Parts of this memoir were stunning - beautifully written and startling in their elegance. But the pacing, storyline, chronology were distracting and cParts of this memoir were stunning - beautifully written and startling in their elegance. But the pacing, storyline, chronology were distracting and could not keep me engaged. And perhaps the memoir focus was too weak after all - though Joan Didion is well known and Leadbeater had difficult times, they were not amazing enough to hold my interest....more
Compelling story of Eilis and her new life in 1950s Brooklyn. Heartbreaking details about the lives of women and the difficulties of migrants. Toibin Compelling story of Eilis and her new life in 1950s Brooklyn. Heartbreaking details about the lives of women and the difficulties of migrants. Toibin creates a compelling narrative of Eilis' journey from Ireland to a boarding house, to Friday night dances, and night school at Brooklyn College. When disaster strikes her family back in the old country, she returns and leaves night school, the boarding house and her boyfriend Tony back in the United States. This fourth segment of the book seems a bit rushed followed by a big decision. I enjoyed Eilis' character - and all of the supporting ones so much - I didn't want the book to end....more
The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club was entertaining up to a point - however, it included way too much detail, too many characters and wThe Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club was entertaining up to a point - however, it included way too much detail, too many characters and was a bit tedious at times.
Set in the summer after the end of World War I at a coastal English village, the book tracks the rise of the motorcyle and flying club through the main character, Constance Haverhill, who is hanging out at the Meredith Hotel as a companion to the spunky Mrs. Fog. The book includes jarring instances of sex, race, and class discrimination, common of the time, but often in the wrong tone or description.
Constance gets swept up in family dynamics of the wealthy class, and flies and rides her way into several adventures. I would recommend this book only to folks who want a tour into English privilege and elitism....more
I am not a huge fan of this genre, but I was drawn to this book based on reviews. It was a page turner, but I'm not sure I could recommend it to anyonI am not a huge fan of this genre, but I was drawn to this book based on reviews. It was a page turner, but I'm not sure I could recommend it to anyone who is not a sci-fi horror fan. The pace is quick, the characters reasonably fleshed out, but the details bored me without the mindset to appreciate them.
Ophelia, the main character and pyschologist in this tale, has quite a backstory and it becomes a big part of the narrative for the mishaps on the planet the team is exploring. Ophelia becomes part of the group after a team member dies unexpectedly. That is one of several mysteries that Barnes uses to keep the narrative crisp.
The reader is never quite sure who will be the next victim. ...more
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