Ben Marcus's books The Age of Wire and String and Notable American Women were considered "experimental" fiction because of his unconventional use of...
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I thoroughly enjoyed this epic story of two Jewish cousins who create the superhero The Escapist during the golden age of comics.
The story begins during WWII when the teenaged Joe Kavalier escapes Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia and comes to live with his cousin Sam Clay in New York, hoping eventually that his family in Europe will also escape.
Chabon brilliantly weaves the horrors of war with the cousins' artistic endeavors. Joe transfers all his anger and grief into his comic book art; the Escapist performs feats against the Nazis that Joe only wishes he could perform.
The characters are fully developed and sympathetic, and the story is at once epic and personal.
Despite the novel's long length, I didn't want it to end.
Slow to get into at first, but once you're familiar with all the characters and different eras it gets exceedingly interesting. The three different time periods are intertwined throughout the narrative, which could be confusing, but isn't because they are all dealing with crucial periods of history, when civilization is on the brink of disintegration and each character must decide what course of action (or inaction) to take. I liked that the 20th century character is influenced by the work of the two characters from ancient times, and that we get their perspectives as well.
Interspersed throughout the three time periods is the common theme of the persecution of Jews, heretics, or anyone outside of Christianity. A Roman bishop instigates the first pogrom during the 5th century; the Church is responsible for scapegoating Jews during the Black Death in medieval times; and the Nazis want to eliminate the Jews during WWII.
The main characters are faced with political and moral dilemmas. Each one also loves, and is influenced by, an important woman in his life.
I found the writing to be intelligent and thought-provoking. It's a challenging novel but worth reading.
It was great to have the story focus on Lisbeth Salander once again. I found this installment more engaging than the previous one. The story had Lisbeth fighting to survive her injuries inflicted on her by her nefarious father and half-brother. It was also loaded with varying intrigues, such as an underground faction of Sweden's secret police and their involvement in Lisbeth's tragic past, as well as Mikael and others' efforts to help with Lisbeth's defense in her upcoming trial. We get to understand Lisbeth better and root for her to survive and overcome her many abuses.
There has been some controversy about the title of this novel, so much so that it had to be changed for the American edition. I don't understand this as the title refers to an actual historical document.
"The actual Book of Negroes is the largest single document about black people in North America up until the end of the eighteenth century. It contains the names and details of 3,000 black men, women and children, who, after serving or living behind British lines during the American Revolutionary War, sailed from New York City to various British colonies." (Lawrence Hill)
One of these colonies was Nova Scotia. I didn't know much about N.S.'s Black Loyalists and was dismayed to learn that they were not treated very well there--not a very good mark on Canadian history.
The novel is epic in scope, covering different continents and different decades. What remains constant is the main character, Aminata Diallo's, courage and determination in the face of inhumane treatment.
It's not a difficult read per se; rather it's difficult reading about the young Aminata's kidnapping from Africa and forced enslavement in South Carolina, as well as the years she spends trying to be free, up until the British Abolitionist movement.
It's a painful but fascinating read, and I look forward to the film adaptation.
The best part of this novel was reading about the different places and times in which the illuminated Sarajevo Haggadah traveled through. It can also be read as an account of the Jews' dispossession and exile over many centuries.
What is wonderful about this story is that it highlights the cooperation between Muslims and Jews before present-day turmoils. It also creates engaging characters, especially that of the African slave woman who creates the Haggadah's illustrations.
Although I liked Hannah, the contemporary book conservationist who narrates the present-day story, I was most captivated when reading the sections about the Haggadah's perilous journeys through dangerous times.
The book could have done without Hannah's relationship with her icy mother, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.
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julieb43 has commented on (29) products.
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon
julieb43, January 1, 2012
I thoroughly enjoyed this epic story of two Jewish cousins who create the superhero The Escapist during the golden age of comics.The story begins during WWII when the teenaged Joe Kavalier escapes Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia and comes to live with his cousin Sam Clay in New York, hoping eventually that his family in Europe will also escape.
Chabon brilliantly weaves the horrors of war with the cousins' artistic endeavors. Joe transfers all his anger and grief into his comic book art; the Escapist performs feats against the Nazis that Joe only wishes he could perform.
The characters are fully developed and sympathetic, and the story is at once epic and personal.
Despite the novel's long length, I didn't want it to end.
The Dream of Scipio by Iain Pears
julieb43, October 27, 2011
Slow to get into at first, but once you're familiar with all the characters and different eras it gets exceedingly interesting. The three different time periods are intertwined throughout the narrative, which could be confusing, but isn't because they are all dealing with crucial periods of history, when civilization is on the brink of disintegration and each character must decide what course of action (or inaction) to take. I liked that the 20th century character is influenced by the work of the two characters from ancient times, and that we get their perspectives as well.Interspersed throughout the three time periods is the common theme of the persecution of Jews, heretics, or anyone outside of Christianity. A Roman bishop instigates the first pogrom during the 5th century; the Church is responsible for scapegoating Jews during the Black Death in medieval times; and the Nazis want to eliminate the Jews during WWII.
The main characters are faced with political and moral dilemmas. Each one also loves, and is influenced by, an important woman in his life.
I found the writing to be intelligent and thought-provoking. It's a challenging novel but worth reading.
The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest (The Millennium Trilogy #3) by Stieg Larsson
julieb43, September 16, 2011
It was great to have the story focus on Lisbeth Salander once again. I found this installment more engaging than the previous one. The story had Lisbeth fighting to survive her injuries inflicted on her by her nefarious father and half-brother. It was also loaded with varying intrigues, such as an underground faction of Sweden's secret police and their involvement in Lisbeth's tragic past, as well as Mikael and others' efforts to help with Lisbeth's defense in her upcoming trial. We get to understand Lisbeth better and root for her to survive and overcome her many abuses.Book of Negroes by Lawrence Hill
julieb43, July 18, 2011
There has been some controversy about the title of this novel, so much so that it had to be changed for the American edition. I don't understand this as the title refers to an actual historical document."The actual Book of Negroes is the largest single document about black people in North America up until the end of the eighteenth century. It contains the names and details of 3,000 black men, women and children, who, after serving or living behind British lines during the American Revolutionary War, sailed from New York City to various British colonies." (Lawrence Hill)
One of these colonies was Nova Scotia. I didn't know much about N.S.'s Black Loyalists and was dismayed to learn that they were not treated very well there--not a very good mark on Canadian history.
The novel is epic in scope, covering different continents and different decades. What remains constant is the main character, Aminata Diallo's, courage and determination in the face of inhumane treatment.
It's not a difficult read per se; rather it's difficult reading about the young Aminata's kidnapping from Africa and forced enslavement in South Carolina, as well as the years she spends trying to be free, up until the British Abolitionist movement.
It's a painful but fascinating read, and I look forward to the film adaptation.
People of the Book: A Novel by Geraldine Brooks
julieb43, May 11, 2011
The best part of this novel was reading about the different places and times in which the illuminated Sarajevo Haggadah traveled through. It can also be read as an account of the Jews' dispossession and exile over many centuries.What is wonderful about this story is that it highlights the cooperation between Muslims and Jews before present-day turmoils. It also creates engaging characters, especially that of the African slave woman who creates the Haggadah's illustrations.
Although I liked Hannah, the contemporary book conservationist who narrates the present-day story, I was most captivated when reading the sections about the Haggadah's perilous journeys through dangerous times.
The book could have done without Hannah's relationship with her icy mother, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.
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