“Horseman” by Richard RussoFirst published in The Atlantic Monthly, Fiction Issue 2006Reprinted in The Best American Short Stories 2007 “Although to be driven back upon oneself is an uneasy affair at best, rather like trying to cross a border with … Continue reading
The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett Historical Fiction, 973 pages New American Library a division of Penguin FTC Disclosure: Purchased A spellbinding epic tale of ambition, anarchy, and absolute power set against the sprawling medieval canvas of twelfth-century … Continue reading
From the perspective of some, this a ‘bleak’ and depressing read. I will admit that initially, I felt the same way. However in letting this book stew on my mind for a few days, and after re-reading several passages, I realize that I had missed something. This book is about life, not death. It is about the journey’s we take and choices we make, and how each affect the other. Continue reading
The Stone Angel by Margaret Laurence (1964)Fiction, 308 pagesMcClelland & Stewart, Inc.The New Canadian Library Edition The branches will wither, the roots they will die,You’ll all be forsaken and you’ll never know why.Hagar Shipley is ninety years old and is … Continue reading
The French Lieutenant’s Woman by John Fowles (1969)Fiction, 467 pagesBack Bay Books The Victorian age was rarely kind to strong-willed, self-possessed women. Many who displayed these traits and refused to submit to the standards of the day, were often thought … Continue reading
The Stone Diaries by Carol Shields Fiction, 361 Pages Published by Penguin Books 1995 Pulitzer Prize Winner FTC Disclosure: Purchased And the question arises: what is the story of a life? A chronicle of fact or a skillfully wrought impression? … Continue reading
“Riding the Doghouse” by Randy DeVita First Published in: West Branch, No. 58 Spring/Summer Reprinted in The Best American Short Stories® 2007 I’ve actually read several short stories from this collection. However, I have had a difficult … Continue reading
The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger Contemporary Fiction, 536 pages Published by Harcourt Inc. The author succeeds in creating a story, and a set of characters that can evoke strong emotional responses. I don’t think I have ever been so … Continue reading
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón (2005) Translated by Lucia Graves Historical Fiction, 487 Pages Penguin Group, New York Ten years old, and still grieving the tragic loss of his mother six years earlier, Daniel Sempere is … Continue reading
I highly recommend this book with the simple advisement that one take into consideration the language and subject matter and rise above it, for its message is much more important than the words used to convey it.
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At the end of the nineteenth century, many of the old beliefs and traditions were quickly fading away and being replaced with modern, scientific sensibilities. In this novel, Stoker succeeds in reconciling old world tradition with new world technology in a way that demonstrates that this seemingly irresolvable dichotomy can actually work together for a greater good. Faith does not have to die in order for science to live – you can have both.
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