As a mystery novel, this flops. As social commentary about women and religion this shines. And I remain conflicted with rating this sequel. IntellectuAs a mystery novel, this flops. As social commentary about women and religion this shines. And I remain conflicted with rating this sequel. Intellectually, the plot is meaty. Here is a young lady about to enter adulthood just after the events of the Great War, she is a scholar and loves both religious studies, chemistry and being sleuth with retired Sherlock Holmes. Due to a chance encounter, she meets a Margery Childe who intrigues her for being religious and yet not quite as learned but able to grasp heart of complex religious texts. And her conclusions are similar to Mary who has wrestled with the texts for months. So, smart dressing for heart versus intellect aspect of being religious. This extends to their personal relationships. The epigraphs, the plot all serve as the launchpad for the author’s treatment of feminism in Judeo-Christianity.
The mystery and the “romance” are quite underwhelming. And will disappointed the reader looking for a simple whodunnit.
Hopefully having established Mary Russell, the rest of the series can focus more on the mystery with the historical aspects....more
I liked this latest work by Hanif Abdurraqib which examined Afro-American culture through art - dance, music, comedy, movies, TV shows. This felt likeI liked this latest work by Hanif Abdurraqib which examined Afro-American culture through art - dance, music, comedy, movies, TV shows. This felt like a friend sitting and chatting over time about a culture that they love and offering both insightful view on certain events. At the end of the exchange you walk away thinking about the backstory to events you may have casually watched and thinking about Hanif. Naturally, some essays will have more impact than others. My top ones are : - This one goes out to All the Magical Negros - Sixteen Ways of Looking at Blackface - On the Certain and Uncertain Movement of Limbs - The Josephine Baker Monument Can Never Be Large Enough - My Favorite Thing About Don Shirley
The writing is definitely quite poetic at times which suits the content and tangents these essays take.
You definitely walk away knowing that Blackness is not a monolith. Some of us can't dance, sing and some of us like punk/rock music. But we are more than angry people and we are not the only ones to fix a broken system as if we are the superheroes.
This was a great introduction to a young Black male author who loves Black performers and is vulnerable enough to share his insights and honor his elders. ...more
This series is much loved by science fiction and space opera fans, I have been struggling to understand until this one. Possibly on re-reading I will This series is much loved by science fiction and space opera fans, I have been struggling to understand until this one. Possibly on re-reading I will be better to make the connections with the later books which are hopefully good. This continues the prequel series to the plot that involves Miles. Here in this one, the reader learns about the pregnancy of Miles' mom Cordelia. I liked that this makes motherhood complicated - loving the thought of a child and the changes to body and temperament during that period. Especially in light of technology being available for successful extra-uterine pregnancies on Beta Colony. Poor Cordelia has to struggle with the consequences of her love and being exiled to Barrayar. Added to this mix is the power vacuum which arises when Emperor Ezar Vorbarra dies, with the risk of civil war.
This series is more of character study rather than action packed adventure one expects with space opera. And it has good themes on ableism, gender roles and living in a society restricted by certain norms. And that is likely why it won Hugo and Locus Award for Science Fiction awards. ...more
There There is a series of interconnected short stories that take the Urban Indian in Oakland. This has been universally loved as a debut novel even wThere There is a series of interconnected short stories that take the Urban Indian in Oakland. This has been universally loved as a debut novel even winning the PEN/Hemingway prize. And I can see why - it is ambitious as new authors tend to be with style and content. There is both the short stories that lead to conflict but not necessarily a complete resolution and the author adds prologues and interludes that break the fourth wall. The initial half is captivating as you learn about a series of characters, even as it seems they may fit that stereotypical mold. But even if you were tempted to pigeon-hole the character to that mold, the author and sometimes the character interjects with history of trauma, micro-aggressions and racism that embodies their experience. All the while setting up the tension for the second half. But it is the second half that failed to wow, the moment that was promised seemed too rushed and surreal for the impact I was expecting. And I had difficulty remembering some characters that were previously introduced, especially if their appearance was almost a footnote.
This novel felt like the bridge I have been looking for years, the one that touches on the past, even that which was romanticised and current events. The tension of being mixed races and being authentic to a culture that is often not explained to younger generations was well written. I even enjoyed the tongue in cheek about the type of Native American literature that is often exalted. And due to the ending, this was not the 4 star book I was promised in the beginning. Who knows, maybe on re-reading I will have a different opinion. ...more
Despite a couple of failed attempts at completing this book, I can appreciate the love this series gets. It starts off as a slow burn with dual timeliDespite a couple of failed attempts at completing this book, I can appreciate the love this series gets. It starts off as a slow burn with dual timeline and then suddenly you can’t stop turning the pages to see if the day will be saved.
Despite Harry Hole being almost the stereotypical officer - loner with a dysfunctional family life, alcoholism (granted police face the worse on daily basis), there is something earnest and appealing about him. In this installment, there is an embarrassing incident, discovery of an unusual weapon and some disturbing deaths. This all seemed linked to Norway’s past. It is the unflinching look at the role of Norway in the Second World War that shapes and defines this plot. To the point that everything in this book was well orchestrated to highlight the ugly and dark nature that quite a few characters struggle to keep hidden. And it sets up the tension of the villain who codename is The Prince.
The minor negative is that things were too coincidental at times.
Definitely looking to pick up more in this series. Next up is The Nemesis- will Harry finally solve that lingering mystery or will The Prince get away?
This was a great continuation to the Sherlock Holmes canon, being quite faithful to the characters that we know and introducing a new character, Mary This was a great continuation to the Sherlock Holmes canon, being quite faithful to the characters that we know and introducing a new character, Mary Russell. Set in early twentieth century, Laurie King weaves both history, religion and coming of age into the typical mystery aspect. Personally this introduction produces more depth to the characters and to the world that they inhabit than that of Arthur Conan Doyle who tended to be sparse with character and focus on the brilliance of Sherlock Holmes.
In this start to a much loved historical mystery series, Mary Russell is fifteen year old orphan who literally walk over Holmes who is retired and is a beekeeper. That introduction sets the tone for the relationship these two will have. Laurie King opts to provide a female character that is an equal to Sherlock Holmes . Divided into the four parts, the first two parts serve as the basis for future adventures and is more focused on Mary's tutoring. The rest of the book that focuses on a villain who is able to foil the duo initially first with kidnapping of a American senator's daughter to the very direct attack on Holmes.
While the mystery was slow, the other aspects of the book - historical setting of World War 1 and then its aftermath, the coming of age of Mary worked for me. And I will definitely be continuing this series . ...more
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