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.
