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In this novel, Gilman continues her delightful tale-spinning of the adventures of Mrs. Pollifax, including the elements that made the first book such an engaging read.
The humor and barely noticeable moral explorations are again implemented here, complementing the action and suspense surrounding Mrs. Pollifax's supposedly innocuous assignment. Her amusing tangents to her mission (involving the admirable Colin Ramsey) produce a constant source of surprise and attentiveness in readers - or, in this case, listeners.
Highly recommended.
Review Date: 7/13/2008
5 member(s) found this review helpful.
Written with dry wit and humor, Can You Keep A Secret? is engaging in a light, satisfactory manner. Other reviewers add that the belief in reality must be suspended while undertaking the reading of this particular novel. Once that has happened, however, it is fanciful to suppose that a story like this could happen to someone, and the author spins that fancy into a lovely, sweet romance. Kinsella creates a dashing, charming and highly successful CEO that strives to capture our hearts as well as he has captured Emma's.
The novel is not without its faults - the "necessary drama" that must always unravel itself in such a novel of course occurs, taking its shape in the spilling of secrets and sudden mistrust. For some, it may create a bit of an unsatisfactory ending (though the story, of course, ends happily). Yet the ride (both literal and figurative) is special and brings to the uneventful Emma's life much excitement.
Recommended.
Review Date: 7/15/2008
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Perhaps my favorite quartet by Tamora Pierce, the four novels track the fantastic adventures of Daine and her interesting companions throughout a span of years and locales. This particular quartet takes place sometime after the Song of the Lioness quartet, drawing up characters (and locations) from the Lioness.
The plot moves well, constantly holding the reader's attention. At every turn there is something new, something intense, something fascinating that Pierce uses to keep open her connections with readers. We're so drawn into Daine that we feel for her throughout her rage, discoveries, love, etc.
Each novel is strong in its own way, in addressing different features of Daine and her maturity. She's definitely not annoying, and she's a heroine in her own right. Her unique powers, in the midst of the world she's living in, give her such a human, compassionate feel that it's difficult to put any of the novels down. Truthfully, I read them all back to back.
Highly recommended.
Review Date: 7/13/2008
14 member(s) found this review helpful.
The sign of an amazing novel is that its content can address harsh topics such as rape, murder, infanticide and betrayal yet still be remembered fondly and soberly. It was difficult to read, true, but I could not put it down - the unfailing courage and difficult choices continued to surprise and capture me.
All the characters were highly satisfactory - none were god-like in quality but the evil were evil and the good simply humans with real, understandable faults. By focusing much of the perspective on May, the struggles between the Cheyenne and the "whites" were truly portrayed without bias. Fergus sugarcoats nothing, preferring to illustrate each civilization as fully as possible, and leave it to the reader to lay or reserve judgment.
I picked this book up without knowing what its subject matter would be - there was no summary on the back - but it immediately stole my attention, keeping me engrossed until its end.
If you choose to read this, be prepared for a heavy but extremely memorable read.
Highly recommended.
Review Date: 7/15/2008
10 member(s) found this review helpful.
One of the most delightful reading experiences is to begin a novel that contains such misery and provides a tortured view of a pathetic existence, to lament that this book will only continue in that path and serve to fully depress, to almost lay it down from sheer fright of the future pages, and then to suddenly, magically, find that the novel is quite possibly one of the best you have ever read.
Quoyle is a tragic figure, not because he truly means to be, but because his circumstances and upbringing mold him into one. Proulx's genius is illustrated by her steady yet subtle transformation of his character while surprising readers with his innate goodness (originally hidden by every fault). And this novel is a classic example of the reason one must have the negatives - to fully appreciate the positives. Without the atrocious wife, Petal Bear, one could not fully grasp Quoyle; without Quoyle's deadbeat father and brother, one could not understand Quoyle's aunt; without all the tribulations in the story, one could not love the children, Bunny and Sunshine.
The Shipping News is a book that tugs at heartstrings without hurting the reader. It is a story that transforms its characters as well as its audience, leaving a message not of pain and suffering, but of hope, love and justice.
Highly recommended.
Review Date: 7/13/2008
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
This was a highly amusing book. The plot moved well in pace and in events, and dialogue was concise without being too curt to be believable. The strength behind the story, in my opinion, is the wit supporting the writing.
Most surprising in this book is that Gilman constantly brings up and comments upon highly moral topics. Throughout the book, these topics subtly enter the story and are explored for both the readers' interest as well as Mrs. Pollifax's.
Mrs. Pollifax is lovable, as well as Johnny (especially in his moments of indignation), and even her captors become likeable, in their own ways. Gilman most definitely creates the first book as an addicting window to the rest of the books in her series.
Highly recommended.
Review Date: 7/13/2008
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