Christine P

Darra W is now reading a book. (see 5 more books added to shelf)

Darra W reviewed a book.

“First-time novelist Wiley successfully mines the universal themes of family, faith, guilt, betrayal, and redemption in this Southern Gothic narrative told from the viewpoints of a nine-year-old boy, the town midwife, and the local sheriff.”

“First-time novelist Wiley successfully mines the universal themes of family, faith, guilt, betrayal, and redemption in this Southern Gothic narrative told from the viewpoints of a nine-year-old boy, the town midwife, and the local sheriff. ”

Darra W reviewed a book.

“In Smith's latest, four 30-something Londoners attempt to overcome their beginnings in a rough Northwest London neighborhood with varying degrees of success. Having really enjoyed a previous Smith novel ("On Beauty"), I expected much...and came away disappointed. The narrative felt disjointed and...”

“In Smith's latest, four 30-something Londoners attempt to overcome their beginnings in a rough Northwest London neighborhood with varying degrees of success. Having really enjoyed a previous Smith novel ("On Beauty"), I expected much...and came away disappointed. The narrative felt disjointed and underdeveloped, and there was not a single character who engaged or interested me. I stuck with it, hoping my perserverance would be rewarded. Alas, not to be.”

Darra W reviewed a book.

“OK. So it's not great literature. But Brennert's novel--about 50+ years in the life of a fictional family with deeply rooted connections to the iconic, cliff-dwelling NJ amusement park--is a rollicking fun read, with a lightning fast plot, quirky characters, and a nostalgic carnival-like...”

“OK. So it's not great literature. But Brennert's novel--about 50+ years in the life of a fictional family with deeply rooted connections to the iconic, cliff-dwelling NJ amusement park--is a rollicking fun read, with a lightning fast plot, quirky characters, and a nostalgic carnival-like setting. Lots of references to local people, places, and customs are bound to boost the appeal for anyone who grew up in the NYC metro area in the early to late-mid-20th century. ”

Darra W reviewed a book.

“If I hadn't been reading this for book club, I probably wouldn't have finished this novel. It read like a mishmash of loose ends, and I had a difficult time latching on to any of the characters or plotlines. The Southern novelist, Flannery O'Connor, plays a pivotal role. Don't ask me why.”

Darra W reviewed a book.

“Haigh continues her examination of the denizens of Bakerton, PA, in a series of astutely written and subtly linked short stories. The small mining town may be dying, but Haigh's powers of plotting, place, and characterization are alive and well. I liked this even better than the 2005 novel it...”

“Haigh continues her examination of the denizens of Bakerton, PA, in a series of astutely written and subtly linked short stories. The small mining town may be dying, but Haigh's powers of plotting, place, and characterization are alive and well. I liked this even better than the 2005 novel it follows ("Baker Towers")--no small praise indeed.”

Darra W reviewed a book.

“Leavy far surpasses the run-of-the-mill sports chronicle of dates and stats with this brilliant biography, which examines not just the career of the legendary lefty, but his standing as a cultural icon as well. A five-star effort worthy of its five-star subject, an athlete who walked away at the...”

“Leavy far surpasses the run-of-the-mill sports chronicle of dates and stats with this brilliant biography, which examines not just the career of the legendary lefty, but his standing as a cultural icon as well. A five-star effort worthy of its five-star subject, an athlete who walked away at the peak of his career, favoring quality of life over ego. I've never been a Dodger fan, but I have a whole new respect for Mr. Koufax.”