I liked the idea of a house that inexplicably expands on the inside but stays the same size on the outside. The house is a separate character in its own right and you can feel the malice that seeps through it. Although if my home was this bizarre I would have left much earlier than the Navidson family.
An expedition of men to find out where or how the house is expanding was the most interesting part to me. It was where the book really picked up and was filled with the right amount of terror and suspense.
This was a buddy read for me and my reading partner had also read Infinite Jest which has a similar structure. Overall, I just don't think that book was the right fit for me.
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What I found is that it is an terrible, demeaning and male driven process that made for a difficult and painful life for women living in Imperial China. Unbelievably it was also considered highly erotic and sexual - a perfectly bound foot could drive a man to fits of ecstasy. Crazy and you could never make such information up.
I would argue that the foot binding in Snow Flower really is what drives the relationships and hierarchy - having the perfect bound feet could elevate families to before unknown wealth and prestige. It is they "why" of much of the storyline. If not for perfect feet then...
Even so, I felt like the story was told in too much of a self-centered fashion. A lot of "woe is me" and not too much empathy or insightful development from the main character. Eventually I ended up feeling like it was a story being told for the sake of being told. No emotion or feeling - or that important element - a connection!
Although the reader gets a historical perspective, it didn't feel true to me. While a wonderful well of potential, the story was told just for the telling.
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The mystery at the center wasn't strong in my opinion and I found very little intense page-turning happening until the end. There is a chase scene at the top of a castle through turrets and walkways that was very well written but alas it was too brief. I wish there was much more of that action throughout the book.
The pluses are the brief love connections between Vanessa March (the heroine veterinarian) and her mysterious undercover spouse. The sassiest parts are the subtle passion and 'relations' that happen between the two married characters. I love that it isn't all detailed but there are clues to what is going down between the two.
Mary Stewart is also a great scene setter- I love her descriptions of Austria, the country side and people. As a reader you very much feel like you are there.
I know that she has some stronger novels and I will definitely be reading more.
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Margaret Hale as the heroine drives a compelling story and I love your ability to contrast the industrialized North with the pastoral South through her eyes. However, I could have done with less of the details that spread out page after page. I know you must think my comments ironic considering how I love Dickens and Austen.
[spoiler]
Fortunately, they do not kill off characters, as often as were dying or dead in North and South!
[/spoiler]
One more small thing, I do wish that the ending hadn't tied itself up so quickly. It is quite jarring for the reader. I also think that a little romantic mystery is nice; but I always knew how it would end.
Your ability to show frivolous and flighty characters was spectacular and lightened up what could have been a very heavy read.
I am definitely looking forward to reading your other novels, Cranford and Wives and Daughters.
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The first few pages really reel the reader into the story. It is the Ukraine at the height of the vast famine that overtook the country in the 30's- you can feel the despair, hunger and desperation. From there the story jumps to a more modern Stalinist era and an incredible action filled chase.
Tom Rob Smith can weave two seemingly disparate events together into an page turning read fest. I couldn't wait to see how the prologue fit into the story overall.
Officer Leo Demidov is the hero of the story and I initially despised his relentless faith in the 'system' and uncompromising loyalty to the common (Stalinist) good. As with any system, when there is mass paranoia, deceit and suspicion it is almost impossible to win. Demidov finds out first hand how he not only was used an instrument for evil purposes but also how precarious each person's position is in a totalitarian system.
It also cleared up for me how there has always 'seemed' to be such low crime rates in communist countries. If anyone admits the system is broken then questions start to bubble to the surface. Proving that a killer is on the loose is a challenge for anyone who wants to keep their privileged status. Will Demidov ensure that others are protected from the killer or will he protect his own position in the system? I can't wait to read the next book and hoping that the writing, plot and character development stays this strong.
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I am lucky enough to live in a city where the library has access to almost every book you could ever imagine in just a few clicks. I was able to check out all of her recommendations including this one. I renewed the book the maximum number of times and compiled lists of plants to try and grow. Inspired, I bought two kiwi vines (yes, you can grow your own kiwis!) and will wait for spring to see how we will do.
If you are a casual fruit grower or a little bit nutty and obsessed, like me, then this book is definitely one for you to read. The landscaping you can create with fruit plants/trees is amazingly beautiful and serene. Much of what I fell in love with was reminiscent of an English garden aesthetic.
In this book, I learned about the art of espalier and how it allows for amazing fruiting plants to be grown in small urban spaces. I am also inspired to try new things such as pawpaws. This book proves that you can have a beautiful garden that is renewable, edible and leaves a lasting legacy.
This is on my wish list to buy.
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The best thing is that I started this book shortly after I read the first, I think that if any more time had passed I would have forgotten much of the back story and characters.
I still find Tyrion one of the best thought out and most personable major players within the novel - his wit and insight is appreciated by this reader. His ability to undermine Cersei and King Joffrey will make you want to clap out loud. My second favorite is Ayra, she is amazing girl and I could read a whole book just on her story.
I've started to watch the series but haven't felt really drawn into it as I know others have. Sometimes it is hard for me to translate a book into film, television show or play. I'm not rushing to the third book but will probably pick it up at some point.
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I love reading and smart, funny friends. Above all, I love honesty. If we don't like something, we should have the opportunity to say why. Most people are intelligent enough to take what they read and make their own decisions.
I hope this is my new and final home. To tell you the truth I am so tired of shuffling my books around. First I had them at GR and just when I thought they were all organized, I had to move them to LT. Now, I hope they can live here in peace.
Other stuff about me:
I love to travel, watch films and I work way too much.
I'm a financial advisor with my own practice - so that leaves me little time for my other passions.
I tend to become obsessed with topics, so bear with me. Knitting, cooking, gardening, social policy, historical eras - all are fair game.
I have a super-cute cat who never behaves (but that is ok).
I love to cycle and when I am not partaking in my other obsessions, I ride, even in the winter.
Good conversation and humor are some of things I value the most.
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