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Reviews by Dave S

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Until the Next Time: A Novel
by Kevin Fox

Too Much Slang (2/28/2012)

An intriguing story line linking the history and troubles of the Irish people with reincarnation -- kept my interest but was also a frustrating read given the overuse of Irish slang that stilted the flow of the book and degraded the intelligence and wisdom of the Irish people.

The Three Weissmanns of Westport: A Novel
by Cathleen Schine

Disappointment (8/11/2011)

I wanted to like this book, and there are a few insightful comments about divorce and its impact on an older woman and grown daughters, but overall I thought the prose and character development to be lacking. The story had a lot of promise, but I never really felt I knew the characters as well as I wanted. A missed opportunity

Cutting For Stone
by Abraham Verghese

Cutting for Stone (8/4/2011)

Our all-guys bookclub read this in a joint meeting with our spouse's all-girls bookclub -- everyone found this book to be an absolutely fascinating read about an area of the world few of us knew much about and a story line, rich characters, and sweeping prose that is first rate.

Before Ever After: A Novel
by Samantha Sotto

Before Ever After by Samatha Sotto (6/14/2011)

A neat blending of romance, thriller, and history into a fast-paced story that will keep the reader engrossed from the first page to the last. A well done first novel that makes for a fun summer read for both guys and gals.

Snow Falling On Cedars
by David Guterson

Snow Falling on Cedars (6/1/2011)

I read this many years ago, but still count it among my favorites. It is one of those rare books where the setting is painted so vividly, you are taken there to listen and experience the story firsthand. And once you are there, the story flows beautifully and dramatically, keeping you engaged from the first page to the last.

The Elegance of the Hedgehog
by Muriel Barbery

The Elegance of the Hedgehog (5/12/2011)

A strange title indeed, but what a gem of a book! The author's use of language to describe her characters and story was engaging. While Ms Barbery's background in philosophy comes through, the humor woven throughout balances things nicely and creates a gentle flow in how the story progresses. This is a book to read slowly to ensure you savor every word.

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