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Ari

Ari

"Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers." ~ Charles W. Eliot

"There is something about words. In expert hands, manipulated deftly, they take you prisoner. Wind themselves around your limbs like spider silk, and when you are so... more »
  • Miami, FL, USA
  • member since August 17 2009

Groups

  • Historical Fiction Discussion Group
  • Dreamers, Readers, and Writers Discussion Group
  • 100+ Book Challenge Discussion Group
  • Book Chat Discussion Group

Books I'm reading

     
 
 
 

Public Notes

  • ghost of a rose

    ghost of a rose says

    You asked about whether I enjoyed Perfume: The Story of a Murderer by Patrick Suskind . . . I had very mixed feelings about it. Here's what I wrote in my review:

    "I am having a hard time figuring out what to make of this very strange book. Some aspects and some parts I really liked a lot (4 stars), and other aspects and other parts I didn't like much at all (2 stars). So the 3 stars doesn't mean that this is an average book (that's one thing Perfume most definitely is NOT), but is a compromise.

    I can't imagine why someone tagged this "love". "Sick obsession" is more like it. Unless they were referring to the main character's (an outcast from birth) search for a way to make people love him.

    I'm not sure if I would call this a thriller, either. True, there is a serial killer in it, but the book lacks the action and extreme suspense that I would consider the defining paradigm for a thriller. It is ultra horrifying, but in a slow and surreal kind of way. I wouldn't have believed that possible before I read Perfume.

    I'll start with what I did like about the book. The writing is absolutely brilliant. The words that Suskind (and his translator) uses are gorgeous and lyrical, even when he is describing repulsive things. I was hooked on the very first page, with his description of all the nasty but interesting and widely-varied smells of 1755 Paris. And with the unusual birth that begins the story. I also loved the information about the 18th-century perfume industry and how scents are extracted from their sources. Suskind's gift for beautiful language soars when writing about a subject that is itself so beautiful and pleasing to the senses. Those were my favorite parts of the book.

    The theme of scent is so uber-prevalent that one could almost say that is the main character rather than Grenouille. Scent begins the story, and is the deciding factor that ends it. Scent is almost palpably present in every page, starting with the birth of the baby who had no smell. It influences every single thing that happens in the book. That's such a unique theme for a novel to begin with, and Suskind develops it to the max.

    The premise of the story is also highly original - but to say more than that would be a spoiler.

    The names are a humorous and very subtle touch (most of the time you'll miss the humor unless you can translate them. For example, the main character's name, Grenouille, means "frog".)

    As for what I didn't like - the whole book is slow and dreamlike. It requires some concentration and commitment from the reader. It slows down even more in the middle, where it becomes quite abstract and a real slog to get through. But it does pick up again after that. And it does help that the book is fairly short.

    The final 1/4 or so of the book is truly grotesque. Not merely creepy: downright gross, revolting, and disgusting. Yet highly creative at the same time.

    So . . . I'm still not even sure whether or not I liked Perfume. But I hope I've given you enough info to decide if you might be interested in reading it.

    (255 pages)"

    posted 7 hours ago. ( send a note )
  • AvidReader

    AvidReader says

    Thanks for the update! I'll try and read Temptation at the beginning of Jan to be sure I don't have to wait too long between books, especially because of the cliffhanger!

    posted 7 hours ago. ( send a note )
  • Kiki68

    Kiki68 says

    Cute avatar!

    posted 8 hours ago. ( send a note )
  • Dizzie

    Dizzie says

    Yes, I mostly paint people and I want to do a whole series on masquerade masks. Inspiration came when I did one of my youngest daughter in a mask and feather boa in oils and it turned out better that I'd expected. I've got the kids home for a couple of weeks at the moment though so I probably won't get too much done as I like to get into my "zone", my youngest (bless her) likes to visit me in my room - lots - and is very chatty and distracting! So probably best not to bother until they go back to school!

    I also do portraits - one I've sent to you're part of the world! What's your occupation?

    posted yesterday. ( send a note )
  • Dizzie

    Dizzie says

    Yes, I mostly paint people and I want to do a whole series on masquerade masks. Inspiration came when I did one of my youngest daughter in a mask and feather boa in oils and it turned out better that I'd expected. I've got the kids home for a couple of weeks at the moment though so I probably won't get too much done as I like to get into my "zone", my youngest (bless her) likes to visit me in my room - lots - and is very chatty and distracting! So probably best not to bother until they go back to school!

    I also do portraits - one I've sent to you're part of the world! What's your occupation?

    posted yesterday. ( send a note )
  • AvidReader

    AvidReader says

    I didn't know she has a novella out - I'm assuming it's on the website? I haven't been on the website for a while, but I'll have to check that out. I'm glad to hear you are enjoying Night Jasmine best of all (so far)...I think I'll move it closer to the top of my tbr pile. My favourite has been the Black Tulip (Miles & Henrietta's story is also my fav), and my least favourite the Crimson Rose. I wonder how many books the series will be? When exactly does the new book come out?

    posted yesterday. ( send a note )
  • AvidReader

    AvidReader says

    Have you checked out Lauren Willig's website? The site has lots of links to interesting Georgian/Regency related websites. I recommend it.

    posted 2 days ago. ( send a note )
  • sweetpea78

    sweetpea78 says

    Hi Ari. I love your avatar, it's too cute!

    posted 2 days ago. ( send a note )
  • Dizzie

    Dizzie says

    We've not read the House of Night series as I think she's decided on getting The Vampire Academy series instead. So hard to choose! And nothing's been ordered yet so we could still change our mind...! Have you read either of these? I know from checking out your shelf before that you didn't think highly of Twilight?!! Actually, this was my least favourite of the series so I wonder if you read any more of them? Or The Host, which I loved.

    I know what you mean about not getting around to reading books and when you do you think all that time you've wasted! That happened most recently to me with The Thirteenth Tale which reads like a classic, similar style to Jane Eyre. It was fantastic - and I'd had it for years!

    Have really gotten into my book now - it's written in a sort of diary format (which is what took me a while to like) and it's going to change to 3 other women's point of view, probably when I least want it to! We'll see how it goes as it's taking me longer to finish books at the moment, because I'm on a creative buzz with my art. No rush though!

    posted 2 days ago. ( send a note )
  • sweetpea78

    sweetpea78 says

    Hi Ari,
    I just wanted to pop by an welcome you to Book Chat. We have a great group of people, so feel free to join in our discussions or start you own.
    Our sign up for Secret Santa is open until 12/1.
    Check it out at http://www.shelfari.com/groups/10398/discussions/153340/Its-Secret-Santa-Sign-Up-Time-
    Happy Reading!
    Lorin

    posted 2 days ago. ( send a note )
  • AvidReader

    AvidReader says

    Hey Ari. You sure are moving quickly through the Pink Carnation series :-) I've not yet read The Temptation of the Night Jasmine, but I suppose I will soon since book 6 will be out early in the new year. Take care.

    posted 2 days ago. ( send a note )
  • Jennifer K

    Jennifer K says

    only when they're turkey-friendly.

    posted 3 days ago. ( send a note )
  • Dizzie

    Dizzie says

    My book's okay, but I do feel a bit reluctant to leave the fantasy world that I usually inhabit at bedtime so I haven't got "into" it yet. Although I've only read it for 1 day - so perhaps I should be a bit more patient!

    The series you're reading sounds good as I've just had a quick look - Pride and Prejudice (one of my all time favs) lives on..etc. I hope I get the chance to check it out one day...

    My mum is visiting next month so I want to order a couple of books for my almost 13 year old that I can enjoy too (we both recently loved "The Raging Quiet") and she's into vampires (can't disagree) in a big way since she read Twilight.

    Thank you for inviting me to be your friend which I was so happy to accept! I'd already considered you one since our first correspondance about "The Black Jewels" - this just made it official!

    posted 4 days ago. ( send a note )
  • Dizzie

    Dizzie says

    Yes, I've already started "This Charming Man" by Marian Keyes which a visiting relative left for me earlier this year. I used to read her books years ago and a few of them have been very good - completely different to Anne Bishop, though I still prefer her genre.

    I do have "The Girl Who Played With Fire" on my book shelf to read so I'll let you know how I get on with it if I read it before you. Got loads to get through though, so probably won't be until next year.

    What are you reading at the mo?

    posted 4 days ago. ( send a note )
  • Kelly F

    Kelly F says

    If you're talking about books from a certain period - Heyer's the best! She's written some detective books a la Christie (I think they were writing around the same time). the vocabulary of the time is unique, isn't it. Well, don't have the vapors.

    posted 5 days ago. ( send a note )
  • Kelly F

    Kelly F says

    Good Luck! You'll beat me finishing them. I'm still working on Arthur & George, but I've read a coupke of other books between times. Have you ever read anything by Georgette Heyer? If you haven't, then they might be a natural progression from the Pink Carnation series. My personal favorites are The Masqueraders, These Old Shades, and The Unknown Ajax.

    posted 5 days ago. ( send a note )
  • Kelly F

    Kelly F says

    I'll have to try them. How's it going with The Pink Carnation? I've read The Deception of the Emerald Ring, but I have yet to get any further.

    posted 6 days ago. ( send a note )
  • Kelly F

    Kelly F says

    That's true! I really enjoy starting a series at the beginning. My history of that is rather spotty. I often start with the first book aand then I get ahold of the fifth, then just keep on going back and forth. There are a couple of series that I'm going to read from beginning to end someday.

    How is J. R. Ward as an author? I've just begun noticing her book in the used book store I work at.

    posted 6 days ago. ( send a note )
  • Dizzie

    Dizzie says

    I'm sorry you didn't enjoy this book more - but I know what you mean about the other plot that sort of takes over and overlaps the one about the missing girl, i.e. the more interesting one! I wasn't interested in the Swedish businesses either, but hey, it was definately worth a read though wasn't it?

    I've got 30 pages left of the slightly annoying Heir to The Shadows (annoying because of Jannelle - yes I agree with you there). She's 20 now and Daemon's still in the Twisted Kingdom - it's taken him 2 years to climb out so far!? Hurry up already! I'm so annoyed by how everything's drawn out that I'm going to have a break from it and read a fluffy chick lit after.

    posted 6 days ago. ( send a note )
  • Kelly F

    Kelly F says

    I didn't even start reading the Harry Potter series until they were all out just because I didn't want to be left waiting for the nest one to come out. I'm reall into the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency, and I have to wait until the new one comes out every time - every April. It's maddening....but, ce la vie.

    posted 6 days ago. ( send a note )


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