Nico > Recent Status Updates

I was looking for short stories, and I thought I'd give this a try. It's a bit bleak. Not sure I'll finish it.

I listen to audio books to go to sleep with. It usually works pretty well for me. However, while the narrator is good - he does shout into the mic to add feeling and emphasis to the dialogue and what's happening. Probably not the greatest audio book as a bed time story. Shall see if I choose to continue.

I listen to audio books to go to sleep with. It usually works pretty well for me. However, while the narrator is good - he does shout into the mic to add feeling and emphasis to the dialogue and what's happening. Probably not the greatest audio book as a bed time story. Shall see if I choose to continue.

I'm really enjoying this book. It's bittersweet, but mostly sweet.... It's a story about a young woman leaving Turkey in order to forge a new life in London. The book is a bit of a weaving of different aspects of her life and her memories...and her new life and its challenges. Fairly philosophical with folklore interspersed. I'll need to see if it's been translated into English, so I can recommend it to friends.

Eye-opening book. I wish there was a way to know how many characters are based on actual people (some are real, of course). I imagine research for this novel must have been quite heart-wrenching. I feel like Michener "idealizes" the Boer families in his own way. What I mean is there seems to be no marital strife, but maybe that reality would detract from the retelling of history. I'm sure not all were happy couples.

This comment contains spoilers. What's hard about this book - as really captivating and interesting it is - is, unsurprisingly <spoiler> the amount of wanton violence which occurs. Violence from white settlers as well as Africans, also toward their own peoples...and then the fake prophesy. :'( I've been thinking about the section regarding Prince Alfred and his "battue". Very upsetting stuff.</spoiler>

What's hard about this book - as really captivating and interesting it is - is, unsurprisingly <spoiler> the amount of wanton violence which occurs. Violence from white settlers as well as Africans, also toward their own peoples. I've been thinking about the section regarding Prince Alfred and his "battue". Very upsetting stuff. </spoiler>

I had high hopes for this book, and it's basically an enjoyable read for historic fiction fans. Spoiler: is Jakes being lazy when he decides that the prominent love relationship is between step-siblings? Even if they aren't related by blood, this story line just doesn't work for me at all. I wonder if other readers think the same way I do? Easy way out, and - well - a little gross?

I had high hopes for this book, and it's basically an enjoyable read for historic fiction fans. Spoiler: is Jakes being lazy when he decides that the prominent love relationship is between step-siblings? Even if they aren't related by blood, this story line just doesn't work for me at all. I wonder if other readers think the same way I do? Easy way out, and - well - gross?

Still some weird translation errors...but that's ok...not taking away from the suspense, and endless circles the police seem to have to run in.... There is no quick resolution in this book. Anyone reading this may just need to be patient.

The translation seems to be a bit flawed at times...I have to re-read sentences to try to figure out what is going on...but it's not "super-extremely" bad. I've read translated books before (a lot), and I'm not sure why this isn't of a higher quality. Anyway, otherwise pretty engrossing.

I've been reading through this pretty quickly. It is suspenseful. Sometimes the writing style gets cumbersome. I don't mind mini-plots, and how they tie in, & telling each individual's back-story. However, I find that Link makes her mini-plots frustratingly short at times. There's also an issue with her poor understanding of how cell phone technology can work, amongst other things which will be in my final review.

I'm at the Epilogue. For some reason I'm finding it very hard to get into this finale. Not sure if it's merely fatigue related, or because it's extremely philosophical and heady.

I had downloaded this book from NYPL as a Kindle. When check out time expired, I could not renew it. I would have liked to continue reading this book, however, NYPL stopped supporting the Kindle version. I have not yet bothered to call NYPL to ask about this. I would have also been happy to read this in English, but Jane Johnson does not have a lot of books in print (or any at all?) in my county.

I started this book as a download from the Goethe Institute, and would have liked to have finished it. However, Goethe Institute online library isn't as stream-lined as public library services, unfortunately. I could no longer download to Adobe Digital Editions, and Goethe didn't have a Kindle option at the time. It's not readily available on WorldCat as a physical book.

I keep starting and stopping this audiobook at times. The narrator (also the author) is good. I'm not sure why I can't finish it!? It is well written, chalk full of interesting history. It might be that I need lighter listening for audiobooks...as I usually listen to audiobooks when I'm either very fatigued or it's late at night. This book is a little bit like a uni lecture, IMHO.

Louis addresses crowd. Choses "ringleader" to speak for the mass of Afghan fighters demanding the pay that was promised to them. He chooses the man with "a scar on his cheek". Again, another stereotype. Again, Afghans referred to as Barbarians. They were invaded, they were promised payment which they weren't getting. Most people would be outraged regardless of skin color and nationality.

Earlier segment author refers to Wally as "the boy", although he's old enough to fight and lead in battle. More ethnocentricity, IMO. The Colonists are not portrayed as "barbarians" even though they invaded Afghanistan as an act of aggression.

..."fanatical courage"... But, nowhere are the English portrayed as fanatics, even though their invasion is driven by pure blood lust. I do like this story overall, but I really struggle with the author's repeated insistence in portraying peoples by her own biased standards.