The Night Circus
, by Erin MorgensternIs it possible to really love and be disappointed by a book at the same time? I suppose if it is true in life it can be true in reading. I don't want to discourage anyone from reading this book; the visual imagery you get is outstanding and the imaginative plot is great. It was the ending that disappointed me. I felt like there were loose ends that were not tied up that should have been. Couldn't we learn Mr. A.H-'s whole name? This is book is a rare instance in which I think the movie version will be better.
Into the Wild
, by Jon KrakauerI personally think Jon Krakauer is a great writer. Into the Wild is one of my favorite books of all time. One that I keep and re-read. The story is intriguing, haunting and sad. I still wonder if Christopher McCandless aka Alexander Supertramp was brilliant or crazy or both. In any case, he was brave. His story is definitely worth reading. It should also be noted that Krakauer changed his theory regarding Christopher's death after the book was published. The movie version of this book is also outstanding, but seriously, read the book too.
Gone Girl
, by Gillian FlynnThis book grabbed me instantly and I couldn't put it down, for that, it's worth reading. I also liked her style of writing. However, I was not thrilled with the outcome of the story. I just kept thinking, "really?....like really?". I might be alone in this boat, as this book as received rave reviews. That said, I haven't really heard a full opinion of what others thought of the ending....please feel free to comment here. If they make a movie of this book (it looks like this will happen), I'll be curious to see if they change the ending.
What are your books of late?
I have read "Into The Wild". I must say that while I really like Jon Krakauer (I have read at least one other book he authored), I did NOT like the people in this book. To be so competitive you become inhuman. Well, to me nothing is worth that. However, he is an excellent author - and the story is very well written!
ReplyDeleteHave you read the book on George Mallory? I think it was written by Jeffrey Archer. That is one of the best mountaineering stories I've ever heard (listened to the audio book) - and true, too. If you like Krakauer, you might like this one.
I haven't heard of the other books. I'll have to give them a peek. Thanks for sharing. I love to hear what other people I know are reading.
Lerrina
Hi Lerrina,
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting. I'm curious to know what you mean about people in the book being competitive? Although Christopher met people along the way, this was pretty much a solo journey. Do you mean competitive with himself? I have not read the George Mallory book, I'll have to check that out. Thanks for the suggestion!
I thought the same thing about the ending of Gone Girl! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad I'm not the only one!!
DeleteI also enjoyed "Into the Wild". I had already read "Into Thin Air" also by Krakauer about a real tradgedy on Everest. The most interesting thing I find about these stories is how everyone always wants to know what is the one thing we did wrong or that we couldn't handle. Krakauer is great at pointing out it is everything else we think we have handled that robs us of energy, perspective, or options before the last straw gets placed on the camel's back. And maybe that is the lesson people hope to learn from extreme sports or experiences. How much can I take, how many wrong decisions can I make before I'm not able to recover.
ReplyDeleteHi Dipster,
DeleteThanks for stopping by! I like your perspective, its so true. It is never just one thing, but a series of missteps. I am also so interested in what it is inside some people that they can push themselves so far.
gone girl was kind of a mixed bag for me. when i started it, i thought, "hmmm, interesting..." and then about 50 pages or so in i literally could not put it down. as in, i stayed up until 4 o'clock in the morning just to finish it! (and i have a baby who wakes up at 5:30 or 6 everyday!) but then once i got to the end it left me with a really dark feeling. it was enjoyable to read, but the ending was so...dysfunctional. i was hoping for something a little lighter i guess.
ReplyDeleteHi Jo,
DeleteThanks for stopping by! You totally nailed it. The end is SO dysfunctional....I wonder if it was written this way so that there could be a sequel? I'm glad I'm not the only one who felt that way about it.