kerry reviewed Medicus by Ruth Downie
Review of 'Medicus' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
Engaging, easy to read genre mystery with a doctor as the main character.
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kerry reviewed Mcsweeneys No 38 by Dave Eggers
Review of 'Mcsweeneys No 38' on 'Goodreads'
2 stars
I most enjoyed The Northeast Kingdom by Nathaniel Rich and Steven Millhauser's Rapunzel. These short stories were good but not quite good enough to make me want to read other works by these authors.
I most enjoyed The Northeast Kingdom by Nathaniel Rich and Steven Millhauser's Rapunzel. These short stories were good but not quite good enough to make me want to read other works by these authors.
kerry reviewed A voice in the box by Edwards, Bob
Review of 'A voice in the box' on 'Goodreads'
3 stars
I've been a long-time KCRW/NPR listener so I recognized many of the names in Bob Edwards' book (Sylvia Poggioli, Noah Adams, Susan Stamberg, Red Barber). Anecdotes about putting the radio shows Morning Edition and All Things Considered made for a pleasant reading experience.
According to Edwards, NPR's management really botched the way they handled his "departure" from the network. Sigh. Incompetent management is everywhere.
The book concludes with a few chapters that feel a plug for his satellite radio program.
I've been a long-time KCRW/NPR listener so I recognized many of the names in Bob Edwards' book (Sylvia Poggioli, Noah Adams, Susan Stamberg, Red Barber). Anecdotes about putting the radio shows Morning Edition and All Things Considered made for a pleasant reading experience.
According to Edwards, NPR's management really botched the way they handled his "departure" from the network. Sigh. Incompetent management is everywhere.
The book concludes with a few chapters that feel a plug for his satellite radio program.
kerry reviewed A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan
Jennifer Egan's spellbinding interlocking narratives circle the lives of Bennie Salazar, an aging former punk …
Review of 'A Visit from the Goon Squad' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
Based on rave reviews by friends who loved this book, I expected to like this book more than I did. I’m feeling generous today so I’m rating it 4 stars.
Best themes:
The elasticity of sibling bonds (“Safari” and “Great Rock and Roll Pauses”)
Fragility (“Good-bye, My Love” and “Found Objects”)
My favorite story:
Ted Hollander searching for his niece Sasha in Naples (“Good-bye, My Love”)
Funniest moments:
Characters who prefer to text (“T”) each other rather than speak even as they sit across the table from one another (“Pure Language”)
Most Annoying:
The article, written by Jules, that describes how he ended up assaulting the actress he is sent to interview (“Forty Minute Lunch”) – enough with footnotes in modern lit; if you can’t do ‘em like [a:David Foster Wallace|4339|David Foster Wallace|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1301424629p2/4339.jpg], then just don’t, ok?
Most Overhyped:
The PowerPoint chapter (“Great Rock and Roll Pauses”) – yes, …
Based on rave reviews by friends who loved this book, I expected to like this book more than I did. I’m feeling generous today so I’m rating it 4 stars.
Best themes:
The elasticity of sibling bonds (“Safari” and “Great Rock and Roll Pauses”)
Fragility (“Good-bye, My Love” and “Found Objects”)
My favorite story:
Ted Hollander searching for his niece Sasha in Naples (“Good-bye, My Love”)
Funniest moments:
Characters who prefer to text (“T”) each other rather than speak even as they sit across the table from one another (“Pure Language”)
Most Annoying:
The article, written by Jules, that describes how he ended up assaulting the actress he is sent to interview (“Forty Minute Lunch”) – enough with footnotes in modern lit; if you can’t do ‘em like [a:David Foster Wallace|4339|David Foster Wallace|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1301424629p2/4339.jpg], then just don’t, ok?
Most Overhyped:
The PowerPoint chapter (“Great Rock and Roll Pauses”) – yes, it’s creative. However, no need to fall all over yourselves because of it. (Maybe I’ll write a story in Excel: Enter characters in column A and relationships in column B; sort by locale (column C), use a formula in column D to calculate a happiness quotient based on the characters’ ages (to be entered in a lookup table), and then review all possible outcomes in a pivot table that sums the number of times a relationship is repeated compared to the median value of the times the character says "Awesome!".)
* * *
Browsing other GR reviews I saw a couple of comparisons to [b:Cloud Atlas|49628|Cloud Atlas|David Mitchell|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1170360941s/49628.jpg|1871423], another book of interlocking short stories told in different styles and voices across different time periods. While I enjoyed Goon Squad, Cloud Atlas was much more commanding.
kerry reviewed Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse by Hermann Hesse
Hermann Hesse wrote Siddhartha after he traveled to India in the 1910s. It tells the …
Review of 'Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse' on 'Goodreads'
3 stars
I read Siddhartha years ago, when I was a kid. I remember nothing about that first reading experience, except these things: I liked it enough to read more by Hermann Hesse (Demien, I think, although I recall nothing of that book either); I also recall that my sister’s friend’s mom saw that I was reading it and told me she had read and liked the book also.
I re-read this book over the weekend and am somewhat incredulous that I had “enjoyed” it before. But perhaps I am selling my adolescent self short.
My yoga teacher, Rosie, once said that if we practice yoga in this life, it’s because we practiced yoga before in a previous life. If that’s so, then that may explain the interest I had in my initial reading.
kerry reviewed House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski
This is an alternate cover edition.
Review of 'House of Leaves' on 'Goodreads'
3 stars
So here’s the story: Will Navidson and his family move into a house. Previously unseen doors mysteriously appear. Will and friends explore the labyrinthine rooms leading from these doors, and film their experiences. Mayhem and death ensue.
Navidson’s film generates much examination (cinematic critiques of the film itself, theories as to the physics of doors and rooms suddenly appearing, psychological studies of the characters, etc.). A character named Zampano (seemingly unknown to Navidson) prepares his own notes on the film and its subsequent analyses but dies before he is unable to complete the project. Johnny Truant takes Zampano’s notes and compiles them into a manuscript. The manuscript is then edited (we know this because of recurring “editor’s notes”). The result is layers upon layers of stories and by the end we are not sure any of it is real. Fairly early on, and again near the end of the book, …
So here’s the story: Will Navidson and his family move into a house. Previously unseen doors mysteriously appear. Will and friends explore the labyrinthine rooms leading from these doors, and film their experiences. Mayhem and death ensue.
Navidson’s film generates much examination (cinematic critiques of the film itself, theories as to the physics of doors and rooms suddenly appearing, psychological studies of the characters, etc.). A character named Zampano (seemingly unknown to Navidson) prepares his own notes on the film and its subsequent analyses but dies before he is unable to complete the project. Johnny Truant takes Zampano’s notes and compiles them into a manuscript. The manuscript is then edited (we know this because of recurring “editor’s notes”). The result is layers upon layers of stories and by the end we are not sure any of it is real. Fairly early on, and again near the end of the book, Truant admits to making things up. Metafiction, anyone?
I hope Mark Danielewski had fun with some of his smug construction techniques: certain words and passages printed in color, footnoted footnotes (where have I seen that before?), occasional footnotes that use odd characters rather than Arabic numerals (evidently we are supposed to use photographs in the book to decode these footnotes but I didn’t want to bother); an index that includes meaningless words (like “something” and “back”); initial letters of lists that spell out things including the author’s name.
Truant frequently interjects his own story via footnotes. He’s a mess. His life centers around drugs, sex, and the repercussions of abandonment and early childhood abuse—or not? Remember, he’s told us he lies.
There are no dimensional female characters. Navidson’s partner, Karen, gives us capital-D-Denial. Truant interacts with hookers and one night stands. Truant’s also got mother issues. Through a series of letters, we learn that Truant’s mother spent years in a mental health facility. (In another trick of construction, we get to decode one of her letters.)
The book’s weaknesses are redeemed by chapters 9 and 20. Here Danielewski has constructed the verbal equivalent of the labyrinth that Navidson is exploring. The book uses footnotes, page layout, color, and typography to evoke dead ends, backtracking, and a feeling of disorientation. Great fun to read the book while turning it sideways, flipping pages backwards, jumping forward or backward to find the referenced footnote—a truly disorienting, unique reading experience.
kerry reviewed The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
Her name was Henrietta Lacks, but scientists know her as HeLa. Born a poor black …
Review of 'The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks' on 'Goodreads'
2 stars
Of course it's heartbreaking that Henrietta Lacks's descendants must do without medical insurance while Henrietta's cells provide financial benefits to pharmaceutical companies. Rebecca Skloot concludes the book with a really good (if scholarly) analysis of the issues regarding tissue "donation" and medical research.
The story of the Lacks family was compelling; the historical record of the scientists and medical personnel was rather dry. In the end, I felt like there were too many competing storylines in this book to really make me feel involved with all of them.
Of course it's heartbreaking that Henrietta Lacks's descendants must do without medical insurance while Henrietta's cells provide financial benefits to pharmaceutical companies. Rebecca Skloot concludes the book with a really good (if scholarly) analysis of the issues regarding tissue "donation" and medical research.
The story of the Lacks family was compelling; the historical record of the scientists and medical personnel was rather dry. In the end, I felt like there were too many competing storylines in this book to really make me feel involved with all of them.
kerry reviewed The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
Her name was Henrietta Lacks, but scientists know her as HeLa. She was a poor …
Review of 'The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks' on 'Goodreads'
2 stars
Of course it's heartbreaking that Henrietta Lacks's descendants must do without medical insurance while Henrietta's cells provide financial benefits to pharmaceutical companies. Rebecca Skloot concludes the book with a really good (if scholarly) analysis of the issues regarding tissue "donation" and medical research.
The story of the Lacks family was compelling; the historical record of the scientists and medical personnel was rather dry. In the end, I felt like there were too many competing storylines in this book to really make me feel involved with all of them.
Of course it's heartbreaking that Henrietta Lacks's descendants must do without medical insurance while Henrietta's cells provide financial benefits to pharmaceutical companies. Rebecca Skloot concludes the book with a really good (if scholarly) analysis of the issues regarding tissue "donation" and medical research.
The story of the Lacks family was compelling; the historical record of the scientists and medical personnel was rather dry. In the end, I felt like there were too many competing storylines in this book to really make me feel involved with all of them.
kerry reviewed Ghostwritten by David Mitchell
Review of 'Ghostwritten' on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
Stylistically similar to Cloud Atlas but more readable. Both books give us separate stories told in different voices. However, Ghostwritten provides more obvious links between the stories and a spectacular wrap-up.
OK, it's gimmmicky. I still really really like David Mitchell.
Stylistically similar to Cloud Atlas but more readable. Both books give us separate stories told in different voices. However, Ghostwritten provides more obvious links between the stories and a spectacular wrap-up.
OK, it's gimmmicky. I still really really like David Mitchell.
kerry reviewed Ghostwritten by David Mitchell
A gallery attendant at the Hermitage. A young jazz buff in Tokyo. A crooked British …
Review of 'Ghostwritten' on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
Stylistically similar to Cloud Atlas but more readable. Both books give us separate stories told in different voices. However, Ghostwritten provides more obvious links between the stories and a spectacular wrap-up.
OK, it's gimmmicky. I still really really like David Mitchell.
Stylistically similar to Cloud Atlas but more readable. Both books give us separate stories told in different voices. However, Ghostwritten provides more obvious links between the stories and a spectacular wrap-up.
OK, it's gimmmicky. I still really really like David Mitchell.
kerry rated The Namesake: 4 stars
kerry reviewed The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet by David Mitchell
In 2007, Time magazine named him one of the most influential novelists in the world. …
Review of 'The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
OK, who in the "David Mitchell" fan club is ready to read this one?
Enjoyed it lots. The setting is Nagasaki, Japan, primarily during the years 1799-1800. The scope ranges from the massive (nation building, global trade, political power struggles) to minute (a gnarled old herbalist living alone on the side of a mountain). We get a kaleidoscope of characters, and just about all of them have something to hide, some deal to be struck, some advantage to be taken.
It's historical fiction; it's a story of faith; it's a romance; it's an adventure. Recommended.
OK, who in the "David Mitchell" fan club is ready to read this one?
Enjoyed it lots. The setting is Nagasaki, Japan, primarily during the years 1799-1800. The scope ranges from the massive (nation building, global trade, political power struggles) to minute (a gnarled old herbalist living alone on the side of a mountain). We get a kaleidoscope of characters, and just about all of them have something to hide, some deal to be struck, some advantage to be taken.
It's historical fiction; it's a story of faith; it's a romance; it's an adventure. Recommended.
kerry reviewed The Thousand Autumns of Jacob De Zoet by David Mitchell
The year is 1799, the place Dejima in Nagasaki Harbor, the “high-walled, fan-shaped artificial island” …
Review of 'The Thousand Autumns of Jacob De Zoet' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
OK, who in the "David Mitchell" fan club is ready to read this one?
Enjoyed it lots. The setting is Nagasaki, Japan, primarily during the years 1799-1800. The scope ranges from the massive (nation building, global trade, political power struggles) to minute (a gnarled old herbalist living alone on the side of a mountain). We get a kaleidoscope of characters, and just about all of them have something to hide, some deal to be struck, some advantage to be taken.
It's historical fiction; it's a story of faith; it's a romance; it's an adventure. Recommended.
OK, who in the "David Mitchell" fan club is ready to read this one?
Enjoyed it lots. The setting is Nagasaki, Japan, primarily during the years 1799-1800. The scope ranges from the massive (nation building, global trade, political power struggles) to minute (a gnarled old herbalist living alone on the side of a mountain). We get a kaleidoscope of characters, and just about all of them have something to hide, some deal to be struck, some advantage to be taken.
It's historical fiction; it's a story of faith; it's a romance; it's an adventure. Recommended.
The Lake by Banana Yoshimoto
While The Lake shows off many of the features that have made Banana Yoshimoto famous—a cast of vivid and quirky …
kerry reviewed Lucky Peach by David Chang
Review of 'Lucky Peach' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
Nicely produced quarterly journal...looking forward to seeing what future issues hold.
Weakest element was the fiction by Jun'ichiro Tanizaki. Best was the lead story, Things Were Eaten, an account of slurping ramen at various shops in Japan.
Nicely produced quarterly journal...looking forward to seeing what future issues hold.
Weakest element was the fiction by Jun'ichiro Tanizaki. Best was the lead story, Things Were Eaten, an account of slurping ramen at various shops in Japan.