This was my first book from Mcall Smith and his Ladies Detective agency series. I enjoyed the narrative, it was light and airy and easy to read Mma Ramostswe and her assistant are interesting well formed characters. Some of the interior monolouges and descriptions were well done and demonstrated some universal human truths and themes. However I was hoping for a deeper mystery and the climax was a disappointing predictible story. All 3 story lines are neatly tied up in a bow. Probably not a reread, probably wont do the rest of the series. I guess its not my cup of tea
I almost didn't finish. Volumes 2 and 3 got more interesting.
The narrative has a very slow build, lots of exposition about being a clergyman and landscaping and Fanny and Edmund having long talks about whatever. Lots of unneeded description about how Fanny is thinking or feeling or entire paragraphs basically telling the reader that Lady Bertram does nothing all day but sit on a sofa with her dog.
And the play! Going on and on about wheter to do a play and which play and who was to do what parts and Fanny not wanting to participate in the fun. Not much action. I think the subtly of Fanny and the characterization is difficult for modern readers. We can't imagine a time where the residents of Mansfield Park have servants to do menial tasks yet manage to do nothing all day long while dressed up in fancy clothes! Boring. Fanny is quiet and passive. The dramatic tension at the end where you come down to who will marry who is more interesting.
Austen writes with too much understatement and if you are not trained you miss it. For instance, I almost missed how awful Mrs Norris is and how lazy and indifferent Lady Bertram is. Fanny herself will certainly not point out any faults in her "dear" aunts.
Yes, the reader admires Fanny for her virtue and the fact that she saw that Henry Crawford was a fake before everyone else and that she grows to love Mansfield and she would not marry for simply marrying or for money, and you are happy that she is patient and kind and Edmund realizes show more how she is perfect for him and they live happily ever after at Mansfield Park. But that does not redeem the novel, it should of been 200 pages. I would not recommend this book unless you are an Austen fan already, stick with pride and prejudice or sense and sensibility which have faster narratives, less pages and more interesting heroines show less
The narrative has a very slow build, lots of exposition about being a clergyman and landscaping and Fanny and Edmund having long talks about whatever. Lots of unneeded description about how Fanny is thinking or feeling or entire paragraphs basically telling the reader that Lady Bertram does nothing all day but sit on a sofa with her dog.
And the play! Going on and on about wheter to do a play and which play and who was to do what parts and Fanny not wanting to participate in the fun. Not much action. I think the subtly of Fanny and the characterization is difficult for modern readers. We can't imagine a time where the residents of Mansfield Park have servants to do menial tasks yet manage to do nothing all day long while dressed up in fancy clothes! Boring. Fanny is quiet and passive. The dramatic tension at the end where you come down to who will marry who is more interesting.
Austen writes with too much understatement and if you are not trained you miss it. For instance, I almost missed how awful Mrs Norris is and how lazy and indifferent Lady Bertram is. Fanny herself will certainly not point out any faults in her "dear" aunts.
Yes, the reader admires Fanny for her virtue and the fact that she saw that Henry Crawford was a fake before everyone else and that she grows to love Mansfield and she would not marry for simply marrying or for money, and you are happy that she is patient and kind and Edmund realizes show more how she is perfect for him and they live happily ever after at Mansfield Park. But that does not redeem the novel, it should of been 200 pages. I would not recommend this book unless you are an Austen fan already, stick with pride and prejudice or sense and sensibility which have faster narratives, less pages and more interesting heroines show less
I liked Pillars much better; which I read first. Follett is an excellent writer but I could of done without this depressing story of corruption,murder, unnecessary sex, oh yes and don't forget to add a gay character because there were gays back then also! It seemed contrived. In general, I don't like a story that has no redeeming or complicated characters. Would make a decent made for TV movie with some B rate washed up actors.
This was an easy read; full of lots of stats.
I think alot of this has already happened and we have already lost to China; I don't see a way back.
Clifton states that he believes America can win but I didn't get that impression reading this book.
It's a little depressing. I went away very thankful for my job and motivated to see what (little) things I can do in my circle of influence to promote true entrepreneurship and thus job creation.
Perhaps my favorite quote: "When you are in a meeting with nine other people, odds are that two of them are taking notes to make damn sure whatever your'e planning doesn't see the light of day." Page 102 in the chapter on "high energy workplaces.
I think alot of this has already happened and we have already lost to China; I don't see a way back.
Clifton states that he believes America can win but I didn't get that impression reading this book.
It's a little depressing. I went away very thankful for my job and motivated to see what (little) things I can do in my circle of influence to promote true entrepreneurship and thus job creation.
Perhaps my favorite quote: "When you are in a meeting with nine other people, odds are that two of them are taking notes to make damn sure whatever your'e planning doesn't see the light of day." Page 102 in the chapter on "high energy workplaces.
A practical, worthy read for managers who want to be leaders. Thought provoking and insightful.
Having done lots of business readings, their research did not strike me as particularly new or earth shattering. It is a cautionary tale against our tendency to become a micromanager repackaged and reframed in a multiplier vs diminisher continuum.
However, it gave some good insight and I was able to recognize that I have some accidental diminishing traits. I appreciated the concrete examples of what multipliers do differently and actual actions to obtain those goals. Don’t miss the FAQs at the end where the authors answer some tough questions about their research and ideas.
Two critiques: 1. It seemed redundant at times. The 235 pages could have been reduced by a third, without eliminating any content or ideas. 2. Examples are heavy with high level executives from technology and biotech industries. Research focused on knowledge workers -- highly educated, motivated staff doing creative, varied work and solving complex problems.
On how to be a multiplier if you are managing minimum wage service workers whose jobs are more task orientated and physical (which make up a significant portion of our “new service economy”) the book is strangely and frustratingly silent.
Having done lots of business readings, their research did not strike me as particularly new or earth shattering. It is a cautionary tale against our tendency to become a micromanager repackaged and reframed in a multiplier vs diminisher continuum.
However, it gave some good insight and I was able to recognize that I have some accidental diminishing traits. I appreciated the concrete examples of what multipliers do differently and actual actions to obtain those goals. Don’t miss the FAQs at the end where the authors answer some tough questions about their research and ideas.
Two critiques: 1. It seemed redundant at times. The 235 pages could have been reduced by a third, without eliminating any content or ideas. 2. Examples are heavy with high level executives from technology and biotech industries. Research focused on knowledge workers -- highly educated, motivated staff doing creative, varied work and solving complex problems.
On how to be a multiplier if you are managing minimum wage service workers whose jobs are more task orientated and physical (which make up a significant portion of our “new service economy”) the book is strangely and frustratingly silent.