Vanessa Vidale Vidale itibaren Humljani, Hırvatistan itibaren Humljani, Hırvatistan

Oh neden Zsadist gibi işkence gören kötü çocukları seviyorum? Lol o benim en sevdiğim kardeşim. Hikayesini sevdim ve tekrar tekrar okuyacak :)

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.

This is the first book in my list that I am rating only in comparison to the other two books of Tony Horwitz' that I have read: A Voyage Long and Strange, and Blue Latitudes. Tony's style is still engaging as he takes on the subject of the Civil War, then and now. So why a 2-star rating? In the paraphrased words of Tony's most written-about hardcore Civil War follower: either you get this obsession, or you don't. I don't. I don't get why people get worked up about professional sports either, but clearly millions do. Same deal here. Somehow the Civil War has 'fans' of all sorts. Mostly they seem to be escaping something in their present, but that can't be all of it. My question: Why celebrate an event doused so heavily in bloodshed and hatred? Why wrap it up in ceremonies and garland it with praise? Over 600,000 people died miserably during that particular event. If you want to retreat into the past, then why not celebrate simpler times and regular, positive living instead of slaughter? I find those who play at re-enacting it....disturbing. Even worse are the racial hatreds that came out in plain speech repeatedly in Tony's candid interviews. This in addition to the rewriting of history that glorifies one side and demonizes the other- all for self-justification. Of course, you can listen to this any day you like on political pundit television shows. I suppose I should be thankful for Tony revealing how awful people can be, but it's depressing...and far worse to realize that there are so many people in America today who still cling to their hatreds and predjudices- and will happily pick up a gun to protect both. It makes me want to escape myself...but not into a war fantasy.