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Reviews by J W. (Davis, CA)

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The Spy Lover
The Spy Lover
by Kiana Davenport
Unexpectedly GOOD (12/18/2012)
This book turned out to be a wonderful surprise for me. I abhor romance novels of any kind and was afraid, as I began reading, that this was what the story would be. It was so much more. It is a history of this country during the most horrific time of our existence as a …more
A Thousand Pardons
A Thousand Pardons
by Jonathan Dee
Forgiveness (10/20/2012)
This is a book of self forgiveness and forgiveness of others. It begins with a family - father, mother, daughter - living a typical suburban life. And then, because of boredom, that life falls completely apart. It's interesting that in the beginning the family unit is just …more
The Orchardist
The Orchardist: A Novel
by Amanda Coplin
Still a 5! (9/18/2012)
Well, I've finished and 'The Orchardist' still gets a 5 (only because there are no 10s). What a beautiful story and so beautifully told. I, too, hated for it to end because just reading the words was such pleasure. I won't say much about the plot because each reader should …more
The Orchardist
The Orchardist: A Novel
by Amanda Coplin
Poetry disguised as prose (9/8/2012)
I am not completely finished with this book but couldn't wait to give it my '5'. Amanda Coplin weaves a most amazing story of some very unusual, ordinary people. The way she tells the story is true genius. She brings the reader along at a pace of her own choosing - and it …more
The Devil in Silver
The Devil in Silver: A Novel
by Victor LaValle
Metaphor for life (8/15/2012)
I enjoyed reading this book. Many times I wondered who were the crazies and who the sane . Though it took place in an insane 'hospital', it could have been in any small town, neighborhood or large city under slightly different circumstances. Mr. Lavalle talks about how he …more
The Healing
The Healing: A Novel
by Jonathan Odell
A true healing (1/19/2012)
The best book I read in 2011. 'The Healing' is a healing in itself and so much more than expected in story line and characters. Absolutely terrific book. Way beyond 'The Help' and other stories about African-American women. The greatest surprise to me is the fact that a man wrote it!
The Good Father
The Good Father: A Novel
by Noah Hawley
Could be great (12/22/2011)
This is a very good book. It could be great. The plot is compelling, the father character well developed and the story authentic. The only complaint is that there were too many medical analogies. After the fifth or sixth we got the point - he was a doctor and a good one. …more
Unbroken
Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption
by Laura Hillenbrand
Power of the human spirit (12/22/2011)
This is an absolutely amazing story of human courage and strength as well as human perversity and cruelty. It is a war story but so much more. To read what these men went through is torture in itself. It seemed like the horror, from the moment the plane went down, could not …more
The Darkening Field
The Darkening Field: A Novel
by William Ryan
Editing required (11/25/2011)
This story is fascinating because of the time period and the location. Those two factors turn in into a psychological study as well as a mystery. And those two factors are what kept me reading. The writing, itself, was disjointed in presenting thoughts, conversations and …more
A Secret Kept
A Secret Kept
by Tatiana de Rosnay
Not a page turner (10/12/2011)
This book had it's moments of intrigue and interesting plot but, unfortunately, there were only moments. A big deal was made of the secret but the secret was not such a big deal. The characters were over-wrought or under developed and, at times, tedious. The setting (the …more
The Leftovers
The Leftovers: A Novel
by Tom Perrotta
Survivor's guilt (7/20/2011)
Tom Perrotta's use of a 'sudden departure' of a large portion of humanity is a stroke of genius. Most of us have dealt with loss, grief and tragedy, but this vehicle for an exploration of how we react to that loss and grief is very clever and unexpected. My only complaint …more
Galore
Galore: A Novel
by Michael Crummey
The circle of life (5/20/2011)
Would like to write this review without the usual adjectives but don't think it will be possible. What a treat, this read. I wanted to start over as soon as I finished. It has everything I like in a book - reality, magic, human tragedy, human perseverance, mystery, wisdom, …more
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