Engaging and absorbing; hard to put down
341752
In House of the Spirits, Allende achieved something quite remarkable and unique: it is effortless storytelling--not deprived of literary recourses but a fascinating story nonetheless--in which time isn't needed to orient the reader because the plot unfolds of its own accord; the result is a modern classic of Latin American literature.

House of Spirits is an enthralling narrative in which oracles and the paranormal coexist with the reality of daily life and the hallucinating political landscape that takes shape between the pages. The story is timeless because it isn't constrained by dates, nor it is constrained to a specific country though no doubt Allende is alluding convulse political changes that Chile underwent in modern times.

I loved House of Spirits. I think that Isabel Allende consecrated herself in the pantheon of great writers in the Spanish language with this novel alone.
1091778
Really engrossing novel, couldn't stop reading
206191
Just short of 'absolutely excellent' Sanghera's heart-rending analysis of his own and his family's experiences as Punjabis of Wolverhampton. The intricacies of anguished family life - the intrusions, the expectations, the severe limitations - are painfully illuminated. They stand as a dramatic contrast to the angst of, say, irritations of suburban England, or public school traumas, narratives more familiar to us. Then there is the added drama of investigating the secrets or unspoken truths of this particular family. The author amazingly escaped to a 'better' life-style, only to be irrevocably drawn back to his (uprooted) roots. Uprooted, because the parents were wholly unprepared for life in England. The writing style is, from the first page, utterly engaging. I only found the pace lagged somewhere near three-quarters in. However, it was a thoroughly absorbing read.
786015
This is a fascinating story, and I admire the author's skill with scene-setting. Most of the characters are interesting and amusing, though there were too many secondary and minor characters for me to keep them all straight. But there is a lot of excitement in this book, some surprises and even a few tears.

The prose is wordy for my tastes with significant redundancies, and the dialogue includes frequent extended dissertations on apologetics and politics that, in my opinion, crossed the line between message and agenda and significantly slowed the story arc.

The book, however, has a lot of fine qualities, especially as a first novel from the author. I wrote at least five novels before I had one that was worth publishing, so it's quite a feat.

While I may have wished The Testimonium was somewhat shorter in length, it was an engaging and enjoyable read, and I do recommend it.
2446678
A great read; it caught my attention early and the grip tightened to the extent that I read it over a weekend (one which I hadn't planned to spend time reading).  Most satisfying.  The author has a talent for conveying insights into human behavior as well as keen observations while crafting an engaging plot. I find it difficult to believe this is her first foray into fiction.  Well done!
254983
RED is not a quick read. It is a book that demands your full attention. However, that attention will be abundantly rewarded. Pamuk is an author of such great talent that I would rank him with Calvino and Borges. And, like those two great artists, Pamuk presents you with many puzzles, many visions, and vivid details of lives both real and imaginary.

Superficially, RED is a murder mystery--and a very fine one--but I doubt that any reader who has gotten beyond the first 15 pages would continue reading merely to solve the mystery. As you read, Pamuk provides you with a great variety of treats: a living picture of Istanbul in 1550, a window into the lives of the master miniaturists of the period, an exploration of the attitudes of Islam towards varying degrees of artistic realism, a finely-nuanced love quadrangle, etc. And, the narrator of each chapter is, fairly often, an object rather than a person. These non-human narrators fit seamlessly into the telling of the story: there is nothing self-conscious about them. My favorite narrator of this kind is a gold piece; you learn where it was minted, where it has traveled, what it might buy, what it feels about being counterfeit--and, of course, how it feels about its role in the larger narrative. This chapter is a tour de force, but then so are the chapters with more usual narrators.

I cannot imagine the research involved in the creation of such a novel, but Pamuk wears this erudition lightly. When I read this book, I felt as if I had been casually welcomed into listening to the conversation of not one, but several, story-tellers of great fascination.

Another plus: there is no complex vocabulary--merely complex ideas gracefully presented.

This book is very hard to put down, but it is rich in so many ways that it would be a shame to rush greedily through it. Better to savor every page. You will very seldom come across writing this good.
1874268
I loved this book.  Mr. Kitsakos first substantial work of fiction is a compelling page-turner that melds together all the elements of a great short novel  engaging characters, the complexities of family interactions, a terrific and unexpected plot, and beautiful and succinct prose.  The central dilemma for the reader is how to marry conflicting scientific and religious beliefs into a satisfying explanation for the events that occurred in the lives of this family.  By engaging the reader in this intellectual dilemma, one is propelled to keep reading well into the night.  It is also clear that Mr. Kitsakos extensive experience and success as a theater writer and librettist have trained him to write lucidly but sparingly, with authentic dialogue and convincing imagery of a land that most readers will never visit.  Thus, the story moves quickly from one fascinating event to the next, while remaining utterly believable.  I hope that this is just the first of many major works of fiction from this outstanding writer.
4561756
Caroline Preston has produced an engaging read; a story well told.  Imaginative and well researched, the novel is based on the real life of  F. Scott Fitzgerald's first love, Ginevra King, a daughter of plutocratic Lake Forest, Illinois, who "threw him over" and became the inspiration for a range of characters in his novels, most notably the vain Daisy Buchanan in The Great Gatsby.  Through extraordinarily well developed characters, the author captures deftly the light-years contrast in gender roles and social sensibilities between Fitzgerald's era and today.  The evocative attention to period detail envelops in shades of amber.  And, as does Fitzgerald in Gatsby, Preston visits with success the themes of the decline of the American Dream, cynicism, moral corruption, materialism, upper class hollowness, but most importantly, the notion of the undeserved idealized perfection that Gatsby attributes to Daisy, inspired by Fitzgerald's reality-blind feelings for Ginevra King.  Notable, however, is that the novel allows an imaginary opportunity for the reader to explore what happens in later life to a Daisy Buchanan.  Is redemption in the cards?  Perhaps not, but an age and experience induced softening of the hard edges produces a believable and satisfying evolution for this literary archetype.

My advice:  read it.  It's a good one.
1985556
A fast-moving, touching and fully absorbing novel with a shimmering sense of place and compelling feel for how events can continue to shape psyches and relationships for many years. I stayed hooked throughout, and cared about how each character fared. I strongly recommend this novel to those who like a good tale and well-crafted writing.
4946763
In some (thankfully) distant future, the young Vladimir, like everyone else on Earth, has been biologically engineered and, like other outcasts living in the remote area of Abaddon, has been discarded as one of the rejects--exiled to a drudge-like existence because they have a genetic predisposition to violence. But there's a hint of hope dangled in front of the outcasts, a merit-based second chance dispensed with all the justice and odds of a Powerball lottery. By living an exemplary life and passing a series of exams, any exile can prove his or her worthiness for entry to and residence in the paradisiacal Holy City. (Never mind that there have been only eleven people in all history to make the cut; lesser men have won bets on more improbable outcomes.)

In the opening pages, however, things take an unanticipated turn: Vladimir's home, friends, and teacher are destroyed when war resumes between the nebulously defined East and West. Aided by nanotechnological sprites with (it turns out) their own devious agenda, our adolescent hero sets off for the Holy City through a devastated yet wondrous countryside, still expecting his chance to take the exam. Adding to Vladimir's obstacles is an unpredictable penchant for epilepsy-induced hallucinations, not to mention his various lapses into the very type of violent behavior he is supposed to prove himself immune to.

The highlight of the book is its central creation: the character of Vladimir himself, an unlikely hero who alternates between confident bravery and moments "quite alone, everywhere he went," with nights "spent sick to his stomach with doubt." The whole thing is a load of fun, and I was enthralled straight through its myth-worthy finale. Rosencrans's debut novel, self-published or not, is that increasingly rare beast: eloquently written and impeccably edited, with a scarcity of typos. (Were a commercial publisher to pick up this book, it would require very little in the way of editing or proofreading--it's certainly in better shape than many professionally prepared books I've read recently. In fact, not a few sentences and passages are admirably masterful. And, for the record, I do not know the author; encouraged by the many positive reviews, I took a chance and purchased my own paperback copy.)

"The Epiphanist" evokes any number of literary antecedents: the episodic quests of Tolkien, the metaphysical concerns of Roger Zelazny and Walter M. Miller, the biopunk speculations of Paolo Bacigalupi and Octavia E. Butler, the paranoid dystopias of "The Minority Report" and "A Clockwork Orange."  And, like another reviewer here, I also detect a few echoes of "The Diamond Age," a book I greatly admire--yet, it must be said, the urgency with which Rosencrans handles his climactic scenes is far superior to Stephenson, whose confusing apocalyptic battle resembles a frenzied street brawl by comparison. True, a few of Rosencrans's plot twists are predictable or derivative (the course of Vladimir's "examen" follows virtually the same arc as Willa Wonka's pitiless test of little Charlie), but there are still many surprises--and the story's loops really take a backseat to the overall atmospherics anyway. For all its allusions to and hints of other science fiction classics, "The Epiphanist" is distinctive for its success in fashioning a disconcertingly plausible world with preternaturally weird elements and a uniquely memorable messiah-hero. And, happily for the reader, the final pages both wrap things up magnificently and leave open the possibility of a sequel--which I would unhesitatingly buy the day it's published.
1024787
This is a really gripping, really moving book -- a fine novel as well as a terrific thriller.  The central character, Detective Constable Fiona Griffiths, is a new recruit to the Cardiff police department, and there is something a little odd about Fiona.  It's not that she's stupid (she is in fact very bright) and it's not that she doesn't work like a demon (when it suits her), it's just -- odd.  Anyway, Fiona gets caught up in the investigation of the murder of a prostitute and the woman's six-year old daughter, which spirals into an enquiry involving big money, dirty cops, and really dirty -- and dangerous -- dealings.  The story won't let go, and neither will the parallel plot, which tells us more and more about Fiona.  I almost never give thrillers five stars, but this one merits it.  The characters are compelling -- so compelling that you end up caring a lot about them.  The writing is vivid and exciting.  And the story is terrific.  Read it an enjoy: I'm off to start number two
3276603
Overall, an engaging read. I had it with me on my phone as a cheap "read during life's pauses" book and ended up devouring it in two or three days.

Though Lonnquist's writing style (and content maturity level) may appeal more to a younger audience (mainly teen), I found the sci-fi aspects of the story more than compelling enough to draw me in and keep me reading. Without a doubt, this imaginative element is his greatest strength. Lonnquist manages to turn the oft-seen mech-style robot suit into something new, something continually impressive, and something not only creative, but central as well. This is not an easy task.

His flatter characters are well balanced with nuanced players that had me guessing and second-guessing throughout. The questionable war climate of his world is quickly forgotten as true tensions rise and all-too-familiar allegories reveal themselves.

The Will of Machines is more than just a sci-fi mech-fest. Amidst warring machines and inhuman destructive forces, we see themes of very real, very human struggle--with loyalty to family, culture, and friends; with existential identity and purpose; with expansionist and dominating religious ideologies; with the seeming inevitability of war and the daunting road to peace. We also see growth, in human and machine, and we see the power of will, as the title suggests.

Lonnquist may not always hit every mark, but the ones he does hit make his story worth the read.
700135
An excellent, well-written novel with a plot that truly draws you in. I found myself unable to put the book down after each chapter. As the story unfolded, it went in directions that I didn't expect, and the tension between the characters was often palpable.

The novel delves into a failed marriage between two characters who are both sympathetic and frustrating in equal measure. I found myself rooting for both of the main characters at times, and at times I was angry at both of them. The book also explores a fascinating dynamic between two people who are so close and have so much shared history, and yet are so far away from one another, and how that shared history itself both ties them together and drives a wedge between them. A gripping, well-paced novel that had me thinking about it long after I read the last page.
4597819
This book addresses a serious topic -- capital punishment -- in the hands of a judge who once had to hear just such a case.  The characters are well developed and compelling, and the story is convincingly told from every side: judge, clerks, lawyers, victim's families, defendant, and (most of all) the family and friends of all of those key players.

But the accuracy and depth of the story do not get in the way of making this book a page-turner.  The story moves smoothly and swiftly, leaving you greatly entertained while keeping your mind engaged.  I have read it twice, not because there is any kind of "gotcha" twist at the end, but because knowing the outcome leads you to view events and descriptions differently during the second pass.

There are so many reasons to dig into this novel and enjoy the ride.  Whether you love it or merely enjoy the entertainment of it, you won't regret picking this one up and losing yourself in the story for a couple of days.
1980047
A wonderful book that pulls the reader into two exotic locales -- the country of Ethiopia, and the practice of surgery. The story chronicles the lives of a pair of conjoined twins, beginning with the circumstances that led to their birth, and ending with a resolution of the conflict that separates them for much of the story. The writing is always clear and compelling, and sometimes lyrical, particularly when it is about Ethiopia. The characters are fully realized, and the story line pulled me along as strongly as any thriller. Some reviewers said they were bored or put off by the frequent medical interludes in the book -- some of which are quite technical and graphic -- but I was fascinated and found them entirely appropriate, since medicine is so important to so many of the characters. Why four stars not five? I found the plot a little contrived in some important places, and I shared another reviewer's sense that the end had been pulled too neatly and tightly together. Still and all, this is a terrific book, which I strongly recommend.
4731241
I would recommend The Brothers K to anyone, but most specifically to those who are interested in family life in the Northwest during the turbulent 60s.  This 640 page novel, though flawed in some respects, is worth your time.

An excellent aspect of the Brothers K is its primary narration by Kincaid Chance, the youngest of four brothers, however the best thing about the book is simply the writing.  This is an engaging story told in an engaging way.  Duncan is not only gifted in relaying a message, but much of his writing in simply astounding in its careful, yet complex, delivery of a complicated story.  Duncan sucks the reader into the family, and places you into the contexts of its characters.  Difficult as it may be, we understand the frustrations of Hugh Chance.  We deplore Laura Chance's destructive addiction to her religion, but we find solace in her attachment to it.  Hard to understand?  Absolutely, but realistic.  And probably most important is how the family functions together.  Extremely real.

My favorite passsages of the book occurred early when Kade is trying to bring his father out of his funk.  I also really enjoyed the baseball connections, they helped to really cement the feel of the novel, as well as the Chance family's passion.  The Ted Williams and Roger Maris stories both worked well with developing the plot.  The story elements that describe Hugh Chance ressurecting his pitching career are classic human struggles.  I also enjoyed the too little covered Irwin, who was the family's bastion of religious idealism.

I came to dislike Everett Chance, as well as the mother, though I tried to work my way through them.  I also thought that Duncan did not make Everett realistic enough for me, though I suppose on some level, as a character, he worked well.  Everett was just so insanely fanatical, and without a real purpose.  I suppose it could be argued that millions of Everett's exist, but I found him hard to stomach.  I also thought that his idea of saving Irwin was lackluster, and I didn't get the point of making it a mystery.

This is a huge novel, not just because of the 640 pages, but because of the breadth of information the reader is required to not only read, but understand, as well.  Being a huge novel filled with complex issues, we have to understand that there will be flaws, and flaws do indeed raise their ugly little heads.  Missing, I thought, was the inevitable connection to the music of that time and the characters.  It was as if music didn't exist for any member of the family.  In fact, until the seventies, it was never mentioned.  I find this very unusual that a family wit six children, not one of them would be wrapped up in popular music to any degree.  I found myself asking, "How is that possible?"  I know how pervasive music was in the 50s and 60s, and particularly, in the Northwest, a stronghold of rock and roll, individual as it was.  Northwest America rocked all though the 60s.

The book does have other flaws, such as mentioned earlier with the rotating narration having no valid connection to what was going on in the plot.  I thought the book would have flowed better had the narration been confined to Kincaid Chance, as opposed to the wandering, once in awhile narration by Everett.  Editing was indeed a problem for me, also.  I had to wonder how some of the errors slipped by, those being in style, as well as grammatical.

Nonetheless, this is a superb novel with much to offer any reader.  The setting is great, the story is addictive, the family is real, and the result is pure entertainment.  I wasn't happy with the ending, though I don't know how I would improve upon it.  I guess I thought it a bit trite and whimsical when balanced against the bulk of the book.  Almost like it was tied up with a nice little ribbon and bow.  It's almost as if the story died at a certain point, and Duncan didn't know what to do to ressurect it and then kill it.
2650437
In this gripping story, the author has set two unusual challenges for himself.  The location is unidentified, although immediately recognizable as the West Bank, Palestine;  and the viewpoint is decidedly in favor of the Palestinians--but expressed by someone who should be an adversary.  The first decision seems an unnecessary complication, but the second provides the dramatic conflict throughout the book.

Although this review focuses on questions and criticisms, I definitely recommend THE WALL.  It provides a view of the mentalities of two neighboring but antagonistic societies, particularly of the settlers living on usurped land.  While the people whose land they have taken understandably resent them but can take little action, the settlers are obsessed by the official dogma that they are under mortal threat from barbarous enemies.  Mr. Sutcliffe has done well to highlight the intractable problems posed by the Israeli settlements on Palestinian land.

The plot line, briefly:  Joshua is an Israeli boy living in the settlement and unhappy at home because of conflict with his brutal stepfather.  He discovers a tunnel under the high "separation wall" that his government has built between the two communities.  Exploring the tunnel, he emerges in the Palestinian village, runs into trouble, and is helped by a Palestinian girl.  Feeling indebted to her, he goes back--and finds himself agreeing to care for her family's olive trees.  His actions are discovered, but Joshua makes one more attempt to reach the family, which leads to a final crisis and a life-changing decision.

The dynamics of this dysfunctional settler family are compelling.  While Joshua's intense dislike of the stepfather rings true, glimpses of the man's rigid personality, reflecting a paranoid group mentality, provide some understanding for him as well.

Basic questions, however, get in the way of the story's credibility.  Who dug that tunnel, and how did they do it?  And why?  I found no clues.  Why would Joshua take off his shoes when working in the stony soil of the olive grove?  It makes him vulnerable to anyone who might steal the shoes.  Why, with his well-indoctrinated fear of Palestinians, does Joshua so easily begin to identify with the Palestinian family?  And who are these marauding teenage thugs in the village?  That detail doesn't sound likely.

Above all, is this a credible 13-year-old boy?  He tells his story in present tense, which provides immediacy and is effective in describing episodes of danger.  But his highly sophisticated language, his feelings for his mother and the Palestinian girl, and his astonishing courage and physical strength strike me as much more believable for a youth of 18, or even 15, than a kid of thirteen.  In short, I couldn't quite trust Joshua--and I wanted to.

Nonetheless, this is a book well worth reading, not only for the insights it provides into a major problem-area in the whole Israel-Arab conflict, but because in places, especially scenes of extreme suspense, the author's literary skills are excitingly impressive.