Sheldon Farrington > Recent Status Updates

I simply cannot say enough good things about this book; and in some ways it feels like any attempt would be to ignoble, unworthy, insufficient.

Just wow!

On a most perfect fall day, whose gentleness matches the Golden tale unfolding, I find myself delighted to make acquaintance with the character Theo and to immerse in his new found world. Spurred by his kindness to Minnette and intrigued by his ease with Tony and Mr. Ponder, I’m excited to learn of all the people with whom Theo crosses paths.

Literarily speaking, such a well written book, with all the historical grounding, narrative swell, suspected foreshadowing, and instrumental humor that marks the best of fictional writing.

As someone who hasn’t read Gatsby, I’m drawn into the mounting tensions of Charlie, Anna, Margie, and Terrance’s world; never mind Mr. Mann.

It’s been nearly a month since I’ve made meaningful progress in a book. Ironic it’s a book about books that has rekindled my own journey from place and plot line.

Interesting twists, this segment.

Twenty pages in and the narrative, though already signaling the pangs of life, is quite consummately pleasant.

Enjoying the natural suspense of the mounting narrative — a reminder of the power of hope in the face of injustice; a reminder that life sometimes deals a hopeless blow and yet all is not lost if one refuses to let the fear of futility win out.

S/N: Loved the practical reminder of the potency of King’s words and the faith behind them.

Compelled by that familiar sense of injustice that renders the best of historical fiction indistinguishable from fact.

“Some names took a while to fill in, but Elwood had always been the patient type, and thorough.”

“Oh, it’s best not to tell until a thing is half accomplished …”

What a boisterous, whimsical, smart tale! I feel as one can hardly take in all its treasures on first read, as a visitor to the Louvre in one day. (And its narrative nearly as replete with art and culture).

I have fallen in love with the Baronessa, looking forward to seeing how this tale resolves.

Bueno!

“For the rest of dinner, I bathed in the warmth of acceptance I hoped would endure.”

Makes me want to move into un museo, to explore its history, its flavors, its persone bellissime.

Oh that the company of Villa Coco were real! :)

Entranced by the fullness in the narrative. Such a phenomenal book!

And I’m finding that for the people of whom I am most fond, this is a favorite book. Those moments of simple wisdom, those windows into the meaning of faith, those lessons with gentle power taught by the father ten Boom, are indelible. Wow!

This book is wild; along with its Baronessa. 🤷🏾‍♂️

It puts me in the mind of three of my favorite reads this year — the multigenerational and complex character development of East of Eden, the emotional and witty flow and endearing nature of the protagonist in Heart’s Invisible Furies, and the heart tugging realities of time and place forcefully and yet honorably told in Demon Copperhead. Needless to say, I’m loving it so far.

What to say of a book that both blends and reflects — blends with a unique truthfulness of many inside and outside a community; reflects the hearts, hopes, biases, and beliefs of the same. Good people, written with a chorus (though far from harmonious) of voices reminds us that things may not be as they are perceived; sometimes better, sometimes worse, and often misunderstood or missed altogether.

That first page was magnificent. I’m enamored with Ustad.