The Feathered Serpent was originally published in China about 10 years ago and last week it was published in English for the first time. I was fortunate to get ahold of an advanced copy of the novel through work (just one of the benefits of working for a bookstore).
The Feathered Serpent tells the story Yushe and the women of her family. Most the novel is third person, though there are some events told through the eyes of various female characters throughout the novel. It is a fascinating portrait of life in China through several generations, including vague references to several memorable moments in Chinese history. It offers an interesting look a completely different culture and lifestyle.
This novel is very much the Chinese version of 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. I thought about that novel a lot as I was reading this one, and now may have to re-read it (even though I didn't really like it the first time). While there may not be as much of the magic-realism, is still has the same epic feel.
I realy enjoyed this book, though it was one of those that feels like its getting a lot slower by the end. If you can stick to it, the book as a whole is an interesting portrait of culture, family, love and acceptance.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Friday, February 6, 2009
The Associate by John Grisham
I started reading John Grisham's novels when I was 11. Which, considering some of the content was probably a little young, but I always read above my reading level. The Client, The Firm, A Time to Kill and The Pelican Brief were among my favorite books. After reading The Associate, I think the John Grisham fad has worn off.
The Associate is your typical Grisham legal thriller, so much so in fact that it reminded me a little too much of The Firm. Don't get me wrong. It was a good read, entertaining and intriguing. It's the kind of book that you would take to read on a plane or on vacation; any time you would want an easy read that doesn't involve too much thinking. However, I have read a lot better books in the last 2 years.
I'm hesitant to say whether it's because my taste in literature has changed or whether Grisham's writing style has changed. I'd like to think it's the latter, because I'm pretty sure his earlier novels were a lot better than this. And this novel was actually a lot better than The Appeal, which I didn't like at all. It's a little hard to describe exactly what I thought of this book.
If you're a Grisham fan who has read every one of his books and still enjoys them then you'll probably enjoy this book. If you haven't read any Grisham but would like to, I recommend one of the four I mentioned in the first paragraph.
The Associate is your typical Grisham legal thriller, so much so in fact that it reminded me a little too much of The Firm. Don't get me wrong. It was a good read, entertaining and intriguing. It's the kind of book that you would take to read on a plane or on vacation; any time you would want an easy read that doesn't involve too much thinking. However, I have read a lot better books in the last 2 years.
I'm hesitant to say whether it's because my taste in literature has changed or whether Grisham's writing style has changed. I'd like to think it's the latter, because I'm pretty sure his earlier novels were a lot better than this. And this novel was actually a lot better than The Appeal, which I didn't like at all. It's a little hard to describe exactly what I thought of this book.
If you're a Grisham fan who has read every one of his books and still enjoys them then you'll probably enjoy this book. If you haven't read any Grisham but would like to, I recommend one of the four I mentioned in the first paragraph.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Proven Guilty by Jim Butcher
I'm not sure this book should count, since I've already read it. But it is a book and I did read it this year, so I'm counting it for now.
Proven Guilty is the eighth book in the Dresden Files series. Harry Dresden is a PI/Wizard practicing in Chicago and battling the forces of evil. What I like most about this series is that though it deals with magic it still has its own rules and remains fairly grounded in reality. It's not like Harry Potter where anything can be done by magic. In Dresden's world logic still has to follow the laws of Physics, as Harry often points out.
The books are narrated by Harry Dresden himself, and Harry's perspective and point of view are unique. I love the wit and humor in this series, and the fact that as a fantasy/sci-fi nerd myself I actually tend to understand most of the pop-culture references.
These books are extremely well-written and literally get better with every book. In book 8 Dresden has to track down the nasty creatures attacking a local horror convention while also protecting the daughter of one of his best friends. What I love is the fact that even though I had already read this book and knew how it would happen, I still couldn't put it down through the last few chapters.
There are two more books currently out in the Dresden Files series, for a total of 10 and the next is due out in April, I believe. I plan on re-reading the last two before that one comes out. If you're a sci-fi/fantasy fan you might want to check out this series. If you liked the show, the books are almost nothing like it, but they are way better.
Proven Guilty is the eighth book in the Dresden Files series. Harry Dresden is a PI/Wizard practicing in Chicago and battling the forces of evil. What I like most about this series is that though it deals with magic it still has its own rules and remains fairly grounded in reality. It's not like Harry Potter where anything can be done by magic. In Dresden's world logic still has to follow the laws of Physics, as Harry often points out.
The books are narrated by Harry Dresden himself, and Harry's perspective and point of view are unique. I love the wit and humor in this series, and the fact that as a fantasy/sci-fi nerd myself I actually tend to understand most of the pop-culture references.
These books are extremely well-written and literally get better with every book. In book 8 Dresden has to track down the nasty creatures attacking a local horror convention while also protecting the daughter of one of his best friends. What I love is the fact that even though I had already read this book and knew how it would happen, I still couldn't put it down through the last few chapters.
There are two more books currently out in the Dresden Files series, for a total of 10 and the next is due out in April, I believe. I plan on re-reading the last two before that one comes out. If you're a sci-fi/fantasy fan you might want to check out this series. If you liked the show, the books are almost nothing like it, but they are way better.
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