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theresidentbookworm's reviews
3256 reviews
Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson
5.0
Fever 1793 might be the most underrated of Laurie Halse Anderson's historical fiction, and how sad that is. I first read Fever 1793 when I found it in one of my teachers' libraries in a desperate search for something to read. I discovered a lot of good historical fiction that way. This was my introduction to Anderson, and it definitely set the bar of things to come.
Very few people write about the yellow fever epidemic of 1793. It's become a side-note of history, something that is in-between the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. Anderson tackles the subject with her usual dedication to detail and research. Mattie is relatable while still fitting in the time she lives in. She wants to have her own coffee shop where people can gather and a library of her own. She is stuck, however, under the controlling (but loving?) thumb of her mother. News of the fever starts to spread, and soon Mattie is forced to flee with her grandfather. She turns without him with no knowledge of her mother's fate, having to survive in a city ravaged by epidemic.
Mattie's struggles and dreams drive the story forward, but I was more interested in the time the novel was set. Anderson perfectly depicts what Philadelphia must have been like during that epidemic. Of course, the French have the better way to treat yellow fever (aka the ways that actually make logical sense) than Dr. Rush's (very very dumb) infective treatment of leaching the sick and then leaving them for dead. Gee, why wouldn't that work. There is a perfect amount of suspense in the novel, and Mattie grows up as her city heals.
Highly recommended!
Very few people write about the yellow fever epidemic of 1793. It's become a side-note of history, something that is in-between the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. Anderson tackles the subject with her usual dedication to detail and research. Mattie is relatable while still fitting in the time she lives in. She wants to have her own coffee shop where people can gather and a library of her own. She is stuck, however, under the controlling (but loving?) thumb of her mother. News of the fever starts to spread, and soon Mattie is forced to flee with her grandfather. She turns without him with no knowledge of her mother's fate, having to survive in a city ravaged by epidemic.
Mattie's struggles and dreams drive the story forward, but I was more interested in the time the novel was set. Anderson perfectly depicts what Philadelphia must have been like during that epidemic. Of course, the French have the better way to treat yellow fever (aka the ways that actually make logical sense) than Dr. Rush's (very very dumb) infective treatment of leaching the sick and then leaving them for dead. Gee, why wouldn't that work. There is a perfect amount of suspense in the novel, and Mattie grows up as her city heals.
Highly recommended!
When Will This Cruel War Be Over?: The Civil War Diary of Emma Simpson, Gordonsville, Virginia, 1864 by Barry Denenberg
4.0
I'm a huge fan of the Dear America series, and this was probably one of my favorites. I enjoyed the Southern perspective that's really rare. Emma was a great narrator. Definitely recommended!
Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes
2.0
Okay, so here's the deal: I know I have read Johnny Tremain. I know I have read Johnny Tremain more than once. I remember reading it for school, and I know the general plot. But I don't remember reading it. I don't remember any of my thoughts reading it or how I felt about it. I don't remember caring. What I remember is not being able to watch the movie version with my class in the fifth grade. I was being punished for something (I can't remember what for), and I got to see the last end for some reason anyway. That's all I have to say about Johnny Tremain.
Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier
4.0
The image of Vermeer's Girl With a Pearl Earring is well-known by most around the world. I know I have seen it several times before. Still, when my teacher pulled up a large image of this painting, I couldn't help but be captivated. The girl's expressive eyes, her curious (and somewhat piercing) gaze, made me think. I wondered who she was, who she had been looking at, why was she wearing a pearl earring, etc. Then I realized why Tracy Chevalier had been compelled to write this book.
Chevalier did extraordinary research on a figure we know little about historically. Most of what is included in the novel (his family, patronage, financial problems, painting methods) are true from what we know. Of course, we do not know who modeled for Girl With a Pearl Earring. We do not know if it was an lady or a commissioner's daughter or even a maid named Griet. Of course, this isn't really Chevalier's concern because this is historical fiction for a reason. The detail put into the most minute things is tremendous. I thought it was clever Griet's smallest observations about what being painted actually matched up to the real-life Vermeer paintings. I didn't catch on until halfway through the novel, but once I did I Googled Vermeer's paintings and looked at them. It helped me tremendously in picturing the atmosphere of the studio. Griet's perspective as the only Protestant in a house full of Catholics in the 17th century was intriguing to me for obvious reasons. I gained a lot of valuable information from that perspective. For example, I didn't know Protestants were uncomfortable with religious depictions in artwork.
Though the story Chevalier tells is dynamic and thought-provoking, her characters do not always come out the same way. Griet and I have many barriers separating us already, time period and social structure being one. I felt as if another barrier had been put up between us as she told her story. Though smart and full of life in her own way, Griet keeps everyone at a distance. She is tightly coiled, and though many would've not created a character such as Griet for this story, I think it serves both the painting and the plot justice. It would've been all too easy to have the two fall into an explosive love affair that created such a sensual painting. Instead, Chevalier stays true to her source material: Girl with a Pearl Earring. In the painting, the girl is very restrained, not moving her mouth or her hands, just piercing us with her gaze. The romance between Vermeer and Griet is summed up in that word: restraint. Vermeer himself is kept ambiguous, suiting both Griet's position as a maid and Chevalier's own desire to keep the painter mysterious due to the lack of information on him. Some would find this annoying, but I think it to be a thoughtful character development decision.
The supporting cast is just as detailed as the artist and his muse. Catherina is spoiled and selfish, to be sure, but ultimately she is unhatable to me. After all, she has to deal with the high and lows of being married to an artist, one who produces only three paintings a year when they have many children and keep having more. Cornelia is a very vindictive little girl, but even her actions are understood. She just wants attention from her father in the place she'll never get it: the studio. Catherina and Cornelia's jealousy of Griet stems from the servant's secured place in the studio. Griet's parents are realistically drawn and infinitely sad, her father blinded and her mother grieving over the loss of Griet's younger sister Agnes. My favorite character was Pieter the son, though I felt like he was cheapened a little bit by Griet. What he offered her wasn't bad: an independent life with a husband that would understand and never ask the painful questions. I think Griet realized that in the end and loved him in her own way, but I still can't understand her fascination with the man she could never even think of as anything but her master
Compelling, detailed, and heartbreaking, you definitely want to read Girl with a Pearl Earring. It's a fascinating guess to the back story of a remarkable painting. I'm looking forward to seeing if the movie does it justice.
Chevalier did extraordinary research on a figure we know little about historically. Most of what is included in the novel (his family, patronage, financial problems, painting methods) are true from what we know. Of course, we do not know who modeled for Girl With a Pearl Earring. We do not know if it was an lady or a commissioner's daughter or even a maid named Griet. Of course, this isn't really Chevalier's concern because this is historical fiction for a reason. The detail put into the most minute things is tremendous. I thought it was clever Griet's smallest observations about what being painted actually matched up to the real-life Vermeer paintings. I didn't catch on until halfway through the novel, but once I did I Googled Vermeer's paintings and looked at them. It helped me tremendously in picturing the atmosphere of the studio. Griet's perspective as the only Protestant in a house full of Catholics in the 17th century was intriguing to me for obvious reasons. I gained a lot of valuable information from that perspective. For example, I didn't know Protestants were uncomfortable with religious depictions in artwork.
Though the story Chevalier tells is dynamic and thought-provoking, her characters do not always come out the same way. Griet and I have many barriers separating us already, time period and social structure being one. I felt as if another barrier had been put up between us as she told her story. Though smart and full of life in her own way, Griet keeps everyone at a distance. She is tightly coiled, and though many would've not created a character such as Griet for this story, I think it serves both the painting and the plot justice. It would've been all too easy to have the two fall into an explosive love affair that created such a sensual painting. Instead, Chevalier stays true to her source material: Girl with a Pearl Earring. In the painting, the girl is very restrained, not moving her mouth or her hands, just piercing us with her gaze. The romance between Vermeer and Griet is summed up in that word: restraint. Vermeer himself is kept ambiguous, suiting both Griet's position as a maid and Chevalier's own desire to keep the painter mysterious due to the lack of information on him. Some would find this annoying, but I think it to be a thoughtful character development decision.
The supporting cast is just as detailed as the artist and his muse. Catherina is spoiled and selfish, to be sure, but ultimately she is unhatable to me. After all, she has to deal with the high and lows of being married to an artist, one who produces only three paintings a year when they have many children and keep having more. Cornelia is a very vindictive little girl, but even her actions are understood. She just wants attention from her father in the place she'll never get it: the studio. Catherina and Cornelia's jealousy of Griet stems from the servant's secured place in the studio. Griet's parents are realistically drawn and infinitely sad, her father blinded and her mother grieving over the loss of Griet's younger sister Agnes. My favorite character was Pieter the son, though I felt like he was cheapened a little bit by Griet. What he offered her wasn't bad: an independent life with a husband that would understand and never ask the painful questions. I think Griet realized that in the end and loved him in her own way, but I still can't understand her fascination with the man she could never even think of as anything but her master
Compelling, detailed, and heartbreaking, you definitely want to read Girl with a Pearl Earring. It's a fascinating guess to the back story of a remarkable painting. I'm looking forward to seeing if the movie does it justice.
Romancing Miss Brontë by Juliet Gael
5.0
I don't think anyone would argue with me if I stated that Charlotte Bronte is one of the most tragic female writers in history. After a childhood marked with deaths (her mother and older sisters), Charlotte clings to her two sisters, Anne and Emily, and her brother Bronwell. As they grow, however, Bronwell falls into bad habits: drinking, drugs, and an affair with a married women that wrecks him. Adding an ailing father to the mix, the three sisters decide they must do something with their lives so they decide to publish.
Juliet Gael clearly did her research. I feel as if I am in the Bronte household, sitting at the kitchen table. There has never been such an intimate look at these sisters in historical fiction. I really felt the sense of friendship and love between the three sisters, brought together by the sufferings in the family, and it made my heart break even the more for Charlotte when she was the last one left. How painful that must've been, to outlive all of her siblings. In the end, the only thing Charlotte had left was her writing, and even that wasn't able to fill the whole. I sincerely wanted happiness for this wonderful author, which was why I was so excited when Arthur Nicholls came into the picture.
Before Romancing Miss Bronte, Arthur Nicholls was a mere footnote in history to me. I knew he was married to Charlotte Bronte a year before she died, but I didn't know much else. Despite his attitude at first, I always liked Mr. Nicholls. This was, I thought to myself, was a man who would treat her right, treat her like a equal. He would love her as she should be loved. (Don't get me wrong, I was charmed by George Smith, but I knew that wasn't what she needed.) I think it was Charlotte Bronte's great curse that she was always attracted to dysfunctional men, men who couldn't love her properly because of circumstances or just their nature. Despite this, I like to believe she truly loved her husband in the end. I think that, had she written another novel, the love interest would've been gentler, more calm than earth-shattering.
Excellently written and highly recommended by moi!
Juliet Gael clearly did her research. I feel as if I am in the Bronte household, sitting at the kitchen table. There has never been such an intimate look at these sisters in historical fiction. I really felt the sense of friendship and love between the three sisters, brought together by the sufferings in the family, and it made my heart break even the more for Charlotte when she was the last one left. How painful that must've been, to outlive all of her siblings. In the end, the only thing Charlotte had left was her writing, and even that wasn't able to fill the whole. I sincerely wanted happiness for this wonderful author, which was why I was so excited when Arthur Nicholls came into the picture.
Before Romancing Miss Bronte, Arthur Nicholls was a mere footnote in history to me. I knew he was married to Charlotte Bronte a year before she died, but I didn't know much else. Despite his attitude at first, I always liked Mr. Nicholls. This was, I thought to myself, was a man who would treat her right, treat her like a equal. He would love her as she should be loved. (Don't get me wrong, I was charmed by George Smith, but I knew that wasn't what she needed.) I think it was Charlotte Bronte's great curse that she was always attracted to dysfunctional men, men who couldn't love her properly because of circumstances or just their nature. Despite this, I like to believe she truly loved her husband in the end. I think that, had she written another novel, the love interest would've been gentler, more calm than earth-shattering.
Excellently written and highly recommended by moi!
The Reader by Bernhard Schlink
4.0
If I were to describe The Reader in only a few words, I would call it beautifully simple. Bernhard Schlink's prose is sparse, but it is so powerful. He uses no extra adverbs or adjectives. There are no embellishments or flourishes. Schlink just lets the emotions tell the story, and the novel is better for it. Though The Reader is packed with emotion, you never seem to get hit by them. Micheal's narrative style never allows any emotion to spill through, and whether that's a good or bad thing I'll leave to you to decide. I do think it's interesting. It is hard to emotionally connect with any of the characters, but maybe that wasn't the purpose of this novel. The Reader does not try to sympathize or excuse. It just tries to understand. It is such a rare kind of book for this topic, one that tries to truly understand the horrors of the Holocaust and just who should be bearing the weight of the guilt. There is no definite answer, and that's okay. Schlink doesn't try to force one onto his audience. I could say so many other awesome and interesting things about The Reader, but I think I've hit all the important ones. Go and read.
I Wrote This For You by pleasefindthis
5.0
I don't even have words to describe these poems. All I know is that last night, when I should have been packing for my trip today, I was reading this instead. I was reading this and experiencing the full force of the words. It was beautiful and funny and heartbreaking and bleak and hopeful all at once. I Wrote This For You covers the span of the human spirit eloquently and without pretense. I had so many favorites I cannot simply name one. Everyone should have an experience like I Wrote This For You.
I Wrote This For You and Only You by pleasefindthis
4.0
I loved I Wrote This For. I remember reading it in an airport and being enthralled with it, so enthralled my mom had to elbow me so I could board the plane. When I heard there was a sequel, I knew I had to have it. Though I thought the first one was superior, I did enjoy I Wrote This For You and Only You. My favorite poem was The Fellow On a Crashing Train. I just think it captures the idea of friendship and what it actually means in all its grittiness. I've included it below because I just love it so much.
"Even though I've just met you, I believe we will be friends.
First, I will tell you something about me, then you can tell me something about you, as that, I believe, is how friendship works.
Here is something I believe: I believe that people don't know how people work when they're young and maybe that's why we're so reckless with each other when we're young.
I think people think that people come and go, in and out of life and I think that school teaches them that, that life changes in big and annual movements, that one year you're this and the next, you're that. But life blends into itself as you get older and you realise, you will watch a few, if not many, of your friends get old.
You will watch them lose their minds and their hair. You will watch them get sick and get better. You will watch them succeed and fail. You will watch them get married, get divorced, get pregnant and yes, eventually, you will watch them die. Or they will watch you die.
So this is what I believe friendship means. And I'm sorry to have to put such a heavy burden on you. But you have put the same burden on me.
Now you can tell me something you believe, as it is your turn, and this is how friendship works."
"Even though I've just met you, I believe we will be friends.
First, I will tell you something about me, then you can tell me something about you, as that, I believe, is how friendship works.
Here is something I believe: I believe that people don't know how people work when they're young and maybe that's why we're so reckless with each other when we're young.
I think people think that people come and go, in and out of life and I think that school teaches them that, that life changes in big and annual movements, that one year you're this and the next, you're that. But life blends into itself as you get older and you realise, you will watch a few, if not many, of your friends get old.
You will watch them lose their minds and their hair. You will watch them get sick and get better. You will watch them succeed and fail. You will watch them get married, get divorced, get pregnant and yes, eventually, you will watch them die. Or they will watch you die.
So this is what I believe friendship means. And I'm sorry to have to put such a heavy burden on you. But you have put the same burden on me.
Now you can tell me something you believe, as it is your turn, and this is how friendship works."
The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards
4.0
Fate, as we all know, can be a very funny thing. A few months ago, I was browsing at books on Goodreads and stumbled upon The Memory Keeper's Daughter. I read the free preview, and intrigued, I checked the reviews. The majority of them, however, made me decide to not put it on my to-read list. Last Sunday, I was at a local used book-sale being held at the mall by myself and stumbled across a copy of this. Being only three or so dollars, I decided to give it a chance. I'm glad I did.
The Memory Keeper's Daughter was one of those chilling reads for me. I have parents who love me to pieces, and I couldn't imagine them abandoning me like David abandoned Phoebe. It's really kind of scary to see how one decision can impact your life forever. Now I can actually listen to my parents nag me about virtually everything under the sun and see that they have a point. Everything effects everything. Edwards is excellent with emotions, and it clearly shows. Her characters are deep and complex, but not always likeable. In fact, I didn't like Nora or David at all most of the time. At least Nora's behavior was justified though. She thought she had lost a child. David knew, and he kept it a secret the rest of his life. I think that's despicable. Then again, he did pay for that mistake. His relationships with both his wife and son were forever strained. The two scene-stealing characters were Phoebe and Caroline. You get to see tremendous growth from Caroline as she raises Phoebe and falls in love with Al. It's hard not to like Caroline. She loves her daughter fiercely and fights for what's best for her always. Phoebe, despite her Down Syndrome, sparkles without trying. She possesses an understanding of the world so simple that most people wouldn't get it. My favorite chapters were the ones with Caroline and Phoebe. This book had a fast beginning but a bit of a slow middle, though the last few chapters more than made up for it. I liked seeing Paul grow a bit, and he and Phoebe were so sweet together. Ultimately, I was satisfied when I closed this novel.
I would probably recommend this. It's an interesting read and a great book to ponder. In fact, it'd be perfect for a book club.
The Memory Keeper's Daughter was one of those chilling reads for me. I have parents who love me to pieces, and I couldn't imagine them abandoning me like David abandoned Phoebe. It's really kind of scary to see how one decision can impact your life forever. Now I can actually listen to my parents nag me about virtually everything under the sun and see that they have a point. Everything effects everything. Edwards is excellent with emotions, and it clearly shows. Her characters are deep and complex, but not always likeable. In fact, I didn't like Nora or David at all most of the time. At least Nora's behavior was justified though. She thought she had lost a child. David knew, and he kept it a secret the rest of his life. I think that's despicable. Then again, he did pay for that mistake. His relationships with both his wife and son were forever strained. The two scene-stealing characters were Phoebe and Caroline. You get to see tremendous growth from Caroline as she raises Phoebe and falls in love with Al. It's hard not to like Caroline. She loves her daughter fiercely and fights for what's best for her always. Phoebe, despite her Down Syndrome, sparkles without trying. She possesses an understanding of the world so simple that most people wouldn't get it. My favorite chapters were the ones with Caroline and Phoebe. This book had a fast beginning but a bit of a slow middle, though the last few chapters more than made up for it. I liked seeing Paul grow a bit, and he and Phoebe were so sweet together. Ultimately, I was satisfied when I closed this novel.
I would probably recommend this. It's an interesting read and a great book to ponder. In fact, it'd be perfect for a book club.