Book Description
In a world obsessed with appearances, it is not surprising that body dysmorphic disorder, or BDD, has manifested itself as a troubling and relatively common problem for many individuals. In The Broken Mirror, the first and most definitive book on BDD, Dr. Katharine Phillips draws on years of clinical practice, scientific research, and professional evaluations of over 700 patients to bring readers her expertise and experience with this often debilitating illness. BDD causes sufferers to be obsessed by perceived flaws in their appearance and may afflict as much as two percent of the population, or nearly five million people. Many sufferers are able to function well in society, but remain secretly obsessed by their "hideous acne" or "horrible nose," sneaking constant peeks at a pocket mirror, or spending hours at a time redoing makeup. Others find their lives disintegrate because of their appearance obsessions. It is not an uncommon disorder, simply a hidden one, since sufferers are often embarrassed to tell even their closest friends about their concerns. The author presents the stories and interviews of over 200 individuals to show the many different behaviors and symptoms of BDD, and includes a quick self-assessment questionnaire. Four new chapters provide updated information on treatment of BDD, frequently obtained treatments to be avoided, and more detailed advice for family members and friends on how to cope with the disorder. Left untreated, the torment of BDD can lead to psychiatric hospitalization and sometimes suicide. With treatment, many sufferers are able to lead normal lives. The Broken Mirror is literally a lifesaving handbook for sufferers, their families, and their doctors.
Customer Reviews:
THE ANSWER..........2007-08-13
I purchased this book 12 yrs. ago when it was first published, and was moved to tears many times while reading it. That copy was read and reread so many times, that I had to purchase another. I am a parent of a BDD sufferer (gender withheld), and have suffered with that family member as the BDD took hold in mid-teens (always thought it was a passing phase then), and for the many years that followed. Dr. Phillips has written a compassionate and understanding book on a subject that had never been brought into the light of today's society. Reading it makes me realize how many others out there suffer as our now middle-aged child has suffered through all these years. Dr. Phillips gives sound advice to those who are spouses, parents, children or friends who are related or connected to a BDD victim. This book offers hope and guidance...a must read for any BDD sufferer and for those who--like me--suffer along with them.
Invaluable resource for a full understanding of BDD.......2007-05-27
Katharine has provided a most comprehensive resource of body dysmorphic disorder. As a health care practitioner, I found the numerous case studies and anecdotes exceptionally detailed and provided insightful background into the suffering that is BDD. As humans, we all have concerns about body image from time to time, however this book clearly delineates acceptable levels of personal attention with dysfunctional and often debilatating behaviour. I was dissapointed to find the treatment section quite heavily focused on pharmaceutical medications, though there is also strong recommendation for supportive psychotherapy, particularly cognitive behavioural therapy. I feel this book is intended for health practitioners and non-sufferers to gain a thorough insight into BDD.
Finally a book that sums up how to work with BDD patients.......2007-05-17
The book was just what I was after. It provided a good theoretical and psychological basis as well as what evidence based treatments that were effective in this population. It also provided great chapters on effective forms of medication to use, how to conduct an assessment and case studies. Definite recommendation if working with BDD patients.
A complete introduction to BDD. Compassionate, a little repeditive, treatment section lacking. Highly recommended.......2006-08-09
A through, informative, accessible introduction to Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), grounded in Phillips's clinical practice and interviews with patients. Body Dysmorphic Disorder is a psychological disease characterized with an obsession with perceived flaws in the sufferer's appearance. In reality these flaws are minimal or nonexistent, yet to the sufferer they are very real and can create extreme anxiety, obsessive thoughts, and compulsive behaviors. Phillips's book was the only one of its kind when originally published and is still one of the few books about BDD. She provides a well-written and researched introduction to all aspects of BDD, including diagnostic criteria, signs of the disease, and the impact of the disease on suffers as well as friends and family. At the end of the book she discusses treatment of BDD, but this section is limited by the lack of research done on treatment and remission. Despite this hole, the book is a well-rounded and educational introduction to the disorder, conveying both statistics and emotional impact and proving a lot of information about the how, why, and what of BDD. I highly recommend it to those interested in the subject.
My interest in BDD is primarily academic and casual, therefore I cannot give feedback on this book based on either personal experience of psychological knowledge. The Broken Mirror, however, is an approachable introduction to those with no knowledge about the subject. Phillips starts from square one, giving a number of descriptions of what BDD looks like, how it effects patients, and how crippling it can be. These patient histories are so prevalent they can get tedious, bu they do a fair job of introducing the subject and impressing its severity and reality on to even the causal reader. The body of the book is a through description of BDD: what it is, how it is diagnosed, the thoughts and behaviors it contains, the impact of those thoughts and behaviors, who suffers from BDD, where the disorder originates, and finally how it can be treated. The writing style is clear and simple, important points are highlighted and chapters and subheading are logically divided, sections end with a complete summary, and the appendixes and index are useful and complete.
For all of the strengths of the book, the section on treating BDD is unfortunately its weakness. The book was written ten years ago, before much study had been done on treating BDD, and so most of the information and recommendations comes from Phillips's own practice and observations. Even now then years later, research on the treatment of BDD and long-term nature of the disorder is severely lacking. All in all, Phillips's advice is good: she encourages sufferers to seek help, a good idea no matter what form of treatment they seek, and provides information and suggestions for the friends and family of BDD sufferers about how to provide support, encourage the sufferer to seek help, and maintain a healthy relationship with the sufferer. Hopefully as more research is done we will know more about BDD treatment options and effectiveness, but for now Phillips's book provides a number of suggestions to point patients in the right direction, and it is far better than nothing.
I highly recommend this book to those interested in BDD and also (although I speak without any personal experience) to sufferers and especially to their friends and family. Not only is Broken Mirror a wealth of information about the disorder, it also provides comfort to suffers and information to friends and family, validating the disease, describing others's experiences with BDD and what we know about the causes of it, and creating compassion for the disorder. Because the perceived physical defect in BDD isn't apparent to others, BDD can be a difficult disease to understand, accept, or help with; Phillips does a lot to right that wrong by providing information and compassionate insight. Although the book is a bit repetitive and the therapy section limited, this is a well-rounded and useful introduction to the subject and should be useful to curious, sufferers, and those who are impacted by it alike.
Bible for BDD.......2006-07-11
BROKEN MIRROR is simply Bible for "Body Dysmorphic Disorder"(previously called" Dysmorphobia").
Here in my country none is well-known about this debilitating disorder.
I showed to my Health-professional this book. He studied it and only then prescribed me some effective medication. I recommend all health-professional to read this book before they start treating a BDD-patient. Thanks.
Average customer rating:
- The Boken Mirror
- The Broken Mirror
- Good short story
- IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR A GOOD QUICK READ...
- WOW!
|
The Broken Mirror
Kirk Douglas
Manufacturer: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
 Holocaust
| Fiction
| History & Historical Fiction
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
Other
| Multicultural Stories
| People & Places
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
Jewish
| Fiction
| Religions
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Ages 9-12
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Children's Books
| Judaism
| Religion & Spirituality
| Subjects
| Books
Similar Items:
-
The Gift
-
The Ragman's Son
-
Last Tango in Brooklyn
-
Climbing The Mountain: My Search For Meaning
-
My Stroke of Luck
ASIN: 0689814933 |
Book Description
Growing up in Munich in the 1930s, young Moishe loves to hear his sister, Rachel, read him his favorite story: a fairy tale about an evil mirror broken and scattered by Satan. He wonders whether shards of that mirror, which have the power to turn people's hearts to ice, still exist. A few years later, when the Nazis imprison his family in a concentration camp, he knows that they do.
By the end of the war, Moishe is the only one of his family still alive, and he no longer wants to be Jewish. He tells the American liberators he is a Gypsy named Danny and is sent to a Catholic orphanage. When his best friend at the orphanage is adopted, Moishe is unable to bear yet another loss in his short life. He runs away. Yet when all seems utterly hopeless, he learns that the light of Sabbath candles is warm enough to melt the ice that has formed in his own heart.
In this moving story of a young boy's flight from his past, legendary actor and acclaimed author Kirk Douglas reminds us that sometimes we must embrace our most painful memories to uncover a brighter future. He tells a timeless tale of loss of faith and its recovery.
Customer Reviews:
The Boken Mirror.......2005-11-05
The Broken Mirror is a very sad book. It's about a boy, Moishe, who loses everything including his older sister, Rachel, whom he loves more than anything. She always told him a story about Satan's mirror.
In the beginning of the book him and his family are force to move to his fathers farm where a man, who later becomes engaged to Rachel, named David showed up and told Moishe's family that Nazis were close and looking for Jews. David was a student of Moishe's father. The family would have gotten away and lived happily if the well-paid help around the farm hadn't told the Nazis about them. So the family and David were shipped to a concentration camp where all were killed but Moishe. He is rescued by a kind African American. Moishe tells the man his name is David, and a German.
"David" is then sent to an orphanage where he befriends a boy named Roy. Roy gets adopted. David is crushed. He can't even tell anyone he's Jewish because he decided he didn't want to be a Jew. So he runs away. He runs until he can't run anymore. He goes into a Church where he breaks down and tells a Rabbi his horrid story. Then he is adopted by this man and he lives happily.
The Broken Mirror.......2004-04-16
This is a book meant for younger readers, but is a good read for any age group, and a good starter book about the Holocaust.
Moishe is the only survivor after his family is taken away to the death camps. He is taken to a Catholic orphanage, where he denies he's Jewish, and calls himself Danny in an effort to forget the past. He runs away from the orphanage after his best friend is adopted. He is taken in by a rabbi and his family after Moishe hears a familiar song coming from a synagogue, and goes to investigate--bringing him full circle.
Good short story.......2003-07-18
A novella written by the actor, Kirk Douglas. It is the story of a young German-Jewish boy during WWII. The story is told through the young man's eyes, as he tries to figure out who the Nazis are, his family's hiding, their concentration camp days, and his life afterwards. The book is told in two parts, after young Moishe decides he wants to hide his Jewish identity, he assumes the name Danny, and calls himself a gypsy. A sweet story about returning to love. The story is simple, and seems to be geared towards children/young teens, but adult readers will be able to enjoy the book just as much.
IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR A GOOD QUICK READ..........2003-05-25
This book by Kirk Douglas is perhaps one the best and shortest books I have read. It is very accuarte and extremely emotional. It is a book that you will cherish and read over and over many times.
WOW!.......2003-04-06
I suggest this book to anyone of any age. A quick read, but you'll want to read it again and again! The story is about Moische, a young Jewish boy who lives during the Holocaust. He doesn't understand why he's being punished for being Jewish, and decides he just won't be a Jew anymore. This book is in 2 parts, one told by Moische and one by Danny -- who is not Jewish but holds the memories of Moische and the horrors of the Holocaust. It sounds better than this review, I promise!
Average customer rating:
|
A Broken Mirror (European Women Writers)
Merce Rodoreda
Manufacturer: Bison Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Contemporary
| General
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
Literary
| General
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
Family Saga
| Genre Fiction
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
Historical
| Genre Fiction
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0803290071 |
Book Description
In its moment of great splendor the novel was held as a mirror of society: Mercè Rodoreda shatters that mirror in this, her most ambitious novel, which tells its story in brilliant fragments, a vision reflected and refracted and finally coming together in a richly articulated mosaic of life. Through this Broken Mirror, the reader sees events and characters spanning three generations and composing a kaleidoscopic family history ranging over six decades and turning upon events both intimate and historic—most notably the Spanish Civil War.
Opening with Teresa Goday, the lovely young fishmonger’s daughter married to a wealthy old man, the story shifts from one perspective to another, reflecting from myriad angles the founding of a matriarchal dynasty—and its eventual, seemingly inevitable disintegration. A family saga extending from the prosperous Barcelona of the 1870s to the advent of the Franco dictatorship, A Broken Mirror is finally also a novel about the inexorable passing of time.
Average customer rating:
- Reflection into your own life as a child from divorce
|
Reflections from a Broken Mirror: Spiritual Values I Learned As a Lds Child of Divorce
Deborah Eldredge Milne
Manufacturer: Deseret Book Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
General
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
Religious
| Leaders & Notable People
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Mormonism
| Christianity
| Religion & Spirituality
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Theology
| Christianity
| Religion & Spirituality
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Religion & Spirituality
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 1573453951 |
Customer Reviews:
Reflection into your own life as a child from divorce.......2000-03-05
I found that this book really stated what I felt about my own family and dealing with divorce. The author shares with you her experience of divorce and shares some things she did to get her through this hard time. She has also stated many wonderful, helpful ideas about how she dealt with divorce better. You may want to have a tissue near by because this book will dig deep inside you.
Average customer rating:
- Broken Minds
- Amazing work on an interesting filmmaker
- Fascinating look at the Gialli Rancher
- Excellent Book With a WEALTH of Knowledge
- Excellent Argento introduction
|
Broken Mirrors/Broken Minds: The Dark Dreams of Dario Argento
Maitland McDonagh
Manufacturer: Carol Publishing Corporation
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
Biographies
| Movies
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
| Actors & Actresses
| Directors
Direction & Production
| Movies
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Movies
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
Genre Films
| Movies
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
Performing Arts
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
| Dance
| General
| Reference
| Theater
General
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Foreign Languages
| Reference
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0806515147 |
Customer Reviews:
Broken Minds.......2005-07-29
Broken Minds is a soon to be published book. It should 'hit the streets' October 2005. Its sub title is "Hope for Healing When You Feel Like You're Losing It".
The book is about mood disorders, especially as one who has "been there", author Steve Bloem. It is co-authored by his wife Robyn Bloem. An aim of the authors is to help both the sufferer of mental illness and her/his caregivers, get out of the dark pit of depression. Stigma still surrounds depression and other forms of mental illness. The church of Jesus Christ is asked to deal with the taboo of suicide and also the pervasive pain that is inherent in maladies of the mind.
It is easy to read and chocked full of important truths for the reader. Kregel publications says it well, "A deeply personal, yet practical, book for Christians who are clinically depressed or have been diagnosed with a mental illness. Mental illness. Those words bring to mind frightening scenes of padded walls, white straightjackets, and screaming people. But mental illness is often much more subtle-and much more prevalent than we imagine. Unfortunately, people who are diagnosed as being mentally ill may not understand what is happening to them. And for Christians, some "helpful" leaders heap on guilt, saying that the problem is spiritual rather than physical in nature. This book takes Steve's personal story of major depression and weaves through it Robyn's insights and Steve's professional knowledge. The result is a tapestry of practical information- including definitions, treatment options, government services available, and interactions with the church and God-and a deep compassion for those who feel like their world is falling apart".
Amazing work on an interesting filmmaker.......2002-02-11
Maitland has written a very admirable study of one of the world's most interesting horror filmmakers. She even goes to the trouble of defending the more nonsensical moments of Arengto's films. For example, the scene in Suspiria where a murder victim stumbles across a room full of barbed wire makes no logical sense, but after you read Maitland explain how Argento works (kind of like surrealists, he uses a technique called "Automatic writing" which involves very little, if any, editing) you begin to understand that maybe Argento isn't neccesarily TRYING to make sense. At any rate she does a fine job of defending him, as well as delving into recurring themes. One of the better books on a director you will ever read.
Fascinating look at the Gialli Rancher.......2001-09-24
This is a great book. If you're a fan of Dario Argento, the Italian maestro of horror, or if you're just a fan of well-made, artistically-minded horror films, you should read this book (and should take a closer look at the films of Dario Argento).
"Broken Mirrors/Broken Minds" is out of print, but you can buy a used copy through Amazon.com (as I did) for a cheaper price. But then you must prepare yourself for a whirl-wind.
This book discusses in intimate detail the films of the great Dario Argento. The introduction gives us some context of who he is (ex-film critic, master of the beautiful and profane), where he came from (an Italian movie-making family and the tutelage of spaghetti-western-maker Sergio Leone), what he does (makes a particular style of thriller called a giallo and often draws on the broken imagery of dreams for his most effective material).
Then we're off on a film-by-film analysis of Argento's career. We study the films he's made, the choices he's made within those films, and gain an appreciation, if we don't already have one, of why this Argento is such a unique, talented film-maker.
"Broken Mirrors/Broken Minds" often reads like the film school thesis which it is. Words and phrases like "diegetic," "filmic," and the old favorite "mise-en-scene" abound. But you shouldn't let that deter you, even if you aren't of the overly critical, or analytical stock. There is a lot of fascinating stuff in this book, and you're sure to walk away from it with a bigger, more profound appreciation for the films and career of one of the greats in the horror field, Dario Argento. And if you haven't seen all of Argento's films, or if it's been a while, reading this book is a great excuse to catch up on them.
What surprised me most about this book was that it was written by a woman. I didn't realize until I turned the last page of the book and read the "about the author" section that Maitland McDonagh has two X chromosomes. I guess I assumed because of the subject matter--the deliriously violent, at times arguably woman-unfriendly world of Dario Argento's deep red "filmic" nightmares--that a man must have written the book. But what a great perspective is given from the eyes and mind of a woman writing intelligently about horror films. You must go get this book.
Excellent Book With a WEALTH of Knowledge.......2001-07-05
I have learned so much from reading this book.
I purchased it when it first came out (long ago kiddies) but since then have ordered an extra copy.
McDonagh is an excellent writer, very cerebral, very descriptive, and thorough.
She dissects each film bit by bit until you, the reader, have a COMPLETE understanding of Argento's films and the way he thinks.
This is SUCH a small price to pay for such excellent, in-depth research; it is like taking a film course for free, considering how inexpensive the book is.
Take my advice. If you love Argento (and not just because of the gore) read his films.
On the other hand, if you're the type who likes his films cause "the death scenes are cool" PULEAZE don't bother!
Excellent Argento introduction.......1999-03-03
McDonagh provides an excellent introduction to Argento's films. I found it very helpful in writing my book on the Poe cinema. Her critiques are insightul and on the mark.
Average customer rating:
- Black Cats and Broken Mirrors
- Diversity can be a good thing.
- Only a Few Shine
|
Black Cats and Broken Mirrors
Various
Manufacturer: DAW
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
United States
| Horror
| Genre Fiction
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
Anthologies
| Horror
| Genre Fiction
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
Greenberg, Martin Harry
| ( G )
| Authors, A-Z
| Horror
| Genre Fiction
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
Contemporary
| General
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
Greenberg, Martin H.
| ( G )
| Authors, A-Z
| Science Fiction & Fantasy
| Subjects
| Books
Anthologies
| Fantasy
| Science Fiction & Fantasy
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Fantasy
| Science Fiction & Fantasy
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0886777887 |
Book Description
From dark felines crossing your path to shattered looking glasses, Black Cats and Broken Mirrors dares to ask the question: "What if some of those long-treasured superstitions are actually true?" Join Jane Yolen, Elizabeth Ann Scarborough, Michelle West, Charles de Lint, Nancy Springer, Peter Crowther, Kristine Kathryn Rusch, Esther Friesner, and more as they explore the lighter and darker sides of our fears in this original anthology featuring stories ranging from urban fantasy and magical realism to horror!
Customer Reviews:
Black Cats and Broken Mirrors.......2000-12-24
Four Words: DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY! The title is an excuse for a poorly organized anthology. While the stories share a common theme of superstition, most are poorly written and a few are downright disgusting ("Dead Tired" comes to mind!). There are a few good standouts ("How It all Began", "Whirlwinds"). If you really want to read this, visit the library.
Diversity can be a good thing........1998-10-11
Typical of anthology books in that everyone went out of their way to be different. At one extreme, Esther Friesner explains how all superstitions got started. At the other, one writer invents a whole new superstition about dirt and death. Some of the stories are filler, but there are enough outstanding works to pick up the slack.
Only a Few Shine.......1998-08-10
As with many short story collections, only a few will shine. Namely, Auspicious Stars by Jane Lindskold and Soul Cages by Carol Rondou. A neat idea is presented in Caretaking by Nina Kiriki Hoffman and How It All Began by Esther Friesner. Maybe not worth the full price tag but a good library checkout.
Average customer rating:
|
Broken Mirror
Pawel Mayewski
Manufacturer: RANDOM HOUSE
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000Q9OK4W |
Average customer rating:
|
Broken Mirror
Gayla M. Fritts
Manufacturer: PublishAmerica
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Contemporary
| General
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 1413794270 |
Book Description
Dan, Jonah, and Ingrid are people for whom life has dealt severe blows-they are broken and can't seem to get back into a meaningful world. Their relationships suffer in what appears to be a hopeless void, until each experiences a vacation in which the meaning of their suffering becomes apparent. Each compelled to the White Pine Inn, nestled on the coast of Maine, their interactions as a group stall. However, there is something interesting about the inn and especially Seth, the innkeeper. Like the conductor of an orchestra, he takes the grief of these three guests and highlights it against the possibility of changing fate. Will Dan, Jonah, and Ingrid find deeper understanding discovered through this insight? Will they find new hope and meaning in their lives, or will they retreat back into the safety of their suffering?
Average customer rating:
- A MUST read!
- In the middle
- I fell in love with this book
- Great book
- suffers the flaws of a first novel
|
Path of Fate
Diana Pharaoh Francis
Manufacturer: Roc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
Similar Items:
-
Path of Honor
-
Path of Blood
-
First Truth
-
Hidden Truth
-
Forgotten Truth
ASIN: 0451459504
Release Date: 2003-11-04 |
Book Description
In the land of Kodu Riik, it is an honor to be selected by the Lady to become an ahalad-kaaslane-to have your soul bonded with one of Her blessed animals, and roam the land serving Her will.
But Riesil refuses to bow to fate-a decision that may have repercussions across the realm...
Customer Reviews:
A MUST read!.......2007-07-14
After reading some of the reviews, I can imagine that people would feel a little skeptical about buying this book. I have read this first book three times since it has come out. Each time I am grateful for owning it. It is one of the best trilogies I have ever read, especially from an author that is not day-to-day mainstream.
The plot is exciting and in my opinion fresh (making it her own), and I LOVE the characters. I related with Resil the most and fought every battle (emotional and physical) with her throughout the entire series. I am shocked that some of the reviewers found ANY of the characters stiff.
Each book is different but it all ties together to form a wonderfully written trilogy.
This is a true Science Fiction/Fantasy novel and a series that I will re-read again.
In the middle.......2007-06-05
To put it bluntly, "Path of Fate" is one of the very most average debut fantasy novels ever written. The story follows Reisil, an orphaned young woman with a talent for healing, in a the town of Kasal on the border between two warring nations. A peace has recently been achieved, but certain groups in both countries would prefer that the war continue. A delegation of foreigners arrives in Kasal on their way to sign the treaty. Soon, however, chaos breaks loose and Reisil invites herself along on a quest to make one last bid for peace.
The strength of the story is undoubtedly in the grittiness. Characters get beating, bashed, bruised, burned, frozen, and decayed during the course of their travels and their many clashes with evil. Their are no miraculous recoveries, nor any immediate returns to action after an injury. The toughness of the characters and the desperations of their mission takes on a more in the face of such harsh treatment. Traveling and fighting in the days of yore were nasty business, and you can feel the truth of that in "Path of Fate".
The weaknesses of this book, unfortunately, are many. Firstly, infodumps are extremely common, especially at the beginning. There are also a number of clunky literary devices. The villains in this book have a propensity for discussing their evil plans in the open, without first checking to make sure that no one is watching them. Additionally, the ending (or rather the endings, since there are two very similar climaxes) comes across as something of a ripoff. Without giving too much away, I'll just say that one character is literally granted God-given powers sufficient to wipe out all the bad guys at one blow.
I fell in love with this book.......2007-03-01
I'd just finished a stinker of a first book in a trilogy (which shall remain nameless) when I saw a fairly glowing review of this book.
I fell in love with the character of Reisil almost immediately. Here was a young woman who felt like a misfit growing up, who felt she'd finally found a way to fit in with her community (by becoming a tark; basically, a healer). Then a goshawk comes along and chooses her as ahalad-kaaslane - and messes up everything she'd strove for.
She ignores the goshawk for as long as she can, but in the end, accepts her fate. Over the course of the story, Reisil and Saljane (the goshawk) gradually learn to accept each other, to bond with each other.
This really struck a chord with me, and made me want to finish the book (and eagerly look forward to the next one!). The other characters are fleshed out as well; I completely changed my mind about one of the other ahalad-kaaslanes by the end of the story.
Yes, there are gods and goddesses in this book, and what I thought was interesting is that the dark god doesn't have followers who are the usual crazies with unfocussed eyes; these are shown as having their own reasons for following the dark god as much as others are shown following the goddess of light (the Lady).
With great characters and enough twists and turns to keep you wondering, this is a definite must read!
Great book.......2007-02-13
I was a little bit skeptical at first when I found this book, but once I read it, I found I loved it. i made sure to buy the other two when they came out, and will buy any more books she puts out. I even had the privilage of speaking with her, and I have to say she is a wonderful person as well as author. Highly, Highly recommended.
suffers the flaws of a first novel.......2006-08-15
Hopefully this author will improve with time. This outing, however, has somewhat flat, one-dimensional characters. The first few pages are top-heavy with backstory to get us up to speed, and in many places the same information is given repeatedly; as the character struggles to accept the goshawk companion, she goes through the same argument again and again. Much could be trimmed for clarity and speed. Also there are some convenient "as you know" moments, where the main character just *happened* to be in a place where she could overhear conversation that serves only to give information to the reader. And why ARE the healers called "tarks," anyway? What's wrong with calling them healers?
Book Description
The old Yiddish proverb, “We Plan, God Laughs,” expresses a truth everyone can relate to. At every stage of life we make plans, setting out where we want to go and imagining what we will be like when we have “arrived.” But things have a way of turning out not quite as we hoped or expected.
In WE PLAN, GOD LAUGHS, Sherre Hirsch argues that too often our plans are limited to ones we think up at bedtime, or are devised by our parents, or by what looks good on a résumé. Addressing serious spiritual issues, Hirsch explains how to formulate a plan that reflects who we are now and who we want to be—a plan that is alive, organic, and in sync with God.
Hirsch teaches the importance of letting go and recognizing that even the most ordinary life is extraordinary in the eyes of God. She makes no foolish promise that life will turn out as we plan, but shows that with hope, faith, and belief, we can change our lives for the better and make a positive difference in the lives of others.
Books:
- The Collected Plays Of Edward Albee: Volume 1 1958 - 1965
- The Complete Fiction: The Bean Trees, Homeland, Animal Dreams, Pigs in Heaven
- The Dodd Family Abroad
- The Essential Cosmic Perspective Media Update with Astronomy Place website, Skygazer Planetarium Software, eBook CDROM and Astronomy media workbook (3rd Edition)
- The Extraordinary Journeys: Journey to the Centre of the Earth (Oxford World's Classics : the Extraordinary Journeys)
- The Graveyard Shift
- The Headmaster's Papers: A Novel
- The House of Breath
- The Inmost Light
- The Lion Graphic Bible: The Whole Story from Genesis to Revelation
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- Redefining Black Film
- Just And Unjust Wars: A Moral Argument With Historical Illustrations
- Gardenias for Breakfast: A Women of Faith Novel
- History: Fiction or Science
- Joel Sternfeld: Sweet Earth
- Mathematics for Finance: An Introduction to Financial Engineering
- How Good an Historian Shall I Be
- Organization Space: Landscapes, Highways, and Houses in America
- Desert Heart: Chronicles of the Sonoran Desert
- Dear Folks
The BDD Workbook: Overcome Body Dysmorphic Disorder and End Body Image Obsessions
The Body Image Workbook: An 8-Step Program for Learning to Like Your Looks (New Harbinger Workbooks)
Feeling Good about the Way You Look: A Program for Overcoming Body Image Problems
Bodylove: Learning to Like Our Looks and Ourselves -- A Practical Guide for Women
Body Image: A Handbook of Theory, Research, and Clinical Practice
