The Story of Hong Gildong

Translator and Editor: Minsoo Kang

A Classic in Translation: Classic Challenge

"The Story of Hong Gildong is arguably the single most important work of classic Korean fiction. A fantastic story of adventure, it has been adapted into countless movies, television shows, novels, and comics in Korea. Until now, the earliest and fullest text of this incredible fable has been inaccessible to English readers.

Hong Gildong, the brilliant but illegitimate son of a noble government minister, cannot advance in society due to his second-class status, so he leaves home and becomes the leader of a band of outlaws. On the way to building his own empire and gaining acceptance from his family, Hong Gildong vanquishes assassins, battles monsters, and conquers kingdoms. Minsoo Kang’s expressive and lively new translation finally makes the authoritative text of this premodern tale available in English, reintroducing a noble and righteous outlaw and sharing a beloved hallmark of Korean culture." Amazon

Another classic lets me down. So far this year the only classic I've enjoyed has been A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. I had my husband read this and he didn't really care for it either. That said, the translation is so well done. I think this part fable, part adventure story was just to confusing and at times I had no idea what I was reading. You should try it out, it might have just been me and my reading preferences. 

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

By: Betty Smith

A classic by a woman author: Classic Challenge

Oh, how I loved this book. It played out slowly so the pacing was nice and relaxed.

"Francie Nolan, avid reader, penny-candy connoisseur, and adroit observer of human nature, has much to ponder in colorful, turn-of-the-century Brooklyn. She grows up with a sweet, tragic father, a severely realistic mother, and an aunt who gives her love too freely--to men, and to a brother who will always be the favored child. Francie learns early the meaning of hunger and the value of a penny. She is her father's child--romantic and hungry for beauty. But she is her mother's child, too--deeply practical and in constant need of truth. Like the Tree of Heaven that grows out of cement or through cellar gratings, resourceful Francie struggles against all odds to survive and thrive. Betty Smith's poignant, honest novel created a big stir when it was first published over 50 years ago. Her frank writing about life's squalor was alarming to some of the more genteel society, but the book's humor and pathos ensured its place in the realm of classics--and in the hearts of readers, young and old."

My grandmother was born in 1918 and although she did not live anywhere near New York, I saw a lot of her in this book. I miss you grandma.

To Be Read pile...

Sorry for my absence, ahem, my excuse - a huge TBR!

We now resume our regular challenges...

A Lady in Disguise

By: Sandra Byrd

This book was SO good on so many levels. The weather here in the Pacific Northwest has been rainy and stormy. I started this book at night after everyone was in bed. I could hear the rain and the wind, and it was dark. Oh what perfect reading weather for this book! Suspenseful, mysterious, romantic, delicious! This is the third in the Daughters of Hampshire series by Sandra Byrd. I received this book from the publisher for an honest review.

The story takes place in Victorian London where our main character, Gillian Young is trying to find out not only how really did her father die, but why? Was her father living a secret, not-so-honest-life even though he was a respected police officer?  As Gillian works her new job as the principal costume designer at the renowned Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, she reaches out to help young ladies that could end up in harms way. Is there anyone she can trust? Even when she meets the Viscount Thomas Lockwood I wanted to scream, RUN! But has her father left evidence that will clear up this huge mystery? Where is it? and will she find it in time? Who is trying to stop her? The whisperer at her door? The menacing footsteps always behind her? Ah, the suspense!

Note: I do not normally read romance. I just don't care for it. If you are like me, don't discount this book from your TBR. This is a big story that has more in it and will appeal to a large audience.

Release date is March 21, 2017

Fate of the Tearling

By: Erica Johansen

I was so, so sad to finish off this trilogy with a book I didn't like. I spent time and energy reading these three books and so when the third book was such a huge disappointment, ack!

By the middle of the third book everything from Katie's perspective started to feel very now and very political. We must go back to another world since we don't know how to do abortions and we are running out of birth control. Really? Come on. And those pesky superstitious Christian folks. What will we do about them? This faith thing must be stopped. Sigh.

I am a Christian. I don't expect to read non-Christian books by non-Christian authors and have Christian themes in them. But I don't want to read fantasy and have political, earthly themes of the current day so obvious it brings me out of the fantasy world. I read fantasy because I'd like to experience a different world.

Can I say it felt as if the author just got bored by the third book? This isn't the first time I've read a currently written trilogy that, by the last book, just ran out of steam. I want the full deal. Like Lord of the Rings, I want a Return of the King which should be epic and amazing. This was not close. Characters that were in the beginning of the first book, and had bigger story lines, were left without closure. Existing characters that are still with us in the third book go sideways. New characters are introduced that I just didn't like. Can you say Katie?

I literally couldn't read for a full day after this book. I couldn't shake my disappointment.

Moving on...

What are you reading?

Anything interesting? I usually read more than one book at a time. I read different types of books so I don't get them confused. Right now I'm reading: a classic, a Dickenesque book, a fantasy novel, a non-fiction and a book of short stories. I have 3 paper books, 2 audio books and an ebook so all my bases are covered.

I suppose there is a science to how I choose the books I'm going to read but I'm not sure what it is. Some books grab me and won't let me go until I have finished them in one huge gulp. Some books I read fairly quickly and some books I find myself reading slowly. Usually the slow books I enjoy have lovely language that I want to spend time in.

What are you reading? Anything exciting? Let me know in comments below. It might just be my next favorite book.

The Eight

By: Katherine Neville

"Katherine Neville's debut novel is a postmodern thriller set in 1972 ... and 1790. In the 20th century, Catherine Velis is a computer expert with a flair for music, painting, and chess who, on her way to Algeria at the behest of the accounting firm where she is employed, is invited to take a mysterious moonlighting assignment: recover the pieces of an old chess set missing for centuries.

In the midst of the French Revolution, a young novice discovers that her abbey is the hiding place of a chess set, once owned by the great Charlemagne, which allows those who play it to tap into incredible powers beyond the imagination. She eventually comes into contact with the major historical figures of the day, from Robespierre to Napoleon, each of whom has an agenda.

The Eight is a non-stop ride that recalls the swashbuckling adventures of Indiana Jones as well as the historical puzzles of Umberto Eco which, since its first publication in 1988, has gone on to acquire a substantial cult following" Publisher Weekly

I didn't care for this book. It was a little to slow.