Take a photo of a barcode or cover
__ceecee__'s Reviews (414)
This was a life-changing book for me, so I thank my teacher and friend for lending this to me. Simply put, this is a collection of stories from people from all walks of life who, in their small ways, added a little more good in the world. It also incorporated inspirational quotes before every story. With my increasing disillusionment in life, these stories helped me see that there is still some good, and life isn't utterly hopeless.
One of my favorite quotes:
And maybe, just maybe, life will be better.
One of my favorite quotes:
Do all the good you can.
By all the means you can.
In all the ways you can.
In all the places you can.
At all the times you can.
To all the people you can.
As long as ever you can.
-[a:John Wesley|151350|John Wesley|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1314460103p2/151350.jpg]
And maybe, just maybe, life will be better.
"I thought of all the holy people throughout history, all the mystics and martyrs, artists and visionaries, and what the world would have been like if they'd all been given medication to make them ordinary. There would have been less suffering, no doubt about it, but I couldn't imagine a world without saints and madmen. Someone had to walk the outer edges. Someone had to stir things up."
- Chester
I have always been fascinated by divinity and madness. My interests had often been "other". Now it looks to me I've found yet another book that seems to be after my own heart.
A coming-of-age novel, The Annunciation of Francesca Dunn tells the story of 14-year old Francesca, whom people somehow believe to be the Virgin Mother in the flesh, told from 4 of the main characters' perspectives. Multiple POV stories are close to my heart, because I am always interested in characters' dynamics, and simply because I like to get inside every character. What's interesting in this book is that 3 POVs are written in the first person narrative, while Francesca, the central part of the story, is written in the third person present tense. It seems to work in favor of the writer, because I cannot imagine this unusual story being told by Francesca herself.
This book was beautifully written. The characters were flawed, yet resilient. There's a homeless man who can smell the essence of each person he meets. Definitely inspired by [b:Perfume: The Story of a Murderer|343|Perfume The Story of a Murderer|Patrick Süskind|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1328815062s/343.jpg|2977727], and the passages about people's smells, ranging from sweet roses to newly sharpened pencils, were fascinating. In fact, the four characters' insights were intelligent and ringed of truth. They were wise, even in innocence.
What really drew me to it was the book's search for the divine, of a part of God in all of us. Sometimes, we need to go a little mad, to lose ourselves, before we find ourselves. I really like spiritual books that delve into this stuff, without getting preachy. It made me reevaluate my own beliefs, and helped me to feel once again the same feeling of calm happiness when I was first conscious of how miraculous ordinary life was.
I cannot fully articulate how good this book was, in its simplicity. All I know is, it struck a chord in me.
~~~
I read that it took the author six years to write this novel. I think it really payed off.
*4.5 stars*, a mesmerizing debut novel that tickled my fancy, especially since it tackled issues of spirituality/divinity, madness, and the mundane.
- Chester
I have always been fascinated by divinity and madness. My interests had often been "other". Now it looks to me I've found yet another book that seems to be after my own heart.
A coming-of-age novel, The Annunciation of Francesca Dunn tells the story of 14-year old Francesca, whom people somehow believe to be the Virgin Mother in the flesh, told from 4 of the main characters' perspectives. Multiple POV stories are close to my heart, because I am always interested in characters' dynamics, and simply because I like to get inside every character. What's interesting in this book is that 3 POVs are written in the first person narrative, while Francesca, the central part of the story, is written in the third person present tense. It seems to work in favor of the writer, because I cannot imagine this unusual story being told by Francesca herself.
This book was beautifully written. The characters were flawed, yet resilient. There's a homeless man who can smell the essence of each person he meets. Definitely inspired by [b:Perfume: The Story of a Murderer|343|Perfume The Story of a Murderer|Patrick Süskind|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1328815062s/343.jpg|2977727], and the passages about people's smells, ranging from sweet roses to newly sharpened pencils, were fascinating. In fact, the four characters' insights were intelligent and ringed of truth. They were wise, even in innocence.
What really drew me to it was the book's search for the divine, of a part of God in all of us. Sometimes, we need to go a little mad, to lose ourselves, before we find ourselves. I really like spiritual books that delve into this stuff, without getting preachy. It made me reevaluate my own beliefs, and helped me to feel once again the same feeling of calm happiness when I was first conscious of how miraculous ordinary life was.
I cannot fully articulate how good this book was, in its simplicity. All I know is, it struck a chord in me.
~~~
I read that it took the author six years to write this novel. I think it really payed off.
*4.5 stars*, a mesmerizing debut novel that tickled my fancy, especially since it tackled issues of spirituality/divinity, madness, and the mundane.
What if you were responsible for taking away the lives of 78 people? And what about the lives of the people they left behind?
These are just some questions tackled in the book. It's a story about redemption, forgiveness, and the unlikely people you meet that help you bring back together the pieces of your life.
This book was a pleasant surprise for me, considering I only bought this book because it was really really cheap, and I bought it so I wouldn't be embarrassed at not buying a book in a bookstore, and also I was desperate at the time to find a fresh book to just read.
And the book was like a breath of fresh air for me. The subject matter is not the kind I actually look out for. I mean, redemption? Forgiveness? Hardly a popular topic, at least to me. But Morrall wrote it so it was kind of a mystery as to how Peter Straker could feel responsible for the lives of 78 people, and how they all died, and even Imogen Doody's mysterious past and what happened to her husband.
I guess it tackles more on the not knowing. Not knowing how your irresponsible act affected the lives of the people. Not knowing that today is going to be your last day. Not knowing whether or not the person you loved is dead or just missing. Not knowing how your life is entangled with your unexpected friend's life.
It was handled very well. Imogen and Peter's friendship was an unlikely one, but sometimes it is the most unlikely people that change your life. It's the beauty of forming friendships.
I look forward to another Clare Morall novel.
These are just some questions tackled in the book. It's a story about redemption, forgiveness, and the unlikely people you meet that help you bring back together the pieces of your life.
This book was a pleasant surprise for me, considering I only bought this book because it was really really cheap, and I bought it so I wouldn't be embarrassed at not buying a book in a bookstore, and also I was desperate at the time to find a fresh book to just read.
And the book was like a breath of fresh air for me. The subject matter is not the kind I actually look out for. I mean, redemption? Forgiveness? Hardly a popular topic, at least to me. But Morrall wrote it so it was kind of a mystery as to how Peter Straker could feel responsible for the lives of 78 people, and how they all died, and even Imogen Doody's mysterious past and what happened to her husband.
I guess it tackles more on the not knowing. Not knowing how your irresponsible act affected the lives of the people. Not knowing that today is going to be your last day. Not knowing whether or not the person you loved is dead or just missing. Not knowing how your life is entangled with your unexpected friend's life.
It was handled very well. Imogen and Peter's friendship was an unlikely one, but sometimes it is the most unlikely people that change your life. It's the beauty of forming friendships.
I look forward to another Clare Morall novel.
Who knows if I might have enjoyed the book more if I had not watched and loved the movie (the one with a dashing Alan Rickman in it) before reading the novel. Certainly, it provided me with much more insights and answers to plot holes which the movie provided, such as Lucy Steele's character and her baffling marriage with a Mr Ferrars.
In any case, I'm glad I watched the movie first, because Austen's lengthy narratives would have confused me and would probably have given me a headache if I hadn't any idea of what the story would be.
I do wonder if people read Austen for the romance, because I think the social commentaries are much more focused on, and the romance takes a back seat.
I have watched almost every movie adaptation of Austen's novels and am most curious as to how the novels played out, especially with Mansfield Park and Persuasion, the two Austens I have not yet read.
Also, I think it funny indeed that I now write and think in the style of Austen's characters, after a week of indulging in almost every adaptation on her novels.
**am i classy now?**
In any case, I'm glad I watched the movie first, because Austen's lengthy narratives would have confused me and would probably have given me a headache if I hadn't any idea of what the story would be.
I do wonder if people read Austen for the romance, because I think the social commentaries are much more focused on, and the romance takes a back seat.
I have watched almost every movie adaptation of Austen's novels and am most curious as to how the novels played out, especially with Mansfield Park and Persuasion, the two Austens I have not yet read.
Also, I think it funny indeed that I now write and think in the style of Austen's characters, after a week of indulging in almost every adaptation on her novels.
**am i classy now?**
My friend introduced me to Catherine Coulter through this book, and glob I loved it. CC writes in a straight-to-the-point way that manages to be funny because it's so honest and plain. Her characters speak so strangely, unlike with other historical romances I read. They are way too honest, and somehow CC's writing style works.
Maybe it's because this is the first Coulter I read, that I didn't find it lacking or disappointing. I loved Grayson St. Cyre. He kind of reminds me of Freddy from Georgette Heyer's [b:Cotillion|311165|Cotillion |Georgette Heyer|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1266521416s/311165.jpg|2093215]. No brooding heroes for me!
Maybe it's because this is the first Coulter I read, that I didn't find it lacking or disappointing. I loved Grayson St. Cyre. He kind of reminds me of Freddy from Georgette Heyer's [b:Cotillion|311165|Cotillion |Georgette Heyer|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1266521416s/311165.jpg|2093215]. No brooding heroes for me!