LW

Couldn't get past trying to kill an unborn baby

Revisado: 08-12-24

I wanted to like this book as many others have. It was too much for me when a set of twins are being born and the unprepared doctor, who does not know enough of obstetrics and who is likely the father of the babies, decides his best idea to relieve the horrific suffering of the mother is to kill the baby stuck in the birth canal… by puncturing its head and crushing it. It was too violent for me and I just couldn’t keep going.

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How much can one author say in one book?

Revisado: 03-26-21

This was an amazing book. There is so much in it, it's hard to know where to start. I am in awe of Margaret Atwood's ability to weave a story with so many elements together.

Here are some of the themes or elements that stood out to me:
- Strong comment about gender roles, and especially women's rights.
- Theme of freedom of choice and democracy, and how fragile it could be for us. How easy it is to take for granted.
- Reinforcement about the power of reading and writing to change people's lives for the better
- Exploration of what a dictatorship or oppressive regime could mean for the people living in it. This was a favorite quote from the book:
"What good is it to throw yourself in front of a steamroller out of moral principles and then be crushed flat like a sock emptied of its foot? Better to fade into the crowd, the piously praising, unctuous, hate-mongering crowd. Better to hurl rocks than to have them hurled at you. Or better for your chances of staying alive."
- How power works, and how bullies use it in their favour.
- So many delicious allusions to fairytales like Cinderella, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Rapunzel and even Frozen. Also biblical allusions. Atwood sometimes reverses the fairytales to make a point, and uses biblical content to underscore how sometimes religion can be used poorly.
- And if you want some real fun, do a little research about the names of the characters. Margaret Atwood has some real zingers in there, as far as added meaning and insight into the story.

The story is told from the perspective of three female narrators. The actors that were selected from this audible recording were fantastic. I loved Ann Dowd as Aunt Lydia; she portrays her intelligence, wit and seriousness with such accuracy I almost forgot I was listening to an actor. Bryce Dallas Howard portrays the innocence and gentleness of Agnes so well; although Howard is an adult, it is easy to believe Agnes is a 13 / 14 year old girl. Mae Whitman... I loved her in the TV series Parenthood and thought she did such a great job of portraying the sassy yet caring Daisy. So so so good!

Although each narrator's account was so good, I was especially taken with the account of Aunt Lydia. In the Handmaid's Tale it is so easy to dislike her. In The Testaments we get to know her much better. We learn her history and what made her into the person she has become. The additional information, which totally shifted my view of this character, reminded me of a of a longstanding personal commitment to try to give people the benefit of the doubt, even when it is hard. To understand that people are usually just trying to do their best. I think Atwood did this on purpose. In a day and age of social media, easy scrolling, angry comments online, cancel culture, etc. it is easy to assume your first impression of someone, or their motivations, is correct. But we are all fallable, and it is becoming increasingly more evident to me, that what we really need more than being right is understanding and compassion. I was happy to be reminded of this after reading through Aunt Lydia in this novel.

So much to think about in this book. I liked it immensely.

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Not my favorite

Revisado: 10-25-19

I chose to listen to this book because I enjoyed Joelle Charbonneau's "The Testing" series.

This book had good potential and I wanted to like it, but I got bored.

It starts off promising. The format is to view life from the eyes of a number of high school students. With the title of the book, you assume that one of the students is going to set off a bomb in the school. SPOILER ALERT. And that happens. In the early part of the book the reader is challenged to figure out which student will make that choice. The author does a good job of helping us see the pain in each life. That was a really insightful part of the book that I liked. I find it helpful to challenge stereotypes and this book started out to do that. So bravo for that.

However, when the bomb goes off, the scenes after that go on and on and on and on. I couldn't get through them. I wanted to know who did it, and so what. I wanted to get to the end of the story. But I found myself getting bogged down in a lengthy diatribe about rubble and escape plans. Just wasn't my preference so I stopped listening.

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Old Testament setting with current day insights

Revisado: 08-29-19

I really loved the "Chronicles of the Kings" series by this author, and so went looking for more books by her. "Return to Me' was the one I settled on. I loved the "Chronicles" series and was even more delighted with this book. I didn't know as much about this particular time in the Old Testament - when some of the Jews returned to the land of Israel after the Assyrian and Babylonian Captivity. After reading this book, it made me want to learn more.

I was particularly impressed by how the author was able to use this ancient time as a setting to explore current day challenges. She reinforced that God has expectations and standards, but is also merciful and does so much to reach out to us when we wander away. She highlighted the value of regular scripture study. She used fictional characters to underline that although we may think our actions only impact ourselves, our choices often impact others. And - that when we are on the receiving end of those choices we have an opportunity to forgive. This book was filled with light and truth. I thoroughly enjoyed it and will continue to read this series and others by this author.

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Too much sexuality

Revisado: 08-29-16

This review is not meant as a comment on any one else's preferences, but rather just a comment about my own. I am putting this review out there for those who might be like minded.

My personal preference is books without a lot of descriptive sexuality. I enjoy romance, and innocent shows of it (kissing, hand holding, smoldering looks), and I also don't mind inferred sexuality (for example people going off into a room together and you know what happens next). What I don't prefer is a detailed description of what happens. No play by plays of sexual acts for me, thank you.

This book, unfortunately, crossed that line for me and I was unable to finish it. I say unfortunately, because I was really enjoying the rest of the story. The heroine is someone I liked and would have enjoyed following through the chapters of the book. I found the historical ideas fascinating, as other reviews have alluded to. Truly - there is much good about this book.

But what got me was when, (SPOILER ALERT), out of poverty and desperation her mother sells her daughter's virginity, we get the description of what her temporary 'husband' does to her in detail. I just couldn't keep listening. There were at least two scenes of it. I forwarded through the first one, hoping that would be it and I could finish the story without more of that type of content. But then a chapter or two later, a similar scene started, and I had to turn off the book. Too graphic for my personal taste.

Again - no comment on others who feel differently. I just had not read a review that pointed out this particular content of the book. I wished I had understood what the book contained so I could have made a different decision. I am putting this review out there for people who might appreciate knowing the book contains that type of content.

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New insights about Old Testament Ruth

Revisado: 07-03-15

Have you ever wondered why Ruth, from the Old Testament story, left her homeland of Moab to go to a new home in Israel? Did she know what was in store for her there? The scriptures imply that Ruth's decision came from her virtuous character; her loyalty to Naomi. After listening to this book, I would add that it is likely Ruth's decision also came from courage that rested on a foundation of faith in God.

This book extended and enhanced my understanding of Ruth, adding fictional details that helped me consider all that she really would have had to face... including the challenges that could have come her way. In watching Ruth face those fictional challenges, this book emphasizes a truth, and gives a strong message of hope to the listener: that God can transform tragedy into triumph! Also, He can use any one of us to bless the lives of others. All He requires is a willing and trusting heart.

I very much enjoyed the author's take on the story; it is very much in keeping with the impression I get about Ruth when I read the Bible.

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Feisty red-headed little girl takes on the south

Revisado: 07-16-14

"Here's the thing about gifts." Eula stopped buttering her toast and looked straight at me. "A body don't know how many the good Lord tucked inside them, until the time is right. I reckon a person could go a whole life and not know. That why you got to try lots of things; as many as you can. Experiment."

These are the words of Eula, a black woman who stops to pick up a precocious, feisty, red-headed run away little girl in Mississippi, as the girl tries to escape her overly strict grandmother. The sixties was not an easy time to be a black woman in Mississippi. Yet, despite hardship, Eula is full of quiet wisdom and compassion. Her wonderful insights pepper the chapters of this book.

If Eula's wisdom peppers the book, then the saltiness comes from Starla, the red-headed and VERY feisty run away, who is the voice of this story.

Many times Starla's "leap before looking" approach to life gets her into deep trouble - with sometimes sad and sometimes hilarious results. Watching her question and break the rules, over and over again, is like sitting across the table with a child who's cup of milk is right on the edge of the table. You are telling the child - move your cup - but they don't understand and end up knocking the milk all over the floor. You can see it coming a long ways in advance! The same happens in this book repeatedly. There is no ill intent on Starla's part, but a strong will paired with charming naivety. This combination of character traits allows Starla to see past the racism she has been taught, to the goodness of the people around her.

I really enjoyed the book and will look for others by this author.

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Set earlier than "The Help". Just as powerful.

Revisado: 01-24-14

I just finished listening to this great book, faster than I listen to most. It pulled me in and captivated me with its wonderful descriptive and fluid language, and the depth of the characters. Now that it is finished, and I learned from the epilogue that some of the main characters were real people, I find it even more compelling. I wish I could meet these people! I want to travel to see where they lived and I'm interested in learning more about them.

We start the story with Sarah Grimke, a white child of a slave owner and, Handful / Hettie, a slave who lives in the same house. Grimke's story is mostly true, while Handful's is mostly fictional, based on the author's research about slavery in this time period. We follow these two women, and others, through more than three decades of their lives and see how their choices weave them together.

With a story of the Southern US during these years, one of the themes, of course, is freedom and captivity. Although this is predictable, the author does so in a very compelling way. Sarah Grimke is both free and not free, depending on what angle you examine her from. At one point in the book, Handful talks about how she (Handful), is not free physically, but is free in her mind - while Sarah is free in her body but is trapped in her mind. Interesting thought... along with many others that keep running through my mind now that I am done listening to the book. The longing for freedom and the fight for it, and what some people are willing to do to enslave others... Although this particular tale of freedom is set in a specific time period, this theme is one that is as relevant today as it was 200 years ago.

If you liked "The Help" you'll like this book. The portrayal of the struggle of people impacted by the fight against racism runs strongly in both books. "The Invention of Wings" comes earlier in history than The Help. The Help has more 'fictional' characters, but the compelling nature of the courage it takes to fight for freedom is heavily present in both books.

I really enjoyed this book, and hope you do too!

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Full of deep messages and worth the listen

Revisado: 01-16-14

I really liked this book and didn't plan on writing a review until I saw all the negative reviews that were out there. I thought I might offer another opinion to consider.

Other reviewers say they didn't like the choice the author made for ending the story. I get that. I didn't like it either, but not because it was poorly written. I didn't like it because I was so attached to the characters I didn't like the outcome for them.That's an important distinction, I believe. Being so attached to the characters that I disliked the ending means the author did her job - she got me to care!

One reviewer wrote that she had wanted the story to leave her feeling uplifted and Allegiant did not do that. I get how someone could feel that way - certainly I wished the ending was different too. But - if you read deeply the messages of this book, they are really profound. And with that profoundness comes a hope that individual readers can take away from the book if they want to.

Here are a few messages I picked up on (but before you read them... there are a few statements that could be considered spoilers):

- how we each change and impact those around us
- how we are each more than our genetics - we are our choices
- regarding the pain that comes from loss - although we all wish we didn't have this, and wish to forget and put away the pain, it is important to have our memories of the past because they make us who we are.
- Sacrifice is a gift when it is motivated by love.
- And here's a quote I liked a lot: "There are so many ways to be brave in this world. Sometimes bravery involves laying down your life for something bigger than yourself or for someone else. Sometimes it involves giving up everything you have ever known, or everyone you have ever loved, for the sake of something greater. But sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes it is nothing more than gritting your teeth through the pain and work of every day; the slow walk toward a better life."

For me, the book was worth the listen for the depth of thinking and reflecting I experienced while listening.

I would recommend it to others.

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discovery of witches + national treasure

Revisado: 07-09-13

I liked this book a lot. It was recommended to me by Audible based on a previous listen: "A Discovery of Witches". I liked "discovery" better, but still really enjoyed this listen.

The book has a similar, creepy feeling. Not scary at all, just a feeling that something could be lurking around the next corner.

I would also compare this book to two others - well one book and a movie. The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane could be compared to National Treasure (not sure if its a book) - in some ways. It is similar in that it involves a search for something historical and there are a series of clues to unravel. I really enjoyed the look into history this book offered - albeit it highly fictional. I still felt I learned something about the Salem Witch trials and 'cunning' people of that day.

I think my favorite part was the going back and forth to different women in time, and thus my comparison to a third story: Joy Luck Club. In Joy Luck Club I enjoyed the understanding that steadily grew through the story as we learned more about each woman. The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane has that same feel to it - although it does not go as indepth about each woman. What we readers get is glances or flashes back in history that give insight into the current day. The connection to the past gains more momentum and meaning as the book moves on, which is why I think some reviewers say they thought the beginning of the book moved slowly.

When deciding to read this book I read some reviews. One person commented that the current day character was dull in comparison to the people of the past. I can understand that comment, but I wanted to offer a different opinion. I felt the current day character becomes more interesting as she becomes more connected with her past. I like that!

Anyway - good solid book. If you liked "Discovery of Witches", "National Treasure" and "Joy Luck Club" - this is a good book for you!

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