Lisa See's latest novel, The Island of Sea Women (#818) deals with an unusual culture on the Korean island of Jeju where the women divers are the bread winners and the men cook and take care of the babies. It's a difficult and dangerous life, especially in the period in which the novel is set. I found this book grim. Yes, there is understanding at the end, but most of the book deals with the betrayals and deaths of those surrounding main character Young-Sook and her close friend Mi-Fa.
The Japanese occupation, World War II and the subsequent 4.3 Incident, part of the brutal Korean War, all make life even more uncertain and tenuous. Saying or doing the wrong thing in front of the wrong person could lead to arrest, torture and disappearances. Conditions on Jeju particularly during the Korean War were so horrendous with the divers forbidden by the government to dive, that starvation stalked every village home. Whole villages were destroyed by rebels, partisans and the government in retribution while the Americans nominally overseeing the island let the massacres happen. Yet there were some positive elements as well; the strong connections and loyalties of the diving collectives and their guardianship of the food the sea yielded.
I found The Island of Sea Women a difficult read. It really seemed too much of a "Life sucks and then you die." type of story. There is redemption on the last few pages, but it seems to take forever to arrive there. Put on your slogging boots for this one.
Saturday, March 30, 2019
Tuesday, March 26, 2019
The Bird King
Don't start G. Willow Wilson's new fantasy novel The Bird King (#817) unless you have time to put everything else aside for this wonderful story. Set in the final days of the last Muslim ruler of the Alhambra, we meet Fatima, concubine to the Sultan and her friend Hassan, cartographer to the court.
The palace has been under siege for a long period, but the women of the harem have been spared the worst. When King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella send a small party to negotiate the terms of surrender, the Baronesa Luz is there to represent both the Queen and the Inquisition. Before Fatima learns of her secret mission, she has introduced Luz to her friend Hassan who can draw accurate maps of places he has never been and functioning doors in rooms where they don't exist. Luz is determined to take Hassan for the Inquisition as a sorcerer, a certain death sentence and makes it a condition of the Sultan's surrender.
Together Fatima and Hassan escape the palace with the aid of a jinn compelled by loyalty to the Sultan's mother. Their destination? The mythical isle of Qaf, home of the Bird King. Along the way, death, danger and an uncanny pursuit.
The characters here are wonderfully drawn, and Fatima and Hassan are tested all along the way as they encounter others whose beliefs are different, but whose moral compasses are aligned. It's a captivating adventure not to be missed.
The palace has been under siege for a long period, but the women of the harem have been spared the worst. When King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella send a small party to negotiate the terms of surrender, the Baronesa Luz is there to represent both the Queen and the Inquisition. Before Fatima learns of her secret mission, she has introduced Luz to her friend Hassan who can draw accurate maps of places he has never been and functioning doors in rooms where they don't exist. Luz is determined to take Hassan for the Inquisition as a sorcerer, a certain death sentence and makes it a condition of the Sultan's surrender.
Together Fatima and Hassan escape the palace with the aid of a jinn compelled by loyalty to the Sultan's mother. Their destination? The mythical isle of Qaf, home of the Bird King. Along the way, death, danger and an uncanny pursuit.
The characters here are wonderfully drawn, and Fatima and Hassan are tested all along the way as they encounter others whose beliefs are different, but whose moral compasses are aligned. It's a captivating adventure not to be missed.
The First Conspiracy
In Brad Meltzer's new non-fiction book, co-written with Josh Mensch he begins at the beginning of American history with The First Conspiracy - The Secret Plot Against George Washington and the Birth of American Counterintelligence (#816).
I haven't read detailed biographies of George Washington, but I don't ever remember reading anything pertaining to plots to either kidnap or assassinate him in order to hand the rebellious colonies right back to England. But of course, the plot was genius; what better way to stymie the incipient outright war before it even gets properly started? But just who was involved and how the plot was discovered was startling, to say the least. Mr. Meltzer also reveals the reason behind the largest public execution ever held on American soil in what is New York City in the present day.
It certainly was an interesting read, but I did get impatient with the back-and-forth teasers at the end of one chapter before diving into a different topic in the very next. It wasn't until the final third or so of the book that the author finally got down to brass tacks and a more straightforward narrative.
I don't necessarily think that he is breaking new ground here; I'm sure the facts are known to serious Washington and Revolutionary War historians, but teasing out the fascinating details included here is what makes history come alive for the average reader. You go, Mr. Meltzer!
I haven't read detailed biographies of George Washington, but I don't ever remember reading anything pertaining to plots to either kidnap or assassinate him in order to hand the rebellious colonies right back to England. But of course, the plot was genius; what better way to stymie the incipient outright war before it even gets properly started? But just who was involved and how the plot was discovered was startling, to say the least. Mr. Meltzer also reveals the reason behind the largest public execution ever held on American soil in what is New York City in the present day.
It certainly was an interesting read, but I did get impatient with the back-and-forth teasers at the end of one chapter before diving into a different topic in the very next. It wasn't until the final third or so of the book that the author finally got down to brass tacks and a more straightforward narrative.
I don't necessarily think that he is breaking new ground here; I'm sure the facts are known to serious Washington and Revolutionary War historians, but teasing out the fascinating details included here is what makes history come alive for the average reader. You go, Mr. Meltzer!
Wednesday, March 20, 2019
The Bookworm
In his thriller The Bookworm (#815), Mitch Silver ties together an ancient book from a Belgian monastery, a successful ploy by the Allies during World War II, and current events in Russia and the United States through a Russian bookworm, Larissa Mendelova Klimt, buried in the Military Archives in Moscow busy researching the trove of Nazi documents brought back to Russia after the fall of Germany. She's intent on finding material for her next book on geopolitical history. For academics, it's always a matter of publish or perish.
The discovery of an arm still with a handcuff attached in a London construction site sets in motion a series of events half a world away which will drag the reluctant Lara out of her isolation and into the midst of a cat-and-mouse game searching for the ultimate prize: a Bible once owned by Adolf Hitler himself.
The plot moves right along here as Lara is goaded into her participation in the search by the carrots and sticks of the other players. What they hope to achieve with possession of this artifact only gradually becomes clear to Lara. Who can she possibly trust to avert the coming crisis?
I did enjoy this book, but I do admit to being a little disappointed in the ending in Red Square. Well, you can't have everything, can you? Worth taking a look at, if you enjoy political thrillers.
The discovery of an arm still with a handcuff attached in a London construction site sets in motion a series of events half a world away which will drag the reluctant Lara out of her isolation and into the midst of a cat-and-mouse game searching for the ultimate prize: a Bible once owned by Adolf Hitler himself.
The plot moves right along here as Lara is goaded into her participation in the search by the carrots and sticks of the other players. What they hope to achieve with possession of this artifact only gradually becomes clear to Lara. Who can she possibly trust to avert the coming crisis?
I did enjoy this book, but I do admit to being a little disappointed in the ending in Red Square. Well, you can't have everything, can you? Worth taking a look at, if you enjoy political thrillers.
Monday, March 18, 2019
Crucible
I always enjoy James Rollins' blend of action, history and science, but his latest Sigma Force novel, Crucible (#814) is truly terrifying. Artificial Intelligence, or AI, was noted by the late Stephen Hawking as "the worst event in the history of civilization" as Rollins aptly notes in his introductory notes. It is inevitable that AI will soon be able to out think us. But what would happen if the ones who develop it the fastest use it for power, wealth and to promote their own ideology before it takes over?
That's basically the premise of Crucible. With DARPA's secret assistance, one brilliant young computer scientist has created an AI, but with a difference: she is imbuing her creation with as much of the human mind and empathy as she possible can, so that the AI will be a friend to mankind, not a foe. But the murder of an influential set of women from around the globe in the Library of the University of Coimbra in Portugal sets young Mara on the run with those intent on stealing her technology on her heels.
Back in the States the families of Sigma are attacked on Christmas Eve, abducting Monk Kokkalis' two daughters, and Gray Pierce's pregnant significant other, leaving Kat Kokkalis comatose. Can this brutal attack be connected with the murders in Portugal? Everything is on the line for the Sigma Team with the fate of the world hanging in the balance.
It doesn't get much more gripping than this story, especially since the horror unleashed in this book could be only a few years away from becoming a reality. Reading Rollins' follow up at the end of the book Separating Fact from Fiction won't improve the grim outlook here. "Gather ye rosebuds while ye may..."
That's basically the premise of Crucible. With DARPA's secret assistance, one brilliant young computer scientist has created an AI, but with a difference: she is imbuing her creation with as much of the human mind and empathy as she possible can, so that the AI will be a friend to mankind, not a foe. But the murder of an influential set of women from around the globe in the Library of the University of Coimbra in Portugal sets young Mara on the run with those intent on stealing her technology on her heels.
Back in the States the families of Sigma are attacked on Christmas Eve, abducting Monk Kokkalis' two daughters, and Gray Pierce's pregnant significant other, leaving Kat Kokkalis comatose. Can this brutal attack be connected with the murders in Portugal? Everything is on the line for the Sigma Team with the fate of the world hanging in the balance.
It doesn't get much more gripping than this story, especially since the horror unleashed in this book could be only a few years away from becoming a reality. Reading Rollins' follow up at the end of the book Separating Fact from Fiction won't improve the grim outlook here. "Gather ye rosebuds while ye may..."
Thursday, March 14, 2019
The Colors of All the Cattle
Reading one of Alexander McCall Smith's No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency novels is like visiting with an old friend. The latest entry, The Colors of All the Cattle (#813) continues the story of Mma Precious Ramotswe, her family, friends and employees of the sole detective agency in Botswana.
Mma Ramotswe has never been able to resist Mma Potokwane's fruit cake, or in this book, the pressure from her to run for a vacant Gaborone City Council seat. Politics in the last thing Mma Ramotswe is interested in, but when it is discovered that if she does not run, Violet Sephotho will be the unopposed candidate for the seat. At stake is the potential development of a large hotel right next to a cemetery for many of Gaborone's late citizens. How are their loved ones to visit them in peace if the powerful developer's plans succeed? There would be the added satisfaction of being able to foil one of Violet's schemes to take advantage of others.
The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency is meanwhile involved in what at first appears to be a hopeless hit-and-run case. Charlie, as detective-in-training, lends an unexpected hand as he seems at long last to be interested in only one young lady.
Mma Ramotswe's Botswana never fails to be a wonderful place to spend a few relaxing hours!
Mma Ramotswe has never been able to resist Mma Potokwane's fruit cake, or in this book, the pressure from her to run for a vacant Gaborone City Council seat. Politics in the last thing Mma Ramotswe is interested in, but when it is discovered that if she does not run, Violet Sephotho will be the unopposed candidate for the seat. At stake is the potential development of a large hotel right next to a cemetery for many of Gaborone's late citizens. How are their loved ones to visit them in peace if the powerful developer's plans succeed? There would be the added satisfaction of being able to foil one of Violet's schemes to take advantage of others.
The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency is meanwhile involved in what at first appears to be a hopeless hit-and-run case. Charlie, as detective-in-training, lends an unexpected hand as he seems at long last to be interested in only one young lady.
Mma Ramotswe's Botswana never fails to be a wonderful place to spend a few relaxing hours!
Monday, March 11, 2019
The Golden Tresses of the Dead
Things are changing at English country house Buckshaw. Flavia de Luce has inherited the stately pile, currently bustling with activity for the nuptials of her older sister Ophelia. Everyone in Bishop's Lacey and beyond has turned out for her wedding to former German Prisoner of War Dieter Schrantz. Everything goes swimmingly until the moment comes to cut the cake. With Feely having a fit of hysterics, Flavia spirits away the severed finger her sister found in the slice of cake to perform her own experiments on. So opens Alan Bradley's latest entry in the Flavia de Luce mystery series, The Golden Tresses of the Dead (#812).
Who could possibly have done such a thing, and where is the original owner? The newly-formed Arthur W. Dogger and Associates have their first mystery on hand along with a commission from their very first client. Mrs. Prill claims that letters of a mysterious nature have been stolen from her, but she is remarkably vague about the details. With two different leads to follow, Flavia and the faithful Dogger are kept busy with these most unusual cases.
And now that Flavia is growing up, is it possible she is feeling the first flutterings of romance? We'll have to wait and see if Colin "Collie" Collier makes an appearance in future volumes of this most entertaining mystery series! As always, a delight to read.
Who could possibly have done such a thing, and where is the original owner? The newly-formed Arthur W. Dogger and Associates have their first mystery on hand along with a commission from their very first client. Mrs. Prill claims that letters of a mysterious nature have been stolen from her, but she is remarkably vague about the details. With two different leads to follow, Flavia and the faithful Dogger are kept busy with these most unusual cases.
And now that Flavia is growing up, is it possible she is feeling the first flutterings of romance? We'll have to wait and see if Colin "Collie" Collier makes an appearance in future volumes of this most entertaining mystery series! As always, a delight to read.
Friday, March 8, 2019
Daughter of Moloka'i
I am reading Alan Brennert's Hawaii trilogy backwards, starting with the just-published Daughter of Moloka'i (#811), since the author was appearing at this year's BookMania!. You don't need to have read Moloka'i or Honolulu to enjoy this book on its own merits.
Ruth Utagawa has been given up for adoption when she was less than a year old. She is eventually adopted by a Japanese family living in Hawaii, although she is half Hawaiian herself. Her adopted father is a farmer at heart, so when he has a chance to move to California and share ownership of a farm there with his brother, the Watanabes find themselves on the mainland. Things are not quite as promised, but they manage to carve out a satisfactory living for themselves. The bombing of Pearl Harbor changes everything again for the whole family as they struggle to adjust to life in a Japanese interment camp. But perhaps the biggest change for Ruth comes when her Hawaiian birth mother reaches out to her as an adult and mother herself.
It's a fascinating story drawn with strong characters and meticulous attention to details of the period. Even the cover art is eye-catching on this volume. I can't wait to go back and read the first two books in this series!
Ruth Utagawa has been given up for adoption when she was less than a year old. She is eventually adopted by a Japanese family living in Hawaii, although she is half Hawaiian herself. Her adopted father is a farmer at heart, so when he has a chance to move to California and share ownership of a farm there with his brother, the Watanabes find themselves on the mainland. Things are not quite as promised, but they manage to carve out a satisfactory living for themselves. The bombing of Pearl Harbor changes everything again for the whole family as they struggle to adjust to life in a Japanese interment camp. But perhaps the biggest change for Ruth comes when her Hawaiian birth mother reaches out to her as an adult and mother herself.
It's a fascinating story drawn with strong characters and meticulous attention to details of the period. Even the cover art is eye-catching on this volume. I can't wait to go back and read the first two books in this series!
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