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Burying Khiva Convictions
Sep. 10th, 2008 09:59 pmPrevious Convictions, by A. A. Gill
Some time ago, I read Gill's book A. A. Gill is Away and was surprised to find it much darker & more profound than I'd expected it to be. This is the smart, snarky, catty book I'd expected that time around - only flashes of the deeper, darker stuff. But still excellent, and rather insightful as no-holds-barred-humorous columns go.
(179/300)
The Dancer from Khiva, by Bibish
This is the autobiography of a woman from Uzbekistan who moved to Turkmenistan, then Russia, and that's a very interesting subject, and the content of the book WAS interesting, but the voice just really didn't do much for me. I'm glad I read it, because I feel like I learned about some things, but I can't say I was impressed with the book as a book - if that makes any sense. Also it's awfully depressing, and the author lacks the sophisticated irony/humor that usually makes depressing life stories go down that little bit smoother. Probably a sign of my spoiledness rather than a lack of value in the book.
(180/300)
Burying Ariel, by Gail Bowen
I'd missed this one, and it was satisfying to go back and read it - I enjoyed the fleshing out of that part of the ongoing characters' lives. Suspense was somewhat lacking, since having read further along in the series meant I could rule out some of the major suspects right away - but I don't read most mysteries to figure out whodunnit, so it wasn't a major problem. Now I have no more unread Gail Bowens left and I am sad.
(181/300)
Some time ago, I read Gill's book A. A. Gill is Away and was surprised to find it much darker & more profound than I'd expected it to be. This is the smart, snarky, catty book I'd expected that time around - only flashes of the deeper, darker stuff. But still excellent, and rather insightful as no-holds-barred-humorous columns go.
(179/300)
The Dancer from Khiva, by Bibish
This is the autobiography of a woman from Uzbekistan who moved to Turkmenistan, then Russia, and that's a very interesting subject, and the content of the book WAS interesting, but the voice just really didn't do much for me. I'm glad I read it, because I feel like I learned about some things, but I can't say I was impressed with the book as a book - if that makes any sense. Also it's awfully depressing, and the author lacks the sophisticated irony/humor that usually makes depressing life stories go down that little bit smoother. Probably a sign of my spoiledness rather than a lack of value in the book.
(180/300)
Burying Ariel, by Gail Bowen
I'd missed this one, and it was satisfying to go back and read it - I enjoyed the fleshing out of that part of the ongoing characters' lives. Suspense was somewhat lacking, since having read further along in the series meant I could rule out some of the major suspects right away - but I don't read most mysteries to figure out whodunnit, so it wasn't a major problem. Now I have no more unread Gail Bowens left and I am sad.
(181/300)
