Average customer rating:
- Where is this going?
- Oddly, I borrowed this book...
- a good albeit light read
- The unappeasable
- A Lovelyt Little Read
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Alternatives to Sex: A Novel
Stephen McCauley
Manufacturer: Washington Square Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 0743453190 |
Book Description
Boston real estate agent William Collins knows that his habits are slipping out of control. Due to obsessive-compulsive daily cleaning binges and a penchant for nightly online cruising for hookups, he finds his sales figures slipping despite a booming market. There's also his ongoing struggle to collect the rent from his passive-aggressive tenant and his worries about his best friend, Edward, whom he's certainly not in love with. Just as he decides to do something about his life, he meets Charlotte and Samuel, wealthy suburbanites looking for the perfect city apartment. "Happy couple," he writes in his notes. "Maybe I can learn something from them." What he ultimately discovers challenges his own assumptions about real estate, love, and desire; and what they learn from him might unravel a budding friendship, not to mention a very promising sale.
Full of crackling dialogue delivered by a stellar ensemble of players, Alternatives to Sex is a smart, hilarious chronicle of life in post-traumatic, morally ambiguous America -- where the desire to do good is constantly being tripped up by the need to feel good. Right now.
Download Description
The bestselling author of The Object of My Affection and True Enough delivers his most compelling and richly observed novel to date with this portrait of one man's search for the holy trinity of modern life -- true love, good sex, and great real estate. Stephen McCauley's new novel is a moving and hilarious chronicle of life in post-traumatic, morally ambiguous America where the desire to do good is constantly being tripped up by the need to feel good. Right now. William Collins is a real estate agent working near Boston. Despite a boom market, his sales figures aren't what they should be, due mostly to the distractions of compulsive ironing and housecleaning binges and his penchant for nightly online cruising for hookups -- "less impersonal than old-fashioned anonymous sex because you exchanged fake names with the person." There's also his struggle to collect the rent from Kumiko Rothberg, his passive-aggressive tenant, and his worries about his best friend, Edward, a flight attendant he's certainly not in love with. William has known for some time that his habits are slipping out of control. But he figures that "as long as I acknowledged my behavior was a problem, it wasn't one." When he finally decides to do something about his life, he needs a role model of calm stability. Enter Charlotte O'Malley and Samuel Thompson, wealthy suburbanites looking for the perfect city apartment. "Happy couple," William writes in his notes. "Maybe I can learn something from them." But what he learns challenges his own assumptions about real estate, love, and desire. And what they learn from him might unravel a budding friendship, not to mention a very promising sale. Full of crackling dialogue delivered by a stellar ensemble of players, Alternatives to Sex is social satire at its very best: A smart, sophisticated, and astonishingly funny look at the way we live now.
Customer Reviews:
Where is this going?.......2007-10-10
The author's other books I've read were fantastic. This one, however, was disappointing. I was three quarters of the way through and I realized nothing happened yet. It was well written, held my attention well enough for the most part, but towards the end I was bored to tears.
Oddly, I borrowed this book..........2007-08-08
right along with De Beauvoir's "The Mandarins". A complete coincidence. But it didn't keep me from putting McCauley's book down halfway through. I wondered if the narrator would do anything besides continue to break his celibacy vow and pass endless judgement on his fellow 2-dimensional characters. Very light reading that wasn't the guilty pleasure I was expecting.
a good albeit light read.......2007-01-13
I heard a radio commentator highly recommend this book.
She said that it took place in Boston, gave loads of information about the city and about the real estate business. Well, the information on both is sketchy at best. This book is an easy read for a rainy afternoon. I was a bit disappointed however. I thought that it would be more substantial.
The unappeasable.......2006-12-17
Stephen McCauley makes unfamiliar situations and people familiar from the very first page to the last line. His frisky rueful presentation of the obsessive housecleaning, like the lack of house-keeping in his great novel THE OBJECT OF MY AFFECTION, gives way to moments of profound perception of the discomfort of making and breaking ones own rules. The Yoga teacher talks money instead of spirituality and hates perfumes.
The perfume maker, on the other hand gives away magic fragrance created even for absent lovers. Lovers are mostly absent. Like Mother's internet romance which she does not want to spoil with a meeting. Stephen MacCauley draws one into the bewilderment, bizarre frustrations of unappeasable men and women by simply depicting the neediness of affluent and the contentment of the hardy housing inspector.
My best wishes to Stephen
A Lovelyt Little Read.......2006-12-05
I enjoyed this book a lot and truthfully, it is the only book by McCauley that I have read. I wanted a simple book that I could read right before bed and during commutes on the subway and that is exactly what I got.
If you are looking for plot twists and turns, then this is the wrong book for you. As a writer myself, I am often very critical of the some writers' styles, but McCauley is a superb writer with a subtle style. Everything about this book is simple, from the plot to the character development. Ironically, it takes a truly adept writer to capture life so wholly and yet so simply.
This is a lovely book and genuinely reflects our lives right back at us. Sure, it is not a book to brag about at cocktail parties, but definitely curl up with it on a rainy afternoon.
Book Description
Trapped in an old Saxon church, Lady Lily is dragged from her hiding place to the very feet of the warrior who's been hunting for her—Radulf, the King's Sword, a man whose name all speak in fear. Yet when she looks into his coal-black eyes, it is not fear that makes her tremble...but desire. So she lies to save her life—and prays to save her heart.
Even though some instinct whispers that Lily's not who she claims to be, Radulf is helpless against his burning need to possess her. Furious when he discovers her true identity, he nevertheless marries her—not to protect her from the king's wrath, he tells himself, but to keep a close watch on her. For Radulf was betrayed by a woman once before...and now trusting Lily could cost him his life.
Customer Reviews:
Well Worth Reading .......2006-10-16
The interesting thing about Sara Bennett is she's unpredictable in her story telling. If you've read many romance novels, you've probably noticed that it usually takes a very, very lo-o-o-ng time of endless pages of subjective dialog before the characters actually "join". I think this style of writing is to keep the reader engaged and on edge, but often I find myself bored and skipping pages which is something you don't want to do while reading your book. As many reviewers before me have detailed the story of "The Lily and the Sword", I'll simply say I thoroughly enjoyed it and couldn't put it down. The book moves along well, the characters are solid as well as interesting, and their dialog believable. I'm always appreciative of people sharing their talents, and just ordered several more of her books.
3 & 1/2 stars is more accurate.......2004-07-27
Except for Lily immediately falling into Radulf's bed, which I found wildly unrealistic, I really enjoyed this novel. Radulf makes an excellent hero, showing a wide range of emotions and rightly wrestling with himself regarding his feelings for Lily. For me, Lily was not quite as likeable; I became annoyed with her repeated refusal to accept what she had learned of Radulf instead of caving in to old fears and keeping secrets. The playfulness in their early relationship soured later on, in large part because of Lily's attitudes & actions in this regard.
All in all, though, it was a delightful way to spend a few hours.
Outstanding Debut Medieval Novel.......2003-10-19
Setting - Northumbria - North of England 1070 ---
Lady Lily is running for her life from Radulf, the `King's Sword' - the scourge, the hideous ogre with a bloody sword, who has been sent by the king to slay all who fought him. She is the Saxon widow of Vorgen, the Norman traitor who betrayed King William. Vorgen, despised husband, who killed her father, then wedded her over his dead body. Lily arrived exhausted at Grinswade Church, where she sought the priest and to bid a final farewell at the graves of her parents- but luck was not with her.
Radulf arrives at the church and discovers Lily. When he asked who she was, she lies and gives him the name of Lily, the pet name her father used for her, and also tells him that she is the daughter of the Earl of Morcar, who remains a loyal vassal to King William the Conqueror. Radulf finds himself fiercely attracted to this cool silver blonde beauty and accepts her story at face value. He has been betrayed by a woman before and is wary, but he has also never had this overwhelming attraction before. He vows to protect her and return her to her father. Lily herself is drawn to this man, her enemy, who would slay her should he discover that she is the `she-wolf' he hunts. Not only do they both fall in love (of course, they don't admit this to each other) they have an exquisitely hot and sensual time of it before he discovers that he has been deceived once again, by a woman.
THE LILY AND THE SWORD follows the mold of an exciting medieval romance with a lusty, gorgeous alpha-male and divine female. Radulf is the mighty warrior but with the respect and love of his men and vassals - the tales of his brutality are just that - tales! Lily is a by-product of being the abused wife of an old, impotent and hateful man. Out of necessity and self-preservation she has hardened her heart to not trust her feelings or any man, before enduring any more betrayals and pain. Their love story is that which will bring a tear to your eye at the inevitable conclusion. This is a stellar start for a debut novel from this new author who bears watching. I found this fast paced novel to be an outstanding and truly enjoyable read for lovers of medieval historic romance.
Decent Read.......2003-02-26
Lily and the Sword is a good read, albeit it is predictable.
Lily is a conquerored woman who in seeking shelter from the destruction of war. She inevitably falls right into the hands of her enemy, The King's Sword, Radulf.
Radulf is attracted to Lily, even though he knows that she is hiding something. He tries to resist her lure, but fails miserably.
When Lily's secret is revealed the the two commence battle. They don't trust each other and are weary of the other's motives. They eventually conqueror this distrust by way of a forced marriage and love saves the day.
This story has been replayed numerous times you don't even need to read the ending to figure it out.
Bennett does succeed in infusing a significant amount of emotion in to her characters in the beginning of the novel. It is just enough to make you continue to read on. Before the inevitable occured, I was in love with Radulf and his torment over his feelings for Lily. I also understood why Lily was doing what she was doing. Yet, Saxon maid and Norman conqueror has been played before. So about half way through the novel as things between Lily and Radulf began to detoriate, I was tempted to put it down. Yet, I stayed the course and it did turn out to be a pleasant read. Nothing spectacular but it will do to pass the time.
Passionate Medieval.......2003-02-05
Lady Wilfreda, English noblewoman, grandaughter of Norse King Harold Haardrada is being hunted by the Normans - namely by Radulf known as "the King's Sword". Radulf's fierce and frightening reputation has preceded him into Northumbria and Lady Wilfreda has fled. It is Radulf's mission to find her and bring her before King William who will either marry her off to one of his nobles or kill her. Radulf has no sympathy for a treacherous woman - he's had one in his life already and has no intention of repeating his past mistake of trusting a woman.
The Lady Wilfreda, called Lily by those who love her, has been used by men. Her father was murdered and she was forced to wed his murderer - renegade Norman Vorgen. She endured a dreadful life with him full of abuse. Then when Vorgen was killed, her kinsman, Hew took up arms in her name. All Lily wants is peace and prosperity for her people - she's no rebel. But she knows that neither William nor his Sword will believe she is innocent. When Radulf encounters her she lies and tells him her name is Lily and that she is the daughter of a loyal vassal. Radulf is not sure he believes her, but takes her to his camp. He'll find out what's true eventually, but in the meantime, he is attracted to her in a way he has never felt before. And if he is not mistaken, she feels a similar pull toward him. And so begins a very passionate relationship founded on lies, fear and suspicion, but with the potential to be the real thing. For both want each other despite their doubts and wariness. Even finding out the truth about Lily does not dim his need to have her and so to save her from his king, her marries her. But there are still lots of obstacles to overcome and trust to be won on both sides.
I liked both Radulf's and Lily's characters and their romance was full of passion and longing. The story moved along well and had lots of action to augment the romance. But I do have a pet peeve: the cover is one of those gross Fabio-esque deals with the hero sporting long flowing hair. But to quote the book "His hair was very dark and cut short over his skull, shorter even than the Norman fashion". A little more accuracy and class in the cover would be welcome - sleeveless chain mail with nothing under it but heaving chest and bulging biceps - UGH!.
Average customer rating:
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The Lily and the Sword
Manufacturer: Avon Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: 0739424491 |
Product Description
Her late husband was a traitor, and Lady Lily has no illusions when she is dragged before the warrior who has been hunting for her. He is the fearsome Radulf, the King's Sword--and yet, when she looks into his eyes, it is not terror but desire that makes her tremble.
Book Description
This is the story of Pat and Lily Okura, Japanese American citizens who were caught up in the unhappy and shameful circumstances following the declaration of war against Japan in 1941, and were declared aliens. Pat and Lily were first sent to the center at Santa Anita Race Track outside Los Angeles, California. Through a series of fortunate events they were able to leave several months later when Pat, the first graduate of Japanese ancestry from the UCLA psychology department, was offered a position as psychologist at Father Flanagan's Boys Town in Nebraska. Prejudice against them continued, but they overcame adversity, and prospered, later moving to Washington, D.C., when Pat accepted a position as Executive Assistant to the Director of the National Institute of Mental Health. When the $20,000 reparation money was awarded to these citizens who were discriminated against in 1941, the Okuras used this money to establish a foundation to benefit mental health professionals of Asian background. The story of the Okuras, and the interment of other Japanese American families during World War II, is compelling. Another interesting aspect of this story is The Japanese American Citizens League, the background of the organization, and the pivotal role they played in promoting a better life for their constituents.
Book Description
Whilst taking the fight to the Chaos Marines of the Word Bearers Chapter, one of the Blood Angels starts to resemble their leader - Sanguinius. Has the Blood Angels messiah been reborn or are darker things at work?
Customer Reviews:
Blood Angels or not?.......2005-12-01
I confess that I LOVE the Blood Angels. They're one of my favourite chapters of space marines, so I was really looking forward to this book. However, I must also confess that I was disappointed and even a little frustrated whilst reading this. The problem is not the writing (which is pretty good), and its not the plot (which, leaving a few niggles aside, is also pretty good). The problem is the fact that Swallow's Blood Angels are not the same as mine! I had such a strong image of them already, after all the background fluff published by BL, and Swallow seems to have interpreted it differently.
Sitting down after finishing the book, I realised that it wasn't fair to condemn this book simply for being written by someone who isn't me! In its own terms, this is an exciting and interesting read ... certainly worth your time (and a little cash). I'm even going to try the sequel ...
A very bad book.......2005-06-23
The author does not understand the storyline / universe in which the story is set. A reader who is new the Warhammer 40K books may enjoy it, but a reader who is familiar with the Warhmmer 40K story will find the glaring errors annoying. It is as though the author was given a 10 minute "overview" of the Warhammer 40K story just covering the major points.
Additionally, this book (and the sequel) are both examples of amateurish writing. There are numerous internal inconsistencies within the story.
Flawed But Still Entertaining........2005-05-03
Deus Encarmine is apparently James Swallow's first foray into the 40K universe and at times, his unfamiliarity with the setting shows. He does not appear to be as well versed with the background material as are some more familiar Black Library authors and as a result, he sometimes takes liberties with his story that long time Games Workshop fans might find a bit disconcerting. That having been said, Swallow does manage to craft a fairly engrossing tale.
Deus Encarmine chronicles a small band of Blood Angel space marines assigned to ceremonial garrison duty on an isolated cemetery world. When the planet is unexpectedly attacked by a determined force of Word Bearer chaos marines, the Blood Angels are aided by some comrades returning from a successful crusade to recover an ancient artifact belonging to the Blood Angel Chapter. Although the initial attack of the Word Bearers is blunted, the Blood Angels struggle internally with how to best address the continuing threat posed by the Word Bearers and how to best use the recently recovered artifact. Fueled in part by some old animosities and conflicts, different factions emerge and tensions arise which threaten to pit Blood Angel versus Blood Angel.
For the most part, Swallow's overall story is more sophisticated and nuanced than are his characters. Swallow admirably weaves together several different story arcs and the book benefits from layers of intrigue and betrayal. To the very end, readers are left guessing as to the true motivations and goals of the various main characters. Unfortunately, these characters still tend to remain relatively two dimensional and cliched. The bad guys tend to be angry, reflexively violent and downright psychotic while the good guys often come across as arrogant, aloof and overly pious. Swallows' battle scenes are a bit too simplistic with perhaps too heavy a focus on the blood and gore aspect and far too many casualties. Still, Deus Encarmine remains an entertaining light read and I found myself looking forward to the next installment in the series.
Mediocre Effort.......2005-04-18
I find that 40K fiction tends to be hit or miss depending on the skills of the author in question. Dan Abnett is by far the best of their stable.
This book felt like a short story that had been padded up to novel length with a thesaurus and a good deal of duplicate exposition. The author frequently "tells" rather than "shows" and the characters tend to be pretty thin - those that are "evil" are blatantly so, and those that are "good" tend to be conflicted and do a great deal of soul searching.
Not being an expert on the Blood Angels, I can't comment on the accuracy of the author's representation, but judging from his liberty with other pieces of canon (such as some psyker elements) I wouldn't be surprised if there were fudges made there as well.
If you're a Blood Angel fan, or simply must keep up on GW's storyline for the 40K universe, then you'll most likely read this, but for the rest of us, don't bother.
Bloody Brilliant!.......2005-04-03
Many of the Space Marine books are very similar and it takes a lot to make them stand out. I wasn't sure if novels about the Blood Angels would work with the sort of story that was being offered (the return of Sanguinius), but this blew me away! Bloodsoaked battle scenes and good characters and good use of the BAs chapter background all the way through. There is a cliffhanger ending but it left me breathless!
Book Description
Get the facts on temples, tithing, missions, and caffeine
Mormon doctrines, rituals, and history, demystified at last!
Mormonism, or the LDS Church, is one of the world’s fastest growing religions. But unless you were raised a Mormon, you probably don’t have a clear picture of LDS beliefs and practices. Covering everything from Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon to tithing and family home evening, this friendly guide will get you up to speed in no time.
Discover:
- How the LDS Church differs from other Christian churches
- What Mormons believe
- What happens in Mormon temples and meetinghouses
- The history of the LDS Church
- LDS debates on race, women, and polygamy
Customer Reviews:
What you would expect from a "Dummies" book........2007-04-27
This was a fine book for those who are wishing to understand foundational Mormonism in easy understand terms and definitions. Indeed, this book does a wonderful job in giving a simple overview of Mormonism. Written by two life long Mormons, it is a friendly and generally objective view of Mormonism. It is good that the two authors did not deal with the more controversial subjects, as they are would not be appropriate for the level of this book. If you wish to learn more about those more controversial subjects, then you should check out other works. Nevertheless, this was a fine book for those who are wanting a simple and introductary view of Mormonism's basic doctrines and teachings. It gives a good overview of LDS church history and subjects such as Joseph Smith, the First Vision, The Book of Mormon, the Priesthood restoration, basic Mormon teachings and the modern church. So I would recommend this book to those who wish to get a basic and introductary view of Mormonism and would also recommend that the reader expand and read more texts to get a deeper understanding of Mormonism. However, I would still recommend this book for those who want a good overview of Mormonism and also a good laugh.
A fair overview!!!.......2006-05-15
I sent this book to a freind and since then she has not had the aweful questions she had prior to receiving this book about our beliefs. I read a few reviews before getting this books and I must warn I have never seen or heard of anyone in my family being told to or feeling they should have to ostracize family members for leaving the church for any reason. In fact the opposite is true and they have always tried to help the person who left. I think the person stating that in their review had a bad experiance with a person being that way of their own accord or is a victim of false information.
Reviews from elsewhere.......2006-05-11
Here are a couple of recent review excerpts from other publications:
The FARMS Review (17/1, 2005): "Even someone who has grown up as a member of the church might benefit from the carefully organized sections dealing with history, beliefs and doctrines, statistics, lifestyle, facilities, organizations, practices, culture, humanitarian efforts, and prominent members of the church. . . . This friendly approach is heavily cross-referenced, leading the reader to later (or earlier) discussions on a given or related topic. Sprinkled with icons and numerous lists, the book seems to cover topics in a straightforward, honest way."
Salt Lake City Weekly, Best of Utah 2006 issue, April 6, 2006: "BEST GUIDE TO YOUR NEW NEIGHBORS: Mormonism for Dummies. This book's the one if you want to find out why Mormons can get away with drinking caffeine-rich Mountain Dew and what really goes on in a temple ceremony. It's written by LDS members, but that doesn't stop it from being funny, in depth, and providing rewarding insight into what folks next door in their white shirts and ties actually believe."
Now I Know More than My Brother the Elder!.......2006-04-22
I am a Buddhist and my brother is an elder in the LDS Church. Mom was a Unitarian (let this be a warning to all Unitarian moms out there!) Anyway, I didn' t know a lot about Mormon beliefs, so I picked up this book and found it to be very, very informative. When my brother came to visit me, he was amazed at the informed questions I was able to ask, and his eyes really popped when I told him my source was a book called "Mormonism for Dummies!" It even explains about the special underwear!
Speaking of underwear, this book doesn't get into any of the church's dirty laundry, but that's OK - the authors aren't pretending to be objective scholars, here. So, if you're like me and just want to understand what the church teaches, then this is the book for you. Now when those handsome young missionaries from BYU show up at your door, you'll be able to astonish them with more than your home-baked cookies!
Good over-view..........2006-01-30
This is a great over-view of the "public" LDS Church. If you're someone looking for a reference on your Mormon neighbor, this is probably the book for you. If, however, you are thinking of joining the Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints, this book does not go far enough. This book also brushes aside the dark side of; the origins of the church, the temple rituals, the suspect origins of the Pearl of Great Price, etc.,. This book was written for the person who doesn't ask hard questions. For example: Alot is made, by the authors, regarding the focus on the eternal family. However, the book does not explore the inherant issues in; having larger families than financially feasible, the HOURS of service that one is called to volunteer to the church (and, therefore, deprive the family of one's time), the pressure to shun members of the family that become "apostate" (leave the fold of Mormonism).
This book is a good starting point. But, like any faith, the truth is often deeper and more complicated than this book would have it seem.
Book Description
This volume is produced from digital images created through the University of Michigan University Library’s preservation reformatting program.
Books:
- An Invisible Sign of My Own: A Novel
- Anthills of the Savannah
- Ape and Essence
- Baudolino
- Best Short Stories of Jack London
- Best Short Stories of the Modern Age
- Bringing the Devil to His Knees: The Craft of Fiction and the Writing Life
- Caballo De Troya 2: Masada (Caballo de Troya)
- Child of My Heart: A Novel
- Cities of the Red Night: A Novel
Books Index
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