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...
Continue »
In The Musician's Daughter, Susanne Dunlap executes several difficult feats with grace and sophistication. She tells an intricate, thrilling story in language young readers can understand and follow; she portrays a strong, independent young woman who does not seem at all anachronistic in this time period; and she confronts issues of gender and social class without sounding preachy. This book is a great read, and the ending made me cry.
My fourteen-year-old son, who doesn't usually like "girl stuff," was entranced, as well.
Was this comment helpful? | Yes | No
(4 of 8 readers found this comment helpful)
I don't usually have a lot of patience with novels by men that feature a female protagonist. The Woman Who Walked Into Walls was an exception, and so is Paula Spencer. In both books, Paula is a fully realized, convincing character who is important--not in relation to a man, or her family, or an abstract principle, but in her fallible, intelligent, irreverently observant self as she feels her way back into a hopeful and connected life after a long detour into abuse and alcoholism.
Was this comment helpful? | Yes | No
(5 of 8 readers found this comment helpful)
This fascinating tale of passion and intrigue set in 1830s Paris feels real and immediate while remaining true to the psychology of the period. This is a difficult task to accomplish, and Dunlap pulls it off with ease, grace, and a comprehensive understanding of both music and history which always informs and never intrudes. I had a great time with it, and came away richer and better informed.
Was this comment helpful? | Yes | No
(9 of 16 readers found this comment helpful)
In The Camel Bookmobile, Masha Hamilton tackles important philosophical and cultural questions with sensitivity and grace. This book is anything but abstract, though. Librarian Fiona Sweeney; her Kenyan counterpart, Mr. Abasi; and especially the members of the Mididima tribe are complex, intelligent, passionate individuals whom we come to care about and root for, and whose fragile future assumes heartbreaking importance.
Was this comment helpful? | Yes | No
(23 of 35 readers found this comment helpful)
Although I love Dickens, I had put off reading The Mystery of Edwin Drood because I thought it would be maddening to immerse myself an unfinished murder mystery. I should have known better. The "mystery" (which seemed pretty transparent to me, though I know there is scholarly controversy about who the real perp is) is secondary to the fascinating and memorable characters, setting, and narrative voice; the book is at times harrowing and hilarious; and although I wish, for many reasons, that Dickens could have lived to finish it, the story is satisfying as it is.
Was this comment helpful? | Yes | No
(12 of 20 readers found this comment helpful)
Powell's City of Books is an independent bookstore in Portland, Oregon, that fills a whole city block with more than a million new, used, and out of print books. Shop those shelves — plus literally millions more books, DVDs, and eBooks — here at Powells.com.
Don't Miss
Customer Comments
Susan O'Doherty has commented on (7) products.
The Musician's Daughter by Susanne Dunlap
Susan O'Doherty, January 17, 2009
In The Musician's Daughter, Susanne Dunlap executes several difficult feats with grace and sophistication. She tells an intricate, thrilling story in language young readers can understand and follow; she portrays a strong, independent young woman who does not seem at all anachronistic in this time period; and she confronts issues of gender and social class without sounding preachy. This book is a great read, and the ending made me cry.My fourteen-year-old son, who doesn't usually like "girl stuff," was entranced, as well.
(4 of 8 readers found this comment helpful)
Paula Spencer: A Novel by Roddy Doyle
Susan O'Doherty, August 28, 2007
I don't usually have a lot of patience with novels by men that feature a female protagonist. The Woman Who Walked Into Walls was an exception, and so is Paula Spencer. In both books, Paula is a fully realized, convincing character who is important--not in relation to a man, or her family, or an abstract principle, but in her fallible, intelligent, irreverently observant self as she feels her way back into a hopeful and connected life after a long detour into abuse and alcoholism.(5 of 8 readers found this comment helpful)
Liszt's Kiss by Susanne Dunlap
Susan O'Doherty, June 15, 2007
This fascinating tale of passion and intrigue set in 1830s Paris feels real and immediate while remaining true to the psychology of the period. This is a difficult task to accomplish, and Dunlap pulls it off with ease, grace, and a comprehensive understanding of both music and history which always informs and never intrudes. I had a great time with it, and came away richer and better informed.(9 of 16 readers found this comment helpful)
The Camel Bookmobile: A Novel by Masha Hamilton
Susan O'Doherty, June 6, 2007
In The Camel Bookmobile, Masha Hamilton tackles important philosophical and cultural questions with sensitivity and grace. This book is anything but abstract, though. Librarian Fiona Sweeney; her Kenyan counterpart, Mr. Abasi; and especially the members of the Mididima tribe are complex, intelligent, passionate individuals whom we come to care about and root for, and whose fragile future assumes heartbreaking importance.(23 of 35 readers found this comment helpful)
The Mystery of Edwin Drood by Charles Dickens
Susan O'Doherty, May 20, 2007
Although I love Dickens, I had put off reading The Mystery of Edwin Drood because I thought it would be maddening to immerse myself an unfinished murder mystery. I should have known better. The "mystery" (which seemed pretty transparent to me, though I know there is scholarly controversy about who the real perp is) is secondary to the fascinating and memorable characters, setting, and narrative voice; the book is at times harrowing and hilarious; and although I wish, for many reasons, that Dickens could have lived to finish it, the story is satisfying as it is.(12 of 20 readers found this comment helpful)
1-5 of 7next