With beautiful, fluid prose and tremendous attention to detail
935397
With beautiful, fluid prose and tremendous attention to detail, Katherine Zoepf's book brings to life the experiences, hopes, desires, and concerns of numerous women across the Middle East. Drawing on her experiences as a journalist who lived and traveled for years in the region, interacting with women of different backgrounds and social classes, Zoepf illuminates and makes accessible a world that is often perceived by American audiences as mysterious and unknowable. Part of what makes Excellent Daughters so interesting and powerful is Zoepf's willingness to combine history with contemporary events and to demonstrate how the legacy of colonial exchange helped in part to produce spaces of possibility, renegotiation, and, at times, mechanisms of repression. The girls and women literally leap off the page and each narrative makes the reader want to delve further into this subject. This is a work that is equally accessible to readers with no previous knowledge of the Middle East as well as to more specialized audiences who can, through the issues and stories presented by Zoepf, expand and make more complex ongoing discussions about women's issues in this region.
2555444
This book I wanted to read slowly so that I could soak in every detail in hopes that the last page would never come. After reading the introduction though, I never imagined that I would soon be so captured by such colorful characters in this story; it was so much more than the synopsis stated. The descriptive writing and characters created cinematography in my imagination and the arrangement of each individual scene was so well expressed. The writing was detailed in such ways that the prose came across the page almost visibly in my mind. This novel was richly complex but simply layered at the same time. I was enticed from the very first page until the last.
142928
To start with, it is extremely difficult to describe something you really like and enjoy. Mallery's short stories are like jewels encrusted on a deeply cherished 'tapestry' of ingrained memories, implied symbolism, deep feelings and life-changing experiences.
Her style of narration is so rich, all-embracing and enthralling that the reader would inevitably relive all the plots, immerse into the setting of each story, feel all the emotions of the characters and empathize with them, to say the least.
Undeniably outstanding talent, remarkable writing and memorable prose with lots to think about, ponder and decipher.
A book you will surely love!
3792273
Many authors succeed in capitalizing on vibrant cities to set their novels, but Sarah Lanes beautiful and simple prose takes this a magical step further. The God of My Art is far more than a collage of Vancouver beaches, streets and towering mountains. The novels strength lies in the dichotomy of the chosen and outliersthe pampered heirs to Shaughnessy fortunes and the soon-to-disappear women of Hastings Street back alleys. Like art, Lanes prose reveals its deepest secrets not in the rays of light, but in the shadows.

The protagonist in Lanes novel, Helene, is conflicted between her desire for security and the impulses driving her to abandon her safe studies in Commerce and be an artist. Helene, now 21, has survived the early death of her French father, her mother Katies descent into alcoholism, and the obsessive-compulsive nature of her stepfather Lyle. When at 15 she rebels against Lyle, he convinces her mother to put Helene in a group home in Prince George. She flees the group home and hitchhikes to Vancouver to live on the streets until her friend Christine takes her in and gets her back into school and then to university on a scholarship. There she easily falls for Matthew, a narcissistic young man, who quotes Nietzsche when hes not off climbing mountains. But when Matthew leaves to join his girlfriend Yoriko in Japan, Helene is left more confused and insecure than before. Encouraged by her friends, Hana and Laurent, Helene gradually regains confidence and dares to think again about pursuing a career in art.

While the plot of The God of My Art is not particularly complex, the character development, especially of Helene and her mother Katie, really pulls the novel together. What starts off as a possible essay in self-obsession ends in a strong bond between the reader and Helene, and a fascination for mother Katie with her crushed dreams and trailer-camp existence.

Lanes fiction is not for everyone. Indeed, the storyline of The Art of My God at times skirts puerile reactions to the pitfalls of life. It is the prose that makes this author stand outeach sentence meticulously interlocked with the next. The spice of a philosophical musing at just the right spot. Dialogue that is both realistic and revealing of repressed desires and memories. However, while The God of My Art has definitely set Lane off in the right direction as an author, it is just an appetizerfor the best is assuredly yet to come.

Ian Thomas Shaw (This review was originally published in New Perspectives on Canadian Literature)
4779056
Randal Eldon Greenes Descriptions of Heaven is a presentation of significant philosophical depth and elegant literary writing. The following is an example of Greenes well crafted prose that deftly joins three aspects of the novels complex plot line:

But it must be remembered that the lake there was dead, and the girl, for all her beauty, was a mess of natures inharmonious imperfections, and the sky itself was inundated with the dust of cadaverous soils.

The lyrical quality of Greenes narrative is a characteristic that runs throughout the novel, as when the reader is provided details of the relationship and contrast between the narrator and his tragic Natalia:

I felt like an ancient tome with my grizzled beard and my thin, peppery hair when next to her, a slender book of modern poetry.

And later

 and I kissed her and kissed her, and we made our love known to the night where above us the stars guttered like candles in the winds of that celestial black.

Beautiful.

Descriptions of Heaven is an admirable sort of quietly suspenseful literary novel; its prose flows without awkwardness, and heartrending gothic secrets are revealed in due course as the philosophical narrative unfolds.

This is a good book to read on a cool, gray (perhaps rainstormy) day  perfect for its November release date. It would be an excellent choice for a literary-minded book club or a college literature class tasked with analyzing the works of emerging novelists. The quality of writing inspires me  as a writer myself  to take great care with my words and phrasing.

(It interested and intrigued me that Reality was portrayed as male rather than female. My wife would disagree with that choice of gender)

I close this review with a final quote from Descriptions of Heaven that speaks to the exquisite wording and psychological depth of this important work:

This is what the day gives  a chance to judge rightly the occurrences of the night; the day gives heat to that. The day gives fire to the soul, for the soul sees better in the morning, and my soul was heated, and my soul saw clearly, and my soul was enraged.

This review was written by Kevin Polman, author of The Extra Key.
<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/The-Extra-Key/dp/1530740134/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">The Extra Key</a>
1048034
Beautiful prose and so attached to the characters and their unique perspective of the world around them that I couldn't help but binge read over spring break. There were moments where I actually laughed, cried and felt my heart twist. It was a mesmerizing read.
The layers of the character's perceived world upon the world of WWII was so prevailing, yet subtle and crafted so well that afterwards there is a lingering sense of their unique perspective that lingers.
1853866
K T Bowes has got some serious writing chops. Her prose is expertly crafted and flows as well as any author I've read.

The story follows recently widowed Hana and her adventures while she works at a school. There's a new teacher in town and he's stirring up emotions in Hana she'd thought she'd long since seen the back of. There's plenty of 'with they/won't they' drama here to keep your interest. There's also a plethora of other interesting characters.

The pacing is quite slow as there is, in my opinion, a little too much description. But then again, I love a plotty story. But if you enjoy well-written romance stories with detailed descriptions, you're in for a treat.

Highly recommended.
1673676
This elegantly written and psychologically profound book is both a compelling mystery and a sensitive exploration of human nature, all set in a vividly, authentically rendered historical background.  Charlotte and Daniel are an appealing pair who are sure to win readers' hearts while they struggle to investigate a baffling murder and slowly find themselves more and more drawn to each other.  This in itself would make the book worth reading.  But I found an added richness in the author's re-creation of Brook Farm, one of America's most fascinating, most high-minded, and most impractical experiments in idealistic living.  At this time, when there is renewed attention to the environment, to women's rights, to racial equality, and even to animal welfare, it is good to be reminded that  we are far from the first generation to struggle to find peaceful, egalitarian ways to live.  Fasick beautifully reveals both the idealism that inspired Brook Farm and the very human frailties that led to its collapse.  Some important but nowadays little-known historical figures play key roles in the plot and they are depicted with both a novelist's sparkle and an historian's scrupulous regard for truth.  It always drives me crazy when writers try to appeal to today's readers by putting gross anachronisms in supposedly historical situations.  Fasick shows her respect for her readers by refusing to go along with that trend, and it makes her novel all the more fascinating.  I won't give away the "solution" to the mystery but I will say that the final chapters are piercing in their intensity.  Tears streamed down my face as I read.
I'm glad to see that this book is listed as "Volume 1" in a series.  I can hardly wait for the next one!
2460197
Ms. Lugo clearly knows how to masterfully use words to create an entire world coupled with realistic characters. Vivid prose weaves together a tale of intrigue, and throughout the entire story I found myself impressed with her articulate description as I envisioned each detail, letting her creation saturate my minds eye. The historical essence of the novel captivates the reader as Ms. Lugo writes with authenticity, and her old-fashioned dialogue demonstrates a beautiful style that feels almost musical. Packed with well-planned momentum and pacing that keeps readers engaged, the overall plot kept me turning pages. Its got a bit of everythingpassion, sensuality, culture, intrigue, and memorable characters overall, a story well told, and a delightful precursor to her next novel.
1352474
Stunningly written narrative that transcends the complications of mere teen hood and takes the reader into the heart and soul of a troubled life plagued by misfortune (or fortune, depending on your read of the book's conclusion and theme).

I hesitate to offer too much of my opinion because the intimacy shared between the reader and the story line is palpable and one of the work's invaluable undertones it offers to it's audience.

On the surface, the plot is dense with colorful characters and interesting events. However, the real treasure of this lengthy read is its depth of philosophy through smooth and unforced delivery. Unlike other books that force an idea or tenet of humankind, the book unfolds naturally to expose the many layers of the human psyche in relation to the seemingly dichotomous notion of good and evil.

The Goldfinch painting carefully and quietly string the reader throughout the novel. The end surely leaves the reader with an individualized impression, so I will not comment on it.

Beautifully done and one of the best books I have had the pleasure of reading.
3637359
The prose of John Irving seems to flow as effortlessly from his brain to the page, as his blood flows through his veins.  It is articulate; witty; brazen; reflective; sharp; explicatory and perfectly readable.
The saga of Ruth, Ted, Marion and Eddie sweeps across the pages like blustering wind at times, and like a gentle breeze at others.  The characters are so entrenched in the reader's psyche, they elevate to close friends early in.  What occurs in their day by day struggles becomes essential fodder for the reader's ever increasing interest.  The prose is written lyrically, the descriptions keen, and sex scenes  richy erotic; the characters are defined intimately defying complacency.
To say John Iriving is genius is to say black is dark........he is beyond description.  The man writes a story that lives within the reader's soul for seasons.  John Irving is a master craftsman.
4160125
I was absolutely enraptured by this book with its lush, beautiful imagery, its well-constructed plot, and its outstanding prose.  There are parts in which  I was moved to tears, which does not usually happen for me with literary works.  The characters are colorfully described, and the reader is allowed into the thoughts of the characters as well as the backstory behind the character himself/herself.  There is a luscious, astonishingly metaphysical  feel to the book...descriptions are felt rather than read, and the words flow and integrate into one's mind; the reader has a sense of bring there...and yet not, because it is fiction...but it heavily leans on the strength of the human spirit, and the fact that we, as a planet, are all connected as one.  I highly recommend this book, with enthusiasm to those who enjoy exceptional prose.  This book is not to be read; it is to be savored.  I cannot wait to read the second book!!
1377643
Exquisite prose, intriguing characters, spot-on rendering of a town I know and love.
3025498
This was one of the most beautifully crafted, tenderly researched books I have EVER read. If you have the attention span of a toddler and can only stand 150-page books with high heels on the covers, then GO AWAY and don't bother; the author is a consummate creator of poetic prose and her gift would be wasted on you.  The balance of technical detail, historical reference and emotional human interaction was PERFECT.  If someone had told me "oh, its a book about botany and moss," I might have thought "no thank you" but every page of this book had something to charm, something to stir the heart, something inspiring or funny or compelling.
To me, THAT is what makes a book a masterpiece - the ability to exalt mundane events by opening the shutters on the characters' souls to show how those events moved and changed them.  Ms. Gilbert has done this gorgeously. I hope she lives to be a hundred and nine and writes many, many more books!
2298544
Descriptive powers of author outstanding, interwoven with strong context, little to criticise really
2102424
Simply stunning. Every clich bit of praise one can laud on a book applies here: the characters are believably drawn and enticing, the pace of the plot simply soars, and the quality of the prose far exceeds what one normally expects from the genre.

There are enough five-star reviews giving an outline of plot, so as someone who doesn't read much fantasy (my only real frame of contemporary reference would be the Song of Ice & Fire books and the Kingkiller Chronicles), here's what had me traumatized by the finality of the last page, knowing I must wait for the next installment.

Scope:
This book covered a tremendous amount of ground without spilling unnecessary ink. It is largely the tale of one character in a complex world. As such, it was easy to keep focus on what was happening without feeling like I needed to have a room filled with maps and character charts to keep track of things. Yet it still feels epic. (Note: if you read the e-book, do go to the author's site for a high-resolution map.)

Believability:
One thing that keeps me from reading much fantasy is that I despise fanciful description for description's sake. The endless customs of the Adem in the Name of the Wind, the verbose descriptions of creatures in The Amber Spyglass, etc... such descriptions annoy me to no end and I was relieved to never get the inkling that Anthony Ryan was indulging in this manner.

I'm also not a big fan of excessive magic. I like just enough for the story to be exotic, but not so much that rules of nature cease to exist. The gradual introduction of the supernatural is so well done in this that when it does arise my heartbeat quickened as I tried to understand what was happening.

Not too much warfare, please:
I've never cared much for big books of war. When the tactical descriptions start, I tend to yawn and wonder if I really need to pay attention. Not here. Descriptions of battle are either blissfully short (for me), or carefully described in language and content that kept me focused. This said, if you love battle I'm sure you'll find enough in here to keep you going.

Characters are real:
This isn't merely a concern when reading fantasy, but it's worth a mention here. The characters are all fully three-dimensional and rich in complexity. The heroes are not flawless or superhuman, and the bad guys have their reasons. If only Ayn Rand could have learned this lesson, but now I digress...

If more fantasy grabbed me like this, I might become a junky. This reads like finely conceived literature that is gifted with a touch of magic and a breakneck pace. Stop hesitating and buy it already. Or wait a few years so you'll be spared the pause in between books. But then again, you may not be alive tomorrow, so better read it now while you can.
1872598
The 'Taste of Air' is a wonderful story - exceptional even - and apart from masterful writing skills three things stood out for me:

(1)The main characters are drawn in such a manner that I felt I knew them well and was able to root for them as if they were my own family.
(2) The contrasts add up to a beautiful weave which results in the creation of harmony and reader satisfaction.
(3) No other book I've read shows the impact which recent American history events have exerted on the everyday lives of individuals, and women in particular, in such a clear and convincing manner.