5 posts tagged “literature”
While driving she hits a stranger. Someone who appears to be from another century; the sixteenth century to be exact. Sir Dougray Fitzpatrick, Lord of Dunhaven’s history not much brighter than Aislinn’s, encounters each other with much suspicion. However, they are destined to meet. Sir Fitzpatrick, a widow, was told by a psychic he would meet a traveler who would help him set the future right.
Through their fights, turbulent battles, sometimes, humorous trickeries, and always wild adventures, Dougray discovers Aislinn to be a woman of great strength, heart, and love. Aislinn finds Dougray as a man of courage, bravery, and honor. Their beautifully told story keeps readers in constant suspense.
Nutt is an excellent storyteller with a knack for pace, rhythm and description. She conveys the story without giving away too much too soon with artistic grace. Lost in the Mist of Time is precisely where the readers will find themselves as soon as they turn the first page. It is truly a thrilling read.
reviewed by: Mona Lisa Safai
At Miss Oliver’s School for Girls everything stayed the same. That is until the Board fired Marjorie Boyd their beloved headmistress. Unfortunately, she was ill-equipped as a financial manager to run Miss Oliver’s. So, the Board decided to bring in someone else. The next headmaster, Mr. Kindler, tackles the inadequately managed budget and faces the turbulent environment of Miss Oliver’s. Stephen Davenport writes Saving Miss Oliver’s: A Novel of Leadership, Loyalty, and Change in the spirit of intended for anyone who has experienced adolescence, high school, and education.
When Mr. Kindler arrives at Miss Oliver’s, only three options remain for the school. Recruit more girls, Enroll boys, or close Miss Oliver’s for good. Davenport writes from the perspectives of students, teachers, trustees, administrative staff, and parents. Throughout the book, twists and turns, some victories and disappointments occur.
The sense that an educational institution is immune from all outside problems is immediately lifted. As in any environment, Davenport also illustrates the inter-politicking between faculty and administration. Carefully crafted characters, each with their own set of dilemmas move the reader. A private school or not, high school is a difficult time for teenagers.
But, most probably most important about Miss Oliver’s is the reader identifies with the characters quite quickly the urgency of the situation. Davenport’s talent is in his ability to create an emotional bond between the reader and the characters. This book is a genuine read.
reviewed by: Mona Lisa Safai
In the wake of the Fifth Anniversary September 11th, 2001 Nicholas Sparks graces his audience with his latest novel about romance, friendship, loss, loyalty, and explores the depths of how far people will go for love. In Dear John, two lives meet and are forever altered. Their happiness is jeopardized with the invasion of a cruel war, uncontrollable circumstances, and the reality of long term separation.
Young rebellious John Tyree meets sweet, good hearted Savannah Lynn Curtis, his life changes for the better. He knows she is the one for him. He wishes he had not enlisted in the army so quickly after high school. Instead, he wants to settle down with Savannah. Then September 11th happens?
While in Iraq, Savannah sends him a “Dear John” letter. After John returns, he must come to terms with Savannah. While his feelings remain unchanged, circumstances have. After serving his country, coming home, and finding Savannah, John is left with a decision to make. Throughout the novel, Sparks vicariously asks “What does it mean to truly love another?” and “What does true love really mean”?
Sparks writes Dear John passionately, honestly, and with an undertone of sadness. Within the context of September 11th, he carefully constructs a soldier’s tale. He writes apolitically; without dogma. Two lives once intersected then changed by the destruction of war. Sparks intertwines romance, joy, emotion, and loss into a world which we are all uncertain but willing to brave in the hopes that love may reach us someday.
reviewed by: Mona Lisa Safai
Set in early1900s Poland, Rosenbaum takes her audience to the depths of a small town, Zokof, where the family story begins. As a young boy, Itzik Leiber accidentally kills a Polish peasant when he sees three children in harm’s way. To save himself and his family, he must flee Zokof. Years later, his son, Nathan, a professor travels to Poland only to find links to his father. Nathan’s daughter, Ellen, a ballet dancer, by trade, less religious later travels to Poland. What she discovers unravels more of their family mystery. Ellen’s search for understanding enables the Leiber’s to finally come full circle.
Rosenbaum writes a gorgeous piece, filled with twists and turns. There is conflict between historical and cultural peoples that she brings to surface beautifully. Her storyteller’s voice is apparent through her choice of characters and dialogue is unforced. This debut novel will definitely keep the reader intrigued and laughing as well.
reviewed by: Mona Lisa Safai
Behind the crystal glass doors on a top floor of a skyscraper building in any major city, you are sure to find a top notch law firm. Step inside and you will see a receptionist with a million dollar smile, perfect attire, and every hair in place. Glance a little further and you will find associates, partners, and legal assistants meaningfully walking down the shiny halls. Rarely, though, will you see the powerful chairman. In particular, what you will never see is the anonymous law firm which is what author, Jeremy Blachman so diabolically and humorously leads his readers into in the Anonymous Lawyer: A Novel.
Blachman depicts an almost megalomaniac driven hiring partner at a highly prestigious firm. After 18 years as a practicing lawyer, he begins writing a blog and signing off as the “Anonymous Lawyer.” His own problems begin mounting when opportunities arise for a promotion to chairman, competition between partners becomes nasty, and his blog is discovered.
He describes the law firm culture, the cutthroat nature of life experiences which lawyers must undergo as their socialization process to reach the top. His fiendish attempts to continually have it all reveal a mentality which are both disturbing and oddly funny.
Blachman’s talent keeps his readers in suspense to the very last page. The Anonymous Lawyer will entertain readers while they ponder the fictive and realistic nature of his novel. Anonymous Lawyer’s thoughts are witty, wry, clever, and often call for a recognized outward laugh.
--reviewed by Mona Lisa Safai
