Finished reading on 2/25/09:
EVE: A NOVEL OF THE FIRST WOMAN, by Elissa Elliott, 2009.
An interesting take on the Genesis story of Adam and Eve. Using the story we all know from the Bible, the author has fleshed out the traditional story, providing information from historical sources, plus creating fictional events and characters. Plenty of fascinating details of the Garden of Eden; the interesting depiction of the serpent; the stories of the sons and daughters of Adam and Eve; questions of faith and loyalty and love of each other and of God (here called Elohim), etc., made for an enjoyable read. It was satisfying, although I found it a little long in places.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Monday, February 16, 2009
Finished on 2/16/09:
THE SLIDE by Kyle Beachy, 2009.
I needed a novel set in contemporary times, read a review of this one, and decided to try it. The main character, Potter Mays, is in his twenties, graduates college and runs to the safety of home in St. Louis, and is trying to figure out his life. I don't know what I was expecting of this book, but I just could not enjoy it. I couldn't relate to any character, too much whining, the plotlines didn't appeal to me, it just seemed shallow and self-centered. I did finish it, but must admit to skimming the last 50 pages, which I never do that. I can't really recommend this to anyone I know.
THE SLIDE by Kyle Beachy, 2009.
I needed a novel set in contemporary times, read a review of this one, and decided to try it. The main character, Potter Mays, is in his twenties, graduates college and runs to the safety of home in St. Louis, and is trying to figure out his life. I don't know what I was expecting of this book, but I just could not enjoy it. I couldn't relate to any character, too much whining, the plotlines didn't appeal to me, it just seemed shallow and self-centered. I did finish it, but must admit to skimming the last 50 pages, which I never do that. I can't really recommend this to anyone I know.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Finished 2/7/09:
MISTRESS OF THE ART OF DEATH by Ariana Franklin, 2007.
Great historical fiction thriller. Concerns child murders in Cambridge, England, during the reign of Henry II; Jewish population in town is blamed, revenues to kingdom disrupted. It is King Henry who sends for a "master of the art of death" to come from Sicily to investigate. The master is actually a "mistress", Adelia Ortese Aguilar, a woman doctor who "reads" the dead; she, along with Crusader Sir Rowley Picot, Simon of Naples, and Mansur the Saracen, solve the hideous crimes and unmask the killer. Excellent period detail, well done characters, suspenseful, thrilling story. It was a real page turner for me.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Finished reading on 2/2/09:
THE SACRIFICE by Kathleen Benner Duble, 2005.
Written for a young adult audience and based on stories about the author's family, the story concerns two young girls (10 and 12) who are accused of witchcraft during the time of the Salem trials in 1692. Abigail and Dorothy Faulkner of Andover are accused of tormenting a former maidservant at the height of the hysteria and put into Salem prison. An aunt is already there, along with many others. The girls' pregnant mother, desperate to free them, pressures them to name her as their instructor, knowing that she would be arrested, tried, and condemned but not executed until after the birth of the baby, but her daughters would go free. The author does a good job of portraying the general hysteria, the prison conditions and the terrible choice the girls face. An interesting, fast read about a time in colonial America when the general population believed strongly in witches and magic existing in their communities.
THE SACRIFICE by Kathleen Benner Duble, 2005.
Written for a young adult audience and based on stories about the author's family, the story concerns two young girls (10 and 12) who are accused of witchcraft during the time of the Salem trials in 1692. Abigail and Dorothy Faulkner of Andover are accused of tormenting a former maidservant at the height of the hysteria and put into Salem prison. An aunt is already there, along with many others. The girls' pregnant mother, desperate to free them, pressures them to name her as their instructor, knowing that she would be arrested, tried, and condemned but not executed until after the birth of the baby, but her daughters would go free. The author does a good job of portraying the general hysteria, the prison conditions and the terrible choice the girls face. An interesting, fast read about a time in colonial America when the general population believed strongly in witches and magic existing in their communities.
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