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jedore's reviews
499 reviews
They Came Like Swallows by William Maxwell
I added this book to my To Be Read list more than 20 years ago...and read it at the absolutely perfect time.
Written in 1937, it's the story of a middle-class American family—dad, mom and two young boys—impacted by the Spanish flu epidemic of 2018. The story begins just as World War I ends and is broken into three sections, each told by a different family member. I definitely connected most with the first section, which was narrated by the baby of the family. Apparently, the dynamics of being the youngest in a family are timeless.
Albeit not a whole lot happens in this character-driven story, it was a quick read for me. Not deeply emotion, but touching. Very glad I read it post-Covid as it was completely relatable and interesting to see the parallels between the two pandemics.
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
"For it was Elizabeth who had determined the shape that his life should take, from the very first moment he saw her. And she had altered that shape daily by the sound of her voice, and by her hair, and by her eyes, which were so large and dark. And by her wisdom and by her love."
I added this book to my To Be Read list more than 20 years ago...and read it at the absolutely perfect time.
Written in 1937, it's the story of a middle-class American family—dad, mom and two young boys—impacted by the Spanish flu epidemic of 2018. The story begins just as World War I ends and is broken into three sections, each told by a different family member. I definitely connected most with the first section, which was narrated by the baby of the family. Apparently, the dynamics of being the youngest in a family are timeless.
Albeit not a whole lot happens in this character-driven story, it was a quick read for me. Not deeply emotion, but touching. Very glad I read it post-Covid as it was completely relatable and interesting to see the parallels between the two pandemics.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Bullying and War
Weyward by Emilia Hart
I'm on a mission to read all the books I can about witchcraft in order to have the deepest understanding of the causes of the persecution of females, many of whom were often simply introverts, healers, and odd in some way, for centuries. These stories also help me feel more connected with my kind.
The positives...fast-paced, good writing, empowering.
The negatives...formulaic, totally predictable.
There's a chance I'll remember it over time, but an equal chance I won't. Either way, I'm very glad I read it, especially because it's helped me further my mission.
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
"He was a man, after all. He had no reason to think he would not be believed."
I'm on a mission to read all the books I can about witchcraft in order to have the deepest understanding of the causes of the persecution of females, many of whom were often simply introverts, healers, and odd in some way, for centuries. These stories also help me feel more connected with my kind.
The positives...fast-paced, good writing, empowering.
The negatives...formulaic, totally predictable.
There's a chance I'll remember it over time, but an equal chance I won't. Either way, I'm very glad I read it, especially because it's helped me further my mission.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Grief, Abortion, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Blood, and Classism
Minor: Alcoholism, Dementia, and Car accident
The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck
This Pulitzer Prize winning novel that is included in “1,000 Books to Read Before You Die” has been on my Read List for over a decade. After reading and loving “Peony” by Pearl S. Buck a few months ago, I finally got to it.
It's never easy to read about extreme poverty or the horrific plight of females in China (anywhere!) or the awful behavior of the men in charge. However, despite all of these things being central to this story, I liked it and I'm glad I read it.
The story is centered on a farming family living in a small Chinese village in the early 1900s. It gives deep insight into the tenuousness of life for China’s poorest citizens, the power of land ownership to completely shift the trajectory of a family, and how greed and power can corrupt even decent men.
And by “men,” I literally mean men. It is primarily the men who are corrupted (to varying degrees) by strife, good fortune, poverty and riches. Not all of the females are innocent, but they are all second class citizens. As soon as I would sigh with relief about a positive turn of events, Wang Lung (the main character) would find a way to screw things up. Although Wang Lung's wife, O-Lan is far more level-headed and wise, she is totally and unfortunately powerless.
I think because the story was written from a male's point of view, I didn't emotionally connect to it like I did to Peony, which had a strong female main character. Also, the men were annoying at best, completely maddening at worst. Although this was wholly intentional on behalf of Ms. Buck, I still found myself wishing that the story was told by O'Lan.
It's easy to forget that Ms. Buck is not Chinese. Her grasp of the history and culture is mind blowing.
dark
informative
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
“But hers was a strange heart, sad in its very nature, and she could never weep and ease it as other women do, for her tears never brought her comfort.”
This Pulitzer Prize winning novel that is included in “1,000 Books to Read Before You Die” has been on my Read List for over a decade. After reading and loving “Peony” by Pearl S. Buck a few months ago, I finally got to it.
It's never easy to read about extreme poverty or the horrific plight of females in China (anywhere!) or the awful behavior of the men in charge. However, despite all of these things being central to this story, I liked it and I'm glad I read it.
The story is centered on a farming family living in a small Chinese village in the early 1900s. It gives deep insight into the tenuousness of life for China’s poorest citizens, the power of land ownership to completely shift the trajectory of a family, and how greed and power can corrupt even decent men.
And by “men,” I literally mean men. It is primarily the men who are corrupted (to varying degrees) by strife, good fortune, poverty and riches. Not all of the females are innocent, but they are all second class citizens. As soon as I would sigh with relief about a positive turn of events, Wang Lung (the main character) would find a way to screw things up. Although Wang Lung's wife, O-Lan is far more level-headed and wise, she is totally and unfortunately powerless.
I think because the story was written from a male's point of view, I didn't emotionally connect to it like I did to Peony, which had a strong female main character. Also, the men were annoying at best, completely maddening at worst. Although this was wholly intentional on behalf of Ms. Buck, I still found myself wishing that the story was told by O'Lan.
It's easy to forget that Ms. Buck is not Chinese. Her grasp of the history and culture is mind blowing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexism, Slavery, Pregnancy, Abandonment, and Classism
Moderate: Child abuse, Chronic illness, Death, and Death of parent
Minor: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Drug use, Dementia, and War
Washington Black by Esi Edugyan
Washington Black is the story of a young black man who narrowly escaped a life of slavery and entered into the scientific world with the help of the younger brother of his owner.
This book checked all the boxes to be a favorite…historical fiction, strong character development, anti-racist, written by a woman. It seemed somewhat similar to one of my all-time favorites, The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert. But, I just couldn’t connect to it. By the end, my brain would totally stray while I was reading, so it took me way longer to finish than it should have.
Maybe the characters weren’t deep enough…maybe I felt disconnected from the settings…there was definitely nothing in the storyline that captivated me. So it was a mildly painful slow burn for me.
Clearly it was just me as others rated it quite a bit higher, so don’t rule it out.
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
“In any case, it was then I recognized that my own values… they are not the only, not the best, values in existence. I understood there were many ways of being in the world, that to privilege one set of rigid beliefs over another was to lose something. Everything is bizarre, and everything has value. Or if not value, at least merits investigation.”
Washington Black is the story of a young black man who narrowly escaped a life of slavery and entered into the scientific world with the help of the younger brother of his owner.
This book checked all the boxes to be a favorite…historical fiction, strong character development, anti-racist, written by a woman. It seemed somewhat similar to one of my all-time favorites, The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert. But, I just couldn’t connect to it. By the end, my brain would totally stray while I was reading, so it took me way longer to finish than it should have.
Maybe the characters weren’t deep enough…maybe I felt disconnected from the settings…there was definitely nothing in the storyline that captivated me. So it was a mildly painful slow burn for me.
Clearly it was just me as others rated it quite a bit higher, so don’t rule it out.
The Witchfinder's Sister by Beth Underdown
I’ve been fascinated by witch trials since I was a young girl, no doubt because I was burned in a previous life 🔥
“The Witchfinder’s Sister” is the story of a disgusting human being known as Matthew Hopkins, who was responsible for a prolific witch hunt in England around 1645 that resulted in the hanging of over 100 women.
Matthew’s story is told by his sister, Alice, who is not really known to have existed. It’s yet another horrific story of a man compensating for his weakness and ineptitude by killing elderly and mentally ill women, or any woman who dared to challenge him in some direct or imaginary way.
This book reminded me of two things:
1) Men weren’t the only ones guilty in the witch hunts; insecure and weak women were culpable as well. It was truly devastating what was done by the most deplorable of both genders behind the shield of Christianity.
2) Not all church leaders were supportive of the witch hunts.
The story is heavily fictionalized and, in my opinion, the author took that a bit too far at the very end. It’s highly unlikely that it actually ended in the way she described. But, I learned a lot and am better for having read this heartbreaking story.
dark
informative
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
“For it is a choice, I think, to close the heart, just as it is a choice to open it. It is a choice to look at what distresses you, and a choice to shut your eyes. It is a choice to hold tight, your pain, or else to let it slip your grass, said it free or make it’s Mark upon the world.”
I’ve been fascinated by witch trials since I was a young girl, no doubt because I was burned in a previous life 🔥
“The Witchfinder’s Sister” is the story of a disgusting human being known as Matthew Hopkins, who was responsible for a prolific witch hunt in England around 1645 that resulted in the hanging of over 100 women.
Matthew’s story is told by his sister, Alice, who is not really known to have existed. It’s yet another horrific story of a man compensating for his weakness and ineptitude by killing elderly and mentally ill women, or any woman who dared to challenge him in some direct or imaginary way.
This book reminded me of two things:
1) Men weren’t the only ones guilty in the witch hunts; insecure and weak women were culpable as well. It was truly devastating what was done by the most deplorable of both genders behind the shield of Christianity.
2) Not all church leaders were supportive of the witch hunts.
The story is heavily fictionalized and, in my opinion, the author took that a bit too far at the very end. It’s highly unlikely that it actually ended in the way she described. But, I learned a lot and am better for having read this heartbreaking story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Chronic illness, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, and Classism
Minor: Torture
The Good Left Undone by Adriana Trigiani
I call books like this "Hallmark" books. (Probably similar to what other people call "Beach Reads.") It was not bad, not great. Not unique. Not memorable.
Character development was good, but I didn't fully bond with any of them. They just felt a bit flat to me.
The story was a typical WWII one. (I'm not going to say any more because I don't like giving spoilers.)
I did appreciate learning about the real life story of the SS Arandora Star. This was a new one for me....horribly TRAGIC.
Although my review is lukewarm, it wasn't a chore to read this book so it went quickly. If you just like an interesting character-driven story, don't rule it out. At this point in my life, I'm a bit more book snobby because I'm really looking for books that shake me up in some way.
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
"Who waits around for a compliment? Ask for it. Then take it. And when you do, you realize you knew the truth all along and you didn't need anybody else's opinion in the first place. No one has to tell you that you did a great job."
I call books like this "Hallmark" books. (Probably similar to what other people call "Beach Reads.") It was not bad, not great. Not unique. Not memorable.
Character development was good, but I didn't fully bond with any of them. They just felt a bit flat to me.
The story was a typical WWII one. (I'm not going to say any more because I don't like giving spoilers.)
I did appreciate learning about the real life story of the SS Arandora Star. This was a new one for me....horribly TRAGIC.
Although my review is lukewarm, it wasn't a chore to read this book so it went quickly. If you just like an interesting character-driven story, don't rule it out. At this point in my life, I'm a bit more book snobby because I'm really looking for books that shake me up in some way.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Terminal illness, Grief, Religious bigotry, and War
Moderate: Bullying and Antisemitism
Don't Cry for Me by Daniel Black
I was pulled into this story from the Author’s note at the very beginning. Like the author, my father passed without ever admitting, let alone apologizing, for his major emotional shortcomings. Writing this book was a way for Daniel Black to heal the gaping wounds this leaves behind.
I don’t like to compare the pain of two different people. Pain is pain and no one deserves to have their pain diminished. But, I have to say what Isaac, the gay son who is the recipient of his father’s deathbed letters, went through is FAR worse than what I went through.
On top of a typical dysfunctional family, he has the added horrors of the impact of slavery and being black in the U.S., being gay in a subculture that considers it an abhorrence, and the lack of love, tenderness and communication when it was needed most. I honestly don’t know if I would be able to climb out of a hole that deep.
Reading the imagined letters that the reformed father wrote to Isaac was definitely a soothing salve. Many of the things he conveyed explained some of the characteristics and behaviors of my own father (and other men I know and love), so it was helpful for me personally as well.
That being said, I still find it difficult to excuse my middle class white father for his emotional neglect. A black man of the same generation is a whole other story.
I highly recommend this book to anyone with daddy issues stemming from a hyper-stern and inexpressive father born in the early to mid-1900s, as well as anyone walking the path toward anti-racism. It’s a very quick, deeply emotional, and insightful read.
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
“Knowledge is a funny thing, Isaac. It informs by exposing. It shows you precisely how much you don’t know.”
I was pulled into this story from the Author’s note at the very beginning. Like the author, my father passed without ever admitting, let alone apologizing, for his major emotional shortcomings. Writing this book was a way for Daniel Black to heal the gaping wounds this leaves behind.
I don’t like to compare the pain of two different people. Pain is pain and no one deserves to have their pain diminished. But, I have to say what Isaac, the gay son who is the recipient of his father’s deathbed letters, went through is FAR worse than what I went through.
On top of a typical dysfunctional family, he has the added horrors of the impact of slavery and being black in the U.S., being gay in a subculture that considers it an abhorrence, and the lack of love, tenderness and communication when it was needed most. I honestly don’t know if I would be able to climb out of a hole that deep.
Reading the imagined letters that the reformed father wrote to Isaac was definitely a soothing salve. Many of the things he conveyed explained some of the characteristics and behaviors of my own father (and other men I know and love), so it was helpful for me personally as well.
That being said, I still find it difficult to excuse my middle class white father for his emotional neglect. A black man of the same generation is a whole other story.
I highly recommend this book to anyone with daddy issues stemming from a hyper-stern and inexpressive father born in the early to mid-1900s, as well as anyone walking the path toward anti-racism. It’s a very quick, deeply emotional, and insightful read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexism, Slavery, Terminal illness, Grief, Death of parent, and Classism
Moderate: Alcoholism
Minor: Bullying and Domestic abuse
The Many Daughters of Afong Moy by Jamie Ford
Well, this was a wonderful multi-generational ride and an excellent introduction to the concept of epigenetics. It’s a combo of historical and futuristic fiction, as well as magical realism.
It took a bit longer to get totally pulled in to the story because of the multiple characters, but it’s well worth the extra effort.
Spanning from the early 1800s to the late 2000s, the stories of the women of the Moy family are heartbreaking. The concept of trauma being passed down to future generations becomes completely believable when you read about multiple generations simultaneously. I have no doubt that most of the immigrants and all African-Americans are impacted by this awful phenomenon.
Highly recommend this one for those seeking pleasure and evolution!
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Karma is more like a suitcase. You have to be unafraid to open it up and look at what's inside, to unpack the things you do not need. Karma is the climate of the past which shapes how much leeway we have in the future.
Well, this was a wonderful multi-generational ride and an excellent introduction to the concept of epigenetics. It’s a combo of historical and futuristic fiction, as well as magical realism.
It took a bit longer to get totally pulled in to the story because of the multiple characters, but it’s well worth the extra effort.
Spanning from the early 1800s to the late 2000s, the stories of the women of the Moy family are heartbreaking. The concept of trauma being passed down to future generations becomes completely believable when you read about multiple generations simultaneously. I have no doubt that most of the immigrants and all African-Americans are impacted by this awful phenomenon.
Highly recommend this one for those seeking pleasure and evolution!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Abandonment, and Classism
Moderate: Sexual assault, Forced institutionalization, Lesbophobia, Outing, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Deportation, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Henry and June: From a Journal of Love: The Unexpurgated Diary (1931-1932) of Anais Nin by Anaïs Nin
I waited a couple of days to write this review just to make sure I wasn’t being rash in my conclusions.
Two days later, they remain exactly the same—this is one of the most annoying books I’ve ever read.
To be fair, connecting with a book is wholly dependent upon timing. I added this memoir to my reading list at a time when I was reclaiming my sexuality (that had been stolen from me by a conservative family and repressive society). Anaïs Nin, author of feminist literature and classic erotica, piqued my interest. If I would have read it then, there’s a very good chance I wouldn’t have gotten so annoyed and would have rated it much higher. I remember wholeheartedly believing in some of the same justifications she espouses in the book. But, I read it at 56, when my brief polygamist phase is but a distant memory, I have evolved significantly, and I can recognize exactly what I am reading.
From beginning to end, the pages of this diary were covered with the emotionally indulgent blathering of a young woman absolutely overwhelmed by her daddy issues. She takes self-absorbency to epic proportions and is absolutely clueless as to her complete misunderstanding of the true meaning and experience of love. Her primary paramour (of many), the author Henry Miller, was no better.
To make matters worse, practically the entire book builds up to a certain event and said event is barely discussed before the book bluntly ends. Annoying.
I seriously considered adding this to my DNF list after just a couple of chapters, but it’s literary significance made me stay the course. Glad that’s over and done with!
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
2.5
“It isn’t strong women who make men weak, but weak men who make women over strong.”
I waited a couple of days to write this review just to make sure I wasn’t being rash in my conclusions.
Two days later, they remain exactly the same—this is one of the most annoying books I’ve ever read.
To be fair, connecting with a book is wholly dependent upon timing. I added this memoir to my reading list at a time when I was reclaiming my sexuality (that had been stolen from me by a conservative family and repressive society). Anaïs Nin, author of feminist literature and classic erotica, piqued my interest. If I would have read it then, there’s a very good chance I wouldn’t have gotten so annoyed and would have rated it much higher. I remember wholeheartedly believing in some of the same justifications she espouses in the book. But, I read it at 56, when my brief polygamist phase is but a distant memory, I have evolved significantly, and I can recognize exactly what I am reading.
From beginning to end, the pages of this diary were covered with the emotionally indulgent blathering of a young woman absolutely overwhelmed by her daddy issues. She takes self-absorbency to epic proportions and is absolutely clueless as to her complete misunderstanding of the true meaning and experience of love. Her primary paramour (of many), the author Henry Miller, was no better.
To make matters worse, practically the entire book builds up to a certain event and said event is barely discussed before the book bluntly ends. Annoying.
I seriously considered adding this to my DNF list after just a couple of chapters, but it’s literary significance made me stay the course. Glad that’s over and done with!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Misogyny, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Body shaming