Much Ado About Something.
924678
An awkward title for a review, however, appropriate for a book that has so much going on. A novel that touches on fantasy, drama, crime, history, adventure, and mystery too. This story, "American Gods", is typical Neil Gaiman fare. Unlike others I find no difficulty when this sort of writing requires you keeping track of the many interlocking events and myriad characters, and, I rather enjoy this style of story telling as putting it all together, for me, is part of the fun of reading. I enjoyed the first few hundred pages of the book best and also the ending which was much to my liking as reality reared its head and, I think, provided some needed grounding. Mr. Gaiman, too, was tidy in wrapping it all up and providing closure for the reader. But, there was a bit when the storm approaches and the protagonist, Shadow, proves himself, that I found somewhat lacking and troublesome. All in all the story kept my interest and I came away somewhat satisfied. Just missing four stars though.
3140262
One fine crafted piece of work. Makes for a nice decoration and also for a good read.
1832191
An unusual book.  Quite long, but I look forward to delving into it.
410006
I'm not often surprised by a book. Like mentioned in this very story,  things tend to follow a formula.  Thankfully,  this one has it's trips outside the box to keep the reader off guard, as well as some alluded- to future surprises. I'm quite pleased I read this one.
3526251
A classic. Dense at times. Good conversation piece.
4734734
This novel is about a fascinating part of history, and the excerpt is an exciting beginning to the story. I think that the coming-of-age story of Domingo, who seems to be the main character, is going to work as an interesting parallel to the coming-of-age story, so to speak, of the Sephardic Jews in exile. I particularly liked the fact that Domingo seems not to know exactly to what extent his family has retained their Jewish beliefs and practices; his lack of knowledge and understanding also echoes the situation of the people he represents.

I think, though, that in this early part of the novel, we need to remain in Domingo's head. If Da Costa turns out to be an important character in the novel, then we should find out his thoughts later, perhaps in a more extended version but hearing them now is distracting. Similarly, I would be more interested in knowing the effect on Domingo of the possibility that his words were the last his brother heard, rather than getting a tiny peek into Philippe's head. Is Domingo afraid his brother hadn't heard? Does he hope and even believe that he had?

Closer to the end of the chapter, things seem a bit rushed. Surely the parents would have had a longer discussion about whether or not to emigrate. Perhaps some of the facts told to us on the last page could be part of the dialogue between the parents as they argue the pros and cons.

The author has done a very good job of keeping us in the 17th century. Only a few words and phrases (mixed message, pastoral...) jar us back into the present. Generally, though, I catch what I assume the author wants me to--the sense of characters caught between two lives, and two worlds. I'd be interested in reading the rest of this novel.
783820
In medieval England, an abandoned and abused girl, about twelve or thirteen, known as Brat wanders from village to village.  At one place she sleeps in a dung heap for warmth.  The local midwife, Jane Sharp, finds her, calls her Dung Beetle, and, recognizing the potential for free labor, allows Beetle to work for her as an apprentice in exchange for food and lodging.  Not liking her previous names, the girl begins to call herself Alyce when she is mistaken for another girl named Alyce while attending the St. Swithins Day Fair at Gobnet-Under-Green.  However, a crisis develops when Jane is out and Alyce is called upon to help a woman giving birth, and Alyce feels that she has failed so she runs away.  Where can she go?  What can she do?  What will happen to her?

  From a positive standpoint, Alyce is a strong and surprisingly compassionate character who learns not only all about the art of midwifery, but also about herself, human nature, and the resilience of the human heart.  In addition, the book is historically true to the time and gives a lot of good information about herbal medicines.  However, there are some pretty big negatives.  As to language, there is a statement that pigs fart, and Alyce said that she near pi**ed herself.  Furthermore, the d word is used once, and expressions such as by Gods whiskers are found.  There are copious references to drinking ale, wine, brewed [i.e. hard] cider, and beer, and a group of boysnot men but boys--is pictured as being drunk.  Given the problem of alcoholism, especially among youth, today, do we really want children reading about things like this, even if they are historically accurate?

  Worse yet are the hints of immorality.  Alyce discovers the midwife having an adulterous affair with the Baker, who has a wife and thirteen children.  Also, a couple is caught in the act of fornication.  While there is no lewd detail, it is clear that the young people were doing more than just smooching in the hayloft.  The boy gathered his breeches and flung himself out the barn window.  This is hardly wholesome reading.  And other expressions of latent sexuality are mentioned.  There could have been a good story here with some beneficial lessons, but it is marred by the objectionable elements.  Therefore, because of the mature content, the book can be recommended only for older readers.  One source gives the age range as 9-12 years, where another says 11 and up.  I would say no younger than 13+.  Cushman won a 1995 Newbery Honor Award for Catherine, Called Birdy and the 1996 Newbery Medal for The Midwife's Apprentice.  That doesnt surprise me because it seems the more adults only content a childrens book has, the more likely it is to win a Newbery prize nowadays.
1225372
I count myself as a historical fiction aficionado. I have probably read 10 or so thus far, and several Philippa Gregory novels. Bought this one on my new Kindle. What I noticed - the bulk of this novel is speculation, largely focused on the "thoughts" of Elizabeth Rivers. There are of course reports of actual historical events, but less so than I would have liked. There was a time or two I found myself thinking "oh come on". Suspension of disbelief. The speculation about the two darling princes, and their outcome and disappearance from the tower are well done I think. Given subsequent events with Perkin Warbeck, etc. her theory is plausible, and even likely. I have visited the tower several times and every time I think about "if only these walls can talk" - what we would really know now. The outcome of those two boys are at the top of the list of what I'd want to know. I enjoyed the book, but I could put it down. I wanted to read it, but it wasn't a page turner for me. Sometimes it was a little hard to follow, partially because I wasn't really "into" it, and of course that it doesn't help that every third person in this novel is named Richard.
3678229
Interesting, well written, and a smooth read; however, much of the historical detail seems excessive and many readers will skim over what is written. If accurate it might be recommended to S&B bothers themselves, not to the general public. The title is a catchy promise - but I expected a lot more.
2690864
It is aninteresting utopien story that for many reasons does not seem as utopian as when it was written.  A book to discuss
4065448
Not only keeping track of where Henry is, but also when he is was a bit of an effort. The thing that is a little difficult to comprehend is that saying that something cannot be undone because it has already happened, because it has only happened in the future, so it hasn't actually happened in the present (which might be technical nit picking), but that is to be expected when talking about a concept like time travelling. A good read though.
4195646
Add this to the list of BIG Fantasy books, like Tolkien, LeGuin, Pratchett, Rowling, Butcher......

This is a story that doesn't take you where you want to go, but leads you to where you need to be. While it appears at the surface to be for the young-adult audience, there is much for the adult reader to think about. This book covers, and hopefully the series will cover, a multitude of information on many topics that we all should know.
2761501
It's been at least a half century since I first read HAMLET, in the ninth or tenth grade.  About all I remember is the "To be or not to be" monologue, which we were required to memorize, a rather anomalous assignment for fourteen- and fifteen-year-old youth anxious about their place in the world and what to do with their lives.  I now question the wisdom of making HAMLET required reading at that age.  On the other hand, every adult who lives amidst the cultures and traditions of Western Civilization SHOULD read it at some point in her life -- with the precondition being that every adult should also have received sufficient education that he is in a position to appreciate at least some of why it is such a great work of literature.  (And I am not at all receptive to objections, sniveling or vociferous, that it is the work of a Dead White European Male.)

For the past eighteen months I have been making my way through all of Shakespeare's plays, in (approximate) chronological order of creation.  I am realizing that Shakespeare deserves every bit of the exalted status he is accorded.  The plays are extraordinarily rich, and none (at least so far in my traversal) is richer than HAMLET.  To assay an interpretation of it would be sillier and more presumptuous than usually is true for this amateur reviewer.  I will only say that, for me, its foremost theme has to do with overcoming the paralysis of a supremely educated self-consciousness.

A word about editions.  Skipping over how this came to pass, the play has existed in multiple, hybrid versions for generations.  Recently, scholarship has been gravitating towards a preference for the 1623 Folio version, which contains the play as revised by Shakespeare himself.  (For details, see James Shapiro, "A Year in the Life of William Shakespeare", pp. 315-19.)  This Oxford edition presents the 1623 Folio version as the principal text.

I write this on Election Day, 2016, as the nation chooses between Hilary Clinton and Donald Trump.  Somehow that strikes me as a modern (or is it post-modern?) tragedy.  It also calls to mind two of the many lines from HAMLET that have become engrained in our cultural consciousness -- "Something is rotten in the state of Denmark", and, "The time is out of joint."
2433300
Used book in very serviceable condition. Arrived on time. A good, but lengthy, read. Move along well in a contorted sort of way...drags a little toward the end. Good interplay between good, holiness, love, committment, evil, greed and clamoring for power
146493
A little more telling than showing, but very much appreciated for its economy of words.
3305441
I enjoyed the tale.  It seems to catch the essence of far to many of the people who want something for nothing and believe it is their right.
1735910
As Urban Fantasy goes, this is well done.  The magic is present, yet not overwhelmingly enough so to warrant drastic measures to keep it secret.  The supernatural elements are more credible than the norm.  At times, parts of it did read almost like an advert for local celebrations, but that's acceptable.