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anarresa

anarresa

has 5 followers and is following 4 people

  • MA, USA
  • member since April 12, 2007

Reviews

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Displaying 1-10 of 87 reviews
  • World War Z
    • Rated 5 stars

    “Looking at the title “Zombie” jumps out at me, so I thought this was a sci-fi zombie horror book. Far, far from it. This is first and foremost an oral history. It’s written as non-fiction, everything (but the actual zombies) reflect the people and society of today… or 2006 because Fidel Castro and Kim Jong-Il are the leaders of their respective countries, can’t blame the author for the assumption they’d be hanging on for more years.

    Taking place a decade after the somewhat official start of the war dozens of people from around the globe, in all walks of life, are interviewed or invited to speak about their experiences. These people have their own voices, biases, memories and emotions. The detail is extreme, the personalities are vivid, the truth of their stories is astounding. A few tweaks regarding the enemy and I believe anyone would think it was non-fiction. I loved it! It’s realism reminds me of Harry Turtledove, and the war subject matter should attract his fans. Perhaps best of all the individual interviews, which in a non-fiction manner assume you are aware of the war as your own history, seamless tell the story of the war, as the novel it actually is. It’s fantastic! I can’t recommend this enough.”

    anarresa wrote this review Thursday, December 29, 2011. ( reply | permalink )
  • The Influencing Machine
    • Rated 4 stars

    “I believe this is best described as a graphic essay on media. We get a quick overview of the history of writing and news and politics, information on reporters and reporting, relevant psychological tidbits and a look at the technology we use to receive the news. It’s more informative than a simple article, less detailed than a full-sized book.
    Initially I thought the author was a political cartoonist and that’s why the graphic format was chosen, but no, she’s in radio and just wanted to do a comic book. The illustrations fit with the light-hearted tone of the whole essay, but I don’t think they significantly add (or detract) from the text, it’s just a choice, but done well.
    Because the whole thing is so short I recommend it for anyone. I HIGHLY recommend this for high-school students, to get them to consider the bias, technique and intentions of the outlets where they get their information.”

    anarresa wrote this review Monday, November 28, 2011. ( reply | permalink )
  • I Am...: Biblical Women Tell Their Own Stories
    • Rated 3 stars

    “Brenner is biblical professor who, for reasons explained in her introduction, felt inspired to write fictional accounts of biblical figures. As the title explicitly states she was struck by women and chose to tell their stories. I believe she’s spent a few too many decades in the non-fiction, academic world because her fictional accounts are told at a small conference attended by the various women, complete with handouts and powerpoint presentations. A conference attended by the women in 2003, since they never died in the bible they have “lived” this entire time and have knowledge of the current world. Politics, poetry, literature and plenty of biblical analysis are referenced. It was cute, but still quite academic.
    Each fictional presentation is accompanied by either a description or the entire text of each woman’s bible entry, so no knowledge of the bible is necessary. It would certainly help though. Also in her introduction Brenner hoped a reader would go back and forth between the fiction and the bible stories referenced. I agree that would be the most fulfilling way to read this, but not necessary. The women covered are in the Hebrew Bible (Brenner is Jewish and/or studies that religion) but I think it would be interesting for a reader of any faith or, as in my case, no faith…but I could be wrong about a devout “other” enjoying this setup. Perhaps only pick it up if you’re feeling religiously adventurous.”

    anarresa wrote this review Tuesday, August 2, 2011. ( reply | permalink )
  • A Great and Terrible Beauty
    • Rated 3 stars

    “A teen historical-romance-fantasy with a little more creativity than I expected. Beginning in Victorian India Gemma Doyle loses her mother, moves to England, is enrolled in a boarding school and has to juggle classes, cliques and her discovery of the magical other Realms.
    There is not enough of a historical setting for me to call it historical fiction. I believe the author uses the time period as a way to relate to modern teens. The girls crave independence but are under strict societal rules, they are educated but not fully worldly (especially in sexual matters) plus it’s a romantic setting for a modern teen reader. As to the sexual discussions, there’s definitely enough that I wouldn’t recommend this for a teen under say 14 (?). The literary references and general tone and language is probably best for a older teen as well.
    It takes a while to get to it, but the magic involved is an ability for certain girls to enter exotic neighboring Realms, similar to dream worlds where thought becomes reality, and these powers can be used in the “real” world with talent and training. There was an Order of women who trained young girls as their ability became apparent, but years earlier the Realms were closed for fear of creatures trying to leave their realm and enter ours. Well-described and intriguing these Realms and the groups that want to control them make for an exciting subplot, but the focus is on Gemma and her teen troubles. For that reason I can’t be sure I will continue this series, but I would definitely recommend this series for any teen, or lover of teen fantasy.”

    anarresa wrote this review Monday, July 4, 2011. ( reply | permalink )
  • The World Without Us
    • Rated 3 stars

    “The basis for this book (that is really more like a collection of essays) is the completely unrealistic premise that all the people on Earth just up and disappeared in a moment. He puts this as either the Rapture or an mass alien abduction. Regardless of the likelihood of that, he then collects facts and expert opinions on a shockingly wide variety of topics and clearly but emotionally, simply but completely describes what would happen to the world without us regarding that topic. As examples, one chapter is the description of recent housing construction practices in America and the timetable of how a house would be reclaimed by nature, through water, insects, rodents and plants. The next chapter deals with New York City specifically, focusing on the subways and sewers with interviews with current workers and engineers all whom agree NYC will flood and collapse in short order. Oh, and artists and geologists agree the Statue of Liberty will keep her form underwater because of the inert nature of bronze.
    There isn’t much connection between chapters. The simple physical destruction of buildings doesn’t factor in the chapter on radioactivity and the possibility of mass species mutation when the reactors and warheads all leak out into the surrounding environment and that doesn’t factor into the chapter on plastics in our oceans and what the historic makeup of a coral reef is and how long it would take to restore them and none of that is discussed with the religious and environmental groups who want to limit the human population in various ways. Each little section is really engaging and intriguing, well thought out and full of interesting facts, but I’m not sure the author even tried to bring it all together. I’m not sure it’s even possible, he presented so much information. By the third chapter I knew I should consider this a collection of articles (he is a journalist) and was able to enjoy the whole book. I recommend it for those interested in a wide variety of scientific disciplines (anthropology, biology, geology, physics…) but no intimate knowledge is required.”

    anarresa wrote this review Monday, July 4, 2011. ( reply | permalink )
  • A Light in the Attic
    • Rated 4 stars

    “As a child I didn’t like Silverstein’s illustrations (I was particular about my art) and while I still think they’re ugly his poetry more than makes up for them. Most definitely geared for children, from toddlers to middle-schoolers, the collection can be enjoyed by parents reading the poems aloud. Reading with your child might be best because several poems have naughty children getting their way, moments of death or loneliness, and references and situations some children just wouldn’t understand where parental guidance is recommended. I think that’s what makes the collection more interesting and emotional than just happy little stories. My 4-year-old niece like the silly poems best, and the rhyming poems more than the un-rhyming ones, but she adores music so that may be a factor. I assume older children will appreciate the themes and literature of the more complex poems, but as an adult nothing struck me as great just for myself… but I adore Dr. Seuss and if I came to him as an adult without the childhood love I probably wouldn’t think as highly of him either.”

    anarresa wrote this review Monday, July 4, 2011. ( reply | permalink )
  • Doc
    • Rated 4 stars

    “This was on several must-read lists and I was still surprised at how much I enjoyed this story. While titled "Doc" the character Doc Holliday is just one of the many people brought to life by the author.
    I do enjoy a western, movies mostly, so I have seen several Wyatt Earp stories but I felt a stronger connection to every character in this novel. Taking place mostly over a few years in Dodge the author also included a little personal history and future life of every character who spends more than three lines in the book. It was a lot of characters, from all walks of life. There was also a greater sense of American History than in your average action-western. Politics and religion and family came into play, very naturally. I'm not a historian but based on the afterword I believe the author did a lot of letter and newspaper reading to get a sense of the personalities and the time period which draws the reader in more than an entirely fictional account would.
    That fuzzy line between reality and fiction is all that kept it from being 5 stars for me, I just wasn't clear what was real and I hate getting fiction mixed up with my history. A bibliography I could specifically reference would have been perfect, but I think the author was more concerned with her characters and situations, which were great so don't take it as a complaint.”

    anarresa wrote this review Tuesday, June 28, 2011. ( reply | permalink )
  • The Sisters Brothers
    • Rated 4 stars

    “Eli and Charlie Sisters are assassins in the employ of the Commodore. This story narrated by Eli follows the brothers on a job full of adventure and misfortune. The story is told in segments that (along with the western setting) reminded me of those serialized magazine pieces that are always mentioned in this genre. The dark humor and gloomy characters reminded me more of Coen Brothers films though. Despite the characters troubles I did really enjoy this novel.”

    anarresa wrote this review Sunday, June 19, 2011. ( reply | permalink )
  • Grave Goods
    • Rated 4 stars

    “King Henry II orders Adelia to the recently destroyed Glastonbury Abbey to verify whether bones found there are (or could be) the remains of Arthur and Guinevere. This is the major plotline, but there are several minor plotlines. One involves Emma, now Lady Wolvercote and her son’s inheritance issues, another investigates the fire at Glastonbury, one looks into the bandits terrorizing the area, and Rowley turns up to stir emotions in Adelia.
    Following the same pattern as previous novels in the series Adelia’s education mirrors the reader’s modern knowledge to highlight the lack of knowledge in the time period. It also highlights the strides towards modernity taken by the historical (and fictional) characters. There’s just one more novel left in the series and I think I hope another author will take up where this deceased author left off. I’m still enjoying the characters and the medical mysteries.”

    anarresa wrote this review Wednesday, June 15, 2011. ( reply | permalink )
  • The Dark River
    • Rated 3 stars

    “Book Two of the Fourth Realm Trilogy and you must read book one before continuing. On the plus side if you read Book One (The Traveler) a while ago there is an introduction reminding you of major characters and events, quite helpful.
    In this book Traveler Gabriel and his Harlequin protector Maya grow closer as they look for Gabriel’s father. Martial artist friend Hollis and religious friend Vicki come along. Meanwhile there’s some internal strife in the Tabula that Traveler Michael takes advantage of for his own purposes. Briefly at the end do we travel to another realm, leaving an action cliffhanger.
    I was bored for much of the book. This is because I like the universe, the technology and the possibilities in the other realms, but the author wants to explore the characters. I’m not really connecting with the characters. There’s enough fun sci-fi and urban fantasy paranoia that I’ll read the third book, but I think I’m going to be ambivalent about this author. Similar to Charles de Lint whose creativity I like, but whose characters bore me.”

    anarresa wrote this review Wednesday, June 8, 2011. ( reply | permalink )
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Displaying 1-10 of 87 reviews

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