Genre: Historical Fiction, Fiction
Setting: Singapore in the early twentieth century.
First Sentence: I have always lived in the crumbling Kampong Glam Palace.
This novel is the story of an old house and the family that lived in it.
The old house is the Kampong Palace. The palace was given to the Sultan Hussein by the East India company many years ago. His family can live in the palace as long as a male decedent of the Sultan dwells there.
The family is the "draggle tailed extended family" of the narrator, Agnes. Agnes is the last decedent of the Sultan. Her elderly uncle is the last male decedent.
Now, the family has fallen on hard times. Unable to to afford to keep up the palace, they have to take in boarders.
Living in the palace with Agnes are her grandparents Nei Nei Up, Nei Nei Down, and British Grandfather, Uncle Chachi, and two servants.
The events of Agnes's story take place during her seventeenth year. We learn about her and each member of the family. We experience the happy times, and the sad times. And always at the back of everyone's mind is the thought that someday soon the family will lose the palace. And that is the main conflict of the story. Will they lose the palace, and what will happen to the family if they do?
The author has crafted a very enjoyable story. For me, it was a very pleasant read. Agnes is a delightful character. And her family is very unique and interesting. Reading this book was great fun.
Showing posts with label Fiction. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fiction. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
Thursday, July 3, 2014
Supervolcano: Things Fall Apart by Harry Turtledove
Genre: Fiction
Setting: A few years into the future, after the eruption of the Yellowstone volcanic caldera.
First Sentence: The windup alarm clock on Colin Ferguson's nightstand ticked like a bomb.
This novel is the third in Turtledove's Supervolcano series. The books in this series are a departure from Turtledove's usual novels.
In this novel Turtledove tells the story of the Ferguson family: their lives, their loves, and how they deal with the results of the supervolcano eruption.
The eruption has completely changed the climate of the earth. It is colder. The economy is shattered. Food is harder to come by. And technology is slowly falling apart due to age and overuse.
I don't consider this novel to be dystopian. Apart from the bad weather life is pretty much like life today. Bad things happen. Good things happen. Each character adapts and moves on.
Some of the plot lines in this novel are continued from previous books in the series. I suggest reading the books in order.
The novels are written in a breezy style with lots of word play and pop references. Probably a fun beach read. But not Turtledove's best.
Setting: A few years into the future, after the eruption of the Yellowstone volcanic caldera.
First Sentence: The windup alarm clock on Colin Ferguson's nightstand ticked like a bomb.
This novel is the third in Turtledove's Supervolcano series. The books in this series are a departure from Turtledove's usual novels.
In this novel Turtledove tells the story of the Ferguson family: their lives, their loves, and how they deal with the results of the supervolcano eruption.
The eruption has completely changed the climate of the earth. It is colder. The economy is shattered. Food is harder to come by. And technology is slowly falling apart due to age and overuse.
I don't consider this novel to be dystopian. Apart from the bad weather life is pretty much like life today. Bad things happen. Good things happen. Each character adapts and moves on.
Some of the plot lines in this novel are continued from previous books in the series. I suggest reading the books in order.
The novels are written in a breezy style with lots of word play and pop references. Probably a fun beach read. But not Turtledove's best.
Sunday, April 20, 2014
Free Magic Secrets Revealed by Mark Leiren-Young
Genre: Fiction, Humor, Guest Review
The review for this novel comes from a guest reviewer: Dick Kraus (AKA the Printz of Magic)
Dick is a retired professional magician. He read a review of this book in his magicians' union's newsletter. He asked me to order the book for him on Amazon. I did , with the caveat that he would have to give me his review of the book.
Dick said that he really enjoyed the book. It brought back memories of his early days trying to break into professional magic. He said that it was a great read. It was very funny. And, he gives the book five stars.
The review for this novel comes from a guest reviewer: Dick Kraus (AKA the Printz of Magic)
Dick is a retired professional magician. He read a review of this book in his magicians' union's newsletter. He asked me to order the book for him on Amazon. I did , with the caveat that he would have to give me his review of the book.
Dick said that he really enjoyed the book. It brought back memories of his early days trying to break into professional magic. He said that it was a great read. It was very funny. And, he gives the book five stars.
Saturday, June 15, 2013
Supervolcano: All Fall Down by Harry Turtledove
Genre: Fiction
Setting: The near future, after the Yellowstone supervolcano has erupted.
FYI: Some adult content.
First Sentence: Colin Ferguson called upstairs to hi wife: "You ready?"
This novel is the second in Turtledove's supervolcano series.
The title of this novel, and the graphic on the dust cover, led me to believe that there would be plenty of action due to increased volcano activity. Perhaps some of the main characters lives would be put in peril. After reading the novel, I was disappointed to find that the volcano is actually a very minor player in the plot. The one character who is a geologist, and an expert on the Yellowstone supervolcano, visits the volcano once. She spends more time in this novel getting pregnant and having a baby than studying the volcano.
The novel is the tale of the Ferguson family and how they adapt and survive the effects of the eruption. Most of the family is based in Southern California with others in the Great Plains and in Northern Maine. Life is tough but they all seem to survive, get jobs, find love, and have babies while the snow falls, food gets scarce, and the price of gas goes up.
None of the family members seem to "fall down".
Turtledove uses an easy to read style. He includes pop culture references and word play to keep the novel fun to read. However some of his puns are real groaners.
To be sure, this novel is not one of Turtledove's best. If you are a big fan of his you might enjoy it.
Check out my eBook!
Setting: The near future, after the Yellowstone supervolcano has erupted.
FYI: Some adult content.
First Sentence: Colin Ferguson called upstairs to hi wife: "You ready?"
This novel is the second in Turtledove's supervolcano series.
The title of this novel, and the graphic on the dust cover, led me to believe that there would be plenty of action due to increased volcano activity. Perhaps some of the main characters lives would be put in peril. After reading the novel, I was disappointed to find that the volcano is actually a very minor player in the plot. The one character who is a geologist, and an expert on the Yellowstone supervolcano, visits the volcano once. She spends more time in this novel getting pregnant and having a baby than studying the volcano.
The novel is the tale of the Ferguson family and how they adapt and survive the effects of the eruption. Most of the family is based in Southern California with others in the Great Plains and in Northern Maine. Life is tough but they all seem to survive, get jobs, find love, and have babies while the snow falls, food gets scarce, and the price of gas goes up.
None of the family members seem to "fall down".
Turtledove uses an easy to read style. He includes pop culture references and word play to keep the novel fun to read. However some of his puns are real groaners.
To be sure, this novel is not one of Turtledove's best. If you are a big fan of his you might enjoy it.
Check out my eBook!
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Supervolcano: Eruption by Harry Turtledove
Genre: Fiction
Setting: North America
First sentence: Colin Ferguson woke up with a hangover, alone in an unfamiliar double bed.
This novel is the first in Turtledove's Supervolcano series.
Sitting under Yellowstone National Park is a supervolcano. That's why there are so many geysers and other geothermal effects in that area. Some geologists believe that Yellowstone is over due for an eruption.
What would happen if the Yellowstone supervolcano erupted?
That's the premise of Turtledove's novel. The author follows the members of a family as they cope with the effects of the eruption. The characters are spread out over different parts of North America from California to the Midwest to Northern Maine. As Turtledove moves from character to character, he tells the tale from each character's point of view. The characters must struggle with the ashfall from the volcano as well as the changing climate. They must also deal with their own personal issues. And to complicate things, some countries in the Middle East have chosen this time to use nuclear weapons.
I really enjoyed reading this novel. Turtledove has a writing style which is very readable. Along the way he slips in some clever word play and some pop culture references.
Since this is the first novel of the series, there is no conflict resolution. And it looks like things are just going to get worse. Which means I'll be reading the next book in the series soon!
Check out my eBook!
Setting: North America
First sentence: Colin Ferguson woke up with a hangover, alone in an unfamiliar double bed.
This novel is the first in Turtledove's Supervolcano series.
Sitting under Yellowstone National Park is a supervolcano. That's why there are so many geysers and other geothermal effects in that area. Some geologists believe that Yellowstone is over due for an eruption.
What would happen if the Yellowstone supervolcano erupted?
That's the premise of Turtledove's novel. The author follows the members of a family as they cope with the effects of the eruption. The characters are spread out over different parts of North America from California to the Midwest to Northern Maine. As Turtledove moves from character to character, he tells the tale from each character's point of view. The characters must struggle with the ashfall from the volcano as well as the changing climate. They must also deal with their own personal issues. And to complicate things, some countries in the Middle East have chosen this time to use nuclear weapons.
I really enjoyed reading this novel. Turtledove has a writing style which is very readable. Along the way he slips in some clever word play and some pop culture references.
Since this is the first novel of the series, there is no conflict resolution. And it looks like things are just going to get worse. Which means I'll be reading the next book in the series soon!
Check out my eBook!
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