Saturday, February 20, 2010

Book twelve: The Probable Future by Alice Hoffman

Four years ago I came up with this rating system for books. If I had to rate the latest read using that system, I'd put this one at a 3. It's right up there with Niffenegger's work. It's a little more thought provoking than a piece of pulp fiction but not overly taxing on the brain. Several years ago I started collecting Franklin Library leather bound books, many of which are signed first editions. I believe the first one I bought that started my like affair with leather bound books, fancy ribbon bookmarks, and gold painted page edges, was Alice Hoffman's Turtle Moon. 12 down, 14 to go.

Excerpt:
She arrived on the day when the first snowdrops appeared, growing right through the melting ice, there to remind one and all of the gifts of the Angel of Sorrow. Who saw her first was a matter of debate, but it wasn't long before the whole town knew that a child had wandered out of the wilderness, coming down from the north where there was far more ice than there were snowdrops. Before most people saw her, they already knew that the roses that withered when seen by the citizens of Unity were said to flower in her presence.... In her possession she had three things, brought from whatever cold country from which she had appeared: A silver compass. A golden bell. A star on a chain. People looked at these things and whispered.

2 comments:

Abcdpdx said...

"Practical Magic" has been on my list for a while; I haven't read anything by her. I'll have to check her out! hmm. I'll have to go through books I've read and apply said rating system. since I'm so anti-book group we could meet for drinks and just compare lists :)

Christie said...

I might have a couple more of hers if you like Practical Magic. I didn't read that one but I liked the movie version of it (with Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman). Always up for drinks!