TILL WE HAVE FACES

Woah. Not your Pevensie adventure! I was expecting "traditional Lewis" but who is that? This was not what I anticipated, but I found it captivating. I found customers an interruption in the telling of the story.

I think the thing I found most interesting in this book is that Lewis tells the story through an individual, Orual, who writes the story somewhat in "haste" and in anger. It is only after she finishes writing the story, told entirely in her own perspective, that she realizes her personal beliefs regarding any given scenario and/or person were wrong. How like myself! I go with my initial impression and take things in as I perceive them to be. Afterwards I discover that perhaps my view wasn't as accurate as I thought. Frequently, it is only at the end of things that I can look back with a complaint and see that things were exactly as God meant them to be. Reminds me of Job.

I'm not entirely sure though if Lewis meant this to be allegorical in nature so I'm very hesitant to draw too many lines of connection between the story and our spiritual walk. Comments from anyone else on that? Online reviews seem mixed and the "note" by Lewis at the back of my copy of the book suggests nothing other than a personal fascination with the story of Cupid and Psyche. ???

Either way, it was both horrible and spell-binding in nature. (To me anyway!)

Inkheart

I actually read this book more than a month ago, when Anneke first suggested it, and before it became our pick of the month, because it sounded interesting and I wanted to read it regardless. It's a charming book in the fantasy/fairy tale line, written for children, I suppose.

The hardest part for me to handle was to picture the fantasy taking place in the everyday, real world: the notion of cars, telephones, guns, school, and police juxtaposed with people who acted so obviously medieval was a bit jarring and never quite meshed in my mind. The villain was quite dastardly, although the characters had an annoying habit of frequently doing very stupid and predictably unfortunate things, which I could have warned them against! I suppose because it was children's fiction, they ended up doing the simple, obvious things. The plot moved along quickly, though, and the premise involved a fascinating conceit about stories coming alive by reading them aloud.

I didn't quite know what to make of the hinted romance between Resa and Dustfinger. I did like the development of Elanor's character. I always like it when you end up liking someone who was not at all likable at the beginning of the book.

The ending rather left me hanging - it felt too patched-up and abrupt, and didn't properly resolve the drama of the preceding hundred-odd pages. No doubt the author was setting up for a sequel.

Certainly not a timeless classic, but a very readable and enjoyable story.

A TOAST TO TOMORROW

First things first .......

THANK YOU, ROSE, FOR SUGGESTING THIS BOOK!

Ok, I have to admit I didn't try very hard to track this book down to read because I really wasn't sure about it. I'm so glad I put forth the final effort though. If anyone else is having a hard time finding this book - don't give up! Given the fact that it was written in 1940(1?) it may be a bit difficult to locate. I believe Amazon has it and I intend to purchase a copy for myself. According to this library check out card located in the back of the book-- this book fell from interest sometime in the '70's. Pity.

World War II is my favorite period in history so I was immediately captivated by the book within the first few pages. I loved getting a fictional glance of the German powers from an "inside source" who put his own life on the line many a time in order to do things "right."

I have no idea what to say about it, really, except if you like clean action/adventure and are fascinated by people and events surrounding WWII -- you'll love this book. It boasts twists and turns and characters worth admiring. I positively loved it. Quick, easy read and fun story line!

Thanks for the read, Rose! Awesome pick.

Completely Unrelated

My other readings from April....

Impossible Things a collection of short stories by Connie Willis
I was talking with a friend the other day who made the comment that good short stories are hard to find, but oh-so-wonderful when they are found. Connie Willis is a very intelligent woman who mixes her knowledge of history and science to make super believable science fiction landscapes in which to couch clever tales that almost always have more meaning that one initially suspects. I particularly liked her tribute 40's era romance plots in "Spice Program", and her super intelligent cut at political correctness using, of all things, Shakespeare! in "Ado", and finally, the depressing but beautiful "Schwarzchild Radius" in which she makes life mimic science. Oh, so much fun!

Calvin's commentary on the Galatians
I've found this one easier to read that the other's I've perused so far (Mark, Romans, Revelation, Genesis). I read them slowly, bit-by-bit, along with whatever Bible study I'm in, and that way, some day, I will get through them all. I continue to appreciate his clear passion for the sacredness of the Word, and his deep love for God.

The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell
SO interesting!! I highly recommend it. Really, everyone should read this! Quick, easy, but so fascinating I took my time with it.

Breaking the Da Vinci Code
eh, whatever. Ok, I suppose, but not too well written, not as scholarly as I would like, and not terribly compelling, although I agreed with his "facts". Certainly not an intelligent-feeling, page-turner like the book it is discussing.

I've been reading less recently, so that's all folks! :)