Roman Grady is the town’s sole newspaper reporter. When his partner, Ashley is murdered, he wants answers, but all he gets is more questions.
He livesRoman Grady is the town’s sole newspaper reporter. When his partner, Ashley is murdered, he wants answers, but all he gets is more questions.
He lives with his son and his mother Tara. It is a tense relationship. The more he tries to find answers, the more people seem to pull away and hide. What is going on? And, why did someone kill Ashley?
Dahl showcases how a small community of friends and family explore grief, love and deceit, while figuring out why one of their own was murdered. With too many characters to keep track of initially, this immersive story finally comes together as a portrait of a family struggling through tragedy. ...more
“It is only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on Earth and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up that we begi“It is only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on Earth and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up that we begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it were the only one we had.” – Elisabeth Kubler-Ross
What if there was a way for you to know when and how you would die? Would you want to know?
“Cause of death. Age of death. It’s really very simple.”
And, having this information, would you consider or actually do anything to change the way you are living now?
“Fate won’t be fought.”
Is this information a gift or a curse to receive? Is it a gift or a curse to have this knowledge?
“She was a determinist. The idea of determinism, …is that everything that happens, and every decision or action you make, is ‘causally inevitable.’ Why? Because everything is caused by something else: a preceding action, event, or situation.”
In this story, it starts with people on a delayed plane who don’t notice her. And, then she gets up and begins to share with each passenger their fate. At first most don’t understand what she is saying, but those who finally do, how will this information change the trajectory of their lives?
“No one can see the future. Oncologists can. Oncologists, neurologists, cardiologists, hematologists. All those damned ‘ologists.’ They’re the fortune tellers. They don’t read your cards, they read your blood tests, your scans, your genetic tests, and see terrible things in your future.”
How many of us can relate to this above quote about the ‘ologists?’ I know I can, as I await my own test results after my treatments. Do I want to know? When we are invested in living, it becomes important, yes? Is this the author’s message?
Back to this book…
And, now it becomes the plane passengers’ story. And, “The Death Lady” eventually to be revealed to readers. Which then makes it our story…to read. Several characters. Several pages (495 pages).
Who is “The Death Lady” person, who has predicted these fates? Will we as readers care about her backstory? Will we as readers care about the fate of these passengers? Will some of these characters have an elevated awareness of their mortality and find a way to change their fate?
Mostly, will this be a good thriller mystery or a need for readers to keep turning pages until we find the answers as to what happens to all these people?
Interesting premise, that starts strong, but falls flat in its delivery.
Readers need to be aware that there may be some triggers: self-harm, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and domestic violence.
This was a donation to my Little Free Library Shed that I forgot to put in my currently reading pile.
Where do I begin? Let me start with this next quThis was a donation to my Little Free Library Shed that I forgot to put in my currently reading pile.
Where do I begin? Let me start with this next question. How do you get in to a story where none of the characters are likable? Do you continue reading and hope that they change? That maybe something good comes out of their character?
The book starts with a young boy finding a dead body. Who is it? Who did it? And, that is when all the characters enter the story. Gossips. Cheaters. Hypocrites. Of course, any one of them, right?
The problem for readers is that with so many objectionable characters, who really cares who died or who did it?
The author considered her work, “social satire, with a sprinkling of mystery and a dash of White Lotus escapism.” (For those who are not familiar, White Lotus was a series on HBO. It was described as a ‘platonic ideal of the island getaway. A portal to a pristine, natural world, where you can forget your cares and where you can get pineapple at McDonald’s.’)
For me this book was anything but…shallow. Boring. Little substance. Difficult to connect to because of unlikable characters. Maybe other readers will feel differently. I may be an outlier....more
Meow! Purr! And, yoga! Who could ask for more? How about murder? Yikes!! Let us start with the kitties.
Ashley Branson opens a yoga studio called A PuMeow! Purr! And, yoga! Who could ask for more? How about murder? Yikes!! Let us start with the kitties.
Ashley Branson opens a yoga studio called A Purrfect Pose that helps people find inner peace, because it also provides cats for adoption. But unfortunately, one of her clients is found dead, and her brother is accused of the murder. What will happen to her business now? And, does this mean she becomes a bit of an investigator, too? In some ways this drags the story down a bit, as does her dysfunctional family.
There are so many characters to keep track of in this story that it becomes difficult at times to know who is who. Yet, the premise of a yoga studio with kitties for adoption seemed sweet. Still, it will be hard to imagine what other trouble could occur in future stories for this series. If it involves her family members, that may not be worth following.
3 stars with .5 upward for the kitties for adoption concept! ...more
To be honest, I wouldn’t have given this book a second look hadn’t I been reading an article in my local newspaper about it. Fantasy isn’t really my gTo be honest, I wouldn’t have given this book a second look hadn’t I been reading an article in my local newspaper about it. Fantasy isn’t really my genre, even if I love magical realism, this isn’t the way I love to read it or see it play out.
But it shared that this book was based on ‘Pride and Prejudice’ by Jane Austen. I recently re-visited that one earlier this year and loved it. My review is here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
So, here I am. Attempting to make sense of it. But as I read it, I was wondering where the similarity was to Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. I could definitely see the fantasy retelling of Antony and Cleopatra. Was that supposed to be it?
I believe fantasy lovers will enjoy this plot. It is fast paced with a competition that is key to the plot. (Think Hunger Games.) Still, if readers are interested in getting information, it is slow to be revealed leading to many twists along the way.
In many fantasy realms, power and abuse of power is key, as well as what characters will do to gain it. So, what characters are willing to do, will be the moral question of the day in a story like this.
And, as I mentioned, this is not my thing, so I found myself bored, uninterested, disappointed, and ready to close this book and be done.
I believe, I am an outlier. Please read other reviews in which fantasy lovers will most likely feel more engaged with the plot. Like my Goodreads friend, Sara Machado and her beautiful review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show......more
“The future is unwritten, brimming with potential.”
Believe it or not, this was not an overnight read. I took my time with this one, in-between other n“The future is unwritten, brimming with potential.”
Believe it or not, this was not an overnight read. I took my time with this one, in-between other novels. Of course, I would. It is after all 542 pages.
Kuang our author is also a translator. So, writing a story about a fictional place called Babel fits.
She has created a story where bright children are taken from all corners of the British empire, circa 1830’s, fluent in Chinese or Arabic, raised in England and put to work at Babel to translate. They are there to benefit the rich in London.
Readers are following Robin from childhood in China, through his “upbringing” at Babel, and his hope that through translation it will bring people together.
“We’re here to make magic with words.”
Still, our protagonist Robin is a complicated character. He may have been born into poverty in China and raised by a wealthy father in England, but this background only seems to add to his impediments. He’s overprivileged, middle-classed, brave at times, noble, too and sometimes naïve. He really wants the best, but he isn’t quite sure how to always make it happen.
“Words tell stories. Specifically, the history of those words – how they came into use, and how their meaning morphed into what they mean today – tell us just as much about a people, if not more, than any other kind of historical artifact.”
While Babel primarily follows Robin, readers also get glimpses into the lives of his three Babel classmates, Ramy, Victoire, and Letty. Each of them will have their own unique story. And, they are all flawed and engaging characters for readers, to follow.
Still, this story is not an easy read. At times, it can be thoughtful, character driven with beautiful prose. But it is also grim and harrowing, at other times. And, not all characters are likable and their opinions are sometimes detestable and difficult to read. But it will also be an interesting, dark and haunting view of historical fiction.
For some readers this story is considered a masterpiece. For others it is a difficult slog. For others it is a meaningful artful read. I haven’t decided how I feel yet. I am still digesting it. And, a bit, in-between about it. The way I read it. Which puts me at 4 stars....more
“Read your own obituary notice; they say you live longer.” – James Joyce, Ulysses
It begins with the last word. (Hence: the title of the book!) Will th“Read your own obituary notice; they say you live longer.” – James Joyce, Ulysses
It begins with the last word. (Hence: the title of the book!) Will the clue be the writing retreat? Am I getting ahead of myself? Or did the book title tell all? Maybe it all started with…
If only I hadn’t…
What could those words possibly mean?
But let us start at the beginning. Two sisters are beside themselves. Minnie and Harmony are convinced that their mother, Melody Chambers, a writer, has been murdered by her second husband, a pharmacist, Alan Franklin, who just happened to be younger than her, so that he could abscond with her estate. After all, it wasn’t meant for him. It was meant for them.
So, what does the mother’s murder have to do with a writing retreat? And, did you hear about all those women dying who belonged to a book club? Be careful ladies who belong to a book club!
Enter, an unlikely duo, elderly Edwin Fitzgerald and Natalka Kolisnyk, a young Ukrainian woman who run a detective agency with the assistance of her ex-monk boyfriend, Benedict Cole. With a cameo appearance from Detective Sergeant Harbinger Kaur. (For those who may be familiar or who don’t know DS Harbinger Kaur, she was first introduced in “The Stranger Diaries.” She is best known as a gay Sikh detective in West Sussex.)
Edwin and Natalka have been asked to uncover the “accidental death” of Minnie and Harmony’s mother as a possible murder. And, in order to do so, they must attend her last known locations. Hence, the writing retreat. And, this is where things get dicey. Lots of characters to keep track of and more murders to add to the growing list of things to solve.
So, who is the culprit and why? And, why are all these other people getting murdered, too?
Readers will have a good time trying to unravel this twisted tale that will have them turning pages to figure things out. If readers can be patient, it may lead them to a satisfactory end.
This is Alma’s story – well, her story as a writer of a lot of unfinished manuscripts. What will she do with all her stories that she could not find aThis is Alma’s story – well, her story as a writer of a lot of unfinished manuscripts. What will she do with all her stories that she could not find an ending for? In her mind, the best solution was to purchase a plot of land and build a proper graveyard and give them a proper burial. (Hence: the title of the book!)
Thus, a most unusual story. And, the locals are up in arms trying to figure out what is going on with this neighbor. Of course, everyone loves a great author, but an author who is going to bury her words? Maybe there can be a festival for storytelling of tales untold that we all can participate in? (Some of the rantings of the neighbors!) Regardless, Alma’s own stories are going to find their place.
And, before we know it, readers are bombarded with a multitude of characters to keep up with as Alma intends to bury her stories. Are Alma’s stories coming to life on their own?
In many ways, for this reader, I felt confused. I wasn’t sure I was following where this story was going, or if I wanted to go along for the ride from Vermont to the Dominican Republic. Or even if I liked Alma. All I wanted was for the story to end.
But in all fairness, there was still something magical and witty and earnest and strange that made me continue to read it. Did that make me weird?
This is a sequel to the authors previous book, “Brooklyn,” and maybe even a companion to his book, “Nora Webster,” but it doesn’t fully read like one.This is a sequel to the authors previous book, “Brooklyn,” and maybe even a companion to his book, “Nora Webster,” but it doesn’t fully read like one. In other words, I didn’t realize that Eilis’s story began in “Brooklyn,” until I was mid-way through the story. Or, the story of Eilis’ mother, Mrs. Lacey from ‘Nora Webster’ would come up again here. Which meant, that if you read ‘Brooklyn’ by the author years ago, or hadn’t read ‘Brooklyn,’ or even ‘Nora Webster’ you aren’t going to feel fully lost by reading ‘Long Island.’ The author gives us a sense of both of their past history, so we can follow along on this journey.
And, when it had to do with Eilis, I found myself most engaged in the storyline. She (to me) was the most interesting and vivid character of all of them. I liked the way she stands up for what she believes in and what she chooses for her destiny.
Because living in the time she is, there are many social norms and family expectations, and constraints.
What her husband chooses to do, and his family’s response to it, and her response gives readers an opportunity to choose sides. (At least, that is how I felt.) And, join her as she explores finding her past and reconnecting with her mother, in Ireland. And, perhaps something she left behind in Ireland (first love?) that may deserve a second chance.
The problem for me was that “Brooklyn” and “Nora Webster” were so far in the distance, and the character list was so long, that I had a hard time keeping track of everyone at times. So much plot and incidents and twists and declarations, that I found myself feeling a bit frustrated by it all. I preferred the scenes with Eilis and just wanted to find out what she was going to decide for herself.
The book is a slow build that picks up at the end, where sometimes characters are left with unanswered questions.
Still, the question will be, do we as readers find satisfaction by the time we reach the end of this story? Or, will the same thing happen to us – unanswered questions?...more
Do you ever wonder where a story is going and then when it finally gets there, you weren’t sure you should have waited around to see?
When it takes thaDo you ever wonder where a story is going and then when it finally gets there, you weren’t sure you should have waited around to see?
When it takes that much discussion to see who did what and why – and then that many flips and flops as to why about the why so that we as readers are supposed to be satisfied about the why?
Hmmm… should we be satisfied with the final outcome?
So, should I have started with the end here?
Kiki didn’t love Jamie enough to marry him, so she broke up with him. And, then she sees him at a book launch for a mutual friend of theirs. He says he is doing fine. But afterwards she discovers he has supposedly committed suicide. Kiki doesn’t believe he has, even though the police are convinced.
Now, what does this have to do with the murder of a girl that happened 4 years earlier? There is an unknown narrator here, too to provide more confusion.
So, Kiki may be an engaging main character who wants to believe that Jamie didn’t kill himself, and that he didn’t kill this girl 4 years ago. And, she will do everything to figure this out. Even putting herself in danger. Isn’t that typically what amateur sleuths do in murder mysteries?
And, that is what leads me to all those questions above.
Maybe others may find this an intriguing and complex psychological thriller. I found it a bit messy needing too much explanation to make it plausible....more
It would be so easy if it was just Amy and Steve Wheeler as characters. Maybe just Rosie, too. But then the“We Solve Murders. Great name for a book.”
It would be so easy if it was just Amy and Steve Wheeler as characters. Maybe just Rosie, too. But then there is someone named Francois Loubet? And Joe Blow. Who are these people? And why does Francois Loubet insist on wanting to kill Amy and all these other people?
But that isn’t enough. There are so many other characters that I find I am having to make a list. Can I keep track of who is who? And how they relate to whom? Am I getting confused? Yes, I am. But let me try and get on track here.
So, let’s just say we have main characters Steve and Amy. Steve is a retired cop who is a widower who enjoys talking to his late wife Debbie on her memorial bench, while he keeps busy with freelance work. He enjoys the weekly pub quiz and conversing with his daughter-in-law, Amy who works in private security, currently on a job watching Rosie, an author. But Amy is being framed for murders, and this doesn’t sit well for Amy, Rosie or Steve. And, now they need to find out why this is happening. And, this is where all these characters come in. And, a lot of globetrotting, which takes Steve out of his comfort zone.
Rosie is a hoot, and Steve is full of grief, and Amy is fearless. All the other characters are just extended to the list. And, did I say that Amy is married to Adam, Steve’s son, but he barely makes an entrance to the book?
Still, eventually, the plot all comes together, making it a fun, light read, but…
And, yes there is a but…for this to be a good series, a little more time needs to be provided to flesh out our main characters, and a little less time to creating a slew of so many other side characters.
But having said that…speaking of characters… it is nice to have a cat named Trouble. Let’s have more page time for Trouble....more
The estate of Ian Fleming made their decision that Anthony Horowitz would continue the legacy of their hero for a 3-book trilogy, utBond. James Bond.
The estate of Ian Fleming made their decision that Anthony Horowitz would continue the legacy of their hero for a 3-book trilogy, utilizing unpublished material by Fleming. So, Horowitz kept him in the era when Mr. Fleming was writing the character. This is the final book.
What? James Bond killed M? Our very own favorite, number one secret agent 007 killed the head of the Secret Intelligence Service, MI6?
Why?
What exactly happened to Bond that would have him turn against his employer/mentor?
To tell you more would give away the plot. Because what is always important to know in Intelligence Service, is that nothing is as it seems.
But let us just say, that the one’s behind the assassination, the one’s that led Bond…James Bond to this awful place gladly, warmly welcomed him back. Which makes this one of his most important assignments to date.
An assignment, I say? Of course. And this is where the true suspense begins. Bond will be tasked and tested like never before. He is clearly aging and tired.
In this final story, will this be the end of Bond’s illustrious career? Is this Horowitz’ way of showing his respect to the greatest spy of all time? Casting him off as a murderer? Or is there more to the story that readers need to see?
And, will this be an ending that readers will be ready to accept?
There will be one technique used in the book that Horowitz researched that occurs that was a bit over-the-top for me. I felt a bit queasy, uncomfortable, and had to suspend disbelief. It seemed out-of-character for the Bond we have grown to know and love. But to divulge what it was would be a spoiler.
Other than that…
In true Bond fashion, this one will be an action-packed, fast-paced, page-turner, that will be exciting, in the right places.
This historical fiction tale is based on a true story of a fire that took place in the author’s home town.
There are several narrative voices, Daisy wThis historical fiction tale is based on a true story of a fire that took place in the author’s home town.
There are several narrative voices, Daisy who is trying to understand the past of what occurred during that fateful fire and how it affected the townspeople. And Rose, her grandmother, the town’s mortician and the townspeople who were affected by the event.
Daisy takes up an internship with the town newspaper so that she can further investigate what occurred, and through her we see a cast of quirky small-town characters whose grim recounting of the fire help, her see not only the tragedy, but their lives. The reader may receive more information through the telling than Daisy does.
Written in alternating time lines 1928 and 1978 and from several POV’s of the various characters, past and present, this story might feel emotional and moving at times. With secrets to unravel, and all those stories to be told through flawed and quirky characters, the story didn’t quite have the energy I had hoped it would that would make me love it. Perhaps the many POV’s were a bit much, and I felt myself losing interest at times.
But who are the flower sisters? The reason for the book title? (No spoilers from me.)
What happened to Violet “Lettie,” Daisy’s mother?
Will Daisy learn more about herself through her discoveries of what happened because of the fire?
The author shares some information in her Author’s Note that should be read at the end of the story.
The potential for this debut novel to be great was there, but not fully realized for me. But don't just rely on my review, others may have felt differently.
I actually watched the Swedish television series through streaming several years ago. When I had a chance to read the books, I ordered theCatching Up…
I actually watched the Swedish television series through streaming several years ago. When I had a chance to read the books, I ordered the first book from my local library. It is always interesting when reading a translation. Some things do get lost in translation.
This was recently donated to my Little Free Library Shed, so it gave me an opportunity to read and re-visit the series again.
Annika Bengstzon is a journalist, mother and struggling with her marriage. But mostly she is a journalist. This is the eighth book in the series. So, if you haven’t tackled this series, it is always best to go to the first in the series, so you can understand the characters.
Annika is a tough character, sometimes self-critical and self-centered. But she is also professional and capable.
In this story, she finds herself, works a case and pieces together information that has been perplexing police.
This book is over 500 pages full of detours and rambling conversations that seem unnecessary. The story could have done better with 200+ less pages.
With those two books she had stories with strong and relatable characters.
With this one it is going to feel like a gothic fairy tale about an old house full of secrets. An unfortunate man, Arthur, doomed to be its caretaker, and a young woman, Opal who hopes to turn things around.
The question for readers…will they be successful?
Will he be too beastly to her beauty (even though they are both simply deemed ‘ordinary looking’) – or will they be able to manage amongst the old monsters that have inhabited this house and community?
Will they be able to conquer the sinister secrets that lie in this small town?
The characters are complex, and the story does have purpose and meaning. Eden, Kentucky has a dark past it is attempting to overcome. There is history and mysticism that will attempt to create a magical and yet grounded world within these pages. But did it have enough to keep this reader invested?
I appreciated the interweaving of fairy tale elements with contemporary real-world issues. I recommend you read her acknowledgements page. There are some wonderful insights to be gained there.
Still, I usually like Harrow’s stories, but this one was a little darker for my taste, and I found myself struggling to stay interested. But even though it is dark, it is also full of hope. And for that reason, I will round my stars up.
But please don’t think I liked or was happy with this story. I do however love this author and recommend the stories I read and reviewed above.
This book was donated to my Little Free Library Shed last summer. I chose not to list it on Goodreads as something I was currently readingCatching up…
This book was donated to my Little Free Library Shed last summer. I chose not to list it on Goodreads as something I was currently reading, because I wasn’t sure how I felt about it. But I was reading it. Very, very slowly. To be clear, this was another big book. And I am not a fan of big books. This was the paperback version. There are 5 parts to it. An Author’s note and acknowledgement, notes, bibliography and an index. 591 pages for the story. From the author’s notes – onward, 721 pages. That is an investment of time.
And, this book was the inspiration for the major motion picture “Oppenheimer,” which just won the Academy Award this past Sunday. Also, this book, was the winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Biography in 2006. And you already heard my rant about Pulitzer’s when I discussed the book, “Trust” in that review. Thankfully, I liked that book.
So, how did I feel about this one?
Well, it is obviously voluminous. And it is truly a multifaceted portrait of a complicated person that gets to his essential nature. Brilliant. Innovative. Competitive. Inscrutable leader. A mixture of charisma and cruelty.
Readers will see him in the midst of Communism in the 1930’s, politics (think the McCarthy era), and ethics questionability. This book is a thorough examination of all things, overwhelming in its detail.
Its title comes from a quiet little Santa Fe office that served as a gateway to the hidden research colony at Los Alamos.
And then there is Hiroshima. Were they really back slapping and showing triumph for that bomb? And then the fallout from it. How Oppenheimer feels about what he contributed to, well, that is for readers to contemplate.
I have yet to watch the movie. This book was a journey. Not easily taken.
UPDATE: One thing I forgot to mention in this review was what possessed me to read this book. Myriam Gurba is coming in person to my home college CuesUPDATE: One thing I forgot to mention in this review was what possessed me to read this book. Myriam Gurba is coming in person to my home college Cuesta next month to discuss her book, “Creep.” So, because she is coming here, and I worked at Cuesta for over 17 years as an Instructor and Director, I was interested in finding out more about her. So, I checked out her first book, “Mean” from my local library. This one.
I wasn’t sure I wanted to read this book.
Her subject matter is her life. Which is dark, gritty, and obviously personal. But we can’t underestimate this memoir. She is a survivor of a sexual assault. By a man who not only raped her, but killed another woman. And, not only is she a self-professed survivor, she is a proudly queer, mixed-race Chicana, and willing to share her story of fear, PTSD, mental illness, and her childhood traumas.
But, even as all of this sounds so unimaginable, she tells her story with humor, tact and grace which makes it unbelievably readable.
And as we read, we begin to understand intuitively that she struggles to know how she survived when the other woman, Sophia didn’t…
“Guilt is a ghost.”
Or maybe it is just her opportunity to make the most of her life by writing about it.
Or maybe this book is a bit of a field guide for how to exist in a hetero patriarchy.
Or an understanding of what being mean is when someone is challenged by such cruelty.
She also defines mean as a way to survive hardness, oppression and violence in her neighborhood.
As readers we try to understand her life. And it isn’t easy. We are bombarded by the ugliness around her.
There is a phrase in the story, “somewhere on this planet, a man is touching a woman to death,” which is particularly brutal to read. There is no subtlety to that statement.
What is she really trying to tell us?
I think she is wanting us to understand the stark realities about victimization and trauma.
So, is her book title saying she is mean, or is she wanting to gain her power back?
I’d like to believe by writing this memoir she is wanting to gain power back for all women who have been victimized. Starting with herself.
And…For those who remember the ordeal of those first weeks of lockdown, this may trigger those memories.
DCI KarenCovid is a character in this story.
And…For those who remember the ordeal of those first weeks of lockdown, this may trigger those memories.
DCI Karen Pirie and her team deal in cold cases. In the midst of lockdown, one of her team members, Jason receives a call from an archivist from the National Library detailing a murder scene from a recently deceased author’s unpublished manuscript. It is reminiscent of a real missing person case.
So…Now they are on the case.
What will they discover?
Will they be able to unravel its true meaning?
There is something disquieting and sometimes emotional about revisiting the pandemic through these pages…
And…Yet the author does it sensitively and artfully…
While managing crime solving, too.
In true McDermid style, she provides a complex, gripping, page-turning, riveting mystery that keeps readers intrigued up to the last page.
Only one complaint…
Why, again do authors have to write a story with so many pages (449)?...more
Because of its size, (560 pages), I opted to read it as an in-between book. (In-between my other books.)
I am not typically a fan of period pieces, and usually avoid them. It doesn’t mean I don’t like historical fiction, I do, but…
I usually prefer the WWII era.
However…
Lately, it seems I am going back in time more.
And…
I am grateful to have many of you encouraging me to do so.
Now…
This story finds us crossing time, when a cache of mid-17th-century papers are found in modern-day London. An academic and her Ph.D. student are on a mission to fit the pieces of the puzzle together to find out who wrote these pages.
And…
That takes readers to meeting another central character, a brilliant young Jewish woman working with a blind Rabbi at the time of these papers being produced.
What was her role with these papers? And will they be able to discover it? And what story do these papers tell?
The images of these different times and places and well-fleshed-out characters, brought to life through detail and well-crafted writing, are the gift of this book.
And…
There is also the complexities of being Jewish and choosing to enter into interfaith relationships that are central to the novel.
So…
How does that affect the story? The characters? The community?
And…
What does it mean to choose survival over martyrdom?
The author interweaves her themes and characters’ journeys so skillfully, as readers we can’t help but be drawn into their lives and struggles.
And…
For me, when one of the characters began to suffer from rapidly advancing Parkinson’s Disease, I couldn’t help but be affected. Watching my own mother’s decline from the disease prior to her death was difficult and painful.
There was…
So much to appreciate about this story. The “weight of ink” refers to the special ink used in the 17th century that was so heavy it created holes in the parchment.
But…
Mostly the title reflects the transformative power of the written word.
And…
Isn’t that what draws us to read? The idea that we can truly be transformed through written words?
This is…
Amazing taut, gripping storytelling.
One last thing…
Be sure to read the Author’s notes for her insights and background into the writing of this story.
And…
I loved when I read what another reviewer shared about this book, that I felt I had to include in my review…
“The Weight of Ink has the brains of a scholar, the drive of a sleuth, and the soul of a lover.”
Beautifully stated. Thank you, DeB for this recommendation....more
