I think this book is important for highlighting the racism Japanese Americans faced historically in the United States. One compelling theme is the pusI think this book is important for highlighting the racism Japanese Americans faced historically in the United States. One compelling theme is the push and pull between assimilating to mainstream American culture and resisting such pressures. I liked that John Okada was honest and angry in his writing about racism, especially given that the main character in this novel spent two years in a Japanese internment camp. I didn’t find the writing style of No-No Boy super engaging, though I appreciate the novel for its historical significance in regard to Japanese American/Asian American literature.
Also, note that there’s some fatphobia, glorification of whiteness (e.g., saying that an Asian woman’s legs were “strong and shapely like a white woman’s,” which, yikes), and anti-Blackness (e.g., use of the n word) in this novel. These issues didn’t heavily influence my rating, though I feel like it’s important to name these things even if people might feel like they’re a product of the time in which this novel was written....more
A powerful and disturbing book about the damaging effects of eurocentric beauty standards and the tremendous negative impacts of racism. My f4.5 stars
A powerful and disturbing book about the damaging effects of eurocentric beauty standards and the tremendous negative impacts of racism. My friend and I just talked about this Twitter thread ("is he hot or is he just white with a visible jawline and/or blue eyes?") right before I read The Bluest Eye. Toni Morrison captures this dynamic of internalized racial self-loathing so well. With vivid prose, she interrogates how glorifying white skin and blue eyes harms black girls and turns them against one another. Through developing the main characters of this book, the Breedlove family, in a rich and detailed way, Morrison also investigates the repercussions of intergenerational trauma, rape and incest, and more. My heart hurt so much for these characters even as my mind admired Morrison's skill as a writer. She holds nothing back in her books, and neither should we as we fight to diversify our media and show how all bodies deserve love and respect, not just white ones, thin ones, etc. Highly recommended to Morrison fans and to those who care about societal beauty ideals, race and the family, and the social transmission of trauma and abuse....more
With the recent attacks on Planned Parenthood and the misogynistic comments made by members of the GOP, I could not have read The Handmaid's Tale at aWith the recent attacks on Planned Parenthood and the misogynistic comments made by members of the GOP, I could not have read The Handmaid's Tale at a better time. This chilling story takes place in the Republic of Gilead, where women known as handmaids exist for the sole purpose of giving birth. They have no access to books or magazines, friends or companions, or any of their own belongings. If these women fail to fulfill their purpose or commit any crimes or infractions, the patriarchal powers that be can send them to the colonies, where they would clean up toxic waste or endure harsh labor until they die. Margaret Atwood's award-winning piece of speculative fiction draws its strength from its unfortunate and continued relevance to contemporary society. This totalitarian society feels brutal and believable, like it could happen any day.
Atwood writes the feminist themes in The Handmaid's Tale with an intelligent force and subtlety. She shows the deleterious effects of controlling women and their bodies, the role of unquestioned religion in suppressing women's autonomy, and the psychological consequences of pitting women against one another in a society dominated by men. While Atwood incorporates many stellar ideas in this book, I most loved her focus on the role of reading and writing in securing independence. Through Offred's struggle and her narrative introspection you can see just how much power language and storytelling grants people in positions of weakness.
I also appreciated the way Atwood shapes Offred's character. Instead of only writing Offred as a pawn in this great totalitarian society, Atwood supplies Offred with insight, will, and a traumatic past that makes you empathize with her. Offred's flashbacks to her previous life and the horrid losses she has faced reveals the ramifications of anti-feminism on real human beings, as opposed to abstract, far-reaching ideals.
Overall, one of my favorite classics to date and a book I would recommend to anyone interested in feminism, dystopias, or the intersections of politics and sexuality. I wish more schools used this book as a staple in their curricula....more
More like 3.5 stars. A scary short story centered on two friends and the concept of revenge, "The Cask of Amontillado" will appeal to a variety of reaMore like 3.5 stars. A scary short story centered on two friends and the concept of revenge, "The Cask of Amontillado" will appeal to a variety of readers: fans of Poe, those looking for a quick and entertaining read, and those who wish to discuss or analyze irony and the use of narrative within fiction. Recommended....more
Originally published in 1963, The Bell Jar must have been revolutionary for its time. A well-educated and witty young woman by the name of Esther GreeOriginally published in 1963, The Bell Jar must have been revolutionary for its time. A well-educated and witty young woman by the name of Esther Greenwood descends into depression after moving to New York. Along the way, she rejects the advances of male suitors, and as she spirals further and further out of control, she lampoons society's constructions of gender as well as the use of shock therapy within the mental health system. Her narrative flows in and out of time, pushing us forward and backward amidst her struggle to stay afloat in a sea of melancholy.
The Bell Jar raises questions still relevant today. It asks us to examine the intersection between feminism and psychology, such as how the confinement of women damages their mental health. Sylvia Plath provides us with a voice that is not altogether likeable, but relatable enough to sympathize and empathize with. I feel like all readers will react to Esther differently - some with indifference, some with a strong sense of solidarity, and others maybe an outward dislike. Still, I would recommend The Bell Jar to anyone interested in the subjects of feminism or psychology, because it delves into both in a time period that we might not all be familiar with....more
A good short story with a fascinating setting. You have to read it a few times to ascertain any deeper meaning, though one read through would provide A good short story with a fascinating setting. You have to read it a few times to ascertain any deeper meaning, though one read through would provide enjoyment too. Great for Halloween, and picking up the symbolism behind the deeper colors, the inclusion of sickness, various social classes, etc. made it fun to dissect in short story club. If you're searching for a scary yet thought-provoking piece, I'd highly recommend Masque of the Red Death....more
A deep, perplexing short story about a man who starves himself as an art. It raises questions regarding how far we will go for our crafts, in what wayA deep, perplexing short story about a man who starves himself as an art. It raises questions regarding how far we will go for our crafts, in what way does society measure skill and success, and to what level are we all caged by our own free will. Discussed this with short story club and loved it even more because of our synergistic analysis - as far as short stories go, I would recommend this one....more
Words I've lived by long before reading this book: Lock up your libraries if you like; but there is no gate, no lock, no bolt that you can set upon thWords I've lived by long before reading this book: Lock up your libraries if you like; but there is no gate, no lock, no bolt that you can set upon the freedom of my mind.
Oh, Virginia Woolf. A Room of One's Own is a masterpiece of argument and persuasion and feminism. Her ideas about women serving as the looking glass, her solid support of women having a fixed income and a room of their own, her refusal to care about anyone's perception of her, her references to Charlotte Bronte and Jane Austen, her appeal to women that they should not just hate each other for the sake of it - this entire book blew me away. I had to keep reminding myself that this was published in freaking 1929.
I don't usually curse, but for the majority of this essay, I was thinking damn the patriarchy. Damn all of society's constraints against minorities and free thinking. If you're a woman, or a man, or an alien, you should read this book. My main takeaway is that whenever I feel sad, or lonely, or lost, I will be thankful for my opportunities and abilities, and I will go out there and do something. Highly recommended....more
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn revolves around Francie Nolan, a young girl growing up in a poor neighborhood in New York. The plot of this novel does not drA Tree Grows in Brooklyn revolves around Francie Nolan, a young girl growing up in a poor neighborhood in New York. The plot of this novel does not drift from event to event, at least not in a way that fits standard plot summary - rather, it flows like fine water, split into five sections that match the stages of Francie's coming of age. With warm prose Betty Smith addresses themes such as poverty, loss of innocence, and gender roles in a book she claims to have written without any intended message for society.
I loved two aspects of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, one of which was experiencing Francie mature from a tiny girl to a mature woman. In a tone similar to Harper Lee's in To Kill a Mockingbird, Smith creates a bridge from us to Francie, formed with the girl's isolation from her peers, her connection to the written word, and her steely yet sensitive nature. While Francie has her dark times, I could not help but root for her throughout the novel and clench at my chest when difficulties arose. Her observant nature allows us to view the deeper dynamics behind her family relationships as well as her immediate environment.
These two visiting teachers were the gold and silver sun-splash in the great muddy river of school days, days made up of dreary hours in which Teacher made her pupils sit rigid with their hands folded behind their back while she read a novel hidden in her lap. If all the teachers had been like Miss Bernstone and Mr. Morton, Francie would have known plain what heaven was. But it was just as well. There had to be the dark and muddy waters so that the sun could have something to background its flashing glory.
But all of the characters - well, almost all of them, besides maybe Mr. McShane - possessed qualities in shades of grey. Johnny's drunkenness and Sissy's flirtatiousness hurt other characters, yet they did not detract from how real or loveable Johnny and Sissy were themselves. The complexity of these characters and the themes they stood for in regard to this time period extended A Tree Grows in Brooklyn beyond just another bildungsroman. Even Katie, Francie's cold and hardened mother, forced me to stop and think about the difficulties and joys of parenthood.
"It's come at last," she thought, "the time when you can no longer stand between your children and heartache. When there wasn't enough food in the house you pretended that you weren't hungry so they could have more. In the cold of a winter's night you got up and put your blanket on their bed so they wouldn't be cold. You'd kill anyone who tried to harm them - I tried my best to kill that man in the hallway. Then one sunny day, they walk out in all innocence and they walk right into the grief that you'd give your life to spare them.
Highly recommended for those who enjoy coming of age stories, historical fiction, or fans of To Kill a Mockingbird. While not a fast-paced story, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn will stay with in your heart for a long time.
More like a 2.5. I feel bad for not liking this one; as a huge fan of romance, I kept wanting to feel the emotions Florentino Ariza and Fermina Daza fMore like a 2.5. I feel bad for not liking this one; as a huge fan of romance, I kept wanting to feel the emotions Florentino Ariza and Fermina Daza felt for one another. I wanted to experience their longing, their love, and the lack of control they fought against to finally end up back together. But the repetitive and drawn-out structure of the story didn't work for me, and by the end of the book I was anticipating moving onto another read.
I cannot deny the quality of Gabriel Garcia Marquez's writing though. Here's one of my favorite quotes, a line that made me pause: "He allowed himself to be swayed by his conviction that human beings are not born once and for all on the day their mothers give birth to them, but that life obliges them over and over again to give birth to themselves."...more
A beautiful, haunting book about a man who moves to Paris to find himself – only to fall in love with a man and lose himself even more. Giovanni’s RooA beautiful, haunting book about a man who moves to Paris to find himself – only to fall in love with a man and lose himself even more. Giovanni’s Room has great force in all areas: fantastic writing, endless passion, and several strongly developed themes. Our protagonist, David, is repressed by his sexuality and feels lost in his uncouth desires. We know from the beginning that things don’t end well, but that does not lessen the bittersweet heartbreak that unfolds. Even though this book takes place in the 1950s its message continues to play a prominent part in contemporary society. This will not be my last book by James Baldwin.
Initially, I was unimpressed. The book jacket promised a survival story about a boy on a boat who has to contend with nLife of Pi will make you think.
Initially, I was unimpressed. The book jacket promised a survival story about a boy on a boat who has to contend with not only the elements, but a ferocious tiger too. However, the book began with copious reflections on religion and random musings about animals. I understand that the author probably wanted to set up the story and provide some initial food for thought, but the only thing I appreciated out of the first 100 pages was the idea that people can believe in more than one thing (whether it be religion, or just conflicting ideas in general) and still be a good person. Pi practices multiple religions, but he has good intentions and a pure heart.
I liked the second part of the book. I did not love it, but I liked it. The middle 200 pages or so delineated Pi's harrowing struggle to survive in a vast ocean with almost nothing to aid him, and a frightening beast beside him. Martel's description of the plot and the imagery he employs entertained me, though I did not empathize with Pi to any great extent. I felt like I was reading a decent, unsurprising story.
Then, the ending struck. This book has one one of those endings that makes me mutter scream out loud "what is my life? Who am I? My entire life is a lie!" I promise you, if you read this book from start to finish, you will want need someone to talk it through with by the end, because your mind will explode. Or combust. Like I always say, I love books that make me feel, and books that make me think. Life of Pi falls into the latter category. Though if I reveal what it made think about, I will spoil the book for those who haven't read it yet... thank goodness for spoiler tags!
(view spoiler)[Okay. Don't get me wrong, I loved how Yann Martel left the book open to readers' interpretation. It will make a lot of people think about what they believe in. Yet, after reflecting on the book, I came to the conclusion that I was not as enamored with the ending as I had thought. Throughout the entire story, Martel forced religion onto his readers. He did not make this subtle at all - it was blatant as could be. While I have no problem with religion, I don't like how the ending forced readers to think "either I'm a cold-blooded atheist or indecisive agnostic who doesn't believe in magical endings at all" or "I'm a religious person who can see all of the magic and goodness in life because of my connection with God."
Personally, I am not religious. But just because I am not religious does not mean that I only believe in science and numbers and facts. I do think there is something more out there, though I'm not exactly sure what. It's not a question that plagues me and causes me problems, as Martel suggests about agnosticism. It's simply who I am. It almost strikes me as hypocritical that Martel would make the acceptance of others' beliefs such a salient point in the book only to turn around and pull out the Christianity card at the last minute. (hide spoiler)]
Overall, despite the feelings of frustration I expressed in the spoiler section, I would recommend Life of Pi to nearly anyone. I do not necessarily agree with the author's views, but I respect his writing and I do think this book deserves all of its praise.
How strange it is that people of honest feelings and sensibility, who would not take advantage of a man born without arms or legs or eyes - how such pHow strange it is that people of honest feelings and sensibility, who would not take advantage of a man born without arms or legs or eyes - how such people think nothing of abusing a man born with low intelligence. It infuriated me to remember that not too long ago I - like this boy - had foolishly played the clown.
And I had almost forgotten.
It's been a long time since a book has sucker punched me in the stomach both intellectually and emotionally. Flowers for Algernon is Charlie Gordon's journal: he begins as a mentally disabled adult, but after a procedure designed to increase his intellect, his brainpower beats even those who created the experiment to change him. His transformation from mentally retarded to extraordinary genius models that of Algernon, a mouse given the same treatment. However, when Algernon starts to decline, Charlie realizes that he might follow in his footsteps.
Flowers for Algernon could have felt gimmicky, but Daniel Keyes pulls off Charlie's voice with an amazing attention to detail and character development. I felt so much sympathy as he grew more aware of himself. Even as his smartness enlarged, he was alienated all the same. One of the best parts of this novel is how Keyes makes Charlie so flawed in every stage of the story - from ignorant to arrogant, from helpless to hurtful - and still captures his humanity in a way that makes us ache for him.
Part of me expected this book to appeal only to my intellect, but it reached me on an emotional level too. Flowers for Algernon asks difficult questions: why do we treat mentally disabled people so horribly? How does intelligence set us apart from our peers, both in good ways and bad? How does compassion factor into the human experience, and what makes us human? You can't help but contemplate these topics as you witness Charlie struggling to address them through his progress reports. It makes me happy to see scientists and psychologists devoting their efforts to these issues nowadays, focusing more on ethics and emotional intelligence than they did before. Still, as Flowers for Algernon so poignantly points out, we have a long way to go, and Keyes deserves all of his accolades for pushing us in the right direction.
Highly recommended for fans of literary or science fiction, as well as to those who are interested in any of the questions I listed above. A finely-crafted, thought-provoking book.
Norwegian Wood is unlike any book I've read. It tells the story of Toru, a quiet and uncouth college student who is in love with Naoko, a beautiful anNorwegian Wood is unlike any book I've read. It tells the story of Toru, a quiet and uncouth college student who is in love with Naoko, a beautiful and withdrawn woman. Their relationship is ensconced by their best friend's death that took place a few years prior to the beginning of this novel, and because of that Naoko retreats further and further away from Toru. He finds solace in Midori, a sexually passionate and powerfully independent individual, though he knows his feelings for both of them cannot be contained forever.
This is, I think, the first work of fiction I've read that features a protagonist studying at college. The uniqueness of the setting struck me, and there were several poignant themes that ran throughout the novel that: Toru's coming of age, the romance/love triangle/sexuality, suicide, etc. Though my reading of the novel may have been a bit fragmented due to my schoolwork, I can see why one of my good friends recommended it to me despite the fact that she had not yet read it herself - right from reading book jacket, you can tell that Norwegian Wood is going to be something different.
And it was. However, not everything about the book had me blowing up in delight. The writing, while pretty, did not captivate me - I don't know if it was because of the translation, but irrespective, I did not feel any force behind Murakami's words beyond what they literally meant. The plot, while intriguing, did not pull me into the story and the characters as much as I would have liked, and by the end I didn't suffer from any severe emotional impact - something that I do take delight in doing.
Recommended to those looking for an abstract, abnormal coming of age story. I must warn you now that there is a lot of sex. It's somewhat graphic but shouldn't be an issue in terms of one's enjoyment of the story - just don't give this to your nine-year-old niece as a birthday present.
Appreciated how Woolf used stream-of-consciousness narration to explore the emotions and the psychology of her characters, but her writing style preveAppreciated how Woolf used stream-of-consciousness narration to explore the emotions and the psychology of her characters, but her writing style prevented me from empathizing with any of them. From a literary/intellectual perspective there's much to discuss in To The Lighthouse, but as a whole it reminded me of Moby-Dick - a few gems amidst much barren rock. I preferred the focus and argumentative style of A Room of One's Own more....more
"There is a way that the men speak to women that reminds me too much of Pa. They listen just long enough to issue instructions. They don't even look a"There is a way that the men speak to women that reminds me too much of Pa. They listen just long enough to issue instructions. They don't even look at women when women are speaking. They look at the ground and bend their heads toward the ground. The women also do not "look in a man's face" as they say. To "look in a man's face" is a brazen thing to do. They look instead at his feet or his knees. And what can I say to this?"
What a sad and splendid book. The Color Purple tells the tale of 20 years of Celie's life through her letters. A poor black woman whose father abuses and rapes her at the age of 14, Celie soon loses her sister as well as her independence after marrying "Mister." Only by meeting Shug - the most fierce, unapologetic woman Celie's ever encountered - and learning the truth about her sister does Celie start to move toward her reawakening, her self-acceptance, and her love for even those who have hurt her.
Alice Walker delves into so many important issues in The Color Purple. Even though the book focuses on a black woman oppressed in the first half of the twentieth century, a myriad of the behaviors and themes found within the book still apply to all women today. Not only does Walker weave in timeless feminist ideas, she also relates Celie's struggle to domestic abuse, lgbtq culture, the strength of sisterhood, and so much more.
My favorite concept in The Color Purple was the use of storytelling as healing. Celie gives herself a voice by befriending Shug and eventually writing letters to Nettie, and even the epistolary format of the book exemplifies the power of writing, talking, and sharing one's struggles. Whether it's a veteran with PTSD sharing their story with a therapist or an angry teenager writing on their blog, human connection and communication poses so many benefits, and Walker's book highlights that in the most wonderful of ways.
Highly, highly recommended to anyone interested in feminism, historical fiction, overcoming abuse, or any intersection of those topics. Definitely a classic I wish more people read....more
I feel like it's cliche to say that The Winter of Our Discontent is well-written. If you've taken ninth grade high-school English, I'm confident you'vI feel like it's cliche to say that The Winter of Our Discontent is well-written. If you've taken ninth grade high-school English, I'm confident you've encountered John Steinbeck at least once. There's no doubt he's a fantastic writer. Of Mice of Men or East of Eden, anyone?
However, The Winter of Our Discontent was not as fluid as Of Mice and Men nor did it possess the sheer strength in characterization or plot as East of Eden. It may be my underdeveloped adolescent mind at work here, but I found the book a bit banal.
It's about a middle-aged grocery clerk living in New England during the 1960's who struggles to appease his wife's wish for higher social standing as well as his children's constant desire for material goods. The plot itself did not present anything mind-blowing - the underlying theme of morality made me think though. In fact, the entire book seemed fixated on that one premise: Ethan Hawley's deteriorating ethical standards and the result of his descent into dishonor.
Also, there are a lot of spectacular quotes in this book. For example:
"I wonder how many people I've looked at all my life and never seen."
"When a condition or a problem becomes too great, humans have the protection of not thinking about it. But it goes inward and minces up with a lot of other things already there and what comes out is discontent and uneasiness, guilt and a compulsion to get something -anything - before it is all gone."
Those of you who read my blog are most likely aware that my relationship with my mother is not all bouncing bunnies and beautiful butterflies. As an AThose of you who read my blog are most likely aware that my relationship with my mother is not all bouncing bunnies and beautiful butterflies. As an American-born son raised with traditionally Asian standards, my childhood has been filled with conflicts resulting in screaming matches and bountiful tears. So reading The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan was quite the vicarious experience - though I am not Chinese nor a daughter, I could connect to several of the themes that ran throughout the novel.
The interweaving vignettes that comprise the book are too intricate to explain completely without writing a long review, but the book is basically about four Chinese women who immigrate to San Francisco. They have all endured great hardship but are each hopeful about their futures as well as their daughters' futures. Through sixteen short stories we are able to view major events in their lives that have shaped their mindsets, their worlds, and their relationships with one another.
Amy Tan's writing is devastatingly simple. Her diction is not all that convoluted, but the drama and tension she manages to create through her choice of words is astounding. After reading certain sentences and phrases I stopped and thought dang. That was deep. Indeed, Tan's deceptively simple writing style is realistic and piercing and poignant all at once.
The theme that struck me the most while reading the novel was the inter-generational loss that afflicted the characters. The misunderstandings that occurred and all the things that were lost in translation were truly tragic - and still are tragic in contemporary society. However, after finishing the book and tearing up at the bittersweet endings, I've come to the conclusion that what really matters is the love one feels for their child and the longing to leave one's legacy with their son or daughter in order for them to succeed.
While I had difficulty discerning the characters from one another while reading the book - I had to constantly reference the front section to keep myself from utter confusion - overall I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a bittersweet story about Chinese culture or the unbreakable bond between mothers and daughters.
Definitely a depressing book. While rife with wonderful symbolism pertaining to themes such as forbidden desire, social oppression, etc., I could not Definitely a depressing book. While rife with wonderful symbolism pertaining to themes such as forbidden desire, social oppression, etc., I could not bring myself to enjoy the book beyond its literary deepness. On the literal level, Ethan Frome lacked any characters I could relate with or any hope that would have made me like the book more - to put it bluntly, it was just really, really sad and not all that amazing. I have heard better things about Wharton's other works though, such as The House of Mirth and The Age of Innocence, so maybe I'll try those out....more
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