A Small Death in Lisbon - Chapters I to X

The first 10 chapters of this great thriller introduce us to the main characters of the two narratives the novel interchanges: Inspector Zé Coelho and Klaus Fensen. Though we know their stories will eventually be connected, there is no hint of that connection so far... Or is it? 

What do you think about these two characters? What about the Portugal depicted in the stories? How do you like having a first person narrator in one of the narratives and an omnipresent narrator in the other? Do you like one of the stories better than the other?

Looking forward to reading your comments!

Sweet Smiles

Let me jump in between books! Let me suggest a good story here.

One of my best friends works in this charity. They work with kids with intellectual disability and they are carrying out this wonderful campaign (unfortunately, it is only in Spanish).

Tag yourselves in their web and they will receive 5 cents for every person tagged. If you have a few minutes, have a look at the video. It´s really cute and it is worth finding out about these kids everyday life and feelings.

Thank you!

www.sonrisasdulces.com

The Turn of the Screw - Final discussion

Halloween only a few days away, it's the perfect moment to discuss a ghosts story like Henry James'. Have you seen any ghosts lately? So what is your final impression? Fun enough? To difficult to read? Maybe too creepy for you? So treat or trick? No cookies for you if you don't tell us your thoughts!!! hahaha... (read as malignant laughter). 

The Turn of the Screw, part I

Henry James presents us a very short story, but however very intriguing from the very beginning. I have to say that even though the language might be a little outdated, it feels that this could be a current ghost story, as the classic elements are there, fear and isolation.
What do you think is going on with the governess? Could she be overloaded with stress and responsibility for the children? Is there something really dark in this story that shocks you? Can you sleep well after reading it or do you see some ghosts as well?

The new ultimate technology: BOOK

Hey all,

I thought the No Cookies people would enjoy this :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFKHU5-MX5U&feature=player_embedded&noredirect=1

have a great day!
Fenia

Coming Next...

The Turn of The Screw, by Henry James & A Small Death in Lisbon, by Robert C. Wilson

The poll closed with a tie, and since one of the finalist is the short novella - veteran and very much longed by Jorge - “The Turn of the Screw”, let's make an exception and have both finalists become winners.

Suggested reading schedules coming  soon. We can advance you that the plan is to read the The Turn of The Screw first and give it a couple of weeks. Then, will go to A Small Death in Lisbon.

So, whether you want to join us in both readings or just one of them, time to get the book/s!!

The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao - Final Discussion

The brief (wondrous?) life of Oscar Wao gets to its end, and with it, we get to the end of the book. How did you like it? 

How did you feel about the Dominican Republic presented in the book? Were you familiar with it? Does reading historical fiction make you want learn more on the subject, or at least entice you to look up what's fact and what's fiction?

What are your thoughts on the narrator? Why do you think Diaz waited to reveal Yunior? Did you like Yunior as a person? Did you like his voice?

What is, or what does represent, the mongoose with golden eyes? The man without a face? 

Is there hope at the end of the story?

Looking forward to reading about the variety of feelings and emotions that the last pages of the book for sure arose in you.

About The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao & the next book suggestions

I have almost finished the book and I am liking it: the story, the style, the point of view... I will keep my comments for an end-of-the-book post but, considering that the suggestions' period for our next reading is opened, I would like to share that I really feel like reading a more amiable book... I would even say a funny book.

Any candidates on your to-read list?

The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao - Chapters 3, 4 & 5

To say the truth, I have just finished to book. It didn't feel right just to put it down, because lots of things were happening, so I didn't. However, this post will be no spoiler, so you can read it and relax, I won't be telling the secrets.

Talking characters, I believe that all the characters make sense. I do like La Inca as many of you, but maybe my favorite is Lola, for her strength and consistency, as well as Yunior, for his sincere way of talking.

Many of you have said that you don't like the long footnotes, but I believe they are essential to the story, it's a practical way to incorporate the history with the very personal touch of Mr.Diaz or Yunior, who is the leading character, the one that tells the story. I have learnt a lot of things about the Dominican Republic that I had never even thought about, because, yeah, apart from the fact that Trujillo was one of the tiranos of the XXth century, not much else was in my personal wikipedia.

And I did enjoy also the spanglish, even though at times, not being dominican, I didn't know the exact meaning of certain words, but you get it from the context.

The nerdy stuff, well, I didn't get all the references, but it's fun and coherent with the character.

I think the book is really fresh, direct, originally written, hard to put down and at the same time, you get to learn things. No easy task. Bien hecho Sr.Díaz!!!

The Help, already in theaters!

Are you the kind that likes to see the movie after reading the book?
For your information:
http://thehelpmovie.com