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Thursday, March 26, 2015
Book 5 (2015) House of Mirth **** by Edith Wharton
I read this for a UBC course and found it most entertaining. Hilarious writing, although Ira Nadel thinks Wharton overwrites (compared to Virginia Woolf). Apparently, there is controversy over whether Wharton says the heroine committed suicide on purpose or accidentally. And a new letter to Wharton's doctor can be taken either way. Other contemporary books by friends of Wharton's (e.g. Daisy Miller) had heroine's committing suicide at the end. It was a serialized book and the ending was not written when the serials started, so perhaps that accounts for the ending, and accounts for the arguably overwritten last two chapters. All a little too reminiscent of high school literature course nitpicking on novels that are essentially unrealistic entertainment with an overlay of meaning and allegory.
Book 4 (2015) Bringing Up Bebe * by Pamela Druckerman
Sigh, not original and not convincing --- American in awe of French parenting, trying to imitate but not really getting it. Lots of similar books written, including a Canadian from Vancouver. Always the same --- the do not really believe it can be done and don't really believe it is better, but mostly they are far too lazy, undisciplined and unprincipled to get it. Also, they cannot and do not want to live like this, so they sabotage themselves and the kids at every turn. It's not just forcing your kids to eat food they don't like. It is much deeper way of looking at life --- how to be good and really enjoy and make the best of life. Thank god I was raised the "old-fashioned" or European way, and take it for granted, instead of a monumental/impossible change.
Book 3 (2015) Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal **** by Jeanette Winterson
Memoir autobiographical, great writer, Lesbian + adoption themes --- very well done.
One of the greatquote: "That here might be a level we can reach above the ordinary conflict is a seductive one. Jung argued that a conflict can never be resolved on the level at which it arises --- at that level there is only a winner and a loser, not a reconciliation. The conflict must be got above --- like seeing a storm from higher ground."
Ethel Wilson developed this theme in Swamp Angel (see review on this blog) where the heroine works for a couple in a fishing camp in northern BC, just the 3 of them and the guests. The heroine is most capable and manages and does everything, which makes the wife jealous, so she attacks, and the heroine realizes she needs make the situation work to further her higher goals, and because there is no escape so she does. The wife continues to make things worse for herself as she is stuck in the conflict of the moment --- her personal immediate emotional need causes her to lose sight of the bigger picture.
This plays out in life all the time too --- travelling with tour groups in which most make it work, with effort, positive input, overlooking quirks foibles insults, participating, and just enjoying, while others make sure that there displeasure is known on petty things, and only talk if and when they feel like it, etc. Also, neighbours who have a gripe which to them is more important than the long term benefits of cordial and helpful relationships.
One of the greatquote: "That here might be a level we can reach above the ordinary conflict is a seductive one. Jung argued that a conflict can never be resolved on the level at which it arises --- at that level there is only a winner and a loser, not a reconciliation. The conflict must be got above --- like seeing a storm from higher ground."
Ethel Wilson developed this theme in Swamp Angel (see review on this blog) where the heroine works for a couple in a fishing camp in northern BC, just the 3 of them and the guests. The heroine is most capable and manages and does everything, which makes the wife jealous, so she attacks, and the heroine realizes she needs make the situation work to further her higher goals, and because there is no escape so she does. The wife continues to make things worse for herself as she is stuck in the conflict of the moment --- her personal immediate emotional need causes her to lose sight of the bigger picture.
This plays out in life all the time too --- travelling with tour groups in which most make it work, with effort, positive input, overlooking quirks foibles insults, participating, and just enjoying, while others make sure that there displeasure is known on petty things, and only talk if and when they feel like it, etc. Also, neighbours who have a gripe which to them is more important than the long term benefits of cordial and helpful relationships.
Book 2 (2015) The Corrections ** by Jonathan Franzen
At first I liked it
better than his first book, Freedom, for his writing about the older couple (funny but not original) and their adult children, but toward the middle it got boring as the characters ran around frantically as though in a pointless movie, and then toward the detiorated into a mess. Good history of Lithuania? I couldn't be bothered to read carefully.
See review of Freedom on this blog.
See review of Freedom on this blog.
Book 1 (2015) Land of the Painted Caves ** by Jean Auel
| 5th and final of the set, finally. Readable. Story of a woman set 25000 years ago. |
Book 8 (2014) Men at Arms *** by Evelyn Waugh
Satirical memoir of officer life during the war.
Other books by this author reviewed on this blog:
Officers and Gentlemen ****
Other books by this author reviewed on this blog:
Officers and Gentlemen ****
Book 7 (2014) The Orenda ***** by Joseph Boyden
Original, amazing writing, educational, shocking. A stunning history of the Iroquois and the Jesuits in Canada. This is the reality show version of all that grade school Canadian history.
Boyden's first novel, Three Day Road, won the Amazon/Books in Canada First Novel Award and the Rogers Writers' Trust Fiction Prize.
His second novel, Through Black Spruce won the 2008 Scotiabank Giller Prize.
His third book, The Orenda, won the 2014 edition of Canada Reads.
Boyden's first novel, Three Day Road, won the Amazon/Books in Canada First Novel Award and the Rogers Writers' Trust Fiction Prize.
His second novel, Through Black Spruce won the 2008 Scotiabank Giller Prize.
His third book, The Orenda, won the 2014 edition of Canada Reads.
Book 6 (2014) March **** 1/2 by Geraldine Brooks
Australian writer, Civil War story --- mixed with Little Women.
She won the Pullitzer Prize for this novel. I found it riveting.
She also wrote Year of Wonders and People of the Book.
She also wrote Year of Wonders and People of the Book.
Book 4 (2014) The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time *** by Mark Haddon
Very good. In the voice of an autistic boy. Not painful.
He won the Whitbread Award, Guardian Prize, and Commonwealth Writers Prize for that work.
He won the Whitbread Award, Guardian Prize, and Commonwealth Writers Prize for that work.
Book 3 (2014) Blink *** by Malcolm Gladwell
Enjoyable, the usual, actually knew it, but he expresses it so well.
Book 18 (2013) Touche, A French Woman's Take on the English * by Agnes Catherine Poirier
Interesting but not well written.
Book 15 (2013) Clean Gut ** by Alejandro Junger
Reinforcing previous thoughts on the gut being the main health system.
Book 14 (2013) The Melt Method ** by Sue Hitzman
Another approach to dealing with chronic pain, but pretty much what I do when my body falls apart. Good reinforcement, but goes too far from natural remedies.
Book 13 (2013) Super Immunity** by Joel Fuhrman
Pretty much what I've been saying all along but good to have reinforcement, but goes too far from natural remedies.
Book 12 (2013) The Story of English in 100 Words *** by David Crystal
Another book about words, and another by Crystal, but very good and original information.
Book 9 (2013) Stop Acting Rich* by Thomas Stanley
Pretty much a repeat of previous books, which were great.
Book 7 (2013) Until the Night ** by Giles Blunt
Another John Cardinal mystery, set in northern Ontario.
Book 6 (2013) Confessions of a Sociopathic Social Climber (minus 2) by Adele Lang -**
Yes that's a minus 2 stars. Rubbish, didn't finish.
Book 29 (2013) The Secret Scripture by Sebastian Barry
I can't remember whether I finished this book or not.
Book 28 (2013) Life After Life **** by Kate Atkinson
Very very unusual premise, and I normally abore the dead person story, but this was very well done, enjoyed the book. Her best book yet.
Other books by this author:
Behind the Scenes in the Museum
Started Early, Took My Dog **
When Will there be Good News ****
Other books by this author:
Behind the Scenes in the Museum
Started Early, Took My Dog **
When Will there be Good News ****
Book 27 ( 2013) Medicine River **** by Thomas King
Excellent story, funny, wise, great writing, interesting about natives business people on and off reserve.
Book 26 (2013) Corduroy Mansions ** by Alexander McCall Smith
Good one,satifying, not as good as the Bertie series or Dalhousie series.
Book 25 (2013) The Uncommon Appeal of Clouds ** by Alexander McCall Smith
| enjoyable Isabel Dalhousie "mystery" |
Book 25 (2013) The Golden Mean ** by Annabel Lyon
This is a big Canadian book, debut novel, Vancouver writer. Great idea, but super boring book. Wonder what Sheila will think of it. I left the book with her in Spain.
Book 24 (2013) Falling Man * by Don DeLillo
A tedious book about the aftermath of 911. Ira Nadel of UBC thinks it's fabulous.
Book 23 (2013) Hero (zero) by Rhonda Byrne
I loved her previous books but this one is a loser. No insight to be gained. The extraordinary person as an example is not helpful.
Other books by the same author:
The Secret
The Power
The Magic
Other books by the same author:
The Secret
The Power
The Magic
Book 22 (2013) (zero) Death Comes (zero) to Pemberly by P.D. James
A disaster, terrible writing, half hearted attempt at romance? Gave the book away.
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