Journallike entries that sometimes deliver poignant moments.
In this collection of Facebook posts, a writer shares her daily moments of joy.
A couple of days after the 2016 election, Giorgio (In Grace’s Time, 2017, etc.) was walking her dogs when a man in a “Make America Great Again” hat tried to kick her pets. The author intervened, and he kicked her instead—then shoved her off the sidewalk. When she discussed the assault on Facebook, many people were supportive, but others accused her of lying. Giorgio writes that she even received death threats. Overwhelmed by the political climate, the author began searching for positivity by posting “Today’s Moment of Happiness Despite the News” on Facebook. After her initial entry, she vowed to post a moment of joy every day for a year. The result is this compilation of her Facebook posts, beginning on Jan. 30, 2017. Sometimes the posts are tender, as when she describes her autistic daughter’s talent with the violin. Other times, she has to struggle to find cheer because the year proved to be extremely difficult: Giorgio was diagnosed with breast cancer; her husband lost two jobs; and her daughter was severely bullied at school. Nevertheless, the author did have some good days; for example, her novel was published, and she beat breast cancer due to early detection. Though her breezy, conversational prose is easy to read, Giorgio includes several eye-glazing rants, like the day she forgot her purse and had difficulty installing a printer cartridge. But other posts are thoughtful—when she conducts a book club for female prisoners, her compassion is memorable. While not a lot of political talk is included here, the tone becomes vitriolic when it is—the author calls President Donald Trump “the Orange Asshat” and maintains that “our ‘leader’ is intent on destroying anything his little orange hands can touch.”
Journallike entries that sometimes deliver poignant moments.Pub Date: Sept. 27, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-68433-129-1
Page Count: 458
Publisher: Black Rose Writing
Review Posted Online: Sept. 7, 2018
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
This is not the Nutcracker sweet, as passed on by Tchaikovsky and Marius Petipa. No, this is the original Hoffmann tale of 1816, in which the froth of Christmas revelry occasionally parts to let the dark underside of childhood fantasies and fears peek through. The boundaries between dream and reality fade, just as Godfather Drosselmeier, the Nutcracker's creator, is seen as alternately sinister and jolly. And Italian artist Roberto Innocenti gives an errily realistic air to Marie's dreams, in richly detailed illustrations touched by a mysterious light. A beautiful version of this classic tale, which will captivate adults and children alike. (Nutcracker; $35.00; Oct. 28, 1996; 136 pp.; 0-15-100227-4)
Pub Date: Oct. 28, 1996
ISBN: 0-15-100227-4
Page Count: 136
Publisher: Harcourt
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 1996
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
An extravaganza in Bemelmans' inimitable vein, but written almost dead pan, with sly, amusing, sometimes biting undertones, breaking through. For Bemelmans was "the man who came to cocktails". And his hostess was Lady Mendl (Elsie de Wolfe), arbiter of American decorating taste over a generation. Lady Mendl was an incredible person,- self-made in proper American tradition on the one hand, for she had been haunted by the poverty of her childhood, and the years of struggle up from its ugliness,- until she became synonymous with the exotic, exquisite, worshipper at beauty's whrine. Bemelmans draws a portrait in extremes, through apt descriptions, through hilarious anecdote, through surprisingly sympathetic and understanding bits of appreciation. The scene shifts from Hollywood to the home she loved the best in Versailles. One meets in passing a vast roster of famous figures of the international and artistic set. And always one feels Bemelmans, slightly offstage, observing, recording, commenting, illustrated.
Pub Date: Feb. 23, 1955
ISBN: 0670717797
Page Count: -
Publisher: Viking
Review Posted Online: Oct. 25, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 1955
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