I am a sucker for a book about a group. What reminded me of this was Joanna Smith Rakoff's A Fortunate Age, her homage to Mary McCarthy's endlessly re-readable...
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I actually read this book on accident, thinking it was another book that I had been told about. It turned out to be very good. I really enjoyed the southwestern, small town setting and the larger scope created by flahbacks of the first two settlers. The story ends up being a beautiful, melencholy blend of the mystical with this gritty tangible thing called life.
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(6 of 8 readers found this comment helpful)
There are a lot of reasons to be cynical about politics and human nature. But this is one of those books that reminds me there is hope. Tutu's description of South Africa cuts to your soul. At times I was repulsed by the bestial, depraved acts that humans are capable of. At other times I was overwhelmed by the strength of moral character exhibited during this time. The TRC brings to light the full gammit of human behavior in a way that very few experiences can. And the way Tutu describes the process is both informative and inspiring.
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(8 of 11 readers found this comment helpful)
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern is absurdism at its best. It is much more witty and intelligent than something like Ubu Roi or Waiting For Godot. I know. I know. Waiting for Godot is the poster child for absurdist theater, but Stoppard is a master of words. His dialogue is acrobatic, full of puns and word plays and nonsensical banter that is, ironically, saturated with meaning. I recomend this very highly to anyone who enjoys plays and especially to those who enjoy absurdism.
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(11 of 17 readers found this comment helpful)
Enders game is science fiction, but it is also a book about relationships. It is a study in community. I was actually stunned at how much this book caused me to reflect on my own life. Amidst the antigravity, lightspeed, and lasers (which were all great too) sat deeply human themes that really spoke to the soul. In fact, I enjoyed it enough that I went out and grabbed a handful of other books by Orson Scott Card.
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(15 of 28 readers found this comment helpful)
The characters in this series have so much depth. I don't particularly like Dream as a person, but I root for him in the same way you might root for a family member even when they do things that bother you. Death and Destruction are the two I enjoy most because they are antistereotypical, also because they are so personable and relatable. I adore them like I would a favorite uncle or good friend, and found myself missing them when the story was over.
I also very much enjoyed the epic scope of the story. It covers hundreds of years, and the same people tend to pop up now and again throughout. The progression of the story is fluid in spite of the fact that it focuses on numerous characters and does not progress chronologically.
The first book is not necessarily my favorite, but it is the best place to start . . . and they are all fantastic. I know this is a bold statement, but I consider this series one of the best things I've read.
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(17 of 28 readers found this comment helpful)
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uncle_loki has commented on (29) products.
A Santo in the Image of Cristobal Garcia
uncle_loki, February 3, 2008
I actually read this book on accident, thinking it was another book that I had been told about. It turned out to be very good. I really enjoyed the southwestern, small town setting and the larger scope created by flahbacks of the first two settlers. The story ends up being a beautiful, melencholy blend of the mystical with this gritty tangible thing called life.(6 of 8 readers found this comment helpful)
No Future Without Forgiveness by Desmond Tutu
uncle_loki, January 13, 2008
There are a lot of reasons to be cynical about politics and human nature. But this is one of those books that reminds me there is hope. Tutu's description of South Africa cuts to your soul. At times I was repulsed by the bestial, depraved acts that humans are capable of. At other times I was overwhelmed by the strength of moral character exhibited during this time. The TRC brings to light the full gammit of human behavior in a way that very few experiences can. And the way Tutu describes the process is both informative and inspiring.(8 of 11 readers found this comment helpful)
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead by Tom Stoppard
uncle_loki, November 25, 2007
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern is absurdism at its best. It is much more witty and intelligent than something like Ubu Roi or Waiting For Godot. I know. I know. Waiting for Godot is the poster child for absurdist theater, but Stoppard is a master of words. His dialogue is acrobatic, full of puns and word plays and nonsensical banter that is, ironically, saturated with meaning. I recomend this very highly to anyone who enjoys plays and especially to those who enjoy absurdism.(11 of 17 readers found this comment helpful)
Ender's Game (Ender Wiggins Saga #1) by Orson Scott Card
uncle_loki, November 25, 2007
Enders game is science fiction, but it is also a book about relationships. It is a study in community. I was actually stunned at how much this book caused me to reflect on my own life. Amidst the antigravity, lightspeed, and lasers (which were all great too) sat deeply human themes that really spoke to the soul. In fact, I enjoyed it enough that I went out and grabbed a handful of other books by Orson Scott Card.(15 of 28 readers found this comment helpful)
The Sandman #01: Preludes and Nocturnes by Neil Gaiman
uncle_loki, November 17, 2007
The characters in this series have so much depth. I don't particularly like Dream as a person, but I root for him in the same way you might root for a family member even when they do things that bother you. Death and Destruction are the two I enjoy most because they are antistereotypical, also because they are so personable and relatable. I adore them like I would a favorite uncle or good friend, and found myself missing them when the story was over.I also very much enjoyed the epic scope of the story. It covers hundreds of years, and the same people tend to pop up now and again throughout. The progression of the story is fluid in spite of the fact that it focuses on numerous characters and does not progress chronologically.
The first book is not necessarily my favorite, but it is the best place to start . . . and they are all fantastic. I know this is a bold statement, but I consider this series one of the best things I've read.
(17 of 28 readers found this comment helpful)
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