tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2833359394611156317.post5971322005843344838..comments2024-03-22T23:54:34.302-04:00Comments on Ashes From Burnt Roses: Book Excerpt: A Soldier of the Great War by Mark Helprin, Part 3Mannyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15396201693030286919noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2833359394611156317.post-45013603022539534382013-09-13T22:40:45.976-04:002013-09-13T22:40:45.976-04:00"The red of life..." Thanks for pointgi..."The red of life..." Thanks for pointging that out. I'll go fix it.<br /><br />Well, I'm happy I reviewed this novel. It had been on my reading list for the last couple of years but never got to it. I didn't know you held it so highly. It's a nice coincidence that I read it the year I started this blog so you can hear what I thought of it. Mannyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15396201693030286919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2833359394611156317.post-1025145750084901312013-09-11T09:34:12.490-04:002013-09-11T09:34:12.490-04:00Wonderful insights, once again, Manny. I, too, was...Wonderful insights, once again, Manny. I, too, was struck by the way Helprin painted scenes with vivid descriptions of color. And I usually grow impatient with too much description. I also loved the intensity he put in to all the human relationships. Even the way Alessandro related to Nicolo, a stranger, showed him investing so much of himself, essentially sharing his entire life. I am always struck, and you said it in your conclusions, at how deeply Alessandro lives, on how high of a plane, but all the while, cherishing earthly things. And the struggle to integrate the two. <br /><br />I also think this novel is perhaps the greatest I have ever read, because it's themes are higher, more noble and lofty, than the average story. <br /><br />So sorry to be the eternal proofreader, but this line, " The red of seems to be a passage to the gold of transcendence." -- in the 6th paragraph from the end -- seems to have a word left out.<br /><br />Nice job on the book, Manny. I am so glad someone else appreciates it the way I do! Kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10847572866285311259noreply@blogger.com