Genre: Historical Fiction (WWI)
Ratings:
Ease with which to read/enjoyable author style 4.0
Suitable ending 3.5
Personal favoritism 4.75
Poetic language 3.5
Memorable 4.0
Original, creative plot 4.0
Original, well-developed characters 3.5
Probability of recommendation 4.0
Ability to "move" emotionally 3.5
Literary value and/or educational value 3.0
Total: 37.75
Final Rating: 3 1/2 stars
4-sentence summary:
Grace is sent to Riverton when she is 14 years old to become a housemaid for the prestigious Hartford family. Her life becomes intertwined with the three Hartford children: David, Hannah, and Emmeline, though Grace always remains an outsider. Grace, Hannah, and Emmeline are the only witnesses to a horrible crime, and Grace keeps the secret of that night (as well as a host of other secrets) for the next 80 years.
Critique:
Well, I couldn't resist reading another Kate Morton book, since The Forgotten Garden was so good. This novel is set in London a few years before the first World War and the narrative spans decades. It never feels rushed and the pace of the novel is quite pleasant.
Truly, I looked this up on wikipedia after I finished the book, because I had figured there was already a movie in the works. This seems set in the same style and tone as Atonement and I could all too easily picture lead actresses playing these roles. In fact, I was quite disappointed to see that there is no movie planned (yet!). The grandeur of the setting in the novel, as well as the haunting story, would make an incredible film.
As far as the book is concerned, I have very little to critique about it. Perhaps I'm getting soft and becoming far too lenient in my reviews, but this was truly an enjoyable read. The only downside to the novel was that the main plotline was a tad too predictable (unlike The Forgotten Garden, which constantly offered surprises)... not in an unlikeable way. But the story uses a lot of foreshadowing. It's the sort of novel to say "But little did I know that this event would lead to our deaths" or somesuch. A little disappointing as a narrative tool, but not something that takes away from the storyline; just the surprise. It does, however, give the reader the same feeling that Grace has, as she is 98 and laying in her bed, looking back on her life: it's a feeling of overwhelming regret in hindsight.
I highly recommend Kate Morton; I am excited to read more of her novels as she continues to write them.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Skeletons at the Feast by Chris Bohjalian
Genre: Historical Fiction (WWII)
Ratings:
Ease with which to read/enjoyable author style 4.0
Suitable ending 3.5
Personal favoritism 3.0
Poetic language 3.0
Memorable 4.0
Original, creative plot 4.0
Original, well-developed characters 3.5
Probability of recommendation 3.0
Ability to "move" emotionally 3.5
Literary value and/or educational value 4.0
Total: 35.5
Final Rating: 3 1/2 stars
4-sentence summary:
The Emmerich family is a Prussian Jewish family who, until 1945, followed Hitler as their leader despite being Jewish. But then, both the onslaught of the Russian army from one side and the anti-Semitic German army from the other, led this family on a trek across Prussia and Germany to seek safety. On the way, they encounter a Scottish POW and a German SS who is not what he seems.
Critique:
Until reading this book I had a very elementary knowledge of Prussia at all, let alone Prussia during World War II. I must say, I am still a little foggy on events leading to those in this book, or the state of things now. But this author has convinced me that I must indeed do my homework, because this is a fascinating, if slightly overlooked, time in history.
The family consists of Rolf (the father), Mutti (the mother), Helmut (Anna's twin), Anna (the main narrator), and Theo (their ten-year-old brother). They are, even coming from a world to which I am a stranger, very realistic and believable characters.
The plot is neither too fast nor too slow. The only downside to the plot is the addition of Cecile; an additional non-related character (who only meets the other characters in the last chapter). She is added, of course, to show the perspective of someone from inside a concentration camp. But by and large, she is an unnecessary character. Readers understand and probably already know the grotesque things that happened in the camps; the real jewel of the novel is the side of the story that is less talked about: thousands of families trapped by armies on both sides, trying to escape several enemies. There have been countless books about the camps, but none that I've heard of about the Prussian predicament except for this one.
I've never read Midwives, Chris Bohjalian's most famous novel, but I am definitely curious enough now to give it a shot. If you want a dark, haunting tale of WWII from a new perspective, I highly recommend this book.
Ratings:
Ease with which to read/enjoyable author style 4.0
Suitable ending 3.5
Personal favoritism 3.0
Poetic language 3.0
Memorable 4.0
Original, creative plot 4.0
Original, well-developed characters 3.5
Probability of recommendation 3.0
Ability to "move" emotionally 3.5
Literary value and/or educational value 4.0
Total: 35.5
Final Rating: 3 1/2 stars
4-sentence summary:
The Emmerich family is a Prussian Jewish family who, until 1945, followed Hitler as their leader despite being Jewish. But then, both the onslaught of the Russian army from one side and the anti-Semitic German army from the other, led this family on a trek across Prussia and Germany to seek safety. On the way, they encounter a Scottish POW and a German SS who is not what he seems.
Critique:
Until reading this book I had a very elementary knowledge of Prussia at all, let alone Prussia during World War II. I must say, I am still a little foggy on events leading to those in this book, or the state of things now. But this author has convinced me that I must indeed do my homework, because this is a fascinating, if slightly overlooked, time in history.
The family consists of Rolf (the father), Mutti (the mother), Helmut (Anna's twin), Anna (the main narrator), and Theo (their ten-year-old brother). They are, even coming from a world to which I am a stranger, very realistic and believable characters.
The plot is neither too fast nor too slow. The only downside to the plot is the addition of Cecile; an additional non-related character (who only meets the other characters in the last chapter). She is added, of course, to show the perspective of someone from inside a concentration camp. But by and large, she is an unnecessary character. Readers understand and probably already know the grotesque things that happened in the camps; the real jewel of the novel is the side of the story that is less talked about: thousands of families trapped by armies on both sides, trying to escape several enemies. There have been countless books about the camps, but none that I've heard of about the Prussian predicament except for this one.
I've never read Midwives, Chris Bohjalian's most famous novel, but I am definitely curious enough now to give it a shot. If you want a dark, haunting tale of WWII from a new perspective, I highly recommend this book.
Monday, April 4, 2011
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