Monthly Archives: June 2012

Thoughts on Chaim Potok’s The Promise (by Bethany)

Posted on June 11, 2012 by lfpbe

Once, when I was having some experiences that I wanted to talk over with a therapist, I spoke to several practitioners on the phone and chose the one who responded to the details of my situation by saying “Holy shit!” … Continue reading →

Posted in Authors, Chaim Potok, Fiction - general, Fiction - literary, Reviews by Bethany | Leave a comment

Progress Report: Thoughts on chapter 1 of Allende’s The House of the Spirits (by Bethany)

Posted on June 8, 2012 by lfpbe

William Faulkner famously said, “The past is not dead; in fact, it is not even past,” and I think it’s hard to even begin to appreciate magic realism without considering this idea. Magic realism seems to emerge from cultures rich … Continue reading →

Posted in AP English - 18 Years Later, Authors, Fiction - general, Fiction - literary, Isabel Allende, Reviews by Bethany | 11 Comments

Progress report, AP English Challenge: The House of the Spirits (by Jill)

Posted on June 6, 2012 by badkitty1016

I’m about 1/3 of the way through The House of the Spirits.  I last read this book in its entirety my freshman year of college in a comparative literature class.  This was not an English class.  At my university, there … Continue reading →

Posted in AP English - 18 Years Later, Authors, Fiction - general, Fiction - literary, Isabel Allende, Reviews by Jill | 10 Comments

Sights and Sounds: Thoughts* on Chaim Potok’s The Chosen (by Bethany)

Posted on June 4, 2012 by lfpbe

* It seems to me that there should be a statute of limitations to the use of the word “review.” After a book has been around for a while, I have trouble saying that I am “reviewing” it. So I think I … Continue reading →

Posted in Authors, Chaim Potok, Fiction - general, Fiction - literary, Reviews by Bethany | 2 Comments

A Review of Hilary Mantel’s Bring Up the Bodies (by Bethany)

Posted on June 2, 2012 by lfpbe

Last week on CNN, Donald Trump was talking again about his suspicions that President Obama was not born in the United States. Anchor John King wasted no words in concluding that Trump’s continuing refusal to let this topic die is … Continue reading →

Posted in Authors, Fiction - general, Fiction - Important Award Winners, Fiction - literary, Hilary Mantel, Reviews by Bethany | 2 Comments

Review of Jonathan Franzen’s Freedom (by Jill)

Posted on June 2, 2012 by badkitty1016

I have to make a confession: I put off reading books that I deem to be “too popular,” no matter how much I am told (or believe myself) I will enjoy them.  For example, I have not read Yann Martel’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Authors, Fiction - general, Fiction - literary, Jonathan Franzen, Reviews by Jill | Leave a comment