Cathy C

Cathy C reviewed a book.

“My 5th grader received this book as a prize from the public library for finishing the summer reading program there and wanted me to pre-read it to see if anyone dies. I think it's an enjoyable science-fiction, for an older grade. I think some of the things in it would be troubling to the said...”

“My 5th grader received this book as a prize from the public library for finishing the summer reading program there and wanted me to pre-read it to see if anyone dies. I think it's an enjoyable science-fiction, for an older grade. I think some of the things in it would be troubling to the said 5th grader, particularly - SPOILER- the death of one of the participants who receives "the Cure." Old people take a wonder drug which reverses aging, but they're afraid as they regress deeper into childhood and begin losing adult abilities, such as working, driving, etc. They distrust the agency that gave them the wonder drug and society's control of them, so they try to disappear. I found it to be an enjoyable read, but I also suspect that the 5th grader wouldn't like the ending.”

Cathy C rated a book.

• Rated 4 stars

Cathy C finished reading a book.

Cathy C added a book.

Cathy C reviewed a book.

“One of my mom's favorites, because she liked Pierre's thoughts and conversations. I'm not sure if it's just me, because I'm sure this has to be a serious story, but I found the irony in it very funny - Napoleon putting a medal on a soldier without pinning it, and it staying there, when a...”

“One of my mom's favorites, because she liked Pierre's thoughts and conversations. I'm not sure if it's just me, because I'm sure this has to be a serious story, but I found the irony in it very funny - Napoleon putting a medal on a soldier without pinning it, and it staying there, when a diplomat put down Napoleon and he didn't understand it, or chose not to respond, but thought everyone liked him. The friction between various Russian military leaders was also funny - how two units avoided each other rather than work together, and how one fellow lied to both oher leaders telling how he had joined the other. The subplot of seeking God through pilgrimage, service, or mysticism was also interesting. I like the realizations that Prince Andrew and Pierre found at the end. Strangely enough, this book reminded me of Isaac Asimov's "Foundation" stories, a different genre, I know. Their philosophies were similar about the currents in a society causing events more than individual leaders cause them. In Foundation, those currents were set in motion to sculpt a society. In War and Peace, Tolstoy looks at history through that lens. It's a very complex story with lots of characters. I would underline the characters' names the first time they appeared so that I could refer back to them to remember who each was. The back of the book said it had over 500 characters, but there were a few main characters.”