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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The one thing that I can honestly say about Billy Collins' poetry is that I get it! So many poets try so very, very hard to sound intelligent and deep, that they fail to make a poem understandable. This is a book of poems - some you may like and others you may not - but at least you will understand what the poet is trying to say.
Refreshing!
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(7 of 10 readers found this comment helpful)
I found it amusing that the description of this novel was so short and ended with "the author of Slaughterhouse Five."
Kurt Vonnegut was a masterful writer. He was funny and concise and looked at the world in a manner total new and different from everyone else. In fact, Slaughterhouse Five was, most likely, his most sorrow-ridden book. Most of his writing has made me feel wonderful. Including this novel!
Imagine living in an old, abandoned library and writing your own mini history, but not wanting to damage any of the books there. An endless supply of paper and nothing to write on! Now add to that the fact that you've just, sort of, accidentally, contributed to the deaths of several friends and the overthrow of an institution of higher learning. Kind of a tricky spot to be in, no doubt.
Hocus Pocus is written in an oddly interesting manner, but with a wonderful voice. It is a compelling novel.
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(4 of 6 readers found this comment helpful)
This is one strange little story. But so, so much fun to read!
Vonnegut was a master at showing the reader a future where something absolutely calamitous has happened and yet some oddball or another has gone on. It gives you a little piece of hope outside of the whole idea of "the world as we know it has ended." And that's rather nice, really.
I would give this book as a gift to someone in need of a little laughter. The idea of a Federal Government forcing everyone to change their names as a means to connect them all into some hodge-podge of family is reason alone to make this book worth the read.
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(7 of 9 readers found this comment helpful)
Deadeye Dick is not one of my favorite Vonnegut novels. It is, however, well written, with beautiful language and an overall interesting story.
The narrator (most Vonnegut novels are written in the first person, so if you don't like that format you're at the wrong book) talks about a wonderfully odd family that is well known for their initial support of Hitler (they changed their minds later on, of course) and a freak accident where one family member accidentally kills someone.
The story just isn't as compelling as many of Kurt Vonnegut's novels, which is the only reason I wouldn't give it five stars. Personally, I love his work and would have loved to have met him. But, as he said, so it goes...
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(5 of 8 readers found this comment helpful)
It may be considered in terribly bad taste to say this, but I thought this novel was very funny. And yes, I know that some people fainted when certain parts of this were read aloud (although I really don't see why), but the concept of these people locked away and the ways they manage to be "sabotaged" are funny!
I also really like the method of having small trios of chapters show the reader the nature of each character. This is a book I will most likely read again and again.
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(10 of 16 readers found this comment helpful)
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Sally Lehman has commented on (7) products.
The Trouble with Poetry: And Other Poems by Billy Collins
Sally Lehman, December 5, 2007
The one thing that I can honestly say about Billy Collins' poetry is that I get it! So many poets try so very, very hard to sound intelligent and deep, that they fail to make a poem understandable. This is a book of poems - some you may like and others you may not - but at least you will understand what the poet is trying to say.Refreshing!
(7 of 10 readers found this comment helpful)
Hocus Pocus by James Hamilton-paterson
Sally Lehman, December 5, 2007
I found it amusing that the description of this novel was so short and ended with "the author of Slaughterhouse Five."Kurt Vonnegut was a masterful writer. He was funny and concise and looked at the world in a manner total new and different from everyone else. In fact, Slaughterhouse Five was, most likely, his most sorrow-ridden book. Most of his writing has made me feel wonderful. Including this novel!
Imagine living in an old, abandoned library and writing your own mini history, but not wanting to damage any of the books there. An endless supply of paper and nothing to write on! Now add to that the fact that you've just, sort of, accidentally, contributed to the deaths of several friends and the overthrow of an institution of higher learning. Kind of a tricky spot to be in, no doubt.
Hocus Pocus is written in an oddly interesting manner, but with a wonderful voice. It is a compelling novel.
(4 of 6 readers found this comment helpful)
Slapstick: Or Lonesome No More! by Kurt Vonnegut
Sally Lehman, December 5, 2007
This is one strange little story. But so, so much fun to read!Vonnegut was a master at showing the reader a future where something absolutely calamitous has happened and yet some oddball or another has gone on. It gives you a little piece of hope outside of the whole idea of "the world as we know it has ended." And that's rather nice, really.
I would give this book as a gift to someone in need of a little laughter. The idea of a Federal Government forcing everyone to change their names as a means to connect them all into some hodge-podge of family is reason alone to make this book worth the read.
(7 of 9 readers found this comment helpful)
Deadeye Dick 1st Edition by Kurt Vonnegut
Sally Lehman, December 5, 2007
Deadeye Dick is not one of my favorite Vonnegut novels. It is, however, well written, with beautiful language and an overall interesting story.The narrator (most Vonnegut novels are written in the first person, so if you don't like that format you're at the wrong book) talks about a wonderfully odd family that is well known for their initial support of Hitler (they changed their minds later on, of course) and a freak accident where one family member accidentally kills someone.
The story just isn't as compelling as many of Kurt Vonnegut's novels, which is the only reason I wouldn't give it five stars. Personally, I love his work and would have loved to have met him. But, as he said, so it goes...
(5 of 8 readers found this comment helpful)
Haunted: A Novel by Chuck Palahniuk
Sally Lehman, December 5, 2007
It may be considered in terribly bad taste to say this, but I thought this novel was very funny. And yes, I know that some people fainted when certain parts of this were read aloud (although I really don't see why), but the concept of these people locked away and the ways they manage to be "sabotaged" are funny!I also really like the method of having small trios of chapters show the reader the nature of each character. This is a book I will most likely read again and again.
(10 of 16 readers found this comment helpful)
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