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Reviews by Mary S. (Hilton Head Island, SC)

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Between the Tides
by Susannah Marren

Mystery in Disguise (3/30/2015)

When I first started to read this book I thought it was going to be a "quasi" romantic novel. However, I was surprised it turned out to be an unsolved mystery. What happened so long ago? Who was the good guy? Who was the bad? What really happened at the end and why?
Although the lesser character development was somewhat lacking, the major characters kept one guessing until the end. The storyline was a bit jumbled, but on the whole, good for a first novel. Also would be good for a book club discussion group.

The Well
by Catherine Chanter

Dangers of Self-Importance (2/28/2015)

he Well is thought provoking and keeps one guessing even though after reading the first fifty pages, one can guess at the probable ending. What is less apparent is what, I feel, is the author's real intent-- the message of the dangers of believing that we are more important than what reality tells us. Listening to false affirmations and interpreting the world as we want to see it to be keeps us from reaching our full potential as members of a common humanity-- this is the real message of The Well. The author's writing style is beautiful and mesmerizing much as the world of cults that she writes about in the telling of the story.

Whispering Shadows
by Jan-Philipp Sendker

Misses The Mark (12/23/2014)

I really wanted to give this book a 5 star review-- the descriptions of Hong Kong and environs, the history of contemporary China showed an in depth knowledge of the story's setting. However, the story itself fell apart half way through the book. It was as if the author suddenly wanted to tell more about the character's motivation to move the story forward. In doing so, he dropped the story line, explained the rationale of a character's behavior, then back to the story. The result of this style of writing was confusing and difficult to follow. Good book, but not anything special.

First Frost
by Sarah Addison Allen

Good, But Not Great (11/22/2014)

This was the first book I read by this author and while I enjoyed it, I found myself thinking that the book had more potential to be really great. Too many storylines muddied what would have been a good read about two sisters and the different paths their lives folowed. Still a good read if one can get by the first few chapters.

Last Train to Istanbul
by Ayse Kulin

Lost In Translation (9/27/2013)

The author may be one of the leading writers in Turkey, however this book leaves much to be desired in writing style and storyline. The characters were hard to follow as to the importance to the main theme and the narrative was simplistic and choppy. The saving grace of this work was the historical perspective of the role of Turkey in WWII and the impact politics had on its culture and society.

Lookaway, Lookaway
by Wilton Barnhardt

Contemporary History (6/28/2013)

I have lived in the Carolinas for nine years and the author of "Lookaway, Lookaway" has captured contemporary history of the Carolinas perfectly. The importance of family history, "the old boy network" and the transition of Charlotte from large city to medium metropolis are depicted with truth and historical honesty. In many ways the writing style and subject matter remind me a bit of Pat Conroy. However, the author spends too much time on unnecessary detail and by the time one gets to the end of a paragraph, the beginning of the passage is forgotten. He also seems to believe that most Southern history descends from out of wedlock children and illicit, immoral lifestyles. On the whole, the book was readable, but not exciting.

The Sisterhood
by Helen Bryan

Too Much, Too Little (4/30/2013)

As I read this book, I found myself wondering why so many present day authors feel that they have to cover a multitude of "issues" to tell an otherwise good story. In "The Sisterhood" by Helen Bryan, feminism, theology, politics, mythology and numerous other topics are discussed by way of the overriding story. None of the topics reflect good research. The women's issues reek of 1970 and early 1980s thinking. As a woman with a degree in Theology, I found both the historic and present day research flawed and poorly presented. What would have been a good, simple story is ruined by poor, unfocused writing. The worst book I have read in a long time.

Close My Eyes
by Sophie McKenzie

Best In A Long Time! (4/9/2013)

Just when I thought I was never going to find another novel that I thoroughly enjoyed, along came "Close My Eyes". I read this book in one sitting, captivated by the story line and characters. In the tradition of Ruth Rendell, the were twists and turns right to the last page. The author had a subtle way of drawing you into the story and then proceeded to destroy your preconceptions about where the story was leading. An excellent book which I plan on recommending to all of my friends.

A Dual Inheritance
by Joanna Hershon

Could Have Been Better (3/25/2013)

Once again, the author wrote what was a potentially good story and spread it out over 400 pages rather than 300. The character development was poor, especially for the secondary storyline. I found myself wanting to know more about some characters and a lot less about the the thought processes of the two main characters. In this instance, shorter would have been better.

Ghostman
by Roger Hobbs

Just Okay (2/13/2013)

Fairly well written, but too much detail and a fairly predictable ending.

A Thousand Pardons
by Jonathan Dee

Big Disappointment (10/31/2012)

I really wanted to like this book, however, even though it was barely 200 pages long, I plodded through it. The storyline was rambling and disjointed, the characters unbelievable, and the ending unsatisfying. It is hard to understand how the author could have been a Pulitzer Prize finalist. I have seen better writing by authors with fewer credentials than his. The author should ask the readers for a thousand pardons for subjecting us to such a poorly written, unfinished work.

The Woman at the Light: A Novel
by Joanna Brady

Good, but disappointing (7/17/2012)

I loved the history and the story for the first 3/4 of the book. The writing was exceptional and descriptive. The history of the expansion of Key West was something that grabbed my attention. However, when the story turned to Emily's "rags to riches" narrative, the plot turned unbelievable. Like so many books by new authors, the last 50-100 pages seemed like a frantic effort on the part of the writer to tie up loose ends rather than developing a satisfying conclusion. good book, not great.

The First Warm Evening of the Year: A Novel
by Jamie M. Saul

Not Worth The Time (5/1/2012)

I wanted to like this book, unfortunately the author never caught my attention or interest. The novel seemed to be more of a memoir by the author who was working out his own psychological hangups and issues. The writing was clumsy and pedantic. Reminded me more of a low class romance novel than a "tour de force' as highlighted on the book jacket.

A Good American: A Novel
by Alex George

Entertaining History (12/20/2011)

Never has American History been presented in such a thoroughly enjoyable, believable and entertaining way. Although fiction, A Good American guides the reader through the years from the mass immigration to America of the early 1900s to the present day by way of a generational story of the Meisenheimer family. The writing style is mesmerizing-- simple, yet eloquent, in drawing the reader into the milieu of small town America. There is laughter, tears and a mystery that one does not easily forget. A Good American is a must read primer on American culture and trends in the last century. It has been a long time since I enjoyed a book as thoroughly as I enjoyed this one!

The Art of Saying Goodbye: A Novel
by Ellyn Bache

Just Okay (4/18/2011)

I really wanted to like this book and stuck with it to the very end, but unfortunately, I knew how it was going to end after reading chapter one. The writing was simplistic and pedantic. The story line was not original. I felt as if the author wanted to tie up loose ends and provide some sort of mystery which was solved at the end. She never succeeded.

The Paris Wife: A Novel
by Paula McLain

Compelling and Engrossing (12/6/2010)

The author has managed to portray the tortured and complex life of the young Hemingway in a very believable way, Hadley Richardson comes to life as a woman who struggles in an era where the role of women is changing and uncertain. Perhaps the author's greatest strength is that her writing style is much like Hemingway's -- crisp, clear, and concise. A must read for all Hemingway fans and a great introduction for those who are not acquainted with his tragic story.

The Nobodies Album
by Carolyn Parkhurst

Compelling Read (6/12/2010)

Carolyn Parkhurst tries to do what the main character in this novel tries to do -- introduce a new way of composing literature to the world. While at times she succeeds, most of the time her "new endings" interrupt what is a very good story. I found myself wanting to learn more about Milo and Octavia without the constant interruptions of the "new book endings". Nonetheless, it was an entertaining read.

The Swimming Pool
by Holly LeCraw

Unanswered Questions (2/22/2010)

Wow! I found the first 50 or so pages of the book somewhat disorganized -- needs more editing as to voice, character,etc. However, about halfway through the book, I couldn't put it down. Even after finishing the book, I still have questions about who did the dastardly deed. At one minute I think she did, the next, he did. Good book for discussion as I am sure there will be many opinions about the ending. Better than I originally thought it would be!

The Book of Illumination: A Novel from the Ghost Files
by Mary Ann Winkowski

Good, But Flawed (10/5/2009)

I really wanted to like this book-- the story line of ghosts and lost manuscripts was compelling, however, the story was interrupted far too often with the narrator's details of everyday life. The authors could have integrated the two stories much better. I felt like I was reading two separate books which was too bad as this could have been a very readable, engaging book.

Some of the Dead Are Still Breathing: Living in the Future
by Charles Bowden

Some of The Dead Are Still Breathing (2/4/2009)

The back cover of this work says that it is a "seminal book". The word pictures were beautiful and the author had a talent for writing. What he could not do is help the reader to understand what he was writing about! At first, I thought it was apocalyptic, then random essays. At last I concluded the book was a series of random jottings captured during a drug induced high. Not worth the small amount of time spent trying to determine what was "seminal".

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Reviews by Mary S. (Hilton Head Island, SC)

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