Tag Archives: 20th Century

The Face of Trespass by Ruth Rendell

British Literature July 19, 2012 Superfast Reader

Synopsis: A poverty-stricken writer flees a failed affair, but things may have already gone too far. Review: The Face of Trespass is an early novel by one of my favorite writers, Ruth Rendell. It’s a short book and a quick read, yet packed with psychological complexity and fascinating characters. I loved the hermeticism of Gray’s world and his believably strange relationship with his French stepfather HonorÃ©. Not as transcendent as some of her best works (Judgment in Stone in particular) but well worth the read.

Don’t Look Back by Karin Fossum (Inspector Sejer)

Norwegian Literature June 14, 2012 Superfast Reader

Synopsis: When a popular teenage girl is found dead by a mountain lake, the innocence of an idyllic town is shattered. Review: While I enjoyed Don’t Look Back, I wasn’t hooked on the series. The mystery is very well-plotted and kept me guessing to the end, but the psychological complexity wasn’t there the way I wanted it to be. And the reveal at the end had some elements that felt forced and overly dramatic. However, I loved the Norwegian setting and the mention of Sigrid…

For the Children’s Sake: Foundations of Education for Home and School by Susan Schaeffer Macauley

American Literature June 10, 2012 Superfast Reader

Synopsis: A classic text on homeschooling using Charlotte Mason’s methods. Review: For The Children’s Sake was a very inspiring read for me, as I’m homeschooling my girls and very drawn to Charlotte Mason’s work. That should come as no surprise, since the Charlotte Mason method is all about learning from living books. Susan Schaeffer Macauley is the daughter of the famous Christian leader Francis Schaeffer, founder of the L’Abri institute in Switzerland, so I feel like I can really trust her point of view. I…

Goodbye, Mr. Chips by James Hilton

British Literature June 1, 2012 Superfast Reader 2 Comments

Synopsis: An aging schoolteacher reflects on half a century at a boys’ school in England, starting in the 19th Century and spanning past WWI. Review: I had heard of Goodbye, Mr. Chips but had never read it before, and I’m so sorry I waited so long! The book is just lovely, a gem where every word counts. I was moved beyond compare. It was described as “sentimental,” and I suppose it is, but not in the negative connotation of the word. It’s poignant and reflective…

The Dark Half by Stephen King

American Literature May 22, 2012 Superfast Reader

Synopsis: A literary author kills his crime fiction scribe alter ego, only to have him come to life and menace his family. Review: The Dark Half is classic King and a book I’ve ready maybe 4 times now. It felt thin to me this time, probably because I am so familiar with the plot. I still love the way it talks about the process of writing–I don’t think anybody really does that better than King.

I’m Dancing as Fast as I Can by Barbara Gordon

American Literature March 8, 2012 Superfast Reader

Synopsis: The classic autobiography of a TV producer recovering from a Valium addiction. Review: I read I’m Dancing as Fast as I Can because it was only 99 cents for Kindle. It has not aged well at all but I couldn’t put it down. It’s so dated but I found her earnestness kind of refreshing. However, the therapy she got was pretty horrifying, especially all the doctors who justified and even defended the behavior of her abusive boyfriend. I never quite understood exactly what was…

The Spirit Ring by Lois McMaster Bujold

On Reading February 7, 2012 Superfast Reader

Synopsis: In a magical version of Renaissance Italy, the daughter of a sculptor/mage finds herself embroiled in a deadly political dispute as she struggles to free her father’s soul, which a wicked lord wants to imprison in a magic ring. Review: Lois McMaster Bujold crafts a suspenseful tale of intrigue, sorcery, and politics that really satisfied me. The Spirit Ring is grounded in the kinds of real squabblings that mark territorial disputes, and the magic serves that story, rather than being the sole purpose of…

Taliesin by Stephen R. Lawhead (The Pendragon Cycle, Book 1)

British Literature November 25, 2011 Superfast Reader 1 Comment

Synopsis: A princess of Atlantis flees to ancient England where her paths cross with a mage-in-training whose parentage is unknown. Review: I was drawn to Taliesin (which I desperately want to be an anagram of Atlantis, but it’s not) because it’s a retelling of the King Arthur legend with historically accurate place names and details, and with the Christianity an important, unoppressive element. Several major characters are converted to Christianity in episodes that are emotionally and spiritually powerful, but Lawhead doesn’t make that the happy…

The Midwife by Gay Courter

American Literature September 15, 2011 Superfast Reader

Synopsis: The tale of a Russian midwife who emigrates to America during the pogroms of the early 1900s. Review: The Midwife was a completely satisfying reading experience, not just because the plot and characters were so engaging, but because I loved the author’s perspective on birth. It’s as if Ina May Gaskin were writing historical fiction–it’s so rare to see birth treated like a normal event, not an emergency. I am not a birth junkie but I did have both my kids at home and…

Childhood’s End by Arthur C. Clarke

American Literature July 23, 2011 Superfast Reader

Synopsis: Aliens take over the world with nothing but benevolence and peace, but are the changes they bring ultimately good for the human race? Review: I listened to the audio version of Childhood’s End thanks to a sale on Audible. I was really hooked the whole time, despite Clarke’s detached style. I felt the story held up mostly well, some 60 years after publication. However, Clarke was unable to imagine how radically sexual and gender politics would change in that time, and so the personal…

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