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• Current

Type: fiction

Status: liked

Author: Tracy Chevalier

Tags: women history art religion france historical catholic protestant ancestors genealogy

Description: In this, her first novel, Chevalier strikes a significantly more preternatural chord than herIn this, her first novel, Chevalier strikes a significantly more preternatural chord than her subsequent ventures in a dual-voiced narrative about a woman and her ancestors. The result is a decidedly rougher novel with less oil-painted historical ambiance and, perhaps, less grace as well. Those who find a bit of fanciful otherworldliness a welcome addition to another historical novel may enjoy The Virgin Blue more than some of Chevalier's more successful work. Others may see why the later novels are the more lauded. --EEB...

2006-09-04

• Current

Type: religious

Status: I recommend

Author: Leo Tolstoy

Tags: religion philosophy

Description: Tolstoy's depiction of his own spiritual crisis of faith, and his reasoning and heart-feltTolstoy's depiction of his own spiritual crisis of faith, and his reasoning and heart-felt passion to arrive at the right answer for him. Though academically flawed, it's a touching and powerful self-effacing religious memoir. -Erin Betters...

2006-01-08

  & 350 users

• Current

Type: fiction

Status: liked

Authors: Dan Brown brown dan

Tags: fiction art mystery religion historical adventure

Description: Fast-paced, addictive stuff, with an interesting (if not ingenious) thesis on its bottomlessFast-paced, addictive stuff, with an interesting (if not ingenious) thesis on its bottomless subject. Though the book was a page-turner and hard to put down, and though I never turned my nose up at a book about the mysteries of religion, the writing itself caused my teeth to grit on a regular basis. Recommended with reservations. -Erin Betters...

2005-11-03