Any author who has three of his books on best seller lists at the same time has to be researched. It is not that I trust such lists, but three at once should mean something. Therefore, when Stieg Larsson’s THE GIRL WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE, the second of the trilogy, fell into my hands at a used book store, I figured, “Why not?”
Lisbeth Salander is a very troubled young woman who has a genius talent for hacking into any computer system and has helped crusading journalist Mikael Blomkvist in the past. In fact, she had saved his life once. Now, Blomkvist is investigating a sex trafficking operation.
Three murders happen in one evening and Salander has been found to have a link with all three of them. Two of the victims were investigating the sex operation. She had been to visit them earlier and her fingerprints were found in the apartment and on the murder weapon. The third victim was her legal guardian and her reasons for killing him were valid.
The fact that Salander has a history of violence and been in a psychotic ward at thirteen causes the police and the media to put on a national search for her in the name of public safety. In true cat and mouse style, Salander is pursued by the police, the media, a motorcycle gang, various other thugs, and Blomkvist, who believes her to be innocent.
Once the book got to the actual plot, it moved fairly fast. I could not help but care what happened to Lisbeth Salander. The problem was that it took almost two hundred pages to get to the action. Don’t get me wrong, I want enough details in a story to establish character, locale, etc. but either Larsson was paid by the word or he had an agreement with some big name brands to mention them in the book. At one point Salander is getting ready to move into a new apartment. She goes to IKEA and several pages are spent telling the reader what she bought, including the brand names.
Throughout the book the author bogged me down with too many details about too many characters. At times it interrupted the flow of what could have been a good thriller.
It is also obvious that he did not have good feelings for government. Salander’s treatment by the “system” is the worst of nightmares for any young girl.
The book could have been half as many pages and been a good read. I am sorry that we will not get a chance to see Larsson develop as an author but, I think that I will skip the other two books in this series.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
BOOK REVIEW: The Postmistress
THE POSTMISTRESS by Sarah Blake is a book that I really wanted to like. There seems to be a glut of books on the Second World War and this one sounded as if it would give a woman’s perspective of the period before the United States became involved. It almost did what I wanted it to do---almost.
Emma Fitch has just arrived in the small town of Franklin, Massachusetts as the new wife of the town’s doctor. Emma has never felt that she belonged anywhere or has had anyone to care for her. Now she has a husband and the hopes that she will make friends in her new home. Not long after her arrival, her husband Doctor Fitch leaves her to go to London to help those injured in the German Blitz.
Iris James is the postmistress of Franklin. She is a woman whose life depends on order and details. She takes great pride in seeing that the mail is properly handled, that the flag of the United States is up each morning at the same time every day and taken down each night, at the proper time. Doctor Fitch has left a letter for her to give to his wife if he is killed.
Frankie Bard works for Edward R. Morrow in London. She is one of the few women reporters doing live radio broadcasts during the Blitz. Her desire is to get people in the United States to care what is happening in Europe.
Frankie meets Doctor Fitch in a bomb shelter in London and, as a result of their conversation, she decides to travel through Germany and France interviewing the displaced people. Mostly Jews, these are the people who had to leave their homes in the middle of the night with only what they could carry.
Most of the book, as you probably have guessed, reads as typical “chick-lit”. The language is over blown and distracting. The characters are not well developed and hard to get to care about. I came close to giving up on it. ( Rarely do I not finish a book.)
The chapters describing Frankie and her travels, however, are different. In these the action is real, the language sharp and businesslike. This is a reporter telling us of the people killed in front of her, of children left alone to find safety, a story filled with the truth of people and war.
I wish Ms Blake would have stayed with Frankie‘s character. We could understand how her interviews changed her, but I wanted to know her background, how she became a reporter at a time when women did not cover wars.
Overall, the book lacked focus. Parts of it were too long (the ending, for example) and I wanted more closure on some of the characters. There are better books out there on the subject.
Meanwhile, keep reading.
Emma Fitch has just arrived in the small town of Franklin, Massachusetts as the new wife of the town’s doctor. Emma has never felt that she belonged anywhere or has had anyone to care for her. Now she has a husband and the hopes that she will make friends in her new home. Not long after her arrival, her husband Doctor Fitch leaves her to go to London to help those injured in the German Blitz.
Iris James is the postmistress of Franklin. She is a woman whose life depends on order and details. She takes great pride in seeing that the mail is properly handled, that the flag of the United States is up each morning at the same time every day and taken down each night, at the proper time. Doctor Fitch has left a letter for her to give to his wife if he is killed.
Frankie Bard works for Edward R. Morrow in London. She is one of the few women reporters doing live radio broadcasts during the Blitz. Her desire is to get people in the United States to care what is happening in Europe.
Frankie meets Doctor Fitch in a bomb shelter in London and, as a result of their conversation, she decides to travel through Germany and France interviewing the displaced people. Mostly Jews, these are the people who had to leave their homes in the middle of the night with only what they could carry.
Most of the book, as you probably have guessed, reads as typical “chick-lit”. The language is over blown and distracting. The characters are not well developed and hard to get to care about. I came close to giving up on it. ( Rarely do I not finish a book.)
The chapters describing Frankie and her travels, however, are different. In these the action is real, the language sharp and businesslike. This is a reporter telling us of the people killed in front of her, of children left alone to find safety, a story filled with the truth of people and war.
I wish Ms Blake would have stayed with Frankie‘s character. We could understand how her interviews changed her, but I wanted to know her background, how she became a reporter at a time when women did not cover wars.
Overall, the book lacked focus. Parts of it were too long (the ending, for example) and I wanted more closure on some of the characters. There are better books out there on the subject.
Meanwhile, keep reading.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
THEATRE REVIEW: Coral Springs SOS!
Marc de la Concha -- Marc de la Concha -- Marc de la Concha -- Marc de la Concha -- Marc de la Concha. That should help you to remember his name.
Millbrook Playhouse presented an original play as a fund raiser this week. Coral Springs SOS! was written by Marc de la Concha and Mary Catherine Burke and was not only a perfect show for making an audience aware of the financial considerations of theatre, but it highlighted the talents of this up and coming young man.
Deloris Rabinowitz, played by Marc de la Concha, is on a one woman crusade-- to save her beloved Coral Springs Theater from being turned into a movie multiplex theater. In doing so , she relives some of her favorite parts and some of her favorite actresses doing her favorite parts. This of course, gives the audience a chance to see Marc de la Concha be everything from a nice Jewish lady trying to talk the “board members” into raising the money, to a young Hispanic girl in her best scene from Footloose, Jr., to a very butch set designer paying homage to Stomp -- trashcan lids included.
Well, you get the picture. It was a fast paced, funny show. I hope that members of the audience left the theater realizing how important it is to support live theater and with respect for the talent that Millbrook Playhouse has brought to the area over the years. Oh, and did I mention Marc de la Concha’s name?
Marc can be reached at www.marcdelaconcha.com and for more information about Millbrook see www.millbrookplayhouse.com.
Millbrook Playhouse presented an original play as a fund raiser this week. Coral Springs SOS! was written by Marc de la Concha and Mary Catherine Burke and was not only a perfect show for making an audience aware of the financial considerations of theatre, but it highlighted the talents of this up and coming young man.
Deloris Rabinowitz, played by Marc de la Concha, is on a one woman crusade-- to save her beloved Coral Springs Theater from being turned into a movie multiplex theater. In doing so , she relives some of her favorite parts and some of her favorite actresses doing her favorite parts. This of course, gives the audience a chance to see Marc de la Concha be everything from a nice Jewish lady trying to talk the “board members” into raising the money, to a young Hispanic girl in her best scene from Footloose, Jr., to a very butch set designer paying homage to Stomp -- trashcan lids included.
Well, you get the picture. It was a fast paced, funny show. I hope that members of the audience left the theater realizing how important it is to support live theater and with respect for the talent that Millbrook Playhouse has brought to the area over the years. Oh, and did I mention Marc de la Concha’s name?
Marc can be reached at www.marcdelaconcha.com and for more information about Millbrook see www.millbrookplayhouse.com.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
BOOK REVIEW: Fahrenheit 451
Rarely do I reread a book, but several exceptions have been made. Recently, I convinced my “anti-science-fiction” book group to try Ray Bradbury. I had remembered enjoying FAHRENHEIT 451 back when it first was published. (That was about sixty years ago if you are counting.) Back then my first impression was a book about censorship and the good guy running from the bad guys. I am so glad that I reread it as an adult.
451 degrees is the temperature that paper burns. This is an important fact to Guy Montag who is a fireman. The difference between Montag and the firemen we know is that Montag’s job is to start fires. In his world, books have been outlawed and the citizen found with hidden books has the books, as well as his house and his belongings, burned to the ground.
One evening, going home from work, Montag meets Clarisse whose conversation opens his eyes to the wonders around him and she tells him of a past when people were not afraid. Later he meets Professor Faber who tells him of a future when people could think.
Montag starts to be aware of how empty the lives around him are. Conversations are about television shows that do and say nothing. Attempted suicides are commonplace and neighbors and family members are quick to report hidden books. Soon he is a rebel running from the authorities, hunting a safe haven outside of the city.
This book has been controversial since it was published. Ironically, considering the subject, it has been banned in many areas and even though it is now on most high school required reading list, it has been the subject of recent court cases.
While reading it this time, I became more aware that it was not the government that originally outlawed books. It was the apathy of the people. Books became more and more condensed until they no longer existed. Then the authorities discovered that a public that did not read did not think and, therefore, was much easier to control. Montag’s world bears a frightening resemblance to our world.
Good Science Fiction should always be a warning of things that could happen. Ray Bradbury is among the leaders in this category. In 1953, before most homes had television sets, he was writing about TV screens that filled the wall of a room. Add his excellent use of language to his ability to see where society could go and it is easy to understand why he has stayed on top of his field for so many years.
FAHRENHEIT 451 will remain a favorite among people who love books for generations to come. I will probably read it again in another sixty years.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
BOOK REVIEW: American Gospel
The struggle between religion and state has been a big part of the history of the United States. Since our Founding Fathers wrote the Constitution, the country has met with the problem of “all men are created equal” and that all “are endowed by their Creator with inherent and inalienable rights”.
Jon Meacham explains how religion has shaped our country, without controlling it, in his best seller, AMERICAN GOSPEL. From our Founding Fathers through our modern presidents, Freedom of Religion has been woven throughout our history. Meacham’s book shows how the Founding Fathers worked to create a nation in which belief in God is a matter of choice.
Less than one hundred years after the work on the Constitution was finished, our nation was at war over the right of a state to own slaves. Each side firmly believed that God was on their side during the Civil War. Since that time, debates over religion and politics have proved to be more divisive than illuminating. Meacham shows us that no extreme is right. He quotes men of strong faith on all sides of an issue, including the men of no faith.
The men who shaped our nation were a group of diverse religious conviction. What Franklin called “public religion” was a belief that all humans have inalienable rights in a nation that protects private religion from government. Lincoln later called on “the better angels of our nature” to help recover the spirit and sense of the Founding Fathers.
I found it interesting how some of our modern Presidents used religion. There was much fear when John F. Kennedy, our first Catholic president, took office. His detractors were sure that our country would be run from the Vatican. While Jimmy Carter was president, his faith was of concern. These two presidents probably worked harder to keep the wall between religion and government intact than most public officials have done.
On the other hand many presidents have used the office to further their own beliefs. Teddy Roosevelt once remarked that the office was “a bully pulpit”.
Meacham has written an informative, well researched book. It is a hard book to review without putting too much of myself into it, though I would like to make the last chapter mandated reading-- if that doesn’t go against the spirit of the book. In this chapter, Chapter VI - Our Hope for Years to Come, he opens with a quote from Thomas Jefferson: Our particular principles of religion are a subject of accountability to our God alone. I inquire after no man’s and trouble none with mine; nor is it given to us in this life to know whether yours or mine, our friend or our foe’s, are exactly right."
AMERICAN GOSPEL helps to keep a perspective on right, wrong, and the government during a time when faith and freedom have become increasingly polarized.
Jon Meacham explains how religion has shaped our country, without controlling it, in his best seller, AMERICAN GOSPEL. From our Founding Fathers through our modern presidents, Freedom of Religion has been woven throughout our history. Meacham’s book shows how the Founding Fathers worked to create a nation in which belief in God is a matter of choice.
Less than one hundred years after the work on the Constitution was finished, our nation was at war over the right of a state to own slaves. Each side firmly believed that God was on their side during the Civil War. Since that time, debates over religion and politics have proved to be more divisive than illuminating. Meacham shows us that no extreme is right. He quotes men of strong faith on all sides of an issue, including the men of no faith.
The men who shaped our nation were a group of diverse religious conviction. What Franklin called “public religion” was a belief that all humans have inalienable rights in a nation that protects private religion from government. Lincoln later called on “the better angels of our nature” to help recover the spirit and sense of the Founding Fathers.
I found it interesting how some of our modern Presidents used religion. There was much fear when John F. Kennedy, our first Catholic president, took office. His detractors were sure that our country would be run from the Vatican. While Jimmy Carter was president, his faith was of concern. These two presidents probably worked harder to keep the wall between religion and government intact than most public officials have done.
On the other hand many presidents have used the office to further their own beliefs. Teddy Roosevelt once remarked that the office was “a bully pulpit”.
Meacham has written an informative, well researched book. It is a hard book to review without putting too much of myself into it, though I would like to make the last chapter mandated reading-- if that doesn’t go against the spirit of the book. In this chapter, Chapter VI - Our Hope for Years to Come, he opens with a quote from Thomas Jefferson: Our particular principles of religion are a subject of accountability to our God alone. I inquire after no man’s and trouble none with mine; nor is it given to us in this life to know whether yours or mine, our friend or our foe’s, are exactly right."
AMERICAN GOSPEL helps to keep a perspective on right, wrong, and the government during a time when faith and freedom have become increasingly polarized.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
BOOK REVIEW: Redfield Farm
Our book group knew that the author of this month’s book would be joining us. This is a scene that can be very uncomfortable ---- what do I say if I really thought the book was terrible? However, once I started reading, I could not wait to meet her, especially in the company of women who enjoy a good book.
REDFIELD FARM, by Judith Redline Coopey, is a novel about the Underground Railroad in Bedford County, Pennsylvania in the 1860's. The story is told by Ann Redfield, a Quaker woman who grew up on a farm near Dunning Creek with her brothers and sisters.
Ann is nine when the story opens and devoted to her eleven year old brother, Jesse. When she learns that he is involved with helping escaped slaves get to Canada, there is no question but that she will help in any way. After all, it is easy for a young Quaker girl to transport the passengers; no one would suspect her.
Her life is complicated by the local authorities and there is reason to think that the brothers of scrawny Pru Hartey may be working with the slave catchers. Pru is always sneaking around the farm and when she leaves, something is usually missing.
One night Jesse comes home deathly ill and with Josiah, a very sick run-away. Ann nurses both of them back to health, but Josiah has been too ill to move on. Over the winter, Ann teaches Josiah to read and write and when a disappointment almost crushes Ann, Josiah is there to comfort her. They develop a life-long relationship to each other and the cause that brought them together, the Underground Railroad.
Ann’s story is told in a calm voice and it is easy to see why she is the rock of her family. The tragedies of her life are serenely accepted. As she ages and loses those who are so important to her, our admiration for her grows.
A very strong part of this book is the descriptions of the other characters in Ann’s life. We feel that we know them. Even Pru Hartey becomes real and finally a figure of sympathy.
I really enjoyed REDFIELD FARM. I understand that Ms Coopey is already to have another book published. I hope that I can get it right off the press as I did this one because this is an author to watch.
NOTE: Ms. Coopey is currently doing a book tour for REDFIELD FARM. If you would be interested in having Ms. Coopey come to your area, please contact me and I will forward you her information.
REDFIELD FARM, by Judith Redline Coopey, is a novel about the Underground Railroad in Bedford County, Pennsylvania in the 1860's. The story is told by Ann Redfield, a Quaker woman who grew up on a farm near Dunning Creek with her brothers and sisters.
Ann is nine when the story opens and devoted to her eleven year old brother, Jesse. When she learns that he is involved with helping escaped slaves get to Canada, there is no question but that she will help in any way. After all, it is easy for a young Quaker girl to transport the passengers; no one would suspect her.
Her life is complicated by the local authorities and there is reason to think that the brothers of scrawny Pru Hartey may be working with the slave catchers. Pru is always sneaking around the farm and when she leaves, something is usually missing.
One night Jesse comes home deathly ill and with Josiah, a very sick run-away. Ann nurses both of them back to health, but Josiah has been too ill to move on. Over the winter, Ann teaches Josiah to read and write and when a disappointment almost crushes Ann, Josiah is there to comfort her. They develop a life-long relationship to each other and the cause that brought them together, the Underground Railroad.
Ann’s story is told in a calm voice and it is easy to see why she is the rock of her family. The tragedies of her life are serenely accepted. As she ages and loses those who are so important to her, our admiration for her grows.
A very strong part of this book is the descriptions of the other characters in Ann’s life. We feel that we know them. Even Pru Hartey becomes real and finally a figure of sympathy.
I really enjoyed REDFIELD FARM. I understand that Ms Coopey is already to have another book published. I hope that I can get it right off the press as I did this one because this is an author to watch.
NOTE: Ms. Coopey is currently doing a book tour for REDFIELD FARM. If you would be interested in having Ms. Coopey come to your area, please contact me and I will forward you her information.
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