In The Gum Thief, Douglas Coupland takes us into the world of hourly wage employment at Staples. This is coupled by the fact that the main character, a divorced alcoholic of about 40 years (Roger) has a very irregular "relationship" with a 20 something Goth chick (Bethany). Add, diary like entries, letters from one character to another, (they never actually have face to face contact.) AND, excerpts from a novel that Roger is writing, which is called Glove Pond. It sounds like a confusing trip to Wonderland.....BUT...
Don't be fooled by my honest description of the premise of this book, I have to say, I LOVED IT!! I found that it was written very well. Coupland was not afraid to be totally honest and uncensored about the trials that the characters encounter. Roger never tries to apologize for who he is, yet as a misanthrope he does at least acknowledge it. Bethany goes through the usual, I am a girl, I hate myself, and societal pressures can destroy me if I let it.
A final note, one would have to at least raise an eyebrow at Roger's novel, "Glove Pond." It is THE most entertaining insertion to Coupland's book. In a way I almost wished it was actually a published novel.
I RECOMMEND this book to those who appreciate the oddly written novels, that definitely do not follow the typical pattern of today's literature. ****
For more info about this book visit: http://coupland.com/portfolio/the-gum-thief/
I have been a Stephen King follower since I was a teenager and first read his Bachman Books: Rage, The Running Man, The Long Walk, and Roadwork. (Which come to think of it, I should definitely put on my Re-read list) I have to admit I almost overlooked this book because of the cover (Talk about judging a book eh?) but I did eventually pick it up. It is a relatively easy read, for all those who know most of King's books can definitely be considered, "Hefty in weight."
In Joyland, the reader follows a college man who works in the summertime at a boardwalk Carnival. I believe this is what we would find as Kings attempt at a mystery novel. Though as the reader can see, he added the Supernatural into the mix. I liked the premise of the story, which was trying to find a killer from years and years ago in the Carnival circuit. I have to be honest that the end left me wondering, "What just happened?" Only in the fact that he did tie up the ends of the book, but I think the climax he led up to was less of a BANG and more of a WHIMPER. Maybe I expect a more transitional ending because many of the books I have read from Stephen King have that twist, and turn, that this book does not.
Recommend for those who want to add to their King stories, but for the avid reader, maybe pass this one by. **
For more info on this book, and buying options visit: http://www.amazon.com/Joyland-Hard-Case-Crime-Book-ebook/dp/B00I75EROU
Lisa See has always been one my favorite female authors. I have always found her style of storytelling to be sensual, comedic, and most importantly emotional; in the sense of audience empathic and sympathies with her characters. China Dolls did not disappoint this reader on all previously mentioned aspects.
The Characters: Ruby, Grace and Helen lead you through a story of their lives as young women finding their way in San Fransisco previous to and during the World War II era. The back stories to these three Asian women bleed into who they are as women together. The story takes the reader through the loves and lives of these women who each have a first person voice, in succession throughout the novel.
What kept this reader's attention throughout the book were the many overlapping dramatic themes that the girls each had to fight through, both together and separately. There was always a satisfying conclusion to each girls' emotional trials. In the book, the issues that are highlighted: Physical Abuse, Racial Tension, Politics of WW2, Asian/American Cultural Diversity - Modern and Traditional, Independence and Femininity...to name a few.
The book is a fluid read from beginning to end, it had all storytelling capable content without unnecessary filler.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED ****
Want to know more? visit this site! http://www.lisasee.com/china-dolls/
