Explore our new BookBrowse Community Forum!

Reviews by

If you'd like to be able to easily share your reviews with others, please join BookBrowse.
Order Reviews by:
The Good American: A Novel Based On True Events
by Ursula Maria Mandel
 (9/2/2001)
Fred Hauser, March 6, 2001
I could not put this book down once I began reading. It begins innocently
enough when two people meet. One tells a gripping story of how her own mother
returned a child to its parent under harrowing circumstances after the Second
World War. The other learns to hold his father in high esteem for the first time
since childhood. A book that is well worth reading.
The Grand Complication
by Allen Kurzweil
 (8/18/2001)
What a great book! My shelves are full but this is definitely a keeper - to read again and again. Kurzweil blends mystery, adventure and humour into a wonderfully complicated tale of antiquity, librarians and sex.
Girl, Interrupted
by Susanna Kaysen
 (8/13/2001)
Ruby
I have not yet read Girl, Interrupted, but I have seen the movie. I do
understand that when a book is made into a movie it can be very different from
the original book itself. Although the movie is about Susanna Kaysen, to me the
most interesting character is Daisy Randone. I think it is tragic that her life
ended at such a young age. I am sure her story would be just as interesting as
Susanna's was. I think this is a very heart-warming, tragic, and yet still enthralling
movie (and book I am sure) that will capture the hearts of many. Along with
Daisy, all of the characters are interesting in their own way. When I say this,
I think I am speaking for anyone who has read the book or seen the movie, Their
is a very big "Thank You" that should go out to Susanna Kaysen for being
generous to tell her heart-warming tale to the world. It really show s you that
you can find your self and good friends in the places you least expected. So,
Susanna Kaysen, thank you very much for sharing your story.
The Last Time They Met
by Anita Shreve
 (8/13/2001)
Mary Lou
A brilliantly beautiful love story, that left me shocked and sobbing for
hours. I can't shake the feeling that this love story happened to me. What makes
the novel so powerful is the very real sense that this had to have happened to
the author, because the theme is so similar to Fortune's Rocks and as equally
evoking. I'm dying to talk to someone who has read it
The Devil's Teardrop
by Jeffery Deaver
 (8/13/2001)
B. Lymon-Odom
This book was truly one of the best I've ever read. I've never read a book
with so many twists. I couldn't put it down. Everytime I tried, something he (Deavers) wrote, made me keep reading. I had to find out what was going to happen next.
Memoirs of a Geisha
by Arthur Golden
 (8/13/2001)
Karen
Absolutely breathtaking! I could hardly bring myself to put this fabulous
book down at all!
The detail and authenticity of this novel is astounding - I felt Japanese, I
felt I was Sayuri!
An absolute must-read for everyone.
Where The Heart Is
by Billy Letts
 (8/13/2001)
Letts Fan
This book is like a short story in a novel size cover. You can't help but
fall in love with all of the characters. Letts does a great job of writing about
small town folk with big time hearts. Letts' book The Honk and Holler Opening
Soon is also an excellent reading choice for anyone who loved Where The Heart
Is. I would love to see more novels from Letts.
A Day Late and A Dollar Short
by Terry McMillan
 (8/13/2001)
Sherrine
I have been waiting for a very long time for the next Terry McMillan next
book, and I'm glad to say it was worth the wait. It made me laugh and cry (and
boy did I cry!). I have learnt alot from this book and I really enjoyed it. Keep
Up The Good Work Terry!

Rainbow Six
by Tom Clancy
 (8/13/2001)
Ernst Stavro Blofeld
The main reason for me getting this book was because I liked the PC games, also called Rainbow Six. This book lives up to all my expectations and I highly recommend you buy this book. The one problem with this book is that it ends too soon even though it is nearly 900 pages long. The messiah has wrote yet another class book, I salute him.
The Blind Assassin
by Margaret Atwood
 (8/13/2001)
Wyman Jacobson
Margaret Atwood was awarded the Year 2000 Booker Prize, Britain’s top
fiction award, for her novel, ‘The Blind Assassin.’ This book will probably
become a classic in modern fiction literature; however, it is highly complex
with multiple layers and involves a novel-within-a-novel, entitled The Blind
Assassin which involves two unnamed lovers and he tells her a science-fiction
tale. The author is a brilliant story teller and the reader is greatly
challenged to put the pieces together from the different methods used by her to
construct this novel.
Although, this is a rather long novel; every section of every chapter is in
someway relevant to Iris’s memoirs and also to solving the mystery of the
Blind Assassin and his lady lover. Iris’ memoirs include the life of her
sister, Laura Chase, whose death is described on the first page of the book. Her
memoirs also include the lives of Richard Griffin (Iris’ husband); Aimee
Griffin ( Iris’ daughter) and Winifred Griffin-Prior (sister of Richard
Griffin) whose deaths are announced in the first three Chapters. Although, this
is a rather long novel; every section of every chapter is in someway relevant to
Iris’s memoirs and also to solving the mystery of the Blind Assassin and his
lady lover. This novel has the vitally important element of an unexpected and
cleverly designed ending. It adds an interesting final twist to the already
complicated events of this brilliant book of fiction. Wyman


Finding Fish
by Antwone Quenton Fisher
 (8/13/2001)
Eddie Gordon
I have never read a book that I could put down until now. I thought I was
reading my story. As a foster child growing up in the system this book mirrored
an image of myself which I could believe. Not only is the author resilient, but
the vivid images that were in his book were impeccable. I beg of you if you have
not read this book to not only buy it but give it to friends as gifts or to
anyone who thinks their life cant get any better.
Monsoon
by Wilbur Smith
 (8/13/2001)
Dave
Just finished reading Monsoon. It took all of four days to get through the
950ish pages; I just couldn't put the darned thing down. This is an all too
common affliction where Mr Smith's books are concerned!
It met all my expectations and more and is yet another fine work by a master
storyteller at the peak of his craft.
I can scarcely wait for the next installment!
McNally's Dilemma
by Vincent Lardo
 (8/13/2001)
Andrew
Unlike other readers contributing a review I was fully aware of the
provenance of this book before reading it. From the perspective of a more recent
devotee of Archy's escapades, I suggest that some of the criticism levelled at
the author has been over harsh. Apparently the estate, via Sanders' publishers
requested Mr Lardo continue the McNally saga for the fans - ie no conniving by
him. And "Dilemma" really does an excellent job. In fact I doubt
whether any one else besides Sanders could do better in capturing the fruity
capriciousness of Archy's character. Later in the sequence, in "McNally's
Folly", there is that pervading sense that something is not quite right -
Prescott has lost his aloof regal hauteur and descended to the level of the
common man; Archy's traditional delight in his attire and gastronomic activites
has been dissipated in the mentioning, as if those undefinable Sanders elements
have departed and left us a slightly more wooden "true-to-type" Archy.
Nevertheless Mr Lardo should be commended.

The Last Time They Met
by Anita Shreve
 (8/13/2001)
Jean P.
I am still upset at the ending...I felt like I was totally engrossed in the
lives of Thomas and Linda, and now I don't know what to do. The characters are
so real in their pain and pleasure, and Anita Shreve's writing draws me in each
time.
Ella Enchanted
by Gail Carson Levine
 (8/13/2001)
Anonymous
When I first picked up Ella Enchanted, I had no idea I had just picked up
what was about to be my favorite book. Gail Carson Levine did an awesome job of
describing all the characters, and making them seem so lifelike. Gail also
created a Cinderella with-a-twist sort of book that made it even more exciting.
In this book, the author used many mystical creatures such as Giants, Ogres,
Gnomes, Unicorns, and Fairies to name a few, and even made up special languages
for them that you could actually understand because they interpreted it for you
in the book. The suspense in this book only takes place because of the fairy
Lucinda. At Ella's birth, the fairy Lucinda bestows upon Ella the
"gift" of Obedience. Lucinda does not understand the dangers of this
curse, and will not take it back when Ella's Mother begs her to. If orders are
given to Ella, she has to obey them. Orders could be as disharmful as "Put
your coat on Ella." Or, they could be as harmful as "Chop up yourself
and cook yourself in a pot so I can eat you.
A New Song
by Jan Karon
 (8/13/2001)
Judy
I just finished reading the Mitford Series by Jan Karon, best books I have
ever read. She makes you feel as though you're there in the room with them. I'm
disappointed in the ending of A New Song as I'm not sure who Father Tim meets on
his walk on the very last page. Tell me please.
Summer Sisters
by Judy Blume
 (8/13/2001)
Jane
I have read all Judy Blume's books for children. I loved them all. I decided
it was time to read one of her "adult" novels. I read *Smart Women*
first and enjoyed it. I then decided to read *Summer Sisters* and loved it. I am
30 now, but could totally relate to Caitlyn and Vix - it reminded me of my
friend and I growing up.
The one thing I was slightly disappointed in was the ending. It wasn't
terrible, but it wasn't really fulfilling either. I was left feeling like Vix
would never really get over Bru. Her relationship with Gus was thrown together
so quickly. It was as if the last few chapters went by way too quickly. I think
if the relationship with Gus and Vix would have been introduced earlier, it
would have been better.
Either way, I truly enjoyed this book. I would highly recommend it.
The Bear and The Dragon
by Tom Clancy
 (8/13/2001)
bort
What in the hell was he thinking? Unlike most of his other books I knew what
would happen about half way through! I'm so sick of hearing the term
"puke" used a an adjective. If he would have written the story using
500 pages instead of a 1000 it might have been worthwhile but I feel reading it
was a waste of time!
The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon
by Stephen King
 (8/13/2001)
sietze
yeah...You want to feel good after reading a book then try this one. Your
daily struggle to survive means nothing compared to what she has to go through.
And you automatically start to think that if a nine year old girl can do it,
then you can solve your problems as well.
This story is about a girl, Trisha, who is nine years of age and almost ready
to develop herself in a positive way to maturity. She is a tough girl because
she can be very hard for herself. She is also a clever girl and she always tries
to make the best of whatever situation she is into. These are the things that
she needs to survive when she gets lost in the woods while having a trip with
her mother and brother. During her separation from the civilized world she is
accompanied by her imaginary friend Tom Gordon, a picher for the Red Sox and her
personal hero. She listens to game reports of him on her walkman, and sometimes
she actually sees him in the woods. It helps her to get along as good as
possible and so she might be able to find her way out. But there is another
spirit in the woods and it is coming closer....
This is a very down to earth Stephen King book because it is not full of
scary monsters. It is more about faith and subconsciousness and the triggered development
of a young girl, without the facilities of the civilized world. There is also
the question wether there is a God or not and S.K. lets you decide for yourself
if you believe and what you believe in. It is not a heavy dramatic kind of book though. It
has some humoristic parts in it(He uses a very friendly and positive kind of
humor). But most important: It is a very exiting book because when you are
reading this story you actually start to feel like a little kid alone in the
woods, not knowing what is out there. I cant imagine anything more scary than
that...
Harry Potter & The Prisoner of Azkaban: Book 3
by J.K. (Joanne) Rowling
 (8/13/2001)
Dahlia
I've read a million books, at least, and I have absolutely no problem saying
that this was the best, BY FAR. I was a little afraid to read Harry Potter
because I thought it was for little kids, but I'm so glad I did. I loved the way
Rowling tied this book to Harry's past. My favorite characters are generally
Fred and George Weasley, but I've found a great interest in Sirius Black. I can
only hope that every other book I read gives me this same amount of
satisfaction.

Top Picks

  • Book Jacket: Graveyard Shift
    Graveyard Shift
    by M. L. Rio
    Following the success of her debut novel, If We Were Villains, M. L. Rio's latest book is the quasi-...
  • Book Jacket: The Sisters K
    The Sisters K
    by Maureen Sun
    The Kim sisters—Minah, Sarah, and Esther—have just learned their father is dying of ...
  • Book Jacket: Linguaphile
    Linguaphile
    by Julie Sedivy
    From an infant's first attempts to connect with the world around them to the final words shared with...
  • Book Jacket
    The Rest of You
    by Maame Blue
    At the start of Maame Blue's The Rest of You, Whitney Appiah, a Ghanaian Londoner, is ringing in her...

Members Recommend

  • Book Jacket

    Pony Confidential
    by Christina Lynch

    In this whimsical mystery, a grumpy pony must clear his beloved human's name from a murder accusation.

Who Said...

Who dares to teach must never cease to learn.

Click Here to find out who said this, as well as discovering other famous literary quotes!

Wordplay

Solve this clue:

F the M

and be entered to win..

Your guide toexceptional          books

BookBrowse seeks out and recommends the best in contemporary fiction and nonfiction—books that not only engage and entertain but also deepen our understanding of ourselves and the world around us.