This is particularly true of stories like Rumpole a la Carte and Rumpole and the Children of the Devil. Each story is perfectly formed, entire of itself the plotting and pacing are spot on, and the character of Horace Rumpole is a wonderful creation, but the subject matter and the attitudes that John Mortimer is mocking in the stories seem to come from a world that is now lost, and the treatment occasionally heavy-handed. What surprised me most was how much the stories in this collection have the feeling of belonging to another era, although they were originally published between 19. There are a lot to be had in second hand bookshops but I picked this because it's a personal selection made by the author. It's years, decades even, since I last read a Rumpole story, but hearing and enjoying some of the recent reruns of the radio series on BBC Radio 4 Extra prompted me to keep a look out for collection.
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The history of the Sackler dynasty is rife with drama-baroque personal lives bitter disputes over estates fistfights in boardrooms glittering art collections Machiavellian courtroom maneuvers and the calculated use of money to burnish reputations and crush the less powerful. The Sackler name has adorned the walls of many storied institutions-Harvard, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Oxford, the Louvre. "A real-life version of the HBO series Succession with a lethal sting in its tail…a masterful work of narrative reportage.” – Laura Miller, Slate From the prize-winning and bestselling author of Say Nothing. A grand, devastating portrait of three generations of the Sackler family, famed for their philanthropy, whose fortune was built by Valium and whose reputation was destroyed by Ox圜ontin.A NEW YORK TIMES NOTABLE BOOK OF THE YEAR. Sophie was strictly against the federalization of the Monarchy, which would have given an increased voice to the various ethnic groups in the political arena. As the ‘secret empress’ she became a figure of hate for the liberal forces in the monarchy. Although Sophie did not openly interfere in day-to-day political decision-making, she was de facto the political mastermind and ‘agenda-setter’ behind her son. Her son, the young emperor Franz Joseph, was steeped in a sense of monarchical mission and was bent on regaining the power that had been curtailed by the revolution, but he was politically inexperienced and dominated by his energetic mother, on whom he relied for emotional support. While Sophie did not become empress as she had once hoped, since her husband Franz Karl waived his claim to the throne, she did gain considerable political influence. He lost his mother when he was just a boy. Puller’s life in the military hasn’t been the easiest.Įven precluding the trials he faced in training as a rookie and the horrors that came with fighting in foreign lands, Puller’s family life has always been a little dysfunctional. The book did not have the most positive start, not only because of the complaints that were raised about David Baldacci’s writing style also the criticisms the author attracted for writing a character that is so similar to Lee Child’s Jack Reacher that readers simply could not see past the comparisons.īy the time Puller is introduced to readers in ‘Zero Day’, the character is a war hero with an impeccable record who makes his living as a military investigator. John Puller’s story began in 2011 with ‘Zero Day’, the first novel in the John Puller series. The books follow the exploits of a military detective that solves army-related crimes. The name John Puller refers to a series of action thriller novels written by David Baldacci. Are you okay?” felt like worlds away from his adapted movie persona. I perpetually felt like book Peter came across quite juvenile and unsure of himself, yet likes to project the vibe to everyone that he’s Cool, like a typical high school boy… I vividly remember the scene of their first date in the book where he accidentally hits LJ’s right boob and his response, “Whoops. I do have to say, though, it was nearly impossible not to compare and contrast movie Peter to book Peter, and having the latter come up short nearly every time. “Are you planning on breaking my heart, Covey?” Peter laughs easily he cups my cheek in his hand. So it was fun to rediscover that the particular plot points at the end of TATBILB film are what propels this book forward: the hot tub Instagram baddie scene, and the infamous Peter K. However, given that it’s been three years since I first read the book, my recollection was hazy on the particular events and happenings circling Lara Jean and Peter Kavinsky. This contemporary series arrived at the perfect time, as well, having just completed the Harry Potter series for the first time (!!), it was the perfect light-hearted read to mend my book hangover. Back in 2015 when I had first gotten into reading extensively, this was the first sequel I remember desperately craving to have in my hands. I was pleased to see that some of the run I have yet to read is also illustrated by Sosa, so I've got that to look forward to. I was very disappointed when the art changed for a few issues - not because the other art was bad per se, it just wasn't as appealing and cute. The first thing I want to say is that I thought the illustrations by inker Marcelo Sosa, who did most but not all of the interiors in this run, made She-Hulk look cute as a button, especially as Jen. As it happens, what I actually read were Vol 1: Single Green Female and Vol 2: Superhuman Law as far as trade collections go. I thought I had read the full run, but turns out there is a second run (a soft reboot?) by the same writer, starting the numbering from issue #1 again (which made it show up separately in the MU app). She-Hulk, written by Dan Slott, is another comic I've read digitally on Marvel Unlimited. (this review was originally for both volumes 1 and 2 and has been partially adapted) With evil rising around them, they’ll do what it takes to defend the land they love…even if it means making the greatest sacrifice of all. Leif is mounting an impressive army, and with Ciara’s strength in battle the two might have a chance to save their world. Leif should be Ciara’s enemy, but when Ciara discovers that he, too, shares her prophetic visions, she knows he’s something more. Then the crow leads Ciara to Leif, a young Northman leader. Although her clansmen dismiss her visions as pagan nonsense, Ciara fears this coming evil will destroy not just Éirinn, but the entire world. But lately, a mysterious crow has been appearing to Ciara, whispering warnings of an even darker threat. The people of Mide have thankfully always been safe because of Ciara’s unearthly ability to control her enemies’ minds and actions. Ciara, Princess of Mide, has never known a time when Éirinn’s kingdoms were not battling for power, or Northmen were not plundering their shores. The ancient land of Éirinn is mired in war. On top of that, the shower water did not maintain a steady temperature. On top of that, the lids could easily be removed and when I did I noticed there was bits of conditioner(?) in the soap and a disgusting blue gunk growing on the soap containers (I have attached pictures). This allows for moisture and humidity to constantly be circulating through the containers which is unsafe. Both the body soap and conditioner were missing there plugs. But my main problem was the bathroom/shower. There is construction currently going on right next to the hotel which is very loud and makes it impossible to sleep in. When I first entered the room there was a strange smell which I suspect came from the stained carpet. The lobby is nice and clean, the gym is small but decent and the breakfast is adequate. It is right across from the train station so it is easily accessible. To start off, the location of this hotel is amazing for a nights trip from Brussels or Brugge. Looking for hidden meaning in a book about the fragility of reality, about illusion and about the concept that delving too far is rarely positive it is certainly a strange anomaly. In fact, this is one of the messages in the book, if indeed there are any – simply accept. When you stop looking for the meaning and simply accept what you read, the book is more pleasurable and more enjoyable by far. I doubt you’ll suddenly have a revelation about the meaning of life or the truth about reality.(Although please let me know if you do). Deep meanings are not to be found in this book. I strongly suspect that the author isn’t trying to tell us anything. What does it mean? Where is the truth? What is the author telling us? I think I was the same when I first read it. There seems to be a tendency amongst younger (or first-time) readers to try to find the ‘meaning’ behind this book. (The Wikipedia page about the book and the dreadful film made in 1968 are just as bad). I’d truly recommend that you don’t read them if you want to get the maximum enjoyment from this fabulous book. Many reviewers get this book completely wrong – especially the amateur reviewers at Amazon. It’s a book that has been largely misunderstood, in my opinion. My reading of this book has spanned many years. The Magus is one of my desert island books -one I can read again and again.I’ve probably read it half a dozen times – at least. In the audio recording, her name is pronounced A-see-yuh it was interesting for me to hear how Asiya’s name is pronounced in her family. At that point I had only heard the name Asiya pronounced Aah-si-ya or Aa-si-ya. To see both faces of the sisters…I think just seeing the cover will just make a lot of little girls in particular really happy.Īriana: When I went to a presentation for this, there was a reading of the text by Ibtihaj. Mahasin: For me it is still unusual to see African American Muslim representation in children’s books and seeing people who look like me and my family. The cover clearly conveys the concepts and themes– beauty of the blue hijab, ocean and sky, the endless possibilities. The conversation has been edited for clarity.Īriana: My first appreciation is seeing multiple Muslims involved in the process of this book from the author, Ibtihaj Muhammad with S.K. This book discussion was conducted on May 12, 2019, and was based on the fold & gather, received from Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. Faizah admires older sister Asiya’s new, strikingly blue and beautiful first-day-hijab, finding inner strength and pride when facing bullies at school who make fun of it. |