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A new fan for an older novel

Revisado: 02-06-20

The story written in 1971 is about a man in the future (2002), George Orr who has "effective" dreams. That is, whatever he dreams becomes reality. He dreams his Aunt died five years previous and when he awakens she is gone and everyone's memories of her life for the last five years is gone as well, replaced by their belief in the fact she died five years ago. He is sent to a psychiatrist who attempts to use George to manipulate reality into what the psychiatrist believes are improvements.

The world which Le Guin portrays in this future 2002 includes fighting in Afghanistan, tensions in the Middle East and major climate changes due to global warming.

An amazingly prescient novel, beautifully written and a great read.

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Karin Slaughter Does It Again

Revisado: 08-06-18

Karin Slaughter is one of the most reliable mystery thriller writers currently producing. The Good Daughter is a stand alone by her that really delivers.

Multiple points of view add depth to an already exciting page turner.

Highly recommended.

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Too Preachy For Me

Revisado: 07-29-18

I was looking forward to a nice cosy or a regency like Georgette Heyer, one of my favkorite authors. Unfortunately, I found it too slow and too religiously slanted for me.

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One too many narrators

Revisado: 02-23-16

Despite a complete implausible plot and annoying alternating narrators, the novel did hold my interest. But when the accent of a character changes from the Russian accent which we are told she has, to a black southern accent in alternating chapters, it is discencerting and annoying. Wasn't the production team listening while recording?

If you can suspend your need for realistic plots, it can be a fun, fast read. But go for this one in print.

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100 Year Old History Comes Alive

Revisado: 04-19-15

Nobody does narrative nonfiction today like Eric Larson. Readers of his past books will not be disappointed as Larson transports us back a century and into the lives of those involved in the Lusitania tradgedy. Larson manages to impart the story with suspense, even though we all know the historical outcome.

A great read and a great reader. Scott Brick gives his usual excellent performance. Highly recommended.

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Not enough life in this novel of the undead!

Revisado: 11-09-14

I started this book with great anticipation. I loved the early Vampire Chronicles and had hoped to rekindle that love. It didn't happen.

In Prince Lestat we learn about what has been happening with the major vampires from the chronicles. Then we learn about what has been happening with the lesser vampires from the chronicles. Then we learn what has been happening with vampires we never met in the chronicles. Then we learn what has been happening to non-vampires who we never met in the chronicles. Thats it. You learn what is happening to them and you get to watch them talk, contemplate, complain and hope someone wil do something about it.

There is a voice bedevilling them all and they all believe that the answer to the crisis that the voice is causing is Lestat. They talk, contemplate, complain and speak about Lestat in hushed reverent tones.

There is occasional action but it comes and goes so quickly that it swallowed up by this infernal contemplation.

I gave it two and a half stars because I did enjoy hearing what had happened to some of the major characters but ratio of contemplation to action was disheartening.

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Great Mix of History and Mystery

Revisado: 10-17-14

In Dissolution we meet Matthew Shardlake a hunchbacked lawyer who is a Commissioner for Thomas Cromwell, during the reign of Henry the Eighth.

The Dissolution referred to in the title is the disbanding of the formerly papist abbeys in the now Protestant England.Another commissioner who was sent to an abbey has been found beheaded and Cromwell wants to know what happened and wants to know quickly. Matthew Shardlake struggles with solving the crime while also struggling with his growing disillusion with Cromwell.

An interesting blend of mystery and history! Recommended!.

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McCarthyism and its Effects in Hollywood

Revisado: 10-08-14

Kirk Douglas gives us a fascinating memoir on the making of an epic movie during the shameful era of Hollywood blacklists. Spartacus had some of the biggest stars of the day Kirk, Lawrence Olivier, Charles Laughton, Peter Ustinov, Tony Curtis and Jeanne Simmons. Listening to the interplay among this outsized egos was fascinating.

But more importantly, the book reminds us of the damage the blacklists had on the careers of those who stood up for their rights in the face of the House on Unamerican Activities and Kirk Douglas's courage in helping to break the blacklist. Recommended!

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A Memoir For Mystery Lovers

Revisado: 10-08-14

Not My Father's Son: A Memoir by Alan Cumming

I did not feel as if I was listening to a memoir while I listened to Alan Cumming read this remarkable book. Cumming somehow infused the memoir with so much suspense that I felt like I was reading a mystery; a really good mystery. Cumming's memoir follows the pattern of many current mystery so by alternating from the present to the past.

The past is Cumming's horrific childhood with an abusive, and probably mentally ill father. The present is the filming of a British television show which will delve into his ancestry and which he hopes will shed light on the death of his maternal grandfather in Malaysia after World War II. The writing is taut and effective causing me to race through the book seeking answers the mysteries which unfold.


I laughed; I cried and I thoroughly enjoyed the ride! Highly recommended!

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Evil in a High Class Car

Revisado: 09-30-14

Another fine Stephen King. This one does not have any supernatural elements, just pure human evil.
It took me a few chapters to find my rythmn but once I did I thoroughly enjoyed this story of a retired cop working on the big case that got away.

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