This got an insane amount of press, and was touted as "the most anticipated debut novel," so I was pretty curious about how it would live up to the promises made by publicity. I'm happy to say that it's worth it; the prose is amazing. It's very affecting, heart-wrenching, but in the best way possible.
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(6 of 11 readers found this comment helpful)
My eleven-month old son LOVES this book-- it is one of those touch and feel books where every page has something to fascinate. It is so much better than many of the other books on the market, because the embellishments are more than just scraps of fabric-- there are lace collars to lift and a horse's tail to pet and a pearl earring to feel. And I love knowing that my infant is soaking up all these gorgeous paintings! It's art history 101 and my baby loves playing with it, too.
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(4 of 9 readers found this comment helpful)
I came across this book in the dorms-- my roommate's older sister had a copy, and before you knew it we were all queuing up to read it. In the years since then I've gotten each of its new editions, because in addition to it remaining both hilarious and insightful, new chapters keep making this book better and better. Whether you've had lots of experience or none, this book is a gem.
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(18 of 31 readers found this comment helpful)
This is an incredibly powerful piece of fiction. Barker has the perfect entry into World War One-- by placing us in a mental institution for shell shocked soldiers. With each patient, we get flashes of trench warfare, leaving you with the experience of WWI a history book could never provide you. The subject matter is so rich-- all the characters are historically accurate, and showing us the war through the two greatest anti-war poets is fantastic. You leave the book feeling passionate about poetry and warfare and mental illness and human dignity and electro shock treatment as well as so many other things. Only a powerful writer like Barker could sweep you away like that, and all in one slim novel.
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(12 of 19 readers found this comment helpful)
Sarah E Rose has commented on (7) products.
Beautiful Children: A Novel by Charles Bock
Sarah E Rose, February 7, 2008
This got an insane amount of press, and was touted as "the most anticipated debut novel," so I was pretty curious about how it would live up to the promises made by publicity. I'm happy to say that it's worth it; the prose is amazing. It's very affecting, heart-wrenching, but in the best way possible.(6 of 11 readers found this comment helpful)
Brush Mona Lisa's Hair (Touch the Art) by Julie Appel
Sarah E Rose, November 22, 2007
My eleven-month old son LOVES this book-- it is one of those touch and feel books where every page has something to fascinate. It is so much better than many of the other books on the market, because the embellishments are more than just scraps of fabric-- there are lace collars to lift and a horse's tail to pet and a pearl earring to feel. And I love knowing that my infant is soaking up all these gorgeous paintings! It's art history 101 and my baby loves playing with it, too.(4 of 9 readers found this comment helpful)
The Last Days of Summer by Steve Kluger
Sarah E Rose, September 7, 2007
Surprising and fun.(5 of 11 readers found this comment helpful)
Guide to Getting It On!: Commemorative Edition by Paul Joannides
Sarah E Rose, July 18, 2007
I came across this book in the dorms-- my roommate's older sister had a copy, and before you knew it we were all queuing up to read it. In the years since then I've gotten each of its new editions, because in addition to it remaining both hilarious and insightful, new chapters keep making this book better and better. Whether you've had lots of experience or none, this book is a gem.(18 of 31 readers found this comment helpful)
Regeneration (William Abrahams Book) by Pat Barker
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1-5 of 7 nextSarah E Rose, June 7, 2007
This is an incredibly powerful piece of fiction. Barker has the perfect entry into World War One-- by placing us in a mental institution for shell shocked soldiers. With each patient, we get flashes of trench warfare, leaving you with the experience of WWI a history book could never provide you. The subject matter is so rich-- all the characters are historically accurate, and showing us the war through the two greatest anti-war poets is fantastic. You leave the book feeling passionate about poetry and warfare and mental illness and human dignity and electro shock treatment as well as so many other things. Only a powerful writer like Barker could sweep you away like that, and all in one slim novel.(12 of 19 readers found this comment helpful)