Kaseys Korner

Cloud Cuckoo Land

** spoiler alert ** I'm pretty sure my feelings about this book will be in the minority. It looks like it's been getting good reviews and maybe once an author has proved himself, those follow no matter the material??

I'm feeling like I could go off on 'Cloud Cuckoo Land' ~ let's see how well I restrain myself?!
Maybe you've noticed I've been trying to keep my reviews on the shorter side lately??  But that seems impossible to do here. If the message was to demonstrate how words, stories and texts transcend centuries, cultures, etc., I received it. But holy cow was it ever a convoluted, unsatisfactory way of getting there. So many questions remain about the stories.

Let me back track for a minute. This novel is told from FIVE different points of view. Yes, five. Anytime you get that many, it takes the reader more than a minute to get invested in each one. Then every time the stories alternate, it's another mental adjustment until halfway thru the book (hopefully) all the characters are cemented mentally. Interest waned and waxed for me about these characters/stories. There were times I could have thrown a few away. In the end I was invested the most in the story I first liked the least (Konstance.) But hers was also the one I wanted the most explanations about. It appeared she was involved in an abandoned experiment which brought up moral/ethical questions. Was the "ship" purposely infected so as to erase the inhabitants and not have to answer any questions that would eventually have to arise?? Because how else does a virus infect a hermetically sealed capsule?? Did Konstance's father outsmart the people who drugged them and placed them inside by saving her?? Mr Doerr has a lot of explaining to do....

I could appreciate the environmental message in the book that came with Seymours story. I seem to be reading a lot of books with similar messages lately and with the current state of our planet, I understand their increasing frequency. Seymour being upset about the clear cutting of the forest behind his home and the fact that everyone seemed complacent about it, very relatable. He had little to no guidance in his daily life and that combined with his issues (autism??) of not liking noise, being touched, etc. left him a loner. Classic recipe for trouble. By the end of the book, he's presented as having changed from troubled villain into a hero of sorts tho???

If I were editing the book, I would have clipped Zeno's whole trip to London. I mean, what the hell was the point of that?? I wanted more from Rex and well, basically more for both of them. As it was, the sole point of him being in Zeno's story was to teach him Greek. I guess it was worth it???  Same with Omeir's oxen. Did we have to kill them off just for his path to cross Anna's??  Mixed feelings about his story too except, in the end, he was the conduit in getting the ancient book from one point to another so I guess not pointless??

I just knew the stories were going to intersect into something brilliant.  I mean, they had to right?  Unfortunately I missed that part? Was I reading over my skill set?? Unless the purpose was to create independent stories showing a books passage thru time??  Now that I've written the question, maybe that IS the answer???

Having said all that, it remains that Anthony Doerr is undisputedly a beautiful writer. There were passages among the pages that were absolutely memorable. Like this one:

“Repository,” he finally says, “you know this word? A resting place. A text—a book—is a resting place for the memories of people who have lived before. A way for the memory to stay fixed after the soul has traveled on.”

How beautiful and meaningful is that? Perhaps read it just for those glinty nuggets and don't expect to be blown away by the book in its entirety...
Sadly, I won't be recommending this one, it just missed the mark for me.
2.5 stars

Once There Were Wolves

"When you open your heart to rewilding a landscape, the truth is, you’re opening your heart to rewilding yourself.” ~ Charlotte McConaghy

Ms McConaghy is genius. She cloaks serious messages about the state of our planet in very readable and riveting books. By entwining a mystery/murder with a particular environmental issue she's ensured she'll reach a wider audience than she ever would if she stuck strictly to writing about the depressing condition of our present day world.

In this novel, wolves were the conduit (remember in 'Migrations' it was Arctic terns??) and never did I think I'd be as reeled in by them as I was. Reintroducing wolves into the Scottish highlands is a very real, present day consideration. Will it happen? Who knows? If it does, I think the author has laid out an extremely realistic playbook about how it will go over. Before I read the book, I wouldn't have had an opinion on the topic but after reading, I understand the benefits to the natural world having them there. Ms McConaghy didn't ignore the push back from the opposition and this particular quote from the book resonated:

“You ever wondered why conservationists tend to come from higher socioeconomic backgrounds? They’ve got money. They don’t have to rely on the land to survive, they aren’t scraping by, one day to the next.”

But so did this one:

“If we’re talking about conservation, about saving this planet, we have to start with the predators. Because if we can’t save the predators, we’ve got no chance of saving anything else.”

'Once There Were Wolves' is darkly beautiful. The protagonist (Inti) and her twin were raised unconventionally and their story is as twisted as it gets. Be advised there is sexual abuse & violence covered in the content if that's a trigger.

I can't say I loved Inti but I did love the book and I know the message about wolves and their place in our ecosystems will stay with me and reverberate more than the other details of the story.

 

 

Versailles

I can only describe this book as artistic. The "details" of Versailles are what's displayed on these panoramic style pages. Gorgeous photography of rooms, cabinet knobs, tapestries, wig boxes, paneling carvings, busts, etc., etc. You get the idea. Everything conveys the opulence and lavishness of the Palace. The extravagance borders on the obscene but I guess that's exactly what makes it the marvel it still is today.

If you're looking for a history on the construction of Versailles or want in depth information on the subject, this is not the book for you. This is coffee table format, exquisite photography with light reading below each photo to provide background or descriptions of what the reader is viewing. You feel reverence turning the pages, viewing the rooms and artifacts of the palace as if on a private tour.

You close the book understanding why the French coffers were emptied for this project. You also can't help but be blown away by the extraordinary craftsmanship and splendor of Versailles. It's incroyable! A truly grand and resplendent masterpiece and this book points out many details that might be overlooked on a real life tour.

Owning a copy comes at a pretty penny but that seems apropos considering the subject is Versailles!!!

 

 

Bringing Down the Duke

Hard to believe this is a debut novel! It reads like it was written by someone seasoned in the genre.
The historical fiction aspect centered around suffragettes in England was interesting and no doubt accurate. The chemistry between the formidable Duke and the undaunted Annabelle = perfection.
My favorite part: when he cornered her in the alcove at the Opera and said "enough, enough" then proceeded to kiss the hell out of her.  Oh yes! We romance lovers lap that up like cats with cream!

One book in and I'm certain Evie Dunmore is destined for historical romance fame. Wonderful engaging read and I definitely want more from this author. If you're a fan of the genre, check it out and if you're like me, you'll have a new favorite author to add to your list.

The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett

Oh Eudora. You imperious, crotchety old lady.

I tried to love you.

I tried to even just like you.

You made it so difficult. Even when all the flashbacks to your younger self explained so much, I still couldn't find a lot of empathy. You got stuck in your life. You weren't dealt a great hand but there were chances at many different outcomes. You didn't grow, you didn't change, you stagnated. Then became bitter and resentful (thinking of how things went with your friend Sylvie here.)

I understand and appreciate the authors message about death and how our modern world approaches it. The book was just depressing and unrealistic. There's not an Army of Rose's & kindly neighbors to march in and save every lonely person (elderly or not.) The redeeming take away is when Eudora actually engaged in the World, it got larger and brighter and BETTER. Take note of that!

Now, to shake this misery off and get on with having a happy day!!!

 

 

The Social Graces

Easy read tho it seemed so frivolous in light of everything happening in the World today. Gilded age "soul food" if you're into that era. Between the pages, a true peek into pretention, extravagance and wealth so vast it's incomprehensible to the majority of readers.

It seemed an impossible task to make Caroline Astor and Alva Vanderbilt compelling characters, they weren't especially likable. That they drove the upper crust of New York society in the late 1800's was unquestionable. But they weren't actually one iota nice, appreciative or sincerely altruistic despite the good fortune they both had to marry into this lap of unparalleled luxury. Every plan, thought & action was motivated by greed, social status, bloodlines, an antiquated protocol system, birthrights, etc., etc. Somehow Renee Rosen found a way to make you feel sorry for them tho (how was that even possible??!!?) and by books end, the very small world they inhabited and circulated in, felt infinitely less appealing. There was a glimmer of hope as they neared the end of their lives that they'd both evolved and questioned the purpose of what they'd wasted countless hours doing. It seemed they realized there was a much bigger picture to life than just one upping each other??

I did spend some time googling the characters to put faces to the names and visuals to the incredible mansions constructed during this era. I would love to visit Newport and tour some of the "cottages" mentioned!!!!

If ever there was a book to make you realize all the money in the world won't make you happy, this is it! Despite their privilege and opulent surroundings, none of the characters exhibited the gaiety we working class would expect them to feel. Even with the world "as their oyster," it's definitely not the carefree, cushy, fairytale one imagined it to be.

The Third Secret

Another great read by Steve Berry. I'm not Catholic so the political intrigue involving the Cardinals, the Pope, Pope "wannabe's," the Vatican, and all the centuries old traditions were really fascinating reading not to mention exploring the Secrets imparted by Our Lady of Fatima. The Blessed Virgin Mary apparitions correcting Church doctrine were truly revolutionary. The Church hasn't taken heed but I guess that takes place with the 112th Pope (according to the prophecies of Saint Malachy??) If I interpreted that right, the next Pope is that number!? After reading this book, I'll be paying even more attention to that election...

This is the 3rd book I've read by Berry (almost simultaneously) and I'm really getting the measure of his style. It works for me. Anyone, even without an interest in history, can't help but get sucked into the easy format of stories and actually learn something in the process. I'm breaking from him for now but I'll be back for another in the future!

 

The Alchemist

A deceptively simple book containing the most resounding message of life. Written in parable form about a boy, Santiago, who on the surface is searching for his "treasure." What Coelho really imparts thru Santiago, is a universal guide about achieving personal happiness.

It seems simple on the surface & basically can be reduced to "everyone has a purpose for being on the planet (their Personal Legend,) and once one recognizes that purpose and pursues it diligently, happiness follows." I liken that to the saying, "if you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life."

As simple as that message is, it's a journey too easy to miss the mark on. Along the way, the path to finding our "Personal Legend" can be riddled with difficulties, detours and perils so great that we even lose sight of what we seek. Maybe that's why so many of us are lonely and dissatisfied with our lives. We miss those distractions for the lessons they are & give up or settle for something else altogether. The advantage the boy has is the simplicity of his life, not mired in the trappings of our modern success driven life ~ he has time to figure out his hearts desire thru reflection, observation (of the world around him) and time alone in contemplation. Those things are readily available to everyone but hard to tap into in our high tech, crazy busy world. Reading this book, makes you wonder that any of us find our purpose, because when do we give ourselves the solitude to even listen to the message of our heart??

This was my second reading and I think it was even more powerful the 2nd time around. It's a hopeful book ~ even if we've gotten off track, we can get ourselves back on track just by taking note of the signs around us and following our gut. I loved the message that we're all connected to the Soul of the World too.

My only complaint is I wish there weren't really a "treasure" at the end. I wanted the treasure to be something intangible, like love or going back to being a Shepherd because that was what was so fulfilling. After such a marvelous message, bringing it all back to a monetary objective seemed to defeat the purpose???? Am I the only one who felt this way???

 

 

A Thousand Splendid Suns

Khaled Hosseini must have expunged the words "sugar coat" from his vocabulary. He sure doesn't try to "pretty up" any of the lives of his characters so as to make them more palatable for the reader. This is the second book I've read by him and his writing and conveyance of events is often times so real it makes for some uncomfortable moments reading. I was literally cringing at the treatment of women in Afghanistan and how much power men still have over their lives. The things Mariam and Laila endured at the hands of their husband are unfathomable to me. Several times I didn't think they would survive him.  Hosseini is either very intuitive, sensitive, observant or has some major female role models and/or influential women in his life?? Otherwise I don't know how a man writes a novel centered around the lives of women in the way he's done.

That a lot of the events which transpire in the story take place under Taliban rule is especially troubling considering they're about to take over Kabul again. I just can't imagine living under those repressive conditions or having to go backwards after experiencing education & freedom.
My favorite character in the book is Mariam. Even at the end, she touched my heart in a way books rarely do. It's another beautifully sad but tragically poignant story that remains so relevant today. As an American, I was thinking 20 years was a long time for our service men and women to be in Afghanistan but now, I wonder just how awful life is going to be for the women when we're gone.  Their future seems perilous at best.

An emotional and moving book that I hope lands on the top of everyones "read" pile. It's not easy subject matter but it's 100% worth the time.

PS As a lover of historical artifacts it was heartbreaking to read about the Taliban blowing up those centuries old Buddhas of Bamiyan. The human race has created some astonishing works of art but also probably destroyed just as many. These were incredible statues ~ such a huge loss for the World.

The Romanov Prophecy

I was literally glued to this book. I'm kind of a Romanov fan girl so the subject matter was right up my alley. It's always been my opinion that when the Bolsheviks made that ill fated decision to eliminate the entire Imperial family, they elevated the Romanovs' status in history. If they'd executed ONLY the Tsar (many leaders are executed, exiled, assassinated, etc.,) and not the Tsarina and all the children, it would have been headlining and memorable but not created the lasting fascination with the family that it did. It's the sympathetic view toward their horrific fate that made us want to hope at least one member survived. Well, that and the fact that two of the childrens remains were not with the rest of the family when they were finally located and exhumed.

Although they were eventually discovered, this book feeds into the theory that two of the Imperial children survived. The characters and the storyline of 'The Romanov Prophecy' worked so much better for me than those in 'The Amber Room.' It's fast paced, believable and feeds into the hypothetical restoration of a Romanov to the throne of Russia. The latter a real idea still floated today among Monarchists. Everything I've read indicates Nicholas II (the last Tsar) was not a benevolent and particularly effective Tsar but because of the way he was killed, history has softened the opinion many of us hold of him.

I think Berry did a compelling job pulling together so many threads of the history surrounding the collapse of the 300 year reign of this Dynasty. It includes (as it has to) Rasputin ~ that repulsive (to me) yet transfixing character that undeniably contributed to the events that unfolded.

Captivating, detailed, well researched fiction. I'm definitely reading more books by Mr. Berry. He's my summer 2021 obsession.