Maurice Peterson

I have been seduced!

Revisado: 06-09-20

Karin Tanabe is a literary seductress. She first invites you to enjoy her tale of romance and adventure long ago, in far away Asia, as seen through the eyes of two protagonists. Jesse is a young American mother who has lifted herself up by her own boot straps, from poverty in America's tobacco country to the lofty echelons of high society in Paris and Indochina (Vietnam), where rubber is the golden commodity. The other protagonist, Marcelle, having ridden her beauty to the same social spheres, is bent on bringing down the oppressive plantation system that has the Indochinese populace in a brutal stranglehold. As her suspenseful tale unwinds however, you discover this is more than a mere romantic novel. "A Hundred Suns" is also a lesson in Colonialism and the Communist uprisings of Viet Nam in the 1930's, brought to life by her fascinating, believable and empathetic characters.

What I found most admirable about Tanabe's deftly crafted plot, is that the reader sympathizes with both these characters, who have stakes in opposite poles of the political spectrum, pitted against each other in a deadly game. Both characters are flawed individuals of dark secrets and dirty deeds, yet Tanabe makes you root for them both until their opposing views and treachery ultimately come face to face.

I am grateful to Karin Tanabe for taking me on this entertaining ride that has indeed left me a more knowledgeable person. I have enjoyed her two previous works equally, "The Gilded Years" and "The Diplomat's Daughter," and I am eagerly awaiting her next masterpiece. I believe Karin Tanabe is one of America's leading authors. Her international scope and yearning for people of the world to understand one another and uplift the world are palpable in every one of her enthralling novels. If everyone would read Karin's books, and take them to heart, the world would certainly become a better place for us all.

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esto le resultó útil a 11 personas

Insider’s view of the demise of a literary treasure

Revisado: 04-18-19

When Ruth Reichel was wooed away from her position as the most powerful restaurant critic at the New York Times to become the editor of the iconic Gourmet Magazine, she never fathomed she would eventually wind up as the magazine’s final editor. In this revealing and painfully personal memoire, Reichel bravely shares her insiders view of the heady, luxurious world where the magazine lived and ultimately perished. An intimate fable of a girl who kissed the magic plum, reigned as the Queen if the elite Gourmet world, then fell back to earth as the Internet ascended. Sweet and savory all at once!

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Spellbinding, heartbreaking and still so relevant!

Revisado: 03-11-19

I've shied away in the past from reading the works of James Baldwin because he had the courage to portray the hurtful realities that would disturb me and make me angry. But I love to read a book when a good new movie version comes out, so I finally picked up "If Beale Street Could Talk." The novel is a poetic masterpiece, emotional, and suspenseful, marking a place and time in our history with, sadly, lives on to the current day.

Yes, I felt anger rising within me at the all-too-truthful conclusion. Yet I'm even more grateful to have experienced what is one of the best novels I've ever had the good fortune to read. Must add that the reader, Bahni Turpin, is magnificent!

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Derivative, yet clever.

Revisado: 02-24-19

There are so many women in distress stories popular these days that you can almost predict the trajectory of each one. The plot is skillfully executed here, however, and does keep you guessing. But after the girl on the train, and so many other similar stories, I’m feeling like it’s time to move onto a new genre.

It was interesting, and rather annoying, that for a story set in today’s Harlem, there was only one black character, a cop, who has maybe a half a page of story. Sure, Harlem is becoming gentrified, but come on, really?

The reader is thoroughly professional, and pretty good with different voices and accents. But her voice is so schooled that the character sounds generic. She’s almost like a news announcer, rather than a real person. And she read so slowly that I listened in 1 1/4 time.

I basically read this because I wanted to find out what gets a $1.7 million advance these days. Turns out, publishers want to feed people their candy.

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First try of a great suspense novelist.

Revisado: 06-06-17

What disappointed you about Sharp Objects?

Gillian Flynn's Gone Girl is a riveting masterpiece of suspense, and Dark Places is almost just as good. Great characters and amazing plot and characters. Sharp Objects, her first book, shows only a glimmer of the brilliance to come. Had trouble believing much of anything or any of the characters. Totally sophomoric and light weight. But her other two books--terrific!

How did the narrator detract from the book?

I didn't believe a woman who had led such a troubled life would have such a clear, high pitched, bell-like, young voice.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Just disappointment

Any additional comments?

Glad she kept at it.

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Plastic and predictable

Revisado: 02-07-17

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

I had to bail on this one. I could possibly deal with the absurdity but the predictability made it boring and ultimately not worth the time.

What do you think your next listen will be?

The Handmaid's Tale.

Have you listened to any of Ellen Archer’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

no

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from The Chemist?

Dont want to give away the plot here, so I'll just say all of them!

Any additional comments?

I'm sure there are those out there who like light entertainment. But this is so light you can see through everything!

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I did finish it.

Revisado: 10-16-15

Kind of like a TV movie. Kept me going but never measures up to great thrillers like Gone Girl or The Goldfinch.

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Good but short

Revisado: 06-16-15

This is a great, classic suspense novel. However I was surprised at how short the whole thing turned out to be.

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False Advertising! This is not a gay story!

Revisado: 07-12-14

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

It was an okay easy read, kind of on the level of a Lifetime movie. However, the cover shows two cute guys in their undies, suggesting this is another one of Ford's brilliant gay novels. NOT SO!! There is only one gay character, a woebegone, lost druggie. Really? So disappointing! After "Last Summer," and "The Road Home," two wonderful books featuring complex, personable and admirable gay characters, this book, centering on two straight families, comes off like a bait-and-switch scam. I did finish it, and it was entertaining enough, but not at all what I was hoping for!

What did you like best about this story?

It has some good plot twists. But characters are rather arch.

Did Blake Somerset do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

His characters are sketched out compared to the well-drawn characters truly great novels.

Could you see What We Remember being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

It could be a network TV movie, but doesn't have the edge of current hit TV dramas.

Any additional comments?

If you're looking for a love story featuring gays like the pretty boys on the cover, look elsewhere!! Try Ford's excellent gay stories, like "Last Summer," and "The Road Home."

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esto le resultó útil a 3 personas

Beautiful Novel. So Romantic!

Revisado: 09-15-13

What made the experience of listening to Beautiful Ruins the most enjoyable?

It's one of the most romantic stories I've ever read. Italy, Hollywood, long lost love, a little war, a little addiction, and wonderful writing! Also, wonderfully performed.

If you could rename Beautiful Ruins, what would you call it?

Beautiful Ruins is the perfect title. It describes each character as well as the landscape.

Any additional comments?

Don't miss it!

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