My rating: 3 of 5 stars
As much as I enjoy Philippa Gregory's rich depiction of historical scenes and vibrant characters, this is not among my favorites in her collection.
I felt that the portrayal of Margaret Beaufort was inconsistent in that she had vastly differing opinions of herself as the plot progressed. I'm not sure if this was in an attempt to represent real vacillations in her character, or if it was pure invention, but the result was that the story felt a little disjointed and left me with no real protagonist to root for. Normally I can find something compelling in even the darkest of Gregory's character inventions, but this time I was lost.
The book is still a good read, and I would recommend it to others who have a love of Tudor history - although I would suggest reading the White Queen first as it is, to my mind, a better novel overall.
See more of my reviews and ratings on Goodreads.com
Review: The Red Queen by Philippa Gregory
Review: The Devil's Queen: A Novel of Catherine de Medici by Jeanne Kalogridis
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This dark take on the development Catherine de Medici's dark and dynamic character is both heartbreaking and revolting. In this version of events we see the deterioration of a strong and dynamic soul into a weak and fractured woman whose life has become mastered by that which she attempted to master. Catherine de Medici's dabbling in the occult, as told in this story, allowed her to reach her dreams even as she destroyed them.
Jeanne Kalogridis captured the drama and mystique of life in the upper eschelon of aristocracy in beatiful scenes undercut with cynicism and fear.
If you like historical fiction, rich and dark female characters, or have a particular interest in the Medici's I would recommend this book.
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Unconscious Mutterings - March 7
- Detective :: Sherlock Holmes, and I wonder if that movie was any good. I need to find it.
- Bangs :: I used to have bangs, but they won't stay out of my eyes, and they won't lay flat. They're more trouble than they are worth.
- Consultant :: Hey, that's me!
- Puzzle :: missing pieces; lost in the closet corners of a house long since abandoned
- Learn :: home schooled children learning this, but not that.
- Necklace :: made of keys? how heavy is that?
- 184 :: George Orwell's 1984
- Stimulation :: great music stimulates the senses.
- Layered :: flavors of a wedding cake
- Police :: their computer system is faulty.
Review: 1421: The year China Discovered America by Gavin Menzies
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This fascinating collection of information from Gavin Menzies challenged my perception of history as it was written when I was in school. The collection of information that he shares in this heavy paperback is somewhat speculative, but definitely insightful. Many of the stories seem to have at least a strong chance of being true.
While I realize that many of the assertions he makes are challenged by expert historians the overall context of his theory makes sense to me, and I look forward to future research.
I would tell other potential readers that this book was heavy and at times cumbersome in language and concept, but well worth the journey. Even if you don't agree with the premise, you can't help but be excited and inspired by the possibilities!
See more of my reviews and ratings on Goodreads.com
Review: The Girl with Glass Feet by Ali Shaw
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Ali Shaw manages to surprise and delight with an ending that you both anticipate and fear in a heartwarming and emotionally shattering story about the true value of love and life.
The girl with glass feet was a really insightful look into what makes a relationship valuable. Almost afraid to turn the page for fear of its ending, the story gently touches upon secret dreams and fears as it explores the last days of a woman who knows she is doomed.
I would tell potential readers that the pace was a bit slow in the beginning, but the main characters were intriguing enough to keep me interested as the plot developed. It's worth the read, especially if you are a lover of deep and transcendent characters.
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The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
Title: The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
Author: Stieg Larsson
ISBN: 9780307454546
Publication: Vintage Books, Random House, 2008
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo has become a national bestseller, and received rave reviews. I have to agree with the reviews with regard to a couple of things. The author certainly has an intriguing plot and thoroughly fleshed out characters, but that's where my agreement ends.
I normally finish a book of this length in a matter of days - I've been working on this one for over a week, and I'm not even half through. It's boring. Yes, the plot is great, but the pacing is off. True, the characters are well developed, but their interactions are stifled. Great effort has been made to detail odd props, while almost no effort has been made to trigger any senses beyond the visual. I know, I know: it's cold. That's nice. Show me what cold means, let me experience cold.
As intriguing and developed as the plot is, the story really plods along. I'm bored, and I don't bore easily. Besides my boredom - I am pretty sure I know what the "twist" at the end is going to be. If I really figured it out this early, if I am right, then that is really going to steam my carrots.
Maybe if I put the book down and come back to it in a couple of months my impression will differ.
Insomnia
Insomnia reigns in this room of my mother's house. I am loved, safe - awake. Listen to the symphony of sleep, the cicadas, the nocturne patter of padded feline feet. Unseen in the night, I lay on the shadowy floor and fade into my childhood. It's only four more days. When I am with him I sleep in peace.
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If you notice, the number of words in sentence one and six match; two and five match; three and four match.
I was pretty pleased with that. I also really like "the nocturne patter of padded feline feet."
Hope it gets published on 6S!
Calling G-d's Bluff
Today, I was reading a new blog called "Reflections of a Secular Franciscan" written by one of my good friends, Mark B. I'm really excited about his blog, because I know he's going to share some really interesting perspectives.
One post, in particular, caught my attention. In "Be Happy," from August 18th, Mark reflects on Judges 6:11-24, when the angel of the Lord comes to Gideon and calls him to go as a warrior to save Israel from the Midianites. Mark captured a beautiful message about God's assurance that while the things in life are much bigger than we are, he will always be at our side (Judges 6:16), and that his love is ever-present. I like that message.
Whenever I read this story, and many other stories, my heart catches on a different message: our inability to really grasp G-d's influence in our lives. If you notice, G-d sends His angel to direct Gideon and Gideon says give me a sign that it's really you.
If you notice in verses 17-19 Gideon fully anticipates that this is indeed an angel of the Lord, a representative of G-d, the most high. On some level he recognizes his visitor, but his mind rebels against his heart, demanding "proof."
Well, what’s that about? I mean, when G-d’s presence touches our hearts – what better sign can there be? Yet, time and again, throughout the biblical stories and our own histories, people respond to G-d’s presence with a sort of poker play. “I meet your presence and raise you one miracle.” It’s as if we know God is there, we know he’s anted up, but we have to raise the stakes like we expect to call his bluff. I see you standing there, but you obviously don't want to talk to me!
What saddens me about this is that the attitude creates a distance between ourselves and the truth. When we close our minds, eyes, and ears to G-d's presence then we also inhibit our own ability to be His hands, heart, and feet present in this world. I would never say to turn from the written word, but what value is that word if it isn't active in our hearts? What value is living life by a set of rules if we never stop and listen to the more important truths G-d is trying to share with us?
On some level, I think many people turn away from the voice of G-d in their lives because they are unable to reconcile their own inadequacies with the idea that they are special enough to warrant individual attention from Him. In reality, that perspective is both flawed and limiting. G-d is our creator, our Father, and if he chooses to talk to us then we should listen! In demanding proof, signs, or miracles we are saying I am the one who is best able to judge this situation, I am the one who will recognize G-d. However, it's the other way around: God has ordained this situation, and G-d is able to recognize his beloved children.
So - while I am going through my day, I pray that I am able to see the hand of G-d, without questioning his ultimate presence. I pray that I am able to accept His love without the need to challenge His sanity in choosing me. He is the King of Kings – I am pretty sure he’s more likely to call *my* bluff than I am his!
Summer Fading
The summer is coming quickly to an end, though the heat would indicate otherwise. It's time to start writing again, although my ideas are too ephemeral, too fleeting. I can't seem to take hold of the words and make them stick. I believe I'll start pulling out old exercises and see if I can create some excitement.
Lebensluge
I've just finished reading Ward Just's Forgetfulness, wherein the author uses the word Lebensluge multiple times to refer to a German concept of one's "life lie."
I was able to determine that Lebensluge is indeed a word, found in the Dictionary of Psychology by Raymond J. Corsini. The dictionary actually gives two meanings for the term, loosely as follows: (1) The false believe that one's life is bound to fail due to people or circumstances beyond one's control. (2) A false belief around which a person builds their life. Ward Just's Forgetfulness employs the latter definition. Thomas, the narrator, expounding on the concept..."Every society needed people to do their dirty work, taking care to keep the worst of it out of sight, unacknowledged, and deniable."Somewhere in that reverie he also decides that "Lebensluge ... was probably in first position." What a horrible concept! The more I thought on this, the more I realized that it is true. How often do we ignore the less savory aspects of life in this world, simply to keep our own equilibrium. I can't deal with that, I'll think about that later, Someone else will deal with that. We believe the lies that other people feed us, ignoring the hardwired instinctive truths of our bodies, brains, and souls? I am unsettled by this idea, but I realized something important. If we all have our own Lebensluge - what is mine? How do I keep it from interfering with everyone else? Lebensluge has an important role to play in my writing as well - what are my characters' Life Lies, and how can I give that information to the reader to help color their understanding?
