Deception point – Inferno by Dan Brown

Published on: May 14 2013

By: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group

Number of pages: 463

Reading attempt: 1

Reading time: 7 days

Rating: «« ½

Advice: If you’re willing to be patient, borrowing it from your local library will serve you better that buying it.

Also available in French as: Inferno

Just as I did with my French readers, I firstly want to apologize for my lack of assiduity in that last weeks. Three weeks of vacation which are followed by my returning to work with an intern did take a toll on me, I have to admit. Moreover, during my vacation, I could not find but one book I could get totally immersed in. Nothing seemed interesting enough at the time, therefore explaining my hiatus. As a peace offering, the review that will follow is one of a book that has been highly anticipated as one of this summer’s success.

The context

Who has never heard the name of Dan Brown in the past few months must have lived on another planet, as his name has been on the lips of many as his new Robert Langdon novel was to come out just in time for the summer. After the total failure that was The Lost Symbol everyone was wondering whether or not Dan Brown still had something good to offer?

Being part of the above mentioned group, I half anticipated-half apprehended his new novel. So, after reading the first chapter online, I decided to place myself on the waiting list of my local library. Even though I was number 8 and would have been one of the first to get my copy, I later learned that I would have put my hands on the above mentioned book nearly 2 weeks after its publishing date. I hereby decided that I couldn't wait that long and since the book was 50% off, I bought it. And here began my journey through Inferno...

A word of warning to you all: if you intend to read this book and do not wish to know any of its details, than I suggest you stop reading this review for I intend to reveal key details that might spoil your fun and kill your buzz. Sorry!

The story

Now to those of you who are still with me, here is an attempted resume of this novel:

Robert Langdon, an esteemed professor of symbology from Harvard, awakens in a hospital in Florence, Italy with a head wound and retrograde amnesia. He has no recollection of the last 2-3 days, including how he got in Florence in the first place and what he is doing with a projector representing the painting La Mappa dell’Inferno by Botticelli.

As he is still haunted by the mysterious woman who wants to kill him, Langdon, accompanied by his doctor Sienna Brooks, realizes that he must solve the mystery of the painting and the codes and clues that will follow in order to understand and also remember why he is in Italy, what he came here to do... and try to stop the plague that is about to be unleashed.

The review

To Dan Brown’s every fan who have been highly disappointed by the disastrous The Lost Symbol, this new adventure of Robert Langdon was suppose to be the author’s redemption and the confirmation of his status as a mystery/thriller author. So the question remains: is his redemption complete and does waiting four years pay off?

Sorry, but in my humble opinion, not really, no.

Although it is true that one of Dan Brown’s strength as an author is his “postcard style” writing that always leave you on the edge of your seat at every chapter end making it a page-turner, here the whole story plot is nothing but the same old recipe that has been applied to his previous novels. The result is a highly predictable story where the magic of his other books doesn't work as well as before. This may be due to the fact that Langdon’s amnesia, although it makes him appear more human and more vulnerable that in his three last adventures, has a tendency to slow down the rhythm of the story to the point of overstretching it. Moreover, the coincidences become too numerous making everything that happens appear too easy as if it had all been prearranged.

Furthermore, unlike his past novels where the story revolved around a mystery with roots that were set deep into the past and which had a secret society linked to it, here the story plot is entirely contemporary aside solely for the reference to Dante’s Divine Comedy, Inferno and all the artwork that it inspired. The story is therefore less interesting as we do not feel as committed to it as previously when we might have been under the impression that we were some kind of Indiana Jones looking for lost relics.

Even his view on the subject of the global problem that is overpopulation (which isn't often openly spoken of) and its imagined mean to attend to it is tinted with a moralistic, if not condescending, tone. Ergo the point that he tries to make of its importance goes unnoticed.

All in all, if you liked Dan Brown’s other books and are a die-hard fan of his work, you may have a good time reading this one as it is exactly like his others. As for me, it’s a miss.

As always, keep reading all of you bookworms and book lovers out there.  Let me know what you’re reading or how you found it.  Who knows, you might inspire me my next great read. As summer begins, it is always a favorite moment of mine to reread and rediscover classical literature. But do not fear, for although I plan to write about them I mostly plan on making you discover the authors they've influenced along the way. First in line, a great favorite of mine... Jane Austen J

Until next time

Ladybug

When J.K. Rowling and Stephenie Meyer meet – A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

Published on: December 27 2011

By: Viking Adult

Number of pages: 579

Reading attempt: 1

Reading time: 7 days

Rating: «««

Advice: The trilogy beginning of an adult “Twilight” mixed with “Harry Potter”

Also available in French as: Le Livre Perdu des Sortilèges

The context

If I remember correctly, I bought this book about 4 months after it was published, mainly because the abstract attracted me.  I had truly enjoyed the “Harry Potter” series and I must admit that I had (and still have) a soft spot for the “Twilight” saga.  There I said it: I sometimes indulge myself in the romantic cheesiness that comes with many of books found in the teen book section.

Being close to one of my bi-annual vacation, I told myself that this seemed like a good contender for vacation read.  As you have already guessed, with my addiction to buying more books than I can read, I delayed my reading of this novel of about 2 years.  Oups!!

The story

The story line opens with Diana Bishop, a witch whose only desire is to be as normal and as human as she can be.  While researching references in the Bodleian Library (Oxford) for an upcoming conference on the history of science and alchemy, she comes across a bewitched manuscript named Ashmole 782.  Now here is the catch: the above mentioned manuscript hasn't been seen by any magical creature for the last 150 years.  So how was she able to set her eyes on it?  Without wanting to, Diana sets in motion a series of events that will blow beyond her control as every magical creature (witch, daemon and vampire) tries to put their hands on the precious manuscript that may hold the key to their origin and survival.

Among them, a fifteen hundred year-old vampire and geneticist, Matthew Clairmont, who has already laid eyes on the manuscript right before it disappeared and who believes that his only chance at getting the book may well rest in the hand of a novice witch, he will have to befriend.  See me coming so far?

The review

The author has built here a well balanced mixture of fantasy, romance, history and suspense by focusing mainly on the mysterious alchemy manuscript that is Ashmole 782.  Her story is beautifully written and includes a lot of details that helps the reader immerse him/herself into the story.  I particularly enjoyed her well researched historical description as well as the description she makes of Oxford and its campus and libraries.  It felt has if I was there instead of here when I read those.  I felt committed to the story.  Until...

Until, I advanced further into the story and realized that it tended to resemble more and more an adult version of Twilight.  At first it didn't truly bother me that much; should the author have adapted the love story and sensual details to the fact that her two main characters are in their mid-thirties, it would have probably been fine.  The problem is that she didn't  which makes this part of the plot sound unrealistic and a tad bit too cheesy.

As for the characters, I found that the author’s strength lied mainly with her supporting characters (such as Marcus, Ysabeau, Sarah and Emily) more that with Diana and Matthew, who are her mains characters.  As a matter of fact, their unrealistic and juvenile love story (and at times, behavior) made them less likable and immature.  I felt deeper connection to her supporting characters which to me, seemed more realistic emotionally. 

All in all, a dense book where immersing yourself remains a possibility as long as you’re able to live with the occasional lack of realism of the two main characters.  As this is the first book of a trilogy you can already guess that I have the second published installment on hand.  But it will have to wait a little, as there’s a limit to the amount cheesiness I can take J

As always, keep reading all of you bookworms and book lovers out there.  Let me know what you’re reading or how you found it.  Who knows, you might inspire me my next great read.  Should you be wandering what happened with “World Without End”, let’s just say I diverged from it a bit... in hope to get back to it soon.

Until next time

Ladybug

When the Old joins the New – Mr Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore

Published on: September 24 2012

By: HarperCollins Publishers Ltd

Number of pages: 288

Reading attempt: 2

Reading time: 4 ½ days

Rating: «««

Advice: Read it if you like books about books or if you are in an “in-between” books period

Also available in French as: yet to be published

The context

I bought this book a while back; my guess is probably when I came back from Portugal last September.  At the time I hadn't read anything except my guidebook for the past two weeks and I was desperate to put my hands on something good.  As I was, yet another time, touring around different bookstores, I came across Robin Sloan’s book and it intrigued me: a book about books.

Let’s just say that based on this fact alone, buying the book was a done deal.  I didn't get far the first time I tried reading it.  I guess I just wasn't ready or in the mood for it.  But now, in between Ken Follett’s, I think the timing was perfect.

The story

Set mainly in San Francisco during the Great Recession that happened only a few years ago, we follow Clay Jannon who after losing his job as a web-designer, is in desperate need of a steady paycheck.  As his criteria for the perfect job go from several to non-existent, he ends up at Mr Penumbra’s 24-hour bookstore where he lands a job as night clerk.  But this bookstore is no ordinary store as he soon realizes.

First, not only does it sale everyday books to very rare paying customers, some individuals also come in repeatedly, checking out books that turn out to be impossible to read.  Clay concludes that there is more here than meets the eye and he will, with the help of his friends and modern technology, crack open this mystery, only to find out that the secrets extend far beyond this single bookstore.

The review

This book already had my vote when I first bought it.  I mean let’s face it: this is a book about books and the mysteries and secrets they may hold.  If you are obsessed by books as much as I sometimes may be, you are bound to find something interesting in it.

Although the story line, humanity’s everlasting search for immortality, is nothing new, the simple fact that the characters, especially the “Average Joe” Clay Jannon, show some sort of self-deprecation brings humor to this complex story plot.  By this process, the author shows that the story doesn't take itself too seriously bringing in some welcome lightness.

Its main characters, “Ordinary” Clay Jannon and “Grandfatherly” Mr Penumbra, both lead the way through this maze with their allies.  Every character is as realistic as can be as they all come with their qualities and visible flaws.

But do not be fooled by this easy style because as Robin Sloan allies all you normally need to make a good book (a good story plot full of twists and complexities with realistic characters), the author makes this important point: it is and will always be possible to have a balance in-between the Old and the New and this balance might forever coexist.    His point is frequently repeated in this book as the characters will have to use both modern technology as well as old books to crack this 500 years old mystery. Throughout the book, he also makes a point of showing that both vectors have their advantages and limitations, reinforcing his point of view about the cohabitation of these two information mediums.

And yet, as every person has its flaws so does every book, this one being no exception. The technical jargon about computer programming and the programming techniques described in this novel were a little complicated to understand and the concepts of their use difficult to grasp.

Moreover, the fast paced story plot made it at times feel as if all this puzzle solving and mystery cracking was a tad bit too easy for the characters.  The struggles they had didn't seem as convincing as they should have.  This feeling is further reinforced through the too perfect ending; which is why the book ended up feeling a little flat to me, hence its rating.

This being said, even though this book doesn't end up being as memorable to me as I first thought it would be, it remains a good book that showcases an interesting point of view about the future and the preservation of the old and new knowledge.

As always, keep reading all of you bookworms and book lovers out there.  Let me know what you’re reading or how you found it.  Who knows, you might inspire me my next great read.

Until next time

Ladybug

A work of rare beauty – The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett

Published on: June 29 2010

By: Berkley Mass Market

Number of pages: 983

Reading attempt: 1

Reading time: 20 days

Rating: «««««

Advice: It’s a must read!!!!!

Also available in French as: Les Piliers de la Terre

The context

I have been hearing the name of Ken Follett for a while now, whether it is related to his previous thriller novels or his more recent historical ones.  But lately with his new book trilogy “The Century Trilogy” and “World without End” now out on DVD, it’s becoming more and more of an actual talk than a simple whisper or murmur.  This is how I convinced myself to finally buy the book ... last summer.

As you see, I didn't exactly throw myself into it right away.  Actually it took a push from one of my friends who had just finished reading the “sequel” a short time ago.  Looking back on those last 3 weeks, I have to say that I owe her many thanks, because the last 21 days have brought me nothing but amazement.

The story

This is twelfth-century England; a country divided by a war of succession in-between the weak-minded nephew of the last king and his last legitimate child, a woman.  Their fight will touch many: some will acquire power and wealth only hoping for more, others will be betrayed and destitute and seek revenge over those who wronged them.

The main theater, the impoverished Kingsbridge priory and its new prior, who is desperate to bring back the old glory of his institution with a new and modern cathedral.  But others do not see eye to eye with him and will stop at nothing to interfere in his plans and those of his allies.

The review

This novel is a thing of beauty.  Rarely do you fall on a book that’s got everything working for it: a great story line, riveting characters, extraordinary writing style and thorough historical details.

The story plot is action-packed and features such themes as despair, treachery, corruption, betrayal and love.  The author also depicts here a fine reconstruction of what twelfth-century life was like.  The result makes for a book that is quite dense and complex where you can never guess what will happen later on, which makes it a powerful and undeniable page-turner.

The small downside is that it is a tad bit slow to start and that some of the technical jargon concerning the architecture and the building of the cathedral might discourage some.  The ending also tends to draw on a little, even though every single conflict is resolved.

As for the characters, the author makes it clear that he has great insight into people behavior as his creations come alive on the paper as well as in our imagination.  The author also adds a layer of complexity to his story through the intertwining of his characters’s lives.  This effect is achieved through the over description that is made of their thoughts and their feelings.  The result is simply magnificent as you are powerless to hate those who have a despicable and dark nature and love the heroes even through their rough patches.

This novel is not doubt a long-term commitment, but I can assure anyone who will take this path that it will be worthwhile and that there are no disappointments whatsoever.  You will be completely and utterly immersed in this book until you resurface at the very end of it.

As for those who still aren't sold on reading it and those to whom the thought of a thousand page-long book gives a hive, you could always settle for the eight-episode TV series, now available on DVD.  As I have seen it, I can say that it is a fairly good compromise, although you will lack in story detail and the directors took some creative liberties and tempered a little with the original story line.

As always, keep reading all of you bookworms and book lovers out there.  Let me know what you’re reading or how you found it.  Who knows, you might inspire me my next great read.  But for now, I am preparing myself for yet another tour of Ken Follett’s world... this one without endJ

Until next time

Ladybug

Feel good and foodie books – The School of Essential Ingredients and The Lost Art of Mixing by Erica Bauermeister

Published between: October 18 2010 and January 29 2013

By: Putnam

Average number of pages: 264

Reading attempt: 1 per book

Average reading time: 2 days per book

Rating: «««

Advice: Light reading. Perfect for a rainy day or a vacation

Also available in French as: “L’École des Saveurs”, the second title is yet to come

The context

Have you ever had a week, or even a day, where you feel like total crap?  A moment where you hate your job and wish you’d have chosen a different career?  An instant where you’re under the impression that your life as no meaning whatsoever, where you feel utterly alone?

I believe we all go through a phase like this sometimes.  As a matter of fact, this is probably what pushed me towards Erica Bauermeister’s books in the first place.  My first encounter with her was last January while I was stuck at home on sick leave. Talk about feeling like crap!!!!!  

While surfing on the net, I received a notice from Indigo (yet again) concerning the arrival in store of “The Lost Art of Mixing”.  Reading the synopsis instantly made me smile: a foodie book!!!!!!!  What else could bring me more pleasure than this?  I ordered the first book “The School of Secret Ingredients”, and then its sequel... and the rest is history J

The story

Both books are built in a similar fashion: a collection of characters gravitate around a restaurant, its owner (Lilian) and the way she is able to touch people through her food.  Each section addresses a more specific character through a decisive moment in his or her life, his or her relationship to Lilian and how it came to be.

In “The School of Secret Ingredients” the characters are Lilian’s eight cooking students.  Each of them have their own lives and have come to the restaurant seeking a specific recipe for something beyond the kitchen.

In “The Lost Art of Mixing”, some of the original characters are back as their lives collide and mix with those around them.  Others are there to join them as they create a family of their own, one that is chosen, not given.

The common review

The author has chosen here a winning style where the background story moves forward through the eyes of the different characters that make it.  The result is reader friendly and relatively light, exactly what you need when you’re feeling blue.

As those books are mainly about the people that make them, Erica Bauermeister is quite gifted at quickly drawing us in with each character portrait.  For even though the time spent with each one may seem short, the author has a way of packing it with as much details about their situation as possible without making the book appear too dense.  She is able to give us just the right amount so that we don’t lose interest or feel like something is missing.

Last but not least, this is not solely a book about its characters; it is also a book about food.  It is a celebration of the love many of us have for food and how it affects every single one of our senses.  I for one found my stomach growling and my dinner menu plans changing many times a day while reading about some of the food that is prepared.  Just speaking of it right now, makes me want to change my dinner plan for tonight... again!!!!!

As always, keep reading all of you bookworms and book lovers out there.  Let me know what you’re reading or how you found it.  Who knows, you might inspire me my next great read J

Until next time

Ladybug

Shocking family evening – The Dinner by Herman Koch

Published on: February 12 2013

By: Crown Publishing Group

Number of pages: 292

Reading attempt: 1

Reading time: 2 ½ days

Rating: ««« ½

Advice: Not one to read lightly

Also available in French as: Le Dîner

The context

The first time I heard about this novel was when I was browsing through a French book brochure.  I have to admit that at first, I did not think much about it.

A couple of months later, I received an email notice from a bookstore mentioning this book and how they were highly recommending it.  Reading their synopsis, I got intrigued and decided to give it a try.  After all, who would not be intrigued by a novel that poses this statement:

                What would you be willing to do to save the ones you love?

The story

Divided into the five parts of a dinner, the novel starts by slowly telling the story of two brothers and their wives having dinner in a hip and chic restaurant in the Netherlands.  Based on this premise, the narrative, given here by one of the brothers (Paul), seems quite simple if not common.

Until, the dinner reaches its climax and we learn the true reason behind this family reunion: the sons of brothers Paul and Serge have committed what Minny in “The Help” would qualify as a “terrible awful”.  As the extent and consequences of this “terrible awful” are revealed, the parents argue on how they should react  and how to deal with this matter, even if it means going against all moral principals ... even the law.

The review

The book format plays here a good part in my appraisal of it.  Paul’s first-person narrative is easily readable and intelligent.  Moreover, Paul’s monologue is brutally honest in the description he makes of his son’s and nephew’s terrible act but also of who he is as an individual and how he might inadvertently have influenced this act.

Another good point in its favor (and also the main reason why this is not a book you should read lightly) is that the author’s aim here is not the obvious moral and ethic response we would have at first expected.  The author is here shocking, if not provoking, in the lack of moral compass his characters depict, through their lies and deceits.  The solutions they envision to settle the “terrible awful” here lack even the basic legal ethic:

·         solving violence with violence,

·         taking the matter into their own hands

·         or even setting the matter aside completely.

Moreover, the author portrays here through the behavior of his characters, just how normal these potential solutions are to them as they truly consider each and every one of them.

As you go through an array of emotions that span from disbelief and lack of understanding to anger and rage at the injustice that is openly displayed, it becomes impossible to put the book down for good and leave the story unfinished.  In fact, you feel quite compelled to return to its pages in order to discover what the final outcome will be or how the whole matter will unravel.

Because even though this novel is frightening, shocking, provoking and even disturbing in its depiction of the immorality some people may show towards the legal and ethic system in place, we can’t keep away from asking ourselves just how far we would be willing to go to protect the people that are dearest to us.

Whether you will read this book and experience pleasure or disgust is entirely up to you.  The only sure thing is that it is bound to leave a lasting feeling on anyone who reads it.

As always, keep reading all of you bookworms and book lovers out there.  Until next time J

Ladybug

Small town folks, big and dense book-The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling

Published on: September 27 2012

By: Little, Brown and Company

Number of pages: 503

Reading attempt: 1

Reading time: 14 days

Rating: « ½

Advice: Borrow it but brace yourselves with patience because the wait will be long

The context

When I found out last summer that Rowling was publishing her first adult book, I must admit that I didn't exactly know what to think.  Having had so much success with the “HP” series, why would she want to change audience, or genre?

Feeling ambivalent, I decided to wait and see what other people would think of it.  Bad idea ... Turns out the reviews were pretty mixed: either they loved it or hated it.  This was only adding to my confusion and my dilemma: should I or should I not read it.  One thing was certain; I wasn't going to buy it.  So, once more I put myself on the waiting list of my local library and 4 months later, I had the book in hand and started reading.

The story

The story plot here is simple: a man, Barry Fairbrother, suddenly dies and leaves is Parish Counsellor Seat vacant, ergo the casual vacancy.  Based on those premises, the people of the small town of Pagford will have to fill that vacancy while their lives go on more or less as they always have.  

Though, nothing is more wrong, for Rowling's novel is all about lies and deceits, intrigues and disasters.  As she pulls back the surface story, she exposes the lives of all the main citizens of Pagford in all theirs flaws and little secrets.  Secrets that might have been better left alone...

The book review

Even though I kept in mind that this was Rowling’s first adult novel and that she was entitled, just like any other first time author, to make mistakes, I must admit that I didn't particularly enjoy reading it.  Moreover, I kept putting it down and finding myself excuses to do anything but read it.  In this particular case, reading didn't feel like fun anymore, it felt more like work, which I already do plenty of.

The one good thing I have to say about this book is that this is mainly the story of the people of Pagford.  This is where the strength of the J.K. Rowling as we have come to know her in the “HP” series, is.  Her characters, although numerous, all bring their contribution to the story and help it move forward as they evolve and follow their paths, whether for better or worse.  They are all of them distinct in their own way.  I particularly liked her teens, which as we know seems to be her forte.  Although her adults are also well built, at the end of the day you feel naturally drawn to these teens and their lives, especially in my case to the central teen character, Krystal Wheedon who leaves a lasting impression event after you’re done reading the book.  She might not look like it at first, but as you read on you find out just of vulnerable and sensitive she is and you find yourself hoping that she might just get what she has always been looking for: a real family and a home where she feels safe at last.

Now what I didn't really like is the fact that the story, although mainly about the characters, remains difficult to follow and the pacing might have a lot to do with it.  The pacing here is that of our normal lives where some days are over packed with activities or action and others where nothing really important happens.  It is okay in real life, but in a book, it makes the reading tedious and I got easily bored.  Should the book have been shorter, it might have worked, but here the length creates a dragging effect and some scenes were definitely too long and even, at times, unnecessary.

Moreover, Rowling tries to recreate here the likes of our society in its every detail, but to a smaller scale, making the book heavier and denser that it should be.  She tries to treat every subject:

·         drug use

·         parental abuse

·         living in poverty

·         the ill-being of teenagers and their “Firsts” : job, love, loss, ...

·         the narrow-mindedness of some small town folks

·         the need for better social services and how some people truly depend on them

·         ...

In my opinion, she only ends up, at times, by scratching the surface.  Though, I have to applaud her for using crude language and exposing at times, something raw and dark.  She does not shy away from what we all know to be the truth.

All in all, I believe the author might have tried to put too much in one book and that a more thorough editing process might have solved the problem by making the book shorter and lighter.  Let’s all hope that this will be the case in her next book.

As always, keep reading all of you bookworms and book lovers out there.  Until next time J

Ladybug

Inception in book form -Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell

Published on: August 17 2004

By: Knopf Canada

Number of pages: 509

Reading attempt: 1

Reading time: 12 days

Rating: ««

THE CONTEXT

The idea of reading David Mitchell’s “Cloud Atlas” first came to me after seeing the movie trailer back in October.  Now as a personal rule, I tend to always read a book before seeing its movie adaptation.  So after reading the obscure synopsis on the Indigo bookstore website, I decided to download the book preview from the Kobo bookstore, only to find out that it didn't even include a single page of the story. Disappointed, I made my way to the bookstore to have a sneak peak at this novel.  Not being genuinely impressed by the little I read, I put myself on the waiting list at my local public library, where it took 4 months before I could finally put my hands on this book.

THE STORY

Resuming the story plot is no easy task. Ask anyone who has read it.  Basically, it is a collection of six stories that are set in different places; different times, different genres and that each feature a different main character.  The first 5 stories are divided in halves with the 6^th story being the only undivided one.  As you read on, you move forward in time until you reach the bending point (aka the 6^th story) and start moving backward in time, in order to read the second half of every story, finishing each in turn. 

To try and put it more clearly, imagine throwing a boomerang traveling through time and space while taking pictures illustrating people’s lives at a precise moment in time and that coming back through the same times and spaces, this same boomerang takes another set of pictures on the same people.  Now, I will not attempt here to describe every story as it would give too much away to those who wish to read it.

THE REVIEW

Although I truly admire and applaud the author for his effort and creativity, I must admit that I have mixed feelings about his novel.

I can’t say that I truly dislike it, as some of the character and stories did hit a certain cord for me.  For example, I particularly enjoyed the stories entitled “Half-lives: the first Luisa Rey mystery” and “The ghastly ordeal of Timothy Cavendish” They were written in styles I usually am attracted and seemed to me to be best build up.  I also liked their colorful and resourceful characters and the fast-pace of their story plot.

As for the other stories, something just didn't hit the mark for me; either it being the genre, the style, the story plot and even sometimes the main character.  To say that I experienced difficulty reading “Sloosha’s crossin’ an’ ev’rythin’ after” (to name just one) would be an understatement.  The sole fact that it is written in a style where words are mainly contracted and tend to miss several letters or syllables, made me hate the story from the very start and rendered its reading tedious.

Moreover, the link between the stories was loose and made me wish at times that there was none.  Even now, I find it difficult to understand its importance and significance:

·         Is it the fact that the whole book seems to be a critic of some sort on slavery and the disparity between social classes?

·         Or does the book somehow critic humanity’s perpetual desire to achieve absolute power through different means and how it affects the rest of society?

Even the relationship between the title of the book and its contents makes very little sense to me.

I do believe that I might have liked to book more should the stories have been completely separated from one another. I think they would have worked better taken individually instead of as a whole, which is just confusing.

As to whether or not, this will be my first and last incursion into the works of David Mitchell is still open for discussion.  Because, as I do not usually judge a book by its cover or first page, I tend not to judge an author’s work based on one book.  So this may only be the beginning...

Until then, keep reading all of you bookworms and book lovers out there.

Ladybug