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

Un peu mieux que dernièrement, mais ce n’est pas encore tout à fait ça – Un Sentiment plus Fort que la Peur de Marc Levy

Publié le: 25 février 2013

Par : Robert Laffont

Nombre de pages: 419

Tentative de lecture : 1

Temps de lecture : 5 jours

Cote : «« ½

Recommandation : Si vous désirez apprécier pleinement cet auteur, lisez ses 4-5 premiers livres

Aussi disponible en anglais sous : Non disponible

Le contexte

Tout comme c’est le cas avec Carlos Ruiz Zafon, mon histoire d’amour avec Marc Lévy ne date pas d’hier.  Elle remonte en fait très loin, à l’époque de mes dernières années au secondaire.  À cette époque, le bruit courait qu’un nouvel auteur français faisait un tabac avec un roman dont la prémisse de base n’était pas banale : l’histoire d’un homme qui un soir trouve une femme dans son placard pour ensuite se rendre compte qu’elle est un esprit qu’il est le seul à voir.  Ce roman c’est « Et si c’était vrai » et c’est là que tout a commencé.

Mais depuis quelques années, mon histoire d’amour avec Marc Lévy s’apparente davantage à une histoire de haine.  En effet, depuis déjà environ 5 ou 6 ans je vais de déception en déception en lisant ses livres dont les histoires ne suscitent plus le même intérêt ou la même réaction chez moi.  Est-ce moi qui a changé ou lui?  Alors qu’au départ, il était à même de toucher mes cordes sensibles, aujourd’hui je considère ses derniers livres comme des pétards mouillés.

Inutile de dire qu’après autant de déception, la plupart des gens se serait tanné et serait passé à autre chose.  Mais bon je suis très entêtée et j’ai donc décidé de lui laisser une dernière chance.  Alors son dernier roman est-il un chant du cygne ou une rédemption?

L’histoire

Pour ceux qui ont lu son dernier livre « Si c’était à refaire » sachez que l’histoire de son 14^e livre reprend environ 6 mois après l’accident d’Andrew Stilman.  Maintenant pour ceux qui n’ont pas encore lu son 13^e livre et qui ont l’intention de le faire, je vous suggère de passer à la section suivante puisque je suis dans l’obligation de révéler ici des détails qui pourraient vous gâcher votre plaisir.

Alors, je disais que nous sommes environ 6 mois après la tentative de meurtre du journaliste Andrew Stilman, car figurez-vous qu’il a survécu.  Il vit présentement chez son ami Simon, fait des cauchemars toutes les nuits, son ex-femme Valérie est définitivement sortie de sa vie, il n’a rien écrit depuis 3 mois et il est replongé dans l’alcool.  Surgit alors de nulle part Suzie Baker, une énigmatique jeune femme qui après avoir perdu son copain dans un accident lors de l’ascension du Mont Blanc et la découverte d’un avion enfoui dans une grotte, lui demande son aide pour redorer le blason familial terni par une histoire de haute trahison.

Cependant, plusieurs aimeraient que cette histoire demeure dans l’ombre et ne revoit pas la lumière du jour.  Et ils n’arrêteront devant rien pour s’en assurer.  Car les détails de cette histoire du passé pourraient bien avoir des répercussions dans le présent plus importantes que ce qu’Andrew et Suzie peuvent penser.

La critique

Qu’on se le tienne pour dit : Marc Lévy est un auteur populaire et sa prose et son style n’entreront probablement jamais dans les anales de la littérature avec un grand L.  Cela dit, il y a des bons romans populaires et des mauvais.  Alors dans quelle catégorie place-t-on celui-ci?  La réponse est juste entre les deux.

Après avoir emprunté pendant longtemps un genre littéraire s’apparentant à celui de Nicholas Spark, tout en y ajoutant une petite touche de mystique et d’ésotérique, Marc Lévy emprunte ici un style qui l’associe davantage à Dan Brown et Steve Berry.  Est-ce que ça lui réussit?  Pour être honnête, oui… et non. Je dois admettre que j’ai retrouvé dans ce livre le talent de conteur qui avait fait de Marc Lévy un auteur de bestseller.  La trame principale est suffisamment complexe et enlevante pour qu’on veuille toujours en savoir un peu plus et en connaître le dénouement.  Cependant, le roman peine à démarrer et il faut plus d’un quart du livre pour comprendre enfin où va l’histoire.  De plus, contrairement à ses modèles, le rythme n’est pas aussi haletant qu’il le devrait créant ainsi de nombreux passages à vide.

En ce qui concerne les personnages, qui dans les premiers romans de l’auteur comptaient pour beaucoup dans l’opinion que je me suis faite de lui, ils sont ici plastiques, froids et dépourvus de profondeur.  Leurs introspections ne font pas le poids et les dialogues semblent forcés et sonnent faux.  Même la complicité que se développe entre eux m’apparaît artificielle.  On est incapable de ressentir pleinement le désarroi d’Andrew Stilman face à son alcoolisme et la façon dont il le gère, l’ambivalence d’Arnold Knopf entre faire ce qui est juste et ce qui est nécessaire ou l’obsession de Suzie Baker à vouloir à tout prix rendre justice à sa grand-mère.  En sommes, ils ne sont pas aussi attachants qu’ont pu l’être Lauren et Arthur, Lucas et Zofia ou encore Jonathan et Clara.

En somme, ce 14^e roman de Marc Lévy est légèrement mieux que les 5-6 derniers.  On retrouve ici un semblant de l’auteur et du conteur d’histoire d’avant dans un genre littéraire nouveau qui lui va quand même bien, mais tout de même moins bien que le premier style qu’il avait adopté et qui l’a rendu célèbre.  Alors à quand un retour aux sources?

En terminant, continuez à lire amateurs de livres et lecteurs de tous âges.  Envoyez-moi vos commentaires et suggestions de lecture.  On ne sait jamais, vous pourriez m’inspirer. En attendant, je retourne au dernier Dan Brown et espérant vous revenir prochainement avec sa critique (en anglais). À une prochaine fois

Coccinelle

Du bonbon pour les ados et les adultes – Les Lumières de Septembre de Carlos Ruiz Zafon

Publié le: 9 avril 2012

Par : Robert Laffont

Nombre de pages: 279

Tentative de lecture : 1

Temps de lecture : 4 jours

Cote : ««« ½

Recommandation : Si vous aimez, essayez ses autres romans pour adolescents

Aussi disponible en anglais sous : « The watcher in the shadows » sera disponible le 18 juin 2013

Avant de vraiment débuter cette critique, je tiens à m’excuser pour mon manque d’assiduité des dernières semaines.  En effet, mes vacances, mon manque d’enthousiasme pour n’importe quel livre que je débutais et mon retour au travail m’ont grandement éloigné de vous et j’en suis sincèrement navrée.  C’est pourquoi, afin de me faire pardonner, je vous offrirai dans les prochains jours, non pas une mais deux critiques de livres en français J

Le contexte

Mon premier contact avec Carlos Ruiz Zafon ne date pas d’hier.  En fait mon admiration pour cet auteur espagnol remonte à environ 8 ans lors de la parution de « L’ombre du vent », car c’est avec ce livre que je l’ai découvert et que je suis tombée sous le charme de son style littéraire, mais aussi de son talent de conteur.

Cependant, ce que la plupart des gens ignore, c’est que « L’ombre du vent » n’est pas le premier livre qu’il a écrit.  Il s’est tout d’abord illustré en Espagne avec ses livres pour adolescents qui lui ont été inspirés par ce que lui aurait aimé lire à cet âge.  Le résultat : 4 livres qui valent amplement le détour.

L’histoire

Après le Barcelone de « Marina », la côte espagnole du « Prince des brumes » et le Calcutta du « Palais de minuit », Carlos Ruiz Zafon nous amène maintenant sur la côte de Normandie où Simone Sauvelle, sa fille Irène et son fils Dorian s’installent après le décès de son mari.  Ils seront employés par Lazarus Jann, un fabricant de jouets de renommée internationale vivant dans l’étrange manoir Cravenmoore.  En effet, ce manoir labyrinthique comprenant d’innombrables pièces et corridors qui se perdent souvent dans l’obscurité, est habité par un nombre incalculable de marionnettes et automates animés d’une vie qui leur est propre.

Cependant, une ombre plane sur le manoir et elle s’en prend rapidement à la famille Sauvelle.  Qui est-elle et pourquoi s’acharne-t-elle sur eux?  Et surtout, quels secrets Lazarus Jann gardent-ils?

La critique

Que ce soit pour ses livres destinés aux adultes ou aux adolescents, Carlos Ruiz Zafon se concentre toujours sensiblement sur la même période temporelle, de 1920 à 1960, époque à laquelle l’art de l’écrit comptait encore pour beaucoup dans la vie des gens.  Exit, la télé et les images sensationnelles, ici c’est l’imagination qui crée le tout.  Et ça le sert très bien, puisque son talent de conteur ne peut que nous éblouir et nous mettre des images plein la tête.

Les descriptions qu’il fait des personnages, des lieux et des objets qui les habitent servent pleinement l’histoire.  Il ne reste qu’à fermer les yeux pour tout voir.  Le côté fantastique du livre (et de chacun des ses livres pour adolescents d’ailleurs) n’est pas poussé à l’extrême et rappelle beaucoup certains classiques de la littérature, comme H.G. Wells ou Robert Louis Stevenson.  L’auteur ne donne pas non plus trop dans l’horreur ou le cliché et son côté fantastique fait entièrement partie de la trame du livre, tout comme c’est le cas avec l’aspect un peu mythique, pour ne par dire magique, de ses livres pour adultes.

Contrairement à ses romans pour adultes où le rythme est plus lent et l’introspection et la personnalité des personnages est mise au premier plan, ici le rythme est plus soutenu, plus effréné, puisque le roman est plus court.  En effet, ses romans pour adolescents n’ont guère plus de 300 pages.  Mais attention, qui dit court ne veut pas dire que l’auteur reste en surface, puisque c’est tout le contraire.  Carlos Ruiz Zafon va au cœur de son histoire, ne laissant aucun détail au hasard.

Les personnages demeurent aussi un facteur important puisqu’ils sont souvent au cœur des aspects les plus sombres de l’histoire.  Ainsi les personnalités de la famille Sauvelle et de Lazarus Jann sont mises de l’avant dans le but de servir l’histoire.  On sait d’emblé à qui l’on a affaire et on peut aisément se faire une image mentale de Simone, la mère et veuve débrouillarde qui n’a pas encore fait le deuil de son mari, d’Irène, une adolescente vivant son premier amour, de Dorian, le futur cartographe qui adore partir à l’aventure et de Lazarus Jann, le vieil homme qui a vécu toute sa vie avec un secret qui pèse lourd sur ses épaules.  Carlos Ruiz Zafon fait également un clin d’œil ici à ses romans pour adultes en intégrant à l’histoire l’énigmatique Andreas Corelli.  Cela dit l’introspection des personnages laisse légèrement à désirer, mais en ont-ils vraiment besoin dans le cas présent?  Pas vraiment, puisque l’histoire se charge de nous en révéler suffisamment.

En somme, un roman (ou une série de romans) pour adolescents racontés par un conteur émérite et qui valent le détour autant pour les vieux et les moins vieux…  Et soyons honnêtes, ils ont le mérite d’être à mille lieux de « Twilight » et ses nombreux sosies J

En terminant, continuez à lire amateurs de livres et lecteurs de tous âges.  Envoyez-moi vos commentaires et suggestions de lecture.  On ne sait jamais, vous pourriez m’inspirer.  À une prochaine fois

Coccinelle

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