It’s not often I write reviews for this publication. In fact, I’ve only done it one other time in this format (ignore all the times I kinda sorta reviewed something… like last week when I did but also didn’t review Starship Troopers). Today, however, I have quite the recommendation for all my book lovers out there:
That sounds like a great book recommendation that I'll pass along to my husband. Unfortunately, I don't find time to read anymore. Also, as great as this one sounds, I think I'd have a hard time avoiding thinking about all those rooms to clean and statues to dust.
My favorite book...Phantom Tollbooth. Although it's been a while since I read it. But how could it not hold up?!
This is a wonderful review that captures the otherworldliness of Piranesi, accurately notes the challenge of the first section and the reward of continuing through to its beautiful conclusion. I can think of three books so vivid, rich and real they made me experience the worlds they were creating: Hamnet, by Maggie O'Farrell, which imagines the courtship and marriage of young Will Shakespeare and Agnes (as her father called her in his will) Hathaway from both of their perspectives and through the eyes of their children, until the death of their son, Hamnet, which, in a brilliant leap, O'Farrell links to the creation of Hamlet, written four years later. Heartbreakingly beautiful.
Then Wolf Hall, by Hilary Mantel, which goes a little further back to the world of Henry VIII as seen through the eyes of Thomas Cromwell, a commoner who rose to become Henry's chief minister. Mantel takes us inside Cromwell's head as he tries to maneuver his way through the minefield of Henry's moods and demands, using an English just stylized enough to avoid the clichés of recreated Elizabethan English while still sounding utterly appropriate to the era. Cromwell, as written (and then as played by the wonderful Mark Rylance in the mini-series) is a fascinating character, and even if you know the fate awaiting him, you find yourself hoping he'll figure a way out of it. And finally, Lonesome Dove, by Larry McMurtry, an epic adventure set in the last days of the Old West, creates a friendship between two ex-Texas Rangers, Woodrow Call and Gus McCrae (played gloriously by Tommy Lee Jones and Robert Duval in the mini-series) as they lead a herd of cattle from Texas to the Montana Territory. The descriptions of landscape, the set pieces of the dangers, both natural and man-made, and most importantly, the prickly, understated but profound respect and love for each other the two main character share makes you want to hang with these people as long as they're able to ride. It also features some strong, unforgettable women and a spectacular villain. Three of the rare books I have re-read.
I read Piranesi because you said I had to. And I was glad I did. I loved the world of the House and its hallways, rooms and floors. All beyond my imagination. I’d love to experience it on a virtual reality headset. It would be awesome!!!
That sounds like a great book recommendation that I'll pass along to my husband. Unfortunately, I don't find time to read anymore. Also, as great as this one sounds, I think I'd have a hard time avoiding thinking about all those rooms to clean and statues to dust.
My favorite book...Phantom Tollbooth. Although it's been a while since I read it. But how could it not hold up?!
That’s how I feel about Murakami books, and I can’t wait to read this one
I'm going to read this!!
I remember feeling similarly about Dune. Reading it was like a dream I didn't want to wake from.
This is a wonderful review that captures the otherworldliness of Piranesi, accurately notes the challenge of the first section and the reward of continuing through to its beautiful conclusion. I can think of three books so vivid, rich and real they made me experience the worlds they were creating: Hamnet, by Maggie O'Farrell, which imagines the courtship and marriage of young Will Shakespeare and Agnes (as her father called her in his will) Hathaway from both of their perspectives and through the eyes of their children, until the death of their son, Hamnet, which, in a brilliant leap, O'Farrell links to the creation of Hamlet, written four years later. Heartbreakingly beautiful.
Then Wolf Hall, by Hilary Mantel, which goes a little further back to the world of Henry VIII as seen through the eyes of Thomas Cromwell, a commoner who rose to become Henry's chief minister. Mantel takes us inside Cromwell's head as he tries to maneuver his way through the minefield of Henry's moods and demands, using an English just stylized enough to avoid the clichés of recreated Elizabethan English while still sounding utterly appropriate to the era. Cromwell, as written (and then as played by the wonderful Mark Rylance in the mini-series) is a fascinating character, and even if you know the fate awaiting him, you find yourself hoping he'll figure a way out of it. And finally, Lonesome Dove, by Larry McMurtry, an epic adventure set in the last days of the Old West, creates a friendship between two ex-Texas Rangers, Woodrow Call and Gus McCrae (played gloriously by Tommy Lee Jones and Robert Duval in the mini-series) as they lead a herd of cattle from Texas to the Montana Territory. The descriptions of landscape, the set pieces of the dangers, both natural and man-made, and most importantly, the prickly, understated but profound respect and love for each other the two main character share makes you want to hang with these people as long as they're able to ride. It also features some strong, unforgettable women and a spectacular villain. Three of the rare books I have re-read.
I read Piranesi because you said I had to. And I was glad I did. I loved the world of the House and its hallways, rooms and floors. All beyond my imagination. I’d love to experience it on a virtual reality headset. It would be awesome!!!