An Excellent and Important Novel
595687
I loved this novel. I found that it was different from what I expected it to be. I thought it was going to be a mystery novel, but it's so much more. Not that mystery novels in and of themselves aren't often excellent, but Karen Winters Schwartz brings so much more to this novel. The main character suffers from mental illness, and the novel shows the prejudice that can exist against mental illness, the problem with stereotypes, and the stigma surrounding people with mental illness. Ms. Schwartz does this with excellent prose and deep feeling. I loved the characters and was fully invested in the story. I highly recommend this to anyone because I believe that any reader will love this book and get a lot out of it.
2611995
Purity, at the beginning, seems to be a Bildungsroman (coming of age) novel, but is episodic in form. Franzen's characters are rich and well developed, and his observations about them, as well as the things he lets the readers discover for themselves, are acute. It gives very little away to say that Purity, the title character, does come of age in a grand fashion, and the virtue, purity, is assessed very coolly from multiple frames of reference. This is a timely and elevating novel, not to be put off until next year.
1670819
One of my favorite novels of all time, and I have read hundreds if not more than a thousand. This is a brilliant melding of historical characters with fictional characters.  The novel is about the attempted healing of shell-shocked officers during World War I, and it focuses on a real psychiatrist/anthropologist W.H.R. Rivers, a brilliant and compassionate man who treats the historical character Siegfried Sassoon (who is not really shell-shocked as the others, but is sent to Rivers because he had protested the handling of the war in a public, printed document and the alternate would have been prison) and many other officers.  This is both a marvelously researched novel and a brilliantly imagined creation.  The character (completely fictional, I believe) of Prior, who like Rivers persists as important over the three volumes of the Regeneration Trilogy, is the most impressive character creation I've encountered.  Barker also provides secondary, but very important, female characters and she has said that the meaning of the trilogy could be discovered by focusing on the female characters alone. Highly recommended, but emotionally and morally intense and, therefore, not for the squeamish  or superficial.
563567
TERRIFIC NOVEL, AND EVEN MORE IMPORTANT GIVENM THE CURRENT POLITICAL CLIMATE IN THE US.
3756538
The Pillars of the Earth is one of those novels I picked up because the copy on the back of the paperback sold me on the story. Set in the 12th Century, this epic novel revolves around the building of a cathedral in England, which might sound boring to anyone who isn't a history buff (which I am). The truth is, this novel is exciting, though-provoking and just downright interesting.

As I said, the construction of the cathedral is a key element, almost the center point of the tale, but the lives of those around the cathedral or somehow related to the cathedral are what brings this novel to life. The book covers roughly a century of time, with a strong focus upon certain periods within that century. There are historical figures to be found here, as well as at least one quite important historical event in the history of England and Europe, but I won't go into that for fear of giving away too much.

I first discovered this novel in a bookstore in the late 1980s, and as I said, it was the back copy which brought about my purchase. I had never read this novelist before then, but this particular book opened my eyes to how good a writer Ken Follett is. Since then I've read some of his other material, but I've yet to read World Without End, which is the sequel to The Pillars of the Earth. I'll get to the sequel, I'm sure.
1909727
*I received this book from NetGalley/Lone Wolf Books in exchange for an honest review.*
 This was a truly excellent novel. In the most basic of terms, the plot of the novel follows the adult life of Harold Hardscrabble, a man who is deeply unsatisfied with the capitalist society around him and who wishes to find his place in a world that constantly seems to mock him and deny him even the most basic happiness. Even though the novel is not told through Harolds point-of-view, it is told through a very omniscient third-person narrative that nonetheless allow the reader to get inside Harolds head, where all of his seemingly odd actions and thoughts all make perfect sense.
 The storytelling method that Dess utilized for this novel was especially brilliant. It is pretty obvious, even from the first 50-100 pages of Harold Hardscrabble, that the novel has a very expositional tone to it. Years can pass by within the span of a few pages, and only the most important details are mentioned in-depth. But this is not necessarily a bad thing at all; it is what kept me interested throughout the course of the story in everything that was going on. Harolds day-to-day life, while fantastical within his own mind, is really very average. He opens mail, he works out, he goes to work But Harold also weighs his mail to analyze how much of it he gets, he joins a community of cyclists that gives him a purpose in life, and his work serves as a formation ground for existential, liberal ideas that are profound and profoundly entertaining to read about.
 I won't give away any spoilers for the ending, but this storys conclusion is a very thought-provoking one. I found it very fitting, considering Harolds relationship with the world around him and how they view one another in conflicting terms. The story had been paced very well up until that point, and even through its ending this story did not disappoint in its fantastic storytelling.
 I read this book after reading Desss other book, His Vision of Her, which will be republished soon by the same publisher of this book. I liked Harold Hardscrabble just a little bit more than His Vision of Her; nonetheless, I do highly recommend both books.
1485171
This is by far one of the best novels I have read in a very long time. It's a true literary contribution to our understanding of what it means to be a human. Wecker offers the reader a vivid journey through vintage New York City. Most importantly, Wecker provides a historical novel that explores good and evil and the importance of a well-formed conscience.
4945719
Through compelling and well-developed characters, Orange Rain engages the reader and draws them inside the lives of group of individuals who appear defined by sex, drugs, and violence. While being led through a fast-paced and sometimes-erotic adventures through some of society's most intriguing subcultures, the reader is largely unaware that they are being drawn into a web of intrigue spun  around an incisive political commentary directed at Monsanto, the notorious super-corporation responsible for wreaking global devastation and crimes against nature. The audience will find themselves enthralled in the lives of the damaged protagonist and his friends and either cheering or crying as the plot evolves. This timely and important novel is a must read for anyone concerned about the state of the planet or simply looking for a good read.
681725
I think that the general consensus on this book is accurate: the book is excellent, a remarkable, almost flawless, first novel.

If this novel were to be categorized, it would be labeled a "hard science fiction" novel.  Technology and speculation on the evolution of current technology is a core part of the novel. The characters are well drawn. This is not a novel of techno-utopianism. The problems of disruptive technology are dealt with directly, both the benefits and the horrors.

The novel also deals with a number of complex ideas outside of technology.  What tradeoffs do societies, especially the United States, make in exchanging freedom for perceived safety? How do we live life, in the face of death.

At several places in the story various characters ask about the central character Kane "who is this guy?" I found myself asking the same thing about Ramez Naam, who has produced such an excellent first novel.

From a software technology point of view, he has a checkered past: he was, according to the description at the end of the book, involved in the development of Microsoft's Internet Explorer and Microsoft Outlook. I use Firefox or Chrome and Outlook only when I have no choice. I am glad that Ramez Naam has stopped wasting his considerable talents on Microsoft software to produce a product that I like much more than anything Microsoft has ever created.
2026896
This is truly an Excellent, Superb and Marvelous Novel. Azucar's Sweet Hope...Her Story Continues by writer Alan Cambeira is filled with intelligent, strong and sensitive characters. This is powerfully written novel in a unique style that crosses linguistic and cultural barriers.

This Excellent Novel in one of My Top 5 Books!

Very Highly Recommended!
2307813
This book was recommended to me.  I was somewhat skeptical as I began reading, but was quickly drawn in.  It has all the elements of an excellent novel.  The characters are well defined, believable and easy to relate to.  The plot, however fictitious, is grounded in reality and calls attention to a truly catastrophic, yet largely ignored threat to international security.  The plot and pacing are first rate, as the story never dragged or failed to hold my interest.  More importantly, it made me *care* about the people and events as I read.  Ray Gorham has done an outstanding job in researching and writing this novel.
3337520
This is rather a complex novel, in that there are quite a few characters and different events taking place. However, as the story progresses, the focus from one event to another become easier to follow, especially as you learn of the connections between the people and events. In fact, the gradual putting together of each event and learning of the connections between all the characters and their circumstances, was exceptionally well done.

The character development is excellent, with a fascinating array of characters from powerful and intelligent women, a vulnerable but incredibly strong teenage girl, to criminals, rapists, a devoted teacher, a social worker under pressure, various nationalities & religions, all adding further depth to this somewhat harrowing story.

The topics covered in this novel are not for the faint-hearted, such as rape, abuse, violence and human trafficking. However, at the same time I'd like to add that I did not feel anything was glamorised. All the topics feel very sincere and real. As a woman who lived in the Yorkshire city of Bradford for a few years during my late teens in the 1990s, and was forced to experience things I really wish I hadn't, although finding some of the subject matter hard to digest at times because of my own personal experiences, I cannot express enough how well some of the subjects were approached.

This novel also covers multiculturalism and religion. On one side of the coin there are the rough Polish gang types, showing little respect for anyone, and who you really don't want to mess with. Also, the Afghan migrants, who you really wouldnt wish to encounter either. Yet, on the other side of the coin you have the Muslim family from Basra who believe in kindness and integration into society. I loved the father, Abdul's dreams and ideals that Muslim, Christian and Jewish scholars should come together and teach reconciliation not division. He has a true respect for the country and culture he is now part of:

"In a society that has offered us protection, he tells his sons, people are face to face, confessing to their faults, meeting each other's eyes, and in general showing that they are free, fair and accountable. We commit a terrible offence by hiding our faces when others so openly expose themselves to judgement. The headscarf, yes, but not the veil."

I found this to be quite a powerful statement that gives hope of a peaceful society across all cultures and religions.

The relationship that develops between a male teacher & a teenage girl, who is a pupil of his, is also very sensitively approached and impossible not to get emotionally involved in their unfortunate situation. Leading me onto one more quote Id like to take from this novel, as I felt it summed things up rather well. How often do we look at situations in front of us in a far too complex way, rather than just focusing on the important things:

This thing weve been living through. Its not about people trafficking, immigration, community relations; its not about racism, multiculturalism, and all the things I am supposed to put at the top of my agenda as a social worker; its not about forced marriage, honour killing or the enslavement of women. It is about that girl and how to give her back her life.

On that note, Id like to recommend this to anyone who enjoys a well written novel with depth, that challenges our thoughts on many very real aspects of modern day society.

I would also strongly recommend this book be used as part of a book club read, as there are lots of topics that would make for great discussion.

I received this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
137480
Sebastian Faulks gives us a very powerful novel. Engleby is an interesting character. He is well educated and smart. However, he lacks social skills and he is very opinionated. He has had an abusive father and emotionally distant mother. He also had abuse of his peers as a child in boarding school. He makes it to Cambridge on a scholarship where he becomes obsessed with a girl that later goes missing. The story is told through Engleby's memories which contain some missing parts and occasionally through the diary of the missing girl.

The novel gives us glimpses of how Engleby is trying to make sense of some philosophical questions. We also see how our civilization changed or failed to change in the last forty years.
3097804
"The Brothers Karamazov" is an ethical compendium and certainly one of the greatest novels ever written. Other reviewers have done a better job than I  could of summarizing the complexly layered plot and symbolic nature of the  characters. I might depart from them a bit by suggesting that each of the  brothers is confined to a specific role and might be viewed as a prisoner  of sorts.
The radical, revolutionary brother Ivan is a prisoner of his  intellect. His essay on "The Grand Inquisitor" is the second of his  two-part assault on his brother Aleosha's belief in Christ. Dimity, the  lover of women and eruptive speaker is a prisoner of his passion. Aleosha,  who worships his spiritual mentor, Father Zosima is a prisoner of his  faith, while Smerdyakov, the ill begotten son of Fyodor Karamazov and a  street woman is a prisoner of his circumstances. Each brother is a unique  and integral component of the human condition.
But a novel cannot work  through symbolism and personification alone. Like Tolstoi's `War and Peace"  this book is also a series of essays. The chapter in which Father Zosima  discovers his faith on the evening before his is supposed fight a duel is  an essay of courage and integrity that far outstrips any thing written by  "macho" authors such as Hemingway and Camus. In this chapter, Zosima is a  carousing young military officer who discovers his faith in God on the  evening before he is to fight a duel. This puts Zosima in a quandary since  his faith now prevents him from killing another human being but he still  does not want to appear a coward. Zosima solves this problem by offering  his opponent the first shot. When his opponent misses, Zosima declines to  take his shot. Instead he throws away his pistol and asks "am I worth it?"  Zosima has transcended his ego and followed his conscience while still  preserving his honor. This brief, action packed chapter summarizes the  complexity of spiritual evolution. Zosima's faith does not give him an easy  way out or solve all of his problems. He must still deal with the  consequences of his previous actions even after discovering God. Faith in  his case is hardly a narcotic.
The Grand Inquisitor chapter on the other  hand clearly separates the sort of faith experienced by Father Zosima from  the more cynical manifestations of organized religion. In this chapter Ivan  tells Aleosha a story about Christ returning to Earth during the height of  the Spanish Inquisition. Christ is arrested and brought before the Grand  Inquisitor who clearly recognizes Him for who and what He is. Far from  fearing or rejoicing in Christ's presence, the Grand Inquisitor threatens  to try him for heresy and burn him.  Since the Grand Inquisitor is  primarily interested in the power and authority he derives from his  position, the last thing he wants is a true believer let alone Christ  himself to appear on the scene. The Grand Inquisitor tries to bate Christ  into rebutting him, but Christ's silence frustrates him and eventually the  Grand Inquisitor releases him.
From these brief descriptions, one can  hopefully grasp the range of this work as a novel of ideas and a panoramic  essay on the nature of faith and the human condition. In illuminating the  struggles born by every human being in their physical and spiritual lives,  Dostoevsky offers no easy solution. Dostoevsky's emphasis on the silent,  invisible nature of courage and the folly of institutionalized belief make  him the spiritual father of thinkers such as Nietze and Sartre. The ideas  this book illuminates and questions it raises are universal and relevant to  this day.
3109870
This gripping novel based on the true story of the Tower of David, in Caracas, Venezuela pulls the reader in from the first page and keeps the reader's attention until the final sentence. It is a story that many can relate to, the eternal struggle of the have-nots against the haves and, as it is a universal experience, where it takes place is less important than why.  The reader is made to see these struggling masses as individuals and as more and more is revealed about them throughout the novel, the reader realizes that many of them had lost their own identities while simply trying to survive. It is highly recommended for all those interested in social justice and righting inequalities in our world today.
2667544
This is a small novel in size but a large achievement in many ways that count: it aims for a narrative mode that accommodates both the exotic (names of places and persons seem to come from a place of unknown languages) and the familiar (the struggle for survival in the wake of catastrophes now all too familiar in our changing planet).  And it poses, in the connected interdependency of its characters, questions -- moral questions - that all of us must answer sooner or later.  It speaks of friendship and enmity, and the absolute necessity of finding ways to fight one and trust the other.
2366549
I finished Elwood Reid's novel more than two weeks ago and its events and characters are still very much with me. On the surface the novel is a depiction of big time football at Michigan, and the main character's stoical rejection of its values, but its themes run much deeper than that.  Reid captures the male world anywhere, regardless of milieu--high school,  sports, or business--a place where the smashing of egos goes on until a  hierarchy is determined. The book is wonderfully felt and alive, its scenes  tangible, poignant, funny, and terrifying; and in the main character's  refusal to be tackled and kept down by the world around him, the novel  rises into a kind of heroism as real as it is remarkable.