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Book Reviews
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Snow
by John Banville
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The only thing better than a classic mystery is a classic mystery set in the Irish countryside in 1957 and that is what this is. A priest dies and is mutilated at an isolated estate and although 5 people were at home at the time, no one saw anything. Everyone seems to be hiding something, but who has a motive? And the detective seems to be dealing with his own demons and this case is making that worse. Then a police officer turns up dead and everything is intensified. Wonderful read.
The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie
by Allison Pataki
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I enjoyed learning about this woman behind the rise of General Foods and her philanthropy. What I did not enjoy was seeing how weak she was around the men she fell for. Was this really her personality or was this the author weaving her own story.
The Perfumist Of Paris
by Alka Joshi
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I have waited so long for an available copy of this book. I have wanted to read "The Perfumist of Paris" since I finished "The Secret Keeper of Jaipur" Alka Joshi did an amazing job with this trilogy, and Im so happy to read Radha's growth from a naive girl in "The Henna Artist" to this novel. Like the others, this book kept me enthalled and wanting to read more. It was such a captivating story that touched the senses. The hurt, the betrayal, the drive to achieve her dream and push limits. Watching her past come full circle. I needed to read this story to tie up the loose ends of the previous books. I will miss this series so much.
Berlin
by Bea Setton
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Very stream of consciousness. There is no plot line like a regular novel, but it is easy to follow. I just didn't like the book.
The Only One Left
by Riley Sager
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Perfection - I don't want to say too much because I don't want to give anything away - Fascinating story - The writing was crisp and the description of the locale was so vivid that I could picture every scene. I tried second guessing but was wrong 98% of the time. Filled with suspense I had trouble putting the book down that I read the book on July 4th from beginning to end. Need more than 5 stars.
Nana
by Emile Zola
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Curious about an old paperback found among my late mother’s book, I now wonder why I delayed so long in reading it. As the book fell apart in my hands, I realized that I had seen it on her bookshelves since my childhood. The EMPL staff informed me that the Rockville Centre Public Library had a copy, and I also noticed one in the West Hempstead library. Both these library books show famous paintings of courtesans on their covers. The cover artwork of my paperback copy is a painting of a beautiful young woman strutting on the stage before a darkened theatre filled with tuxedo-clad men. She is nude except for a diaphanous wrapper, which reveals her body in its entirety. Her long blonde flowing hair cascades over one shoulder, and she dances barefoot. Her facial expression is one of pure disdain. The artwork is drawn directly from the description in the novel (although she is described at various times as having red hair). Her theatrical gigs were gauche, talent-free, and occasional, but her astounding appearance ensured her position as the most notorious tart in Paris. This girl is “Nana,” the heroine of Emile Zola’s novel, translated from the French in a “complete unexpurgated translation.” The book is neither salacious nor lascivious; there are no outright graphic descriptions of sexual scenes. Instead, the novel is a sociological, psychological, and historical revelation of Parisienne society in the mid nineteenth century, focused upon the fictitious Nana, a wildly successful prostitute -- a “kept woman” who demanded and received immense sums of money, priceless antiques, and precious jewelry from her devoted male clients, and who effortlessly enslaved men of all ages to her body through her matchless animal sexuality and vitality. The underbelly of sexual intrigue of well-born, high society Paris is closely studied and described. Nana, born of the slums, rises to wealth and fame, scorning and humiliating the upscale and distinguished men who pay dearly for her favors. She is thoroughly promiscuous, eventually bisexual, and totally exploitive. The book documents her short life and the havoc she wrought. Nana bankrupted several men, drove one young man to suicide, others to theft, and brought a religious government official close to a nervous breakdown – all while collecting and wasting millions of francs. At times sadistic in her mockery of the upper classes, at times charitable and kind, Nana’s short life ended with smallpox, her beautiful face ravaged. As France declared war against Germany, Nana’s many male friends hovered in the street, fearful of contagion, while her brave fellow courtesans and prostitutes, (both married and single), surrounded her deathbed in a final tribute to the uncontested exemplar of their profession. Zola thus expressed his final cynical judgment of his society and times.
Left On Main Street
by Steven Jay Griffel
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Great story. Interesting likeable characters. The two main characters literally trade places, New York City and Three Corners (the most Conservative place in the US) in a journey to change their lives. A story of love and loss. Easy read. I'd like to thank the library for ordering this book for me. I put in a special request.
The Half Moon
by Mary Beth Keane
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While it was hard to follow at first, especially deciphering past and present, it is a slow burn of a book. It is really good and worthwhile to read.
Good Intentions
by Brenda K. Davies
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I am so mad at myself for taking so long to do this reread. I am just as enthralled as I was the first time I read it. I love being back in this world and with these characters.
The Kiss Curse
by Erin Sterling
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The Kiss Curse is the follow up to Sterling’s The Ex Hex, this time following colorful cousin Gwyn as she falls in love with the proper and starchy Wells Penhallow, brother to Vivi’s new husband Rhys. They deal with a new coven of bad witches, conflicting businesses and an attraction for each other that cannot be ignored. Even Sir Purrcival, Gwyn’s talking cat, is falling for Wells. This book was very entertaining and a quick read. I enjoyed it. Be warned, there are a couple of spicy scenes!!