in case you need a book recommendation - here's one for you:
The Story of Edgar Sawtelle
I haven't had an "I can't put it down book" for a while
this was definitely one of those
in fact, I finished it a couple of days ago and am currently mourning the fact that I don't have another book waiting in the wings.
:(
but look at this lovely handmade bracelet
... now I'm smiling ...
:)
(bracelet made by a Hawaiian woman named Apple)
17 comments:
Wasn't it wonderful! it was last Summers reading for me and I recall I mourned too.
I really liked that book when it came out -- and I'm glad that you found something that you couldn't put down on your vacation! I just finished reading "The Interestings," which was a good read but ultimately forgettable.
Also--this recommendation from
Terri Windling might interest you:
Looks fascinating--
"A Certain Prophesy is a highly unusual, compelling read by an author who falls in the interstices between all the usual literary genres: the book is part bildungsroman, part supernatural thriller, part psychological exploration of grief and its aftermath, and part philophical inquiry into some of the thornier aspects of ethics, art, science and religion. By this description alone, you can see why the novel doesn't fit squarely into any one section of the bookstore, and that's precisely what makes A Certain Prophesy unique, challenging, and fascinating.
Set in modern-day England (in the city of Exeter, just up the road from here), A Certain Prophesy is, primarily, the psychological coming-of-age story of Immanuel ("Mani") Dunn -- a young artist whose success in the professional world has not been matched by the maturation of his spirit and soul, both of which were badly scarred by the trauma of his mother's early death. Damien's particular skill as a writer is in exploring the inner workings of the young man's mind as he tries to find his way not only through a plot delicately laced with supernatural elements, but also through the dark places of Mani's life as he seeks to find himself as a man, and as a hero, in the moral muddle of the modern world. Along the way, he's surrounded by a wide and vivid cast of characters, whose own journeys (and distinct world views) intersect with Mani's for good and for ill.
Does that sound challenging? It is, but the novel is also a page turner, particularly for those readers of a philosophical bent of mind. (I know that "suspenseful" and "philosophical" sound like contradictory modes, but somehow they aren't here.) I don't know any other book quite like A Certain Prophesy. Nor do I know many novelists so willing to tackle what it means to be a "good man" in the Western world in quite so straight-forward a way. Cool detachment and distancing irony being almost de riguer among many of our younger writers today, this is a brave book for looking asking hard questions...and doing so with an entirely open heart.
Please do give it a try. And this is the time to do it, because for this weekend only, through Monday August 19th, it available entirely for free to Kindle readers. Go here if you're in Europe; and here for American readers."
I heard about that book from Mary Ann Moss of Dispatch from LA. As a matter of fact she is an avid reader and has lots of book recommendations on the side bar of her blog. I trust her judgement in such things so you might want to take a peek there.
That is one seriously gorgeous bracelet and who wouldn't want something crafted by a wahine named Apple.
Very cool.
~Dawn
The view from where you were sitting was enough to put a smile on my face, since I hadn't heard of that book, or that author before. I obviously lead a sheltered life (grin).
That is one unbelievably LOVELY bracelet. You have great taste.
I haven't heard of that book...will definitely have to take a look. LOVE the bracelet. Looks like life is good. :)
I am going to seek this book out...I would enjoy a book to read as we go daily to the radiation treatments for my beloved Ken...only 39 more to go...thank you, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart
Love that bracelet......the book not so much....I found it so incredibly boring....and disappointing...sigh... :( However i'am just finishing a fabulous book. Sandman,Sleep by Herbert Lieberman....I've never heard of the book before or the author and took a chance on it at an obscure book store on the clearance rack for maybe a $1. It turned out to be a really odd book . But one that kept me turning the pages to see what happens next.....Glad your having a great summer.....Hugs! deb
Love your bracelet. I too started Edgar Sawtelle, but found it so sad I put it down....I couldn't handle the dog scenes either so it's on the shelf. Got a new one I am reading from my local independent bookstore. Southern Cross The Dog. First time author, deep south story from a while back, but incredibly well written... xox
Funny your post should be about a book. I haven't had much time to read in the past few months, but just last week I bought myself a book, and, like you, I could not put it down and so enjoyed it. The Daughters of Mars by Tom Keneally. It usually takes me ages to choose a book...I love book shops, and am still digging my heals in at purchasing on line. I know people recommend books but what appeals to them may not be your cup of tea. I always go by the 'blurb' and the cover...it works most times but there have been some disappointments. Beautiful bracelet, my fave colour combo...cherry and turquoise . xx
My sister-in-law recommended this book to me because she knows I love dogs. I bought the book and started reading it. But in the beginning, it felt very dark to me, and kind of depressing. I stopped reading it, fearful of what would come next. Did I just not get far enough in to it? There are enough sad/depressing real things in the world. I usually like my reading material to be lighter and more uplifting. Do I need to give this book another chance? Or is it a book full of heavy drama?
Such a great book -- I loved it, too!!
About the book, it is kinda heavy. The fly jacket says it loosely parallels Hamlet ... It definitely has a dark thread running through it. But what I love in a book is characterization and the inner thoughts that are so hard to put into words. This writer did that so artfully. The dogs are ok in the end. The people are too, ultimately. Although the woman in the story has had me worrying at odd times about her welfare - as if she were a real person. I recommend the book to anyone who enjoys a story with true to life emotions.
I just read a review of the book which, without giving anything away, didn't seem to suggest it ended well. Not my kind of thing methinks, but I LOVE the bracelet :)
I do believe that I am the sole soul in the reading sphere who did no like the book. I gave up on Life After Life two nights ago after several months of trying. I picked up And the Mountains Echoed again last night. It slept with me. Have you read either of the latter?
ahh i loved that book so much...are you on goodreads? a great place to find the next epic novel...interested in the game of thrones books at all?? quite a commitment for 5000 pages but we really liked them quite a lot...not usually a fantasy fan but they were quite entertaining...hope you have a great trip! we are heading into fair/school time too...i am soaking up all the summer i can get :)
What a beautiful bracelet.....and what a sweet name. So I see Chris and Gwyneth weren't the first to think of that ;-)
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