Only Revolutions: A Novel

Average customer rating:

here's one for the middle of the road, for a book that by no means is ordinary.
Only Revolutions
Around and around in circles: a sorry follow up to House of Leaves
way too many people are trashing this...
Magnificent

Only Revolutions: A Novel
Mark Z. Danielewski
Manufacturer: Pantheon
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Literary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0375421769
Release Date: 2006-09-12

Inside Only Revolutions


Hailey's Story	Covers	Sam's Story

Book Description

Sam:
They were with us before Romeo & Juliet. And long after too. Because they’re forever around. Or so both claim, carolling gleefully:
We’re allways sixteen.
Sam & Hailey, powered by an ever-rotating fleet of cars, from Model T to Lincoln Continental, career from the Civil War to the Cold War, barrelling down through the Appalachians, up the Mississippi River, across the Badlands, finally cutting a nation in half as they try to outrace History itself.
By turns beguiling and gripping, finally worldwrecking, Only Revolutions is unlike anything ever published before, a remarkable feat of heart and intellect, moving us with the journey of two kids, perpetually of summer, perpetually sixteen, who give up everything except each other.

Hailey:
They were with us before Tristan & Isolde. And long after too. Because they’re forever around. Or so both claim, gleefully carolling:
We’re allways sixteen.
Hailey & Sam, powered by an ever-rotating fleet of cars, from Shelby Mustang to Sumover Linx, careen from the Civil Rights Movement to the Iraq War, tearing down to New Orleans, up the Mississippi River, across Montana, finally cutting a nation in half as they try to outrace History itself.
By turns enticing and exhilarating, finally breathtaking, Only Revolutions is unlike anything ever conceived before, a remarkable feat of heart and intellect, moving us with the journey of two kids, perpetually of summer, perpetually sixteen, who give up everything except each other.

Customer Reviews:

here's one for the middle of the road, for a book that by no means is ordinary........2007-10-10

i have no doubt that ever device/structure etc... is there for a reason. i believe the author to be a very intelligent human. i, however, do not feel that as my guide through this book he provided me with the sense/knowhow grounding/point of view to make it through. i can appreciate that everyone will undergo a singular experience--which perhaps speaks to how information/element packed the novel must be... but i cannot appreciate the fact that i must put so much trust into the author as to slog through x amount of pages before i suffer some sort of epiphany and decide that i have finally gotten it. i'm sure that moment-the click in the brain--the payoff, whathaveyou must be worth it... but... i keep reading eight pages faster and faster just so i can flip. the flip, and ribbon switch-up by far has been the most exciting part of this reading experience. i also listened to audio clips.. and felt sorely disappointed. the voices deadened the text, instead of breathing new life into two voices that on the page are starting to blend. it felt like lifeless spoken word set to trendy danny elfman music. i also suggested to someone, who seemed to suffer similar impedements as i am, that the novel should come in eight novellas... thereby making the flips and pieces easier to digest.

i don't know. it's ambitious. i wonder what comes next.

Only Revolutions.......2007-10-07

Wow. Mark Z Danielewski is a little over my head with this one. I read House of Leaves and loved it, but I just can't seem to get too far into OR. This book is like reading poetry.

Around and around in circles: a sorry follow up to House of Leaves.......2007-09-22

I loved "House of Leaves," I think it's really a masterpiece of experimental fiction, so I was excited when I heard that Danielewski had come out with a new novel. Likewise I wasn't put off by the experimental elements of the book: the duelling narratives written in either direction on each page, the list of historical tidbits from a given date.

But when you get past all these schticky elements there's not much to "Only Revolutions." Whereas "House of Leaves" had a fascinating story at its core and explored interesting themes, when you strip away all the gimicks "Only Revolutions" seems to be a prose poem about a love affair between two egomaniacal teenagers who drift apart and then find each other again and again (and who claim to have superhuman powers although I haven't found any evidence that this is actually the case) and which is set in no clear time or place.

I've tried a couple of times, but I couldn't for the life of me get into this story. I also found the stream-of-consciousness list of historical data on each page (+50% of which is stuff that I've never heard of before, and I was a history major) to be really annoying because I felt obligated to read through it even though it was really dry. In the end, I've just about written off this novel as unreadable.

way too many people are trashing this..........2007-09-05

look, if you are giving up at the sign of a similarity between the experimental style of this novel/piece, and his earlier work (House of Leaves); you are an idiot. why the hell should you be asked to look between the eyes of poorly spelled words and immature poetry, but beautifully written at the same time? because it is a setting. Danielewski took the concept of setting away from you to prove it! If you hate the book, shut up and read it again, this time pretend it isn't a Dean Koontz novel.

Magnificent.......2007-08-19

Disregard the other bad reviews about this novel/epic poem.

Yes at first the language and format is difficult, but who cares? Moby Dick is a hard read at first, but no-one denies its raw power and genius. And yes I use Moby Dick in the same paragraph as Only Revolutions because they are both among the greatest American novels ever.

The format is genius. The language is breathtaking and spellbinding. The truth and metaphors found therein are cutting. The style is quantum. And to top it off its simply fun to read once you allow the language pour into you. I recommend reading it aloud or at least quietly pronouning the words. It makes the narrative flow much better.

Average customer rating:

Only Revolutions: A Novel
Mark Z Danielewski
Manufacturer: Pantheon
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000KBXZUG

Customer Reviews:

Loved it........2007-08-04

This book is so good. I have never finished a book that quick. I couldn't put the book down. I loved the storyline and how it all ended.

Terrible.......2007-07-14

I have enjoyed Fern Michaels books in the past but this one was terrible. The whole storyline and all the characters were forgetful. I am sorry I purchased it.

Pretty Woman.......2007-07-09

Desperate for something really interesting to read while I waited on new novels by Mary Higgins Clark and Nicholas Sparks, I stepped out of my comfort zone this week and read a new bestseller by Fern Michaels.

"Pretty Woman" could easily have been the poignant story of "the girl next door". Married for three years to a self-consumed cad who took obvious pleasure in belittling her for the excess weight she had gained during their marriage, she felt like anything but a pretty woman.

Readers will want to stand up and cheer when this poor, emotionally abused lady finally decides to take charge of her own life. First she removes the source of the abuse and then hires a personal fitness trainer to help her begin the long journey to achieving the healthy body she longed to possess.

By the end of the traumatic story, not only does her outer beauty reveal itself, but the strength of her inner beauty allows her to be the "pretty woman" she had really always been.

Pretty Women by Fern Michaels.......2007-01-29

Loved this book! I couldn't put it down. Read it in a day!!!!!!

Lighthearted romance.......2006-05-31

Rosie and her friend Vickie had a falling out three years ago because Vickie tried to prevent Rosie from marrying Kent. She said he was a cheating, money-hungry, loser, but Rosie wouldn't believe her and their long time friendship was severed. Now after three years of marriage to Kent, Rosie finally acknowledges that Vickie was right.

On their third wedding anniversary Kent is being his usual mean and distant self and Rosie decides that she has had enough. She threatens him that if he doesn't come home for dinner that night, he's out. Rosie's housekeeper and close friend Luna Mae, tells her constantly to make up with Vickie and dump Kent so she is thrilled to see Rosie finally taking a stand. Kicking out her husband, a new diet, a personal trainer and a surprise financial windfall changes Rosie's life entirely.

Vickie has come back to town. She and Rosie are overjoyed to see each other again. They started a business together years ago and it is still thriving thanks to Rosie. Now they partner up again and their friendship is just as strong as it once was.

Jack and Rosie's relationship is changing. Their friendship is becoming much more personal. Jack convinces Rosie to compete in his gym's triathlon because she is doing so well with her weight loss and exercise program. Kent is training for it too.

Pretty Woman was enjoyable to me because of Rosie. She is a sweetheart. Rosie endured so much and her physical and emotional changes had me rooting for her. Kent learned a lot from Rosie too. He was such a jerk and he really turned himself around. Jack is a wonderful man and he was so good to and for Rosie. The ghost of Jack's deceased wife was a little hokey for me, but because of Rosie's accomplishments and Jack's love, Pretty Woman is a romantic, quaint and light-hearted story that is satisfying to read.

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Pretty Woman (LARGE PRINT)

Manufacturer: Pocket Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Literature & Fiction | Large Print | Formats | Books

Romance | Large Print | Formats | Books
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ASIN: 0739452657

Product Description

Doubleday Large Print Home Library Edition. A new romance novel by the New York Time's Bestselling author. Rosie marries badly, then wins a $302 million lottery after throwing her husband out. Now she has to figure out how to keep him from getting half the money.

Average customer rating:

I had a beef with this book....
Not that great, just ok.
It Could Have Been Better
Surprisingly poor
Pretty Woman? Please!

Pretty Woman: A Novel
Fern Michaels
Manufacturer: Pocket
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0743483502
Release Date: 2006-02-28

Book Description

In Fern Michaels's extraordinary, inspiring New York Times bestseller, an overweight woman sets out to improve her life by losing fifty-five pounds -- and ends up changing much more than her dress size!

Rosie Gardener fell under the spell of handsome Kent Bliss, and not even her best friend Vickie could persuade her that her fiancé was a two-timing cad. Now it's her third wedding anniversary, and Rosie, fed up with Kent's mistreatment, realizes her estranged best friend was right. But the day after kicking Kent out and beginning a diet and exercise regime, Rosie experiences another life-changing event: she wins $302 million in the Wonderball lottery. Now with Kent lurking in the shadows to claim a share of her money, Rosie needs her friends more than ever. As she works out under the eye of sexy personal trainer Jack Silver, a stronger new Rosie emerges -- a woman who wants to learn to trust love once again. Can she keep her vow not to be stopped by Kent's bitterness and her own self-doubts and jump into life with a passion she didn't know she possessed?

Customer Reviews:

I had a beef with this book...........2007-08-22

While I enjoyed Fern Michaels' incomparable writing style and the story was appropriately uplifting and romantic, I was dismayed and put off by the premise of the book. A dumpy, overweight woman, finally sick of being emotionally abused and cuckolded by her handsome-yet-useless husband kicks him out, and sets out to better herself. She wants to lose weight, she wants to look better, and she wants to get even.

My problem with this premise was the author's nudging the reader toward the idea that we should applaud Rosie and identify with her for all the trials she has to go through to finally get what she wants. My problem, although I genuinely liked Rosie's character, was that Rosie is rich, then wins the lottery to become STINKING rich, and really doesn't have to deal with any of the problems that overweight people have to face.

Rosie's "weight problem" is a whopping 20-30 lbs. What does she do? Orders a whole bunch of expensive exercise equipment for the mansion her parents LEFT her (in other words, she hasn't even had to buy this enormous palace, her family's always been rich), hires a personal trainer, and has her housekeeper/companion begin feeding her a prescribed diet. On top of which, she owns her own business, which apparently makes a ridiculous amount of money, selling weeds that she arranges, lacquers and spray paints into arrangements.... oh, with a staff, so she has time to go off for six hours at a time with her personal trainer. By the end of the book, she's competing in a triathlon...

How is the average person who works for a living, lives paycheck to paycheck (or maybe just slightly better off), and needs to get into better shape, supposed to identify with the poor little rich girl who has a staff and all the money in the world to throw at her problems? This really made me resent the author's view of weight problems, and also made me wonder if the author has ever been an ounce overweight. For the tens of thousands (probably more) who have struggled with their weight all their lives, it's downright insulting and demeaning.

While the writing style was Michaels' usual excellent work, and the characters were friendly and inviting, this huge glaring glitch ruined the book for me, and I couldn't bring myself to rate it higher than a 6

Not that great, just ok........2007-08-08

I found this book to be a little unbelievable. Rosie became a muscle bound, 15 mile a day jogger, canoer and all around fitness champion in a matter of weeks. That was just too unreal. Also, who would bet on a $302 million lottery with the likes of Kent...and on a Triathalon at that?
Just not a good story line.

It Could Have Been Better.......2007-05-02

The story premise is good, but the continual comments about a size 14 woman being "huge" is a mistake. A size 14 is not that huge! I guess we were to assume that the main character was that size because she ate so much and didn't exercise. At least she learned to eat properly and take better care of herself. However, some of us are a 14+, work out reguarly, and eat right, too.

I like that the main character feels better about herself as she becomes slimmer; however, when are we women going to appreciate that we don't have to be a size 4 or 6 to be beautiful?

Surprisingly poor.......2007-01-05

What happened to Fern Michaels' writing style? I was sadly disappointed in this book. The dialogue between characters seemed to be run-on sentences. Each person said absolutely everything that was on their mind in one rush of air. Rosie's sneaky, conniving husband changes for the better and becomes a decent person. It was a totally unbelievable character change. I don't think I've ever disliked a book this much and I'm a connoisseur of romance books on the best sellers list.

Pretty Woman? Please!.......2006-09-12

Did I somehow got a different version of this book than the other reviewers? I really hated this book! The characters were unbelievable and unstructured. The dialogue between characters was actually painful to read through... people just don't talk like this! I couldn't even finish this book... my mind was wandering to more interesting things, like when I last clipped my toenails. I have enjoyed Fern Michael's books in the past, but this one is going straight in the donate pile.

Average customer rating:

It's never to late to find PEACE!
Love overcomes all obstacles!
great book
LISTEN MEN DONT SLEEP
Very Good Book

Rules for a Pretty Woman
Suzette Francis
Manufacturer: Avon
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 006114388X
Release Date: 2007-03-27

Book Description

Dr. Lenny Faulkner, a single, African American doctor is living a charmed life in Atlanta; compared to the poor childhood she experienced growing up in Madoosa County, a small southeast section of Georgia that reeks of the local box manufacturing plant. Lenny is dedicated to the care and treatment of her female patients. Lenny has been successful in achieving all her goals except one: She yearns to marry her live–in love Ralph and start a family.

In fact, the alarm on Lenny's biological clock is ringing loud and clear–––she's turning thirty–five, but Ralph, doesn't hear it. Instead of proposing, he abruptly ends their nine–year relationship, empties their joint bank account and runs off with another woman. Adding to Lenny's misery, she learns that her mother is dying of cancer, with only a few months to live.

Feeling utterly defeated, she discovers her fifth grade diary, which contains a list of rules she had created to live by. Reading them after so many years, Lenny realizes that she has somehow buried the intensity she demonstrated in her youth that helped her get out of Madoosa County.

The diary becomes the impetus Lenny needs to start taking complete charge of her life again. She discovers that Ralph leaving isn't such a loss and that her newfound strength has opened the door to new possibilities, including love.

Customer Reviews:

It's never to late to find PEACE!.......2007-05-22

I actually liked this book! It had it's slow moments but all in all it was a good read.

Dr. Lenita Mae Faulkner made a set of rules when she was in the fifth grade only to forget them. After learning the love of her life took her money and the dreams she had for them, had to return home for one of the most tragic events of her life. While home she comes across her journal that had the list of rules she made and decided that it was time she lived by the ones that still applied and make new ones for the woman that she has become. A few love affairs, letting go of the hurt that was caused by her love, and a new friend later, Lenita, is now getting everything she need and more out of her life.

Love overcomes all obstacles!.......2005-12-05

This book chronicles the main character, Lenny' s life as she made her way through what many would consider a "rough" up bringing to become a doctor. She clearly rose above a lot. As a adolescent she creates these clear, concise rules that she would live by, however she never really follows them. It is indicative of women sometimes to compromise their own values, beliefs and even themselves when the possibility of love and a man is at stake. They author really does a great job of showing the readers what that looks like through the main character, Lenny. Lenny triumphs over all of the obstacles. This is one that I could not put down.

great book.......2005-06-01

i could relate to the main character in many ways. i hadn't been reading novels lately but this was a good one that was real with real people and real problems. i recommend it for any woman over 30 trying to figure out her way in the world of romance, career and motherhood.

LISTEN MEN DONT SLEEP.......2005-04-14

I am someone who is a total idiot when it comes to women and
there problems. Reading Rules of a Pretty Woman gave me a understading of how strong women really are. A lot of men like me would stongly agree. Suzette Francis is very encouraging to a lot of young women like her in the genre. At lease my girl say so.When I in the beginning of Rule of a Pretty Women, I didn't think I would like it that much.I was very shocked as I got to in the middle of the story. The novel had over the top methaphor and several rule the main character used in her life.

Very Good Book.......2004-09-09

When I purchased this novel, I had already decided that the book would be based on a series of rules that the author had created. To my surprise and pleasure this novel was cleverly written and the rules followed the storyline, not the other way around.
Great book written by a Howard Alumnus.

"Pretty Good for a Woman": The Enigmas of Evelyn Scott

Average customer rating:

Pretty good for a biography . . . except for some gaps

"Pretty Good for a Woman": The Enigmas of Evelyn Scott
D. A. Callard
Manufacturer: W W Norton & Co Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

British | Short Stories | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0393022765

Customer Reviews:

Pretty good for a biography . . . except for some gaps.......1998-07-24

D.A. Callard's biography of American modernist writer Evelyn Scott succeeds in interesting the reader with sordid details of Scott's escapades. However, Callard doesn't present a full enough picture of the woman's life and accomplishments. At times, the book is more a study of the people Scott associated with (William Carlos Williams, Theodore Drieser, Waldo Frank) than it is a study of Scott herself. See Mary Wheeling White's _Fighting the Current: The Life and Work of Evelyn Scott_ (1998) for a more comprehensive study of the fascinating accomplishments of Ms. Scott.

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Pretty Woman: A Novel
Fern Michaels
Manufacturer: Simon & Schuster Audio
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

General | Romance | Subjects | Books

General | Contemporary | Romance | Subjects | Books

Romance | Books on CD | Audiobooks | Formats | Books
ASIN: 0743571002
Release Date: 2008-02-05

Set of 5 Standalone Novels By Fern Michaels - Late Bloomer, Trading Places, The Real Deal, The Nosy Neighbor, Pretty Woman

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Set of 5 Standalone Novels By Fern Michaels - Late Bloomer, Trading Places, The Real Deal, The Nosy Neighbor, Pretty Woman
Fern Michaels
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000WI3LOW

Product Description

Set of 5 Standalone Novels By Fern Michaels - Late Bloomer, Trading Places, The Real Deal, The Nosy Neighbor, Pretty Woman.

Book Description

The MechWarrior saga continues

The Raging Bears have begun their occupation of the planet Vega with the hope of restoring order amid relentless violence and civil ruin. But their bold move may prove to be the chance their enemies have waited for.

The bestselling saga continues

The Raging Bears have begun their occupation of the planet Vega with the hope of restoring order on a planet beset by violence and civil ruin. But their bold move to stabilize Prefecture I for the Republic of the Sphere may prove to be the chance their enemies have waited for...

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Must read

Vitality, Energy, Spirit

The Great Way

Conerstone reference...

A wonderful addition to any Philosopher's library...

Vitality, Energy, Spirit: A Taoist Sourcebook (Shambhala Dragon Editions)
Thomas Cleary
Manufacturer: Shambhala
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Taoism | Eastern | Philosophy | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
General | Philosophy | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
Taoism | Other Eastern Religions | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
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Taoist Meditation

The Inner Teachings of Taoism

Practical Taoism

The Secret of the Golden Flower

Cultivating Stillness

ASIN: 0877735190
Release Date: 1991-07-30

Book Description

The "three treasures" of human life—vitality, energy, and spirit—are envisioned in Taoist thought as the source of creativity, capability, and intelligence. This comprehensive anthology traces the teachings on these three treasures through the long history of Taoism, highlighting the quintessential works on their practical application for mental and physical well-being. Along with brief selections from the classic sources of Taoism by Lao-Tzu and Chuang-tzu, the book presents a rich selection of tales and sayings from Taoist literature, as well as a broad range of writings from the Complete Reality school, including essays and commentary from such figures as Lü Yen, Chang Po-tuan, and Liu I-ming.

Customer Reviews:

Must read.......2006-11-06

The most Comprehensive, complete book on the subtle aspects of Taoism ever read. Brought many peices together.

Vitality, Energy, Spirit.......2005-10-09

A great anthology, and typical of Shambhala publications: concise, factual, and comprehensive! An excellent introduction to understanding Taoism.

The Great Way.......2003-11-17

If you study the great way then this book will help you much. If you study qi gong and like to mess with energy then there is also much that this book can offer you. In a nutshell it is the most complete book of philosophy and spiritualistic studies I have ever encountered save for Balfour's "Taoist Texts" unfortunately this text is hard to come by as it's last reprint was in 1975 and it's original translation and first printing was done in 1880. One can find it from used or rare book dealers however, I actually purchased mine from the amazon auction store, it was the only one they had however.

Conerstone reference..........2002-10-07

Cleary has done an excellent job of putting a number of essential Taoist texts into one volume. The book begins with some Tao Te Ching and leads straight into some translations of Ancester Lu - not everything, just the essentials.

There are numerous other texts here and, quite framkly, the book stands quite well as a new start in the tradition of the old classics. That is, there appears to be a lot of 'method' to Cleary's 'madness' of taking only sections of the texts in conjunction with the general development of the material.

This book contains enough of the classics that it is essential to anyone seriously practicing Qigong. If you have this and a couple of Eva Wong's excellent translations you probably don't need much else for your library.

A wonderful addition to any Philosopher's library..........2000-03-31

This is a must have for anyone interested in Taoism. Has an excelent selection from numerous important authors from Lao Tzu and Chuang Tzu sequentialy through the writing of 20th century Taoists. Superb for the beginner and indespensable to the serious collector.

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