Tried but could not get through. Self absorbed , unlikeable narrato.
Nothing to make me care.have rarely disliked a book so strongly
Nothing to make me care.have rarely disliked a book so strongly
While I enjoyed this novel and was compelled to read it rather quickly, it didn't meet my expectations given the success Frantzen's previous novel and the huge level of expectation around this one.
A well written book with a post war setting with a Victorian ghost story sensibility. This novel had great potential , but for me it was not quite what it could have been. The narrator who is also the main character is not likable.which for me diminishes the enjoyment of the story. The post war setting was well wrought and the characters well developed.
The selection of short stories in this collection combined with accent and style of reader Max Bollinger combine to great effect in this sound recording. For me the addition of musical selections by Chaikovskiy did not enhance ( nor detreact) from the work.
Chekhov's stated ambition with his short stories was to hold up a mirror to the drear and dismal lives of his readers with a view to compelling them to see themselves in the stories and then work to improve their own lives. The stories are well written, and beautifully read, the characters compelling but simultaneously repulsive- ranging from the pathetic to the unpleasant. Five stories were for me enough in one go as the effect is to create a melancholy atmosphere when listening to them.
Chekhov's stated ambition with his short stories was to hold up a mirror to the drear and dismal lives of his readers with a view to compelling them to see themselves in the stories and then work to improve their own lives. The stories are well written, and beautifully read, the characters compelling but simultaneously repulsive- ranging from the pathetic to the unpleasant. Five stories were for me enough in one go as the effect is to create a melancholy atmosphere when listening to them.
This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.
The first non Rebus Rankin book I've read. I Thoroughly enjoyed this crime novel particularly because whilst the solution wasn't deus ex machina, I had failed to spot it - which for me is the mark of a crime/murder that stands out.
A great book- very well written! Whilst a better knowledge of recent African history/politics and conflicts would have added to my understanding, its lack did not take away from my enjoyment.
The writing stands out as some of the finest new writing I've had the pleasure to read.
The writing stands out as some of the finest new writing I've had the pleasure to read.
A good read and thoroughly enjoyable. Georgia finds Naomi filching old records from her skip and a friendship develops. Not as good as Two Caravans and a tendency to tell the history of Jews & Palestinians through Georgias discussions with other characters which felt a bit "teachy". But nevertheless, a good book I will recommend to friends.
While still a good read, this wasn't for me as well done as the previous two Robert Langdon novels.
I enjoyed the story, but the narrator/protagonist continually explaining the historical and masonic bits - whilst necessary to understand the story, was just too much. Nevertheless - I think that anyone who enjoyed the others will also like this. Plus, lots of interesting bits about Washington and the Freemasons.
I enjoyed the story, but the narrator/protagonist continually explaining the historical and masonic bits - whilst necessary to understand the story, was just too much. Nevertheless - I think that anyone who enjoyed the others will also like this. Plus, lots of interesting bits about Washington and the Freemasons.
An excellent story based on the true events of the death of general Zia in 1988. Thoroughly enjoyable and a bit of a history as well.
A fantastic novel, despite the early chapters being slightly confusing, all becomes clear as one progresses through to a beautifully formed story. Melina Marchetta is a great story teller and this is a great example. Taylor Markham the protagonist is a 17 year old girl, house leader at her rural boarding school. Taylor was abandoned as a child and brought to the school. The story slowly reveals both her early life and in parallel, the lives of a group of students who lived at the school some 20 years earlier. As the story progresses, the interconnection between the two stories becomes increasingly clear until it is resolved cleanly at the end.
I found this book very hard to read- it is well written and the story is excellent - but the subject matter was very difficult for me.
I really loved this mystery. Well crafted plot. Tarquin Hall gets the colloquial English of most private investigator Vish Puri down beautifully. I look forward to more mysteries featuring Vish and his team!
Another well written installment which nicely ties up the ends of the story lines. Compelling story line with all the old characters we loved and hated.
This is a thoroughly enjoyable read. It put me in mind of both The Life of Pi and Vernon God Little. Well written,well plotted, great story telling.
This is an excellent novel which tells a great story; weaving Pip from Great Expectations through a thoroughly modern storyline set in the civil war in PNG. The young female narrator is completely credible and engaging. The story is poignant, sad and delightful by turns. A great read