Take a photo of a barcode or cover
854 reviews by:
becca_osborn
Written in letter form, this is a story of two sisters, Nettie and Celie, who are separated very young due to tough circumstances, but believe that one day they'll be reunited again.
I've been wanting to read this book for some time, and I couldn't have read it at a more perfect time in my life. Walker's writing is honest, vivid, and cuts to the quick, and this work is absolutely deserving of a Pulitzer prize. Completely aside, I'm absolutely a sucker for books written in this form, and Walker absolutely kills it - her character development in this form is great while still not straying from the letter form (many I've read will stray from the letter form to do this) but also in the diction she chooses for each character is spot on. She writes about difficult topics in ways that point to truth on who the guilty is (calling out wrongdoers *and* not shaming those who were/are wronged.). This is a difficult read, but a read well worth it.
This is my first Alice Walker book, (edited to add: I've read the short story, Everyday Use) and I can't wait to read more by her!
Pairings: Poisonwood Bible, A tree grows in brooklyn
I've been wanting to read this book for some time, and I couldn't have read it at a more perfect time in my life. Walker's writing is honest, vivid, and cuts to the quick, and this work is absolutely deserving of a Pulitzer prize. Completely aside, I'm absolutely a sucker for books written in this form, and Walker absolutely kills it - her character development in this form is great while still not straying from the letter form (many I've read will stray from the letter form to do this) but also in the diction she chooses for each character is spot on. She writes about difficult topics in ways that point to truth on who the guilty is (calling out wrongdoers *and* not shaming those who were/are wronged.). This is a difficult read, but a read well worth it.
This is my first Alice Walker book, (edited to add: I've read the short story, Everyday Use) and I can't wait to read more by her!
Pairings: Poisonwood Bible, A tree grows in brooklyn
I have a weakness for stories of origin. My ancient languages background aided in my enjoyment, but reader - I loved this epic.
I was unsure about the translation process at first, but I ended up liking how it read.
The history of this story is fascinating enough, but all of the themes, the stories, the repetition is/was core to what was (probably) happening during the time it was written. I especially loved the flood story and the uses of the fantastic.
I'm thankful I didn't read this in high school because I wouldn't have appreciated it.
I was unsure about the translation process at first, but I ended up liking how it read.
The history of this story is fascinating enough, but all of the themes, the stories, the repetition is/was core to what was (probably) happening during the time it was written. I especially loved the flood story and the uses of the fantastic.
I'm thankful I didn't read this in high school because I wouldn't have appreciated it.
John Griffin is a white man who undergoes extreme measures to become a black man and walk around the southeast in the late 50s. What he finds is astounding.
Griffin's writing is exact, poignant, and prophetic. Though this was written over 50 years ago, much in Griffin's writing needs to be heard today. I wish I had been introduced to this book much earlier in my life and would've had the chance to wrestle with these difficult questions in my earlier years, especially as a white female growing up in the south where there were rumours that the KKK was mildly active (no one I knew, thankfully).
White people, read this book. There is so much that slips by us, that we don't understand. We can't understand it all, but this is a start.
Griffin's writing is exact, poignant, and prophetic. Though this was written over 50 years ago, much in Griffin's writing needs to be heard today. I wish I had been introduced to this book much earlier in my life and would've had the chance to wrestle with these difficult questions in my earlier years, especially as a white female growing up in the south where there were rumours that the KKK was mildly active (no one I knew, thankfully).
White people, read this book. There is so much that slips by us, that we don't understand. We can't understand it all, but this is a start.
Eunsun in recounts her flee from North Korea starting at age 11 and ending when she is a young adult. We watch the perils that she and her family face: losing a father to hunger, being caught by the North Korean guards, run mining for their lives in multiple occasions, modern day slavery...and finally to freedom.
Eunsun is an incredibly talented writer, and I can’t imagine how much more beautiful this book is in Korean. I’m so thankful for her willingness to expose the atrocities happening in North Korea and her boldness in sharing his story to raise awareness to the English speakers of the world about what is really happening and how dire the needs are. I hope to be able to help in some tangible way someday, no matter how small.
Eunsun is an incredibly talented writer, and I can’t imagine how much more beautiful this book is in Korean. I’m so thankful for her willingness to expose the atrocities happening in North Korea and her boldness in sharing his story to raise awareness to the English speakers of the world about what is really happening and how dire the needs are. I hope to be able to help in some tangible way someday, no matter how small.
I just couldn't get into this for now. Might try again in a few months or next year.
Based on a true story, we see the intertwined story between Salva of the 1980s and Nya from the late 2000s and the differences and similarities in their individual and communal struggles to survive in Sudan. Centered around the conflict in the area, we see Salva's grit, survival, and leadership as a lost boy in the Sudan war, and Nya's survival and skepticism of peace in the village that is still under some conflict, even years later. Throughout the story, the conflict is about survival not just of themselves, but of the basic needs of their tribes: they all need access water.
Park's telling of this story, eventually introducing Salva and Nya at the end at the new well between the villages, keeps you on the edge of your seat. Her writing keeps you moving, (similar to how Hemmingway's writing functions) devouring page after page. I read this book in mostly one sitting because I had to know what happened. :) Of course, water is an obvious metaphor in this story, but she doesn't overdo it and keeps it rather subtle where it could've been painfully overdone. Highly recommended.
Pairings: under a painted sky, the old man and the sea,
Park's telling of this story, eventually introducing Salva and Nya at the end at the new well between the villages, keeps you on the edge of your seat. Her writing keeps you moving, (similar to how Hemmingway's writing functions) devouring page after page. I read this book in mostly one sitting because I had to know what happened. :) Of course, water is an obvious metaphor in this story, but she doesn't overdo it and keeps it rather subtle where it could've been painfully overdone. Highly recommended.
Pairings: under a painted sky, the old man and the sea,
Don't be thrown off by the title - this book is surprisingly rich in several truths.
I only read this book because I was to hear JBS speak, and I was very pleasantly surprised. While his lean is definitely evangelical, he speaks of a lot of truths that even apply for this closet anabaptist. ;)
I had intended to write a more detailed review because of how significant these books were in my life, but time slips away, and I forget what insights go with which book. that will have to come with a re-read, which might come later this year. We'll see. :)
I really enjoyed this series and am thankful that Dallas encouraged JBS to write these books. :)
I only read this book because I was to hear JBS speak, and I was very pleasantly surprised. While his lean is definitely evangelical, he speaks of a lot of truths that even apply for this closet anabaptist. ;)
I had intended to write a more detailed review because of how significant these books were in my life, but time slips away, and I forget what insights go with which book. that will have to come with a re-read, which might come later this year. We'll see. :)
I really enjoyed this series and am thankful that Dallas encouraged JBS to write these books. :)
Review coming soon