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thewildnorry's reviews
213 reviews
The Piper's Son by Melina Marchetta
4.5
A beautiful sequel to Saving Francesca, this book delves into the life of a supporting character and flushes him out into a dynamic and round character whose history is as riveting as it is tragic. I loved seeing more of Thomas Mackee - Tom now - and getting to know his family.
Unlike the first in the series, this book plays with alternating perspectives between Georgie and Thomas, and it's done phenomenally. I particularly love it because while they're involved in each others' stories and share one plot line, they also have their separate plots.
Tom's is realistic and frustrating and redeeming and thoughtfully composed. Spoiler That said, the issue of him fighting with Ned and why Stani was comforting him/what set him off felt unresolved
Georgie's is less so. Spoiler The relationship between her and Sam seemed to just spontaneously fix itself. Also there was a lot of foreshadowing that the baby would be a girl, but then it was a boy. Her relationship with Lucia was underdeveloped.
For a book that could easily become sappy, Marchetta avoided it, and she delved into the mind and emotions of a grieving family and people who are easily angered.
The only reason I didn’t give it 5 stars was because for all of its merit and nuances and goodness, it was just missing that small little wow factor that pushed me over the edge to be in love with the book in its entirety and enjoy reading it from start to finish. It wasn’t a can’t put down book, but I still highly recommend it.
Unlike the first in the series, this book plays with alternating perspectives between Georgie and Thomas, and it's done phenomenally. I particularly love it because while they're involved in each others' stories and share one plot line, they also have their separate plots.
Tom's is realistic and frustrating and redeeming and thoughtfully composed. Spoiler That said, the issue of him fighting with Ned and why Stani was comforting him/what set him off felt unresolved
Georgie's is less so. Spoiler The relationship between her and Sam seemed to just spontaneously fix itself. Also there was a lot of foreshadowing that the baby would be a girl, but then it was a boy. Her relationship with Lucia was underdeveloped.
For a book that could easily become sappy, Marchetta avoided it, and she delved into the mind and emotions of a grieving family and people who are easily angered.
The only reason I didn’t give it 5 stars was because for all of its merit and nuances and goodness, it was just missing that small little wow factor that pushed me over the edge to be in love with the book in its entirety and enjoy reading it from start to finish. It wasn’t a can’t put down book, but I still highly recommend it.
Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta
4.0
Almost 8 years exactly after I read it the first time, Saving Francesca is still just as poignant and beautiful as it was that Christmas Day in 2011. I devoured it in one day then, and this time I took my time.
Reading it over three days, I noticed more things and other memories I had to correct
I also understood the mother’s depression and Francesca’s own functioning depression this time around. It made the story more touching, riveting, bittersweet than the first time through, and I love the care that Melina Marchetta puts into the small moments of humanity that are easy to skim over or not include in books. For example, how siblings tell a story, or the minor behavior shifts of someone with a crush. She’s an expert in show not tell and I love it.
That said, I was a bit thrown off this time around by so many of the abrupt shifts in time and space when the text treated it as just another paragraph. Probably me being nit picky but I would have preferred some kind of section break.
Also there were a few story lines that died off. Macbeth, Francesca’s relationship with her brother and the rest of her family, the Sophia incident, and some others. It’s a bit disappointing given Marchetta’s skill to never drop a storyline in her novel On the Jellicoe Road.
Overall fantastic read.
Reading it over three days, I noticed more things and other memories I had to correct
Spoiler
I could have *sworn* Thomas and Tara got together. I also thought Will and Francesca dated for longer. I really thought we spent more time with Francesca’s family as well. I did NOT remember Jimmy or Brolin or QuinnI also understood the mother’s depression and Francesca’s own functioning depression this time around. It made the story more touching, riveting, bittersweet than the first time through, and I love the care that Melina Marchetta puts into the small moments of humanity that are easy to skim over or not include in books. For example, how siblings tell a story, or the minor behavior shifts of someone with a crush. She’s an expert in show not tell and I love it.
That said, I was a bit thrown off this time around by so many of the abrupt shifts in time and space when the text treated it as just another paragraph. Probably me being nit picky but I would have preferred some kind of section break.
Also there were a few story lines that died off. Macbeth, Francesca’s relationship with her brother and the rest of her family, the Sophia incident, and some others. It’s a bit disappointing given Marchetta’s skill to never drop a storyline in her novel On the Jellicoe Road.
Overall fantastic read.
Faith for This Moment: Navigating a Polarized World as the People of God by Rick McKinley
5.0
This might be my favorite book that I read this year.
Before I launch into my review, let me just say: if you are a Christian living in America, you MUST read this book.
[BACKGROUND STORY BECAUSE I LIKE TO HEAR MYSELF TALK]
I first saw this book on the shelves of Powell's Books out in Portland about a year ago. The cover drew me in (along with the fact that it was sitting amongst the featured texts when you walked in the door), and while it was intriguing enough for me to take a picture and write a note to pick it up at the library later, I left it on the shelf and picked up another book of which I have yet to reach the third chapter. (I'm looking at you Six of Crows.)
The picture continued to resurface throughout the year, but I ignored it. I'm not one for "Christian" books. I don't particularly like listening to books other than the Bible when it comes to picking up "how to's" on living the Christian life.
Yet, after a three day weekend where all I wanted was a good book to read, I decided to finally pick it up at the library. When the library didn't acknowledge its existence, I made the decision to spring for it on Amazon.
The book arrived, I started reading, and I didn't stop.
I finished it in 3 days.
[THE ACTUAL REVIEW]
Within the first few pages I was struck by how well this book walked the tightrope of middle ground. For a book that is in many ways grounded in politics due to its subject matter of the polarization of American culture, it seemed very a-political while also calling us to take a political stance. At no point am I told that liberals have it right and I must become a Democrat or that conservative Republicans are closest to God. Instead, McKinley brings up a variety of issues (i.e. consumerism, refugees, work culture, sexuality) that the political sphere also addresses and urges reader to take a Christ-centered stance on these topics. No political party gets it right because the Gospel transcends American government. It was refreshing.
I've found myself lovingly convicted throughout this book of my apathy and my desire to assimilate into Babylon. It has ignited a fire and reminded me that I am to be an ambassador of Christ rather than simply acknowledging he exists.
It's a fantastic book, and I will definitely read it again. I believe it's the kind of book I could read once a year and learn something new from each time.
Read it. Devour it. Love it.
Before I launch into my review, let me just say: if you are a Christian living in America, you MUST read this book.
[BACKGROUND STORY BECAUSE I LIKE TO HEAR MYSELF TALK]
I first saw this book on the shelves of Powell's Books out in Portland about a year ago. The cover drew me in (along with the fact that it was sitting amongst the featured texts when you walked in the door), and while it was intriguing enough for me to take a picture and write a note to pick it up at the library later, I left it on the shelf and picked up another book of which I have yet to reach the third chapter. (I'm looking at you Six of Crows.)
The picture continued to resurface throughout the year, but I ignored it. I'm not one for "Christian" books. I don't particularly like listening to books other than the Bible when it comes to picking up "how to's" on living the Christian life.
Yet, after a three day weekend where all I wanted was a good book to read, I decided to finally pick it up at the library. When the library didn't acknowledge its existence, I made the decision to spring for it on Amazon.
The book arrived, I started reading, and I didn't stop.
I finished it in 3 days.
[THE ACTUAL REVIEW]
Within the first few pages I was struck by how well this book walked the tightrope of middle ground. For a book that is in many ways grounded in politics due to its subject matter of the polarization of American culture, it seemed very a-political while also calling us to take a political stance. At no point am I told that liberals have it right and I must become a Democrat or that conservative Republicans are closest to God. Instead, McKinley brings up a variety of issues (i.e. consumerism, refugees, work culture, sexuality) that the political sphere also addresses and urges reader to take a Christ-centered stance on these topics. No political party gets it right because the Gospel transcends American government. It was refreshing.
I've found myself lovingly convicted throughout this book of my apathy and my desire to assimilate into Babylon. It has ignited a fire and reminded me that I am to be an ambassador of Christ rather than simply acknowledging he exists.
It's a fantastic book, and I will definitely read it again. I believe it's the kind of book I could read once a year and learn something new from each time.
Read it. Devour it. Love it.
The Glass Magician by Charlie N. Holmberg
3.0
This book was not as painful to get through as the first book. Perhaps it's because I'm used to the author's cringey writing style.
I'm used to the way she tries to contextualize the book in 19th century England purely by making it overly sexist. (i.e. Ceony only wearing long skirts, deciding someone needs to get married because their cooking isn't good, etc.)
I'm used to the needless descriptions of what Ceony's wearing and how she's doing her hair.
I'm used to lines that make me want to throw up in my mouth.
* Oh, Ceony, how frightful. This is a bad bedtime story come to life!
* She would fall like a soufflé otherwise.
Or maybe this book truly is better because there are wonderful lines like :
* minor
* major
If I had to pin it on one thing, though, this book is so much better because there's not as much Ceony in it. I find her to be entirely insufferable. I mean, she's mindnumblingly stupid and dumb for her years. She acts like an entitled "the world is watching me and relies on me" 16 year old, not a 20 year old who had enough self-discipline to finish college in a year. She faces hardly no consequences for her actions and everyone just kind of enables her? It's frustrating.
I was glad to have less of her swooning and pondering in this book and more action and intrigue. Extra star for that.
I'm used to the way she tries to contextualize the book in 19th century England purely by making it overly sexist. (i.e. Ceony only wearing long skirts, deciding someone needs to get married because their cooking isn't good, etc.)
I'm used to the needless descriptions of what Ceony's wearing and how she's doing her hair.
I'm used to lines that make me want to throw up in my mouth.
* Oh, Ceony, how frightful. This is a bad bedtime story come to life!
* She would fall like a soufflé otherwise.
Or maybe this book truly is better because there are wonderful lines like :
* minor
Spoiler
“Grath Cobalt is in the city, and I think I’ve blown up my wallet.”* major
Spoiler
"“If you’re going to get yourself killed, you could at least kiss me first!”If I had to pin it on one thing, though, this book is so much better because there's not as much Ceony in it. I find her to be entirely insufferable. I mean, she's mindnumblingly stupid and dumb for her years. She acts like an entitled "the world is watching me and relies on me" 16 year old, not a 20 year old who had enough self-discipline to finish college in a year. She faces hardly no consequences for her actions and everyone just kind of enables her? It's frustrating.
I was glad to have less of her swooning and pondering in this book and more action and intrigue. Extra star for that.
Normal People by Sally Rooney
3.0
This book seemed to be a product of what it critiqued. Accessible and enjoyable only to the literary minded who can speak of its artistic value and mindfulness of class issues & politics. But is it a well told story with interesting and deep characters? No. It’s just a shadowy imitation of that.
The Master Magician by Charlie N. Holmberg
Did not finish book. Stopped at 7%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 7%.
DNF 7% couldn’t do it.
It’s so bad. So so bad. The worst.
It’s so bad. So so bad. The worst.