**spoiler alert** Brilliant concept and beautifully researched. Each chapter tells the story of a generation from the 1760s to the 2000s, from the beg**spoiler alert** Brilliant concept and beautifully researched. Each chapter tells the story of a generation from the 1760s to the 2000s, from the beginnings of the slave trade in Africa to the present. The people became the resource on which colonialism was built. In the book, I got attached to each character and then they would be taken up or taken down by the sweep of history. Its effect on the reader mirrored the effect of each real era: the helplessness and loss, but also the strength and survival. It made the weight of history - the contemporary legacy of slavery - come alive. Hard to read and necessary....more
This short e-book hones in on how to establish or break habits through self-discipline. Tynan is an all-or-nothing guy. Once he decides to do somethinThis short e-book hones in on how to establish or break habits through self-discipline. Tynan is an all-or-nothing guy. Once he decides to do something, he is unwavering. He is also prone to extreme habits and beliefs. For instance, he once heard it was possible to sleep 15 minutes every hour instead of sleeping at night. He did this for a significant time before realizing it wasn't workable. He also decided to "eat perfectly" (by his definition) 100% of the time except when travelling. He is a writer and blogger who works 12 hours a day. He is also a single person who travels a lot and struggles with social situations. As a result, those of us with employers and with other people in our households may find it hard to relate to his examples. I didn't like that one of his habits was to force himself to speak to every woman he encountered to whom he was attracted. Creepy. I think this book will appeal most to people who are extremists or who aspire to be like extremists (such as bloggers Leo Babauta and Bea Johnson) or who enjoyed books like The 4-Hour Workweek and The Personal MBA, both of which have a narrow focus and promote a single path.
All that being said...I enjoyed the book! It was to the point. It focused on how, by adopting habits, you can create inviolable rules for yourself that remove the necessity of decision-making and willpower. I laughed at Tynan's trials and tribulations in much the same way I did when reading A.J. Jacob's Drop Dead Healthy.
This book is only available on Kindle and Kindle Unlimited. Amazon shows a print edition; I think it is self-published and print-on-demand. So it is not as readily available as books traditionally published....more
A book about ethics - it helped me work through my own beliefs with more consistency than I usually would. It includes lots of stories and examples thA book about ethics - it helped me work through my own beliefs with more consistency than I usually would. It includes lots of stories and examples that made me think: should universities select whoever they like as students? is anyone owed a place? what if they reserved 50% of places for the children of alumni or rich donors? does it depend on their mandate? what if their mandate seems unjust - such as racially biased?
"Dear Successful Applicant, We are pleased to inform you that your application for admission has been accepted. It turns out that you happen to have the traits that society needs at the moment, so we propose to exploit your assets for society's advantage..."
This began as a class at Harvard and was developed by the professor into a book. Its roots as undergraduate study show when the author brings in the views of Bentham and Mill, Kant, Rawls and Aristotle, among others. He quotes them extensively and uses some of their language in arguments. At times I tired of reading about "moral desert," a phrase used only in philosophy. But of course the author was trying to introduce his students to the philosophers who developed the concepts, and the language they used.
I recommend this book for the vibrant, real life examples throughout, and how it makes the reader justify her opinions....more
Overtones of Brideshead Revisited, Garden of the Finzi-Continis and Special Topics in Calamity Physics (in all of which a young person falls in love wOvertones of Brideshead Revisited, Garden of the Finzi-Continis and Special Topics in Calamity Physics (in all of which a young person falls in love with someone else's lifestyle and goes full immersion) with a hefty dose of Crime and Punishment. Why are all the female characters in this book complete nobodies? There are some lovely sections. I got wrapped up in the freezing garret scenes (Wait, am I thinking of Raskolnikov?) I guess I wanted a little more redemption....more
The Poisonwood Bible kept me at the edge of my seat. An American preacher brings his family to the Congo (DRC) just before the country attempts its inThe Poisonwood Bible kept me at the edge of my seat. An American preacher brings his family to the Congo (DRC) just before the country attempts its independence. Dad Nathan rules his family with an iron fist and believes he is sent by God to convert the heathens. Mother Oleanna and the 4 Price daughters miss the “society” trappings of their home town, but later they miss cleanliness, and health, and safety, and food. We find out that Dad has not secured resources from the missionary society and none of them are equipped to survive. The dad becomes truly unhinged and the womenfolk must fend for themselves.
The story is told in turns by the mother and the 4 daughters, each of whom has a distinct voice. The most remarkable thing about the book is that the narrators are racist colonialists, just as you would expect such a family to be in that time, in that place. For the most part, they are self-centred, whiny, judgmental, and very real. It was hard to read the language they used to refer to the local people. In the first chapter, the mom looks back and comments on her family’s role (and the role of other non-Africans) in the DRC’s story. It appeared she had some regrets, so I wanted to see how she got there.
The mother and each of the four daughters show a pioneering spirit and they adapt to their new circumstances, each in her own way – through friendship, or political awakening, or manipulation, or opportunism, or cooperation.
Their story is a microcosm of how white colonialism and international interference destroyed countries and people. Although not all the Prices come to appreciate the DRC or its people, the reader certainly does – sometimes by reading between the lines. Yet there are also threads of bravery and perseverance in the Price family, much like the Thornhill family in The Secret River. I “enjoyed” both books but was also sickened by the actions of our ancestors and their lack of acknowledgement of the humanity of others....more
Young adult novel with an intriguing premise: the main character (May) created a graphic novel with a friend - who seems to have resurrected it a few Young adult novel with an intriguing premise: the main character (May) created a graphic novel with a friend - who seems to have resurrected it a few years later from beyond the grave. In the face of great danger, May solves the mystery with the help of two hackers. I liked the strong female character, the platonic relationships with boys, the Seattle setting, and the art (Princess X's mom, especially!) The computer-speak is not especially convincing, but as a tech-savvy person, maybe my expectations are too high. The keys in the story were literally left dangling. The third-person narrative was the furthest thing from lyrical. But it was still satisfying to read about the heroine mustering resources, persevering, and overcoming resistance to prove her friendship....more
Amazing! A prospector heads for Colorado in search of gold, bringing his reluctant wife and daughter, in 1892. They commence a hard-scrabble existenceAmazing! A prospector heads for Colorado in search of gold, bringing his reluctant wife and daughter, in 1892. They commence a hard-scrabble existence in the mining camps, hoping the hard-drinking but honest dad will strike it rich. This is the story of a little girl, Mabel (Mabs), telling us about her family, town, and mining life, from the perspective of an 8-year-old. As she grows up, she comes to know about gambling parlours and bordellos and high rollers with new money - alongside a background of raging plagues, raging fires and raging outlaws. It is intimate and epic at the same time: Mabs watches her weakened, coughing father come down the hills from the mines, and at the same time, watches her town fill up with new train stations, grand hotels and millionaires' mansions. She is a clear-eyed, unsentimental child. The book was published in 1958 when the author was 74. She integrated a complete social history of the town and the era. Highly recommended!
This book was recommended to me by Cat @ ecocatlady.blogspot.com...more
This book has been haunting me since I read it two weeks ago.
As the book begins, a paramedic comes upon a disturbing scene, but it is all in a day's wThis book has been haunting me since I read it two weeks ago.
As the book begins, a paramedic comes upon a disturbing scene, but it is all in a day's work. We are taken back to the paramedic's childhood. Our young lad, Pikelet, lives in the country with his loving, mild, older parents. He takes up with a daredevil friend, Loonie. They eventually meet an extreme surfer who mentors and goads them into acts of bravery and foolishness.
Along the way, Pikelet spends all of his time outdoors, diving in the river, hitching rides to the beach, learning the coastline and the currents. I could smell the peppermint scrub and the salt air. It startlingly brought me back to my own childhood in which I explored the woods and the lakeshore. I have never read a book with such a visceral immersion into the land. It was thrilling.
I felt an impending sense of doom as I kept reading. I couldn't put the book down. What was it going to be? An accident? A betrayal? I knew somebody's life would end or be ruined, but whose?
The ensuing events stunned me and I can't get them off my mind. To be fair, I don't read horror, true crime or thrillers, so I am easily stunnable. But still!
The strong content in the later chapters had the effect of almost erasing the love of the land and Pikelet's mastery of it. Yet I believe that was the point, making it even more chilling.
This is the highest rating I've ever given to a book I didn't like, because I respected the writing and the plotting so much. I was so invested in the characters that I wanted things to turn out differently. Of course, anyone who has been through this kind of journey also wishes their life had turned out differently. So, props to Tim Winton for pulling me in and casting me out - well done!...more
This is the first book in the forthcoming Lady Sherlock series. Arthur Conan Doyle’s first story about Sherlock Holmes is A Study in Scarlet, which I This is the first book in the forthcoming Lady Sherlock series. Arthur Conan Doyle’s first story about Sherlock Holmes is A Study in Scarlet, which I have read – the plots of the two books have no resemblance. A Study in Scarlet Women begins with a few exchanges among society gentlemen. In the midst of this, Charlotte Holmes deliberately destroys her reputation so she is no longer obliged to marry. She is then abandoned to make a living, as she desires. Charlotte’s sister Livia defends her, but is then accused of murder. Charlotte assumes the identity of Sherlock Holmes and starts taking on detective work while trying to clear her sister’s name. The early pages of the book, featuring the male characters, were a bit off-putting. Once Charlotte leaves home and gets established in London, the story becomes involving. My favourite aspect of the book was the extraordinary personalities of the two sisters, and how poorly they fit into the society for which they were raised. Charlotte has a sharp one-track mind, is goal- and task-oriented, is exceedingly direct, and surely not neurotypical. Livia has high-society aspirations but otherwise despises people. The character development in the book was a high point. There is a tiny element of romance in the book, and surprisingly, sparks really fly during these scenes. It turns out the author is best known for her historical romances. But don’t hold that against her – the murder investigation was complex and it kept me guessing to the end. I liked the feminist tone throughout the book. Charlotte and Livia take action, make decisions and are never victims. I think Charlotte is cool and I will keep reading the series to get to know her better....more
**spoiler alert** A difficult but worthy read set in Manchester in the 1860s and 70s. Elizabeth's concern for poor women is all-encompassing. She has **spoiler alert** A difficult but worthy read set in Manchester in the 1860s and 70s. Elizabeth's concern for poor women is all-encompassing. She has no concern for her privileged daughters, except to make them dutiful in serving others. Her judgment, criticism and punishment all but destroy her elder daughter, Alethea, while Alethea's sister May manages to flourish. Meanwhile, Ally is crushed by the weight of her mother's expectations. As she strives for academic excellence, she has attacks of hysteria that we would now call anxiety and panic, leading to self-harm (not to mention harm from her mother and the medical establishment).
I felt a strong sense of dread throughout the book. The chances of Ally becoming happy and well seemed so slight. Would Elizabeth ever back off? Would happy-go-lucky May find a way out? Would one of the sisters be defiled by the family friend? Would the author leave me with a bleak and hopeless ending?
Praises be, many things come right. I am not sure I could have borne it otherwise. Bodies of Light becomes a testament to how we carry on despite our human frailties - our parents and upbringings, our "constitutions" and personal qualities, the people who are kind to us along the way, the society and the times in which we live. On a more personal level, it suggests a path through mental health difficulties, pointing the way to a better future.
Bodies of Light made me think hard about the expectations that were placed on me and how I reacted to them; and even more so, about the expectations I placed on my own child and how they finally got through. Frightening and healing....more
This is a satire set in pre-WW2 London. We are immediately told that the narrator, Gordon, refuses to buy into capitalism. He has turned down job succThis is a satire set in pre-WW2 London. We are immediately told that the narrator, Gordon, refuses to buy into capitalism. He has turned down job success in favour of a hand-to-mouth existence as a book store clerk and would-be poet. He continuously feels wretched due to having no money for food, cigarettes, treating his friends or going on dates. Yet he will do nothing to change this and become bourgeois. We know all this within a few pages. It was strange to read a book in which the premise and the “moral” are stated so soon and often, and they never change. Whenever you think things can’t get any worse, they do. I was reminded of Gogol’s short story “The Overcoat” and similarly gloomy Russian literature, which I love.
It was actually a funny book and I was alternately amused and annoyed by Gordon Comstock. It raised some excellent points about to what extent we will stand for our principles. How far is too far? What if it has serious negative effects on others? If we cave in and compromise, are we lesser beings for it, or just “being realistic” or being human? Over all, I like books in which the key character is not necessarily likeable, admirable or trustworthy.
Aspidistra was also noteworthy because it really brought home the effects of grinding poverty on productivity, creativity and clear thinking. Gordon’s whole outlook on life changed every time he had a meal or a cigarette or a kind word from a publisher.
PS, This is an aspidistra, or "cast iron plant," which Gordon Comstock finds in all the dreary places in which he lives and works, and it serves as a symbol of drab perseverance:
I consider myself a person who was “informed” about Martin Luther King, Jr. I knew the timeline of events in his life, and what he stood for. But aparI consider myself a person who was “informed” about Martin Luther King, Jr. I knew the timeline of events in his life, and what he stood for. But apart from I Have a Dream, I had never read or listened to his work. I am so glad I remedied that.
First the content. The sermons reveal how King’s faith was carried forward into social action. I could see the development of his scholarship and ideas, and how he used them to challenge his own Black Baptist church tradition, daring it not to be complacent, as well as challenging white churches. He called upon everyone to embrace the true spirit of Christianity, which he defined as brotherhood, inclusiveness, justice and equality, brought about by nonviolent means. He never stated that God would wipe away injustice if faith and belief were strong enough. He said the people must stand up, resist, suffer and persevere. He also believed that winning would not mean vanquishing the enemies, but would mean living together as one society.
Next the style. Dr. King had a good knowledge of philosophy, psychology and sociology as well as theology, and he often cited sources. In many of the sermons, he built a case for his views based on science and reason, and would then say pure knowledge is necessary, but not sufficient. Faith, hope, courage, love and suffering are also required. I was impressed by his ability to get past the notion that all of these qualities are fluffy or “soft-minded” as he would have said; in fact, they call for extreme toughness. The sermons were meant to be delivered and not read on a page, so they use the cadence of spoken language. He especially liked to identify opposites and use repetition: “For the person who hates, the false becomes true and the true becomes false; the evil becomes good and the good becomes evil.” I liked the combination of academic rigor and folksy speech.
Then the criticism. Although MLK often used the term “men and women,” the majority of his sermons used men and mankind in a way that seemed to denote a masculine gender and men’s roles in society. He did use the stories and the work of women in a few examples. There was no recognition of women’s previous efforts (such as women’s suffrage) or ongoing work to achieve equality. (The sermons predate second-wave feminism). There is no doubt that he believed in social justice, and he spoke up for racial and religious tolerance. It is easy to think his beliefs would have eventually led him to speak for the rights of women and the LGBTQ community – as Coretta Scott King certainly did. Throughout his sermons, Dr. King often used the word schizophrenic to mean divided, while otherwise having an appreciation for mental health, so perhaps this is “of his time.” He focuses on suffering, saying the oppressed must be able to bear unlimited suffering and find value in suffering while resisting. In my opinion, there is a fine line in Christianity when it comes to glorifying suffering. The one thing I objected to was his dismissal of humanism as too optimistic and not realistic about sin and evil; and the need for one’s faith/hope/love/courage/suffering to be justified by Jesus. But since he was a Baptist minister, I do not expect him to defend atheism and humanism.
I thought this was a fantastic book. It showed the roots of Dr. King’s ideas, explained his religious faith, and outlined his philosophy of nonviolence. It was optimistic and inspiring. And some of the lines could have been written this week:
“Few people have the toughness of mind to judge critically and to discern the true from the false, the fact from the fiction. Our minds are constantly being invaded by legions of half-truths, prejudices and false facts.” – from A Tough Mind and a Tender Heart (sermon), 1959
A Strength to Love is out of print and has been replaced by the expanded edition A Gift of Love....more
This book was recommended to me; I have no interest in horses or racing. In fact, I am opposed to horse and dog racing. I found it hard to read becausThis book was recommended to me; I have no interest in horses or racing. In fact, I am opposed to horse and dog racing. I found it hard to read because of the cruel treatment of the jockeys and other racing world staff, who were treated far worse than the prize animals. However, the book was spectacularly researched and engagingly written. I could not help but admire the dedication of the principals involved, horse and human. It was also a great social record of the 1930s and 40s, especially the role of the media. The author made vivid how Seabiscuit captured the imagination of the people during the Great Depression and the lead-up to WWII. Despite the endless "scratches" (races cancelled at the last minute), the events kept me on the edge of my seat. Recommended!...more
Fascinating post-apocalyptic novel written in "devolved" English. The characters live brutish lives and have a barely understood longing for the technFascinating post-apocalyptic novel written in "devolved" English. The characters live brutish lives and have a barely understood longing for the technology of the past. Speaks to the power of storytelling and the search for meaning. So glad I read this! I saw my first Punch and Judy show in the UK within the past 5 years and it made a big difference to my understanding of the story. I have been thinking in Riddle-Speak for the past month!...more
The early pages of Disgrace come right out of today's news. A Cape Town professor, David Lurie, initiates what he would call an affair with a vulnerabThe early pages of Disgrace come right out of today's news. A Cape Town professor, David Lurie, initiates what he would call an affair with a vulnerable student. The reader sees it for what it is, rape and the abuse of power. David is surprised when the student gets enough support to file a complaint. He believes himself to be guided by natural and romantic impulses, and that to deny them would be to squash his true nature. Unrepentant, he accepts the academic consequences.
There are allusions to Humbert Humbert and Lolita, especially when David gets a thrill from imagining his victim's signature on her deposition.
Next we meet David's adult daughter Lucy, who lives on a homestead in the country. She kennels dogs and sells flowers at the nearby market for cash income. She has a hired hand, a (presumably) Xhosa local, who is mustering his resources to own land and become a farmer in his own right. The disgraced David visits Lucy at a perfect storm of a time, when land and resource struggles are coming to a breaking point.
Here I must insert a trigger warning for potential readers. If you love animals, especially dogs, you may literally be unable to read this book. But because it deeply addresses animal rights and animal/human bonds, if you can see through the pain of the story's events, you will be rewarded.
Then a horrific event happens in which David and Lucy have completely different experiences and reactions. Is it better to fight or to accept?
The book's themes include impulse and restraint as shown through David's sexual desires, retaliation vs "moving on," and the price of following a dream through to its conclusion. All the while, it is clearly about race relations and the new political reality in post-Apartheid South Africa, both in a literal sense and as a parable. As such, I felt that Lucy was perhaps too symbolic and too little human, but then we are seeing her through the flawed eyes of her father.
I loved the way the book is written from David's perspective, yet the reader is not expected to have sympathy for him. For example, Lucy calls her father "David" and by hearing his name repeatedly in her voice, you come to feel even more contempt for him.
The beginning of the book is a surprisingly easy read which carries the reader along, then we pause to take in the landscape (including the political landscape), then we are plunged into darkness and harsh decisions, and white readers gradually become aware that both David and Lucy embody colonial history, regardless of their very different lives and intentions. Fascinating and difficult....more
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