Sea of Poppies by Amitav Ghosh My rating: 5 of 5 stars Wow. I’m trying to think of another book that introduces several different characters, makes me care about each one in different ways, somehow brings them all together without seeming too coincidental and leaves me wanting to read the next two books in the trilogy. In a very Dickensian manner, Mr. Ghosh introduces us to Dheeti, Zachary, Paulette, and Jodu. They serve as the four main characters in the book. The supporting characters are […]
A Gritty Young Adult Family Drama
The Death of Bees by Lisa O’Donnell My rating: 3 of 5 stars Marnie and Nelly live in a rough neighborhood in Glasgow, Scotland. Their parents are drug addicts, alcoholics, and there’s hints that their dad has been abusing the girls. Early on something happens to the parents and the girls cover it up so that they won’t be placed into the foster care system and split up. Marnie is the oldest and she’s very smart. Her smarts are what can help her escape the […]
A Quick, Intense Read
Revolver by Marcus Sedgwick My rating: 3 of 5 stars Set in the turn of the century, “Revolver” is the story of the gold rush. Or is it? It’s told in flashbacks starting in the “current” time of 1910 Giron (modern Kiruna) Sweden, and flashing back to Nome Alaska in the late 1890’s. The plot is not complicated although the flashbacks do add a depth to it I wasn’t expecting. It’s a mystery, or a crime novel, depending on how you look at it. Sig […]
Toxic Family Secrets
August: Osage County by Tracy Letts My rating: 4 of 5 stars Not since reading “A Long Day’s Journey Into Night” have I come across a play that is so uncomfortable and beautiful all at the same time. “August: Osage County” centers on the Weston family living out in the plains of Oklahoma. There’s a death in the family and first part of the play is the family arriving to prepare for the funeral. Then the real action starts as the family is together for […]