Ann Reus Reus itibaren Salya, Kirovskaya oblast', Rusya, 613574
I've read some of the chapters in this book. It's like a basic text book about photo issues and theories.
I've always held something of an eye-brow raising fascination of the entity that is the Marquise de Sade (for whom the term "sadism" is said to be derived), the original bad boy of the literary world: a spoiled, entitled, debauched aristocrat, an over the top epitome of 18th century France, whose writings, predilections and peccadilloes (which ran to the extreme spectrum of sexuality) landed him in prison on a number of occasions. This historical book focuses on the women in de Sade's - his mother-in-law, Madame de Montreuil, a a shrewd and resourceful woman who thought him a model son, only to discover his true nature and quickly became exasperated in keeping him from being prosecuted by the law due to his 'deviant' actions, and was instrumental in having him imprisoned; and his devoted, Renee Pelagie, who indulged and enabled his whims, caprices, and vices, until she relented for the sake of their posterity. Very interesting point of view from the women in de Sade's life who witnessed first hand a scion of the French ancien regime whose scandalous actions and literature brought about his own self-destruction.
Such a good idea for a book. It takes all the best parts of Patrick O'Brian and Anne McCaffrey and mixes them together in one great action packed dragon soup. How could you go wrong with this. You're right. You can't. It is physically impossible The language is the first thing I noticed and loved. It is seamless and easy to understand, but is undeniably old fashioned and perfect for the time period Ms. Novik chose. The gentlemanly airs everyone puts on, and the insults to honor if you but look at someone askance, had me grinning and begging for more. Indeed, a few times Captain Will Laurence was insulted or demanded an apology, and I wasn't even quite sure what had gone wrong. No one is allowed to step out of line on Laurence's watch, no sir. Temeraire is thoroughly charming, smart and powerful, yet with an innocent naiveté that completely won me over. It made me remember my first foray into the world of Anne McCaffrey, and daydreaming of Impressing a gold dragon. The same emotions overcame me here. You know what I want? I want Sims 3 Pets to have a dragon expansion pack. Screw unicorns, give me a dragon. I would play the hell out of that. Unfortunately, having a dragon in this universe means you are conscripted into the Aerial Corps without any choice. All dragons are the property of the Crown. It seems like such a waste to use something so majestic as a dragon as a bomber plane. Of course, they basically end up doing exactly that in the Anne McCafrey universe as well...but something about firing a gun at a dragon seems so barbaric. I hope Temeraire doesn't remain in the fighting corps long, I really want him to be happy and retire with Laurence some place warm and sandy. And this is after only one installment of the Temeraire series! I can't wait to read more. This book isn't perfect, even if I like to gush about it. Not too much actually happened, and the love interest falls flat. However, this being the first in a series, the set up for more happening in this world is ripe. If you like anything about dragons or the Napoleonic wars, this book will be a treat for you.
It was a very enjoyable story.
Behind the scenes of the New York art world with Lacey Yeager. Money made, money lost.
We did this for book club, but I was unable to make it for the discussion. I really liked the book, however. It was written during WWII by John Steinbeck and was used as propaganda. He never knew how effective his book had been while he was alive.