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This novel is entertaining and well written, but it isn’t compelling like “The Time Traveler’s Wife.” After the incident with the kitten (around this novel’s half-way point), I found the story predictable. However, I think Niffenegger has a great ability to make the unreal, real. And the character, Martin, is very well developed.

So-so

The word “fragments” in this book’s subtitle is meaningful. This isn’t a novel, but some pieces of one. It’s special: it’s a—rather confusing—glimpse into how genius Nabokov created one of his masterpieces. His unique style and spectacular smarts ring out. I have the hardcover edition, which is also a wonderful piece of design.

Probably only for Nabokov fans and wanna-be writers

Even when trapped on a plane with nothing else to read or do, I couldn’t make myself finish this book. The stories weren’t believable and the tone, trying to be reminiscent of fairytales, was annoying.

Don’t do it

I picked this up because I loved Naslund’s “Abundance.” Up until page 100, I was really liking “Ahab’s Wife.” The language is wonderful and creates a tone so seemingly appropriate for the time. However, Una, the main character, is a little too glorious and indomitable to be believable. And when the other characters started chiming in (like Ahab’s fire speech), I couldn’t take the over-the-top deluge anymore.

Ugh

Finally I read the classic tale of revenge. It’s a good story. I really liked that serialization made Dumas use modern devices, like referring to the story, itself and the reader. Although the whole thing is way too long (since he was being paid by the word) in my opinion, it has a decent pace.

Go for it, if you’re patient

This memoir is an act of bravery and a testament to good storytelling. I couldn’t put it down.

Yes!

This was my first Lethem read and I have to say, I was disappointed. Reviews of this book claim it’s ironic and smart, but I found the language too elevated and caught up in itself, adding a seriousness the story didn’t deserve. This is an intellectual fail at trying to make and bolster a “High Fidelity.”

Avoid

I remember loving “The Prelude” in university. I returned to Mansfield because Woolf considered her great competition. This edition presents Mansfield’s works in the order she wrote them, emphasizing her experimentation. These stories are beautiful. They shift time and show a great restraint with and respect for language.

Worthwhile

Wonderful words introduce truly unique characters and magically tie their seemingly disparate, captivating stories together. This book is a treat and one of the best I’ve read in a long while.

A must!