An Incredibly Rich Book
584581
I love this book. And if ever a novel was written to be reread from time to time, in part or in whole, this is it. You don't read it to get to the end and find out what happens as such although, to be certain, plenty does. And you will probably reread it to turn over yet more facets to the characters lives, or maybe simply to get lost one more time in the astounding tapestry of Faulkner's language.
The first time I attempted to read it, I read the first 100 pages, and then had to begin over again. In this way, I gained two unexpected bonuses. For one, I got right with the rhythm of the novel, and for another I gained a glimpse of a major Faulkner strategy. --Which is to refer to things in the early part of the book that do not happen or indeed become clear for another fifty pages or more. Faulkner writes about these later events as if we, the reader, know fully as much about them as he does. This isn't a simple foreshadowing, either, the kind you read in short story class. For first time readers --especially assigned readers-- it can be a perplexing read.
Absalom Absalom is, or can be, a lifelong relationship of sorts --complete with commitment, long-gestating revelations and things that mean very much more to you on third and fourth reading than they possibly could have at earlier points in your life.
4539448
I don't know where to begin.  I will not be able to express how wonderful this book is, a rare chance you come across that blows  you away.  I read a lot, a lot a lot haha but the best is when you find that one you will treasure, this is a treasure.
57410
One cannot lavish enough superlatives on this work. The astounding, encyclopedic knowledge of the author of his subject matter, his loving dedication to it, and the insight and inconoclasism that permeates this tome all make for a wonderful reading. While every chapter of this book has something to recommend (especially the earlier chapters), I found the three chapters on the famous 16th century Ottoman master architect Mimar Sinan to be exceptionally poetic. I have recently carried an earlier edition of this book with me on a pilgrimage of sorts following the Sinan mosques in Istanbul from the earliest (Haseki Hu'rrem Mosque) through his more grand masterpieces such as the Sulaymaniae and his later sublime works such as Rustem Pasha and Sokollu Pasha mosques. All the details of interest were there as was the more arching overview of what the architect was up to and how he met or failed to meet the challenges at hand. The book covers the entire Anadoul plateau and some examples from the provinces. It is very informative on the influences of different architectural genres (the Byzantine and the Seljuk to name two obvious ones) on the Ottoman example. If art and architecture are windows into understanding and appreciating accomplishments of cultures and societies you would be hard put to find a better guide to Ottoman architectural and cultural achievements.
4658747
This book had everything you could ask for and so much more..  It was powerful, sensitive, a wonderfully rich and rewarding story.  There is intriguing plot, fascinating twists and turns.  I couldn't put it down.  I highly recommend this book and give it 10 stars.  Debi Allen
455843
This book is amazing on so many levels!

Cosani's journalistic writing style & story telling makes it difficult to put this book down once you get started.

The book itself is full of amazing spiritual teachings, in the likes of the many texts of the Nag Hammadi Library - very deep and inspiring stuff.

Perhaps the most amazing thing about this book is that it contains material that is extremely similar to the secret teachings contained in the recently discovered Gospel of Judas - only this book was written years prior to the Gospel's discovery (before it's content was even known)...

Definitely one of the most prized books on my shelf - I get something new out of it each time I read it.
3076776
Really really gorgeous book. The book is absolutely amazing.
Physical: It is quite a big book and quite heavy. The pictures and stories are placed in amazing ways near each other. Beautiful pictures.

Content: The stories are amazing. We go about life not really knowing what we are going to encounter. We constantly we about ourselves and never really stop to think or hear out the stories of other people. This book really opened up my eyes and showed me that there is a lot more to that girl who with pretty hair or that "creepy" guy with the beard. HONY is truly amazing and absolutely a great read. I would purchase this book a million times over if I had the funds.
I love the book and it would honestly make a GREAT gift to anyone.
4950417
This book was fantastic on so many levels. The poetry is deep and heartfelt. It pushes beyond standard boundaries and borders that most poetry gets stuck. It forces you to answer questions deep down about life and purpose. As if that weren't enough, the book also contains a wonderful collection of photography that helps bring the poems to life. It gives you a great deal of perspective on life and makes you ask yourself about your own life. After reading this book, I had to go through it a second time since the material is so rich and deep, one read through isn't enough!
3171266
Never before have I encountered such a deep and rich interpretation of the women of the New Testament.  Glanzman's insightful depiction of each woman is both remarkable and riviting inspiring Gateley's profound and poetic meditation upon each one.  Occasionally we encounter a book that is life-altering.  This is one of them.
2375281
This is a magnificent book, certainly the best I've read this year, The evocation of Greece, Hydra in particular (which I've visited), is rich and beguiling I wanted to fly back there immediately. Aside from the craftsmanship, it's a cracking good story! I became addicted to its charms and to the two women protagonists, the 'beautiful animals' of the title. I can't recommend this book highly enough!
4418129
This book is not one to be read page, after page, after page without stopping.  It is too rich.  What it does do is show us how hard Jesus tried to let us know how He wants us to behave.  The back cover quotes John 14:23 "If a man love me, he will keep my word; and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.".  That says it all.
3540531
The Rise & Fall of Great Powers is a true bibliophile's dream. Complex and layered, Character  Mathilda Tooly Zylberberg is at the heart of the story. A book  loving owner of a shop in Wales, the story moves back and forth as she - at different stages in her life - tries to find the father she's lost. In the midst of the shifting story she meets a variety of characters in contrasting periods of social change. To tell the truth, it's such a rich and complex book it's difficult to do it justice in a short review. It's deeply intellectual, having much to say about the power of fiction itself.

I absolutely loved it. It may wind up the best book I'll read in 2014 but then I enjoy dense books I can dig into, trying to figure out the author's message. It's not a plotless book, though, by any means. It's long on plot as characters move in and out of Tooly's life, a life she tries hard to live within the confines of her beloved fiction. Who is her father? Has Rachman introduced him in the form of one of his characters?

You'll have to read the book.
557127
It has been a long time since I enjoyed a book this much. The characters were richly developed and the story was so unique. The end of this book was unexpected and thought provoking. Although I have not given any description on the story or characters I would say, this is an amazing read.
2722902
What a truly remarkable book. The story of these men and women is astonishing.  The writing is fantastic. I found myself deeply moved by Ella, her life, her wisdom.  Right now I am struggling with my own disease and I couldn't help but feel a certain kinship with her.  I found her to be as much of an inspiration as did Neil White and that alone says a lot about this book. White was able to convey all of the beauty of this amazing woman so well, that I could feel such a close bond with a woman that I have never met.  This is truly a rare gem of a book.
1309617
Because of the rich prose used, this is not a book which can be read quickly. It has to be savoured, and probably re-read.
The characters are sketched in an abstract way, as in an Impressionist painting, and bits of the canvas are left blank for the reader to fill in. With the huge number of original and amazing adjectives used, this becomes easier as progress is made through the book. I was so happy to have finally had the chance to read the book. I am already wanting to read it again after only one week!
4423857
If you have not read this book, then you are truly missing out.--- This book is utterly brilliant, wise and downright fascinating.
This book contains the most valuable Scripture of Bhagavad Gita and is very thought provoking, powerful and life changing, with enchanting stories.

It is a sheer delight to read this book, and it has precious pearls of wisdom. The book is first of its kind, and it is so easy-to-read and understand and a delightful reading experience, which keeps you glued from page to page. A must read and a must buy book of surpassing excellence.
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.
4114412
This wonderful book moved and delighted me.  It is simple in that it is almost a diary of a long life lived on the fascinating island of Guernsey.  But it is enormously profound in the depth and breadth of its wit and wisdom.  I can't think of much to add to the chorus of acclaim that reviewers have given it herr on Amazon.com  All I can do is add emphasis to the consensus that this is a book the serious reader will love and never forget.