Frugal Chariots

Angel’s Game is delightful. Storytelling at its best with sympathetic characters, mysterious plot twists and a pervasive sense of adventure.

Stone’s Fall was a good vacation read. Cerebral and convoluted, it requires attention to detail and a sharp memory. And at least a passing interest in economics… otherwise the dramatic events will not have the intended effect. I enjoyed it very much, but felt a little let down by the ending. The vast majority of the book was an intense, beautifully crafted mystery novel, and the ending added an unfortunate soap opera-y note. It worked – the logic and plotting were impeccable. But it felt emotionally manipulative.

I have read many, many Elizabeth Peters books – most when I was under 20, and very few since. I read the bulk of them when I lived in books. (I probably love Amelia more than several real people I know) And I read them now as more of a tourist – visiting old friends in familiar places. Because of this, I absolutely enjoyed Laughter of Dead Kings, but I will not say that it is good. If you love and miss Vicky and Schmidt and of course the dashing John Smythe, it is a pleasant … Continue Reading

Leather Maiden was delightfully campy and noir and self-confident. Well written and not overly serious. The crime wasn’t so revolting – I didn’t have nightmares. The story was dark but in a well-worn predictable sort of way. The characters familiar archetypes. I enjoyed it somewhat the same way I enjoy crime television… although the writing, character development and sense of style were all superior to the usual 45 minute NCIS episode. I will definitely read more Lansdale…. and perhaps watch less television…

Laugh-out-loud funny and completely devastating – Catch-22 delivered as only a classic can.  I was worried after the first 100 pages or so that it was a one-joke book, but the characters fleshed out and the story congealed and Yossarian became tragic and heroic as well as comic. What a character. So glad I never read this in school. Keeping close track of the characters and story-lines so as to take quizzes and have meaningful class discussions would have altered the way the relationships between characters and events slowly became clear in my brain. All … Continue Reading

The House Sitter is typical Lovesey.  He’s sneaky – never seems to start strong.  Every one I’ve read seems awkward in the beginning so that I wonder what possessed me to read another.  But in this one, as usual, the plotting and characters start to deliver about a third of the way in.  Sometimes I just want a simple folksy British mystery and Peter Diamond hits the spot.  Satisfying and low key – just the thing for a rainy evening.

Liking The Elegance of the Hedgehog is bound to get me into trouble. I found it touching and warm. In theory I can understand the accusations regarding pretentious language and vapid characters, but honestly don’t agree. I felt that the story successfully created a small bridge between some vaulted ideas and musings of great philosophers and the corporeal, humorous, often inconvenient and sometimes tragic world.

When I finished it I reread the beginning bits of Phaedo – remembering the college discussions about Socrates rubbing his sore leg as he discussed the unimportance of the material mortal … Continue Reading

I liked Death in Autumn slightly less than the other Magdalen Nabb mysteries I have read. Her subtle descriptions of characters in seedy situations was present, and touching as always. The dialog and subplotting were excellent. The foreshadowing was a touch heavy-handed and the ultimate villain entirely too clever. Considering my extremely slight disappointment, I will absolutely continue to read and enjoy Guarnaccia stories.

Mark Helprin’s Winter’s Tale is a thing of beauty.  Gorgeous writing and adventurous, original plotting.  Fantasy in the very best sense of unrestrained imagination.  There’s a White Horse, a Grand Scheme, Politics, a Man who lives, departs, and Returns Again in another time… swordplay… thieves…  Big over-the-top story elements abound.  And yet there is also intimacy and hilarity and small plot eddys that entertain for short spans as the grand arc of the novel weaves in and out of the foreground.  Not a short book, and it would be understandable to lose heart, but you mustn’t give up until … Continue Reading

The Summer Book is slight and bleak, spare and beautiful.  A clear, unromantic depiction of island life as well as a meditation on mortality.  Definitely not a lighthearted book.   It’s bracing, though, like wind coming off of the ocean – you’ll taste salt.