Exodus

Title: Exodus

Author: Leon Uris

Publication date: 1958

Book's setting: 1940's

Random facts: I wanted to know more about the formation of Israel but of course I didn't want to read a 600 page nonfiction political debrief so I settled for this.

Plot summary: American widow and journalist friend get involved in the smuggling of Jewish POV/refugees out of Greece post WWII and into Palestine. The book then breaks off into several historical recounts of Jewish oppression based around a particular character in the book, wrapping it all together by the second half with an intense play-by-play of the United Nation's decision to see Israel as its own nation, and finishing emotionally with lots of people dying.

Favorite aspects: Epic. I mean, I was enthralled. Historical fiction is so amazing because you learn and you can be emotionally involved and your knowledge of history at the outset helps you become much more engrossed than you might have been. I had absolutely no clue that half the stuff in this book happened, so I think it was good for me to read it, but at the same time my knowledge of the historical context totally enhanced the experience. And like, on a totally personal level, DOV AND KAREN. I'm a sucker for those sorts of romances.

Least favorite aspects: I was surprised that there wasn't more about the Spanish Inquisition. The book went back to retell stories of of Jewish oppression in multiple countries as far back as the early 1800's, but I think it would have been really awesome for that to be included.

Other works it reminded me of: Maggie-Now by Betty Smith, The House of Spirits, Isabel Allende


Sadie's merciless break-down: Fact: I read this on the plane on my way home from Switzerland and it was like 3 flights and a layover and a few amazing meals and lots of white wine and this book. Reading it was intense. It's an intense book. The writing is a little "of the times" but not in a bad way. I dunno. It was awesome. 

Recommendation rate: Any historical fiction fan should read this.

On Chisel Beach

 

Title: On Chesil Beach

Author: Ian McEwan

Publication date: 2008

Book's setting: 1960's

Random facts: I bought this for 99 cents in a used bookstore because it was so tiny I could bring it home in my purse.

Plot summary: A young couple (virgins) on the eve of their wedding, in a society on the cusp of a sexual revolution (that they're like a tad to old to catch) and what happens that night. The middle of the book is a recount of the courtship but the first 50 pages or so, and last 50 pages or so is purely moment-by-moment recount of their evening.

Favorite aspects: Beautifully written. I mean, insanely amazing prose. This is the man who wrote Atonement, so I expected nothing less. So quotable, so emotional. I felt like I was in the skin of both characters as they took in their environment, tried to swallow their fears. The book is quite grounded in its historical period as well. Some very funny quips about England at the time, politically. Interesting insight into the society through this microscopic story.

Least favorite aspects: I think that I was expecting something a little more driven by the end. I'm not sure what the core was. McEwan used two very separate voices sharing their own experiences, but it wasn't much more than experiences. The epilogue-type part at the end was weird. I think that the book didn't really need it. Or, if McEwan was going to give us a glimpse of the future (after the wedding night events) than he really should have hit us in the gut. Instead I felt like I was reading the five page version of One Day by David Nicholls.

Other works it reminded me of: One Day by David Nicholls.

Sadie's merciless break-down: I enjoyed it more reading it than I did in retroscept. It was one of those novels where the prose, the insensity of the reading process, the emotional insensity- that's what made it so good. Now... looking back, I don't really care much what happened in the book. (Unlike Atonement, where I think I'll take that trauma to the grave.)

Recommendation rate: Only if you don't mind sad books. Or if you are a sucker for perfect prose.

Brooklyn

Title: Brooklyn

Author: Colm Toibin

Publication date: 2009

Book's setting: 1950's

Random facts: Recommended to me by my friend Rachel, who read it in a college class.

Plot summary: Eilis is a young women living in her home country, Ireland, in the 1950's, unable to find work and dragging her family down. Her sister Rose, the more profitable sister, recommends she goes to America for work. Brooklyn is a very small story about a very short period of time in Eilis' life. Unlike many immigrant stories, Brooklyn is less about the immigrant plight and more about Eilis as a person, as she meets and falls for a Italian boy and has to make hard choices.

Favorite aspects: It was just beautifully written. Flooring. I was reading it so slowly, just savoring every word. Like I said before, it's a delicate story about one girl's adventure. It all felt so real and crisp.

Least favorite aspects: I don't know. It's rare, but I don't think if I was God I'd rush in and change anything about it. It's a gem.

Other works it reminded me of: Maggie-Now by Betty Smith

Sadie's merciless break-down: The book ends poising a little question of: was she maybe taken advantage of? Did she make the right choice? I don't know. I think she did. The romance was very harsh and realistic. Beautiful, exciting, but still laced with the sexism of the time. I spent a lot of the book worried about Eilis, for even though she was not courting a bad man, her naivety kept me feeling protective of her. I don't know. You read it and tell me.

Recommendation rate: I think everyone who likes to read should read this. If you love history you need to run out right now and buy it.

Redeeming Love

Title: Redeeming Love
Author: Francine Rivers
Publication date: 1991
Book's setting: 1850
Random facts: One of my best friends recommended it to me and I have this policy in which I must read every single book my friends love.
Plot summary: Redeeming Love is a vibrant interpretation of the Book of Hosea. Set in the 1850's the novel follows the life of Angel, a bastard child sold into prostitution after her mother's dead. When California farmer Micheal Hosea feels led by the Holy Spirit to marry Angel and save her from a life of prostitution, she doesn't come willingly. Redeeming Love is a novel about sacrificial love, salvation, and following God, no matter what he asks of you. Although Angel's journey toward salvation is the core of the novel, a host of compelling minor characters weave their way in and out of the story, impacting Angel's life in unexpected ways.
Favorite aspects: The first thing I liked (which is sort of small) was how well-researched it was. Sometimes books like this are thrown together and don't feel truthful, but Rivers obviously poured a lot of time into it, and it showed. I really love the time period it was set in and Rivers captured it in all its vibrant glory. Something about the prairie. I love it. The second thing I liked (much bigger) was Angel. She was one of the most developed characters I've read in a long time. She was spectacularly plotted and really well developed and not one point in her story line seemed false. She must have been incredibly hard to write but I was drawn to her and sympathized with her throughout the entire novel. It's not often that I meet someone like her in a novel. I'm not going to forget her.
Least favorite aspects: The more I read the more sensitive I become to writing. Obviously not everyone can be Marilynne Robinson- I get that. But this book was too good for it's writing. I'm not going so far as to say Rivers is a "bad" author, but I don't think her skill matched the task at hand. Redeeming Love had no literary beauty or style. It was just a plot being conveyed sensibly. It lacked the flavor and emotional high that moving literature has. Usually I'm not picky about writing if the plot is strong... but religious fiction demands more grace in the writing.
Other works it reminded me of: Not My Will by Francena Arnold; Rodzina by Karen Cushman.
Sadie's merciless break-down: Needless to say, this was a strange follow-up to Atonement. I am a Christian. Basically what that means is that I see grace, redemption, atonement, and unconditional love everywhere. I see it in Harry Potter and Pirates of the Caribbean of all places! I can find grace in anything. If you're not religious and you don't see it it's simply because you don't know where to look.
Okay. So. I think that Redeeming Love was heavy-handed. They say show don't tell, right? Number one rule of writing. Rivers broke it. I'm not sure what tipped the scale but the heavy narration bogged down the spiritual awakening. I feel awful saying this. It was a good novel, all things considered. The story arch was consistent and the characters were round and the themes were important. It was good enough that I finished it... but something was missing. Or rather something was over-exposed until it stopped feeling precious. Does this make sense? Am I being way too hard? Should I have waited longer in order to digest McEwan's delicate prose before plunged into Redeeming Love? I don't know. It just didn't move me like I thought it would.
ON A COMPLETELY UNRELATED NOTE. I almost wrote this book a couple of times. (Without the sex and the religion.) It was going to be called Apple of the Prairie. It was going to be awesome. I never got further than the first chapter. I am seriously considering revisiting that idea.

Recommendation rate: If you really like Christian lit then give it a go, you may love it. If you're not one for religious fiction then just pass on it.

My Dearest Friend

Title: My Dearest Friend: The Letters of Abigail and John Adams

Author: Abigail Adams, John Adams, Margaret Hogan, C James Taylor

Publication date: 2007

Book's setting: 1752-1801

Random facts: I put this book on hold because my request for the letters of Victoria and Albert bounced back and I was in the mood for historical ridiculousness.

Plot summary: My Dearest Friend (not to be confused with the biography of Abigail named Dearest Friend) is a compilation of letter by John and Abigail Adams to one another. They begin during their courting period and extend to Abigails's death. It is divided into sections such as The Continental Congress and The Presidency.

Favorite aspects: Okay, so wow. They were really romantic. I felt a little weird reading the letters, they were so private and serious and adorable. Also My Dearest Friend worked very nicely as a crash course in American History... as much as I know about history my dates are eternally fuzzy. Reading the letters dated and in order helped solidify a timeline in my head.

Least favorite aspects: Their grammar and spelling was all crazy. I appreciate that the editors of this collection didn't make any changes to make the letters more readable, but at the same time this was a very slow-going book. It took me two weeks to read.

Other works it reminded me of: I've never read a book of letters before. This is a first.

Sadie's merciless breakdown: I am still unsure as to whether the fact that I read this massive collection of letters written in such weird English I practically had to translate it is a testament to my devotion to my forefathers or a pathetic example of how I have no life outside reading and munching on granola bars. But all that aside. While reading My Dearest Friend all I could think about was how embarrassed John and Abigail would be if they knew I was reading their love letters. If someone published my diaries I would die. Of course my diaries are filled with idiotic descriptions of my nonexistent love life and stupid droning about school work instead of witty political banter and insight into our nations beginnings. However the principle remains the same. I think they would be embarrassed.
But My Dearest Friend also made me mourn literacy in America. Before there was fiction readily available, before there was internet or tv, you had to be funny all on your own. I really began to understand the desire people had in that time to find a funny or "witty" spouse. If your partner didn't have a sense of humor you'd probably never have any fun. Abigail and John were both incredibly funny and intelligent and witty... making all sorts of amusing Shakespeare jokes. I'm pretty sure half of the humor went over my head, but you could still tell it was there. It made me think of Jane Austen's books and her character's never ending search for a man with wit. No wonder Lizzy did not want to marry Mr Collins.

Recommendation rate: You have to be a serious stan for your IRL OTP of John/Abigail to read this. Sadly, I'm that stan.

How the Irish Saved Civilization

Title: How the Irish Saved Civilization

Author: Thomas Cahill

Publication date: 1996

Book's setting: Nonfiction- Fall of Rome to Late Antiquity

Random facts: It was on the New York Times Bestsellers list. Nice.

Plot summary: Starting with the fall of Rome and St Augustine, Cahill tells the story of the decline into the dark ages. Focusing mainly on Ireland, he explains their barbaric past as well as the coming of St Patrick and Catholicism. Basically it's about how the Irish monks and clerics saved the world. They preserved records and copied over philosophy and poetry and kept the Bible safe while the rest of the world was in turmoil. And then how, years later, they emerged and spread their knowledge, dragging Europe out of the dark with the same works that had made it great hundreds of years before.

Favorite aspects: I love history. Reading this book really gave me a new way of looking at the Dark Ages. It's interesting, Europe never actually pulled itself out of the plague filled, war torn world. Really it was the remnants of the Roman Empire, Catholicism, and previously existing science and literature that saved them. So think what would have happened if the Church hadn't been able to jump-start the rebirth of Europe... How long would it have taken humanity to go through all those steps again? Would we even be here now if Plato and the Bible hadn't been preserved? It's almost like that was God's way of assuring that Christianity would survive the Dark Ages and constant barbarian wars and the black death and all the awful stuff in the Middle Ages. Monks were really spectacular people.

Least favorite aspects: Cahill quoted a lot of ancient literature but the set up was very odd and I had a hard time reading the poems. Although I think I can blame a publisher for that.

Other works it reminded me of: Story of the World by Susan Wise Bauer; The Door in the Wall by Marguerite de Angeli.

Sadie's merciless break-down: I read the majority of this book one night from 11pm-3am. It was after a long day and I was very grumpy and hormonal. My cat was asleep on my stomach and I just read all night, feeling moody and alone. The fall of Rome depresses me. It makes me literally sad- the way natural disasters and murders and relatives in the hospital make me sad. Yesterday I was watching Doctor Who with my little sister... and of course it was the Roman Nestene Duplicates episode. Auton Rory has nothing to do with this book, except for that they were Romans and made me sad all over again. Dying civilizations toy with my emotions in crazy ways.
But Rome isn't the point of this book. Ireland is. Or rather, how Ireland had to pick up the pieces of a dying Roman society before everything was lost forever. I've never been overly fond of Ireland. Not that I dislike it or anything, but I am not Irish and never felt a connection to them. Scotland was always more mysterious to me. (Tam Lin and all.) But How the Irish Saved Civilization gave me a new respect for them as a little country. I root for the underdog and Ireland is like, the original underdog. I was at dinner with the Dooley family on St Patrick's Day and I was complaining that I didn't really understand Patrick or Ireland or anything and how oblivious I was to them as a society and country. All I know about Irish people are Brooklyn Irish bars like McMahons and O'Riley's. So Mr. Dooley lent me this book and demanded I read it. I'm glad I did.

Recommendation rate: If you're a history buff then you should read it. Otherwise it's just dates and facts and sexy Romans and half-naked Celts. Your choice.

Forge

Author: Laurie Halse Anderson

Publication date: 2010

Book's setting: 1777-1778

Random facts: Sequel to Chains.

Plot summary: It's been a year since Isabel and Curzon escaped captivity. But in the time that's elapsed Isabel stole all his money and left to find her sister. Curzon is broke and alone and forced to join the rebel army. Forge is the story of his winter in Valley Forge, his search for Isabel, and their reconciliation.

Favorite aspects: Curzon's voice can be chilling. It is very simple and soft. I read some reviews for this book saying that Curzon was not as well developed as Isabel was in Chains, but I found him real, wonderful, and emotionally stimulating. I actually had a harder time liking Isabel. Maybe it's because I have a soft spot for little boys forced to kill strangers? Anderson does not have my favorite narration style (it's heavvvyyyy) but I was amazed at her ability to write Curzon so convincingly. She's a rich white lady from Upstate New York! How did she write a cold, hungry, little slave boy in 1777? (Black magic, I guess. Or research. But I hate research so I'm sticking with black magic.)

Least favorite aspects: Anderson is a wonderful author. She writes in unique voices, she writes beautifully, she writes interesting stories. But she is a bit too self-aware; she's aware that what she's writing is important. Forge is definitely mature, but I think Anderson is a little too interested in her effort to "educate children" about slavery and repression. It begins to show in her writing- a pride in her wonderful exploration of history. Her narration is heavy and bogs down her character's voice. Even smaller things like the glossary, appendix, and timeline in the back of the book made me feel like she (or possibly the publisher) was talking down to the me, anticipating me to be uneducated about her subject matter. I think anyone who picks this book up off the shelf already knows a substantial amount of American History.

Other works it reminded me of: Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson; Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes; Betsy and the Emperor by Staton Rabin.

Sadie's merciless break-down: Historical fiction turns me on. It makes me feel closer to times past. It fills me with unconditional love for the universe. The Revolutionary War is one of my favorite time periods to read about. It's also one of my favorite time periods to watch. Like Liberty's Kids and Felicity: An American Girl Adventure, which, if you ask me, was robbed for the Oscar. (Is it the sexy boys with ponytails and waistcoats? Could it be? Probably yes.)
Anyway, my favorite aspect in historical fiction are the cameos made by historical figures. When General Grant or Lafayette or Benedict Arnold shows up I get all giddy and feel like shouting, "HEY! I KNOW YOU!" It's like you're getting caught up with your old friends. You want to give them tea and biscuits and pat their historical little heads and ask them how life in the army is treating them. (I'm dead serious.) So in this Forge was a success. It's one of those books where reading it was not sufficient. I want to force everyone I know to read it so I can express my great love for George Washington to them. My love for history gets bottled up sometimes and then I explode and annoy my family to no end.

Recommendation rate: If you enjoy historical fiction then you really must read it.

Three Cups of Tea

Title: Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace, One School at a Time

Author: Greg Mortenson and David Relin

Publication date: 2006

Book's setting: 1993-2006

Random facts: The name is taken from a really cute proverb- "The first time you share tea with a Balti, you are a stranger. The second time you take tea, you are an honored guest. The third time you share a cup of tea, you become family."

Plot summary: Three Cups of Tea is the memoir of Greg Mortenson. Raised in Africa by his missionary parents, Mortenson was studying to be a doctor in California in the early 90's. He took a trip to Pakastain in order to try and climb K2. On his way he got separated from the group. Finally he wandered into the small village of Korphe. The people there nursed him back to health and helped him find his way home. Mortenson learned while there that Korphe did not have any schools for their children. Before leaving he promised the chief that he would return one day to pay them back for their kindness, and build a school. Three Cups of Tea is how Mortenson found the money, resources, support, and strength to build that school.

Favorite aspects: I'm a sucker for memoirs and I really loved this one. Ever since World History last semester and doing a little more reading about life in Afghanistan and Pakistan I've wanted to learn more. Three Cups of Tea was really excellent in educating me without making any sort of stupid political statement along the way. Actually, it wasn't ever over-baring politically or religiously. It was a true story about real people and it told the facts. I appreciate that because it's really hard to find anything straight-forward about the Middle East.

Least favorite aspects: The book, considering it was about a missionary's son building schools in a very Islamic region, skirted around religion. I don't know if they thought it would be more marketable if they just didn't talk about it, but it was a total elephant in the room. Part of me appreciated that they didn't get really preachy one way or the other... but it seemed unnatural.

Other works it reminded me of: My Hands Came Away Red by Lisa McKay.

Sadie's merciless break-down: Oh man. This book really gave me an appreciation for education. I'm stuck in Senior Slump right now and I think that this book gave me a little push. After I finished it I studied really hard for a few days until the aftershock wore off. Often books that talk about "important things" get really annoying, but somehow this one was really convicting without being annoying. But then, as always, I got that pressing feeling to do something and save people and I considered becoming a doctor and joining one of those third-world-country-doctor-programs or selling everything I own and becoming a nun... and then I didn't.
I have a hero complex.
But I digress.
It was a good book. Read it.

Recommendation rate: If you are at all interested in philanthropy or educational philosophy in third-world areas then you should really read it. Or just read it. You should.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society

Title: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society

Author: Mary Anne Shaffer and Annie Borrows

Publication date: 2008

Book's setting: 1946

Random facts: The story is told letters and correspondences.

Plot summary: The main character is Julie Ashton, a middle-aged columnist trying to start a new novel after WWII. A Guernsey local, Dawsey, writes because he owns a used book that has her name in it, and a friendship is formed. Dawsey tells Julie about the trials that the islanders went through during the Germany occupation, including an odd sort of literary society that was formed by mistake, but affected his entire town. It is a very sweet book and incredibly well plotted. I suppose it is a historical romance first and foremost, but it manages to move past that label and into some sort of more cerebral literary class.

Favorite aspects: Guernsey has a seriously amazing host of characters. You meet snooty Londoners, German soldiers, sweet old maids, quirky young woman, and droll publishers. In that sense it is a very "British" sort of book with fond stereotypes and an ensemble cast. The sweetest part of the book is the romances between a German soldier and a local Guernsey girl. It's a very blink-and-you'll-miss-it romance, told from other people's perspectives and hidden within the subtext of the book. I actually read the bulk of the book twice, and was pleased to catch all the subtle scenes and sweet lines that were hidden from me the first time round. The book's format makes it more challenging to read, but also more compelling. The authors did an excellent job creating distinct voices for their character's correspondences.

Least favorite aspects: I really did not like Julie. I thought the story could have been better told without her in the center of it all, although I completely understand why it was set up that way. Guernsey is so close to brilliance... yet just a tiny bit off-center. I believe that Julie kept the book firmly rooted in the "romance" genre when it should have fallen more into "historical drama" territory. But that is just my opinion. I am sure other readers will adore Julie.

Other works it reminded me of: Madensky Square by Eva Ibbotson; anything by Rosamunde Pilcher.

Sadie's merciless break-down: Okay, so this book confused me. It made me feel like some sort of freaking Anglophile, and I am decidedly not an Anglophile. It takes a lot for me to want to drink tea out of tiny china cups and run around in pastures and wear thick navy stockings. This book had what it takes. Despite the fact that Julie was a bore it transcended nice British literature into a much more terrifying realm of OMG ENGLAND WHAT IS THIS COUNTRY OF MAGIC AND CHARM!? I read it on a plane, flying home from Florida. In the airport I had half a mind to sneak onto the next flight to London. It was a scary feeling.
Also in my head Christian looks just like Devon Woodcomb from Chuck. This fact is irrelevant when it comes to the quality of the writing, but hopefully I have just put an image in your head you will never be able to remove. So go watch some Chuck, feel the Devon love, read Guernsey, and hold onto your hats, because the Anglophile germs will have colonized your SOUL.

Recommendation rate: If you like British stuff and WWII this is a must read. Otherwise you can skip it.