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Reviews by Mary G. (River Forest, IL)

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Her Last Breath: A Kate Burkholder Novel
by Linda Castillo

A Good Crime Story but... (4/29/2013)

I was just impatient with it, but maybe that's just me. Castillo kept interrupting the mystery with the female cop's love life - or lack thereof - and I'm not a romance fan. Neither did I much care about learning her reasons for turning away love when she had the chance. Before you assume I'm hard to please, I very much liked the tracking of the murderer(s) (not to give anything away) and the Amish background. So if you like to mix your genres, this may be the book for you...for me, not so much.

An Unquenchable Thirst: Following Mother Teresa in Search of Love, Service, and an Authentic Life
by Mary Johnson

The way I spent 2 days of my life (3/10/2013)

Couldn't put it down. At more than 500 pages, Johnson's "...Thirst" first struck me as one I'd taste here and there and toss aside; I read every word. While it is a memoir of a young girl's 20 years in religious life, it is more importantly a book about the essence of humanity and the power - perhaps the egos - of those who strive to control, even suppress it. Though, of course, the reader is dependent on the author's own impressions and interpretations, it is somehow refreshing to meet a Mother Teresa and suspect that she, too, is human. It is the "dark night of the soul", so prevalent in the lives of the beatified, but told here as it battered a modern young girl struggling to find her God in an obedience which demanded repression of her emotions, her honest expectations, her god-given gifts. As I read of her deprivation of conscience, of judgement, of human love, I wondered if the real question is why it took her 20 years to reclaim her humanity. While we won't all be happy with the path she finally took, I, for one, wish her well on her search.

A Dual Inheritance
by Joanna Hershon

Good story but invites impatience (3/2/2013)

It took me about 40 pages to decide to push on through the next 430. If the author's psychoanalysis of her characters interests you, you'll no doubt be caught up in it right away. She tells a good soap opera story, and I'll admit that, once into that part, I wanted to know what happened to these people, even though I didn't much like any of them...and I'm talking 3 generations of 2 families. Still, she insisted on breaking up the flow with her own analyses of what was going on in each person's psyche, and it's just not my thing; I want to get to know the characters by knowing their actions, their words, their non-actions, and I think a good author can do that. In the end, she created just too many cross-loves to meet reality, but I could close the book with satisfaction of knowing - but not believing.

The Art Forger
by B. A. Shapiro

An artistic soap opera (9/2/2012)

I'm an art fan and spent wonderful hours with Shapiro's explanations of the business of art forgeries, how they are perfected, how they are unmasked, and how they've made dealers rich - or incarcerated. On that score, I highly recommend the book and confess i enjoyed it all the way through. It is, however, a novel, so demands a story. As a thread tying together the more interesting facts about artists, especially Degas, and the forgery business, it's good enough to fool the reader into feeling like it's a summer read but, on its own - not so good. I turned the last page without feeling I knew the characters, or that they were worth knowing. But who cared? Somehow, as a whole, it's a book I'll pass along to friends, and I salute Shapiro for working fascinating knowledge into soap opera. One frustration: because so much of the story is based on fact, I spent a lot of time on the internet trying to separate truth from fiction - and maybe that's not such a bad thing either.

In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler's Berlin
by Erik Larson

How did we let Hitler's Germany happen? (8/23/2012)

Adolf Hitler was building his Aryan dream of control for 15 years before most of the world recognized it. Larson takes us to the Berlin of 1933, with a new U.S Ambassador and his family, and weaves a story that attempts to answer that question. He takes the time to let us get to know Dodd, and we already wonder if he's the man for the job. We meet his 24-year-old daughter Martha, and scarcely get to know his wife or older son...but it is Martha who shares the diplomatic spotlight with her father - in a most unusual way; I didn't like her very much. As an American who remembers WW II, it was enlightening to follow the Dodds around the Berlin of that time, to actually understand the people who looked to Adolph Hitler as Germany's Messiah. Dodd has been heavily criticized for his handling of his tenure, but Larson does not support that; I was horrified at the strictures diplomats must observe in fulfilling their mission. There are no battles, no bombings, no blood, but this is a look at the enemy that fleshes out our memories, that makes them human. And besides...it's a good read.

Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake: A Memoir
by Anna Quindlen

Anna Quindlen makes a great girlfriend (4/16/2012)

I'm no fan of books on how to live our lives...but I loved this one! Though Quindlen is in the same age group as my own children, we connect well across the coffee cups. And that's how it felt reading her book - we were sitting with our coffee cups, sharing our views on women and aging, not always agreeing on how we handle the challenges, but sometimes enriching our own outlooks with new viewpoints (yes, I carried on my silent side of the conversation while reading). I'd never thought of the trick of looking at young beauties as new gifts, just out of the box, seeing myself I am an honored keepsake; never appreciated my faulty memory as enhancing the joy of re-reads. I could have signed my own name to her chapter on faith - though many would not agree. But that's the wonder of this book. Anna (I can call her that, she's my coffee buddy) never pushes her own philosophies on the listener, only shares them and invites us to accept, reject, or re-mold. She writes an entire chapter on the worth of girlfriends - wonder if she knows she's one of mine now, wonder if she heard my own whispering during our time together?

Paris in Love: A Memoir
by Eloisa James

Recommended only for your bedside (3/28/2012)

I agree wholly with the reviewer above (I think it was Carol N), but have to lower my rating a bit. The writing style has charm, the vignettes are mostly interesting, but it isn't a "book" book that will keep you turning pages to find out what happens. Save it for bedside reading, and yes, for doctor visits, perhaps for commuting, but if you need to be wrapped up in a good read for the afternoon look elsewhere. In fairness, I should mention that I am no gourmet, so spend my own time in Paris looking for croque monsieurs and simple crepes; it seems food is much more interesting to many readers today. And doesn't the parenting rattle some of the readers? It rattled me...but then, I have to confess to being in my 80's and I accept that Eloisa and Alessandro live in a different parenting world. Maybe that's a good thing?

The Borgia Betrayal: A Poisoner Mystery Novel
by Sara Poole

Good Read, Poor Company (6/19/2011)

It's OK historical fiction, but I had a problem with Francesca's first person narrative. While the story moved along and there was enough history to rate it a long way above a bodice-ripper, I had a problem "listening" to a woman I simply didn't like. Not only did I not like her, after almost 400 pages I still didn't know her. Poole has written a prequel called "Poison", though the author says each book can be read independently. I'm intrigued enough that I've had "Poison" Kindled my way just to see if I Francesca comes through better when she's first introduced. Strange case of not liking something and going back for more, right? Just can't fight my curiosity.

The Philosophical Breakfast Club: Four Remarkable Friends Who Transformed Science and Changed the World
by Laura J. Snyder

Great Science But Connections Broke Down (1/6/2011)

It's an extremely well researched book about the four men who helped science establish standards for the science community in the 1800's. I had difficulty, however, with the author's time lines. She jumped around too often, leaving the human theme hanging, leaving the reader waiting for the story line to arc back and complete its original direction. Sometimes, she didn't make it back. Granted, chapter 12 does a great job of summing up the scientific matter. Even there, though, she made me wade through pages of science that had little to do with wrapping up the story of the four men who made it all possible, so I felt a bit let down. I admit that science isn't my particular bag and, in that case, I need a good story to push the boundaries of my horizons.

The Discovery of Jeanne Baret: A Story of Science, the High Seas, and the First Woman to Circumnavigate the Globe
by Glynis Ridley

Just a Shadow of the Title Character (12/26/2010)

I wish I could give this book a better review because Ridley has done extensive research; unfortunately, as even she admits, there is simply not enough to be found about Jeanne Baret. The result is a book about 18th century botanical exploration and research, with a good dose of the expected role of women of that time. I almost felt the frustration of Ridley trying to work Jeanne's story in. ..there is so little to tell. Almost every reference to her is prefaced by a "we could assume" or "we might imagine." I guess I felt cheated - the book did not live up to its title. The story or Jeanne would have made an interesting magazine article; perhaps botanists will enjoy the book-length treatment.

The Wave: In Pursuit of the Rogues, Freaks and Giants of the Ocean
by Susan Casey

Too many waves? (8/9/2010)

If you're a surfer, you'll read this book in one night. Certainly there's lots to learn but, frankly, I had to push through the scientific jargon to get back to the people and their stories. Even then, I never got to know them well and didn't get to actually feel their experiences. I'm not a surfer, but I'm not a mountain climber either, and I read every mountain climbing book I can get my hands on. This is no "Into Thin Air," as touted on the back cover. I'm giving it 3 stars, because it will rate either 5 or 1 with you, depending on your interest in oceanography.

The Confessions of Catherine de Medici: A Novel
by C.W. Gortner

Grab a hammock and start reading... (5/12/2010)

Yes, I actually took a 2 day vacation with these 400 pages of non-stop page turning. Though familiar with the Medicis in Italy, this book follows them into France and I'm no student of French history. No matter - the history is passed out like a dessert tray in between meaty courses of Catherine. I can't promise you'll like her; she has many sides, but they're all fascinating, and you'll thoroughly enjoy her company.

Making Toast: A Family Story
by Roger Rosenblatt

No answers - I love it! (10/25/2009)

Finally - a self help book that doesn't offer answers. No preaching, yoga, religious practices, emotional dietary props, no deep breathing. Rosenblatt tells it like it is - and is helpful in spite of himself.

Having lost a daughter, survived by a daughter of her own in mid-teens, I have empathy for the author's sudden transformation from grandparent to parent in the midst of untold grief. And his message is one it took me longer to discover, but which I've found to be true. His book is deeply personal, telling the day after day meaningful moments (like "making toast!") that make surviving grief possible. My daily circumstances - and yours - are different from his, but it doesn't matter. His own "moments" somehow blend with my own, and they make me smile.

Having read "Making Toast," I feel better about death - and I can still eat chocolate and don't have to go to the gym to do it!

Palace Circle
by Rebecca Dean

Palace Circle (1/16/2009)

I approached it with enthusiasm because of the publisher's comparison with Philippa Gregory. My advice? Drop her name from the blurb before publication and we won't expect so much. Aside from the vacuous story line, I was continually irritated by the author's attempt at giving the heroine a southern accent simply by leaving the ""g" off every word ending in "ing." It doesn't work! In spite of all my criticisms, I'll add an honest note. I wasn't feeling well when I read "Palace Circle,' and the truth is, it suited me fine at the time. No stress about how it would end, no emotional investment in the characters, and except for the "irritatin'" hiccups, a smooth read. If you're recovering from the flu, it might be a good choice. Otherwise, don't bother.

Shadow of the Silk Road
by Colin Thubron

Like great writing? (7/31/2008)

I'm not recommending this for my book club because it's not very "discussable": I'm not recommending it to most of my busy friends because it demands an ambling read. I'm not talking about it with family because the subject matter is is far from today's urgent topics. And yet, for more time than 350 pages usually requires of me, I have been completely mesmerized. Thubron paints people and places - old men, children, hills and valleys, rivers and skies, each with unique descriptive skill, and brings me with him to a China I will never see. We are blessed with so many "good" books out there; it has been many years since I have been blessed with such wondrous writing.

Snow Falling in Spring: Coming of Age in China During the Cultural Revolution
by Moying Li

Supreme (5/28/2008)

I am only half way through the book but is one of the best books I have ever read! I usually do not read memoirs (because I like fiction) but my wonderful grandmother turned me to this book and I decided to give it a try. When i started to read Snow Falling In Spring I was blown away by how well the book flowed from one topic to another. Each chapter was like it's own separate story but the author Moying Li always found a couple of ways to tie the previous chapter into the next chapter. Every time I would read this book, I would get so lost in the time period, the plot, the big events that I would forget where I was. One time, I was reading the book at school and the teacher had to call my name at least 5 times to get my attention because I was entirely engulfed in the book. I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone, even if you don't like certain types of books. Read about the first 3 chapters and I can almost guarantee that you will fall in love with this spectacular book. Give it a try!!

Sweet Mandarin: The Courageous True Story of Three Generations of Chinese Women and Their Journey from East to West
by Helen Tse

A slow stroll through an interesting story (5/13/2008)

I just took a look at other First Impression reviews, and was troubled by the 5-star ones. What had I missed? It was with some relief that I reached the 3 star review from Owensboro, KY. My reaction exactly! She couldn't figure out why, but I think I have - at least for myself. Tse's story is fascinating, Tse's writing is pedestrian - in the true sense of the word. While I read of these remarkable women, especially Tse's grandmother's story, I felt like I was plodding along leisurely, the constant meter of the words lulling me into a disinterest that I knew was betraying me. As it happens, my family roots are in Owensboro, KY - so maybe there's something in our genes? If you're looking for a worthwhile story for a summer day in a hammock, "Sweet Mandarin" would be a good choice - but don't be surprised if that tick-tock tap-tap of the pedestrian pace lulls you into an afternoon nap.

The Commoner: A Novel
by John Burnham Schwartz

Unfulfilled promise (12/19/2007)

If you're in the mood to read another "Princess Diaries," but without the happy ending, you might even like it. I have a weakness for peeks behind royal curtains, so kept reading, certain there would be interesting things to come. For some unknown reason, even to me, I forged through the first 150 pages of labored writing about an uninteresting young Japanese girl who was to become the Japanese Empress. Spirits definitely lifted when the wedding day rolled around. The writing became better, but the girl less interesting, and I never got to really know any other character, as everything is told in her own voice. Even the backstage revelations dissolved into soap opera with the requisite evil mother-in-law. Some suspense in the last chapters kept me turning the pages, and hope didn't die until I'd read the last one...when my remained hopes unfulfilled.

Gomorrah: A Personal Journey into the Violent International Empire of Naples' Organized Crime System
by Roberto Saviano, translated by Virginia Jewiss

A Reluctant Education (10/2/2007)

If Gomorrah were set in Chicago, I would have hung on every detail. Saviano, however, takes us to a Naples definitely not made for tourists. Peppered with the dark corners of unfamiliar alleyways, confused by scores of family names and lineage, I often just wanted to escape Gomorrah. Still, curiosity propelled me into the very current realities of the underbelly of moving drugs, jeans, and Barbie dolls around the world, of what "made in China" really means. And, behind the flood of family names was the peek inside the Camarrista and its women, including the ironically named Immacolata Capone. Perhaps most alluring was Saviano's very personal passion about his native neighborhood and - I can't help but wonder - his courage in naming its sinners.

Reviews by Mary G. (River Forest, IL)

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