Hosted by Alyce at At Home With Books. "Each week features one of my favorite reads that I finished before I started blogging. I'm not reviewing the books, just giving a brief description (most likely the publisher's blurb) and telling you why the book is a favorite."
Do you have any old favorites that you haven't had a chance to blog about yet? Or some older reviews that you would like to feature? Please join us."
The week I chose:The Last Samurai by Helen Dewitt
Paperback 544 pages
Miramax (2001)
A young boy in London searches for the identity of his father by reading up on and searching out famous scientists and artists when his intellectual American mother refuses him any information about who he is. A single mother, Sibylla Newman, somewhat eccentric, has her hands full trying to support them by transcribing manuscripts and keeping a very gifted child stimulated and fulfilled. Ludovic, the kind of child that could read in three languages at the age of four, is determined to confront the man he thinks might be his father. Sprinkled throughout with scientific and literary references this book is a masterpiece of originality and a hoot as well. Sibylla's obsession with a Kurosawa film of the same name explains the title, not the Cruise film. This was one of the best books I read that year. It tells you how much I liked it that I went out and purchased a copy. Five stars. Highly recommended.
Comments, questions, links to reviews are always welcomed. I'd love to read them.
I totally thought of the Tom Cruise movie when I saw that title. I haven't heard of this book though, and if I had I probably would have thought it was related to the Tom Cruise movie and not paid it any attention.
ReplyDeleteThis book does sound like it would make for a fascinating read!
My son loved this book, too!
ReplyDeletebookmarking this one!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds clever and interesting - I'm putting it on a list for Christmas shopping (3 brothers...I need all the help I can get!), and then steal it back after the holiday. Great review!
ReplyDeleteVery interesting. Thanks.
ReplyDeletethanks for letting me in on your favourite. I would love that...just as I loved 'Eyes wide open'.
ReplyDeleteI've seen this in the store but always thought it was related to the Tom Cruise movie. This sounds much more interesting. hehe
ReplyDeletethis has been one of the most satisfying and exasperating reads of my entire life, chiefly because i did not GET alot of the references to Kurasawa...history...science...the whole shooting match. but the writing is so far above the main stream....and the whole atmosphere is so enlightening-yet-claustrophobic...a Conundrum definitely worth the pursuit..thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteThe T.C. movie was just on CTV Saturday night, my daughter watched it, I fell asleep. It's getting harder to stay awake 'til 3AM!
ReplyDeleteI wonder if I'd fair any better trying to stay awake reading this book ... probably not, but it does sound interesting!