I started and finished A Sense of Direction in one evening; I couldn't really stop thinking about it, so I couldn't put it down. I found it...
Continue »
Imagine reading a book about dying and death and having a good laugh here and there. That is what So Much for That felt like. I was immediately taken in by the characters personalities and very realistic issues surrounding family matters. The plot and subplots exposed personal issues in a raw manner and had me in hysterics then tears. Shipped with my Powell's Indiespensable order, I had never hear of this author, and now I will read others works she has written.
I found this book while searching for middle reader novels that represent a global perspective. Esty's Gold is just that. Opening in Ireland during the potato famine, Esty's father is a middleman for the landowner Lord who lives in Britain. He will not force his fellow farmers to leave after they have sold all their animals and have no means to pay the land fees, and he is pressured to do so, resulting in his death. Unable to stay in their house on the estate, Esty's mother is forced to make the hard decision to send Esty to be a maidservant for the miller's wife. Uncomfortable with the situation, Esty hatches a plan that takes her mother, grandfather and some new friends to Australia in search of gold.
This is a twist in the tale of immigration from Ireland to the United States. The story features a strong and intelligent young girl who is faced with much hardship. There is adventure and action to keep it moving, perfect for upper elementary age readers.
Calpurnia Tate is a formidable character who drew me into the world of Fentress, Texas in 1899. This engaging story is a must read for historical fiction fans and future naturalists. Bravo on a first novel for Jacqueline Kelly.
Was this comment helpful? | Yes | No
(1 of 3 readers found this comment helpful)
Doig is my new favorite wordsmith. He crafts a remarkable story that has me reflecting on the characters and the text style all at once. Not distracting but pleasurable, Doig renewed my memories of Latin and had me thinking about words. This uncanny skill plays a important role in the story's closing. This is a book not to miss!
Was this comment helpful? | Yes | No
(3 of 5 readers found this comment helpful)
Tears rolled down my cheeks as I sat on the Yellow Line finishing the last section of Shadow Tag.
Louise Erdrich creates a world of art in this narrated double journal account of woman who struggles with her identities in life. Weaving together threads of her life as a wife, artistic model for her husband's America paintings, mother, drunk, grad student in art history, and Native American, the story and her journals drew me into the day to day struggles of this family. Imagery of loss and failure overlays 'normal' life with a jealous artist husband, and their three children. Longing to separate from the despair and dependency she has with her lover/spouse, this woman can not really break free, leaving her daughter to pick up the pieces of this and tell her story.
Was this comment helpful? | Yes | No
(4 of 7 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
hipwatermama has commented on (13) products.
So Much for That by Lionel Shriver
hipwatermama, January 1, 2011
Imagine reading a book about dying and death and having a good laugh here and there. That is what So Much for That felt like. I was immediately taken in by the characters personalities and very realistic issues surrounding family matters. The plot and subplots exposed personal issues in a raw manner and had me in hysterics then tears. Shipped with my Powell's Indiespensable order, I had never hear of this author, and now I will read others works she has written.Esty's Gold by Mary Arrigan
hipwatermama, December 20, 2010
I found this book while searching for middle reader novels that represent a global perspective. Esty's Gold is just that. Opening in Ireland during the potato famine, Esty's father is a middleman for the landowner Lord who lives in Britain. He will not force his fellow farmers to leave after they have sold all their animals and have no means to pay the land fees, and he is pressured to do so, resulting in his death. Unable to stay in their house on the estate, Esty's mother is forced to make the hard decision to send Esty to be a maidservant for the miller's wife. Uncomfortable with the situation, Esty hatches a plan that takes her mother, grandfather and some new friends to Australia in search of gold.This is a twist in the tale of immigration from Ireland to the United States. The story features a strong and intelligent young girl who is faced with much hardship. There is adventure and action to keep it moving, perfect for upper elementary age readers.
The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly
hipwatermama, March 10, 2010
Calpurnia Tate is a formidable character who drew me into the world of Fentress, Texas in 1899. This engaging story is a must read for historical fiction fans and future naturalists. Bravo on a first novel for Jacqueline Kelly.(1 of 3 readers found this comment helpful)
The Whistling Season by Ivan Doig
hipwatermama, March 10, 2010
Doig is my new favorite wordsmith. He crafts a remarkable story that has me reflecting on the characters and the text style all at once. Not distracting but pleasurable, Doig renewed my memories of Latin and had me thinking about words. This uncanny skill plays a important role in the story's closing. This is a book not to miss!(3 of 5 readers found this comment helpful)
Shadow Tag by Louise Erdrich
hipwatermama, March 7, 2010
Tears rolled down my cheeks as I sat on the Yellow Line finishing the last section of Shadow Tag.Louise Erdrich creates a world of art in this narrated double journal account of woman who struggles with her identities in life. Weaving together threads of her life as a wife, artistic model for her husband's America paintings, mother, drunk, grad student in art history, and Native American, the story and her journals drew me into the day to day struggles of this family. Imagery of loss and failure overlays 'normal' life with a jealous artist husband, and their three children. Longing to separate from the despair and dependency she has with her lover/spouse, this woman can not really break free, leaving her daughter to pick up the pieces of this and tell her story.
(4 of 7 readers found this comment helpful)
1-5 of 13next