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Review Date: 6/7/2012
Helpful Score: 1
Jose Saramago is one of my favorite authors; however, he does have a very different style of writing so his books aren't for everyone. I find his Portuguese style very similar to a lot of the Latin American writers I read; Gabriel Marquez to name one.
"All the Names" is a wonderful book about life in the twentieth century where people are numbers and are easily filed away. A file clerk goes not only outside his world, which is small, but also escapes his own nature to track down a woman whose name he has happened upon. His discovery is both tragic and heoric, in my opinion, because changing our own nature is the most difficult thing in life to do.
"All the Names" is a wonderful book about life in the twentieth century where people are numbers and are easily filed away. A file clerk goes not only outside his world, which is small, but also escapes his own nature to track down a woman whose name he has happened upon. His discovery is both tragic and heoric, in my opinion, because changing our own nature is the most difficult thing in life to do.
Review Date: 7/26/2014
I don't feel there is much writing advice in this book and less advice on living. The writing advice is to write: there isn't any discussion on form or format. The living part is mean spirited and self absorbed. The author is very negative and fails to own her additive personality. Toward the end of the book she even claims that life is dead. I was blown away by this statement. While there are certainly problems in the world, I hardly think life is dead. Only people with closed eyes or hearts could make that statement. This book was a waste of time.
Review Date: 6/19/2012
I disturbing book about human nature. Saramago is one of my favorite authors, and this is written in a more common style than the other novels by this author though I love his unique style. "Blindness" addresses human nature both in a positive and negative way. It also addresses the fear and inadequate nature of governments, all governments. This is a great read though not a lite read.
Review Date: 6/19/2012
This is one of my favorite Saramago books. While his style of writing takes some adjustment, once you get the hang of his style I believe you'll love it. I like to tell people Saramago writes like we think; free-form. "The Cave" offers life lessons on the twenty-first century and how individuality has lost favor as well as the sense that family is everything. This is a refreshing book with so many lessons.
Review Date: 6/6/2013
If I wrote that I grabbed this book, sat on the couch on my front porch because thats where the comfortable couch is, hung a pest strip to keep the bugs away, opened a Bud, and enjoyed this book, youd have a picture of me AND my class in your mind.
What if I told you I dont drink, my couch is in my living room surrounded by bookcases full of books Ive read and a few I have yet to read, Im a vegetarian who is working on her Masters in Rhetoric and Technical Communication, and I thoroughly enjoyed this work.
This is the point to Class. We all accidently judge and its not right, but we do it anyway. Fussell is over the top. I believe he has to be to make his point, a satirical point. Ive read several of his other works, and he is a man possessed with the study of rhetoric and how people, himself included, accidently let rhetoric make their minds up for them instead of using their critical thinking skills. Fussells examples are dated; however, we can all fill-in new examples.
A prime example is the iPhone. Look at the lines of people when a new iPhone comes out and most of these people have the previous addition. They are convinced they need this new device, but the fact is no matter what is added, it will still be just a phone.
We are a world obsessed with not only class and judging others but also a world obsessed with thinking our possessions make us who we are. I believe Fussell is following through on Dr. M. L. Kings message that the content of character is what should be important, and Fussell goes so over the top, satire, that we really end up thinking or re-thinking everything we think we know about ourselves and others.
Therefore I recommend this book because it touches on everything we think, see, and say.
What if I told you I dont drink, my couch is in my living room surrounded by bookcases full of books Ive read and a few I have yet to read, Im a vegetarian who is working on her Masters in Rhetoric and Technical Communication, and I thoroughly enjoyed this work.
This is the point to Class. We all accidently judge and its not right, but we do it anyway. Fussell is over the top. I believe he has to be to make his point, a satirical point. Ive read several of his other works, and he is a man possessed with the study of rhetoric and how people, himself included, accidently let rhetoric make their minds up for them instead of using their critical thinking skills. Fussells examples are dated; however, we can all fill-in new examples.
A prime example is the iPhone. Look at the lines of people when a new iPhone comes out and most of these people have the previous addition. They are convinced they need this new device, but the fact is no matter what is added, it will still be just a phone.
We are a world obsessed with not only class and judging others but also a world obsessed with thinking our possessions make us who we are. I believe Fussell is following through on Dr. M. L. Kings message that the content of character is what should be important, and Fussell goes so over the top, satire, that we really end up thinking or re-thinking everything we think we know about ourselves and others.
Therefore I recommend this book because it touches on everything we think, see, and say.
Review Date: 5/31/2012
Jose Saramago is my favorite writer though his style can be off-putting to the novice. He writes not only the way my brain thinks but very similar to a lot of Central and South American writers. Like foreign writes, Saramago has a depth I seldom find in American authors and moral lesson to his novels. "The Double" is no exception. It raises many issues and makes one think about things that we take for granted; such as individuality. This is a great novel.
Review Date: 4/13/2012
Helpful Score: 1
Steve Allen takes on the dumbing down of America. The book was written years ago, but I believe has more truth today than it did when it was written. This was a re-read for me, and I enjoyed it more the second time than the first, age. I would recommend this book.
Review Date: 2/15/2012
Helpful Score: 1
I was a little apprehensive reading a book about a prostitute. I just normally don't read books about that particular subject; however, I love this author and this book isn't about prostitution. It's about a woman who happens to be a prostitute. Maria, the protangonist, is a delighful, inquisitive young woman who feels trapped by life and unable, or unwilling, to love. The book is about understanding true love even when it hurts, and the author does an amazaing job conveying what real love and true happiness are. Like all Paulo Coelho books, this book is wonderful and uplifting. Mr. Coelho gets into the head of the protagonist. The book is about thoughts not the actions of Maria. There is one mild sado-masacistic sex scene with not much description but that leads to a beautiful scene about pain and suffering. I thought the brief scene was necessary so the subsequent scenes would carry more weight. I would recommend this book to Coelho fans or people looking for a new author. It is wonderful and heatwarming.
Review Date: 7/18/2012
This is the first Milan Kundera book I've read. I enjoyed this novel. The struggles detailed in the protagonist are applicable to everyone at every age although the protangonist took interesting turns. I enjoyed the connectedness of not only every person but every situation in the novel. Kundera also injects long dead artists, writers and philosophers to stress points. I read a lot of foreign authors and Kundera fits beautifully into the scattered style of technique I'm used to in these authors including the author talking to the reader. I find the writing of foreign to be much deeper and more meaningful than current American novelists.
Review Date: 3/27/2012
Helpful Score: 4
This is an important account of the holocaust. The author does not give endless gruesome details, and at this point in history, I dont think that is necessary; however, he does describe a pointed emotional hell and recounts a story that needs, in my opinion, to be continuously told to new generations least we forget. I would recommend this book for anyone sixteen and above.
I myself needed to be reminded of a history I didn't live through.
I myself needed to be reminded of a history I didn't live through.
Review Date: 10/27/2013
Magical Realism is my favourite genre, and historians say this book started it all. I really enjoyed this story though it is not typical for most readers. You're never sure where dream begins and reality ends as well as who is alive or dead. The symbolism is wonderful and historical perspectives of the Mexican Revolution.
Review Date: 3/16/2014
I enjoy this author though I must say he is very abrasive, doesn't sugar coat things.
The title is just one essay or chapter and it's important to realize Fussell clearly states his prospective is that of a WWII soldier who is on his way to invade Japan when the bomb is dropped. At that particular moment he is grateful the war will soon end and feels later speculation especially from those not in the trenches isn't worthwhile.
The book then goes on to discuss tourism verses travel and many other topics. I liked how he distinguished between tourism, safe, seeing what others feel is important, and travel, fear.
I like reading different perspectives so very much enjoyed this book.
The title is just one essay or chapter and it's important to realize Fussell clearly states his prospective is that of a WWII soldier who is on his way to invade Japan when the bomb is dropped. At that particular moment he is grateful the war will soon end and feels later speculation especially from those not in the trenches isn't worthwhile.
The book then goes on to discuss tourism verses travel and many other topics. I liked how he distinguished between tourism, safe, seeing what others feel is important, and travel, fear.
I like reading different perspectives so very much enjoyed this book.
Review Date: 2/15/2012
Veronika at age twenty-four decides she has lived enough and it's time to die. She ends up in a mental hospital and learns how to live. I thought "The Alchemist" would remain my favorite Coelho book, but this one is close or at least tied for first. It's a wonder story about free thinkers, the 'insane', and community. Like most Coelho books, this book reminds us it's okay to not be average, though one must be very careful in a world that prizes and rewards average. The characters Mr. Coelho has created come to life as he has situation after situation where we, through his characters, are forced to re-evaluate ourselves. It was a wonderful book and very positive. I loved the doctor in charge of the hospital. He might be the only insane one in the hospital.
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