I read The Maniac right after I finished Journey to the Edge of Reason. Really interesting to see two very different ways to manage historical biography. Labatut's book was fun because he discusses John Von Neumann through other people's POVs -- quite a different take on the traditional biography -- and gave me a window into the subjectivities of the historical personages. Interesting and quite au courant with contemporary polyphonic approaches to people. I also really liked the end of The Maniac -- which jumps ahead to more recent days and the story of Go, AI, and the pitting of human vs AI minds. Fascinating. I wonder about our futures.
About Me
- Lisa Frieden
- My literary taste runs the gamut from Shakespeare, Poe, and Austen, to Elizabeth Lowell, Toni Morrison, and Jo Nesbo. Though I often read tales that plumb the inner demons of tortured souls, I prefer to write lighter books that my readers can have fun with.
Growing up, my sister and I lived next door to three French girls, who were like sisters to us. It was our friendship that gave me the idea of writing a book series about a group of five girls, plus the wonderful time I spent in Santa Barbara in my 20s.
Set in Santa Barbara, the Cota Club books tell the stories of each of the five friends and reflect the genres that fit each of the characters. That’s why Kristi’s story in Love and Money is a mystery, whereas Carla’s story in The Offering is romantic suspense. Tate’s story in Love and Hate is a thriller. I don’t know yet about Izzy’s, but Gwen’s will turn to the world of the supernatural.