But then I picked up this first installment at the 2010 SIBA convention. So what was my problem? The size of the books (this one is nearly 500 pages long)? The three-book commitment? Laziness? Then I heard it was being made into a movie. Then I found the first and third installment on audio at the library. And I decided to go for it. Praise the Lord, Patrick Ness and talking dogs.
Synopsis: Prentisstown is a farming village occupied only by men, located in the New World. The women all died years ago, killed by a virus contracted from the native species that inhabited the planet before man colonized it. Likewise, this same virus made all men's private thoughts available to each other (called Noise), and have enabled animals to talk.
Todd Hewitt lives in Prentisstown, and will be the last boy in town to turn 13 and officially become a man. He is a simple sheltered boy, fairly uneducated because Mayor Prentiss burned all the books and declared schooling unnecessary. Todd has lived his life believing a number of truths, including the cause of his parents' deaths when he was young, that the natives, called Spackle, were the enemy but are now all gone, and that Prentisstown is the only settlement in the New World.
Until one day, when he meets a human that omits no Noise. Viola. A girl. He is suddenly urged by his adoptive father to run away from Prentisstown with Viola and his loyal dog Manchee, as fast as he can to a safe place, away from the villagers. It is a matter of life and death. And all the truths upon which Todd has always relied, are shattered.
My thoughts: I'm not sure where to begin with this one, except to tell you that all the hype for this book is very warranted. Jesus wept, people, and so did I.
There are so many intricately developed issues buzzing around your head, they overwhelm your senses. Invasion of a native population, hatred between species, communication (open, closed or managed for ill gain), death of all women, the hypocrisy of the religious, the kindness of strangers, the confusion of young love, and *gulp* the unconditional love of a dog.
But don't let all that scare you off. In fact, the world that Ness has built for you will make your mind buzz with possibilities and potential. And Todd and Viola and Manchee are precious and earnest and untainted, and you YEARN for their well-being. The plot is fast-paced and full of terror and anguish. (Unless you are dead, the anguish will level you. I'm telling you so you can plan ahead.)
And right when you get to the precipice of Something Bigger...Ness ends the book. A bit of a cheap trick if you ask me, and manipulative. If I'd have read this when it first published, I would have been pretty upset. I also was slightly irritated at a Michael Meyers-esque character that just WOULD NOT DIE. It was almost laughable. All lesser quibbles than the whole of the thing though.
The good news is that if you are reading these books now, you can plow through them one after the other. I'm warning you, for the sake of your sanity, have "The Ask and the Answer" at the ready, as soon as you finish this one.
A few words about the audio production: The narrator for this audio book (and for the entire series) is Nick Podehl, a new voice for me, but one that has made a positive first impression. He was able to convey Todd's innocence, his frustration and fear, as well as speak for Viola, a few evil guys, and best of all, the animals, especially Manchee. Not everyone can talk like a dog might sound if barking out words, but this guy does a superb Manchee and I love him for it.
4 out of 5 stars
This is a shot of a small prayer vestibule in the University Church in Wroclaw, Poland. (More pictures of the church were featured last week.)
The Redbreast
Nemesis
The Devil's Star
The Redeemer
The Snowman
The Leopard
There are two novels prior to "The Redbreast", but they have not yet been translated (and may never be, so don't hold your breath or wait for this to happen). Each book, in theory, is able to stand on its own, but I wouldn't recommend it. There are consistent characters, there is a history of tragedies that make Harry the man he is. So what is that dashing, damaged man up to this time?
Synopsis: Twelve years ago, in a Salvation Army summer camp in Norway, there was a brutal rape of a 14 year-old girl. We don't know the victim, and we don't know the perpetrator. We also learn about a young Croatian boy who commits acts of treachery and has earned the title "the little redeemer". These two facts simmer over the years and bubble up to give us the latest Harry Hole investigation.
In the present, a Salvation Army soldier is executed in public at close range. Soon after, an attempt is made on the victim's brother's life, closely followed by an increasing body count, all which seem to be related. Harry is assigned to this investigation with his partner Halversen and forensics superstar Beate. Their digging takes them to Croatia, through the upper administration of the Salvation Army, and to that night 12 years ago at the summer camp. As Harry's retired boss advises, "follow the money".
My thoughts: Like all Harry Hole mysteries, there is never one simple plot thread, but many. In fact, if you aren't careful, you will find yourself completely lost in the woods, a mile from civilization, marveling at how Nesbo does this to you again and again. I've probably said this before, but best not even try to figure it out. You will just get confused. Just go with it.
Nesbo seems to enjoy picking inanimate objects and creating new phobias for them. He has demonized elevators, water beds, and snowmen. Now he has caused me to cringe at my vacuum cleaner (well, yeah, that goes without saying, but now even more than ever). Is Nesbo married? I'm thinking that his significant other must have had some input about creating a fear of a vacuum.
And even though in many ways, critical events were spoiled by reading the books out of order, I still very much enjoyed this journey with Harry. He continues to become more and more untethered by his demons, and is an increasingly cocky smartass with authority, but he is also an admirable dog with a bone, and refuses to give up on the most cut and dried cases. He is annoying and lovable and dear, and the perfect protagonist to carry the series.
So. One more book to go, and I believe, for the first time ever, I am reading it in order. I can't wait.
4.5 out of 5 stars
The Descendants has gotten a serious amount of Oscar Buzz in just about every major category. This is going to be THE movie to see over the next few months, with good reason. Plus, let's face it. What on earth could be bad when it involves Hawaii and George Clooney?
Matthew King (Clooney) is a dispirited, over-worked real estate attorney whose marriage was starting to fall apart when his wife was in a boating accident and rendered comatose. They have two daughters, one 17 and one 10, both with various emotional issues due to their mother's illness. King attempts to deal with his two children who, for all intents and purposes, are strangers to him, and in the process learns that his wife may have been unfaithful. King takes his children (and a stoner boyfriend) to Kauai to track down the rat bastard that was sleeping with his wife, and in return gets a little more than he expects.
At the same time, King and his dozens of cousins, all descendants of royalty in Hawaii, must decide whether or not to sell 24,000 acres of prime island real estate that will make them all rich beyond their dreams.
If you think I have just gone and spoiled the whole movie for you, please know that there is so much more going on here than what I have described. This movie is full of some really big issues, all so emotionally-wrought and heart-breakingly real that by the ending credits, my stomach hurt from the clenching.
So it isn't all shits and giggles here. But it is some really fine acting, not only from Clooney, who may well nab a prize in the Best Actor category, but from Shailene Woodley in her first full-length movie role. It may not be the best film to see if you are feeling particularly fragile (especially since they are showing the trailer to Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close prior, Lord help me). And there is a warm little surge of hope at the end.
Which, to me, was so typical of Alexander Payne. I absolutely loved his directorial work in Sideways. And while there is a significant dose of anguish in that movie, you also laugh, and there is that last scene that I will never forget. One that makes you nod your head and say "OK, the tormented guy now gets how to live. There is peace". Payne has brought those same emotions to this movie as well.
Lastly, there is Hawaii. Beautiful, exotic, lush Hawaii, with its haunting music and loud shirts. It was a dichotomy...all this suffering with a backdrop of natural beauty. It went a little way to soothe my ragged soul.
Well, a movie reviewer I am not, but I hope I adequately expressed what a gem of a movie this is. Strengthen yourself, and go see it. And prepared to be touched.
But it is my favorite time of the year. Once the tree and the lights were finally up, I felt a small sense of zen.
I supported the nation's economy on Cyber-Monday by doing every bit of ordering I could online. Hey, if there is free shipping, I'm there. I do not like getting into games of chicken for parking spots at the mall.
I shipped off my box 'o goodies for the Book Blogger Holiday Swap. Isn't it so much fun? Then you get to see all the posts of what people received. I get so excited over the whole thing.
Also next week, one of my book clubs not only is going to discuss "Room", but will also bring a wrapped book and do a pirate exchange, Yankee exchange, or whatever other term (they are usually non-PC terms) you want to call it.
For the first time in ages, I played some golf on Thursday, and had the best score I've had in probably a year. Damn that felt good!
I suppose this weekend will go down as one of the busiest EVER. Friday night, after my son's basketball tryouts, we went out with some friends for a special 4 course dinner thing we got at an auction. So good! Saturday my daughter had to take an entrance exam for the high school she is going to attend (!?), then both kids had an 8 hour final track meet for the season. But of course my husband's Christmas party was last night too, so children had to be shuffled. Today, my daughter has an all-day Confirmation retreat, and my husband and son are going to a Father/Son football game in Tampa to see the Bucs. I have no idea what I'm going to do. Something bookish I predict. Something relaxing? We'll see if my guilt will allow me.
I finished up a couple of books this week in print. I wrapped up "My Soul To Take" by Yrsa Sigurdardottir, which was entertaining but had some issues. Then from the library I received the graphic novel "The Green River Killer: A True Detective Story" by Jeff Jensen and Jonathan Case, which was excellent. A total geek fest for me, since I love both true crime and graphic novels. Now I am working my way through "Joy for Beginners" by Erica Bauermeister (whom I fell in love with when I read "The School of Essential Ingredients").
On audio, I wrapped up Patrick Ness's "Monsters of Men", and am grieving now on how I'm going to write the reviews for this trilogy. I am now very very close (less than a disc left) to finishing "Before I Go To Sleep" by S.J. Watson. This is a selection for January for Books, Babes and Bordeaux. Pretty creepy, pretty twisty.
Hope you all have a nice Sunday, whatever is on your agenda!
This cookbook is just a tad different than what you may be used to, in a good way. The recipes are separated by seasons, which is helpful when you are buying your fresh fruits and vegetables. Beyond that, Bittman's approach to cooking is pretty loose. He guides you in general directions, but does not provide measurements unless they are critical to the dish. This allows you to experiment and replace ingredients for families with PICKY EATERS. (I won't mention any names.)
But if you are the type of cook that likes to know how many teaspoons of parsley and tablespoons of olive oil? This approach might be frustrating to you. There are also NO PICTURES. I love pictures. But I was able to forgive that omission because instead we get 404 recipes that you can whip out on the busiest evenings. I had my way with this cookbook. Here are a few recipes we tried and loved:
Pan-Seared Fish with Spicy Lime Butter
Stir together about a half stick of softened butter, a finely chopped shallot, the zest of a lime and a good squeeze of the juice, a minced red chile, and a pinch or two of salt. Pat any type of fish fillets dry, season with salt, and cook them quickly in a tablespoon each of olive oil and butter. Turn the fish once and cook until golden and cook through, about five minutes. Serve the fillets with a generous spoonful of the compound butter on top.
My comments: I didn't have a chile, so I put in chile flakes. I also dredged my fish in flour, just to give it some texture. But that lime butter is to die for. You could put it on almost anything and it would make the anything better.
Sesame-Glazed Grilled Chicken
Heat the grill or grill pan. Pound chicken breasts to a quarter-inch thickness. Mix together minced garlic, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, and cayenne to make a thin paste. Brush on the chicken and grill or broil until cooked through, turning once, about five minutes. Lightly toast sesame seeds in a dry pan until just starting to color. Sprinkle the chicken with sesame seeds and garnish with chopped scallion.
My notes: My marinade was definitely thinner than a paste, because I was just pouring stuff in the bowl. Didn't matter. I actually reserved some of the liquid and tossed it with angel hair pasta, and I heard no complaints.
Pasta Carbonara
Boil and salt water for pasta, and cook it. Meanwhile, cut a quarter pound of pancetta into small pieces and fry in a bit of olive oil until golden. In a bowl large enough to hold the pasta, beat together three eggs, a half cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese, and the meat. Drain pasta, reserving some of the cooking water. Toss the pasta quickly with the egg mixture to combine (the heat from the pasta will cook the eggs). Add a few tablespoons of pasta water if needed to moisten. Season with salt and pepper, garnish with chopped parsley and more Parmesan.
My notes: One time I used prosciutto, and another time I used bacon, in place of the pancetta. In any case, this dish was a huge hit in our house. Decadent and delicious.
Do you see how simple these recipes are? In just a few sentences and a few ingredients, you've got dinner. While I hesitate to buy cookbooks because I don't have alot of room for them, this one may be a keeper.
I'm back again, with the latest installment of Bookmarks, which for me is like the arrival of that toy catalog right around Christmas-time when I was a kid. I pore through each entry, make notations and scribbles, and try to figure out how in the heck I'm going to get them all read.
One thing I'd like to point out here. Most of the books I am listing below I already knew about - many of them have been reviewed and scooped by my friends. Bookmarks is just a reminder for me to get in the game and read them. Or at the very least, just talk about them so I don't feel so bad about getting to them in a year or two.
So here are my NEEDS:
11/22/63 - Stephen King: Uncle Stevie imagines what life would have been like had JFK not been assassinated. In this little tale of alternate reality, a high school teacher travels back in time to try to alter historical events. And without even looking I know this thing is probably a thousand pages, so I am going to try to get to it on audio.
Steve Jobs - Walter Isaacson: Predictable selection, I know, but why not? I love biographies, and when one presents itself that claims to be an uninhibited exploration of everything that made this man tick? I must know these things. Again, I'm just guessing this is a chunkster (how could it not be?) so I'm targeting it for audio.The Leopard - Jo Nesbo: Our beloved and tormented Harry Hole finds himself in Hong Kong, having fallen to the lure of opium and gambling. He is called back home, though, despite his past transgressions, to once again save the day. And this is a little bit of a cheat, because I already do have this book on my nightstand. I just can't help waving it around and letting everyone know that they need to get on this bandwagon quickly, because this is already the sixth translated installment.
Wonderstruck - Brian Selznick: And we thought that "The Invention of Hugo Cabret" was the greatest thing since sliced bread? Apparently this one rivals its mastery, because Bookmarks has given it 4.5 stars, which almost never happens. We have a story of a deaf boy, a young girl from 50 years in the past, magically come together at the American Museum of Natural History. Told in words and drawings, like Hugo, I must have this now. Scholastic was kind enough to keep the damn thing taped up on the display at SIBA, so I couldn't even touch it. I'm still a little sore about that.
Here are some of my WANTS:
The Art of Fielding - Chad Harbach: Although I like baseball well enough, I'm told that this book is good even if you don't know what a seven inning stretch is. Described as a novel that mixes Moby Dick with baseball, this book is more a study of three-dimensional characters that you won't forget in the near future.
Birds of Paradise - Diana Abu-Jaber: This one is also another cheat, because I have this book. I not only received it, signed, from SIBA, but I met the author at a luncheon where the authors took turns coming to your table to talk about their books. Diana came with her own bottle of wine and shared (a girl after my own heart) and was funny and easy-going and made her novel, about a family left in ruins after their 13-year-old ran away, a must-read. Bookmarks just reminded me that I need to delegate this one to the nightstand.
The Cider House Rules - John Irving: Don't judge me. I've only read one John Irving novel (Last Night in Twisted River) and I was underwhelmed. I know that he has some amazing books though, and this one was featured in an article that highlights books about careers. I'm thinking I need to make a project of Irving some day, starting with this book, and continuing with "The World According to Garp" and "A Prayer for Owen Meany".
The Most Dangerous Thing - Laura Lippman: I have resisted reading Lippman's Tess Monaghan series because there are so many books and I like to start at the beginning and read them all. Intimidating. But a stand alone? I can do that. This one has something to do with secrets, relationships from childhood to adulthood, destroyed innocence and such. I know that I'm in good hands with whatever she writes.
Any opinions on any of these? I always need help with prioritization!
Posts
