Homicide by David Simon

Homicide provides an unprecedented look into the inner workings of Baltimore's homicide unit through the eyes of reporter David Simon. With unparalleled access, Simon documents the casework, the detectives, and the grim realities they face daily. This book is not just a collection of crime stories; it's an exploration of the systemic issues that contribute to violence in our communities. /n/n Simon's immersive reporting reveals the human side of law enforcement, showcasing the dedication and challenges faced by those who work tirelessly to solve homicides. Beyond the individual cases, Homicide offers a broader commentary on society's failures and the urgent need for change.

Reviews

app.thestorygraph.com · Unknown · 2025-10-22

brilliant 4.50

The reviewer finds The Forgotten Beasts of Eld by Patricia McKillip to be a timeless book that resonates deeply with them, highlighting the protagonist Sybel's journey of self-discovery and power. The book is praised for its portrayal of a young woman grappling with her own power and the complexities of human emotions.

The reviewer has a long-standing relationship with The Forgotten Beasts of Eld, having first read it as a teenager and revisiting it multiple times over the years. They appreciate the book's enduring quality and how it continues to feel fresh with each reading. The story of Sybel, a young wizard, is particularly compelling as it explores themes of power, fear, and human connection. The reviewer also admires how McKillip crafts Sybel's character, transforming her from a mythical figure into a relatable human being. The book's exploration of a young woman's journey to understand and wield her power resonates deeply with the reviewer.

Quick quotes

The Forgotten Beasts of Eld by Patricia McKillip is such a one. Every time I reread this book, it feels as if it’s the first time. It’s like a mirror held up to my ever-changing self.

Fundamentally, that’s what The Forgotten Beasts of Eld is about: a young woman grappling with her own power.

Sybel has no fear because she’s untouched by the world of mortal men and its concerns with love and hate, war and power.

thepsmiths.com · Unknown · 2023-10-09

brilliant 5.00

The Forgotten Beasts of Eld is a masterwork that captures the essential problems of romantic relationships, focusing on trust, forgiveness, and acceptance. The novel's sharp realism and pragmatic approach to love make it a standout, with powerful prose and a brisk pace that covers a lot of ground in just 199 pages.

The Forgotten Beasts of Eld is a novel that delves deeply into the complexities of human relationships, particularly romantic ones. It explores themes of trust, forgiveness, and acceptance, presenting a pragmatic yet heartfelt view of love. The characters are remarkably realistic, and the story is told as a mythopoeic parable that is honest and devoid of sugary romantic ideals. The prose is powerful and poetic, though slightly more difficult than the simplicity of Earthsea. The pacing is brisk, covering a lot of ground in just 199 pages. This novel is a manual of sorts, showing that the only route to happiness is through acceptance and forgiveness, acknowledging that everyone is flawed and that our partners will sometimes hurt us. The maturity with which McKillip writes about these themes is remarkable. Overall, it is one of the best books I have ever read on the subject of love and relationships.

Quick quotes

The Forgotten Beasts of Eld is one of the best books — maybe the best — I have ever read to capture some of the essential problems of the romantic relationship.

At its core, it is about hiding crucial parts of yourself to protect your partner, about trust after that trust has been violated, about forgiveness and acceptance, about dishonesty.

You can weave your life so long — only so long, and then a thing in the world out of your control will tug at one vital thread and leave you patternless and subdued.

inverarity.livejournal.com · Unknown · 2014-04-19

brilliant 4.50

The reviewer initially struggled with Patricia McKillip's writing style but found 'The Forgotten Beasts of Eld' to be a captivating and emotionally resonant story. They praised the novel's tone, its exploration of self-actualization, and its timeless quality, recommending it highly despite a potentially trite ending.

The reviewer had a previous negative experience with Patricia McKillip's 'The Riddle Master of Hed', finding it unengaging and bland. However, they decided to give McKillip another chance with 'The Forgotten Beasts of Eld' based on recommendations. This time, they were swept away by the novel's tone, which they found both epic and personal, ethereal yet direct. The story of Sybel, a teenage girl who lives alone with magical creatures, resonated deeply with the reviewer. They appreciated the novel's exploration of self-actualization and its subtle, realistic portrayal of Sybel's emotions and choices. While some might find the ending trite, the reviewer found the journey to that point compelling. They compared the novel favorably to works like John Crowley's 'Little, Big' and Susanna Clarke's 'Piranesi', praising its timeless quality and emotional resonance. The reviewer highly recommends the book, suggesting that others might also find success with McKillip's work after an initial negative experience.

Quick quotes

Managing to be both epic and personal, ethereal yet direct, and vague yet moving, it evoked in me emotions and ideas that my finger had difficulty pointing to, and yet that same finger effortlessly turned the pages with the flow of prose.

I can't help but take 'The Forgotten Beasts of Eld' as predominantly a work of self-actualization, one which is very feminine in nature.

In the end, 'The Forgotten Beasts of Eld' is a glowing example of story which transcends era and time.

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