Customer Reviews: Read 56 more reviews...
 Interesting but not compelling August 16, 2008
Z. Jaff (Berkshire,UK)
Overall I enjoyed reading this book, an easy read, nicely written. However some parts was over detailed, slow and predictable.
 a bit dull August 14, 2008
Muppet (London)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I wouldn't normally have bought this going by the blurb on the back, but I was in France and was too lazy to read in French and this was one of only 4 English books I could find in Fnac to keep me in books, having read all the others that I'd brought with me - (I can't sit still without having a pile of books to occupy me and so it was a sanity purchase).
It was fine for passing the time whilst sitting on the beach, but that's all. One of my friends has a rule that she avoids anything with a Richard & Judy sticker on it - this book had such a sticker - but then so do a lot of very well written interesting newer books...
Overall recommendation - Nope. A probable future donation to a charity shop as will definitely not re-read.
 Soul-searching, achingly beautiful story. August 2, 2008
laineyf (warwickshire)
Well, I'd seen this on the bookshelves, read the publicity blurb, and thought it sounded just too sickly for me. However, I was interested, and decided to give it a go. I am so glad that I did, Random Acts of Heroic Love is exactly that. It is beautiful, achingly sad, and yet hopeful too. It tells the tale of Leo and Eleni, 2 young lovers who are overcome by tragedy. In the aftermath of this, one of them is left to exist alone. The struggle that is faced to come to terms with what has happened, and to somehow find the strength to carry on is so real, so immense, that my heart broke for the two of them. It's about the unfairness of life, the reality and finality of death, and how the grieving process is so shatteringly intense. It's about having to let go, when you just want to hang on, and about starting again, when all you want to do is be with your loved one. Intertwined with this story is the story of Moritz and Lotte, during the first world war, which comes to have a massive relevance to Leo and Eleni's lives. It's about the utter futility of war, and the havoc that it wreaks on the lives of everyone it touches. It's about talking to loved ones, telling them what they mean to us, and how much we love them. Don't keep secrets, they do no good. It is about so many things, but mostly, it is about LOVE, and that can't be bad, can it? If you haven't read it, I urge you to do so, it is well worth it.
We are all made of stardust August 1, 2008
ElmoBerry (Stratford-upon-Avon, England, UK)
A beautiful story, really well written. Scheinmann obviously had put a lot of thought and passion into the story he was telling. It is one of those stories that stays with you after you've read it especially because of all the intricacies within it, plus the thoughtful analogies used to describe love from a scientific angle which instead of desensitising the sentiment, actually adds to it. Really enjoyable!
Poignant and sweet but not to everyone's taste July 28, 2008
N. Lavender (Amersham, England)
Personally, I loved this book but I can see that it wouldn't necessarily appeal to everyone. The beginning is great and if you stick with it through a bit in the middle which is not so great, you won't be able to put it down. The love stories are sweet and beautifully portrayed and the subtle mystery of the quotes and facts at the start of each chapter are cleverly explained and very poignant. It's not for everyone, but a lot of people will love it.
|
