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I hated this book even when I was a kid. Lucy Maud Montgomery didn't know how to "create" a happy marriage between Anne and Gilbert because her own marriage was so disasterous. In real life, Lucy Maud's only friends were women and her negative attitude towards her husband is reflected in this book. Gilbert should have been outgoing, interesting, debonaire and REAL. Instead, he's a flat cardboard character who hides in the background. Although Anne is only in her late 30's, she's a prim and repressed matron who feels life has passed her by as she watches her children grow. And the kids are annoying! Saintly Walter is being primed as the sacrificial lamb and martyr--a destiny he fulfills in "Rilla of Ingleside." There's something weirdly disturbing and unreal about them...and their parents. Believe it or not--the most fascinating character is "Christine," the sultry widow who flirts with Gilbert and tries to "steal" him away from Anne--sort of! Christine is a little naughty and not very nice (by early 1900's standards) and she spices up this otherwise dull book. | 0negative
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I highly recommend this book for those who wish to escape from the real world through this alternate reality! Witness strange old fashioned punishments and let your ethics be applied to this imaginative play. The Scarlet letter illustrates the message of being honest and embracing your flaws and your talents or else it will lead to your downfall. When Hester is punished to wear her scarlet letter and to be publicly ridiculed for her sins, Hester chooses to avoid as much human contact as possible. Whenever she had to go into public she described her goings as torture, for every single person in town was looking down at her with shame and disgust. As Hester deals with her punishment and her troublesome child, Pearl, Hester learns to use her skills with crafts to help those in need. Honesty is also shown as an essential lesson in Scarlet letter as seen through the downfall of Pastor Dimmesdale, who refuses to tell anyone that he was Hester's partner in sin, in fear that it would ruin his prestige. His evil secret eventually drove him mad and he soon became cursed with visions and serious health problems. He eventually was unable to take the guilt of lying to his congregation and confesses to his followers who became shocked at such an unbelievable confession of such a "holy" man. Read this book and experience the plot come alive with its dark imagery and masterful writing! I highly recommend this book for those who are interested in historical fiction, and the message of the book will never be forgotten, it encourages the need of forgiveness for the regretful and proves that redemption can be found by anyone. | 1positive
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I have to say it was not what I expected by the title of the book. It says it her turn but she doesn't say anything you expect from a Gay person Trapped in a Republican Gay hating home. It is a waste of money. I wouldn't give it any stars. I was expecting a HARDER HiTTING BOOK. This was sure a waste. If you really want to read it wait till the library has it to read it. | 0negative
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A book you can read many times and still still find it interesting. A good travel companion on your Kindle | 1positive
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Craig's history of the fateful battle of Stalingrad is accessible, at least. It is not nearly long enough to pay attention to all important aspects of the first attacks that reduced the city and its population so dreadfully; the destruction of the German Sixth Army is given much more space.All in all, a decent introduction for the casual reader or the reader just beginning to learn about Stalingrad, but one I would get from the library. I would recommend Antony Beevor's highly readable work on Stalingrad for serious students or for those whose interest is merely piqued by the morsels Craig holds out here. | 1positive
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This book was pretty boring. Its very long and I don't really get the point because everyone dies in the end anyway. The modern version text makes it a little easier to understand but I still didn't like it very much. I have never really liked Shakespeare because of the words and difficulty to understand the story. It was easier just to watch the movie instead. I guess you might like it if you're a big fan of shakespeare but if you don't want to read a long, boring book, I wouldn't recommend it. | 0negative
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Silence of the Lambs takes on a vivid imagination as he details the account of a serial killer. It is fantastic as was his other book Red Dragon!! I keep looking for his next book. He writes dramatically and sensitively. I keep looking for his next one!! | 1positive
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I'm studying for the CPA. I bought the book because it's required for a course in school. But to actually learn for the CPA exam, I'll toss this one aside for one that provides a solutions manual. Authors who withold the manual for the instructors benefit miss a fundamental point about economics - who the customer is. It's the student that the book is written for and it is the student who pays for the course. Breffni University of Chicago | 0negative
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The only thing that was remotely redeeming about this book was the fact that a friend loaned it to me, so I didn't have to shell out my own hard-earned cash. | 0negative
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Oscar Wilde is a witty man. The Importance of Being Earnest, Wilde's most well-known work, is dripping with sharp humor and clever epigrams. But let's face it, it's fluff. The "social satire" that most reviewers cite to hold this book up as High Art is as pointed as a teaspoon and as sincere as a used-car salesman. Wilde was a libertine dandy who admired the snobbery and elitism of blue-blooded Britons. The Importance of Being Earnest is, in many ways, like MTV--stylish and entertaining, with some pretensions, but ultimately just a vacuous time-killer. If you need to read it for class, or even better want some literary [bathroom] reading, fine. If not, don't waste your time. | 0negative
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Feldman's "well-researched" book is a classic human development book, written from a rich white man's view. He does very little to express race and gender as anything but biology. These two things are sociological constructs in addition to being somewhat biologically based. In my world, half-truths are still lies. This book has a lot of pictures of people from different cultures, with different phenotypes, et cetera. It does not walk the walk or talk the talk of a socially responsible take on human development and psychology. For instance he uses Freud to speak of gender roles- a man who named an entire stage of human development after the penis. Just a poor read overall. It felt like going back to high school biology class. Not much more than a survey book. | 0negative
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OTHER THEN THE CONTENT THE BOOK IS FINE. I DO NOT ADHERE TO THE "MUSLIM" - "SOCIALIST" PHILOSOPHIES SO HIS POSITIONS ON ISSUES OF IMPORTANCE TO MY CHILDREN AND GRAND CHILDREN ARE IN STARK OPPOSITION TO HIS VIEWS AND BACKGROUND !! | 0negative
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Toni Morrison must be reading her own press. This book is terrible. No plot,no characters of note. Just meandering with her own words pontificating. Come on. This isn't writing, this is self-indulgence. | 0negative
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Benji Franklin is a fascinating guy. He really is. Unfortunately, you really don't get to know him through his autobiography (it was written for the moral instruction of his son, first of all).Half the book reads like a "Mrs. Manners" column and the other half reads like a resume. Franklin lists all his numerous contributions to American society fairly coldly and not a little pretentiously (but we can allow him the pretention) and fills in the blank spaces with moral and philosphical instruction. ]While he was a great inventor and statesman and had a knack for collecting and spitting out trite "truisms," Benny just isn't that interesting a moral philospher. If you're really interested in getting to know Ben Franklin, check out a scholar's biography--if anything, you get to learn all the juicy stuff about his disgustingly promiscuous sex life. | 0negative
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Butler's writing was always elegant and humane, even when describing inhuman subjects. In this case, it's a culture of modern-day vampires, living quietly with the little flocks of humans that they feed on. But, as always happens when people (in the broad sense) are involved, emotions both drive and hinder the people involved. And, as happens also, even people who are very close aren't always driven in the same direction or at the same time.This, like many of Butler's stories, is about close groups, the kind that look equally like large families or small villages. They're assembled from disparate parts. The parts don't always fit well, at least not at first. As a result, the groupings often change the people involved, not always in ways that they want to be changed. There are other analogies to her earlier work, too, but this novel stands wonderfully well on its own.In fact, it gave me a reading experience I haven't had in years. Once I really got into it, I just couldn't put it down, no matter what else demanded my attention. The central characters are complex and largely believable, even with a few unbelievable premises to get the story going. And, despite some very tragic events, there's a core of strength and optimism deep inside - another thing I see far too rarely.//wiredweird | 1positive
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After becoming acquainted with the Botkin sisters' blog, articles, book, and DVD, I feel the need to speak out strongly against the dangerous mentality that appears to have been pounded into them from an early age. They were taught that their single adult lives should center around their father, who profits financially by selling the type of spiritually abusive views laid out in this book? The assertion that women should not get a college education was very sad to me, and is in no way supported by Scripture. I grew up in a large family, was homeschooled, and am very close to my parents and siblings. I'm also an attorney and married to a wonderful, Godly man. My mom and I both have professional degrees and are also able to be stay at home wives and mothers. I am so, so thankful that my father had the wisdom to encourage me to go to college and law school. Those years were instrumental in developing my faith in Christ, forming Godly friendships, and strengthening family relationships -- especially with my parents! It is scary that a father would brainwash his daughters to this level...The advice in this book is unbiblical and I hope that young, impressionable girls stay far away. | 0negative
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The best thing about this story is the setup, involving a weirdly mist-shrouded hill that, according to legend, is haunted by a man-eating demon. After that -- let's just say that a reader who expects nothing will not be disappointed. I will start with relatively minor quibbles, and work my way up. Spoilers will follow:The story works best as a mystery, but is clumsy even on that level. As in "Tuck Everlasting", Babbitt's weakness is lazy plotting and contrived character motivations. Can we really believe that a young boy would simply decide to journey in the dead of night, in a rainstorm, armed only with a stick, accompanied only by a small elderly dog, to do battle with a giant man-eating demon who he knows or at least believes has devoured every human who has encountered it? Why would he would not turn back, even after hearing the demon's larger-than-life howls? Would he really do this just for dare? Is he suicidal? Could he not at least have taken with him (for instance) a purported magic charm, or some other flimsy basis for hoping he might be able to defeat the demon rather than merely die a horrible death?The purpose of this contrivance, supposedly, is to get our fearless hero to the lonely hilltop so he can solve the mystery. But instead of discovering for himself, he just happens, by coincidence, to meet on the hilltop an Adult-Explainer-Ex-Machina who TELLS him what is -- and, perhaps more importantly to Babbitt, what is NOT -- on the hill. I guess Babbitt felt constrained to rely on this contrivance because of the inherent impossibility of proving a negative.But the worst of it is that, after the mystery is (sort of) resolved, we are then forced to endure the nihilistic MORAL, mouthed by yet another Adult Explainer. Referring to the hill demon, he says:"Nephew, I'll tell you what I think. I think it doesn't really matter. The only thing that matters is whether you want to believe that he is there or not. And if your mind is made up, all the facts in the world won't make a difference."You hear that kiddies? Why invest the intense effort required for actual learning when you can just believe whatever you please? Why endure the sacrifices that come with honesty and integrity when you can just say what people want to hear? As is repeatedly emphasized elsewhere in this book, knowing the truth and telling the truth can only make you and others miserable.What makes the above nihilism particularly bizarre is the context: Here we have an adult - and a parent - taking the position that it does not matter whether or not a nearby hill is home to a man-eating monster. That is rather like saying that it does not matter whether or not the next-door neighbor is a serial killer. Of course it matters!If you want spooky stories with rational explanations, I am sure you will find better than this. You can try Washington Irving, for starters. You can even watch Scooby Doo! At least the Scooby gang has the sense to flee in terror when the monster gives chase. They seem to realize something this author does not -- that it does indeed matter whether or not the monster is real. | 0negative
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The Hobbit is a book that can be enjoyed by all, but is mainly appreciated by two very seperate audiences. As a fairy tale style story it can be read to young children and generally enjoyed, but the true depth of the story is mainly appreciated by those old enough to read between the lines and understand what an amazing and detailed world Tolkien has created and placed this story in.Unfortunetly, the "bed-time story" style of writing can put off some older and most young adult or teen readers who find the book too childish for their likings. To anyone who feels this way after reading through a few pages all I can say is this - allow yourself to get past the all of that. Pay attention to the great characters and excellent story. And then look deeper and appreciate the wonderful and deep world Tolkien has created. From Bilbo's Hobbit-hole to the Last Homely House to Smaug's Lair every location is detailed and rich with character.If you haven't read The Hobbit, go read it right now. If you've already read it, then I'm sure you can understand everything I'm saying. If you don't, then read it again. This is a book that, on the first read, is an incredibly entertaining, original, and creative story. And every subsequent read allows you to peel away more layers and see deeper into the world of Middle-earth. And once you begin to see just how incredible a place it is, you should go on and read The Lord of the Rings - a novel that allows you to delve even further into the mythology and provides yet another eminently enjoyable story that anyone can (and should) love. | 1positive
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John Gray concludes his book with a tragic entreaty: "Can we not think of the aim of life as simply to see?" His plea for awareness reveals the cloak of obscuratism our mythology has draped over all nature. Reading Straw Dogs is like being abruptly roused from a pleasant dream. "Wake and shake!", he cries. Wake up to the falsity of the dogmas under which you live. Shake them off and recognize that we live within reality's domain, not that of phantasms and fables. These ideas disturb the comfortable, yet offer little comfort to those seeking an easy answer to life's challenges. Gray understands our need for solace, but he knows reality isn't a tourist resort. Nature is a harsh realm and he wishes us to confront enduring questions honestly. Writing this book means he thinks we can do that.Gray's thesis relies on aknowledging our place in the realm of nature. We are, he reminds us, merely a part of the animal kingdom. We are neither a special creation nor particularly unique. Writing alone, with the continuity it provides, sets us apart while granting significant powers. The "continuity" led to the notion of human "progress" and "perfectability". In an evolutionary sense both ideas are false, and we are evolution's product. Even humanism, supposedly rational and secular, has fallen into the trap of seeking "perfectability". Gray finds this misleading and self-serving. He examines the work of Western philosophers, the guides to our thinking, finding them mistaken or misleading. In today's milieu, Lovelock's Gaia concept of the whole planet acting like a single organism, should be reconsidered. Whether the details of this idea are valid is irrelevant. It is the notion that we are apart from the remainder of nature that we must cast away. The monotheist dogma granting us "dominion over the earth" is the most pernicious idea developed by humanity, Gray asserts.Gray's text is fragmented without sacrificing continuity. His techique allows pauses for reflection. He posits ideas, questions, suggestions, assertions freely. Stop and think about them as you read. He tumbles many icons - he indicts Christianty on the second page, suggesting what will follow. He is resolute and articulate about how important these questions are to us. A superficial look at this work may lead the reader to feel hopeless. If there was no hope, however, Gray wouldn't have bothered to write this book. Like any thinker, he's concerned about the future. The prospects appear bleak, but not insurmountable. He assumes the reader is intelligent enough to consider and act on realistic solutions. "Perfectibility" of humanity within nature may be impossible, but with an informed outlook "accomodation" can be achieved. The first step, however, is the shedding of false dogmas.Being informed isn't an easy task, Gray concedes. He presents the thoughts of previous philosophers, but without direct attribution. If you need references, his extensive bibliography is a fine starting point. It's also a few years' study syllabus. Taking his quotes at face value isn't the issue, however. What must be confronted are the values that you, the reader, hold and cherish. Can you "live to see", or will you remain wrapped blindly within dogma? Read Gray and make up your own mind. [stephen a. haines - Ottawa, Canada] | 1positive
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This guy Motteux should be forgotten. Deception within this translation is the concern, or might it be laziness? The absurd English slapstick is the dribble typical of a childish Disney production. Shouldn't literature translate true to the authors intent? I think so! Read the spanish or go to the Putnum translation. Now, THERE is a worthy work. We readers need a reissue of Mr. Putnams fine translation of The Ingenious Gentleman of La Mancha! Hopefuly this Everyman's edition hasn't chased away many potential Don Quixote readers. | 0negative
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Simply the best. It makes you feel that modern science-fiction hasn't created anything. One has to keep in mind that this story was written a century ago, at a time when cinema was not an industry. H.G. Wells worked hard on his story and modified several it times but in the end, he takes us into a wonderful journey way beyond human nature. Every single human being on earth should read this.Franis E.A.R. AndréAuthor of 'Mr A, The Fall' | 1positive
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An astoundingly arrogant and ridiculous rendering of Lao Tzu's major philosophical treatise - Leary can't be considered a decent poet, let alone capable of apprehending Lao Tzu's awareness from his own purple haze. | 0negative
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Hi! This book was in awesome condition!! The price was affordable and it was new!! Great way to save money!! | 1positive
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Having been forced to read "Emma" for an English Literature course, I feel that I know as much about it as anyone else, if not more so. "Emma" is nothing more than a trashy romance, like the rest of Jane Austen's novels. We all know more or less what is going to happen at the end of the book - of course the hero and heroine are going to fall in love. Austen's use of irony is not exemplary either - is there anyone who didn't realise that Frank Churchill was hiding something, if we weren't sure quite what? Anyone who describes an Austen novel as a "classic", particualy this one, needs their head examined. She is an olden days Jackie Collins, whose fancy language seems to have deluded some into believing that she is something which she certianly is not. | 0negative
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There's a beautifully detailed journey, across Scotland and Ireland, before the book settles down into a smaller story of Adnam's personal quest for some kind of redemption. I find Robinson's telling fast, at times thrilling, but in the end cold and too technical. | 0negative
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I love biographies about people in this time period but I found these people vapid and completely self centered and of very little interest. | 0negative
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The simple illustrations, the colored backgrounds, the adorable little baby--these are all great reasons to buy this book, especially if your little one is already on their way to becoming attached to his/her blankie. My son happens to adore his, and he truly does take it everywhere with him.There is some controversy over the part where he takes the blankie to his time-outs (and the image shows him crying). I think one of the odd things about this book is that, while the main character is clearly a baby, there are several references that are more appropriate for an older character--I'm thinking both of the time-out scene and also the taking the blankie to school scene. Honestly, the time-out thing does not particularly concern me--I don't think it is meant to portray an infant/toddler too young to understand a time-out, and at the very least it makes for something interesting to talk about with an older child.What actually kept me from giving the book 5 stars is toward the end. Kids emulate characters they like, and the lines "I don't like bedtime...." and "Blankie isn't afraid of the dark, but I am" seem very suggestive to me, and are in locations that are difficult to skip. My son loves to go to bed and is NOT afraid of the dark, and I hate for him to get the idea he should be! Still....The best part of these books, in my mind, is that they have just a handful of words on each page, but unlike other books of this length, there are sufficient pages that there is a distinct progression in the "story", and it's long enough that he doesn't always insist on reading it 20 times in a row; but not so long that he can't finish it in one sitting.My son is quite picky about books, and he loves all the Leslie Patricelli books, so we buy then, read them (over and over and over!), and accept that, unless we write the book ourselves, there will always be topics we don't love in the books our kids read. | 1positive
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I enjoy reading and I haven't read all the so-called "classics" so every once in a while I'll pick one up to see what all the 'fuss' is about and to say that I've actually read it. This way I don't have the bias of teachers and/or professors etc.Perhaps it is my upbringing but Catcher in the Rye, for me, was in a word, boring. Holden Caulfield, to me, was not a "psychologically challenged" youth but a whiny teenager who needed a good kick in the pants. It was well written but I found myself continually asking "what's the point?" and when I reached the end my reaction was "That's it?? That's all?" I suppose 'intellectuals' will insist I missed the point but I will remain off the bandwagon and say that I would not recommend this book. | 0negative
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I feel that this version lost too much of its original flavor and poetry; it strayed far too away from the original French version. In essence, I find that that makes a book almost meaningless. It's like serving the best main course dinner you could possible imagine yet only to realize there isn't a morsel of salt. Sure, the food could look good, but the taste is another story.I find the translation by Katherine Woods much more satisfying | 0negative
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***This review may contain spoilers***Like practically every other American student, I encountered Dickens's "Great Expectations" (hereafter GE) in an abridged version in junior high, then the complete text when I was much older. In my opinion, GE is a glorious (not glorified) soap opera chronicling the wildly fluctuating vicissitudes of Philip Pirrip's (Pip's) eventful life, from an orphaned, tormented child apprenticed to genial blacksmith Joe to, by a turn of ironic fate, a wealthy "gentleman" of leisure. As been often noted, Dickens created worlds, if not universes, in his novels, and GE is certainly no exception. In this review, I will try to avoid detailing the plot, which is already well-known. Instead, I will comment upon Dickens's use of backstory and flashback to flesh out most of the major characters in the novel.Even the most colorful, flamboyant characters in GE are not one-dimensional or stereotypically good or evil. We learn how Miss Havisham's marital jilting by Arthur compelled her to become a spectral recluse in her gloomy estate. We learn how Miss Havisham's misanthropic upbringing caused her frosty ward Estella (whose name suggests a blazing but distant star) to become an inaccessible man-hater. We learn how Magwitch, Pip's surprising benefactor, became a convict through cynical ad hominem prosecution in the barbaric English court system, was transported to the penal colony that was Australia, and how he acquired the money through hardship just to help the orphan Pip, who showed him mercy at the graveyard, and why he risked arrest in London to see his gentleman. We learn that Estella's mother, servant to Mr. Jaggers the lawyer, was convicted of murder but saved, after a fashion, by the lawyer and how she had to sacrifice her daughter so that she could become a lady. We even learn about the somewhat schizophrenic Wemmick, Jagger's clerk, who is sullen and joyless at work but positively animated and exuberant when he is at home (The Castle) with his elderly invalid father The Aged. Through these backstories, we find out that no Dickensian character is ultimately utterly despicable, or demonic, or flawless, or saintly. They are all achingly human, trying to live life the best they can.Since GE is primarily about the growth and development of Pip, we witness his human complexity most of all. In a paraphrase of a comment made by his friend Herbert, Pip is intelligent and naive, curious and hesitant, loyal and perfidious, snobbish but introspective, a false gentleman (through wealth) and a true gentleman (through re-discovered contrition, feeling, and love). Dickens's revelation of the humanity that still lurks in the most wretched of us is encapsulated nicely by Pip's caretaker and brother-in-law, the brawny but forgiving Joe, who says about his abusive father, "Whatsumever the failings on his part, dear reader, remember that he was that good in his heart". This noble, some may say Christian, sentiment, elevates GE beyond its busy, coincidental melodramatic soap opera plottings and trains its sharp focus on the multifaceted levels of the human condition. | 1positive
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This is the 3rd & "Best" of "The Last Picture Show" trilogy.I can't wait till tis becomes a movie!Hopefully the entire cast from "Texasville" can be back to give us such great comedy and drama.Those who said this is a sad story are miss reading it I beleive. I have always viewed Duane's character as more pathetic than sad. True alot of the plights and things that have occured in Duane's life could be viewed as sad. I tend to view the character as a rich guy leading the average Joe middle-class life. I find this trilogy fasciating more & more as it shows us how all the story's character's past affects the future of a family's up brignning and lifstyles. How it affects Duanne is the main point. The things that happen are comical more so than sad. Yes this is a drama, yes it has very excellent depth and darkness, yet somehow I always view it more in a comical way. The story is complete and more than satisfying. THIS MUST BE MADE INTO A MOVIE!!!!!!To not put this one on the screen would be a shame. I know "Texasville" didn't fare well at the box office, but this one has excellent potential to be another great success like the original. The character depth in this story (in my opinion) relates more back to the characters'study thus allowing for great perfomances and possible academys. This finale is by far the best of the three just because it tells how people come of age. It's a story about life.Jeff Bridges and the rest of the orginal actors need to be brought back for "The Best Picture Show". | 1positive
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Clinton has been repeatedly maligned, but nobody has ever acused him of being a good author. This book is SOOO boring. On and on he writes about so many inconsequential things. The big revelation here is that he really didn't like Ken Starr. Golly, that wasn't a well-kept secret.For 950+ pages he sloshes though stuff only he would care about. For example, his father was an alcoholic. (Bill, get over it.) Apparently he was paid not by the content but by the number of words. This just isn't worth the read. | 0negative
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We just finished reading Bless Me Ultima in our English II class, and I can honestly say that glad. Rudolfo Anaya's portrayal of a young boy trying to choose the right path in life is quite amusing. I can honestly say that there are not many seven year old boys who are seriously thinking about choosing to be what their mother wants them to be, or choosing to be what their father wants them to be. Children think about playing in trees or in the dirt; not becoming a priest or a vaquero.The dreams that young Antonio experiences are closer to visions of the future, than real dreams. He sees himself and his brothers near the river. He also sees himself going with his brothers to a whore house. The boring and meaningless dreams get longer and longer as the book progresses.The action actually picks up in the book about fifteen pages from the end. This pointless book carries on for chapters at a time and I do not suggest reading it. | 0negative
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The kindle editions of these books are chock full of typographical errors that sometimes make it difficult to figure out what should have been written. The typos made me feel like I'd been gyped on the price of the books. | 0negative
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When my English teacher assigned this piece of Gothic literature instead of the prescribed novel "Frankenstein," my curiosity was piqued. Though I had questioned her taste in literature throughout the year, I felt that this novel would be her redeeming point, the thing that would bring her class together.I couldn't have been more mistaken.Wuthering Heights is the story of a man who rents a small mansion from another man, and decides to pay his landlord a visit. Or so it seems. What the novel truly is can only be decribed as a farce on human emotion. It follows the passionate, and often violent, semi-romance between Catherine Earnshaw and her adopted brother Heathcliff. Bronte's poetic language eased the physical reading of the novel, but shrouded the actual plot in deeper mystery and chaos than it had managed to do itself.A novel filled with one amazing plot twist is intriguing; one with several shockers is unexpected. Wuthering Heights, however, conatins more curves and unexpected turns than a New Orleans back-road. This would keep the reader alert and willing to continue . . . if the characters were not blatantly predictible, and completely imhuman. The love-struck heroine/antagonist Catherine Earnshaw declares at one point that "Nelly, I am Heathcliff!" While intended to be a moving statement, modern psychology student would be more likely to call it stage one acute paranoia. Indeed, this particular educational slave had to struggle through only six chapters of poorly created characters, morose settings, and a plot that seemed more thrown-together than created, before literally guessing his/her way to passing every exam.Back to Ms. Bronte's plot devices. This novel is almost like watching a child play with dolls while talking aloud. Listen to your young daughters; "Suzie came home, and did this." A thoughtful pause will follow, and then something else will hapen to Suzie. Then something else. Whatever comes to mind will happen, regardless of whether it makes good storytelling or not. The novel takes the same approach, with a plotline that could only be deemed a line in Lovecraftian geometry.All in all, Wuthering Heights demonstrates fluid and powerful use of the English language . . . but isn't that the purpose of poetry? With predictably unpredictable characters, stale settings, and a plotline that almost refuses to exist, Wuthering Heights could be summed up only in the words of another English teacher: "It's General Hospital with an English accent! She's making you read that!?" | 0negative
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The Devil Wears Prada is an amusing fable of the consequences of trading integrity for access to power. The author would have us believe that she was willing to trade one year of her life picking up kids, dogs, drycleaning, and coffee in exchange for a good recommendation for employment as a writer elsewhere. | 0negative
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I have read a good part of these glowing reviews and I must just be stupid or something. I really love hearing different opinions and alway hope that I will be enlightened by hearing a new view. I have listened to one of Deepak's books on CD before and was confused. I listened to this one and had to rewind and listen to ideas up to four times. I really love Deepak's voice... I love that Indian accent.... But the ideas seem to be idiotic. He makes assertions without any basis and then starts on a lot of junk science to support some of his notions. I guess that all of you DP readers are used to this Newage stuff, but it makes no sense to me. I will not waste any more money on Deepak's work. This book will probably work for you "feel good" believers, but if you have an ounce of logic, please look elsewhere. | 0negative
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My entire life has included constant exposure to this attempt to capture,beat and bury poor old Joe Smith.She is a many decade favorite with those who like to throw rocks at all things LDS.Living in VA,in the shadow of Monticello,her horrible,discredited "biography"of our beloved Mr.Jefferson,should show the casual reader that her scholarship is extremely suspect.Reading her book is like going to a Harry Reid/Nancy Pelosi press party for ALL your info on the Bush administration.Her view of Smith is so twisted,so fabricated,so devoid of actual truth, as to make one wonder why anyone would care.But itching ears go for what fits their desires.Many desire to dismiss Smith as a charlatan,fake,fraud-Keep trying.Ain't gonna happen.In this bicentennial year of his birth,there has been a huge amount of scholarly research released,symposiums conducted,including one at the library of congress.The picture of Smith that emerges is one that paints a better portrait, that shows more of the depth of this giant on the American scene.His status as one of the most important figures in US history is undeniable.His influence in the US and,indeed,the entire world just grows.By their fruits,ye shall know them.The fruits of the life of Joseph Smith are sweet and welcome by those who know truth from gossip,something Ms.Brodie did NOT.The fact that most historians agree that he is the most important American religious figure ever produced, shows the futility of those who killed him,as well as those who continue to slander him. | 0negative
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This book is very bias and one sided. The author builds a case for literal translations of the Bible as being superior. If you want to read something that tells you why a more 'word for word' translation is better, this would be a good book for you. However, if you are looking for an interesting book that provides historical factual information about Bible translations, don't waste your time on this one.The book was also very difficult to read and the author seemed to ramble endlessly. The author gives mostly his opinion and builds his case from other's opinions. | 0negative
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For any fan of this author, whether interested in trout fishing or murder mysteries, this book is a must to add to the library. In wonderful photographs it gives a unique insight into the recreational side of the man and his love for the outdoors. It is about camp life, fishing, bamboo fly rods and appreciation of life in the wilderness. It makes a great gift and "coffee table" book for the weekend trout angler. | 1positive
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Let me preface this review with three little words: "waste of time." With each and every story, I found myself asking, "Wouldn't it be more interesting and productive if I tried to learn how to play the piano with my elbows?" I was mislead into reading this book because I enjoy "Sex and the City." Trust me, this book is that bad. I can't believe this book was published. | 0negative
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the story of the exodus by itself is what attracted me, but the author went too deeply into background of many of the characters | 0negative
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The last three books have been frustrating. The trend continues, if Jordan is developing a style it is that of a shclock-pumping serial pulp writer. The first books got my attention, but now he has betrayed his former works and slipped into the role of the non-story teller. I hope the he gets with the program or we'll be better off watching Sienfeld reruns (same level of content, but at least its humorous). | 0negative
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Absolutely INCREDIBLE! No one has ever developed their characters as well as Jan Karon. She has a "gift" for reaching everyone. Her characters have become "real" to me, and that is the ultimate compliment. I am recommending this series to everyone I know. Wonderful Work Jan Karon! | 1positive
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First and formost, Rachael was a very devoted Christian and SHOWED it...so the two boys had to know that she was a christian. Also when Rachel wrote her paper on her Code of Ethics, she stated that you may start a "chain reaction" of kindness. And when the two killers made a tape, they included "chain reaction" in their tape, expect said a chain reaction of violence. So I doubt the boys even had to ask her and shot her outside. Also to help support, Rachel's brother watched his two friends die, and one of them was black...now do you think they asked him if his was a Christian? NO! They shot him and his other friend (who was white) who were both Christians. Being a martyr is not being asked right before you die, the dictionary states that a martyr is one who dies or makes a great sacrifice for a cause. AND THAT'S WHAT RACHEL DID! She was the most devoted Christian I've ever seen! Anyway I enjoyed the book, yet I wished instead of inserting some else's writings, they just stuck ALL of RACHEL'S writings... | 1positive
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Wonderful and classic work by Abbey. His descriptions of his desert surroundings take my breath away. Less engaging are his diatribes against the forces bringing in "progress" to the wilderness. | 1positive
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I found this book to be similiar to the Castaneda series or even Celestine Prophecy. It is more simplistic than both (Yes, even more simplistic than the Celestine Prophecy), but I suppose if one needed a light read to remind you of what you already know, it might be worth picking up. | 0negative
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A cracking good read - proving that almost anyone with the will to abandon their parents and family can succeed financially in life. I really enjoyed it.I wish there were more like this! | 1positive
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fantastic investigative reporting with compelling analysis. as easy to read as a good spy thriller and as informative as a good textbook. valuable reading for anyone interested in Japanese finance and the relationship between bureaucrats, politicians, and business.read the first chapter on amazon.com and you'll be hooked. | 1positive
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I'm sick of people leaving negative reviews without adequate reason. This is a great book for young adults, and frankly, as a new step mother of a 3rd year college student, I know she and all her friends need this, and they're not in the minority. Yes, this book rehashes stuff that we have read. But have your kids read those books? Of course not! This is the ADD generation - fast, convenience, no sense of accountability. Over the last few months, I've exhausted my search for a book for young college kids, or kids in high school getting ready for life on their own. Guess what? There isn't a single book out there for them. There are books for parents who want to teach their children about money - but this is about allowances, not accountability! Then, there's books for "us" - mortgage, diability, retirement, etc. There is a generation gap. This book fills the gap. This generation needs facts, short and sweet, and nothing more than what is in this book. I am a financial manager. I budget for client organizations. I budget my home. I borrowed this from the library to see if I would buy it. Guess what? I'm buying three for all three step kids. They're not going to read it tomorrow, but I know they'll read it. | 1positive
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I was very pleased with this book , but also somewhat disappointed. The way Allison delves into each subject is astounding, and her own personal experiences illustrate the culture so that an American can understand it. What disappointed me, however, was how Allison becomes bogged down in explaining everything in psychological jargon. I know as an anthropologist, she must address certain things, but I ended up just skimming the sections.The first chapters of the book cover Japanese comics, or manga. It does not cover popular manga, but rather how certain running themes reflect on Japanese culture. She particuarly looks into "ero manga," which is erotic, adult comics. She makes some shocking insights, but nothing that isn't mirrored in the U.S. She also briefly looks into children's television shows and hostess clubs.The second part deals with mothers in Japan. This section of the book was so thoroughly interesting it made me wish the entire book covered the topic. The amount of work that the women must do is incredible. She also looks into Japanese schools, especially nursery schools. Allison's own personal experiences and her interviews with Japanese women really flavor this section.The third section wraps up with censorship in Japan. Allison delves more into politics here, and the section didn't grab me as much as the others. It is still interesting, and the information is well delivered.If you can put aside her psychological ramblings and concentrate on the actual writings, this book is wonderfully informative. Recommended. | 1positive
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Same old, same old... Too bad I can't give this one the big fat zero it deserves.Mr.Clark, si vous n'aimez pas les Franais et bien restez chez vous et arrtez de nous bassiner avec les mmes conneries! C'est du réchauffé! | 0negative
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As a Harvard alum, I found Atwood's eerie depiction of Harvard-turned-prison rather unsettling. She does a great job at creating a dystopian near-reality that seems all the more possible in light of the Right's current war on women and the rise in religious fundamentalism both here in the US and abroad. Can't believe I was so tardy in getting around to this book, having read many others by Ms. Atwood, but it was well worth the wait. | 1positive
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This book was a nice refresher about Greek Mythology. I took a few classes in college on Mythology but forgot a lot of what I learned so this was nice to refresh my knowledge. I think all should read about our past beliefs for they still tell stories with a moral meaning. | 1positive
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Great book, very complete. Seller sent most recent version along with a handy points configuration bonus. | 1positive
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BRAVE NEW WORLD is Aldous Huxley's rather grim (though nowhere near as grim as Orwell's) picture of a far-off future, one where babies are decanted from a bottle and conditioned through sleep education and Pavlovian techniques to be completely satisfied with their class and occupation; where the rulers rule by granting every wish; and where every battle in the sexual revolution has been fought and won. But even in this idyllic world, there are occasional malcontents, and Bernard Marx is one. Either through an accident in the test tube, or some other twist of fate, he does not quite fit in with his Alpha plus brothers and sisters, and like so many others in a like frame of mind, his inferiority complex pushes him to grab for leverage in a society that treats him like an outcast.It's doubtful that a synopsis for BRAVE NEW WORLD is really necessary after all this time; besides, it isn't the particulars that are important so much as the ideas. Huxley's contribution to the dystopian pantheon isn't crammed full of dire warnings about secret police and an iron-fisted ruler governing by fear - on the contrary, the citizens of this world are herded and corralled with the cattle-prod of happiness. Drugs, sex, and hypnotic conditioning create a society that is completely satisfied with itself.I first read BRAVE NEW WORLD as a teen-ager, and I seem to remember liking it quite a bit, but at that time, I was probably pretty keen on the idea of a free love society such as the one Huxley built. Re-reading all these years later, I was surprised at how little of that admiration remained. My first thought was that while the novel may have been ground-breaking when it was first published, it hasn't aged well (or, perhaps, I haven't aged well. One or the other, I suppose.) But in the Harper Perennial Classic edition that I have, there is an uncredited afterward that describes the initial reaction from critics that BRAVE NEW WORLD provoked. It says that 'the majority of reviewers dismissed (it) as weak in plot and characterization, shallow, mechanical in structure, and monotonous in tone. In dismissing the book, it wasn't that many critics failed to understand what point Huxley was making, but rather that they did not find his point relevent, insightful, alarming, or particularly original.' That about sums up how I felt about it, all these years later. | 0negative
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This is not "Little House on The Prairie"! This is the real deal. It talks about country life and how difficult it is on men - and especially on women. It talks about the loneliness, and the importance of having family and friends. The novel is supposedly based on the life of the author's mother. If so, then her mother was one strong woman. In the book, the character's name is Melissa. She was only 15 when she married a man many years older than herself and settled into a less than happy marriage. She bore one child after another, and struggled to help provide for them. The story follows Melissa and her family over many decades. As the Country and the World changed, Melissa adapted to the changes as best as she could. She tried her hand at many different jobs. She refused charity.I really loved this woman, and this book. It rang so true. I read it in one day, as I couldn't put it down. | 1positive
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This is not a good book at all. It has some good information in it but, it is hard to stay interested in the topic because the author uses too many descriptive words instead of just getting to the point. This makes it hard to stay focused on the subject and makes the book very boring. | 0negative
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I've been a Cornwell fan since she began writing. The books featuring Dr. Kay Scarpetta are beautifully written, suspenseful and keep me glued to my seat. The Isle of Dogs, on the other hand, was like a very cheap imitation of Carl Hiiasen novels. It just does not work; I was embarrassed for the author. How can such a wonderful writer write such [stuff]? I hope she got this out of her system and goes back to what she does so beautifully. | 0negative
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I have a hard time getting into King's books, because he is so slow going. This book started out slow and ended slow. Do not waste your money buying this book. Unless you have insomina. | 0negative
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Barth surely had great fun writing this book, but it is far too long and self-indulgent with all sorts of behind-the-hand snickering at the author's tricks and wiles. Not recommended. | 0negative
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This book is written by a Canadian who watches too much CNN and Fox in determining the strengths and weaknesses of the American Government. However, he does poke fun at the American people by saying that, "Americans think that they represent the world by large. The only truth to this is they represent it by being large and fat." Does Hodge mean by the American people's wallets or waist size? It is too unclear. Besides that, this book does list in order some of the American presidents which is a good thing. | 0negative
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A tale of two cities tells the tale of an aristocrat living in London who gets caught up in the turmoil of the French Revolution. It's a tale of love and hate and how they affect two different mens' lives. It is also a tale of resurrection and redemption. This is a very moving story. | 1positive
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I bought this book for a book club read and while I did not enjoy the book, it arrived in great condition and quickly. | 1positive
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After reading some of the positive reviews of this book, I wonder if I missed something. I loved Tan's other books; salivated for Chinese food while reading them. But half way through this one, I returned it to the library. The prose was lacking its usual charm, and I found the setting and characters to be flat. | 0negative
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The title is incorrectly credited to Wandjuk Marika who wrote the foreword. The book is actually a Jennifer Isaacs title. Jennifer Isaacs is perhaps my favorite author on Australian tribal culture. This book is a must-read for anyone with an interest in this ancient culture. The text reads easily and the photographs are beautiful and large, as is typical with Jennifer Isaacs' books. I'm amazed that her books are not more readily available. | 1positive
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Witness the Luteran schism from a very peculiar point of view, that of the gnostic dwarf Peppe, close servant of His Holines Pope Leo. The Splendours of Roman Renaissance, the arcanes of gnostic theology and the horrors of the Inquisition are narrated with wry humour and a taste for the grotesque and the horrid. The beginning made me cringe and laugh out loud at the same time. A very unusual book not to be missed! | 1positive
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The fact that Bonfire of the Vanities was used as a filmscript has obviously influenced Mr. Wolfe's writing. Sure his settings and dialogies are sometimes brilliant and alive again, but the book reeds too much like a filmscenario. Even the work of the cameraman is already spelled out by many very visualisable despcriptions of a.o. Conrad's arriving at his worksite at dawn with the setting red sun illuminating the dust thrown up by a skidding arriving car.Even more, some caracters seem in advance to be fitted to certain actors - who else can play Roger too White than Denzel Washington, too name just the most obvious.To make matters worse, the most intriguing part of the book could very well have been inspired (to put it nicely) on the film "the Bad Boys" in which a very young Sean Penn's prison career is very similar to that of Conrad. Although Penn doesn't apply Zeus' inspirtation, he too challenges the existing power structure within the prison community. But this was in 1983.My advise: read Bonfire first and leave it to that. | 0negative
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I am surprised at the positive reviews of this book. Although it is interesting in some ways, it presents North Korean culture with little compassion or humanity. The author describes his visit to North Korea according to how it served his personal comfort and sense of style, and with little reference to history or context. The North Korean government notwithstanding, ridiculing the shoes worn by the women on the street and making sweeping statements about how "all" Asian hotels are crummy is just ignorant. And probably racist. There are many very good books about North Korea -- skip this one. If you are looking for a good graphic story about one of the countries belonging to George Bush's "Axis of Evil," read Persepolis. | 0negative
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As reader and one of the Pricipals the author writes about in his somewhat sad book i expected him to at least get his facts correct. It seems that all he did was review the newspapers for "sound bites" and fall into the trap of "if it is in the newspapers it must be right" how sad that a lawyer as well as a educater could take such shortcut maybe he is also guilty of what he seems so critical of. | 0negative
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Hardy's Tess of the d'Urbervilles is intellectually stimulating with its literary allusions and captivating storyline. | 1positive
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What a great read. A friend of mine recommended this to me and I can say that it certainly was a refreshing read.This book tells you about some of the influential people who shaped Salomon Brothers and Wall St in the eighties. I never realised the history that went with Salomon Brothers.The style is great and I can really identify with the author's early years going through the stages of obtaining and starting a job. Some of the characters in the book are hilarious, you can only just believe they are real.Only one complaint: sometimes the author goes on for quite a long time with his history e.g. the history of junk bonds and the history of various people in SB. I only wish that there was more about the author's story.Only one gripe though, and it can't prevent this from being a 5 star book.Buy it now! Thanks to the book, I am now constantly searching for books like this but this is the only one I have found recounting the story of a salesman as opposed to a trader. | 1positive
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This book belongs in every doctor's, dentist's, and attorney's waiting room! No one has mastered the art of total relaxation like cats, and this book just oozes tranquility. The photographs are incredibly candid and unstaged, the compositions are worthy of study for their artistic cropping and dynamic balance, and the patina of the architectural backgrounds is both beautiful and comfortable to the eye. No question about it, Silvester has take feline photography to the level of high art with this beautiful collection. | 1positive
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I have read many Louis L'Amour books. But this one is my favorite! If you like really good gunfights, classic western scenery in canyon country, along with plenty of enemies and the odds against the hero, you will love this book. This is the story of Western drifter, Matt Brennan. One sunny day he drifts into the small Western town of Hattan's Point and catches sight of the girl of his dreams. Of course she thinks of him as an overconfident and cocky cow-puncher with no future involving her. But Matt plans to change that after he inherits the Two-Bar, a massive cattle ranch with plenty of valued water and the best graze around for miles. Of course every outlaw and cut-throat in the area also wants the ranch, and Matt has to defend it from the nasty outfits' hired hands with nobody but himself and his trusty firearms by his side. This was a great book with plenty of outdoor action in the desert canyon country of Utah along with enjoyable characters and a quality story. | 1positive
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Save your money and look for a real book on Powerlifting and or strength training. This book basically talked about deadlifts, floor presses(dangerous) and military presses. It's basically a book on powerlifting for someone who is not interested in bodybuilding, powerlifting, or getting bigger. You might get stronger than the average couch potato with the routines he provided in his book. You will not get the muscle mass density or strength of a powerlifter or bodybuilder. If you want to get strong you have to lift big and when you do, you will get bigger and stronger muscles. You will even lose bodyfat in the process. Look for books on Powerlifting to get stronger. Their basic powerlifting routines will increase your strength and muscle mass a lot faster than those lightweight routines Commie man placed in his book. I heard that World-Renowned Powerlifting Champion Ed Coan has a book out and that's the book I want to get. | 0negative
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I think this book was pretty good. The story was good, and it was written very well. It was easy to follow along with. The only thing that could have been better, was the author could have explained things in more detail than he did. | 1positive
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I've read tons of the reviews and have to share my viewpoint. Reading is for enjoyment - if you enjoy the story - great! If you can't put the book down - who cares if the writing isn't 1st class. Left Behind is easy to read, fast paced and keeps your interest. It exposes a Christian view of the coming of Christ; it's up to you whether you want to believe or not. As with most pieces of fiction writing, it's fiction with a tie into reality.I've read all six books so far and anxiously await the 7th in May.I've also read "Are We Living the End Times" (same authors) which backs up the truth of the the Left Behind series based on the Bible.Read the Bible, other books, and decide for yourself. The choice is yours! I hope you find the truth! | 1positive
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I bought this book in the hopes that the text would be simple enough for my four-year-old. It was simple enough, but at great cost. Details I remember from the tellings I heard as a child were missing. There was nothing in the text that would help a child even remotely empathize with the characters. Ugh. I wanted my son to like or at least remember the story, but hearing this retelling was like eating cardboard. The illustrations weren't that great either, with nothing to attract a child's eye. Get a different version! | 0negative
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I ordered this by accident. It isn't even twenty-five pages, it's bound together with what looks like two pieces of cardboard, and I read it in fifteen minutes and understood none of it. Look this up on the internet and print it out for five cents instead of ordering it on amazon for ten dollars.Not to say Boehme isn't worth reading. Go order The Way to Christ or The Signature of All Things. | 0negative
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The Old Man and the Sea ReviewUnclear and confusing. These words describe The Old Man and the Sea. It is about an old man, Santiago, who likes to fish. He hasn't caught a fish in 84 days and is very disappointed. He goes out to sea and hooks a Marlin, but runs into trouble. This book uses unfamiliar words and it leaves you lost.The Old Man and the Sea is unclear in the writing. For example, "Bad luck to your mother" is just one of the fragments Ernest Hemingway uses. Fragments leave the reader with an incomplete thought. An author should know not to use fragments in their writing. Authors should also know not to use unfamiliar words. For instance, Hemingway uses the Spanish word "Galanas". He doesn't give a definition or any clue of what the word might mean. A well written book shouldn't use undefined or unusual words. His writing was unclear, but the whole story was puzzling.The overall book was confusing. For example, the ending leaves the reader lost. I wasn't able to tell what the protagonist was felling. It left the reader hanging there. In addition, The Old Man and the Sea has no adventure. I don't enjoy fishing or reading about it. Catching a fish doesn't catch my attention! The entire book was confusing and boring.The Old Man and the Sea was unclear and confusing. It left the reader lost or -with an incomplete thought. The ending ought to be more appealing and adventurous. I would not recommend this book to someone who likes depressing, timid books, because that's what The Old Man and the Sea is. | 0negative
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Unfortunately I have to say I hated this book as much as I loved "Como agua para chocolate". Laura Esquivel tried too hard to delvier something different and special, with the CD idea. I finished reading it in hope of finding something more in it.I hope eventually Laura will return to the quality of Como agua... | 0negative
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The books was said to be new,It was torn,the pages were bent, the outside covers was very worn. And they charged me even more than was put inside the cover,it had stamped used inside, but was sold to me as new..I will never buy from this place again.Plus took order for ever to get here.I also collect Sheri Whitefeather books so was very disapointed. | 0negative
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This is one of only a few horror books that I have read, but I didn't think this book was good at all. Maybe it was inventive at the time it was written, but now it doesn't strike me as very clever at all. It is extremely boring for one thing. It isn't exciting, it isn't scary, it's really depressing and boring. The end is good, but even that can't make it get above a 1 star for me. I was happy the book was over (I hate to stop reading a book in the middle). | 0negative
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I also read this book as a child and re-read it as an adult, finding it just as magical, tender and great as I did back then. It's a book for children and adults alike. | 1positive
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"The Hobbit" by J.R.R. Tolkien is commonly referred as a classic. While this is an often over-used term, it definitely applies in this case. Of the four books Tolkien is known for primarily, "The Fellowship of the Ring", "The Two Towers", "The Return of the King" and "The Hobbit", this is the most satisfying. I t introduces and sets up key characters for "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy consisting of the three books previously named.In Tolkien's Middle-Earth, the principle races are men, elves and dwarves. There also goblins (orcs), giants dragons, wizards and assorted odd characters and fantastic beasts. Then there are hobbits who have as little to do with the rest of Middle-Earth as possible.They like it that way.Hobbits are interested in green growing things, eating and smoking pipe weed. When they aren't being industrious, they enjoy their comforts. They are very short in stature and move through the woods efficiently and silently. This isn't so they can sneak up on someone so much as it is to stay out of adventures.Of these conservative, predictable folk, there is one Bilbo Baggins. The Bagginses are prosperous and respectable as hobbits go. Which means Bilbo is perfectly happy leading his boring comfortable life. The only mild eccentricity noted in Bilbo's line is he's related to the Tooks through his mother. Tooks had been known to get into little adventures from time to time and as such were of questionable respectability.Central to this connection is Gandalf the Grey, a wizard. For some reason he has developed a curiosity and a fondness for these little people. Maybe it`s because in his adventure-filled life, it's nice to have a little peace and quiet. Gandalf is also renowned for his fireworks of which everyone enjoys.One day the family friend shows up on Bilbo's doorstep. Shortly after this, Bilbo finds himself hosting not just Gandalf but also twelve dwarves lead by Thorin Oakenshield. Not long after this, Bilbo finds himself `assigned' to this motley crew as a "Burglar". They are on a quest to recover Thorin's lost fortune.This is when the book really begins. This is a journey tale. That means Bilbo goes through transformation in the process of this quest. Relationships are developed and tested in a way none can predict. This being a fantasy they see and do fantastic things.Eventually Bilbo returns home no longer respectable. Along the way he has picked up a ring........... | 1positive
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Christmas in Ireland is part of a series of books published by World Book, Inc. In this volume, the book focused on Ireland. The book covers a wide variety of ground in its eighty page exploration of an Irish Christmas. The book looks at the history of the Christmas celebration in Ireland, preparations for the Christmas holiday in Ireland, the actual celebration of Christmas as a family and community affair, and the Twelve Days of Christmas. The book also includes a traditional Irish Christmas story, Irish Christmas recipes, songs, and craft activities. In the book, there are a number of full page, color photographs.This book, Christmas in Ireland, is a useful tool to begin to introduce children to other cultures. Because the book focuses on a culture that most children are some what familiar and one they have a share language with, the concepts introduced won't seem too alien to them. Some of the holiday celebrations are different enough from our own and ones generally not heard of inside the United States that it will help acclimate users to bridge to other cultures by demonstrating that not all cultures are uniform and the same but that they are different. This book makes an exceptionally good tool as it provides information that will allow users to learn this information using a variety of senses if they choose to do the activities included in the book. This includes, hearing, touch, taste, and sight. | 1positive
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Have fun trying to figure out why you didn't get the right answer to the selected exercises. Its probably because there are so many errors in the solutions! I spent hours trying to figure out why I wasn't getting the right answer. Try the answer to 6.2 #11b. I don't even know what problem they are talking about here on page A-46. How about 6.2 #14? If it says "a license plate has four letters and 3 numbers," then how do they end up with 6 total slots for the multiplication rule instead of 7? There are plenty more issues with the book, but why bother writing about it?Hey Dr Epp, lets do a little more PROOFREADING before you ask us to buy your sloppy first draft for $150. | 0negative
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People of the Fire (North America's Forgotten Past by Kathleen O'Neal Gear is a favorite book. I put it on my kindle and its been with me to and from Massachusetts to CA. These books of Kathleen make you feel like you are right there with them and get you to love the characters in the story and feel for all that they had to go through.I've read many of these books and would tell anyone that they should read them and that they would enjoy them. Once you start they are had to put down plus you want to read all the books that are from Gear like People of the Wolf and People of the River. | 1positive
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In her novel, The Poisonwood Bible, Barbara Kingsolver conveys the message that change and hardship stimulate emotional growth. The novel explores the gripping journey of a southern Baptist family of missionaries into the Congolese jungle in the 1950s. The story is told through several perspectives: of the skeptical wife of a Christian zealot preacher and of their four young daughters. Spending several years in a small village and expending unimaginable labor for basic needs like health and safety, they are faced with challenges they never thought they would encounter. The novel is skillfully sprinkled with poignant metaphors, symbols, pathetic fallacies and allusions, all threading together an incredible tale of survival and hope.Being told through the family of a slightly insane religious wreck (the preacher), the book has themes of questioning spirituality and conflict over religious worship. The women of the story, the wife and daughters each have their internal battles, as does the village as a whole. Adah, one of the middle daughters, frequently discusses spelling errors of the different Bible versions and professes that Christianity is wholly a joke. Leah initially accepts Jesus as her savior and works hard to be a "good Christian". After being in the Congo for a while and exploring different indigenous faiths and after the death of her youngest sister to a snake bite, she loses her fundamentalist edge and becomes more focused on survival and unity of the village, as opposed to converting everyone. The collective village struggles with faith when there is conflict over what to worship. They hold a vote to determine what they should believe in, with hopes to rid the village of a streak of bad luck. Everyone votes out Jesus and the Christian God.The novel continues the theme of choice in a natural disaster when a flood of red ants covers the land destroying all livestock and forcing all inhabitants to flee. It strikes in the middle of the night when the family is awoken to screams and a pulsing, burning sensation, they discover is due to submergence in red ants biting their bodies. Orleanna, the mother/wife of the story, instinctively rescues her youngest daughter who is in bed sick with malaria. She leaves behind Adah, the middle-child cripple, deformed at birth and unable to move quickly enough to save herself. Adah ends up being pulled out of the ants by a neighbor and dragged to safety. Everyone in the family survives the ants and all relationships are strained because they didn't help each other. Rachel, the eldest daughter, is left to fend for herself as well. She discusses her experience with a maturity brought on by the serious nature of the situation. She relates how she survived the red ants to how she survived the Congo altogether: by "sticking out your elbows and holding yourself up" [p. 517]. Rachel's growth can be traced through the story to where she finally begins to be self-sufficient. This happens more so as a result of necessity rather than choice, when she discovers that growing up, people will not take care of her anymore. The hardships she endures force her to develop an indispensable life skill.Leah struggles through a process of self-discovery and identity in the village. In the beginning, she identifies most with the values of her father and she desperately wants to be accepted by him. She works hard to live up to his standards and after much disappointment by her father's fickle interest and constant criticism, she gives up on him and begins to work on fitting in with the community at large. During a drought with very little food in the village, she hunts with the men causing controversy. Adah compares Leah with her bow and arrow to Hester Prynne with her red "A", in allusion to The Scarlet Letter. Leah eventually becomes very committed to the Congo and ends up living in several different Congolese areas as an adult, married with children to a man she met in the original village. She grew to be very loyal to her beliefs after much difficulty searching for values as a teen.Adah, Leah's twin, was born with a limp and considered herself "slanted". She speaks to the reader in riddles and palindromes. She is mute and extremely intelligent. She analyzes such literature as Emily Dickinson, Nathaniel Hawthorne and the bible throughout the novel. Adah basically lives in her own little world and even develops her own language. She calls herself Ada, reinforcing her obsession with symmetry, a result of her crippled body. Adah is convinced in the beginning that she is unwanted and unloved and even that her family intentionally tries to get rid of her and leave her behind. By the end of the story, it is her and no one else that Orleanna brings out of the jungle and back to America. This is where the story climaxes: Adah and Orleanna leave the Congo, Leah marries, and Rachel elopes.Ruth May, the baby of the four sisters, encounters many troubles. She contracts malaria and suffers for a long time. When she finally recovers, she is bitten by a poisonous snake and dies instantly. The snake in this book is an allusion to Eve's serpent in the bible. In both cases, evil is brought into the world and God becomes a punisher. Orleanna feels Ruth May's death must be some sort of punishment from God. She discusses her anguish and acknowledges that her grief will trail her "like hair in water" for the rest of her life. Although her death was foreshadowed very early on in the book, as Orleanna flashbacked about one of her children's bodies resting in African soil, her death is still horrifying and gripping to the reader.Orleanna recounts her tale as a series of struggles fully conquering her spirit. Her voice is broken until the end of the novel when she decides to make peace with her daughters and Ruth May's memory. Her journey was about finding inner strength and allowing herself to heal.There are several obvious symbols in the book. Firstly, the poisonwood plant is symbolic of several things. Learning the language of the Congolese was very difficult for the family. Saying the word for "lord" with a slightly different inflection means "poisonwood". Poisonwood was a weed causing horrible rashes and strangling vast amounts of crops. The preacher tried to incorporate the Congolese language into his sermons and always meant to end them with "Jesus is Lord", but always said instead "Jesus is poisonwood." This was very representative of how the village felt about the religion the family was bringing. The villagers felt the local gods felt disrespected and brought bad luck to the land in the form of disease, drought and death. The poisonwood plant also represents the family falling apart. When they first arrived in the jungle, the father tried to create a garden on their land. It wasn't very long before all their vegetables died and the garden became overgrown with the poisonwood plant. It coincided with the time where the family as a whole began to lose faith about their stay in the village.Another symbol in the book is the okapi. The okapi is an animal that Orleanna sees in the jungle one day and addresses her "entries", or chapters, to throughout the book. I think this animal is representative of the wild and unpredictable nature of the Congo, constantly bringing an ebb and flow of natural disaster/blessings/lessons. I also find it interesting that Leah, in her controversial hunt with the men, kills an okapi. This is symbolic of her taming of the wild, and coping with the hardships of the Congo by embracing the challenge and taking it down. This thought is further proved by the fact that she was the only one to stay and "rough it out", as she stays in the Congo throughout her adult life and fights for social justice in a time of political upheaval (another sub-plot of the book.) The okapi haunts Orleanna's thoughts and she receives a small wooden carving of the animal at the end of the book corresponding with the time she makes peace with her tumultuous history and guilt for not leaving the jungle sooner.In Orleanna's words, "It's frightening when things you love appear suddenly changed from what you have always known" (236). All of the characters of the novel grow and come to terms with the changes in their lives. They cope and learn that no matter how frightening, change helps them to evolve into emotionally stronger people. | 1positive
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Some people complains and say that this book is a 'burn out' in the serie of the Wheel of time, but I say that it is not. I think that it's a very good book, at least as good as the other six before it. The magic is still flowing through the series, through this book.In some of the books before the 'a Crown of Swords' a hole lot, to much, of the magic disepared, but now it's coming back again, as strong as ever, if not stronger. | 1positive
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Love this book and so did my husband. I bought this as his first Father's Day present from our son (who is now 2 yrs old) and they read it together often. I also read it to him every night before bed. Only complaints are some of the pages dont rhyme, which upsets the lyrical flow, but I just make up my own words in those places; and although the illustrations are so beautiful, I get frustrated at how the youngest baby seems to be different ages on some of the pages and the p.j.'s even seem to change color. Not really a big deal, but annoying as a reader none-the-less. I didnt see any sort of gender role stereotypes either, other than it is simply the dad who is coming home late, but since the book is "Daddy's Lullaby" I would expect that he is the one coming home late. | 1positive
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My Wife and I are big fans of this book series. I teach JR. High English, so keeping up with quality literature is part of my job. Up until this point Princess Diaries has been an option for my students to read, but with this installment I can no longer reccomend this book for minors. While much of the writing is imporved, and the story is at times more interesting than the past couple of books, the idea that it is any way appropriate for a 15 year old to have her breasts fondled by her boyfriend (let alone an 18 year old)is unacceptable. I would not feel comfortable having my daughter read about this, nor recommending this to others. Perhaps for "hip girls from NY" "getting to Second base" as the book puts it, is par for the course, but for this father and teacher Mia and Lily were apealing becasue they weren't "hip girls." I urge all fans of this series to avoid this book and hope it goes back to its roots; not exploring themes and glorifying actions that are inappropriate for this age group. | 0negative
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So creative! This book is an ingenious twist on a legend we all know and love! | 1positive
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In the first page of this book, Betty Smith writes very gently and calmly of Francie Nolan, a pre-teenager just beginning to step out on the edge of adulthood. And Smith ties the book up neatly at the end as if she's giving a present to the reader ... which she is. This is one of the sweetest, most eloquently written books I have ever had the pleasure of reading.Francie Nolan lives in Brooklyn with her brother Neely, mom Katie and dad Johnny. It is in the early 1900s where the book is set. The family is poor ~~ living almost on the edge of starvation. Francie has taken to reading like a duck takes to water ... once she discovered the joy of reading, she becomes a big bookworm. She is also a keen observer of life around her ~~ her thoughts are often witty and funny as she observes the strange behavior of her mother's sisters and their lives, the neighbors, her brother Neely, her mother and father's relationships with one another. Till Francie grows up to be this amazing woman set on the path of her destiny.Betty Smith takes you along for a wonderful story-filled walk in Brooklyn in the early 20th century. She introduces the smells of old Brooklyn, the noise, the joys and sorrows of being in a poverty-stricken family ~~ the hopes and dreams of the immigrants that left the old country because there was nothing there for them. The hopes and dreams of the parents for their children to have better lives than they did ... falling in love with one another ... the disappointments of being disappointed by life, the wonder of finding joy in anything new or rediscovering something old. Betty Smith has captured the nuances of life and shares a bit of her soul for us readers to find.What I like most about this book is how much I can relate to Francie and her reading habits and her growing up years. She is full of insecurities and questions, loves to read and takes such joy in reading ... especially when she promised herself that she was going to read every book in the local library, starting from a to z. And Smith captures that longing perfectly, as if she has had the same dreams and desires when she was 11.I can rave about this book forever, but it isn't as much fun as reading this book. This book deserves to be read by everyone who has such joy in reading. This book deserves to be given to young girls on the verge of adulthood and encouraged to be read ... discussed. The love of reading is what all of us here have in common, and reading about it just encourages you to read more!I urge you to buy this book and read it. It's worth every minute and hour of your time. It's one of those rare treasures that won't leave you without leaving a small imprint on your heart. I can guarantee you will fall in love with Francie and her family ... they're just like every other family you know. Just different ... Francie is one character you love to love. Just like I love to read. Don't delay ... buy! | 1positive
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I read MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE thinking, "I hate romances, but how bad can it be? Oprah recommended his other book..." This was a story of a manipulitive woman who searches for the man she has found letters from washed upon the shore. Sparks seems to side at times with this sneaky creature, making her seem "right" at most parts in the novel. I could not take that. The unrealistic part of this novel was that Theresa went all the way to North Carolina to find this mystery man, finds him, and of course they instantly fall in love. This book takes too much patience on the behalf of the reader, from the anything-but-unique love letters, to the frail plot in between, to the cliche, spur-of-the-moment ending. Don't waste your time. | 0negative
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I loved the TV series and bought this as a result. As a stand alone book it's very good. Great characters and excellent dialogue. We get a few more specifics on Dexter, including his number of kills. We also learn more about his inner voice.It is perhaps unfair to compare this relatively short book with the series. It tells more or less the same story but at a much faster pace. Without any of the subplots that fleshed out the people in Dexters life. None the less there are enough differences and twists to keep you hooked.Worth recommending, but fans of the TV series may find it a little disappointing. | 1positive
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A PAINTED HOUSE is a story which tells you about hard times through a 7 year old boys eyes. It's exciting, sad, funny - it has it all. I must admit that in the beginning it sometimes didn't happen very much, but after a while I came to love the characters and I just wanted to know what was going to happen with them all.You shouldn't miss this book! | 1positive
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my friend's trash roommate and her hick boyfriend like this book...enough said. this is a poor man's stephen king or nelson demille novel. most of the book has no plot, and when there is, its stupid and unbelievable. if this book had a soundtrack, it would be the polyphonic spree. you really feel stupid after reading this, for 2 reasons. 1-the plot kills brain cells and 2-you think of the money you wasted down the Stop n Shop book aisle (because thats the only place that will sell this!!!) if you are still interested, just wait for the public access movie version of this terrible piece of "literature" | 0negative
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I ordered this Henry Huggins CD for a long car ride with my children. If you did, too, make sure you preview the first disc! The copy I received was appropriately labeled "Henry Huggins," but the material on disc one was NOT FOR CHILDREN. I listened to enough of it to research the source. It begins with the chapter titled "That's Amore" from the book "When You Are Engulfed by Flames" by David Sedaris. The themes and language in this book are adult. Amazon kindly exchanged my defective CD set with a new one .... AND IT HAS THE SAME PROBLEM! Buyer beware. | 0negative
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These are nine vignettes, barely sketches, of what goes on inside the souls of apparently perfectly normal people. More: they are normal, as most of us are, but they, like us, hide inside longings and surprising reactions to everydat situations. Most characters are Newyorkers, and most of them are also young, sometimes very young, people. Salinger, as showed in "Catcher in the Rhye" and in "Franny and Zooey", has a great eye for the attitudes, perceptions and preoccupations of kids and teenagers, as well as a great ear for the way they really speak. Amazingly, most of the time Salinger's kids sound like contemporary ones.In my opinion, the best four tales were these: "A Perfect Day for Bananafish", in which Seymour Glass, older brother to Franny and Zooey, meets his destiny after a strange but tender and amusing talk with a little girl on the beach. "For Esme, with Love and Squalor", tells the amazing conversation between a young British girl and a soldier fighting in WWII. She is one of the most interesting young characters in Salinger's work, and the end is poignant and painful, but endearing. "De Daumier-Smith's Blue Period" is a wonderful satire of painters' autobiographies, a tale in a farsical tone. And "Teddy" is another small masterpiece about a young boy travelling with his parents on a cruise. This boy is a lecturer on reencarnation, and his talk with an older but still young guy is one of the most memorable pieces in modern literature.The rest are also good, but didn't strike me as much as the others. In "Uncle Wiggily in Connecticut" we see the emotional collapse of a young mother, as she talks and drinks the evening away with a friend from college, with the interesting appearance of her daughter, another weird but still normal Salingerian character. "Down at the Dinghy" is a short snap of another of the Glass girls talking with her shy but brave little son. "Just Before the War with the Eskimos" is another farce, a fight between two spoiled brats of Newyorker girls, and then how one of them discovers love, or at least romantic interest, in an unlikely guy. "The Laughing Man" is the most enigmatic of these tales. Finally, "Pretty Mouth and Green my Eyes" is just neurotic.Christianism in its most unsuspected manifestations, the pains, agonies and glory of being a child or a teenager, people from the exotic New York, hidden longings and passions, all of this and more is the subject of one of last century's most penetrating and enigmatic writers. I wonder what he has been up to these last years. | 1positive
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