Describe your latest book/project/work. I've been studying the life and work of photographer W. Eugene Smith for 13 years. My first book (Dream...
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I bought this book for my child, but I read it myself. It evokes "Catcher in the Rye" as it takes place in Manhattan in another era, the early sixties. The protagonist, a young adolescent living with his parents in Gramercy Park, gives a first person account of his adventures, making friends, early dating, and Oedipal arguments with his father, a lawyer. The references to different New York landmarks, some no longer extant, added a nostalgic layer to my enjoyment.
Matthew Pearl undoubtedly loves the author Edgar Allen Poe. The sheer amount of scholastic effort that went into this novel is impressive. Unfortunately, it does not come off as terribly readable or interesting. Pearl should have hired a good editor.
This book gave me such pleasure. An historical novel, but with the assurance that many of its details are supported by fact, that puts you right in the heart of the Yalta Conference, a meeting of the three victors of World War II, Churchill, FDR and Stalin. The conference took place about two months before FDR's death. The Betrayal in the sub-title refers to the acquiescence by FDR to many of dictator Josef Stalin's demands, in part because of naive idealism and in part because of FDR's increasing feebleness, all to the detriment of the West, which in defeating Hitler, had only enabled another fanatical murderer to gain power. I could not put this book down. It is as readable as any book, yet there is much substance. A remarkable insight into one of the twentieth century's most remarkable men, Winston Churchill.
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My eleven year old son and I read this book together. What an extraordinary work. The protagonist is thrown into a survival mode by an unlikely set of circumstances. The narrative transforms him from a typical urban or suburban teenager whose life revolves around getting fed cheeseburgers into dealing with wolves, bears, and other wildlife in the northern Canadian wilderness. Completely and utterly gripping, and moving.
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Very original take on the woman detective. Set in Botswana, this book is as much an homage to Africa, and to humanity as it is great light mystery fare. Great book to read on a plane. Wonderful characters. I am hooked, and plan to read the whole series in order.
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peter in port has commented on (30) products.
It's Like This, Cat by Emily Cheney Neville
peter in port, October 28, 2009
I bought this book for my child, but I read it myself. It evokes "Catcher in the Rye" as it takes place in Manhattan in another era, the early sixties. The protagonist, a young adolescent living with his parents in Gramercy Park, gives a first person account of his adventures, making friends, early dating, and Oedipal arguments with his father, a lawyer. The references to different New York landmarks, some no longer extant, added a nostalgic layer to my enjoyment.The Poe Shadow: A Novel by Matthew Pearl
peter in port, August 24, 2009
Matthew Pearl undoubtedly loves the author Edgar Allen Poe. The sheer amount of scholastic effort that went into this novel is impressive. Unfortunately, it does not come off as terribly readable or interesting. Pearl should have hired a good editor.Churchill's Triumph: A Novel of Betrayal by Michael Dobbs
peter in port, June 29, 2009
This book gave me such pleasure. An historical novel, but with the assurance that many of its details are supported by fact, that puts you right in the heart of the Yalta Conference, a meeting of the three victors of World War II, Churchill, FDR and Stalin. The conference took place about two months before FDR's death. The Betrayal in the sub-title refers to the acquiescence by FDR to many of dictator Josef Stalin's demands, in part because of naive idealism and in part because of FDR's increasing feebleness, all to the detriment of the West, which in defeating Hitler, had only enabled another fanatical murderer to gain power. I could not put this book down. It is as readable as any book, yet there is much substance. A remarkable insight into one of the twentieth century's most remarkable men, Winston Churchill.(1 of 1 readers found this comment helpful)
Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
peter in port, June 13, 2009
My eleven year old son and I read this book together. What an extraordinary work. The protagonist is thrown into a survival mode by an unlikely set of circumstances. The narrative transforms him from a typical urban or suburban teenager whose life revolves around getting fed cheeseburgers into dealing with wolves, bears, and other wildlife in the northern Canadian wilderness. Completely and utterly gripping, and moving.(1 of 2 readers found this comment helpful)
No 1 Ladies Detective Agency by Alexander M Smith
peter in port, June 8, 2009
Very original take on the woman detective. Set in Botswana, this book is as much an homage to Africa, and to humanity as it is great light mystery fare. Great book to read on a plane. Wonderful characters. I am hooked, and plan to read the whole series in order.(0 of 1 readers found this comment helpful)
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