Kirkus Star
THE KIRKUS STAR
Awarded to Books of Exceptional Merit

BROWSE BOOK REVIEWS




2010 Books of Note by Literary Lions


Cover art for DESTINY AND DESIRE
FICTION
Released: Jan. 4, 2011
by Carlos Fuentes, translated by Edith Grossman

"A compelling novel by one of the masters of contemporary fiction."
A novel of substance about friendship, philosophy and politics set in the "thousand-headed hydra of Mexico City" from the prolific pen of distinguished man of letters Fuentes (The Death of Artemio Cruz, 2009, etc.). Read full book review >
Cover art for OF LOVE AND EVIL
FICTION
Released: Dec. 1, 2010

"A bullet of a book--and an absolute bull's eye."
Murder and mayhem are served up alongside metaphysical musings in Rice's latest (Angel Time, 2009, etc.). Read full book review >
Cover art for LUKA AND THE FIRE OF LIFE
FICTION
Released: Nov. 16, 2010

"A celebration of storytelling, a possible prequel to the book Rushdie is said to be writing about his own enforced "slumber," and a colorful, kick-up-your-heels delight."
Rushdie's 11th novel is a sequel to his charming 1990 fable Haroun and the Sea of Stories, written--as was its predecessor--for one of its author's two sons. Read full book review >
Cover art for OUR KIND OF TRAITOR
FICTION
Released: Oct. 12, 2010

Le Carré uses still another aspect of international relations in the new world order--the powerful, equivocal position of money launderers to the Russian mob--to put a new spin on a favorite theme: the betrayal that inevitably follows from sharply divided loyalties. Read full book review >
Cover art for DJIBOUTI
FICTION
Released: Oct. 12, 2010

"Not your father's anti-terrorism yarn. Leonard's characters make James Bond look fidgety."
Leonard's company of stock character types--the veteran law enforcer, the savvy professional woman, the seen-it-all sidekick, the horny billionaire--are so cool that they can confront international terrorism without batting an eyelash. Read full book review >
Cover art for NEMESIS
FICTION
Released: Oct. 12, 2010

"For it is within these short novels that Roth tackles nothing less than the human condition, which finds its nemesis in the mirror."
For those who monitor the growing list of books by Philip Roth, his forthcoming, Nemesis, presents a revelation as startling as the discovery of a planet or the alignment of a new constellation. Read full book review >