So, finals are totally kicking my butt, as far as getting free time goes. That's the explanation for why updates are so infrequent, and I'm stickin' to it. But here's one book, anyway. I actually finished it Saturday, but I was too tired to post this then.
Title: Rascal
Author: Sterling North
What it's about: Rascal chronicles a year with Sterling and his pet raccoon, Rascal. It starts when Sterling takes home a raccoon kit and includes various events like trips into the wilderness, the trouble Rascal gets into, and the day Sterling brings Rascal to school.
What I thought: This really evokes a nostalgic feel of the good ol' days, which is something I look for in certain books. The descriptions are vivid and loving, and the adventures of Sterling and Rascal are written with the right touch of humor to keep them engaging. Though a book accessible to younger readers, everyone should be able to appreciate the simple pleasure of Rascal.
Overall: Let's call it short but sweet.
Showing posts with label historical fiction. Show all posts
Showing posts with label historical fiction. Show all posts
Monday, April 28, 2008
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Persepolis 2
Title: Persepolis 2
Author: Marjane Satrapi
What it's about: Persepolis 2 is an illustrated biographical novel of Marjane Satrapi. Its prequel was about her childhood in Iran during the 1980s, and this book is about her life in Europe after being sent to school there as an older teenager and her life after that.
What I thought: As with the first book, the art is almost deceptively simple compared to the heavy situations it depicts. It's a really realistic picture of life during these times, and from a perspective you don't necessarily get all that often. Whereas the first book had more of a political feel to it, this one is more of the story of one person's life.
Overall: I prefer Persepolis, but this is still a solid and interesting book.
Author: Marjane Satrapi
What it's about: Persepolis 2 is an illustrated biographical novel of Marjane Satrapi. Its prequel was about her childhood in Iran during the 1980s, and this book is about her life in Europe after being sent to school there as an older teenager and her life after that.
What I thought: As with the first book, the art is almost deceptively simple compared to the heavy situations it depicts. It's a really realistic picture of life during these times, and from a perspective you don't necessarily get all that often. Whereas the first book had more of a political feel to it, this one is more of the story of one person's life.
Overall: I prefer Persepolis, but this is still a solid and interesting book.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Atonement
Well, first review is here. I'm a little rusty at the in-depth reviewing thing, mainly with how much you're supposed to go into the plot when you do a summary. So let's just say that there are mild spoilers, but nothing that I think will ruin a person's enjoyment of the book. Let me know how I'm doing, eh?
Title: Atonement
Author: Ian McEwan
What it's about: H'okay, so it's England between the two world wars. We've got this thirteen year old girl, Briony Tallis, who is of a creative mind. Fancies herself a writer. She's written a play as way to welcome her older brother Leon back to the family's house. Leon's been living in town for a while. Anyway, Briony also has an older sister named Cecilia who has just finished college and is back at the Tallis family house for a stay. Cecilia has been feeling unsatisfied lately, not sure what she wants to do with her life and not sure what's going on between her and her childhood friend Robbie Turner. Lately they've been cool towards each other, and it's been frustrating Cecilia. Things come to a head when, during a fight with Robbie, Cecilia throws off her clothes and jumps into a fountain on the grounds as a way of making a point. Unknown to Cecilia and Robbie, however, Briony sees this and draws her own conclusions. This colors Briony's view of Robbie, and leads to her further misinterpreting the relationship between Cecilia and Robbie. Finally, Briony commits her great crime, what she will eventually have to atone for, an act that shatters the happiness of more than one life.
What I thought: Atonement wasn't all I felt the hype had made it out to be. Nevertheless, it was an interesting read. It's a book that's all about inner conflict and conflicts and relationships between characters, and McEwan excels at writing that. The viewpoints shift between, if I remember correctly, four characters, and you're really able to understand all of their points of view and see how they reach the conclusions that they do. The motivations behind Briony's act are all made clear, and you can see how it would occur to her that she was doing what she thought was best in the situation. Additionally, the musings on the craft of writing made for interesting consideration, and the descriptions were quite lush.
Overall: Probably not something I'll read again, but it was definitely worth reading once.
Title: Atonement
Author: Ian McEwan
What it's about: H'okay, so it's England between the two world wars. We've got this thirteen year old girl, Briony Tallis, who is of a creative mind. Fancies herself a writer. She's written a play as way to welcome her older brother Leon back to the family's house. Leon's been living in town for a while. Anyway, Briony also has an older sister named Cecilia who has just finished college and is back at the Tallis family house for a stay. Cecilia has been feeling unsatisfied lately, not sure what she wants to do with her life and not sure what's going on between her and her childhood friend Robbie Turner. Lately they've been cool towards each other, and it's been frustrating Cecilia. Things come to a head when, during a fight with Robbie, Cecilia throws off her clothes and jumps into a fountain on the grounds as a way of making a point. Unknown to Cecilia and Robbie, however, Briony sees this and draws her own conclusions. This colors Briony's view of Robbie, and leads to her further misinterpreting the relationship between Cecilia and Robbie. Finally, Briony commits her great crime, what she will eventually have to atone for, an act that shatters the happiness of more than one life.
What I thought: Atonement wasn't all I felt the hype had made it out to be. Nevertheless, it was an interesting read. It's a book that's all about inner conflict and conflicts and relationships between characters, and McEwan excels at writing that. The viewpoints shift between, if I remember correctly, four characters, and you're really able to understand all of their points of view and see how they reach the conclusions that they do. The motivations behind Briony's act are all made clear, and you can see how it would occur to her that she was doing what she thought was best in the situation. Additionally, the musings on the craft of writing made for interesting consideration, and the descriptions were quite lush.
Overall: Probably not something I'll read again, but it was definitely worth reading once.
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