I have recently written a novel about life in England during the Second World War. I felt some concern before I tackled this theme — the War...
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A chilling story of a boy turned bad. His name is O'Kane and he lives in the forest and his entire Irish county is afraid of him.
The description of the landscape is lush. The book is very plot driven but also very character driven and the forest is as much a character as the people who fear it.
Chapters are short and told in the voices/perspectives of various people. This style develops the story and makes the novel multi dimensional and freaky because some townspeople know more than others. The chapters told in O'Kane's point of view are especially disturbing...in a good way.
This novel is captivating and crazy and wonderful.
This book is completely enthralling. Not only will children love it, but adults will really be able to appreciate the house's history. Not to mention the beautiful poetry and illustrations (background! middle ground! foreground! So much to look at!)
The story is told in the first person of the house.
The house was contructed of stones in the plague year of 1656. The reader can imagine the changes it saw in the passing centuries although at some point it was abandoned.
In the year 1900, children re-discover the house- "No longer shut away, a doomed outcast: the children have discovered me at last."
During the 20th century, the house hosts a wedding in 1915, a funeral in 1967. It bears witness to the devastation of 2 wars. It shelters refugees. It celebrates victory.
The house endures until 1973, when it is again abandoned-"Wild creatures and the elements intrude."
This "house of twenty thousand tales" begins to crumble, but the ending is NOT a sad one!
This book is sprawling, exciting, gorgeous. Maybe the best children's book I've seen all year...
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(1 of 1 readers found this comment helpful)
The protagonist is Gary Gray, a God fearing, food loving black man struggling with his sexuality.
Early on in the novel, you discover Gary's feelings for his college roommate cause him to impregnate his girlfriend. He leaves school and gets a job, gets promoted, and gets a cozy apartment for his new family. He wants desperately to be a "family man" and he really does try but he's having trouble in the bedroom which puts pressure on his new marriage. Work is sending him on more and more business trips. Gary needs some man action. And he gets some. In public parks and public restrooms, all the while concerned that God is watching him.
Gary takes on a few different identities, trying to avoid or indulge his sexuality. There are lots surprises along the way...The ending is not too happy, not too sad but redemptive and believable. During most of the novel I pitied Gary...but his story was engaging!
I don't have children but that didn't keep me from fully appreciating this story about Jackson raising three children in the 50s. I love the way she endears her family to the reader without being sentimental. Actually, she's writes almost objectively about them. These are really quirky stories told along a timeline... Fantastic things that can only happen in real life; this is really funny at times and completely relatable although it was written over half a century ago.
Transport yourself to the breezy apartments of the boozy, man crazy, young women who populate New York City during the 1920's and 30s. You will have fun with them.
Good stories, silly (but interesting) poetry. Oh and there are some awesome book reviews in here too. You don't have to be familiar with the book in order to enjoy Dorothy Parker's biting criticism.
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amabre has commented on (24) products.
In the Forest by Edna Obrien
amabre, October 14, 2009
A chilling story of a boy turned bad. His name is O'Kane and he lives in the forest and his entire Irish county is afraid of him.The description of the landscape is lush. The book is very plot driven but also very character driven and the forest is as much a character as the people who fear it.
Chapters are short and told in the voices/perspectives of various people. This style develops the story and makes the novel multi dimensional and freaky because some townspeople know more than others. The chapters told in O'Kane's point of view are especially disturbing...in a good way.
This novel is captivating and crazy and wonderful.
The House by J. Patrick Lewis
amabre, September 22, 2009
This book is completely enthralling. Not only will children love it, but adults will really be able to appreciate the house's history. Not to mention the beautiful poetry and illustrations (background! middle ground! foreground! So much to look at!)The story is told in the first person of the house.
The house was contructed of stones in the plague year of 1656. The reader can imagine the changes it saw in the passing centuries although at some point it was abandoned.
In the year 1900, children re-discover the house- "No longer shut away, a doomed outcast: the children have discovered me at last."
During the 20th century, the house hosts a wedding in 1915, a funeral in 1967. It bears witness to the devastation of 2 wars. It shelters refugees. It celebrates victory.
The house endures until 1973, when it is again abandoned-"Wild creatures and the elements intrude."
This "house of twenty thousand tales" begins to crumble, but the ending is NOT a sad one!
This book is sprawling, exciting, gorgeous. Maybe the best children's book I've seen all year...
(1 of 1 readers found this comment helpful)
God Says No by James Hannaham
amabre, September 16, 2009
The protagonist is Gary Gray, a God fearing, food loving black man struggling with his sexuality.Early on in the novel, you discover Gary's feelings for his college roommate cause him to impregnate his girlfriend. He leaves school and gets a job, gets promoted, and gets a cozy apartment for his new family. He wants desperately to be a "family man" and he really does try but he's having trouble in the bedroom which puts pressure on his new marriage. Work is sending him on more and more business trips. Gary needs some man action. And he gets some. In public parks and public restrooms, all the while concerned that God is watching him.
Gary takes on a few different identities, trying to avoid or indulge his sexuality. There are lots surprises along the way...The ending is not too happy, not too sad but redemptive and believable. During most of the novel I pitied Gary...but his story was engaging!
Life Among the Savages by Shirley Jackson
amabre, August 26, 2009
I don't have children but that didn't keep me from fully appreciating this story about Jackson raising three children in the 50s. I love the way she endears her family to the reader without being sentimental. Actually, she's writes almost objectively about them. These are really quirky stories told along a timeline... Fantastic things that can only happen in real life; this is really funny at times and completely relatable although it was written over half a century ago.The Portable Dorothy Parker (Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition) by Dorothy Parker
amabre, August 16, 2009
Transport yourself to the breezy apartments of the boozy, man crazy, young women who populate New York City during the 1920's and 30s. You will have fun with them.Good stories, silly (but interesting) poetry. Oh and there are some awesome book reviews in here too. You don't have to be familiar with the book in order to enjoy Dorothy Parker's biting criticism.
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