Huntsville1
Edmonton Public Library
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Girl, Woman, OtherGirl, Woman, Other, Kit
by Evaristo, BernardineKit - 2019 | First Grove Atlantic paperback edition.Kit, 2019. First Grove Atlantic paperback edition.
Huntsville1's rating:
Added Mar 22, 2024
Remarkably Bright CreaturesRemarkably Bright Creatures, BookA Novel
by Van Pelt, ShelbyBook - 2022 | First edition.Book, 2022. First edition.
All copies in useView location availabilityView location availability for Remarkably Bright Creatures, Book, All copies in use
Holds: 216 on 36 copies
Holds: 216 on 36 copies
Huntsville1's rating:
Added Mar 05, 2024
Comment:
Mar 4 ‘24 | Hardcover - 355p | 2022 | Recommended by one of the Trent readers (Alex?)| Main characters: Marcellus, a Pacific Ocean Octopus at a small west coast aquarium; Tova Sullivan, an evening cleaner at the same aquarium; Cameron Cassmore (30) - unemployed , irritatingly self-centered, lazy, rude, inconsiderate, thoughtless, immature, petulant, and with undeservedly high expectations regarding his life. There are a lot of frustrating (for the reader as well as the story’s characters) misunderstandings that break into unrealistic revelations in this story. I was left with unsatisfactory feelings of why it took so long to resolve all the “issues” and come to what was obviously going to be a “Happy Ending” (although we never did find out what happened to Cameron’s mother, Daphne. Perhaps the author chose not to go down that bumpy road.). The octopus is nearing its end of life (impending sadness). A very popular book: currently there are 217 holds on 38 copies! The author acknowledges “The Soul of an Octopus” by Sy Montgomery - I’ve put it on my Later list.Mar 4 ‘24 | Hardcover - 355p | 2022 | Recommended by one of the Trent readers (Alex?)| Main characters: Marcellus, a Pacific Ocean Octopus at a small west coast aquarium; Tova Sullivan, an evening cleaner at the same aquarium; Cameron Cassmore…
From the Fifteenth DistrictFrom the Fifteenth District, Book
by Gallant, MavisBook - 2018 | Penguin modern classics edition.Book, 2018. Penguin modern classics edition.
Huntsville1's rating:
Added Feb 27, 2024
Comment:
Feb 23 ‘24 | Hardcover -1978 (294p) | Nine short stories: The Four Seasons - Western Europe / WWII | Mussolini's Italy - Carmela (12yrs old) | The Muslim Wife | The Remission (I liked this one) | The Late Homecomer, etc. | These stories are set around the Mediterranean & in France, before, during & after WWII. Some of them are difficult to understand - it’s a lifestyle, society, political climate that I have only a vague familiarity with. There’s something reminiscent of the nordic noir genre about them - like a mysterious Ingmar Bergman film where things happen, but the viewer doesn’t have an explanation. I suspect that someone like my Mother who was of that time period, would have a good idea of what was happening, and being “said”. I feel ignorant. Mavis Gallant’s writing (dare I generalize?!) is very “dense” - perhaps this is due to her multiple linguistic skills.Feb 23 ‘24 | Hardcover -1978 (294p) | Nine short stories: The Four Seasons - Western Europe / WWII | Mussolini's Italy - Carmela (12yrs old) | The Muslim Wife | The Remission (I liked this one) | The Late Homecomer, etc. | These stories are set…
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely FineEleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine, Kit
by Honeyman, GailKit - 2017Kit, 2017
Huntsville1's rating:
Added Feb 23, 2024
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Hardcover | 325p | Narrator - Eleanor (29); her mother (Sharon Smyth) who appears to be either in prison or some secure institution; co-workers; Raymon Gibbons - IT worker; Johnny Lomond - musician; Mrs Gibbons; Sammy Thom, his sons Gary, Kevin & daughter Laura; Declan, Eleanor’s abusive BF; Bob - Eleanor’s employer; Glen - Eleanor’s cat.
Eleanor is extremely intelligent, but also has poor self-awareness, and has psychosis of varying types. She works five days a week, then on Fridays she buys a pizza, a bottle of wine, and two bottles of vodka which she drinks herself over the weekend (crazy!!). Lives in her own world, and disdains the rest of the world. Some traumatic incident occurred early in life which she does not acknowledge.
For some reason, a co-worker, Raymond, is interested in her, which she does not like: invasion of privacy.
She becomes obsessed with the musician Johnny Lomond, and "stalks" him. Which she eventually comes to realize is futile.
Gradually, we learn more about Eleanor; she acquires some friends, begins to participate in activities like she never has, and ultimately begins counselling that opens the doors of her mind.
Eventually we learn that when she was ten, her mother drugged her & her four-year old sister, then set their house on fire. The younger sister (Marianne) and the mother both died in that fire.
Eleanor is: sarcastic, angry, bitter, selfish, critical, sad, grieving, self-medicating, guilty, self-harming, & has PTSD.Hardcover | 325p | Narrator - Eleanor (29); her mother (Sharon Smyth) who appears to be either in prison or some secure institution; co-workers; Raymon Gibbons - IT worker; Johnny Lomond - musician; Mrs Gibbons; Sammy Thom, his sons Gary, Kevin &…
The PenelopiadThe Penelopiad, Book
by Atwood, MargaretBook - 2006 | Vintage Canada ed.Book, 2006. Vintage Canada ed.
Huntsville1's rating:
Added Jan 30, 2024
Comment:
Jan 29 ‘24 | Hardcover | 193p. | 2003 | Dovetails nicely with "Circe" - I wonder which one was published first. This is a very darkly, sarcastic tale from Penelope’s point of view. Very tragic poem about the 12 young women who were tragically hung bt Odysseus. Penelope aka “Duck”. Penelope's father - King Icarus of Sparta; her mother - a naiad. Telemachus - Penelope & Odysseus’ son. Odysseus: Penelope’s husband & Telemachus’ father. Odysseus’ father - Laertes. Odysseus’ mother - Anticleia. Telemachus’ nurse - Eurycleia. Helen (“of Troy”) - Penelope’s cousin. Menelaus - Helen’s husband. Agamemnon - Menelaus’ brother. Paris - Helen’s lover/abductor. Palamedes -Jan 29 ‘24 | Hardcover | 193p. | 2003 | Dovetails nicely with "Circe" - I wonder which one was published first. This is a very darkly, sarcastic tale from Penelope’s point of view. Very tragic poem about the 12 young women who were tragically hung…
Huntsville1's rating:
Added Jan 29, 2024
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EPL Book Club (Fri Jan 26 '24) | Hardcover - 385p.| Jan 18 '24 | This was a tough book to start - I had to spend a lot of time on the internet trying to understand all these gods & lesser gods, their relationships, etc. At the end of chapter 3, things start to be interesting as Circe begins a relationship with Prometheus who has just been chained to the wall, but the eagle has not yet begun its daily feasting on his liver. Although this book is being circulated among all the EPL book clubs and is five years old, it's apparent that NO ONE is reading it! I'll be interested to see whether it's been read in my group. |
Fast forward many days or years or centuries from her encounter with Prometheus, depending on whether one is mortal or immortal, Circe has raised the ire of her father, committed a couple of indiscretions courtesy of her natural talents, and she finds herself banished to an island sprinkled with her father’s blood, which gives it that littles extra Something that lends it Power. She commences an on / off relationship with Hermes.
Circe has many relationships with men over the years, beginning with her father, her brothers (all of who treat her badly), Prometheus (whom she pities - the awakening of her empathetic nature); the fisherman Glaucos, Daedalus, Odysseus, and finally Telemachus, the son of Odysseus & Penelope.
These beings are very incestuous, blood thirsty, jealous, greedy, vain, power-hungry, deceitful, proud, lustful, malicious, spiteful, etc.
Is there a connection between their existence and Moses’s Ten Commandments?! (Thou shalt have no other gods before me) How much historical truth is there to all these legendary activities, events, personalities, etc?
As it turned out, either of the Wendys came nor either of the Lauras. We had 3 “new” people: Dave, another Christine, and her young friend from Ireland.
Ultimately I became very engaged in this tale, and upon completion, promptly read it again savouring Ms Miller’s Classics expertise. An excellent weaving together of thousands of years of Greek mythology! I wonder what Homer would have thought - probably not much as it was so female oriented.EPL Book Club (Fri Jan 26 '24) | Hardcover - 385p.| Jan 18 '24 | This was a tough book to start - I had to spend a lot of time on the internet trying to understand all these gods & lesser gods, their relationships, etc. At the end of chapter 3,…
A Robe of Feathers and Other StoriesA Robe of Feathers and Other Stories, Book
by Matsuura, ThersaBook - 2009Book, 2009
Huntsville1's rating:
Added Dec 31, 2023
Comment:
Nov 25 ‘23 | Hardcover | 184 p | published 2009 | 17 short stories set in Japan. Mythic, fabulous, ghoulish, macabre, mysterious, surprising, unexpected, Had to return this to the library as it had a "Hold" on it; will continue reading upon receipt.
Dec 28 ‘23 | Got it back - p.75 | fantastical, cautionary tales, mystical, lyrical, tragic, beautiful, superstitions, traditions. All very more-ish.Nov 25 ‘23 | Hardcover | 184 p | published 2009 | 17 short stories set in Japan. Mythic, fabulous, ghoulish, macabre, mysterious, surprising, unexpected, Had to return this to the library as it had a "Hold" on it; will continue reading upon…
Huntsville1's rating:
Added Dec 28, 2023
Comment:
Sun Dec 24 ‘23| EPL book club | Hard copy | 526 p | 2013 | Three parts, each with 18 short chapters. Many, many characters! Primarily set in Singapore. Pretty incredible/hard to believe (fantasy?!). Tiresome name-dropping of art, architects, jewelry, historic buildings, educational institutes, fashion, etc. A tad pretentious in that respect. Descriptions of streets, buildings, hotels, restaurants & shops would be more meaningful if I knew where they were, & what they looked like ie. was familiar with them. Sometimes I felt like I was reading a tourist brochure! The small-village, gossipy, soap opera nature of families and people in-your-business would be very hard to deal with!
The one thing that I always think about now whenever I encounter wealth of any kind, is: where did it come from? Upon whose backs was this money made? How many “little” people are suffering & living in poverty as a result of this accumulation of wealth? What is the level of corruption attendant on this wealth!
Property ownership seems to be the primary source of wealth, which brings to mind “absentee landowners”.
Corruption?
This seems to be a Cinderella story.
There is another book that covers Rachel’s trip with her mother Kerry, into China to find her real father.Sun Dec 24 ‘23| EPL book club | Hard copy | 526 p | 2013 | Three parts, each with 18 short chapters. Many, many characters! Primarily set in Singapore. Pretty incredible/hard to believe (fantasy?!). Tiresome name-dropping of art, architects,…
Huntsville1's rating:
Added Dec 22, 2023
Comment:
Published 2022 | 352p. | Adele Savard, RN - WWI in Belgium (1918) | John & Jerry Bailey - rum running between Windsor & Detroit during US Prohibition | Cassie Stevens - museum curator |
I felt that this was a “silly” story, and was bored reading it. Read another book simultaneously to relieve the boredom. It had some interesting details about Wwi which I sensed were extremely sanitized, and therefore untrue. The rum-running & that whole era was likely portrayed in an untrue manner as well, being both more boring & terrifying in reality. The ending was sloppy: two men died in the tunnels where the Bailey’s Booze was going to be stored ( John Bailey & Ernie Willoughby) Cassie had a scrapbook in which she kept articles she’ been able to find on her family. No explanation on why she never found anything on John & Ernie’s deaths.
I believe that this book was recommended by Alex Cunliffe in the Trent zoom group.Published 2022 | 352p. | Adele Savard, RN - WWI in Belgium (1918) | John & Jerry Bailey - rum running between Windsor & Detroit during US Prohibition | Cassie Stevens - museum curator |
I felt that this was a “silly” story, and was bored reading…
Huntsville1's rating:
Added Dec 17, 2023
Comment:
Dec 9 ‘23 | hardcover| 363 p small font | 1886 | Michael, Susan & Elizabeth-Jane Henchard. Susan was sold for £5 to sailor, Richard Newson, who was reputed to have died 19 years later at sea at the age of 41. Elizabeth Jane did not know that Richard was not her biological father. Elizabeth Jane’s mother dies after she reconciles with Mayor Henchard, leaving Elizabeth in the care of her (step) father. Later, the reader discovers that in fact, Mayor Henchard’s first daughter Elizabeth Jane died shortly after they had parted. While Susan was living with Richard Newson, she gave birth to her 2nd daughter, whom she also christened as Elizabeth Jane. (Typical convoluted Thomas Hardy! )
Another major character shows up in the form of Lucetta Templeman whom Mayor Henchard became involved with while under the impression that his wife & daughter had possibly died, or had no intention of coming back into his life. Lucetta becomes enamored of Donald Farfrae who was a love interest of Elizabeth Jane’s. More complications! Lucetta promises to marry Mr. Henchard, but marries Donald Farfrae in secret. When Elizabeth finds this out, she leaves Lucetta’s house for her own place.
Lucetta becomes pregnant, but dies during an epileptic fit, presumably haemorrhaging out. Donald & Elizabeth Jane resume their courtship. Newson returns, reveals his true relationship as father to Elizabeth Jane. Michael Henchard is rebuffed by Elizabeth when he comes to her wedding. A month goes by in her newly married state, she discovers Henchard’s wedding gift of a cage containing a dead goldfinch, and she sets out to locate him. She & Donald do find him, but he just died half an hour prior to their arrival.
The author give us his final analysis: that life is often difficult, and we must take time to enjoy the good.
He categorizes this book (which was serialized in magazines of the time) as one of “Character and Environment”.Dec 9 ‘23 | hardcover| 363 p small font | 1886 | Michael, Susan & Elizabeth-Jane Henchard. Susan was sold for £5 to sailor, Richard Newson, who was reputed to have died 19 years later at sea at the age of 41. Elizabeth Jane did not know that …
Huntsville1's rating:
Added Nov 25, 2023
Washington BlackWashington Black, KitA Novel
by Edugyan, EsiKit - 2018 | First edition.Kit, 2018. First edition.
Huntsville1's rating:
Added Nov 23, 2023
Comment:
EPL Book Club (Nov 24 ‘23) Published 2018 | Hardcover - 417 p | Four sections - 1830: “Faith Plantation” / 1832: “Adrift” / 1834: “Nova Scotia” / 1836: “England” | Main character, George Washington Black, born 1818 in Barbados into slavery @ Faith Plantation. Master Erasmus Wilde; Erasmus’s younger brother Christopher “Titch” Wilde, cousin Mister Philip. Other slaves: Big Kit (Catherine), Gaius, Emilie de Chatelat, Maria (cook), Esther (cook), Rene (carriage driver), Washington has an artistic talent; Titch acknowledges his contribution in his Royal Geographic Society submission. Titch & “Wash” leave Barbados in Titch’s invention, the “Cloud-cutter”. They crash into a ship, and catch a ride to Norfolk, NJ, then another ship to Hudson’s Bay in search of Titch’s father, Erasmus Wilde. After spending some time there, Titch abandons Wash who believes that Titch has died in the harsh Arctic winter. Wash returns to Nova Scotia where he eventually meets the well-known zoologist, G.M.Goff & his daughter, Tanna. Wash is 18: Tanna is 20 - they become lovers. The 3 of them travel to London, England to set up the “Ocean House”, a public centre for viewing sea creatures & life. During all of these travels, Wash is searching for evidence that Titch is still alive - the next place they travel to is Marrakesh, Morocco, ostensibly to collect a scientific specimen for the Ocean House. They find Titch isolated in the sands of Morocco. He’s taken on another young acolyte, and is pursuing a study in shadow images. - which is actually a “thing”. The photos are eery, ghostly, fuzzy & without colour. We hear some of Titch’s childhood - unpleasant in its own way (everybody has their own issues!). Some degree of resolution takes place for Wash & he just walks into a sandstorm. We’re left wondering … what the heck - what next!?EPL Book Club (Nov 24 ‘23) Published 2018 | Hardcover - 417 p | Four sections - 1830: “Faith Plantation” / 1832: “Adrift” / 1834: “Nova Scotia” / 1836: “England” | Main character, George Washington Black, born 1818 in Barbados into slavery @ Faith…
Huntsville1's rating:
Added Nov 19, 2023
Comment:
Nov 18 '23 | 94 p | Hardcover | A very brief speculative work on what one young man experiences while working as an actor. Again, Yukio has his main character work through his feelings, his experiences, his perceptions in his life. Not much mention of spirituality in this work. No politics. No surrounding inf'n on the main character's life - just the people in the immediate area & as they pertain to these few days/hours of his life. Again we (he) consider(s) death ... an assumption of either life after death. Yukio wrote this short story following his role in the movie "Afraid to Die".Nov 18 '23 | 94 p | Hardcover | A very brief speculative work on what one young man experiences while working as an actor. Again, Yukio has his main character work through his feelings, his experiences, his perceptions in his life. Not much…
The Temple of DawnThe Temple of Dawn, Book
by Mishima, YukioBook - 1990 | First Vintage International edition.Book, 1990. First Vintage International edition.
Huntsville1's rating:
Added Nov 09, 2023
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Nov 2 '23 Book 3 in "The Sea of Fertility" series. Set in Bangkok, 1940. Honda (46) | Another hard slog by Yukio Mishima. This continues to follow Shugekuni HONDA (& incidentally his sickly wife, Rie) as he explores his own spiritual beliefs in Eastern Asia. He visits Bangkok (Thailand), Calcutta & Benares, India to further his Buddhist education. In Bangkok, he meets 7yr old Princess Chantapra, who is the daughter of one of his childhood school classmates. He believes that she is the reincarnation of his childhood friend Kiyoaki Matsugae. He also believes that Kiyoaki “became” Isao, the son of Kiyoaki’s tutor, Inuma. Both of these young men had three moles on their chests, which confirmed their reincarnation in Honda’s point of view. In Western culture, “we” would more likely consider a genetic relationship, or coincidence. I struggled with the author’s thought processes throughout this book, and it makes me realize that there is a subtle commonality in our Western/English language. Honda spends much of his middle-aged life in this book trying to determine if the Princess is a 2nd reincarnation of Kiyoaki (never asks himself from whence Kiyoaki might have come! Or who the next incarnation might be following the Princess’s death) Eventually he does see the 3 moles on her chest (a more difficult quest given that she is female, and not interested in him, or men in general), and then she too dies at 19yrs - of a snake bite. If one “buys into” this spiritual belief set, this incarnation does not live beyond 19 yrs of age.Nov 2 '23 Book 3 in "The Sea of Fertility" series. Set in Bangkok, 1940. Honda (46) | Another hard slog by Yukio Mishima. This continues to follow Shugekuni HONDA (& incidentally his sickly wife, Rie) as he explores his own spiritual beliefs in…
Runaway HorsesRunaway Horses, Book
by Mishima, YukioBook - 1990 | First Vintage International edition.Book, 1990. First Vintage International edition.
Huntsville1's rating:
Added Oct 28, 2023
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Hard copy | 421p | The 2nd book of four in Yukio’s The Sea of Fertility series: Spring Snow | Runaway Horses | The Temple of Dawn | The Decay of the Angel. This 2nd book is placed about 20 yrs after the death of Kiyoaki, the main character in “Spring Snow”. The main character in this 2nd book is Shigeyuki ISAO Inuma, the 19yr old son of Kiyoaki’s former tutor. This book focuses a lot on Honor, and withstanding the forces of Westernization in Japanese society. It’s set before WWII, so pre-Pearl Harbour (1932). Central to the book is a Japanese publication called “The League of the Divine Wind”; it appears to be a germinal creation of Yukio Mishima around which this book is centred. In fact, I’m beginning to think that this series is a very long treatise on the unhappy effects of Westernization on Japanese culture/society. The quiet, beautiful moments in the books are reflections of original/historical Japanese culture, but inevitably, (insidiously?) Westernization has been taking place. Pre-Pearl Harbor & Japan’s involvement in WWII, perhaps this books says much about that - if only I could “see” it. In the end, Isao commits Sepuko after killing the person who had been financially supporting his father's school for decades. It was his belief that he would accompany this man to heaven in a form of atonement, but also to "explain" the purpose of the man's death. Isao's "purity" did not allow for the other man's explanations, rationale, life-works - he never made any attempt to discern them.Hard copy | 421p | The 2nd book of four in Yukio’s The Sea of Fertility series: Spring Snow | Runaway Horses | The Temple of Dawn | The Decay of the Angel. This 2nd book is placed about 20 yrs after the death of Kiyoaki, the main character in…
The Pull of the StarsThe Pull of the Stars, Kit
by Donoghue, EmmaKit - 2020 | First Canadian edition.Kit, 2020. First Canadian edition.
Huntsville1's rating:
Added Oct 27, 2023
Comment:
Epl book club. Hardcover 291 p. (2020) | Dublin | 1918, during the Spanish flu & WWII. | Main character: Julia Power (30), RN/doula. “Influenza delle stelle” = “the influence of the stars”. Historic political/religious/power differences with deep & deadly hostilities between the two Irish groups. Chapters reflect degrees of cyanosis: red, brown, blue, black (p 48). The author seems to have full, explicit knowledge of period related childbirth, infection, the Spanish flu, poverty, WWII related injuries & their causes. Emma Donoghue does not use conversational punctuation, so sometimes it’s hard to know whether the person is thinking or speaking! Perhaps there is some artistic license in using that format! Is the author anti-Roman Catholic religion? She paints a very ugly picture of the social circumstances at that time, which may have been largely responsible for all the Troubles that took place for many years in Ireland. I remember meeting a young woman at TGH (Irene) from Ballymena, and at that time (1971?) gun-running from the States (NY?) to Ireland was still taking place. Over the next 10 yrs or so things calmed down there, possibly as general global prosperity increased. Ireland has a tax-free policy for "artists", and it became a place that "enlightened" persons moved to. As well, in general people became less enamored of the RC church, and its hold on the spiritual population loosened.Epl book club. Hardcover 291 p. (2020) | Dublin | 1918, during the Spanish flu & WWII. | Main character: Julia Power (30), RN/doula. “Influenza delle stelle” = “the influence of the stars”. Historic political/religious/power differences with deep…
Huntsville1's rating:
Added Oct 12, 2023
Comment:
Sun Oct 8 '23 | P. Highsmith's manipulation of her characters is a little Machiavellian - it's a bit tiresome as the reader (me!) objects somewhat to their behaviour. I can see how the situation can slide out of control, but part of me objects! I can also see how people in "real life" can be carried along in circumstances beyond their control. Guy Haines vs Charles Anthony Bruno: Guy meets Bruno on a train. Bruno is young, an alcoholic, has “daddy” (& mommy!) issues and convinces himself that he’s made an agreement with Guy that they should kill each other’s most annoying person: Guy’s ex-wife Miriam, and Bruno’s father. In very short order, Bruno does kill Miriam, but he seems to be in disbelief, paralyzed by his (should I say?!) stupidity, his ambition, and his philosophy of allowing things to take their own course. Then Bruno begins pressuring Guy to kill his father - which he proceeds to do, in his incompetent, stupid way! It’s all downhill from then: Bruno drinks & talks too much; new wife Anne knows that something is amiss; sharp-eyed detective Gerrard fills in many of the blanks & is hot on the trail of the 2 killers. Bruno drowns, which leaves Guy alone with his conscience compelling him to spill the beans to a virtual stranger. Fool that he is, he actually tells the detective through an open phone line. Case closed. This book sent me on a roller coaster of emotions - it’s no wonder that Alfred Hitchcock made it into a movie ( he was known for his suspense movies).Sun Oct 8 '23 | P. Highsmith's manipulation of her characters is a little Machiavellian - it's a bit tiresome as the reader (me!) objects somewhat to their behaviour. I can see how the situation can slide out of control, but part of me objects! I…
Spring SnowSpring Snow, Book
by Mishima, YukioBook - 1990 | First Vintage international edition.Book, 1990. First Vintage international edition.
All copies in useView location availabilityView location availability for Spring Snow, Book, All copies in use
Holds: 0 on 2 copies
Holds: 0 on 2 copies
Huntsville1's rating:
Added Oct 08, 2023
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Wed Oct 4 ‘23 (1972) 1st book of “Sea of Fertility”. main character Kiyoaki Matsugae (18); friend Shigekuni Honda; tutor Linuma; love interest Satoko Ayakura (20). Outskirts of Tokyo. Satoka becomes promised in marriage to Prince Harunori. Kiyoaki & Satoka begin a torrid love affair which results in her getting pregnant. The Mitsugae & Ayakura families arrange an abortion, and do their best to carry on with the proposed marriage. Satoko sabotages that event by fleeing to a convent & withdraws from the world. Kiyoaki pines away with this situation, catches pneumonia, and dies at age of 20 yrs. The rules of Japanese society permit this story as the characters don’t step outside the lines of propriety.Wed Oct 4 ‘23 (1972) 1st book of “Sea of Fertility”. main character Kiyoaki Matsugae (18); friend Shigekuni Honda; tutor Linuma; love interest Satoko Ayakura (20). Outskirts of Tokyo. Satoka becomes promised in marriage to Prince Harunori. …
Huntsville1's rating:
Added Sep 28, 2023
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Tues Sept 26 ‘23 | 265 p | 1954 | Finally, on p237, I find out who “the blunderer” is; and while I wouldn’t necessarily call him that, I do think that Walter Stackhouse “made his own bed” and fell prey to his own insecurities. Interesting study in the “human condition” and the behaviors they engage in - possibly the argument for “law and order”! (A lot of cliches!).This book is written in the early fifties, when smoking in public was still permitted, and there is a LOT of it! It’s also well before computors and the World Wide Web (WWW) with the ready availability of inf’n via the Internet; hence the critical significance of the newspaper and its dispersal of inf’n. Now we get our news via the internet or TV, and we’re all (?) somewhat sceptical of it - we’ve been lied to, been misled, and had inf’n withheld. We’ve also repeatedly heard dreadful stories about the things people do to each other - might we all be a bit jaded? (Or maybe that’s just me). The violence of the police interrogation is astounding, although we can now see via “police-cams” that this blatantly does actually takes place even now. There is subtle reference to WWIi, the SS, the Nazis, the Gestapo, and the treatment of ordinary German (French, Polish, Greek, etc) citizens by the same “ruling” force.Tues Sept 26 ‘23 | 265 p | 1954 | Finally, on p237, I find out who “the blunderer” is; and while I wouldn’t necessarily call him that, I do think that Walter Stackhouse “made his own bed” and fell prey to his own insecurities. Interesting study in…
Learning to TalkLearning to Talk, BookStories
by Mantel, HilaryBook - 2022 | First U.S. edition.Book, 2022. First U.S. edition.
Huntsville1's rating:
Added Sep 07, 2023
The Last GirlThe Last Girl, KitMy Story of Captivity, and My Fight Against the Islamic State
by Murad, NadiaKit - 2017 | First edition.Kit, 2017. First edition.
Huntsville1's rating:
Added Sep 07, 2023
The Glass HotelThe Glass Hotel, Kit
by Mandel, Emily St. JohnKit - 2020 | First Canadian edition.Kit, 2020. First Canadian edition.
Huntsville1's rating:
Added Aug 19, 2023
Comment:
EPL book club selection for Aug ‘23. Sat Aug 19 ‘23. About the 2008 financial crisis - some people involved. Quite a cautionary tale. “Money is a country”. All participants enjoyed this book & recommended other books by the author. Based on the true situation of Bernie Maddox and the Ponzi Scheme that he levied on friends, family, co-workers, acquaintances, etc. Set in Canada; colourful & evocative descriptions of locations & characters. A study in sociopathy.EPL book club selection for Aug ‘23. Sat Aug 19 ‘23. About the 2008 financial crisis - some people involved. Quite a cautionary tale. “Money is a country”. All participants enjoyed this book & recommended other books by the author. Based on the…
The Terminal ExperimentThe Terminal Experiment, eBook
by Sawyer, Robert J.eBook - 2011eBook, 2011
Available
Huntsville1's rating:
Added Aug 11, 2023
Comment:
1995. About Artificial Intelligence (AI) which seems to be on everyone’s mind at present. This idea has been around for a while: “2001 A Space Odyssey” wherein HAL, the spaceship’s computor attempts to over-ride the sole occupant, and a fight to the death ensues … it was grippingly beautiful!). It seems to be gathering strength in the public’s group consciousness presently (too late - it’s already here!) This book is straight forward in its study of the matter, and presents one “bad” outcome/possibility. I suspect that in the “real” world, as with many things, We won’t foresee the actual bad outcomes! Ultimately, this story begins to frustrate me as the main characters (Peter & Sarkar) continue to converse within hearing range of their computer programs, despite the fact that they have very clear evidence that they have killed 2 people, and seriously injured a third. Why do they actually think/believe that they can outmanoeuvre these constructs?! I consider this to be a suitable Young Persons book. Sawyer’s depiction of “God” does reflect mine though, and that’s acceptable to me.1995. About Artificial Intelligence (AI) which seems to be on everyone’s mind at present. This idea has been around for a while: “2001 A Space Odyssey” wherein HAL, the spaceship’s computor attempts to over-ride the sole occupant, and a fight to…
Anxious PeopleAnxious People, KitA Novel
by Backman, FredrikKit - 2020 | First Atria Books hardcover edition.Kit, 2020. First Atria Books hardcover edition.
Huntsville1's rating:
Added Jul 01, 2023
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EPL Book Club - Fri June 28 ‘23. Fredrik Backman perceives a lot of truths about (contemporary) life. There is some black, laugh out loud humour displayed. What is this book about? Suicide, the human condition, connections, the meaning of life, love, spirituality. About coping with our space/time continuum. Characters in the series of connections we meet during the relating of the book’s events: police officers Jim (father) and Jack (20-ish), their drug addict daughter/sister whose name we never learn; the real estate agent (never named), London (the cashless bank’s teller), Zara (bank mgr), Nadia (the psychologist), married couple Anna-Lena & Roger, married lesbian soon to be parents couple Julia & Ro, elderly woman Estelle & her deceased husband Knut, and finally Lennart, the “rabbit”.EPL Book Club - Fri June 28 ‘23. Fredrik Backman perceives a lot of truths about (contemporary) life. There is some black, laugh out loud humour displayed. What is this book about? Suicide, the human condition, connections, the meaning of life,…
FrankensteinFrankenstein, eBookOr the Modern Prometheus
by Shelley, MaryeBook - 2024eBook, 2024
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Huntsville1's rating:
Added Apr 02, 2023
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This book surprised me - I was not expecting it to be as sophisticated as it is. I had always presumed that this was a children’s book, light entertainment, and not to be taken seriously. Perhaps I wouldn’t have appreciated its finesse had I read it earlier in life. There are many, many elements that contribute to its skill level: the story within a story technique is skillfully done, and I did not become lost in its telling. Many of the concepts that she introduces become elaborated upon in the two hundred years that follow: Skinner’s nature vs nurture theory, Darwin’ Origin of Species, Freud & Jung’s exposure of the “id”, the discussions of right & wrong and whether certain criminal actions are justifiable.
“Beauty and the Beast” was written c 1740, so Mary Shelley would likely have been familiar with the concept.
Shades of Shrek: the creature wanted a female of his own likeness! I am astounded that this character Victor is so lacking in forethought, doesn’t consider the consequences of his actions (not a chess player!), and is very wishy-washy in his thoughts & actions.
I also don’t understand why he never considered putting together a female without the ability to reproduce - would this be a sign of the author’s lack of knowledge?
“Natural Philosophy” was a commonly used term in the 1700s and the author references that as being Victor’s field of interest/study, and how he came to create “the monster”.
Victor begins using the word “daemon” in reference to his creature - external physical manifestation of a person’s inner self.
And in the end, a Viking death for “the daemon””.This book surprised me - I was not expecting it to be as sophisticated as it is. I had always presumed that this was a children’s book, light entertainment, and not to be taken seriously. Perhaps I wouldn’t have appreciated its finesse had I read…
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