Hoffman Books

This book is the only one of twelve editions that I have read. It is absolutely amazing. Not only does it question our common place world but it bends, strechtes and recreates you mind. I am looking to buy the book so I can read it all and have the stories at my finger tips. I am also going to read the next editions. Try one story, you will be hooked!

This is a classic manual from the Godfather of American weightlifting. 25 courses in one book and timeless training methods before the steriod era of bodybuilding. A gem to have in your collection.

It's seldom that I root for the evildoer of a novel or movie, but Dostoyevsky definitely had me doing it with "Crime and Punishment". Early in the novel, impoverished student Raskolnikov murders two innocent older women in order to make a quick buck (and also for deeper reasons revealed later in the novel). We then accompany Raskolnikov through the tumultuous aftermath, during which his feelings towards his evil deed revolve between complete indifference, intense guilt, and a rational desire to hide from the law. A formal investigation by the city, led by the effusive and enigmatic detective Porfiry Petrovich, comprises much of the novel.

It's interesting that by a couple hundred pages following the murders, I'd begun to stop thinking of Raskolnikov as an evildoer but rather as someone who was simply insane half the time. At some point I began to sympathize with him and by the end of the novel I was positively rooting for him to escape apprehension and punishment. This is a testament to Dostoyevsky's skill at rendering his characters' thoughts and beliefs so well that the reader internalizes them to some degree.

I found the Penguin edition translated by David McDuff to be very readable, not stilted at all like I'd heard that many translations of Dostoyevsky into English can be. In addition to many humorous turns of phrase that came through fine in the translation, dialogue in general seemed to flow naturally. The sense of oppressive gloom so prevalent in Dostoyevsky's works seemed to also be faithfully replicated by McDuff, as was Dostoyevsky's detached matter-of-fact style of narration. Of course, it's difficult to remain cheerful when reading about murder and people driven to desperate measures because of the abject poverty they're in.

A must read for fans of serious fiction prepared to step away from the lighthearted for a while!

Dostoevsky has crafted a monolithic work of literature in every respect here. This book contains all the elements of vintage Dostoevsky--unforgettable characters, a gripping plot, layers of meaning, captivating style and poignant sprinkles of humor. The book is broad in its scope, exploring numerous themes--alienation from society, criminal psychology, poverty, benevolence, confession, spirituality, redemption, love and more. As typical of Dostoevsky, however, it is the spiritual journey of one character that provides the central focus of the narrative. If you don't know much about Dostoevsky, I advise reading some about his life before beginning this novel (a good starting point is wikipedia.org/wiki/Dostoevsky). This novel will take you on a thought-provoking journey about the human heart and experience that you will not forget. Highly recommended.

The book arrived in excellent condition. I have not read it yet, but am anxiously waiting to read it. I am very happy that it had arrived in plenty of time.

Fyodor Dostoyevsky's Crime and Punishment is one of the greatest novels of all times. I love this book!

The novel is a very good one, and compared to the crap that passes as literature these days it is a classic, however, it is not a great piece of literature. The book has too many manifest flaws, such as being far too long, far too `talky', and most of all, aside from the belief that it's a `Christian tract', the biggest misread of the book is that it is somehow a work of `social realism'. Nothing could be less true- it is primarily a work of symbolism. This is evident from its title, as the very punishment referred to is not that of the legal variety, but that of internal guilt. Yes, when it was first published, in pre-Freudian 1866, it may have seemed a work of psychological depth, but even compared to the fiction of Anton Chekhov, just a few decades later, it is utterly Neolithic in its approach to the human psyche....If Dostoevsky's novel can be considered great, by some, it is not because of the things he intended within it that manifest its greatness, but that which was unwitting, and beyond him at the time, such as the real key to understanding the work, its great insight, that people do not change at a fundamental level. I was recently watching the Up documentary film series, by Michael Apted, on DVD, and those films are premised on the very notion that Crime And Punishment is, the Jesuit saying of `Give me the child till he is seven, and I shall give you the man.' We do not glimpse Raskolnikov at seven, but given what we know becomes of him it is not difficult to extrapolate that he was as amoral then as his twentysomething self appears in the book. If Dostoevsky intended this work to be an allegory on Christianity's redemptive power he clearly failed, so I posit that that was not his intent at all, and that the psychological and ethical stasis of most human beings was his major theme.

Regardless, the book is not a great piece of art. It contains great moments, some brilliant writing, and is a very good work of art, however primitive, but it is certainly not great. A modern reader can simply not ignore all its manifest flaws, such as the awkward and heavy-handed symbolism, the stilted and unrealistic dialogue, which reinforces the truth of the characters' symbolism, as it veers between mawkishness during some of the death scenes and Raskolnikov's several confession scenes, and preachiness in many of the philosophical engagements.
Another problem with the work, one not in the actual work, but in its willful misinterpretation by critics with axes to grind, is that, aside from the confusion over the literary value of the work, all the poor theories regarding psychology and the fundaments of criminality have somehow found their way into pop culture, and done much to lead people astray in their ideas of true good and evil. Yet, the many fundamental questions that Raskolnikov deals with are never directly addressed, and are only used as a flawed premise for the main action of the novel to go off on. Raskolnikov ponders why those who have power or mass murder in war are labeled heroes, gain fame and respect, have paeans and monuments made for them while the low born, who have to struggle with and against each other, are jailed if they kill. In Part Five, Chapter Four, he rationalizes not confessing to the murders by using this defense: `What wrong have I done them? Why should I go to them? What should I say to them? That's only a phantom....They destroy men by millions themselves and look on it as a virtue. They are knaves and scoundrels, Sonia! I am not going to them. And what should I say to them- that I murdered her, but did not dare to take the money and hid it under a stone?' he added with a bitter smile. `Why, they would laugh at me, and would call me a fool for not getting it. A coward and a fool! They wouldn't understand and they don't deserve to understand. Why should I go to them?' This is a philosophically legitimate point, yet, instead of plumbing this, and applying it to the social caste he exists within, Raskolnikov flies off into mere pop sociological dementia with his ideas on supermen and exceptionalism, never realizing that exceptionalism in one or two fields, no matter how exceeding, brilliant, nor gifted, does not imply any sort of reciprocal ethical exceptionalism.

Yet, throughout the book, despite moments of brilliance, whenever Dostoevsky gets too close to the core, the nub of what the book is really about, he backs away. Whether because he lacked the answer or lacked the desire to deal with its clash with his own belief systems I do not know. But it is a flaw, and one that results in banal and bland sermonizing, such as that which ends the book in a very trite Hollywood film fashion:



He did not know that the new life would not be given him for nothing, that he would have to pay dearly for it, that it would cost him great striving, great suffering.

But that is the beginning of a new story- the story of the gradual renewal of a man, the story of his gradual regeneration, of his passing from one world into another, of his initiation into a new unknown life. That might be the subject of a new story, but our present story is ended.



To end, Crime And Punishment is certainly a milestone work in the development of both Dostoevsky and the art of the novel, but a work's cultural or artistic import is not equivalent to its artistic excellence. Therefore, while it may be a great representation of its time, artistically and culturally, it is not a great book- neither as a social tract nor as a novel. It reads more like a mid-stage version of better models to come, which is exactly what it really is. The very fact that such gross misreadings of it has taken root is a testament to the laziness of most readers, and the unwillingness of most to think for themselves. It is this problem with readers, their own anomic stasis, writ into the larger society, that Dostoevsky actually deals with. Raskolnikov, however, still smiles.

I somehow tragically managed to make my way to adulthood with never reading anything but the kiddie version of this book. When I found this book for super-cheap in the teachers' lounge book sale and I figured "hey, why not?" And thus I picked it up and immediately fell in love with the sheer Old-South charm that only Twain can deliver. Really, people, it is no wonder that this book is such a classic! It may not have the soulful human reflections of "Huckleberry Finn", but in the solemn concern for the pleasures of boyhood it certainly makes its own mark.

Mark Twain tells the story purely from a storyteller's view. No deep analysis of character that takes you right inside of Tom Sawyer's psyche, nothing blatantly philosophical. It is as if Mr. Twain lives to simply tells us into what trouble Tom is getting. He does not go out of his way to give lengthy, dull descriptions or even fully flesh out the details of just what Tom and his friends are doing. It gives it a charming, folksy style that allows for plenty of plot and action. Even, so the writing is unparalleled.

And it truly is a great story. It's fun! I don't know how many poor students have been tricked into believing it is not. It has all the great elements of a good boy story, what with the murders and buried treasure and faked deaths and hoodoo--not to mention the delight taken away by discovery of bacteria.

I'm also a huge fan of this Whole Story edition. It's beautiful, easy to carry around, and I guess I'm a sucker for the documentary feature.

Fantastic, fun story. Everyone should read it.

These audio books help children that are having trouble with the written word. I also use them in the car, so each trip we hear more of the story. The kids love them and I think it makes them interested in reading.

To understand America in the nineteenth century, you must understand Tom Sawyer. His life, so full of adventure set amidst the bustle of a changing nation, is in many ways the dream of nearly all male children. To spend your time swimming in the creek, gathering "treasures" and eating goodies is truly the good life. Tom's romance with Becky is also the way it is with most boys. Girls are universally considered to have some kind of contagious disease, when I was young, they had cooties, until you see that one perfect girl that you will share everything with.
The wonder and mischief of Tom and Huck are captured in this book, superbly illustrated by Michael Ploog. Tom is wide-eyed, freckled and has bulbous cheeks. Huck has a pointed nose, bright eyes and a suitably scruffy demeanor. With the exception of Sundays, the boy's clothes consist of a series of patches sewn over rags. This book is an excellent introduction to what is the tale of American youth of the nineteenth century, very appropriate for classes in English. Of course, after covering this book, the students should be required to read the original.

This book is a great example of what makes Twain one of America's most belvoed writers. Twain's unique sense of humor and his keen insights into human nature shine through in this book. Twain's style is wonderful, the characters are dynamic and the plot never hits a snag. Twain has created a novel here that is light enough on the surface to entertain young readers yet contatins enough substance to speak volumes to an adult audience. You are sure to love this one is you have read any of Twain's other works. If you haven't read Twain, delay no further--this book is the perfect starting point.

Ever since my dad first read this timeless classic to my sister & me as kids, while camping in our trailer during the summer, it has left its indelible impression upon my imagination. How I too wanted to shove off from shore on my "skiff" and have my own adventures down the Mississippi! I know of no other book that so wonderfully captures the essence and joy of carefree boyhood.

When I say "carefree", however, I am not forgetting the grim and serious elements of the novel. But these work just as well as the sunnier and funnier parts. In fact, just when the narrative needs it, a murder comes along which boosts the plot most effectively, giving it a shot in the arm. And speaking of the darker aspects, does not Injun Joe have to rank highly on the list of greatest villains in the history of literature? I can assure you that as a boy listening to the cave chapters, his menace was palpable and unforgettable.

Unfortunately, literary snobs have often found it fashionable to belittle Tom Sawyer as inconsequential and a 'lightweight' seen against the towering greatness of "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn". I couldn't disagree more. (I love Huckleberry Finn dearly and plan to review it soon as well). I read a quote in a foreword that I thought was very insightful: "Huckleberry Finn is a greater book, but not a better one." I think this is exactly so. Extol the greatness of HF by all means, but don't make the mistake of downgrading Twain's other masterpiece, just because its theme is not so weighty and grave. In fact, the episodic nature of the telling of Tom Sawyer fit Twain's particular brand of genius perfectly (whereas there were some sub par stretches in Huck Finn).

Loved it as a boy, love it no less as a man. Thank you, dad, for imparting such an enduring gift.

Incredibly easy and direct way to give a new perspective into a 1D, 2D and 3D "space"!

Flatland is written in 1800's English, so it might be a little bit tricky to get it straight, if you aren't a native English speaker. Sphereland is straight forward!!

Highly recommended!

Originally written with a Victorian theme, it is now a must-read classic for anyone who enjoys reading about the fourth dimension. The story is about a two-dimensional being (called A Square) living in a two-dimensional world (hence the title, Flatland). As a three-dimensional being imagining this two-dimensional world, you come to realize that you can understand higher-dimensional space through lower-dimensional analogies. In fact, A Square meets a three-dimensional being (A Sphere), and takes a journey beyond the second dimension. Although some readers may enjoy the book for its historical and Victorian period merits, math lovers can enjoy the book for its geometric insight.

If you are curious about the fourth dimension, you should also read:

- Spaceland: A Novel of the Fourth Dimension, Rudy Rucker's novel of the fourth dimension
- Flatterland: Like Flatland, Only More So, a continuation of the geometric idea from Flatland
- The 4th Dimension: Toward a Geometry of Higher Reality, Rudy Rucker's classic introduction to the fourth dimension
- The Visual Guide to Extra Dimensions: Volume 1: Visualizing the Fourth Dimension, Higher-Dimensional Polytopes, and Curved Hypersurfaces, a modern geometric introduction to the fourth dimension

Yes, many young people have been required to read Flatland against their wills. Yes, many people have missed the real point of the book. This book stretched the mind and imagination in ways that are fun and challenging. The author might not have been entirely serious in writing the book, but nonetheless provided serious food for thought.

I believe Flatland is an excellent (and quick) reading experience for minds in the formative stage, a stage I recommend maintaining throughout life. The book's theological implications were the most important to me. I had always wondered where heaven might be, how God can see inside us, and what the spirit is made of. I do not know if extrapolating the Flatland concepts into a fourth (or fifth) physical dimension reflects ultimate reality, but it provides a sufficiently possible and plausible explanation to remove rationalist objections.

The 3-D sphere that intersects the plane of reality provided the "Aha" moment. The sphere embodied perfection and could mysteriously appear and disappear. Explaining the view from above the plane to a flat square is as difficult as explaining the spiritual realm to a person unable to envision beyond the world seen with the eye. A greater-dimensional being floating above the plane can see inside the geometric shapes, reach inside their skins without intersecting their boundaries, think far more complex thoughts, and take them out of their limited reality to a better place they could not have imagined. If a Flatland person had no thickness, he would have no volume by our reckoning, and therefore no real existence. If there is a spiritual dimension and a person has no thickness in that direction at all, then he may not really exist either.

We have learned to adjust to modern concepts of reality that are no longer Euclidean and Newtonian. Perhaps we need a view of creation that is not limited by unfounded presumptions of limited dimensionality. After you ponder the concepts of Flatland and extrapolate them to your life, I wonder what new thought may form.

This book is often recommend by theoretical physicists and mathematicians (most often mathematicians involved in hyperdimensional topology) to their students.

It was written by a Shakespeare scholar in Britain more than 100 years ago. The reason it is recommended by theoretical physicists, etc., is it provides the reader with a framework for understanding and trying to visualize dimensions above or beyond our ordinary four-dimensional world (length, width, heighth, space-time).

It deals with a two dimensional world with two dimensional beings and what happens when a third dimensional being interacts with a two dimensional world and what the two dimensional beings would see. It also does this in terms of a one dimensional being and one dimensional world interacting with a two dimensional world and two dimensional beings (or structures).

This book written with apparently some intent on commenting on Victorian England and its values (with what appeared to me to have some misogynistic comments within it), was otherwise an enjoyable book and really does provide a good analysis on multi-dimensional view points and visualizing or imagining hyper-dimensions.

If you are interested in advanced theoretical physics, hyperdimensional geometry or topology or mathematics, this is a very interesting book and may be useful. If you are just interested in a good unique science fiction story, I would highly recommend this. This is not an (explicit) math or science book - so you won't find any explicit mathematics (i.e., no math is required).

Excellent.

Keep in mind that this book was written over a hundred years ago, and consider the incredible ground it covers with this little tale: geometry (obviously), physics, government, politics, the clash between the sexes, class structures, manners, human nature, psychology, philosophy and even neuroscience (consciousness)! At first reading, it's deceptively simple, but explain it out loud to someone else and you'll find yourself noticing new things. If something doesn't seem to make sense, ask yourself "why?" This story is an allegory, a metaphor for so many things that fall into disjunct categories. There's a reason for the weird; the "bump" is there to make you take notice. Read it, think about it, give it some time and you'll be on your way to understanding the incredible range of this tiny work.

I haven't gotten all the way through the book yet. But so far so good. Questioning what we all "know" makes sense. And I am a believer in most data is already built into the stock price. So you have to determine what is true that everyone else does not know. Good so far.

What a valuable read. This is not like any other investing book I've read. The chapter on oil is worth the price of the book alone, particularly now that everyone's so worried about oil. This was just one eye-opening shocker after another.

If you want real advice on how to beat markets, get this book. If you want another fad diet book on some magic formula that doesn't really work, this isn't it.

Also, its pretty darn funny in parts! That was another nice surprise. I found this to be a good read, not too technical, but with enough real, front-line-of-the-war advice.

Ken Fisher is an interesting guy. But don't let me tell you about him - let him talk about himself. He does that a lot in this book.

The book itself feels like a sort of wandering conversation in which Ken takes you through his mindset to approaching stocks, how he questions market myths that the unwashed common masses take as gospel truth. To avoid following the herd, he asks three questions to make sure his mind is focused on uncovering 'real' truths of market movement. Stuff like 'deficit spending is good for the economy', and 'high p/e ratios do not necessarily signal over-priced stocks'.

Ken Fisher is a smart guy; having a conversation with him that lasts this long is a lot of fun, and it will make you all the wiser in your general approach to investing. I enjoyed his random rants on politics, and his general advice on finding your own causations and correlations in an increasingly complex world.

Where I fault this book is in its organization and its mild contradictions. Ken flat out denies for example that he's a contrarian by defining what he thinks is a contrarian and then describing why he isn't like that definition. He's also quite contradictory in his effusing of the efficient market hypothesis while bragging about his discovery of the p/s ratio to find undervalued stocks.

Finally, Ken has a lot of pent-up anger toward the financial industry, and he writes like he feels he's never received the respect he deserves. Kind of put a sour taste in my mouth when taking in the advice.

I recommend this book all the same. Like I said - Ken is an interesting guy; see through the faults, and you'll realize a wealth of interesting advice from a guy who knows what he's talking about.

The book has a repetitive writing style that simply doesn't get to the point. It would be a good read if it was about 25% as long.

Fisher's book explodes a number of market myths that are taken as conventional wisdom by most investors, very much to their disadvantage. Fisher not only puts matters in perspective, he teaches you how to think about markets, how to identify opportunities, when to take risks, when to play safe, when to get in, when to get out, etc. I like the way he writes, stating general principles and backing them up with solid facts. I think it's a good book for new investors, because he takes the time to explain basic investment terms and concepts experienced investors and professionals know backwards and forwards.

it was deffinately different. i loved the third angel, so i thought i'd give this little book a try. i enjoyed it, but it was pretty childish, which is ok..that's what it was supposed to be. i guess it just wasnt what i was expecting. still good, just not as great as i'd hoped for.

Although intended for the YA market, this book appeals to everyone. The book had an interesting and compelling story about a girl, Green, who loses her parents and sister in a terrible fire in the city. With this loss she loses her self and transforms both internally and externally in a sad and suffering person, a different person: Ash. She chops her hair, covers her clothes in thorns and tattoos black vines all over her body in order to shield her from the pain. She creates a tough exterior and numbs her interior in order to deal with the pain. Through a series of events and encounters she manages to find herself.

Reminiscent of Cormac McCarthy's The Road (Oprah's Book Club) in that there is a big fire and the entire book has that post-apocalyptic-kinda-town-feeling. A fire ravaged through the city and many people died, including Green's family.

The story also contains some aspects of magical realism, such as the changing of the vines, the reactions of people, etc. This is dealt with very well and it improves the story greatly.

The prose is very poetic but it sometimes gets lost in itself and becomes a bit conflictive with itself. Yes, the story has magical realism, but the story must still fit. The timeline does not seem to work in this novel, and the character of Diamond was introduced out of sync with the novel. The book is highly symbolic, in just about everything that everyone says or does. Maybe a bit too symbolic? It's about regret, grief and learning to live again.

I enjoyed the book, it is a quick read. Maybe a bit too complicated for the younger audience (early teens).

Green Angel by Alice Hoffman is about a young sixteen year old girl who goes through the tragic death of her family. Her heart grows cold and she refuses to keep on living, but a young boy that never spoke one word helped her keep moving on. Sometimes in this book you could not always tell what the theme is, many times you had to think and put yourself in her place of mind. The main character, Green, relates to people dealing with tragic death example being, she clammed up. As a reader, I enjoyed this book not because I, like, many, have known a death to be in my family and I felt horrible, but I could tell you had to keep walking through life. Though by not revealing the theme made me remember what I saw others and I had done when a nearby death had happened, sometimes it seemed you had died emotionally which, Green did, died. (Not physically) But soon lived again. Green Angel has to be one of my most favorite books and I would recommend it to others.

A girl named Green was known for her skills in the garden.Her sister Aurora was the youngest and the silliest.One day her parents and sister went to the city,and a fire started.It killed her family.Now Green has no love for anything.Green has put tattoos on her body,cut her hair,and put nails in her boots.Over time Green began to love again.As her garden grew her tattoos began to brighten.I recamend this book,this girl who has went through her family's death,and still has love in her heart.

Yeah, yeah, Alice Hoffman writes a young adult book, blah blah blah. I found this to be overly prosy and immaturely crafted. It tried to have a dark goth sense about it and perhaps that's just not my genre. I finished it in about an hour (it's only 116 pages long) so I can't rightly say it's "one I've put back down", but I wouldn't read it again or give it to a friend. I think I would have enjoyed this book when I was an early teenager and going through my "nobody understands me and my deep poetry" phase. So there's that going for it.

I was assigned this book in college and found myself weeping in the library. At Risk isn't heavy-handed, and that's what makes it so powerful. The family is believable, and therein lies its poignancy.

I think that At Risk is a must read for young adults. It shows a family with courage and how they deal with such a great hardship. It helped to understand how some people react to a disease that they know almost nothing about and how some of there assumptions made matters worse. This book is the amazing story of an 11 year old girl who is diagnosed with AIDS and how her family, friends, and community deals with it. It is a heartbreaking book that teaches great morals and life lessons. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in AIDS or who just wants a good read. It's an easy read and is great for all ages.

I finished the book, but was so disappointed. Storyline was wishy-washy and the characters dull.

A simply beautiful, amazing and, of course, heart-breaking novel. I started reading it last night, and couldn't stop. Words can't adequately describe how strongly I was affected. Hoffman has written a deeply-moving novel I can most highly recommend.

What can I add to the other reviews? With excellent characterizations and natural dialogue, Alice Hoffman is a master at drawing typical suburban lifestyles and family dynamics! The family in this story endeared themselves to the reader before tragedy fell upon them, making their ordeal much more heartwrenching. It was very interesting to read how they were torn apart and I wondered if the parents relationship would be strengthened or would be unrepairably damaged in the end. My heart particularly went out to Charlie, who at 8 years old, didn't know exactly how to react and got kind of lost in the activity. I was especially pained at how the community, through their ignorance about AIDS, shunned Amanda. It was equally amazing how the pediatrician, coach and school principal remained undeterred and supportive throughout the controversy. Although tears flowed, it was a beautiful compassion-inspiring story, not depressing perhaps because such strides have been make since the 1980's in the treatment and public awareness of AIDS. I will not easily forget these characters nor their plight.

I loved this book. It was given to me by a friend and I felt like it was one of those books you could read agian and agian even if you already read it. After I just finished it I wanted to read it again and I didn't wand to read anything else. This is a great book for 5-7 or 8 grade.

My son was assigned this book for a 6th grade reading group and I came to amazon.com to find out more about it.

I am writing this review in response to E. R. Bird's review. That review made me question the appropriateness of "City of Masks" for 6th grade group discussion. My concerns came from a)the use of the word "sexual predator" for the Duchessa and b)describing the Duchessa as the moral equivalent of Mrs. Coulter in Philp Pullman's "His Dark Materials" books.

After reading "Stravaganza, City of Masks" I believe this book is indeed a young adult book (grades 5-7) and the content is appropriate for 6th grade group discussions. The Duchessa is characterized as typical of her historical period without too much detail. The book explores a 15-16 year old boy's struggle with cancer. The setting isn't perfect and the characters aren't perfect. It isn't a literary masterpiece but it is a fun read for a 12 year old.

"City of Masks" is an action book that tries to gently discuss dealing with cancer. I think the author is good intentioned and the Duchessa is an unrefined tool of the plot. I liked this book, it presents some interesting topics for young adult group discussion.

How would you like it if you could travel to a different world? In the book City of Masks a young boy named Lucien does. Lucien lives in London, England and is very sick with cancer. One day when his father brings him home a diary, he learns that he can travel to a different world. This other world is still in the sixteenth century, and is now known as Venice, Italy. The citizens there called it Belezza. Lucien is very confused when he first gets there, but soon he realizes that he isn't sick in Belezza. He meets a man named Rodolfo, and learns that he is a "Stravaganti" (which means that he can travel from Belezza to England). After many attacks in Belezza, he learns that being a Stravaganti isn't as fun as he thought it would be. I didn't like this book very much, but just because I don't like it, that doesn't mean you won't.
This book was written for people ten and up. It switched around from one part to another, and younger children would have a harder time understanding it. "He began to dream of a city floating on the water, laced with canals, and full of domes and spires..." (in England) "Adrianna watched the whole procession from her brother's boat." (In Belezza)
The book included many characters. Some examples would be Lucien, Adrianna, and Rodolfo. There where many times were you would have to closely pay attention in order to understand who was speaking.
The book was written in second person, and was easier to understand that way. "Much to her surprise, Adrianna was bored."
Although I didn't like this book very much, you might like to read it.

City of Masks is a book about Lucien and his friend Arianna. Lucien is a boy with cancer who just had chemotherapy. When the chemotherapy was so bad that Lucien could not talk, Lucien's dad found and gave him a red and purple swirled notebook to write in instead of talking. When Lucien first received the book, he fell asleep with it in his hands and suddenly found himself in a city similar to Venice, Italy. Lucien looked around at the marble colonnade and thought he was dreaming. That thought changed when a boy about Lucien's age pulled him fiercely into the shadows and hissed, "Are you mad? You could be killed!" Normally a touch like that would have Lucien screaming in pain, but this was a different universe where Lucien was healthy. To confirm that this wasn't a dream, Lucien reached up and touched a head full of curly locks when just a minute ago all he could feel was a bald head from the chemotherapy. The boy that had pulled him into the shadow was taking off his clothes and mumbling to Lucien about how Lucien had ruined his plans that had taken almost a year to come up with. The boy was now stripped down to his underclothes and gave his clothes to Lucien. Lucien took off his changed into the boy's clothes and watched as the boy slipped on a dress and took off his hat. The boy was a girl! Lucien and Arianna introduced themselves and Arianna led Lucien down to a café. There Arianna explained to Lucien that today was the forbidden day to be on the island of Bellezza and they could be killed if the pair didn't blend in. That was why Lucien had to change into different clothes. After eating two crumbly pastries and two cups of chocolate, the pair headed down to a river and watched as the Duchessa picked new mandoliers. The Duchessa rules all of Bellezza and picks mandoliers to attend her school and eventually drive the boat the Duchessa rides in. When the Duchessa turns around and picks out a boy in the crowd, Arianna storms away. The boy the Duchessa picked was Lucien, the person who ruined Arianna's plans of becoming a mandolier. Every day, Lucien returns to his sick body and falls asleep to visit Bellezza. This book takes you through the journey of Lucien a sick and healthy boy at the same time.
Mary Hoffman's style of writing is full of analogies and "juicy" words. She keeps the pace of the book at a comfortable speed and loves to switch scenes very quickly. This book jumps around a lot without losing the reader. I loved reading this book because it kept me wanting to read more the whole time. The characters were very credible and their actions were understandable. I also enjoyed reading this book because the plot kept on making exciting turns while keeping it easy to follow. I would recommend this book to people who love fantasies and like to keep reading the whole afternoon because they can't put the book down.

Stravaganza: City of Masks by Mary Hoffman is the first of three books in a wonderful fantasy series.

Lucien is sick with cancer; he cannot go to school or even get out of his bed, but when he receives an Italian journal from his father, his whole life changes. If Lucien holds the journal while he sleeps, his mind is taken to the city of Bellezza. When he is there, he is completely well, and the more he visits Bellezza the more real it seems. Lucien then finds out that he is able to travel between two worlds; he is a Stravaganza. The problem is, the more he travels to this extraordinary city, the more he seems to vanish from his own world and his family. Will Lucien continue to travel between the two worlds or will he be stuck in a world that he barely knows forever?

I loved this book and can't wait to read the next in the series. Once you start reading, Stravaganza: City of Masks draws you in and you just can't wait to see what happens. You can fall in love with all of the characters and you really start to care about them. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to escape into another world; people of all ages can enjoy a book like this!

This is very beautifully written. I enjoyed the weaving in and out of the story line.

This is one of Ms. Hoffman's best books, a set of interconnected stories about Cape Cod, love, loss, redemption. The prose is beautiful. I re-read this book every summer, to remind myself of the Cape Cod girl I am in my heart, no matter how long I've lived here on a different ocean.

I have just begun to read Alice Hoffman and am addicted to her writing. I loved this book. The way she takes you through many lives that have all shared one house, is extraordinary. Beautifully done.

I've recently become an Alice Hoffman fan after reading The Probable Future and Practical Magic. Blackbird House is definitely one of the best books I've read all year. While its an easy read, it didn't bore me one bit. I couldnt put it down!

This was such a clever format for a story! The book began in the 1700's and each chapter was about a family or person who lived there in each following generation. The focus was on a life altering moment in their life. Some characters reappeared in the next chapter as an older version of how they appeared in the preceeding chapter. A very interesting perspective on how lifestyles evolved in the coastal community of Cape Cod over the centuries! Excellent!