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Review Date: 6/16/2011
Helpful Score: 1
Even though this is clearly marked as the first in a series, it somehow caught me off guard that the last page was just the beginning! The writing style was not impressive, but not bad, and the story kept me reading. So, while I'm not highly recommending this book, I'm not saying it was a total waste of time, either. If you have time to kill and enjoy some light fantasy, go for it. :)
Review Date: 6/16/2011
I don't know how realistic this story of deception, conspiracy and darkness is, but it was definitely interesting. Beginning the book, I didn't think I would like it, based on the fact that demon stuff scares me. However, I pretty much always finish what I start, it wasn't nearly as frightening as I anticipated, and I enjoyed the story.
Storyline aside, I still ended up not liking the book, thanks to the poor editing. I'm hoping the typos, sentence fragments, subject/verb disagreements, incorrect pronouns, and poorly formed paragraphs were due to the fact that this book has not been released yet and hasn't been thoroughly edited or something. I constantly fought the urge to find a red pen or highlighter and fix the whole thing. However, the story was redeeming enough that I didn't put it down long enough to do so.
Storyline aside, I still ended up not liking the book, thanks to the poor editing. I'm hoping the typos, sentence fragments, subject/verb disagreements, incorrect pronouns, and poorly formed paragraphs were due to the fact that this book has not been released yet and hasn't been thoroughly edited or something. I constantly fought the urge to find a red pen or highlighter and fix the whole thing. However, the story was redeeming enough that I didn't put it down long enough to do so.
Review Date: 9/24/2009
Helpful Score: 1
Well written, and easy to understand, it was serious without being heavy or dull. Lewis had a great sense of humor, and a knack for explaining things with neat little analogies. A very quoteable sort of fellow, too. Whether you're looking for the meaning of Christianity, a little encouragement and guidance, or simply an enjoyable non-fiction read, Mere Christianity comes highly recommended by me. ;-)
Review Date: 5/27/2011
This book is cleverly written, and cleverly illustrated. The fun story about a pig outwitting a hungry fox gets better and better with every page with a funny little twist at the end.
Review Date: 12/14/2009
What makes a great butler?
Stevens ponders the question afresh as he travels.
"Dignity," undoubtedly, is his reply. It is the hallmark of every great butler. Still, dignity alone is not a satisfactory answer. Further thought begs the question: What is dignity? Many long hours have been spent before, meditating on the question of dignity, but it presents itself to him again as he drives.
It is his first vacation from Darlington Hall, where he has served faithfully for thirty years. Presumably to document the English countryside he's so pleased to finally see for himself, he makes the trip with a journal close at hand. No sooner is his journey underway than he finds himself preoccupied with reflections on his career.ã
Taking advantage of the opportunity to rest and collect his thoughts, Stevens begins to write. Pause between thought is necessary when keeping a journal, in order so the pencil may keep up with the mind. Somewhere in those quiet spaces when the mind is still and fingers busied, new thoughts take the opportunity to arise, presenting angles never considered before. Stevens reiterates ideas apparently long held, as if subconsciously trying to persuade himself of something, or keep himself from thinking deeper on matters already decided. Not quite defensively, he repeats statements which would deny himself as an individual, instead assigning all areas of his life to the jurisdiction of himself as a butler.
Very little is mentioned of the splendid scenery. Instead, we find his journal dominated by reminiscence of the past, and solemn consideration of his present situation. His written thoughts show little emotion; he analyzes past and present with an impersonal sort of impartiality, almost as though he were no person of his own, and solely Lord Darlington's butler.
But somewhere under what, casually observed, would be read as indifference, an undertone vulnerably human comes through. The lines are calm and collected, strictly professional, but read between them and perhaps there can be found whispers of creeping doubt, and faint echoes of something that might once have been love.
Allowing new thoughts to arise could shed a new light on all he has known. What if he were to see things differently? It might prove things to be something other than he's believed. A man told Stevens that one cannot have dignity without freedom, and the ability to think and choose for oneâs self. His life was dedicated in it's entirety to the service of Lord Darlington. Now, since His Lordship's death, what has Stevens left to show of his own?
Stevens ponders the question afresh as he travels.
"Dignity," undoubtedly, is his reply. It is the hallmark of every great butler. Still, dignity alone is not a satisfactory answer. Further thought begs the question: What is dignity? Many long hours have been spent before, meditating on the question of dignity, but it presents itself to him again as he drives.
It is his first vacation from Darlington Hall, where he has served faithfully for thirty years. Presumably to document the English countryside he's so pleased to finally see for himself, he makes the trip with a journal close at hand. No sooner is his journey underway than he finds himself preoccupied with reflections on his career.ã
Taking advantage of the opportunity to rest and collect his thoughts, Stevens begins to write. Pause between thought is necessary when keeping a journal, in order so the pencil may keep up with the mind. Somewhere in those quiet spaces when the mind is still and fingers busied, new thoughts take the opportunity to arise, presenting angles never considered before. Stevens reiterates ideas apparently long held, as if subconsciously trying to persuade himself of something, or keep himself from thinking deeper on matters already decided. Not quite defensively, he repeats statements which would deny himself as an individual, instead assigning all areas of his life to the jurisdiction of himself as a butler.
Very little is mentioned of the splendid scenery. Instead, we find his journal dominated by reminiscence of the past, and solemn consideration of his present situation. His written thoughts show little emotion; he analyzes past and present with an impersonal sort of impartiality, almost as though he were no person of his own, and solely Lord Darlington's butler.
But somewhere under what, casually observed, would be read as indifference, an undertone vulnerably human comes through. The lines are calm and collected, strictly professional, but read between them and perhaps there can be found whispers of creeping doubt, and faint echoes of something that might once have been love.
Allowing new thoughts to arise could shed a new light on all he has known. What if he were to see things differently? It might prove things to be something other than he's believed. A man told Stevens that one cannot have dignity without freedom, and the ability to think and choose for oneâs self. His life was dedicated in it's entirety to the service of Lord Darlington. Now, since His Lordship's death, what has Stevens left to show of his own?
Review Date: 11/17/2011
"He was born with a gift of laughter and a sense that the world was mad."
(listen to that lilting meter!) A grabbing hook for a fantastic story. And I don't say "fantastic" flippantly.
One reader said "I classified this as fantasy because I believe that it is painted brightly enough to sear into my imagination as much as any Middle Earth would do." I understand the sentiment. This was no typical novel. It's brilliant and moving, vivid (that's my new favorite word), and surprising.(less)
(listen to that lilting meter!) A grabbing hook for a fantastic story. And I don't say "fantastic" flippantly.
One reader said "I classified this as fantasy because I believe that it is painted brightly enough to sear into my imagination as much as any Middle Earth would do." I understand the sentiment. This was no typical novel. It's brilliant and moving, vivid (that's my new favorite word), and surprising.(less)
Review Date: 6/16/2011
Poe is so macabre. And brilliant. The illustrations in this are very vibrant. They kind of feel like an assault on my eyes. Not my cup of tea, but they fit Poe's work really well, I think.
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