Pierre Gauthier

Disappointing!

Rédigé le : 17/03/2019

In this exceedingly long work, Steven Pinker defends the position that mankind currently lives in the best period in all its history. He convincingly supports this with abundant statistics, touching health, murder rate, wars, etc.

Sadly, the author repeats himself, to the extent of defeating his thesis. Also, he is overly adamant with those with whom he disagrees, including the Catholic Church. Tolerance, an essential component of enlightenment, is not displayed, particularly in the latter part of the book.

In the audio version, the graphs included in a PDF attachment are very disappointing, strictly in black and white and poorly laid out, with little respect for the buyer.

Overall, a summary of this work is enough to grasp its message and it appears by no means worthwhile to invest time and money to the whole thing.

Fascinating but Incomplete!

Rédigé le : 17/03/2019

This original work deals with textiles, a topic rarely covered with a historical perspective, perhaps because it is associated almost exclusively with women in most cultures.

Clearly, much research was carried out in devising the book. It is fascinating for instance to learn more about say the place of cotton in Ancient Egypt, how the sails of Viking ships were (astonishingly) made of wool and how highly resistant suits constitute a central component of space travel.

Sadly, however, there is no conducting thread (no pun intended). The reader is presented with a series of well-developed vignettes, grossly placed in chronological order. It feels as if the author started out to write a history of textiles, got lost in specific details and finally published a collage (not to say a quilt).

Despite this major shortcoming, the novelty of the topic makes this work quite worthwhile.

Substantial but Drawn Out!

Rédigé le : 17/03/2019

In this rather lengthy work, in accordance with the book’s title, the author intertwines his own family’s history of mental illnesses with that of the discovery and (relative) taming of genes.

Clearly, much research has gone into this endeavour. It is quite interesting to learn more for instance of Darwin’s circumstances or of that of Gregor Mendel. Sadly, however, more recent rivalries concerning say the decoding of the human genome are of little interest. The same applies to the author’s family’s woes.

Overall, the work would have gained much by being edited to perhaps half its current extent.

As it stands, it can hardly be recommended to anyone.

Very Worthwhile!

Rédigé le : 17/03/2019

Well, Agatha Christie’s novels age very well!

I read this one as a teenager some decades ago and remembered some of the plot and characters but not all the details. This second reading proved to be both grasping and highly entertaining.

Incidentally, having followed Downton Abbey allows one to better understand the butler’s, housekeeper’s and parlour maid’s functions in the large country estate which constitutes the novel’s setting.

Overall, this work is highly recommended.

Illuminating but Aggravating!

Rédigé le : 02/03/2019

In this very long work, Professor Donald Shoup sets out to demonstrate the ill effects of free parking on urban living and the economy in general.

He forcefully sets out three main points:
• That curb parking should vary through the day and the year so that occupancy should be around 85%;
• That parking meter revenues should accrue at least partially to the neighbourhood where they are drawn, for instance as investments in upkeeping the public domain;
• That parking standards in zoning codes should be abolished.

These theses probably make perfect sense to most of his readers. Thus, it is very unfortunate, and indeed counterproductive, that he should repeat himself over and over again to prove his points. In so doing, he probably only succeeds in aggravating many.

Excellent!

Rédigé le : 17/02/2019

Ce livre constitue un complément au film qui est fort précieux. Ainsi, la couleur de l’Inde y est par exemple moins vive mais on suit de manière beaucoup plus détaillée la quête de l’auteur sur Internet _ qui est par définition moins télégénique. Aussi, le retour en Inde est plus élaboré que dans le film et l’intrigue se poursuit plus avant dans le temps. Étrangement, certains personnages, dont le frère de l’auteur, sont beaucoup moins développés dans le livre.

La traduction en français est sans faille, signe sans doute que le bouquin a été bien rédigé dans la version originale.

Il est recommandé sans hésitation à tous ceux qui ont apprécié cette histoire fascinante qui touche notamment les thèmes de l’identité, des inégalités économiques et de la puissance des technologies actuelles.

A Very Relevant Complement to the Movie

Rédigé le : 20/01/2019

Though certainly not earth-shattering, this novel is incomparably superior to the movie made in 2017.

This, for many reasons:

- the novel is entirely narrated from Elio’s point of view, what provides coherence to the plot while maintaining mystery around Oliver;
- the epilogue is much more detailed, and the very essence of the conclusion is different from the movie’s, the novel ending with the work’s title and giving it true meaning;
- what Elio describes as the « best night in his life » in the novel is completely absent from the movie!
- there is no mumble-jumble of languages in the written work and although the novel was written in English, everyone is understood to be habitually speaking Italian.

Given the author’s biography and the fact he identifies the novel’s location only with the initial B, it can be interpreted as autobiographical. No doubt, with embellishments were made as many details appear highly unrealistic.

Those who have seen the movie will benefit greatly from the novel. Those who have not may abstain without great loss.

Mixed Feelings!

Rédigé le : 05/01/2019

This very long novel could be considered as two. The first part is enthralling and presents the subtle and intricate story of a shipman accused of not living up to his duties. The second part is a rather banal pirate story involving the same shipman but where his role is almost secondary.

This work was apparently initially published in instalments and sadly it shows: some sections clearly appear drawn out. The overall writing style is very formal and quaintly distant from realism. The multiple shifts from one narrator to another may be considered artistic by some and confusing by others.

Published at the very beginning of the 20th century, the novel reflects a bygone imperialist world in the exotic South Pacific. Some contemporary readers may be surprised or even dismayed at its matter-of-fact sexism and racism. Indeed, not only is no significant character a woman or a “non-white” but disparaging comments are casually made throughout the work regarding all but white men.

Overall, this classic novel is of interest as a witness of its times but is by no means of utmost pertinence in the 21st century.

It must be mentioned that the audiobook presents technical shortcomings and that strange metallic sounds can be perceived here and then throughout the work.

Mind Opening!

Rédigé le : 01/01/2019

In this fascinating book, Seth Stephens-Davidowitz vividly succeeds in demonstrating the pertinence of using big data and in outlining the tremendous future positive impacts it should have in social sciences.

The examples he brings up are wide-ranging, from the impact of racism on US presidential election results to the factors affecting the future performance of race horses or baseball players. Indeed, at times, the text appears almost disjointed, a consequence perhaps of bringing together data from a certain number of the newspaper columns he has written in the New York Times.

The writing style is at once generous, personal and warm. Though the author makes multiple references to his personal situation and to his family, these somehow are never excessive nor aggravating. He succeeds as promised in producing a witty conclusion, “with a twist”.

It must be underscored that the text is specifically adapted for the audiobook version, in full respect of the times and of listeners. In addition, a PDF “enhancement” presenting various graphs, tables and illustrations is graciously included with the purchase.

Overall, this synthetic and substantial offering is warmly recommended to all interested in current intellectual developments.

Quelle salade!

Rédigé le : 29/12/2018

Dans « Le miracle Spinoza » ou « Du bonheur : un voyage philosophique », Frédéric Lenoir éblouit le lecteur par son érudition et par la profondeur de sa réflexion. Malheureusement, dans « La puissance de la joie », il se départit de toute saine distanciation et frôle une approche de croissance personnelle en tombant dans le « je, me, moi ».

Ainsi, il y fait part au lecteur de son séjour dans le mouroir de Mère Térésa, de son noviciat dans un monastère catholique, de la psychanalyse qui lui a permis de résoudre ses difficultés relationnelles avec son père, etc. Même si le tout comprend de multiples références à divers penseurs, cela transpire le narcissisme et est d’un intérêt bien limité. De plus, ce court ouvrage comprend moultes redites et reprend même in extenso l’histoire de Zachée citée dans un livre précédent.

Il vaut donc mieux éviter complètement cet ouvrage qui ne fait pas honneur à l’intelligence et au talent de son auteur.

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