All Consuming : A W

A review of "Life Mask"

nobody@allconsuming.net (A W) — Mon, 08 Jan 2007 00:22:20 GMT

by Emma Donoghue

This is not a fast-paced adventure novel, it’s a well-researched, well-written, historical novel about the acclaimed sculptor, Mrs. Anne Damer and the scandals that surrounded her. It delves into socio-cultural issues of class, sex, and sexuality during the Georgian period in England, the late 1700s. And it discusses the rapid political changes brought on by the major revolutions, the American and the French, and their effects on English society.

Interestingly, Emma Donaghue deftly manages to create a parallel between the King George of that period and President George W. Bush in our times. Some things, regardless of time, remain the same: despotism vs. security, discontent, poverty vs. decadence and waste, entitlement vs. rights.

I definitely recommend Life Mask if you have the patience for this type of novel. It’s immersive and exhaustive and wonderfully detailed. Super well-written and incredibly interesting. If you’re the type that needs a faster read, then this will not be the novel for you, just a warning.

One of my favorites (rated 5 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (A W) — Fri, 29 Dec 2006 07:58:17 GMT

Fingersmith

by Sarah Waters

This is definitely one of my favorite novels. Sarah Waters is an amazing author and is incredibly good at re-creating Victorian-era England.

Why I gave up consuming "The Corrections: A Novel"

nobody@allconsuming.net (A W) — Fri, 01 Sep 2006 20:33:10 GMT

The Corrections: A Novel

by Jonathan Franzen

I know a ton of people loved this novel, but from the very beginning, I was distracted by the style of writing. It was so pompous, I couldn’t take it anymore. I’ll try again some other time.

Brutal (rated 5 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (A W) — Thu, 31 Aug 2006 15:40:15 GMT

The Night Watch

by Sarah Waters

Really really good book. Going backwards in time was interesting, but perhaps a little distracting. Had to keep referring to prior chapters. Overall a great book; I found it so emotionally brutal. Wow.

A review of "The Woods" (rated 5 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (A W) — Sun, 03 Jul 2005 23:23:57 GMT

The Woods

by Sleater-Kinney

Love. This. Album.

A review of "When Fox is a Thousand" (rated 5 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (A W) — Sat, 02 Jul 2005 06:30:31 GMT

When Fox is a Thousand

by Larissa Lai

Really loved Salt Fish Girl and am looking forward to reading this one.

UPDATE: I loved this novel. Loved loved loved!

A review of "Salt Fish Girl"

nobody@allconsuming.net (A W) — Sun, 19 Jun 2005 08:17:21 GMT

Salt Fish Girl

by Larissa Lai

Beautiful writing. I thoroughly enjoyed her poetic and atmospheric writing.

A review of "The Sea of Light (Plume Books)" (rated 5 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (A W) — Thu, 26 May 2005 04:18:06 GMT

The Sea of Light (Plume Books)

by Jenifer Levin

I love this novel. It’s wonderful, well-written, and fascinating. Also, it’s one of the few novels I have re-read a few times. As I get older, I notice and relate to more of the characters. It’s incredibly written and full of depth.

A story about "Selected Poems: 1965-1990"

nobody@allconsuming.net (A W) — Thu, 26 May 2005 04:18:06 GMT

Selected Poems: 1965-1990

by Marilyn Hacker

Her poetry is amazing.

A review of "Love, Death, and the Changing of the Seasons" (rated 5 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (A W) — Thu, 26 May 2005 04:18:06 GMT

Love, Death, and the Changing of the Seasons

by Marilyn Hacker

The evolution of a relationship, detailed through poetry. It’s one of my favorite books.

A review of "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time" (rated 4 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (A W) — Thu, 26 May 2005 04:18:05 GMT

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

by Mark Haddon

Wonderfully written, smart and funny. But something about the end struck a discordant note. I dunno…

A review of "A Seahorse Year : A Novel" (rated 5 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (A W) — Thu, 26 May 2005 04:18:05 GMT

A Seahorse Year : A Novel

by Stacey D'Erasmo

Well written, as usual from Stacey D’Erasmo. Love how characters’ motivations are not simplistically explained. Great and serious read.

A story about "Darkness at Noon"

nobody@allconsuming.net (A W) — Thu, 26 May 2005 04:18:05 GMT

Darkness at Noon

by Arthur Koestler

I think this is a fitting book to read for our troubled and troubling times.

A story about "Ariel: The Restored Edition: A Facsimile of Plath's Manuscript, Reinstating Her Original Selection and Arrangement"

nobody@allconsuming.net (A W) — Thu, 26 May 2005 04:18:04 GMT

Ariel: The Restored Edition: A Facsimile of Plath's Manuscript, Reinstating Her Original Selection and Arrangement

by Sylvia Plath

Just started going through the poems in this edition of Ariel. Sylvia Plath’s poetry is amazingly sharp and painful. It’s great to see the Ariel poems in the order and with the selections Plath originally wanted. The extra reproductions of her original manuscript is interesting but of limited value to the casual reader. I found it to be sort of “neato.”

A review of "Name All the Animals : A Memoir" (rated 5 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (A W) — Thu, 26 May 2005 04:18:04 GMT

Name All the Animals : A Memoir

by Alison Smith

This was a really excellent book. I’m not generally into memoirs, or non-fiction for that matter, but this was super well-written with amazing pacing and very engrossing. Good good book. And so worth reading.

A review of "The Bermudez Triangle" (rated 4 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (A W) — Thu, 26 May 2005 04:18:03 GMT

The Bermudez Triangle

by Maureen Johnson

So funny! Really really good book. Great YA novel.

A review of "Tangerine Dream" (rated 1 star)

nobody@allconsuming.net (A W) — Thu, 26 May 2005 04:18:03 GMT

Tangerine Dream

by Ken Douglas

Awful book. Emotionally retarded writing. It’s complete clap trap, but unfortunately I have to finish it otherwise I’ll be more annoyed.
update: I finished it. It was really very bad.

Why it's taking me forever to finish consuming "War and Peace (Modern Library)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (A W) — Thu, 26 May 2005 04:18:03 GMT

War and Peace (Modern Library)

by Leo Tolstoy

Who isn’t still reading this book? Purportedly the best novel of all time, I’m still working on it. One day I’ll finish this gigantic tome.

Why I gave up consuming "Prep: A Novel"

nobody@allconsuming.net (A W) — Thu, 26 May 2005 04:18:02 GMT

Prep: A Novel

by Curtis Sittenfeld

Hmmm…teenage neuroses. Nice. It’s so far a good read, but the main character is bugging me. But perhaps that’s how I’m supposed to feel. UPDATE: Okay, for right now I give up. It started out okay but the jumping from year to year has annoyed me and the character is just getting on my nerves.

A review of "Aureole" (rated 5 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (A W) — Thu, 26 May 2005 04:18:01 GMT

Aureole

by Carole Maso

Whoa. I’m really really enjoying this book.

Edit: This was a completely beautiful book. It makes reference to a lot of other poetry. It would probably help to read those first. Even without, it’s wonderful.