When I set out to write a book about the natural history of breasts, I knew I'd have to answer some awkward questions about my book topic. At a...
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Reading Townie: A Memoir by Andre Dubus III is like savoring a 20 course meal over a period of three days. Every sentence, every incident is so finely honed that not only do you get drawn in completely to the people and their relationships with each other, you admire the absolute pristine flavor of the writing. I have never been so impressed with someone's writing as I was with this book. Seeing how he handled the true account of his life and the relationship with his father makes me want to read anything else he has written and will write in the future.
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(1 of 1 readers found this comment helpful)
I originally took a peek at this book because the author and I have the same last name, but had no idea that once I started reading this book, I would be transformed from my living room to a place off the coast of Wales, present and past. No vampires or zombies, but something worse that has a taste for the elusive peculiar people on this earth and when they aren't available, a few sheep or commoners will do. I read this all in one afternoon/evening, unable to put it down. The characters are three dimensional and when they ran, you egged them on to run faster...the monsters, well just be sure to check your doctor's, dentist's, bus driver, etc. credentials before you start becoming acquainted with them, and you might even question whether you are a commoner or a person with a peculiar gift.
I originally took a peek at this book because the author and I have the same last name, but had no idea that once I started reading this book, I would be transformed from my living room to a place off the coast of Wales, present and past. No vampires or zombies, but something worse that has a taste for the elusive peculiar people on this earth and when they aren't available, a few sheep or commoners will do. I read this all in one afternoon/evening, unable to put it down. The characters are three dimensional and when they ran, you egged them on to run faster...the monsters, well just be sure to check your doctor's, dentist's, bus driver, etc. credentials before you start becoming acquainted with them, and you might even question whether you are a commoner or a person with a peculiar gift.
This book was very different from anything I usually read. Ordinary man who finds out he lives on earth and a world of gods. The curious places you find yourself make you want to keep reading to find your way out of this bizarre, but enjoyable maze.
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(2 of 3 readers found this comment helpful)
I first heard of this author and book when I saw a short blurb about a book of the Plague. I've always been fascinated with the people and how they dealt with such a horrendous disease, which wiped out so much of the population during the 15th century.
What I didn't expect was the depth and heart-wrenching story that I read, only to find out that this was an actual town (Eyam) whose people made the most extraordinary decision when the Plague seeped insidiously into their town. They cut themselves off from the world in order to stop the spread of it beyond their own town boundaries. Two thirds of the people died either of the plague or from the craziness that overtook others who had nothing more to lose. Engrossing and surprising at the compassion of some and the ugliness of others, I read "Year of Wonders: A Novel of the Plague" from cover to cover without stopping. Geraldine Brooks did her homework on writing this book and I applaud her prose and honesty.
Was this comment helpful? | Yes | No
(1 of 1 readers found this comment helpful)
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Customer Comments
Anna C Riggs has commented on (5) products.
Townie: A Memoir by Andre Dubus III
Anna C Riggs, September 1, 2011
Reading Townie: A Memoir by Andre Dubus III is like savoring a 20 course meal over a period of three days. Every sentence, every incident is so finely honed that not only do you get drawn in completely to the people and their relationships with each other, you admire the absolute pristine flavor of the writing. I have never been so impressed with someone's writing as I was with this book. Seeing how he handled the true account of his life and the relationship with his father makes me want to read anything else he has written and will write in the future.(1 of 1 readers found this comment helpful)
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
Anna C Riggs, August 20, 2011
I originally took a peek at this book because the author and I have the same last name, but had no idea that once I started reading this book, I would be transformed from my living room to a place off the coast of Wales, present and past. No vampires or zombies, but something worse that has a taste for the elusive peculiar people on this earth and when they aren't available, a few sheep or commoners will do. I read this all in one afternoon/evening, unable to put it down. The characters are three dimensional and when they ran, you egged them on to run faster...the monsters, well just be sure to check your doctor's, dentist's, bus driver, etc. credentials before you start becoming acquainted with them, and you might even question whether you are a commoner or a person with a peculiar gift.Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
Anna C Riggs, August 20, 2011
I originally took a peek at this book because the author and I have the same last name, but had no idea that once I started reading this book, I would be transformed from my living room to a place off the coast of Wales, present and past. No vampires or zombies, but something worse that has a taste for the elusive peculiar people on this earth and when they aren't available, a few sheep or commoners will do. I read this all in one afternoon/evening, unable to put it down. The characters are three dimensional and when they ran, you egged them on to run faster...the monsters, well just be sure to check your doctor's, dentist's, bus driver, etc. credentials before you start becoming acquainted with them, and you might even question whether you are a commoner or a person with a peculiar gift.Anansi Boys: A Novel by Neil Gaiman
Anna C Riggs, December 2, 2010
This book was very different from anything I usually read. Ordinary man who finds out he lives on earth and a world of gods. The curious places you find yourself make you want to keep reading to find your way out of this bizarre, but enjoyable maze.(2 of 3 readers found this comment helpful)
Year of Wonders: A Novel of the Plague by Geraldine Brooks
Anna C Riggs, October 1, 2010
I first heard of this author and book when I saw a short blurb about a book of the Plague. I've always been fascinated with the people and how they dealt with such a horrendous disease, which wiped out so much of the population during the 15th century.What I didn't expect was the depth and heart-wrenching story that I read, only to find out that this was an actual town (Eyam) whose people made the most extraordinary decision when the Plague seeped insidiously into their town. They cut themselves off from the world in order to stop the spread of it beyond their own town boundaries. Two thirds of the people died either of the plague or from the craziness that overtook others who had nothing more to lose. Engrossing and surprising at the compassion of some and the ugliness of others, I read "Year of Wonders: A Novel of the Plague" from cover to cover without stopping. Geraldine Brooks did her homework on writing this book and I applaud her prose and honesty.
(1 of 1 readers found this comment helpful)