My Recent Read Feb - April 2007

The Whole World Over, Julia Glass (** 2 Star)
This is a very disappointing followup of the excellent Three Junes. It is long, cluttered, self-indulgent and drippy.
Read in March 2007

Moon and Sixpence, W. Somerset Maugham (**** 4 Star)
Some people go for the moon in the sky, some people go for the sixpence on the ground.
Read in March 2007

The Painted Veil , W. Somerset Maugham (**** 4 Star)
It is a good story told through the view point of a shallow young woman who finally discovered her emotional growth. Very compelling.
Read in Feb 2007

The Poisonwood Bible, Barbara Kingsolver (**** 4 Star)
Deep in the Congo jungle, a family is trying to survive the elements, people and themselves.
Read in Feb 2007.

A Widow for a Year, John Irving (*** 3 Star)
Epic story of living through loss and pain in the eyes of a strong female character Ruth.
Read in Feb 2007.

Larry's Party, Carol Shields (**** 4 Star)
A good story about an average guy's life.
Read in Jan 2007

To the Hermitage, Malcolm Bradury (**** 3 Star)
500 pages of rambling -- some parts interesting, some parts puzzling. I did not really learn much about Diderot or Catherine the Great, but enjoyed its many wonderful turn of phrases.
Read in Jan 2007