we are each the love of someone's life... this phrase is repeated throughout the book. it's sad when you think about how many people aren't each oher's love... and interesting at the same time... people are so intricate and complicated and confusing, yet so much alike and the same all at once...
this was an excellent book, another that brought me to laughter and tears, it's very heartfelt and thought provoking... the story is about a man who ages backwards, he was born in an old man's body and on the outside grows younger as he is actually growing old...
it makes you think... about love, social status, friendship, reality, illusions, lies, expectations, joys, sorrows, just life in general and what it is we take from it and the passions we choose to devote our lives to... it was an excellent read... i'd definitely reccomend this one!
6.09.2005
balzac and the little chinese seamstress
this book is about reeducation in china during the time of Mao (is that the dude's name? i think so...) anyways, these city boys go up to the mountains to be "re-educated" and in their time in the mtns they come across a hidden suitcase full of western novels that have been translated into chinese.... the book kind of leads you in to the power that stories have to change us or cause us to grow and blossom, blah blah, yada yada... it's kind of hard to describe or talk about fo some reason, buti really did enjoy the book and it was a very fast read... i really like fiction set in history where i can learn more about places and times, etc... yeah....
this is the best book, i’m so glad i bought it on an impulse and found an excuse to start reading it the last time i traveled… what can i say? susan jane gilman writes stuff that makes you laugh the big belly style laugh, a few things that make you think, and she even manages to cause a little weeping… my favorite parts have been early grade school (perfectionism and people pleasing to try to make friends), the first job (oh joy for the eerie account of working with coffee), and the chapter on lesbians (she has a really nice discussion on coming out and being who you are). everyone should read this book- i love it!