingly but compassionately details (view spoiler)[Agnes's slow alcoholic demise, especially how her children are forced, one by one, to give up on her (hide spoiler)]. It's vivid, it's heartbreaking, and according to the book's acknowledgements page, it's based on the struggles of the author's own mother. Many readers will recognize details from their own (often untold) experiences. I can't ask more than that from a book: I see that level of truth so rarely.
Set deep in Thatcher's Glasgow of the 80s and after, so you'll learn a few new vocab words & handy expressions :D My favorite: "blue in the face" as in "I've warned her 'til I'm blue in the face."...more
lucky little cat
>
Books:
lyrical
(100)
Loading...
