Category: Book Review

Book Review: The Midnight Library

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Wow!
This is, so far, my favorite book-of-the-year. Five stars. Matt Haig is a genius, and since I struggle with my own mental health issues, depression, I found this book therapeutic.
Will it trigger you? Yes. Will it help you? Only, if you finish it. Should you read this when you are in one of your low periods? It depends on the person.

If you love fiction, philosophy, a smart piece replete with ethical dilemmas, and a plot theme following multiverses, this book is for you.

Few books can change you, teach you, and inspire you at the same time, but Haig’s The Midnight Library is one of those books. This is a must read! I would not be surprised if it becomes one literatures most commonly read works. And I promise, I am not giving this book empty lip-service; I really mean it.

Happy Reading,
www.w-alexander.com



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Beat the Boy; Destroy the Man 

W. Alexander Dunford  I will never forget the television’s blue light that night fifteen years ago. Leonardo DiCaprio’s Blood Diamond played. Outside, beneath black skies, rain pelted our windows and the house’s bones braced against high winds. Thunder shook the walls.  It was Father’s idea to watch the movie. He loved violence, and I loved…

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by Alexander Dunford

Book Review: The Light Between Oceans

M.L. Stedman

The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Wow!

This story had me drinking to get through it, as it twisted and ripped at my heart, for I could not put it down. I cannot begin to tell you how wonderfully written this novel is; the prose is beautiful, the plot is heart-wrenching, and the characters so richly developed, you love and hate them as if they are family.

It is rare that I read something that raises the kind of questions within that, if answered, sets me on a new path of self discovery. The mark of great literature is that the reader is changed. It will change you. It will touch you. It will help you have patience with the plights of the human condition—that is life. This is among the best stories I have ever read, and I am thrilled that this is Stedman’s first novel.

It is a beautiful and bitter-sweet story. Read this if you love a great ethical dilemma.

I recommend it with all the fervor I can muster.

Happy Reading,
www.w-alexander.com


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Book Review: Voltaire-A Life

By Ian Davidson

Voltaire: A Life by Ian Davidson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Perhaps, this isn’t the sexiest book to add to my book reviews, but I love Voltaire. I love his work, his courage, his cleverness, his life’s story, his rise to being more powerful than Kings, his passion for justice, his devotion to the betterment of everyone’s lives, and his unparalleled generosity. He accomplished everything through writing! He changed the whole world with words; he embodies the power of how a written thought can turn the wheels of history. His words were sharper than any sword. He is my hero, and my inspiration! Enjoy this book, which gave me my first real look at him.

Original Review:
Ian Davidson did something amazing: he made me fall in love with a dead Frenchman. I confess before reading this biography, I knew Voltaire only by reputation. A couple years ago, I read and loved Candide, but that experience, at-the-time, was all Voltaire and I ever shared between us. Occasionally, in conversation and academics I came across him. He impressed me then, but I had no idea the diamond dangling in front of me. His place is in the pantheon of history. My only regret is I can not give this work a sixth star.

Voltaire wrote everything: he wrote plays, he wrote advocacy for social justice, he wrote for criminal justice reform, he wrote philosophy, he wrote fiction, he wrote science, etcetera., and his writing changed his world which changed our world too. Was there ever another person that gave so much to humanity? I think not. I will end with this: after reading this biography, if Voltaire does not immediately elevate to your favorite titan of history, I accuse you of not having read it.

Well done Mr. Davidson. Bien joué!

My obsession has been to read every word Voltaire ever scribbled.


Happy Reading
www.w-alexander.com



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Book Review: The Song of Achilles

by Madeline Miller

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I wanted to give it four stars, so I struggled back and forth. The plot is fantastic, and her prose is neat, tight, and clear. In fact, I loved how she set up chapter 12; I was blown away, so I will be doing a literary analysis, for fun, on that scene. However, the problems tip the scales, so I cannot, in good conscience, give Miller’s book more than three stars.

My reason:

Many, if not most, of her support characters have little agency. Chiron, for example, seems to only exist to teach young Achilles and Patroclus. I don’t want to give away any spoilers, so I will not dig up more than is needed to make my point, and just leave it here. But note this: most support characters in this book lack their own agency.

However, I loved the story; I am a huge history nerd, and I love her ability to retell classic literature through the modern medium of prose. She is brilliant, and the book is wonderful—for a pleasure read. What screwed it for me was my recent learning of close-reading. I am a creative writing student. Oh, how the gods punish us!

Again, I wanted to give it four stars, but the three I went with is a high 3.8. I do recommend this book.

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Book Review: Reading Like a Writer

Reading Like a Writer: A Guide for People Who Love Books and for Those Who Want to Write Them by Francine Prose

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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This book is another one of my adventures into books about writing written by actual writers. According to Francine Prose, creative writing, ultimately, cannot be taught. She encourages the would-be writer to, instead, learn through a form of literary osmosis: study the masters. She believes the rules, usually, taught in writing classes are all too often arbitrary and restrictive. Prose shows how the great writers—masters whom stand the test of time—broke with the conventions of their day.

Keep in mind, Francine Prose is not only an accomplished author, but has experience teaching creative writing at the university level; she has seen and done it all.

“It is time for writers to admit that nothing in this world makes sense. Only fools and charlatans think they know and understand everything. The stupider they are, the wider they conceive horizons to be. And if an artist decides to declare that he understands nothing of what he sees—this in itself constitutes a considerable clarity in the realm of thought, and a great step forward.”

Anton Chekhov

Of course, there are better craft reference books out there. If you want to get into the nitty-gritty of building sentences, pacing, etcetera, this book is not for you. However, if you are new to writing, and want to just know what the hell it is you are suppose to write, suppose to notice, suppose to build, suppose to engage, then this book is a must-read. Learning how the masters told their stories is never a dull undertaking.

Happy Reading!

I recommend, if you found this review helpful, you read this post, too.

Book Review: DIY MFA

DIY MFA: Write with Focus, Read with Purpose, Build Your Community by Gabriela Pereira

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

“The secret is to persist until everyone has given up and you’re the only one left standing.”

Gabriela Pereira
https://diymfa.com/

These are words inspired. DIY MFA is a great craft reference; Pereira covers the entire writing process from zero to hero. What I liked most was the additional materials, easily downloadable, which come with the book. I am a creative writing major, and I found Pereira’s insights often matched what I am taught with my degree. She compacted into less than 300 pages, my entire degree; my $60,000 education for a $13.99 book on Apple’s book store. Okay, okay, maybe not quite like that, but it does cover a great deal of what a writer must know.

Probably, my greatest gain from DIY MFA is her unique revision pyramid. In addition, I believe her subway plotting method to be revolutionary, because I think traditionally taught ‘mind mapping’ is a horrid and useless exercise. We all have our own unique preferences.


Do not let the book title fool you, for Pereira is not against MFA’s. She earned one herself. I plan to earn mine as well. However, found within these pages is invaluable material on how to navigate the writer’s challenges from ‘idea’ to ‘hiring an agent.’ If it was not for this book, despite my looming English (in creative writing) degree, I would have no clue about what happens once school is done.

This book is for the writer recently started out, but will be a great tool for even the most accomplished author. I recommend both novice and well-published writers to read DIY MFA.

Happy Writing.
W. Alexander, www.w-alexander.com

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