Sunflowers by Sheramy Bundrick

401 Pages

Trade Paperback

Historical Fiction

2009

Sunflowers follows Vincent Van Gogh for the last couple years of his life. It is a fictional story that uses the information available to tell a story that is realistic. My wife found this for me and I was happy to read it. I am a fan of art history in general and have always enjoyed Van Gogh's work.

The book focuses on a young prostitute named Rachel. It is told from her point of view.Van Gogh moves into Arles and by chance meets this young lady in a park. As she dozes near a tree he makes a sketch of her. He soon visits her as a customer and not long after they become a couple. A large part of the book deals with Van Gogh's mental instability and uses the relationship as a means to experience it from the outside. We follow Van Gogh through stays in asylum and his time living with Gauguin. The lovers continue their relationship through these trials and eventually ends with Van Gogh's death and Rachel's experience with that.

I found the book engrossing. I have a deep interest in the lives of famous artists and this gives an daily account of Van Gogh's work. The author uses real dates and times to authenticate the story, though the plot of the book is a fiction. There is evidence that  Van Gogh did have a lady that was part of his life at this time, but the true story is lost to the past. We are entertained with what might have been.

4 Intellectual/Emotional - I had an immediate affinity for both Vincent and Rachel. Seeing history come to life even if it isn't all true, it was enjoyable.

3 Style/Readability - The book flows well. The writing never stood out on it own. It served its purpose and that was it.

2 Long Term Impact -  Van Gogh is obviously one of the most well known artists of all time. I can see this getting lost among all the other book involving him. I imagine it also suffers a bit from being a fiction as well.

9 out of 13. I was happy to read the book and any fan of Van Gogh would enjoy it as well.

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A Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

157 pages

Trade Paperback Collected Works

Fiction

1890

I had the pleasure of reading A Picture of Dorian Gray a few years ago. I enjoyed it and became a fan of Oscar Wilde. My wife gave me a copy of his complete works as a gift and I have read a number of stories from the book. It was my time to host for my book club and I choose A Picture of Dorian Gray. 

Last time I read the book I gave it 13 out of 13. This still stands. Wilde is a writer that few can challenge. He is a master of words and uses it to satirize and entertain. Though at times I got a bit dogged down as a character goes off on the downfall of Victorian society, Wilde made it seem a part of the story and not just a means to judge others. 

I personally was most appreciative of the look into High Society at the time. Even upon second reading it I was engaged. This read through, I was able to give better attention to the social commentary that intertwines itself through the book. Lord Henry consistently has an opinion on everything. Wilde uses him and others to give something like a sermon on what really matters in life. 

It is a masterpiece and well deserved of all its accolades. Give it a read.

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The Lust Lizard of Melancholy Cove by Christopher Moore

304 Pages

Trade Paperback

Fiction

1999

I read Moore's other book Sacre Bleu. I really enjoyed it, but when reading more about Moore, I discovered most fans consider it one of his worst books. I decided I needed to check out more of his work. I found The Lust Lizard of Melancholy Cove at a used book store and gave it a read. 

The story focuses on the small community of Pine Cove. The town is a summer vacation spot, but the tourists have mainly gone home. An unexplained suicide convinces the local psychiatrist to take the town off of it's medication. A small leak at a power plant awakens a sea beast. Soon the entire town is starting to act crazy. Take a local pothead constable, add a former B-movie actress, a mechanical bartender and a traveling bluesman, tie them all together as they start to unravel why the local gas station blows up and you get a mystery comedy unlike any other book I have read.

Moore has a laid back writing style. It isn't complicated and keeps the story moving forward. His strength lies in characters that are unique, but believable. He also has a sense of humor that translates well to the written word. It mostly relies on unconventional situations caused by the actions of the characters.

3 Intellectual/Emotional - This isn't an life changing book. It is meant to entertain and it does a great job of that. The characters are what makes this worthwhile.

4 Style/Readability - You won't get bogged down with this book at all. It is quick and easy page turner. This fits the theme of the book and is exactly what makes this enjoyable.

3 Long Term Impact - Maybe it's just me, but it seems like humorous stories that aren't just "Humor" books are a rare thing. I have been pleased with Moore and I hope to read more of his stuff. I also hope his success encourages this genre to grow.

10 out of 13. Anyone looking for a entertaining book that is funny and more adult in subject matter would find this worthwhile.

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Thief of Time by Terry Pratchett

357 pages
Paperback
2001
Fiction

Ah yes, another Prachett book.Whenever I am not sure what I want to read or I am looking for something humorous, I can never go wrong with Pratchett.

This book follows Jeremy as he attempts to make the perfect clock. Unfortunately, building the perfect clock can cause problems that affect the fate of the world as well as Time itself. This type of thing has happened before and Lu-Tze had to deal with the aftermath. This time, along with his new apprentice Lobsang, Lu-Tze is going to stop the problem before it starts. The four horseman of the apocalypse have to be convinced it worthwhile to ride out. Death takes it upon himself to encourage the others to join him. Susan, Death's grandaughter, finds herself pulled from her teaching duties in order to help save the world...again.

Pratchett is one of my favorite authors. It is so easy to get involved in his books. The characters are memorable and often lovable. Even the villains are characters that you find yourself rooting for. He takes the playfulness of a fairy tale and adds satire and humor that I have rarely enjoyed in another author.

In Thief of Time he takes the "coming of age" story and mixes with the end of time. I really enjoyed it.

4 Intellectual/Emotional - The main characters are endearing. As I reader I wanted Jeremy to succeed as much as I wanted Lu-Tse to stop him.

5 Readability/Style - Pratchett has a style that is unique. He infuses the fantasy genre with a humor normally reserved for the comedians stage. The saying goes, "In comedy timing is everything." Pratchett is able to do that on a page of paper and I love it.

2 Long Term - As a fan I am surprised at Pratchett lack of popularity. I think as time passes this will change. Thief of Time sits oddly in his collection as it doesn't fit in with any other series of books. I think this will always keep it a bit hidden. But I think most people would find it worthwhile.

11 out of 13. This is well deserved. It is one of my favorite books of his so far. I wouldn't recommend this as a first Pratchett book though. Guards! Guards! or Going Postal are better starting points.

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