Wonderful in all respects
346876
Wonderful in all respects.  I have long postponed reading LeCarre but am so grateful that I have begun all his books at last.
800148
Beautiful beyond words, the video editing, suberb, the discussions inspiring, the singers wonderful.  The way the 6 hymns came into this physical world reaches into the beyond.  Extremely well done on all levels.
2183165
I had high standards for this, because the  book is so amazing (and huge, and book-centric), but this adaptation was faithful in every important way, and captured the mood, feelings, style, and even imagery that I enjoyed so much. Utterly delightful.
2212865
Well of course, it's wonderful. The second translation I've read, and lovely.
2442911
Within a page of starting Home Economics for Girls I had slowed down to approximately the reading speed I use for people like Kant and A.J. Ayer. Not that it's hard to follow, at all - but there is a level of enjoyment above which one just has to prolong the experience, and I didn't want to miss a syllable of this wonderful book.

Tabitha Tickham is a wonderful character, with something of the quality of a catherine wheel that's not been adequately nailed to the fence. You do not know where or how she will explode next. Despite this larger-than-life quality, she is eminently believable, as is her older sister, the serious and faintly pompous Violet. There's no false sentiment here - they are depicted with ruthless honesty and a deep understanding of what childhood is really like.

Violet may or may not be fat and smelly. We do not really know whether her little sister's gibes are fair comment, or merely the taunting of a pre-pubescent sibling. Similarly, we do not really know what Marcus looks like, and yet he is unmistakably there, a massive, sighing, philosophical houndish presence.

This was one of the things I particularly appreciated about Wright's work; very seldom is anything really described in any detail, yet the entire book has a richly visual quality. The reader is allowed to supply. To do this, and do it well, requires a sureness, a lightness of touch and a mastery of language that is rare in any case, but extremely rare in a first novel.

There's a madness to the sequence of events, a dreamlike inevitability that tells us that of course a cake left on the window sill to cool will be knocked out of window; what else?

Wright has demonstrated, not only a fertile brain and the ability to produce a richly satisfying story, but a command of his craft that makes every sentence a joy. I cannot wait for more.
2534200
I like this book. Its pervading flavour is of having a lot of fun - and it's nice to be put at ease and invited to come and play. It's much easier to glean insight when you're at ease, rather than wrestling with the zillion imaginary things the anxious mind wrestles with.

The book's only potential stumbling block could be a compromising of nondualistic precision in favour of all-inclusiveness (the book covers a very broad, eclectic spectrum of narratives - Shakespeare, Einstein, Lao Tzu...). However, as it happens, this stumbling block doesn't materialise, because whenever slight imprecisions are indulged - the over all strongly nondualistic message of the text re-appropriates the deliberate "slur" in its real precise terms. And anyway, the hole in the centre of the book (which in keeping with the all-pervading playfulness of the text re-constitutes the book as a sort of board-game!) is the ultimate expression of this text: forget the words... fall into the void - it says!

And, along the way, the dipping into all manner of cultures and forms creates a warm, affectionate feeling of communal intimacy - which is its own appeal and beauty.

All in all, it is a lovely, imaginative, gently informative read. "Hillig" never gives the impression of being high-and-mighty, superior, he just sounds like he likes to play and make friends - friendships constituted in ecstatically sharing truth. The narrator-reader relationship in this text IS a friendship - and that's so valuable when trying to share something ineffable.

Thanks for the lovely book Chuck,

With love to you and anyone else who cares to read this meandering, relaxed, happy, summery review,

Guy xxx
818463
I adored this book. With so many glowing reviews already here there's little left for me to say; I just want to add my voice to the chorus of appreciation.

_Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell_ is a complete delight from beginning to end: vivid characters and a rich alternate 19th-century setting are wrapped up in smooth, confident prose. There are definite shades of Austen in the narrative voice - arch, witty, clever, self-aware - but it's much more than just an intelligent pastiche. It's a tightly-controlled novel with an absorbing plot that simultaneously manages to evoke interesting themes from both its historical (social hierarchy and its discontents, rationality vs. spirituality) and its fantasy (the morality of magic-use) aspects. 'Real-life' characters turn up, but are used carefully and sparingly - and, in the case of Byron, hilariously.

Those who like their books rapid-fire and dare I say a little more obvious may rail against its apparent lack of 'action' - but to do so is to miss the point. This is a book about rather more than just plot (although, frankly, it has plenty of that, too...). It is a character-study and a period-piece, and any dissimilarities with contemporary fiction in terms of pacing are entirely in keeping with the style and form the author intends. You're unlikely to find a more elegant, amusing and intelligent fantasy novel this year. Highly recommended!
1522747
Wonderful music that transcends any genre definition, classical, traditional, folk, world, any definition you wish to apply because it is simply very enjoyable. I defy listeners to keep their feet still whilst listening.
3049868
going to keep this short. excellent in all aspects. well acted, sounds, etc. brilliant. only bad thing was when its over. old speech style is great too and have listened to it many times so far since buying it.
3230597
I am at loss of words due to total wonderment. I have just finished reading the book. It is a wonderful plot, a clever set-up (frame) but mostly a superb sensitive wondrous look into the souls of those whose life has not been simple to them (probably a description of many, most or all of humanity). So first and for most HELELUYAH!!!! It is a great story and super reading experience rich in colors and shapes of nature around us and the nature within us. I loved every page of it. Could not put the book down. It was beyond fascinating. Can hardly wait for the sequel. Na'ama certainly has a remarkable and fantastic way with words, and with the worlds they can build (or destroy).
1862088
All of this authors books are wonderful. This is equally wonderful..a regular re-readit is comforting to know it is there.
3897074
Wonderful, wonderful story. Loved all of the characters. Love the many layers captured about the human condition.  I plan to continue to read the work of Lawana Blackwell.
2203539
... wonderful condition.  A pleasure to deal with.
2864218
Absolutely wonderful. Read all other reviews n all nice things said are true.
1479342
I almost didn't request this book because there seems to be a plethora of books these past few years of older women looking back across their lives.  I tried several and didn't like them, at all. But the reviews for this book, from some of my Goodreads friends were just so outstanding I gave it a shot.
This was a wonderful, shining, inventive, wonderfully written gift of a book.  How a male  author, a first time read of his for me, can tell a story in 2nd and 3rd person of a young and old woman shows incredible talent, forethought and wisdom, along with a large measure of humor.  I think for me the humor is what was what was so captivating and encouraged me to continue reading on and on until I was finished and satisfied.  Yes, this has a very satisfying ending.
As everyone knows by know this is the story of Harriet Chance, a 78 y/o lady who gets a call several months after her husband has died, telling her that he had won a trip to Alaska but never used the tickets. At first Harriet has no desire to make the cruise but her children talk her into it.  She then asks her friend of many years to join her who at first acquiesces but then pulls out at the last minute, for some pretty momentous reasons as we learn later.

The story goes back and forth in time from the present as far back as Harriet as a baby, then pretty much every decade of her life.  She hasn't always had the easiest life, there has been abuse, estranged children, forbidden relationships.  But she always continues to march on, no matter the screw ups or down times. Even during the cruise when she finds out some things about her son that she hadnt even guessed at, she is always forgiving, always marching on.

After hesitating about reading this book I am now selling it to everyone I know, its that good.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this wonderful gem of a read, simply wonderful
987755
A wonderful, wonderful book.  My only disappointment was that he hasn't written another one.  He's clearly very smart, very capable and handy, a fellow of wide acquaintance and knowledge, and a terrific writer.  The tone of the book reminded me a bit of DEAR COMMITTEE MEMBERS, an academic novel (i.e., in the form of letters by a professor to various students and colleagues) by Julie Schumacher.  Shaun Bythell demonstrates both well-earned impatience with (often willful) human ignorance or pride, and an equal capacity for warmth and compassion.  I'm already looking forward to re-reading it, any number of times in the coming years.
314054
have ordered this many times...they all are wonderful.