Average customer rating:
- A fine story of a dangerous quest emerges, involving listeners in a delicate, finely honed drama.
- I will buy his next book but...
- The lyrical prose and powerful sense of place
- As Publisher's Weekly said, "a snoozer."
- Not the Piano Tuner
|
A Far Country
Daniel Mason
Manufacturer: Knopf
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
 Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Literary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Psychological & Suspense | Thrillers | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:
-
The Piano Tuner: A Novel
-
A Thousand Splendid Suns
-
Divisadero
-
The Maytrees: A Novel
-
Christine Falls: A Novel
ASIN: 0375414665
Release Date: 2007-03-06 |
Book Description
From the best-selling author of The Piano Tuner, a stunning new novel about a young girl’s journey through a vast, unnamed country in search of her brother.
Raised in a remote village on the edge of a sugarcane plantation, fourteen-year-old Isabel was born with the gift and curse of “seeing farther.” When drought and war grip the backlands, her brother Isaias joins a great exodus to a teeming city in the south. Soon Isabel must follow, forsaking the only home she’s ever known, her sole consolation the thought of being with her brother again. But when she arrives, she discovers that Isaias has disappeared. Weeks and then months pass, until one day, armed only with her unshakable hope, she descends into the chaos of the city to find him.
Told with astonishing empathy, and strikingly visual, the story of Isabel’s quest—her dignity and determination, her deeply spiritual world—is a universal tale about the bonds of family and a sister’s love for her brother, about journeys and longing, survival and true heroism.
A tour de force of great emotional and narrative power.
Customer Reviews:
A fine story of a dangerous quest emerges, involving listeners in a delicate, finely honed drama........2007-09-08
Anne Twomey narrates this vivid story of a young girl's journey through an unnamed country in search of her brother. Isabel has the gift of second sight - when war changes her life and separates her from her brother, it may be the only thing that can help her locate him. A fine story of a dangerous quest emerges, involving listeners in a delicate, finely honed drama.
Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch
I will buy his next book but..........2007-09-07
I wanted to love this as much as I loved "The Piano Tuner"...but it just didn't grab me. I spent much of the time trying to figure out if we were in the present day or in the future when global warming has REALLY kicked in. (I kept getting a feeling like I was reading "Friend of the Earth" meets "The Running Man".)
I also thought maybe more would be made of the "sixth sense" of the main character. All of this second guessing means that I didn't appreciate the careful drawing of Isabel and her relationship with her brother. I liked it - but not in a way that will stay with me the way Mason's first book did.
The lyrical prose and powerful sense of place.......2007-05-30
Daniel Mason's haunting THE PIANO TUNER left an indelible imprint on my memory, which helped to launch a never-to-be forgotten visit to Southeast Asia in 2004. Such can be the power of a gifted writer --- that the potency of his words can open doors and windows of the mind to seek further information on the subject, learn more about the circumstances in the book, or even to book passage to lands far away. So it was with great hopes when Mason's newest, A FAR COUNTRY, became available, and I grabbed it without hesitation.
Isabel is the 14-year-old daughter of a farm laborer and his wife, living next to a sugar cane plantation in an unnamed equatorial America country, quite likely Brazil. Her older brother Isaias is a talented violinist who chafes at the idea of being forever tied to seasonal work cutting cane or loading river barges, the occupation of villagers for generations. Drought and the increasing attacks by raiders as poverty spreads among the displaced peasants drive Isais to join the growing Diaspora of young people who drift hopefully toward the city in the south. On his infrequent returns home, he talks glowingly of gaining fame as a musician, always going back to the city and sending small amounts of money to help out his impoverished family. His visits stop, replaced by occasional phone calls, and then he simply vanishes.
Isabel yearns for her brother, and when she is needed to babysit for a few weeks for her cousin in the same city that has swallowed Isaias, she is eager to follow him. With little more than a few dollars and a meager lunch, she embarks on a journey via "parrot perch" --- riding in an open flatbed truck on a four-day journey to the South. She arrives, after much travail, in The Settlements. She has directions to her cousin's apartment in a neighborhood called Eden, a name that turns out to be a cruel joke. Eden is nothing more than an endless sprawl of tin-roofed shanties, baking in the tropical heat, indistinguishable from hundreds of other neighborhoods housing millions of displaced camposinos in pursuit of work and shelter. When she finally locates the apartment, she is distraught to find that Isaias, whom she expected to be there to greet her, has not been seen for weeks.
And so begins Isabel's search through the teeming city for her brother, with baby Hugo, her cousin's son, on her hip. Isabel was born with a second sight, an ability that frightened her parents to the degree that they had her exorcized by a holy woman. But she still feels the uncanny, compelling presence of her brother, which drives her to find him. She enters the world of people looking for "the disappeared" --- the tens of thousands who come to the city and are never heard from again. Yet she feels that he is close at hand, watching over her, and cannot abandon her quest.
A FAR COUNTRY is a bittersweet journey of the heart; a story of family love yearning for security and survival. Mason's brilliant lyrical prose carries the reader along in a mixture of fantasy and reality. While the story verges on magical realism, it is not in the mystical realm of Gabriel Garcia Marquez or Isabel Allende. Yet the surreal location and Isabel's ability to find lost objects and people whom she loves lend itself to the genre.
While A FAR COUNTRY doesn't quite achieve the magic and panoramic exotica of Mason's first triumph, it still offers the lyrical prose and powerful sense of place, which is quite enough if armchair travel to other places through a good book is your goal.
--- Reviewed by Roz Shea
As Publisher's Weekly said, "a snoozer.".......2007-05-14
Reviews by Amazon readers were very encouraging but I should have read the Publisher's Weekly review at the top of the page. That review gets it exactly right; good descriptive writing, but a bit cliched, and ultimately a snoozer. If I had not been trapped on a 10-hour flight with nothing else to read, I would have put it down half way through when I realized there was very little story, just description.
Not the Piano Tuner.......2007-05-09
As stated in many of the reviews, Mason certainly has a talent for writing truly amazing descriptions of reality; however, that is basically all this novel is. I couldn't get into the story, what there was of it. Mason's earlier novel, Piano Tuner was phenomenal in that it was not only deliciously descriptive, but it also a great story. I just didn't enjoy this story. To be frank, I found it a bit boring. Having said that, I will eagerly await Mason's next novel.
Book Description
This summer the Penderwick sisters have a wonderful surprise: a holiday on the grounds of a beautiful estate called Arundel. Soon they are busy discovering the summertime magic of Arundel’s sprawling gardens, treasure-filled attic, tame rabbits, and the cook who makes the best gingerbread in Massachusetts. But the best discovery of all is Jeffrey Tifton, son of Arundel’s owner, who quickly proves to be the perfect companion for their adventures.
The icy-hearted Mrs. Tifton is not as pleased with the Penderwicks as Jeffrey is, though, and warns the new friends to stay out of trouble. Which, of course, they will—won’t they? One thing’s for sure: it will be a summer the Penderwicks will never forget.
Deliciously nostalgic and quaintly witty, this is a story as breezy and carefree as a summer day.
Customer Reviews:
this is a fun book........2007-08-15
This book is about a family of four sisters who stay at a cottage in Massachusetts for a few weeks during the summer. The sisters make a new friend and have to find a way to save him from being sent to a military boarding school that he doesn't want to go to.
My favorite part of the book was when Batty got rescued by her sister and Jeffrey from the bull because I didn't know what was going to happen. When Sky met Jeffery they argued but then they became friends and that was kind of funny. And I liked that Jane was writing an adventure book and I was happy for her when she finished writing it. I also liked the end of the book because everyone was happy in the end.
The worst part was when the oldest sister Rosalind fell and bumped her head on a rock when she saw the boy she liked kissing another girl. I felt bad for her and I thought she was going to end up with amnesia or something but she didn't though.
I would recommend this book to other kids because it was a fun summer book. It is about adventures, friendship, secrets and a little romance (but not much). This book is great for older and younger kids.
I would rate this book with 5 stars because I really liked it.
Delightful summer read.......2007-08-08
As a writer who wrote this story with the best intentions of providing a wonderful new voice for children's literature, Jeanne Birdsall has succeeded! The Penderwicks Summer Tale is a most delightful summer read. Take the time to become friends with this terrific family. This summer tale provides many escapades for the family of three girls on vacation and the boy they meet who lives upstairs in the mansion . Fantasy and real life adventures are shared and valuable lessons are learned for these summer comrades.
The Penderwicks.......2007-07-28
My daughter is the one who picked up this book, and for two summers now it has sat unread. Very unusual as my older kids are avid readers, and complete most books in a day or two. This made me extremely curious about what was wrong, as my daughter is the ideal reader of this book: a girl age 8 - 14.
Knowing The Penderwicks is a story of four sisters, and mostly a book meant for young girls, I picked up the book and read it myself. What I found was a nicely written book, though Jeanne Birdsall as a first time writer does quite a few things more experienced writers could never get away with.
Older readers I suspect wouldn't have a problem with this, and that's part of the problem with this book. It seems to be a book intended for young readers, but written to earn points with much, much older readers. I'd suspect that's why it won the National Book award. How could a book with character names like Rosalind and Cagney, that reminesces about places like Gettysburg, cottage vacations of yester year, and is intended for young reades not win an award -- it has all the right ingredients.
The problem is the recipe -- older readers who praise this book never seem to notice the recipe is a tad off. The dialog is clearly that of an adult trying to talk like a child. As a father with children of all ages at home, I know of no children that talk as these children do.
Overall, this is a fairly good book, but it's not a perfect book. It's a simple book with a simple storyline. The message is good, even if the pacing and plotting are off at times.
You won't want to put down this relaxing summer tale!.......2007-07-20
At first glance you probably will not see the plain cover of this book.
But with a good reader's further investigation, you will stumble across this refreshing tale. The Penderwicks is the kind of book that goes best with fresh air, and a glass of Iced Tea. A warm summer breeze, is this books best friend.
The book is about 4 sisters who find themselves on the beautiful estate of Arundel for their summer. While exploring the great gardens, of this lush getaway, the girls meet Jeffrey. Jeffrey is a wonderful boy, who's mother, (the grouchy owner, Mrs. Tifton)is far far, from wonderful! The girls, quickly find themselves and Jeffrey are inseperable, the only problem is that Mrs. Tifton isn't as fond of the Penderwicks as him.
The book has everything. Comedy, action, and a slight tweek of romance.
You would really be missing out, if you ignored this superb story.
Enjoyable Summer Read.......2007-07-10
Although it started out slowly for me, I found myself engaged in the story after a chapter or two. This was well-written and brought back vivid memories of my childhood adventures and also of books I loved reading as a child. Sweet relationships written in a way that I could just picture the sisters and the scenes. Great plot. As a teacher, I'd recommend this to any reader or as a delightful read-aloud story to share.
Customer Reviews:
a novel worthy of reading.......2007-08-16
This book poignantly describes the challenges of trying to assimilate into a new culture while maintaining the old. Alvarez does an exceptional job capturing the difficulty of trying to fit in, while trying to follow the beliefs and culture of the old country.
This is definitely a book to consider, for it will reveal the complications of assimilation, the love for our family, and the bond of sisterhood. Overall, this is a novel that provides insight towards a new culture.
Poor little rich girls. .. ........2007-08-15
I found this book to be well enough written but the story was so-o-o whiny. Somehow I had trouble empathizing with these poor little rich girls who have to move away from their fancy lives but soon enough spend summers back on the island, go to New England boarding schools and live well again, albeit with fewer servants.
The Girls Who Lived.......2007-08-10
Ms. Alvarez writes about her two homelands, the Dominican Republic and the United States, with such believability that I kept checking to see if I was reading a memoir rather than a novel (it's the latter). Her most famous work, In the Time of the Butterflies, is her imagined account of the lives of historical people who gave their lives in resistance to General Trujillo's dictatorship in the Dominican in the first half of the 20th century. "Garcia Girls" covers some of the same period, but tells the story of girls who lived, eventually to emigrate to the U.S. to struggle in different ways.
The structure of the novel takes some getting used to as Alvarez writes from now to then--starting with vignettes about grown women and working her way back to stories about their early childhood in the Dominican. She also switches voices among the four sisters--each has a distinct personality and life, but their similarities had me checking back sometimes to remind myself exactly who was speaking.
Fans of Ms. Alvarez who haven't read this book should do so. Newcomers might better start with "Butterflies" and then try "Garcia Girls", given that the latter switches among both place and narrator ("Butterflies" does the latter as well), and works its way back in time. "Butterflies" also gives some historical perspective about life under Trujillo that is important to understand to appreciate the travels of the Garcia family. Both books are appropriate for teenagers as well as adults.
A Good Read.......2007-05-29
I was assigned to read this book for my college class--the history of the women's movement. It was very good and funny. I laughed out loud in many places. I finished the book in two days which is good for me since I am a slow reader. It held my interest the entire time.
"Subtle...Powerful..."?.......2007-05-26
I don't really know what to say...But I feel disappointed that I didn't find How The García Girls Lost Their Accents to be the wonderful work that is proclaimed in the editorial reviews.
There are without a doubt some lines and parts that display Alvarez's talent with words...I enjoyed the very first episode of Yolanda and her craving for guavas. Some of the vignettes centering on Yolanda, I think, are some of the best in the book. But even then, there was something missing, and it was that I didn't connect with any of the characters as real people.
The sisters, we are told, all have different personalities, but essentially the only things that differentiate them in the reader's mind are their names. Carla, we are reminded many times, is the analyst in the family, the psychologist, which we can see in her comments, but she doesn't have a real voice; she isn't a real person. Mami, Papi, the aunts and uncles and the whole García family didn't come to life for me. At times, some of them were on the verge of coming off of the paper, but they never really did. Everything that is good in the novel is hard to appreciate as it is dampened by the rest.
Alvarez's exploration of some ideas, such as the displacement that immigrants experience, are not really effective...Sometimes she states things that we never really get a sense of and understand because we cannot sympathize with the characters. I think it is ultimately because of this that some parts feel contrived or not quite artfully done. As a whole, it is like a skeleton of a book. The organization of the vignettes (backwards in time) is creative but unmeaningful, and the vignettes themselves don't intertwine successfully to give us a "bigger picture" or insight or any sense of connection; rather, they are isolated, and as the narrator changes from 3rd person to Yolanda, the narration sounds the same. It doesn't captivate.
Right now I am more than halfway through the book, and I don't feel that it is worth finishing. I hope that How the García Girls Lost Their Accents isn't representative of Julia Alvarez's work...I should pick up another of hers but definitely do not feel motivated to at the moment...
For an American immigration story, The Joy Luck Club and The Namesake are two great novels!
Average customer rating:
- Great.... if you have a sister.
- How did this get published?
- Readable, pleasant, but lacking substance - 3 1/2
- Fun Former Boyfriend
- That Summer
|
That Summer
Sarah Dessen
Manufacturer: Puffin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Stepfamilies | Family Life | People & Places | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
Fiction | Girls & Women | People & Places | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
General | Literature & Fiction | Teens | Subjects | Books
Dessen, Sarah | ( D ) | Authors, A-Z | Teens | Subjects | Books
Being a Teen | Social Issues | Teens | Subjects | Books
Stepfamilies | Family Life | People & Places | Children's Books | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
Fiction | Girls & Women | People & Places | Children's Books | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
( D ) | Authors, A-Z | Teens | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
General | Literature & Fiction | Teens | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
Being a Teen | Social Issues | Teens | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
Similar Items:
-
Keeping the Moon (reissue)
-
Someone Like You (reissue)
-
Dreamland (reissue)
-
The Truth About Forever
-
This Lullaby
ASIN: 0142401722 |
Book Description
For fifteen-year-old Haven, life is changing too quickly. She's nearly six feet tall, her father is getting remarried, and her sister&150the always perfect Ashley&150is planning a wedding of her own. Haven wishes things could just go back to the way they were. Then an old boyfriend of Ashley's reenters the picture, and through him, Haven sees the past for what it really was, and comes to grips with the future.
Customer Reviews:
Great.... if you have a sister........2007-10-10
No book has ever made me cry as much as That Summer. Yeah, I know it's not Sarah Dessen's best. The thing about this book is that I read it right after my sister graduated. Reading Haven's thoughts about how it would be different when her sister wasn't "across the hall" made me bawl. I could relate to Haven bettter than any of Dessen's other characters. I'll probably never read this book again because I never want to lose the feeling that I got the first time I read it, but I do recommend it to anybody who has had to deal with their sister (or sibling) growing up before them.
How did this get published?.......2007-10-09
At the beginning I liked the book because it had some interesting possible plot lines: the supermodel who had a meltdown returning home, the older sister's old ex returning and making life more interesting, the father marrying a shallow weatherwoman, etc. But here are the problems I have with this book:
- As others have said, there ended up not being a plot! What exactly was the purpose of this book?
- As I was reading it I thought, "WOW! Sarah Dessen is actually writing a book where the main guy character isn't the girl's love interest!" I was happy that Sumner would be able to help Haven become a better person, but that didn't really result in much. (as a side point, why is it that Dessen always ends up bringing in a boy to fix things? Whatever happened to strong female characters not having to depend on a boy to improve themselves?)
- What happened to the supermodel who had a breakdown? I didn't see her story go anywhere, so what was the point? It could have been very interesting!
- The way Sumner's story ended was terrible.
Readable, pleasant, but lacking substance - 3 1/2.......2007-08-23
"That Summer" is not a bad book. In short, it's a glimpse of one teenage girl's summer as she struggles with typical teenage issues, taking everything in her life and discovering that it can be made worse. Haven, the main character, deals with her father's remarriage, her mother, and her sister. Not particularly remarkable. Mostly, though, it's that this story lacks a plot.
Oh, don't get me wrong. A thoroughly readable book. It flew by. I enjoyed catching a glimpse of another's life, even if it was simply a series of events as opposed to the typical dramatic plot format. In a sense, that is both a pro and a con for this book. Yes, it lacks a plot, but on the other hand, it makes for a much more realistic book, one that is easier to relate to.
It was mostly pleasant as well. The relationships they all have with each other are very real and there are some touching moments to the book. Nothing heart-stopping, but still okay. Recommended to someone looking for a quick, pleasant read.
Fun Former Boyfriend.......2007-07-03
Haven feels a little bit like her life is escaping from her grasp. She remembers being small and safe, having her parents together and loving each other, having her sister sometimes be nice to her. Now, though, Haven is quickly approaching six feet tall and she feels gigantic. Her parents are divorced and her father, a television sportscaster, has just remarried, to his television station's weather forecaster. Haven's mother has become the type of woman who goes out to a bar once a week with a new female friend. And the worst thing of all is that Haven's sister is getting married and is unbearably obnoxious and selfish.
When Haven thinks back to when things felt better, her mind gets stuck on one summer, when her sister was in high school and dating a boy named Sumner. Sumner was the type of guy who could bring people together and make everything seem fun. He was nice to Haven and made her sister be nice to her, too. When Sumner came into their house, everyone gathered to greet him. They were all happy.
So when Haven meets up with Sumner again, back in town to work odd jobs before going back to college, all of her memories are stirred up. Could he be the key to her life getting back to normal again? If she tells her sister he is back in town, will she get back in touch with him?
I liked the character of Sumner and the way he always seemed to pop up when Haven needed him. I also liked seeing the dynamics of Haven's family. It was interesting to see the ways she viewed her mother and her father now that they weren't together anymore, and the way she viewed her sister and her wedding plans.
The ending of this book was sort of a letdown, though. Sumner ended up being just a bit boring at the end. Also, Haven's sister was simply over the top. I don't think anyone would have allowed her to behave like she did for so long.
That Summer.......2007-05-28
I would recommend That Summer to other readers because it is an interesting book which describes the challenging life of Haven. I enjoyed this book very much becuase I felt as you were reading it you could feel both happy and sad at the same time. Although this book is ficton; it seemed that this story could be so real at the same time. Typically, girls would appreciate this book more because it is based on a young girl's life. That Summer would be an interesting and adventerous book to choose.
Book Description
High in the Transylvanian woods, at the castle Piscul Draculi, live five daughters and their doting father. It's an idyllic life for Jena, the second eldest, who spends her time exploring the mysterious forest with her constant companion, a most unusual frog. But best by far is the castle's hidden portal, known only to the sisters. Every Full Moon, they alone can pass through it into the enchanted world of the Other Kingdom. There they dance through the night with the fey creatures of this magical realm.
But their peace is shattered when Father falls ill and must go to the southern parts to recover, for that is when cousin Cezar arrives. Though he's there to help the girls survive the brutal winter, Jena suspects he has darker motives in store. Meanwhile, Jena's sister has fallen in love with a dangerous creature of the Other Kingdom--an impossible union it's up to Jena to stop.
When Cezar's grip of power begins to tighten, at stake is everything Jena loves: her home, her family, and the Other Kingdom she has come to cherish. To save her world, Jena will be tested in ways she can't imagine--tests of trust, strength, and true love.
Customer Reviews:
A beautiful story. Well worth your time!.......2007-08-26
This was such a wonderful book. It really drew me into their world. I am very picky about my books and i like this one!
I like the style of this book. Its easy to read and exciting. I didnt like some of her other series- but I like this one!
I would recomend it to anyone!
Enchanting.......2007-08-20
"Wildwood Dancing" is the tale of five sisters who live with their father in a Transylvanian castle situated amidst an ancient forest. The forest shelters the inhabitants of the Other Kingdom, who wield an equal share of respect and fear from the folk that live in the area. As small children, the sisters discovered a portal in their bedroom that leads to the Other Kingdom, and since then they have been making monthly visits to participate in the Full Moon festivities.
The story is narrated by Jena, the second eldest, who takes many of the family responsibilities upon herself. Her constant companion is a frog named Gogu, who she found at a young age and who she is able to communicate with. When their father falls ill and is forced to spend the winter elsewhere, Jena resolves to handle the business and family in his absence. But she faces continual challenges: one in the form of their cousin Cezar, who steadily gains more control over their home and business; and the second being the arrival of the mysterious Night People, one of whom captures the heart of her older sister, Tati.
This was a thoroughly enchanting read! Marillier has once again taken well-known fairy tale elements and worked them into a unique and captivating tale of love, loss, acceptance, trust, and change. Despite the multitude of characters and the first-person perspective, readers got a firm impression of the diversity and depth of many of the central characters' thoughts and feelings. The setting for the story was elaborative; the writing was flowing and lyrical. Despite the straightforwardness of the plot, I did find myself surprised by a couple of twists here and there.
There are only a few points I could nitpick about. One being that the Tati/Sorrow and Jena/Cezar angles were very reminiscent of Niamh/Ciaran and Liadan/Eammon from "Son of the Shadows". Seeing as how Marillier is a very skilled and creative author, I read through most of the book expecting some type of twist to make it different from "Shadwos", but none came, and that was a little disappointing. Also, as much as I adored the many characterizations, a few of the sisters did start to get annoying towards the end. Luckily that was quickly rectified, but it seemed to mar the otherwise excellent climax. But again, these are minor points, and I only mention them because I tend to hold Juliet Marillier to a higher standard than most other authors I've read.
Overall, this was an imaginative, engrossing, beautiful read! I highly recommend it not only for young adults, but more mature readers as well.
Magical Forest Adventures - Bookwyrm Chrysalis Review.......2007-08-12
Set in the heart of Transylvania, where folklore is central to village life, Juliet Marillier takes us back to the time before Dracula, weaving a captivating romantic fairytale. A stunning mixture of old legends and familiar tales, the reader will enjoy the new interpretations and learn a bit about Transylvanian culture along the way.
Jena and her four sisters live in Piscul Dracului - Devil's Peak - the Transylvanian castle which borders on an ancient forest and the lake, Tãul Ielelor. Every new moon for the last nine years, they - along with Jena's best friend, the talking frog, Gogu - have shared a secret dual life. Every month, they travel through a portal in their room to the Other Kingdom, the land where the fairy folk rule over the woods around Piscul Dracului. There they partake in the nighttime dance with fairies, dwarves, and other magical creatures. Now things are changing for the sisters, as their father takes ill and must leave to spend the winter in a better climate, and the two oldest girls - Jena and Tati - begin their transition to adulthood, while still attempting to retain their ties to the Other Kingdom. As the Night People (think vampires, but with more ambiguous intentions) come to join the new moon festivities, Jena must fight with her own prejudices, shaped all her life by village folklore. Reminded that nothing is what it seems in the Other Kingdom and to trust her instincts, she still protests against Tati's new love, due to his connection with the Night People.
Fighting to keep control of her own life, and to hold her sisters together as their dual lives begin to overlap, Jena is a strong young woman, portrayed realistically in her pre-industrial society. Throughout the course of the book, she is challenged to rethink the truths that she clings to and learn to overcome her insecurities.
Readers are fully drawn into the world of the book, from the intricate cover art, to the chapter layouts within. The cover itself is a work of splendid art, and I often found myself just staring at it, each image gaining more impact as the plot deepened.
Magic, mystery, fairytales, and romance, this book has everything I look for in a good read. Ideally aimed at teenaged girls, any lover of fantasy should also enjoy this well-crafted tale, woven with enough twists and turns to keep you reading all night. Those interested in the history of Transylvania will also enjoy the book, as Marillier depicts a riveting backdrop, using the already magical land of Transylvania as a perfect setting for this book. Looking back to the tales before Dracula, the setting and detail alone will captivate readers.
Good, but could be better.......2007-07-10
Wildwood dancing is an interesting enhancement of an old fairy tale. Once a month, five sisters travel through a magical door and into the "Other Kingdom," where they meet elves, dwarves, and the sinister Night People. Pursued by their cousin, who wants to destroy the Other Kingdom, Wildwood Dancing is an interesting read.
The writing skill of this book might be too hard for younger readers, as well as the fact that there is some violence and other slightly disturbing contents. At four hundred pages, it is a little daunting, but worth reading. The story teaches the values of love, honesty, and above all, trust.
I rated this book three stars because, although I really enjoyed the book, at times it travelled slowly and had trouble keeping my attention. I also found it to be quite predictable, in the usual way fairy tales are.
Another amazing novel by Juliet Marillier.......2007-06-06
After flying through the world of Sevenwaters, I decided to look into Marillier's other books. This is book has so much of what I love in it - flawed heroes and heroines, endings that tie into the beginning through unexpected turns, a wide spectrum of magic and fantasy, a few love stories that twine through the large story, and of course, elements of familiar fairy tales used in a thrilling and entertaining way
Any fan of Juliet Marillier, fairy tales retold by any author, the fantasy genre, and good literature in general should pick this up at once.
Amazon.com
Purple Hibiscus, Nigerian-born writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's debut, begins like many novels set in regions considered exotic by the western reader: the politics, climate, social customs, and, above all, food of Nigeria (balls of fufu rolled between the fingers, okpa bought from roadside vendors) unfold like the purple hibiscus of the title, rare and fascinating. But within a few pages, these details, however vividly rendered, melt into the background of a larger, more compelling story of a joyless family. Fifteen-year-old Kambili is the dutiful and self-effacing daughter of a rich man, a religious fanatic and domestic tyrant whose public image is of a politically courageous newspaper publisher and philanthropist. No one in Papa's ancestral village, where he is titled "Omelora" (One Who Does For the Community), knows why Kambili¹s brother cannot move one of his fingers, nor why her mother keeps losing her pregnancies. When a widowed aunt takes an interest in Kambili, her family begins to unravel and re-form itself in unpredictable ways. --Regina Marler
Book Description
Fifteen-year-old Kambili's world is circumscribed by the high walls and frangipani trees of her family compound. Her wealthy Catholic father, under whose shadow Kambili lives, while generous and politically active in the community, is repressive and fanatically religious at home.
When Nigeria begins to fall apart under a military coup, Kambili's father sends her and her brother away to stay with their aunt, a University professor, whose house is noisy and full of laughter. There, Kambili and her brother discover a life and love beyond the confines of their father's authority. The visit will lift the silence from their world and, in time, give rise to devotion and defiance that reveal themselves in profound and unexpected ways. This is a book about the promise of freedom; about the blurred lines between childhood and adulthood; between love and hatred, between the old gods and the new.
Customer Reviews:
Great book.......2007-10-06
I really enjoyed Purple Hibiscus. I am intrigued by books of different cultures and places. Some of the content of the book was disturbing and at times heart breaking, but it made for a relistic view into this young girl's life. I am not a religous person at all but I have to say that the positive spirituality in this book was enlightening and touching. One of the things that struck me most was the differences in the way the African characters treated family. There was a lot of love, respect and genuine caring among them, even the younger generation. Being an American it always amazes me how much many other cultures value their extended family and are willing and WANT to do much for them. I am looking forward to reading another book by this author and highly reccomend this book.
As unique and beautiful as the title suggests.......2007-08-16
No wonder Chinua Achebe is delighted by Chimamanda Adichie. And no wonder she can dare weave his legendary title into her story's open. Chimamanda Adichie has a very special writing talent -- raw yet also subtly refined. Her story reads the way incredible dancers dance -- convincingly, passionately, honestly, and seemingly, without any effort. "Purple Hibiscus" is insightful, fresh, honest, real. If you like Haitian writer Edwidge Dandicott (whose work I adore!), especially "Krik Krak," I think you'll also like Chimamanda Adichie.
Good bookclub selection.......2007-07-02
I very much enjoyed this book. My bookclub, Reading Roses, read this as our June selectin and everyone really enjoyed it. I think this book brought out the most discussion we have had in a while. It was quite interesting to read about life in another country; well written; characters were well developed. Good choice for a bookclub.
Very engaging, but simplistic.......2007-06-24
I decided to read this book after Chimamanda won an award in London. The book was definitely worth reading. It grips you right from the very beginning and keeps you hooked till the very end. It also delves a lot into the Ibo Nigerian culture that makes me wonder if non-Nigerians can follow the entire story.
My only criticism is that the book is very simplistic, which may be a good thing for someone who just wants a very light reading.
Engrossing storytelling.......2007-05-07
Adichie takes any non-African reader into an enthralling fictional world without compromising anything about the context, history and sensibility of Nigerian life. She achieves this through sharp, immediate characterization and a strong storyline. It's not a "difficult" book - it's a total page-turner - but it packs a great deal of complexity beneath its apparently simple surface. When you finish this slim novel, you know you've been somewhere.
Average customer rating:
- WoW!
- No Disrespect
- Must Read
- was afraid at first
- Such is life
|
No Disrespect
Sister Souljah
Manufacturer: Vintage
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
African-American & Black | Ethnic & National | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
General | Ethnic & National | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
Women | Specific Groups | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
General | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
General | Sociology | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
African-American Studies | Special Groups | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
General | Special Groups | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:
-
The Coldest Winter Ever
-
Flyy Girl
-
True to the Game: A Teri Woods Fable
-
A Project Chick (Nikki Turner Original)
-
A Hustler's Wife
ASIN: 0679767088
Release Date: 1996-01-30 |
Book Description
Rapper, activist, and hip-hop rebel, Sister Souljah possesses the most passionate and articulate voice to emerge from the projects. Now she uses that voice to deliver what is at once a fiercely candid autobiography and a survival manual for any African American woman determined to keep her heart open and her integrity intact in 1990s America.
Customer Reviews:
WoW!.......2007-06-10
I decided to read this book after I learned that my favorite artist and a person I look up to read it, Tupac. This book was a eye opener. I loved how she went into a lot of the issues we as black people deal with on the daily basis and she didnt sugarcoat anything. She was so raw with everything she said and I loved it. I think every young black male and female should read this book. I agreed, disagreed, laughed, cried, and smiled while i read this book it got so many emotions out of me and a book has never done that before. I definitely recommend this book to anyone.
No Disrespect.......2007-05-07
This is a good book, Sister Souljah has been through a lot in her life and this book explain everyone who had an influence on her life. And reading her autobiography has made me understand her books a little bit more, now that I read No Disrespect.
Must Read.......2007-03-20
Sista Souljah is about knowledge and empowering the people. So if you want to know about the survival of the black community. Read this book, I don't mean No Respect
was afraid at first.......2006-08-11
let me just say sister souljah is one powerhouse of a lady. if anyone thinks this book isnt about uplifting our race then they must be white. this book has made me look deeper within my self. I stated I was afraid in my title that was because I wasnt sure I was able to hand what might be said. I have had this book for more than a year and I'm glad i decided to read it awesome sista thank you.
Such is life.......2006-04-25
After reading "No Disrespect", I have learned that the behavior of a race is greatly influenced by the surroundings and the brainwashing of other cultures. Although many people will not admit to being prejudiced, the evidence is apparent. I myself feel that African Americans need to learn about our beginnings just like the teachers in the schools want us to learn about the beginnings of this country. February should not be the only month for Black History. We are black everyday we are on this earth. Sista Souljah kept it real in her book. "Black Problems" are real and will always exist. This is a book I recommend for teenagers to read to get a jump on life and the experiences they will face. I have much love for my people, and want us to again unify and take care of business; raising strong black children.
Book Description
Is “retail therapy” your favorite pastime—even though you really can’t afford it? Do you ignore the balance on your credit card statements, vowing to pay them off at some point down the line? Is your debt preventing you from living your dreams—like buying a home or starting a family? If so, girl, it’s time to get your credit straight!
These days, with easy access to multiple credit cards and glossy advertisements that entice us to spend at every turn, it’s all too easy to start racking up debt—and even little slip-ups can lead to real damage over time. In this highly practical follow-up to her bestsellers Girl, Get Your Money Straight! and Girl, Make Your Money Grow!, financial expert Glinda Bridgforth delivers a power-packed plan for paying down debt, repairing your credit score, and securing your financial freedom—along with a future that makes your heart sing.
Beginning with simple, engaging exercises to help you assess your spending habits and get clear about what you owe, Girl, Get Your Credit Straight! presents a detailed road map for eliminating debt, one step at a time. You will learn how to:
• Devise a system for tracking expenditures, anticipating end-of-month shortfalls, and paying bills on time, every time
• Find ways to supplement your income
• Consolidate loans to pay off debt faster, decrease stress, and save time and money
• Negotiate with your creditors to come up with a payment plan that works for you
• Discover the best loans to use for refinancing debt or making major new purchases
• Understand how credit bureaus work--and take steps to improve your score
Filled with Bridgforth’s warmhearted wisdom and advice, and complete with worksheets, affirmations, and inspiring stories of African American women who’ve restored their credit and built new wealth, Girl, Get Your Credit Straight! is a fresh, empowering guide for any woman who wants to say goodbye to debt—for good.
Customer Reviews:
Girl Get That Credit Right!!!!!.......2007-06-19
Wow! Ive Been Reading This Book & Must Say , That It Has Taught Me About So Many Things I Didnt Know About. This Book Has Educated Me in So Many Areas In Life,Its Taught Me About How We Should Manage Debt. Paying Bills On Time, My Credit Score, & So Much More. This Book Is A Must Read For All Women...
Nothing New.......2007-05-11
This book takes an interesting topic and makes it booooring. The author takes 50 pages worth of information and streeeetches it out to over 300 pages. Way too much verbiage. Basically, a rehash of information that's already been out in the news for years. Nothing new.
One of the main reasons I got this book was because I wanted to read the "101 Ideas to Increase Income." I wonder how many of these ideas the Sisters are going to be able to use:
Get a raise. (None of the Sisters could have thought of that one?)
Be an actress. (Like Hollywood is waiting.)
Own a vending machine.
Own an ATM. (It's getting funny now.)
Be a house sitter.
Be a singer. (Like Fantasia.)
Write plays.
Direct plays.
Be a comic strip artist.
And other equally "helpful ideas."
I'm sure Glinda is a very nice lady, but this book is a total disappointment.
Book Review.......2007-05-06
I would refer this book to anyone that's trying to take control of their credit score.
BLACK MARKETING ANGLE DUMB.......2007-04-10
GOOD BOOK VERY READABLE. GREAT CREDIT/DEBT ADVICE. IGNORE THE "BLACK CRAP" THE "WE ARE SO PUT UPON" STUFF THAT TRIES TO MAKE YOU THINK THAT MONEY CARES WHAT COLOR YOUR SKIN IS. CREDIT REPORTS DO NOT HAVE A RACE BLOCK TO FILL IN. WHITES, BLACKS, EVERYONE SHOULD READ THIS. ITS JUST GOOD BUSINESS ADVICE. I ALSO OWN GIRL:MONEY AND GIRL:MONEY GROW. ALL OF THE SET ARE VERY GOOD. BUT, TOO MUCH "BLACK" CRAP, WHY WE LET OUR MEN USE US AND JUNK.
Girl, Get this Book!!!.......2007-02-08
I recently went to her book signing in Atlanta and bought all three of her books. She is an awesome author. I am a forty something woman who makes a good living just made a lot of mistakes. This is an excellent book to help you straighten out a mess that you have made in easy terms to understand. We have all had our share of credit "issues" but this will put you back on track. It is not just for sisters, it is for men and women, black and white or others with credit problems but want a book that is easy to understand for the regular person and it will help you. I can not wait until her next book signing to tell her where I am in "Getting my credit straight"!!!
Book Description
A Different Kind of Sister Act
Patricia Anne -- "Mouse" -- is respectful, respectable, and demure, a perfect example of genteel Southern womanhood. Mary Alice -- "Sister" -- is big, brassy, flamboyant, and bold. Together they have a knack for finding themselves in the center of some of Birmingham's most unfortunate unpleasantness.
Country Western is red hot these days, so overimpulsive Mary Alice thinks it makes perfect sense to buy the Skoot 'n' Boot bar -- since that's where the many-times-divorced "Sister" and her boyfriend du jour like to hang out anyway. Sensible retired schoolteacher Patricia Anne is inclined to disagree -- especially when they find a strangled and stabbed dead body dangling in the pub's wishing well. The sheriff has some questions for Mouse and her sister Sister, who were the last people, besides the murderer, of course, to see the ill-fated victim alive. And they had better come up with some answers soon -- because a killer with unfinished business has begun sending them some mighty threatening messages...
Customer Reviews:
Murder on a Girl's Night Out.......2007-07-15
Anne George's characters are so real. These two sisters are so entertaining and have their own relationship norms. I cannot say that at any time am I bored while reading about their adventures or just their interactions. This series is one of my very favorite reads - I don't have to worry about blood, gore or profanity - these stories can stand on their own without resorting to the quick, gory, or bloody fill-ins.
Not For Me.......2006-11-04
I was looking for a new "series" of books to be interested in when I ordered 2 of the Southern Sisters mysteries. I should have known better than to order just on reviews; I should have checked at the library first. I only read this one, and have donated both to the local seniors group. I am an insatiable reader, and devour a wide variety. My favorite authors of fiction are James Clavell, Tim Clancy, Nora Roberts, Laurell K Hamilton, Anne Rice, James Patterson and Janet Evanovich. If these are on your list of favorites, my advice is "try before you buy"; this series is a little simplistic for my taste.
Great book--Great series!!.......2006-10-30
I purchased this book because I had read the second in the series previously and was very entertained. "Girls Night Out" did not disappoint. The characters are vibrant and the story line is easy to follow but not as easy to predict. If you like a "funny" murder mystery this series is for you!
Deadly Doings in Dixie.......2006-10-03
Patricia Anne and Mary Alice are sisters but there the similarities end. Patricia Anne (Mouse) is a sixty-year old retired schoolteacher who has been married to the same man (Fred) for forty years and she weighs one hundred and five pounds soaking wet. Mary Alice (Sister, Aunt Sister to Mouse's children) is sixty-five, weighs two hundred and fifty pounds and has outlived three husbands. Mouse is well grounded, tries to eat a healthy diet and always votes Democratic. Sister is flighty, claims that Mouse doesn't eat enough and always votes Republican. The fertile mind of Anne George dreamed up this pair, put them in position to solve a mystery and neither Alabama or the mystery world will ever be the same again.
Sister and her boyfriend Bill are into line dancing and when the owner of their favorite honky-tonk decides to sell Mary Alice decides to buy. The day after the sale closes however the former owner is found dead in the bar's wishing well and from then on Sister's investment is jinxed. The sisters don't really set out to catch the killer but instead are trying to help a former student of Patricia Anne's who is a suspect in the crime. The more they delve into matters though the deeper they find themselves and before it is all said and done one of the sisters finds herself on the wrong end of a gun. Since this is the first book in the series it is easy to assume that the endangered sister survives but you'll never guess who saves the day.
As with most cozy mysteries the characters tend to overshadow the plot and the hero figures don't actually solve anything but just sort of blunder into the solution. The characters are so much fun though that you will hardly notice when the plot happens to disappear. Seldom does a book like this make me laugh out loud but this one did the trick and the plot held just strongly enough to make me rush toward the end once I approached the climax of the mystery. As a born and raised Southerner I could clearly visualize these two and could actually identify them with several of my own family members, right down to the double first names. So pour yourself a nice glass of sweet tea and settle down on the veranda for an unforgettable visit with these two Southern ladies extraordinaire.
THE SOUTHERN SISTERS SERIES IS THE BEST AND YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE EIGHT BOOKS.......2006-09-25
OK, OK, I am reviewing all eight books in this one sitting! Anne George wrote a series WINNER with these eight books. You need to read them in order and they are as such --
MURDER ON A GIRLS NIGHT OUT
MURDER ON A BAD HAIR DAY
MURDER RUNS IN THE FAMILY
MURDER MAKES WAVES
MURDER GETS A LIFE
MURDER SHOOTS THE BULL
MURDER CARRIES A TORCH
MURDER BOOGIES WITH ELVIS
I have lent these books out to so many friends/family that they are in need of repair. These books should be read in the above order.
Unfortunately, Anne George has passed on, so this is it for this series. You will LOVE every single book. The main characters are two sisters who could not be more different than day and night. Mary Alice weighs two hundred pounds and the word flamboyant does not even begin to describe her. People who know and love her call her Sister. She is loud, border-line obnoxious, and into getting married - over and over again. She is someone you would adore in real life.
Her sister, Patricia Anne, is a retired school teacher and the more serious of the two women. She is lovingly known as Mouse. She has been in a steady marriage for years, has grown children, and is the more sensible of the two. You will love them both. The books are set in Alabama, so the books are full of Southern flair and charm. The characters in each book are funny, sad, sweet, nasty -- you will meet a whole cast of characters in each book.
I cannot emphasize enough how much you should treat yourself to these eight books!
Each book deals with a murder mystery that these two senior girls just seem to keep falling into. I know, I know, the titles sound hokey and so does the preface of the books, but they are WONDERFUL. I read all eight of them in a row and was sad to see them come to an end.
Each book deals with another mystery and caper. The trouble these two old ladies get into! The laughs are there, and they will have you laughing out loud. The mystery is just that -- mystery. You will not know which way the book is headed. Each book is full of surprises and keeps your attention the entire length of the book.
Get this entire series and set yourself down. Enjoy!
Thank you! Pam
Book Description
The Chinese believe an unseen red thread joins those in this life who are destined to connect. For photographer Richard Bowen, that thread led him to China's state-run welfare institutions, where there are thousands of children, primarily girls, growing up without families to take care of them. Mei Mei presents a poignant glimpse of just a few of these remarkable children. Composed against neutral backgrounds, these portraits capture the girls inner lives, away from their often bleak surroundings. The images show an almost endless range of expressions: small faces filled with longing and hope, joy and sadness, humor and mischief, defiance and despair. Through the camera's eye these young children are no longer orphans, but individuals whose personalities are as vital, distinct, and beautiful as any mother's child. When that unique human being comes into focus, the connection is made and the red thread becomes visible. And once seen, the bond can never be broken.
Customer Reviews:
Touching.......2007-06-08
This book touches my soul every time I open it. I have adopted two girls from China and I see their reflections on every page.
Wonderful book!.......2007-01-25
We are in the process of adopting a baby from China, and this book just made my heart break. The images are so beautiful, and the children are so precious! In my mind, they seem to be simply be waiting... We can't wait to give one of them a home.
Heartbreaking.......2007-01-06
As an adoptive parent of a beautiful Chinese girl, I became extremely upset when I viewed these pictures. But by the grace of God, my daughter could have been featured in this book. That thought and the pictures of these children absolutely broke my heart. The pictures are beautiful but left me with a sense of helplessness because you can't save them all....although you want to. I returned the book because it was just too upsetting. I was torn between giving the book 5 stars because of the impact it has, but gave it 3 so someone might read this review and think twice about viewing it. It was not worth it for me.
From a parent.......2006-08-05
I purchased this book for my wife as we have adopted a baby girl from China. While these photos are from a different orphanage, the impact is the same. We did not get to see all the children at our daughter's orphanage, and they don't allow photos of the kids anyway. I recommend this book for any adoptive parents of children from China, or those looking into it. I will warn you, you will want to go back for more.
Beautiful & Touching.......2006-04-18
Words can't describe this beautiful little book, filled with beautiful little girls. I especially love the list of their names at the back, as they translate into English, things like Literary Excellence & Radiant Jade. The children do seem sad or at least suspicious of the photographer, and why not? It's probably not every day that some Westerner visits to take pictures. But there is mischief & hope in these little girls' faces, & just affirms my ambition for half my life to adopt from China.
Books:
- A Feast for Crows (A Song of Ice and Fire)
- A Rose in Winter
- A Wild Pursuit
- After the Affair: Healing the Pain and Rebuilding Trust When a Partner Has Been Unfaithful
- All About Building Waterfalls, Ponds, and Streams (Ortho's All About Gardening)
- Am I Blue?: Coming Out from the Silence
- Basic Grammar in Action-Text: An Integrated Course in English
- Be Still My Vampire Heart (Love at Stake, Book 3)
- Beyond the Mountains of Madness: An Epic Campaign and Sourcebook (Call of Cthulhu Horror Roleplaying, #2380)
- Biological Science and CW+ Grade Tracker Access Card (2nd Edition)
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane
- Listening for the Heartbeat of God: A Celtic Spirituality
- Complementarity in Biology: Quantization of Molecualr Motion
- Continuum Thermomechanics:: The Art and Science of Modelling Material Behavior A Volume Dedicated to
- History: Fiction or Science
- Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer
- Grooming To Win: How to Groom, Trim, Braid and Prepare Your Horse for Show
- Fashion: From Concept to Consumer
- Dan Kiley: The Complete Works of America's Master Landscape Architect
- Encyclopedia of Plant Physiology: Phloem Transport: Transport in Plants I
