sophronisba's reviews
2471 reviews

Maria Fitzherbert: The Secret Wife of George IV by James Munson

informative reflective medium-paced

4.0

A balanced portrait of George IV's first wife (who was more unauthorized than secret, given her frequent appearances in popular caricatures and scandal sheets). Munson is sympathetic to his subject but also aware of her flaws. 

Le Mariage by Diane Johnson

lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

Another comedy of manners in the vein of Le Divorce, but not nearly as good.

They Thought They Were Free: The Germans 1933-45 by Milton Mayer

challenging informative reflective medium-paced

4.25

Fascinating as a reflection of what's going on right now, but possibly even more interesting as a primary source for Western political thought during the Cold War.

The Anarchy: The East India Company, Corporate Violence, and the Pillage of an Empire by William Dalrymple

The story of the East India Company is wild -- a corporation that ends up running a military occupation -- and there's certainly room for comparison to the current era. (History doesn't repeat but it does rhyme.) Lots of names and lots of battles and sometimes the overall arc of the book is lost. But still fascinating.

Playworld by Adam Ross

funny reflective relaxing sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Reminded me forcibly of John Irving's best work (there's even wrestling -- but alas, no bears). I found it quite engaging but the ending was a bit too neat.

Save Our Souls: The True Story of a Castaway Family, Treachery, and Murder by Matthew Pearl

dark informative tense medium-paced

3.0

There are nineteenth-century sailing ships and a deserted island so this should have been right up my alley, but the pacing was off and and the book as a whole felt unfocused. Didn't really hold my attention, which is a shame, because the elements of this story are pretty good.

On Savage Shores: How Indigenous Americans Discovered Europe by Caroline Dodds Pennock

challenging informative reflective medium-paced

4.0

A fascinating look at the indigenous Americans who found their way to Europe in the fifteenth century, but frustratingly anecdotal. The individual stories are compelling and often moving but I never really felt like I got the big picture.

Prince of Pleasure: George IV and the Making of the Regency by Saul David

informative

3.5

George IV was, ah, extremely messy in his personal life and treated his wife very badly; but his fondness for the works of Jane Austen makes me think he can't have been completely irredeemable.

The Party by Tessa Hadley

reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

Beautifully written, as Tessa Hadley's work always is, but either forty pages too long or 150 pages too short. 

Wild Faith: How the Christian Right Is Taking Over America by Talia Lavin

dark emotional informative medium-paced

3.75

Between having grown up in this world and having watched the destruction of the previous week, this book made me feel very hyperventilate-y. I think there's valuable information here if you know nothing about the topic but for me the breathless tone just made me feel anxious.