Sanctus
Simon Toyne
I finished this book about 3 weeks ago and have yet been able to formulate a post. The reviews on this book were all positive. Everything I read online said it's a "must read." One reviewer said the book was written as if it is made to be a movie. It is also the first in a Trilogy. So I went out to the Library and borrowed it.
In the beginning it hooked me. Every chapter is a cliffhanger, which makes you want to read more. By the middle of the book I was bored with the format. I knew every chapter was a cliffhanger and every chapter was only 3 or 4 pages long. It's certainly a fast read and I could see how it lends itself to a movie format. However, this is no movie I would ever want to see. I hate to be scared at the movies but can read books that are terrifying and it doesn't bother me. This book is not something I would want to see brought to life.
The book takes place in modern day Turkey in a fictional city. Inside the city there is a Citadel where an ancient sect of monks live. As the story goes on the reader discovers more about these monks and the lengths they are willing to go through to keep their secret. Kidnapping, murder and bribery do not phase them. One monk, who discovers the secret, is so horrified he commits suicide by jumping from the top of the Citadel. His sister then comes to Turkey for answers about her brother's death. The story unfolds from there.
I won't disclose the ancient secret in case you decide to read the book. However, if you want to know just email me and I'll tell you. I was completely revolted by it. The monks call themselves Christians and believed they were doing the work of God. I think that's what made the book even worse for me. I don't think I'll be eager to read the next two books in the series. And I won't be eager to see the movie if that does come to light.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Imagination
The Night Circus
Erin Morgenstern
I truly envy those with an active imagination. I love reading a book and thinking to myself, where did the author come up with this! Erin Morgenstern has an incredible imagination and a way with words.
I just finished reading "The Night Circus" and it was brilliant. The story draws you in from the first page, from the very first words. The details in the book paint a picture that truly make you feel as if you are in the story. The book revolves around two young people, Marco & Celia. It takes place in the late 1800's but it doesn't have the feel of a Historical Fiction novel. The two main characters are engaged in a competition, a magical competition. The setting is a circus but there is nothing traditional about this circus. There are acrobats, magicians and tarot cards readers. However, there is also an ice garden and a wishing tree. The circus only operates from dusk until dawn and no one ever sees it enter or leave town. In the end this is a love story with a bit of magic. Who doesn't love that?
If you've never listened to an audiobook I would highly recommend this book. The man who reads it is incredible. He has a voice fit for the era, he does a wonderful job distinguishing his voice for each character. Above all, because the book is full of so much detail listening to it allows the listener to feel fully immersed in the story. He brings the story to life and makes the listener feel right at home.
Erin Morgenstern
I truly envy those with an active imagination. I love reading a book and thinking to myself, where did the author come up with this! Erin Morgenstern has an incredible imagination and a way with words.
I just finished reading "The Night Circus" and it was brilliant. The story draws you in from the first page, from the very first words. The details in the book paint a picture that truly make you feel as if you are in the story. The book revolves around two young people, Marco & Celia. It takes place in the late 1800's but it doesn't have the feel of a Historical Fiction novel. The two main characters are engaged in a competition, a magical competition. The setting is a circus but there is nothing traditional about this circus. There are acrobats, magicians and tarot cards readers. However, there is also an ice garden and a wishing tree. The circus only operates from dusk until dawn and no one ever sees it enter or leave town. In the end this is a love story with a bit of magic. Who doesn't love that?
If you've never listened to an audiobook I would highly recommend this book. The man who reads it is incredible. He has a voice fit for the era, he does a wonderful job distinguishing his voice for each character. Above all, because the book is full of so much detail listening to it allows the listener to feel fully immersed in the story. He brings the story to life and makes the listener feel right at home.
Monday, October 3, 2011
It's been done
I just finished a novel today that has "50 First Dates" written all over it. If you've seen the movie you know that Drew Berrymore's character loses her memory every night when she goes to sleep. In the morning Adam Sandler has to win her heart all over again. It's a cute movie with a nice ending. In the book "Before I go to Sleep" by S.J. Watson the same type of memory loss occurs. Christine wakes up in the morning and she has no idea who she is, who her husband is or where she is. Most days she believes she is in her 20's when she is actually 47 years old. She feels a deep sense of loss as she realizes how much of her life she missed.
The book does have a few twists and turns. Christine begins to keep a journal which she then reads everyday. Her memory starts to improve with the help of her doctor and the journal. As her memory improves she begins to wonder if her husband is lying to her. It's hard to decide how much to write because I wouldn't want to spoil the book for anyone. I will say that things in Christine's life aren't exactly what they seem. Since she can't remember yesterday she is at the mercy of those around her and what they chose to share with her.
Overall it was a pretty good book but it didn't wow me.
The book does have a few twists and turns. Christine begins to keep a journal which she then reads everyday. Her memory starts to improve with the help of her doctor and the journal. As her memory improves she begins to wonder if her husband is lying to her. It's hard to decide how much to write because I wouldn't want to spoil the book for anyone. I will say that things in Christine's life aren't exactly what they seem. Since she can't remember yesterday she is at the mercy of those around her and what they chose to share with her.
Overall it was a pretty good book but it didn't wow me.
Another good one
I love finding an author that puts out book after book of quality writing. I have read three of Ken Follett's novels and they have all been wonderful. This book, "The Third Twin" is the first mystery novel of Follett's that I've read. He also writes Historical Fiction.
"The Third Twin" is full of twists, turns, and surprises. If you like mysteries this is a good one. Jeannie is a scientist who studies twins that have been raised in different homes. It's a nature vs. nurture study. Her main focus is on pairs made up of one good twin and one bad twin. Her study hits very close to home when one of her good twins is accused of raping her lab assistant.
I thought Follett could have done a better job on the ending. Once the reader has figured it all out he exposes the bad guys in a strange and sort of uneventful way. I felt it still ended well, I was satisfied as a reader. I just thought the means to get there could have been a little better.
If you are interested in some heavier reading I would recommend one of Follett's Historical Fiction novels. I've read both "Pillars of the Earth" and "Fall of Giants." I cannot say enough good about both of these novels. The length is a little intimidating at nearly 1000 pages each, however it is well worth it! "Fall of Giants" is slated to be the first in a Trilogy. I believe the second novel is scheduled for release in 2012. As someone who hates history and would NEVER pick up a Historical Fiction novel I can absolutely say Ken Follet changed my mind. I will never judge Historical Fiction writing again until I've at least given it a shot.
"The Third Twin" is full of twists, turns, and surprises. If you like mysteries this is a good one. Jeannie is a scientist who studies twins that have been raised in different homes. It's a nature vs. nurture study. Her main focus is on pairs made up of one good twin and one bad twin. Her study hits very close to home when one of her good twins is accused of raping her lab assistant.
I thought Follett could have done a better job on the ending. Once the reader has figured it all out he exposes the bad guys in a strange and sort of uneventful way. I felt it still ended well, I was satisfied as a reader. I just thought the means to get there could have been a little better.
If you are interested in some heavier reading I would recommend one of Follett's Historical Fiction novels. I've read both "Pillars of the Earth" and "Fall of Giants." I cannot say enough good about both of these novels. The length is a little intimidating at nearly 1000 pages each, however it is well worth it! "Fall of Giants" is slated to be the first in a Trilogy. I believe the second novel is scheduled for release in 2012. As someone who hates history and would NEVER pick up a Historical Fiction novel I can absolutely say Ken Follet changed my mind. I will never judge Historical Fiction writing again until I've at least given it a shot.
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