This is one of those books I wasn't sure I would like until I got all the way to the end. I came to love Francie Nolan early in the story and wanted sThis is one of those books I wasn't sure I would like until I got all the way to the end. I came to love Francie Nolan early in the story and wanted so much for her to fulfill the promise to BE the heroine; which she does. That alone makes this a book to read and re-read. Francie's parents, Katie and Johnny Nolan are captivating and complex in that they each contain admirable traits as well as crippling faults.
Initial exposure to the crushing poverty in which Francie lives is disturbing, and generally created a feeling of gratitute in me -- both for myself and that we have the ability to provide food for our children. This book is rich in wisdom. Themes of the importance of family and loving imperfect people abound, as well as struggling with discrimination, loneliness and fairness. Perception is examined effectively in the context of complex relationships. Overcoming poverty is, of course, a theme; some do it through education, some through marriage, all through hard work and perseverence, and some never do.
Some of Francie's observations and conclusions are not wise, particularly in her younger years, but she always manages to right the ship before it tips.
The last section, as Francie matures to young adulthood, was a bit weaker in comparison, but by that time, I was already hooked. Weaker how? While the storyline remains strong, the characters seem to lack the depth of those developed in previous sections. It's not a fatal flaw, but it was a bit disappointing. This also contributes to a feeling that the ending is a bit contrived (partly because it ends positively). I wish the characters of the final section were a bit more developed, particularly the strong male characters that emerge, as this would have made it even more powerful.
This book has a distinctly feminine touch as the entire narrative explores interwoven relationships among Francie's family and the neighborhood. This approach creates a masterful work that may not be as interesting to male readers. I can picture this as a great discussion book for mothers and (adolescent) daughters....more
This work is a brief (under 100 pages), but profound, examination of the Christian life. Recommended as both a good gift book and a "spiritual tune upThis work is a brief (under 100 pages), but profound, examination of the Christian life. Recommended as both a good gift book and a "spiritual tune up" for those feeling in need of refreshing.
This brilliantly written robinsonade explores the dark side of humanity through a plane crash that maroons a group of boys on an island. The boys are This brilliantly written robinsonade explores the dark side of humanity through a plane crash that maroons a group of boys on an island. The boys are English, but the island is South Pacificesque - though they neither discover nor attempt to locate where they are in the world. The causes of the disaster and their chances for rescue are unknown.
Amidst vivid descriptions of the lovely island, the focal point is what happens among the boys. The lush vegetation, calm pools, abundant fruit and wild pigs cause the boys to embrace their experience as a great adventure in the vein of their childhood literature studies. Golding references Ballantyne's The Coral Island (1858), Ransome's Swallows & Amazons (1930) and Stevenson's Treasure Island (1893) as influences upon the boys thoughts, and later The Coral Island again as a frame for an adult interpretation of their experience.
But as they struggle over priorities, leadership and their mistakes, their island society sinks into chaos. Themes explored include: organization verses will to power, the need for grown up instruction verses the desire for childlike fun and adventure, groupthink as the price of belonging verses isolation as the price of idealism, dystopia verses utopia, preservation verses discarding of the weak, the magnitude of fear verses the foundation of the known, the best of English civilization (behaviors, organization, thoughts and actions) verses the destruction of paganism (behaviors, organization, thoughts and actions), and the darkness that lurks in us all which is ultimately more dangerous than our environment.
It's that last point, I think, that makes this a twentieth century novel. Written in 1954, the revelation that the darkness of our own hearts is the most powerful force to be subdued is imbued with the early twentieth century experience of two wars to end all wars. The principle echoes the Nuremburg Trials which transfixed people of the time. While a completely separate work, with entirely different plots and characters, the themes of Lord of the Flies, particularly its exploration of evil and shifting perspectives, reminded me of The Heart of Darkness (1902) and it's changing perspectives on Mr. Kurtz. Just as Marlow begins to see Kurtz in a different light as he travels, the boys view their island differently the longer they remain. Their perspective shifts from jolly adventures to horrifying choices, and in the end, the island itself is devastated by the destruction unleashed.
A thoughtful read, it's easy to see why The Lord of the Flies is a classic. Now, I must finish Swallows & Amazons, which I started earlier this fall, but didn't get through, as well as The Coral Island and Treasure Island!
I cannot deny "The Great Gatsby" is marvelously written. The setting of New York and it's society is brilliantly done; as well as the vague feeling thI cannot deny "The Great Gatsby" is marvelously written. The setting of New York and it's society is brilliantly done; as well as the vague feeling that people and environments are not what they seem. The sentence structure is incredibly muscular throughout - each sentence packed with meaning through both its vocabulary and presentation. It is not an easy read, but it is a concise one. One can see why this work is a classic of American literature.
Personally, I did not enjoy the book. All the characters are so morally degenerate at worst and compromised at best that there is little to admire. Pursuit of wealth, ridiculous obsessive relationships, adultery, lack of concern for others and a brutal disregard for human life characterize the setting of the book and actions of its characters. Even in the end, when the book's true genius creates an aura around Gatsby, I found narrative somewhat delusional and wholly unsatisfying. Instead of being awed by Gatsby, I found him pitiable, an illustration of a wasted life which I would hope I (and those I love) avoid. After all, at the conclusion, Gatsby ends up with the loyalty of his somewhat estranged father (which he had all along), Nick (whom Gatsby acquired along the way) and a nameless tag along compelled to pay his respects.
I thought the following quote best summarized the point of the story:
"I couldn't forgive him or like him but I saw that what he had done was, to him, entirely justified. It was all very careless and confused. They were careless people, Tom [Buchanan] and Daisy [his wife]-- they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money or the vast carelessness or whatever it was that kept them together, and let other people clean up the mess they had made..."
My conclusion is it seems easier to write a compelling drama about what is wrong with the world than to create a novel that gives readers a vibrant, realistic portrait while inspiring us to live beyond ourselves....more
It is difficult to discuss this book without reference to the iconoclastic blockbuster movies. So, let's just get it out there right away - I loved thIt is difficult to discuss this book without reference to the iconoclastic blockbuster movies. So, let's just get it out there right away - I loved the movies, and I loved the book. However, standards for what makes a good book and a good movie are different. I found the book to contain both more complex plotting and character development.
The plot twists and turns and even though I knew the basic outcome, I was enthralled with what would happen next! As a side note, I was struck that this book was published in 1980. The plot and characters are SO GOOD, the lack of technology isn't hampering, but it was noticeable. It was also another distinguishing point from the movies, which use a great deal of technology. The Carlos plot line (eliminated from the movies) was compelling, and it's a shame it's not in the Hollywood version, which leads me to...
Bourne. Bourne's character is far more complex, and less culpable in the books. He ISN'T an assassin, but his cover is to pose as one. He knows the skills and uses them to rescue others, as well as maintain his cover, but most of his reputation is a strategic bluff. It seemed like there is less collateral damage in the books.
Marie's character is far different from the movies and much more compelling in the books. She is a true partner to Bourne, who walks away from her life (as a professional economist with the Canadian government) to help him after he saves her, not just a drifting, comforting lover (as in the movie).
There were compelling themes in the work that I liked. While the movies can come across as slightly anti-government, the books are more about the difficulties and challenges of coordinated intelligence services:
* HQ v. the Field: I have worked for several international offices, both as a headquarters employee and as a branch employee. Many of the struggles between HQ and field are shared (though obviously with less drastic consequences as i've never worked intelligence) and i found the dilemmas of structure to be realistic.
* Sharing information: How much time is spent on this question in organizations across the globe? Of course, in this arena, the questions are amplified by life and death decisions. One of the biggest is: Is it more safe for a covert operation to have fewer 'in the know' (a risk of easy elimination of those few, causing operation failure as well as input from a limited number of people) or more people in the know (more back ups, more input)? Ultimately, the answer is that there are no easy answers!
* Human Factor: The book also does a good job examining the human factor. Bourne himself obviously has human flaws - otherwise, he wouldn't have amnesia. The messy reality of having to work with flawed people, some of whom you like, some of whom you don't, unpredictable failures/ circumstances, the resume's of 'credibility'/ experience and the conflict over direction among various perspectives (to which the beholder assesses different values) are challenges for all organizations and contributed to the plot line.
I enjoyed this book and would be interested in reading more in the series. It didn't change my life or anything, but it's an entertaining escape into a dramatic world....more
I picked this up expecting Jimmy Stewart in a wheelchair with binoculars ala Hitchcock. I was wrong.
Maybe that was why I thoroughly disliked this bookI picked this up expecting Jimmy Stewart in a wheelchair with binoculars ala Hitchcock. I was wrong.
Maybe that was why I thoroughly disliked this book. The dialogue was overly complex. All the characters (okay, exceptions Freddie and somewhat Lucy) were incredibly tiresome - which led to tedious reading, and worse, incredibly pretension - which created a general sense of annoyance the whole way through....more
A fun, enjoyable read. Peters develops her characters well, and there is much about Father Cadfael (and the supporting cast) that is intriguing. Not aA fun, enjoyable read. Peters develops her characters well, and there is much about Father Cadfael (and the supporting cast) that is intriguing. Not amazing, but good, solid writing.
There is a religious tone to this work that is fittingly medieval. The interesting thing was how Peters handled it. She doesn't discredit or demean spiritual experience, but she demonstrates that it can be manipulated (for good or evil), and that people of religious profession are a mixed bag just like other populations of humanity. Often, a writer will go to one extreme or the other (all is real ala gothic/ mystic or none at all ala an atheist perspective on religion). Peters threads the needle in a manner that gives the work a mature and suspenseful feel, as it lacks a formulaic feel. I was impressed, though I found myself wondering if my Protestantism was insulating me from offense and if I wouldn't have had more problems with it if I were Catholic.
I may read more Brother Cadfael when I am in a middle ages mystery sorta mood... This is one of those times when I wish 3.5 stars was available....more
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