This book was, mostly, just what I needed. I had just finished a heavy autobiography and was in dire need of something much lighter.
This mystery was one of a series following Reverand Clare Fergesson and Chief of Police Russ Van Alsythe in a small Adirondack city in the North of New York. Without retelling entire episodes, Spencer-Fleming cues us into a past of mutual desire between our two main characters. In the typical mystery style we see the plot unravel leading us in many directions but eventually bringing us back to the first, and most rational culprit and reasoning. It was dissappointing as I tend to overanalyze mysteries and make my guesses based on what would make for the most thrilling motives and unlikely of guilty parties.
Unfortunately, Spencer-Fleming didn't unwind the spool as far as I was hoping and I was left unsatisfied by the ending. One last thing that was dissappointing was the realization that one last, and far more maniacal, person was responsible for everything and escaped with no repercussions.
It was a quick read and, as I said, a necessary respite from the deep pieces I've been drowing in but I won't see out more Spencer-Fleming in the future.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
'The Revolt' by Menachem Begin
Autobiographical to a fault.
I picked up 'The Revolt' hoping for a detail narrative of endless battles as Israel fought to attain then fought to retain statehood. Instead I got a, thinly veiled polemic against the Hagganah and Jewish Council leaders bowing and scraping to the British in the years leading to Israel’s jump to recognition on the International stage.
Scathing in it’s, albeit rightly deserved, contempt for the British attempt at maintaining control of their tiny hub in the Middle East, this autobiography also glorifies the actions and reasoning behind said actions of the Irgun. The Irgun was the independent Jewish Militia responsible for almost all the unrest leading upto, and causing, the pullout of Britains troops in the late 1940’s. While other groups were striving to attain a nation diplomatically the Irgun understood the true intent behind all the British were doing, claiming to do, and planning to do. This understanding led them to initiate, maintain and stiffen the armed resistance that, Begin claims, led to the triumphant return of the State of Israel to modern maps.
I know very little, or rather nothing, of what Menachem Begin accomplished or strove for in his time as Israel’s Prime Minister but this novel clearly lays out his belief in the strong hand being the only respectable hand. In nearly a decade of living ‘underground’ he was the most highly sought after and never uncovered agent in the Anti-British movement prior to their leaving Palestine.
I was hoping for narrative of epic battles but got a far more academic, and obscenely biased, outline of the planning phases, ramifications, and justifiable defense of the Irgun ideals. While I can easily admire Begin’s ingenuity, the valor displayed by his compatriots and the brilliant insight indicative of all their plans, I would not choose to read another book written by Begin himself.
I picked up 'The Revolt' hoping for a detail narrative of endless battles as Israel fought to attain then fought to retain statehood. Instead I got a, thinly veiled polemic against the Hagganah and Jewish Council leaders bowing and scraping to the British in the years leading to Israel’s jump to recognition on the International stage.
Scathing in it’s, albeit rightly deserved, contempt for the British attempt at maintaining control of their tiny hub in the Middle East, this autobiography also glorifies the actions and reasoning behind said actions of the Irgun. The Irgun was the independent Jewish Militia responsible for almost all the unrest leading upto, and causing, the pullout of Britains troops in the late 1940’s. While other groups were striving to attain a nation diplomatically the Irgun understood the true intent behind all the British were doing, claiming to do, and planning to do. This understanding led them to initiate, maintain and stiffen the armed resistance that, Begin claims, led to the triumphant return of the State of Israel to modern maps.
I know very little, or rather nothing, of what Menachem Begin accomplished or strove for in his time as Israel’s Prime Minister but this novel clearly lays out his belief in the strong hand being the only respectable hand. In nearly a decade of living ‘underground’ he was the most highly sought after and never uncovered agent in the Anti-British movement prior to their leaving Palestine.
I was hoping for narrative of epic battles but got a far more academic, and obscenely biased, outline of the planning phases, ramifications, and justifiable defense of the Irgun ideals. While I can easily admire Begin’s ingenuity, the valor displayed by his compatriots and the brilliant insight indicative of all their plans, I would not choose to read another book written by Begin himself.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
'Israel' by Fred Lawrence
I said I was interested in reading more about the birth and subsequent growing pains of the nation of Israel and I have begun reading more about it. 'Israel' by Fred Lawrence is not a fantastic read. Over 800 pages in length, it walks us through the pogroms in Russia, the Labor strikes in Early 20th century America, and, unfortunately, all 50 years preceding Israel's independence. Although the breadth of the story is interesting from a sheer desire to learn more about historical eras, the lack of specificity in the battles to save the fledgling nation was disappointing. Lawrence was more focused on demonstating the parallels between the separated families progressing in America and Palestine.
We start by meeting Abe Herodetsky, an orphaned Russian teenager, who takes in a fellow orphan 10 years his minor. This child, Haim Kolevetsky, grows in his stead and when war comes to Russia they head in different directions. Haim departs for Palestine with his Zionist ideals and Abe intends to strike off to America in hopes of a equitable opportunity to find success. We follow the two men as they find successes and heartbreak in their seperate lives. Children come and the story picks up in their hands. All characters accomplish great things but the emphasis in the family plot is tiresome and doesn't provide the intimacy to the strugglees that I crave.
Altogether, a new perspective but I want to find a different view that will put me in the battles against the Arab Nations as Israel struggles in it's infancy.
No more Lawrence for me. Just didn't satisfy me the way I was hoping it would.
We start by meeting Abe Herodetsky, an orphaned Russian teenager, who takes in a fellow orphan 10 years his minor. This child, Haim Kolevetsky, grows in his stead and when war comes to Russia they head in different directions. Haim departs for Palestine with his Zionist ideals and Abe intends to strike off to America in hopes of a equitable opportunity to find success. We follow the two men as they find successes and heartbreak in their seperate lives. Children come and the story picks up in their hands. All characters accomplish great things but the emphasis in the family plot is tiresome and doesn't provide the intimacy to the strugglees that I crave.
Altogether, a new perspective but I want to find a different view that will put me in the battles against the Arab Nations as Israel struggles in it's infancy.
No more Lawrence for me. Just didn't satisfy me the way I was hoping it would.
Friday, September 16, 2011
'Drop Shot' by Harlan Coben
The characters we meet that exist solely for these plotlines are intriguing and well constructed. We like them, we don't trust them, we hate the fact that we like them. Whatever we are supposed to feel towards them, we feel as per the author's desire. Duane Richwood is a tennis stud and we like him even though we don't trust him. This book catalogues his meteoric rise to the top of the tennis world and the trouble that comes when he finds his past is about to be revealed.
Primarily, we follow Myron Bolitar: injured professional athlete turned Sports agent extrordinare via federal officer. He is big, trained and smart with a conscience to boot. He gets involved to set matters right and he sees it through to the end, regardless of the consequences. We catch snippets of those in his life as well. His girlfriend/soulmate; Jessica, his assistant/partner in justice; Esperanza, his true crime fighting financial wizard best friend; Win, his mother, and his arch nemeses, the Ache brothers of TruSports.
This was very clearly, yet another chapter in the Myron Bolitar series. Evident from the label on the front telling me that it was a Myron Bolitar novel, it was also very obvious from the references made to prior interactions. Altogether, this was a great mix of new, exciting plotlines with just enough 'inside references' to keep the Myron Bolitar fans feeling happy they read the novels in order.
Quick, great dialogue, enough twists and hints to keep you guessing. All together I like Coben's style alot. I would love to read more of his work. This 340 page book took about 5 hours to chew through and I enjoyed the process immensely.
Primarily, we follow Myron Bolitar: injured professional athlete turned Sports agent extrordinare via federal officer. He is big, trained and smart with a conscience to boot. He gets involved to set matters right and he sees it through to the end, regardless of the consequences. We catch snippets of those in his life as well. His girlfriend/soulmate; Jessica, his assistant/partner in justice; Esperanza, his true crime fighting financial wizard best friend; Win, his mother, and his arch nemeses, the Ache brothers of TruSports.
This was very clearly, yet another chapter in the Myron Bolitar series. Evident from the label on the front telling me that it was a Myron Bolitar novel, it was also very obvious from the references made to prior interactions. Altogether, this was a great mix of new, exciting plotlines with just enough 'inside references' to keep the Myron Bolitar fans feeling happy they read the novels in order.
Quick, great dialogue, enough twists and hints to keep you guessing. All together I like Coben's style alot. I would love to read more of his work. This 340 page book took about 5 hours to chew through and I enjoyed the process immensely.
Friday, September 9, 2011
'In Cold Blood' by Truman Capote
An accurate and stunningly descriptive retelling of the events surrounding the killing of the Clutter family. We start the novel by meeting the Clutters. We walk around in their world for a day seeing how they interact with and affect those around them. We are reminded that this is their last day. Later, we meet the agents involved with solving the crime. We see their impressions, their feelings, and their game plan regarding the case. Lastly, we meet the offenders. We learn a great deal about them and we are walked through the crime moment by moment.
Capote started writing short stories and when this novel came out he skyrocketed to fame and celebrity. He truly did his work on this one. His interviews must have been incredibly thorough as he provides great imagery in the way people remember the Clutters on their fateful last day alive and the details we learn about the assailants early years.
This book will leave you rattled. You will feel simultaneously appalled at the failures of the legal system and relieved that this failure provided seemingly positive results.
I would be curious to see what Capote's other works are like. Certainly he would try to match the mood of this novel but I wonder how his skills translate in other mediums.
I may pick up another of his writings.
Capote started writing short stories and when this novel came out he skyrocketed to fame and celebrity. He truly did his work on this one. His interviews must have been incredibly thorough as he provides great imagery in the way people remember the Clutters on their fateful last day alive and the details we learn about the assailants early years.
This book will leave you rattled. You will feel simultaneously appalled at the failures of the legal system and relieved that this failure provided seemingly positive results.
I would be curious to see what Capote's other works are like. Certainly he would try to match the mood of this novel but I wonder how his skills translate in other mediums.
I may pick up another of his writings.
Friday, August 19, 2011
'The Picture of Dorian Gray' by Oscar Wilde
Oscar Wilde is known, first and foremost, for his scandalous lifestyle and his brief stint in prison for 'homosexual practices'. After that, his noteriety stems from his brilliant and witty theatrical pieces. Everyone knows of 'The Importance of Being Ernest' and the wonderful crafting of dialogue therein. I knew that he had at least one novel to his credit and that it was deemed by so many bookworms as a classic but I had not yet experienced his flavor through the medium of the novel.
'The Picture of Dorian Gray' received scathing reviews in its time and I am not suprised by this in the least. It certainly leans towards vulgarity, if only in suggestion, but as all books seem to do, it corrects the balance of good and evil in the end. Is Dorian Gray a bad person? Is Dorian Gray just a man who didn't know what he should be? I would be more inclined to think the latter.
We watch Dorian start off with all that is good in the world; innocence, beauty and faith in humanity. As the influence of Lord Harry takes hold over him he devolves into a satisfaction seeking hedonist. This is, in part, enjoyable for the reader as he protagonist does things that so many of us imagine doing but never step beyond the bounds of acceptability to attempt.
We see and feel his inner turmoil as he literally sees the effect these actions have on his soul and we are left, in the end, knowing that he lived, and was punished for, an immoral life.
From Oscar Wilde, I would have expected more scandal. Why can't the evil doer be free from conscience and survive, unscathed, as those well principled persons around him fall by the wayside. I'm sure if it had been written this way, in it's time, he would have been hung for encouraging depravity. Perhaps I am simply overwhelming myself with books from the wrong era. It sounds like a french author, referenced in this book showed a lack of consequence for immorality. I may need to move to a different genre for a while.
Oscar Wilde=Brilliant!
'The Picture of Dorian Gray' received scathing reviews in its time and I am not suprised by this in the least. It certainly leans towards vulgarity, if only in suggestion, but as all books seem to do, it corrects the balance of good and evil in the end. Is Dorian Gray a bad person? Is Dorian Gray just a man who didn't know what he should be? I would be more inclined to think the latter.
We watch Dorian start off with all that is good in the world; innocence, beauty and faith in humanity. As the influence of Lord Harry takes hold over him he devolves into a satisfaction seeking hedonist. This is, in part, enjoyable for the reader as he protagonist does things that so many of us imagine doing but never step beyond the bounds of acceptability to attempt.
We see and feel his inner turmoil as he literally sees the effect these actions have on his soul and we are left, in the end, knowing that he lived, and was punished for, an immoral life.
From Oscar Wilde, I would have expected more scandal. Why can't the evil doer be free from conscience and survive, unscathed, as those well principled persons around him fall by the wayside. I'm sure if it had been written this way, in it's time, he would have been hung for encouraging depravity. Perhaps I am simply overwhelming myself with books from the wrong era. It sounds like a french author, referenced in this book showed a lack of consequence for immorality. I may need to move to a different genre for a while.
Oscar Wilde=Brilliant!
'Vanity Fair' by William Makepeace Thackeray
What a name!!!
And a pretty great book. With a storyline that has be milked by hundreds of plays, movies and television shows over the past 200 hundred years, it comes as no suprise that this novel seems almost predictable. However, without a lifetime of knockoffs, a reader would be completely enthralled by this story.
Even WITH a lifetime of knockoffs I found myself devouring page after page of this book. With a few weeks of slow, meandering I still finished the majority of this 800 page book in about one week. It gets good and stays good.
With two main protagonists, Amelia Selby and Rebecca Sharp, the plot shows the ups and downs of two women who lead nearly opposite lives. One which starts at the bottom of society and peaks as high as any well bred woman could ever hope to, and another who seems destined for greatness but has a downfall that is unmatched in literature. Karma seemingly rights the wrongs as the novel concludes but it is a marvel at how Thackeray crafted such complex, likeable and opposite women.
The men remain, as it should be, mostly secondary or tertiary characters throughout and we see the best and the worst of behaviours from them as well. One can see a very christian bias in this writing.
Thackeray said that he learned how to write through the penning of this book and boy can he. You would be hard pressed to find an unsettling word or an unnecessary scene between these covers.
Yet again, a classic that belongs in that category.
And a pretty great book. With a storyline that has be milked by hundreds of plays, movies and television shows over the past 200 hundred years, it comes as no suprise that this novel seems almost predictable. However, without a lifetime of knockoffs, a reader would be completely enthralled by this story.
Even WITH a lifetime of knockoffs I found myself devouring page after page of this book. With a few weeks of slow, meandering I still finished the majority of this 800 page book in about one week. It gets good and stays good.
With two main protagonists, Amelia Selby and Rebecca Sharp, the plot shows the ups and downs of two women who lead nearly opposite lives. One which starts at the bottom of society and peaks as high as any well bred woman could ever hope to, and another who seems destined for greatness but has a downfall that is unmatched in literature. Karma seemingly rights the wrongs as the novel concludes but it is a marvel at how Thackeray crafted such complex, likeable and opposite women.
The men remain, as it should be, mostly secondary or tertiary characters throughout and we see the best and the worst of behaviours from them as well. One can see a very christian bias in this writing.
Thackeray said that he learned how to write through the penning of this book and boy can he. You would be hard pressed to find an unsettling word or an unnecessary scene between these covers.
Yet again, a classic that belongs in that category.
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