RaveThe Nerd Daily... this story is deeply felt. Jessica and Emily’s interactions have a sharpness and insight which demonstrates flawed their relationship is, yet there is humour infused throughout. Waxman allows us an insider view inside each of the main character’s heads, and she does this very well. The novel is a pitch perfect depiction of the challenges, heartache, and awkwardness that is characteristic of some mother-teenage daughter relationships. It is a story that will be deeply relatable for many women ... Waxman depicts the pain, love, and discomfort of being a mother of a teenager very well ... Emily’s perspective is interesting and a lot of fun to read, as well ... In addition to crafting an interesting and entertaining story about a mother-daughter relationship, Abbi Waxman describes friendship between women very well ... This book portrays the college visits with a sense of humour and shows how an interesting young lady figures out what is best for her, what she cares about, and what is right ... a fun, genuine, and immensely readable foray into the relationships between teenagers and their parents.
Isabel Allende, Trans. by Nick Caistor and Amanda Hopkinson
RaveThe Nerd Daily... draws readers into its imaginative story from the start. Isabel Allende has written a number of fascinating books telling stories about different parts of the world and varied types of characters; A Long Petal of the Sea is no exception ... rich in historical detail ... Allende paints a fascinating portrayal of what it was like to live in those times and to experience those historical events, and this portrayal of historical events is the book’s greatest strength ... Though there are a number of interesting characters populating this novel, there is some sense of distance between the reader and the characters; the focus of this book is more on the historical context of their lives ... The prose of this novel is soulful, wise, and richly atmospheric, as is often characteristic of Allende’s work. The language in scenes such as the one where the Spanish refugees land in Valparaiso is beautiful and will make readers imagine what it felt like to the refugees to arrive on Chilean shores. Allende’s description of her character’s feelings and stories is filled with wisdom ... Allende is a masterful storyteller, and there is much to like about this book. However, if you are new to Isabel Allende’s writing, you may prefer to begin with another book, such as The House of the Spirits. This book is heavier on historical detail and somewhat drier than some of her other works, though the story is interesting. If you already know and love Allende, you are likely to enjoy this book and its rich descriptions of life in Spain and Chile, and its fascinating and unusual cast of characters.
