It's been awhile since I have read historical fiction. Now I remember why I love it so much! This is an intensely readable story about the life of Alexander Hamilton's wife, Eliza Schuyler Hamilton. This book provoked some strong feelings for me: admiration for Eliza for her strength, intelligence and loyalty; disgust for Aaron Burr; a strong distaste for Thomas Jefferson; intense disappointment in James Monroe; gratitude for George Washington & James Madison; and, deservedly, mixed feelings for Alexander Hamilton.
Now of course this was written from Eliza & Alexander's point of view as Federalists - and Jefferson and his "lackeys" were Republican - so obviously there were very strong, opposing feelings between the two parties. This book is also an excellent reminder that our nation's founders certainly had their issues, not unlike what our current political parties demonstrate on a daily basis. One positive difference today is that the opposing parties don't call each other out for duels of honor.
There were three "comments" I flagged as I was reading. It's so like present day that it reminds me that things really don't ever change!!
1) In 1784, James Monroe commented, "We never accomplish anything in Congress. We couldn't pass Mr. Jefferson's Land Ordinance for admitting new states to the Union, because it bans slavery after the year 1800. We couldn't pass Mr. Jefferson's proposal to make the dollar a national currency. We can't agree on a site for our nation's capital - or even if we are a nation, or a collection of states." This sounds like every Board or Leadership meeting that I have ever been involved with!!
2) In 1799, Eliza ruminated how "....our political parties seemed often now on the verge of civil war; just last year, two congressmen had come to blows with cane and fire-iron tongs on the floor of the House of Representatives." Ha! Now they just fight each other on social media!
3) In 1801, after the Presidential election, Eliza commented, "For Jefferson was the president. And there was nothing to do but survive the outcome." and "I could only hope his gamble paid off - especially since Martha Washington called Jefferson's election 'the greatest misfortune our nation has ever experienced.' Oh, if she only knew what was in store for our nation in the future!
My heart broke for Eliza again and again for her losses and the betrayals she suffered. She outlived them all though! She lived to the age of 97, dying 50 years after Alexander! Her strength despite her numerous hardships was impressive. And while she suffered herself, she helped those around her in even more need.
I really loved this book!
Wendy's Rating: *****
Monday, February 17, 2020
Sunday, February 9, 2020
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
Psychological thrillers are some of my favorite reads. The more books I read like this, the more I think I know what's really going on. I am pleasantly surprised whenever the story reveals something I wasn't expecting. I guess that's what makes them "thrillers". Ha!
The main characters in this story are Theo Faber, a psychotherapist, and his patient, Alicia Berenson, an accomplished artist who was married to an accomplished photographer (Gabriel), before he was brutally murdered. As the story unfolds, the reader gets a glimpse into the childhoods of each of the main characters. There is significant abuse, accidental deaths, suicides, mental illnesses. Theo comments that the reason why he decided to become a psychotherapist is so that he can begin to understand his own issues.
Theo is intrigued by Alicia's loss of speech since her husband's murder. She is charged with his murder, but declared incompetent to stand trial and ends up in a locked psych ward. Theo finds a way to get a job at the facility where Alicia is living, and finagles his way into becoming her therapist.
Alicia doesn't speak a word, but we get to hear her voice - and about her life leading up to the murder - through her journal entries. Through her journal entries, we get some insight into other significant people in her life, that appear to have a negative impact on her life: Jean-Felix, who owns the gallery that shows Alicia's paintings; Paul, her cousin who comes to Alicia for money when he can't pay his substantial gambling debts; and Max, Gabriel's less than attractive brother who has strong feelings for Alicia himself. Before the murder, Alicia is absolutely convinced that she is being followed by a man - who also watches her house. No one believes this though, except Alicia.
So, there are twists and turns in the story as it moves toward the final revelation, which I am not going to reveal here. I will say that it's well worth the read!
Wendy's Rating: *****
The main characters in this story are Theo Faber, a psychotherapist, and his patient, Alicia Berenson, an accomplished artist who was married to an accomplished photographer (Gabriel), before he was brutally murdered. As the story unfolds, the reader gets a glimpse into the childhoods of each of the main characters. There is significant abuse, accidental deaths, suicides, mental illnesses. Theo comments that the reason why he decided to become a psychotherapist is so that he can begin to understand his own issues.
Theo is intrigued by Alicia's loss of speech since her husband's murder. She is charged with his murder, but declared incompetent to stand trial and ends up in a locked psych ward. Theo finds a way to get a job at the facility where Alicia is living, and finagles his way into becoming her therapist.
Alicia doesn't speak a word, but we get to hear her voice - and about her life leading up to the murder - through her journal entries. Through her journal entries, we get some insight into other significant people in her life, that appear to have a negative impact on her life: Jean-Felix, who owns the gallery that shows Alicia's paintings; Paul, her cousin who comes to Alicia for money when he can't pay his substantial gambling debts; and Max, Gabriel's less than attractive brother who has strong feelings for Alicia himself. Before the murder, Alicia is absolutely convinced that she is being followed by a man - who also watches her house. No one believes this though, except Alicia.
So, there are twists and turns in the story as it moves toward the final revelation, which I am not going to reveal here. I will say that it's well worth the read!
Wendy's Rating: *****
Thursday, January 30, 2020
Educated by Tara Westover
The strength and perseverance of some people continually amazes me. I work in a field where on a daily basis I see people struggle with their histories; their deeply dysfunctional families; physical, emotional, sexual abuse; their mental health; low self-esteem and paralyzing self-doubt. I read memoirs like this one and I am astounded by the dedication and sustained effort it takes to escape an abusive family. Not only did Tara Westover escape it, she thrived. How parents like hers could produce both mentally ill, abusive children and incredibly intelligent children who have the strength to escape their abusive families is of great interest to me. Of course it was also so frustrating how long it took for Tara to actually separate herself from her abusive family. No matter how old a "child" is, they want to be loved and accepted by their parents and siblings. Tara had a really difficult time disconnecting from the dysfunction. That was painful reading.
Tara could have easily fallen into the habits of her parents. Her father was controlling and abusive; her mother was eccentric. What's interesting is that her mother's eccentricities brought them fame and wealth. Tara's mother was incapable of protecting her children from the abuse they suffered from their father (mostly emotional abuse which resulted in physical harm) due to her unwavering support of her husband, and yet she was intelligent in her own right. There is a fine line between genius and mental illness. Many geniuses would be diagnosed with a mental illness (if they cared about being diagnosed!), so it's not surprising that Tara's parents had children who were mentally ill and some who were intelligent enough to separate themselves from it.
This wasn't always an easy read - due to my internal screaming at Tara to STOP going back to her family home and her abusive father and brother - but it was also a powerful read. There ARE people who can break the cycle of abuse.
Wendy's Rating: *****
Tara could have easily fallen into the habits of her parents. Her father was controlling and abusive; her mother was eccentric. What's interesting is that her mother's eccentricities brought them fame and wealth. Tara's mother was incapable of protecting her children from the abuse they suffered from their father (mostly emotional abuse which resulted in physical harm) due to her unwavering support of her husband, and yet she was intelligent in her own right. There is a fine line between genius and mental illness. Many geniuses would be diagnosed with a mental illness (if they cared about being diagnosed!), so it's not surprising that Tara's parents had children who were mentally ill and some who were intelligent enough to separate themselves from it.
This wasn't always an easy read - due to my internal screaming at Tara to STOP going back to her family home and her abusive father and brother - but it was also a powerful read. There ARE people who can break the cycle of abuse.
Wendy's Rating: *****
A Beautiful Blue Death by Charles Finch
I really enjoy reading British mysteries. This one is set in the 1800's (the Victorian era). Charles Lenox is independently wealthy, even though he is the younger brother and doesn't inherit his father's estate. He is very close to his older brother however, so there are no resentments about that. It would be difficult to not like his brother, Edmund. Charles, at age 40, discovers things about his brother in this book that he didn't even realize because Edmund is so modest about his influence and talents. All in all, a good solid family.
Then there is Lady Jane, who is a young widow. Lady Jane grew up with Charles and Edmund and now Lady Jane and Charles live next door to each other in London. They see each other nearly every day. They obviously have feelings for each other, but they spend too much time being "proper" to act on it. This is the first book of the series however, so I have to think that changes over time. ;) Another key character is Thomas, the brilliant doctor married to the beautiful Toto. Thomas has unfortunately succumbed to drink, but he is Charles' best friend and assists Charles in his sleuthing. I am hoping that Thomas can kick his drinking habit in future books, because I really like him!
Lady Jane's former servant, Prudence, is found dead and she asks Charles, the gentleman sleuth, to look into it. It's an apparent suicide that Charles quickly determines is murder. Charles' approach to investigation is "charming". He loves to sit by the fire with his tea while thinking about the murder. He trudges through London in boots that are inappropriate for the weather. He interviews his suspects either in high-end gentlemen clubs, of which he is a member of a dozen (easily) or in the scariest, poorest parts of London. He gets beaten up in an alley; gets thrown off by erroneous information; suspects the wrong person; suspects the wrong motive; but in the end, Charles outsmarts Inspector Exeter and solves the mystery - for which Inspector Exeter takes credit for.
This is a charming British murder mystery. What's not to like?!
Wendy's Rating: ****
Then there is Lady Jane, who is a young widow. Lady Jane grew up with Charles and Edmund and now Lady Jane and Charles live next door to each other in London. They see each other nearly every day. They obviously have feelings for each other, but they spend too much time being "proper" to act on it. This is the first book of the series however, so I have to think that changes over time. ;) Another key character is Thomas, the brilliant doctor married to the beautiful Toto. Thomas has unfortunately succumbed to drink, but he is Charles' best friend and assists Charles in his sleuthing. I am hoping that Thomas can kick his drinking habit in future books, because I really like him!
Lady Jane's former servant, Prudence, is found dead and she asks Charles, the gentleman sleuth, to look into it. It's an apparent suicide that Charles quickly determines is murder. Charles' approach to investigation is "charming". He loves to sit by the fire with his tea while thinking about the murder. He trudges through London in boots that are inappropriate for the weather. He interviews his suspects either in high-end gentlemen clubs, of which he is a member of a dozen (easily) or in the scariest, poorest parts of London. He gets beaten up in an alley; gets thrown off by erroneous information; suspects the wrong person; suspects the wrong motive; but in the end, Charles outsmarts Inspector Exeter and solves the mystery - for which Inspector Exeter takes credit for.
This is a charming British murder mystery. What's not to like?!
Wendy's Rating: ****
Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer
This book's protagonist, Artemis Fowl, is not your typical lead character. He certainly cannot be defined as a hero. He is a 12 year old genius, who also happens to be a millionaire. Oh yeah, and he is a thief. In this first book of the series, Artemis decides he wants to be the first human to steal gold from the fairies. Of course this is tricky business since fairies have lived for thousand of years - and are often unseen by the naked eye. Artemis figures out a way to copy one of the fairy manuals so he can figure out how to outsmart them. There is no denying that he is clever. He is a successful manipulator, definitely thinks outside the box and always thinks ahead to his end game.
Artemis kidnaps Captain Holly Short, a fairy from the LEPrecon Unit. Her supervisor, Commander Root, tries to outwit Artemis to rescue her. Artemis wants fairy gold and Root wants Holly back - as well as the gold that he presents to Artemis as her ransom. It was interesting to discover all the "rules" that fairies must follow, like they cannot enter a home without an invitation and they cannot leave without permission from the host. They can mesmer humans (which Holly only manages to do once since Artemis knows he and his bodyguard, Butler must wear mirrored sunglasses at all times so that Holly can't look into their eyes. Holly is able to get Butler's sister to remove her glasses eventually though and is able to mesmer her into thinking she is watching 24-hour wrestling on a big screen). Anyway, I digress. The story also includes other creatures, like trolls and dwarfs, but not like you read about in children's stories. These are mean and ugly and do disgusting things.
Even though Artemis is only 12 years old, and this series is youth fiction, it doesn't necessarily read like that! The vocabulary is advanced for a typical 12 year old. There are many, many words that I wouldn't even use as an adult! There are also words that I don't really like my own 12 year old reading out loud - like damn and hell - two words that were used several times. It's a complex read for youth, but it's setting the scene - and introducing characters - for future adventures. I thought at one point that Artemis and Holly might end up as a "team" (since they help each other toward the end), but they end as they started, as antagonists. They might be antagonists that kind of like each other though in future books. ;)
Wendy's Rating: ****
Artemis kidnaps Captain Holly Short, a fairy from the LEPrecon Unit. Her supervisor, Commander Root, tries to outwit Artemis to rescue her. Artemis wants fairy gold and Root wants Holly back - as well as the gold that he presents to Artemis as her ransom. It was interesting to discover all the "rules" that fairies must follow, like they cannot enter a home without an invitation and they cannot leave without permission from the host. They can mesmer humans (which Holly only manages to do once since Artemis knows he and his bodyguard, Butler must wear mirrored sunglasses at all times so that Holly can't look into their eyes. Holly is able to get Butler's sister to remove her glasses eventually though and is able to mesmer her into thinking she is watching 24-hour wrestling on a big screen). Anyway, I digress. The story also includes other creatures, like trolls and dwarfs, but not like you read about in children's stories. These are mean and ugly and do disgusting things.
Even though Artemis is only 12 years old, and this series is youth fiction, it doesn't necessarily read like that! The vocabulary is advanced for a typical 12 year old. There are many, many words that I wouldn't even use as an adult! There are also words that I don't really like my own 12 year old reading out loud - like damn and hell - two words that were used several times. It's a complex read for youth, but it's setting the scene - and introducing characters - for future adventures. I thought at one point that Artemis and Holly might end up as a "team" (since they help each other toward the end), but they end as they started, as antagonists. They might be antagonists that kind of like each other though in future books. ;)
Wendy's Rating: ****
Sunday, September 29, 2019
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
This is a wonderful book. It reminded me of "The Rosie Project". I definitely thought that Eleanor was on the spectrum until over halfway through the book. She might have been too, but when we learn about her childhood, it could be just her way of having some control over her life. Eleanor is odd, but endearing. She is also very funny, in a dry humor kind of way. I actually laughed out loud at times. I loved her attempts at becoming more "normal".
Raymond Gibbons (IT guy at her place of employment) changes her world - and I loved every second of it. Eleanor's history is heartbreaking. She is a closet alcoholic and has no support at the beginning of the story. She has no memory of past traumatic events which have shaped her life. Raymond enters her structured life and opens it up to other possibilities. While she obsesses over a new "love interest" - unknown to the love interest, Raymond becomes involved with the daughter of a man that Raymond & Eleanor help one day when he collapses in the street. This event brings Raymond & Eleanor together and soon they are meeting for lunch once a week; Eleanor is meeting Raymond's mother; Eleanor is adopting a cat that some kids lit on fire; Eleanor starts attending other social events with Raymond, just as friends. Raymond is Eleanor's very first friend. Raymond is Eleanor's only friend.
As Eleanor's world expands, she starts letting other people enter it. She also realizes that she must face her past. Raymond proves what type of man he is when he finds Eleanor in a horrible state in her apartment. Raymond's care of her at that time was incredibly heartwarming. Raymond helped Eleanor save herself from herself. He is a keeper. :) The ending is a bit open-ended, but in my heart, I know what happens. I really loved this book!
Wendy's Rating: *****
Raymond Gibbons (IT guy at her place of employment) changes her world - and I loved every second of it. Eleanor's history is heartbreaking. She is a closet alcoholic and has no support at the beginning of the story. She has no memory of past traumatic events which have shaped her life. Raymond enters her structured life and opens it up to other possibilities. While she obsesses over a new "love interest" - unknown to the love interest, Raymond becomes involved with the daughter of a man that Raymond & Eleanor help one day when he collapses in the street. This event brings Raymond & Eleanor together and soon they are meeting for lunch once a week; Eleanor is meeting Raymond's mother; Eleanor is adopting a cat that some kids lit on fire; Eleanor starts attending other social events with Raymond, just as friends. Raymond is Eleanor's very first friend. Raymond is Eleanor's only friend.
As Eleanor's world expands, she starts letting other people enter it. She also realizes that she must face her past. Raymond proves what type of man he is when he finds Eleanor in a horrible state in her apartment. Raymond's care of her at that time was incredibly heartwarming. Raymond helped Eleanor save herself from herself. He is a keeper. :) The ending is a bit open-ended, but in my heart, I know what happens. I really loved this book!
Wendy's Rating: *****
Career of Evil by Robert Galbraith
This is the third book in the Cormoran Strike series. It's grisly and violent and disturbing. The story begins when Robin receives a woman's severed leg in the mail. I think it's interesting that as Rowling (Galbraith) gets deeper into her stories (both Harry Potter and this one), the events and characters get darker. I love the John Sanford series, and this book reminded me of that. These books are not for the faint of heart.
I enjoyed delving more into Cormoran's childhood. It gave me a better understanding of what makes him tick. Since the books only come out once a year (and I read them farther apart than that even), it's hard to remember all the details of a character's life, but I don't remember learning about the amputation of Cormoran's leg in the previous two books. I certainly didn't know there are people out there that want a part of their body removed! (I don't mean to be misleading there; Cormoran did not want his leg amputated!) Anyway, in this book we learn a little bit about Cormoran's past - his mother, her husband, and a couple of other men that hate Cormoran due to past events. These men are central to the story: Jeff Whitaker (Cormoran's young "step-father"), Donald Laing (whom Cormoran had sent to prison) and Noel Brockbank. All three men are equally creepy. I will admit that I had a difficult time remembering the specifics of each of these men though. Whitaker was the easiest one for me to keep straight since he was married to Cormoran's mother. The other two I never could keep straight.
So, while Cormoran & Robin are trying to keep some clients, young women are dying and they are trying to investigate these men - and stay out of the way of the police. When Cormoran realizes that Robin is in danger, he tries to keep her safe as well, while not telling her he believes she is in danger. In each book, the relationship between Cormoran & Robin develops, even as her marriage to Matthew draws nearer. There is a mutual attraction and closeness between the two of them in this book that wasn't there previously. The ending is certainly mysterious. Not sure what to think of that. (It kind of reminded me of Ross & Emily's wedding in London when Ross says Rachel's name at the altar).
I know I have said this before, but I am a HUGE fan of Rowling's writing - no matter what she is writing. I am hooked on this series. I can't wait to see what happens between Cormoran & Robin - and I am wondering how they revive the business after losing all of their clients. Looking forward to picking up the next one: Lethal White.
Wendy's Rating: ****
I enjoyed delving more into Cormoran's childhood. It gave me a better understanding of what makes him tick. Since the books only come out once a year (and I read them farther apart than that even), it's hard to remember all the details of a character's life, but I don't remember learning about the amputation of Cormoran's leg in the previous two books. I certainly didn't know there are people out there that want a part of their body removed! (I don't mean to be misleading there; Cormoran did not want his leg amputated!) Anyway, in this book we learn a little bit about Cormoran's past - his mother, her husband, and a couple of other men that hate Cormoran due to past events. These men are central to the story: Jeff Whitaker (Cormoran's young "step-father"), Donald Laing (whom Cormoran had sent to prison) and Noel Brockbank. All three men are equally creepy. I will admit that I had a difficult time remembering the specifics of each of these men though. Whitaker was the easiest one for me to keep straight since he was married to Cormoran's mother. The other two I never could keep straight.
So, while Cormoran & Robin are trying to keep some clients, young women are dying and they are trying to investigate these men - and stay out of the way of the police. When Cormoran realizes that Robin is in danger, he tries to keep her safe as well, while not telling her he believes she is in danger. In each book, the relationship between Cormoran & Robin develops, even as her marriage to Matthew draws nearer. There is a mutual attraction and closeness between the two of them in this book that wasn't there previously. The ending is certainly mysterious. Not sure what to think of that. (It kind of reminded me of Ross & Emily's wedding in London when Ross says Rachel's name at the altar).
I know I have said this before, but I am a HUGE fan of Rowling's writing - no matter what she is writing. I am hooked on this series. I can't wait to see what happens between Cormoran & Robin - and I am wondering how they revive the business after losing all of their clients. Looking forward to picking up the next one: Lethal White.
Wendy's Rating: ****
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