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matt_and_cheez's Reviews (493)
This was a great insight into the way American English is changing. Or rather, has changed, since this book was published in early 2000s. There is a lot that the author could add now, with the invention of smart phones and google, etc., but still a good read and gives you lots of conversation topics regarding language and how we shouldn't be so stuffy with grammar.
J'ai lu cette petite historie en classe de francais AP. Je l'ai aimee, mais, il etait un peu dificile a lire, parce qu'il etait totalement en francais.
This novel takes a deep look into the bond (or lack thereof) between parent and child, and explores the unspeakable question: what if a mother dislikes her own son? Through a series of letters to her estranged husband Franklin, Eva Katchadourian slowly builds up to the event, a certain Thursday, in which their son Kevin committed an act rivaling Columbine. In the end, the reader knows how Kevin did it, but ultimately, we still want to know why? But in reality, does it really matter? Author Lionel Shriver delivers a stunning portrayal of a very off-limits topic and explores the very real idea that not all children are good. The ending was definitely shocking and the most memorable, but Eva's witty and sophisticated language, anti-American complaints and deep desire to travel the world made the pages turn very quickly for me.
POST-REVIEW REVIEW: I just read another review in which the reader says that the book is refreshing because it explores a tragedy in pre 9/11 America and so there is no dialogue about terrorists and Iraq, etc. I totally agree. It seems like 9/11 really warped our sense of tragedy in this country and made us forget that horrible things go on even within the family unit. Although the book does allude to 9/11 talking about the Columbine kids "hijacking a jet and flying it into the world trade center."
POST-REVIEW REVIEW: I just read another review in which the reader says that the book is refreshing because it explores a tragedy in pre 9/11 America and so there is no dialogue about terrorists and Iraq, etc. I totally agree. It seems like 9/11 really warped our sense of tragedy in this country and made us forget that horrible things go on even within the family unit. Although the book does allude to 9/11 talking about the Columbine kids "hijacking a jet and flying it into the world trade center."
I am very interested in languages, and this book explained in incredible, very interesting detail about the 'language instinct' that author Steven Pinker believes all humans have. Very nice read.
This book was different. Its point of view is that of a female clone who grows up in a world where she and her friends must donate their organs as they get older and eventually die. I didn't like how it kept flashing back to other small anecdotes, that got annoying. The idea behind the story was intense though: fatalism and the inability to change one's fate were the prevalent themes.
Review #2 (10/02/11)
I actually really enjoyed this book more the 2nd time around. The constant flashbacks and tangents didn't get to me because I already knew how they connected to the main story. This book is really terribly sad, and now I want to see the movie.
Review #2 (10/02/11)
I actually really enjoyed this book more the 2nd time around. The constant flashbacks and tangents didn't get to me because I already knew how they connected to the main story. This book is really terribly sad, and now I want to see the movie.