BOOK REVIEW: PALE BLUE EYE

The setting is 19th cent. America, and retired New York City Police Detective Agustus Landor is called in to discreetly investigate a cadet that has apparently hanged himself on the premises of the newly installed West Point Acadamy. The case is complicated by further cercumstances, the body is found the next day to have had its heart removed.Landor finds a strange ally in his investigation in the form of Cadet Poe, who ads an element that is everything one might associate with Poe. Instilling into the narrative the caress of poetry, a sense of beaitifully wrought melodrama in the form of romantic love and its dangers, and...distinctly gloomy inquiry as to the elements of the heart, both literal and not, of those that people the narrative.This book was as wholey satisfying as "MR. Timothy." Every bit as dark and witty and full of fully fleshed out characters and scenery as his other book, Pale Blue Eye brings fourth the character of a young Edgar Allen Poe with an almost eery conviction, ease, and thoroughness. The language of the story is brooding and dark and yet full of sentiment that reminds one of the Poetry of Poe with the plot twists and depth of character that is uniquely Bayard. A mystery, yes, but also indeed a book that has so much more to it. So full of life are those that we meet along the way, that I was disturbingly invested in their actions.The story builds quietly and dangerously. With much appreciated humor , the plot sneaks up and grabs you with further offenses and feignts of hand that are entertaining and delightlful to no end. The book is intense.It grips you, and then holds you captive untill the verylast.

DO YOU FEEL BOOK GUILT?

I am curious as to whether or not readers out there experience book guilt when they can not bring themselves to finish....or even begin a book.
I myself have struggled with this my entire life. I do my utmost to tell myself
"You should never feel like you HAVE to read a book as a point of duty or obligation or personal recrimination." But, alas, I find I still feel like I am making an orphan of a book when I stuff a book in my to come back to pile....while feeling that nagging knowledge that I don't really mean it with the sincerity I often place books in that pile with.
Do you think there are certain books that as a homage, or a duty, or as a point of respect to an author's life work or creation we should attend to, even if we find we are not enjoying the experience? Moby Dick? War and Peace? Is it a matter of respect to tackle the monoliths of literature.
perhaps....
I am indeed frightened the answer is yes. Still, why do I feel that way about any and all books that I exile to the shelves.
Thoughts?

BOOK REVIEW - Mr. Timothy by: Louis Bayard

Book Review

Mr. Timothy by: Louis Bayard



I must confess, I went into this novel with mediocre expectations. I looked forward to a mystery with perhaps a sincere but brief nod towards the Dickens spirit and the language of old England. I encountered, to my immense delight, something far better. I found myself involved in an immensely satisfying novel.

The book takes us into the confidence of A Christmas Carol's Tiny Tim as a grown man known in his later years as "Mr. Timothy."

A complex man with a decidedly interesting back story, is our Mr. Timothy.
I was at once wrapped up in the world created, it nearly brought my senses to their knees. Wrapped up in a damp foggy air and assaulted with smells wood fires, burnt skin of butterscotch, pipe tobacco and the like, I loved the journey as much for the plot, which grows increasingly macabre in nature as it progresses, as for the language and dialogue used to bring the reader along for the ride.
The voice of Mr. Timothy and those he encounters is clever and witty and surprisingly funny.
Entertaining and recommended by yours truly. Be prepared to close the book, smile contentedly....and then almost at once start to fidget and begin to hunt for more of this authors work. ( I myself have already sought out and begun to read "The Pale Blue Eye" for which Bayard takes us into the company of a young Edgar Allan Poe.)

My book itch was indeed scratched.

I am working on this....I swear

Slowly but surely....