Comments on: Book Review: *Vera and the Ambassador* by Vera and Donald Blinken http://www.sheistoofondofbooks.com/2009/11/10/book-review-vera-and-the-ambassador-by-vera-and-donald-blinken/ and it has addled her brain Sun, 12 Feb 2012 20:39:20 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: zibilee http://www.sheistoofondofbooks.com/2009/11/10/book-review-vera-and-the-ambassador-by-vera-and-donald-blinken/comment-page-1/#comment-28879 zibilee Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:42:16 +0000 http://www.sheistoofondofbooks.com/?p=7838#comment-28879 This book sounds interesting to me because of the mix of styles used in telling the story. I really think it would be a very enlightening read and one that I would find compelling. Great review, I am going to be looking into this read. Thanks! This book sounds interesting to me because of the mix of styles used in telling the story. I really think it would be a very enlightening read and one that I would find compelling. Great review, I am going to be looking into this read. Thanks!

]]> By: Stacy http://www.sheistoofondofbooks.com/2009/11/10/book-review-vera-and-the-ambassador-by-vera-and-donald-blinken/comment-page-1/#comment-28758 Stacy Tue, 10 Nov 2009 21:15:14 +0000 http://www.sheistoofondofbooks.com/?p=7838#comment-28758 This is one that has potential for me to like it, but just based on your review I wouldn't add it to my list. If I saw it at the library or bookstore I would pick it up though :) This is one that has potential for me to like it, but just based on your review I wouldn’t add it to my list. If I saw it at the library or bookstore I would pick it up though :)

]]> By: sheistoofondofbooks http://www.sheistoofondofbooks.com/2009/11/10/book-review-vera-and-the-ambassador-by-vera-and-donald-blinken/comment-page-1/#comment-28748 sheistoofondofbooks Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:33:20 +0000 http://www.sheistoofondofbooks.com/?p=7838#comment-28748 Kathy - it's definitely a morphed genre - perhaps more biography and straightforward listing of events than a traditional memoir. If you want to know more about the history of the country's transition (communist to independent nation), you'd find it interesting. It's not gripping, but Vera's voice gives it a hook. Serena - The big names were part of their routine social lives even before Donald was appointed Ambassador. It's these sections, enumerating dinners and events, that held my interest less than the parts about interacting with the people of Hungary. Kathy – it’s definitely a morphed genre – perhaps more biography and straightforward listing of events than a traditional memoir. If you want to know more about the history of the country’s transition (communist to independent nation), you’d find it interesting. It’s not gripping, but Vera’s voice gives it a hook.

Serena – The big names were part of their routine social lives even before Donald was appointed Ambassador. It’s these sections, enumerating dinners and events, that held my interest less than the parts about interacting with the people of Hungary.

]]> By: Serena (Savvy Verse & Wit) http://www.sheistoofondofbooks.com/2009/11/10/book-review-vera-and-the-ambassador-by-vera-and-donald-blinken/comment-page-1/#comment-28746 Serena (Savvy Verse & Wit) Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:10:59 +0000 http://www.sheistoofondofbooks.com/?p=7838#comment-28746 I'm not big on books that name-drop. I think this is one that will go on the back of my wish list...until I check out a copy. I’m not big on books that name-drop. I think this is one that will go on the back of my wish list…until I check out a copy.

]]> By: Kathy http://www.sheistoofondofbooks.com/2009/11/10/book-review-vera-and-the-ambassador-by-vera-and-donald-blinken/comment-page-1/#comment-28740 Kathy Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:55:05 +0000 http://www.sheistoofondofbooks.com/?p=7838#comment-28740 I've read several reviews of this book and most of them mention the choppiness, but I have seen a few that sing its praises as well. I do love a good memoir, but I'm on the fence about this one. I’ve read several reviews of this book and most of them mention the choppiness, but I have seen a few that sing its praises as well. I do love a good memoir, but I’m on the fence about this one.

]]> By: sheistoofondofbooks http://www.sheistoofondofbooks.com/2009/11/10/book-review-vera-and-the-ambassador-by-vera-and-donald-blinken/comment-page-1/#comment-28739 sheistoofondofbooks Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:54:57 +0000 http://www.sheistoofondofbooks.com/?p=7838#comment-28739 Kim - I was disappointed in the structure, but I think it's unique because of Vera's personal connection. If it weren't for her perspective ("then" and "now") I would have been less generous! Beth - I think you inner editor will have a hard time with it. I felt like I was mining for gold, and learning about the nuggets of history and the changes the Blinkens helped affect, were worth the effort. I don't think there's another book with this unique perspective. (excuse the pathetic gold mining simile, I'm not warmed up yet today!) Kim – I was disappointed in the structure, but I think it’s unique because of Vera’s personal connection. If it weren’t for her perspective (“then” and “now”) I would have been less generous!

Beth – I think you inner editor will have a hard time with it. I felt like I was mining for gold, and learning about the nuggets of history and the changes the Blinkens helped affect, were worth the effort. I don’t think there’s another book with this unique perspective. (excuse the pathetic gold mining simile, I’m not warmed up yet today!)

]]> By: Beth F http://www.sheistoofondofbooks.com/2009/11/10/book-review-vera-and-the-ambassador-by-vera-and-donald-blinken/comment-page-1/#comment-28738 Beth F Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:35:39 +0000 http://www.sheistoofondofbooks.com/?p=7838#comment-28738 I skipped your review because I don't like to be influenced. I have this one here to review -- well, I've offered to look through the book and decide if it's right for me. It looks like it's going to be borderline for me. I plan to assess over the next few weeks. I skipped your review because I don’t like to be influenced. I have this one here to review — well, I’ve offered to look through the book and decide if it’s right for me. It looks like it’s going to be borderline for me. I plan to assess over the next few weeks.

]]> By: Kim (Sophisticated Dorkiness) http://www.sheistoofondofbooks.com/2009/11/10/book-review-vera-and-the-ambassador-by-vera-and-donald-blinken/comment-page-1/#comment-28737 Kim (Sophisticated Dorkiness) Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:23:56 +0000 http://www.sheistoofondofbooks.com/?p=7838#comment-28737 I read this book earlier and really wasn't a fan. The poor structure, coupled with the name dropping and such made the whole book feel boring and confusing to me. I wrote a pretty harsh review, but I think that's because I was disappointed the book wasn't as good as I wanted it to be. I read this book earlier and really wasn’t a fan. The poor structure, coupled with the name dropping and such made the whole book feel boring and confusing to me. I wrote a pretty harsh review, but I think that’s because I was disappointed the book wasn’t as good as I wanted it to be.

]]> By: sheistoofondofbooks http://www.sheistoofondofbooks.com/2009/11/10/book-review-vera-and-the-ambassador-by-vera-and-donald-blinken/comment-page-1/#comment-28731 sheistoofondofbooks Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:03:22 +0000 http://www.sheistoofondofbooks.com/?p=7838#comment-28731 Sandy - the history (and recent history of 10-20 years ago) was very interesting, as was Vera's reaction/response - returning to Hungary as a naturalized American. I enjoyed a peek inside the Embassy and their residence, but those scenes were often more names than action/significance. Julie - I guess that's a benefit to the short entries - you don't have to know a lot about the period or politics to follow it! :) Sandy – the history (and recent history of 10-20 years ago) was very interesting, as was Vera’s reaction/response – returning to Hungary as a naturalized American. I enjoyed a peek inside the Embassy and their residence, but those scenes were often more names than action/significance.

Julie – I guess that’s a benefit to the short entries – you don’t have to know a lot about the period or politics to follow it! :)

]]> By: Julie P. http://www.sheistoofondofbooks.com/2009/11/10/book-review-vera-and-the-ambassador-by-vera-and-donald-blinken/comment-page-1/#comment-28730 Julie P. Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:40:52 +0000 http://www.sheistoofondofbooks.com/?p=7838#comment-28730 Interesting and very helpful review! I still don' t know if I'd pick it up to read though. It would probably require me to think too much! LOL! Interesting and very helpful review! I still don’ t know if I’d pick it up to read though. It would probably require me to think too much! LOL!

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