Devi Posted March 22, 2014 Share Posted March 22, 2014 It's satire, apparently of a General's assassination....in Pakistan. I've only read the first page, but the guy can draw a picture with words! Not at all what I thought it would be about. I look forward to your review. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pontalba Posted March 22, 2014 Author Share Posted March 22, 2014 Not at all what I thought it would be about. I look forward to your review. LOL, me either! It's my next after The Sound and The Fury. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vodkafan Posted March 22, 2014 Share Posted March 22, 2014 Hi Kate I also look forward to reading your reviews. What is an estate sale? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pontalba Posted March 22, 2014 Author Share Posted March 22, 2014 (edited) Hi Kate I also look forward to reading your reviews. What is an estate sale? Thanks, James. An Estate Sale takes place when the heirs of a person or persons either pass away, or is incapacitated in some way, i.e. nursing home, etc. Everything in the home is usually put up for sale. Some heirs take some items out that they wish to keep, some don't. It varies. It can include furniture, indoor and outdoor, clothes, knick-knacks, kitchen ware, linens, books, office equipment. The whole nine yards. It takes place (99%) of the time in the original home and a company that is geared toward that will have people there to mark prices and arrange and go through the home items. They tag things and answer questions as far as they are able with regard to the items. I suppose you could call it a "jumped-up" Garage Sale indoors, or as you'd call it over there, a Boot Sale. We don't go to as many as we used to, I mean, really.....we only need so much. This one was in my old neighborhood, and was in a group of condos that was built, probably 40 years ago. I'd always been curious to see the inside of one of them, so we took this opportunity to go. We didn't arrive till afternoon, so didn't see some of the stuff, and the books were gone over already, but we managed those above. The condos are gorgeous, and very upscale. I have really mixed feelings about my old neighborhood, I miss it in one way. But it's changed so much in the last 20 years, it isn't home anymore. So, I can truthfully testify to the fact that you can't go home again. That's ok, this is home now. Edited March 22, 2014 by pontalba Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vodkafan Posted March 22, 2014 Share Posted March 22, 2014 Ah thanks. I suppose that must also sometimes happen here but I haven't ever heard of one. What usually happens here is that a firm (company) who specialises in house clearances will be contracted to clear the whole place out with removal vans and that firm will typically either own an auction saleroom or have links to one and the stuff will be sorted into lots and sold at auction. Of course this is only after relatives have been through the posessions beforehand or items handed down in a will have been dealt with. I guess it makes thngs a little easier for a grieving family to have the stuff gone in one go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pontalba Posted March 23, 2014 Author Share Posted March 23, 2014 (edited) The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner 5+/5The good more than outweighs the difficult in Faulkner's The Sound and the Fury. This was my second attempt, the first being shattered by the Benjy section. Just couldn't slog my way through it. Finally, this time, I decided that even if it annoyed me, irritated me, or just plain floored me.....by gum, I'd get through it! Then I fell into the rhythm of the section, and just accepted, and let it flow over me.Quentin's sections were much more easily gotten through with the huge patches of Faulkner's gorgeous prose. Painterly does not begin to give his style justice. We see the sights, smell the smells, and feel all of it in our very bones.p.76: "When the shadow of the sash appeared on the curtains it was between seven and eight oclock and then I was in time again, hearing the watch. It was Grandfather's and when Father gave it to me he said I give you the mausoleum of all hope and desire; it's rather excruciating-ly apt that you will use it to gain the reducto absurdum of all human experience which can fit your individual needs no better than it fitted his or his father's. I give it to you not that you may remember time, but that you might forget it now and then for a moment and not spend all your breath trying to conquer it. Because no battle is ever won he said. They are not even fought. The field only reveals to man his own folly and despair, and victory is an illusion of philosophers and fools."Faulkner catches exactly the relationship between classes and races of people, beautifully. This is the way the South was. Faulkner lived it, and committed it to paper with style and much grace. He manages the patois of the servants without a hint of ridicule, truly and softly. There is much love here, and much truth.Finally, when all the sections are read, all the points of view are given, we understand why Benjy's section was first. It had to be for the truth to be told. The reader may heartily dislike many of the characters, but we are given the tools to understand them, perhaps even sympathize with them.....and certainly to know them.Highly recommended. Edited March 23, 2014 by pontalba Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Posted March 23, 2014 Share Posted March 23, 2014 Oh, Wow, Pontalba! That review is 5 stars in itself. Just blew me away! /whoosh/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pontalba Posted March 23, 2014 Author Share Posted March 23, 2014 Oh, Wow, Pontalba! That review is 5 stars in itself. Just blew me away! /whoosh/ Thank you, mah Honey... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Posted March 23, 2014 Share Posted March 23, 2014 pontalba, on 22 Mar 2014 - 9:11 PM, said:Thank you, mah Honey... Ooh! That smiley gives me goosebumps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppy Posted March 23, 2014 Share Posted March 23, 2014 Thank you, mah Honey... Ooh! That smiley gives me goosebumps. You two are just adorable! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ooshie Posted March 23, 2014 Share Posted March 23, 2014 pontalba, on 23 Mar 2014 - 12:26 AM, said: The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner 5+/5 The good more than outweighs the difficult in Faulkner's The Sound and the Fury. This was my second attempt, the first being shattered by the Benjy section. Just couldn't slog my way through it. Finally, this time, I decided that even if it annoyed me, irritated me, or just plain floored me.....by gum, I'd get through it! Then I fell into the rhythm of the section, and just accepted, and let it flow over me. I really need to give this another go - like you I found the way that just letting the writing flow over me worked perfectly - I had got pretty much to the end of Quentin's section and I don't remember why I put it down now, I don't think I gave up on it deliberately, I think I was just seduced by easier books! The Folio Society published a limited edition with Faulkner's original idea of different colours of type for different timelines etc, but I didn't want to pay quite that much to make my second attempt more successful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pontalba Posted March 23, 2014 Author Share Posted March 23, 2014 You two are just adorable! You're a love, poppy..... I really need to give this another go - like you I found the way that just letting the writing flow over me worked perfectly - I had got pretty much to the end of Quentin's section and I don't remember why I put it down now, I don't think I gave up on it deliberately, I think I was just seduced by easier books! The Folio Society published a limited edition with Faulkner's original idea of different colours of type for different timelines etc, but I didn't want to pay quite that much to make my second attempt more successful! The copy I have is "The Corrected Text with Faulkner's Appendix" from Modern Library. Actually, it's one of three copies we have.....lol One very old mass market paperback, and one trade sized paper back are the other two. It's really mainly, stream of consciousness.....and it took me a while to nick onto that fact. There are all kinds of interpretations of the characters out there. I've seen some say that various characters are "Christ figures", etc. But, really, to my eye....Faulkner wrote about the people around him, beautifully, lyrically, but factually. I don't know all these characters personally, but I've heard stories from my family about them, and have had some as ancestors. On my Father's side of the family.....his Mother's side goes back, way back in this country's history, and his Father's side came to the U.S. in the early 1800's. Anyway, I hope you do get back to the book soon, I want to see that review! So, I instinctively know these characters...and can feel the truth of them in my blood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eleonora Posted March 23, 2014 Share Posted March 23, 2014 Wonderful review, Pontalba!! And I'm glad you enjoyed the book because I do love Faulkner and this is one of my favourite! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pontalba Posted March 23, 2014 Author Share Posted March 23, 2014 Thank you, Ele! I just might be going on a Faulkner binge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angury Posted March 23, 2014 Share Posted March 23, 2014 "When the shadow of the sash appeared on the curtains it was between seven and eight oclock and then I was in time again, hearing the watch. It was Grandfather's and when Father gave it to me he said I give you the mausoleum of all hope and desire; it's rather excruciating-ly apt that you will use it to gain the reducto absurdum of all human experience which can fit your individual needs no better than it fitted his or his father's. I give it to you not that you may remember time, but that you might forget it now and then for a moment and not spend all your breath trying to conquer it. Because no battle is ever won he said. They are not even fought. The field only reveals to man his own folly and despair, and victory is an illusion of philosophers and fools." That quote is beautiful, thanks for posting it. I'm going to find out more about this novel now. The list from Columbia University looks enticing, although they seem a bit dense for me. Best of luck with your reading. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pontalba Posted March 23, 2014 Author Share Posted March 23, 2014 That quote is beautiful, thanks for posting it. I'm going to find out more about this novel now. The list from Columbia University looks enticing, although they seem a bit dense for me. Best of luck with your reading. Thanks, I'm glad. Re the list...yes, it's quite daunting. And, I have hardly started it, but certainly will. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athena Posted March 24, 2014 Share Posted March 24, 2014 Congrats on your new books, Pontalba, I hope you enjoy them . Great review ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pontalba Posted March 24, 2014 Author Share Posted March 24, 2014 Congrats on your new books, Pontalba, I hope you enjoy them . Great review ! Thanks, Athena. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pontalba Posted March 25, 2014 Author Share Posted March 25, 2014 The Unvanquished by William Faulkner 5/5This novel ties in with the rest of Faulkner's Yoknapatawpha County stories. This one follows the Sartoris family through the American Civil War, and part of Reconstruction. The action is seen through the youngest son, Bayard, who is about 15 years old in the beginning and through a good segment of the action.Faulkner created both larger than life characters and the everyday, mundane details that make a story great. His lyrical and musical style flows with dignity and grace throughout. He captures, beautifully, the feelings of entitlement, innocence and deep friendship between Bayard and Ringo, who is actually a family slave. They were born at the same time, and nursed by the same breast. They are brothers in the best sense of the word. Their bond goes beyond friendship, it is a blood bond that cannot, and is not broken.Faulkner followed the basic advice that is given to writers, write what you know! He was of an age that heard the stories, from the original participants in some cases, and if not, the participant's children regarding the Civil War and it's terrible aftermath. He doesn't either glorify or condemn those participants. He simply tells their story. The story of the unvanquished.Highly Recommended. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
julie Posted March 25, 2014 Share Posted March 25, 2014 Kate I, too, am one of those who just couldn't get through Sound & the Fury . A little bit disjointed during the first character's telling, which I understand why .. still it seemed to tax my brain a bit too much . I WANT to like Faulkner. I really do. I think I could if I hit on the right book at the right time. I'll keep an eye on your reviews and let you test the waters a bit, then will ask you for the one that is easiest to get into . I KNOW I'll like him, it's just finding the right book to get a good start on . Also, I'd love to be a fly on the wall ,listening to you and Charlie, but only for a few minutes ! don't wanna be too nosey , I'd just enjoy hearing you guys' conversation for a few minutes ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pontalba Posted March 25, 2014 Author Share Posted March 25, 2014 I really think that the last one, The Unvanquished was pretty easy. It was straight through story, with a few twists. It didn't go back and forth, and the story line was easy to follow. I loved the characters, and the interplay between them. Then of course, there is Faulkner's prose. /sigh/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pontalba Posted March 30, 2014 Author Share Posted March 30, 2014 Blood Work by Michael Connelly 4/5Dick Francis wrote a detective in Whip Hand with a missing hand, and now Michael Connelly has created a detective with a new twist on vulnerability. Terry McCaleb is a heart transplant patient. He is a retired, ex-FBI profiler that was very good at his work. Two months post-op he must find the murderer of his donor.The twists and turns that this novel takes are both expected, and very unexpected. Red Herrings abound, and creepy things come out of the woodwork. The reader is kept on the edge of their seat by the many harrowing aspects of both the case, and McCaleb's health issues. Not to mention his fledging and hopeful love life.Recommended for detective aficionados. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobblybear Posted March 31, 2014 Share Posted March 31, 2014 Nice review! Blood Work was also made into a movie starring Clint Eastwood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athena Posted March 31, 2014 Share Posted March 31, 2014 That sounds like an interesting synopsis, Pontalba! I'm glad you liked the book . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pontalba Posted April 1, 2014 Author Share Posted April 1, 2014 Nice review! Blood Work was also made into a movie starring Clint Eastwood. Oh, wow, I had no idea! Hafta look that up. That sounds like an interesting synopsis, Pontalba! I'm glad you liked the book . Thanks, Athena! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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