Book Description
She’s not Miss Marple. Her friends are no Charlie’s Angels. Nevertheless, 75-year-old Gladdy Gold and her gang of eccentric Fort Lauderdale retirees are out, about, and hunting down a killer–one who is silently stalking them.
Selma Beller was the first to go–but Gladdy and her neighbors never suspected murder until another of their friends died in an eerily similar way. Now a handsome young detective won’t listen to them, Hy Binder won’t stop telling them dirty jokes, and crazy old Greta Kronk is doing everything humanly possible to make herself into a suspect. But amid the endless rounds of poolside kibitzing, early-bird specials, bittersweet memories, and interminable grocery-shopping trips, Gladdy and her gals are about to discover how the murders are being committed. And when it comes to catching this culprit–time really is running out….
Download Description
After being widowed at a young age with three small children, Rita Lakin began an extensive writing career, which has included staff writing on television programs such as Peyton Place, Mod Squad, Dynasty, and Strong Medicine, as well as creating original series such as The Rookies. She has won an Edgar Allen Poe award for her screenwriting, as well as receiving several other award nominations, and her two original theatrical plays, No Language But a Cry and Saturday Night at Grossingers, are still being produced around the country.
From the Paperback edition.
Customer Reviews:
Fun in Ft. Lauderdale.......2007-06-26
Rita Lakin's GETTING OLD IS MURDER was almost too realistic for me-- she got every detail right in this tale of elderly women in a condo community in Ft. Lauderdale. Gladdy Gold is convinced that two women in her community have been murdered, and she recruits her friends to help her. Genuinely fun (I figured out the mystery long before Gladdy did, but then, I don't quite have her memory loss problems yet) and recommended to any and all snowbirds.
I hope I age as well.......2007-03-19
If my "golden years" can be as filled with friends and interesting events as Gladdy Gold's I look forward to it! The "Getting Old is..." series by Rita Lakin is a gem and I want to read about the adventures of Gladdy Gold for a long time to come.
Gladdy And The Girls Will Make You Grin!.......2007-02-25
Wow! Rita Lakin has made getting older both funny and charming.
This delightful cozy set in a Florida retirement community has great characters and lots of laughs. The author accurately portrays the many social, financial and medical challenges face by the older population and does so with grace,humor, mystery and a touch of romance.
For those readers that like a witty, fun & fast read...this is your cup of tea!
Great Read!.......2007-02-11
I read only mysteries...light ones and preferably with some humor...I love Evanovich. This book hit the spot...Gladdy and her cohorts are wonderful. I read the book in two sittings..it's quick, keeps your interest, not complicated or overloaded with confusing characters. I recently moved into a 55 and over community and can so relate to the group. It's a quick romp and a hoot...strictly entertainment...not meant as anything else. I went right into the second in the series and look forward to the publication of the third installment.
Definately a recommendation on this one!!
Meet Gladdy Gold, a new senior sleuth.......2006-08-17
Gladdy Gold and girls, other retirees in her Fort Lauderdale complex, are a hoot! I really enjoyed them.
It appears someone is killing off residents the night before their birthday, but the police believe they were all heart attacks. Who wouldn't. The residents were old and it looked like a heart attack. Gladdy believes it was murder and sets out, with the help of her friends, to prove it.
There are some truly crazy characters in their complex, and getting at the truth is not always an easy feat. The detective isn't investigating until they can bring him some concrete evidence. Can they, at their ages, get to the bottom of these murders? Can they do that without putting themselves at risk?
This is the first book in this series. You can bet I'll be reading this series for years to come. Gladdy is such a terrific character. The author has created such a wealth of interesting characters, that I bet she can write many books! I sure hope so!
The plot is well written. I found it difficult to figure out who the killer was and why before it was revealed. I like that. The sunny Florida location is great! The author has done her research. In my opinion, she nailed this one on the head! I highly recommend this book!
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GETTING OLD IS MURDER
Manufacturer: Dell
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000H7MPAY |
Average customer rating:
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Cuerpo Naufrago
Ana Clavel
Manufacturer: Alfaguara
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
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Literatura y ficción | Libros en español | Formats | Books | Autores, A-Z | Cartas y Correspondencia | Clásicos | Cuentos Cortos | Drama | Ensayos | Ficción de La Mujer | General | Género Ficción | Historia y Crítica | Libros y Lectura | Literatura Mundial | Poesía
General | Fantasía | Ciencia ficción y fantasía | Libros en español | Formats | Books
ASIN: 9707702311 |
Product Description
Antonia is suddenly transformed into a man. As Anton, the main character begins a journey of exploration, full of mishaps and doubts, into its new sexuality. Curious of the workings of his new organs, Anton develops a strange fixation with urinals. His encounters with both men and women that, depending on the viewpoint, could be considered as gay or lesbian, lead us to question what we currently understand and accept as the differences between genders. Description in spanish: Una mujer, Antonia, se transforma repentinamente en hombre, Antón, con las consecuentes vicisitudes, dudas, y exploraciones. Sus nuevos órganos genitales le son desconocidos en muchos aspectos, desde la forma de asearlos hasta la forma de ejercitarlos en la sexualidad. Antón-Antonia desarrolla una fijación por los mingitorios y explora encuentros con hombres y mujeres, que paradójicamente podrían calificarse de lésbicos o gay, según la óptica. Las supuestas diferencias de género terminan en entredicho.
Book Description
This digital document is an article from Siempre!, published by Thomson Gale on October 16, 2005. The length of the article is 1752 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
Citation Details
Title: "Los chicos no lloran": Ana Clavel.(autora)(Cuerpo náufrago, libro)(Entrevista)
Author: Mary Carmen Sánchez Ambriz
Publication:
Siempre! (Magazine/Journal)
Date: October 16, 2005
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 52
Issue: 2731
Page: 72(2)
Article Type: Entrevista
Distributed by Thomson Gale
Book Description
This digital document is an article from Siempre!, published by Thomson Gale on January 22, 2006. The length of the article is 565 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
Citation Details
Title: Mujer con cuerpo de hombre: Ana Clavel.(Reseña de libro)
Author: Ignacio Trejo Fuentes
Publication:
Siempre! (Magazine/Journal)
Date: January 22, 2006
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 52
Issue: 2745
Page: 72(2)
Article Type: Reseña de libro
Distributed by Thomson Gale
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- Mars and Venus in the Bedroom
- Enhance your passion for your loved one - The Real Way
- Awesome Book
- READ IT WITH YOUR WIFE!
- Women's orgasms aren't important
|
Mars and Venus in the Bedroom: A Guide to Lasting Romance and Passion
John Gray
Manufacturer: Harper Paperbacks
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Men, Women and Relationships: Making Peace with the Opposite Sex
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ASIN: 0060927933 |
Book Description
Can you keep the fires of passion burning?
Men and women have very different physical needs. But Dr. John Gray explains how both can make small but important adjustments in their attitudes, schedules, and techniques so that their partners are happy in the bedroom -- and outside of it.
Written with the understanding and unique insight that can come only from Dr. Gray, Mars and Venus in the Bedroom educate men and women on:
- Advanced bedroom skills for great sex
- The joys of quickies
- Why couples are having less sex
- Passionate monogamy
- Sexual anatomy and oral sex
- How to keep the magic of romance alive
- And much more
Customer Reviews:
Mars and Venus in the Bedroom.......2007-09-22
Mars and Venus in the Bedroom: A Guide to Lasting Romance and Passion I purchased this audio to hear what Dr. Gray's take was on the subject of intimacy between a man and a woman. I was surprised to know that this man was previously "a man of the cloth" with an accent on "a man". I was very impress with his expertise on how to tap into each others emotions and bodies to fulfill the God given gift of sexuality. I must say that the material was sexually explicit and therefore was packaged as such. Dr. Gray spoke with much candor and experience in his field of counseling of men and women and have given me a insight on those relationships relating in marriages. I will be entering into marriage soon and will be taking this information to help me to make my marriage work.
Enhance your passion for your loved one - The Real Way.......2007-05-15
John Gray uses real, time-tested methods to greatly enhance sex for couples. By detailing the different needs of men and women during sex, you learn to break your selfish tendencies and do the right thing - focus on giving pleasure to your spouse. This will ultimately enhance your sex experience, and this will follow through to all facets of your relationship, both in and out of the bedroom. His ideas are not at all unpleasant or distasteful. His concepts ring true. This should be required reading for all couples prior to marriage.
Awesome Book.......2007-02-24
I read this book previously when I got it from the library. I couldn't believe how right the book is. It gives a lot of insight to the understanding of the female and male sexuality, and helps one to understand it all. I highly recommend this book, if you are looking to understand how the female and male body works.
READ IT WITH YOUR WIFE!.......2006-12-26
ME AND MY spouse LOVED IT! IT ENHANCES THE SEXUAL ENERGY & TAKES OUT THE HIDDEN DESIRES IN EACH OF US! BEST WAY TO COMMUNICATE WHAT YOU WANT!
Women's orgasms aren't important.......2006-10-04
I have been reading this book out loud to my BF, who now worships Dr. Gray as it should be titled, "Why women should give men sex all the time".
Dr. Gray actually lists why we should give our man a quickie when we really don't want to, don't have time or are tired. He even says we should give a hand job when we have a bad headache!!! Men, if your woman has a headache, run her a warm bubble bath, light some candles, give her a massage and you'll increase your chances of getting some!
He also states that at certain times of the month many women don't feel the need to have an orgasm. I know LOTS of women and none of them will tell you orgasms are not important! Yes, sometime I will give my man a quickie and not worry about my orgasm, but that is totally up to me, NOT DR. GRAY.
He also states it's ok to look at other women in front of us as long as our men tell us they love us. Gee, not enough beautiful women on TV, billboards and magazines to look at when we're not around? I don't drool over other men when my man is around because I RESPECT him. If more couples respected each other they would have less trouble.
He has some good tips like men need to spend more time on foreplay, complimenting your woman, but I am on page 88 out of 206 and it has been overwhelmingly biased toward giving men what they want all the time and apparently at all costs.
Book Description
Eggs are the ultimate party food, they are incredibly fast and easy to prepare, and their flavors can range from light and simple to elegant, to gutsy, to fiery. This book adds in tips for perfectly hard-cooked eggs and ideas for creative presentation.
Customer Reviews:
Deviled Eggs: 50 Recipes from Simple to Sassy.......2007-08-23
Arrived promptly - packed well - description understated - said used, but appeared to be brand new - excellent value
The Devil Made Me Do It!.......2006-06-02
There are oodles of great recipes for spicy deviled eggs in this book. Some with crab or shrimp or bits of bacon or ham take the egg to a new level. And if you have one of those wonderful egg-shaped platters for deviled eggs, you'll be the hit of the party if you bring one of the recipes from this book. Plus the color photos are delicious looking, too.
Interesting, creative but simple.......2006-03-22
The variety of recipes is outstandng. One also would have many of the ingredients in their pantry.
This purchase was actually a gift because I own a copy.
A single-item cookbook done well.......2005-03-31
Perhaps you love deviled eggs, and can't have enough ways to make them. More likely, you like deviled eggs, but you're a little tired of the standard repetoire. Or you cook for people who like non-threatening food, and you want to throw a little excitement in their lives.
In any of these situations, you might consider this little cookbook, which does indeed have 50 recipes for deviled eggs. These sort of books can be rather lame; I've certainly encountered several of them that have two or three decent recipes, and then two dozen recipes that you'd never consider making.
Happily, this sweet little book avoids that trap. It's separated into several sections: the hard facts (an introduction to boiling eggs and other preperatory steps); good old eggs (the expected batch); slightly cracked (interesting variations); lucifer goes uptown (fancy recipes, such as one that uses caviar); and hell breaks loose (spicy recipes).
The introductory section is a little sparse. While it does provide some tips on cooking the eggs (such as turning your carton of eggs on its side, to ensure that the yolks are centered for easy fillin), it leaves out a few more suggestions that I think are common. (For instance, I long ago learned to make the filling inside a Ziploc sandwhich bag, then cut off the corner to squish it into the eggs... no mess, and evenly mixed filling.)
But the star here is the recipes, and they're... they're NICE. There are about 10 recipes for your basic deviled egg, one of which is sure to match the way your Mom made them. (With or without Worcestershire sauce, for instance.) I've made one or two of these and they came out fine. Okay, I should admit that I scarfed down the whole batch and didn't leave any for anybody else.
The "slightly cracked" section uses various unusual (but not weird) ingredients, such as avocado or deviled ham. Some of these veer into the "ya gotta be kidding" range, such as "strawberry cheesecakes on the half shell."
But the author makes up for it with the fancy stuff, which has recipes for deviled eggs based on bloody marys or served with hollandaise. And the spicy variations are sure to appeal to the "if it's hot it's good" crowd, with one recipe using chipotle pepper and orange zest; another is "wasabi tuna eggs."
It's not haute cuisine, but it's a useful little book. If you're called upon for potluck dinners or office parties, it'd be a handy one to have on the shelf.
Product Description
Hedgehogs are one of the hottest new pets around, and there's a lot of conflicting information about them. Here, a veteran hedgehog breeder, owner and advocate pairs with an exotic animals veterinarian to give first-time owners the help they need to share their homes with a hedgehog. Table of Contents: PART ONE: Welcome to the World of the Hedgehog. 1. What Is a Hedgehog? 2. Hedgehogs as Pets. 3. Choosing and Preparing for Your Hedgehog. PART TWO: Living with a Hedgehog. 4. Bringing Your Hedgehog Home. 5. Grooming Your Hedgehog. 6. Hedgehog Nutrition. 7. Keeping Your Hedgehog Healthy. PART THREE: Enjoying Your Hedgehog. 8. Socializing Your Hedgehog. 9. Fun with Your Hedgehog. 10. Hedgehog Folktales, Myths and Mysteries. 11. Legal Issues of Hedgehog Ownership. PART FOUR: Beyond the Basics. 12. Recommended Reading. 13. Resources.
Customer Reviews:
accurate info!.......2007-06-09
This book answered all of the questions I had when I found myself the unexpected owner of a hedgie. Questions on food and weight maitenence, exercise, vet care, disease, toenail clipping, socialization and more were answered for me. Mail-order resources were also listed, which was a good spring board for finding the supplies I needed on the internet.
The Best!.......2004-09-07
Required reading for all hedgehog owners! This book was written by a successful, knowledgeable, hedgehog breeder and her vet. They know their stuff. The information is accurate, helpful and fun to read.
The Best!.......2003-06-10
Dawn's book was one that i happened upon while looking for information on having a hedgehog as a pet. As I did more research I found so many books available that have potentially deadly information in them.
I found several breederes in the USA that will not sell a hedgehog to a new person before they have read this book. It is an easy read, with good information. It also has very cute pictures. If you think you want a hedgehog, READ THIS BOOK FIRST!!
The best book available on the market........2001-09-20
Hedgehogs are still considered "fad" pets by many, and several of the books available on the market today reflect that by providing information that treats these charming, intelligent animals as disposable pets. Dawn's book systematically goes through most aspects of hedgehog care, speaking with expert knowledge and true affection for these animals. A novice hedgehog owner, or someone considering bringing one home for the first time, will get a lot of valuable information from this book.
I highly recommend.
Wonderful book, even for experienced owners.......2001-03-22
This book had a lot of great information, especially considering it was published in 95. There was a lot of information that even experienced hedgie owners will find useful. There is background/history information on the hedgehog that I hadn't read before. Well written and a good book overall.
Product Description
"Matching sets for bedroom or bathroom - the newest trend in crochet - fresh, colorful and lovely-to-look-at. Sheets, pillow cases, bureau scarf and night table doily, all of the same design for your bedroom. Bath towel, hand towel and washcloth for your bathroom. These will be a source of delight to you and your frineds." The patterns include: Slumber Song, Invitation to Sleep, Bumble Bee, Bathroom Scrolls, Flower Baskets, Irish Rose, Square Dance, Hairpin Twist.
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Linen Closet
Michele Durkson Clise
Manufacturer: Chronicle Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 0811801969 |
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Clothes and linen storage (Leaflet)
Evelyn Seversen
Manufacturer: Cooperative Extension Service, University of Arkansas, Division of Agriculture, and U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, cooperating
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: B00072AH8Q |
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Linen Closet
Chronicle Books LLC Staff
Manufacturer: Amazon Remainders Account
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: B000H2MEC8 |
Book Description
Decorate baby's room with the delightful accessories presented in this unique book.
Author Debra Quartermain expertly guides readers through creating four special themes for baby's room décor: "The Enchanted Garden," "Boys, Bears, & Baseball," "Sail on a Sea of Stars," and "B is for Baby." Using felt and fabrics, readers are shown how to create 40 different accessories to fill the themed nurseries, including pillows, toys, stuffed animals, blankets, mobiles, frames, bookends, a toy box, and a rug. Painting tips and ideas for window treatments are also featured.
Debra Quartermain is an exceptionally talented designer who has been exhibiting her own pattern line, Homespun Treasures Designs, for the past four years.
• Detailed step-by-step instructions
• Perfect for creating a special gift for baby
• Suitable for any skill level
• Full-size patterns are included
Customer Reviews:
My parent's said "clean your room" a lot!.......2001-02-26
This book didn't work as well as my parents wanted it to(my room gets messy), but it has been over 12 years since they gave it to me and I still use it for reference sometimes. The book and series do a great job of opening communication between you and adults. They give kids a place to start and a laugh (great pictures) at the same time. Every thing is friendly and lets you understand why your parents are upset about the dump your room is, encouraging you to keep it clean. It gave me a structure. I still start cleaning by making my bed. The book talks about doing laundry, too. Clearly laid out directions on what to do and where to go next keep you going.
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Babies' & Children's Rooms (For Your Home)
Candie Frankel
Manufacturer: Friedman/Fairfax Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
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Children's Rooms
| Remodeling & Renovation
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Decorating
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Decoration & Ornament
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ASIN: 1567996639 |
Amazon.com
"To create a room that is acceptable to both you and your child, start where all designers do: interview the client," advises this sensible but creative book. Too often, parents forget that the room has to appeal to the kids, not just the grown-ups. On top of that, the room has to grow with the child, and ultimately serve as playhouse, work station, and storage compartment as well as bedroom. So pore over these pages of great-looking rooms and heed the author's counsel: let your kids decide what they like. If they've found their inspiration here, it's bound to be something you can happily live with too. --Amy Handy
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For Your Home: Babies' & Children's Rooms (For Your Home)
Candie Frankel
Manufacturer: Little Brown and Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 0316291404 |
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Poissons, Ecrevisses et Crabes, de Diverses Couleurs et Figures Extraordinaires
Louis Renard
Manufacturer: Octavo
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Binding: CD-ROM
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ASIN: 1891788299 |
Book Description
In highly ornate French prose, Louis Renard dedicated a remarkable book to his benefactor King George I; he describes the publication as "one of the most precious works to enrich natural history since the birth of literature." Poissons, Ecrevisses et Crabes, de Diverses Couleurs et Figures Extraordinaires, quel'on Trouve Autour des Isles Moluques, et sur les Côtes des Terres Australes (Fishes, crayfishes and crabs, of diverse coloration and extraordinary form, which are to be found about the Islands of the Moluccas and on the coasts of the Southern Lands) was published in three editions between 1719 and 1782. All three editions contain 100 plates with 460 brilliantly colored engravings representing 416 fishes, 40 crustaceans, two grasshoppers, one dugong, and a mermaid. With minor exceptions, all of the illustrations depict tropical species of the East Indies, an area encompassing the Indian subcontinent, the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Java, and the countless islands east of the South China Sea. Renard's Poissons is one of the rarest natural history books known, and one of the very few pre-Linnaean works on fishes to be published in color.
Renard's book was published when the intellectual world of Europe was just beginning to feel the effects of the Age of Enlightenment. Describers of nature, particularly scientific illustrators, were developing a greater concern with making exact and precise representations of living things. Interest in all things botanical and zoological was intense, and it was in this atmosphere that Louis Renard introduced his book of elaborately colored fishes and crustaceans. In many ways, Renard's book is a product of this new interest in scientific inquiry based on direct observation and reason. But despite the rational approach emphasized in Renard's introductory remarks, and his honest attempt to produce an accurate picture of the marine fauna of the East Indies, the work is clouded by embellishment, exaggeration, and outright falsification. Today, however, a reassessment of these almost surrealistic renderings made nearly 300 years ago reveals not only tremendous aesthetic and historical value, but scientific worth as well.
Commentary and English translation by Theodore W. Pietsch.
Customer Reviews:
It's wonderful.......2006-12-25
I love this book. Thanks to Limakatso, Mpho 'M'atsepo gave her story for all to read. I am so thankful I stumbled on this book. I read it in 2 sittings and will keep it forever.
Gave Me a Lift.......2003-05-02
I've never been much of a reader, but out of the few books I have read, this one has to be the most inspirational and touching to me. Singing Away the Hunger is about the real life events and struggles of an African woman who encounters many terrible and sad things: wearing a sack and eating weeds, being beaten by a teacher, the deaths of some of her children, and many other challenges. There are also some joys she shares, such as being in love. Her struggles though, are what were inspirational to me. The way she stays strong and positive through it all is very admirable, because the things that happen to her are unimaginable to me and don't happen in the U.S.A.
The form of her writing is proficient, because it gives me a sense as if she is telling her story directly to me. Besides the story being told in first person, I really experienced this when she threw in sentences such as "When we arrive at his house, we find rice with meat. We didn't know what is rice." I was able to sense her fifth grade education, and I could almost imagine her speaking to me in an accent, with her fragments and the African words she uses often such as `M'e (mother) and ntate (father). I got a sense of closeness to her as well as compassion for her. The stories she tells, and the knowledge she gives me about the different people in Lesotho and Benoni, in South Africa, and their cultural styles helped me to understand that there are different cultures in southern Africa. For instance, I learned that Lesotho is much poorer than South Africa, and that there is one language spoken in Lesotho, but twelve different languages in South Africa.
Another thing that I really enjoyed about this book is that it is very easy to read and understand. It is also fairly short, and it kept me wondering what type of event she would have to endure next. The titles of each chapter, such as "Death by Novena" or "The Child is Burning" hooked me. The titles alone drew me into each chapter.
One downfall, in my opinion, is the lack of descriptiveness. There are things and places that she talks about and includes in her stories that I would have enjoyed more if she could have taken me there with more detailed images. I would have liked to know more about the scenery where she was. For example she doesn't describe the area that surrounds her or where she lived as much as she could have. For the most part, in my opinion, that is all that I feel the book lacked.
I enjoyed this book very much because it was inspirational, touching, and at the same time educational. I couldn't have read this book at a better time, because just when I felt things were so bad in my life, I read it and realized that it could be worse, and is worse, somewhere in the world. I would recommend this book to any one interested African cultures or anyone who has had hard times, because along with all the information, this book is sure to give you an appreciation of life itself.
Please read Singing Away the Hnger.......2003-05-02
In my lifetime I have read very few books that kept my attention from beginning to end. Singing Away the hunger is one of them. This book gives the reader an authentic insight into southern African culture and the struggles that some people endure. I guess I'm just a naturally nosy person, and I love hearing people's stories.
My favorite aspect of this book is its authenticity. It is almost as if I was actually sitting down face to face with Mpho 'M' Nthunya. It was different than reading reference materials on Africa or watching documentaries on National Geographic. This is not second-hand information. This is an actual person giving you information straight from the horse's mouth. Nthunya has lived a life filled with tragic events on top of the everyday struggle that she and her people must live with. To have her actually sitting down telling her story just makes the reader feel it that much more.
Now that the style of the book had my attention, I was ready to enjoy the content. This book is extremely entertaining and informative. As Nthunya is telling her life story, she also explains alot of African customs and traditions. I learned more about Africa from this book than I had ever learned in school. Not only did I learn about the customs and traditions, I also became familiar with the overall lifestyle and how hard it is for them to survive. Most of our basic necessities would be luxuries to this woman. For Americans, the dream is basically to be financially successful and be able to afford as many luxuries as one possibly can. For Nthunya and her people, they struggle just to eat and have clothes. To put this in perspective, on page 20 Nthunya explains how they were afraid to eat rice the first time they encountered it. "We didn't know what rice is. We have never seen it before. We think it is maggots....We eat the bread only because we are afraid of the rice....Finally we say 'Oh, ke hantle,OK, we didn't know.' And we eat. We find it tastes all right, but we still feel strange to put these round white things in our mouths." In addition to the struggles of her life, the customs of her culture were also interesting to read about. I especially found the way they approach healthcare interesting. In chapter nine Nthunya and her husbandseek medical help after she has yet another miscarriage. First they visit a Chinese doctor who gives her medicine. They then decide to go to a "traditional" doctor. The "traditional" doctor explains to them that Nthunya's dead grandmother is causing these miscarriages because she is angry. The "traditional" doctor tells her, "So you must go home, Mpho, to your mother's house, and tell your mother that she must take a goat, slit its neck, and remove the gall bladder. Your mother must put the gall bladder in a baisin of water and wash you with her hands and this water from head to toes. And after that the meat of the goat can be eaten by everybody." It surprised me that this was coming from a "traditional" doctor. They visit more of these doctors for a variety of situations throughout the book. She also explains everything from how the school system works, to the different customs of marriage and pregnancy. It is very interesting.
There was one small aspect of the book that I did not like. This was that the names began to get a little confusing. I found it hard to keep up. She has several children, along with her family, plus her in-laws. Most of the names are African, and I found it hard to remember something that I was not familiar with in the first place. This did not take away from the stories; it was more of a pet peeve than a flaw. Although I did not like it, I understand that it is necessary. The thing that made it frustrating was that I was so interested that I wanted to remember the names and who these people were.
Overall, I would recommend this book to any and everybody. I would even recommend this book to people who do not like to read. You will not be reading a book. You will be sitting down listening to the life story of Mpho 'M' Nthunya. This book is also a good way to become familiar with the lifestyle and traditions of the African culture. As Americans, it is also a good way to put our life into perspective. It made me realize how many things we take for granted. It also made me realize that happiness can be found in any situation. Mpho Nthunya is an extremely strong woman who has been through a lot. I finished this book with a newfound respect for her and her people. I think you will enjoy it.
Gives You the Strength to Go On.......2003-05-02
Singing Away the Hunger is a captivating true story of an African woman and the journeys of her tragic yet fulfilling life. Mpho `M'atsepo Nthunya told her life story to Dr. K. Limakatso Kendall, an American who visited her country. The book is almost like a book of short stories, each chapter being a different event that happened to Mpho. She speaks of her childhood in Lesotho, growing into adulthood in South Africa. You learn about all the tragedies she lived through and also the wonderful time she had with her family. Even though she had a very difficult life, she always had a positive outlook on life. The most wonderful thing about the purchase of this book is that half the proceeds go straight back to Mpho and her family.
This book has many great qualities, one being the length of the chapters. Most of the chapters in the book are three to eight pages long, which makes for very easy reading. Each chapter is like a book in itself, a chapter in her life, so you can read one chapter in about ten minutes and set the book down and come back two to three days later and never feel like you missed anything. The chapters are titled in a very clever manner. The title does not lead you to believe that the chapter is about something else. By reading the chapter titles you know exactly what the chapter is going to be about. For example Chapter three is titled, "The Child is Burning!" This chapter tells about the time Mpho caught on fire in her grandmother's house and could not get any help from her grandmother to put the fire out. Once she tells you the story, the chapter ends, and you move on to another chapter in her life.
There are very few difficult aspects to this book. Keeping the characters situated was the most difficult. Mpho's name changes in the book. In southern Africa, where she is from, the women change their first name when they get married. I did not realize this at first so it was difficult to grasp who the story was about. She has many children throughout the book that pass away, and several who live, and it is hard to tell which ones are alive and which ones have passed. There are many people that she talks about in the story, and their names are hard to remember because they are hard to pronounce, like Valeria `M'amahlaku Sekobi Lillane (p.3). Some times, Mpho creates suspense in one chapter and does not tell you what happens until many chapters later. This leaves you wondering, but at the same time makes you not want to put the book down until you learn what happened. For example, in Chapter 11, "Khotso, Pula, Nala," she mentions, "My husband was still alive..." (p.63), but she does not tell you until many chapters later what happened to him. Also, in Chapter 15, page 86 she talks about Joseph killing her children, but you don't know how he did that, or which children he killed, until Chapter 18, "Joseph Kills My Three Boys" (p.107).
Many people in the United States of America think that they have it bad, but until you read about a different culture you never realize that you have such a comfortable life. For example, we take reading and leisure time for granted, but Mpho says, "I'm telling stories for children and grown people in other places, because I want people who know how to read and have time to read, to know something about the Basotho - how we used to live and how we live now, how poor we are, and how we are living together in this place called Lesotho." We are not sold or taken into a marriage when we turn eighteen years of age, but for Mpho, that is what happens in her culture. She was lucky to fall in love with the boy she married, even though she was technically bought from her father by her husband's family. They did take her without her family knowing, but they sent word to her family that same day that she was not kidnapped, that they had taken her to get married. No matter how bad you have had it in your life, you soon realize that your worst day was one of Mpho's best. She leaves you with a sense that you can do anything and overcome any obstacles that might cross the path of your life. When you are having a bad day you can think back to something you read in the story and it some how gives you the strength to go on.
Mpho states: "I'm telling stories for Basotho like my grandchildren, who read books but don't know the old ways of their own people. If they can read these stories, maybe it will teach them where they come from. And maybe I can help them to learn English, and they can find work." I recommend this book to anyone who wants to travel to a different place but doesn't have the time or money to. The way the story is told, you feel as if you are there, looking Mpho in her big round marble-like eyes, listening to the stories she tells. If you cannot quite picture the places she is talking about, there are eight pages of pictures to help you visualize what she is talking about. This special touch makes the book more personal than the ordinary autobiography. It makes you feel like Mpho is really speaking to you personally and wants you to feel the pain and joy that she felt. If you can't grasp the meaning of the African words described in the text, there is a glossary at the very end with every African word listed in alphabetical order with the definition. You do not have to have a lot of time to read this book. I am a full time student with a job and I had the time to read it.
Gives You the Strength to Go On.......2003-05-02
Singing Away the Hunger is a captivating true story of an African woman and the journeys of her tragic yet fulfilling life. Mpho `M'atsepo Nthunya told her life story to Dr. K. Limakatso Kendall, an American who visited her country. The book is almost like a book of short stories, each chapter being a different event that happened to Mpho. She speaks of her childhood in Lesotho, growing into adulthood in South Africa. You learn about all the tragedies she lived through and also the wonderful time she had with her family. Even though she had a very difficult life, she always had a positive outlook on life. The most wonderful thing about the purchase of this book is that half the proceeds go straight back to Mpho and her family.
This book has many great qualities, one being the length of the chapters. Most of the chapters in the book are three to eight pages long, which makes for very easy reading. Each chapter is like a book in itself, a chapter in her life, so you can read one chapter in about ten minutes and set the book down and come back two to three days later and never feel like you missed anything. The chapters are titled in a very clever manner. The title does not lead you to believe that the chapter is about something else. By reading the chapter titles you know exactly what the chapter is going to be about. For example Chapter three is titled, "The Child is Burning!" This chapter tells about the time Mpho caught on fire in her grandmother's house and could not get any help from her grandmother to put the fire out. Once she tells you the story, the chapter ends, and you move on to another chapter in her life.
There are very few difficult aspects to this book. Keeping the characters situated was the most difficult. Mpho's name changes in the book. In southern Africa, where she is from, the women change their first name when they get married. I did not realize this at first so it was difficult to grasp who the story was about. She has many children throughout the book that pass away, and several who live, and it is hard to tell which ones are alive and which ones have passed. There are many people that she talks about in the story, and their names are hard to remember because they are hard to pronounce, like Valeria `M'amahlaku Sekobi Lillane (p.3). Some times, Mpho creates suspense in one chapter and does not tell you what happens until many chapters later. This leaves you wondering, but at the same time makes you not want to put the book down until you learn what happened. For example, in Chapter 11, "Khotso, Pula, Nala," she mentions, "My husband was still alive..." (p.63), but she does not tell you until many chapters later what happened to him. Also, in Chapter 15, page 86 she talks about Joseph killing her children, but you don't know how he did that, or which children he killed, until Chapter 18, "Joseph Kills My Three Boys" (p.107).
Many people in the United States of America think that they have it bad, but until you read about a different culture you never realize that you have such a comfortable life. For example, we take reading and leisure time for granted, but Mpho says, "I'm telling stories for children and grown people in other places, because I want people who know how to read and have time to read, to know something about the Basotho - how we used to live and how we live now, how poor we are, and how we are living together in this place called Lesotho." We are not sold or taken into a marriage when we turn eighteen years of age, but for Mpho, that is what happens in her culture. She was lucky to fall in love with the boy she married, even though she was technically bought from her father by her husband's family. They did take her without her family knowing, but they sent word to her family that same day that she was not kidnapped, that they had taken her to get married. No matter how bad you have had it in your life, you soon realize that your worst day was one of Mpho's best. She leaves you with a sense that you can do anything and overcome any obstacles that might cross the path of your life. When you are having a bad day you can think back to something you read in the story and it some how gives you the strength to go on.
Mpho states: "I'm telling stories for Basotho like my grandchildren, who read books but don't know the old ways of their own people. If they can read these stories, maybe it will teach them where they come from. And maybe I can help them to learn English, and they can find work." I recommend this book to anyone who wants to travel to a different place but doesn't have the time or money to. The way the story is told, you feel as if you are there, looking Mpho in her big round marble-like eyes, listening to the stories she tells. If you cannot quite picture the places she is talking about, there are eight pages of pictures to help you visualize what she is talking about. This special touch makes the book more personal than the ordinary autobiography. It makes you feel like Mpho is really speaking to you personally and wants you to feel the pain and joy that she felt. If you can't grasp the meaning of the African words described in the text, there is a glossary at the very end with every African word listed in alphabetical order with the definition. You do not have to have a lot of time to read this book. I am a full time student with a job and I had the time to read it.
Books:
- Hair Of The Dog (Melanie Travis Mysteries)
- Hare Today, Dead Tomorrow
- Hemlock at Vespers: Fifteen Sister Fidelma Mysteries (Sister Fidelma Mysteries)
- How to Murder a Millionaire
- I Am the Only Running Footman
- In the Electric Mist with Confederate Dead
- Innocent Graves
- John Constantine Hellblazer: All His Engines (Hellblazer (Graphic Novels))
- Killer Pancake (Goldy Culinary Mysteries, Book 5)
- Kiss of the Bees: A Novel of Suspense
Books Index
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