Review: The Name of the Rose

2019 CHALLENGE: 1 YOU HAVEN'T READ THAT YET?! PER MONTH 09 / 12

5 stars. I'm reminded of a quote from the film adaptation of The Da Vinci Code, of all things: "who is God, who is man? How many have been murdered over this question?"

[I am NOT comparing the two - they exist on different planets. Maybe in the same galaxy, though.]

The Name of the Rose is not an easy read. I might actually suggest a perusal of the Wikipedia page upon finishing just to tighten any loose knots. I had no trouble comprehending the basics, but the details - and in some cases the dialogue - were difficult to grasp. I have no shame in admitting I needed a dictionary! The details are really what makes this incredible, though.

As soon as William of Baskerville, a Franciscan friar, and his novice Adso arrive at a Benedictine abbey in Italy, they are greeted with trouble. A monk has been found dead under mysterious circumstances, and the abbot asks William to investigate. Through Adso's eyes we watch the mystery deepen and the bodies pile up.

This is not your typical cut-and-dry crime novel, though. William, an obvious Sherlock Holmes type, soon discovers that his basic investigation will have a broader and more complicated impact than he could ever imagine. And the more he pulls on threads, the higher the stakes climb.

I'm not a religious person, but I am deeply interested in religion. After all, it inspires so much good, and so much evil, and I so totally understand the power and the comfort of its rituals. I truly enjoyed Eco's wordy explorations of holy motivations and sin and religious priorities and heresy and belief. He ardently admires and carefully exposes the church with stunning dexterity and poise. The arguments, and the what-ifs, are fascinating.

Don’t worry, there's "cool stuff" here too: a literal library labyrinth, brutal murders, intense courtroom drama, sex, poison, and more. Despite being so challenging, I would describe this as a pageturner - I couldn't wait to pick it back up when I put it down.

But it's certainly not for everyone and it's certainly not a beach read. This is for those in a contemplative, studious mood. There are passages that are, quite honestly, Extra AF. I, Kelly, give you permission to skim these (as well as the Latin), because NOBODY WILL DIE and your reading experience won't suffer. I learned this reading Henry James - stop trying so hard, let the words wash over you, and ride the wave to the end.

The Name of the Rose on: Amazon | Goodreads

Review: The Witch Elm

3 stars. WELL FUCK. I should've loved this. This is my fourth French, and I love her, love her still, even though this didn't hit quite right. Allow me to explain:

1) I'm starting to detect a pattern in French's writing, and certain familiar motifs. This felt similar to Faithful Place in a couple of ways: the well-written and cringe-y Awkward Family Event(s); the Awkward Family Dynamics among siblings I mean cousins; a protagonist who is completely blind about people he's known his whole life; the morality crisis... I could go on. I love that French writes about these things so deftly, it just didn't feel fresh this time.

2) I figured it out way too early! Like less than halfway through! Damn it!

The Witch Elm is about a young, easygoing guy named Toby who on one random and horrifying night is brutally attacked by a couple of burglars. It is nearly impossible for him to adjust to his new body, his new life, the new challenges - he is essentially handicapped. He decides to move to an idyllic childhood holiday home to care for his dying uncle and continue his recovery, but all is interrupted when a skull is discovered in the backyard garden.

It's kind of a weird premise. All the way through I kept wondering whether or not this would be about Toby's injury, his recovery, the burglary itself or whatnot, and it sort of turns into a mishmash of several mysteries orbiting this struggling guy. It takes awhile. I understand French is trying to do a lot here: she's picking apart the concept of luck, exploring victimhood and morality, measuring the weight of choices both small and large... all themes I typically enjoy. It just wasn't enjoyable, here, for me. I should've felt so satisfied watching Toby - who is essentially a golden fuckboy I'd resent so hard IRL - spiral into oblivion after experiencing loss and hardship for the first time. But I didn't. And I almost didn't even care.

That being said, it's unputdownable. French's writing is as delightfully colloquial as ever, and I love her use of detail. I didn't even mind the questionable plot, and that's bothered me somewhat in her other mysteries. It's not that I wouldn't recommend this, I would - it's a solid, deeply philosophical literary thriller - but it doesn't sparkle the way her Dublin Squad books do.

The Witch Elm on: Amazon | Goodreads

Review: Time Stops for No Mouse (The Hermux Tantamoq Adventures #1)

2019 CHALLENGE: 1 RE-READ PER MONTH 10 / 12

5 stars. I wish I could convey how much I adore this book without coming across a bit obsessive. One of my purposes in conducting a re-read challenge for 2019 was to revisit some of the books I enjoyed as a young person - knowing that I wouldn't always experience a gutpunch of nostalgia in a positive way. I wanted to read these books with new eyes and a fresh perspective and see if they held up! And this one, most positively of all my re-reads so far, hugged my heart fiercely.

Time Stops for No Mouse is the first Hermux Tantamoq adventure out of four (far too few, in my opinion!). Hermux, a plucky watchmaker from Pinchester, accidentally stumbles into an evil plot involving an attractive-but-missing aviatrix, a terrifying cosmetics tycoon, hideous modern art, dreadful machinery, disguises, and a short and strange stay at a wellness center. It's an absolutely solid mystery with fantastic, distinct characters, high stakes and clever humor that will appeal to readers of all ages.

I suppose some here reacted negatively to the rather "cute" tone of these books, the names specifically. I actually LOVE the writing. I love the names and the flavor and the cozy undertones. I love the detailed descriptions of the mundane - it's often in these details that the author is his most amusing. Side note: I actually bought apples and cheese at the grocery store after reading about Hermux's delightful snacks. Where can I find some honey fizz?

For such an apparently superficial novel, this book packs some incredibly touching, emotional moments between its pages. I specifically remember being traumatized by a chapter in which Hermux discovers that his pet ladybug, Terfle, is missing. It broke my heart at 12, and it broke my heart again this time. And the ending - well, let's just say it's happy in some deeply meaningful ways. Happy in a way that will, honestly, stick with me for a long time.

But enough about the deep stuff. This book is just plain FUN! And I can't help but note how perfectly put together it is visually - the font is perfect, and each chapter has an amusing, clean clip art picture placed under its title (however: a chapter called "Get the Picture," notably, does not). There are tons of treats between these lines to discover and smile at, and I actually can't wait to re-read the sequel, and maybe this one again, in a weird never-ending cycle because the world is hard right now.

Time Stops for No Mouse on: Amazon | Goodreads

FINAL Retro Review: Disappearance at Devil's Rock

When I started this blog, I had been posting reviews on Goodreads for about 6 months. In the interest of having all of my book writing in one place, I will post one of these old reviews every Friday. They weren't written with a blog in mind, so please forgive the lack of summary and off-the-cuff tone.

THIS IS THE FINAL RETRO REVIEW - I’M ALL CAUGHT UP!! WOOOOOO!!

3 stars. I don't usually say things like this, but what an epic roller coaster ride. And I'm not just talking about the plot.

I absolutely loved A Head Full of Ghosts and opened this with high expectations. 25% into it, though, I was ready to give up. I rolled my eyes at the dialogue (it was almost embarrassing, like Tremblay was trying to be a cool dad who knows about things like Snapchat and video games and "the suck") and the hilarious analogies ("She speed-walks across the front lawn, moving like a broken robot alternating short strides with big, uneven steps that threaten to topple her over." ... "Elizabeth offers Josh’s mom a weak smile that instantly collapsed like a long-neglected bridge."). But a quarter of the way through, something clicked into place. I was engulfed.

Tremblay knows his way around ambiguous evil. It wasn't as atmospheric as I expected, but I was legitimately creeped out. The tension was quite real and quite scary and the story itself was crunchy in a satisfying way. I didn't predict any of the twists and turns except (view spoiler) and I was blown away by how the primary antagonist was portrayed. I also absolutely LOVE stories in which an individual encounters - quite literally - his or her own mortality (I recommend the Australian horror movie Lake Mungo for anyone interested) and was delighted to detect that particular undercurrent. It was deeply unsettling in the best way.

Tremblay plays with format here and is - for the most part - successful. There were several instances of pre-teens not sounding like any pre-teen I've ever known (honestly, for me, he failed across the board to breathe realistic life into any of the kids) and some cringe-worthy sequences about a glitchy camera recording app. But the conclusion really makes the book scary and makes the book worth it. Horror fans should read. 

Disappearance at Devil’s Rock on: Amazon | Goodreads

Review: The Death of Mrs. Westaway

2 stars. Hmm. This is not what I expected. I didn't enjoy my first Ware read, but this had such glowing, trustworthy reviews I went in hoping for the best. Unfortunately, it didn't work for me. It's not HORRIBLE - and I highly recommend this for the beach or on a plane - but I think I fell victim to the hype.

The Death of Mrs. Westaway zooms in on a young, struggling woman named Hal, who receives a letter stating her as a beneficiary of her grandmother's estate. One problem: she doesn't have a grandmother, or any family at all. Needing the money, she decides to answer the lawyer's invitation and see if she can take advantage of the legacy regardless.

She travels to an old, cold mansion and meets the family: her "uncles" Harding, Abel and Ezra, plus Mrs. Danvers I mean Warren and some feisty "cousins" that she resents for being rich and carefree. Her deception begins to weigh on her, until she begins to understand exactly how many secrets the family is hiding. Then it becomes a race of sorts: a race for answers, a race for the truth, and eventually, a race for her life.

As exciting as that sounds, there's a lot of thinking in this book. A lot of thinking and analyzing and agonizing and worrying and freaking out. With a little bit of conversation and action thrown in. There are a lot of questions in the prose: literally - we are privy to every question Hal asks herself about her situation. It's a bit weird, a bit annoying, like asking the questions for the audience instead of letting the audience just ... think them.

I also guessed the twist(s) 35% in. Yay me.

I also really wanted something spooky and haunting, but I got a lot of family drama. Ugh, I don't know. It's a page-turner, for sure. It's sort of flaccidly gothic in tone and atmosphere. But there are also a lot of loose ends ... sigh. I'm sorry, I'll probably keep trying with this author, but so far she somehow manages to write stories that are implausible and predictable for me. I look forward to seeing her mature out of her pattern...? Hopefully one day! I will say that Hal was a pretty great character - even when the others were bland and one-sided.

The Death of Mrs. Westaway on: Amazon | Goodreads

Review: Watchmen

2019 CHALLENGE: 1 RE-READ PER MONTH 09 / 12

5 stars. Definitely not interested in rehashing what makes this classic graphic novel one of the best. It's a masterpiece, plain and simple, and I would say it easily and remarkably states its authors intentions without being annoying. The artwork isn't necessarily to my taste, though it is gorgeous, and there are some dated elements, but overall this is a must-read - for anyone. In the mood for delightful superhero action? Done. What about a philosophical exploration of morality and humanity? Done. An entertaining escape into a colorful and sometimes amusing alternate universe? Look no further.

And pay close attention - the level of detail is astounding. Read every headline, examine every background, pay close attention to the way the Black Freighter weaves its way into the narrative. It's one of the things that makes reading this so rewarding and satisfying and exciting. And it's meta, as well, I'd recommend going in with a basic knowledge of graphic novels, superheroes, and the tropes they inspire / can't let go of. There's also a lot of political commentary here but it never feels heavyhanded, maybe because I'm so thirsty for intelligent political commentary these days.

And it's still relevant as ever. Maybe even more so. Although I feel less shocked with the idea that humans are innately "bad" - and innately fucked - than I did when I first read it. I've always been cynical, I suppose, and so I felt validated the first time. This time it just felt ... exhausting. Like a sigh instead of a gasp.

I'm incredibly curious to watch the latest TV expansion of this universe and taste more of Watchmen's strong, bitter, addicting flavor.

Watchmen on: Amazon | Goodreads

Review: 'Salem's Lot

3 stars - but absolutely worth the effort. 3 star King is still better than 5 star anyone else, so I'm really glad I powered through this. Yes, it took some time and yes, I considered not finishing at several points. But it's a classic vampire tale and I REALLY enjoyed it. I wish I had read this in college, when the vampire craze was sort of at its peak, because this would've made an EXCELLENT comparison topic for a paper, lol.

'Salem's Lot is about a small town in Maine suffering from an invasion of sorts; an infection of the vampiric variety. There are several main characters, but the primary image here is that of the town itself and it's slow, steady descent into darkness. In that sense it's an interesting portrait of America in the 70's - it is patriotic but also aware of the political and social identity crisis seen by towns small and large alike. Appearance versus reality threads its way through the narrative in a way I really liked.

We have a typically large cast of characters here, and each of them are distinct and charming and quirky in the Kingish way I love. I didn't grow to love any of them, like I did in The Shining, but that's okay. There are also some truly terrifying sequences, though the meandering nature of the writing sometimes cuts the tension (I love King's use of detail and depth, but here he seemed a little ... untethered).

My favorite part about this, though, is the strong and spicy connection to Bram Stoker's Dracula. Dracula is one of my favorite classics, and King really found a similar flavor here. There are subtle references and obvious ones, and it just makes me really damn happy that someone successfully wrote a love letter to Dracula wrapped in an entertaining (calling you out, The Historian) and well-written work of fiction. It's derivative in the BEST WAY.

Really glad I stuck with this. Also, the afterword was such a treat. I almost enjoyed reading King's writing on the book more than the book itself.

‘Salem’s Lot on: Amazon | Goodreads

Retro Review: We Have Always Lived in the Castle

When I started this blog, I had been posting reviews on Goodreads for about 6 months. In the interest of having all of my book writing in one place, I will post one of these old reviews every Friday. They weren't written with a blog in mind, so please forgive the lack of summary and off-the-cuff tone.

4 stars. I was totally unprepared for this. It's not at all what I expected and I'm thrilled that it has become horror canon. I guess I expected ... simple, traditional, predictable ... I'm not sure. But this is pure genius. I docked a star because I actually found it a little boring, which I totally attribute to my state of mind this week, but I can't wait to really think about this one.

Perhaps the most brilliant aspect of this story is that the "villain" is the least scary person you encounter. Merricat is a lot of things: mentally ill, psychopathic, agoraphobic, stunted in many ways, and yet as a reader I found myself rooting for her. Her OCD-like tendencies are profoundly interesting and creative; she has invented magic for herself. "I decided that I would choose three powerful words, words of strong protection, and so long as these great words were never spoken aloud no change would come."....

So I rooted for her. And I related to her. And I wanted Cousin Charles to leave and never come back. And I was horrified when her world got trampled and stomped on by the people in the village. Those people - those small-minded, misguided people - terrifying. Charles' greed and lack of empathy - terrifying. Constance's denial and ultimate state of existence - terrifying. But Merricat? She's adorable. She loves her sister and she loves her cat and she triumphs in the end. 

It's so bizarre.

We Have Always Lived in the Castle on: Amazon | Goodreads

Review: Doctor Sleep

4 stars. So here's the thing: I really, really, really love The Shining. And that's why this gets 4 stars - BECAUSE I really, really, really love The Shining. It's one of the best books ever, one of my favorites, and a King classic. I just re-read it in anticipation of reading this, and then seeing the adaptation of this, in November. And please listen closely: I loved this! It's an excellent read. I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a kickass horror novel that packs an emotional punch. I just didn't love it as much as I love The Shining.

Inevitable? Maybe. Due to the hype? Maybe. But also, I'd say that King is a bit unhinged here. He's not as tightly glued (or tightly edited) as he has been in the past. I don't mind details - really, I don't, and it's one the things that King is the king at. He goes deep and wide (tired of me saying that yet?) and his stories are full of fascinating subplots, substories, and minor characters with infinite depth.

Here, it seems extra. A little superfluous. I dunno, maybe I was just looking so deeply for the perfect essence of The Shining that I overshot and ended up being more critical than usual. But I also didn't find that Dan Torrance's character necessarily matched with the adult version. I ALSO found a few twists to be WAY more ridiculous than plausible. The coincidences were just too much, for me.

But HEY - THIS WAS SO AWESOME. Doctor Sleep takes place years after The Shining - Danny is now a recovering alcoholic trying to deal with the trauma of his childhood and exist with the shining without coming apart at the seams. He encounters another shining little girl, Abra, and they develop a beautiful friendship. Meanwhile, Abra is being stalked by a group of steam vampires led by an ambitious, soulless, hungry woman named Rose the Hat. It's all good fun and scares with a good old fashioned showdown at the end. Fans of King will love this. Fans of reading will love this.

I just ... love him. His reading is super easy to fall into, and to focus on. Living a distracted, busy life? Pick this up for awhile and I guarantee you'll get the escape you need. He's a tremendous author, and I can't wait to keep working my way through his repertoire. Long live the king.

Doctor Sleep on: Amazon | Goodreads

Retro Review: La Belle Sauvage

When I started this blog, I had been posting reviews on Goodreads for about 6 months. In the interest of having all of my book writing in one place, I will post one of these old reviews every Friday. They weren't written with a blog in mind, so please forgive the lack of summary and off-the-cuff tone.

3 stars. I really and truly appreciate Philip Pullman's writing. His world- and character-building are fantastic. He's wonderfully creative and imaginative and clearly instills a sense of deep thinking into his stories. So much has been said about his messages and metaphors and influences and themes, and I do enjoy unpacking what he has to say. 

But I have to admit: in general, his books don't give me chills. I don't feel driven to turn the page or return to the story when I reach the end of a chapter. I enjoy the experience, I suppose, but not on a level that really affects me. I feel distant as a reader; removed, or something. It's difficult to explain. 

Maybe I would've been more invested had it not been a prequel. Maybe I would've been more interested if there had been - at the very least - a bit more explanation for the main antagonist's terrifying behavior (his purpose, to me, seemed simply to be scary). Maybe had Malcolm shown a little more depth ... unpredictability? Maybe if there had been a clearer purpose to each chapter it would have felt less meandering? Maybe if there had been fewer references to baby poop?

Don't get me wrong - La Belle Sauvage is terrific. Malcolm is a heartwarming hero and the magical elements of the world - daemons and alethiometers - prove as fascinating as ever. Pullman's plot development is always unique and unstructured in a good way. And I really, really admire his take on innocence/childhood vs. sin/adulthood. That is what keeps me reading, it's so interesting! 

Actually, this brings me to a bit of a realization: I enjoy reading about Philip Pullman's writing more than his actual writing. Not sure that's ever happened before. I admire him so much, he has an incredible mind, I just prefer the analysis over the actual writing. His work is certainly deserving of literary criticism; the way he takes elements of the classics - mythology, poetry, etc. - and weaves them into an exciting fairy tale ... spectacular. The reading itself, though: only a 3-star experience, for me.

La Belle Sauvage on: Amazon | Goodreads