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raesengele's Reviews (320)
DNF - I read the first chapter and realized that I just didn't care enough about these characters or this story to continue reading.
The Book of Lost Things is the story of a young boy named David growing up in London on the brink of the second World War. The story begins with the loss of David’s mother and the struggle he has with his father falling for a nurse named Rose. After a while of dating, Rose becomes pregnant, driving David’s father to marry her. To escape the war David and his father move into Rose’s family home in the country.
Once at Rose’s, David begins to experience strange things, beginning with hearing the books in his room talk. Soon he begins to have black outs, during which he sees glimpses of another world. One night he hears his dead mother’s voice calling to him from a hole in the garden wall. As he is investigating the hole, a fighter jet comes hurtling towards the garden. Just as the jet crashes into the ground, David crawls in through the hole in the wall.
David comes out on the other side through a hole in a tree that enters into the world that he had seen when he would black out. The first person he meets is a woodsman who tells David not only of the horrors of the land, but also about a king who owns a book called the The Book of Lost Things that just might be able to get David back home. So, the two set out to find the king. On the way David grows from a scared, naive boy to a young man who realizes what it really means to care for someone and that life isn’t always fair, but that doesn’t mean that you can blame those around you for it.
The Book of Lost Things is a beautifully written book with fairy tales woven perfectly throughout it. John Connolly is a master story teller whose characters are wonderfully written, each with their own number of vices as well as their virtues. I like that David begins as a bit of a brat, even if he has his reasons. I also like that he acknowledges his flaws and eventually learns from them. I like that there are no true villains and no true heroes, for even the heroes have their pitfalls. I loved the characterization of Rumpelstiltskin, or, in this realm, the Crooked Man. I loved his mythos and I loved his motives. I loved that he was simply a creature trying to survive, even if it was in such a horrible way.
I loved Connolly’s integration of fairy tales, and especially the way that the children’s understanding of the stories changed the world. I also loved that Connolly’s changes to certain fairy tales had their reasons, he didn’t just change them for the hell of it. As well, I loved Connolly’s voice through out the book. He pulled off that fairy tale voice without going over the top or getting to that point of the “okay, we get it” feeling. The part that I really appreciated, though (and this might just be a nerdy thing specific to my obsessive interest in fairy tales and folk tales), was the inclusion in the back of the book of the origins of the fairy tales and what each fairy tale’s presence represents.
The Book of Lost Things is a wonderfully written story and an exciting read, which was a nice change of pace from the more real-life style books that I have been reading as of late. I actually got to a point where I couldn’t read it during my lunch anymore because I knew I wouldn’t be able to stop once I started. This is definitely one of those books that left me wondering why more people haven’t heard of it. So my recommendation is to read it and if you’ve already read it then recommend it to your friends, your family, your neighbors, your coworkers, the person sitting next to you on the bus, whoever you can. I want this book to be as popular as Twilight! Lord knows, we need some actual literature to seep its way throughout society’s kindles/bookshelves/library cards.
Once at Rose’s, David begins to experience strange things, beginning with hearing the books in his room talk. Soon he begins to have black outs, during which he sees glimpses of another world. One night he hears his dead mother’s voice calling to him from a hole in the garden wall. As he is investigating the hole, a fighter jet comes hurtling towards the garden. Just as the jet crashes into the ground, David crawls in through the hole in the wall.
David comes out on the other side through a hole in a tree that enters into the world that he had seen when he would black out. The first person he meets is a woodsman who tells David not only of the horrors of the land, but also about a king who owns a book called the The Book of Lost Things that just might be able to get David back home. So, the two set out to find the king. On the way David grows from a scared, naive boy to a young man who realizes what it really means to care for someone and that life isn’t always fair, but that doesn’t mean that you can blame those around you for it.
The Book of Lost Things is a beautifully written book with fairy tales woven perfectly throughout it. John Connolly is a master story teller whose characters are wonderfully written, each with their own number of vices as well as their virtues. I like that David begins as a bit of a brat, even if he has his reasons. I also like that he acknowledges his flaws and eventually learns from them. I like that there are no true villains and no true heroes, for even the heroes have their pitfalls. I loved the characterization of Rumpelstiltskin, or, in this realm, the Crooked Man. I loved his mythos and I loved his motives. I loved that he was simply a creature trying to survive, even if it was in such a horrible way.
I loved Connolly’s integration of fairy tales, and especially the way that the children’s understanding of the stories changed the world. I also loved that Connolly’s changes to certain fairy tales had their reasons, he didn’t just change them for the hell of it. As well, I loved Connolly’s voice through out the book. He pulled off that fairy tale voice without going over the top or getting to that point of the “okay, we get it” feeling. The part that I really appreciated, though (and this might just be a nerdy thing specific to my obsessive interest in fairy tales and folk tales), was the inclusion in the back of the book of the origins of the fairy tales and what each fairy tale’s presence represents.
The Book of Lost Things is a wonderfully written story and an exciting read, which was a nice change of pace from the more real-life style books that I have been reading as of late. I actually got to a point where I couldn’t read it during my lunch anymore because I knew I wouldn’t be able to stop once I started. This is definitely one of those books that left me wondering why more people haven’t heard of it. So my recommendation is to read it and if you’ve already read it then recommend it to your friends, your family, your neighbors, your coworkers, the person sitting next to you on the bus, whoever you can. I want this book to be as popular as Twilight! Lord knows, we need some actual literature to seep its way throughout society’s kindles/bookshelves/library cards.
(review originally written in 2010)
I just finished this wonderful book today. It's depressing at times but still amazing. You really do fall in love with Dolores and keep reading in hope that something good will happen for her. There were a few times when I kept thinking, "God, nothing good is going to happen for this girl, and nothing good is going to result in this book. I don't need to be reading something so utterly depressing." But I kept reading in hope that something good was going to happen and it did. I think it was harder for me because the things she kept experiencing were things that I can all too easily relate to. But then again, that's what made it just that mush better. When Dolores starts taking night classes and she says that they had to sit in a circle and introduce themselves, I couldn't help but laugh and ask in amazement why, if they've been doing that since the 80's, no one has declared it dated or useless and stopped doing it. Also, I couldn't help but feel a tinge of pride when I could understand Lamb's references to the 60's and 70's. My parents raised me well, I guess. What I loved the most, though, was the way it ended. I've said it before and I'll say it again; I love stories that end right rather than perfect. Stories that end with a happily-ever-after and a little bow on top, all the loose ends neatly tied in place feel forced to me (COUGH Lost COUGH). I love when a writer just ends the story, the characters are still living and trying their best to get by. Nothing is perfect, but nothing is terrible. Because that's the way life is; we live our lives the best we can until the day we die. Perfect things can happen but life will continue after that, be it good or bad. We all continue living and that's the fact of the matter. Anyways, that's how this book ends; right. Her life isn't perfect, but she's not miserable. She is, for once, happy.
Of course I have to bring up the author, Wally Lamb, who is in fact male. The fact that he was able to pull off such a female voice is extraordinary. So much, that had their not been a picture in the back of Lamb, I would have assumed it was a pen name. Who knows, maybe it is and some woman out there has pulled one over on us all.
Though this book can get depressing, the pay off is totally worth it. Lamb writes with a beautiful flow that breathes life into every one of his characters. Definitely worth a read.
I just finished this wonderful book today. It's depressing at times but still amazing. You really do fall in love with Dolores and keep reading in hope that something good will happen for her. There were a few times when I kept thinking, "God, nothing good is going to happen for this girl, and nothing good is going to result in this book. I don't need to be reading something so utterly depressing." But I kept reading in hope that something good was going to happen and it did. I think it was harder for me because the things she kept experiencing were things that I can all too easily relate to. But then again, that's what made it just that mush better. When Dolores starts taking night classes and she says that they had to sit in a circle and introduce themselves, I couldn't help but laugh and ask in amazement why, if they've been doing that since the 80's, no one has declared it dated or useless and stopped doing it. Also, I couldn't help but feel a tinge of pride when I could understand Lamb's references to the 60's and 70's. My parents raised me well, I guess. What I loved the most, though, was the way it ended. I've said it before and I'll say it again; I love stories that end right rather than perfect. Stories that end with a happily-ever-after and a little bow on top, all the loose ends neatly tied in place feel forced to me (COUGH Lost COUGH). I love when a writer just ends the story, the characters are still living and trying their best to get by. Nothing is perfect, but nothing is terrible. Because that's the way life is; we live our lives the best we can until the day we die. Perfect things can happen but life will continue after that, be it good or bad. We all continue living and that's the fact of the matter. Anyways, that's how this book ends; right. Her life isn't perfect, but she's not miserable. She is, for once, happy.
Of course I have to bring up the author, Wally Lamb, who is in fact male. The fact that he was able to pull off such a female voice is extraordinary. So much, that had their not been a picture in the back of Lamb, I would have assumed it was a pen name. Who knows, maybe it is and some woman out there has pulled one over on us all.
Though this book can get depressing, the pay off is totally worth it. Lamb writes with a beautiful flow that breathes life into every one of his characters. Definitely worth a read.
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Usually, I wouldn't include a synopsis since goodreads already provides it, however, that might have been this book's only downfall: the blurb really doesn't match with the inner contents of the book. But I'll get more into that in a bit.
As for the synopsis--this is a book about grief. You can dress it up however you like, but death, memory, and grief are the key ideas behind this book. After our lead character, 13 year old Theo, loses his mother, he finds himself illegally in the possession of The Goldfinch, a painting by Carel Fabritius depicting a goldfinch who is chained to his perch. Not knowing how to return the painting without getting into trouble, but also not wanting to let go of it, Theo carries it with him as he moves from home to home where he is looked after by people who mean well, but who ultimately can't give him what he needs to move forward. Through out his childhood and into his early adulthood, this painting is one of the few things that pulls Theo forward and keeps him from being swallowed by his own grief.
Entertainment: 3/4 star
For the most part, I was consistently entertained by this book. I think the only time that it really lost me was the Amsterdam section, though it wasn't too bad. I think this might have been because action might not be Tartt's strong suit. Everything else I enjoyed thoroughly. HOWEVER, I love slow, quiet books, so, if that's not what you're interested in, then you might want to skip this one, because, for the most part, it is slow and it is quiet.
Story: 1/2 star
I have very mixed feelings about the story and how it was written. On the one hand, I really did love this story what with my weakness for orphans, dead mothers, and people learning how to live after tragedy. I liked the way that Tartt used the dead mother trope as well as the "evil" stepmother trope. It was also refreshing to see an orphan story where not every single home was abusive. Even though I was taken out of the story a bit with the whole Amsterdam side quest, I do see its purpose in the over all story (kind of) and I was won back over with Theo's return to New York.
However, like I said earlier, what is promised on the inner flap is very misleading to what is actually delivered. While the inner flap isn't wrong, it's just leaving a hell of a lot out. I wouldn't normally do this, but, in this case, I can't really think of a better way to explain what I'm trying to say. So, this is the official blurb:
"Theo Decker, a 13-year-old New Yorker, miraculously survives an accident that kills his mother. Abandoned by his father, Theo is taken in by the family of a wealthy friend. Bewildered by his strange new home on Park Avenue, disturbed by schoolmates who don't know how to talk to him, and tormented above all by his longing for his mother, he clings to the one thing that reminds him of her: a small, mysteriously captivating painting that ultimately draws Theo into the underworld of art.
As an adult, Theo moves silkily between the drawing rooms of the rich and the dusty labyrinth of an antiques store where he works. He is alienated and in love--and at the center of a narrowing, ever more dangerous circle."
The first paragraph, leaving out the "ultimately draws Theo into the underworld of art" bit, summarizes the first 200 pages. The second paragraph, including the "art underworld" bit, doesn't come in until page 643, page 529 if I'm being generous. That's a good 300-400 pages of story that has nothing to do with Theo's "strange new home on Park Avenue," "the underworld of art," or "the center of a narrowing, ever more dangerous circle." While I did enjoy that 300-400 pages, I couldn't help but feel this underlining hum of tension the whole time I was reading it, wondering when this underworld and danger was going to come into play and that is really unfortunate, because I can't help but think that it kept me from fully enjoying this book on the first read through. I will most likely read it again at some point, but, like I said, I enjoy those slow, quiet stories and I can see how someone who doesn't would be really disappointed with this book.
I had read a lot of people saying that the final 50 pages should have been taken out or heavily edited, and, while I don't agree with 50 pages, I would say the last 10, maybe 20, pages were too philosophical and winded to the point where I started drifting a bit. I would have ended it with Theo and Hobie talking in the kitchen, but, at the same time, I can see what Tartt was aiming for.
I will say this though, I would have absolutely nixed that media-res opening and began with the second section of the first chapter instead. I mean, you can't really tell me that "While I was still in Amsterdam, I dreamed about my mother for the first time in years" is a better opening line than "Things would have turned out better if she had lived." Seriously, that second one gives me chills, not to mention it encompasses the overall feel of the story so much better.
Character: 1 star
Character is clearly one of Tartt's strengths. There is not a single character in this story who feels lackluster or one dimensional. Even the tertiary characters feel like real people Tartt has run into on the street. If you look at the reviews on goodreads, there is a general consensus that Boris, Theo's Ukrainian transplant high school friend, is the most interesting character in the book. While I do agree, he is interesting, I had a hard time loving him the way everyone else seems to. Admittedly, this has nothing to do with Tartt's writing, in fact, it may be a testament to her writing that she so deftly transported me back to high school when I had friends who were very much like Boris: charismatic, likable, and larger than life with a self-destructive streak, a dark home life, and a whirlwind of chaos constantly on their heels. They have big hearts and care about you, but can also be selfish in the way that they believe wholeheartedly that they know better than you and what is best for you. Every time that Boris talked over Theo or changed the subject so as not to tell him everything or refused to listen to what Theo wanted (or needed) in that moment put me right back in that place of being hushed because "I know what's good for you." It also made me frustrated at Theo for falling into Boris' spell, despite knowing that it's an easy spell to fall under. I enjoy reading about Boris, but, if I met him in person, I would absolutely keep him at arm's length.
And that brings me to Theo's character, I was so constantly frustrated with Theo and his refusal to speak up or tell the people in his life what he wanted or needed. This sounds like a negative, but the truth is, in literary fiction, this is, in my opinion, a good thing. With literary stories, there is rarely an external antagonist. Often times, the protagonist is their own antagonist, standing in their own way and keeping them from being the best that they can be. This is what I love about literary fiction and is one of my criteria for categorizing a book as such. Though, there is a case for Theo never actually conquering his inner antagonist, but sometimes that's just how life works.
If I had to say who was the best character in the book, I would honestly say Hobie. I loved him and wanted so much more of him. But, I also have a weakness for giant teddy bears who live in their own heads or try their absolute damnedest to see the absolute best in those around them.
Writing Style: 1 star
Tartt has a beautiful and fluid writing style that I absolutely adore and admire. Though, at 771 pages, this is a doorstop of a book, there was never a point where I was counting the pages except to decide where I absolutely had to stop if I didn't want to find myself two hours later still reading and having never gotten up to eat or work or sleep. There's a level of nihilism to her writing that works with this story. Granted, this is the first of her books that I've read, so I don't know if that's just her writing style or if it's Theo's. On that note, I didn't feel like the whole fictional-character-penning-his-own-memoir trope had a whole lot of pay off here. I can see what Tartt was going for, but I don't think it landed all that well. It didn't, however, ruin the writing for me.
Descriptions: 1 star
The descriptions were also superb. Having never been to New York or Amsterdam, I saw it all. Tartt has a way of describing with intention. Each description is attached to a feeling or a memory which makes each item or place much more meaningful and tactile in the viewing of Theo's world.
Total: 4.25 stars (rounded down for goodreads)
In the end, I really did enjoy this book. I could have done without the first and final sections, but everything in between was great, even if I wasn't properly prepared for it. I definitely think The Goldfinch deserves a reread, maybe even a purchase so it can sit on my shelf next to Janet Fitch's White Oleander the other book that makes me feel like a monster for loving so much.
As for the synopsis--this is a book about grief. You can dress it up however you like, but death, memory, and grief are the key ideas behind this book. After our lead character, 13 year old Theo, loses his mother, he finds himself illegally in the possession of The Goldfinch, a painting by Carel Fabritius depicting a goldfinch who is chained to his perch. Not knowing how to return the painting without getting into trouble, but also not wanting to let go of it, Theo carries it with him as he moves from home to home where he is looked after by people who mean well, but who ultimately can't give him what he needs to move forward. Through out his childhood and into his early adulthood, this painting is one of the few things that pulls Theo forward and keeps him from being swallowed by his own grief.
Entertainment: 3/4 star
For the most part, I was consistently entertained by this book. I think the only time that it really lost me was the Amsterdam section, though it wasn't too bad. I think this might have been because action might not be Tartt's strong suit. Everything else I enjoyed thoroughly. HOWEVER, I love slow, quiet books, so, if that's not what you're interested in, then you might want to skip this one, because, for the most part, it is slow and it is quiet.
Story: 1/2 star
I have very mixed feelings about the story and how it was written. On the one hand, I really did love this story what with my weakness for orphans, dead mothers, and people learning how to live after tragedy. I liked the way that Tartt used the dead mother trope as well as the "evil" stepmother trope. It was also refreshing to see an orphan story where not every single home was abusive. Even though I was taken out of the story a bit with the whole Amsterdam side quest, I do see its purpose in the over all story (kind of) and I was won back over with Theo's return to New York.
However, like I said earlier, what is promised on the inner flap is very misleading to what is actually delivered. While the inner flap isn't wrong, it's just leaving a hell of a lot out. I wouldn't normally do this, but, in this case, I can't really think of a better way to explain what I'm trying to say. So, this is the official blurb:
"Theo Decker, a 13-year-old New Yorker, miraculously survives an accident that kills his mother. Abandoned by his father, Theo is taken in by the family of a wealthy friend. Bewildered by his strange new home on Park Avenue, disturbed by schoolmates who don't know how to talk to him, and tormented above all by his longing for his mother, he clings to the one thing that reminds him of her: a small, mysteriously captivating painting that ultimately draws Theo into the underworld of art.
As an adult, Theo moves silkily between the drawing rooms of the rich and the dusty labyrinth of an antiques store where he works. He is alienated and in love--and at the center of a narrowing, ever more dangerous circle."
The first paragraph, leaving out the "ultimately draws Theo into the underworld of art" bit, summarizes the first 200 pages. The second paragraph, including the "art underworld" bit, doesn't come in until page 643, page 529 if I'm being generous. That's a good 300-400 pages of story that has nothing to do with Theo's "strange new home on Park Avenue," "the underworld of art," or "the center of a narrowing, ever more dangerous circle." While I did enjoy that 300-400 pages, I couldn't help but feel this underlining hum of tension the whole time I was reading it, wondering when this underworld and danger was going to come into play and that is really unfortunate, because I can't help but think that it kept me from fully enjoying this book on the first read through. I will most likely read it again at some point, but, like I said, I enjoy those slow, quiet stories and I can see how someone who doesn't would be really disappointed with this book.
I had read a lot of people saying that the final 50 pages should have been taken out or heavily edited, and, while I don't agree with 50 pages, I would say the last 10, maybe 20, pages were too philosophical and winded to the point where I started drifting a bit. I would have ended it with Theo and Hobie talking in the kitchen, but, at the same time, I can see what Tartt was aiming for.
I will say this though, I would have absolutely nixed that media-res opening and began with the second section of the first chapter instead. I mean, you can't really tell me that "While I was still in Amsterdam, I dreamed about my mother for the first time in years" is a better opening line than "Things would have turned out better if she had lived." Seriously, that second one gives me chills, not to mention it encompasses the overall feel of the story so much better.
Character: 1 star
Character is clearly one of Tartt's strengths. There is not a single character in this story who feels lackluster or one dimensional. Even the tertiary characters feel like real people Tartt has run into on the street. If you look at the reviews on goodreads, there is a general consensus that Boris, Theo's Ukrainian transplant high school friend, is the most interesting character in the book. While I do agree, he is interesting, I had a hard time loving him the way everyone else seems to. Admittedly, this has nothing to do with Tartt's writing, in fact, it may be a testament to her writing that she so deftly transported me back to high school when I had friends who were very much like Boris: charismatic, likable, and larger than life with a self-destructive streak, a dark home life, and a whirlwind of chaos constantly on their heels. They have big hearts and care about you, but can also be selfish in the way that they believe wholeheartedly that they know better than you and what is best for you. Every time that Boris talked over Theo or changed the subject so as not to tell him everything or refused to listen to what Theo wanted (or needed) in that moment put me right back in that place of being hushed because "I know what's good for you." It also made me frustrated at Theo for falling into Boris' spell, despite knowing that it's an easy spell to fall under. I enjoy reading about Boris, but, if I met him in person, I would absolutely keep him at arm's length.
And that brings me to Theo's character, I was so constantly frustrated with Theo and his refusal to speak up or tell the people in his life what he wanted or needed. This sounds like a negative, but the truth is, in literary fiction, this is, in my opinion, a good thing. With literary stories, there is rarely an external antagonist. Often times, the protagonist is their own antagonist, standing in their own way and keeping them from being the best that they can be. This is what I love about literary fiction and is one of my criteria for categorizing a book as such. Though, there is a case for Theo never actually conquering his inner antagonist, but sometimes that's just how life works.
If I had to say who was the best character in the book, I would honestly say Hobie. I loved him and wanted so much more of him. But, I also have a weakness for giant teddy bears who live in their own heads or try their absolute damnedest to see the absolute best in those around them.
Writing Style: 1 star
Tartt has a beautiful and fluid writing style that I absolutely adore and admire. Though, at 771 pages, this is a doorstop of a book, there was never a point where I was counting the pages except to decide where I absolutely had to stop if I didn't want to find myself two hours later still reading and having never gotten up to eat or work or sleep. There's a level of nihilism to her writing that works with this story. Granted, this is the first of her books that I've read, so I don't know if that's just her writing style or if it's Theo's. On that note, I didn't feel like the whole fictional-character-penning-his-own-memoir trope had a whole lot of pay off here. I can see what Tartt was going for, but I don't think it landed all that well. It didn't, however, ruin the writing for me.
Descriptions: 1 star
The descriptions were also superb. Having never been to New York or Amsterdam, I saw it all. Tartt has a way of describing with intention. Each description is attached to a feeling or a memory which makes each item or place much more meaningful and tactile in the viewing of Theo's world.
Total: 4.25 stars (rounded down for goodreads)
In the end, I really did enjoy this book. I could have done without the first and final sections, but everything in between was great, even if I wasn't properly prepared for it. I definitely think The Goldfinch deserves a reread, maybe even a purchase so it can sit on my shelf next to Janet Fitch's White Oleander the other book that makes me feel like a monster for loving so much.
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Entertainment: 1 star
I went into this book expecting it to be just simple fairy tales that I wouldn't get a whole lot out of. What I wasn't expecting was for each story to be followed by an analysis about the story written by Dumbledore. This bumped up my interest immediately...
Story: 1 star
...The analysis turns out to be an amusing commentary on fairy tales and fairy tale analysis--how stories change over time, how they reflect the people who tell them, how we use them to teach lessons, how people sanitize stories to protect the children, but end up just watering it down to the point of destroying the original lesson.
Character: .75 stars
The reason I didn't give character a full star is because, personally, I felt that Dumbledore's sections didn't entirely feel like the Dumbledore from the original series. Because I can't really say if this is a narrative choice or just the line between Rowling and the headmaster blurring, I decided it would be better to give the character category 3/4 star.
Writing Style: 1 star
It's J.K. Rowling, what more can I say about this part.
Descriptions: 1 star
Though this book isn't really a "description" sort of book, I decided to give it a full star because the world building that sat just beneath the stories and the analysis made them feel like they were part of an actual world and not just fluff to make money off of.
Total: 4.75 (rounded up for goodreads)
I have to admit, I've been so cynical about the Harry Potter franchise as of late with every new addition feeling more like cash grabs than actual attempts to broaden and explore the universe and I was expecting it to be cute but not having much substance and end up with three stars, four at most. Thankfully, I was wrong. I was so absolutely wrong.
I went into this book expecting it to be just simple fairy tales that I wouldn't get a whole lot out of. What I wasn't expecting was for each story to be followed by an analysis about the story written by Dumbledore. This bumped up my interest immediately...
Story: 1 star
...The analysis turns out to be an amusing commentary on fairy tales and fairy tale analysis--how stories change over time, how they reflect the people who tell them, how we use them to teach lessons, how people sanitize stories to protect the children, but end up just watering it down to the point of destroying the original lesson.
Character: .75 stars
The reason I didn't give character a full star is because, personally, I felt that Dumbledore's sections didn't entirely feel like the Dumbledore from the original series. Because I can't really say if this is a narrative choice or just the line between Rowling and the headmaster blurring, I decided it would be better to give the character category 3/4 star.
Writing Style: 1 star
It's J.K. Rowling, what more can I say about this part.
Descriptions: 1 star
Though this book isn't really a "description" sort of book, I decided to give it a full star because the world building that sat just beneath the stories and the analysis made them feel like they were part of an actual world and not just fluff to make money off of.
Total: 4.75 (rounded up for goodreads)
I have to admit, I've been so cynical about the Harry Potter franchise as of late with every new addition feeling more like cash grabs than actual attempts to broaden and explore the universe and I was expecting it to be cute but not having much substance and end up with three stars, four at most. Thankfully, I was wrong. I was so absolutely wrong.
This book was interesting and informative, however, I feel like it was a bit rushed or just looked over since it is one of the "lesser" sabbats. I found a lot of typos, awkward sentences, or repetitious wording/phrasing through out the last few sections of the book that should have been caught by an editor before going to print. The section "Winter to the Ancients" was especially repetitive and could have been cut down by several sentences, if not paragraphs.
As is usual with Llewellyn books there was some "historical" information that felt vague or even iffy to me. For example, on page 26 the author states, "The common theme throughout the stories and poems of the Celts...is that Brigid is all about transformation and new beginnings." The author however never mentions which stories or poems. As well, no where in the book could I find any primary sources for finding these stories or poems. Since Imbolc is Brigid's sabbat, it would be nice to know some good resources where one can learn more about her.
Despite the issues I have with the historical aspects of the book (I've learned not to take any historical information Llewellyn provides at face value), the reason to purchase this book, and possibly the series, is for the divination, recipe/craft, blessings, and ritual portion of the book. These sections are what make these books great for beginners or pagans who live in non-pagan friendly areas, like myself, and don't have any like minded people to talk to and learn from.
I really like that this book provides rituals and blessings for solitary practitioners, couples, and large groups, as well as non-ritual ideas for how to celebrate the sabbat. While I would have liked more in depth information like why certain correspondences are linked to this particular sabbat or, as mentioned above, some examples of the stories that included Brigid, this is a good book to lead into further research.
As is usual with Llewellyn books there was some "historical" information that felt vague or even iffy to me. For example, on page 26 the author states, "The common theme throughout the stories and poems of the Celts...is that Brigid is all about transformation and new beginnings." The author however never mentions which stories or poems. As well, no where in the book could I find any primary sources for finding these stories or poems. Since Imbolc is Brigid's sabbat, it would be nice to know some good resources where one can learn more about her.
Despite the issues I have with the historical aspects of the book (I've learned not to take any historical information Llewellyn provides at face value), the reason to purchase this book, and possibly the series, is for the divination, recipe/craft, blessings, and ritual portion of the book. These sections are what make these books great for beginners or pagans who live in non-pagan friendly areas, like myself, and don't have any like minded people to talk to and learn from.
I really like that this book provides rituals and blessings for solitary practitioners, couples, and large groups, as well as non-ritual ideas for how to celebrate the sabbat. While I would have liked more in depth information like why certain correspondences are linked to this particular sabbat or, as mentioned above, some examples of the stories that included Brigid, this is a good book to lead into further research.
While I found this book interesting enough, it was way too prescriptive for my liking. I've been finding more and more that KM Weiland likes to tell you that her way of writing is the only way of writing, and this book especially is bad about that. This isn't a book about structure, it's a book on how KM Weiland approaches structure. Turns out she's extremely fond of the "Hollywood" standard of writing, which clings WAY too steadfastly to its precious three acts, and she's very quick to tell you that if you deviate from those three acts your book will fail, which is by no means the case. I would have liked this book much more if she had explored the many variations on structure that exist rather than only presenting the three acts and leaving it at that. I guess I'm just tired of hearing people hand out rigid advice that encourages writers not to experiment with writing. Too many writers are more concerned with marketability than they are with telling a story and it's sad to see so many people accept their word as fact.
