The Lover by Marguerite Duras

the lover duras

In The Lover (L’Amant), Marguerite Duras reflects on her youth in 1930s Indochina.  This memoir focuses mainly on her affair with the man who would become her first lover, the adult son of a Chinese millionaire at least 12 yrs her senior.   The short book (only about 100 pages) weaves in and out of the author’s memories in a dreamy manner that is not unappealing.  I had the impression that Duras was literally writing down her recollections as they occurred to her, and this helped to ease the way through the somewhat disjointed structure.

Often explained as an “erotic novel”, The Lover is actually more of an exploration of a young girl’s sexual awakening in Saigon, and her discovery of the power that comes with her budding sexual prowess.  She does not seem to be in love with the man that she is sleeping with, but she becomes obsessed with the effect that she has on the man, and he in turn is obsessed with her.  As he nervously and carefully teaches her how to make love, she becomes an eager student.  Their daily meetings teach her more and more about the control that a woman can have over a man.  This is not to say that she derives no pleasure from the encounters, but simply that she initially treats them very much as a pupil learning a new skill.  With time, however, her passion grows, as does her confusion.  Because she is white, the man’s father refuses to allow him to marry her, so they both know that their affair will never be allowed to continue.

With all of that, what I found to be the most compelling and heart wrenching aspect of The Lover was the sad story of the young girl’s life away from her lover.  As the daughter of a French school administrator, she is very much neglected and left to her own defenses, as her widowed mother struggles to make ends meet.  She is sent to a boarding school that has a shocking lack of supervision over the comings and goings of the young girls, and this, of course, is how Marguerite manages to get away with her lurid encounters with a much older man.

All in all, it was a well written, interestingly paced book that I would recommend. Think of it as a sort of Lolita story, but from Lolita’s point of view.  It will disturb some readers, as it is a fairly sexually charged tale of an underage girl with a much older man, but I don’t believe that the novel was meant to titillate.  Rather unlike the beautiful movie inspired by Duras’ memoirs.

Jean Jacque Annaud’s film is brilliant.  Beautiful.  Haunting.  Seductive.  Emotionally confusing and passionate.  And, contrary to several of the comments on Netflix, I would not consider it to be soft porn.  It is quite graphic for a mainstream film, and yet it is so lovingly portrayed that it comes off as breathtakingly sensual, rather than simple erotica.  The older lover is played by Tony Leung. His striking good looks, combined with his ability to capture the trembling nervousness with which he first approaches the object of his desire is extremely captivating. (I’ve included the trailer at the end of this review)

In the end, I would say that both the film and the novel are good, but for different reasons.  While the film stays true to the book, it lacks the musicality and artistic magic of the prose.  But the film captures passion that does not come through in the book.  They each stand on their own.

xoxo

Natalina

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The Devil in White City by Erik Larson

MURDER, MAGIC, AND MADNESS AT THE FAIR THAT CHANGED AMERICA.

devil white city The Devil in White City by Erik Larson

This is the first non fiction book that I’m reviewing here on Book Review Babes.  The Devil in White City is an engrossing story that reads like a novel.  Indeed, the facts within are extraordinary, and with such a tale, it is difficult to believe how infrequently this story has been told over the years.  There are actually two narratives in this book.  One explores the fantastic Chicago World’s Fair of 1893, and the other is the story of America’s first serial killer, but both stories are entwined in incredible ways.

Daniel Burnham was the architect responsible for organizing the World’s Fair.  His is a tale of political intrigue, determination, and the realization of a dream. Burnham crosses paths with some very notable characters, including Thomas Edison, Annie Oakley, Frank Lloyd Wright, and Buffalo Bill, just to name a few.  But along the way he also faces corruption, deceit, and tragedy.

This Fair highlighted the best and worst of a budding American landscape entering a modern age.  It showed how teamwork and common purpose could come together against all odds to accomplish a feat of near perfection.  Something of this magnitude is a testament to the mentality of that age, I think.  I wonder if we could pull something like this off today with the same result.  However, even such a noble undertaking can have its dark side, and the World’s Fair of 1893 had a decidedly dark underbelly.

Many people saw the Fair as a sort of American Mecca… a place where they’d be able to seize their destiny and start anew.  This naive idealism is what caused young women to flee from their rural homesteads and farms to Chicago, in hopes of finding a job, and eventually a sophisticated and well to do husband.  Of course, these women generally lacked the survival skills to navigate life in the big city, and often found themselves lost and disoriented.

This set of circumstances sets the stage for our other tale, that of  Dr. H. H. Holmes, who preyed on these vulnerable young women.  He pretended to be very wealthy, highly educated, and quite sophisticated.  He was also extremely forward with his sexual advances.  He would meet women and promise them everything…marriage, children, stability…. understandably he was able to charm countless unsuspecting women.  Keep in mind, the concept of a serial killer was foreign to America at the time.  It wasn’t part of the psyche.

Holmes carried out his killings in awful fashion.  He put Jack the Ripper to shame.  He would gas, rape, torture, mutilate, burn, dismember, and dissect his victims.  He even bought an entire building where he carried out these awful deeds, and no one suspected him.  Even though the evidence was right there, he continued to get away with his wicked deeds.  These are the parts of the book where you want to scream at the cops that Holmes befriends…you want to shout at his creditors to investigate…you want to shake some sense into the unsuspecting women and tell them he isn’t what he seems.  It is a difficult story, made more visceral in the fact that it is all true.

Larson is a grand story teller.  There isn’t a lot of dialogue to rely on, as the book is told in narrative fashion, and Larson really did his homework.  But, he manages to captivate you with his incredible descriptions that make everything seem urgent and real.  One of my favorite literary devices is the metaphor, and Larson is a master.  With phrases like, “the heat rose with the intensity of a child’s fever” and “sentences wandered through the report like morning glory through the picket of a fence”,  I was instantly swept up in the sights and sounds of the place and time, which enhanced not only the beauty, but also the horror.

I loved the way The Devil in White City alternated between the two plots.  Juxtaposing Burnham’s feats of the impossible and magical against Holmes’ diabolical deeds at the same place and time was brilliant, leaving conflicting feelings of wishing to have been present to witness “Eighth Wonder of the World”, and thankful to have been spared the temptation to partake in such an event.  Avoiding Holmes’ advances may have been more difficult in reality than in the imagination of the reader.

If I had to name a flaw with the book, it would have to be the almost mind numbing detail presented.  It seems that nearly every nail and board and hammer is accounted for in Larson’s research, and some of these details became a bit overwhelming.  But don’t let that deter you.

The Devil in White City is a book that is full of the rapture of a magical time in history, and the terror of a twisted mind set free in a playground of innocence.

Natalina

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Galilee – A Novel of the Fantastic by Clive Barker

galilee clive barker

Clive Barker is known for his twisted horror and suspenseful thrillers.  I’ve always loved his writing, and a few of his works are among my favorites.  I don’t know why I waited so long to read Galilee, but I’m glad I finally did, as it is now not only my favorite novel by Barker, but it has become one of my favorite novels, period.

Galilee is pure Southern Gothic…an epic tale spanning centuries.  No, spanning millenia.  It is a story of warring families, destined lovers, and tragic fate.  A bit of a departure for Barker, but his signature wit and propensity for the bizarre are very much alive in this book.

The families at war are the Geary family and the Barbarossas.  The Gearys are an extremely wealthy and powerful clan (think the Kennedys) and the Barbarossas are an ancient family with ties that go back to Thomas Jefferson, and as you soon find out, much further back than that.

The novel begins simply enough, describing the Barbarossa house and grounds, a bit of its Jeffersonian history…and then quickly drops a bombshell on the reader about the nature of the family.  The supernatural and surreal quickly take hold, without losing the human drama of the characters.  Many reviewers reveal this family secret, but I will not.  It is far more enjoyable to discover for yourself as you read.  The entire book is written from the point of view of Maddox, whose bird’s eye view and uniquely acquired perspective is a tale unto itself.

At the heart of the story is the novel’s namesake Galilee and the object of his desire is Rachel Geary.  Theirs is a star crossed romance that would make Shakespeare proud.  Galilee is the son of Barbarossa family matriarch Cessaria. Rachel is married to the heir to the Geary dynasty, Mitchell.   The two meet under unusual circumstances, and immediately commence a steamy romance that might make you blush.  Yes, Barker brings some seriously erotic heat to this novel, but it never crosses the line to vulgarity.

Of course, given the centuries old feud between their two families, they suffer for their love.  And the very love that brings them together threatens to bring on the ultimate battle that may end up destroying both of their houses.

The whimsical and fantastical details of this story must be read to truly appreciate.  Strange beasts, gods and goddesses, ghosts, zombies, demons, angels, sex, money, power, betrayal, and burning passion are all major characters in Galilee.  I’ve intentionally avoided giving away too much of the story.  It is so good that I wouldn’t want to rob anyone of the bliss and sorrow within the pages.

If you are a fan of horror, epic dramas, mystery, romance… Galilee will appeal to you.  It is an exploration of immorality and honor, and how both of these things tend to intermingle. Ultimately, Galilee is a dark dark fantasy.  I can’t praise it enough.  Read it.

xoxo

Natalina

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Stiff – The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers

stiff cover Stiff The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers

Have you ever wondered what happens to bodies that are donated to science? The lovely Mary Roach, who is not a scientist but takes a scientific approach to her books, has written a wonderfully informative, hilariously funny and at times utterly gross-out book. The subtitle of the book is “The curious life of human cadavers” and it really is a very curious book and one of the best things I’ve ever read on the subject of death, something which I readily admit to being fascinated with; from the forensic point of view, from a curiosity point of view, from the point of view of science and the unknown. Morbid I admit but how many of you out there watch shows like CSI or read books by people like Patricia Cornwell and Kathy Reichs? Death is fascinating. Really.

In Ms Roach’s own words “For 2,000 years, cadavers – some willingly, some unwittingly – have been involved in science’s boldest strides and weirdest undertakings”. Stiff is an interesting and often incredibly funny look at the lives our bodies can take on after death.

If it wasn’t for the research and sometimes very strange experiments of these donors we wouldn’t have many of the things we take for granted every day. From surgeons practicing procedures to save lives or even giving you a facelift, airbags in cars, learning about ballistics and human decay helping to snare perpetrators of crime, you can thank a dead donor.

This book is not for the faint hearted as it goes into incredible and sometimes disgusting detail but somehow the author manages to convey all of these details with laugh out loud, very irreverent humour. Don’t get me wrong, she in no way belittles or makes fun of the dead, quite the opposite in fact. You get an amazing insight and gain a great deal of respect for those who have given the ultimate gift of their bodies to forward the science of living.

Think about surgery. From life-saving transplants to gender-reassignments to facial reconstruction and amputations, none of these would be possible if it wasn’t for the dead. Some surgeries can, of course, be practiced on living people under the close instruction of teachers but others would never have been possible if these procedures weren’t first completed on cadavers.

With wars raging around the world, cadavers have helped surgeons come up with techniques that can save limbs and lives. Every time you drive a car with an airbag you can say a little prayer of thanks to the human crash-test dummies that are helping you to be as safe as possible. Yes of course they use dummies in testing but every so often a real body needs to be used as no matter how life-like they make them, no dummy can actually realistically show what can happen to real flesh and bone. It sounds awful but think about how many lives are saved from this one experiment alone.

Cadaver donors are cut up, shot up, blown up, stitched together and taken apart all in the name of science and making the world a better place. Of course that hasn’t always been the case, this book also covers everything from the grotesque experiments of a weirdly Frankenstein nature – and I mean that in the truest sense – people trying to reanimate corpses, body-snatching, trying to measure the weight of a human soul, plastination and even composting!

Although you can easily sit back and read about the body-snatching and surgical practices of bygone eras it can be very confronting to read about a head on a tray about to get a nose job, so be prepared. It’s gore galore but extremely interesting and surprisingly entertaining. There’s also a bit about becoming a human dumpling but I won’t spoil the surprise.

The book was written because of Mary Roach’s own desire to donate her body after death so she decided to throw herself into the research and write about it. My reasons for becoming a donor aren’t very good at all. My reasons boil down to a Harvard Brain Bank donor wallet card, which enables me to say “I’m going to Harvard” and not be lying. You do not need brains to go to the Harvard Brain Bank, only a brain.

I know that many will think the subject matter is very distasteful and disrespectful, I totally understand that. Death is not something we as humans take lightly. Many will feel that the only respectful way to deal with death is by burial or cremation. After all, we are all going to die some day and most people don’t want to think about their own, or a loved one’s, body being used and abused but I’m a firm believer in “you can’t take it with you when you’re gone” so I have a great respect for those who give the greatest gift of all, their bodies – either as an organ donor or a body donor – all are are helping the living by this unselfish act.

Whether this book makes you decide to become a cadaver donor or turns you completely off the idea, Stiff is a wonderful, funny, gruesome and honest account of what may become of your body after you leave it. It’s a ripping read and completely convinced me that I wanted in. I applied to the University of Sydney to become a brain donor. The donor brains are used to study, and hopefully find a cure for, diseases like Alzheimer’s. It’s not like I’ll need my brain after I’m dead, I get by without using it much at all while I’m alive!

And if you are wondering what happens to your soul after you die Mary Roach has also written a book covering this called Spook which I’ll be reviewing very soon.

PS: You may get all sorts of guys chatting you up when they see you reading a book called Stiff on the train. strange but true ;)

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Utopia X by Scott Wilson

First of all, just a quick note for those who are afraid that I’ve slammed my flag into Bookreviewbabes.com and claimed it in the name of Natalina, Don’t worry!  Cheryl is on vacation (or holiday, as I believe they call it in her neighborhood) and she will return.  In the meantime, read on for another of my thrilling reviews.

utopia x scott wilson

Utopia X by Scott Wilson has long been one of my favorites.  Contrary to what you may believe given my prior reviews, this is the genre I’m usually most excited to sink my brain into.  It is a novel about mind control, out of control government, oppression, and hypersensitivity. Although it is not as well known, I’d put this book in the category of Nineteen Eighty Four, Brave New World, Fahrenheit 451, Animal Farm, It Can’t Happen Here, and even Watership Down. All books that transcend the time in which they were written, and deliver a cautionary sucker punch in our current world climate.

So, the main question of the novel is this.  How does one criticize political correctness without sounding like an insensitive Philistine?  And what happens when a Government hijacks speech an outlaws insensitivity?  Would it increase a sense of oneness and compassion, or would it rob everyone of their identity, and benefit only those who are most likely to oppress the very people they claim to be protecting?

This may sound like a complicated thesis, but it is laid out brilliantly by Wilson.  The year is 2048, and a fascist government is set up under the guise of anti-racism and compassion.  But the ultimate goal is not harmony at all, but control.  By wiping away freedom of speech, no matter how vile it may sometimes be, what really goes away is culture.  The law hurts everyone, because it strips them of their individuality.  The “equality” that the government claims to strive for actually ends up secretly being mandated inequality, and the nation swirls into unending poverty and pain.

Enter a group of rebels who are comprised of a rag tag group of what we would call “Average Joes”.  They formulate a plan to defend freedom for all.  I don’t want to give too much away, but I’ll simply add that there is a ray of hope in here.  Something that other novels of this bent tend to gloomily lack.

Sinclair Lewis spoke about fascism coming to America in the ruse of  patriotism.  This book draws that conclusion as well.   The first time I read it, I thought about the parallels between this and Orwell’s Big Brotherly nightmare in 1984.  When I re-read it more recently, I began to see the reflection of this book in my own observation of our government.  And I don’t mean this as a knock against the current administration, the last one, or any prior.  I tend to believe that the real puppet masters of government are not those standing behind the podiums.  But that’s a discussion for my other blog ;)

But look at the similarities.  The powers that be in this book subject citizens to unending war of questionable origin, a tightening of liberties under the false bogeyman of protection and security, and promises of universal fellowship that are on the surface brilliant, but underneath are designed to lift up the aristocracy and further undermine the middle class.

It is a timeless tale of warning against complacency.  It is a dire look at the PC movement, that has wonderful intentions, but can at times be lead astray by a lack of focus on the consequences of too much control over speech and ultimately thought.   Those who are extremely sensitive may have a hard time with this novel.  I will admit that my own foundations were a little shaken after delving into this story.  Ultimately, I think it serves as an apt warning against the sacrifice of liberty in exchange for security. It is not written from a conservative or liberal bent.  You will not come away from this novel feeling propagandized.   However, you may walk away from Utopia X reevaluating your own long held ideals of what a perfect world would actually be like.

As Benjamin Franklin said, “They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security.”

xoxo

Natalina

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Addition by Toni Jordan

addition toni jordan

We all have quirks.  Some of us have more than others..ahem..but none of us is perfect.  Addition is the tale of one woman who lives with a BIG quirk, and her journey to build a reasonable and fulfilling life around it.

Grace counts things.  Grace counts everything.  She has an extreme form of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder which compels her to count everything in sight. And the end number must suit her, or she cannot proceed to her next task.  When she eats breakfast, she must first count the number of poppy seeds on her muffin.  This will help her determine how many pieces she must cut the muffin into, which will help her determine precisely how many bites, to take which will determine exactly how many times she must chew the bites before swallowing.  This is Grace’s life.  She’s OK with it.

Except that she’s not really ok.  Her life of counting has interfered with one major thing.  Interpersonal relationships.  Enter Seamus.  Grace meets Seamus at the grocery store when she realizes that she was short one banana.  You see, when you’re shopping, you must buy everything in groups of ten, and Grace only had 9 bananas in her basket.  In her desperation, she steals a banana from the man standing in line next to her.  He confronts her in the parking lot, and thus begins one of the sweetest most amazing courtships I’ve ever read.  And let me tell you, the sex scenes in this book are so hot.  They are awkward and innocent and passionate and real.

Also, this book has some of the best laugh out loud humor I’ve ever found in a novel.  Toni Jordan gives Grace a voice that is both soulful and hysterical (in both definitions of the word).

Addition is more than just a love story.  It is a story about what exactly defines us and what we should do about our personality traits that don’t fit in with societal norms.  Clearly, Grace has a problem.  And yes, she is driven by her counting.  But what should be done about it?  Should we medicate and numb a person in order to relieve them of the one thing that is wrong with them?  The parts of this book where Grace takes medication to get her counting under control are positively heart breaking, and call into question just how we as a society handle people who are not normal.

Actually, the over arching question of Addition is, What IS Normal?  Is there such a thing?  Why do we strive for it, and would we all be better off embracing our manias?

This book reminded me a bit of the film “Lars and the Real Girl” in that it asks the audience to consider whether someone who has a psychological disorder needs drugs or institutionalization…or if the best cure is actually love, compassion, and understanding.

I read this book in 3 hours 53 minutes and 29 seconds… I drank 2 diet cokes and used 6 cubes of ice.  Read Addition, and embrace your inner weirdo.

xoxo

Natalina

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Mary Modern by Camille DeAngelis

mary modern Camille DeAngelis

Mary Modern, by Camille DeAngelis is a tale full of near future intrigue, romance, suspense, and heavy drama. Borrowing some inspiration from that other Mary…Mary Shelley (Frankenstein), Camille DeAngelis has written a tale about the moral and ethical dangers of cloning, as well as what happens to the mind when in a deep state of sorrow and despair.

The book revolves around Lucy Morrigan, a genetics researcher at a Massachusetts University.  She lives a solitary life in a gigantic mansion filled with the memories of her family including the basement lab of her father, who was also involved in the study of genetics and bioengineering.  When she meets fellow professor Gray, they fall for each other, and he moves into the stuffy old house with her. Their relationship blossoms, and is near perfect until  Lucy learns that due to some physical complications, she will be unable to conceive a child. She is truly wrecked by her grief.

As Lucy mourns the loss of her ability to have children, she is overcome by inspiration.  After casting aside the legal and ethical dilemmas she faces,   Lucy decides that she will use the DNA of her grandmother (which is taken from a blood stain on an old apron) and engineer a clone which will be implanted in her womb.  All of the necessary equipment is in the basement lab.  She gets to work and creates the embryo, implanting it herself.

As time passes, her belly becomes huge and impossible to bear, so she has the growing fetus removed (with the help of a trusted but morally opposed colleague) and places it into a big mechanical womb/incubator which was created by her father.  What emerges is a 22 year old (the age she was when she spilled her blood on the apron)  exact replica of Lucy’s grandmother, Mary.

Mary’s memories from 1929 are fully intact, and while she takes some time getting used to her new surroundings (even though she is still living in the house where she last existed) she is soon a very vibrant and likeable character.  Of course, this tale of morally questionable science could not be told without a huge road block.  Mary misses her husband from the past, and becomes adamant that Lucy owes it to her to clone him as well.  In the meantime, Mary and Gray begin to develop feelings for one another, further complicating things for Lucy.  And Mary.  And Gray.

Then there is the matter of the insane preacher, who discovers the secret of how Mary came into existence, and threatens to turn Lucy in to authorities (cloning is strictly illegal, and Lucy’s genetics lab at the University is routinely inspected) unless Lucy creates a clone of Jesus Christ himself.

There is also a side story involving a man who wrote a book from the future, which comes into possession of the Morrigan family.  Exerpts from the book implying some sort of time bending or time travel are placed throughout the book, adding another element of excitement to the story.

Clearly, this novel requires a HUGE suspension of disbelief.  The science is not sound.  Even knowing that the novel is based in the future does not help the cause of buying that one could incubate a full grown human being in mere months from a single embryo.  Also, we must accept the theory that our genes contain a mechanism for storing our memories, in order to believe that Mary could emerge with all of her thoughts and emotions exactly as they had been in her previous life.  However, with the lovely almost old-fashioned prose, and the intriguing tale of morals versus the heart’s desire, Mary Modern is an enjoyable and fantastical tale, that remained in the back of my brain long after reaching the end.

My only complaints are these.  The main character of Lucy, who is at first a sympathetic character, quickly becomes very unlikable.  I wanted to feel for her and her dilemma, and I feel that the story would have been helped if I had been able to emotionally connect with her trials after creating Mary.  Lucy is egotistical, unapologetic, and almost amoral.  Her boyfriend Gray is far more relatable, and his affection for Mary conflicts heartbreakingly with his loyalty and love (although waning) for Lucy.

Also, the book jumps between points of view.  Sometimes we are reading from Lucy’s vantage point, sometimes Mary’s and sometimes Gray’s.  It gets a little confusing as you try to keep track of who is relating the story at any given point.  It also jumps back and forth through time a bit, furthering the frustration at times.

All in all, this story asks the reader to consider many things…who determines what one does with their own body, what is life exactly, and what are the limits of science when it comes to the sanctity of life?  It isn’t preachy, allows the reader to draw their own conclusions, and has a great twist in the end.  However, it is also a cautionary tale, just as Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein was, and will make you think twice next time you hear about the latest scientific breakthrough in bioengineering.

If you’re looking for a fairytale for modern times, I can think of few that will be as thought provoking and heart wrenching as Mary Modern.

xoxo

Natalina


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The Sacred Book of the Werewolf: A Novel by Victor Pelevin

book The Sacred Book of the Werewolf: A Novel by Victor Pelevin

This has to be one of the most magnificent books I’ve read in ages.  Full of humor, suspense, romance, philosophy, Buddhist principles, and enchanting prose, “The Sacred Book of the Werewolf” is one that I’d recommend a thousand times over.

This is a book about werewolves….actually, a werewolf and a werefox in Russia; Alexander and A Hu-li. 

 A Hu-li is the werefox, who is able to transform herself into an irresistible woman, and use her charms in her occupation as a prostitute.  She hypnotizes her Johns into thinking they’re having sex with her, and she takes their money while retaining her purity.

Alexander is a Russian Intelligence officer…and werewolf.  He and Hu-li fall for each other and enter into a steamy affair that is at once very erotic and terribly sweet. 

But only part of their relationship is sexual.  The rest of it, and perhaps the most intimate, is completely cerebral.  The two talk about everything from religion and art to government and war.  The talks between the two are ultimately what lead to the dramatic change in their relationship, as they attempt to reconcile their need to overpower each other intellectually, physically, and even supernaturally, with the fact that they are hopelessly in love with one another.

But as I said, this is so much more than some paranormal romance.  This book is deep, and at times challenging to read.  The author, Victor Pelevin, takes us on a journey through post Soviet Russia, and laments at the changes in the culture and character of the Country.  Through Alexander, he shows the dangers of globalism to Russia and the rest of the world. In one moving scene, Alexander is in werewolf form, and howls forlornly next to a dried up oil well. 

There is also a deep exploration of suffering and enlightenment in this novel, bringing the principles of Buddhism into the mix.  Throughout, satire and wit are used to highlight much larger issues and agendas, and frankly, it can be enjoyed on either level.

There are major plot twists, huge surprises, and so many tangents, one might be in danger of frustration if the characters weren’t so engaging.  And the seductive, sensual nature of the scenes inside Hu-li’s bomb shelter where she carries out her affair with Alexander….I’m fanning myself just recalling those moments!

So, with an alluring and hypnotic flick of my bushy foxtail, I command you to read and savor this once in a lifetime story.  You will not regret it, I promise you.

xoxo

Natalina

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Cheryl’s Bio

profile bite1 Cheryls Bio

Well as the lovely Natalina said, who knew that two babes from different continents would end up blogging about our love of all booky things together and be so fabulous? Well we think we’re fabulous and that’s what counts isn’t it?

I’m Cheryl, or CJ…depending on my mood and I’m from the sunburnt country of Oz – which happens to be totally waterlogged at the moment and in drought at the same time. Like my country I’m a bit diametrically opposed myself. Totally dry humour but a bit soppy at times. I can go from wit to twit in 0.3 seconds which I think is a world record. Someone call Guinness Book…or at least buy me a Guinness. I don’t mind a beer or three, a good bottle of wine or a gin and tonic. I try never to do all three at the same time. There are pictures, it was ugly.

I may be pocket sized but I can still manage to fall over my tiny feet constantly. Clumsy doesn’t even begin to describe me. I occasionally wear bubble-wrap to protect myself, plus I love going all Sumo on strangers just to make popping noises. Well I don’t really but how much fun would that be?

I’m a goofball who loves sci-fi. Natalina is a Trekkie and I’m a diehard Battlestar Galactica fracker. Bring on your Klingons baby and my Cylons will kick their ugly butts.

I’m addicted to coffee and sugar and I don’t think a day has officially begun until I’ve had my latte with two sugars or properly finished until I’ve consumed some dark chocolate. I love to shake the hand of the person who invented chocolate coated coffee beans. Pure genius. I’m also addicted to Stumbleupon and therefore waste many hours a week getting lost and finding little gems all over the web.

I love reading anything I can get my hands on, getting hooked on great TV shows, hanging out in cafes, my wonderful muso friends’ jamming parties or gigs – although I can’t play a thing – and all things that go bump in the night. I’m a little undead obsessed and you can find me over at Vampire Daze scaring up a storm with my own fiction or reviewing vamp, zombie and all the other juicy squishy gory stuff.

My interests are many and varied and you’ll probably find no rhyme or reason to the things that I read but I get obsessed with subjects for a while and then move onto something else…and then come back again. If I still owned all of the books that I’ve read I could probably use them as bricks to build a mansion or at the very least a large apartment building. I don’t know how a house of books would fair in wet weather though…and it probably wouldn’t be good to have a fireplace.

I love to smile and laugh and see the good in people. I’m not a girly girl, I’m more of a jeans, t-shirt and boots type but I’m trying to wear dresses more, I may as well try and show off my boobs a bit before they end up around my waist. My butt is already starting it’s downward descent to the back of my knees. I love science but gravity sucks! I’m about to start pilates. Those of you that know me can stop laughing now that I’ll be exercising. I know you’re all picturing this happening to me. I am.

I hope you’ll enjoy our little site and visit us often because we’re really needy. Nah, it will be fun. Promise!

Thanks to ebaumsworld for the vid!

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Goodnight Nobody by Jennifer Weiner

goodnight nobody Goodnight Nobody by Jennifer Weiner

At first glance, “Goodnight Nobody” appears to be your run of the mill classic chick lit.  While it is true that there are elements that will appeal to the traditional chick lit audience, the reality is that this is also a fantastic murder mystery, as well as an unapologetic commentary on the way women tend to lose themselves in their duties to others. It comes  from one of the most laugh out loud and brutally honest authors I’ve read in years, Jennifer Weiner.

The story involves housewife Kate Klein, who has been transplanted from New York City to the quiet town of Upchurch, Connecticut. She is married to a kind but distant career minded man and has 3 children.

While in the city, Kate herself was on the fast track as a journalist, and enjoyed fun nights out on the town with her best friend, Janie. But in Connecticut, she lives in a world of supermommies, mini vans, and designer diaper bags. Kate struggles to fit in, but she finds that she just isn’t really cut out for mommy-and-me pilates.  She remembers what it was like to be a free spirited writer, and grows weary of domestic life.

Her world is shaken by the murder of mommy extraordinaire, Kitty Cavanaugh, whose body Kate herself discovers. She finds herself completely wrapped up in trying to find the killer, and through this, discovers that not everything is what it seems in this perfect little town.

Things become more complicated when she finds that there is a connection between the deceased Kitty and Kate’s old flame, Evan. Although she hasn’t seen him for years, they meet again, and team up to try to get to the bottom of Kitty’s murder. In the process, they begin to rekindle some of those old feelings, leaving Kate confused and distracted as she tries to navigate her way through her feelings for Evan and her commitment to her husband.

“Goodnight Nobody” is a funny and honest look at how women struggle to fit in, and how boredom and doubt can sneak their way into even the most seemingly ideal of situations. The outcome is not necessarily what you would expect, and we are left relating to Kate, and cheering for her as she tries to find herself in a world where everyone tries to tell her who she should be, and where her loyalties should lie.   The title is a reference to the children’s book, “Goodnight Moon” in which a child says good night to everything in sight.  Kate says good night to nobody, spending most nights sleeping alone while her husband works.

The dialogue is funny and sincere, with some of the best comic relief delivered by best friend Janie, who joins Kate on her journey, and goes from drinking martinis in the city to Vodka and Pedialite cocktails in the suburbs.

I recommend this book especially to all women who find themselves trying to live up to standards that others have set for them, and who yearn to be loved in the way they deserve, without losing themselves in the process.
Natalina

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My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult

my sisters keeper lg My Sisters Keeper by Jodi Picoult

Here is my new review of a recently read book called My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult. It’s the fictional story of Anna, a thirteen year old who was genetically engineered and conceived to be a perfectly matched bone marrow donor for her sister Kate who has leukemia. Anna is not ill but she has had countless procedures and each time that Kate is sick Anna must give until one day she walks in to a lawyer’s office and asks to sue her parents for the rights to her own body. The book starts with the line, ‘In my first memory, I am three years old and I am trying to kill my sister’.

The story is told from the points of view of the people involved; Anna, her parents, brother, lawyer, court appointed guardian and her sister. It raises so many moral and ethical questions and decisions I could never imagine having to face in reality. Most people have felt the intensity of a love so strong for someone that it would make you jump in front of a train to save them, especially a parent for a child, but would you push someone in front of that train if you knew that the impact would not kill them but could possibly save the other… if the damage wasn’t going to be too bad… would it ever be OK? Do you have the right to make those decisions on behalf of someone else? Would you do the same thing in the same position? Is it OK to say ‘enough’ when you know the outcome of your decision will allow someone you love to die? Would that be selfish?

It is hard to imagine the knock on effect of having a seriously ill child. It affects everybody in the family. Parents are sometimes put in the position of deciding if it is OK to take from one child to keep the other alive. Some put themselves in that position by choosing to have a ‘donor’ child. And are the missed games, holidays, camps, birthdays and Christmases any less important for other siblings who are not sick? Does it make that child’s needs unworthy because those needs seem trivial in comparison? A missed birthday party pales into insignificance next to a rushed trip to the hospital because something else is failing in your poor sick child’s body, but does that make the importance of those missed games and birthdays etc any less valid for the ‘well’ children? How would this affect them? And for the donor child; each episode of poor health for their sick sibling means yet another procedure or donation from them. Would they feel proud and want to do it, or would they resent the life they are missing? What if it started before you were too young to make your own decisions or understand what was happening? With Anna, her first of many donations, and the least invasive, is her cord blood. Do parents have the right, or do they have a duty, to do whatever they can to save a dying child?

Amazon.com Widgets

The book is well written and reading the varying viewpoints makes for a good story. The only real fault lies with a love story that seems to have been thrown in for no particular reason which I found slightly annoying and is obviously meant for the ‘chick lit’ readers. Other than that it is an engaging story which has you questioning what is right and wrong, or even if there is a right or wrong, and so very glad that you are not in that position. I found it a bit of a page turner and at times felt anger, sadness and compassion toward each character, sometimes swapping from one emotion back to another. I guess it’s very much a case of ‘don’t judge a person until you have walked a mile in their shoes’ and in this story you get try on everyone’s shoes.

And now the long awaited feature film is set to debut 26 June 2009 starring Cameron Diaz, Alec Baldwin, Joan Cusack, Rick Crawford, Jason Patric and directed by Nick Cassavetes.

It’s a pity that the music on the trailer makes it sound totally like a chick flick. This book, and hopefully the movie, touches on such deep ethical and moral boundaries, I feel it would have crossover appeal for both men and women. I’ll review the movie when it is released. I hope they do the book justice. It was fabulous reading and very thought provoking.

CJ


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The Book of Joby

book of joby The Book of Joby

The Book of Job is a tricky section of the Bible, as it shows God and Satan entering into a challenge or a wager, with the life of Job, a humble servant of God, and his family, as the pawns.

I have always been fascinated by Job and his trials, and was mightily intrigued when I came upon the novel The Book of Joby by Mark Ferrari. I picked it up on a whim having read the synopsis on the back, and have never been so pleased by an impulse purchase.

“I thought so,” the Creator sighed, “The same stupid bet.”

This line outlines the premise of the book. God and Lucifer have entered into yet another bet. Lucifer is constantly challenging God for the souls of his most beloved, and God never loses. But this time, the bet is slightly different. God cannot intervene at all. The Devil and his minions may do whatever they please. The target: 9 year old Joby, a young boy with a rich fantasy life. The stakes: The fate of the World as we know it. The terms: Lucifer has 30 years to turn Joby away from the forces of good, God may not intervene, Lucifer may not physically harm the boy.

Thus begins the fascinating journey of Joby, as we watch him turn from bright-eyed boy, to disillusioned adolescent, to world weary man. We follow him every step of the way as he suffers from wave after wave of attack delivered by Lucifer, in an effort to break his spirit. And, while Joby becomes worn and weakened by the assault on his soul, he seems to retain always a spark in him, that keeps the reader rooting for him to triumph.

Now, this is not a Christian lit novel.  It is a book for grown ups with some very adult situations. In fact, most Christians would probably find this book a bit on the blasphemous side. While the main characters are mostly Biblically based (God, Lucifer, the Archangels) the themes veer into the Sci-Fi and Fantasy realm, with Arthurian intrigue and magic, as well as very human drama. The characters are so well fleshed out and believable, I found myself laughing out loud and then sobbing. I particularly loved the way God is depicted as a combination of a wise sage and a wise cracker. Lucifer is of course a slick business man, who gathers his minions in a board room, and uses power point presentations to lay out his wicked schemes.

This novel is epic in scope, and weighs in at 628 pages.  I found myself breezing through it quickly, and not wanting it to end. Never before have I read a book that so accurately portrayed the human experience and our life long struggle to make sense of the world around us.

If you are a fan of great epic tales like The Lord of the Rings you will love this book. If you are a fan of literature in general, I would highly recommend giving The Book of Joby a chance. It is one that I will re-read, that I will give as a gift, and I will treasure always.

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Natalina Bio

What happens when two babes from opposite hemispheres collide and create a blog?  Clearly, it is magic!  I couldn’t ask for a better, foxier, or brighter partner in crime than Cheryl, and I just know you’re going to love the fruits of our collective labor as we set the literary world aflame with our sharp observations and keen intellect.  As you read our reviews, try not to be too jealous of our wit and grace, ok?

As you can see, my name is Natalina.  I’m a short little spitfire from the high plains of the northern United States, and if you knew me, you’d love me.  I love the color green.  If I could have green skin…I might consider it.  I fancy myself to be like one of those alien Star Trek babes.  I like cats.  I love Diet Coke, trying to quit the smoke, and I’m usually flat broke.  No joke.  I like talk radio, Tequila sunrises, and Cabernet nightcaps.  There’s a whole heap of random trivia for you!  You’re welcome.

A perfect day for me would involve playing my Viola outside (something I rarely get to do in the city without being pelted with quarters),  I’m sure I’d love a long walk on the beach if there was one within a 1,000 mile radius of my home, and ending the day curled up with a good book.

I am a certified sucker for all things unexplained. There are few things that would fall outside the realm of my general interest.  You can always find me venturing into the land of the unknown on my other blog ExtraordinaryIntelligence.com.  The name of the site indicates the outside of the ordinary items you’ll find me discussing.  I felt the need to clear this up lest you think it was meant to be a commentary on my own vast intellect.  I love ghosties and ghoulies and political intrigue and conspiracy.  These are a few of my favorite things!

I hate people who are mean.  I feel that there is a special place in hell for those who intentionally tear others down to build themselves up.   I hate people who do good deeds just to receive recognition, rather than for the sake of the deed or the recipient of the charity.  I love Oprah.

I love all types of books.  I will read nearly anything.  Try me.  I bet I’ll read it.  Unless it’s some kind of historical romance where a Viking kidnaps a princess and forces her to fall in love with him.  With those types of books, I just skim until I get to the good parts, if you know what I mean…

Well, that’s me in a nutshell.  Cheryl is probably a lot more interesting than me, so if you had to choose, I wouldn’t blame you for picking her…I’m a handful!   Now, get reading damn it!

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The Boy With The Striped Pyjamas

boy uk film pb The Boy With The Striped Pyjamas

When I picked up this book I had no idea it was a book meant for children. It was the blurb on the back that made me want to read it and although it is written for kids it is a story that just as easily speaks to an adult audience. It will certainly distress sensitive souls no matter their age because of the subject matter. It’s a simple story with a powerful impact.

It’s the story of Bruno, a nine year old, who is moved from his comfortable house and surrounds to a house in the middle of nowhere. He has no friends and no children to play with until he meets Shmuel, a boy on the other side of the wire fence outside his new home. A boy, who like everyone else on the other side of the fence, wears striped pyjamas.

Bruno is completely unaware of the horrendous violence being inflicted on the people of Europe by his homeland. He just knows that his father works for a very important man called ‘The Fury’ and he has moved to a very lonely place called ‘out-with’. He knows nothing of the Holocaust. It is Germany. It is war time.

It is Bruno’s friendship and loyalty that leads him to climb beneath a gap in the fence to explore Shmuel’s world and go on a mission to help his friend in his search for his father whom he cannot find.

Amazon.com Widgets

The narrative of the book is written from the perspective of the innocence and cavalier attitude of a child in a language that children can relate to and adults can see for the unmistakable story of horror that unfolded in World War II. This is the author’s first children’s book after four novels for an adult audience which is probably why it can hold the attention of adults through to its final horrible realisation of evil.

The Holocaust is a hard subject to think and read about but this story is worth the read and would be an incredibly good and gentle way for older children to understand the impact of the atrocities of war. I would easily recommend it for anyone but take into consideration the age, personality and sensitivity of a child if you give them the book. As it says in the quote from The Australian newspaper, ‘It haunts the mind for days after’.

This too has been made into a major motion picture

I’ve heard many mixed reviews on the film but I can’t pass judgement until I see it myself. Personally, I don’t think they will be able to do what the book managed to. To see the war through a child’s eyes.

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Welcome to Book Review Babes!

We are currently building the site so it may take on a few different schizophrenic personas over the next months as we toss ideas back and forth in a civilized manner over a cup of coffee and then move on to sipping Gins and Tonic…which will most likely end with us rolling on the floor pulling hair and bitch-slapping each other senseless until one of us gets our way. We’ll just have to see who the tougher babe is.

As my partner in crime is off the interwebs for a short time, I’ll wait for her to come back to see if we add in some photos to introduce ourselves to you all. I’d just go ahead and post some but she’s stronger than me and may punch me for doing so…which of course takes us back to the hair pulling and scratching…just no biting or hitting below the belt (at least not while she can see it coming).

coffee girls Welcome to Book Review Babes!

But without further ado, the Babes are:

CJ - who lets out her bloodlust by running Vampire Daze. She also has a couple of others up her sleeve because she seems to have a nasty case of multiple personality disorder. She’ll let you know when they’re up and running.

And,

Natalina – who chases down the paranormal and all other weird, wonderful and spooky things over on Extraordinary Intelligence. She also has her fingers in many pies (metaphorically speaking or we’d have very sticky keyboards) and we both may expand a little on ourselves with some mini bios…if we can be bothered. And you may choose to read them…if you can be bothered.

We don’t fool ourselves, we know you don’t give a tinker’s damn about us, it’s all about the books!

Well about that. We both read a lot. Not just books either, the occasional cereal box and junk mail gets a look in too sometimes. But we won’t be reviewing them. Unless of course it is an exceptionally well written cereal box or junk mail. What we will be reviewing is many different genres and every now and then – just to shake things up – we will give our separate opinions on the same book.

You can expect to find, drama, history, horror, thrillers, Sci-fi, award winning literature, classics, fiction, non-fiction, biographies and maybe even the odd graphic novel. What you won’t see too much of is chick lit. Neither of us are really into the romance genre. We may visit there every now and but expect it to be infrequently.

If you love books as much as we do we hope you’ll come back and visit, we’ll be posting reviews as often as we can. Damn, if you actually like what we write feel free to subscribe. Go on…please…our egos need boosting.

Happy reading.

CJ & Natalina

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