JazzyJean

1 of 2 members found this review helpful.

• Rated 5 stars

“Enchanting, gothic and enthralling, this florid book is EXCELLENTLY written. Can't fault the book for anything indeed. Definitely one of the best 5 books, if not the best that I have read . Would be awesome for book discussions. Languid yet meticulously builds up the reader's interest whilst stimulating a reader's passion for literature. I SO LOVE IT!

Kudos to the translator Lucia Graves who did a wonderful job. My maiden voyage in the world of Carlos Ruiz Zafon is indeed worth my reading time.”

JazzyJean wrote this review Wednesday, September 15, 2010. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 4 stars

“I wouldn't say that I was ultimately pleased with the whole enchilada about THE WHOLE TRUTH ( as I am a Ludlum and a le Carre zealot) - much of the scenarios are predictable. Even some of the lines between and amongst the characters were quite lengthy ( it feels like portions of conversations were a little bit stretched) , somehow lacking the punches and witty bantering that I expect . Hence, it feels that it depletes the other elements of a thriller. Maybe, what I am trying to drive home at is that there are better options to present explanations in a story as to how certain things/situations transpired. Nonetheless, THE WHOLE TRUTH is still a bestseller. Why? Simply because it is STILL a nice read, very up -to-date . PERCEPTION MANAGEMENT does happen in almost all facets of the social world we live in today. WARNING: SPOILER ALERT! The loss of Anna was a poignant touch to the story and the character of Shaw is quite remarkable though. I see a sort of a sequel to THE WHOLE TRUTH, perhaps a resurrection of Shaw's character in another novel which will be welcomed .This time, the love angle is between Katie and Shaw. Katie is presented in some ways as someone like Anna. The chemistry between Katie and Shaw ,I find cute. =) ”

JazzyJean wrote this review Sunday, January 4, 2009. ( reply | permalink )

1 of 1 members found this review helpful.

• Rated 5 stars

“Historical fiction at its best! Indeed,the level of historical facts written deserves an adulation . I had a wonderful time with this book much like a curious cat would as I pleasantly devoured , quenched my thirst and calmed my unsettling nerves heightened by the harrowing details and appalling atrocities during the WW II . Frederick Forsyth is extremely good with his researches - a counter research will tell you that FF indeed does his assignments very well. If you are WW II fanatics, avid espionage readers and historical zealots who can allow to usher a wave of fiction with an intricate plotting, this book is for you. Replete with real life characters and situations thrown along with a carefully plotted fictitious narrative , this book is. I highly recommend THE ODESSA FILE. A must read!
”

JazzyJean wrote this review Wednesday, December 31, 2008. ( reply | permalink )

2 of 2 members found this review helpful.

• Rated 5 stars

“ATSS is a poignant, haunting, riveting tale of 2 Afghan women whose entangled lives were caught in a turbulent time and place. The portrayal of characters were amazing ( Mariam, Laila and yes, even that of Rasheed) that it sinks into you. The background was perfect,permeative of Afghan history from first to last page. An emotive story of family, friendship, faith, hope and endurance - I was enthralled and even stirred to tears at some points. It was a very good read for me. Love it!


Addendum:
I found a website [ http://www.giantbuddhas.com/en/bamiyan/ ] showing interesting excerpts from a documentary of the GIANT BUDDHAS at Bamiyan Valley - the valley viisted by Babi, Tariq and Mariam in the story : http://www.giant-buddhas.com/en/bamiyan/.

In between research and some other readings, I dropped by flickR and was glad to have found these:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/herat/499088595/ (Herat showing minarets on the mosques)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hamesha/1420527105/ ( Minarets of anotheR mosQue at Mosolla)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gsamizay/512496737/ (Herat women)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hamesha/1401142386/ (books on the street of herat)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kippefinger/200758157/ ( Alexander the Great's fortress in Herat, Afghanistan)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lorrainehutch/325095498/ ( another of those Herat minarets)

Bamiyan valley : http://www.orientalarchitecture.com/afghanistan/bamiyanindex.htm ”

JazzyJean wrote this review Friday, November 21, 2008. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 4 stars

“This book is under the auctorial prowess of the award-winning Lee Strobel, the legal editor of the Chicago Tribune and a self confessed heretic until after his numerous consultations with the experts on the Bible. It’s goal: to find hard facts against the controversies surrounding the birth of the Child Jesus in the manger. And it was successful with the author himself as the quintessential convert. =)”

JazzyJean wrote this review Friday, November 21, 2008. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“With Jessica Zafra's cocktail of wit, adorable sarcasm and humour ,I enjoyed each page deliciously! ”

JazzyJean wrote this review Thursday, November 20, 2008. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“Completely descriptive , the The ORION MYSTERY is successful in its quest to expound on a revolutionary interpretation on possibly the world's greatest ancient obscurities -the Giza Pyramids. This is definitely a book worthy of a shelf for all history fanatics and research enthusiasts. ”

JazzyJean wrote this review Wednesday, November 19, 2008. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“A poignant story about the essence of life that leaves you both indistinguishably wistful and pleased. Full of wisdom, this book is. Love it! Highly recommended.”

JazzyJean wrote this review Wednesday, November 19, 2008. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 0 stars

“The devil comes in beautiful forms - such as this work. Sadly, it successfully presents itself as factual when research would tell you it isn't. Dan Brown was foolhardy enough to manipulatively tread and distort the life of Jesus Christ with this book.

I would have to agree though that this book intensely gripped the hell out of me. With rapid-fire successions of developments here and there, a huge number of bookworms would just so love the brisk pace and the malicious turn outs. Believe me, the next thing I knew I was praying, haha - HONEST! Inveterate Catholics ( I am one) would not recommend this faith shaker. And good heavens, this book has that capacity indeed. =( If there was anything that turned out good after the read, it was the challenge to know more about the real life of Jesus.

Dan Brown's prowess on twists and turns would be better off on a large number of plots ( Aww, I doubt it if he will as he needs to target a specific market - the believers ) , maybe on espionage works ? But please, not in the namesake of the Lord God in vain.


Peace to all!”

JazzyJean wrote this review Wednesday, November 19, 2008. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“A MUST KEEP and re- read book!

Written around the 6th century BC, the guiding principles of The Art of War still holds true in almost all aspects rendered in these modern day times . Personally, in this harried and hurried world, this book bounces you back to rational behavior when all else has gone snafu . Why even my then 8 yr old son (now 15, and another book glutton) has used this book to topple an adult opponent in their strategy game - COMMAND and CONQUER GENERALS. This book is indeed still among my tops! Highly recommended .


”

JazzyJean wrote this review Wednesday, November 19, 2008. ( reply | permalink )