Recently, I have been on a book reading binge. I devour books like some people breathe air. I can't help it, my appetite for books is insatiable. Two books that stick out in my mind during my recent book binge escapades are Cinnamon and Gunpowder by Eli Brown (?) and The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco. Let me tell you, right now, I had a wonderful time reading these. Although, Eco's novel is much better, both stylistically and plot development wise. I loved The Name of the Rose, the main character is best described as a medieval Sherlock Holmes, completely British and snarky. But even better, I saw this British mastermind through the eyes of an Italian author, who had great commentary on the Brits. Just so wonderful. The scene of the novel was a monastery high in the Italian Alps that revered books, and supposedly contained the largest library in the Western world. What a place to be. If only it still existed. I heave a sigh at the thought of such a place, and can only aspire to find a modern equivalent.
Anyway, the book was massive, and very intricate. Often times, random bits of Latin would start midway in a sentence, which was lovely but also frustrating as my Latin is quite rudimentary and I needed to open up Google translate (which for those of you who don't know, isn't very good). I loved the descriptions of religious medieval life, and I found myself hungering for Gregorian chants and medieval drinking songs. I admit I may have listened to some chants on YouTube. I feel no shame. I loved the sections on heresy and women. Well, there wasn't much on women, but what was said was very true to the time. It made me think about the connections between women and heresy, and groups that were persecuted by the Church as heretical, because of their relations with women. Intriguing stuff. The characters were well rounded, but I did, in some ways, not quite like the end. I just found the crazed old man to be too much, I just don't see how anyone could hate laughter so much that he would resort to murder. But I guess the fanatical can be found in almost anything: from love of God and hatred of merriment.
The other books Cinnamon and Gunpowder was quite good, and better than I expected. It was more a fun read rather than the intellectually stimulating as Eco's was. It also managed to make me very, very hungry. All the talk of food and pirating. Man, enough to make any lady ravenous. Although it did end up becoming a love story in the end, which was mildly disappointing, because it was great without the romance. The food sounds intoxicating and Brown's descriptions of the scrumptious delights were mouthwatering. He wrote in such a way that you could almost smell the food he wrote about. It also included an amazing Vanilla-Rose Amaretti that I need to try, and when I do, I'll write about it. Ah, the food.
Short post today, and I feel in some ways I should really create a more themed blog instead of online journal. But, that isn't really my vibe. I don't do singular themes, I do whatever pops into my head on any given day. Well…glad I cleared that up.
Anyway, the book was massive, and very intricate. Often times, random bits of Latin would start midway in a sentence, which was lovely but also frustrating as my Latin is quite rudimentary and I needed to open up Google translate (which for those of you who don't know, isn't very good). I loved the descriptions of religious medieval life, and I found myself hungering for Gregorian chants and medieval drinking songs. I admit I may have listened to some chants on YouTube. I feel no shame. I loved the sections on heresy and women. Well, there wasn't much on women, but what was said was very true to the time. It made me think about the connections between women and heresy, and groups that were persecuted by the Church as heretical, because of their relations with women. Intriguing stuff. The characters were well rounded, but I did, in some ways, not quite like the end. I just found the crazed old man to be too much, I just don't see how anyone could hate laughter so much that he would resort to murder. But I guess the fanatical can be found in almost anything: from love of God and hatred of merriment.
The other books Cinnamon and Gunpowder was quite good, and better than I expected. It was more a fun read rather than the intellectually stimulating as Eco's was. It also managed to make me very, very hungry. All the talk of food and pirating. Man, enough to make any lady ravenous. Although it did end up becoming a love story in the end, which was mildly disappointing, because it was great without the romance. The food sounds intoxicating and Brown's descriptions of the scrumptious delights were mouthwatering. He wrote in such a way that you could almost smell the food he wrote about. It also included an amazing Vanilla-Rose Amaretti that I need to try, and when I do, I'll write about it. Ah, the food.
Short post today, and I feel in some ways I should really create a more themed blog instead of online journal. But, that isn't really my vibe. I don't do singular themes, I do whatever pops into my head on any given day. Well…glad I cleared that up.
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