join now| sign in| help
Search advanced search
 
Books
Search:

Request Friendship
Send Request Cancel

Otis H

Otis H

  • Gloucester, MA, USA
  • member since October 24 2007

Reviews

  • Sort by:
 
1 2  | Next »
Displaying 1-10 of 16 reviews
  • In the Heart of the Sea
    • Rated 5 stars

    “This was one of those book that I literally couldn't put down. This story is so fantastic and unbelievable it is hard to imagine humans making it through. Phibrick writing style is perfect for this type of story. He has a real gift for stringing the loose narrative threads and disparate sources into a totally cohesive and engaging read.
    This is one of those books that I recommend to absolutely everyone. ”

    Otis H wrote this review Saturday, October 24 2009. ( reply | permalink )
  • A Walk in the Woods
    • Rated 4 stars

    “Love Bill Bryson's writing. It takes a little getting used with the rampant hyperbole (the pizza is always the "best pizza" he has ever eaten and the view is always the most spectacular view he's ever laid eyes on), but he is an engaging writer. Probably his best gift is that of a story teller and writer of dialogue. One can really picture his characters mannerisms and way.
    Interesting historical context about the AT but the real entertainment is reading about these two goofs stumbling about the woods. ”

    Otis H wrote this review Saturday, October 24 2009. ( reply | permalink )
  • A Child Called "It"
    • Rated 2 stars

    “Fairly exploitative and poorly written. ”

    Otis H wrote this review Monday, September 21 2009. ( reply | permalink )
  • The Last Fish Tale: The Fate of the Atlantic and Survival in Gloucester, America's Oldest Fishing Port and Most Original Town
    • Rated 3 stars

    “Interesting book, especially if you are familiar with Gloucester. This author can be maddening though. Intersperesed throughout the book are stories and asides that are absolutely fascinating mashed together with the most obtuse and disjointed writing style. His other book (The Big Oyster) was similar. Very interesting in parts and wildly incohesive in others. I had no idea what the extended storyline about the British ports had to do with Glocuester (other than to reinforce the previously stated points with a non-American context.
    Still, it was interesting for some of the folklore about Gloucester that is explored. ”

    Otis H wrote this review Monday, September 14 2009. ( reply | permalink )
  • Georgiana: Duchess of Devonshire
    • Rated 3 stars

    “More interesting than I thought it would be but less interesting than I had hoped. Foreman is a commanding writer and her passion for her subject is apparent. I suppose my issue with this book is less the quality of the writing and more the subject. At the end of the day, this is a story of a deeply flawed but intelligent and ambitious woman. There are many others more deeply flawed and ambitious, but they don't get written about because they don't happen to be white, rich and spoiled.
    Too often I sat shaking my head saying..."Yes, that sounds unfortunate. Now grow up and deal with it like an adult rather than a spoiled brat."
    Interesting period piece though and I thoroughly enjoyed the contextual sections about the way of life in 18th century England.”

    Otis H wrote this review Monday, September 14 2009. ( reply | permalink )
  • Nicholas and Alexandra
    • Rated 5 stars

    “Another absolutely amazing book from the best historical-narrative writer in the game. It continues to amaze me how engaging Massie can make this material. The one knock on this book could be the sympathetic light with which the protagonists are portrayed (I would imagine the destitute masses of Russia may disagree with some of Massie's characterization).
    Other than that rather trivial compliant the book is vibrant an alive in it's description of both period Russia and the environment in which the Royal family lived. It's told with narrative skill that one can't help but be drawn into the sometimes complex relationships between the different characters in a completely seamless fashion. An absolutely amazing read.”

    Otis H wrote this review Monday, August 31 2009. ( reply | permalink )
  • Gods and Generals
    • Rated 4 stars

    “I wasn't really sure if I was going to enjoy this book as I had never read historical fiction (aside from April Morning in grade school). In the end, the author really kept the story moving and away from gratuitous melodrama. It read almost like a Robert Massie book.
    Great story and a truly interesting premise. ”

    Otis H wrote this review Friday, July 10 2009. ( reply | permalink )
  • The Places in Between
    • Rated 4 stars

    “Very interesting read. Although Rory gets a little flowery in his sight descriptions, the book remains a riveting travelogue. Bit of a bummer ending though. ”

    Otis H wrote this review Wednesday, May 13 2009. ( reply | permalink )
  • Twilight
    • Rated 3 stars

    “Definitely a book geared towards 11-16 years old girls...of which I am not. ”

    Otis H wrote this review Friday, February 13 2009. ( reply | permalink )
  • Killing Yourself to Live: 85% of a True Story
    • Rated 3 stars

    “This was a fairly entertaining read. You really have to get past the solipsistic "post-modern" POV, but ionce that is done, Chuck comes across as a clever writer. The one thing I would change is to add in a little bit more commentary about music and a little less pity-party of women he has slept with. Although CHuck heads of this critiscism with some sefl-effacing context...it still stands. ”

    Otis H wrote this review Wednesday, October 22 2008. ( reply | permalink )
1 2  | Next »
Displaying 1-10 of 16 reviews

Missing a review?



© 2006-2009 Shelfari | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | Copyright Policy

Close