(first post date: Mar. 1, 2007) Oftentimes, lengthy and detailed novels suffer from boring plots. But ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF SOLITUDE is anything but boring. Once you open it, you will become unaware of the time reading it. This book offers hundreds of reasons for you to wish it will not end. However, due to … Continue reading »
(first post date: Mar. 1, 2007) I eagerly grabbed a copy of this book because of my personal interest in the history of courtesans, specifically in Venice. And this book has the perfect subject matter for such. However, I find it really disappointing. The descriptions of the setting are not realistically written–Dunant’s choice of words … Continue reading »
(first post date: Apr. 16, 2007) I like anything that illustrates Japanese culture. Yukio’s book is packed with vivid descriptions of Japanese way of life. But what is more vivid is his long descriptions of the environment wherein the characters are naturally attached. From the beginning up to his last words, he showered his chain … Continue reading »
(first post date: Apr. 30, 2007) Since Sedaris’ visit here in the Philippines, his sensationalism struck me with curiosity, excitement and expectation of meeting the Fulghum of our times. However, disappointment hit me when I read his most well-accepted and highest-rated book. Maybe because he is not even at par with Fulghum. His humor is … Continue reading »
(first post date: June 4, 2007) I’ve read good reviews about this book–that the author, considering it’s her first book–did an excellent job in introducing her style to the world of literature and fiction. But I was so disappointed when I read it. She didn’t meet my expectations, if I may say. Water for Elephants … Continue reading »
(first post date: Oct. 3, 2007) An EHM is a highly paid professional tasked to deal and encourage countries’ leaders to plan multimillion-dollar infrastructure projects—electricity, water, transportation, etc. Since most of these countries are developing countries and have no initial capital for such vast projects, they loan from international bodies, like WB, which is actually … Continue reading »
(first post date: Oct. 11, 2007) Hosseini’s first book tells a story of friendship between Hassan and Amir amidst political wars in Afghanistan and against a history of defeat and survival. It shows us the inner conditions of the Afghan people, how families and friendships are being destroyed by conflict, how lives were lost by … Continue reading »
(first post date: Oct. 28, 2007) Garcia-Marquez once again surprised his readers with a light book on such a heavy topic—aging. An easy read; yet, it does not lack meaningful one-liners, of which Garcia-Marquez excels on. (e.g. “No old man forgets where he has hidden his treasure.”) The author’s silence for 10 years disclosed an … Continue reading »
(First post date: Nov. 5, 2007) Really, not for the faint-hearted. As Hubben said, “ the rise and fall from one moment to the next, this whirlwind of contradictions, in one and the same person, and this burning zest for life are apt to produce dizziness in a reader who expects a well-arranged course of … Continue reading »
(First post date: Nov. 5, 2007) Interpreter of Maladies is a collection of short stories about the people of India who experienced the process of “national divide”, migration, culture shocks and religious indifference in strange lands. An easy-read, yet it touches the simplicity of human emotions—love, compassion, and of being alone and different. Three stars … Continue reading »
