Stephanie M

Timely Historical Novel

Revisado: 10-21-23

in times of book burnings, terrorism & war, it is critical to preserve art & writings that bind humanity & illuminate our past

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Giving Context to Shakespeare's Work

Revisado: 07-06-22

This analysis of Thomas North's writings & the connections to Shakespeare's plays was intriguing. Equally interesting was the shifting back & forth to histiorical events & happenings in the court of Queen Elizabeth. Having done archival research for an historical documentary, I experienced the joy of the treasure hunt along with the author & McCarthy as potential pieces in the puzzle were found & new data was triangulation. Cudos for their persistence & gratitude for widening understanding of Shakespeare's sources & the times in which he & Thomas North lived $ created.

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esto le resultó útil a 2 personas

Surviving the Abuse of Damaged Parents

Revisado: 07-29-21

Physical and emotional abuse damages children. This book recreates the unpredictable, explosive tensions of a family where verbal and physical violence intensify the struggle to provide food, clothing, shelter, love & hope to the children. The descriptive language of the author is harrowing during the bad times, heartbreaking during loss & uprooting times, & evocative when solace & wonder are found in nature. Some readers found some funny parts, perhaps in the needling among the siblings. But I found little to uplift & evoke smiles. The dysfunction was hard to witness --- even when the painful longing for a lost child was resolved,
I was relieved that the children survived into adulthood. but I find it hard believe that all the childhood trauma was repaired & overcome. Some kids are more resilient than others & often stable relationships with caring, trustworthy & supportive adults can help heal the wounds of childhood abuse & neglect. But coming of age & leaving home do not automatically make for happy endings. The author has a varied & creative career & that is welcome news, But I'm left with the uneasy wondering if all the sibs will build affirming relationships & deepen their resilience for all life's challenges to come. One can only wish them well.

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Profoundly Shallow, Sorely Disappointing

Revisado: 03-19-21

I have been enriched over decades by fictional works that express spiritual, mystical & philosophical insight. Cultural mythology & journeys towards enlightenment can provoke deep reflection & nurture wisdom. But this work was pap. If you ever read Classic Comics & then read the actual masterworks, you will understand when I suggest that this novel is less enlightening than a Classic Comic. I rarely write a negative review but felt honor-bound to counter all the five-star reviews ... I recognize that Paulo Coelho is a revered author, but this novel makes me wonder if his fame has a parallel in the folktale "The Emperor's New Clothes".

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Churchill's Partner & Counterbalance, Clementine

Revisado: 12-03-20

Lady Churchill"s leadership in harnessing women's brains & energy in the war effort on the Home front served as a model for a parallel mobilization in the U.S. The relationship with Eleanor Roosevelt was mutually beneficial personally & politically. Their similarities & differences in background, marriages, familial ties, pre & post WW 11 would have added another dimension to this fine historical novel.

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Cicuitous Route to Resolution

Revisado: 04-23-20

I wanted to like this novel, but at times it seemed repetitive without added insight or growth. Major characters seemed stuck even as the resolution became clearer. The trek to reach the Unseen World felt like escape from the potential of the Seen World with little cost-benefit awareness.

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Sympathetic Diverse Characters who Grow

Revisado: 03-07-20

When unusual characters take steps outside of their comfort zone - connections are forged that enlarge hearts & minds. There is wisdom & grace in this tale in spite of tragic events. Although the setting is so totally different, the novel has some of the spirit of ORDINARY GRACE.

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Quirky but Endearing

Revisado: 02-09-20

The Pilgrim's journey in literature is usually metaphoric. The question for me is always whether the journey transforms the pilgrim & the reader. This "unlikely pilgrimage" was satisfying on many levels & may be for others … in the same or, perhaps, different ways.

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Mass Bay Colony thru eyes of a Woman Founder

Revisado: 02-07-20

This engaging novel brings the 16th century New England colonies to life. Focus is on the historical figure of Elizabeth Fones Winthrop Feake Hallett (1610 – 1673). Elizabeth was an early settler in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Through her eyes and experience we are brought into the religious & political turmoil of England that led to the American experiment. She is a complex character who faced considerable hardships & challenges on the colonial frontier & crossed paths with several notables. The length of the novel allows for rich character development within the historical tapestry at each stage of her life. What an amazing saga!

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Problem with treatment of Autism

Revisado: 01-25-20

I have a grandchild on the autism spectrum. This novel includes an autistic child & if this inclusion served to deepen understanding I would have been delighted. But the child feels more like a one dimensional prop or plot device … not a real person. That's sad. Perhaps if I listened to the whole novel, my reaction would be different. But I couldn't get past this negative first impression.

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