Being Dead by Jim Crace

In Being Dead, Joseph and Celice visit Baritone Bay, their special place, to rekindle a lost flame. While enjoying a picnic they are brutally murdered. Crace traces back their history from the day they met as college students up until their tragic deaths.

Throughout the story, Crace vividly describes what happens to their decomposing bodies, from bugs to the effects of the weather. Then flashes back to when Joseph and Celice were alive and works up to how they died. It sounds confusing with the time changes but it was easy to follow.

I had wanted to read this book years ago when I was into horror novels and the somewhat grotesque. When I couldn't find it in store I reluctantly settled for Crace's The Pesthouse. I just recently ordered Being Dead and was so excited because I had waited so long.

Unfortunately I waited too long to get this book. My taste in books has drastically changed and broadened since then. I found that the writing was good but the description of their decomposing bodies made me very squeamish. And the story of their life was equally depressing. They had a fairly mundane, passionless life and were not given the chance to redeem themselves.

I found this book to be boring, disgusting, depressing, and not nearly as imaginative and engrossing as The Pesthouse. I think I was so disappointed because I had waited so long to read it and I was so hyped. I give this book a sad Thumbs Down.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Blog Bookmark Gadgets

Strangers by Taichi Yamada

Strangers was written by Japanese screenwriter Taichi Yamada and translated to English. The 47 year old main character Harada has recently divorced and is living in his office. On his birthday he decides to visit his hometown that he has not been to in years. While he is there he finds a couple that looks exactly like his parents at the age they were when they died (in their 30's). He spends time with this couple trying to understand who these people are.

Harada struggles with his tragic past and his current loneliness.He finds comfort in this couple with whom he feels like a kid again. But this happiness could only last for so long before it began to take a toll on his health.

I couldn't put the book down. I loved the story, suspense, mystery, and shock-value. At the end of the book the whole story comes together and it leaves you wanting to read more. It's only 200 pages long so it is a fast read. I highly recommend this book to anyone that likes Japanese and Korean films, especially ghost stories.

I give this book a Thumbs Up!

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Blog Bookmark Gadgets

Twilight by Stephanie Meyer

So I finally read Twilight. After all of the hype I've heard about it I had to read it out of curiosity. It took me so long to get to it because I don't read teen books and I was bit skeptical.

If you don't already know, Twilight is about a romance between Edward (a vampire) and Bella (a human). They meet in high school and instantly fall in love. Edward is classy, intelligent, and a "vegetarian". He lives in Forks with his good vampire family, the Cullens. Bella recently moved to rainy Forks to live with her father. She is also intelligent but a bit awkward.

The book encounters very little actual danger for being a vampire book. It was more about teenage drama then a typical vampire romance. I found the book to be quite uneventful. I guess I expected more to be involved. But it was just a basic plot; a love story. While I wasn't in love with the book, I can definitely understand why the book is so popular. It's a teenage girl's fantasy. What I don't get is how girls as young as 8 are reading the book. How can they understand the message at that age?

Anyways, the book was and wasn't like I expected. I thought Bella was obnoxious and an overall unrelatable character. I thought the Cullens were kinda wussy. And I thought the plot lacked depth. Even though I thought the book didn't have a lot happening, I couldn't put it down. I did think it was a good read. Not excellent, but I did enjoy it. I give Twilight a Thumbs Up.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Blog Bookmark Gadgets

The Pesthouse by Jim Crace

The Pesthouse is set in a futuristic America. The economy had collapsed leaving a poor and desolate nation. Law and order has broken down. Only a handful of small farmers remain as others had emigrated to more prosperous countries. The only hope for Franklin Lopez is to travel to the east to board a ship to Europe.With very little belongings Franklin and his brother leave their farm and mother behind to search for a better life in Europe. They travel by foot with a wheelbarrow filled with supplies. It is a long and difficult trek. Along the way they encounter many obstacles including bandits.

This novel read almost like an adventure/fantasy book. It was quite different however. The plot didn't play out like I'd expected. I like books that are different or strange (as long as they are written well). This one fit that category. It was a nice book of two men on a dangerous journey. I also like survival/disaster books. This one had a post-apocalyptic feel.

I couldn't put this book down. I loved it. I give it a Thumbs Up!

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Blog Bookmark Gadgets

Fledgling by Octavia Butler

Fledgling by Octavia Butler is a very unique spin on vampires. Shori's vampire race ages slowly. She is fifty three years old but appears to be a young girl. The Ina girl is found alone near a forest. She has amnesia that has completely erased everything she knew about herself. She must learn about being a vampire all over again. But the worst part is that her entire female Ina family has been murdered. Shori is a genetically modified vampire that is able to tolerate sunlight because of her dark skin. But someone cannot accept the Ina's progression and wants to destroy Shori. "Butler casts an unflinching eye on racism, sexism, poverty, and ignorance and lets the reader see the terror and beauty of human nature."- The Washington Post

This was an amazing story. Very strange but refreshing to read such a different take on vampires. The beginning had me completely gripped. I thought it got a little slow around the middle. There was a lot of talk about vampire law and court. And then the ending got really interesting again. Overall, I loved this book. I give it a "Thumbs Up".

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Blog Bookmark Gadgets

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

.
Water for Elephants takes place during the Depression. A young man, Jacob, leaves his life behind after a terrible tragedy. He jumps on a train and begins working with a travelling circus. He becomes good friends with a circus worker and infatuated with a beautiful performer who is married to a cruel animal trainer.Jacob also becomes friends with an elephant, Rosie.

This was a very good book. It was a quick read and good for the summer. The author creates a vivid description of the struggling circus. You can almost see the crew members set up, the acts performed for the crowds, and the sweet elephant Rosie. Animal lovers will like this book. There are some parts about animal cruelty which I didn't like but overall it wasn't that bad. While a lot of the book evolved around Jacob's friendship with Rosie, there was also a love interest with Marlena.

I give this book a Thumbs Up.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Blog Bookmark Gadgets