Review the last book you read! - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Strange Famous · 03-19-2005, 12:28 AM

I couldnt see anything like this, apologies if it does exist:

Graves End - A True Ghost Story Elaine Mercardo

In this book Elaine Mercardo recounts the alleged experiences of her and her family in a haunted New York house. The events described take place over a number of years, as Mercado's children grow up in the house, her marriage disintigrates, and she finds a new partner - the story of ordinary life is set against the extraordinary story of the dead.

The events described avoid the sensationalism some stories of this kind have, and the unsatisfactory and uncertain ending, lacking any real epiphany or resolution, adds to sense of believability of the book. The writing style is straight forward and accessible (sic?), Mecardo more than anything seems to want to be believed - a trait that is foremost in many who have stories of the incredible to tell. One of the most interesting aspects of the books are the human reactions to the phenomona... the author herself is terrified, while her husband has some negative experiences, he is able for the most part to ignore them because he cannot understand or change them... her two young daughters also are not as affected. The eldest daughter, although seemingly the main focus of the activity, is unafraid in all but a few cases, and expresses regret and sympathy for the dead when attempts are made to drive the ghosts out.

This book serves as a powerful statment of life, against the backdrop of the dead...while it adds nothing that is unsaid to the mass of ghost stories on the market, it is a convincing and powerful story - and chronicles phenomona that must either be simple invention, or something beyond human understanding. The real value of the book is the author's own journey, as her children grow up to, as she fulfills her dream of qualifying as a nurse, finds a second chance at love, and tried to protect her children from something that terrifies her, but they are actually far better able to deal with and assimiliate into their lives.

This book does not aim at, or achieve, brilliance, but it is a simple and powerful story of life and the dead

4/5

(ok, thats not very good, but its my first go! everyone review the last book that you read!)

djflish · 03-26-2005, 05:09 AM

Band Of Brothers by Stephen E Ambrose

It's the only non-fiction book I've ever read out of school, and I was hooked as soon as I started.
If you don't know, it's about E Company, 101st Airborne from thier training as raw recruits, to surviving D-Day, up to capturing Hitler's Eagles Nest (you may have seen the mini-series).
It's not like your average WW2 history book, that just catalogues the events, its from the point of view of the men in the company. I loved the way it was written, more like a fiction novel.
You are introduced to the characters as they tell you about their hopes and fears, and the truly super-human feats they accomplish on their campaigns, made all the more amazing because it actually happened, its not just a story.
I would recommend it to anyone, even if they are not interested in historical or war books.

5/5

Locobot · 03-27-2005, 01:05 AM

Book? Please explain.

03-19-2005, 12:28 AM	#1 (permalink)
Strange Famous follower of the child's crusade?	Review the last book you read! I couldnt see anything like this, apologies if it does exist: Graves End - A True Ghost Story Elaine Mercardo In this book Elaine Mercardo recounts the alleged experiences of her and her family in a haunted New York house. The events described take place over a number of years, as Mercado's children grow up in the house, her marriage disintigrates, and she finds a new partner - the story of ordinary life is set against the extraordinary story of the dead. The events described avoid the sensationalism some stories of this kind have, and the unsatisfactory and uncertain ending, lacking any real epiphany or resolution, adds to sense of believability of the book. The writing style is straight forward and accessible (sic?), Mecardo more than anything seems to want to be believed - a trait that is foremost in many who have stories of the incredible to tell. One of the most interesting aspects of the books are the human reactions to the phenomona... the author herself is terrified, while her husband has some negative experiences, he is able for the most part to ignore them because he cannot understand or change them... her two young daughters also are not as affected. The eldest daughter, although seemingly the main focus of the activity, is unafraid in all but a few cases, and expresses regret and sympathy for the dead when attempts are made to drive the ghosts out. This book serves as a powerful statment of life, against the backdrop of the dead...while it adds nothing that is unsaid to the mass of ghost stories on the market, it is a convincing and powerful story - and chronicles phenomona that must either be simple invention, or something beyond human understanding. The real value of the book is the author's own journey, as her children grow up to, as she fulfills her dream of qualifying as a nurse, finds a second chance at love, and tried to protect her children from something that terrifies her, but they are actually far better able to deal with and assimiliate into their lives. This book does not aim at, or achieve, brilliance, but it is a simple and powerful story of life and the dead 4/5 (ok, thats not very good, but its my first go! everyone review the last book that you read!) __________________ "Do not tell lies, and do not do what you hate, for all things are plain in the sight of Heaven. For nothing hidden will not become manifest, and nothing covered will remain without being uncovered." The Gospel of Thomas

03-26-2005, 05:09 AM	#2 (permalink)
djflish The Mighty Boosh Location: I mostly come out at night, mostly...	Band Of Brothers by Stephen E Ambrose It's the only non-fiction book I've ever read out of school, and I was hooked as soon as I started. If you don't know, it's about E Company, 101st Airborne from thier training as raw recruits, to surviving D-Day, up to capturing Hitler's Eagles Nest (you may have seen the mini-series). It's not like your average WW2 history book, that just catalogues the events, its from the point of view of the men in the company. I loved the way it was written, more like a fiction novel. You are introduced to the characters as they tell you about their hopes and fears, and the truly super-human feats they accomplish on their campaigns, made all the more amazing because it actually happened, its not just a story. I would recommend it to anyone, even if they are not interested in historical or war books. 5/5 __________________ Europes two great narcotics, Alcohol and Christianity. I know which one I prefer.

03-27-2005, 01:05 AM	#3 (permalink)
Locobot is awesome!	Book? Please explain.