Customer Comments

Danielle M has commented on (11) products.

Arcadia by Lauren Groff

Danielle M, January 29, 2013

A lush, intoxicating novel that charts the life of Bit Stone, the first born into the hippie commune of Arcadia, in the mid-sixties. Bit is acutely perceptive and it is this characteristic, along with Groff’s lyrical and heady prose, that make the novel come alive. From the smallest details (a peppermint that looks like a bloodshot eye) to the seemingly insurmountable obstacles in Bit’s life, like the “black dog” of depression that trails his mother’s heels, every experience of Bit’s is keenly felt.

As Bit makes his passage into adulthood, so too does Arcadia suffer from a loss of innocence, falling short of the utopian ideal it set out to create. The plight of the commune and Bit’s own journey, both so intrinsically linked, are immensely satisfying. Even with one foot deeply rooted in the past and another stretching into the near future of 2018, Groff’s novel seems timeless-a swift kick to the heart that will surely resonate for a long time to come.

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Moby-Dick: Or, the Whale (Penguin Classics Deluxe Editions) by Herman Melville

Danielle M, June 20, 2012

Reading Moby-Dick is a bit like confronting the mighty leviathan himself. Melville’s monster of a novel is cunning, enigmatic, and full of blustery passion--except, perhaps, for the chapters on whale anatomy, physiology, genealogy, and the whaling industry. These chapters may feel somewhat dry, but, in truth, they are the blood and bones of the piece, upon which this seemingly simple tale of one man’s cruel obsession is built. Of course, Moby-Dick is much more than that. It is, at its best, operatic, Shakespearean, even biblical. Immersing yourself in this epic tale is a bit like being sucked into a whirlpool. Take heed for, by the end, you’ll find yourself deep in the belly of the beast.

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Arcadia by Lauren Groff

Danielle M, May 10, 2012

A lush, intoxicating novel that charts the life of Bit Stone, the first born into the hippie commune of Arcadia, in the mid-sixties. Bit is acutely perceptive and it is this characteristic, along with Groff’s lyrical and heady prose, that make the novel come alive. From the smallest details--a peppermint that looks like a bloodshot eye--to the seemingly insurmountable obstacles in Bit’s life, like the “black dog” of depression that trails at his mother’s heels, every experience of Bit’s is keenly felt.

As Bit makes his passage into adulthood, so too does Arcadia suffer from a loss of innocence, falling short of the utopian ideal it set out to create. The plight of the commune and Bit’s own journey, both so intrinsically linked, are immensely satisfying. Even with one foot deeply rooted in the past and another stretching into the near future of 2018, Groff’s novel seems timeless--a swift kick to the heart that will surely resonate for a long time to come.

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(2 of 4 readers found this comment helpful)

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Swamplandia! (Vintage Contemporaries) by Karen Russell

Danielle M, January 23, 2012

I read Swamplandia! almost a year ago and was immediately impressed by Karen Russell's unique voice and awkward, yet irresistible characters. After just a few chapters, I declared myself a devoted fan and, as soon as I'd finished the novel, went on to devour Russell's collection of short stories (St. Lucy's Home for Girls Raised by Wolves) which were equally as bright, wild, and entrancing. I've read many excellent books this past year, but none have evoked that same awe and delight I found in the worlds of Russell’s creation--worlds which are somehow simultaneously familiar and exotic, new and so very ancient. She is a true Storyteller and I can’t wait to see what beast (be it alligator or Minotaur) she tackles next.

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(4 of 6 readers found this comment helpful)

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The Magicians by Lev Grossman

Danielle M, September 7, 2011

Teenage angst plus magic is a dangerous combination, but it also makes for a great story. With a nod to Narnia and a wink at Harry Potter, The Magicians sinks its magical roots deep into the real world. Against this cold and mundane backdrop, teenage love, lust, and desire flare brightly, drawing the reader in, making us too wish for new worlds where magic is commonplace and adventure lurks around every corner--even if it comes at a great price.

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(7 of 15 readers found this comment helpful)

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