Just Revenge is a suspenseful legal thriller by Alan Dershowitz. The novel takes an emotional look at the feelings survivors of the Holocaust have related to the perpetrators of that horror, and asks a very difficult question: Are survivors of the Holocaust entitled to revenge on the people who killed their families so long ago?
This is the second novel of Mr. Dershowitz's with Abe Ringel as the main character. However, you don't need to have read the first to read this one. In this novel, Max Menuchen, a friend and fellow scholar of Abe's discovers that the man responsible for killing his entire family is still alive and is living very close by. This man has had a full life, with children and now grandchildren. An opportunity Max's family never got. This enrages Max. At first he tries to enact some semblance of revenge on this man legally, but when the legal channels fail him, Max has to decide if he needs to take things into his own hands. Abe is left with defending Max's actions in the court of law.
Not really being an "eye for an eye" kind of gal, it was hard for me to get behind Max on his crusade for justice. However, this novel really made the reader think. It asked hard questions, and delivered difficult answers. It was a fast, page turner, that was written well. While not a fan of Mr. Dershowitz particularly, I have to give credit to his abilities as a writer. This novel was a thriller that had me on the edge of my seat and at the same time, made me philosophical. Quite an interesting pair. Not wanting to give anything away, I will say that there will be those unsatisfied with the ending. I believe that the ending did serve up the only justice possible, and left the reader with maybe a little hope. I would highly recommend this one.
Happy Reading!
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Monday, May 9, 2011
Artichoke's Heart
Suzanne Supplee writes a sweet, delectable, touching novel in Artichoke's Heart. The novel is centered around a young girl who is battling a weight issue. But so much more than that, she is trying to learn to love herself and see that others love her, too.
Rosemary is fat. She is also sweet, smart, loving, and strong. But she doesn't know that. She just sees herself as fat, maybe because her mother and her aunt are always reminding her of that and trying to help her lose weight. She is 15 and has no real friends other than some of the people that work in the beauty shop that her mother owns. When Rosemary finally has enough of being fat, she decides to make a change. The novel follows Rosemary on her courageous journey to shed the pounds and learn to love herself. Through a difficult illness that befalls her mother, through the taunts of the popular girls at school, through all the cravings, she finds a real friend and love, too. But most importantly, she figures out that she is special and that she has a lot of people around her who have loved her all along in spite of her size.
The reader is rooting for Rosemary all the way through this novel. You feel her highs and lows, believe in her even when she doesn't believe in herself and hope beyond hope that the people in her life are really trustworthy. I loved Rosemary and I loved this book. It will most likely make my favorites list this year. I believe it is meant as a juvenile fiction book, but I highly recommend it to any reader.
Happy Reading!
Rosemary is fat. She is also sweet, smart, loving, and strong. But she doesn't know that. She just sees herself as fat, maybe because her mother and her aunt are always reminding her of that and trying to help her lose weight. She is 15 and has no real friends other than some of the people that work in the beauty shop that her mother owns. When Rosemary finally has enough of being fat, she decides to make a change. The novel follows Rosemary on her courageous journey to shed the pounds and learn to love herself. Through a difficult illness that befalls her mother, through the taunts of the popular girls at school, through all the cravings, she finds a real friend and love, too. But most importantly, she figures out that she is special and that she has a lot of people around her who have loved her all along in spite of her size.
The reader is rooting for Rosemary all the way through this novel. You feel her highs and lows, believe in her even when she doesn't believe in herself and hope beyond hope that the people in her life are really trustworthy. I loved Rosemary and I loved this book. It will most likely make my favorites list this year. I believe it is meant as a juvenile fiction book, but I highly recommend it to any reader.
Happy Reading!
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
The Age of Innocence
The Age of Innocence is a classic novel by Edith Wharton. Set in the late 1800s, in New York, the characters are all of the higher society. Those from money, whether inherited or earned, who mainly socialize. It is a romantic novel, but the love shared between the two main characters is thwarted at every turn.
Newland Archer is ready to settle down and has found the perfect specimen to be his wife. She is athletic, not to smart (so he can feel that he is teaching her and giving her culture), pretty, comes from a respectable family and trainable. And he likes her. In 1870s American society, I guess that was enough. She is also willing to enter into the marriage, because he is handsome, wealthy, and from a good family. The arrangement will look good and further both of their families socially. (Can you imagine living like this?) But when her cousin come back into town after being away for a long time, Newland realizes that maybe there should be more. Maybe he could marry for love. Unfortunately, events lead him right up to his impending nuptials. After getting married, but never forgetting about his true love, Newland has settled down to his life but is not happy. Seeing his love on the sly, discussing whether or not they have a future, finally it seems that he is willing to make the incredible social blunder of asking for a divorce, when his wife announces her pregnancy. Certainly now he cannot leave her. (I believe that all along his wife knew of his dealings with her cousin and planned her announcement precisely.) The lovers (although technically they have only ever kissed) are thwarted again and life goes on. Newland makes the best of his years with his wife and raises his children. Years later, Newland's wife has died, his children are all grown. His son comes across Newland's old love during his travels. It looks like finally, at the very end of this story they will be able to be together. Both of them in their 50s, it isn't too late to share their love. But alas, Newland walks away, never to face his old love.
This novel is critically said to be one of satire regarding New York society and class during the 1870s. Written 50 years later, the author has the advantage of knowing what is about to befall these characters, both financially and from a technology standpoint. She uses her knowledge to take a sometimes comedic look and gives her characters some foresight into the future. As for the novels, political and social statements, I cannot speak to that, not knowing anything about New York society in the 1870s.
As for entertainment value, this novel offered me very little. It was difficult to read, and I was frustrated at the obstacles that kept coming between the characters. I didn't like the main characters for what they were doing to Newland's wife. Although, I suppose in their defense, one of the reasons they never did get together was because her cousin couldn't stand the thought of hurting her. Anyway, I read this one to be able to say that I did. I don't know that I would recommend reading this classic to those whose time is limited. I am sure there are others out there that would be more worthy of that time.
Happy Reading!
Newland Archer is ready to settle down and has found the perfect specimen to be his wife. She is athletic, not to smart (so he can feel that he is teaching her and giving her culture), pretty, comes from a respectable family and trainable. And he likes her. In 1870s American society, I guess that was enough. She is also willing to enter into the marriage, because he is handsome, wealthy, and from a good family. The arrangement will look good and further both of their families socially. (Can you imagine living like this?) But when her cousin come back into town after being away for a long time, Newland realizes that maybe there should be more. Maybe he could marry for love. Unfortunately, events lead him right up to his impending nuptials. After getting married, but never forgetting about his true love, Newland has settled down to his life but is not happy. Seeing his love on the sly, discussing whether or not they have a future, finally it seems that he is willing to make the incredible social blunder of asking for a divorce, when his wife announces her pregnancy. Certainly now he cannot leave her. (I believe that all along his wife knew of his dealings with her cousin and planned her announcement precisely.) The lovers (although technically they have only ever kissed) are thwarted again and life goes on. Newland makes the best of his years with his wife and raises his children. Years later, Newland's wife has died, his children are all grown. His son comes across Newland's old love during his travels. It looks like finally, at the very end of this story they will be able to be together. Both of them in their 50s, it isn't too late to share their love. But alas, Newland walks away, never to face his old love.
This novel is critically said to be one of satire regarding New York society and class during the 1870s. Written 50 years later, the author has the advantage of knowing what is about to befall these characters, both financially and from a technology standpoint. She uses her knowledge to take a sometimes comedic look and gives her characters some foresight into the future. As for the novels, political and social statements, I cannot speak to that, not knowing anything about New York society in the 1870s.
As for entertainment value, this novel offered me very little. It was difficult to read, and I was frustrated at the obstacles that kept coming between the characters. I didn't like the main characters for what they were doing to Newland's wife. Although, I suppose in their defense, one of the reasons they never did get together was because her cousin couldn't stand the thought of hurting her. Anyway, I read this one to be able to say that I did. I don't know that I would recommend reading this classic to those whose time is limited. I am sure there are others out there that would be more worthy of that time.
Happy Reading!
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