James Mayor > Recent Status Updates

So far, Almond's take on how and why Trump is our president is pretty much right on: he was the imagined answer to a lot of "problems." How the U.S., France Germany, Great Britain (to name a few) handled immigration while ignoring its citizen's economic distress, and expecting people to simply respond with open arms, is clearly discussed and explained.

Excellent reminder (with plenty of facts/figures to back it all up) of just how much better off we all are these days (health, discrimination, etc., etc.). The whole take on it? Social media and prejudiced media are one of the three main causes for today's widespread pessimism. The other? Our growing penchant for expecting and luxuriating in negativity. This isn't a pie-in-sky book, but a wake-up call. Great book!

Done!

Very thoughtful and helpful book about the challenges of today's marriages. I'd recommend it for everyone married or think about it.

On page 559. Every time I read this masterpiece, I get more out of it.

After a slight foray into a book of short stories what I found less than satisfying, I'm back to a tried and true masterpiece!

After a slight foray into a book of short stories what I found less than satisfying, I'm back to a tried and true masterpiece!

Reading this one for the fifth time is twenty years. I firmly believe this to be one of the best novels ever written. I recently went to Portugal and while there visited Obidos, a 12th century fortified city. As I walked the cramped streets and stopped at all the little gift shops, port tastings, etc. (doing business in the same "stalls" as described in Follett's masterpiece), I couldn't help but think of this book.

"Comfort" is a remarkable story!

With all due respect to any writer finishing a novel and--then--having the tenacity to get it published, I didn't see a reason to read more. Though I may find myself in the minority, I, nevertheless, found this to be another 21st Century "let-me-tell-you-about-my-dysfunctional-life" novel.

Try as I may, I simply cannot get into this; I've given seven of the stories a fair try. I picked up this book because I once read Lessing's "Room 19" and loved it. When I saw it listed in the table of contents for her short stories anthology, I thought I'd find more like it. Alas, this was not to be. I find the others I read rather boring and far from insightful...more like an old aunt telling old stories.

Try as I may, I simply cannot get into this; I've given seven of the stories a fair try. I picked up this book because I once read Lessing's "Room 19" and loved it. When I saw it listed in the table of contents for her short stories anthology, I thought I'd find more like it. Alas, this was not to be. I find the others I read rather boring and far from insightful...more like an old aunt telling old stories.