Heidi Polk

Some moments of beauty but not as fully developed as one would hope...

This is the first book I have read by Shafak and while I felt the story wasn't as fully developed as it may have been, there were some beautifully written sections and I am definitely interested in reading some of her other works. The story opens with Ella, a Massachusetts housewife who has recently begun working at a publishing company. She is given a manuscript to review (titled Sweet Blasphemy) which follows the story of Rumi, the 13th-century Persian poet and his relationship with a Sufi dervish named Shams of Tabriz. The book goes back and forth between the story of Rumi and Shams and Ella's encounters with both the manuscript and its author. Shafak covers diverse topics such as love, destiny, communication, religious belief, Sufi mysticism and faith.
Like the best cakes, it provides a welcome respite from the cares of everyday life...

I must admit that between the title and the garish cover, I was not, by any means, inclined to pick this book up. However, the sample I downloaded was entertaining enough, so I decided to give it a chance. The plot is simple: Issy Randall loses her corporate job and decides to use her redundancy package to invest in her passion (baking) and open a cafe. The book itself is very light and though the characters are a bit two-dimensional, I found that it was a nice way to just relax. The best bits were the recipes and the author has a true skill in noting the way that food, with all its delectable smells and tastes, can change the thoughts and attitudes of people. The author also notes that all of the recipes can be reproduced and the couple I've tried so far were fairly tasty. Overall, a reasonably enjoyable experience and a good way to let the everyday stresses disappear...
Ah the world of Wooster and Jeeves

I truly love the Wooster and Jeeves stories - they're the perfect antidote to a busy and stressful day (though it does make me wish I had my own Jeeves!) They can be picked up and put down at any point and I truly enjoyed them to the utmost.
Decent and admirable intention, but I'm still a bit ambivalent

This book was chosen for my book club - I hadn't heard anything about it beforehand, but thought the subject matter sounded interesting enough... *Spoiler alert* I must admit that I was at first fairly torn about the book as a whole. I felt the author's use of black vernacular was a bit insulting and that she was trying to appeal to readers' romanticised notions of the relationships between blacks and whites in the South (most of which stem from Gone With the Wind). As an example, I found it a bit frustrating that the book as a whole seemed to be a juxtaposition between old black women and a plucky young white girl, as if the author was only playing up 'Mammy' connotations. On the other hand, one aspect that I found fascinating was the depiction of the hierarchical structure of Southern society. Everyone appears aware of 'the rules' and everyone follows them - this was where a lot of the interesting tension lay, when characters tried to break out or act differently than how they...This book was chosen for my book club - I hadn't heard anything about it beforehand, but thought the subject matter sounded interesting enough... *Spoiler alert* I must admit that I was at first fairly torn about the book as a whole. I felt the author's use of black vernacular was a bit insulting and that she was trying to appeal to readers' romanticised notions of the relationships between blacks and whites in the South (most of which stem from Gone With the Wind). As an example, I found it a bit frustrating that the book as a whole seemed to be a juxtaposition between old black women and a plucky young white girl, as if the author was only playing up 'Mammy' connotations. On the other hand, one aspect that I found fascinating was the depiction of the hierarchical structure of Southern society. Everyone appears aware of 'the rules' and everyone follows them - this was where a lot of the interesting tension lay, when characters tried to break out or act differently than how they were 'supposed' to behave. It is a testament to Stockett that she could shade the ambiguity so well. After reading the book, I followed it up by reading an interview with the author and the interview helped me to form a more favourable impression. Not only is Stockett from Mississippi, she grew up with a black nanny in the Civil Rights era. It's easy to see that the part of Skeeter is much more an autobiographical viewpoint of the events of the time. I commend Stockett for not only incorporating her own history into the novel but also for attempting to give voice to those who she knew had to stay silent in the past. However, I remain ambivalent about the novel's attempts to slightly revise history and to simplify something that was not only very complicated, but that is still being felt throughout society today. (more)
Fairly amusing send-up of 19th century travelogues

In 1867, Mark Twain joined a group of pilgrims making their way to the Holy Land. This is his account of the trip, making its way through France, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Syria and Israel. Though my attention wandered a bit while making my way through this fairly lengthy piece, I must admit that Twain's humor pulled me through in the end. His observations are greatly exaggerated (and stinging to the core in more than one instance) but anyone familiar with his style and wide-ranging speculative eloquence will definitely enjoy. I wouldn't say it's a must read, but it was pleasurable enough...
I only made it halfway through - after two months of effort

but I'd give the first half 3 stars... and will write a better review if I ever return to it...