Frugal Chariots

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

www.marriedtothesea.com

Catch-22

woctune — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 03:15:48 +0000

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 the necessary pauses of classroom work tend to slow momentum and diminish a good ending. This is one I am very glad to have finished in my own time.

The House Sitter

woctune — Fri, 29 May 2009 02:56:45 +0000

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.

Elegance of the Hedgehog

woctune — Thu, 28 May 2009 02:50:59 +0000

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 world. This book brought back those college contrasts, both within philosophy texts and without – students discussing virtue and truth and forms while behaving (appropriately) like self-indulgent young adults. Those feelings of struggling to reconcile personal reality and identity with Big Ideas all came back to me reading this book. I identified – not so much with any particular character but with the mood and style of the thing. I completely loved Paloma and Renee both from their first pages. (Although I did have a moment of worry that this might be another Virgin Suicides… it’s not.)

While I can see how there could be a point of view not charmed by the philosophical elements and odd-ball plot, the story struck me as sincere. I did not feel like I was reading a tedious attempt to impress the world with big words and references to Proust. Whatever it says about me – I liked this book very much indeed.

On the Wing

woctune — Sun, 03 May 2009 23:02:45 +0000

On the Wing paints a vivid, personal, and fascinating portrait of Peregrine Falcons, covering habits, evolution, biology and also information on human farming practices and pesticides that continue to threaten a wide range of birds. More than that, it is an engrossing first-person adventure story supported with scientific and historical asides and full of sympathetic characters – human, avian and animal. Doggedly tracking Peregrine Falcons in migration to see where they go, what they see, how they play, what they eat, the author comes off as slightly unhinged, but also educated and entertaining. I can’t testify to the truthfulness of the book – I am not a weekend birdwatcher, much less an expert. But certainly a good read. As an added bonus – the pilot he convinces to partner with him on this adventure hails from Maine.