Comments on: The Blue Notebook – Book Review

By: The Blue Notebook by James A. Levine « In the Shadow of Mt. TBR

The Blue Notebook by James A. Levine « In the Shadow of Mt. TBR — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 21:14:16 +0000

[...] Jen at Devourer of Books [...]

By: Ariel

Ariel — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 18:29:59 +0000

I guess I am in the minority here, but I also did not find the inner beauty of this book. It WAS well written, but the story seemed misogynistic and gratuitous. I realize that it was supposed to be shocking (so as to really make you feel for the plight of the main character) but this was over the top. I saw another review that equated it to the likes of an erotic/slasher film which sumarized what I kept thinking but couldn’t put my finger on while reading it.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 07:23:36 +0000

Fantastic review! What an amazing book and very interesting that it was written by a man! I'll definitely add this to my Wish List. .-= Lisa´s last blog ..The Sunday Salon: Changing Habits and a Rant =-.

By: Teddy

Teddy — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 05:33:15 +0000

Wonderful review! I haven’t read it but it is on my TBR. I so agree with what you said’”it is crucial for people to be aware of the conditions that face children like Batuk around the world, because these horrors cannot be stopped if we allow ourselves to ignore them.”

Great job!
.-= Teddy´s last blog ..Mailbox Mondays =-.

By: Karen H.

Karen H. — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 21:48:58 +0000

Oooh, gotta add this one to my wishlist. Thanks for the review and the insight about how this story should be read widely. You are right on target. .-= Karen H.´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday: Back from Oregon =-.

By: Michele

Michele — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 16:29:46 +0000

Agreed – even normal library users should buy this one. If you only buy one book this year, this one should be it!
.-= Michele´s last blog ..Jackie and Bobby….Whatcha Think? =-.

By: Tara

Tara — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 15:48:58 +0000

Well-done review and I agree with everything you've said. A difficult book, a difficult subject but people need to know, it's as simple as that. .-= Tara´s last blog ..How I Hit the Book Jackpot =-.

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 15:23:34 +0000

Great review! I just posted my review of The Blue Notebook today and like you found it to be a hard but ultimately important book to read. .-= Stephanie´s last blog ..The Blue Notebook =-.

By: Jeanne

Jeanne — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 12:21:07 +0000

Hmm, what you say about the ending makes sense. I can compare it to the unsatisfying ending of The Handmaid's Tale, where you don't know for sure if she escaped, so you need to work to make sure that a woman can never end up in a situation like that. .-= Jeanne´s last blog ..A Birthday Poem =-.

By: devourerofbooks

devourerofbooks — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 00:22:05 +0000

Argh, I wrote a whole reply to you and my site ate it. I have no problem with you expressing a different opinion, I think it just stood out more, and was perhaps more jarring, because it was the first comment. I do actually like to hear the opposing point of view (except from the people who say “OMG! You didn’t like Twilight? You SUCK!!!1!”).

I can see how you would feel the way you do about this book, but (obviously) I disagree. To me, the lack of redemption for Batuk at the end of the book pointed out that this is not something we can simply ignore and the lives of these girls will improve, people need to intervene.