A Creed for the Third Millennium

A Creed for the Third Millennium
By Colleen McCullough
0380701340

This review will have spoilers, so there's your fair warning. I was expecting something very different when I saw the cover of this book. And seeing who the author was, I got past that first reaction and decided to read it anyway. Wow, it was a tough book. I think it would have been better if the main characters had even had a flirtation, the ending would have been much more shocking. I honestly didn't see things coming, though some might say it was predictable. I was honestly shocked about the 'Judas' thing and I'm a Christian! I noticed his name in the beginning, but forgot about the similarities after a few chapters. So I was shocked that I didn't notice 'Judas' in the beginning too! The back of the book says "the woman he loves sets out to destroy him" which I found grossly inaccurate. I don't think she set out to destroy him as much as use him. He ends up destroyed, but even she didn't see the extent it would go to. She was just as shocked as everyone else, though she realized how he had played the part she had written for him- to perfection, more so than she had thought possible. The Chicago Tribune, quoted on the back of the book, calls it "passionate," which I disagree with. Again, I keep coming back in my mind to the thought that there should have been more between them than a tiny kiss and his declaration that she was more in need of love than anyone else. I do like the end, when Judith doesn’t do what the reader expects her to do! Finally, I thought, a moment of realism. All around, because I am itching to write my own scenes to insert, it only gets:
7/10

Summer Pleasures

Summer Pleasures
By Nora Roberts
0373218397

This was actually two stories in one book. It's funny, on the cover it talks about ONE summer changing two lives. In actuality, the book covers two separate summers. I think it's one year apart, although that's never made totally clear that I could tell. One character ages two years, but maybe there was a birthday in there? Either way, it's not told in one summer. Doesn't really matter, good stories anyway. I just taught about Robert Frank, a photographer who traveled across the country to create his book The Americans, which was originally published in France before finally finding an American publisher. Why do I mention that? Because it appears that Ms. Roberts is up on her art history again, because the second story covers this kind of cross-country project. Franks used 800 rolls of film in his quest to show the true face of America, although he was highly criticized for the picture that appeared- depression, hardship, bleakness. One Summer is a happier story and is a pleasant read. I'm wondering if the character of Shade may be based on what Robert Frank may have been like? Cynical but humorous. Interesting to contemplate. The first story shouldn't be overlooked, as it covers camping, one of my favorite summer past-times! As always, well-written characters and believable situations all around.
8/10

Daisy Miller

Daisy Miller
By Henry James

Wow. That was... odd. I really wanted to smack the girl most of the time, she was just so stupid. How could you not know what was being said about you?? Honestly! But then the ending! Wow, did not see that coming at all! This was my first Henry James book, and it was a very short 94 pages. Good book though, I liked the aunt most of all!
7/10

Frank Lloyd Wright's Houses

Frank Lloyd Wright's Houses
By Thomas A. Heinz
0517219689 (15)

Gorgeous pictures. Lovely views of this great artists works. The captions are informative and interesting. But the prose in the rest of the book, ugh! The information sounds like it was written for fifth graders, which maybe it was. There is no indication that the book is for a young audience, however, so I'm going to have to go with- Bad writing. Luckily, that ends about half-way through and you're left to savor the pictures for the rest of your time with the book.
6/10

Once a Princess

Once a Princess
By Johanna Lindsey
0380756250

I'm a sucker for stories about European royalty, I'll say that up front. That's why I read this book, fluffy though it was. A long-lost princess, found in America and brought back home to rule. (I loved *loved* Princess Diaries, in case anyone wants to know.) The characters were fun, especially the friends of the prince/king. I was a bit saddened by how much emphasis there was on the princess' virginity. There was so much back and forth on it, so much emphasis. That annoys me with fluffy books like this. There is so much emphasis always on the *woman* being a virgin. The man, of course, should have a vast and varied sexual history and maybe even (as here) a mistress. Gah, it's just such a stupid double standard and I'm tired of it. Nevertheless, this was a decent book and it gets a
7/10

The Egyptologist

The Egyptologist
By Arthur Philips
(Book on CD)

If you look up the word arrogant in the dictionary, the face of one of these characters is in there. And there is another character under self-serving, manipulative, conniving, and self-delusion. (Lots of characters!!) What a messed up batch of people the author has brought together! You're never sure who to trust and little by little, those ones you wanted to trust turn out to be just as bad as the rest! I saw the ending coming around disc 6 (out of 14), but then convinced myself I was wrong (not sure why), so the ending was a shock to me. The accent of the Aussie narrating is a real treat. The woman is at turns evil and innocent, shy and outgoing, a master of manipulation and a pawn. Just with her voice, which impresses me! There were a few loose ends that I wish had been tied up. Who was Macey, what did he think of all this? Did he have access to everything the reader did? The letter Margaret wrote but never mailed, was it true? Was she doing more manipulating and chicken out in the end or was she just scared to reveal the truth? And what about Hector and Regina?? Enjoyable read anyway, so it gets a
8/10.

Homeport

Homeport
By Nora Roberts
0515124893

I love Nora Roberts. And I love any fiction book that brings art into it. So this one was just my speed! Nora Roberts has been writing about art artifacts for a little while now (maybe she's gotten away from them, I never check dates on anything I read). And she always does such meticulous research into whatever section of art she's covering (Renaissance bronzes, downed cargo ships) that it's a treat to read her books.
8/10