Reviews by Cynthia V. (New York, NY)

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Bad Animals
Bad Animals: A Novel
by Sarah Braunstein
Intriguing Read (12/29/2023)
I found this novel to be very insightful and engrossing. The characters may not be very likable, but they are all well developed and portrayed honestly. The premise is original, the pacing is great, the writing well done and all around unputdownable for me. There is much …more
The Divorcees
The Divorcees
by Rowan Beaird
Divorce Ranches...Who Knew? (11/2/2023)
I had never heard of Reno divorce ranches in the 1950s. The most compelling part of this novel for me was simply learning about them and the reasons they existed. The shame and stigma of divorce at that time...what courage it took to even go down the divorce path! As a …more
The Continental Affair
The Continental Affair: A Novel
by Christine Mangan
Cinematic Story (7/4/2023)
I found this novel to be well-written, quite readable and interesting. The moving locations and descriptions of various European and Middle Eastern cities were certainly vividly rendered.The story of two lonely people who were running away from sorrow and regret and trying …more
The Little Italian Hotel
The Little Italian Hotel: A Novel
by Phaedra Patrick
Another Book Set in Italy (4/13/2023)
I was all set to enjoy this book, expecting a charming little story set in beautiful Italy. Maybe not exceptional, but entertaining at the very least. Unfortunately, I found the story more and more trite as it progressed. I was not drawn into the setting, the various …more
Iron Curtain
Iron Curtain: A Love Story
by Vesna Goldsworthy
A Great Way to Begin 2023! (1/3/2023)
I was so sorry to come to the end of Iron Curtain; I wish I had someone to discuss it with! This novel has it all in my eyes. First, there are fascinating settings...an unnamed Soviet satellite country...moving to London and environs all during the early 1980s. There is …more
Ghost Season
Ghost Season: A Novel
by Fatin Abbas
Captivating (11/21/2022)
This is a very compelling novel that hooked me from the beginning. The author is obviously thoughtful and deeply invested in the subject. I found that I learned quite a lot about the political, ecological and cultural issues of the various ethnic groups discussed. The …more
In the Time of Our History
In the Time of Our History
by Susanne Pari
A Joy to Read (9/13/2022)
I feel very lucky to have had the opportunity to read this lovely book. The novelist has taken her time to develop her characters in an honest, multidimensional way. They show us how they feel, why they feel the way they do, why they may need to reassess their feelings and …more
The Poet's House
The Poet's House
by Jean Thompson
A Truly Lovely Work of Fiction (6/17/2022)
I am a Jean Thompson fan and was very much looking forward to reading her latest. It did not disappoint. The Poet's House is a very warm and welcoming work of fiction. The main character, Carla is lovably flawed. She has been trying to find herself, floating through life in …more
Fly Girl
Fly Girl: A Memoir
by Ann Hood
Fly Girl Leaves Me On the Ground (4/2/2022)
I have always enjoyed Ann Hood's writing and expected to enjoy a light, breezy, inspiring read. The tone at the beginning was just right and held my interest. As the story continued, my interest flagged. The author kept repeating that the whole flight attendant experience …more
On a Night of a Thousand Stars
On a Night of a Thousand Stars
by Andrea Yaryura Clark
Historical Fiction Worth Reading (2/16/2022)
I've always been interested in Argentina's recent dark history. This book does a very good job of fleshing out that history in a way that is well integrated into the plot and not just research clamoring to be gotten out there. The story is consistently engrossing and …more
The Family Chao
The Family Chao: A Novel
by Lan Samantha Chang
Well-Written, But Unsure (11/9/2021)
I came away from just having finished this book feeling somewhat mystified as to why I felt something was missing for me. It's well-written, for sure, with well developed characters and sense of place. Perhaps it's because I've not read The Brothers Karamazov? Perhaps …more
Honor
Honor
by Thrity Umrigar
Truly Compelling (9/24/2021)
I found Honor to be a wonderful novel, compelling and honest. The country of India was laid out before me in all its messiness, contradictions and beauty...from cosmopolitan, chaotic, smelly, colorful Mumbai to rural villages that believe in ancient, hierarchical, cruel …more
Morningside Heights
Morningside Heights: A Novel
by Joshua Henkin
Surprisingly Uplifting (4/1/2021)
A novel about a literature professor's battle with early onset Alzheimer's does not sound like something I'd ordinarily be drawn to. But this book is so much more. The setting is contemporary Upper West Side New York in the environs of Columbia University. The family …more
The Funny Thing About Norman Foreman
The Funny Thing About Norman Foreman: A Novel
by Julietta Henderson
Not Quite Charming Enough (2/10/2021)
This novel began in a promisingly refreshing style, which is easy, breezy, chatty and natural. However, I found that as it progressed, it wore thin. It was written on the same level throughout which grew tiresome. As a result I never found myself empathizing with the main …more
The Fortunate Ones
The Fortunate Ones
by Ed Tarkington
The Fortunate Ones (10/19/2020)
I would more accurately give this book a 3.5 rating. It is a very crisply written and nice read. The plot is straightforward and the story is interesting, if not especially original or thought provoking The novel addresses the themes of morality and human nature and some of …more
With or Without You
With or Without You: A Novel
by Caroline Leavitt
Very Readable Novel (5/29/2020)
I found this to be a page-turning, readable novel that was worth my time, but that's about it. The characters are well developed and the story is an interesting one about people who share a history and yet find their paths diverging. Some of it seemed melodramatic to me and …more
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