1 to 10 of 10
Review Date: 8/28/2009
The writing is fantastic. Follows in the vein of other South American literature. Witty, sarcastic, humorous and tragic.
Story follows the "discovery" of the clitoris by at 16th century physician in Venice, Mateo Colomo. Details his discovery and its aftermath.
Story follows the "discovery" of the clitoris by at 16th century physician in Venice, Mateo Colomo. Details his discovery and its aftermath.
Review Date: 2/10/2013
Helpful Score: 1
Novel began well. Man who loves sex and is not a man whore.
It was even more interesting when he author yields to character Mohan to finish the novel.
It was very disappointing in that the book felt flat. Perhaps the translation is to blame I'm not sure.
The ending with Mohan falling victim to AIDS seemed overkill.
His death by pills was was even more so
It was even more interesting when he author yields to character Mohan to finish the novel.
It was very disappointing in that the book felt flat. Perhaps the translation is to blame I'm not sure.
The ending with Mohan falling victim to AIDS seemed overkill.
His death by pills was was even more so
Review Date: 12/3/2009
It was a bittersweet pleasure to read and now finish the Buru Quartet.
Raden Mas Minke is now in exile. The House of Glass is told from the person responsible for it - policeman Tuan Pangemann. It is a great counterpart to the earlier trilogy written in Minke's voice. It presents the colonial view.
Pangemann writes of his qualifications and demonstrates an excellent understanding of his culture. Unfortunately, he does not realize who he is and the damage his reports are responsible for. Even as he admires and respects Minke, he is responsible for undermining the development of his own people and Indonesia to the benefit of all others, the Europeans and Chinese.
Such people are responsible for the power of Europeans and Chinese even today. Very little of the history and culture is available to its people and visitors.
Raden Mas Minke is now in exile. The House of Glass is told from the person responsible for it - policeman Tuan Pangemann. It is a great counterpart to the earlier trilogy written in Minke's voice. It presents the colonial view.
Pangemann writes of his qualifications and demonstrates an excellent understanding of his culture. Unfortunately, he does not realize who he is and the damage his reports are responsible for. Even as he admires and respects Minke, he is responsible for undermining the development of his own people and Indonesia to the benefit of all others, the Europeans and Chinese.
Such people are responsible for the power of Europeans and Chinese even today. Very little of the history and culture is available to its people and visitors.
Review Date: 7/3/2013
Helpful Score: 1
This book should be required reading. The US has not adjusted its political outlook since the end of the Cold War. We're no longer dealing with nation-states but individuals operating in cells across a multitude of countries. Operating under the umbrella of their view of Islam.
The first and most important issue it brings forth is that we've "occupied" in the country where their holiest sites (Mecca & Medina) are located since 1990 (Gulf War). The second is that we have supported the autocratic regimes of Mubarak (Egypt), Assad (Syria), Putin (Russia) and Hussein (Iraq), to name a few.
The rhetoric of bring democracy and our value system are nice but they are not realistic. Our best option is to be like Kiva - loan money to have them do it themselves: update water systems, build schools, etc. We've had 300+ years to be where we are and we're still having growing pains. Currently certain states are regressing to pre-70s attitudes.
The first and most important issue it brings forth is that we've "occupied" in the country where their holiest sites (Mecca & Medina) are located since 1990 (Gulf War). The second is that we have supported the autocratic regimes of Mubarak (Egypt), Assad (Syria), Putin (Russia) and Hussein (Iraq), to name a few.
The rhetoric of bring democracy and our value system are nice but they are not realistic. Our best option is to be like Kiva - loan money to have them do it themselves: update water systems, build schools, etc. We've had 300+ years to be where we are and we're still having growing pains. Currently certain states are regressing to pre-70s attitudes.
Review Date: 3/4/2009
Library read. Had already viewed MSNBC special and was very excited to read more about it.
My expectations were certainly not met. Equal parts due to the writing and the material.
My expectations were certainly not met. Equal parts due to the writing and the material.
Review Date: 11/30/2009
Helpful Score: 5
A wonderful read. Funny and yet it definitely speaks true to how relationships ebb and flow.
Reading it, I laughed and almost cried.
Reading it, I laughed and almost cried.
Review Date: 7/19/2011
Formulaic. Depressing and lacking depth. In addition, the author has seen fit to split the story into a 2nd book.
Review Date: 7/27/2011
Enjoyed the book very much. Plot well planned and characters developed.
Review Date: 11/19/2009
alin's purges at their most intimate level. Over 30 million people were lost to his insecurity.
This book covers two generations (mother, grandfather) up to his own. Owen Matthews writes intimately but not overly emotionally of the pain visited upon his mother's family. The Russian epoch includes Owen and his finding of a Russian spouse.
The largest part of the book deals with his parents' rather improbable romance. His father, Mervyn Matthews, to escape his background, became enamored with Russia. His fascination found him in Russia first with the British embassy. Then on an educational exchange he meets Lyudmila who shares his disturbed history, emotional and physical. Their relationship builds until they are engaged. The Russian bureaucracy and the KGB refuse their permit to marry as Mervyn refused to collaborate with the KGB after several very expensive overtures. He was promptly declared persona non grata and left without Lyudmila. It took five years and dogged determination on Mervyn's part to finally allow Lyudmila an exit visa. During their separation, the letters were more powerful and lasted longer than the love in their marriage.
I would have liked to have some more background information but the very very basics were covered especially the Lubyanka prison.
I would recommend this book to any Russian history buff looking for a more personal view on the Stalinist purge.
This book covers two generations (mother, grandfather) up to his own. Owen Matthews writes intimately but not overly emotionally of the pain visited upon his mother's family. The Russian epoch includes Owen and his finding of a Russian spouse.
The largest part of the book deals with his parents' rather improbable romance. His father, Mervyn Matthews, to escape his background, became enamored with Russia. His fascination found him in Russia first with the British embassy. Then on an educational exchange he meets Lyudmila who shares his disturbed history, emotional and physical. Their relationship builds until they are engaged. The Russian bureaucracy and the KGB refuse their permit to marry as Mervyn refused to collaborate with the KGB after several very expensive overtures. He was promptly declared persona non grata and left without Lyudmila. It took five years and dogged determination on Mervyn's part to finally allow Lyudmila an exit visa. During their separation, the letters were more powerful and lasted longer than the love in their marriage.
I would have liked to have some more background information but the very very basics were covered especially the Lubyanka prison.
I would recommend this book to any Russian history buff looking for a more personal view on the Stalinist purge.
Review Date: 12/13/2013
The writing and topic are spot on. I still have reservations about presenting any one person as being able to "save" another.
1 to 10 of 10
