Book Description
Set on a fictional Caribbean island in the town of Paradise, Cereus Blooms at Night unveils the mystery surrounding Mala Ramchandin and the tempestuous history of her family. At the heart of this bold and seductive novel is an alleged crime committed many years before the story opens. Mala is the reclusive old woman suspected of murder who is delivered to the Paradise Alms House after a judge finds her unfit to stand trial. When she arrives at her new home, frail and mute, she is placed in the tender care of Tyler, a vivacious male nurse, who becomes her unlikely confidante and the storyteller of Mala's extraordinary life.In luminous, sensual prose, internationally acclaimed writer Shani Mootoo combines diverse storytelling traditions to explore identity, gender, and violence in a celebration of our capacity to love.
Amazon.com
There is much to admire about Shani Mootoo's first novel, Cereus Blooms at Night. In telling the tale of Mala Ramchandin, her sister, Asha, her childhood sweetheart Ambrose "Boyie" Mohanty, and the other inhabitants of the fictional Caribbean island of Lantanacamara, Mootoo has created a cast of remarkable characters capable of charming the reader. Narrated in part by Tyler, a young male nurse at a home for the elderly, Cereus begins with Mala's admission to the alms house in Paradise--the main city on Lantanacamara--under a cloud of mystery. The old lady won't speak and is suspected of a multitude of crimes, causing the head nurse of the home to keep her in restraints. Only Tyler is willing to care for her; it isn't long before Tyler, an outcast in Paradise because of his sexual orientation, and Mala, a pariah for other reasons, develop an unusual friendship.
For the first half of the book, Mootoo moves easily between Tyler's narrative and a third-person account of Mala's life as a child. The chapters covering the adoption of Mala's father, Chandin Ramchandin, by a white missionary and his wife and Chandin's obsession with his foster sister, Lavinia, offer a telling perspective on race and colonialism; later chapters detailing Chandin's descent into alcoholism, madness, and child abuse are occasionally overwrought, but the strong, child's-eye point of view of young Mala keeps the novel grounded. The second half of Cereus abandons both Tyler and the omniscient narrator, choosing to focus, instead, on Otoh Mohanty, the son of Mala's childhood friend, Boyie. Here Mootoo also introduces, for the first time, elements of the fantastic: a girl who "wills" herself to become a boy; a man who sleeps for weeks at a time, only waking one day each month; a mysterious, locked room that holds a horrifying secret. The result is pure melodrama wrapped up in lovely prose.
Even though the last half of the book seems too suddenly freighted towards the magical and improbable, and the happy ending is a trifle too contrived, Cereus Blooms at Night showcases Shani Mootoo's impressive mastery of language. And in Mala Ramchandin, she has created a tough and tender heroine who commands the reader's interest and sympathy from first page to last. --Alix Wilber
Customer Reviews:
a book with memorable images.......2006-05-16
My English professor assigned this novel for class during my freshman year of college. Although I started it grudgingly, I eventually fell in love with the world Shani Mootoo created for this novel. I'm sorry to say that I've forgotten much of the plot and a few of the characters too, but the sights and smells of that beautiful place stick with me even today. Even as I sat at my desk reading this book, I felt as if I'd lived a lifetime on that island. 'Cereus Blooms at Night' is a great story and well worth picking up.
And for any anime fans reading this- I'll never forget watching "Wolf's Rain" and immediately identifying the lunar flowers as night-blooming cereus--something I knew only because I'd read this novel a year before I watched the series.
unputdownable - though a little unreal in parts.......2005-09-28
Cereus Blooms was fascinating in how it brought alive life in a little Caribbean town. The portrayals of Chandin , Mala and Lavinia were so real I feel I know them in person.
The anguish a young child would feel at being abandoned by her mother - as she eloped with her FEMALE lover - can bring tears to the eyes.
I would strongly recommend this book.
I just though on the negative side - that all possible sexual orientations come to life around one little girl. Its a bit much to digest that the mother is a lesbian and so is the father's first love - and the two elope. The father is an incestuous demon, the nurse is gay and transvestite, the boyfriend's son is also gay. Hmm.......not too many normal people in this book.
But no sweat - it adds to the colour and pace !
A magical and evocative book.......2004-11-24
I think I must have read this book about 3 times and each time it weaves a magical web in my mind that takes days to clear. Ms Mootoo manages to take the minutae of life in a time gone by and make them real. Perhaps the book resonates with my own past a bit or perhaps it is just one hell of a well written book. I suspect it both.
Books are, obviously, a matter of personal taste and I know people ( who I bought copies for) who hate this book. I take issue with the reviewer who compares it to The Color Purple though. As far as I know the human condition is sadly limited to a few experiences. One might as well say that any book that writes about falling in and out of love is plagiarizing another. I suspect the only problem with Cereus is that it is such an intimate book..written from such a particular perspective about a particular place that it may not resound with all readers.
One of my friends in Trinidad who grew up in great poverty says that the book takes him back to his childhood and the little comfort corner in his mother's shed - I couldn;t put it better.
I woul also suggest getting her book of poetry..well worth it.
As an Irish born, half-Trinidadian Canadian I love this book....I hope that one day I will have the pleasure of meeting the author.
beautiful.......2003-10-16
This is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful books I have read. The plot is original (although it did remind me a bit of the film Nell) and rich. I smelt and saw and felt everything Shani Mootoo described in this book. It is a magical book.
The only reason I gave it four stars instead of five is because some of the plot is a bit confusing at times. Eventually I got used to it and knew what to expect. So if you experience this keep reading and everything will clear itself up.
I recommend this book to everyone who wants to experience beauty and magic and love. I know I'll re-read this book many times!
A novel about outsiders.......2002-05-26
What I found so beautiful about this book is that its characters are "outsiders". These people are those who would normally be shown prejudice and rejection in a closed-minded and oppressive society. However, we get to learn "WHO" these people are, not "WHAT" they are. Shani Mootoo explores real issues: sexual domestic abuse & rape, homosexuality, transexuality, and post-colonial racism. The setting is a fictious Caribbean island called "Lantancanamara". However, anyone who is familiar with Trinidad and its dialect will KNOW that Lantancanamara is actually a fictitous version of Trinidad. It is not common to come across a post-colonial novel with a setting in the Caribbean. You may disagree, but most West Indian novels revolve around slavery. Although colonialism is an element is "Cereus Blooms At Night", it involves REAL issues of life that many people deal with everyday. However, the characters are "outsiders" living in a less liberal society: Rural West Indian society. Shani Mootoo truly makes the entire novel beautiful. I love how she illustrates the characters. Her language is formal, but flows very well. It is not difficult to read. The novel does not drag or ramble on very much. Therefore, I did not find myself getting bored, tired, or impatient. I found it hard to put down the book. I did this for an independent study in school. Another girl I know also enjoyed th book and found in interesting. I believe the book goes well with any personality. It certainly exposes the pain and struggle that "outsiders" experience in a world of prejudice, violence, and oppression.
Customer Reviews:
FINALLY - A FEMALE WOMAN.......2006-06-25
Here we have a definite female woman of her times, Julia Preston, 21, who is a fiesty, witty, lovable gal who has a wounded brother Adam, and is in definite need of help from a gunslinger.
Vince Lone Wolf, 32, is already becoming somewhat of a "legend". He is a bounty hunter, by profession, a loner by choice and determined to rub Sol Griffon's nose in the dirt.
He is also a man with a heart although not to hear him think.
Julia touches this man's inner core and emotions and scares the wangley-dangley out of him with her fiestyness and makes short work of his hormones. He doesn't know what hits him.
Then he meets Maggie Griffon and stirs up a little of green-eyed jealousy in Julia.
It just keeps getting better as some sniper catches them in their sites. Now she has two wounder warriors on her hands.
And no one to rescue her. Julia must improvise.
What a great tale. This gal has guts and moral integrity. Definitely a great change for the better - what a wonderful female.
Of course, Lone Wolf is no slouch either.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED - no holds barred, great characters.
Average customer rating:
|
Wasteland of Flint
Thomas Harlan
Manufacturer: TOR BOOKS ST MARTINS MASS
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000Q1HVLO |
Average customer rating:
- good book to throw against the wall
- Worth a Trip
- Wasteland of Boredom
- Neverending wasteland
- Exciting Blend of Alternate History and Space Opera
|
Wasteland of Flint
Thomas Harlan
Manufacturer: Tor Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
 United States
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Similar Items:
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House of Reeds
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The Dark Lord (Oath Of Empire)
-
The Gate of Fire (Oath of Empire, Book 2)
-
Dauntless (The Lost Fleet, Book 1)
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Old Man's War
ASIN: 076530192X |
Book Description
Thomas Harlan took SF and Fantasy readers by storm with his remarkable Oath of Empire series. Those booksearned him not only rave reviews, but two nominations for Best New Writer of the Year. Now he turns his hand to science fiction as unexpected and exciting as that first fantasy series. In some far distant future year, the human race has spread out among the stars, encountering other species and creating an Empire that spans at least this corner of the galaxy. The Empire is ruled from the Imperial City of Tenochtitlan (which here and now we call Mexico City), the capitol of the planet Anahuac. But the advance of Imperial Mexica has revealed that there were earlier powerful interstellar empires, which are long gone now, leaving behind their mysterious artifacts. When a survey team goes missing, it's up to Dr. Gretchen Andersen to unravel the mystery, a mystery centered on these ancient artifacts, one that could shake the very foundations of the Empire.
Customer Reviews:
good book to throw against the wall.......2007-09-16
This is a horrible book. The author seems unqualified to write plausible science fiction. The plot turns on a lot of mystical mush that made no sense to me. It's the usual problem that if anything can happen, the reader doesn't care what does happen. Also, the characters are all unpleasant and interact only through bickering, so I cared even less about their arbitrary adventures.
Did I mention that it was horrible?
Worth a Trip.......2006-12-29
Wasteland of Flint (an unfortunate title) straddles two of my favorite sci-fi genres. On one hand, it is a mini space opera ala Peter Hamilton, with the requisite large cast, political overtones, and a narrative told from different characters point of view. On the other hand, it is an archaeological exploration story ala Jack McDevitt, with the gutsy protagonist struggling against time and her superiors to unravel the mystery and save the day. The archaeology story is more engaging than the opera, but both are executed with skill.
The protagonist, Gretchen Anderssen, is a work-a-day xenobiologist sent by "The Company" to salvage a failed mission to a strange planet on the edge of human space. Her team investigates the disaster with the unexpected help of an Imperial battlecruiser, led by an inscrutable, mysterious Aztec judge named Hummingbird. Together, they find that the barren planet is not as dead as it appears...
Okay, so the premise is not terribly original, but Harlan enlivens the story by setting it in an alternative - but recognizable - future. Gretchen and others of European descent are second-class citizens in a world ruled by the Aztec Empire. The mechanics of spaceflight, archaeology, and military life are largely the same, but the social backdrop is subtly different. Harlan does not let history dominate the story, however. We are only given tantalizing hints of the past rather than a full exposition. I hope the backstory is more fully developed in the sequel(s).
I am very impressed with Harlan's writing ability. He does a masterful job of setting a scene, and of developing a mood and sense of place. On the wasted planet, you can feel the choking sand and dust, the gritty barrenness, the harsh sun and bitter cold. And when things get creepy, your skin will crawl. Above the planet, you feel equally immersed in the reality of life on a starship - which I LOVE! The characters are also well-drawn, interesting, and believable. Gretchen, Hummingbird, and the Japanese ship captain Hadeishi are as real as characters get. I'm telling you, the man can WRITE!
His ability to craft a story, however, is not as strong. The beginning is a bit clunky, and the space opera seems unnecessary to the plot. And, after a nice build up, the ending is anti-climactic. The conflicts resolve with a minimum of fireworks, leaving many unanswered questions.
Flaws aside, Wasteland of Flint is a believable, well-written, and engaging story. With any luck, Gretchen has a long future ahead of her, and I look forward to tagging along for the ride.
Wasteland of Boredom.......2005-12-07
One problem with science fiction is that the future societies and histories envisioned by writers are simple and predictable extensions of Western culture. Lately, many sci-fi writers have been experimenting with projections of non-Western cultures into the future and into outer space. Thomas Harlan has jumped on this bandwagon with an Aztec backdrop to this novel, but he does not have the skills with alternate history or cultural speculation to pull it off. (Incidentally, there is an obscure sci-fi author named Ernest P. Hogan who has integrated Aztec cultural motifs into exciting stories and intriguing characters, with far more believability and authenticity than Harlan.) The alternative future society here is supposedly evolved from a victorious Aztec empire that defeated the Europeans with help from the Asians, but this is merely used as window dressing with no real extrapolation into actual ethnic plot elements. Instead, Harlan mostly just throws Aztec names onto places and characters, as if this were authentic enough for an alternate history. Harlan's main attempt at Aztec authenticity is the Green Hummingbird character, who is supposed to represent an ancient Aztec high priest but comes across more like the enigmatic Chinese sage of old Charlie Chan stories.
Granted, the basic setting for this novel is a pretty interesting alien construct, and Harlan does show some strength as a writer of hard sci-fi, with truly plausible science. But the very thin Aztec façade covers a completely typical and slow-moving space opera with painfully tedious and predictable plot developments. Harlan's prose is dreadfully boring, with anal-retentive descriptions of the operations of spaceships and computers, slowing down the clunky, stilted dialogue and incomprehensible character developments. Much of the story dwells on the completely inessential intrigues between two main characters that have absolutely no chemistry whatsoever, Gretchen and Green Hummingbird. They're the stereotypical hard-working scientist who knows the truth against the stereotypical scheming bureaucrat who can't handle the truth. This type of character drama has been done a billion times, but usually with far more interest for the reader. And finally, Harlan is a member of the population of modern sci-fi writers who are so enamored with writing books in series that they don't even bother to make each volume a self-contained story, with purposeful loose ends and plot holes that are supposedly meant to make us yearn for a sequel. But after 400+ pages of a boring story that's already lurching along at a glacial pace, he owes it to us to just wrap it up already. [~doomsdayer520~]
Neverending wasteland.......2005-09-24
The most interesting part of this novel is its setting, already described repeatedly by other reviewers.
Everything else is just sort of there. The characters are predictable, the plot doesn't really seem to go anywhere, and the conflicts are often quite muted, even obscure.
The most important character in the novel is not the protagonist, but a judge who also possessed psychic/mystic powers. He can order anyone to do anything without question, and does so often. Since he doesn't see fit to outline his motivations (other than, "There are some things man was not meant to know!") the reader is often left in the dark or just frustrated by tantalizing details.
By the end of the -- very long -- novel, there are no significant answers. There aren't even many new questions. Yes, this is the first book of a series, but there's no payoff for the reader, nor did I find myself anxious to get to the next novel. In fact, I don't expect to read any more of this series; I have no reason to believe any of the further installments will be less flat and lifeless -- a wasteland indeed -- than this first volume.
Harlan's writing is facile enough, and his setting is interesting, and the characters are interesting in theory, if not in practice. But it is a case of great promise, unfulfilled.
To put it another way, there isn't enough action to make it a great space opera, and there aren't enough mind-expanding ideas to make it great science fiction.
In the novel, there is an alien life-form that digests organic and metallic matter and transmutes it into stone. I believe the book itself is infected with these organisms; every time I picked up the book, I felt I was becoming further and further calcified.
Don't let this happen to you.
Exciting Blend of Alternate History and Space Opera.......2005-01-12
Thomas Harlan's "Wasteland of Flint" is among the most engrossing examples of alternative history and space opera I'm aware of in science fiction. It introduces us to several key characters whose adventures we follow in the splendid "House of Reeds". Here Harlan introduces us to the intriguing premise of an interstellar human empire ruled by a technologically sophisticated Aztec and Japanese nobility, which stumbles upon artifacts left by long-dead, and more powerful, interstellar civilizations. Company archaeologist Gretchen Anderssen is in search of one of the fabled "First Sun" artifacts and a lost Company archaeological expedition on the remote world of Epheseus III. Accompanying Dr. Anderssen is Commander Mitsuhara Hadeishi, the skipper of the light cruiser Cornuelle, and her crew, especially Mexica Imperial judge and agent Green Hummingbird. Together they will make a discovery that could potentially shake the foundations of the human interstellar empire. To his credit, Harlan offers us a very exciting tale told in crisp, well-written prose.
Book Description
Worldwide Laws of Life is full of wisdom drawn from major sacred scriptures of the world and various schools of philosophical thought, as well as from scientists, artists, historians, and others. Its aim is to assist people of all ages to learn more about the universal truths of life that transcend modern times or particular cultures.
This treasury of practical morality, personal inspiration, and daily guidance is perfect for people of all persuasions. The organization facilitates group or personal study and spiritual development.
Customer Reviews:
Basically same as " Discovering The Laws Of Life"........2003-12-27
This is by itself a magnificent book full of wisdom, but even as good as it is, buy "Discovering The Laws Of Life" instead by the same author.Avoid this one.
Why do I give this book a 5 star rating and at the same time I advise you to buy another one instead?
Well, It has the same laws, even the same paragraphs, but "Discovering The Laws Of Life" goes to the point in an easy way without adding unnecesary religious quotes or extra explanations to what has been already understood. However, the results are the same: You become a much better person and you see life very differently.
This book deserves 5 stars for that, but again, buy instead "Discovering the laws Of Life". That one deserves all the available stars.
Amazingly Inspiring.......2000-01-23
As a college student at the age of twenty I have been in the pursuit of inspirational words and ideas to help lead me towards a successful adult life. This book contains so much wisdom and inspiration it is only necessary to read a few lines each day. It combines a diversity of ideas into one place which makes it a must have book for anyone trying to make the most out of their lives.
The perfect gift a Father can give to his children........1999-11-23
Several years ago I received Templeton's Discovering the Laws of Life, as a gift. Each day I read one of the passages of the book and received what can only be described as encouragement and direction. I yellow marked every word of wisdom and found at the end I had turned all of the pages in the book to the color of my highlighter. In Worldwide Laws of Life, Mr. Templeton has again completed a masterpiece which should be placed nexted to the Bible as a source of wisdom and reflection. Last Christmas I purchased three and gave one to each of my three children as a gift. Over the year they too have expressed to me the profound pleasure they get in reading book, especially in times they characterize as troubled, but Templeton characterizes as, simply..the questions that life asks you. I encourage every Father, or Mother, to give it as a gift for any occasion. The wisdom in the book, related by the World's elite, cannot but improve your childs outlook and encourage his or her positive participation in life's journey.
this book will feed you..........1999-11-03
These are the things I wish my father had taught me, and the things I wish my children will learn. It's such an extraordinary treasure chest of wisdom, one of those few books that you'd want to have stranded on a desert island or standed on Manhattan Island. Just superb.
This book has had the most profound effect on me.......1999-09-07
After ready about Mr. Templeton in the Leaders & Success page of Investors Business Daily. I ordered this book. I have never been disappointed since then. For me words can't discribe the effect the "words of wisdom" this book has had in my life. It is so great that I don't even underline the lines because they are all of great spiritual. I plan on keeping it handy for any time I need to be lifted up. This is a book that can be used for a lifetime, it is a book to all times. ENJOY!!!!!!!
Book Description
Homemade soup is truly one of life’s great pleasures. Hearty soups define good eating and put the comfort in comfort food. Discovering how simple and enjoyable soup is to make is equal only to the joy of tasting your own.
With Cooking Soups For Dummies, all you need know is how to boil water. Add to this, some basic advice on equipment plus tips on how to stock your kitchen pantry—and you’re well on your way to tackling the delicious assortment of recipes. But, first, you’ll get the lowdown on how to make quick work of such basics as:
- Various cutting methods—including chopping, cubing, dicing, mincing, shredding, and slicing
- Liquid foundations—including recipes for chicken, beef, vegetable, mushroom, fish, shrimp, and clam broth
- Soup safety—advice on proper chilling, storage containers, freezing basics (with a shelf-life table), thawing, and reheating
- Tips on improvising—incl uding halving and doubling recipes, remaking leftovers, ingredient substitutions, and lightening up with less fat
And now to creating your own kitchen itinerary for the delicious, nutritious, eclectic, and international world of soups . . . starting with:
- Fresh soup from the garden—including Sweet Potato Bisque, Thrifty French Housewife’s Soup, and Fresh Tomato Basil Soup
- Soup from the dairy case—including recipes for Cream of Mushroom Soup, Tomato Orange Bisque, and Broccoli Cheddar Soup
- Hearty meat and poultry soups—including recipes for Herbed Oxtail and Vegetable Soup, Scotch Broth, and Country Chicken Noodle Soup
- Seafood chowders and bisques—including recipes for Fresh Salmon Chowder, Manhattan Clam Chowder, and Easy Lobster Bisque
- Cold soups—including Avocado Soup, Vichyssoise, and Spanish Gazpacho
Full of great tips on garnishes, ideal meal pairings, and last-minute fixes, plus 100 recipes, eight pages of full-color photos, and several black-and-white illustrations, Cooking Soups For Dummies helps you discover one great thing about making soups: you don’t have to be a grandmother to cook like one!
Book Description
First impressions count, and nothing makes a better first impression on dinner guests than those delectable little nibbles that you set out before the main course. And you don’t have to limit yourself to serving appetizers at the beginning of a meal. Appetizers are first and foremost about entertaining. They set the tone and the mood of an occasion, whether it’s a formal dinner, an intimate get-together, or a big birthday bash. And, best of all, the cooking times are short, the ingredients are simple to find (mostly), and it’s easy to make a few different recipes at the same time so you can impress your guests with a festive assortment.
In Appetizers For Dummies, celebrity chef, Dede Wilson shows you how to make foolproof recipes for 75 mouthwatering, bite-sized wonders—ranging from an Italian-inspired antipasto to a classic shrimp cocktail. Step-by-step, she fills you in on everything you need to know to:
- Impress your guests with delicious finger food and first courses
- Whip up everything from the classics to original, exotic, and offbeat appetizers
- Plan parties with theme menus that will get rave reviews from your guests
- Experiment with flavors and international cuisines
Whether you’re looking for general ideas about designing appetizer menus or helpful lists of conventional ingredients, it’s all here. Among other things, you’ll discover:
- Helpful lists of pantry ingredients and how to use them to make appetizers almost instantly
- Ready-to-go menus for all occasions
- Recipes for munchies that can be eaten by the handful, as well as recipes for traditional favorites like deviled eggs and crab cakes
- How to expand your culinary horizons with tea sandwiches, quesadillas, puff pastries, tartlets, muffins, biscuits, and dozens of ethnic recipes
- Plated recipes for formal occasions, including artichokes with vinaigrette, smoked salmon, caviar, foie gras, and more
Whether you’re new to the world of appetizers or you’ve been delighting guests with your famous finger foods and hors d’oeuvres for years, Appetizers For Dummies is the ultimate guide to spicing up any gathering with delicious mini culinary creations.
Customer Reviews:
A Simple Delight and Taste Treat.......2007-05-13
I bought this book because I had heard from a friend that its recipes were really great and really simple. I bought the book. HOW TRUE!
Average customer rating:
- Pictures Only...
- A collector's guide?
|
Chenille: A Collector's Guide (Schiffer Book for Collectors)
Judith Ann Greason , and
Tina Skinner
Manufacturer: Schiffer Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| Antiques & Collectibles
| Home & Garden
| Subjects
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Textiles & Costume
| Antiques & Collectibles
| Home & Garden
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General
| Crafts & Hobbies
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Manufacturing
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ASIN: 0764315110 |
Customer Reviews:
Pictures Only... .......2006-04-26
TWO stars for nice photographs!! This is a PICTURE BOOK. NOT a LITERARY contribution!! There is a short "historical" introduction regarding the origins of chenille and that's it!! Collectors can learn more about chenille art, history, popular patterns and prices by watching auction activity through the internet! Purchasing this book was a complete waste of money!
A collector's guide?.......2005-12-22
I was recently bitten by the Chenille bug and now find myself seeking information about this unique American Craft and cottage industry. This Collector's Guide is, as far as I know, the only one on the subject of Chenille Bedspreads on the market, so I eagerly bought it.
It is 160 pages of color photographs of chenille bedspreads. The pictures include full views of the bedspreads, some flat, some on a bed. There are also generous close up photos showing textures and details. The photos are grouped into sections such as Peacock designs,Over all patterns, Floral and Geometric patterns as well as pictures of rugs, bathrobes and pillows. Under each image there is a caption describing the piece and a price range. ( I'm not sure how relevant this is, as the book was published in '02- and I bought it in 12/05)Not counting the captions under the pictures there are about 3 pages of text.
This book was disappointing. For $29.95 I was expecting more information. The term "collector's guide" means, to me anyway, an informative exploration of the subject, sharing knowlege and expertise, with lots of images to illustrate. If you are looking for an indepth discussion of the history of chenille bedspreads, the crafting techniques developed, a discussion of the patterns, a guide to how to date a bedspread by style, technique or pattern, common flaws the collector should look for, how to tell the difference between natural and synthetic materials, homemade, machine made or factory made, restoration issues.... you won't find it here. This seems more like a pictorial of the author's inventory than a collector's guide.
My advise is save your money and bypass this one. You can learn everything in this book and see a more diverse collection of chenille by spending a couple of nights browsing Ebay!
Book Description
Embroidery has long been used to add charm and elegance to traditional items like kerchiefs and bed linens—but why should it end there? 123 Embroidery is the first book to provide simple step-by-step projects for a range beautiful embroidered accents.
From silk sofa pillows for the living room to tie-on chair cushions for the kitchen, from a bedroom lamp shade to a bathroom vanity set, here are more than 30 projects for creating embroidery crafts that are both beautiful and easy. The book begins with a primer on the basics of tools, stitching techniques, and coordination of stitches and fabrics to the project at hand. Then step-by-step instructions walk readers through the entire embroidery process.
Pattern templates plus an additional section on smaller projects ensure that novice and experienced needleworkers will have a wellspring of ideas and instruction for beautiful embroidery embellishments.
Customer Reviews:
not sure if it is the book or i chose incorrectly.......2007-08-03
was looking for a book with the basics and would focus on only that. this book wasted alot of paper with art. i can make and find my own patterns and ideas, i just need instruction and hints on how to finish a project.
Beautiful Simple Designs for the Beginner.......2004-02-08
This was my first book on embroidery. I checked out several from a local library, and this was by far the best beginner's book. Most of the designs were so cute and beautiful, that it made me want to try them out right away. I really love the thread color choices. The instruction for the stiches and the description of different types of thread was the most clear among all of the books I looked at. In some books, these instructions are not clear. The projects are all short, simple ones, within the ability of a first timer. Although I realized quickly that it took me quite a while to do each of the small designs (about 2 hours per item, such as a small scroll or one set of cherries). I don't think I will attempt the larger designs. The back of the book has very good templates used in all of the projects. Many of the templates are 100% sized. There is also a page of script letters (for monogrammig), and a page of DMC thread colors and their numbers, which turned out to be quite helpful. I like the scroll designs the best. They look very pretty in white linen with pastel blue thread.
Embroidery for delightful decoration.......2003-12-08
Compiled and presented by needlecraft expert Ellen Moore Johnson, 1-2-3 Embroidery: Easy Projects For Elegant Living is a simple, elegant, "how-to" instructional guide to using embroidery for delightful decoration. Projects for the kitchen, bedroom, bath, living room, children's room, and more are presented with meticulous instructions enhanced with full color photography. 1-2-3 Embroidery is an excellent guide which is to be enthusiastically recommended to needleworkers of all skill and experience levels with an interest in gaining a personal expertise in carrying out embroidery projects for all occasions and purposes.
Book Description
From French flea market style to city chic, real-life homes of real-life people usually have one thing in common: the heart and soul of their design comes from personal inspiration. And what inspires more than one's own family? Family Rooms explores unique and personalized blends of old and new, function and elegance, budget and beauty, each creating a timeless look while accommodating for the inevitable evolution of family life. Using seasonal accents, unique storage solutions, and a careful attention to a cost-effective budget, eight every-day families have discovered how to transform their homes into personal sanctuaries. Walk through the front doors and into the lives of eight real families who have met the challenge of modern living with their own sensible and stylish solutions-all without the help of a "professional designer." The design world has yet to see a more exciting or energetic team as that of this real life sister and brother duo, who hail from a close-knit and creative family of their own. Through their uniquely talented eyes, Tirzah and Jonathan have collected a varied group of distinct households and individual styles to create an easy-to read and encouraging how-to guide for common design problems. In no time, you'll be thinking, "if they can do it, so can I!" Tirzah Ortiz-Wanlass's design work has been featured in Better Homes and Gardens, Decorating, and Country Home magazines, as well as HGTV's Awesome Interiors and Interiors by Design. She is a contributing editor with Meredith Publications. P. Jonathan Ortiz is a graduate of St. Mary's College, California and is in the design and home retail industry. Widely sought after for his unique and distinctive designs, he creates personally tailored spaces for individuals and corporate clients.
Customer Reviews:
Family-Friendly Interiors.......2004-03-03
I had to laugh when I saw the adorable tiny closet where clothes are hung on the level a child could reach them. What a cute idea. The Testu Family Home also has some interesting ideas for hanging pictures. The Cottage was quite cozy and the City Chic kitchen was pretty amazing. The Alber's home had a wonderful idea for placing the washer and dryer in a specially built cabinet.
8 homes are featured in this book:
The Testu Family Home - French Flea Market
The Adams Family Home - Collectible Cottage
The Burch Family Home - Remade Ranch
The Oberoi Family Home - City Chic
The Addison Famly Home - Romantic Renaissance
The Alber Famly Home - Bungalow Bliss
The Tanov-Emerson Family Home - Euro Nouveau
The Wanlass Family Home - Contemporary Country
Style Tips and a Style Checklist are included for each chapter. These are houses filled with sensible and stylish solutions that are not only affordable, they give each home its own personality. The homes range from romantic and country to contemporary.
Tirzah Ortiz-Wanlass and Jonathan Ortiz are a real-life sister-and-brother team who love to share their fashionable and practical home design advice. They prefer to think of themselves as life-stylists and their work has been featured in Better Homes & Gardens, Decorating and Country Home magazines.
A detailed resource guide has been included.
Also look for:
Camps & Cottages: A Stylish Blend of Old and New
Starting Out with Style: Design Solutions for Your New Home
Blueprint Small: Creative Ways to Live with Less
~TheRebeccaReview.com
Book Description
"A woman once rang me up and said, 'Mr. Escher, I am absolutely crazy about your work. In your print Reptiles you have given such a striking illustration of reincarnation.' I replied, `Madame, if that's the way you see it, so be it.'" An engagingly sly comment by the renowned Dutch graphic artist Maurits Cornelis Escher (1898-1972)--the complex ambiguities of whose work leave hasty or single-minded interpretations far behind. Long before the first computer-generated 3-D images were thrilling the public, Escher was a master of the third dimension. His lithograph "Magic Mirror" dates as far back as 1946. In taking that title for this book, mathematician Bruno Ernst is stressing the magic spell Escher's work invariably casts on those who see it. Ernst visited Escher every week for a year, systematically talking through his entire aeuvre with him. Their discussions resulted in a friendship that gave Ernst intimate access to the life and conceptual world of Escher. Ernst's account was meticulously scrutinized and made accurate by the artist himself.
Customer Reviews:
Be careful this is NOT a new Escher book. !.......2007-06-06
I just picked this book up thinking that there has been a "NEW" book published on M.C.Escher's work.When I got it home ,I checked it against other Escher books and was disappointed to find it is the same book published several times before and by different publishers.
As you can see the ,publication date of this edition is shown as April 6,2007.Therefore, the reviewers here must have been looking at a previous publication,possibly the one also listed here as a paperback in 1987.The copy I had was even earlier,published by Ballantine in 1976.
The quality of this Taschen Edition is very good, in fact, superior to the paperback editions I have seen; and will be enjoyed by anyone who likes M.C. Esher's work ;but the material included has not changed.
I believe this is an excellent book ,and agree with the reviews already written on other editions.
I guess what we have here is A 25 Year Celebration of its first publication.
This is an excellent chance to obtain this book and will be enjoyed,particularly by people new to Escher's work.The fact that this edition has now come out speaks volumes about what a great book this was,and it's great to see it available again.
Magic beyond understanding.......2000-04-25
The work of Escher has captured the imagination of many people and in this book Bruno Ernst (a personal friend of Escher) expands our understanding of the artist. After a brief but concise biography, the author throughly analyses the most important facets of Escher's artistic output: the illusion in drawing, the use of perspective, the creation of impossible realities, simultaneous and contrasting realities, crystals, and the infinite. Escher was an artist who was unique in in his work, he stands by himself, and this book is a helping tool in understanding and appreciating the unparalleled magic of his work.
This is the best book on Escher's work that I have seen........1999-06-14
The greatness of this book on the work of M.C. Escher is that it shows how he worked up his ideas for various pieces. It also gives a thorough explanation of his thought and design process. It is truely a shame that this book has gone out of print. I sincerely hope that the publisher brings it back.
Ernst gives a thorough, concise overview of Escher's work........1999-01-11
In The Magic Mirror of M.C. Escher, Bruno Ernst, an acquaintance of Escher's until Escher's death in 1972, presents a thorough summary of the life and work of Escher. Ernst devotes a chapter to the life of Escher, and uses the rest of the book to describe his amazing work. He includes the different themes and styles that Escher used, and devotes a good amount of space to each work discussed. The book is extremely thorough and includes large clear illustrations of the works themselves and also of earlier drafts of the works and mathematical descriptions to assist the reader. This is the most concise book of Escher and his work I have ever seen, and Ernst has done a fabulous job on it.
Product Description
Art, Biography, Maurits Cornelis Escher, Dutch, Graphic Artist
Average customer rating:
- Great book about MC Escher
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The Magic Mirror of M.C. Escher/a Revealing Look into the Life and Work of the Most Astonishing Artist of Our Time
Bruno Ernst
Manufacturer: Parkwest Pubns
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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Customer Reviews:
Great book about MC Escher.......2006-12-22
Probably the best book written about dutch graphic artist MC Escher (by Bruno Ernst, an admirer of Escher that would become a close friend). Not only the book contains a great deal of graphic material, but there are also details about Escher's life not known elsewhere. The books covers a great deal about his early life, his travels to Italy in the 1920s, his life there, his exile into Switzerland after the fascists imposed uniforms on his children, his return to the Netherlands right before the Second World War. Remarkably, this artist revered by mathematicians for his representations of different types of symmetry and mathematical concepts, knew little math himself. He was a rather introverted artist, who had an ambivalent opinion about his own work.
Book Description
Description: Radical Juxtapositions is the first book to present both artistic facets of Yvonne Rainer, dance innovator and award-winning filmmaker. One of the most respected artists of the 20th century, Rainer broke new ground as part of the Judson Dance Theater in the early 1960s, where she created choreography that connected directly to life and utilized everyday movements--very much in sync with the contemporaneous aesthetics of Happenings, Pop Art and Minimalism. When dance failed to provide her with avenues through which to broach political subject matter, Rainer became a radical filmmaker. In this monograph, her work is examined from various vantage points by noted dance, film and art historians, with Rainer herself contributing an essay on how aging has affected her work and life. Including the score for her new work, After Many a Summer Dies the Swan: Hybrid, this volume is completed by an annotated biography and a full chronology and filmography.
Average customer rating:
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Radical Juxtaposition
Shelley Green
Manufacturer: The Scarecrow Press, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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Book Description
Examines the work of Yvonne Rainer, one of the central figures of avant-garde film. The comprehensive study surveys critical reaction and includes Rainer's critical writings, photos, full biographical information, a complete filmography, and bibliography.
Books:
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- Dancing With Einstein: A Novel
- Death in Midsummer: And Other Stories
- Death Kit: A Novel
- Divining Women (P.S.)
- Don't Move: A Novel
- Dreams to Dust: A Tale of the Oklahoma Land Rush
- Fabulous Small Jews
Books Index
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