This is a very powerful book, contained in only 208 pages. Much of it reads like poetry, with words and phrases that can melt your heart. It is a story both horrible and beautiful about the days in 1947 when Pakistan broke away from India, against the fervent wishes of Gandhi, who very much wanted India to be a union of a variety of religions, living together in peace. Instead, partition occurs and the Muslims living in the east try to move to Pakistan in the west, while the Hindus and Sikhs who live in the west try to move to India in the east. This countercurrent of long-time enemies leads to numerous bloody clashes and unbelievable cruelty.
The story is told by the spirit of a physician, a Hindu who has died recently from a serious illness but who can still observe what is going on in the physical world. It is his telling of the story that makes it possible for the reader to feel that he/she is actually witnessing the events being described. He follows the fate of several different individuals and groups, including his own wife and twin sons who, early in the book, are separated as they try to board a train in the west heading for Delhi. Although the narrator's family are Hindus and are potential victims of Muslim vengeance, he details numerous instances in which it is the Hindus who are committing heinous crimes.
The hero of the book is an elderly Muslim pediatrician who provides medical assistance to whomever he meets, from whichever faith, as he limps toward Pakistan. As I was approaching the end of the book, my emotions were so powerful that I could barely continue reading ... love and compassion trumping cruelty and hatred.
This is just a wonderful piece of writing which I can recommend without any caveats.
Reviewed by Cal
Friday, February 17, 2012
Friday, September 9, 2011
WE THE ANIMALS, a novel by Justin Torres
I bought this book in Seattle to read on the flight home. I had heard an interview with the author a few days earlier. I went into the bookstore knowing I was looking for a new book whose author I had heard interviewed, but I could remember absolutely nothing else about it. I was about to give up, when I spotted it at the far end of the "new novels" display and recognized the title immediately.
The novel is about the youngest of three boys growing up in a poor family, with parents who are volatile, caring, violent, loving, immature, and wise. They are doing what they can to get by. Some of the events are disturbing. Many are superficially disturbing but end up being loving. Others are deeply disturbing.
This book is a fast read, partly because it is quite short (128 pages) but also because the prose itself just demands you to read fast. Published reviews have used words such as “fierce”, “burning”, and “feral” to describe the story and the prose. I thought that much of it read like poetry. In fact, the first chapter (2.5 pages) could be a stand-alone poem. That first chapter may be the best first chapter I have ever read. I would recommend reading that even if you have no intention of reading the book. (I may have to give this book to someone for Christmas just to hear the first chapter read aloud.)
reviewed by Libby
The novel is about the youngest of three boys growing up in a poor family, with parents who are volatile, caring, violent, loving, immature, and wise. They are doing what they can to get by. Some of the events are disturbing. Many are superficially disturbing but end up being loving. Others are deeply disturbing.
This book is a fast read, partly because it is quite short (128 pages) but also because the prose itself just demands you to read fast. Published reviews have used words such as “fierce”, “burning”, and “feral” to describe the story and the prose. I thought that much of it read like poetry. In fact, the first chapter (2.5 pages) could be a stand-alone poem. That first chapter may be the best first chapter I have ever read. I would recommend reading that even if you have no intention of reading the book. (I may have to give this book to someone for Christmas just to hear the first chapter read aloud.)
reviewed by Libby
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Rashi's Daughters; Book 1: Joheved
Written by Maggie Anton, an authority on medieval French Jewish women, this is a novel about love and The Talmud in medieval France (around 1070 CE). This was a period of relative calm between the Jews and the Christians. I can't recommend it whole heartedly because it's not a book that grabbed me or made me want to get back to reading it. But, having seen it through to the end, I realize that I have learned so much about orthodox Jewish customs and beliefs and traditions, some of which I found very beautiful. Rashi, the father of Joheved, is a scholar who actually lived and Joheved is his oldest daughter, who has two younger sisters, Miriam and Rachel (the subjects of Books 2 and 3). These daughters, like their father, actually lived in 11th century France. This historical fiction book tells about the fathers selecting husbands for their daughters, the courtship, the wedding, the first night, conception of a child, miscarriages, birth of a child, the circumcision of male babies, use of herbs in treating illness, the last days of life, death, and preparing the body for burial, all told in the light of sometimes curious beliefs.
I'm glad I read this book but I doubt that I'll read the two follow-on books about Joheved's sisters.
Reviewed by Cal
I'm glad I read this book but I doubt that I'll read the two follow-on books about Joheved's sisters.
Reviewed by Cal
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
The Dirty Life: On Farming, Food, and Love
By: Kristin Kimball
Amazon recommended this book for people who liked The Town That Food Saved so I took the plunge. The basic story is of a woman from New York who falls in love with a farmer and decides to give it all up and buy a farm with him. She talks about the ups and the downs and at the end decides that she would not have changed a thing.
I really enjoyed this relatively quick read.
Amazon recommended this book for people who liked The Town That Food Saved so I took the plunge. The basic story is of a woman from New York who falls in love with a farmer and decides to give it all up and buy a farm with him. She talks about the ups and the downs and at the end decides that she would not have changed a thing.
I really enjoyed this relatively quick read.
The Town That Food Saved: How One Community Found Vitality in Local Food
By: Ben Hewitt
This book is about the people of Hardwick, VT who are striving to make their food system more local. He sort of picks up where Michael Pollan leaves off in the Omnivore's Dilemma and tries to decide what a healthy food system actually looks like. Hardwick has recently gotten some publicity over a handful of "agrepreneurs" who settled in the small town and have been shaking things up in the way people eat. In the end the author doesn't really come to any major conclusions but the discussion throughout the book is very interesting. I personally think the book could have used a little better editing in some of the phrases he uses (sometimes several unusual phrases very close together for example) but I enjoyed his writing style and recommend this book to anyone interested in the local food "movement". If you haven't read The Omnivore's Dilemma, I highly recommend reading that first. Not because this is a sequel or anything but because Hewitt writes as if the reader already knows how and why the current food system in America is broken. If I cracked this book as a primer to local food, I doubt I would have finished it because he does not discuss the problems as much as the possible solutions. The reader should know the problem before reading this book.
This book is about the people of Hardwick, VT who are striving to make their food system more local. He sort of picks up where Michael Pollan leaves off in the Omnivore's Dilemma and tries to decide what a healthy food system actually looks like. Hardwick has recently gotten some publicity over a handful of "agrepreneurs" who settled in the small town and have been shaking things up in the way people eat. In the end the author doesn't really come to any major conclusions but the discussion throughout the book is very interesting. I personally think the book could have used a little better editing in some of the phrases he uses (sometimes several unusual phrases very close together for example) but I enjoyed his writing style and recommend this book to anyone interested in the local food "movement". If you haven't read The Omnivore's Dilemma, I highly recommend reading that first. Not because this is a sequel or anything but because Hewitt writes as if the reader already knows how and why the current food system in America is broken. If I cracked this book as a primer to local food, I doubt I would have finished it because he does not discuss the problems as much as the possible solutions. The reader should know the problem before reading this book.
What the Dog Saw and Other Adventures
By: Malcolm Gladwell
This collection of essays was solely from the New Yorker magazine. They all attempt to explain some aspect of the human mind and how we interact with each other. Some are more successful than others but overall I enjoyed most of the essays. A nice book to read to take a break from something else you are struggling to finish since the essays are short and can be wrapped up in a sitting or two. The author is more famous for The Tipping Point and according to amazon, this book is similar to Freakanomics, a book which I have never read.
I'm glad I read it.
This collection of essays was solely from the New Yorker magazine. They all attempt to explain some aspect of the human mind and how we interact with each other. Some are more successful than others but overall I enjoyed most of the essays. A nice book to read to take a break from something else you are struggling to finish since the essays are short and can be wrapped up in a sitting or two. The author is more famous for The Tipping Point and according to amazon, this book is similar to Freakanomics, a book which I have never read.
I'm glad I read it.
Death to the BCS: The Definitive Case Against the Bowl Championship Series
By: Dan Wetzel
I read this based on a recommendation of a friend. If you weren't a supporter of a playoff system for college football before reading this, you will be after you read it. The author goes into depth on how much money is made by the bowls and where the money ends up. It is really quite staggering how little the schools benefit from the current bowl system. I don't want to ruin the surprise by listing the author's suggestions but he makes a very convincing case playing off the sheer wasted potential for further monetary gain by the school if they were to adopt a playoff.
My gripes with the book are that he uses data from the dozen or so not for profit bowls since their records are public. He makes some assumptions and suggestions based on this limited data set and doesn't remind the reader very often of this extrapolation. I think his analysis is solid and I found it believable, but sometimes it comes off as a little hyperbolic.
I highly recommend this to all college football fans out there so you can make your own conclusions about what's best for everyone.
I read this based on a recommendation of a friend. If you weren't a supporter of a playoff system for college football before reading this, you will be after you read it. The author goes into depth on how much money is made by the bowls and where the money ends up. It is really quite staggering how little the schools benefit from the current bowl system. I don't want to ruin the surprise by listing the author's suggestions but he makes a very convincing case playing off the sheer wasted potential for further monetary gain by the school if they were to adopt a playoff.
My gripes with the book are that he uses data from the dozen or so not for profit bowls since their records are public. He makes some assumptions and suggestions based on this limited data set and doesn't remind the reader very often of this extrapolation. I think his analysis is solid and I found it believable, but sometimes it comes off as a little hyperbolic.
I highly recommend this to all college football fans out there so you can make your own conclusions about what's best for everyone.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
The Maze Of Bones
Book: The Maze Of Bones
Reader: Eva
I am in a reading group at school, and we choose a new novel to read every 2 months or so.
I have not enjoyed any of the books we have read as much as I enjoyed The Maze of Bones by Rick Riordan. Scary name, right?
I didn't think I'd like a book by Rick Riordan because he wrote The Lightning Thief and the other Percy Jackson books, which didn't appeal to me.
This book is the 1st book in the 10-book-long series The 39 Clues. Every book is written by a different author.
The main characters, a smart 11-year-old boy aspiring to be a ninja warrior and his 14-year-old sister/bookworm, seem so innocent you just have to be on their side. Yet, they trust the villiains (described as "dry" in a review) much too easily, which can make the reader momentarily lose hope for them.
The two kids discover that they are part of the Cahill family, which is the most powerful family in the world. Famous Cahills include Mozart (Nannerl and Wolfgang), Einstein, Napoleon, and Babe Ruth!
I recommend this book to someone who is looking for a quick read with comedy, adventure, and a bit of romance and violence. Once you pick up this book, you can't put it down!
Reader: Eva
I am in a reading group at school, and we choose a new novel to read every 2 months or so.
I have not enjoyed any of the books we have read as much as I enjoyed The Maze of Bones by Rick Riordan. Scary name, right?
I didn't think I'd like a book by Rick Riordan because he wrote The Lightning Thief and the other Percy Jackson books, which didn't appeal to me.
This book is the 1st book in the 10-book-long series The 39 Clues. Every book is written by a different author.
The main characters, a smart 11-year-old boy aspiring to be a ninja warrior and his 14-year-old sister/bookworm, seem so innocent you just have to be on their side. Yet, they trust the villiains (described as "dry" in a review) much too easily, which can make the reader momentarily lose hope for them.
The two kids discover that they are part of the Cahill family, which is the most powerful family in the world. Famous Cahills include Mozart (Nannerl and Wolfgang), Einstein, Napoleon, and Babe Ruth!
I recommend this book to someone who is looking for a quick read with comedy, adventure, and a bit of romance and violence. Once you pick up this book, you can't put it down!
Goodbye, Columbus
Goodbye, Columbus by Philip Roth
This is a Novella set in New Jersey in the late 50's and is about first love. It starts from the first time this unlikely pair of young adults lay eyes on one another through their turbulent relationship - a poor boy from Newark and a wealthy girl (and her family) from the suburbs. Roth does a beautiful job at capturing the reality and thoughts of the protagonist and the insecurities and mistakes that come with any new relationship, but also captures the playfulness and passion that new summer love brings. A quick read, and worth the pages.
Monday, December 27, 2010
The Unconsoled
Reviewed by Cal
The author of this book is Kazuo Ishiguro, who also wrote Remains of the Day, which I have not read. It is an unusual book that, frequently, I considered not finishing because it frustrated me by never fulfilling my wishes for what would happen next. Everything seemed so much like what I myself might dream about being lost and not finding my way to wherever I was trying to get. But the story wasn't about a dream. I constantly waited for something nice to happen to the book's main character, a world famous pianist, but one dire happening was soon followed by another. Also, some of the characters would go on and on for pages telling things in great detail that didn't seem to add much to the story except to lengthen it. Still, I was curious enough about what would happen next that I continued reading and finished the book. As I supposed, the book's ending was not satisfying to me.
Even though I didn't enjoy the book and can't recommend it to others, I can imagine that certain readers might find it very much to their liking. Certainly, the authors who wrote blurbs for the back cover were high in their praise of the book. For example, Ann Beattie wrote, "A perfect novel. I couldn't put it down."
The author of this book is Kazuo Ishiguro, who also wrote Remains of the Day, which I have not read. It is an unusual book that, frequently, I considered not finishing because it frustrated me by never fulfilling my wishes for what would happen next. Everything seemed so much like what I myself might dream about being lost and not finding my way to wherever I was trying to get. But the story wasn't about a dream. I constantly waited for something nice to happen to the book's main character, a world famous pianist, but one dire happening was soon followed by another. Also, some of the characters would go on and on for pages telling things in great detail that didn't seem to add much to the story except to lengthen it. Still, I was curious enough about what would happen next that I continued reading and finished the book. As I supposed, the book's ending was not satisfying to me.
Even though I didn't enjoy the book and can't recommend it to others, I can imagine that certain readers might find it very much to their liking. Certainly, the authors who wrote blurbs for the back cover were high in their praise of the book. For example, Ann Beattie wrote, "A perfect novel. I couldn't put it down."
Sunday, November 7, 2010
The Hunger Games series
Reader: Aniko
Books: The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
I just read the most amazing series. It's meant for high school students, but I am totally obsessed with THE HUNGER GAMES trilogy. All of the teachers on my floor have been reading and raving about the books and since I'm the only one of my coworkers who normally likes science fiction and dystopias, I figured I had to try them out. (even if you normally don't go for sci fi-- this is pretty awesome!)
The series is set in a dystopian version of the US far in the future. Each of the 12 districts that make up what used to be the US sends one teenager of each gender to the capitol, Panem, once a year. These adolescents fight to survive each other and the elements in a televised competition that allows for only one to remain. These competitions, "The Hunger Games" serve to keep the districts submissive to the capitol, to annually remind them of how much the capitol controls them. The main character, Katniss Everdeen, represents her district, a particularly poor one, after she insists that she takes her sister's place in the games.
The books are impossible to put down once you start. I loved that I never had ANY idea what was going to happen next. It's so gripping! I literally read each one in a day, one after another, within three days.
Books: The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
I just read the most amazing series. It's meant for high school students, but I am totally obsessed with THE HUNGER GAMES trilogy. All of the teachers on my floor have been reading and raving about the books and since I'm the only one of my coworkers who normally likes science fiction and dystopias, I figured I had to try them out. (even if you normally don't go for sci fi-- this is pretty awesome!)
The series is set in a dystopian version of the US far in the future. Each of the 12 districts that make up what used to be the US sends one teenager of each gender to the capitol, Panem, once a year. These adolescents fight to survive each other and the elements in a televised competition that allows for only one to remain. These competitions, "The Hunger Games" serve to keep the districts submissive to the capitol, to annually remind them of how much the capitol controls them. The main character, Katniss Everdeen, represents her district, a particularly poor one, after she insists that she takes her sister's place in the games.
The books are impossible to put down once you start. I loved that I never had ANY idea what was going to happen next. It's so gripping! I literally read each one in a day, one after another, within three days.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Well, I resisted this one for as long as I could, even after my book club decided to read it. I found I could not put it down, but then I remembered why I am always disappointed in mysteries--the denouement is almost never satisfying. I found that to be the case with _The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo_, but I did find that I really liked the main character (of the whole trilogy, Lisbeth Salander). My book club mates insisted that the first book is merely the prelude to the real story, and so I read on. I really had trouble putting the second book of the trilogy down, and so I recommend it if you are looking for something to pass the time. It's quite violent, so it's not exactly pleasant reading, but it is definitely gripping. It deals with violence against women, and I would really like to hear from someone who knows about that issue whether it's a serious and helpful treatment of the problem or not. My friends tell me the third book is the best, and so I guess I'll read on. Has any one else tackled these?
Amy
Amy
Friday, October 29, 2010
Genghis Khan
Book: Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World
Author: Jack Weatherford
Think about the images that come to your head when you hear the word "Mongol." For me it was the bad guys in the Mulan Disney movie. Ruthless warriors who drank the blood from their own horses s0 they wouldn't have to stop riding. I also heard that Genghis Khan had tons of living descendants because he raped every woman in every city that he destroyed. I knew the mongols invaded China and Europe and they were around a long time ago.
I was wrong about a lot. The Mongols did create the largest Empire in world history, but the flavor of their reign was of a much different tone than that of ruthless warriors. Under Genghis Khan, his followers had religious freedom. He abolished torture as punishment. He expanded global trade and communication, eventually spurring on the renaissance. Way ahead of his time in military tactics, human rights, and politics.
This book is a must read for lovers of history and those interested in hearing the real story.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
The Fall of a Sparrow by Robert Hellenga
I really loved this book, even the second time I read it. It's beautifully written and has something for everyone ... tragedy, foreign travel, terrorism, religion, love, sex, forgiveness, eating, humor, music. It's a work of fiction about an English professor at a small college in northern Illinois whose oldest daughter is killed in an event that is actually historical -- the bombing of the Bologna train station. It goes on to show how the different members of the family ... father, mother, and two younger sisters ... adjust to this tragic event. If you've never read anything by Robert Hellenga, you might be surprised at what he's accomplished here.
Reviewed by Cal
Reviewed by Cal
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Musicophilia: Tales of Music and the Brain
Not that any of you couldn't get just as good of an idea about the book by picking it up and reading the back cover, here's a brief description of what tales of the mysterious and fascinating human brain Oliver Sacks has included in this book.
I imagine that several of you have already read this book, and if you are not one of those people you should be soon. This book contains all the usual elements to a great Oliver Sacks book. Amazing brain studies and curious brain "disorders" or variations. When you are reading his books, for that moment, you always just want to be able to experience for a few hours what people of various diseases or disorders are experiencing. However, with this book, the things aren't color blindness or autism (well they are actually in a couple of stories), but more like absolute tone deafness and 'amusia.' I want to know what it's like to have musical hallucinations because he describes them so well that it is hard for me to imagine that other people in the world are experiencing something so vastly different than I am simply because the hear music in a different way. He talks about different variations of synesthesia and people with Williams' syndrome. He talks about musician's dystonia and brain worms and rhythm. He talks about music in ways that I have never though about before and I have definitely grown a little through reading this book.
People on the subway who saw me reading this book, more so than any other book I have read, commeneted on how they "love that book" and "Isn't that book amazing!" So take it for what you will, I think that this book, a book on music - which is such a big part of all of our lives - is a book that really affects people on a deeper level than most books I have been reading on the subway. And even if you aren't transformed, you will at least enjoy the stories which Oliver Sacks is so skilled at putting onto paper.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Still Alice, by Lisa Genova
Reader: Gwyn
Alice was a linguistics professor at Harvard when her life turned upside down at the discovery of her early onset Alzheimer's Disease. This month by month account of the rapid progression of her disease was so disturbing, I was almost unable to read it. But this was an amazing book. It gave great insight into the thoughts of the person with the disease, as well as to the difficulties of those around her.
Although this was emotionally difficult for me to read, I would recommend it to all for a better understanding of Alzheimer's
Alice was a linguistics professor at Harvard when her life turned upside down at the discovery of her early onset Alzheimer's Disease. This month by month account of the rapid progression of her disease was so disturbing, I was almost unable to read it. But this was an amazing book. It gave great insight into the thoughts of the person with the disease, as well as to the difficulties of those around her.
Although this was emotionally difficult for me to read, I would recommend it to all for a better understanding of Alzheimer's
Mennonite in a Little Black Dress, by Rhoda Janzen
(A Memoir of Going Home)
Reader: Gwyn
Rhoda Janzen was raised a Mennonite. As soon as she could, she left that lifestyle behind, and went out to the world. When events in her life took a turn for the worse at the age of 40 years, she returned to her family looking for solace and support.
Janzen is a witty writer, with a delightful cynicism that made this a fun, easy book to read. Her descriptions of life with her quirky family actually did make me laugh out loud more than once. Of course, a memoir would not have made it to the presses if it did not include some self-realization and personal growth. This book provided that as well.
I recommend this book to anyone needing a chuckle at the expense of someone else's family.
Reader: Gwyn
Rhoda Janzen was raised a Mennonite. As soon as she could, she left that lifestyle behind, and went out to the world. When events in her life took a turn for the worse at the age of 40 years, she returned to her family looking for solace and support.
Janzen is a witty writer, with a delightful cynicism that made this a fun, easy book to read. Her descriptions of life with her quirky family actually did make me laugh out loud more than once. Of course, a memoir would not have made it to the presses if it did not include some self-realization and personal growth. This book provided that as well.
I recommend this book to anyone needing a chuckle at the expense of someone else's family.
City of Thieves, by David Benioff
Reader: Gwyn
This was a great book. David Benioff was able to take a gruesome tale of atrocities in Russia, during the winter of 1942, and make it a heartwarming coming of age story. I'm afraid to say much more, because much of the joy of reading the book was the discovery of what would happen next to the young protagonist.
At least 2 people in the family had recommended this book to me, and I'm so glad I listened to their advice. My question for others who read this book is: Is this really the story of Benioff's grandfather?
This was a great book. David Benioff was able to take a gruesome tale of atrocities in Russia, during the winter of 1942, and make it a heartwarming coming of age story. I'm afraid to say much more, because much of the joy of reading the book was the discovery of what would happen next to the young protagonist.
At least 2 people in the family had recommended this book to me, and I'm so glad I listened to their advice. My question for others who read this book is: Is this really the story of Benioff's grandfather?
Monday, September 6, 2010
Lost on Planet China, by J. Maarten Troost
The full title didn't fit in the title box so:
Lost on Planet China: The Strange and True Story of One Man's Attempt to Understand the World's Most Mystifying Nation or How He Became Comfortable Eating Live Squid, by J. Maarten Troost
This easy read was written by the same author who penned Sex Lives of Cannibals (see review below). It was recommended to me by a coworker (and fellow expat) as something we can all appreciate. The author doesn't always paint a pretty picture of China but there was nothing in the book that I particularly disagree with. In fact, I 100% absolutely believe everything he wrote actually happened to him and I can say that while I have not traveled as extensively as he has, I have shared many of the same experiences and felt much the same way. In general, he pokes fun at cultural norms which westerners find somewhere between amusing and appalling. I don't particularly share his disdain for China but I think that is because I have been in the same place for 9 months and have actually gotten to know people, as opposed to judging them based on their habits. I do share the general distrust he does for the Chinese government and I think he describes the feeling rather well. Most if not all of the people I work with (Americans, Europeans, Indians, and other SE Asians) seem to feel the same way about the communist party (and state-owned companies) and the absurdities we have to deal with.This book gets a bad rap because it portrays China in a relatively negative way but I can honestly say that it is a pretty darn accurate description of what one will find on the main backpacking circuits throughout the middle kingdom. I will say that most of the individuals I've come to know here are very nice, generous, and generally great hosts but I am ready to move on to a new set of appalling cultural norms in the next assignment.
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