“A heart is not judged by how much you love; but by how much you are loved by others”
A play-by-numbers fantasy adventure for children. I'll be genero“A heart is not judged by how much you love; but by how much you are loved by others”
A play-by-numbers fantasy adventure for children. I'll be generous with three stars since, especially for it's time, this one was highly fantastical and creatively... strange.
I know many come to this story with a sense of childhood awe and wondrous nostalgia, but I'd always loathed the movie. Yes, hated. I'm a regular ol' Grinch when it comes to childhood classics like Wizard of Oz, Mary Poppins *shudders*. I find Dorothy's bright-eyed stare irritating as hell, the dopey voices of her bizarre companions nauseating, the story boring, and the whole thing with songs and dances and yellow roads downright yicky. That flavored my opinion slightly when giving the story a chance, but I kept as open of a mind as I could. And...the book is better since I don't have to see horrible visual gracing my vision and HEAR those horrible songs *shudders again*
Overall it's a classic story that kept strong because it resonated so strongly with some children of another age that it kept spreading to more children as time clicked on. It deserves a strong fairy-tale reputation, but if it weren't for its rep, I don't think it hold up as strongly with an adult behind the microscope.
Dorothy is a complete simpleton with a robotic personality and all the predictable reactions to events, sentences, and goals. The companions are more interesting, but they are basic sketches to prove a point of character rather to be actual characters. The dynamics between the good and bad witches with the turf wars held much higher potential for interesting background and more complex storylines - but the author stayed skimpy and only dug the bare basics out of this plot pot.
It's great for kids (some, not me!), but it's a basic story that mainly earned it's rep because it happened to be written in a time period where it filled a needed void of the time. Still, which girl doesn't grow up not sometimes wanting those shiny, red shoes?...more
Let's get the rotten parts out of the way first - the story has flaws. Painful to admit, but it's long-winded and rambling, too much focus and writingLet's get the rotten parts out of the way first - the story has flaws. Painful to admit, but it's long-winded and rambling, too much focus and writing concentrates on irrelevant scenes and parts and character trails, drawing out the wrong things. Sometimes it's for clarity, at times for snuck-in humor, but just maybe it was either because the author was writing without pre-planning or trying to pad. Irregardless, pacing is inconsistent besides the strong beginning and unforgettable ending, so sometimes the attention wilts.
But really who cares, because this is the epic 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow'.
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Where else do you get the inventions of wicked trails in foggy forests with undead Pumpkinheaded legends on top of black, hell-driven steeds? Small town with a small-minded but lovable schoolmarm with a name as cool as Ichabod Crane. Yes that may be an insult of a name now if invented in these modern times, but associated with the story and our memories it's now considered a groovy name.
I like the additions to the story that have come over through the years in cinema form -- I'm actually a fan of the Johnny Depp comedy version, even if reviews were mixed on the Burton production. I think it's my favorite version, but all that aside, the book is beautifully written in a flowing style and humorous with character description.
I'm not an Audiobook fan, but this one worked well with the voice of the actor from the show, Sleepy Hollow, Tom Mison. His voice suited the story perfectly, and I enjoyed the music at the beginning and conclusion.
The writing was as good and I still love Anne, but I think this time it wasn't broken into as many varying adventures to keep i3.5
Full review to come.
The writing was as good and I still love Anne, but I think this time it wasn't broken into as many varying adventures to keep it as colorful as the first. ...more
“So tomorrow we disappear into the unknown. This account I am transmitting down the river by canoe, and it may be our last word to those wh3.5 rating
“So tomorrow we disappear into the unknown. This account I am transmitting down the river by canoe, and it may be our last word to those who are interested in our fate.”
Ironically the first part was better than when the actual adventure started. I think it's because the writer did not indulge in so much descriptive rambling and lengthy pauses during the build-up, which allowed that part of the story to shine triumphantly with humor, quirky characters, and fun motivations.
I loved the protagonist and Professor Challenger - eventually I ended up enjoying the four main travelers, but those two were the most fun. Challenger was especially thrilling with his brutish humor, fearsome reputation, and kinship with the ape people. I laughed aloud a few times, which I didn't expect when I first dared to pick this one up.
While the adventure part was full action-adventure mode, descriptive, creative and chilling, sometimes it left my interest in the dust. The story became long-winded and downright dull for many parts.
It has all the winning tropes – testosterone overload as the men bond and pair against each other, trying to one-up each other’s stories and heroics; betrayals in the group; adventures where people escape at the nick of time; heroes not believed until they show evidence that leaves no doubt; comedy and adventure mixed as one.
Unfortunately it’s a little too action-packed at times, but overall it’s still deserving of its classic reputation and will live on. ...more
I had to read this one to fit a challenge I was taking part in – had to find a book set in Denmark, and my options for that were slim. I’m happy I choI had to read this one to fit a challenge I was taking part in – had to find a book set in Denmark, and my options for that were slim. I’m happy I chose this classic children’s story – it left a positive and lasting impression on many for a good reason. It mainly focuses on Annemarie Johnansen and her parents helping another family during the dreadful Nazi period in 1943. Apparently her uncle is part of an underground support group for Jews in the area as well. Despite it being such a dark period in history, reading about the experiences – especially with people who make a difference – are interesting.
The author keeps it relatively short due to the age group, but a full fledged story happens in the 137 pages. The beauty of the title is tied into scripture verses relating to the stars, as the main character sits in wonder and asks herself how it would be possible for someone to be able to number the stars. The drugged handkerchief helping throw off the scents from hunting dogs was a new one by me.
The simplistic writing style fits well with children’s fiction but the author has a healthy hand with foreshadowing and putting a lot of hope into the words. Not everything is realistic but that’s not unusual with Historical children’s fiction either.
It may inspire blurry eyes a time or two, but it’s not overly depressing - there’s a redeeming hope. It would be a good introduction for children who aren’t quite ready for the excellent but little dryer Diary of Anne Frank or older, more explicit holocaust fiction and non-fiction they may not be fully mentally ready for. ...more
“It’s an extraordinary thing—every time I see you, you appear to be recovering from some debauch. Don’t you ever stop drinking? How about when you ar “It’s an extraordinary thing—every time I see you, you appear to be recovering from some debauch. Don’t you ever stop drinking? How about when you are asleep?”
As usual, I'm behind on reading goals - being the last to finish this buddy read with Evgeny and Dan 2.0
My first foray into Wodehouse’s writing, and I’ve fallen for him. The comical and cleverly coined style made this one a fun read, even if the plot only left behind a three-star impression.
I finally see where the "Jeeves" came from - and I approve. The highlights of the story were when Master and butler collaborated, argued, or battled protective guard dogs over bed sheets. Fun times! It’s now gotten my attention that this is the third interesting story I’ve read about this form of relationship, and I’ve enjoyed all three. Need to track down more eventually.
Bertie runs into foul circumstances and somewhat annoying misunderstandings when he sets out to make things right for his aunt’s cow creamer goal – only to end up sabotaging a friend’s pending marriage, his possible freedom at the hands of a local magistrate, and bungling his aunt’s cow-creamer dreams and his attachment to her cook’s artistic food that he apparently would almost risk his soul for.
Not all characters were likeable – I wanted to shake a particular girl – gah, what a nuisance!
Kind of like an episode of Green Acres where it’s funny because so many people are exasperating, but while I can stand a 20 something minute episode of Green Acres, I wouldn’t want to sit down for an extended episode that lasted much longer than that. With this book it carried on a bit too much for my nerves, so it wasn’t all fun and games, but still a classic worth reading. ...more
“Beware of the man who works hard to learn something, learns it, and finds himself no wiser than before.”
Another strange buddy read with Ashley, Evgen“Beware of the man who works hard to learn something, learns it, and finds himself no wiser than before.”
Another strange buddy read with Ashley, Evgeny, Christopher and anyone else brave enough to participate.
Um. Good (sort-of), but weird, and not always “good-weird.”
Blending science and morality, religion with warning, weapons and the man’s desire to create and destroy, it’s a powerful satirical novel that works in some levels and loses me on others. Nothing new for me, I’m sad to say. Damn impatience trait.
Jonah aims to write about the now-dead scientist who is credited for being a creator of a bomb – he pairs up with the three odd children left behind from the man, and they voyage to a new place that holds a weird and quirky religion, Bokononism.
I know Bokononism was created and employed to give more message regarding religion, but it was so annoying. My least favorite aspect of the book. The humor fell flat with me with the religious stuff, but the humor DID work with the unique characters and how they interacted with each other.
The author kind of overindulges in some ways and the story seems to struggle with rambling. When they get to the island it doesn’t get much better, although the ending was one of the strongest parts.
The writing is creative and I get there is plenty of message here, but the execution to bring the message alive doesn’t work consistently. I got tired of some of the stuff being too out there and satirical half the time, while the other half I ended up enjoying and admiring the effort. ...more
Finally read it. I enjoyed the story, but overall not more than a three star level.
What I liked most was the “Time moves slowly, but passes quickly.”
Finally read it. I enjoyed the story, but overall not more than a three star level.
What I liked most was the growth of the main character and the ending. What a crappy life she endured, only to find herself in the end and gets a sense of peace with her family and companions. Nice when that happens because life can be a real bitch sometimes, as the character shows through her awful childhood and early marriage years. Poor woman.
Besides just focusing on Celie and her struggles, the bond with her sister is a strong one. She starts the first half of the book narrating the story by writing letters to God, but later changes to writing to her sister when she loses most of her faith. Besides the sister, who almost seemed too good to be true, there was the intriguing Millie, who I ended up feeling more sorry for than anyone when her life took a horrible turn after she stood up for herself. Couldn’t help admiring her spirit and spunk though.
Shug was a major character showing the obsession of her husband, but also Celie herself. The book was somewhat daring with its exploration of sexuality for the time period. Truthfully I couldn’t bond with Shug much, but at least the author was realistic with flawed characterization.
I realize the point of Nettie’s Africa adventures was to contrast the difference of treatment with African culture versus American, but it took up way too much of the story eventually. I was bored with most of that stuff and would have enjoyed the story more if it remained in Celie’s viewpoint. It could have been shortened at least to stay interesting and still get the same point across.
It’s a personal growth novel but not a whole lot happens plot-wise. I haven’t seen the movie so I can’t do a comparison with it.
The first half was the better part since the second became weighed down with Nettie’s viewpoint and getting a little chaotic. At first the writing style was struggle but I grew used to it quicker than I figured I would....more
“There are a lot of people who haven't got the brains for their educations.”
First I have to say I haven’t seen the film, am happy to have read the b “There are a lot of people who haven't got the brains for their educations.”
First I have to say I haven’t seen the film, am happy to have read the book first since that’s the natural order of things I like to take, and that I plan to watch the well-recommended film as soon as possible.
Laura Hunt is dead, and detective Mark McPherson is assigned to investigate. During the mystery, he relies on the advice and personal insight of one of her mentor and friends, Waldo Lydecker, and shines his suspicious light on her fiancé, Shelby Carpenter.
More than just a simple mystery, the story utilizes an unusual narrative style that goes from Mark’s point of view to McPherson’s, then back again, throwing in a few others for spice. I’m not the biggest fan of revolving points of view in certain mysteries, but here anything else would have dampened the story’s appeal. The narrative style ended up such a unique touch for this story that it’s one of the first things thought of, one of the first things mentioned, and one of the highest achievements this story sought and won.
It’s an interesting take that this story is not involved so much in the solving of a crime, but how the characters are affected by the character and death. Mark becomes more entranced with the character of Laura as he learns about her – through viewing the impressions she’s left on others (like paintings), to learning of her life and through her apartment, through the dedication she’s brought out of her many admirers and suitors. Now he just have to waddle through the mess and find the actual truth. Was she as worthy as the reputation demanded?
There is a surprise in store for the reader, and the author doesn’t wait until the end to bring it out to change the entire stories direction. This story doesn’t stay a straight mystery and it doesn’t hold off on the punches for changing the entire direction of it mid-point.
I can see why it’s considered a classic and why it’s still so highly revered by mystery and crime fans. It gets into the heart and soul of the characters, shines new perspectives on the traits of human obsession and dedications. There was such a small suspect pool that it wasn't hard to guess the culprit during the last phase of the book, but the point of the story isn’t digging out the culprit so much as it is figuring out the depth of genuine emotion and how its inspired.
'And then I'll feel the thirst come on me and I'll soak. Soak for hours. It's power, and glory, and women, and the Kingdom Now this author could write:
'And then I'll feel the thirst come on me and I'll soak. Soak for hours. It's power, and glory, and women, and the Kingdom of God, all rolled into one. I feel a king then, Mary. I feel I've got the strings of the world between my two fingers. It's heaven and hell. '
Daphne du Maurier has style. The woman has a way with words that is as enchanting as her story concepts themselves. She had a bravery in writing realistic characters who are flawed, shining gems. I was first wowed with the classic Rebecca, and then she wowed me again with The Birds and Other Stories.
Jamaica Inn was penned earlier in her career, so it shows she was just learning how to climb the creative ropes the right way. It's not her best work but it's definitely readable because, hello!, it's Daphne du Maurier.
Mary was unique in that she didn't mind so much with having to consort with lesser-liked types, those who are criminals or viewed poorly by the local village. She's headstrong and daring, but also unique in that she's not the classic goth heroine who is overcome with compassion, fainting spells, hysteria, and insanely overdone innocence. She may not always be the wisest with her actions, but she's spirited in motive and refreshing with her courage and outlook.
The story is goth blended in with disorganized crime. While Gothics of the day usually held back most mystery on the evil deeds going on until later for a big reveal, this one shows them pretty early, having the character deal with them the best she can for the sake of a vulnerable aunt. There is a twist at the end on a villain, of course, but nothing too tightly woven. The book is lackluster because of this. We go through her life at the inn, face the horrors and discover the crimes, but there's not enough tension there to make it overly exciting.
“No, Mary had no illusions about romance. Falling in love was a pretty name for it, that was all.”
The relationship was another weird thing. It made little sense to me that she was so attracted to the brother, but then again it shows that she circled around to live the same life as the aunt she so harshly judges. He's a classic anti-hero though, so that's cool enough by concept. I didn't understand all the chemistry between them but I think it falls down to a few things - one, that the men's family tree lured in women of her line, like her aunt who had fallen for the uncle when they were younger. Second, that they both had some bond with how they were similar - she liked the adventurous and mildly daring, didn't mind a little lawbreaking, was rather wild and free in a way that would draw him in. That's probably why the uncle liked her a little too.
The ending was hardly romantic, it was a little bit of an abrupt afterthought, but if he didn't come back at all it would have bugged me.
Overall, the book needed a little more story rather than some of the padding to keep it fresh. It's worth reading for more of du Maurier's fantastic writing ability, her unusual characters who stand out like sore thumbs in a sea of normalcy, and for a darker themed gothic novel that dared to take chances with unusual violence.
Read it and philosophize while you read it and weep.
Sometimes I have to wonder what the people who write the back blurbs of these books are thinking ( Read it and philosophize while you read it and weep.
Sometimes I have to wonder what the people who write the back blurbs of these books are thinking (or smoking). The back says "THE PEARL is a book to be read many times and cherished forever." What they're talking about, I can't imagine. If you choose to get pissed over and over again, then by all means keep reading this tragic story.
I get what Steinbeck is saying in his beautiful writing voice - to be content with what is had and to not let the lure of greed drift you too far out, lest you lose everything. It's kind of like the principle of this ridiculous short story we had to read in elementary school - I can't remember it's name, but the point of the story that the teacher and book taught irritated me then too. I get what he's saying, I just don't agree with his perspective.
What I take from this fable is that a man gets a break in luck in fortune, something he hopes for in order to save his child's life and better the life of him and his wife. People try to steal and rip from him his fortune with THEIR greed, and he stands strong and tries to fight back, refusing to bow to the injustice of thievery, deceit, and people trying to suck out the joy in others lives. It's a matter of principle to try and protect fortune that comes your way, whether through blessing or hard work or that rare stroke of genius. There is no shame in fighting back against the tides of unfairness to protect what is yours and to work toward something better.
I can't bring myself to rate something higher than 3 stars if it pissed me off with its ending, but I can respect this book because it's John freaking Steinbeck, it's a fable that's so well done it may as well define the word 'fable' in the dictionary, and because it wasn't only the alluring pull of the pearl that kept drawing me further in.
"Humanity had been strong, energetic, and intelligent, and had used all its abundant vitality to alter the conditions which it lived. And now came the"Humanity had been strong, energetic, and intelligent, and had used all its abundant vitality to alter the conditions which it lived. And now came the reaction of the altered conditions."
Read with the non-crunchy classics group, but took forever to finally review.
The Time Machine is one of those timeless classics (I was going to do a better pun than this but my creativity stalled, so we'll stop there) that everyone should try on for size.
A well-written, entrancing book that's saved by it's second half because the first part is a little too technical, too subjective to hold more than momentary interest. When the travels are finally revealed, the story finally becomes interesting.
He goes into the future assuming man will have progressed to momentous wonders, but instead finds that once certain plateaus are reached, man can't help but fragment. I'm sure the same could be said for today - people 100 years ago probably spent time marveling at how much we'd accomplish in 2016, but if you turn on the news it's filled with stories about people walking off the cliff playing Pokemon Go on their phone!
It's telling that the ponderings H.G. Wells had back then on social class still exist as problems today.
The visions were trippy and advanced for their time. Imaginative separation of what appears to be the superior race on top, the inferior below, but the narrator finds not all is at it seems in the end. This surprise added layered dimensions that wouldn't be there otherwise.
Really, the best thing about the book is the ending. Not because the rest of it isn't good, but because the ending is THAT good, thought-provoking because of the narrator's speech to his listening audience after his return travel, where he ponders what he could or could not find when he went into the past. When we know he's gone again, we're not sure what's happened - the possibilities are endless. Did he find a place in time he was happier at, not wishing to return? Did he lose the time machine or was it destroyed? Did he get destroyed himself by error or intention?
Unfortunately the Victorian prosed writing isn't always enjoyable during the technical musings, and the characters were invented more as a social commentary of the class separation than to be fully fleshed, but it's still a wonder of a story that has spawned countless children throughout the years. It definitely deserves to live on in its classic category, celebrated for the creative experiment it was.
“It seemed to her suddenly that violence was an inescapable factor of the heart, perhaps the most important factor of all - an ineradicable thing that“It seemed to her suddenly that violence was an inescapable factor of the heart, perhaps the most important factor of all - an ineradicable thing that lay, like a bad seed, behind kindness, behind compassion, behind the embrace of love itself. Sometimes it lay deeply hidden, sometimes it lay close to the surface; but always it was there, ready to appear, under the right conditions, in all its irrational dreadfulness.”
It's amazing to think this book is almost 60 years old - it was definitely a chilling and thought-provoking story for it's time, spawning at least two film adaptions. Rhoda Penmark is a charming, old-fashioned little girl with zero conscience and the mind and heart of a killer. Written in the 50's, the author dared to be bold and unapologetic about the possibility of a soulless child born due to bad genetics. Since I've seen both films more than once, I already knew the storyline well - they followed the book closely - but the well-done pen of March kept it alive and interesting.
While not high in suspense of quickly paced, it's more of a slow unraveling of a horrible discovery and its fallout. The book is primarily told through the point of view of the mother, Christine, who has her own morbid past that comes to light when she discovers how empty her daughter is. Some of the book is written through forms of letters to her husband who works off in the military and leaves her alone to have to deal with this horror on her own. The neighbors in the apartment of major characters - some there to admire little Rhoda, the janitor who keeps teasing her and discovers for himself how horrible the child really is, and convenient writers on serial killers and past crimes who help lead Christine conveniently on the right paths.
A slower pace isn't a crutch for the book since the psychological dread basically coats the pages. When a violent crime is discovered, it's soul-wrenching and beyond disturbing. The reader keeps seeing the mother of a dead child having frequent meltdowns, and the backstory with Rhoda and an elderly lady is unsettling. There is a murder that takes place on page, and it's definitely just as horrifying. The ending is an ironic twist on how sometimes creepiness lives on despite the good guy's best efforts.
It gets into your head, makes you think about things in a different light, and gives you the creeps. Psychologically disturbing and highly recommended to readers of any type of fiction. Nonfiction fans who like True Crime will likely enjoy it as well.
Note - Apparently Lifetime is remaking this movie - let's hope they avoid the melodrama they tend to produce. The foreword focusing on feminism implications may have been interesting in its way, but it also felt out of place. I think it was simply a case of the author choosing a small girl with skirts and pigtails as the more unassuming of the gender in comparison to the brawling and more hyper boys in the 50s. ...more
“I have something to fight for and live for; that makes me a better killer. I've got what amounts to a religion now. It's learning how to bre4.5 stars
“I have something to fight for and live for; that makes me a better killer. I've got what amounts to a religion now. It's learning how to breathe all over again. And how to lie in the sun getting a tan, letting the sun work into you. And how to hear music and how to read a book. What does your civilization offer?”
I’m basically a noob when it comes to science fiction. Other than one Sci-fi book I dared (and enjoyed) a few years ago and a sampling of alien creature-features, I haven’t explored much inside this complex genre. Enter a book like this, a classic by an author who has given man several other timeless warnings.
At first I worried it’d be difficult to get into since it seemed too out there, too surreal, but it didn’t take long to grab my interest and shake off my annoyance that the visitors were being given such a hard time. It’s a pet peeve of mine when characters aren’t believed. All made sense soon enough, so have a small amount of patience and all will be rewarded.
When the final page is closed, what echoes and stands out is how beautifully unique this work is. It’s clever and much more layered than it starts. There is not only one central story or one central theme, but a showcase of journeys and stories throughout different ages. As time passes, more worsens and less progresses. Clearly it should be the other way around, but Bradbury’s heart seemed to be in dystopian and twisted futuristic fiction that shows man ruins societies and worlds he tries to improve.
Pacing is no struggle at all once the beginning has eroded away. Each small story that shows a different view and time piece flies by, all leaving an impression without boring me. Sometimes I had to pause between pieces to mentally fathom the emotional jabbing. There is no one larger-than-life lesson or story here, for the pieces are too varied and artistic to come together where it would only fit into one mere puzzle.
I think what impressed me most is how the surreal feel and epic imagery with the talented writing made me picture certain scenes so clearly. The slow movements of the faces and the turning heads with the wine pouring over the lips was downright creepy. The tragic face-changing finale of a particular tragic figure wanting to fit in and be loved is not forgettable. The haunting ending with the reflections – all shiver inducing stuff.
‘The Martian Chronicles’ was such a strange beauty of a book. I shall not forget it. Varied and tragic, clever and haunting, it definitely deserves the classic stamp.
Oh, and how nifty was that mini tribute to Edgar Allen Poe in one of the timelines? May the books never be burned.
“All down the way the pursued and the pursuing, the dream and the dreamers, the quarry and the hounds. All down the way the sudden revealment, the flash of familiar eyes, the cry of an old, old name. Everyone leaping forward as, like an image reflected from ten thousand mirrors, ten thousand eyes, the running dream came and went, a different face to those ahead, those behind, those yet to be met, those unseen... And here they all are now, at the boat, wanting the dream for their own.”...more
“Don't ask for guarantees. And don't look to be saved in any one thing, person, machine, or library. Do your own bit of saving, and if you dr3.5 stars
“Don't ask for guarantees. And don't look to be saved in any one thing, person, machine, or library. Do your own bit of saving, and if you drown, at least die knowing you were heading for shore.”
Before I start this review, let's be clear that I can't spell Fahrenheit to save my life. Every freaking time I have to see it to type it out. Grrr. 'Tis a difficult word.
This bizarre little book speaks intensely without using words to do it about how sad life's state can get when people become so cut off via slow censorship. When I was reading this book it felt like my mind was mentally all over the place, almost in some strange psychotic trance; heady stuff. It must be the authors style that did it, a talented man who can really alter perception with his writing. This alone helps illustrate the importance of this book's theme.
Reading this made me think heavily about what could happen slowly to civilization as all books disappeared. We would be stuck to news and social media through the TV and internet only, without books in there of course. Popular opinions would be limited to media that was slowly corrupted and not published to shock or alter society opinion, no differing views all over the place stating reasoning of their decisions in clear, concise, checklist ways. No more poetry for young lovers to read to one another when dining, wining, and romanticizing their lives and hearts before life shatters it. No more empathy learned, developed, and nurtured by reading about the points of views of others through their eyes and living their shoes this way.
The world Bradbury weaved is psychologically twisted and strange - a nice place to study, but you wouldn't want to even VISIT there. The grimness and blah seeps off the pages and it seems everyone wants to die after awhile, where life is through the motions. The saddest thing is most don't even know that, they think they're happy of sorts but they're so brain-dead it's inevitable most of their "soul" had faded off before their body did.
The ending was...well, very odd too. I don't want to provide spoilers, and I knew there was a war looming, but didn't expect THAT. The big machine thing was just disturbing, particularly a certain person's death. There's no telling whatever ended up happening to the survivors, we can only assume. The memory of the books being held and retold when occasion warranted in the men's minds pleased me -- instead of ink being typed into pages and preserved, it seems that once read the words soaked into their brains somewhere to come out when needed again.
Why then only 3.5 stars? Despite the creative genius story behind the book, the talent of the maker, the book just kept losing me. It's bizarreness was loosely held together and following it was a bit of a chore as the hero was so imbalanced and wishy washy in thought.
The best thing about the book was the end. Bradbury provided a few pages about the book and then ranted on censorship. Folks, he seemed incredible. His words were heartfelt, not held back, and just awesome. They inspire, heat, and ignite. Because of the authors words at the end more than this surreal book, makes me want to read more from him and only hope there is an autobiography somewhere out there he penned.
I started reading this one a week after the author's death in tribute, and also it was on my TBR list for awhile as a classic I meant to get to. R.I.P. Ray Bradbury, may your memory forever remain! ...more
“There are two things that men should never weary of, goodness and humility; we get none too much of them in this rough world among cold, proud people“There are two things that men should never weary of, goodness and humility; we get none too much of them in this rough world among cold, proud people.”
I guess I’m just not going to be a big fan of Robert Louis Stevenson, which is a shame since he wrote classic adventure-filled maritime fiction. As with Treasure Island, the beginning promised more than what was delivered, although Kidnapped ended up being the better of the two because of the satisfying ending.
I liked the first half more than the second. The second dove too much into a confusing and jumbled marriage of politics of some weird kind with fleeing and travel and I sat there mainly, "who, what, when, why, ho....Zzzzzz."
I enjoyed the part leading up to the ship, and the ship, more than the rest of it. Stevenson probably won't have long-term chemistry with me since I dislike some of the rambling , but the writing overall is beautiful and the story held my interest at least half the time. I regret it started souring for me later.
Sad when a book is fine at first but keeps getting more boring as it chugs along. By the end I was ready to be put out of my misery. Due to the writing being colorful (besides the annoying dialogue), and the decent first half, I left it as a three star instead of a two. Barely....more
“I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three “I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach!”
A Christmas Carol has become such a classic of the holiday that it's practically a part of Christmas tradition for some families. If you think of a Christmas book, this one will definitely pop up. Surprisingly this is my first year actually reading it, although of course I'd seen an animated version. There are SO many animated versions, and plays, and... clearly the story is popular.
I'm not a big fan of Dickens, but haven't given up on him yet - here he tells the story craftily with beautiful writing. It's not overdone with flowery language or too many pauses in between content, unlike other times I've tried his thicker works. It's not at all hard to read and instead comes across graceful with writing like this:
“No space of regret can make amends for one life's opportunity misused”
and
“He was consious of a thousand odours floating in the air, each one connected with a thousand thoughts, and hopes, and joys, and cares, long, long, forgotten.”
It's hard to rate a plot I already know so well, but it was an inventive and predictable one. The ghost of Christmas past is more jolly, the ghost of the present has an ominous ending (and those children are creepy) and it makes sense the third, filled with doom, would be silent. Dickens did a good job fleshing out the characters in what was supposed to be a moral tale. Most were there as archetypes to loan the moral lesson cred, even to the point of Tiny Tim who is supposed to be seen as so sweet and helpful his name starts with 'tiny', but despite this not many can say they haven't heard of Ebenezer Scrooge. He was not only a fully fleshed out character, but he became one of the most popular characters in literature, theater and film.
A wonderful book that showcases moral lessons that are suitable for the entire year, but especially at Christmas, especially when you want to turn that frown upside down and get rid of the 'humbug' mentality. Bring on the Christmas cheer! ...more
I finally got to read a tale so well-known around the world. It wasn't a disappointment, although the Hyde in this 18th century piece of literature isI finally got to read a tale so well-known around the world. It wasn't a disappointment, although the Hyde in this 18th century piece of literature is less violent than later adaptions, likely due to the age of the times. The rigid Victorian background setting, as well as the Dr. being at the height of social esteem for his profession, drives home the point that a person would love to let go and unwind against the oppressing constraints. Always having to be polite, proper, careful, and courtly had to have grown old for some. I know it did the author himself, who took to hanging out in unruly areas for some release before leaving for more isolated surroundings where he could relax and let his hair down (so to speak).
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is an excellent literary study on the bizarre, complex dual natures inside humanity. Whether one thinks this duality is a plague of humanity, or else a relief, is up to debate and interpretation.
A shorter piece, it needs no further length to serve its purpose. It's told through the viewpoint of a friend, so that it's as if the reader is outside looking in, seeing a mystery unwind, makes the theme more potent. Being inside the mind of the man would not have worked as well in some ways, but would have worked better in others. The mystery would have been lost on what was going on, but on the positive side more emotion would have been felt as he struggled with his internal demons if we could have been an actual part of his thoughts.
Stevenson having it from an outside perspective made it more of a mysterious study and observation rather than an experience. Still it was easy to relate to as we all understand. The good Doctor Lanyard could not understand, clearly, as he was so horrified it was indicated it led to his death or else played a massive part. This could be because so many of the Victorian times were always in the mindset of being right and proper that it would not have even considered to some to let this side of themselves out, that this side even existed to be released.
Although 19th century literature, it is easy to read and not bogged down by over-flowery and drawn-out wording, so should appeal to audiences today. The theme is something that will always appeal, no matter the generation, especially healthier ones that have long recognized the dual nature of man. ...more
“Perhaps - I want the old days back again and they'll never come back, and I am haunted by the memory of them and of the world falling about my ears. “Perhaps - I want the old days back again and they'll never come back, and I am haunted by the memory of them and of the world falling about my ears. ”
The civil war. A beautiful woman at the height of selfishness. The love and death of home and land. Society wound up so tight an improper wink could undo you. Destruction, tragedy, political corruption, truth, lies, life, death, love, loss, big changes, new beginnings, intermingled with never ending cycles. All of this helps make Gone with the wind what it is: an epic novel that will never be forgotten, that will forever be loved, cherished, and discovered with delight by new readers for ages.
I am one of those new readers. In my early thirties I’ve finally read the rather intimidating sized tomb that speaks of southern charm twisted with the civil war and all the tragedies that surrounded it. Of course I’ve seen the film – several times – and I always loved the story. Scarlett O’Hara is far from the typical heroine. She’s easier to hate than to enjoy, her thought processes are understandable but leave the reader cold. Her motivations are for the sake of survival, but her climb toward the top still leaves a bad taste in the mouth. Even before she does what she has to because she ‘has to’, she’s not likeable. Her spoiled demeanor and enjoying being the main twinkle in every man’s eye at the barbecue, taking away boyfriends from all the women without a twinge of conscience, makes it easier to sympathize with the rest than with her.
Margaret Mitchell did a unique thing by taking an unlikeable woman and making it her story. It’s sort of a destructive, moral lesson tale that you can’t look away from, a literary train wreck impossible to ignore. While the movie had her spawn one beautiful, endearing child, the book showed her to have three kids instead. One from Charles, one from Frank, and finally one from Rhett. She was a horrible mother and some of the more heart wrenching scenes was poor Wade trying to psychologically adapt during the war. Ella is rarely mentioned and holds no scenes at all (unusual). I was especially irked when Scarlett was told a terrible tragedy by someone trying to help her, who sympathized with her plight, but was impatient through the tragedy to be on with her business. Even if Scarlett isn’t likeable with her thoughts, her motivations, and her outlook, she’s still fun as hell to read about.
“It was not often that she was alone like this and she did not like it. When she was alone she had to think and, these days, thoughts were not so pleasant.”
Rhett shines as a fascinating leading man. When he’s on the page, the paper almost shines. He steals the scenes and his dialogue especially amused me. Some say they are both evil in reviews and neither deserve happiness; I disagree. To me Rhett did have heart, he did have feelings, but he still enjoyed shunning a society which shunned him first. He spoke from intellectual insight and common sense, not letting falsely inflated southern pride puff him up to rush into a battle that had such poor odds. He didn’t mind speaking his mind, no matter how unpopular that mindset was. He did eagerly make money off societies failing, and without apology reveled in the riches he made from the war where it could be made. Still, he clearly hated the war, he warned against it, he hated the tragedy sowed. He was respectful to Mammie and her role in Scarlett’s life, he loved his daughter, he genuinely loved the spoiled woman his heart became cursed by.
Gone with the Wind is over 1000 pages, and inside those pages the author manages to somehow cram an amazing amount of events while expertly shuffling intriguing inner dialogue and emotional moments that soared without growing boring, dull, or lagging the tale. Her writing style is easily absorbed, she had a natural knack with dialogue, and the scenes merged together flawlessly. She took care to give different insights during the civil war from all sides that I hadn’t considered before.
“No, my dear, I'm not in love with you, no more than you are with me, and if I were, you would be the last person I'd ever tell. God help the man who ever really loves you. You'd break his heart, my darling, cruel, destructive little cat who is so careless and confident she doesn't even trouble to sheathe her claws.”
The ending is haunting. It was the suiting ending that fit the story, summed up the moral lesson, brought to head the tragic tale of a spoiled main character reaping her spoils. But…even so, the romantic in me yearns for a happy ending she doesn’t deserve. I think it’s mainly because my heart laid with Rhett and it was such a bitter turnout. The ending speech and exchange with the light dying from his eyes shook me. In interviews Mitchell was asked if they reunited - in one version she said no, in another she said maybe. Scarlett's determination was fierce, but Rhett's mind was also all his own. The child’s death was painful.
The war was bitter and horrible and all that war really is. Society was so twisted and strange back then, which I find with most historical novels. They would hate to be born in our age, and I thank God I wasn’t born in theirs.
“Now she had a fumbling knowledge that, had she ever understood Ashley, she would never have loved him; had she ever understood Rhett, she would never have lost him.”
Gone with the Wind didn’t disappoint me at all. It’s impossible to sum up what makes this book so special. I included just some of the traits and events, but there are so many more, the characters being so rich they easily come to life in the reader’s mind, the tragedy is truly felt, the lessons experienced even if those with a conscience don’t need to experience them. It’s easy to see why this story has become such a legend that holds through the ages.
The movie suffered a bit from melodrama, but the book not at all. I can’t recommend the novel highly enough. Sure, she didn't write this during the civil war, but the age in which is was written was antiquated with its moral outlook. Outstanding work by a talented author trying so many different sorts of viewpoints and personalities, especially in such a sheltered age....more
The Invisible Man is character orientated in its own way, but by taking a distant tone to illustrate the isolation of genius from society, th3.5 Stars
The Invisible Man is character orientated in its own way, but by taking a distant tone to illustrate the isolation of genius from society, the corruption of power. HG Wells makes sure the man isn’t even that likeable, although of course my silly heart felt compassion sometimes anyway.
If you’re familiar with the Universal classic movie, the first chapters – that is his time at the Inn – is pretty identical in sequence and outcome in the film. Thankfully the shrew innkeeper woman wasn’t as madly annoying – worked in the movie but with the book it would have felt out of place. After he leaves in the inn, the story becomes a tale all of its own, leaving out most of the film events.
There is no redeeming romantic interest, no well-respected friends or colleagues waiting by his side in support. Apparently the point of the story is that his isolation has made him seek out further isolation. In the book he’s an albino and generally despised before invisibility. By the time he has taken his potions and transformed, he cares not for society; his drive to succeed with his advances is not spurred on by needing acceptance.
The theme and beginning are well imagined. The ending was tragic and excellent. Dialogue – I loved it when the Invisible man conversed with others, his intelligence shows through with his madness. I do think HG Wells could have done more with the story material, especially during the middle, which lagged a bit at times.
I enjoyed HG Well’s writing style – looking forward to trying more of his stuff....more
Erin *Proud Book Hoarder*
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