In 2012, Lahiri moved her family to Rome and began reading and writing in Italian. These stories were written in Italian before being translated into In 2012, Lahiri moved her family to Rome and began reading and writing in Italian. These stories were written in Italian before being translated into English. Some of them were translated by Lahiri herself and others by Todd Portnowitz.
I found it really cool that, after achieving so much success in English, Lahiri would challenge herself to write in her adopted language.
These stories were quiet and poignant. Three stars rather than more because I don’t think any of them will really stick with me for a while. That said, I could see myself coming back to this one in the future and revisiting the rating then.
Thank you to Netgalley and Knopf Doubleday!...more
Guys, this book is AWESOME. My five year old loves it even though a lot of it goes over his head. We borrowed it from the library and are on our seconGuys, this book is AWESOME. My five year old loves it even though a lot of it goes over his head. We borrowed it from the library and are on our second read.
When we turn a page, I’ll read the country name and its location, and he’ll find it on the globe. Then we’ll read the really cool, in-depth facts.
I’d highly recommend this one for folks with elementary kids. ...more
Part biography, part history, part science--this one was a lot of fun and made a fantastic audiobook.
I hadn't realized this would be a book mostly aboPart biography, part history, part science--this one was a lot of fun and made a fantastic audiobook.
I hadn't realized this would be a book mostly about clocks. To be honest, I've never thought much about longitude and how we calculate it at all since the 15 minutes we spent discussing longitudinal minutes in fifth grade.
And I like that Hawaii played a minor role in the book (I'm from there). Of course I've heard the Captain Cook story, but it was interesting hearing it from the other side. (A popular question asked to win a prize by the jokester DJs on the most popular radio show used to be: "Did Captain Cook die on his first, second, or third visit to Hawaii?")
And John Harrison, the man who ultimately solved the longitude problem, lived such a heartbreaking life. He was so dedicated to the cause and so under-appreciated in his time....more