Book Reviews
What have you read (or listened to) recently that you'd like to share? Here's your chance to spread the word! Reviews of items in the C/WMARS' collections by C/WMARS' borrowers are invited. Fellow readers and listeners are waiting to hear from you!
The Racketeer, by John Grisham.
April 1, 2013
One of the reasons I have always
enjoyed the legal thrillers of John Grisham is I believed as a lawyer he knew
what he was talking about . With each new book I learned something new about
the law, especially the need to retain the highest quality defense. In his
latest book, however, I'm not sure what he's getting at. "The Racketeer”, which
is one who retains money illegally, perplexed me. What on earth is going on?
Malcolm Bannister is doing time in a Federal Prison Camp near Frostburg, MD As an attorney unfairly convicted of a white collar crime, Bannister is approached by inmates who want his expertise and legal advice in filing appeals. It is information he received from one of his fellow inmates that drives the story.
A federal judge has been murdered, and the FBI has no leads. Bannister , however, has inside information on the crime and cuts a deal with the FBI. Under Rule 35 The Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, an inmate may gain a pardon or reduced sentence by solving a crime .In this case there is the Witness Protection Program, a new identity and a huge reward as soon as the Grand Jury hands down an indictment. But things are not as they seem.
Bannister is wilier than the reader assumes, and his double-crossing defies understanding and any sympathy. The linear movement of the story ceases, and soon the reader has to contend with a huge ruse with a major character never seen or alluded to before.
Eventually the two plots come together to make some sense, but by this time I've checked out. There are too many banks ,too many visits to safety deposit boxes, too many trips to Jamaica and Antigua in a private jet and too much exploitation of the law for me.
I can understand the use of clues, schemes, conspiracies, drug money greed and corruption, but when the author in "Author's Note” admits to laziness, lack of research and all those things that bring credence to his work, I feel duped. Hasn't he heard about the 5thAmendment? Is there such a thing as Rule 35? I'm too lazy to look it up.
This might be a good read when you're heading to Antigua in your private jet to move illegally gained funds.
I give "The Racketeer” 3 hammocks and a pina colada.
Happy reading from Beverly!
The Aviator's Wife, by Melanie Benjamin.
February 23, 2013
It has been 85 years since Charles
Lindbergh made his solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean to Paris. An American
hero of mystical proportions, Lindbergh was hailed and idolized by all, but it was a quiet Anne Morrow who
became his wife. The heart and mind of this remarkably accomplished woman is
revealed in the historical novel, "The Aviator's Wife”, by Melanie Benjamin. Anne Morrow was the daughter of the U.S. ambassador to Mexico and a student at Smith College. When she married Lindbergh, she became his adventurous co-pilot, helping him map out routes for commercial carriers. She learned Morse code, navigating by the stars and glider piloting.
The media frenzy surrounding the couple reached Princess Diana proportions, and Charles wanted his wife shielded from it. In 1932, however, a family tragedy refocused the spotlight on the couple, and life was never the same again.
Anne made a home for her growing family while Charles was away dealing with all things aviation. It became clear as years went on that he liked the idea of a family more than the actual family itself. Since Anne became more and more domesticated, she was unable to fly with her husband, and the marriage suffered.
Politics entered the Lindbergh's life , and they were invited to Germany for the Olympics and met with Adolph Hitler. Lindbergh was impressed by much of what he saw and became an outspoken opponent of President Roosevelt and the growing push for U.S. involvement in a European war.
I was entirely captivated by "The Aviator's Wife” and what I learned about history and those who shaped it. No-one who has ever been to the Smithsonian and seen "The Spirit of St. Louis” suspended from the ceiling can help but wonder what kind of courageous person could manage such a feat. Handsome, dashing and full of adventure, Charles Lindbergh was also a human being with several major personality flaws. Anne Morrow Lindbergh decided to live with them, overcome them and go on with her life upon his death. She loved him still…
I give the book 4 altimeters.
San Miguel by T.C. Boyle
January 12, 2013
Prepare yourself for a short ocean
voyage from Santa Barbara, CA to the island of San Miguel, the westernmost of
the Channel Islands. If the voyage feels familiar, it's because author T.C.
Boyle loves these islands and visited
Anacapa Island in his last book, "When the Killing's Done.”
His newest book, "San Miguel”, has the same spirit as his previous work, but it is not as plot driven. It depends mostly on three strong female characters: Marantha Waters, her adopted daughter Edith and Elise Lester.
It was the late 19thcentury , and Marantha Waters did not enjoy good health. Her husband Will, a Civil War veteran, thought the fresh air of an island sheep ranch would be just the thing. Unfortunately, the sense of isolation, the relentless wind, sand and the ever-present sheep did not improve her health. Although Marantha had kitchen help, life on the island was still very hard on her, and she relied on her adopted daughter Edith.
As Edith grows, she longs to leave the island and her over-bearing stepfather, but escape is not easy. The author doesn't spend much time on Edith's fate, and I felt I wanted more from this story line.
We then skip to 1930 when another family arrives to work the ranch. Elise, age 38, and her husband Herbie have high hopes but soon experience the privations of the previous families. Mutton is always on the menu.
The story becomes a day by day journal of their existence, replete with all that nature can throw at them and a complete sense of seclusion. Actually, Elise becomes adept at making a life for her family which grew with the birth of two daughters.
When World War II began, the Pacific coast was not quite as safe as it used to be, provision delivery was sporadic and everyone was on edge.
Since anything written by T.C.Boyle is better than most anything I've recently read, I can forgive the unevenness of the story. Although it goes in spurts and starts, I never lost interest.
I encourage readers to give T.C. Boyle a chance. He's so worth it.
I give the book 3 7/8 California dreams.
Happy reading from Beverly!
A Hologram for the King
October 7, 2012
It is not unheard of in the
present day global economy for American businessmen to travel all over the
world. In Dave Eggers' "A Hologram for the King”, the businessman is Alan Clay
and the destination is Saudi Arabia.
Clay is a 54 year old businessman who is looking for a big payday in the lucrative technology field. He is divorced, almost broke, depressed and needy. He and three associates meet daily in a large white tent in the Saudi Arabian sun with intermittent air-conditioning and no Wi-fi. Their state of the art presentation for King Adullah featuring holograms is at the heart of the story, but the King is very elusive. Therefore, out of boredom they play on their computers and nap in the heat. Alan, on the other hand, wanders about what is supposed to become King Abdullah Economic City and gets into difficult and often dangerous situations.
While in his hotel room he frets about the past, especially the loss of the industries that sustained him in his earlier years. Unfortunately these industries had since relocated to other parts of the world. He writes letters to his daughter in college which he never sends. He doesn't know how to tell her there's no money for next semester's tuition.
Although I initially rooted for Alan in his quest for success, it became clear to me that he was not a sympathetic character. It was not just that he was over his head in this big deal but that he sabotaged himself with ridiculous behaviors and even descended into self-mutilation while under the influence.
"A Hologram for the King” is a novel for our time. Anyone interested in business and how the world's economy turns will enjoy it most. The author certainly sells it in a more readable fashion than the previous "A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius” which baffled me.
Also, for those who still enjoy holding a book, the cover is outstanding.
I give the book 3 ½ Arabian Nights.
Happy reading from Beverly!
Tumbleweeds
September 5, 2012
In the small panhandle town of Kersey, Texas three 11 year-olds become elementary school classmates. Cathy Benson, an orphaned, privileged Californian, and best friends John Caldwell and Trey Don Hall form an inseparable triumvirate.
Capital
August 1, 2012
Welcome to the world of financial markets crashing and burning and those whose livelihood is adversely affected. Add to this a neighborhood in London, Pepys Road, whose residents have their own drama and you have an instructive and entertaining book of our times, Capital, by John Lanchester.
Roger works for an investment company and earns a great deal, but his wife is a shopaholic and can't stop spending, even when things go badly for them.
Petunia is an elderly woman who is very ill and has a daughter who nurses her. The daughter is guilt-ridden because she has to leave her own family to care for her mother.
The Kamal family from Pakistan have a family-owned shop on the street and work hard at making a living. Some of the sons work harder than others.
Freddy Komo, a young soccer prospect from Senegal, is set up on Pepys Road, and he and his father Patrick have to learn western ways and how to handle large sums of money.
Added to this group of residents is Quentina, an illegal, who somehow managed to get a job giving out parking tickets. Things do not go well for her when her identity is revealed.
In the midst of all the daily goings on, postcards begin to arrive at the doors of the residents of Pepys Road that state, ”We Want What You Have.” This veiled threat continues and intensifies which makes everyone uneasy.
It's always an unexpected pleasure when an author new to me delivers such a complete, nuanced piece of literature. I can't help but compare Lanchester to Tom Wolfe and his work, A Man in Full. That's high praise, indeed.
I give Capital 4 leveraged buyouts.
Happy reading from Beverly!
The Night Strangers
July 6, 2012
Why are there so many greenhouses in the White Mountains village of Beth, New Hampshire? Are the women who tend these gardens truly interested in their health benefits or is there something sinister going on?
Chris Bohjalian, a very successful author, has written a ghost story/human drama with such a plot line in "The Night Strangers.” At the heart of this story is Chip Linton, an airplane pilot. His plane was downed by a flock of geese sucked into his jet engines as he flew over Lake Champlain. Hopeful of another Sully Sullenberger Miracle on the Hudson landing, Linton was unsuccessful , his plane crashed and many passengers died, 39 to be exact.
The survivor guilt was too much on Linton so he moved from Pennsylvania to a rural area in northern New Hampshire where he, his wife and their 10 year old twin daughters started a new life. They chose an older home with many nooks, crannies, hidden staircases and, of course, an earthen area of the cellar which housed an old wooden door sealed shut with 39 large bolts. What a coincidence.
Bohjalian is a master at building suspense as this story unfolds. Linton is left at home working on the house with the creepy wallpaper, the 39 bolt door and apparitions. How much of the goings on are the result of the overactive imagination of a traumatized man and how many are real is for the reader to decide.
Many of the women of the village are overly solicitous to the family and fawn all over the twins. They bring over many covered dishes, and the family is encouraged to partake of their hospitality. The brownies and cookies, however, have an aftertaste.
There were moments when I felt this book might descend into an "Amityville Horror” remake, but the author has a human touch combined with a psychological component that is hard to resist. He's an excellent writer.
I recommend this book for its originality, non-formula ending, and insight into a family in crisis.
I give the book 3 9/10 sprigs of parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme.
Happy reading from Beverly!
Women of the Silk
June 11, 2012
As much as I try to keep up with
current fiction and some non-fiction, I am gratified when a truly fine
book from the past comes to my
attention. Such is the case with "Women of the Silk”, by Gail Tsukiyama. When
this book was initially published in 1991, I recall a friend recommended it in
passing. It wasn't until I met a fellow patron recently at the hair salon
reading it that it finally clicked.
There are many levels of enjoyment to this book. First , it is of a normal length with short chapters for easy reading. Secondly, the prose is somehow soothing and restful , even when events occur that are not pleasant. Lastly, the subject matter was a revelation to me about a culture I knew little about –a true learning experience.
The main character in "Women of the Silk” is Pei, a Chinese girl living with her family in a rural Chinese village. Her father tends the fish ponds and mulberry groves, and it is a hard life. If daughters were not promised in marriage, they became a burden to their families. In Pei's case her father just took her on a trip one day and dropped her off at a silk factory without a backward glance.
As hard as it was to be so abruptly separated from the family, Pei made friendships with her co-workers and those who housed her and cared for her. She made enough money to send to her family which was the incentive to begin with.
Beginning in 1926 "Women of the Silk” follows Pei through the next 20 years of her life with the sisterhood. In addition to life in the silk factory, the author inserts some history of the Far East which I was unaware of. Apparently the Japanese were invading China at the time prior to World War 11 so that danger coupled with the demise of the silk factory made for great social change and flight to Hong Kong.
It is always a good feeling to read a book where the main character faces great adversity and perseveres with dignity and courage. Readers like me who missed the boat in 1991 have a treat in store.
I give the book 3 7/8 silkworms.
Happy reading from Beverly!
Believing the Lie
May 15, 2012
It seems like only yesterday that
Elizabeth George wrote her last 600 + page mystery novel featuring Inspector
Thomas Lynley. Although it is never too late to join this particular bandwagon,
the need to know what came before in Lynley's life becomes more important as
this series continues.
In "Believing the Lie”, and there are plenty of lies to go around, Inspector Thomas Lynley is sent to Cumbria, a particularly scenic area of England on the Irish Sea. His job is to investigate an apparent drowning of a member of a prominent family. I will refrain from mentioning the names of all the family members of the deceased in order to prevent complete confusion.
What gives coherence and continuity to the story, however, is the appearance of some of the main players from previous Lynley novels – Simon and Deborah St. James, Barbara Havers and Superintendent Isabelle Ardery. I could have gone for more Barbara and Isabelle and less Simon and Deborah. However, in the author's wisdom Elizabeth George chose to make Deborah a kind of undercover sleuth with disastrous results. She defies her superiors' and her husband's advice and basically runs amok.
Barbara, on the other hand, continues to be Lynley's staunch right hand investigator. She is still working on her new regimen of stylish clothing and a fetching new hair-do as prescribed by Superintendent Ardery. I loved these portions of the book as they added humor to some otherwise deep, dark goings-on.
In addition Lynley is trying to get on with his life after the tragic loss of his wife Helen , and he and Isabelle are having a hard time adjusting to the direction their relationship is heading.
In the meantime there are numerous subplots to follow including a reporter from a tabloid which requires him to search for sensational headlines even when none exist. What he does uncover, however, with the help of the feckless Deborah St. James is a different take on the story altogether that has no value to yellow journalism.
Amidst all the subplots, there are several torn-from-the-headlines topics that are not uplifting. It works in the context of a New Scotland Yard investigation, but the material may be troubling to some readers.
I hope to have gathered a few more members to the Elizabeth George bandwagon. It's quite a ride.
I give the book 4 lie detectors.
Happy reading from Beverly!
Death Benefit
April 16, 2012
Readers of the medical thriller
genre are very familiar with Dr. Robin Cook's work. This author of 30 previous
books has updated his medical expertise with the advent of stem cell use and replacement organs in his latest effort,
"Death Benefit.”
It is clear early in the book that "Death Benefit” has to do with insurance policies. Some Wall St. Wonders have developed a scheme to buy up life insurance policies of very ill people and cash in on the upcoming death benefits.
Unfortunately for them, two molecular geneticists are hard at work in a bio-safety lab at Columbia University Medical Center on organ replacement, specifically the pancreas, which will extend life expectancy for another 10 years. This, of course, throws off all the charts that had been devised to lure investors to the life insurance scam.
In the midst of all this intrigue is Pia Grazdani, a medical student at Columbia, who works closely with the researchers. She becomes directly involved in the fallout that occurs when the two opposing forces collide- research vs. greed.
As if this were not enough story line to follow, Cook introduces a mob element that stalks the lab and specifically Pia. This occurs rather late in the book as does the critical role of the Chief Medical Examiner.
If there was one shortcoming in this modern- medicine book, I would say it was uneven. As interesting as it is to hear about actuarial life insurance tables and medical jargon, the author spent an inordinate amount of time in the early part of the book on setting up the scam and not enough time on the solving of the case by the Chief Medical Examiner.
In any case, Robin Cook fans will rejoice that he has returned to the medical rotation and is in his office.
I give "Death Benefit” 3 ½ c.c.'s of insulin.
Happy reading from Beverly!
Death Comes to Pemberley
April 2, 2012
As much as I enjoy watching
a Jane Austen work such as "Pride and Prejudice”, I have a hard time getting
through a book of hers. I find the sentences unusually convoluted, and
I often find myself re-reading passages for the sense of it all.
Learning the relationships between all the characters is another obstacle.
Why on earth I chose to read
"Death Comes to Pemberley”, by P.D. James is beyond me. Maybe it was my last
attempt to read about what happened to Elizabeth and Darcy from "Pride
and Prejudice” six years later. Told through the eyes and pen of famed mystery
writer P.D. James, "Death Comes to Pemberley” has given me a renewed appreciation
of Jane Austen.
It’s 1803 and Elizabeth and
Darcy are preparing for an annual ball at their estate, Pemberley.
Unfortunately, word comes to them that a terrible event has occurred in the
surrounding woods, and a death has been verified. Involved in this situation
are Elizabeth’s sister and her husband Wickham who are on the outs with the
family.
Thus begins an investigation into
the whereabouts of the staff and all those known to be in the area. There
are by necessity conversations that refer to past events in the family’s
history which will not ring a bell to those who are not familiar with "Pride
and Prejudice.” In addition some characters are referred to by various names
which adds more mystery to the proceedings. If you can just go with the flow,
it’s great fun adding this layer to a classic tale.
In toto, I felt the book was
a tribute to the talents of both Jane Austen and P.D. James. The joining of the
two talents is genius. Of necessity the focus is not so much on Elizabeth and
Darcy. As a matter of fact I found their concluding conversation
anti-climactic and not such a great ending.
Nevertheless , if you’re
interested in a well-crafted English mystery with all the trappings of
Downton Abbey, you must read "Death Comes to Pemberley.”
I give the book 3 7/8 liveried
footmen.
The Litigators
March 12, 2012
I can’t speak for all readers, but
I can’t help but notice that every time I read a John Grisham book I
learn something new about the law and the role of attorney specialization.
Added to the knowledge I have accrued over the years watching Judge Judy,
this makes me pretty much a paralegal prospect. (Don’t co-sign for poor risks.)
Grisham’s latest endeavor,
"The Litigators” is about such lawyers, those who go to court over
a suit and argue before a judge and often a jury. David Zinc, a Harvard Law School graduate, was not a trained litigator. He worked for a large specialized law firm in a Chicago high rise with long
hours and good money. Unfortunately, the work was sucking the life force
from him, and he snapped. He couldn’t get his body into the office and went on
a day-long bender at a local bar. It was this set of circumstances that
landed him at the door of Finley & Figg, a two man operation adept at
ambulance chasing, DUI’s and quickie divorces. Finley & Figg found room for
Zinc where he happily did legwork for this boutique law firm.
One of the lawyers uncovered the
fact that a pharmaceutical company was being sued over a cholesterol drug
that could have bad side effects. Thinking this was a good way to enter high
stakes tort law, a partner recruited as many users of the drug as he could
find and signed them up, promising them a big payday. Of course, Finley
and Figg were in way over their heads and had no idea that the expert witnesses
that had to be hired required huge sums. The pharmaceutical company, on the
other hand, had many more resources, and it became David vs. Goliath.
Meanwhile, Zinc gets more and more
involved to the point where he becomes part of the litigation team where his
expertise is nil. In addition, Zinc learns of a child suffering from lead paint
poisoning. Upon further investigation, he finds the source of the lead paint
and moves forward with that product liability suit. It’s all very fast-paced
and highly instructive.
Don’t miss "The Litigators," law
at its most tensely dramatic.
I give the book 3 7/8 litigious
societies.
11/22/63
February 7, 2012
What would you change if you could turn back time? Would your life improve or would it just cause more unforseen problems? This butterfly effect is at the heart of Stephen King's latest opus, 11/22/63.Only Time Will Tell
January 21, 2012
I have been on the lookout for a
new Jeffrey Archer novel after having read his book of short stories, "And
Thereby Hangs a Tale.”There it was on the new book shelf just waiting for
me-"Only Time Will Tell.”
Encompassing the years between
World War 1 and World War 11, "Only Time Will Tell” is a Dickens-style tale of
a young man brought up with limited means who has a gift.
Harry Clifton is the boy in
question whose mother Maisie tells him that his father was lost in the war.
Harry is destined to be a dockworker like his father and uncle until he
is discovered by a benefactor and given a scholarship to an exclusive
boys’ school in England.
The description of life in the
boys’ school not only reveals class distinctions but the regimen all students
must follow in their studies, extra-curricular activities and the fierce
competition to get to the next level of education. I found this insight
into the British educational system enlightening.
The method Archer uses to reveal
this complex tale is by introducing each main character in a narrative
told from his point of view. Although it may seem redundant to hear about the
same occurrence from various characters, I found it original and effective.
After all, there’s more than one (or more) sides to every story.
It is clear to me that Jeffrey
Archer is a great story-teller, but he also has a sense of history and is not
afraid if writing sweeping, multigenerational works.
All of this discussion brings me
to the fortuitous conclusion that this is the first in a series, "The Clifton
Chronicles.”What a treat if you like tales of adventure, romance, treachery,
intrigue and all those good things. 2012 is already looking upbeat for readers.
I give "Only Time Will Tell” 4
Oxford English Dictionaries.
Last Night in Twisted River
November 15, 2011
Covering five decades and encompassing New Hampshire, Boston, Vermont, Toronto and the frozen landscape of Pointe au Barie Station, Ontario, "Last Night in Twisted River” traces the life and times of Dominic Baciagalupo and his son Daniel. Initially set in a logging camp in northern New Hampshire, "Twisted River” begins with a tragedy and never lets up. In John Irving fashion, the characters become entwined in each other’s lives for better but often for worse. Dominic is the cook for the logging crew, and his young son observes and learns from this rough and tumble crowd. Unfortunately, there is an occurrence on the "Last Night in Twisted River” which sends Dominic and his son to Boston where they assume new identities. Thus, Cookie/Dominic Baciagalupo becomes Tony Angel and his son becomes Danny Angel.
The reader must truly be on his toes because in addition to name and identity changes, the author indulges in the technique "in medias res” where the reader is dropped into the middle of a situation unexpectedly. Eventually the reasoning becomes clear, but John Irving demands a lot of attention to his carefully scripted work. He’s a joy to read.
It would be pointless to get into all the subplots and numerous characters along the way, but I would be remiss if I didn’t point out that Irving’s expert storytelling affords insight into the logging industry of northern New England in addition to many religious and political references which makes for an enriching reading experience. A keen sense of humor doesn’t hurt either.
This is another of those long complex novels whose whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
I give the book 4 black bears.
Happy reading from Beverly!
UNBROKEN
October 13, 2011
The author, who did exhaustive research on this book, collaborated with Zamperini when he was in his 80’s to get all details possible. Since World War ll veterans are becoming fewer, it was important to note all the memories that could be retrieved. In this case Zamperini’s ordeal occurred in the Pacific when as an Army Air Force bombardier, he was shot down in 1943.
Zamperini and two other crew members were adrift on a makeshift life raft for weeks with basically no life-saving supplies, including food and water. They had to become resourceful and clever with what they could put together to catch fish and birds and even fight off encircling sharks. I think the killing and eating of an albatross or two was a bad luck move, however.
Unfortunately for these three, this was just the beginning of their ordeal. They were captured by the Japanese and sent to a series of POW camps, each worse than the one before. Because Zamperini was known as a world class runner, he was singled out for more intense punishment than the others.
Told in infinite detail, "Unbroken” is a testament to the human spirit which in this case survived under extreme duress. There are pictures throughout the book of Zamperini’s family, aircraft and fellow flyers. The author does not conclude the story with the end of the war and the POW’s release, but explains how difficult re-entry into civilian life was.
I remember watching "Victory at Sea” Sunday afternoons with its soaring music and battle scenes, but I never dreamed as a child that there were thousands of American POW’s held and abused at the same time.
"Unbroken” is a realistic look into one man’s experience that effected us all.
State of Wonder
Sept. 7, 2011
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The Weird Sisters
Aug. 24, 2011
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Emily and Einstein
July 27, 2011
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Miles to Go
July 11, 2011
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22 Britannia Road
June 27, 2011
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Minding Frankie
May 31, 2011
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The Weight of Heaven
May 23, 2011
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World Without End
May 4, 2011
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