Reviews by JoreneJ

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Isola
Isola: A Novel
by Allegra Goodman
16th Century Epic Tale (3/6/2025)
This is a sweeping story that takes you back to the 16th century when a noble family dies off except for 1 young daughter and a designated "Guardian" (her cousin). The guardian is a rogue and loses much of the girl's estate.

Our heroine is then taken forcibly by the guardian …more
James
James: A Novel
by Percival Everett
Huckleberry Finn redux (3/6/2025)
I started and stopped reading this book several times. I finally decide to buckle down and read it- after all, it has received many accolades and awards!

I have not read Huckleberry Finn, but this book is a riff on that story- but from the perspective of James, the slave in …more
The Garden of Evening Mists
The Garden of Evening Mists
by Tan Twan Eng
A Chinese-Malaysian woman looks back on a life both brutal and beautiful (1/6/2025)
I am surprised that no one has reviewed this book yet. l have now read all three of the published books by this author; I highly recommend his newest book, the House of Doors. However, this book and his first book, The Gift of Rain, help to round out the years of Malaysia's …more
Small Things Like These
Small Things Like These
by Claire Keegan
A small book with a big message (12/8/2024)
I was drawn to this Booker prize nominee because it takes place in Ireland. It is a spare book(about 150 pages) that will haunt you for a long . When and how do people stand up to evil in the face of a complicit culture?

Americans may not be so familiar with the tragedy in …more
The Goddess of Warsaw
The Goddess of Warsaw: A Novel
by Lisa Barr
A woman warrior in Warsaw (10/9/2024)
This book follows the life of "Bina" an aspiring actress turned assassin and resistance fighter in Poland during the Nazi occupation. Fast forward and Bina takes on a new identify in the US as a successful movie star, only to discover that Nazism has spread to America. A riveting story!
Go as a River
Go as a River: A Novel
by Shelley Read
Beautiful story with a true backdrop (7/29/2024)
The flow of rivers is a metaphor in this story of love, grief, racism and inner strength. Young Victoria is a motherless girl with a grieving father and abusive brother. She finds love with a mixed race young man-Wil-who has native american blood. Tori's brother finds the …more
The Story of Edgar Sawtelle
The Story of Edgar Sawtelle: A Novel
by David Wroblewski
A story for the ages (7/4/2024)
I read other reviews before I posted this (it's an older book) and was surprised by all the controversy about the ending. If you take the Hamlet construct, well, it's brilliant and that story has withstood the test of time! Of course it made me sad but that's was great …more
The Signature of All Things
The Signature of All Things
by Elizabeth Gilbert
An Epic Novel (6/20/2024)
This novel is an epic story about the Philadelphia Whitaker family spanning the 19th century. Starting with the father's childhood we live through his ascent to success in botanicals and his daughter's thirst for knowledge. While an expert botanist, Alma lives in a century …more
Leaving
Leaving: A Novel
by Roxana Robinson
It's never too late...but (5/10/2024)
This novel attracted me because it involves "late in life lovers". One might assume that a late in life affair would be with fewer obstacles- most mature people have grownup children and fewer responsibilities; their careers may be behind them.. But when Warren and Sarah …more
A Disappearance in Fiji
A Disappearance in Fiji
by Nilima Rao
An Indian policeman uncovers secrets on Fiji (12/29/2023)
This novel gives us a mystery but in a historical setting- the Island of Fiji, part of the British Empire at the turn of the century.
Akal, an Indian native who joined the British-Indian Police services is abruptly transferred from a great assignment in Hong Kong, after he's …more
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