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Sara F

Sara F

An avid traveler with limitless homes, and an avid reader with limitless imagination. The greatest place on earth is the Shenandoah Valley in the Blue Ridge Mountains, though I have never met a place I couldn't adopt. My favorite city is Istanbul, and my favorite bit of nature are the jungles of western Africa. I will read any book I get my... more »
  • Istanbul, Turkey
  • member since November 7 2007

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Sara F’s last login was Tuesday, April 15 2008.

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Public Notes

  • Gil

    Gil says

    Hi Sara!

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )
  • martinhughharvey

    martinhughharvey says

    You asked to let you know what I felt about "Gentlemen of the Road" after we chatted about "The Religion". Well Sara I was disappointed. It's history only in it's set a while ago but not historical as I didn't think I either learned much about the time and setting or felt myself there (atmosphere). One qualification is I didn't really read it very diligently reading a few pages here and there as I was in the middle of preparing a large proposal. But I still am not as impressed as I hope and rate it "okay" only.

    PS it's set sort of in your part of the world - basically in the Volga delta.

    posted 2 years ago. ( send a note )
  • dr.vivek aditya

    dr.vivek aditya says

    hey long time not heard frm you?

    posted 2 years ago. ( send a note )
  • Cindy W

    Cindy W says

    Hi Sara! I'm such a slacker with this club! How are you? Hope all is well and you'll be able to visit jolly old Staunton some day soon! Love you lots! Cindy
    God bless you this Christmas!

    posted 2 years ago. ( send a note )
  • dr.vivek aditya

    dr.vivek aditya says

    thnx.. what about good omen did u liked it ,, read the perfume its a lovely novel and bit shockin too.. what about urself mind telling more???

    posted 2 years ago. ( send a note )
  • dr.vivek aditya

    dr.vivek aditya says

    hi nice collection ... friends!!!!111

    posted 2 years ago. ( send a note )
  • Gil

    Gil says

    Hello

    posted 2 years ago. ( send a note )
  • maggiethecat74

    maggiethecat74 says

    I actually bought that teachers guide just to use in my home. My children are not quite old enough to read the book, but I bought tons of books like that before they were born to use. I can't tell you if it would be good in a classroom, as I'm not a teacher. I can say that I would use it if I were. Hope this helps!

    posted 2 years ago. ( send a note )
  • Marcy C

    Marcy C says

    hello

    posted 2 years ago. ( send a note )
  • Marcy C

    Marcy C says

    hello

    posted 2 years ago. ( send a note )
  • martinhughharvey

    martinhughharvey says

    The Religion – concur on your opinion. I also thought the end was a little saccharine. BTW – have you seen the author? I think the Turks may have turned tail if he was on the Maltese ramparts! I get the Gentlemen of the Road on Wednesday next so I’ll pass on my thoughts after reading it.

    PS we’ve lived around too although perhaps not as peripatetic as you – after leaving the UK it was Montreal, Toronto, Riyadh, Toronto again, a spell in London, Sydney AU, Toronto again, commuting to Atlanta, then Northern New Jersey, and now in a nice little place called Niagara-on-the-Lake in Ontario.

    posted 2 years ago. ( send a note )
  • martinhughharvey

    martinhughharvey says

    Hello again Sara - I don't know what you thought about "The Religion" but there's a new book about by Michael Chabon entitled "Gentlemen of the Road: A Tale of Adventure" which seems like it's similar in its historicity (time period) and cultural clash (Jews battling on the Silk Road). I suspect it'll be a good read - will let you know.

    posted 2 years ago. ( send a note )
  • martinhughharvey

    martinhughharvey says

    Yes it’s interesting Sara that “people of faith” seem to come in two flavors – one living by a set of values (like the “golden rule” that’s seems to be in all main stream religions) or a fundamentalist faith where it’s obedience to [JC, Allah, YWEH(?) – pick one]. Jimmy Carter certainly exemplifies the first type of person for me. Full disclosure: I attended church both as a child and for a while as an adult – I got great support from the values, community and fellowship but in the end couldn’t conform to or believe in the dogma and beliefs.

    Ah “The Religion” – I was attracted to this book from the NY Times book review. I enjoy history and the occasional good adventure. So I was taking a couple of longish flights and got the book. I thought it was clever that the central character was Christian and Muslim and empathized with both the cultures and faiths although he fought for the Christian knights and certainly killed his full share and more Turks and Muslims. I was impressed by the combat descriptions – normally I get my fill quickly of such but I didn’t in this book. If he had a purpose to show the horror of war (don’t think he did) he certainly achieved it. I also enjoyed the historicity of the book – I don’t know how accurate it really is but have to believe it’s generally fairly representative of the times, places, customs, politics, etc. I didn’t however, ponder on this from a clash of civilizations point of view – I realize it was and this sentiment still exists in the world but not for me. I do believe that history in a way is in our genes but we can learn from it and not have to re-live it. Now for such a gory and unforgiving book the ending was saccharine! So all in all an enjoyable and interesting but not profound book for me.

    If I may ask Sara is “limitless homes” metaphoric or real?

    I have traveled extensively but not to Istanbul – it’s on my list but unfortunately not my wife’s.

    Thanks for the ping.

    posted 2 years ago. ( send a note )
  • martinhughharvey

    martinhughharvey says

    Sara - I wrote in defence of Jimmy Carter with you but I have to admit not finishing the book! No real reason. I have also heard pres. Carter speak a few times and have found him a wonderful, sincere, and engaging person. He to me typifies the underlying message of being a Christian which is ironic for me as I consider myself most likely an atheist!

    posted 2 years ago. ( send a note )


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