Time to make another trip to my local library; latest six books are done and I was only one day over the 3 week return date! Yippee.
This novel, Never Let Me Go, makes my count nine finished books for 2008. Well on my way to my goal of 60 for the year. I didn't love this one. It was strange. I'm all about the books that give a full accounting, at some point during the book, it doesn't have to all be in a neat and concise manner, but at least don't leave me with questions at the end. One of the recent Grafton novels I read did that and it just aggravated me. This book left me with questions too and it was confusing how it seemed to be set in the past, the present and the future. I don't mean that literally either, the story was written over a time period of the kids being later grade school age to late 20's, but the concept of the school seemed to be ancient, the things written in the story were present and the way they lived after the school seemed to be in the future. And the actual full concept of the book is futuristic as well. It is about cloning after all.
The characters lack believable personalities but that seems to be explained by the time you get to the end of the book. It was mainly about the lives of Kathy, Tommy and Ruth. I'll just tell you right now; Ruth aggravated me to no end. And Kathy and Tommy were likable enough but my goodness grow some cahunas and stand up to that girl. Ruth did not know how to be a friend, nor how to treat a friend.
Again, I say the book was strange, but I read it faster than Remains of the Day because it kept me interested. I may check out a few Kazuo's other books, but then again I may try to find another author. I need to mix it up and read different types of novels, I found I got into a rut with the mystery/suspense (which I love) so we'll see what I come home with from the library today.
I give Never Let Me Go ***.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Remains of the Day, finished 2/13/08
I started a new author on Feb 13th. I read a post on Pissy's blog about how much she loved this author, or maybe it was the other book I just finished by this author which I just finished. The author's name is Kazuo Ishiguro. He definitely has something special in his writings. Old world prose, prim & proper, sir and madam, that kind of thing. I did enjoy this book, but it took me much longer to get through it than one of my normal mystery & suspense books which usually take me a few days because I can't put them down.
Remains of the Day was written in 1989 and was made into a movie in 1993 starring Anthony Hopkins as the main character, Stevens. I have yet to see the movie but I love to read a good book and then see the movie adaptation (but the books are always so much better!).
Stevens is a butler at Darlington House in the years prior to WWII in Europe. The story is mostly about Steven's relationships to the owners of the house (Lord Darlington and Mr. Farraday) and the differences between them and how they run the house, and his very strange relationship with Miss Kenton. I love the true English language; including all the "indeeds" and "to be sure" and "but of course" and this book captures them wonderfully. I'm left feeling confused though that someone could go through almost their entire life without truly seeing things and that is ultimately what this novel boils down too.
A good and different read that I'm glad I finished. I'll give Remains of the Day ***1/2 stars. :o)
I'm instituting a new rating system for this blog as of this book.
***** (five stars) Fantastic Read, Highly Recommend and nothing to pick on
**** (four stars) Very Good Read, Recommend
*** (three stars) Good Read, some questions
** (two stars) Okay Read, not much to comment on
* (one star) Please Don't Waste Your Time
Remains of the Day was written in 1989 and was made into a movie in 1993 starring Anthony Hopkins as the main character, Stevens. I have yet to see the movie but I love to read a good book and then see the movie adaptation (but the books are always so much better!).
Stevens is a butler at Darlington House in the years prior to WWII in Europe. The story is mostly about Steven's relationships to the owners of the house (Lord Darlington and Mr. Farraday) and the differences between them and how they run the house, and his very strange relationship with Miss Kenton. I love the true English language; including all the "indeeds" and "to be sure" and "but of course" and this book captures them wonderfully. I'm left feeling confused though that someone could go through almost their entire life without truly seeing things and that is ultimately what this novel boils down too.
A good and different read that I'm glad I finished. I'll give Remains of the Day ***1/2 stars. :o)
I'm instituting a new rating system for this blog as of this book.
***** (five stars) Fantastic Read, Highly Recommend and nothing to pick on
**** (four stars) Very Good Read, Recommend
*** (three stars) Good Read, some questions
** (two stars) Okay Read, not much to comment on
* (one star) Please Don't Waste Your Time
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
S is for Silence
I think Sue Grafton got and read a memo that said "shake it up a little". This book, S is for Silence, held a slightly difference aspect that I enjoyed. We get to partake in a lot of flashbacks involving several characters from back in the 50's. One of two things about this book that I did not enjoy was there were TOO MANY characters. You really can't get into a book that has too many directions or too many characters. Let's see the potential suspects/acquaintances and friends of the victim were Liza, Kathy, Ty, Foley, Tom, Jake, BW, Chet, Winston and I'm sure at least another two or three that I can't think of right now. While I enjoyed the stories and flashbacks of these people and their involvement with the victim/missing person, Violet Sullivan, I just couldn't get my head around the fact that so many people played a part or could be the sole perpetrator. Too much to handle.
The other thing I didn't like about this book is the ending. We do find out who the bad guy is, but the author, quite frankly, upset me by leaving things hanging. She doesn't necessarily go back and revisit people in subsequent books either. So I'm left with questions, wondering did I skip a whole chapter or section of the book explaining why this person was the killer?
If you read S is for Silence, help me answer these questions:
what happened with Tom stealing his' wife's money?
Why did his wife leave him everything in her will?
did she die knowing he was stealing from her?
what was the reason the killer had for killing Violet?
I saw no connection which leaves me with the feeling that I missed something....if you've read this and have some insight, let me know.
On to the next book; new author, back in a few days.
The other thing I didn't like about this book is the ending. We do find out who the bad guy is, but the author, quite frankly, upset me by leaving things hanging. She doesn't necessarily go back and revisit people in subsequent books either. So I'm left with questions, wondering did I skip a whole chapter or section of the book explaining why this person was the killer?
If you read S is for Silence, help me answer these questions:
what happened with Tom stealing his' wife's money?
Why did his wife leave him everything in her will?
did she die knowing he was stealing from her?
what was the reason the killer had for killing Violet?
I saw no connection which leaves me with the feeling that I missed something....if you've read this and have some insight, let me know.
On to the next book; new author, back in a few days.
R is for Richochet, finished 2/3/08
I went right from Q to R. Having finished R is for Richochet this past Sunday, I realized it's a pretty smooth transition from one Kinsey novel to the next. I don't really like how we have to re-read about her career and housing situation and Henry over and over but it sets the story up, especially for those who haven't read A-Q.
I have to say, this one was very enjoyable. As a result, I finished it in a couple of days (it was the weekend, what can I say?). The characters really came to life for me in this one. I liked that she really only focused on one other main character, Reba Lafferty, in this book. Sometimes Sue goes all out on several different characters and suspects (like in the next review I'm going to do) and that just makes me like the book less. Anyways, Reba and Kinsey almost become friends. I'm constantly in awe about the lack of friendships and romances Kinsey has. She seems like a likeable person but she holds everyone at arms lengths and they just give up I guess. Interesting character.
So Reba goes to jail, having embezzled $300K from her employer. She's a rambunctious, free spirited, no-will-power personality. Likes drugs, smoking, drinking and gambling and has basically given her father a run for his money. He hires Kinsey to pick her up from her release from jail and to just monitor her for a few days until she gets on her feet and hooked up with her P.O. Thus ensues a crazy story where Kinsey finds out Reba is in love with her previous boss, plans on running away with him and that Reba knows all about this man's illegal financial dealings. Then the big agencies come in and enlist Kinsey's help to put him out of business. She has to convince Reba what a loser he is and get her in on the game. I could see a spin off book series on Reba, that's how strong a personality she was. I'd read it too.
Another aspect that makes this book so entertaining is that Kinsey "gets it on!" finally with a handsome and rich local cop. This could be promising....
Anyways, Kinsey pulls off another winning case and everything ends accordingly. Check it out....
I have to say, this one was very enjoyable. As a result, I finished it in a couple of days (it was the weekend, what can I say?). The characters really came to life for me in this one. I liked that she really only focused on one other main character, Reba Lafferty, in this book. Sometimes Sue goes all out on several different characters and suspects (like in the next review I'm going to do) and that just makes me like the book less. Anyways, Reba and Kinsey almost become friends. I'm constantly in awe about the lack of friendships and romances Kinsey has. She seems like a likeable person but she holds everyone at arms lengths and they just give up I guess. Interesting character.
So Reba goes to jail, having embezzled $300K from her employer. She's a rambunctious, free spirited, no-will-power personality. Likes drugs, smoking, drinking and gambling and has basically given her father a run for his money. He hires Kinsey to pick her up from her release from jail and to just monitor her for a few days until she gets on her feet and hooked up with her P.O. Thus ensues a crazy story where Kinsey finds out Reba is in love with her previous boss, plans on running away with him and that Reba knows all about this man's illegal financial dealings. Then the big agencies come in and enlist Kinsey's help to put him out of business. She has to convince Reba what a loser he is and get her in on the game. I could see a spin off book series on Reba, that's how strong a personality she was. I'd read it too.
Another aspect that makes this book so entertaining is that Kinsey "gets it on!" finally with a handsome and rich local cop. This could be promising....
Anyways, Kinsey pulls off another winning case and everything ends accordingly. Check it out....
Q is for Quarry, finished 1/31/08
Ok I'm a little behind on my book completion posts. I've just finished three of the Grafton alphabet series. This post is about Q is for Quarry.
I don't think Kinsey knows how to say "no". She's always being roped into these crazy cases that a normal P.I. probably wouldn't give the time of day too, but it makes for good storylines, else why would I continue reading??? hmmmm.
So this story has to do with two semi-retired cops wanting to solve a cold case. A Jane Doe was killed 18 years earlier with little to no leads. Enter Kinsey, Lieutenant Dolan (who has been in past books) and Sheriff's Deputy Stacey Oliphant. They are friends who for health reasons aren't working but want to get the other's minds off their problems so they open up this case with Kinsey. Well I guess because the book is mostly about Kinsey, she ends up doing most of the legwork and getting into the most trobule. She takes a beating that would have most people giving up their P.I. career but she keeps plugging away. And no big surprise here, solves the mystery. Both Dolan and Oliphant play their parts, but both also spend time in the hospital (hmmm I wonder if being a cop is bad for your health?).
Interesting factoid; Sue Grafton wrote this one particular novel loosely based on a true unsolved murder in California back in the 60's. From the website:
"Q is for Quarry is based on an unsolved homicide that occurred in 1969, and Grafton's interest in the case has generated renewed police efforts. During the past year, the body was exhumed and a nationally known forensic artist did the facial reconstruction that appears in the closing pages of Q is for Quarry. Both Grafton and the dedicated members of the Santa Barbara Sheriff's Department are hoping the photograph will trigger memories that may lead to a positive identification."
This one was better than some of the previous ones. Overall the whole series has been well worth the time. I'm not learning anything, but I'm definitely being entertained!
I don't think Kinsey knows how to say "no". She's always being roped into these crazy cases that a normal P.I. probably wouldn't give the time of day too, but it makes for good storylines, else why would I continue reading??? hmmmm.
So this story has to do with two semi-retired cops wanting to solve a cold case. A Jane Doe was killed 18 years earlier with little to no leads. Enter Kinsey, Lieutenant Dolan (who has been in past books) and Sheriff's Deputy Stacey Oliphant. They are friends who for health reasons aren't working but want to get the other's minds off their problems so they open up this case with Kinsey. Well I guess because the book is mostly about Kinsey, she ends up doing most of the legwork and getting into the most trobule. She takes a beating that would have most people giving up their P.I. career but she keeps plugging away. And no big surprise here, solves the mystery. Both Dolan and Oliphant play their parts, but both also spend time in the hospital (hmmm I wonder if being a cop is bad for your health?).
Interesting factoid; Sue Grafton wrote this one particular novel loosely based on a true unsolved murder in California back in the 60's. From the website:
"Q is for Quarry is based on an unsolved homicide that occurred in 1969, and Grafton's interest in the case has generated renewed police efforts. During the past year, the body was exhumed and a nationally known forensic artist did the facial reconstruction that appears in the closing pages of Q is for Quarry. Both Grafton and the dedicated members of the Santa Barbara Sheriff's Department are hoping the photograph will trigger memories that may lead to a positive identification."
This one was better than some of the previous ones. Overall the whole series has been well worth the time. I'm not learning anything, but I'm definitely being entertained!
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