Pisinga
Markham Public Library
Pisinga's Completed Shelf
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Pisinga's rating:
2.5 out of 5 stars
Added Oct 29, 2016
Pisinga's rating:
4 out of 5 stars
Added Oct 19, 2016
Comment:
The moral of the story is - you can not, despite the sadness, trying to return from beyond those who have gone to another world. The results can be unpredictable.
Pisinga's rating:
3 out of 5 stars
Added Oct 11, 2016
Comment:
In this book, little that is clear, for example, why the main character goes in the investigation after sudden appearance at the threshold of her house of one of her former classmate, whom she had not seen for more than twenty years. Still the read was interesting enough. The ending I didn’t like. It was like in so many films, the feeling that you already have repeatedly seen this.In this book, little that is clear, for example, why the main character goes in the investigation after sudden appearance at the threshold of her house of one of her former classmate, whom she had not seen for more than twenty years. Still the read…
Pisinga's rating:
3.5 out of 5 stars
Added Oct 03, 2016
Comment:
While I was reading this book, I was thinking - What a waste of a really good topic and interesting material: endless names of tribes; unlikeable, incomplete, characters of westerners...
But last 30 or so pages, raised my opinion of the book.
Working StiffWorking Stiff, BookTwo Years, 262 Bodies, and the Making of A Medical Examiner
by Melinek, JudyBook - 2014 | First Scribner hardcover edition.
Pisinga's rating:
4 out of 5 stars
Added Sep 28, 2016
Comment:
I did not see described autopsies dark, or scary, or causing nausea, as some people could think referring to the subject of the book. It was quite interesting to read about the various causes of death and how a forensic expert, who is the author and the protagonist of the book, learned from experience to identify a particular cause of death.
I liked the fact that she is emphasizing that the object of autopsy - is, above all, a body of human being, and therefore is worthy of respect. If only because of the relatives.I did not see described autopsies dark, or scary, or causing nausea, as some people could think referring to the subject of the book. It was quite interesting to read about the various causes of death and how a forensic expert, who is the author and…
The Prisoner of Hell GateThe Prisoner of Hell Gate, BookA Novel
by Wolff, Dana I.Book - 2016 | First Picador paperback edition.
Pisinga's rating:
4.5 out of 5 stars
Added Sep 28, 2016
Comment:
Interesting reading. The combination of fiction and reality. The name may scare potential readers, because it suggests that this is another hellish theme. But this is not the case. And the real facts themselves, on which the book is based, are surprising. You can find information about them. The book reminded me the Bell Witch haunting. Sometimes there is a feeling of hackneyed methods in describing the actions of young people. And I didn’t like the ending.Interesting reading. The combination of fiction and reality. The name may scare potential readers, because it suggests that this is another hellish theme. But this is not the case. And the real facts themselves, on which the book is based, are…
Jack of SpadesJack of Spades, BookA Tale of Suspense
by Oates, Joyce CarolBook - 2015 | First edition.
Pisinga's rating:
2 out of 5 stars
Added Sep 15, 2016
Comment:
What is this book about? It is about a split personality or about writers’ envy to each other? And in what connection the name of Stephen Kings' that is mentioned in almost every page? It seems that so, Oates tried to adjust some accounts between her and King, known only to her. Really disappointing.What is this book about? It is about a split personality or about writers’ envy to each other? And in what connection the name of Stephen Kings' that is mentioned in almost every page? It seems that so, Oates tried to adjust some accounts between…
Pisinga's rating:
3 out of 5 stars
Added Sep 08, 2016
Comment:
The first half of the book has caused a certain irritation; I wanted to throw to keep reading. There was no connection between the periods of time, the narrative jumps from one decade to another, putting in some difficulty to understand - and whose life is described now? It seemed that the book was written in a hurry.
But as you read you find it quite interesting. It is possible, that many things described in the book are fictitious, but in reality, many of the characters described, really existed at the time of the Medici in Florence at the end of the 17th and beginning of 18th centuries.
Love, passion, arts and intrigues at the court...The first half of the book has caused a certain irritation; I wanted to throw to keep reading. There was no connection between the periods of time, the narrative jumps from one decade to another, putting in some difficulty to understand - and whose…
The House of Small ShadowsThe House of Small Shadows, Book
by Nevill, Adam L. G.Book - 2014 | First U.S. edition.
Pisinga's rating:
3 out of 5 stars
Added Sep 07, 2016
Comment:
Victorian, Gothic house... Some certain moments are reminiscent of Stephen King's "Carrie"...
You want to continue to read in anticipation of the unexpected outcomes...
All this lasts three fourth of the book. And then it begins incomprehensible nonsense, the sick imagination of the author, and just on that note the book ends.
I would not call the book’s genre as a horror novel. For me there is nothing frightening.
Could be named just “The Red House”Victorian, Gothic house... Some certain moments are reminiscent of Stephen King's "Carrie"...
You want to continue to read in anticipation of the unexpected outcomes...
All this lasts three fourth of the book. And then it begins incomprehensible…
Pisinga's rating:
4.5 out of 5 stars
Added Sep 04, 2016
Comment:
This book is too long. It could be divided in two, even, in three books.
Author is trying not to give any political statement, she doesn’t take sides, but you can feel a sentiment – first, western world is provoking wars and disasters, and then, they send help to restore broken countries.
I felt some kind of assertion from the author that African women are more authentic comparing to westerners, in the way of being and behaving, without pretence of false modesty. But, maybe, an authenticity of white woman is exactly in how they behave, not necessary the same way as African women.
“There is no place like home” – is a leitmotif of the book. No matter how bad is a situation at home?
It emphasizes the feeling of uselessness of foreign assistance in the form of various international organizations, religious institutions, and even medical care. This feeling causes irritation among the local population. The controversial view of things, in my opinion. The main fault lies within the rotten by corruption local governments that do not care about their own people.
Thanks to this book, I decided to get more information about the conflict in Sierra Leone.
What a mess!
What indescribable cruelty to his own.
At the same time a few nice surprises: erudition, knowledge of world history by educated local population. Many westerners not even know where Sierra Leone is.
I did not like the advocacy for psychological help to people with war-torn psyche, who, with pleasure, during the conflict, cut, burned, killed, raped his own people.
Not clear why Kai and Nenebah broken up their relations.
Despite all the efforts of the author to create a unique image of Nenebah-I do not particularly like this character.
Cold, too self-confident, unwavering in the rightness of their own opinion and irresistible lure.This book is too long. It could be divided in two, even, in three books.
Author is trying not to give any political statement, she doesn’t take sides, but you can feel a sentiment – first, western world is provoking wars and disasters, and then,…
Pisinga's rating:
5 out of 5 stars
Added Aug 27, 2016
Comment:
Infused with atmosphere of cold Baltic wind in Sweden, is an excellent book that is hard not to read in one evening.
Tolstoy and the Purple ChairTolstoy and the Purple Chair, BookMy Year of Magical Reading
by Sankovitch, NinaBook - 2011 | 1st ed. --
Pisinga's rating:
4 out of 5 stars
Added Aug 25, 2016
Comment:
Daily reading helped ease grief after sister’s death - so you can briefly formulate the theme of this memoir. The author describes her search for answers in the books - to multiple questions of life that is more than half the world's population is trying to find answers. And it seems that she finds the answers to all her questions and doubts.
The book is quite readable. The name, in my opinion, did not need to include the name of Tolstoy. It may be called simply “The Purple Chair”
Her opinions about second world war is very subjective, based on what she had heard from relatives and had read in some books on the subject, while she is not mentioning who and how started the Second World War and how much grief it carried the Eastern Europe, Russia, first of all. But on the whole she is opposed to any war.
Lately, people who have a fairly prosperous life in every way, as soon as there is some kind of tragedy, and without it no life is held, immediately begins to write memoirs.
Love of reading of author and all family members is admirable. But to read a book a day - this is a superficial attitude to reading. Although she herself admitted that will never do that again.
As someone sarcastically wrote: "Nina Sankovich, a housewife from Connecticut, conceived to join the literature. While her husband works, children learn, it's time to take up a book - a sentimental novel or a children's epic about the next wizard boy , but only Mrs. Sankovich is famous because she did not write but reads. Every day she took from the shelf a book to read and then write a review on her website. In the garden, on the beach, in the bedroom and the bathroom - she read Truman Capote, John Updike, Paul Auster and Agatha Christie. She prefers novels of 200-300 pages, but was not afraid and "fat" by Thomas Pynchon...”Daily reading helped ease grief after sister’s death - so you can briefly formulate the theme of this memoir. The author describes her search for answers in the books - to multiple questions of life that is more than half the world's population is…
A Mountain of CrumbsA Mountain of Crumbs, BookA Memoir
by Gorokhova, ElenaBook - 2011 | 1st Simon & Schuster trade pbk. --
Pisinga's rating:
2 out of 5 stars
Added Aug 21, 2016
Comment:
I had some reluctance to start to read this memoir, expecting it to be full of anti-Soviet attacks. But still I decided to read, looking at all the dithyrambs of admiration. In the beginning I did not see anything anti-Soviet, on the contrary, a deep sense of nostalgia. But as I continued reading, unpleasant feeling was growing.
I would like to note that “The Russian equivalent of Angela’s Ashes” (Billy Collins). - is absolutely not accurate. There is nothing in common between “Angela’s Ashes” and ”A Mountain of Crumbs”.
I didn’t like that Gorokhova, made the image of her mother as a symbol of entire Soviet life. What I saw is how her mother all her life worked hard, took care of the family, all the time was washing clothes for all family and was serving to them all, including the author. Ugly. Even if the author of the book then brought his mother to live with her in the United States.
Despite the fact that in the book are many truthful facts, there are some that are absolutely untrue. For example - I can confidently say that no one was starving in the USSR. Yes, the tables of ordinary citizens didn’t have oysters for dinner, well, sorry, as well in other countries, not everyone can afford oysters for dinner meals.
A self-respecting person will not be going abroad, to write a book showing all the flaws of his/her homeland, only to become famous. You can share your thoughts with friends, acquaintances and relatives. But do not create a "masterpiece", ridiculing everything about world, where you were born and raised. In addition, her life was not really so bad. It is unrealistic - 3-4 year old child, when she was in nursery school, is already thinking about the injustice of the political and economic situations.I had some reluctance to start to read this memoir, expecting it to be full of anti-Soviet attacks. But still I decided to read, looking at all the dithyrambs of admiration. In the beginning I did not see anything anti-Soviet, on the contrary, a…
Pisinga's rating:
5 out of 5 stars
Added Aug 16, 2016
Comment:
An interesting Swedish “fairy tale” for adults about “trolls”: the real and the fictional.
Pisinga's rating:
4.5 out of 5 stars
Added Aug 16, 2016
Comment:
Beautiful lyrical novel. Sometimes, while reading, the tears welling into eyes.
I did not really like some moments. I understand the author's purpose in those moments – to show sensuality, but it is, in my opinion, goes beyond of defined borders. Not wanting to put a spoiler - I will not talk about an episode in question.
The second half of the book is full of botany, anatomy, and physiology. It seems
this was the author's purpose - to show that we all come from the nature and we are all going back to her.
Shown the dependence of modern society to live on everything ready for consumerism: on pre packed, pre cooked, pre paid etc.
The ending I didn't like much: It seems that in order to start all over again, you need to destroy all past, all the knowledge accumulated for millennia, everything built with zeal.
If I am not mistaken, the first time the book was published in 1996. On the page 16 of this edition there is such phrase: "We heard the United States had a new president, and the she was arranging ..." "She" -? Curiously - prediction for present times?
There is a movie based on this book. I didn’t see it and I am not going to judge it. But I saw the trailer - and the house that is depicted in it - absolutely not what I imagine while reading. And the image of "house” plays an important role in this book.Beautiful lyrical novel. Sometimes, while reading, the tears welling into eyes.
I did not really like some moments. I understand the author's purpose in those moments – to show sensuality, but it is, in my opinion, goes beyond of defined borders.…
The Noise of TimeThe Noise of Time, Large Print
by Barnes, JulianLarge Print - 2016 | Large print edition.
Pisinga's rating:
3 out of 5 stars
Added Aug 07, 2016
Comment:
Neurotic, coward, womaniser, drank vodka like water... is the conclusion that you could make about composer Shostakovich after reading this book. He hated Soviet rules, but enjoyed good life under their governance.
Hated his music that was accepted by masses, was trying to promote some of his music, that he thought was a real music, but to my opinion, his symphonies and operas are hard to listen, they are very loud, unlike to his popular music. Maybe everything about Shostakovich in this book is true. Who knows? Even the author is not sure about that.
Barnes very often uses the same sentences over and over, from some pages to other ones.
Interestingly, I found an article about Shostakovich, in one of Russian newspaper from 2004, written by Russian journalist. Y o surprise – there are so many passages, word by word in this book than in that article that I unwittingly though – What is it? This book is published more than ten years later than that article. Both of them are using the same source, or this is some kind of a plagiarism?Neurotic, coward, womaniser, drank vodka like water... is the conclusion that you could make about composer Shostakovich after reading this book. He hated Soviet rules, but enjoyed good life under their governance.
Hated his music that was accepted…
Added Aug 07, 2016
Comment:
Started to read. 40 pages - there is only one thing, more or less, that had happened - - the main character is waken in the middle of the night and put his night robe. Couldn't go further for reading. Too many "letters" for not too much happenings.
Pisinga's rating:
4.5 out of 5 stars
Added Aug 07, 2016
Comment:
It was my first book by Joyce Carol Oates. And I am sure - not the last one. Although sometimes there is a feeling of déjà vu - the writing is classical. The topic could be not for everybody's taste, but I like it. Yes, you can feel the theme of 'Lolita' of Vladimir Nabokov. But I like better this book than Nabokov's, which, I don't understand Why, almost everyone is admiring.It was my first book by Joyce Carol Oates. And I am sure - not the last one. Although sometimes there is a feeling of déjà vu - the writing is classical. The topic could be not for everybody's taste, but I like it. Yes, you can feel the theme of…
Pisinga's rating:
0.5 out of 5 stars
Added Aug 07, 2016
Comment:
I was seduced by five stars that some readers have put to this book. But reading it - was a waste of time.
Pisinga's rating:
3.5 out of 5 stars
Added Jul 20, 2016
Comment:
Well, what we can do - Frieda Klein is unique, I'm writing this with an irony - everyone in her hometown, Braxton, or have been in love with her or still are in love. I do not see why.
I like her less and less with every new book from series about F. K. - she’s cold, does not have sympathy or compassion to other persons, and has no reason to repel people who care about her.
It is noticeable that the writing was done by two people - from one page to another, so to speak, feels the difference in writing style.
In general, as a crime novel - not bad.Well, what we can do - Frieda Klein is unique, I'm writing this with an irony - everyone in her hometown, Braxton, or have been in love with her or still are in love. I do not see why.
I like her less and less with every new book from series about…
Pisinga's rating:
4 out of 5 stars
Added Jul 20, 2016
Comment:
Everything was going along the usual course of reading, and suddenly – the ending. I re-read it several times - wondering maybe I missed something from the first reading. No. I returned to the beginning of the book – maybe I didn’t notice important clue that was there. Not
I decided to look on the Internet if others have written about this book. And it turns out that there are many deployed blogs, discussions, etc., in which READERS ARE discussing the ending of the book and are searching for an answer to the question - what does it mean and what is the correct conclusion. And most interesting is that the author did it on purpose, as she repeatedly said in numerous interviews after the publication of the book.
In order to engage readers take an active part, so to speak, in the thinking and conjecturing what is actually true?
Surely she has achieved it. I too have come to my own conclusions, and I do not have to puzzle anymore. It is there, in the book, you just have to analyze a little bit more than usual. But I think it is absolutely unfair to the reader, who doesn’t have to "finishing" work, it is not a school assignment. There are other ways to draw attention to talk about book. This part I did not like.Everything was going along the usual course of reading, and suddenly – the ending. I re-read it several times - wondering maybe I missed something from the first reading. No. I returned to the beginning of the book – maybe I didn’t notice important…
A House in the SkyA House in the Sky, BookA Memoir
by Lindhout, AmandaBook - 2013 | 1st Scribner hardcover ed. --
Pisinga's rating:
5 out of 5 stars
Added Jul 05, 2016
Comment:
The book is powerful; I think that everyone who has read it will agree with that. So for that – five stars for it. But as this is a memoir, so the most talk is about real facts described in this book and the person who is behind them – Amanda Lindhout. There are lots of talks in internet about all that happened to her and to Nigel Brennan in Somalia. Mostly, after she published this book. Many, many people are blaming her for to put her and Nigel in very cruel situation – because she knew about dangers, but she was such an arrogant person, too much self-confident, that she thought - whatever happened to somebody else – never will happen to her. But as one of her captors said (from the book) – “Look, this is not Paris, not Toronto. This is Somalia”. One of the journalists from National Geographic, who was at the same time that Amanda and Nigel in hotel in Somalia and who had to be kidnapped, and not Amanda and Nigel, but because of set of circumstances, it did not work out as planned originally by kidnappers, wrote after the fact, that his first impression of Amanda after introducing herself in hotel was- “O, she will make kill herself or somebody who will be with her”. Many people are asking – why she went there? It did no good to anyone, including herself? It’s like to go directly to an open mouth of a hungry wolf.
Anyway. Her optimism is admirable. It’s unique in a way. There is a question - is (was) she mentally well? Maybe she has a masochistic personality? Could it be true? We don’t know.
But in her photos, including on the cover of this book, - there is not a bit of laceration, stress, suffering inside of her soul. The impression is that she is happy about everything. More - there is no TV or radio show where she is not participated – Amanda is everywhere! Glossy photographs – as a model from fashion magazines. I read memoirs of other kidnapped victims, including women, after such terrible experiences, they never ever were the same again, like before the ordeal, and you won’t see their pictures in fashion outfits - “modeling”, as it happens with Amanda.
There is something not an authentic in her – I cannot point it out, but it's hard to believe that after her captors did to her – she is “forgiving” them because they are also victims of the war – as she put it. That is not a normal reaction of a person who recently suffered so much. Contrary to Nigel. He seems more authentic. But who am I to judge?
Unfortunately the relations between her and Nigel deteriorated. You can find recent tweets of him about her. Not cordial or friendly at all. Cold. This is because he said that ransom was paid completely by ausie part, including his family and sponsors. And he is undignified, apparently, of not telling complete truth by Amanda about who paid ransom. That is sad. But it is life.
Amanda Lindhout right now shouldn’t put herself in public attention how she is doing so. She looks as an attention seeker. And what for all that foundation – to help Somalian women with a basketball? Maybe she should leave them alone; they probably do not need her. Between all of those women who she met during her captivity only one was willing to help her. The rest – were very agree with kidnappers.The book is powerful; I think that everyone who has read it will agree with that. So for that – five stars for it. But as this is a memoir, so the most talk is about real facts described in this book and the person who is behind them – Amanda…
Pisinga's rating:
4 out of 5 stars
Added Jun 24, 2016
Comment:
If I knew that this book is full of horrible, hideous descriptions of crime scenes similar to the film "Seven", I would not read it. But in terms of crime fiction - the book is written well enough.
Pisinga's rating:
2.5 out of 5 stars
Added Jun 22, 2016
Comment:
I think this book will be closer to the Russian people, first, because of the specific issues and problems of life in the USSR in the 70s, described by the author. He wrote with a sense of humor, which, unfortunately, sometimes goes beyond decency. If a person decides to become a dissident, he / she should not pitifully write about his nostalgia for his homeland. So why did they go? Dovlatov is one of those writers.I think this book will be closer to the Russian people, first, because of the specific issues and problems of life in the USSR in the 70s, described by the author. He wrote with a sense of humor, which, unfortunately, sometimes goes beyond decency.…
Pisinga's rating:
4.5 out of 5 stars
Added Jun 16, 2016
Comment:
I like books by this author. To understand their pessimistic feeling, seeping from every page, you need to know more deeply about the history, politics and events in Colombia. It annoys me a bit that he is trying to create some kind of "Colombian literature of lost generation", as was the case with many authors during and after the First World War. Hence the motives of loneliness, emptiness and lack of meaning of life that Vasquez is attributing to his personages. But reality is not quite like that - what the writer is trying to show about Colombians -they in general don't suffer from a deep despair, despite the violent history of the country. But the language of the book is very good. And here we must pay tribute to the translator.I like books by this author. To understand their pessimistic feeling, seeping from every page, you need to know more deeply about the history, politics and events in Colombia. It annoys me a bit that he is trying to create some kind of "Colombian…
Comment: