Kaseys Korner

The Time Traveler's Wife

** spoiler alert ** I'm wondering if there's a survey out there breaking down the ratings of this book on the basis of a readers beliefs & thoughts about time travel?? It was the overriding theme to the novel so I think it would be an important consideration on whether to read it or not. If the whole idea borders on the ridiculous, the book would quickly be unappealing. I, however, am a self professed time travel "junkie!!!" Endlessly fascinated by the concept and frequent daydreamer about the possibilities that phenomenom would present. I was enthralled that Henry could go back & forth to revisit points in his life but the part that boggled my mind was when there were two of him, in the same place, at the same time but at different ages! Actually that didn't just boggle my mind, it BLEW it. I'm still trying to wrap my head around how that worked. Even more boggling ~ the time he had a visit with his daughter Alba ~ and it was a couple decades before she was born. Crazy stuff this!!!

I completely embraced the love story between Clare and Henry. It was beautiful and unconditional. I thought the author created it in such an authentic and organic way. Clare accepted Henry & his unique "condition" in a way very few women would be capable of doing ~ perhaps because she met him as a child?? The writing was witty and emotive, it transcended the pages to the point where I felt the highs of their relationship, anxiety for Henry's whereabouts and safety and despair over the difficult parts. The miscarriages broke my heart, each loss devastating, especially heart wrenching for Clare. And when Henry had to have his feet amputated, which precipitated the end of his life, it was agony at the realization of what that meant. Actually tho, it's amazing he lived as long as he did ~ showing up in unexpected places, buck naked would tend to put your life at risk! That part of time traveling was dissuading. But the way the author portrayed their relationship was just superb.

So why not 5 stars?? I think I'm going halfway to 5 and rating it a commendable 4.5 stars. I can't go all the way tho because the ending left me wanting. And hanging. I'm horrible with ambiguity!! Was Clare sitting there every day for years or just that day ~ based on the letter Henry left her saying he'd see her again when she was old?? Was he coming back to take her to the "other side" with him?? Or was it a single visit, like so many other visits Clare experienced with him?? I'm still wrestling with that. I guess I'm a girl who needs it spelled out and I don't like the possibility that he could be there only for a brief interlude then Clare would be left alone again. 1/2 point deduction. 

I've already added Alba's story to my WTR list ~ it feels like it might have the potential to surpass the original.

Downy Woodpecker

Such a beautiful, daily visitor to the garden and today I was lucky enough to get some decent photos.  

and lastly, my favorite:

Around the World in Eighty Days

Stand aside literary men of my heart, there's another Englishman joining your elite company ~ Mr. Phileas Fogg! I did not mind in the least that Mr. Fogg was stingy with conversation, not when he could list among his qualities those of being considerate, chivalrous, philanthropic & even keeled. A gentleman first and foremost. It was so impressive that he kept his composure no matter the positive or negative events unfolding around him. I felt there was a lesson in that for all of us: stay calm and carry on, after Plan A there's a Plan B, etc. These classic books are awesome in the way they contain an instructional message all within a delightful story. One of these years I'm going to devote a whole year to reading nothing but them!

The only puzzling thing about the book to me was the seemingly impulsive leap into the 80 day journey in the first place? It was so out of character for the man we were introduced to ~ that lived his life in such a structured and punctual manner ~ to just jump at the challenge. Maybe even he hungered for a change from his highly scheduled, predictable routine? If ever I undertake such a journey tho, I need to do it just as he did so as to cheat time out of an extra day on earth. 

I loved this book, and because I loved it, I have to learn more about its author, Jules Verne. For starters, how did he get to be so freaking smart? There was no "google" in the late 1800's for him to cross reference and yet, as I read, I learned about shipping schedules, how the American railway system was built, where the tracks ran and a whole sundry of information from the country of India to British Hong Kong, etc., etc. Pretty incredible. If you want to read it, you may want to schedule time. I literally started it of an evening, got so engrossed, I couldn't put it down until I finished!

It's interesting how I came to this book too ~ never thumb your nose at a historical romance because the last one I read (Chasing Cassandra) mentioned a smattering of classic literature within its pages of which this 'Around the World in Eighty Days' was one. Another thing I love ~ when I learn about new books thru reading a book or better still, being introduced to a fellow book lover (real or imaginary) because of words sandwiched between a front and back cover. Truly a treasure.

The Wives

Here's my one sentence sum up ~ the synopsis & the ending will head spin you. They're two completely different presumptions!! I don't think that spoils anything??? There's also not one character in the book who doesn't incite suspicion at one point or another...

Confession: I did not like Thursday from the get go. I liked her even less the further along I got in the book. If you're in a relationship (and you know & agree to the perimeters from the beginning) don't start hating on it just because your feelings change. Get over it, address it or get out of it but don't start stalking and creeping around. At least that's my attitude which made it hard for me to accept her behaviors.

In the end, you understood what was happening but that knowledge made her actions even more disturbing. A note of caution: there are a few tough topics in the book that could evoke strong emotional responses (miscarriage, mental health, & polygamy.)

Really quick read but I think it wraps my short run of reading suspense ~ at least for the moment. I can't quite accurately rate it ~ there were times I thought it was ridiculous but obviously I kept going. Oh wait, maybe it's safe to compare it to a train wreck you can't look away from but don't really want to see???!!

And Then There Were None

It's been a looonng time since I'd read an Agatha Christie novel. I couldn't remember how I could read them and not get scared but now it's all come back to me ~ they're insanely cunning but not psycho violent or gruesome like so many popular books are in this genre today. It also came back to me that I used to wonder how someone could plot out a mystery as thoroughly as she could and understand the ends & outs & methods of murder without having a criminal bent herself. Just think about the ending!! I couldn't have set the logistics up and pulled that off if I'd thought about it for five years.

She's a flipping genius at keeping the reader guessing. I did NOT for one second guess who was knocking everyone off! In fact, I kept thinking there HAD to be an 11th person somewhere on the premises. Very clever Ms Christie!

I was almost frustrated beyond belief because my Library download inserted an excerpt from 'Death on the Nile' after the epilogue. I literally felt like cursing at my Kindle because I thought the book had ended without a resolution & I was the one not smart enough to figure it out. Thank God I kept slogging thru the excerpt, not reading it but wondering if there was anything at the end to save me from going crazy. So, reader alert, if this occurs in every book or downloaded edition, keep reading!!!!

It will be worth your while!!!!

When We Left Cuba

As soon as I finished 'Next Year in Havana' I checked my library to see if Beatrizs' story was available. I figured there'd be a wait list (based on the popularity of the first book) but incredibly I was able to download it right away. It made for a seamless transition from Elisa's story to Beatrizs' and I'm thrilled it worked out that way.

Beatriz intrigued me from the first novel. She seemed so mysterious, I just had to know what drove her. She was definitely a headstrong, passionate, loyal & bold woman. I would also add defiant, lucky and impetuous. Once she was in (whether it be love, espionage, love of country, etc.) she was ALL in. No doubt some of her decisions were insanely reckless. I added the adjective "lucky" because by all accounts, she could have lost her life more than once. I don't think I'd have been brave enough to make the same choices she did. Fortunately, at the end of the book, it seemed she was pleased with how her life played out despite having given up many traditional roles.

Where 'Next Year in Havana' dealt with the Cuban Revolution and Castro coming to power ~ 'When We Left Cuba' dealt with the aftermath of the Revolution & how to depose Fidel & return the exiles back to their beloved country. The author did her homework and a lot of history was covered in both books. This book included plots by the CIA to overthrow Castro, the 'Bay of Pigs' debacle, Kennedys' Presidency, etc., etc. It was light reading and then again it wasn't because of the subject matter. I have such a new compassion for the Cuban people after having read both books. One thing that was interesting, the main characters behind the Revolution (Castro included) were adult children of upper class families ~ the same people benefiting from the system in place under Batista. Fascinating they didn't want to just go along with the status quo and enjoy the luxuries afforded to them. Was it education that made them want something different for everyone?? or something else?? It was immensely sad it did not work out the way they had envisioned. In fact, in overthrowing Batista, nothing improved except for Castros' situation ~ everyone else lost all or were in greatly diminished positions.

Don't be dissuaded by the somewhat deep subject matter, the book was lightened considerably by the romance between Beatriz and Nick. I don't even have to say I enjoyed that even tho it was fraught with complications. Beatriz and I have zero in common but maybe that's why I found her so interesting??

In summary, I would not hesitate to pick up another of this authors books!  She has a very readable style and easy manner of penning a story.