Tuesday, April 23, 2019

Review: How to Think Like a Roman Emperor: The Stoic Philosophy of Marcus Aurelius

How to Think Like a Roman Emperor: The Stoic Philosophy of Marcus Aurelius How to Think Like a Roman Emperor: The Stoic Philosophy of Marcus Aurelius by Donald J. Robertson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Do not act as if you will live 10,000 years. Death hangs over you. While you live, while it is in your power, be good

I really didn't want this book to end - and it was work ; not a beach read. The wisdom that poured from each chapter had a hypnotic effect, which felt like so much relief from life's storms. I think it actually lowered my blood pressure every time I picked it up and read.

Donald Robertson took an old topic and breathed new life into it creating a truly unique brew - kind of a modern-day antidote to confusion and anxiety. And I'm hooked on the topic of Stoic philosophy.

One snapshot: An emperor is facing assaults from barbarian tribes (as well as unrest among his own!) but he stops to consider the most virtuous course and he takes measured steps to dispel feelings of revenge or anger before considering his actions -- wow, that is humbling.

The author segues from history, to Stoic philosophy, to modern cognitive behavior therapy with grace and art. The sensible and peaceful mind that Marcus Aurelius cultivated was revealed and then recast into the 21st century so that we can learn to harness the power of Stoic thinking, too.

I especially enjoyed learning about the people who had the greatest influence on Marcus Aurelius. Epictetus is up next on my to-read list!

I loved this book and know I will return to it often.

Failure to observe what is in the mind of another has seldom made a man unhappy; but those who do not observe the movements of their own minds must of necessity be unhappy.

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Tuesday, April 16, 2019

Review: Faithful

Faithful Faithful by Alice Hoffman
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

To be fair, I did not know that this was a Young Adult/Youth/Teen book when I picked it up. To be fair, I saw Alice Hoffman and thought Alice Sebold. Don't know why.

I started reading it and thought it was boring. I like my books to send me ideas like big ocean waves. I like sentences that fall on me like a thunderclap. This was just chapter after chapter of soft, tame lapping water -- kind of every day stuff, apart from the tragedy in the beginning, which is definitely not everyday stuff. I only finished it out of a sense of duty. I don't like leaving things undone.

It was predictable and not objectionable in any way. It was fine , but felt like a waste of time.

Again, to be fair, a young person might connect to the content in the lives of the characters in this book. I absolutely could not.




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Wednesday, April 10, 2019

Review: The Silent Patient

The Silent Patient The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

100% diverting! She shoots her husband five times in the face ... out of the blue ... for no apparent reason. She gets committed to an insane asylum and goes mute. Boom.

Then one young shrink tries to reach her, tries to give her back her voice while counseling her at this slightly creepy place called The Grove.

It might disturb you just a tad - lots of psychological intrigue, betrayal, violence, and general treachery - but I found all of that devilishly amusing. It is unrealistic, yes. Her diary entries are woven into the story and these detailed entries are implausible, really. But, it is an entertaining story, and, credibility aside, sometimes a reader just wants to be carried away.

The very best parts in this story are the unexpected twists. A great whodunnit ~



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Tuesday, April 9, 2019

Review: Little Sister: A Memoir

Little Sister: A Memoir Little Sister: A Memoir by Patricia Walsh Chadwick
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is one of those devour-in-a-day books. Written by Patricia Walsh Chadwick, this is her shocking story of a life spent in a renegade group, a cult, adhering strictly to the firm belief that there is "no salvation outside the Catholic Church". Father Leonard Feeney was the leader. Sister Catherine was his enforcer and usurper.

Ms. Chadwick was separated from her parents when she was just 5 and was placed into the care of the zealots, who believed in Feeney and his mission. Along with 39 other little kids, she was isolated, denied gentle love and care, and forbidden to speak with her own parents (they, too, were inmates). She was subjected regularly to emotional and physical abuse. She and her parents and siblings were trapped in a life inside of a cult - the Feeneyites.

Chadwick expertly captures the ambiguity of her captivity - yes, it is terrible but it is her life and she loves the other children and internees. When she was asked to leave because she had not embraced the life of a postulant, she found the prospect of freedom terrifying.

An amazing account of survival in hostile, sequestered surroundings. Patricia Walsh Chadwick survives. I am so glad she told her story...



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Wednesday, April 3, 2019

Review: The Sun Also Rises

The Sun Also Rises The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This work of Hemingway's, perhaps more than any of his others, is a snapshot of an unusual island-like experience. All of the characters, each more difficult to relate to than the next, are trapped in a first-world angst. They go fishing, bar-hopping in Paris, write their books when the mood strikes them, jump into taxi cabs or bark at their drivers, and talk about themselves - always - always they are talking about themselves. I barely got through this book. The dialogue (and good lord there is a lot of dialogue) can stultify the most enthusiastic reader. They talk about booze, bars, restaurants, booze, titled people, books, booze, and vacations. That is about it. Most of the characters are drunk, depressed, or both - most of the time. Men getting drunk. Men and women arguing pointlessly. It is a self-conscious, self-referential, self-indulgent tiny little slice of life which gives privilege a whole new face, notwithstanding Jake's regrettable WWI wound. Apologies to all of the Hemingway devotees out there. I felt the time I gave this book was wasted.

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