Literature Books

Saadia Aschemann's poetry is direct and earthy, the product of an artist who has clearly studied her craft and then gone on to push the envelope and create a delightful writing personality of her own. There is no hasty `free verse' tossed in to fill pages--no, Aschemann obviously crafts her work as a painter fills his canvas or a sculptor works her stone. Each poem is a musical accomplishment that reflects the best of her when she turns it over to her audience--and each deserves a `Bravo!'

As has been noted by other reviewers, "lavish Lines/luscious lies" provides the reader with tantalizing clues on the historical background of many styles used by the author, such as the dreamy poem, "Sestina," after which she draws us back to its origins in the twelfth century.

I enjoyed how Aschemann conspires with the reader to enhance their enjoyment of her work, such as with the poem, "Hush." "Read in a Whisper," she insists and, if you haven't, you look around in hopes you haven't given something away.

For anyone wanting something new and dynamic in the world of poetry, poet Saadia Aschemann is just the thing for you.

These passionate words float over the lips, dance on the tongue and caress and warm the inside. This book paints 21st century color into the character, zest, and rich beauty of wine, woman, song and much, much more.

Cleverly set in vibrant poetic forms, every syllable has deliberate purpose, meaning, and punch; like a great bass player setting the groove in a hot band. Lavish Lines certainly grooves word for word.

The book's virtue lies in the intoxicating rhythm of those beautiful words; weaving life equally into the precious and mundane moments of life. Sex, wine and passion share the stage with family, boredom and neurosis. Their interplay makes for magic days and nights that lift the human spirit and make them interesting and lovely and so damn worth living.

Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/REYMYLJ29TSR5 lavish Lines/luscious Lies[[ASIN:B000XEBVXS

Flirtations and Booze - A Short Collection of Poems]]

Saadia's flowing verse is like a viking ship of Valkyries coming to take you away. You know they're going to rough you up, but you can't stop staring at their shiny metal bikinis and hoping they'll kiss you first. She is a talented writer and poet who paints pictures of experience and emotion with her words. Her writings keep you thinking and feeling all the way through. I loved this.

I found Saadia's clever poetic word play a pleasure to read. Her inner-voice is playful, flirtatious and sensuous. I enjoyed these short works as they each left me with a pleasant vibe, I looked forward to her next piece. Saadia's muse often eminates from "spirits" she befriends. At the end of her book, you find yourself likewise wishing to share a drink with this new friend you have met.

This was a great read; wonderful story about African-American history that young children will understand and appreciate, and that adults may learn a great deal from. Good length, tone, and wonderful illustrations. I sent the author a note and she provided me with a great reading guide via email!

Martha Ann's Quilt for Queen Victoria was an inspiring story that reminds us to never give up on our dreams and also to dream BIG and leave the rest to God. As a freed slave, it seemed highly unlikely that Martha Ann would ever be in the company of Queen Victoria. But after 50 years of dreaming, PREPARATION and ridicule, Martha Ann got just want she wanted -an audience with the queen. Not only is the story true, it is inspirational to everyone not just children. Kudos to Kyra Hicks for bringing the story to light and inspiring us all to dream BIG!

Readers of all ages will find Martha Ann's Quilt for Queen Victoria a fascinating journey through history as told through the eyes of our heroine, Martha Ann, who both captivates and inspires her audience. Martha Ann's Quilt for Queen Victoria is a must read especially young people as it teaches the importance of setting goals and following through on the work necessary to achieve them. Bravo to Ms. Hicks who had the foresight and the passion to share this most remarkable story.

What a privilege it was to read Kyra's latest work to my 5 year old. She absolutely loved it, asking so many questions and commenting on the beauty of the book itself. This book was such a treat for both me and her! It's educational, uplifting and sweet. I encourage my daughter to always reach beyond the stars and this book reinforces that. We will read it again and again and share it with others! Thank you Kyra.

Martha Ann's story is not only an inspiration to all, it is also a true story. A story reminding us that with determination, hard work, and confidence even the most seemingly impossible dreams can come true.

Born about 1817 in eastern Tennessee, Martha Ann Ricks was a slave. Her father was a traveling preacher who learned about the American Colonization Society, an organization that assisted blacks in beginning again in a new place - Liberia.

When Martha Ann was 12, her family had finally saved enough money to buy their freedom and they moved to Liberia. Once there Martha Ann was able to go to school where she joyfully learned how to read. At home her mother taught her to sew. However, these happy times came to an end all too soon when African Fever took the lives of her mother, father, and sisters.

As an adult and a married woman, Martha Ann went to the market with her husband where she saw British naval ships patrolling the coast to stop slave catchers from kidnaping blacks. So impressed was Martha Ann by the ships and Queen Victoria for sending them that she determined to personally thank the Queen for protecting her people.

An impossible hope? Yes, but Martha Ann fulfilled her dream.

Highly recommended for young readers.

- Gail Cooke

Just like The Winter Child and The Faeries of Spring Cottage this is very lovely book. Both adults and children will enjoy the pictures and lovely story. This is a must have for all children and Froudians.

Wendy Froud is every bit the genius as her husband. This book is absolutly enchanting. Her dolls and her vision coupled with Terry Windling's adorable story create a world that young and old will want to escape to time and again. A must have for all fans of Frouds and faeries.

An excellent book for children. My daughter loved the heroic faery. The illustrations are first rate. After getting this book for my little girl, I tried out Terri Windling's "The Wood Wife" which is written for more adult readers. I am glad I stumbled onto Ms. Windling's work. Both books were excellent. She is a very good story teller.

Sneezle, you ask? What exactly is a Sneezle? Well, Sneezle is our little root faery hero, that's who! This is a wonderful book with a very good lesson that teaches us that everyone in life has been put here for a reason. Sometimes it may seem that certain people in life have better luck, are more beautiful, are thinner, have a better voice, etc but this book shows us that there is something special in everyone, even when we least expect it. Sneezle shows us that the pure of heart will always prevail over the forces of evil.

The artwork in this book is also PHENOMINAL (please forgive me if my spelling is incorrect.) Every time I look at the pictures, I find something new. The creatures, the landscapes, the settings are all GLORIOUS! Although this is a "children's" book, I highly recommend it for both the young and old at heart.

The book refers all to faeries, the story is good but what I was interested on was the art. Wendy Froud created the dolls for the story and since my interest is doll making, this was a great book full of details. She has another book named "The Winter Child" in which she uses the same dolls but there is different story line. If you are interested in books with great pictures, this is the one or if you enjoy reading good stories to children you will greatly enjoy it. Wendy Froud is the wife of Bryan Froud the great illustrator of "Good Faeries, Bad Faeries" and "The Faeries' Oracle".

I love the whole Nephilim concept, and when I read it, from the first few pages I was hooked. I hope she will continue this series, because Renee has a way of bringing her mind to life.

Such a well written book with a captivating storyline.
I can never sit for more than a few minutes but I sat for hours at a time reading this book.
She does an excellent job creating and illustrating the characters. I could easily visualize every scene and was quickly absorbed by her story.
Thanks for giving the world such an entertaining book.

I work with Renee and initially read the book simply because I was curious. Having read the cover, I wasn't expecting it to be the sort of book I usually read. However, I was amazed at the immediate visual image she was able to create, at least for me. I was instantly driven to complete the book quickly and to ask her when the sequel would be written. The subject matter was presented well, the characters came alive and it left me wanting to read more. For me, that is the essence of a good book. I eagerly await the next episode! Note: Those that review without reading, show their lack of intelligence and integrity to smear others.

Renee Pawlish has written a great book. It's suspenseful, exciting and creepy all at once. Her attention to detail and her ability to put those details into words brings this novel to life. You only THINK you know what will happen next! I hope to read more of Ms. Pawlish's work.

I do not usually read this type of book, but I found that I could not put it down! The author has done a great job of keeping the story moving as well as mounting the suspense. Her characters are described in such a way that I could easily visualize them, and in some cases - even smell them! I loved her picturesque descriptions of the Colorado mountains and the sunset. The "what if" premise of the story is quite intriguing and well presented. I eagerly await a sequel. I think Hollywood could do a great job with this novel. I hope this lady keeps writing.

This was the first book I read by Merton and that was 30 years ago. It had a significant impact on how I looked at things. Well, not things but life in general, people, and most importantly God. Merton writes in a style that reaches mind, heart, and soul. It is timeless. I recently gave it to my daughter as a gift. Then browsing for old times sake, I just had to have a copy. It still resonates. It makes you reflect on questions and ideas that may not surface without the read. Well worth the time. It is one that can be read front to back or in excerpts.

This book by Thomas Merton is a marvelous exploration of what it is to be human and the fundamental problems of disconnection from the depths of Being. More practically, it addresses the solution to our isolation in a direct, loving and compassionate way. Thomas Merton is clearly one who has traveled the path to his deepest self and has much to share about his journey.

Thomas Merton is a mystic who has spent a lot of time in silence and deep contemplation. He had a grasp of contemporary issues facing the modern person and he has a way of using language that is simple, but touches the heart.

Although Merton was a Catholic Christian mystic, his message is universal. He illuminates the mystic's path and shares the fruit of his explorations through writing in a way that is accessible and powerful. Somehow, between the lines it is obvious that his experience has been profound and he translates this into terms that help the reader to find meaning.

This book will be especially appealing to Catholics and Christians. The tone is understanding and gentle, although it is packaged in a way that is most digestible to fellow Catholics. On the other hand, there are so many gems that are applicable to the human condition that it will be a valuable read by people of any faith.

Thomas Merton wrote a lot of books and this is one of his best for lay people. New Seeds of Contemplation is also very thought provoking and could be considered a companion volume. It also goes a bit deeper into some of the more existential and metaphysical aspects of living, but not in an esoteric way.

If you have an interest in Christian Mysticism in general, I also highly recommend Practical Mysticism by Evelyn Underhill. This is a great short introduction to Western Mysticism delivered in a very poetical style and that is geared to the average person looking for meaning in their lives.

This book was an amazing read for me the first time through. I have since read again and it continues to reveal insights into my life and relationship with God and to others. Thomas Merton is amazingly timeless and contemporary throughout. These are not abstract views of spirituality, but real and meaningful looks at a life of faith in the world, our world, today. Merton looks truthflly at how we relate to God and to each other in a world that is filled with noise and distractions. I highly reccomend this book to anyone who is honestly seeking to deepen their own interior spiritual life. Merton is a man of our times, understanding the depths and treasures of faith as well as the pitfalls of our humanity. This book will help you to believe that goodness is very possible and that being a spiritual person is possible while living in the world. Merton shows that the religious life is not just for priests, monks and nuns, which is very compatible with the John Paul II vision that all lives lived in faith can be a vocation.

This hardcover is very nice as it is linen bound with a gold ribbon marker. Chapters are broken up into numbered segments, making it possible to read a little each day and to find favorite sections.

"No Man is an Island" is a spiritually moving set of essays--or meditations, rather--that address many issues but ultimately center on our relationship with God, with each other, and with ourselves. Having read only a little of Merton, I found this book somewhat more straightforward and prosaic compared to a later work of his, "The New Man", and he gets a tad dogmatic in spots (well, he is ordained, so he has a license to do so, fair enough)--I was reminded of some of the more trenchant passages in "The Seven Storey Mountain" before he'd mellowed out a bit. And yet Merton's characteristic mix of simplicity and profundity, his fine-tuned mystic's sense of paradox, and his ability to take Catholic teachings and breathe new life into them are all here in full; indeed, in many ways this book would serve very well as a Catholic Monastic statement of what life's all about, spoken in Merton's gentle conversational tones at once calm and serious, critical of the shallow aspects of modernity while articulated in a manner that speaks eloquently to modern people. I have no doubt that this book should appeal to readers who profess Christianity as their religion, but I also think that many non-Christians (such as myself) will find much here that is inspiring and spiritually enlightening.

Every adjective title used to describe this book in the reviews so far i have found to be true.

"The truth i must love in my brother is God Himself, living in Him."
excerpt from this book (Thomas Merton "No Man is an Island"

Reading just that line is enough to contemplate for some while.

I found i had to read small sectionsm and re read to gain fuller meaning
because some concepts are difficult to grapple with, but grapple with them.
I will re read this book many times over throughout my life. It strikes richly at the core of Catholic teaching, its value universal for everyone.
Its a celebration of God and his creatures, it affirms the truth of His love as His gift living in us, for us also to share, for it is not ours to keep selfishly.

Really wonderful book...lots of beautiful imagery. Great story.
Pay attention to the timeline of the different characters though...Sivitri's story is set in an earlier time than Nat and Saroj...I missed this at first, but caught up when it became obvious that their YOUNG lives were not parallel.

A rich, colorful explosion of Indian culture spanning from Madras to Demerara, this novel is so vividly told and so skillfully woven that you'll find yourself visualizing the story as you go along, in full color with surround sound, smells and all.

Three children, two countries, three stories, three different decades - separate, yet cohesively bonded into one epic saga.

Nataraj (Nat), plucked from an orphanage in India by a white doctor, is given the chance to receive a good education, and quickly discovers within himself the power of healing.

Sarojini (Saroj) lives a comfortable life in British Guiana, until she encounters racism and hatred, and repeatedly defies her ethnically blinkered father, having recognized inner beauty in other people despite external appearances.

Savitri is a cook's daughter from Madras, the central character of the book, who despite her strict Indian family, manages to tie herself to the white family who employs her father, leading to a heart-rending sequence of unfortunate events.

Flitting like a butterfly between the three stories, the author explores deep, dark issues of humanity, but these are not permitted to consume the story, as they are beautifully counterbalanced by love and respect, by breathtakingly descriptive passages and exotic settings.

It's a period piece, a geography lesson, a mystery, a tragedy, a drama, a soap opera, but most of all a love story, not only for the central characters, but for the author to pay tribute to two countries that have made their mark in her heart.

If you like sweet, sappy love stories, or rich Indian culture and tradition, or even if you just liked the movie "Monsoon Wedding", this book is highly recommended for you.

Amanda Richards December 12, 2004

As lush and as breathtaking as the bougainvillea, the hibiscus, and the vibrant oleanders that enrich the landscape of Madras, India, Sharon Maas weaves a mesmerizing tale of custom, culture, love, and human resiliency in the pages of her novel, OF MARRIAGEABLE AGE.

And these accolades come from a guy who wouldn't know a 'sari' from Saran wrap--who before now couldn't even find British Guiana on a world map the size of my brother-in-law's ego. And not only that, the story involves--shuddering--romance, a sure-fire factor to guarantee a premature toss into my ever-growing 'yawn bin.' Yet the author's fluid, engrossing, compelling, tragic, poignant story of three remarkable characters spread across the world--in three different places and times--easily overcame my chest-thumping machismo and allowed me to enjoy, to savor, Maas' seductive tale.

Nataraj. Savitri. Sarojini. Three unforgettable characters, three lives involved in a cataclysmic clash of cultures--of the ancient, and the modern: three lives as intertwined and interdependent as the notes on a piece of music. Maas directs and orchestrates their lives with an engaging talent that draws the reader in, makes him or her care--and care deeply--what happens next. The author draws from an abundant well of both personal observation and painstaking research to breathe life into vivid people from three continents--and her work resounds with ringing credibility.

This is good stuff.

OF MARRIAGEABLE AGE is an absorbing read, and highly recommended. The ending is a bit sappy, but what the heck, Maas' characters are due a few hard-earned breaks. And said ending might stick to the roof of my mouth, but it still tastes awfully good.
--D. Mikels

This is an exquisitely written and superlative, multi-generational novel, delicately woven with gossamer threads of human experience. It is a story of human frailties, passions, and cultural traditions. It is a spellbinding tale of several people who become unforgettable to the reader. It is an epic saga of individuals who are connected across time in a way none of them could have foreseen. A wellspring of cultural differences bear upon their futures and send them along paths none of them could have envisioned. It is, above all, a story of forbidden love that would impact on others for generations to come.

This is the story of Savitri, a native of India, a Brahmin beauty, a healer, who fell in love with David, the son of the wealthy English family for whom she and her parents worked. Her love for David would remain constant, despite those in her own family who would seek to destroy it.

This is the story of David, the English boy who grew up in British colonial India and never forgot his childhood sweetheart, despite the cultural and racial roadblocks placed in his path by those who did not have the gift to look into the soul of another.

This is the story of Nat, the boy who straddled two cultures, Indian and English, whose mysterious ancestry threatened to prevent him from being united with the woman who held the key to his heart and soul.

This is the story of Saroj, a Guyanese beauty of Indian descent, who wanted to leave the old ways, the ways of mysterious south east Asia, the ways of India, and embrace those of the west, only to find that her soul mate was one in whom both cultures had made peace.

This is, above all else, a spellbinding story of love and passion that runs so deep that time would sustain it forever. Underlying this story are the threads of a mystery that are subtly woven into its fabric. This novel is a panoramic and sweeping saga that will cause the reader to be swept away by its depth, its richness of language, and its vividly drawn characters, and descriptive detail. The author, a very gifted writer and talented storyteller, has written a novel that will keep the reader riveted to its pages until the very last.

When I started reading this book, I was sure I would end up awarding it five stars. The writing was lovely, the characters were engaging and the settings were lush and exotic. I especially loved the book's sophisticated structure, i.e., telling the story of each of the three main characters in alternating chapters and gradually letting these stories converge and overlap.

I'm sorry to say that the further into the book I read, the more disillusioned I became. Many of the characters who seemed to hold so much promise at the beginning of the book became flat and stereotypical, e.g., the domineering Indian father, the rebellious teenage daughter who isn't going to do things her parents way! Another problem for me revolved around the character of Savitri. As hard as I tried, I simply couldn't reconcile the child Savitri was with the adult she became. For me, they were two completely different persons.

I simply didn't like the character of Saroj. She was a spoiled brat as a child and a spoiled brat as an adult. This is a character who underwent no development at all and as a result, was very unsympathetic.

The real problem for me regarding this book was all the coincidence (and I mean a lot). Almost every plot twist was the result of coincidence. While I don't mind one or two coincidences in a book (it is fiction after all), I do object when most of the plot is built on outrageous coincidence. I began this book with admiration; I finished it with a very bitter aftertaste.

I do think Maas has a special talent for writing about children. The early chapters revolving around Nataraj, Saroj and Savitri as children far, far outshine the later chapters which are more than somewhat trite.

I've heard criticism of Maas's writing style as being "too flowery." While a few passages were overwritten and "purple," most of the writing was pretty straightforward. Maas does have a tendency to "tell" her story rather than dramatize it in scenes and I found this much more annoying than the occasional "flowery" passage.

This book's downfall, however, is the extreme use of coincidence. It caused what began as a lovely story to end as sheer tripe. Would I read a second book by Maas? No. She lost me with this one.

Both my kids are enjoying this book, hopefully absorbing lots of good manners !!

Good book bought it for my daughter she really enjoyed reading it. A+++++++++

This was the first book I got from American Girl when I was little, and I really enjoyed it and remember being quite impressed with it even back then. The illustrations are cute, and the texts/lectures are quite useful. The author tries to convey lessons in different ways and in a manner in which girls would be more receptive to them, including through quizzes and games, all of which are all good common sense. Topics covered include everyday manners, greeting people, hanging out with friends, using good manners in public, staying polite but firm in your personal safety, eating at fancy restaurants, etc. The tone is not the least bit condescending, but personable, like many of the American Girl books, I would later come to discover. There is a newer edition to this book (A SMART GIRL'S GUIDE TO MANNERS), but the text is all the same excepting an addition about online safety and "Netiquette" (with Instant Messaging and emails, etc.).

Listen, I have loved American Girl dolls since I was seven years old (it's probably because of their adorable outfits), but i can't say the same for the books, especially not this one. My mom got it for me as kind of a joke. The girls in this book are completely unrealistic. The good ones are so perfect, sweet, and innoccent. I just feel like screaming at them "can't you ever do anything wrong for once in your life?" According to American Girl, if you're not a what they consider a charming young lady, you're impolite. I try to act as polite as I can, but that doesn't mean acting like a little goody two shoes. (I know this sounds incredibley immature, but I couldn't think of a better way to say it). The so called real life situations are not very helpful. How many times have you heard the story of the girl who made plans with her friend to go shoppping on saturday, only to find out that she's hanging out with her other friends instead? Trust me, it's a pretty typical cenario that the guidance counslers at my school use as an example all the time. I will say something good about it: on page 69 there's a helpful piece of advice on what to do if you're chewing on a piece of meat and you get a piece of gristle stuck in your mouth. It happens to me all the time.

This book surpassed all my expectations!!! I teach kids with social skills and anger management problems in the state school system in NSW Australia. This book has got it all! In an easy to read and understand format, my students can have the information on do's and don'ts explained. It is coming in really handy with some pre adolescent girls with Asperger's Syndrome. I highly recommend it. My colleagues with adolescent daughters keep borrowing it off me too. It's for everyone, I even learned a thing or too!

Wonderful book like all of Mc Phee's work. However, disappointing in that he did not cover the California orange industry to the same extent he gave Fla. Perhaps another book one day. JMK

Expertly executed. A detailed history of oranges--customs surrounding, growing, marketing, geography--yet if you apply your close reading skills and critical thinking you may find that this work has deeper meaning. Could it also be taking on social issues such as poverty, ignorance, miscenegation, reproductive rights, and just plain old politics. It is certainly intriguing to consider this when drinking in the beauty of the writing and the mastery of weaving a comprehsensive report on all things having to do with oranges. Never dull no matter what your take.

It's forty years now since this brilliant little mandarin of a book appeared. Early reviewers (and readers of McPhee in the New Yorker) were amused and even a bit ill-at-ease at the entertainment that the author squeezed from a subject as apparently banal as oranges.

Fruit, after all, is hardly a subject for serious discourse and therefore must not be a subject for serious readers. But it was hard to avoid the suspicion that there was something more important about the dynamics of everyday life than about the transient political and artistic events that captured 'serious' attention.(Valley of the Dolls was a best seller that same year)

In the years that followed, we saw a growing realization among scholars that ordinary life was worth study. In fact, the suspicion is even raised that ordinary life may be the thing most worth studying. There has been a spate of books examining such mundane topics as salt, the codfish, apples, spices, coffee, sugar and wine. We have had biographies of diseases and inventions and public manias.

Some of this attention to the mundane has been diluted by its focus on the ordinary object as a marker of greater things: sugar stands for colonialism in Sweetness and Power, public napping stands for a cultural of denial in (No) Time for Sleep and so on.
But increasingly the daily lives of ordinary people-the hohum stuff of most of human existence is seen as worth attention.

Remarkably, it turns out that everyday things are often the most fascinating. Here's a book by the man who played the first card in the genre. It remains remarkably readable and charming and its indirectly indicated concerns are very much alive today.

"Oranges" was the first of John McPhee's books I ever read. I found a copy at a thrift store about ten years ago, and was absolutely blown away by it. Since then, I've probably read it another six or eight times. There is so much fascinating information in it, covered in such a beautiful way, that I could probably read it once a month and still find it entertaining. I'm here to buy yet another copy, as I tend to loan out McPhee's books to my friends, whether they ask for them or not. Unlike other books I loan out, my friends eventually return the McPhees, if only in hopes that I'll loan them another one. I always do. Oranges has been away for about a year this time, and I'm feeling a powerful urge to read it again.

Whether a lot of the information in the book is out-dated or not is totally immaterial. McPhee's work is not journalism covering current events, it's brilliant literature on non-fictional subjects, in the same way as the writing of Samuel Pepys is well worth reading today, in spite of all his subjects' being deceased.

I recently read Mr. McPhee's "Survival of the Bark Canoe" again, and found it just as hilarious as ever, and just as informative. Mark Twain couldn't have covered the subject as well, or any more entertainingly.

Aside from the sheer quality of his writing, the great thing about John McPhee is that he's so damned prolific. Any time I see one of his books which isn't already in my collection, I snap it up; yet I still haven't managed to read his entire body of work. But, I'm working at it.

First published in the 1960s, Oranges by twice Pulitzer winning journalist, John McPhee got a limited lease of life back in 2000 when Penguin reissued it as a modern classic. And while it's an interesting little book covering pretty much everything to do with oranges, the reportage within doesn't so much as ground the book in its time than date it

You may think that there is not much to say about fruit in general, never mind being specific. But that's where you'd be wrong as, it turns out, the orange has a catalogue of facts literally bursting with juicy trivia. It begins with uses for the fruit around the world, covering methods of eating, seasoning, and even cleaning the floor and removing grease. It explores the etymology of both the fruit's name, and it's scientific name, Citrus Sinensis. Along the way, as it spouts nugget of information in quick succession, we see the orange in history as it began its two thousand year westward journey from China to the Americas until orange growing and juicing became a worldwide industry within itself.

Splitting up chapters of trivia, McPhee shares the outcomes of his meetings with orange barons, orange growers, and other assorted industry types. While interesting to read, the text is littered with anecdotes containing names that will mean nothing to anyone other than their immediate families. And, to top it off, there is a section whereby we learn of new methods being introduced to improve the industry that, even if you have no experience of it, you know has long since been superceded by methods. It doesn't take a genius to know that in a world rife with technology and technological gains, that the huge workforce mentioned in Oranges has long since been made redundant or replaced by immigrant workers.

McPhee's style is immensely readable, the way he dances from fact to fact a delight to read, and when he injects some humour to his catalogue of orange facts, you can't help but raise a smile - at the joke and in appreciation of its wording. His anecdotes do drag, and I think it wouldn't be uncommon to breath a sigh of relief once they conclude.

It's a quick read and a quirky subject, and McPhee's research is to be commended, although much of the journalistic writing -reading it forty years on from publication - has soured. That said, if you know nothing of the orange industry - and oranges in general - then Oranges is a fun little book that should quench that specific hole in your trivia.

My 6 yr old and 4 yr old boys think that this story is HILARIOUS! They love it!

Helen Lester has such a wonderful way of writing for children. The illustrations by Lyn M. Munsinger are so captivating that children want to see them again and again. So do adults!
This book teaches us all to accept ourselves for who we are. Trying to be someone we are not just doesn't work.

I don't have any kids, but this book has actually been around for a long time. I was born in 82, and this book was by far my favorite. The illustrations are great and the message is even better. It's a really witty way to tell children that labels don't matter. The illustrations also make the book even better, my personal favorite as a child being when Fluffy sticks marshmallows all over his quills to make himself more fluffy.

I bought this book because I'm going to school to become a teacher. It teaches kids that it is ok to be your self. Kids will laugh and so will parents.

I bought this for my three year old daughter...again based on reviews on amazon. Other reviewers were right: this book is a hoot. Everytime we get to: "H...H...H...H...H...Hippo" my daughter bursts out laughing. Highly recommended. Great illustrations set off the writing.

I picked up this book with pretty low expectations since I've read other retellings of classical stories which have either distorted them or were extremely pedestrian. This one, however, is wonderful. It's a page-turner; many times, I got up early so I could read some before work! Beyond that, though, the characters come across as both human and more than human. Even the main villain, Ravana, has admirable qualities; his death, though necessary, becomes a true tragedy. If you have any interest in the Rama story or just want a great read, buy this book.

I have not read the original multi-volume Ramayana, the great Indian religious epic describing the travels of Rama, an avatar of Vishnu. The basic plotline is that Rama, the heir-apparent to the kingdom of Kosala centered in Ayodhya, is driven into exile in the forest, loses his beloved wife Sita to a kidnapping by the terrible demon Ravana and the rest of the story I will leave readers to discover. (Note that the Ramayana is considered Scripture in India, and not merely a story). I am not Indian: as a non-native I find this an incredibly accessible work, and a beautifully lyrical and inspired version. The creator of this version admits that he himself has read only translations of the work, however, there is definitely divine inspiration behind his efforts, as reading it feels like a thoroughly enjoyable spiritual practice. I look forward to continuing this practice regularly.

In a way, The Ramayana reads like a "chick-flick". However, it is so much more than that. It teaches about Love, War, Prejudice, Loyalty, etc. It teaches about a peaceful way of being. Great, great book for people of all ages.

Almost everyone in the world has heard of Homer's "Iliad" & "Odyssey". They've also heard of "Beowulf" and "Don Quixote" and, of course, "Lord of the Rings". Why is it that the Ramayana is not well-known? It's an Indian masterpiece, an epic of vast proportions that is equal to "Odyssey", and a religious setting that's almost as great as "The Pilgrim's Progress".

It is the story of Rama and his wife Sita, who has been captured by a raksha (a.k.a. demon) named Ravana. 75 percent of this story deals with Rama's attempt (with the help of his brother Lakshmana) to rescue his beloved wife. The man's quest involves many encounters with meat-eating trees, hermits, talking animals, and a vast monkey army (this isn't "Planet of the Apes", I'll tell you that).

Ramesh Menon's retelling of Valmiki's Ramayana is a good one. It's perfect for today's generation, and there are only a few words that need to be looked up in the dictionary.

The one problem I had with this epic is that there is a constant stream of sobbing. Many characters cry for many reasons. I know I'd feel emotional when something bad happens, but this seems constant in Ramayana, and it becomes quite irritating.

So anyway, The Ramayana is a treat for those who love epics and fantastical imagery. And if you don't mind polygamy in fiction, then you'll do fine.

A-

Gods, Demons and Heroes, locked in titanic battle in the mythical days of yore, and performing great feats of strength and/or self sacrifice ... what's not to love about that ?

The Ramayana is one of the great literary epics of Ancient India, retold in this version in full-length and easy-to-read English prose form. It's the story of the life and trials of Rama, a mortal incarnation (avatar) of the great Hindu God, Vishnu. However, it's more than just a simple mythological adventure story ... it's also a morality play. Rama is an archetypal example of a perfect man, dutiful son and pious husband; and likewise his wife Sita is an archetype of the perfect woman/wife. Together they are sent into exile by an act of betrayal, and by fate, and face a series of challenges that mercilessly test their quality and character ... encountering, in no particular order, wandering holymen/beggars, murderous rakshasas, diabolical demons, Gods, Devas, and creatures and spirits of the forest.

The thing that a lot of English & Western readers might otherwise overlook is that this epic is a revered part of Hindu literature, in much the same way that the adventures and trials of Jesus of Nazareth are told in the New Testament of the Bible.

The book is very enjoyable, and can be read on a number of different levels ... as both a simple mythological fantasy, as well as literary classic that indirectly underlies one of the world's major religions.

Some of the deeds and actions by the characters in the story might seem incomprehensible to some of us westerners, but that's just par for the course in grasping the deep seated psychological & religious differences between different cultures, with differing role models.

The author, thoughtfully, included a helpful appendix which defines some of the hindi words that appear in the story (ex: "moksha" loosely translates as "embodied enlightenment"), but it's by no means complete ... but it's enough for a western reader to get by without too much trouble.

In any case, it's a very enjoyable tale.