No, not the modern movie which had NOTHING to do with the book, but the real book by Frank Bunker Gilbreth, Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey about growing up in a large family with a father who is a motion study expert. These were real people and though I’m sure not every anecdote happened exactly the way it is depicted, it is a great book for the whole family!
At the library this book caught my eye. The title seemed intriguing, the first paragraph more so, so I borrowed it without having any idea what it is really about.I do that often at our library. The Enlglish section is not bad for a library in Israel but not vey big. When I come looking for something specfic that someone recommended it is most likely that I won’t find it. But if I come to browse I often find good books that I have never heard mentioned!
Anyway, this book turns out to be science fiction, a genre which I haven’t read in a long time. It is very well written and I found the first few chapters fascinating. I’ve continued well past that and plan to continue reading the book, but I did feel somewhat disappointed after those opening chapters.
The beginning of the book gave the feeling of a theatre where all the players are in one place and through their dialogue the story, the relationships and their history unfolds. We (the readers) don’t go back in time. In the case the situation is a horrific storm in San-Francisco, A homeless man seeks shelter in what turns out to be a talking house (an A.I). They are both interacting with a “translated” man who lives on the net.
But after “hooking me” the author doesn’t make the most of this situation, but takes us back in time to tell the story of the events in a chronoligical order. Did I mention that the book has 574 pages?! I would have had the entire story take place over the three days of the storm, in the house!
Still, It’s well written, I’d better wait and see what happens later. I’m only up to page 163!
Since our thoughts are with the people of Japan and the devastating events they are dealing with, I’ve decdided to write about the Japanese authors I enjoy.
I’ll start with Kazuo Ishiguro, though he left Japan as a child and grew up in England. It’s just that I recently read his book “Never Let Me Go” which I couldn’t put down. A small book which I really recommend. The other book I read “When we were Orphans, is not a “quick read” but also highly recommended. I never read the book ” The Remainder of the Day” – I just saw and liked the movie!
I REALLY enjoyed reading both “Kafka on the Shore” and “The Wind Up Bird Chronicle” by Haruki Murakami. Actually the first book I read by him was “Sputnik Sweetheart” which wasn’t as good, so I’m very glad I didn’t give up on the author!
May the news coming from that direction improve soon!
Check out Adele Enerson’s amazing way to weave tales with her sleeping daughter
Take special note of the picture at minute 2:20!
Enjoy!
I opted for lighter fare this time and have just finished (last night!) reading
Wit’s End by Karen Joy Fowler
Overall it was an amusing read though I got annoyed when the author added all kind of details like “her father was really her uncle” (oh, come on!).
The book is all about blogging though, and I enjoyed that!
We own the first two books of this amazing series. It’s a wonderful fantasy of an isolated place where humans and dinosaurs coexist in harmony. They share language and technology and friendship ( I love the dinosaur character that’s an interpreter!).
This series is very special in that not only is it a good story but the pictures are amazing, and are an integral part of the story. You MUST look at the pictures (spend time looking at them) in order to get all the information.
Our boys and I had such a good time with it that for a while I tried to translate it into Hebrew. I did a section and even discussed it with a publisher who loved the story ( her kids loved it too!) . However, after looking at the large format and the amount of drawings in color said there was no point in even contacting the publisher. The Hebrew speaking book market is too small to support such an expensive publication.
Too bad…
I’m reading “Them” by Joyce Carol Oates and I’m having a hard time with it. I don’t think I will be able to finish it.
She writes beautifully! I appreciate how when the situation becomes crystal clear and you know what is about to happen, she ” fasts forwards” to the next scene. No sense wasting words on that.
The characters seem so real and believable. And that’s my problem. The book is incredible depressing. Generation after generation caught in povery with an abusive family environment which keeps repeating itself. People living in a hopeless cycle.
I read and have read sad books. “A History” by Elsa Morante was absolutely tragic. But I can’t bear this one!
