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.
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(2 of 3 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.
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(5 of 9 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.
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(18 of 28 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.
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(5 of 6 readers found this comment helpful)
Mantel's writing is so specific and evocative I felt as though I was not just reading about her childhood, her struggles with illness and medical arrogance and neglect, and her creative work, but experiencing them. Despite the often grim subject matter, this is an uplifting book, as much a meditation on creativity as a memoir.
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(7 of 9 readers found this comment helpful)
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Susan O'Doherty has commented on (6) products.
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.(2 of 3 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.(5 of 9 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.(18 of 28 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.(5 of 6 readers found this comment helpful)
Giving Up the Ghost: A Memoir (John MacRae Books) by Hilary Mantel
Susan O'Doherty, April 19, 2007
Mantel's writing is so specific and evocative I felt as though I was not just reading about her childhood, her struggles with illness and medical arrogance and neglect, and her creative work, but experiencing them. Despite the often grim subject matter, this is an uplifting book, as much a meditation on creativity as a memoir.(7 of 9 readers found this comment helpful)
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