Appearance
Two-Part Invention: the story of a marriage
It is a credit to the lucid prose of Madeleine L'Engle that even as she relates the story of her marriage in a very specific historical period (New York theater in the 1940's), the message is timeless and beautiful. This book has an uncommon spirituality and such a breathtaking grasp on human connections, that it is an appropriate gift for anyone in the midst of a loving, intense partnership or for anyone who has felt such ties to another person and has been forever changed. I give this to all my best friends who are getting married or simply pondering what it is to love someone else. Absolutely lovely, memorable.
Two-Part Invention: the story of a marriage
M. L'engle writes so candidly about her feelings and her experiences that at first you feel like an eavesdropper. That doesn't last long. I soon found myself feeling extremely grateful for her willingness to share what was probably the toughest time in her life. This book illustrates what love is all about. And also how marriage, above all things, is a beautiful, spiritual, sacrifice of self.
Two-Part Invention: the story of a marriage
In creating a portrait of her life with Hugh Franklin (yes, ofthe soap opera), Ms. L'Engle employs a device she alsouses in her fiction: cutting back and forth between timesso that the reader is at once engaged in their courtship, inher mourning as she watches her husband die, in thebustle of their extraordinary lives. One engages in all ofthese at once, knowing the outcomes, suspense is not thepoint. When Hugh does eventually die, you have beeninvolved in the best and worst of the marriage and feel itscentrality in the author's life. Even after multiple readings,this chapter is good for a cathartic sob. Part of the remarkablegrip this book has on me is the humility of the author. Sheis unimpressed by her Newbery Award and tremendouscontribution to American letters, unimpressed by herhusband's fame as a television star. She is impressed,however, by their ability to share a life, to give themselvesto a family, and to balance those with maintaining theirindividuality and ensuring that each of them pursued theirdreams. Her priorities are clear, and without ever beingstrident or judgmental, this work is a gentle reminder ofwhat is important
Two-Part Invention: the story of a marriage
I read this book after receiving seperate recomendations by two people I trust- my sister, the English major, and my friend Jean: both had enjoyed the book a great deal. I sat down to read it after finishing a book I never quite got into, and fell immediately into the rhythm of the narrative and the language that the Author uses to tell her story. I highly recommend this book.
Claudia and the Bad Joke (Baby-Sitters Club, No. 19)
Claudia is nervous when she sits for Betsy Sobak. Betsy puts a practial joke on Claudia to brake her leg. Then Claudia thinks on quitting the club cause of Betsy! Can the club put a joke on Betsy? Find Out!
Claudia and the Bad Joke (Baby-Sitters Club, No. 19)
I liked this book. Claudia was my favorite of the original quartet, so naturally I enjoyed this book. I love the descriptions of Claudia's cleverly put together ensembles and her appreciation for art. That speaks to sensitivity and creativity.Betsy Sobak, Claudia's young charge is a virtuoso in the fine art of practical jokes. Her jokes are hostile and are always at the expense of another person. During Claudia's first sitting stint with Betsy, she falls from a tire swing and breaks her leg. Luckily for Claudia, her trio of sitting pals come through like the Cavalry by out-joking Betsy (in a safe way, of course) to teach her an object lesson in how to treat people in a humane fashion. Lesson: It is only kidding or funny if all sides are enjoying it, but if one side is not having fun, it is no longer kidding, it is mean.I liked Betsy. The description given of her sounds like a cute kid with a vivid imagination. Ann Martin has a real gift for descriptions, dialogs, character development and I like the way the charges have a parallel plot running to the central plot the sitters are contending with. Ms. Martin has a real gift for the voices and feelings of kids.