Comments on In Search of Giants: The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor ...

Isn't it just a wee bit ridiculous to question whe...

2009-04-23T11:05:00.000-06:00

Isn't it just a wee bit ridiculous to question whether a person's race makes them better suited to write books on certain topics? A good writer is a good writer. Why the surprise that Anderson is white?

Aerin - Thank you for your insight and honesty. I...

2009-04-08T18:03:00.000-06:00

Aerin - Thank you for your insight and honesty. I read and enjoyed The Pox Party and also read the second book, The Kingdom of the Waves. I agree, they are very dense and not for everyone. From what I've read by and about M.T. Anderson he grew up steeped in early American history, spent years on the books and believes that readers, even young ones, appreciate a challenge. Octavian's story is certainly that.

Thanks so much for this honest and thought provoki...

2009-04-08T10:14:00.000-06:00

Thanks so much for this honest and thought provoking review. I've been wondering about giving this a read.

Also, I LOVE your blog header.

You put a lot of thought into this review. I bough...

2009-04-08T09:26:00.000-06:00

You put a lot of thought into this review. I bought the book as a gift for a very special young man and voracious reader. Unfortunately, I never heard his reaction to it. It sounds like a lot of work to read. Though I love Jane Austen movies, I'm not fond of her writing style. I think I'd have the same issue here.

I have experienced discrimination for being lesbian, being a woman and even for being white. But I don't think it compares to the all pervasive discrimination described in this book. I might still read this sometime when I have a stretch of dedicated reading time. Maybe.

Have you tried Barbara Hambly's A Free Man of Color?

GREAT review. I'm not familiar with this book and ...

2009-04-08T06:22:00.000-06:00

GREAT review. I'm not familiar with this book and I have to admit it's probably not something I would read. You did a really great job expressing your feelings on the book, and I know it can be hard when you don't like what you read.

BTW, I have also given you an award. You can pick it up here: http://www.melissas-bookshelf.com/2009/04/lets-be-friends-award.html

You've given a really honest and heartfelt review ...

2009-04-08T02:44:00.000-06:00

You've given a really honest and heartfelt review of the book Aerin, be proud of that. I don't know the book and it's not something I would read. I have grown up in the quagmire of race issues and have watched the tables turn from one side to the other, so to speak, ie, I've experienced race issues from both sides of the fence. I don't want to have to read about it when I live it daily.

I doubt I could read it either. I don't think it'...

2009-04-07T22:02:00.000-06:00

I doubt I could read it either. I don't think it's inherent racism to find reading something as you describe less than enjoyable. The slavery issue alone would, as you say, make the soul squirm; but the deliberate use of 18th Century colloquial speech too? I don't think so.

Hm, never heard of the book, but you have some rea...

2009-04-07T21:43:00.000-06:00

Hm, never heard of the book, but you have some really intriguing points especially after the statement that you do not like the book.

I don't think anyone really revels in saying that they dislike a book or an author - at least, I know that I do not, but sometimes that is unavoidable and, as they say, you cannot please everyone.

I might have to check this book out to see what you're talking about :)

I read the book because I was browsing the YA sect...

2009-04-07T21:39:00.000-06:00

I read the book because I was browsing the YA section about a year ago and liked the look of the spine. I finished it and I'm proud of that.

I did.not.like it.
And not just because it was disquieting, which it certainly was. The narrative felt disingenuous, disconnected from the narrator. Maybe that was a psychological distancing device, or a period device. Most importantly, it was a device that ended up distancing me from a desire to continue reading.

I don't know if this book will become a classic or not. It felt like an 'important read', but, like you said, something felt off. Like if Porthos turned out to be a iron worker from Queens, or in Weekend at Bernie's where the main character is a corpse, animated and conveyed, but never acting independently.

2009-04-07T21:38:00.000-06:00

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Wow...I am impressed by the level of thought you p...

2009-04-07T20:40:00.000-06:00

Wow...I am impressed by the level of thought you put in your own reaction to the novel. Me, I just figured I was bored!