Frugal Chariots

Hard-Boiled Wonderland

woctune — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 17:37:09 +0000

Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World was not my favorite Murakami, but that just means I was less swept away than usual. (After Wind-Up Bird Chronicle the bar is high.) He is incomparable and it was a remarkable read. As with all the other books of his that I have read, in this Murakami is bizarre and surreal with a strait-faced and honest tone. For me, he is so low-key at times that the momentum of the story lags. I read most of this book a while ago, put it down, and months later got back to the last thirty pages. But I loved the ending, and I love the quiet solitude of his main character. And I continue to love the way Murakami can write an outrageous and unbelievable story (glowing unicorn skulls) and make it have the character and quiet dignity of a man eating a sandwich alone in his kitchen.

The Long Ships

woctune — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 17:17:26 +0000

The Long Ships is a great, rollicking, loosely historical viking adventure by Frans G. Bengtsson. Or rather, a series of adventures all featuring the extremely lucky Orm over the course of his remarkable life. While they span Orm’s life – each story remains its own fireside tall tale. The book is in no way a dusty tome, and is easy to read in lively bits and pieces. A great antidote for a long drab winter.

Gourmet Rhapsody

woctune — Sun, 05 Dec 2010 17:10:55 +0000

I loved this small treat of a book. It makes me sad to read reviews that say there is no story here. The main character’s life is a story that is revealed bit by bit through is own memories and the thoughts of those around him. Barbery used very short passages to maximum effect. I found myself developing genuine sympathies for characters only given a brief page and a half of voice. And the life unfolded throughout the book in a flawed, colorful, haphazard way that felt genuinely human…. Not only was his story revealed, bit by bit, but there’s a whole constellation of questions here about human behavior, thought and feeling. How could this genius have so many perceptions of food and appreciate the people around him so little? Is is wife to be pitied? Despised? Why did he behave better toward his dog? Should his children feel obligated to see him on his deathbed? Even if he did not love them? Why does he cherish some human flaws and not others? How can he enjoy writing scathing reviews about imperfect food and also yearn for those simple or flawed snacks that bring back cherished memories?

At 156 scant pages I’m not sure Gourmet Rhapsody is a novel. It does have florid language and does not have a linear story. It just so happens that the language made me smile, the characterization of food made me happy, and the character portraits made me thoughtful. So while I understand the criticism levied against this book, I can’t deny that I was utterly satisfied.

Count of Monte Cristo

woctune — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 15:31:21 +0000

I read Count of Monte Cristo over the course of a year, on and off. The short, episodic chapters were perfect for my back-to-school craziness. I could read a little or a lot. I could pick it up after a while and still remember what was happening (er. Mostly… toward the end I was definitely fuzzy on the relationship between Caderousse and Benedetto.) Excellently paced (until the last few pages when I just wanted to know what would happen already), charming, and more nuanced than I expected. It was a grand entertaining adventure tale with romance and intrigue and of course, revenge. But I was glad that the main character did not turn out to be all-powerful and flawlessly confident. There was subtlety to him after all…. his faith that he was the instrument of God was not impermeable.

Not that this is comparable to something like Brothers Karamazov or even, I think Les Miserables…. but it is more than a simple adventure. Absolutely satisfying.

Angel’s Game

woctune — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 18:57:38 +0000

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

Stone’s Fall

woctune — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 18:58:39 +0000

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.

Aya

woctune — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 22:28:09 +0000

Aya has stunning art and a charming story about teenagers getting into mischief. I think the art is worth the price of the book. I understand that the story is supposed to be light, humorous and personal… painting a picture of a happier, more frivolous Africa. Still I think the narrative taken on it’s own lacked punch. Definitely not ambitiously written in the way of Rabbi’s Cat…. even if the art is similar in style.

Laughter of Dead Kings

woctune — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 20:19:34 +0000

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 and nostalgic diversion. No new ideas, and lots of cheerful and frivolous referencing back to previous plots. (Truth be told, I always thought the Vicky plots were a touch flimsier than the Amelia plots… so there’s not a lot left to mine… best not to think about things too much…) I’d still recommend both series for a light and cheerful read (particularly if a little silly romance makes you smile & doesn’t turn your stomach) but it’s absolutely worth reading them in order. That way you can either enjoy the nostalgia when it comes, or have the opportunity to bow out gracefully before it gets too thick.

Leather Maiden

woctune — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 03:36:37 +0000

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…

so sweet and so cold

woctune — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 03:21:19 +0000