Pazzigno A/R - Luigi Pascal Rondanini

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Ho avuto il privilegio di leggere una versione pre-pubblicazione cartacea di Pazzigno A/R di Luigi Pascal Rondanini, e devo dire che l'autore ha creato un'opera coinvolgente e profonda che esplora i temi dell'amicizia, del rimpianto e della redenzione.

Il romanzo segue le vicende di Antonio e Giorgio, due amici d'infanzia le cui vite prendono strade diverse, portandoli a un doloroso allontanamento. Attraverso una narrazione che alterna passato e presente, Rondanini dipinge un ritratto toccante di come le scelte che facciamo plasmano il nostro destino.

Rispetto a I Fantasmi del Passato, che ho avuto modo di leggere in precedenza, Pazzigno offre una prospettiva più ampia e sfaccettata della storia. Mentre I Fantasmi del Passato si concentrava principalmente sul confronto tra i due protagonisti, Pazzigno approfondisce maggiormente le motivazioni dei personaggi e il contesto sociale in cui si muovono.

La prosa di Rondanini è ricca e evocativa, capace di trasportare il lettore nelle strade di Napoli e di far rivivere l'atmosfera degli anni '80. I dialoghi sono autentici e carichi di emozione, rivelando gradualmente le complessità dei rapporti tra i personaggi.

Un aspetto particolarmente interessante di Pazzigno è il modo in cui esplora il tema del successo e del fallimento, mettendo in luce come le percezioni degli altri possano influenzare profondamente le nostre scelte di vita. Il contrasto tra le carriere di Antonio e Giorgio è abilmente utilizzato per riflettere sulle aspettative sociali e personali.

Il finale del libro, che non voglio svelare, offre una conclusione soddisfacente e commovente alla storia, lasciando al lettore molto su cui riflettere.

Se dovessi trovare un punto debole, direi che in alcuni momenti il ritmo della narrazione rallenta un po' troppo, soprattutto nella parte centrale del libro. Tuttavia, questo non diminuisce significativamente il valore complessivo dell'opera.

In conclusione, Pazzigno è un romanzo potente e ben scritto che merita di essere letto. Rondanini dimostra una notevole maturità come scrittore, creando un'opera che risuonerà con chiunque abbia mai riflettuto sui "se" e i "ma" della propria vita.

Voto: 4.5/5 ma visto che nel mondo editoriale si possono utilizzare solo punteggi interi, opto per un 5 pieno.

Let's refresh my books' covers

 Hello my friends,

I have decided, based on the advice of some fellow authors that my books' covers were not really that nice looking.

Here are the new ones.

They look better, don't they?

Let me have your thoughts.

Click on the images to be redirected to the Amazon Store.

Claire.

Claire is back!

Hey there, it's Claire!

I know I've been MIA, and I apologise, as it's time to tell you all what's good. Life knows how to throw some curve balls, isn't it? Over the last few months, I've been facing a couple of personal issues and have been busy putting the final touches on my new book. (No worries, I cannot wait to share details with you soon!)

This perfect storm of life events left me out of touch with the online world longer than expected. But guess what? I'm refreshed and inspired with many new things to write about! I already have a pile of reviews to post here.

As I mentioned in my introduction, this blog isn't just me talking to you—it's our space. That is where we bond, discuss ideas, and geek out over some cool reads! I have a few emails to reply to, and I will do so by the end of the day. I promise!

Well, what have you been doing while I was gone? Are there any hidden gems you can share? Add your suggestions in the comments. I'm all ears!

It feels great to be back doing what I love.

Happy reading,

Claire

The Ghostwriter - A.R. Torres

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The Ghostwriter by Alessandra Torre is a modern love story with a touch of suspense; this book will have you spinning as the truth slowly unravels. At Washington Square, the book will make you discover the truth of the events that shattered her life four years before as she sets out to finish her final book —— but  Helena Ross, has darker secrets.

In this book, Torre showcases her masterful storytelling skill by conceiving an intricately layered plot with surprising revelations until the end. It is clear that the author excels at creating complex characters - many I hated with a passion - I loved Helena because, at first, she appears almost sadistic; however, as the story develops, our opinion changes, and we realise that there is, in fact, quite a vulnerable and uncertain person hiding just beneath the surface. Shane's beautifully written novel hints at this but is also about the unlikely friendship between Helena and her ghostwriter, which adds depth and heart to the narrative and provides a welcomed balance to some of the darker themes she explores in the book.

The Ghostwriter stands out with its unique narrative structure, blending present-tense narrations with flashbacks that gradually unveil Helena's past. The well-paced chapters keep you engaged, eager to uncover the truth as the story unfolds. The author's vivid descriptions and poignant humour effectively convey the rollercoaster of emotions that will captivate the reader.

The Ghostwriter is not your typical romance, but it's a testament to the author's storytelling prowess across genres. Fans of suspenseful literary fiction will be drawn to this book, as will those who appreciate emotionally impactful storytelling. Prepare yourself for a deeply moving experience as you delve into this unforgettable tale of secrets, betrayals, and the transformative power of words.

Politics for Young Minds - Luigi Pascal Rondanini

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 Politics for Young Minds is the ultimate introduction to politics, government, and civic life for young readers. It takes big, important ideas and explains them in entertaining, engaging, and easily understandable ways.

 From the fundamental concepts (clear definitions of ‘politics’ and ‘government’; various political systems, electoral processes, etc; different levels of government; etc) to more advanced topics (media and politics; the influence of technology on politics; and the impact of diversity on politics), Rondanini consistently uses real-world examples to illustrate these ideas, making them relevant to children’s lives.

 One of the book’s key strengths is its recurring theme that individual voices are significant in shaping political outcomes. The author not only educates but also empowers young readers, encouraging them to be informed and active voters, participants in civil discourse, and engaged members of their communities and political sphere. This is a crucial aspect of the book, demonstrating how young people can influence the political arena. 

 Nevertheless, the book’s desire to demystify can sometimes result in unhelpful simplification or the elision of nuance. Furthermore, although the author tries to maintain a dispassionate voice, there may be times when one’s personal views or biases are discernible, by his own admission.

 Overall, Politics for Young Minds is a great book for individuals looking to get involved with the political world around them and, more importantly, their place in it. What sets it apart is its prose, depth of content, and, most importantly, its focus on civic engagement. It’s a great read for young students and teachers alike.

Ghost in the Machine: A Convergence of Human and Artificial Minds - AvA SiLiCa

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Ghost in the Machine is unlike any other book—or work of art, for that matter—on the future of artificial intelligence (AI) and its human ramifications. It was written not by a human author (AvA SiLiCa) but by a human in a technical discourse with a super artificial intelligence assistant or super AI, with whom she brilliantly—and often horrifyingly—converses.

Tapping into a wide array of issues, ranging from AI’s impact on society to its potential to help address growing environmental concerns to its role in exposing creativity, spirituality, and the meaning of a meaningful life, the exchange is thought-provoking, gentle, generous, and does not take sides: AI is good, AI is bad. 

Perhaps this is the book’s greatest gift: to ease us into the presence of an AI, to coax us into caring about Claude in its way. Proximity can be a powerful thing. If we humanise Claude and insist on putting words in its mouth, the page traces those trajectories away from the bus station into the sagebrush, which might have been human and artificial. And in doing so, we lose part of our claim about who we thought we were. 

Silica’s humility in acknowledging some of the limits of their work and insights into the ethics of AI development steal the show. They highlight where there are opportunities for developing empathy, mutualism and community between people and AI: The future of AI is more than ever about our actions, not less. It is about developing responsible and ethical AI. Humanity cannot outsource its future, dignity, and humanity to machines.

AI can help solve some environmental issues, or the lives of at-risk populations, make new art forms like music, novels, etc. It’s a human-centred and humane discussion: thoughtful and transparent, intellectually powerful and moving in some philosophical way. One quickly begins to think through or alongside these two about the problems. 

Ultimately, Ghost in the Machine is a thrilling, beautifully philosophical account of the human/machine interface and an urgent, articulate, and optimistic guide to a future where feelings and empathy are embedded in everything, ethics are paramount, and the qualia, the what-ness, is always revered. It demands to be read by anyone interested in technology, the future of being, or simply in how and why things are as they are. 

An Italian Wife - Ann Hood

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Though Ann Hood's An Italian Wife promised a juicy family saga of successive generations, it doesn't quite live up to its promise and frustrates.

The book opens powerfully, with a visceral presentation of Josephine Rimaldi as a teenage granddaughter in southern Italy who is forced into a marriage and reluctantly immigrates to America. Hood's prose is beautiful in these opening portions of the book, offering a delicious insight into the culture of Italian Americans. 

But it veers into disaster as it leaps unsteadily from generation to generation of Josephine's progeny: what could have been a gripping account of the development of an immigrant family becomes instead an array of poorly conceived figures who flicker too briefly into view before the text takes off again. You only got to know them for one chapter, and then it was on to the next generation.

Compounding the problem is the novel's relentless and often gratuitous sexual content, which stops the narrative cold several times. Sure, some sex is inescapable when attempting to portray a multi-generational tale, but here it seems exploitative rather than insightful as to the characters' psychological makeup.

Hood is talented, and she did a great job of studying her characters, but this doesn't transpire for all. Ultimately, though, An Italian Wife fails to realise its potential due to its lack of cohesion, thinly drawn characters, and overuse of graphic explicitness. What could have been a brave and important novel about the immigrant experience becomes a vermeil-clad mess.