Rohit Mohan Mohan itibaren La Lucila, Santa Bárbara, Antioquia, कोलोम्बिया
This was an awesome book...Kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time reading it...
I've had this book on my mountainous To-Read list for well over three years. It's not the longest that a book has been on the list, but it's up there, and I think it's a shame it took me this long to get to this book. Because I really loved it. I thought it was gorgeously written, compelling, and intriguing, and it engrossed me almost from start to finish. I really enjoyed the characters, and man, would I have LOVED to read Julian Carax's books. They sound amazing. *ahem* Mr. Ruiz Zafón? I hope you wouldn't take it the wrong way if I were to ask if you might have copies of Carax's books, and say, if I were to humbly request that you publish them in English post-haste and then send me review copies? Whattaya say? Ehh? No? *sigh* Well, a girl can dream. I did love the circular nature of the story, and how every little story was a piece to the larger story, and how all of them were entwined with each other. If I had one complaint, it was that Daniel's and Julian's stories mirrored each other a little too closely. But that's a minor complaint, because I did like the similarities and the feeling of deja vu this led to, but it just seemed constructed that way, and I would have liked a little more variance than just the good luck vs bad luck divide. I was fascinated by Javier Fumero. He's the epitome of patience and planning, and that's what makes him so creepy. You never know where he's going to be, what he'll do, or when... you just know that he will be there some day, waiting for you, with an authority that allows him to do anything and get away with it. Terrifying! On the flip side was Fermin, who was hilarious and never ever at a loss for words. I loved his character, and I hope that maybe we might see more of him, perhaps? I really loved the mystery aspect, and though I figured out Lain Coubert's significance about mid-way through, I didn't feel disappointed like I usually do when I solve a mystery before the big reveal. I enjoyed the journey of hitching a ride with Daniel as he figured it out for himself. This is a fantastic story, and one I highly recommend. I can't wait to read more in this series, and more of Ruiz Zafón's (and Carax's... please please please!!) books.
i think joan didion is one of the most honest and self-aware writers i've read. this memoir chronicles the year after her husband dies, during which her daughter is very ill. it's sad. it's really fucking sad. but she's so smart and insightful, and the things she has to say about loss and grief and the process people left behind go through very much stayed with me.