My Catholic friend tilted her teacup like a fortune-teller. "You know," she said, "I think people who don't have God in their lives are like people...
Continue »
A well-researched historical novel focusing on 17th century China about which most Westerners are probably unfamiliar.
Although I learned a lot about The Peony Pavilion opera, as well as Chinese customs and beliefs, it was dismaying to learn that anorexia, or 'love sickness' as it's called in the novel, was seen as a way for repressed women to take control of their bodies and lives.
The 'love-sick maidens,' like the title character Peony, die from their illness but live on with their words, becoming immortal. This was rather depressing, the message being that one has to die to be heard.
The novel was well-written, but I couldn't get into the story until half-way through when Peony dies and becomes a ghost--ironically (or sadly) her 'life' just seemed to get more interesting.
The supernatural elements of the story could be confusing for those unfamiliar with Chinese lore.
I can understand why Diaz won the Pulitzer Prize. He's created a novel that encompasses the Dominican Republic's brutal history, complete with footnotes, while simultaneously presenting us with the engaging personal story of the fictional Oscar Wao and his family.
And what a story it is! The characters are richly drawn and we feel for Oscar, the overweight dorky outsider; his sister Lola, who calls him Mister and fiercely loves him; we even come to understand their mother Beli who raised them with a strict hand, while suffering from a tragic past.
Diaz presents us with the rich back-stories of these characters, enabling us to envision the family's history. By giving us Oscar's family's history Diaz also gives us the D.R.'s history.
The novel, although breath-taking in its storytelling, can be confusing for the non-Spanish speaking reader as there are many Spanish words and phrases throughout. Wikipedia proved useful for me.
It's a very dense novel, definitely not for the lazy reader; but it's highly rewarding.
Was this comment helpful? | Yes | No
(2 of 3 readers found this comment helpful)
Extremely well-written and clever. The prose is wonderful, but the main character (Leo), although endearing, is ultimately difficult to comprehend.
He's a psychiatrist who's having a meltdown--but is he really? I kept reading because I wanted to find out, but the story kept getting more and more confusing.
There are strong clues pointing to Leo's delusional mind, but because of the initial setup I kept thinking that maybe he was on to something out of the ordinary.
There isn't really a satisfactory ending either; it's up to the reader to decide on Leo's mental state.
A beautifully written novel about the enigmatic Canadian war doctor, Norman Bethune. The novel blends fact and fiction, creating an interesting account of an ultimately flawed man driven by a passion to be of service in conflict zones, mainly 1930's Spain and China.
Bock depicts war's brutality and despair with haunting lyricism. The fictional Bethune's letters to his daughter are touching and reveal his sorrows and perceived failures.
The novel leaves a lasting impression of lingering sadness from a man who accomplished so much but enjoyed so little.
This was quite different from what I remember reading as an adolescent. I initially didn't think I would finish the novel as the four teenage protagonists, as well as the murderous next-door-neighbour, were so nonchalant about being involved in a murder. They react as if it were a game--this was highly disturbing.
And yet, the novel is very well-written and involving from a psychological viewpoint. It's interesting to discover what each girl is thinking and feeling. And the chapters narrated by the murderer are chilling.
Kirino presents a world-view comprised of alienation and identity crises brought on by increased pressure to succeed. These teenagers live in Japan but they could be from anywhere.
Was this comment helpful? | Yes | No
(1 of 1 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
julieb43 has commented on (16) products.
Peony in Love by Lisa See
julieb43, October 31, 2009
A well-researched historical novel focusing on 17th century China about which most Westerners are probably unfamiliar.Although I learned a lot about The Peony Pavilion opera, as well as Chinese customs and beliefs, it was dismaying to learn that anorexia, or 'love sickness' as it's called in the novel, was seen as a way for repressed women to take control of their bodies and lives.
The 'love-sick maidens,' like the title character Peony, die from their illness but live on with their words, becoming immortal. This was rather depressing, the message being that one has to die to be heard.
The novel was well-written, but I couldn't get into the story until half-way through when Peony dies and becomes a ghost--ironically (or sadly) her 'life' just seemed to get more interesting.
The supernatural elements of the story could be confusing for those unfamiliar with Chinese lore.
The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz
julieb43, August 27, 2009
I can understand why Diaz won the Pulitzer Prize. He's created a novel that encompasses the Dominican Republic's brutal history, complete with footnotes, while simultaneously presenting us with the engaging personal story of the fictional Oscar Wao and his family.And what a story it is! The characters are richly drawn and we feel for Oscar, the overweight dorky outsider; his sister Lola, who calls him Mister and fiercely loves him; we even come to understand their mother Beli who raised them with a strict hand, while suffering from a tragic past.
Diaz presents us with the rich back-stories of these characters, enabling us to envision the family's history. By giving us Oscar's family's history Diaz also gives us the D.R.'s history.
The novel, although breath-taking in its storytelling, can be confusing for the non-Spanish speaking reader as there are many Spanish words and phrases throughout. Wikipedia proved useful for me.
It's a very dense novel, definitely not for the lazy reader; but it's highly rewarding.
(2 of 3 readers found this comment helpful)
Atmospheric Disturbances by Rivka Galchen
julieb43, July 27, 2009
Extremely well-written and clever. The prose is wonderful, but the main character (Leo), although endearing, is ultimately difficult to comprehend.He's a psychiatrist who's having a meltdown--but is he really? I kept reading because I wanted to find out, but the story kept getting more and more confusing.
There are strong clues pointing to Leo's delusional mind, but because of the initial setup I kept thinking that maybe he was on to something out of the ordinary.
There isn't really a satisfactory ending either; it's up to the reader to decide on Leo's mental state.
Overall, quite a frustrating read.
The Communist's Daughter (Vintage Contemporaries) by Dennis Bock
julieb43, June 2, 2009
A beautifully written novel about the enigmatic Canadian war doctor, Norman Bethune. The novel blends fact and fiction, creating an interesting account of an ultimately flawed man driven by a passion to be of service in conflict zones, mainly 1930's Spain and China.Bock depicts war's brutality and despair with haunting lyricism. The fictional Bethune's letters to his daughter are touching and reveal his sorrows and perceived failures.
The novel leaves a lasting impression of lingering sadness from a man who accomplished so much but enjoyed so little.
Real World by Natsuo Kirino
julieb43, May 8, 2009
This was quite different from what I remember reading as an adolescent. I initially didn't think I would finish the novel as the four teenage protagonists, as well as the murderous next-door-neighbour, were so nonchalant about being involved in a murder. They react as if it were a game--this was highly disturbing.And yet, the novel is very well-written and involving from a psychological viewpoint. It's interesting to discover what each girl is thinking and feeling. And the chapters narrated by the murderer are chilling.
Kirino presents a world-view comprised of alienation and identity crises brought on by increased pressure to succeed. These teenagers live in Japan but they could be from anywhere.
(1 of 1 readers found this comment helpful)
1-5 of 16next