I had fun reading these stories, even though many of them are quite disturbing and violent – definitely not for young children. The side-by-side EngliI had fun reading these stories, even though many of them are quite disturbing and violent – definitely not for young children. The side-by-side English/Spanish was very helpful. I read the Spanish version and only had to refer to the English translation on a few occasions. On the negative side, there were quite a few typos and other mistakes that should never have gotten past the editor. Also, I found a handful of translation errors. Still, it was very useful for studying and improving my Spanish....more
When I started reading this novel, I knew nothing about it other than the fact that it was written by Kazuo Ishiguro, author of a book – The Remains oWhen I started reading this novel, I knew nothing about it other than the fact that it was written by Kazuo Ishiguro, author of a book – The Remains of the Day – which I had read a few years ago and which I consider to be one of the best books I have ever read. This book did not have quite the glowing reviews and ratings as The Remains of the Day, but, even so, I was sure that the author's superb writing skill alone would make this a worthy book to spend a few hours of my life with.
The story unfolds very slowly. It is told in the first person by Kathy, who eventually, a little bit at a time, reveals that she and her fellow boarding school classmates, are clones – brought into existence for the purpose of growing, and eventually donating, their organs for the benefit of the non-cloned population.
As I have stated, all of this is revealed very slowly throughout the book as one minor incident after another peels off a tiny portion of the shroud of mystery in which the fictional society is set. I was ok with the slow pace. Although at times the slowness felt a little excessive, I appreciated the pause it provided for me to contemplate what it all meant and to speculate about what would be revealed next.
I had more of a problem with the characters' acceptance of their fate. There was never any discussion, among the characters or in the book as a whole, about resistance to the forces that created, maintained, and enforced such a society. Perhaps the author meant to compare the characters' acceptance of their fate with our own acceptance of the very limited, imperfect, and often unjust society in which we live. I don't know, but it definitely got me thinking.
This was definitely a very thought-provoking book. It is one that I will remember forever. It is well written and beautifully described. I just wonder if it could have been more forthcoming in laying out and resolving the philosophical questions about humanity and society that it poses....more
I enjoy Shakespeare every once in a while. I've read most of his most well-known plays, but for some reason I had never gotten around to this one.
It wI enjoy Shakespeare every once in a while. I've read most of his most well-known plays, but for some reason I had never gotten around to this one.
It was pretty much what I expected -- a great story with great wordplay. I especially liked reading the origin of the title of another great literary work, the one with perhaps the greatest title ever: Something Wicked This Way Comes....more
This book has been sitting on my shelf for at least three years. I don't know exactly what I was waiting for, but I am glad I finally pulled it out anThis book has been sitting on my shelf for at least three years. I don't know exactly what I was waiting for, but I am glad I finally pulled it out and started reading it. What a fun ride all the way through it has been!
Charlie and Eli are brothers. Their last name is Sisters, so they are the Sisters Brothers. They also happen to be hired killers living in Oregon City at the same time that the big gold rush is happening in California.
When their employer, a character known only as "the Commodore", sends them to kill a man in the gold fields of California, they set off on a very wild and crazy adventure fraught with no small amount of violence and debauchery.
The contrast between the two brothers is a good part of what makes this such an enjoyable read. Charlie seems to be a bit of a psychopath. He may not necessarily enjoy doing what it takes to get the job done, but he certainly has no qualms about it either.
Eli, meanwhile, is very introspective and philosophical. He is the narrator throughout, so his thoughts and designs are laid out for the reader. He is also, thankfully, a good storyteller with a good sense of wordplay to make the whole thing enjoyable to the reader....more
This is the 13th installment of this series of fun and humorous books. This one takes place over a few very wintry and snowy days. I've read all of thThis is the 13th installment of this series of fun and humorous books. This one takes place over a few very wintry and snowy days. I've read all of these in Spanish as part of my now years-long effort to regain some of my proficiency in that language. I always get at least a few chuckles out of these books, including this one....more
Eight clever stories that really make you think ... and wonder. Most of them were a little weird in that they take place in a world that in many ways Eight clever stories that really make you think ... and wonder. Most of them were a little weird in that they take place in a world that in many ways seems to be our world, but in other ways is very different from our world. For example, in one of the stories angels occasionally randomly just visit the earth. Everyone knows when and where one of these visitations happens because miracles and tragedies always result.
In another story golems are real things. And in another story, the Tower of Babel is actually successfully constructed to reach the upper limit of the sky (Heaven?).
I'm not sure I really enjoyed reading these stories (as I said, they were a little weird), but they were memorable, thought-provoking, and definitely original....more
Three youngsters in a crime-ridden city in Guatemala are forced to flee for their lives in hopes of finding a new life in the United States. They knowThree youngsters in a crime-ridden city in Guatemala are forced to flee for their lives in hopes of finding a new life in the United States. They know that the journey will be dangerous and that their chances of success are not good. But they are really left with no other recourse.
The difficulties and setbacks that these three young people experience along the way are expressed very well in long, often drawn-out passages that sometimes seemed a little more than necessary to portray the hopelessness and desperation of the migrants. Nevertheless, the author succeeded in putting the plight of these immigrants into the perspective that more Americans need to understand.
I read this book in Spanish with the original English version on hand for reference. So, really this counts as two books read....more
A short (115 pages) story about a coal delivery business owner in Ireland in 1985 who, going against the social pressures of his town, rescues a youngA short (115 pages) story about a coal delivery business owner in Ireland in 1985 who, going against the social pressures of his town, rescues a young girl from an inhumane workshop run by the nuns of a convent.
It could have been a great story, but for me it was a difficult read -- not because of the theme, but because about 90% of it was merely descriptions of mostly non-relevant surroundings and activities. The descriptions and dialogs are written with an infusion of Irish lingo that was pretty baffling to me.
These fifteen short stories are about things in our lives that we once had and cherished, but which are now missing, like people who have passed on, sThese fifteen short stories are about things in our lives that we once had and cherished, but which are now missing, like people who have passed on, situations or relationships or feelings that have changed, or one's health or youth. One of the stories was simply about a cafe that changed ownership and no longer offered the pazole that the narrator was so fond of.
Each of these stories is told in the first person. The narrator is always a male somewhere in his 30's or 40's, usually he is in a somewhat less-than-perfect relationship with a wife or girlfriend. Nearly all the stories take place in Austin or San Antonio.
Time itself seems to be the main antagonist throughout these stories. People age and, inevitably, things change as time passes. At age 65 I have dealt with a lot of change myself. Many of these changes have caused me to ponder. Often the changes that I have experienced have also caused me to mourn, even years and decades later. This is why these stories meant so much to me as I read them. I am certain they will leave a lasting impression on me in years to come.
Here are just a couple of excerpts that I found especially meaningful:
... but I have no memory of that actual day, and I have no memory of the person who took the picture. It makes me wonder how many other little things like that have simply disappeared from my mind, how many other little memories like that have simply vanished.
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There was also, that spring, the sensation of getting older. It was right there in the mirror, of course, but it was also in other places – the supermarket, where I walked among young people without any of them ever looking up to notice me. It was in the absence of this acknowledgment, I think, that I felt the greatest sadness. It was the reality of being unseen, of walking through life as a ghost.
This collection of autobiographical short stories was so good that I feel incapable of writing an adequate review. Each story was excellent in every wThis collection of autobiographical short stories was so good that I feel incapable of writing an adequate review. Each story was excellent in every way. Two of the stories especially had an impact on me.
I do not recommend books very often because I know that everyone has unique likes and dislikes, but I can't help but believe that everyone would at least appreciate this collection of heartfelt stories. All of them seem to be especially written to reach people of all ages and backgrounds.
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June 7, 2024: My second reading of this, in Spanish again. As good as ever....more
"I wanted love and goodness in this living death. But it was impossible from the beginning, because you cannot have love and goodness when you do w
"I wanted love and goodness in this living death. But it was impossible from the beginning, because you cannot have love and goodness when you do what you know to be evil, what you know to be wrong."
I am not normally a fan of vampire novels or even horror novels for that matter, but for some reason, this year, 2023, is turning out to be my year for reading vampire novels. This is the second one I've read so far this year. It is also the second one I've read in my whole 64 years of life.
Like Let Me In, the other vampire novel I read earlier this year, this one was intriguing and compelling. This one, however, seemed to have more of a human touch to it.
Louis, the main character, details his transition to a vampire at the hands of the vampire Lestat and his subsequent "life". Throughout his story, as he transcribes it to a young reporter, we learn of Louis's centuries-long struggle to do what he must in order to survive, while at the same time yearning for the human need for love, goodness, and meaning.
Other than having the flaw of being overly effused with unnecessarily long and prosy descriptions of virtually everything, this proved to be a very thought-provoking story that will leave me with a lasting impression....more
A nice collection of many of the more well-known poems in the English language. Great for people like me, who appreciate poetry, even though so much oA nice collection of many of the more well-known poems in the English language. Great for people like me, who appreciate poetry, even though so much of it requires excessive concentration and multiple re-readings in order to get a grasp of the poet's intent....more
Another great installment showcasing the escapades of the world's best known wimpy kid — Greg Heffley. I get a kick out of these books. Reading them iAnother great installment showcasing the escapades of the world's best known wimpy kid — Greg Heffley. I get a kick out of these books. Reading them in Spanish makes my daily language practice quite enjoyable....more
Human history is coming to an end. Nuclear war has annihilated life in the northern hemisphere. The southern hemisphere, due the nature of oceanic andHuman history is coming to an end. Nuclear war has annihilated life in the northern hemisphere. The southern hemisphere, due the nature of oceanic and atmospheric currents, has been given a temporary reprieve. But inevitably, the radiation works its way to the southern latitudes. Melbourne, Australia, will be the last major city to be wiped out. The inhabitants there know what is in store for them. They know the timetable. So, what do they do in the intervening short few months allotted them?
What would you do? Well, I know a few things I wouldn't be doing. For the most part, I would not be doing any of the things the major characters in this story do as they try to carry on as if it's not really happening.
The actions and attitudes of the characters in this setting were just too unrealistic for me. On top of that, the way society, for the most part, just continued on in its usual way, as if it were not dependent on the economies of the rest of the destroyed world, was also beyond believable for me. I can't help but believe that a Mad Max-type environment would be more likely than one in which everyone just keeps working and providing goods and services until the very end.
I appreciated this book for addressing the real potential of global catastrophe and portraying how the author envisions people would confront impending doom. It really did make me think deeply about such concerns....more
I've read many of Roald Dahl's books, probably most of them. I have fond memories of reading some of them to my young children at bedtime. But somehowI've read many of Roald Dahl's books, probably most of them. I have fond memories of reading some of them to my young children at bedtime. But somehow I never got around to reading this one. While I have appreciated all of Roald Dahl's books, this one has turned out to be perhaps my favorite one of all.
I did see the movie Matilda several years ago, and I enjoyed it. I especially remember Danny DeVito's portrayal of Matilda's father ("Moby what?!").
I read this book in Spanish, and it was fantastic.
"Pretty much. Sad's not a bad thing unless it gets a hold of you and won't let go."
A 16-year-old Indian boy, Franklin Starlight, is
"He seems sad."
"Pretty much. Sad's not a bad thing unless it gets a hold of you and won't let go."
A 16-year-old Indian boy, Franklin Starlight, is asked by his absentee alcoholic father to attend to his final wishes, which includes escorting him to his pre-selected dying place to bury him in "the Warrior Way." Along the way, young Franklin learns the full story about his father, his mother, and the old man who single-handedly has been raising him, to the best of his ability, in the Indian ways. He also learns to forgive and to move on despite pain and difficulties.
A profoundly moving story, told in slow and methodical prose that illustrates and illuminates the details of the scenes and the innermost feelings of the characters....more
I really enjoyed reading this collection of short stories. They are all written for people like me – native English speakers who are fairly well acquaI really enjoyed reading this collection of short stories. They are all written for people like me – native English speakers who are fairly well acquainted with Spanish and who are trying to improve their skills with their second language.
The stories have some common themes about them. They all take place mostly in the Andes region of South America (notably Peru). They all deal with family relationships. Many of them deal with people who return to their traditional homes and families after long absences. Many deal with poverty and the characters' attempts to escape poverty. And many deal with the subject of death and even the Supernatural.
Some of the stories were quite memorable. I'm sure I will be reading this again in my continuing pursuit to improve and regain my Spanish language skills....more
... may you be for ever blessed for that moment of bliss and happiness which you gave to another lonely and grateful heart!
Good Lord, only a moment
... may you be for ever blessed for that moment of bliss and happiness which you gave to another lonely and grateful heart!
Good Lord, only a moment of bliss? Isn't such a moment sufficient for the whole of a man's life?
A classic short story by the Russian master Fyodor Dostoevsky, written very early in his career. It is the story of a very lonely man who happens to meet a young woman who brings great hope and excitement into his life over the course of four evenings. But, as is so common in stories of love, this story ends in disappointment and despair....more
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