Beth’s Comments (group member since Oct 19, 2011)

Beth’s comments from the Around the World group.

I've been below the Atlantic hunting for Red October. It was a fun and suspenseful but somewhat technical ride! The Hunt for Red October.

I just got back from Dargestan with Tom Clancy's Under Fire. It fit a challenge category and was on sale on Audible. Even though Clancy fans didn't seem to like it all that much, I thought it was fine. It's probably because I haven't read much Tom Clancy and didn't have expectations about characters and plot. Actually, a big part of the plot has to do with using the internet for political ends (not a spoiler, don't worry), which with our current Russia/election stuff is feeling pretty timely.

I'm under the Atlantic in The Hunt for Red October

Just left Greece. House of Names by Colm Tóibín was a wonderful retelling of Electra and the family that gave Freud's female version of Oedipus conflict its name. The story focuses about equally on Electra, her mother, and her brother Orestes. Actually, Electra is less of a focus than the other two, but hers is one of the three narrative perspectives on the family dysfunction. Really well written and engaging.

Also just finished the much lighter, and sort Forest Gumpish The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared. It was a fun romp through 20th century events and a sort of goofy crime novel too. The present day action takes place in Sweden, but the historical events occur all over the place. My review.

Just finished Do Not Say We Have Nothing which was a very powerful book about China from the time of the revolution though and beyond Tianamen Square. Here is the link to my review. See the comments I wrote during it, too.

Lilisa wrote: "And if it was a glass of white it wouldn't have been so bad! :-) lol at the thread... "

You guys are making me want wine!

Just finished An Unkindness of Ravens which takes place in the UK. Brief review here.

Off to Tanzania with The Book of Secrets.

Just left Saskatchewan, Germany, Switzerland, London, Italy, and Nairobi with The Constant Gardener. It was inspired by a true story of a French NGO worker killed to cover up corporate abuses in Africa. It was an engaging and suspenseful book.

Currently in Vancouver and China with Do Not Say We Have Nothing

My Kenya book has also taken me to the UK and to Italy so far.

Just zoomed through Washington D.C. and Addis Ababa with The Beautiful Things That Heaven Bears. I really liked this book and want to read more by Dinaw Mengestu. It was written beautifully and was both very personal, with well-developed characters, and an exploration of both immigrant experience and the conflict around gentrification.

Heading to Kenya with The Constant Gardener.

Just finished The Secret Chord (Israel) and The Translator (Scotland and Sudan). Liked both, but haven't written reviews yet. Secret Chord is beautiful, but also very graphic. King David and his family were pretty violent folks. The Translator is an exploration of Muslm faith, the ways death affects relationships, and cultural distance. I did it on audio and am not crazy about the narrator, but the book is good.

Stephanie wrote: "Let me know how you liked that one- I love her as well. "

I liked it a lot, but it is pretty graphic. Parts of it are hard to take.

Rusalka wrote: "I finished Half of a Yellow Sun for Nigeria. I get now why everyone is in love with Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie"
She is amazing. Try Americanah!

Just left Moscow, with The Kremlin Letter. Wasn't crazy about it, but it kept me mildly entertained. I hear it was made into a film with Orson Wells.

Currently back and forth between Scotland and Sudan (in memories) in The Translator by Leila Aboulela

Now also in Israel with The Secret Chord by Geraldine Brooks. Going to read this one before Corelli, since it was loaned to me by a friend and I don't want to hang onto it too long. Also I just love Brooks.