The Pillars of the Earth- Ken Follett

It’s been almost four months since I finished the last available Song of Ice and Fire book, and I have to admit that I have been feeling the absence. Pillars of the Earth, while not completely replacing my interest in getting another book about the people of Westros as soon as humanly possible, definitely has given me a new author to enjoy while I wait. 

Similar to the Song of Ice and Fire series, Pillars of the Earth is told through multiple viewpoints of various characters affected by events that affect the national landscape, as well as in smaller, more personal ways. Spanning nearly forty years in England, where battles between the church and the crown are commonplace, we meet Tom, Ellen, Phillip, Aliena, Jack, William, and a host of other characters, from immediately likable to downright vile. We witness the trials and tribulations of building a cathedral, weathering politics driven by corrupt people, and war.

What struck me the most about this book is how well the characters are written. As opposed to the Martin series, Follett’s Pillars of the Earth has clear protagonists and antagonists, to the point that I’m not sure I’ve been so infuriated by characters and their actions against other, inherently good characters in a long time. At the same time, the protagonists are still imperfect, and you root for them despite their flaws. It’s fantastic writing.

This is definitely a 5. It took me almost a month to read, but it was totally worth it, and don’t let the length deter you, 700+ pages still doesn’t seem like enough. I’ll definitely be reading some of Ken Follett’s other offerings while I wait for George RR Martin to finish The Winds of Winter.

Silver Linings Playbook- Matthew Quick

It’s not often that I see and love a movie, look up the book it was based on, and love that equally as much, if not more. Silver Linings Playbook is the only one, come to think of it. Frequently I have the issue that whatever I see or read first is what I like the most. No, that's not quite right... the book is always better, but I usually have some amount of trouble getting into a book when I know what’s going to happen after having seen the movie. It’s the main reason I’ve never been able to get into the lord of the rings books. 

Silver Linings Playbook is, in both of its formats, absolutely phenomenal. The movie was up for multiple Oscars, for good reason, and Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence are fantastic. It’s possible I’m biased about both of them, however if you’ve seen this movie, I’m sure you’ll agree. But I’m pretty sure that this is a website for books, so I’ll get back on point…

The book is different from the movie, yes. Not quite as perfect and clear cut, but compelling in a completely different way. I am utterly impressed with Quick’s storytelling and writing abilities and probably will check out his other books. The premise is the same: Pat is in a mental facility for reasons unknown at the beginning, when he is released into the care of his mother and Philadelphia Eagles crazy father. Tiffany is a widow dealing with her own demons. The two are good for each other, and both end up on the road to recovery despite some bumps along the way.

I can’t give enough compliments for how well the book is written. Told from Pat’s point of view, it’s engrossing and interesting. At one point Pat skips through a period of several months with a movie montage of him getting stronger and better, telling you along the way to imagine his theme song playing over it. And that is only one of Quick’s storytelling devices, multiple more in the same vein are utilized to great effect. Just incredible. It’s not often that I see something so novel that works so well.

Definite 5- one of the best books I have read this short year, and I’ll be purchasing it to read again soon. Love, love, loved it.

Quick Hits for February

Read 2/2/13- The Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan- Exactly what you'd expect if you've read any of these books. Fast read, Greek/Roman heroes, teen romance, danger and magic. Setup for the next book in the series was a little heavy handed but I liked it all the same. 3/5

Read 2/4/13- Notorious Nineteen by Janet Evanovich- Nineteen is like the eighteen books before it... Cute, funny, and entertaining. Mostly unchanging as well, but this series is successful for a reason. It's been another few days well spent with Stephanie, Morelli, Ranger, Lula and Grandma Mazur. As always. 3/5

Girl in Translation- Jean Kwok

 

Our first book club selection of the year! 

Girl in Translation was a cute, semiautobiographical book that follows Kimberly Chang, an immigrant who arrives in New York City with her mother from Hong Kong. It chronicles Kim’s struggles and adversity as a young girl who has a “knack for school,” working alongside her mother in a sweatshop at night and working through classes and schoolwork to get out of that life during the day.

This was a very interesting book. It makes you uncomfortable at several moments, but you keep reading because it’s so gripping. You want nothing more than the best for Kim and her mother, if only because the squalor that they are put through daily is inhumane and unnecessary. It makes me wonder how much of this is true, and whether people are forced to live like this for the freedom that America offers. 

I gave this a 4, mostly because I was unhappy with the way it ended. If it’s what really happened, then ok, but if not, I don’t like it on principle. I don’t feel like I can say anything more than that without explaining myself and spoiling the way the book ends, so I’ll leave it at that, but it was certainly a topic of discussion at book club!