Monday, March 23, 2009

oops

I apologize for my neglect of our group :)

hopefully the causes have passed for now. My review of the book...

I loved this book. There was so much I didn't remember from the first time reading, and so much more that I caught on to the second time around. I think the first time I was just trying to get all the stories and characters straight, so I missed a lot of the intricate details and character development. This book is very "spanish" and reminds of works by older spanish authors like Lorca who I read in college. So much symbolism! So much depth! I got more out of the book the second time around. However, there were parts I really didn't like. some of the more violent scenes I had glossed over and didn't remember, sorry about those. This time around I was also more aware of the similarities and differences between Daniel and Carax, which made the book more interesting.

But moving on... the lovely Heather is up next to pick our book of the month...and I personally can't wait.

Sunday, March 8, 2009

Let's review, baby!

Okay, so I thought I'd get the ball rolling.
WOW, what a book. Intriguing, mysterious and heart-wrenching all rolled into one. Believable complex characters, twisting unpredictable storylin.........a wild ride.
Overall, I liked it (obviously there were some things I could have done without), I liked it alot. I'd probably recommend it to others. But I won't be buying it (that's the ultimate test for me...I LOVE books and I have alot of them, but I only buy a book if I have read it, loved it and want it to join my group of treasured friends).
Daniel was so interesting to me...how he could become so engrossed in another person's story...their mystery. Someone he did not know, and most likely would never know. But then I realized that I myself have done the same thing. Not exactly to the extent that he did, but I've been drawn in before by another's life, and wanted to know more.
I'm still not sure how the Daniel/Bea relationship happened. Out of thin air, it seemed. But, of course, I was so glad that their story ended happily, with Julian's help. Speaking of Julian and his story NOT ending happily....what would a happy ending have been, seeing as he and Penelope were half-siblings?
Anyway, no really deep thoughts here, it's been too long since I finished. :) Anyone else?