David McCullough gives a short discussion on the importance of history, and I enjoyed it very much. Very patriotic and I agreed with everything he saiDavid McCullough gives a short discussion on the importance of history, and I enjoyed it very much. Very patriotic and I agreed with everything he said....more
**spoiler alert** My book review: I really enjoyed this book. It was such a remarkable and moving story, about a Christian woman who survived being a **spoiler alert** My book review: I really enjoyed this book. It was such a remarkable and moving story, about a Christian woman who survived being a POW in WW2. What really struck me was how incredibly faithful she was. She spoke in her prayers as if the Lord were right there, a close companion and friend. And she had so much faith that he would help her, hear her, and always care about her. All the miracles that happened, and the small "tender mercies of the Lord" that she experienced were a direct result of her faith. There were so many faith promoting things that happened to her. I also loved how she shared her testimony of the Savior with the camp commander, Mr. Yamaji. You wouldn't think a guy like that would be receptive to the gospel, but he was, and it incredibly changed his life. It goes to show that you never know who will accept Christ, even the people we wouldn't expect to. Because of the way she lived and acted, he was impressed. It wasn't only her words that 'spoke' the gospel to him - it was the way she lived and who she was. And I really liked how she was constantly able to quote scripture to comfort herself. I totally am inspired by this woman's story! I loved how Dr. Jaffray wasn't taken because the soldier thought his eau de cologne bag was actually full of medicines! I got teary when 'her little boy', Imopai, stood on the trail and watched her leave. It made me so sad. What a sweet little thing. I also cried when the little boy, Broertji, screamed in panic when his mom went to get the can of food that hadn't burst when the plane dropped food off for them. (p195) He thought it was a bomb and was so scared for his mom. It makes me get a lump in my throat right now. He was just a little boy that had been so traumatized from the war. Little children should never have to suffer like that. There was one part about how one new mother lost her milk so they were feeding her baby rice water. And the baby wasn't thriving, and was actually starving and going to die. Darlene prayed with the mother and right afterward another mother who was also nursing offered to feed both babies. I was totally touched by that. Probably because I was nursing Eliza whenever I read the book, and it just hit home how desperate I would be if my baby was dying because I didn't have breastmilk or formula to feed her. I couldn't fathom how I would feel if I only had rice water to give to my baby. I felt so much gratitude and love for the woman who offered to feed both babies, even though she was undernourished just like the rest of them, and had her own child to provide nutrients to. What an act of selflessness. Anyway, this was a good book. ...more
This was fantastic. And let it be known that I hate books that feature an entitled playboy. And one that keeps a mistress? HARD PASS. But this was a rThis was fantastic. And let it be known that I hate books that feature an entitled playboy. And one that keeps a mistress? HARD PASS. But this was a rare exception! Lord Ragsdale begins the book as a good-for-nothing, selfish, lazy, drunk, debauched man who is sinfully rich and spends his time fulfilling that phrase to a T. And he’s miserable.
After a situation (very near the beginning of the book), he finds himself saddled with an indentured servant, the heroine. Together and with his cooperation, they begin the process of reforming him, and they BOTH discover that he DOES have goodness inside him after all, and that he IS redeemable and WORTH redeeming.
His transformation was complete, a full 180, and it was totally believable. I am completely won over and believe he is no longer self-centered, and will never relapse or go back to sleeping around. Convincing me is NO SMALL FEAT. (Many a book I have read feeling dissatisfied on this front.)
I liked that even though he undergoes a profound change, he keeps his irreverent, witty personality. I loved how outrageous and teasing he was. He was very likable. And I loved the heroine, too.
The pacing was great, the writing exceptional, the historical aspect well done.
And the ending was perfect. Happy sigh.
Content: Language - no swearing Sex- no sex scenes. The hero’s thoughts are a little crude but not in an explicit way. He keeps a mistress and has a blase attitude about it. Fyi, once the book starts, he doesn’t sleep with her. (He doesn’t throw her out on the street either, fyi. Even though she is an unlikable character, he gives her capital to be self reliant.) Cover- I don’t like either of the 2 covers I have seen. I read this on KU...more
I loved this memoir. It is about John Groberg's many and varied experiences on a religious mission to Tonga. After each experience the author briefly I loved this memoir. It is about John Groberg's many and varied experiences on a religious mission to Tonga. After each experience the author briefly talks about what he learned, and likens it to our lives. I found the entire book to be very inspiring and motivating. I love learning true principles through stories that capture my attention. I loved listening to this book and I want to buy a hard copy for my 12-year old son to read. I think this is a particularly good book for pre-missionaries to read. I was a little disappointed that it ended so abruptly; it did not cover his return home and integration back into his non-mission life. But the ending was still nice, just abrupt. Perhaps that is because I was listening to it and didn't realize the ending was approaching until it was upon me. (*Note: I haven't watched the movie in so many years that all I remember is the enduring love between him and his girlfriend (soon to be wife after the mission), but that storyline was not in this book AT ALL. It was purely about his mission. Which was fine with me. I loved it.)...more
Love this book. Absolutely PERFECT for a book club, because you will need to discuss it with friends when you are done. Pretty much it's a story aboutLove this book. Absolutely PERFECT for a book club, because you will need to discuss it with friends when you are done. Pretty much it's a story about a man self-destructing, which sounds AWFUL, I know, but it's also a story about a girl who journeys from feeling unloved and unattractive to feeling both in abundance. So the sweet love sidestory and her Cinderella-like purity and beauty within make a perfect counterbalance to the other story. This book was written in the 1920's and set in the early 1800's, complete with an endearing dialect and unique culture. I loved it because the girl narrating the story thinks so deeply, and her musings are poetic and beautiful (and funny!). This feels like AP English literature (in a good way!) because it is deep, with so many layers and facets to the characters and story, with foreshadowing and allusions and connections... There is so much to talk about! This would be the longest review ever but thankfully I was able to hash it all out with book club friends so I can be vague now and not feel unfulfilled. :) I loved it. Here are a few tips if you read it: This is not a page-turner in the regular sense of the phrase. I'd recommend digesting it slowly and relishing it as you go. The romance is not the focus so don't expect too much and then you'll be pleased with what you get. Get a friend or two to read it as well so you guys can talk about it afterward. ;) The Kindle version has underlined portions (like three-liners) that are the frequently highlighted portions of the text, and they are beautiful. Enjoy them or find your own quotables. The book is full of them.
My favorites: "For if you stop to be kind, you must swerve often from your path. So when folk tell me of this great man and that great man, I think to myself, Who was stinted of joy for his glory? How many old folk and children did his coach wheels go over? What bridal lacked his song, and what mourner his tears, that he found time to climb so high?" (?page#, but it was 25% into the book)
"He'd got no pity because he'd got no strength. For it inna [isn't] weaklings and women that pity best, but the strong, mastering men. They may put it from them as my brother Sarn did. But even so it will come upon them some day, and the longer they deny it the stronger it will be when it comes. Ah! It met [might] even be such an agony as will make a man hate his life." (? page#, but it was 29% into the book)
"For I do think there's nothing makes you feel so contented as a roaring wind in the chimney when all's well." {My area gets pretty windy sometimes and I totally agree with this sentiment, so I had to save the quote! So true!}
Oh, and I can't forget my favorite: "Give us a kiss, wench!" haha! Yes, that was their word for "maiden" or "girl" and it's supposed to be romantic but it's totally not! Don't worry, Kester wasn't the one that said that. :)...more
This is a book that reaches deep and makes me feel all sorts of emotions. There are a multitude of topics that could be discussed and delved into. I'lThis is a book that reaches deep and makes me feel all sorts of emotions. There are a multitude of topics that could be discussed and delved into. I'll only mention a few thoughts - - Max added a fantastic element to the book. I liked exploring how he felt and coped with Nazi Germany and with putting others' in danger for his own safety. I liked how he and Liesel came to relate and then depend on each other, even love each other like siblings. - It's interesting to see the perspective of a Jewish-sympathizer, and how that minority of German citizens were cowed into obedience. - I couldn't fathom how every character in the book called each other derogatory swear words both in anger and also as endearment. It was jarring when they used those terms to show affection when the other 90% of the time they used those words to demean or snap at each other. - The language made me cringe. The amount of blasphemy was appalling, even if it was a possible reality. I wish all that had been in German, too, but all that type of swearing was in English. At least I didn't have to read all the other swear words in English. - I loved the relationship between Hans and Leisel. - It was also very touching that the Mayor's wife cared about Liesel and was good to her. - The first portion of the book was rather slow and I had a hard time getting into it. I listened to it for a couple days and then I forgot about it for a couple days, which is unusual with me. But I knew it was going to be good, so I kept at it, and sure enough it got me eventually. - The audiobook narrator was fantastic. - I really enjoyed the perspective of Death being the narrator. I enjoyed the quirky writing, the giving of definitions, the going off on interesting tangents, the run-down of what the chapter consisted of, and the dry remarks of the narrator, Death. Very intriguing and unique. Definitely added to the interest of the book. - I cried when the first parade of Jews walked down their street. That was the most emotional part of the book for me and really brought their suffering to life. The ending was a tear jerker too. Rudy. And also when Liesel sees Max in the crowd. - I liked the forshadowing so I could be prepared. This is exactly my kind of tragedy. I really need to know what I’m getting into at the beginning and then I’m not bitter at the end. I can enjoy the journey when I'm resigned to the ending - The writing was fantastic. There were three times that I tried to memorize a quote as I listened to the narrator. Unfortunately, I can only recall one of the three: “He had nothing to give, except maybe Mein Kampf, and there was no way he'd give such propaganda to a young german girl. That would be like the lamb handing the knife to the butcher"
However, as I was browsing the quote bank looking for the other two quotes I liked, I came across these and remembered how much I liked these ones too: “Imagine smiling after a slap in the face. Then think of doing it twenty-four hours a day. That was the business of hiding a Jew.”
“They say that war is death's best friend, but I must offer you a different point of view on that one. To me, war is like the new boss who expects the impossible. He stands over your shoulder repeating one thing, incessantly: 'Get it done, get it done.' So you work harder. You get the job done. The boss, however, does not thank you. He asks for more.”...more
Wow. Where to start? First of all, I enjoyed it more knowing some background on the book, including the fact that Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote this in iWow. Where to start? First of all, I enjoyed it more knowing some background on the book, including the fact that Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote this in installments for a well-read circular/magazine. When it was published in 1852, it greatly influenced public opinion by bringing abolitionist ideas into mainstream society. When President Abraham Lincoln met Stowe in the midst of the Civil War in 1862, he reportedly said, “So this is the little lady who made this big war.” This book holds a prominent position in our country's history! It has withstood the test of time because Stowe showed every angle of the slave trade and its consequences, while refraining from villainizing every Southern slaveowner (adding to the validity of the message). She showed the good owners (and proved how slavery was still an evil in their case) and the bad owners (and opened the eyes of the public to those realities). She covered the gamut: the loyal, well intentioned slaveowner (Shelby and others), the indulgent, conscious, self aware slaveowner (St Claire), the selfish, amoral slaveowner (Marie St Clair and others like Pru’s missus), and the despot slaveowner (Legree). She showed how slavery puts not only the slave but also the owner in bad situations (ex, when owners fell into debt they sold their beloved slaves against their consciousness, which shouldn’t be an option). How it broke up families, preyed upon young women for the owners’ pleasure, disregarded the old and infirm, debased all who were involved in it... in short, the multivaried abuse, but also the dependence it cultivated in the subordinate race, and the way slavery reinforced laziness, baseness, and despair. She showed that good-hearted Northern legislators who 'talked the talk' by supported pro-slavery legislation (ie, capturing escaped slaves in the North and returning them) couldn't possibly 'walk the walk.' (I loved that bit about the senator and his wife, Mrs. Bird!) The overarching message is that believing in the moral correctness of slavery cannot coexist with believing in Christianity (the moral foundation of their culture). That was her thesis (in my opinion). The absolute most moving scene in the book was this, when Legree is beating Tom merciliessly, trying to break him down to do his will:
“Here, you rascal, you make believe to be so pious,—didn't you never hear, out of yer Bible, 'Servants, obey yer masters'? An't I yer master? Didn't I pay down twelve hundred dollars, cash, for all there is inside yer old cussed black shell? An't yer mine, now, body and soul?" he said, giving Tom a violent kick with his heavy boot; "tell me!" In the very depth of physical suffering, bowed by brutal oppression, this question shot a gleam of joy and triumph through Tom's soul. He suddenly stretched himself up, and, looking earnestly to heaven, while the tears and blood that flowed down his face mingled, he exclaimed, "No! no! no! my soul an't yours, Mas'r! You haven't bought it,—ye can't buy it! It's been bought and paid for, by one that is able to keep it;—no matter, no matter, you can't harm me!" -ch 33
The narrator, Mirron Willis, was absolutely PHENOMENOL. When I listened to this scene, it was incredibly moving. It was as if I was right there. All the passion and exultation in the midst of his humiliation and misery were conveyed in the reading. So inspiring.
Later on, another moving scene when Legree (view spoiler)[ is about to kill Tom and Tom cries in anguish,
“If taking every drop of blood in this poor old body would save your precious soul, I'd give 'em freely, as the Lord gave his for me. O, Mas'r! don't bring this great sin on your soul! It will hurt you more than 't will me! Do the worst you can, my troubles'll be over soon; but, if ye don't repent, yours won't never end!"
... Scenes of blood and cruelty are shocking to our ear and heart. What man has nerve to do, man has not nerve to hear.
... But, of old, there was One whose suffering changed an instrument of torture, degradation and shame, into a symbol of glory, honor, and immortal life; and, where His spirit is, neither degrading stripes, nor blood, nor insults, can make the Christian's last struggle less than glorious. Was he alone, that long night, whose brave, loving spirit was bearing up, in that old shed, against buffeting and brutal stripes? Nay! There stood by him ONE,—seen by him alone,—"like unto the Son of God." -ch 40
My favorite character was Tom, who was the tragic hero. A Christ figure. Absolutely the most moving tragic hero in all of literature, in my opinion. So well done.
While I found it to be pretty slow at times and sometimes I didn’t feel in the mood to listen to it because of that, whenever I did turn it on I enjoyed it. I absolutely loved the old fashioned writing. I think that the words are beautiful:
O, ye who visit the distressed, do ye know that everything your money can buy, given with a cold, averted face, is not worth one honest tear shed in real sympathy? -ch 10
I also enjoyed the tongue in cheek humor sometimes. Black Sam talking to Andy:
"Der an't no saying'—never—'bout no kind o' thing in dis yer world," he said, at last. Sam spoke like a philosopher, emphasizing this—as if he had had a large experience in different sorts of worlds, and therefore had come to his conclusions advisedly. -ch 6
When Cassie fainted in front of her two companions:
George was wide awake now, and so was Madame de Thoux. Though neither of them could conjecture what was the cause of Cassy's fainting, still they made all the tumult which is proper in such cases;—George upsetting a wash-pitcher, and breaking two tumblers, in the warmth of his humanity; and various ladies in the cabin, hearing that somebody had fainted, crowded the state-room door, and kept out all the air they possibly could, so that, on the whole, everything was done that could be expected. -ch 42
There were scenes that were heart wrenching such as these:
The poor victims of the sale, who had been brought up in one place together for years, gathered round the despairing old mother, whose agony was pitiful to see. "Couldn't dey leave me one? Mas'r allers said I should have one,—he did," she repeated over and over, in heart-broken tones. -ch 12
Especially poignant when the author changes the narration perspective and it seems as though she looks straight at me and says: Regarding the scene when Eliza is desperately running away with her little boy in the night:
If it were your Harry, mother, or your Willie, that were going to be torn from you by a brutal trader, tomorrow morning,—if you had seen the man, and heard that the papers were signed and delivered, and you had only from twelve o'clock till morning to make good your escape,—how fast could you walk? How many miles could you make in those few brief hours, with the darling at your bosom,—the little sleepy head on your shoulder,—the small, soft arms trustingly holding on to your neck? -ch 7
Regarding the scene when Mrs Bird opens a cabinet holding the precious few articles of her toddler that died in childhood, and prepares to give them to Eliza who needs them:
And oh! mother that reads this, has there never been in your house a drawer, or a closet, the opening of which has been to you like the opening again of a little grave? Ah! happy mother that you are, if it has not been so. -ch 9
Another moving scene when the author addresses the reader as a mother, which was particularly touching to me as a mother:
“And you, mothers of America,—you who have learned, by the cradles of your own children, to love and feel for all mankind,—by the sacred love you bear your child; by your joy in his beautiful, spotless infancy; by the motherly pity and tenderness with which you guide his growing years; by the anxieties of his education; by the prayers you breathe for his soul's eternal good;—I beseech you, pity the mother who has all your affections, and not one legal right to protect, guide, or educate, the child of her bosom! By the sick hour of your child; by those dying eyes, which you can never forget; by those last cries, that wrung your heart when you could neither help nor save; by the desolation of that empty cradle, that silent nursery,—I beseech you, pity those mothers that are constantly made childless by the American slave-trade! And say, mothers of America, is this a thing to be defended, sympathized with, passed over in silence?” -chapter 45
I could keep raving about the book, but I admit there were some things I didn’t love, such as how everything in Eliza and George’s life tied up so nicely, with a bow on top. I wish Cassie and Madame de Thoux had not been connected to Eliza or George. It was just a little over-the-top and overly convenient. The other thing I didn’t particularly enjoy was all the talk of George going to Liberia to fight for his cause, and his race, there. So that makes three things that I didn’t love about the book (including how it was pretty slow at times, as I already mentioned), but many many things that I did love about the book. This book was not all doom and gloom. There was happy to balance the sad. There were also hopeful scenes and accounts and messages, mainly how goodness, love, and faith can overcome all. The author shows how faith helped the sufferers survive, because it was truly ALL THEY HAD, and when religion (HOPE) was banned from plantations, the slaves became depraved and demoralized. But when it was introduced again through Tom, the suffering people were drawn to the light it represented. She showed how love could change hearts, as in the case of Topsy. I could go on and on. There is so much I could say regarding this book. I would highly recommend it for a book club. Little messages like this are all over in the pages:
On the characters gaining freedom:
Their night was now far spent, and the morning star of liberty rose fair before them! Liberty!—electric word! What is it? Is there anything more in it than a name—a rhetorical flourish? Why, men and women of America, does your heart's blood thrill at that word, for which your fathers bled, and your braver mothers were willing that their noblest and best should die? Is there anything in it glorious and dear for a nation, that is not also glorious and dear for a man? What is freedom to a nation, but freedom to the individuals in it? - ch 37
Thoroughly enjoyable and charming. I loved all the quirky characters in this book and all the seemingly unrelated anecdotes that create a vibrant pictThoroughly enjoyable and charming. I loved all the quirky characters in this book and all the seemingly unrelated anecdotes that create a vibrant picture of Guernsey and the people that lived there. Such a fun book- I laughed right out loud sometimes! Isola was the funniest, especially with her phrenology book! The unique approach to the writing of the novel (via letters) captured my attention, and I liked the witty heroine's letters. I also really enjoyed the historical setting and learning more about WWII. It was amazing how a funny, light hearted book was also able to address some horrifying aspects of WWII and concentration camps with solemnity. Most of the time I wanted to laugh, but sometimes I wanted to cry. It was masterful. I have never heard of Todt slave workers before, or that German soldiers starved along with the islanders near the end of the war in Guernsey. So many of the characters were dear to me by the end of the book. (view spoiler)[ One thing that I didn't particularly like is that from his initial letters I got the impression that Dawsey was an older, shabby, simpleminded farmer who had a "cute" fascination with a particular author, Charles Lamb. Then I found out he was under 40 and I had to reimagine him. Then I realized, near the end, that he might be a love interest and I had to totally rethink him entirely! By the end I really liked him, but I would have preferred to read his letters at the beginning knowing he was the same age as Juliet. I was so glad she did not marry Mark! Ugh, he wasn't willing to do anything she enjoyed at all - he was self-centered/selfish in that way. I was rooting for Sydney for the entire book until that bubble was popped - that was a shocker. :O Another thing that didn't seem natural was how somehow Kit was Juliet's charge after Juliet had lived there for only a couple weeks. I think it's great, but just a little hard to believe - I was a bit confused about it. Amelia had been taking care of Kit for 4 years, granted with frequent extended visits with the other society members, but it still seems contrived that suddenly Amelia would hand her charge over to Juliet for full guardianship, in essence. Maybe I missed a sentence explaining that - perhaps Juliet begged Amelia to let Kit live with her while she visited? That was a curious aspect of the book, but not that big of a deal. I loved the ending! I thought Dawsey was so sweet! (hide spoiler)]...more
Where to begin? This book is so incredible. It truly is in a league of its own. As I read this I realized how shallow and hollow my recent "candy" regWhere to begin? This book is so incredible. It truly is in a league of its own. As I read this I realized how shallow and hollow my recent "candy" regency romance reads are. This book is the real deal. It is incredibly deep and moving. Loyalty, love, trust, faith, friendship, family, honor, sisterhood, brotherhood... Wow. Each character is so round and individual, and yet, the story line did not drag at all. The words the author weaves are beautiful. Every paragraph is a masterpiece. The story and the dialogue is woven, beatifically intricate and exciting, and it's a privilege to watch it take shape. I know, I'm getting cheesy, but this author is amazing. The love story is the best romance I think I have ever read. This is the epitome of romantic. Now, I have to say, I am not sure I can recommend it to friends because it has a sex scene in it. :/ Unfortunately, the crux of the plot relies on it happening, but it was a bit more detailed than I would have liked. On a positive note, unlike some modern promiscuous characters, these characters were virgins and their union represented an unbreakable bond of trust and love and commitment. They gave themselves to each other, and they proved through their actions down the road the depth of their feelings - that they knew that they needed each other, and they relied on each other, entirely. Being with anyone else was not an option. How they held on to that unspoken promise throughout the book was something that I admired.... and it somehow made it not so awful. So although I don't usually recommend this book to my friends because of the sex scene, I have to admit it is an amazing book. The rest of the book is so powerful and absolutely captivating. After finishing it, I stayed up late for a few nights to reread it twice again - all my favorite parts. That's a good book. I love Liandan's honestly to everyone, especially to Bran and Eamonn. Bran is the ultimate hero. When I first read this book in 2005 (this time was my second time reading it) I wrote the following quote in my book journal; it's one of eight of my all time favorite quotes EVER. Bran speaking to Eamonn: "I need no evidence," he said quietly, his voice now under precarious control. "Liadan would not lie to me. I would trust her with my life. You cannot poison what is between us with your foul words. She is my light in the darkness, and Johnny is my pathway ahead." This is the most romantic book I have ever, or ever will, read. I'm sure of it!...more