Showing posts with label Novel-Mystery. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Novel-Mystery. Show all posts

Friday, January 6, 2023

Review of The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón

This book review was written by Eugene Kernes   

Book can be found in: 
Intriguing Connections = 1) Some Type of Romance, 

Watch Short Review

Excerpts

“”This is a place of mystery, Daniel, a sanctuary.  Every book, every volume you see here, has a soul.  The soul of the person who wrote it and of those who read it and lived and dreamed with it.”” – Carlos Ruiz Zafón, The Cemetery of Forgotten Books, Page 5


“”Mu uncle said he offered you a good sum of money for the Carax book, but you refused it,” Clara added.  “You have earned his respect.”” – Carlos Ruiz Zafón, Days of Ashes: Chapter 2, Page 19


“”About accursed books, about the man who wrote them, about a character who broke out of the pages of a novel so that he could burn it, about a betrayal and a lost friendship.  It’s a story of love, of hatred, and of the dreams that live in the shadow of the wind.”” – Carlos Ruiz Zafón, City of Shadows: Chapter 21, Page 178


Review

Overview:

There are those who protect books.  Keepers of their secrets.  Guardians who make sure that the soul of the book is kept alive by having someone, someday, read the book.  Daniel Sempere is that someone, who finds a forgotten book.  An enthralling book.  Daniel finds The Shadow of the Wind by Julián Carax.  But the search for more of Carax books or who Carax is leads to very little information.  But Daniel is so enamored with the book and author, that little by little uncovers the story of the author.  As Daniel tries to uncover the story, the police start following Daniel, with an inspector who threatens Daniel.  Carax books were wonderful, but sold few copies.  Most copies went up in flames at a warehouse, with rumors that someone by the name Laín Coubert burned the warehouse and any Carax books found.  But Laín Coubert is a fictional character in a Carax book. 

This is a story of secrets, and of their consequences.  For there are those that act upon knowledge they do not possess.  Creating acts of sin, through the innocence of ignorance.  Consequences not only for those who acted without the hidden knowledge, but also for those who kept the secrets.  Driving them to madness.  Creating conflict that fosters cycles of hate and violence.  A cycle kept alive by secrets.  A cycle broken by the release of those secrets.   

 

Caveats?

A part of the story is written from a different perspective, but the style is the same.  Parts of the book provide dramatic information, but details are not unnecessary.


Questions to Consider while Reading the Book

•What is the raison d’etre of the book?  For what purpose did the author write the book?  Why do people read this book?
•What are some limitations of the book?
•To whom would you suggest this book?
•What is the setting and era for the book?
•Who is Daniel Sempere?
•Why is Daniel interested in the source for The Shadow of the Wind?
•What is the cemetery of forgotten books?
•Who is Julián Carax?
•Who is Laín Coubert?
•What secrets to people hold?
•Who is following Daniel and why?
•Why does Daniel help Fermín, and vice versa?
•What does Fumero want?
•Why is Aldaya’s home haunted? 

Book Details
Translator:            Lucia Graves
Publisher:             Penguin Books [Penguin Group]
Edition ISBN:      9780143034902
Pages to read:       485
Publication:          2005
1st Edition:           2001
Format:                 Paperback

Ratings out of 5:
Readability    5
Content          2
Overall          4






Friday, November 4, 2022

Review of The Last Equation of Isaac Severy by Nova Jacobs

This review was written by Eugene Kernes   

Book can be found in: 

Watch Short Review

Review

Overview:

There are many theoretic mathematic ideas that cannot readily be applied.  Isaac Severy is a famous mathematician, who applies mathematics of chaos theory to practical problems.  Applications such as predicting the flow of traffic, which can make transportation more efficient.  With Isaac’s predictive ability, Isaac knew when Isaac was going to die.  That gave time for Isaac to plan what to do with the equation.  Instructing the destruction of Isaac’s work, except for the equation, to an adopted granddaughter, Hazel. 

Hazel received a mysterious letter from Isaac, after Isaac perished.  Hazel, who is not mathematical like most of the Severy family, reluctantly deciphers Isaac’s cryptic instructions.  The problem is that the instructions indicated not to trust anyone, including the Severy family members.  But how is Hazel meant to resolve math related instructions.  Then again, Isaac often said that Hazel might not be a mathematician, but does have a logician’s mind.

 

Caveats?

There is a lot of mathematical esoterica.  Reading and considering the application of the different math can add a sense of fun and intellectual stimulation.  The mystery is still interesting even without understanding them.  


Questions to Consider while Reading the Book

•What is the raison d’etre of the book?  For what purpose did the author write the book?  Why do people read this book?
•What are some limitations of the book?
•To whom would you suggest the book?
•Who makes up the Severy family?
•How did Isaac’s life end?
•Who and why adopted Hazel and Gregory into the Severy family?
•What are the different mathematical esoterica presented in the book?
•How can math be used?
•What math has no application?
•What is Isaac Severy’s equation?
•Who wanted Isaac’s equation?  And what were they willing to do to obtain it?
•How is Hazel’s relationship with Isaac?
•Was Gregory justified in Gregory’s actions?


Book Details
Publisher:         Touchstone [Simon & Schuster]
Edition ISBN:  9781501184086
Pages to read:   333
Publication:     2018
1st Edition:      208
Format:            Paperback

Ratings out of 5:
Readability    5
Content          4
Overall           5






Wednesday, October 20, 2021

Review of A Case of Blackmail in Belgravia by Clara Benson

This review was written by Eugene Kernes

Book can be found in:
Genre = Novel, Mystery 

Short Description

Elaborate Description

Overview:

Nicolas Maltravers, known as Ticky, is celebrated by most and is invited everywhere, but it’s not sure how he got that status.  After a birthday party, Ticky dies due to poison.  The suspects are the guests of the party.  One of whom is Freddy Pilkington-Soames mother, Cynthia.  Freddy is a press-man at a newspaper but forced to be a detective to try to understand the why of the murder, and who the murderer is.  Doing his best to cover for Cynthia whose subversive and evasive behavior only makes her appear as the culprit.  It turns out that there was plenty of motive to murder Ticky as Ticky was blackmailing all his friends.  Moral dilemmas abound as although relief was brought through a murder, what should be done about the murderer if found?

Although everyone makes errors, in a society that prices the social pristine appearances, those errors are well worth hiding.  Holding on to errors not only allowed others to blackmail the individual, but also exacerbates the error.  Making it more and more difficult to acknowledge publicly as they stop being small errors.  Blackmail does not stop with the even the death of the blackmailer, as the blackmail can still exist in the hands of others, or be searched for by the police.  


Problems?

Although generally well written with many interesting moral dilemmas and uncertainties, some parts of the book are slow placed.  


Questions to Consider while Reading the Book
•What is the raison d’etre of the book?  For what purpose did the author write the book?
•Why was Nicolas Maltravers (Ticky) murdered? 
•What can be used as blackmail?
•Why are people with small errors able to be blackmailed?
•Did the blackmail stop with the death of Ticky?
•Who murdered Ticky?
•What are some moral dilemmas? 
•What causes Freddy to take on the role of detective?
•Why does Cynthia appear to be the culprit? 

Book Details
Edition ISBN:  2940158851490
Pages to read:   184
Publication:     2017
1st Edition:      2016
Format:           eBook

Ratings out of 5:
Readability    4
Content          4
Overall           4

Friday, November 13, 2020

Review of The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown

This review was written by Eugene Kernes

Book can be found in:
Genre = Novel, Mystery
Intriguing Connections = What Happens Next?: Series (Robert Langdon)

Elaborate Description

A secret protected by the Priory of Sion is under threat of being forgotten. The four guardians of the secret have been killed. The fourth was the grandmaster of the Priory, who the French police believe was murdered by Robert Langdon. The Priory is a secret society whose trade is secrets within secrets which Langdon must uncover before the secret is lost. Langdon is not alone in this quest as Sophie, a cryptologist knows he is innocent. The secret that is protected by the Priory is the location of the Holy Grail. But historians, symbologists, and religion iconograph know that the Holy Grail is not a cup, but information that reveals the true story of Jesus Christ and his companion Mary Magdalene.

This book holds lessons on the value of information and its power to influence. A play on words can show different meanings. Symbols hiding in plain sight, but also that the mind can see patterns where there are none.


Book Details

Edition ISBN:  0385504209
Pages to read:   454
Publication:     2003
1st Edition:      2003
Format:            Hardcover

Ratings out of 5:
Readability    5
Content          3
Overall           5

Review of Angels & Demons by Dan Brown

This review was written by Eugene Kernes

Book can be found in:
Genre = Novel, Mystery
Intriguing Connections = What Happens Next?: Series (Robert Langdon)

Elaborate Description

Science and religion are at war. For over two millennium, religion has gone to war with those who had different ways to understand the world. One enemy they hunted down were the Illuminati. People who were enlightened via science. The enemy long thought dead with only speculation as to their infiltration's, is revived. Their revival is timed to the death of a pope, a branding and murder of a scientist, and a theft of an energy source that can be used as a weapon more powerful than any other. It is up to Robert Langdon’s knowledge of symbology, Vittoria Vetra’s knowledge of science to save Vatican City. The Illuminati already murdered Vittoria’s father for creation of the antimatter weapon, and claim that four more Cardinals will be murdered before the annihilation of the city. Robert and Vittoria need to find the path of illumination using centuries old clues left behind the ancient order.

This book contains many lessons on science, faith, threats, meaning of symbols, power, and public relations. Those who wield power use it to either fulfill their ideals or corrupt them while maintaining fulfillment. Blatant attacks on opposition only further hostilities, but reconciliation may not be the most prudent course either. This story is a good warning on how to treat people with different understandings, even if the topic is the same with the explanation being different.


Book Details

Edition ISBN:  9780743412391
Pages to read:   565
Publication:     2005
1st Edition:      2000
Format:            eBook

Ratings out of 5:
Readability    5
Content          4
Overall           5

Review of The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown

This review was written by Eugene Kernes

Book can be found in:
Genre = Novel, Mystery
Intriguing Connections = What Happens Next?: Series (Robert Langdon)

Elaborate Description

The society at the center of the book is not a secret society. It is a society with secrets. The Freemasons are group in which the higher the rank an individual goes, the more secrets are revealed. Secrets themselves are not just revealed, they have to be earned. Within this society, everything is about perspective. Secrets which everyone sees but few observe.

Lessons in this book are about the use of information. Information is power and it is how individuals utilize the tool that defines the consequences. Ancient information is being proven right by science. Noetic science is highlighted as the medium that transforms the perception of the ancient information into current understanding.

A big change in terms of the personality of Robert Langdon is that he is more skeptical than before. Robert was normally skeptical of various information, but it did not prevent him from proceeding with the quest. This time, the author made the skepticism a bit to unrealistic.


Book Details

Edition ISBN:  9780385533133
Pages to read:   587
Publication:     2009
1st Edition:      2009
Format:            eBook

Ratings out of 5:
Readability    5
Content          3
Overall           5

Review of Inferno by Dan Brown

This review was written by Eugene Kernes

Book can be found in:
Genre = Novel, Mystery
Intriguing Connections = What Happens Next?: Series (Robert Langdon)

Elaborate Description

There are two organization under observation this time. The World Health Organization and The Consortium. The latter organization’s name is different than in reality, but the type of organization is a creation of the digital age rather than an ancient organization. The methods and tools of trouble in this book are newly developed but are linked to historical analysis. The symbols that are followed Robert Langdon must follow are those shaped by Dante and his famous work of Divine Comedy.

This book is more narrative based than its predecessors which are abound in philosophy. This time the implications are economic with the base in population. The characters themselves are very morally complicated rather than the normal narratives of easily decipherable good or evil people. Complicated characters involved in a complicated plot try to highlight the costs of actions and inaction when the world itself is at stake.


Book Details

Edition ISBN:  9780385537865
Pages to read:   541
Publication:     2013
1st Edition:      2013
Format:            eBook

Ratings out of 5:
Readability    5
Content          2
Overall           5

Review of Origin by Dan Brown

This review was written by Eugene Kernes

Book can be found in:
Genre = Novel, Mystery
Intriguing Connections = What Happens Next?: Series (Robert Langdon)

Elaborate Description

A scientific discovery is about to create a paradigm shift. The discovery is a threat to religions. The discovery is about the origins of life, and a prophecy about the future of humanity. Right before the futurist Edmond Kirsch is about to reveal the discovery, he is assassinated. Edmond Kirsch is Robert Landon’s former student, both have remained in contact. At presentation where Kirsch was publicly assassinated, Ambra Vidal who is the future queen of Spain, coops Landon’s assistance in making sure that the discovery is revealed. Vidal believes that anyone who knows anything about the discovery is a threat, making releasing the information the only way for Vidal and Landon to live. Not only are they a threat to religious organizations, but it appears that the monarchy of Spain is supporting the prevention of the discoveries’ release. What is needed for the release of the discovery is the location of Kirsch’s computer password.

The moral, ethical, and philosophical lessons are clustered mostly towards the end of the book. Throughout the book is the theme of artificial intelligence and what they are capable of. A secondary theme is a fusion of various ideas such as nature and religion. What matters most is how people engage with information of new discoveries. Dialog is highlighted as the medium in which to try and resolve issues.


Book Details

Edition ISBN:  9780385542692
Pages to read:   548
Publication:     2017
1st Edition:      2017
Format:            eBook

Ratings out of 5:
Readability    5
Content          2
Overall           4

Sunday, November 1, 2020

Review of The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and Other Tales of Terror by Robert Louis Stevenson

This review was written by Eugene Kernes

Book can be found in:
Genre = Novel, Mystery 

 Short Description



Elaborate Description

A physiological thriller about the moral responsibility. A struggle between moral rectitude and freedom. Creates an understanding that we cannot really know anyone that well. That each individual has different aims and personalities. What matters is our choice in action which actualizes the aims and personalities.


This book was a tedious read and has poor flow.


Book Details

Edition ISBN: 9780141439730
Pages to read:  186
Format:            Paperback

Ratings out of 5:
Readability    2
Content          1
Overall           1