October 18, 2012

Review: A Moveable Feast

A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway

About: Published posthumously in 1964, A Moveable Feast remains one of Ernest Hemingway’s most enduring works. Since Hemingway’s personal papers were released in 1979, scholars have examined the changes made to the text before publication. Now, this special restored edition presents the original manuscript as the author prepared it to be published. 

Widely celebrated and debated by critics and readers everywhere, the restored edition of A Moveable Feast brilliantly evokes the exuberant mood of Paris after World War I and the unbridled creativity and unquenchable enthusiasm that Hemingway himself epitomized. (from amazon.com)

Review: I have to begin by saying a few things. 
1) I received this book from an amazing friend who recommended it and I fell completely inlove with it. 
2) Paris + the 1920's = two of my favourite things.

I started this book while still reading A Storm of Swords so it took be a bit longer than it should have but it made for a much more enjoyable book, being able to devote all my book attention to it. I enjoy reading the way Hemingway writes. You feel like you sat down beside him and seeing exactly what he sees in every person, place or emotion. The story starts out with Hemingway in Paris, after leaving his writing job in Toronto. He writes, and he writes well. He writes about writers in Paris and important and unimportant people in his life, that yet still seem important in some way, even if Hemingway didn't especially like them. I loved the part where they were in Paris, him and his wife and sometimes Bumby (his son) just enjoying it. Even though they didn't have much money. When he talks about Hemingway it put a little damper on the way I saw Fitzgerald. But it was so interesting how he was. You got a glimpse of him through Hemingway's eyes. I'd be interested to see if Fitzgerald  wrote what he thought about Hemingway. The book ends with Hemingway in the Apls with his family. There was one part I was particularly sad about when he wrote about him taking a mistress. It was so subtle and so quick. It was almost as if she felt he needed to put it in but really didn't want to. I took a lot from this book in personal ways, it was an amazing book. Something I will read and re-read again and again.

October 10, 2012

Review: A Storm of Sword

A Storm of Sword by George R. R. Martin
About: Of the five contenders for power, one is dead, another in disfavor, and still the wars rage as violently as ever, as alliances are made and broken. Joffrey, of House Lannister, sits on the Iron Throne, the uneasy ruler of the land of the Seven Kingdoms. His most bitter rival, Lord Stannis, stands defeated and disgraced, the victim of the jealous sorceress who holds him in her evil thrall. But young Robb, of House Stark, still rules the North from the fortress of Riverrun. Robb plots against his despised Lannister enemies, even as they hold his sister hostage at King’s Landing, the seat of the Iron Throne. Meanwhile, making her way across a blood-drenched continent is the exiled queen, Daenerys, mistress of the only three dragons still left in the world. . . .

But as opposing forces maneuver for the final titanic showdown, an army of barbaric wildlings arrives from the outermost line of civilization. In their vanguard is a horde of mythical Others--a supernatural army of the living dead whose animated corpses are unstoppable. As the future of the land hangs in the balance, no one will rest until the Seven Kingdoms have exploded in a veritable storm of swords. . . (From amazon.com)

Review: I honestly don't know where to begin. I could rant and rave about Martin's epic books, amazing characters, thrilling story lines, enigmatic writing, and I could, but I wont. Like the first two books, every chapter is gripping and exciting, leaving you thirsty for more.  I am just in awe of this series and still have two other books to finish. And these books are not thin by any means. A lot, and I mean A LOT happens in this book, I just, I just can't even put it into words without giving everything away. But I will say this, if you have not picked up the Ice and Fire series, do so now, because 'Winter is Coming'.