Book Review: Schindler's List by Thomas Keneally

Title: Schindler's List
Author: Thomas Keneally
Published: New York: Touchstone, 1993 (1982)
Page Count: 397
Total Page Count: 15,835
Text Number: 43
Read For: My own enjoyment
Short review: Schindler's List is the story of Oskar Schindler, a German business man that saved the lives of "his" Jews (those that worked in his factory) during World War II. The book is, in large part, nonfiction: some dialogue comes from the author's brain, but the events and characters are generally based in well-researched fact. As a result, the text is informative but lacks emotion, gets bogged down in numbers and reports but still managing to introduce and discuss one small aspect of the war: a man who saved lives. To be honest, I only appreciated the book for its historical and educational value. As a novel, it's lacking in humanity and overfilled with detail. It didn't live up to my expectations.

( Long review. )

Review posted here on Amazon.com.

Book Review: Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

Title: Sense and Sensibility
Author: Jane Austen
Published: New York: Signet, 1980 (1811)
Page Count: 306
Total Page Count: 16,141
Text Number: 44
Read For: My own enjoyment
Short review: The two Dashwood sisters have opposing temperaments: Elinor is practical and logical, the epitome of sense; her sister, emotional and sentimental, is the embodiment of sensibility. Both fall in love and both are disappointed, and it is only by understanding and changing their natures that they are able to resolve circumstances and find happiness in love. Told with dry, sarcastic wit and a touch of emotion but failing to create true suspense or sympathy, Sense and Sensibility is the second-class cousin of Pride and Prejudice. It is a short and entertaining read, but I'm not left with a strong impression or any desire to reread it in the future.

( Long review. )