Medlem: wisewoman

Hello, Amy! Just wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas! :-)

inlägg gjort av Porua vid 1:45 am (EST) Dec 25, 2009

Thanks for the comment Wisewoman.

inlägg gjort av solla vid 1:18 pm (EST) Dec 24, 2009

Hi Amy. How are you and Todd? Guess what? My review for *Anne of Green Gables* got listed under Hot Reviews. I know this is a minor thing, so I must sound silly being so thrilled about it. I am though. It feels good to know that people appreciate what you write. :D :)

I like your list of "To-Read books, by the by. I think that I will make one myself. :) God bless. :)

inlägg gjort av MereChristian vid 7:18 am (EST) Dec 23, 2009

Hi ww! I see you added Talk to the Hand. Can't wait to see what you think about it!

inlägg gjort av Mialro vid 10:36 pm (EST) Dec 22, 2009

That's sort of neat that your Sandition review went Hot this weekend, after so long. I suppose it was everyone looking at the Member Giveaway and wondering what in the world this unknown Jane Austen novel was. Conga rats!

I see you've recently added the FotF Christmas Carol—have you listened to it before? Not one of my favorites. Christmas Future should NOT have a voice. Period.

I'm about to go over and make a post in the Books! thread; it's been ever so long. Perhaps you might do the same at some point?

Have a wonderful Christmas season!

inlägg gjort av ncgraham vid 1:53 pm (EST) Dec 22, 2009

Thanks. I appreciate it. I was going to read a Ted Dekker book next, but I decided to read Anne of Avonlea instead. She is such a delightful creation. :) God bless.

inlägg gjort av MereChristian vid 12:24 pm (EST) Dec 21, 2009

Hi. I'm stopping by to congratulate you on the many hot reviews you receive. I'm a member of the 75 book challenge group. We are a lively, friendly, chatty, well read group of folk. Why not pop over and visit us.

inlägg gjort av Whisper1 vid 8:28 am (EST) Dec 20, 2009

Wisewoman!!!

A-tten-shun.

You just acquired Zadie Smith's fabulous postmodern debut, White Teeth, a novel heavily influenced by David Foster Wallace. Please please please don't bookmooch it. You must unwrap it or have it re-routed back to your home if its already been shipped. If it went UPS, UPS has delivery intercept; I could walk you through it. You'd be doing yourself and the whole world a grave disservice getting rid of it. And....if you can read White Teeth and like it, then I think you'd be up for Infinite Jest in March - yes I'm unduly pressuring you. ;-)

Have a great rest of your day!

inlägg gjort av EnriqueFreeque vid 3:03 pm (EST) Dec 19, 2009

The library is a great way to go. People often have strong preferences regarding Proust translations, so I think most folks are best off if they can compare different versions side by side (especially the M/K/E and Penguin versions). Don't know about PaperBackSwap, but I rarely see English editions of Proust on Bookmooch. When I do it's usually Swann's Way--I guess those are the folks who gave up in the first volume. :)

inlägg gjort av Medellia vid 6:46 pm (EST) Dec 14, 2009

PS I just looked up at your recently added, and several Georgette Heyers and a Josephine Tey there. I have one of Heyer's mysteries waiting--it will be the first for me, and I'm really looking forward to it. It's Why Murder a Butler? I do believe I'm going to go on a bit of a vintage mysteries tear. My friend Padric has recommended Dorothy Sayers, as well, and he has exquisite taste.

inlägg gjort av BeckyJG vid 1:09 pm (EST) Dec 14, 2009

Thank you for your kind words! I'm actually at the climactic summing up of Murder in Mesopotamia right now, and am reading Mysterious Affair at Styles through Daily Lit (a kind of weird way to read--in installments through email...but since I no longer have the ongoing source of free books I had when I was a bookseller, I'm exploring all options : ). I'm going to hit my kind of sad little excuse for a branch library today--a branch of the majestic LAPL system, I might add, so why so few books?--and see what else they have.

Becky

inlägg gjort av BeckyJG vid 1:07 pm (EST) Dec 14, 2009

This hypothetical person should look for Swann's Way first. I recommend that she purchase either the new Penguin editions of In Search of Lost Time or the Moncrieff/Kilmartin/Enright translation.

For Penguin:
Vol 1: Swann's Way (trans. Lydia Davis)
Vol 2: In the Shadow of Young Girls in Flower (trans. James Grieve)
Vol 3: The Guermantes Way (trans. Mark Treharne)
Vol 4: Sodom and Gomorrah (trans. John Sturrock)
Vol 5: The Prisoner and The Fugitive (2 volumes printed in one, trans. Carol Clark and Peter Collier, respectively)
Vol 6: Finding Time Again (trans. Ian Patterson)

Note on the new Penguins: volumes 5 and 6 have only been published in the UK. Copyright issues. But you'll find them through US online sellers and very occasionally in stores here.

A good edition of Moncrieff/Kilmartin/Enright is the Modern Library editions. The final volume contains an excellent index of characters, places, and themes--very handy. If you're interested in buying all of the books, you can buy a 6-paperback box set for about $50 from Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Search-Lost-Time-P...

Moncrieff/Kilmartin/Enright titles are as follows:
Overall title: Also In Search of Lost Time
Vol 1: Swann's Way
Vol 2: Within a Budding Grove
Vol 3: The Guermantes Way
Vol 4: Sodom and Gomorrah
Vol 5: The Captive and The Fugitive
Vol 6: Time Regained

--------
...And of course to make things more complicated, there is the older Moncrieff translation as well as the Moncrieff/Kilmartin translation. These go under the title of Remembrance of Things Past rather than In Search of Lost Time.

The Moncrieff/Kilmartin is published in 3 volumes. The titles are the same as the M/K/E except for Vol 4, which is Cities of the Plain.

And the original Moncrieff titles are
Vol 1: Swann's Way
Vol 2: Within a Budding Grove
Vol 3: The Guermantes Way
Vol 4: Cities of the Plain
Vol 5: The Captive
Vol 6: The Sweet Cheat Gone
Vol 7: The Past Recaptured

...Clear as mud? :)

inlägg gjort av Medellia vid 1:36 pm (EST) Dec 12, 2009

Again, thank you for your kind words. You're going to make me blush if you keep this up ;-)

inlägg gjort av RebeccaAnn vid 12:26 pm (EST) Dec 11, 2009

I just wanted to say the point you made about HP3 was fantastic and spot on. It was something I hadn't thought about and it shed a whole new light to the story. I've amended my review to add in my new thoughts.

Thank you! I love nothing more than to see old books in a new way. It opens up the story so much :)

inlägg gjort av RebeccaAnn vid 9:50 am (EST) Dec 11, 2009

sorry, I tried moving or deleting my reviews and it did not work..
any help?

inlägg gjort av hgcslibrary vid 2:40 pm (EST) Dec 5, 2009

Well, I can't give you a personal opinion on the fragment & its completion, not having read it myself. But a friend of mine whose literary taste (and broad knowledge) I generally trust had told me a while back that she thought it was ok. A good read if you didn't approach it looking for straight-up Bronte. If I'm remembering correctly, she said that there was some Bronte flavor to it but that it reminded her more of Wilkie Collins instead--which you might find interesting? (However, I'm not sure whether the version she read was the "Another Lady" version or the more recent one by Clare Boylan, so I may be leading you astray. :)

I need to do more Charlotte next year. I've spent a lot of time on Jane Eyre and read both of Anne's books + Emily's, but I haven't done Shirley or Villette or The Professor. I did enjoy your Villette review earlier this year, maybe I forgot to tell you so.

inlägg gjort av Medellia vid 11:02 am (EST) Dec 5, 2009

"Emma by Charlotte Bronte and Another Lady." Hee hee. I know the story behind the fragment & the publishing of the 'finished' version & all that, but still, it's funny to see 'Another Lady' actually listed on LT as an author. :)

inlägg gjort av Medellia vid 7:31 pm (EST) Dec 4, 2009

> I see you recently added some books by James Herriot. Are you a fan of his?

I enjoyed the books when I read them, but it's not very likely that I'll read them again — too many competing books!

inlägg gjort av jimroberts vid 11:50 am (EST) Dec 4, 2009

Re. Emma

In the sentence, "But he for all those years he doesn't realize what his feelings are, ...", it looks to me like an edit left you with too many he's.

My evaluation of some of the characters differed from yours -- I'm going to have to reread Emma and indeed Austen generally (which would be a pleasure, but days are too short, alas!). I'm not so harsh as you on Austen's fathers (male solidarity?).

But, congratulations on another interesting review.

inlägg gjort av jimroberts vid 6:01 pm (EST) Dec 2, 2009

It's been a while since I watched the TV version of Emma, but my recollection is that the Knightley in that version was much too passive and seemed to have very little personality. Jeremy Northam was a much better Knightley!

inlägg gjort av cbl_tn vid 5:15 pm (EST) Dec 2, 2009

Oh wisewoman;
How do you do the things you do?????? Another one. You are Red Hot.
Congratulations on your HOT REVIEW for "The Return of the King and The Annals of the King and Rulers", as well as "Emma". And certainly, no one can say you are stuck in a rut. I don't know if you could find two more different books. Excellent job there.
belva

inlägg gjort av nannybebette vid 1:07 pm (EST) Dec 2, 2009

I just wanted to congratulate you for your HOT REVIEW on "Emma". Very well done.
belva

inlägg gjort av nannybebette vid 1:02 pm (EST) Dec 2, 2009

you're sooooo right! How embarassing. Off to edit that right now! You feel free to copy edit le salon anytime!

inlägg gjort av EnriqueFreeque vid 10:09 pm (EST) Dec 1, 2009

Thank you kindly for your comments about my review of Mythago Wood. I'm afraid I'm rather hard to please, and tend to be rather critical in my reviews.

inlägg gjort av fiverivers vid 9:27 pm (EST) Nov 30, 2009

Hi, I found you through the wonderful carrot comment on the Bookmooch thread; major giggles, and I believe in your knickname.
I think I read 1st about paperbackswap.com on an Amazon book thread. There, I found something in a forum about both Bookmooch and LT. I fell in love! I have only just startd cataloging my books, most are in storage, and am quickly becoming addicted. I have also started adding tags and comment, and will work up the nerve to do reviews.
Thanks for saying hi. I am looking forward to exploring your library and reading your reviews.
Peace, Kasey

inlägg gjort av KAzevedo vid 8:28 pm (EST) Nov 30, 2009

Hi! Great review of Emma. I read it for the first time at age 24. It was my second Austen novel, and it instantly became my favorite. It's one of my top 10 all-time favorite novels, too. I think I liked Emma because she wasn't perfect, but made an effort to improve her behavior. I do realize I'm in the minority. Emma seems to be the least favorite Austen novel for many people.

I agree with you that the version of Emma with Gwyneth Paltrow is better overall than the version with Kate Beckinsale. However, I've always thought that Kate Beckinsale was the better Emma. I've always wished that I could combine the two versions and see how much better the motion picture version might have been with Kate Beckinsale in the role of Emma rather than Gwyneth Paltrow. I didn't care at all for the actor's portrayal of Knightly in the TV version!

inlägg gjort av cbl_tn vid 7:28 pm (EST) Nov 30, 2009

Hi,

You are not the only one whom the fates are favoring. I also found a copy of "Make Way for Lucia" staring at me in a thrift shop last week. Of course, I snapped it up. And began reading it from the first book, "Queen Lucia." It's been 15 years or more but Lucia is as addicting as ever.

"The Grand Sophy" remains my favorite Heyer to date. I won't get to all of them but like to throw one in now and then - almost always reliable. Victorian fiction is my first love. "Indiscretion" by Jude Morgan, (although a current writer) with all it's drawing room encounters and such fits the genre nicely. I like his books, including "Passion" and "Symphony." He's been compared to Jane Austen and I think rightly so.

Meanwhile, back to Riseholme and Tilling.

inlägg gjort av bolero vid 10:02 am (EST) Nov 30, 2009

thanks wisewoman!

doubt the review will be able to hold off your swiftly charging Ella Minnow Pea review much longer, but the vampires of 'Salem's Lot are giving it everything they've got at the moment, to hold you off, and hopefully evil will triumph over good, in this case ;-)

Hope you had a nice Thanksgiving!

Wait, 'fore I go, I saw you added Revolutionary Road not long ago - great, great book. I insist you keep it in case, like with The Day of the Locust, you were planning on bookmooching it. Don't do it! Rev. Road is an even better book than Locust. It is sooooo depressing that it's beautiful! Seriously, it's a wonderfully, exquisitely written and constructed tragedy - with incisive social commentary - of a 1950s young suburban couple's slow spiral from lofty ideals to despair....and worse.

inlägg gjort av EnriqueFreeque vid 11:48 pm (EST) Nov 26, 2009

Thanks for your message on the '73 Jane Eyre from ages ago. I meant to answer it sooner, but you know how it is, I'm busy, I'm sick, I'm recovering...

Yes, I thought the voiceover stuff was sometimes very good and sometimes a bit squirm-inducing. (Oh no! Why are they just staring off into space?) Great spot on Mrs. Reed/Mrs. Fairfax! That's neat. I must not have checked the '73 on IMDB. I usually like to go look up the actors & actresses in these adaptations on IMDB and see which other literary adaptations everybody has done, and what other (usually British) TV shows I've seen them in.

Happy Thanksgiving to you! I hope you have lots of fun & family in store tomorrow.

inlägg gjort av Medellia vid 4:56 pm (EST) Nov 25, 2009

Wisewoman,

So sorry to keep pestering you, but I can not delete my reviews (which are the years I put in the wrong place). Do you know anyone on here that may know? I do save. I've tried going in a few ways, but still no luck. If this just affected me, I wouldn't worry about it, but since it affects everyone, I feel like I have to get this taken care of. Then I can spend my LT time looking at all the cool stuff. Thanks!

inlägg gjort av katiemertz vid 11:01 pm (EST) Nov 24, 2009

I have tried to remove the dates I put under reviews, but I log out and they come back!!! Any suggestions.

I inputed just a few books in 2007; kind of forgot about LT, but made a commitment to really get my books organized; from what I've read, to what I own to what I want to read. I'm looking forward to figuring out all the bells and whistles & reading reviews, etc.!

inlägg gjort av katiemertz vid 7:36 pm (EST) Nov 23, 2009

Hi Amy;
I have seen you on the threads, but I don't believe we have actually spoken as of yet.
But I wanted to hop over here and congratulate you for your HOT REVIEW on "Anne of the Island". Very good job.
And it is nice to meet you. Hopefully I will continue to see you on the threads.
belva

inlägg gjort av nannybebette vid 4:58 pm (EST) Nov 23, 2009

Hi. I'm up taking a break from studying, and I noticed your reviews, so I read them. You did a great job. You know, you seem to be a human typewriter this weekend. ;)

I have the rest of the books that you recommended on your library reviews either in my library now, ordered from BM, or on wishlist. I just had to tell you quickly that I, too, can sort of understand where Montgomery is coming from in your description of her feelings of contempt for pacifists. I can't wait to read those parts when I get to it. You have me eager to start them so much, I'm going to switch the book I was going to read next to Anne of Green Gables. :) God bless. Once again, great job on the reviews.

inlägg gjort av MereChristian vid 1:20 am (EST) Nov 23, 2009

Thanks for the tip. Do you know an easy way to move the dates instead of going one by one - perhaps by changing the heading? THanks!

inlägg gjort av katiemertz vid 10:38 am (EST) Nov 21, 2009

Hey Amy. I was looking up the Anne books so I can get them all, and I noticed this book published just last month, from some Montgomery manuscript shortly before her 1942 death. Below is a link to get to amazon.com for a listing for it, and I link to the Wikipedia summary. Have you heard of it? What do you think? Are you going to get it? Do you think it would be worth investigating? You know more than I do, so I'm asking you. ;) :)

http://www.amazon.com/Blythes-are-Quoted...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Blythes...

inlägg gjort av MereChristian vid 10:46 pm (EST) Nov 20, 2009

Yay, you got your Pirate Slave book. :)

inlägg gjort av infiniteletters vid 5:07 pm (EST) Nov 20, 2009

Wow - you, Rena, and I all have Hot Reviews listed today. We are da bomb!

inlägg gjort av ncgraham vid 2:48 pm (EST) Nov 19, 2009

What a wonderful review of 'Jane Eyre'! I first read it in my early teens, and have loved it fiercely ever since. Where is there another character like Jane? How did Brontë write such a book?

I was interested in your interpretation of the last words. It has always seemed odd to me that St. John Rivers gets the last word, and you've given me a new perspective on it.

inlägg gjort av Cynara vid 11:01 pm (EST) Nov 18, 2009

In my defense, I only cross-checked your spelling with that in the Common Knowledge field. I didn't go to the school library and find a copy or anything like that. My mom owns the first three books, and I have my own copy of Green Gables, but they're all back at home.

I am sort of sad I wasn't able to get any more thumbs than yours for my reviews of Collins' books, especially since they are so popular and many people read and thumb the reviews. Oh well. Better luck next time!

inlägg gjort av ncgraham vid 6:17 pm (EST) Nov 17, 2009

Wow, I don't remember Miss Lavendar's name being spelled that way. But I checked and it appears you're right! Funny....

inlägg gjort av ncgraham vid 3:01 pm (EST) Nov 17, 2009

> Actually it is correct

Perhaps I should have read the book before commenting :(

inlägg gjort av jimroberts vid 5:01 am (EST) Nov 17, 2009

In your review of Anne of Green Gables you say "... flavor a cake with anodyne liniment instead of vanilla". Is "anodyne" really the word you want?

inlägg gjort av jimroberts vid 6:13 pm (EST) Nov 16, 2009

Yes, it looks like you and Lucia are fated to meet. I first got turned on to E.F. Benton from the film series "Mapp and Lucia" shown on PBS years ago. I fell in love with the characters and the goings on in the village of Tilling before reading the books. "Mapp and Lucia" may be one of the best and maybe a good place to start as there's enough background given that one can start with any of the books. I hope you like them.

I am almost finished with the "The Shadow of the Wind." I like it tremendously - one of the better books read this year. I first saw it on this website - thanks to someone who reviewed it.

In the past year of so I discovered one of your favorite authors, Georgette Heyer. I read "The Grand Sophy." Wow, what an introduction to Heyer! There's someone's poll of Heyer's books at http://gumblossombabies.com/submitheyer..... I've been kind of lollowing that as a reading guide.

inlägg gjort av bolero vid 1:26 pm (EST) Nov 15, 2009

*grins*

inlägg gjort av aquascum vid 11:04 am (EST) Nov 14, 2009

Oh my gosh! Look at all those new books you got at your library book sale tonight after work!

inlägg gjort av EnriqueFreeque vid 10:25 pm (EST) Nov 12, 2009

Thanks so much! Coming from you (I greatly enjoy all your reviews!)that means a great deal.

inlägg gjort av magemanda vid 6:50 pm (EST) Nov 12, 2009

I read your sparkling review of "Jeeves in the Offing." I also have enjoyed his books for years. But I can't help asking you if you have read any of E. F. Benson's "Lucia" books. "Make Way for Lucia" includes all six books. I think there's a similarity in the humor and they're among my all time favorite books.

inlägg gjort av bolero vid 8:23 pm (EST) Nov 11, 2009

Hi. Congratulations on having TWO hot reviews listed. Both the TTT audio book and Jeeves in the Offing were listed. Great job on them. I just got the Narnia Focus on the Family audio books. I can't wait to get to it. God bless. :)

inlägg gjort av MereChristian vid 11:32 pm (EST) Nov 10, 2009

Yes, I am enjoying The Woman in White, though I go back and forth between reading a lot at once and then putting it down for a bit because I'm getting impatient with how long it is. I've got about a hundred and forty pages left, and it seems that the story should be almost over by now... The only other book I ever read by Wilkie Collins was The Moonstone, which moved much quicker for me at the time (though that may be at least partially because I was assigned to read a certain amount every day for school). But he's an author I'll be keeping in mind in the future when I'm in the mood for a classic.

Thanks for adding me to your "interesting libraries." I'm looking over the books we share, and I'm fairly impressed by the genre overlap.

Hope you're enjoying The Return of the King. I reread The Lord of the Rings every few years; it's been a favorite since I first read them in high school.

inlägg gjort av bell7 vid 11:33 am (EST) Nov 10, 2009

I've read 2 of the Brother Cadfael books now (the first two). I'm happy to read more if I find them at a sale. I agree with you: light, but pleasant.

I love your picture, by the way!

inlägg gjort av nbmars vid 4:13 pm (EST) Nov 9, 2009

Hi,
I'm amused you mention Georgette Heyer, because lately I keep on coming across references to her and have been considering checking out her books. I'm trying to overcome to automatic response of dismissing books for being romance - my recent encounters with the romance genre have left me less than impressed. So do you have a recommendation for a starting place?

I didn't read the Lord Peter/Harriet books quite in order, either, and ended reading Have His Carcase last. I don't find that it mattered so much, particularly since Gaudy Night feels like such a different sort of book, deeper and more complex than the others. But its my favourite so I'm possibly simply biased! I'm curious as to which one you started with?
I haven't looked at any of Sayers other writings - it actually hadn't occurred to me! I should look out for them.

I liked your reviews of Death in Kashmir and Death in Berlin - I really enjoyed reading a thoughtful perspective on them. Agree it's unfortunate Kaye's heroines are all young, attractive and slim...
I also found myself agreeing with much of your Villette review, although its been a while since I read it - my clearest memory of it is actually having to constant flip to the end notes! Your reviews keep making me stop and think, which I really like. Thank you for putting the time into writing something that's thought-provoking and insightful. :)

inlägg gjort av Herenya vid 5:35 am (EST) Nov 6, 2009

Hey, I'm enjoying our Wuthering Heights conversation.

Also, enjoyed your recently Villette review, and let me say that I wish *all* books would do footnotes instead of endnotes. (Or leave citations for endnotes, but info for footnotes.) If I ever find the person who came up with the brilliant idea of putting important explanatory information in the back of the book... grr. It's a pet peeve. :)

inlägg gjort av Medellia vid 3:58 pm (EST) Nov 5, 2009

Amy, I'm sorry to say that I'm having to give up Quo Vadis again, and am returning it to the library today still unread. I'm even taking it off the 'to read really soon' list, as I'm trying to finish LoTR and Dorian Gray (plus I cannot help starting the new Pratchett, which the library is even now holding for me) before December, when I then take up Les Mis. It's terribly disheartening, but I just do not have the time to read it until somewhere in the mists of next year or beyond.

I must add that it's heartening to see you around on the threads, I really appreciate that your posts are always thoughtful and intelligent yet somehow completely unthreatening. I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed (yet fascinated) by Le Salon at the moment, and seeing you in there is comforting :)

inlägg gjort av ChocolateMuse vid 1:03 am (EST) Nov 5, 2009

Hi wisewoman,

Thank you as well for adding me to your 'interesting libraries' list.

I've been trying to buckle down and finish the last of the Anne of Green Gables books. I read the first few when I was much younger, but could never get through the ones when Anne became an adult and started having children. She just didn't feel like my Anne. I'm just about finished with Anne of Ingleside and since the last two focus on her children, I'm sad to finally end it. Long story short, after Anne starts to grow up I started dishing out 4 stars, but I feel as if I'm being unfair since it's no fault of the author that Anne had to grow up.

Anyways, good to see you in the Salon too. :)

inlägg gjort av mihess vid 10:23 am (EST) Nov 4, 2009

Thanks (a little late) for pointing me toward the JE adaptations thread! I enjoyed your thoughts on it, and you've left me with enough positive feelings that I want to watch it. I should post on that thread one of these days--though I'm not sure I'd have much to add, since you & I are pretty much of one mind on these adaptations. :) Hope the rest of 1973 went well for you, if you've finished it--I thought most of the better stuff in the film was in the 2nd half.

inlägg gjort av Medellia vid 8:17 pm (EST) Oct 31, 2009

Oh why oh why does no one read about my rating system? It's right there on my profile! EnriqueFreeque said the same thing just a few days ago about the latest Christie books that I’ve rated. I am very stingy when it comes to giving stars to books. I've awarded very few books full five stars. Two stars are pretty good according to my rating system. It signifies "Nice and Enjoyable".

inlägg gjort av Porua vid 11:52 am (EST) Oct 31, 2009

Amy,
I listed the Heyer books reserved for you on BM. No rush- I gave a 30 day reservation but can stretch that if you need me to do so.
Thanks!
Colleen

inlägg gjort av ForeignCircus vid 12:20 pm (EST) Oct 26, 2009

I liked all in her 'Death In' series... but the ones I like to keep re-reading are 'Death in the Andamans' and 'Death in Berlin'. I wish you luck finding her other books. There's one of hers that I haven't yet gotten, although I read it years ago borrowed from the library, is 'Trade Winds' and I'm on a quest to find a copy to keep.

inlägg gjort av cameling vid 1:22 pm (EST) Oct 24, 2009

Oh goody! Fellowship review. Let me go read it and I'll be back....

inlägg gjort av EnriqueFreeque vid 10:11 am (EST) Oct 24, 2009

Amy,

Nice review of 'Death in Kashmir'. I've loved MM Kaye's books since I read 'Death in the Andamans' back in the 80s. I've read all her books since. I hope you get your hands on her other books.

inlägg gjort av cameling vid 11:39 pm (EST) Oct 22, 2009

Your experience with the 1983 adaptation sounds quite similar to mine. I thought it looked dated, and that sometimes distracts me with older adaptations, but I hardly noticed it after a while. And my hubby got sucked into the whole thing, too! Poor Dalton, he is far too handsome for his own good.

Michael Jayston in the '73 doesn't really fit the broad-barrelled description any better than Dalton, but he's at least shorter. Then again, he's a bit fair-haired and such to be a Rochester. When you do watch the '73, keep in mind that most people think it gets better as it goes along. The last half was much better than the first, I thought.

Watch the 2006 adaptation if you dare, and we'll see how far your purism stretches. :) I do absolutely want to see your review of it, ha. To be fair, I thought that that one got worse as it went along--the last half was much worse than the first half--so some of the beginning wasn't so bad. I started skimming eventually and hit key scenes in the second half. If you don't end up watching it, you could watch this YouTube video of the last ~6 minutes and see what schlock they turned it into :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxZ-ELpRP...

Let me know about Welles/Fontaine! I'll watch it when I can get my hands on a copy.

inlägg gjort av Medellia vid 3:19 pm (EST) Oct 22, 2009

You are also an editor! A wisewoman after my own heart.

inlägg gjort av booksfallapart vid 2:49 pm (EST) Oct 22, 2009

Hi Amy,

I love JE and re-read it every once in a while. It calms me because I have to slow down to read it in order to savor it. There aren't very many books that do this for me and so I treasure the ones that do.

hugs
caroline

inlägg gjort av cameling vid 11:08 pm (EST) Oct 19, 2009

Congratulations on your Hot Review for Jane Eyre! Way to go.

inlägg gjort av cameling vid 8:59 pm (EST) Oct 17, 2009

If I could have given you ten thumbs up for your review of Jane Eyre, I would have. I read it last week for the first time (in my 38 years), and haven't found myself so enthralled with a book in years. I agreed with every last word you wrote in your review. I wonder what I would have thought of the book if I'd read it in early adulthood. It would be nice to be able to compare now, but in a way I'm glad I waited. I think experience enables you to get a lot more out of this book, as you so eloquently state in your review. Kudos!

inlägg gjort av jhedlund vid 1:22 pm (EST) Oct 17, 2009

I've always found that JE gets better with each reread, though for a while I thought it was just because I first read it as a child and there was a lot I didn't initially pick up on.

I have really enjoyed several of Sherwood Smith's novels, particularly Crown Duel. I haven't read Wren to the Rescue so I can't compare, but I thought they had a good mixture of action, intrigue and romance, with interesting world-building and convincing character journeys. It probably all depends on one's personal taste, but I don't consider them to suffer from being too contrived or derivative.
Recently I've read one of her unpublished stories online, because I was curious about characters' back-stories. I enjoyed it and intend to finish it, but wouldn't take it as the best example of her work - I was definitely reading it quite uncritically.

We do have several favourite authors in common! I enjoyed your review of Gaudy Night, too. :)

inlägg gjort av Herenya vid 9:09 am (EST) Oct 17, 2009

I practically quit reading at that point in the story. Though I did end up finishing it, as soon as I was done I removed not only it, but most of the rest of the fantasy from my shelves. Since then, I've restocked to a great extent, but Donaldson did his best to turn me off the genre...

Your library is quite interesting! I've been thouroughly enjoying your reveiws.

inlägg gjort av Torikton vid 11:37 pm (EST) Oct 16, 2009

Great job on your latest review. If I were an author, I would be in fear of your acerbic wit and style. ;) Great review. God bless. :)

inlägg gjort av MereChristian vid 6:41 pm (EST) Oct 16, 2009

Thanks! It was a great book ... something a bit different from what I've been reading lately. If you decide to get it, you won't be disappointed! :).

inlägg gjort av twilightnocturne vid 2:51 pm (EST) Oct 16, 2009

Hi Amy. I actually haven't heard of The Silver Crown yet, but I will look for it. Thanks for the tip. :)

I noticed on the bottom of my home page here on LT, that your Jane Eyre review is listed under "Hot Reviews". It looks like you are getting quite a few accolades and mentions on here. I'm glad because you write wonderful reviews that are a joy to read. Congrats to you. :) God bless. :)

Oh, I'm a lifetime member now, so no careful limits on what I can post. Yay! :)

inlägg gjort av MereChristian vid 4:33 am (EST) Oct 16, 2009

Hi, I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed your review of Jane Eyre. Your review wonderfully articulates why I love Jane Eyre, reminded me why it resonates with me, and raised a few points I hadn't really considered before - things which made me think. (Mostly I was thinking, "Oh, of course!") It left me with a strong desire to reread Jane Eyre yet again. So thank you - it's really nice to read a thoughtful review of a book you love! :)

inlägg gjort av Herenya vid 2:07 am (EST) Oct 16, 2009

That was an incredible review of Jane Eyre. The passion and enjoyment you feel for the story have piqued me interest so much, that I think I will move it up on my to-read list. :) God bless. :)

inlägg gjort av MereChristian vid 12:16 pm (EST) Oct 15, 2009

I'm used to getting critiques in groups, so as long as the criticism is constructive and not incredibly negative, it doesn't bother me in the least. I did once have an older gentleman tell me to my face that he didn't like my book. At the time I was so young that it did bother me; now my attitude would be more along the lines of "So?" I mean, what does that mean for me? Anyway, enough on that rant....

I did get more, thank you. *is trying to curb his obsession* It all goes back to being such a competitive child.

(Oh my, I just read the last paragraph out of context ... "I did get more" ... "obsession" ... dear me.)

I'm 90% sure I'm going to read the book; the problem is when. I think my grandmother has a copy so I may see about borrowing it from her. We're also talking about having a rewatch of the '95 P&P at some point, and also watching Wives & Daughters this coming summer, after I finish the book. I love my grandmom!

inlägg gjort av ncgraham vid 2:47 pm (EST) Oct 12, 2009

Why did you make the latest comment private? We weren't discussing anything scandalous this time. :P I suppose it wasn't much for the edification of general readership, but, well, when are ours?

And here I made a point of proofreading too! Ah well, just goes to show that sometimes an extra pair of eyes can go a long way. I'll make the changes you suggested, but if I lose my thumbs, you know who's to blame. ;) (I am rather obsessive about this, aren't I? Ah well. Someday 'twill be fixed. And meanwhile, I'd rather edit while the review's Hot; I'll probably get another thumb soon and all will be well.) Your review of Bel Canto was quite good, and I didn't detect any typos, but for some reason the words "opera music" tripped me up. It's just not a phrase I as a fan would use. Just "opera" would be best, I think, although you could get all flowery and use the adjective "operatic" instead.

I agree, by the way, that LB is probably the darkest Chronicle, but SC is definitely second and provides a bit of a contrast with the earlier books.

inlägg gjort av ncgraham vid 10:32 am (EST) Oct 12, 2009

I think our LOTR conspiracy is working, mwahahaaa... between your thread and mine we're building up quite a few LoTR awakenings (or re-awakenings mainly).

And of course you are worthy! If a thesis-writer isn't worthy to write knowlegeably about one's topic, then who is? And even without the thesis, shouldn't the Wisest Woman be worthy anyway? :-)

Yes indeed I have read Heyer's mysteries, and love most of them - but again, you need to be careful which you begin with. I highly recommend 'Behold, Here's Poison', if you can get it. Do not start with Envious Casca or Penhallow, though both are good, just not representative of her usual quality.

Can't wait for your finished review of Bel Canto when it comes! And now I think I probably know what you cleverly tried to cover up in You Know What, but my lips are sealed, at least until I read the book.

inlägg gjort av ChocolateMuse vid 1:15 am (EST) Oct 12, 2009

where is the appropriate field?

inlägg gjort av axelp vid 4:42 pm (EST) Oct 8, 2009

Hi Amy, I'm having dilemmas about whether to post all my yammering updates about LoTR (where I'm up to, my profound meditations thereon etc etc) on here, or on your thread, or not at all. Any preferences?

I'm getting truly swept up in the green and grey and golden atmosphere of LoTR. The landscape is coming together in my mind along with the far-flung history and valour of Middle Earth. See, I'm even waxing poetical over it! Thank you for making me read it again, and showing me how to appreciate it!

I also read The Unknown Ajax over the weekend. Another great Heyer. This one has the 'strong silent type' aka 'the gentle giant' type of hero - yet he manages to go beyond the cliche, and become definitely endearing. It's one of Heyer's adventurous books, like The Talisman Ring and The Reluctant Widow, involving smugglers and excisemen, creepy old servants, and gunshots in the dark. And humour everywhere, it's hilarious.

I should also add, that by naming Helena in your review of The Legacy of Cain, I think you're giving away which of the girls it is, which apparently WC wanted kept ambiguous for a while? Great review by the way.

inlägg gjort av ChocolateMuse vid 9:13 pm (EST) Oct 7, 2009

I think you should also read The Princess and Curdie before making a final judgment on MacDonald. His other "simpler" fairy tales are rather good too: The Light Princess, The Golden Key, and At the back of the North Wind.

inlägg gjort av infiniteletters vid 8:51 am (EST) Oct 6, 2009

Hello! It's been a while since we messaged in here. How are you? I see you've started a 50 Book Challenge Thread; I've read and starred it. Maybe I should make one of those myself. I wanted to read 50 this year, but if I make it to 45 I'll be fairly happy. Although I think if I *did* make a thread I'd probably link to my reviews rather than posting them. Thumbs, you know. ;)

Speaking of which, I have figured out that there is no way to edit one's review and be sure of keeping the thumbs. This includes the Edit Book page. Indeed, I was typing in the illustrator of one book, didn't touch the review, and lo and behold I lost all my thumbs for The Mayor of Casterbridge. Incredibly annoying, what what?

And I *will* catch up on reviews someday.

inlägg gjort av ncgraham vid 2:11 pm (EST) Oct 5, 2009

Hullo Your Majesty, I agree about the translation of Quo Vadis - I got it out from the library once and didn't have time to read beyond the first page (maybe cos I got out about 6 other books at the same time) but when I got it again, it was a different translation, which was all modern and trite. So I returned it and am waiting to get hold of the proper translation. I'm SO glad you love it - I was unsure about it until you told me that. Can't wait now :)

We can read FoTR together, since it's on both our currently reading lists :) But I'm going slow, so you'll probably beat me... Last night I got up to Frodo and Sam's decision to go to Rivendell, but they haven't actually left yet. I'd forgotten they were about 50 years old, I keep picturing whatsisname from the movie in my head and thinking of Frodo as early twenties (I know hobbit-age is different from ours though).

I have a problem with 'rustic' gardener-type characters being portrayed as stupid and dog-like, because it's so stereotyping. I know Sam's sweet and loyal and everything, but why can't he have some intelligence? To be just though, he's only just entered the story, so maybe he'll display some later.

Otherwise, I am seriously enjoying the book so far! Yay! May it continue...

Ok, I'll shut up now! Have a great weekend! :)

inlägg gjort av ChocolateMuse vid 11:06 pm (EST) Oct 1, 2009

I respect your opinion too, wisewoman. You are one of the few people who actually bother to read my incessant babble! :-)

Regarding The Historian, I tried to read it fast but as I've said my mind kept wandering as I kept getting bored ever so often. The description of Vlad's torture methods just managed to gross me out, nothing else. Beside it wasn't something I didn't already know. Anyway I may not have loved the book but I did enjoy at least parts of it. That is more than I can say about some other books I've read recently.

inlägg gjort av Porua vid 11:31 am (EST) Oct 1, 2009

Hi again - can I call you Amy? :)

I just noticed the part of your comment I missed earlier, about Bel Canto - a poetic and different book, I hope you love it as much as I did! But I have the distinct feeling for some reason that it wouldn't hold up under a re-read. Not sure why.

I also checked out your 'hovering high on the to-read list' and like what I saw there. I did not enjoy the Time Traveler's Wife much, so I'll be interested in what you think - also, I've got the impression that Ella Minnow Pea isn't my cup of tea, so I can't wait to see what you think.

I started a 'To read really soon' list myself, seems like a great idea, since I've been building up a list in my head for some time now.

Hope you enjoy it all! :)

Rena

inlägg gjort av ChocolateMuse vid 12:28 am (EST) Sep 30, 2009

Ooops, I should have checked your rating of 'A Few Green Leaves' first! :D Thanks for joining anyhow, Amy. Regards, Laura.

inlägg gjort av digifish_books vid 8:48 pm (EST) Sep 27, 2009

Amy

I'll be interested to hear (i.e. read) you reactions to The Man Born to Be King. I sometimes don't like "fiction" versions of the life of Christ, but to me Sayers really seemed to have an understanding of the period and her additions fellt as if they could have actually happened--and probably similar things did happen to Jesus.

Sylvester is also a good Heyer which I've read a couple of times. The reason I'm partial to The Grand Sophy (and Toll Gate and three or four more I could name) is that the heroine is such a strong character and more mature (not necessarily age wise, though). Read both of them and you will see what I mean. I would love to hear your views on those books, too!

Carolyn

inlägg gjort av MusicMom41 vid 3:54 pm (EST) Sep 19, 2009

A favorite Dorothy Sayers book of mine is a 12 play cycle on the life of Christ. It was written for radio so it reads very well. I like to read it during Lent. The title is The Man Born to Be King. Although she does add some incidents that aren't found in the gospel accounts I feel that they are not jarring--she does a great job of giving us a feel for the life he must have lived--and much of the work comes straight from the gospels. I also like "The Remarkable Case of Dorothy L. Sayers" by Catherine Kenney, especially if you have read the Lord Peter Wimsey series.

Wow! My favorite Georgette Heyer? That's a tough one because I think I've read them all (I have a couple of the "history" ones that I need to read--they are on my shelf!) In a way it depends on my mood. I love The Toll Gate--it's a little different; no "ballrooms" in this one. For something really different I like The Masqueraders which is not a regency one so it takes a little getting used to when you first start reading it--the language is a little archaic. But it is delightful and reminds me a little of a Shakespeare comedy. Others that I really like are The Grand Sophy, Black Sheep, and The Unknown Ajax. Hope this keeps you going for a while. :-)

inlägg gjort av MusicMom41 vid 1:21 am (EST) Sep 15, 2009

Hello

I've been having a Christie binge (!) because several of her books were given away free with our newspaper - I hadn't read her before, really enjoyed them. I wasn't expecting too much, but found her much better than her reputation would suggest. I am a real sucker for what I think of as 'era' fiction - when the social mores of the day show through clearly, although the author is unaware (it happens a lot in John Wyndham's scifi)

Robertson Davies is one of my absolutely-definite-nothing-can-change-m... desert island authors. I'd suggest starting with The Salterton Trilogy. (then Cornish trilogy, then Deptford) When I first read this I was so involved with the characters that I actually asked a friend of mine if she'd seen one of them (truly!)I'm quite jealous to think that you have so much reading pleasure still untasted, although I have read all of them at least 5 times, and the pleasure remains undimmed. I do look forward to hearing what you think - I've tried to pass him on to several friends, husband, sister, mother in law, but to no avail. I'm totally at a loss as to why these (usually quite sensible) people don't enjoy him. I really hope you do.

Best wishes

GG

inlägg gjort av Goldengrove vid 4:04 am (EST) Jul 23, 2009

Forgive me if I'm repeating myself--I'm fairly sure that I only meant to drop by your profile one of these days--I don't think I actually accomplished it--but I'm so spacey these days, one can't be too sure...

At any rate, I was leafing through Mansfield Park this evening and thought I'd just leave you a note to say how much I enjoyed your review of MP, and how it pushed me toward reading it. I had just finished Emma in May and had only MP left to read, of Austen's novels. I'm sure I would've postponed it (it gets such bad press, you know) had I not stumbled across your review right around that time. I thought to myself--that protagonist sounds like Agnes Grey! I adored Miss Grey! (Just read your Agnes Grey review now, btw, and had a giggle--it seems we're of one mind.) So I plunged right into MP and thoroughly enjoyed it. So, thanks, and kudos to you!

inlägg gjort av Medellia vid 8:59 pm (EST) Jun 18, 2009

Hey there, just checking in to say whats up. We talked before a bit..through comments. I noticed you reviewed "Book of Atrix Wolfe" by Patricia McKillip. I completely agree with the review..and I've been meaning to read some of her others works. have you read any of her other novels? If so..we're the equally as good? The Book of Atrix Wolfe quickly became one of my favorites..and a big part of that is because of the fabulous writing.

Anyway..hope all is well :)

I'm currently reading "The King of Elfland's Daughter" by Lord Dunsany. Another rather old fantasy novel..but so far, really great. I love books like that though..wordy..descriptive, beautifully written fantasy pieces :P. Talk to you later!

-joe

inlägg gjort av twilightnocturne vid 4:36 am (EST) Jun 17, 2009

I finally decided and began reading Foucalt's Pendulum. Actually, there are a few individuals who may be reading it simultaneously at a group called "25 Books in 2009." I hope you may be interested.

inlägg gjort av xieouyang vid 5:50 am (EST) Mar 23, 2009

I saw your note (from last November I think) about Foucalt's Pendulum. I got it recently but have not read it yet. I love Umberto Eco's books.
Did you read Foucalt's Pendulum? What did you think of it?

inlägg gjort av xieouyang vid 7:23 am (EST) Jan 22, 2009