Ahhh, there's nothing like spending the weekend with Buttercup and Westley. For a laugh-out-loud tale of buckling swashes, piracy, kidnapping and derrAhhh, there's nothing like spending the weekend with Buttercup and Westley. For a laugh-out-loud tale of buckling swashes, piracy, kidnapping and derring-do, of not-so-distressed damsels, the Dread Pirate Roberts, and the giant Fezzik, curl up with this lovely fractured tale by S. Morgenstern, as related by William Goldman. You can't ask for more fun. (Bonus: the movie's pretty good, too.)...more
I love E. L. Doctorow's work, especially Ragtime and Billy Bathgate (many stars, oh, many stars apiece for them). This work is shorter, with far fewerI love E. L. Doctorow's work, especially Ragtime and Billy Bathgate (many stars, oh, many stars apiece for them). This work is shorter, with far fewer characters than my favorites, and doesn't, to my mind, reach the wonderful heights of his best work. Still, it's a fascinating story of how the hoarding disease begins, and it's vividly told from the point of view of a blind man, a huge accomplishment in itself. Worthwhile for all Doctorow fans, but not the best place to start if you're new to his work. ...more
This book is weird and wonderful, exasperating and amazing. If you enjoyed Possession, you'll probably enjoy this as well. If you are a fan of fairy tThis book is weird and wonderful, exasperating and amazing. If you enjoyed Possession, you'll probably enjoy this as well. If you are a fan of fairy tales and folk tales, you'll adore it. There were times when Byatt's writing took my breath away, and times when some of her characters made me want to throw the book against the wall. How high is your tolerance for Victorian adults who write fairy tales for a living, make a full-time serious study of them, and half believe them? How annoying do you find puppets and marionettes? Questions to contemplate, dear reader, before diving into this one. ...more
If you are a fan of Victorian exploration, then this book is for you. You will love it. It contains much new original research by the author, all metiIf you are a fan of Victorian exploration, then this book is for you. You will love it. It contains much new original research by the author, all meticulously documented. If, however, you picked it up out of curiosity, and because it was on sale for half-price, then there is probably way more information in this book about Stanley than you need. Although it was fascinating to find out that he almost certainly did not say, "Dr. Livingstone, I presume." And he was born a Welshman, but was abandoned by both parents to the workhouse at an early age, traveled to America where he first fought for the South, and then for the North, passed himself off as an American for the rest of his life, abhorred slavery, opened up central Africa to exploration and exploitation by the Europeans, and battled his own inner demons--a debilitating inferiority complex--his whole life. Interesting stuff, even if you are just a casual reader. ...more
What a lovely book by Roald Dahl, author of one of my favorites, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. How is it that I missed reading Matilda as a childWhat a lovely book by Roald Dahl, author of one of my favorites, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. How is it that I missed reading Matilda as a child? Matilda is a genius being raised by truly horrid parents, who neglect her for hours on end, disparage her intellectual growth, and tear up her library books. (GASP!) Thanks to a sympathetic teacher, Matilda is encouraged to learn and grow. The ending feels a bit rushed and forced, but otherwise the story and the drawings are wonderful. I love Matilda's long pointy nose and her endearing expressions.
Yes, the language is problematic these days, and yes the relationships between the races are fraught with difficulties, but Hemingway called it the grYes, the language is problematic these days, and yes the relationships between the races are fraught with difficulties, but Hemingway called it the greatest American novel, and who am I to quibble with him? It should still be required reading, both for readers and aspiring writers. ...more
A strange hybrid of two books sewn together: the first, a novella, is a contemporary jokey take-off on Death in Venice written by a young English jourA strange hybrid of two books sewn together: the first, a novella, is a contemporary jokey take-off on Death in Venice written by a young English journalist who travels to Venice to cover an art show and becomes besotted with an American woman. I do like the author's sense of humor, but I wish he could have reined it in when he needed to. Many of the jokes work, many are simply annoying and get in the way of the writing. His editor should have taken him by the scruff and given him a good hard shaking. The second half of the book is a philosophical travelog about a trip to India, which may or may not have been written by the same narrator. I'm not sure why these two halves were put together; they just don't make a seamless whole. ...more
"Why I Live at the P.O." Could there be any better story? Especially when you hear it spoken in your mind in Miss Welty's wonderful soft accent. (And "Why I Live at the P.O." Could there be any better story? Especially when you hear it spoken in your mind in Miss Welty's wonderful soft accent. (And we always call her Miss Welty, no other.)...more
This is not Pratchett's best, but it's still worthwhile, with lots of laugh-out-loud moments. It follows the career of the protagonist in Going PostalThis is not Pratchett's best, but it's still worthwhile, with lots of laugh-out-loud moments. It follows the career of the protagonist in Going Postal, so if you enjoyed that one, you'll probably enjoy this one. ...more
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