Aimee writes:
This term I read The Cider House Rules by John Irving. I have finished reading the book and I enjoyed it much more than the one I read last term. This was an easy read for me because it was something I could get into, it fit my personality better. The book is about an orphanage located in St. Clouds, Maine. Dr. Wilber Larch is the caretaker to the orphans, and also performs illegal abortions. One of the orphans, Homer Wells, cannot seem to find a family to call his own. He has gone to different homes but has a hard time finding a full-time home. When his first foster family thinks something is wrong with him because he does not cry, they beat him. When he goes back to the orphanage and to other families, he cannot stop crying. After a while, Dr. Larch gives up on trying to find a home for Homer because he believes he was meant to live at the orphanage. While living in the orphanage, Nurse Enda, Nurse Angela, and Dr. Larch start to give him chores to do. Homer finds out that Dr. Larch is an illegal abortionist when one day, while taking out the trash, he finds a fetus. Dr. Larch then teaches Homer to be an abortionist. In the meantime, Homer becomes friends with a girl from the girl version of the orphanage, Melonie. She is just like Homer in the sense that she “belongs” to St. Clouds, so they make a promise that they will not leave St. Clouds without the other.
Over the next few years, Homer is still learning to be an abortionist. The reader then meets Candy Kendall and Wally Worthington, also known as the couple in Heart’s Haven. Candy is the same age as Homer, and when she discovers she is pregnant, she realizes that she is too young to be a mother. She wants to live more of her life without taking care of a child. Wally takes Candy to St. Clouds where they meet Homer. Homer likes Candy and would like to help her, but he thinks that abortions are wrong and doesn’t want to perform them. He has decided that he will deliver babies, but not abort them. Homer breaks his promise with Melonie when Wally asks him to take a road trip with him, and it turns into a summer job for Homer. This is all that I am going to give away, so you will have to read the book to find out more.
I thought this was a very good story because I do not get bothered by sad or disturbing images. I actually enjoy reading books like this one. John Irving writes in a way that the reader can understand, and he is very descriptive with some scenes. I would give this book an 8 out of 10 because I liked the story line and it kept me reading it even outside of school.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Owen Meany by John Irving
Caitie writes:So far in my novel Owen Meany by John Irving I have met the main characters which are Owen Meany and the narrator John Wheelwright. The boys are starting to grow up and you follow them through their private preparatory high school. Owen still has not grown and looks very out of place with all the high school boys. Even though he is very small Owen is still famous in town. Especially for his performance in “A Christmas Carol” as the ghost of Christmas past, even though it is a non-speaking role Owen still puts on a very memorable performance. He is so frightening in the role that he actually causes one young audience member to wet her pants. Owen then makes himself known in the Gravesend High by becoming “The Voice”. Owen writes a column for the school newspaper and is always criticizing the school and its staff much to joy of his peers. He is always first on the case when there is a new issue in the school. Owen even has a role in who is picked for the next headmaster. He interviews each candidate and picks the one he likes the best and totally trashes the other people going for the job. Owen is almost viewed as an adult even though he has the least physical resemblance of all the students at Gravesend high. This novel may not seem very gripping just by the plot but the way Irving writes and creates the characters really makes the story. The character of Owen Meany is one of my favorite characters of all time. He is a very complex but I have already become attached to him. His story isn’t a great one but it is very original he is the smallest kid on the baseball team who kills his best friend’s mother when he gets his first hit. He never even apologizes to Johnny for killing his only parent he just flees the scene. Ms. Wheelwright was like a mother to Owen too, so it upset him to he just never acknowledged that he was responsible for her death. The way this character interacts with the world around him is spectacular he is so confident and everyone knows it. All Owen’s dialogue is in ALL CAPS which I really like. It may seem strange but it is just one more thing that draws the reader to the character. It made me pay attention to every word he says, it totally completes the character. Owen believes that he is God’s instrument. At first this seems absurd but as the character of Owen Meany develops you see how religious he is and how he relates everything back to the bible. This makes his claim somewhat more believable; the reader actually says to themselves “is this boy really doing God’s work?” I really like this concept and found myself starting to believe that God was walking among humans through this boy. I am almost done with this book and I intend to read many more novels by John Irving I really like his writing style and look forward to the other characters and worlds he has created.
Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert.
Mairian writes:t
I am reading the novel “Madame Bovary” by Gustave Flaubert. So far in the story a man named Charles gets married to a woman who was very controlling and she thought he was cheating on her with someone who lived with one of his clients because he kept going back to his client’s house to visit. Charles’s wife eventually passed away. Once it was appropriate Charles got remarried to Emma, one of his clients daughter (the one he was believed to be cheating with). Emma thought she was in love but she feel that she was fooled and she thinks that it isn’t like she imagined and read about, however Charles is completely in love with her. Emma and Charles get invited to a fancy ball thrown by “le Marquis”. Emma really enjoyed it and she danced with a man who was a good dancer. Emma wanted to continue in that life style but she went back home to her boring life hoping to one day go to another ball. She feels very unsatisfied in life and is almost depressed. Emma doesn’t want to continue living in the small town she lives in and she pretends to be sick and she drinks things to make her loose weight until her husband decides to move because he thinks that the town is making her sick. Once they leave Emma finds out that she is pregnant but she looses her little dog during the journey to their new town. At the new town while Charles was talking to his correspondent, Homais, Emma talks to Homais’s young, boarder, law clerk, Leon. She discovers that he too likes romance novels and they feel very close to each other. Emma hopes that her life here changes for the better and that she will become happy again.
I think that the novel is getting good. It had a slow start but it is starting to get interesting and I’m looking forward to continue reading it. So far I give it about a 6 or 7 but I’m sure it will get more interesting.
I am reading the novel “Madame Bovary” by Gustave Flaubert. So far in the story a man named Charles gets married to a woman who was very controlling and she thought he was cheating on her with someone who lived with one of his clients because he kept going back to his client’s house to visit. Charles’s wife eventually passed away. Once it was appropriate Charles got remarried to Emma, one of his clients daughter (the one he was believed to be cheating with). Emma thought she was in love but she feel that she was fooled and she thinks that it isn’t like she imagined and read about, however Charles is completely in love with her. Emma and Charles get invited to a fancy ball thrown by “le Marquis”. Emma really enjoyed it and she danced with a man who was a good dancer. Emma wanted to continue in that life style but she went back home to her boring life hoping to one day go to another ball. She feels very unsatisfied in life and is almost depressed. Emma doesn’t want to continue living in the small town she lives in and she pretends to be sick and she drinks things to make her loose weight until her husband decides to move because he thinks that the town is making her sick. Once they leave Emma finds out that she is pregnant but she looses her little dog during the journey to their new town. At the new town while Charles was talking to his correspondent, Homais, Emma talks to Homais’s young, boarder, law clerk, Leon. She discovers that he too likes romance novels and they feel very close to each other. Emma hopes that her life here changes for the better and that she will become happy again.
I think that the novel is getting good. It had a slow start but it is starting to get interesting and I’m looking forward to continue reading it. So far I give it about a 6 or 7 but I’m sure it will get more interesting.
Heart of Darkness
Greg writes:
Joseph Conrad’s novel, Heart of Darkness, follows the life of a man named Marlow after he is taken from his life in England to be the captain of a ship. However, he soon after learns that this alleged “ferry boat” is really used to transport ivory for a man named Kurtz in the Congo. Throughout the story, Marlow finds himself growing to love the water more and more, considering it far more omnipresent and boundless than the land, which, in Africa, is usually riddled with plague and disease.
I like this novel because of how it so literally incorporated the title into the story, often showing dark scenes, using night, and contrasting light as a metaphor for good vs. evil, which is time and again shown when dealing with the natures of Marlow and the wicked Kurtz. Another recurring theme in the novel are the characters’ finding themselves speechless, and unable to articulate their thoughts at key times. This usually happens at very important times in the novel, meaning that the events and sights may well have rendered them speechless, or may well have been too awe-inspiring to have words fully describe them. I particularly liked this aspect of the novel because I relate to it quite nicely. I am, at times, at a loss for words when even trying to describe the simplest of feelings, and in that, I can relate to the novel at those times.
Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness was a realistic fiction, yet it was heavier in metaphors and symbolism than any reality possibly could be. That’s not to say it’s inferior to today’s novels. It is simply different. It pioneered the modern era’s sense of symbolism. Overall, I rate this book a 5.5-6/10. I absolutely loved the figurative language Conrad used in the novel, however, it was a bit erratic at times, drawing lines between good and evil in the most obscure places.
Joseph Conrad’s novel, Heart of Darkness, follows the life of a man named Marlow after he is taken from his life in England to be the captain of a ship. However, he soon after learns that this alleged “ferry boat” is really used to transport ivory for a man named Kurtz in the Congo. Throughout the story, Marlow finds himself growing to love the water more and more, considering it far more omnipresent and boundless than the land, which, in Africa, is usually riddled with plague and disease.
I like this novel because of how it so literally incorporated the title into the story, often showing dark scenes, using night, and contrasting light as a metaphor for good vs. evil, which is time and again shown when dealing with the natures of Marlow and the wicked Kurtz. Another recurring theme in the novel are the characters’ finding themselves speechless, and unable to articulate their thoughts at key times. This usually happens at very important times in the novel, meaning that the events and sights may well have rendered them speechless, or may well have been too awe-inspiring to have words fully describe them. I particularly liked this aspect of the novel because I relate to it quite nicely. I am, at times, at a loss for words when even trying to describe the simplest of feelings, and in that, I can relate to the novel at those times.
Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness was a realistic fiction, yet it was heavier in metaphors and symbolism than any reality possibly could be. That’s not to say it’s inferior to today’s novels. It is simply different. It pioneered the modern era’s sense of symbolism. Overall, I rate this book a 5.5-6/10. I absolutely loved the figurative language Conrad used in the novel, however, it was a bit erratic at times, drawing lines between good and evil in the most obscure places.
Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut'
Nick writes:
Of the two I have read, I certainly would say that Cat's Cradle
is the better classic novel. Jude the Obscure was good, but I
think Kurt Vonnegut's writing style suits me more. I'm more than
half way done with the novel Cat's Cradle and considering the
fact that I actually enjoy reading this one a lot, I think I may
finish it in the near future. Basically this book is a story of a
man who finds his story while trying to tell another man's story.
The main characters life is explained, but not told. Really the
reader learns about how he lives and what effects his decisions
rather than what events took place in his life. The Book also
revolves mainly on the ideas of Bokonism. I imagine this is a
made up religion for this book, but as you read on you learn more
and more about this crazy religion. I now know that there's an
island, San Lorenzo. On San Lorenzo Bokonism is illegal. The
reason it's illegal is because the person who created the
religion made it illegal, and made himself a convict by doing so.
It appears to make no sense but I believe he did it so that only
his true followers stay with him. The crazy thing is that almost
everyone on the island is a Bokonist. It's really odd, but the
punishment for practicing the beliefs is to get "The Hook"
basically a form of hanging execution. I'm not sure exactly what
"the Hook" is but I'm positive it's brutal and keeps everyone in
fear. Another thing I have come to realize as I read is that in
this novel you have to pay attention to the development of ideas
a lot more than the characters. I'm amazed at how little the
characters actually matter in this story. Normally if I like a
book this much then I am crushed to see a character killed or
dying or dead. In this particular novel I think I would easily
come to grips with the death of any character if it would
contribute to the development of the conceptual part of the
story. Kurt Vonegut has a unique writing style, and it definitely
fits me. Yet another thing I love about this book is that it's
split into 127 small chapters with interesting names that make
reading a bit more fun. Some examples are chapter 19 "No more
mud" chapter 23 "The Last Batch of Brownies" and chapter 80 "The
Waterfall Strainer". I really like this novel, and I'm glad I
got it, it's a good read and puts an interesting twist on what I
usually read.
Of the two I have read, I certainly would say that Cat's Cradle
is the better classic novel. Jude the Obscure was good, but I
think Kurt Vonnegut's writing style suits me more. I'm more than
half way done with the novel Cat's Cradle and considering the
fact that I actually enjoy reading this one a lot, I think I may
finish it in the near future. Basically this book is a story of a
man who finds his story while trying to tell another man's story.
The main characters life is explained, but not told. Really the
reader learns about how he lives and what effects his decisions
rather than what events took place in his life. The Book also
revolves mainly on the ideas of Bokonism. I imagine this is a
made up religion for this book, but as you read on you learn more
and more about this crazy religion. I now know that there's an
island, San Lorenzo. On San Lorenzo Bokonism is illegal. The
reason it's illegal is because the person who created the
religion made it illegal, and made himself a convict by doing so.
It appears to make no sense but I believe he did it so that only
his true followers stay with him. The crazy thing is that almost
everyone on the island is a Bokonist. It's really odd, but the
punishment for practicing the beliefs is to get "The Hook"
basically a form of hanging execution. I'm not sure exactly what
"the Hook" is but I'm positive it's brutal and keeps everyone in
fear. Another thing I have come to realize as I read is that in
this novel you have to pay attention to the development of ideas
a lot more than the characters. I'm amazed at how little the
characters actually matter in this story. Normally if I like a
book this much then I am crushed to see a character killed or
dying or dead. In this particular novel I think I would easily
come to grips with the death of any character if it would
contribute to the development of the conceptual part of the
story. Kurt Vonegut has a unique writing style, and it definitely
fits me. Yet another thing I love about this book is that it's
split into 127 small chapters with interesting names that make
reading a bit more fun. Some examples are chapter 19 "No more
mud" chapter 23 "The Last Batch of Brownies" and chapter 80 "The
Waterfall Strainer". I really like this novel, and I'm glad I
got it, it's a good read and puts an interesting twist on what I
usually read.
The Mill On The Floss
Kayla writes:
The Mill on the Floss by George Eliot has a rather boring beginning. I still need incouragement to keep reading because it does not seem like there is a point to the story. Young Maggie Tulliver is in need of love and affection from her family, mainly her older brother Tom. She does not let her mother curl her unruly black hair like all the other girls, and she does not even try to keep clean. What people around her do not realize is that she is very smart, and reads books that girls do not normally read. Maggie runs away to live with the gypsies but eventually gets sick of their food and way of living and goes home. Tom never appreciated Maggie until he attended private schooling. He was the only one in his class and his teacher was not impressed at all with his learning skills. He began to miss Maggie and when she came to visit him she offered to help him learn. The teacher is impressed with her skills but says wome n only have "superficial cleverness". Tom is relieved to go home at christmas for the half year.
The Mill on the Floss by George Eliot has a rather boring beginning. I still need incouragement to keep reading because it does not seem like there is a point to the story. Young Maggie Tulliver is in need of love and affection from her family, mainly her older brother Tom. She does not let her mother curl her unruly black hair like all the other girls, and she does not even try to keep clean. What people around her do not realize is that she is very smart, and reads books that girls do not normally read. Maggie runs away to live with the gypsies but eventually gets sick of their food and way of living and goes home. Tom never appreciated Maggie until he attended private schooling. He was the only one in his class and his teacher was not impressed at all with his learning skills. He began to miss Maggie and when she came to visit him she offered to help him learn. The teacher is impressed with her skills but says wome n only have "superficial cleverness". Tom is relieved to go home at christmas for the half year.
Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
Parisa writes:
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas is one of the best books I’ve read in the last year, because of its constant suspense and gripping plot. The novel is about Edmond Dantès, in 1400’s France, about to marry the girl he loves and become captain of a ship, and on the day of his wedding he is suddenly arrested and thrown in jail for the next fourteen years. During his time in the dungeons of Le Château d’If, Edmond undergoes a serious change, much like the change Spiderman or Batman go through. Before his period of confinement he is a respected young and successful man, if a bit trusting. He is the second mate on a ship full of officers all older than him, and he is a very skilled seaman, someone with a lot of potential in life. But because of this he has enemies: the treacherous M. Danglars, a shipmate and officer under Edmond, and the jealous Fernando Catalan, who is in love with Edmond’s fiancé, and Caderousse, a mercenary social climber. In jail Edmond changes completely and readers see exactly how mentally strong Edmond really is. He has a good friend in the cell next to his who tells him about a secret treasure on the island of Monte Cristo.
In one great scene, Edmond takes the place of a dead man in a shroud which is carried out of the dungeon and to the “graveyard”. The “graveyard” turns out to be a cliff overlooking the ocean, and Edmond discovers this rather suddenly when the guards tie a cannonball to his feet and hurl his shrouded body off the cliff. He screams. Equipped with a homemade knife, Edmond manages to cut himself free just as he is about to drown. He surfaces and looks up at the cliff to see the figures leaning over the edge, searching for the source of the cry. This scene is an example of the type of action and suspense combined with humor, with which the novel is packed from cover to cover.
I very strongly recommend this novel to all those who like thrilling escapes from death, a complex plot, and a handsome, compelling Robin Hood type character. I give The Count of Monte Cristo a hundred out of ten.
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas is one of the best books I’ve read in the last year, because of its constant suspense and gripping plot. The novel is about Edmond Dantès, in 1400’s France, about to marry the girl he loves and become captain of a ship, and on the day of his wedding he is suddenly arrested and thrown in jail for the next fourteen years. During his time in the dungeons of Le Château d’If, Edmond undergoes a serious change, much like the change Spiderman or Batman go through. Before his period of confinement he is a respected young and successful man, if a bit trusting. He is the second mate on a ship full of officers all older than him, and he is a very skilled seaman, someone with a lot of potential in life. But because of this he has enemies: the treacherous M. Danglars, a shipmate and officer under Edmond, and the jealous Fernando Catalan, who is in love with Edmond’s fiancé, and Caderousse, a mercenary social climber. In jail Edmond changes completely and readers see exactly how mentally strong Edmond really is. He has a good friend in the cell next to his who tells him about a secret treasure on the island of Monte Cristo.
In one great scene, Edmond takes the place of a dead man in a shroud which is carried out of the dungeon and to the “graveyard”. The “graveyard” turns out to be a cliff overlooking the ocean, and Edmond discovers this rather suddenly when the guards tie a cannonball to his feet and hurl his shrouded body off the cliff. He screams. Equipped with a homemade knife, Edmond manages to cut himself free just as he is about to drown. He surfaces and looks up at the cliff to see the figures leaning over the edge, searching for the source of the cry. This scene is an example of the type of action and suspense combined with humor, with which the novel is packed from cover to cover.
I very strongly recommend this novel to all those who like thrilling escapes from death, a complex plot, and a handsome, compelling Robin Hood type character. I give The Count of Monte Cristo a hundred out of ten.
Far From the Madding Crowd”
Talia writes:
A lot has happened in my book “Far From the Madding Crowd” since my last blog entry. He was recently trying to win over Bathsheba’s heart, but she wouldn’t have him. Now he learns that she has left the area and gone to a place called Weatherbury; without even telling him. He misses her and fells like he is more in love with her now that she has left. I can already tell that this part in the story is foreshadowing that Gabriel will meet Bathsheba again soon.
On Gabriel’s farm, he has two sheepdogs that are still learning how to herd and aren’t making work much easier on the farm for Gabriel. During one night, Gabriel gets woken up by sheep bells and comes outside to see that the dog had chased all the sheep of the edge into a pit. Most of the sheep are dying and some lay there already dead. Now that Gabriel has no sheep he can no longer farm or make any money. The farm had been his only life, and without it he has nothing. He becomes very frustrated and decides to shoot both the dogs. In the end he is happy that he did not marry Bathsheba though, because he had promised her a great life full of many things and ended up with nothing.
A lot has happened in my book “Far From the Madding Crowd” since my last blog entry. He was recently trying to win over Bathsheba’s heart, but she wouldn’t have him. Now he learns that she has left the area and gone to a place called Weatherbury; without even telling him. He misses her and fells like he is more in love with her now that she has left. I can already tell that this part in the story is foreshadowing that Gabriel will meet Bathsheba again soon.
On Gabriel’s farm, he has two sheepdogs that are still learning how to herd and aren’t making work much easier on the farm for Gabriel. During one night, Gabriel gets woken up by sheep bells and comes outside to see that the dog had chased all the sheep of the edge into a pit. Most of the sheep are dying and some lay there already dead. Now that Gabriel has no sheep he can no longer farm or make any money. The farm had been his only life, and without it he has nothing. He becomes very frustrated and decides to shoot both the dogs. In the end he is happy that he did not marry Bathsheba though, because he had promised her a great life full of many things and ended up with nothing.
Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton
Golshan writes:
I am reading the novel Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton. This novel starts off by having a character interview people in Starkfield about Ethan Frome. To this character, it seems like Ethan has a big secret. Right before he finds out what the secret is chapter one starts. Ethan is waiting for Mattie, his wife's cousin (who he has a crush on). When the dance she was at ended, they walk home together and discuss her job. Mattie works for Ethan and Zeena as a housekeeper. Zeena (his wife) is jealous and wants to fire Mattie, but she needs someone to help out around the house. She is always sick and can't do much most of the time. Ethan goes out to get wood and thinks about Mattie and Zeena. When he gets back, he finds out that Zeena is going to the doctor for a few days and he will be alone with Mattie. He has some flashbacks of when he met Zeena. Ethan's father had died in an accident and his mother was very ill and quiet most of the time. Zeena helped him take care of his mother and talked to him when there was no one else around. This is how they had met and they got married later. This is as far as I have read. I like this novel because it has an interesting plot and the characters are well developed. The only thing I did not like was how the author used too many details. She explained the scenery and setting too much. Also, she used a lot of pages to make one point. So far I would give this novel a 7 because of this.
-Golshan
I am reading the novel Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton. This novel starts off by having a character interview people in Starkfield about Ethan Frome. To this character, it seems like Ethan has a big secret. Right before he finds out what the secret is chapter one starts. Ethan is waiting for Mattie, his wife's cousin (who he has a crush on). When the dance she was at ended, they walk home together and discuss her job. Mattie works for Ethan and Zeena as a housekeeper. Zeena (his wife) is jealous and wants to fire Mattie, but she needs someone to help out around the house. She is always sick and can't do much most of the time. Ethan goes out to get wood and thinks about Mattie and Zeena. When he gets back, he finds out that Zeena is going to the doctor for a few days and he will be alone with Mattie. He has some flashbacks of when he met Zeena. Ethan's father had died in an accident and his mother was very ill and quiet most of the time. Zeena helped him take care of his mother and talked to him when there was no one else around. This is how they had met and they got married later. This is as far as I have read. I like this novel because it has an interesting plot and the characters are well developed. The only thing I did not like was how the author used too many details. She explained the scenery and setting too much. Also, she used a lot of pages to make one point. So far I would give this novel a 7 because of this.
-Golshan
Jude the Obscure by Thomas Hardy
Sasha writes:
So far, I have found Jude the Obscure by Thomas Hardy to be rather dry. The writing is beautiful, Hardy’s prose is elegant and well crafted, but the plot is slow and the characters not easy to relate to.
The novel is the story of Jude, a young man living in the countryside of a fictional place called Wessex. Jude lives in a small town with his aunt, but is quite bright and dreams of going to the nearby city of Christminster to go to school.
The majority of the first part of the book is a description of the town Jude grows up in and the books he reads growing up.
Then he gets a job in a nearby town, and moves there. He walks back and forth between the new town and the town he grew up in often in order to visit his aunt.
One day during his commute he meets a girl named Arabella and they begin a courtship and get married. When this happens, Jude gives up his dream of becoming a scholar and settles down with Arabella.
So far, I am finding there to be very little about the novel that inspires me to continue reading. There is very little action, and what action there is, is slow and drawn out. I do not find that the characters easy to like or even really easy to feel anything for and that is making it very hard to become engaged in the novel.
I think that it is going to be a challenge to finish this novel before the school year ends. I would not recommend it unless you happen to like novels that move slowly but offer very detailed description of scenery.
So far, I have found Jude the Obscure by Thomas Hardy to be rather dry. The writing is beautiful, Hardy’s prose is elegant and well crafted, but the plot is slow and the characters not easy to relate to.
The novel is the story of Jude, a young man living in the countryside of a fictional place called Wessex. Jude lives in a small town with his aunt, but is quite bright and dreams of going to the nearby city of Christminster to go to school.
The majority of the first part of the book is a description of the town Jude grows up in and the books he reads growing up.
Then he gets a job in a nearby town, and moves there. He walks back and forth between the new town and the town he grew up in often in order to visit his aunt.
One day during his commute he meets a girl named Arabella and they begin a courtship and get married. When this happens, Jude gives up his dream of becoming a scholar and settles down with Arabella.
So far, I am finding there to be very little about the novel that inspires me to continue reading. There is very little action, and what action there is, is slow and drawn out. I do not find that the characters easy to like or even really easy to feel anything for and that is making it very hard to become engaged in the novel.
I think that it is going to be a challenge to finish this novel before the school year ends. I would not recommend it unless you happen to like novels that move slowly but offer very detailed description of scenery.
A Room with a View by E.M. Forster
Erika writes:
I have been reading the novel A Room with a View by E.M. Forster. The novel began with a young woman named Lucy staying in London. With Charlotte who was to watch over Lucy and make sure she has a good time. This is because she told Lucy’s mother that she would do her this favor. Unfortunately when they get there they are given two rooms without a view and they were supposed to get one with a view. So they were upset about this. Then two gentlemen named Mr. Emerson and his son George Emerson offer there rooms up because they say that they are guys and that they don’t care if they have a view or not. Charlotte does not want to take them but after they keep insisting and Lucy asking her to say yes she gives in. The reason why she did not want to take the rooms is because she did not want to feel implied to give something back to them. Lucy is basically told to keep away from George though because Charlotte is afraid he might want something form Lucy.
~One day when Lucy gets separated from the group she was with she witnesses a murder. Seeing a man gets stabbed she faints. She wakes up in George Emerson’s arms. He then insists to walk her home and she tells him not to say anything about what happened since she is not supposed to be with him. (He agrees to this). A while later a group of people are going on a trip in carriages Lucy and Charlotte get invited. They do go on the carriage ride through London and when they stop Lucy gets out and wonders off she finds herself in a field and then sees George Emerson, they kiss… Charlotte sees this occur and tells her to say nothing about it. Charlotte now wants to leave for Rome. Since they both have friends that are there right now along with because she does not want Lucy to get any closer with George Emerson who she may be starting to like.
I have been reading the novel A Room with a View by E.M. Forster. The novel began with a young woman named Lucy staying in London. With Charlotte who was to watch over Lucy and make sure she has a good time. This is because she told Lucy’s mother that she would do her this favor. Unfortunately when they get there they are given two rooms without a view and they were supposed to get one with a view. So they were upset about this. Then two gentlemen named Mr. Emerson and his son George Emerson offer there rooms up because they say that they are guys and that they don’t care if they have a view or not. Charlotte does not want to take them but after they keep insisting and Lucy asking her to say yes she gives in. The reason why she did not want to take the rooms is because she did not want to feel implied to give something back to them. Lucy is basically told to keep away from George though because Charlotte is afraid he might want something form Lucy.
~One day when Lucy gets separated from the group she was with she witnesses a murder. Seeing a man gets stabbed she faints. She wakes up in George Emerson’s arms. He then insists to walk her home and she tells him not to say anything about what happened since she is not supposed to be with him. (He agrees to this). A while later a group of people are going on a trip in carriages Lucy and Charlotte get invited. They do go on the carriage ride through London and when they stop Lucy gets out and wonders off she finds herself in a field and then sees George Emerson, they kiss… Charlotte sees this occur and tells her to say nothing about it. Charlotte now wants to leave for Rome. Since they both have friends that are there right now along with because she does not want Lucy to get any closer with George Emerson who she may be starting to like.
Wuthering Heights
Kristina writes:
The story Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte is a complicated, and somewhat
intense kind of love story. With the love also comes hate and sadness, as in most
love stories. The story is told as a flashback that Nelly tells Lockwood. The story is
about Heathcliff and Catherine's love for each other. They were young lovers who
were some torn apart by Catherine's brother Hindley Earnshaw. Hindley hates
Heathcliff and makes him the servant of the house when Hindley and Catherine's
father dies. Catherine still loves him and they sneak of together to the Linton's
house. The Linton's realize someone is outside and they let the dogs loose.
Heathcliff gets away but Catherine gets bit and the Linton's insist she stay at their
house. When Catherine is here the Linton's change her by making her more
feminine. When Catherine returns she and Heathcliff have an awkward relationship
due to her change. Soon enough the Linton's son, Edgar, and Catherine get
married. Heathcliff gets angry and runs away. When he comes back years later he is
a changed man. He and Catherine bond like old times. Linton's sister, Isabella falls
in love with Heathcliff and he takes advantage of it. Edgar and Linton get into a
fight, which literally breaks Catherine's heart. While pregnant Catherine gets almost
deathly ill. I'm not going to give away the whole story but it is very complex and has
a lot of detail. The language is difficult to understand, but it well worth it.
The story Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte is a complicated, and somewhat
intense kind of love story. With the love also comes hate and sadness, as in most
love stories. The story is told as a flashback that Nelly tells Lockwood. The story is
about Heathcliff and Catherine's love for each other. They were young lovers who
were some torn apart by Catherine's brother Hindley Earnshaw. Hindley hates
Heathcliff and makes him the servant of the house when Hindley and Catherine's
father dies. Catherine still loves him and they sneak of together to the Linton's
house. The Linton's realize someone is outside and they let the dogs loose.
Heathcliff gets away but Catherine gets bit and the Linton's insist she stay at their
house. When Catherine is here the Linton's change her by making her more
feminine. When Catherine returns she and Heathcliff have an awkward relationship
due to her change. Soon enough the Linton's son, Edgar, and Catherine get
married. Heathcliff gets angry and runs away. When he comes back years later he is
a changed man. He and Catherine bond like old times. Linton's sister, Isabella falls
in love with Heathcliff and he takes advantage of it. Edgar and Linton get into a
fight, which literally breaks Catherine's heart. While pregnant Catherine gets almost
deathly ill. I'm not going to give away the whole story but it is very complex and has
a lot of detail. The language is difficult to understand, but it well worth it.
Dubliners by James Joyce
Meaghan writes:
Just recently, I finished Dubliners, by James Joyce for my last reading classic book. It consists of fifteen short stories, all about different topics. I have never read anything else by James Joyce, but Dubliners was a very good read. Some of the sentences were choppy, but it all evened out in the long run.
My favorite short story was called The Sisters. When I begun Dubliners, it was my favorite short story. Now, finished with the book, it still is my favorite story. It is about a young boy who reflects about the death of his friend Father Flynn. The young boy continuously walks by Father Flynn’s house, knowing he is dead. Each time there is a different sign outside of his house. The first day there were two candles lit up on opposite sides of the house. The next day, there were flowers outside. That evening, the boy prays by the coffin with Father Flynn’s sister Nannie. The Sisters has a very unique ending, you will have to read the short story book to find out! This book creates real images in my head while reading, which makes it my favorite short story. The other stories do not have this quality.
The climax arises quickly in short stories like these, but it makes it more interesting. Some stories were very boring, and others held my interest very well.
In conclusion, I would rate Dubliners by James Joyce a seven out of ten. Not all stories were great, and not all of them kept my interest. I am looking forward to reading better books by the end of the school year and throughout the summer that hold my interest better.
Just recently, I finished Dubliners, by James Joyce for my last reading classic book. It consists of fifteen short stories, all about different topics. I have never read anything else by James Joyce, but Dubliners was a very good read. Some of the sentences were choppy, but it all evened out in the long run.
My favorite short story was called The Sisters. When I begun Dubliners, it was my favorite short story. Now, finished with the book, it still is my favorite story. It is about a young boy who reflects about the death of his friend Father Flynn. The young boy continuously walks by Father Flynn’s house, knowing he is dead. Each time there is a different sign outside of his house. The first day there were two candles lit up on opposite sides of the house. The next day, there were flowers outside. That evening, the boy prays by the coffin with Father Flynn’s sister Nannie. The Sisters has a very unique ending, you will have to read the short story book to find out! This book creates real images in my head while reading, which makes it my favorite short story. The other stories do not have this quality.
The climax arises quickly in short stories like these, but it makes it more interesting. Some stories were very boring, and others held my interest very well.
In conclusion, I would rate Dubliners by James Joyce a seven out of ten. Not all stories were great, and not all of them kept my interest. I am looking forward to reading better books by the end of the school year and throughout the summer that hold my interest better.
Tobias Wolff
While growing up as a 12 year old boy just before his teenage years, Tobias Wolff is going through tough times since he has no father in his parents divorce and now he has to live with just his poor mother and take care of her the best he can. As a result of not having a normal life family wise, he tends to do things that others in his situation might have been taught properly not to do. You will find him and his friends going around egging nice cars, making cars roll down hills smashing into other cars, vandalizing bathrooms, and using his rifle that his mother told him not to use while she is away.
In addition to his hard times, Tobias and his mother, Rosemary move to a small town in Washington to live with his step-father and his three kids who are all in their late teens. If moving and leaving his friends wasn’t bad enough, Tobias’ step-father is abusive towards him. He controls what Toby is doing at all times and to keep him busy at all times, he makes him crack nuts and put them in a bowl for others to at. He would make him do this for hours and hours at a time every day. This must be hard for Tobias to get used to because all his life, while his mother was away at work, Toby would have all the freedom he wanted, and now that someone is bossing him around, in a matter of a few days, his life changes forever. Even when he does have some free time, there is not much to do since the other kids around him were at least 6 years older than him and would rather not hang out with him even though once in a while they have a game of monopoly.
Since Tobias is not one who is used to being told what to do, he has control of what he wants to do with the rest of his life which includes possibly running away and starting over on his own.
In addition to his hard times, Tobias and his mother, Rosemary move to a small town in Washington to live with his step-father and his three kids who are all in their late teens. If moving and leaving his friends wasn’t bad enough, Tobias’ step-father is abusive towards him. He controls what Toby is doing at all times and to keep him busy at all times, he makes him crack nuts and put them in a bowl for others to at. He would make him do this for hours and hours at a time every day. This must be hard for Tobias to get used to because all his life, while his mother was away at work, Toby would have all the freedom he wanted, and now that someone is bossing him around, in a matter of a few days, his life changes forever. Even when he does have some free time, there is not much to do since the other kids around him were at least 6 years older than him and would rather not hang out with him even though once in a while they have a game of monopoly.
Since Tobias is not one who is used to being told what to do, he has control of what he wants to do with the rest of his life which includes possibly running away and starting over on his own.
Dracula, by Bram Stoker
Maeve writes:
I am about halfway through Dracula, by Bram Stoker, and I am enjoying it immensely!
Since my last blog entry, the novel has gone through several different forms of narration. We leave Jonathan on the eve of his escape and move instead to a series of letters written between his fiancée, Mina Murray, and her best friend Lucy Westerna. The letters are, at the beginning, a bit tedious, as all the ladies are talking about are Lucy’s suitors and her fiancé, a rich, good-natured young man named Arthur Holmwood. Arthur is a friend of Lucy’s other two suitors, an ambitious doctor named John Steward who works at a mental hospital, and Quincey Morris, a Texan (of all things) who is fond of using, as Lucy puts it, “slang.” The men are quite civil to each other, and do not begrudge Arthur for winning Lucy’s hand.
The book gets more interesting as we move away from the letters between Mina and Lucy and back into journal entries, but not those written by Jonathan. The next journal entries to come are those written by Mr. John Steward. These entries detail the eccentric behavior of one of Steward’s more unhinged patients, who is simply known as Renfield. He has very strange habits, as we learn from Steward’s journal. Renfield keeps a succession of pets, all of which mysteriously disappear, to be replaced by bigger animals. Steward eventually finds out why they have been disappearing – Renfield, for some unknown reason, has been eating them. There is some method to his madness, but Steward has yet to figure out what it is.
Interspersed with Steward’s journal entries are those written by Mina. She has gone to the coast with Lucy to celebrate Lucy’s engagement. It is deeply beautiful there, and she is glad to be staying with Lucy, Arthur, and Lucy’s mother, but she is troubled and worries constantly about Jonathan, as she hasn’t heard from him in a very long time. Mina and Lucy spend lots of time together, most of it sitting in the graveyard of the old abbey, which overlooks the sea. Mina writes that she is also troubled about Lucy, as she seems to be acting not quite like herself, and has begun sleepwalking again, something she hasn’t done in a long time.
In the meantime, a terrible storm is brewed up, and a ship becomes wrecked on the shore of the town where they are staying. No one is left alive, but Mina is allowed to look at the captain’s logbook, which was found on the wreck. The book details the strange events that happened before the storm. Unrest began to grow in the crew, and the men whispered of something that lurked on the ship. Men began to disappear at night, and eventually only the captain was left. The log ends with him seeing the “monster” and vowing to go down with his ship, as there was no conceivable way for him to remain among the living. I can only conclude that the monster on the ship was Dracula, come to find Jonathan. What a strange fate that he should end up where Mina is staying.
As Mina’s journal entries progress, she writes that Lucy has been growing more and more troubled in her sleep. She then writes of a terrible fright she has one night when she wakes up and sees that Lucy is nowhere to be found. She runs to the churchyard and finds Lucy asleep on the bench they always sit on, with a dark shape bending over her. She shouts out, and Lucy wakes up. The shape disappears. Mina takes Lucy home and tucks her in. She sees two perfect, round puncture marks on Lucy’s neck, and thinks they are from her accidentally sticking Lucy’s neck with a pin (but we all know what they really are!). Over the next little while, Lucy’s health fluctuates from high to low. One day she seems to be fine, the next she is pale and weak. Mina thinks this is because she is sleeping with the window, as she sees Lucy sitting with her head out of the window on several occasions, and thinks she sees a large black bat on one of these (Dracula, I think).
In the world of John Steward, Renfield has moved on from eating animals to religious mania. All he can talk about is the “master coming.” All of this culminates with him breaking out of the asylum. Steward chases him and finds him at the church nearby, leaning on the door and speaking to someone Steward cannot see about his unending allegiance. After he is subdued and taken back to the asylum, he is locked up and straight-jacketed. I think that whatever Renfield’s mania is, it doesn’t have anything to do with God. He’s somehow being influenced by Dracula.
I can’t wait to see what happens next! There are so many loose ends to tie up, and I’m very curious to see how all of these characters eventually fit into Harker’s story.
I am about halfway through Dracula, by Bram Stoker, and I am enjoying it immensely!
Since my last blog entry, the novel has gone through several different forms of narration. We leave Jonathan on the eve of his escape and move instead to a series of letters written between his fiancée, Mina Murray, and her best friend Lucy Westerna. The letters are, at the beginning, a bit tedious, as all the ladies are talking about are Lucy’s suitors and her fiancé, a rich, good-natured young man named Arthur Holmwood. Arthur is a friend of Lucy’s other two suitors, an ambitious doctor named John Steward who works at a mental hospital, and Quincey Morris, a Texan (of all things) who is fond of using, as Lucy puts it, “slang.” The men are quite civil to each other, and do not begrudge Arthur for winning Lucy’s hand.
The book gets more interesting as we move away from the letters between Mina and Lucy and back into journal entries, but not those written by Jonathan. The next journal entries to come are those written by Mr. John Steward. These entries detail the eccentric behavior of one of Steward’s more unhinged patients, who is simply known as Renfield. He has very strange habits, as we learn from Steward’s journal. Renfield keeps a succession of pets, all of which mysteriously disappear, to be replaced by bigger animals. Steward eventually finds out why they have been disappearing – Renfield, for some unknown reason, has been eating them. There is some method to his madness, but Steward has yet to figure out what it is.
Interspersed with Steward’s journal entries are those written by Mina. She has gone to the coast with Lucy to celebrate Lucy’s engagement. It is deeply beautiful there, and she is glad to be staying with Lucy, Arthur, and Lucy’s mother, but she is troubled and worries constantly about Jonathan, as she hasn’t heard from him in a very long time. Mina and Lucy spend lots of time together, most of it sitting in the graveyard of the old abbey, which overlooks the sea. Mina writes that she is also troubled about Lucy, as she seems to be acting not quite like herself, and has begun sleepwalking again, something she hasn’t done in a long time.
In the meantime, a terrible storm is brewed up, and a ship becomes wrecked on the shore of the town where they are staying. No one is left alive, but Mina is allowed to look at the captain’s logbook, which was found on the wreck. The book details the strange events that happened before the storm. Unrest began to grow in the crew, and the men whispered of something that lurked on the ship. Men began to disappear at night, and eventually only the captain was left. The log ends with him seeing the “monster” and vowing to go down with his ship, as there was no conceivable way for him to remain among the living. I can only conclude that the monster on the ship was Dracula, come to find Jonathan. What a strange fate that he should end up where Mina is staying.
As Mina’s journal entries progress, she writes that Lucy has been growing more and more troubled in her sleep. She then writes of a terrible fright she has one night when she wakes up and sees that Lucy is nowhere to be found. She runs to the churchyard and finds Lucy asleep on the bench they always sit on, with a dark shape bending over her. She shouts out, and Lucy wakes up. The shape disappears. Mina takes Lucy home and tucks her in. She sees two perfect, round puncture marks on Lucy’s neck, and thinks they are from her accidentally sticking Lucy’s neck with a pin (but we all know what they really are!). Over the next little while, Lucy’s health fluctuates from high to low. One day she seems to be fine, the next she is pale and weak. Mina thinks this is because she is sleeping with the window, as she sees Lucy sitting with her head out of the window on several occasions, and thinks she sees a large black bat on one of these (Dracula, I think).
In the world of John Steward, Renfield has moved on from eating animals to religious mania. All he can talk about is the “master coming.” All of this culminates with him breaking out of the asylum. Steward chases him and finds him at the church nearby, leaning on the door and speaking to someone Steward cannot see about his unending allegiance. After he is subdued and taken back to the asylum, he is locked up and straight-jacketed. I think that whatever Renfield’s mania is, it doesn’t have anything to do with God. He’s somehow being influenced by Dracula.
I can’t wait to see what happens next! There are so many loose ends to tie up, and I’m very curious to see how all of these characters eventually fit into Harker’s story.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Dubliners
Meaghan writes:
For my independent classic reading book this last quarter, I chose to read Dubliners, by James Joyce. James Joyce was an Irish novelist, who was born in Dublin on February 2, 1882. Both of his parents studied literature when James was growing up. Joyce expressed his great use of language in Ulysses (1922) and Finnegan’s Wake (1939). Throughout writing all three novels, he expressed his great use of allusions, word play, history, and puns. He published Dubliners in 1914 right after attending Belvedere College in Dublin. James Joyce died on January 14, 1941.
The novel, Dubliners, consists of fourteen short stories, with the addition of an introduction and a preface. This book is very unique, and so far has kept my interest. I am not too far in the book now, I am about to start my fourth short story. The climax comes quick in the short stories, and at the end of each one, I am constantly finding myself wanting to read more. Like I said, Dubliners is a very unique selection consisting of short stories. I have never read anything like any one of the stories. There are loads of characters for every short story. For example, in my favorite so far called The Sisters, I was introduced to Nannie, Eliza, Father O’Rourke, Miss Flynn, Auntie, and Rev. James Flynn. It is hard to keep track of what each character does, but at the end they all come to a conclusion.
I am looking forward to continue reading Dubliners. It will be interesting to see if my personal favorite short story The Sisters will fluctuate and possibly I might have a new favorite short story once I am finished.
Source: http://www.online-literature.com/james_joyce/
For my independent classic reading book this last quarter, I chose to read Dubliners, by James Joyce. James Joyce was an Irish novelist, who was born in Dublin on February 2, 1882. Both of his parents studied literature when James was growing up. Joyce expressed his great use of language in Ulysses (1922) and Finnegan’s Wake (1939). Throughout writing all three novels, he expressed his great use of allusions, word play, history, and puns. He published Dubliners in 1914 right after attending Belvedere College in Dublin. James Joyce died on January 14, 1941.
The novel, Dubliners, consists of fourteen short stories, with the addition of an introduction and a preface. This book is very unique, and so far has kept my interest. I am not too far in the book now, I am about to start my fourth short story. The climax comes quick in the short stories, and at the end of each one, I am constantly finding myself wanting to read more. Like I said, Dubliners is a very unique selection consisting of short stories. I have never read anything like any one of the stories. There are loads of characters for every short story. For example, in my favorite so far called The Sisters, I was introduced to Nannie, Eliza, Father O’Rourke, Miss Flynn, Auntie, and Rev. James Flynn. It is hard to keep track of what each character does, but at the end they all come to a conclusion.
I am looking forward to continue reading Dubliners. It will be interesting to see if my personal favorite short story The Sisters will fluctuate and possibly I might have a new favorite short story once I am finished.
Source: http://www.online-literature.com/james_joyce/
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Dracula, by Bram Stoker.
Maeve writes:
For my independent reading book this quarter, I am reading Dracula, by Bram Stoker. I am enjoying it immensely. I am not very far into the book yet, but I hope to progress much further in the next weeks.
The novel so far has been narrated by the main character, Jonathan Harker, a newly qualified English solicitor, in the form of his journal. The story begins with Harker’s traveling to Transylvania, where he plans to meet with the count, Dracula, who owns a large castle there and presides over the surrounding land. Harker meets very peculiar behavior when he tells the locals where he is going. They keep crossing their chest and making a sign to ward off the evil eye. He can make neither heads nor tails of this strange behavior, but accepts a rosary with a cross from the woman who owns the inn where he is staying. He thinks nothing of it at the time, but is later very glad to have it. After a terrifying carriage ride involving wolves and strange blue fires in the night, he arrives at the Count’s castle. Dracula has all the makings of your classic vampire. Red lips with protruding fangs, pale skin – the whole shebang. At the time, Harker thinks this is just peculiar and rather likes the Count. However, as time progresses, Harker begins to get suspicious. For one thing, the Count never dines with him and always leaves come morning. Harker begins living a nocturnal lifestyle, as night is the only time he can talk to the Count. As he is there on the business of selling the Count a house in the English countryside, this is necessary.
After Harker has a startling series of adventures involving forbidden rooms in the castle and seeing the Count crawl like a spider down the castle wall, returning with a large bag (containing a child which is shortly after killed), he begins to get seriously alarmed. He writes that he is a prisoner, and that the Count plans to kill him (which, from all points, seems to be the case). The Count realizes that Harker is getting suspicious and locks him in his room for long periods of time and takes away almost everything he owns.
When Harker discovers that where the Count really goes during the day is down to the castle basement and into a coffin where he sleeps until the night comes again, he plans his escape. After a group of men come and take the coffin away (after Harker has a near brush with the Count involving a shovel), Harker decides to scale the castle wall with some gold in his pockets and strikes out for home. His journal entry ends with a farewell to his beloved Mina.
For my independent reading book this quarter, I am reading Dracula, by Bram Stoker. I am enjoying it immensely. I am not very far into the book yet, but I hope to progress much further in the next weeks.
The novel so far has been narrated by the main character, Jonathan Harker, a newly qualified English solicitor, in the form of his journal. The story begins with Harker’s traveling to Transylvania, where he plans to meet with the count, Dracula, who owns a large castle there and presides over the surrounding land. Harker meets very peculiar behavior when he tells the locals where he is going. They keep crossing their chest and making a sign to ward off the evil eye. He can make neither heads nor tails of this strange behavior, but accepts a rosary with a cross from the woman who owns the inn where he is staying. He thinks nothing of it at the time, but is later very glad to have it. After a terrifying carriage ride involving wolves and strange blue fires in the night, he arrives at the Count’s castle. Dracula has all the makings of your classic vampire. Red lips with protruding fangs, pale skin – the whole shebang. At the time, Harker thinks this is just peculiar and rather likes the Count. However, as time progresses, Harker begins to get suspicious. For one thing, the Count never dines with him and always leaves come morning. Harker begins living a nocturnal lifestyle, as night is the only time he can talk to the Count. As he is there on the business of selling the Count a house in the English countryside, this is necessary.
After Harker has a startling series of adventures involving forbidden rooms in the castle and seeing the Count crawl like a spider down the castle wall, returning with a large bag (containing a child which is shortly after killed), he begins to get seriously alarmed. He writes that he is a prisoner, and that the Count plans to kill him (which, from all points, seems to be the case). The Count realizes that Harker is getting suspicious and locks him in his room for long periods of time and takes away almost everything he owns.
When Harker discovers that where the Count really goes during the day is down to the castle basement and into a coffin where he sleeps until the night comes again, he plans his escape. After a group of men come and take the coffin away (after Harker has a near brush with the Count involving a shovel), Harker decides to scale the castle wall with some gold in his pockets and strikes out for home. His journal entry ends with a farewell to his beloved Mina.
James Joyce
Meaghan writes:
For my independent classic reading book this last quarter, I chose to read Dubliners, by James Joyce. James Joyce was an Irish novelist, who was born in Dublin on February 2, 1882. Both of his parents studied literature when James was growing up. Joyce expressed his great use of language in Ulysses (1922) and Finnegan’s Wake (1939). Throughout writing all three novels, he expressed his great use of allusions, word play, history, and puns. He published Dubliners in 1914 right after attending Belvedere College in Dublin. James Joyce died on January 14, 1941.
The novel, Dubliners, consists of fourteen short stories, with the addition of an introduction and a preface. This book is very unique, and so far has kept my interest. I am not too far in the book now, I am about to start my fourth short story. The climax comes quick in the short stories, and at the end of each one, I am constantly finding myself wanting to read more. Like I said, Dubliners is a very unique selection consisting of short stories. I have never read anything like any one of the stories. There are loads of characters for every short story. For example, in my favorite so far called The Sisters, I was introduced to Nannie, Eliza, Father O’Rourke, Miss Flynn, Auntie, and Rev. James Flynn. It is hard to keep track of what each character does, but at the end they all come to a conclusion.
I am looking forward to continue reading Dubliners. It will be interesting to see if my personal favorite short story The Sisters will fluctuate and possibly I might have a new favorite short story once I am finished.
For my independent classic reading book this last quarter, I chose to read Dubliners, by James Joyce. James Joyce was an Irish novelist, who was born in Dublin on February 2, 1882. Both of his parents studied literature when James was growing up. Joyce expressed his great use of language in Ulysses (1922) and Finnegan’s Wake (1939). Throughout writing all three novels, he expressed his great use of allusions, word play, history, and puns. He published Dubliners in 1914 right after attending Belvedere College in Dublin. James Joyce died on January 14, 1941.
The novel, Dubliners, consists of fourteen short stories, with the addition of an introduction and a preface. This book is very unique, and so far has kept my interest. I am not too far in the book now, I am about to start my fourth short story. The climax comes quick in the short stories, and at the end of each one, I am constantly finding myself wanting to read more. Like I said, Dubliners is a very unique selection consisting of short stories. I have never read anything like any one of the stories. There are loads of characters for every short story. For example, in my favorite so far called The Sisters, I was introduced to Nannie, Eliza, Father O’Rourke, Miss Flynn, Auntie, and Rev. James Flynn. It is hard to keep track of what each character does, but at the end they all come to a conclusion.
I am looking forward to continue reading Dubliners. It will be interesting to see if my personal favorite short story The Sisters will fluctuate and possibly I might have a new favorite short story once I am finished.
Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
Kristina writes:
This term I am reading Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. The story takes
place in England at a house called Wuthering Heights and at Thrushcross Grange,
during the early 1800s. So far in the story I have met Heathcliff, Mr. Earnshaw,
Zillah, Lockwood, Joseph, Mrs. Heathcliff, and Hareton. Heathcliff is the main
character of the story. Lockwood is the tenant that is supposed to be staying at a
house called Wuthering Heights. Heathcliff brings him to go introduce his to his
family. Lockwood gets into a fight with Mrs. Heathcliff and Joseph and runs out of
the house. Dogs attack Lockwood and Zillah the housekeeper tells him stay at the
house because the weather is bad and he is hurt. Lockwood is not supposed to
make noise when he is in the house because Heathcliff doesn't know that he is
there. In the room he is staying in he sees books written by Catherine and reads
them. He then soon falls asleep and has a nightmare. Heathcliff wakes up because
he hears him. The story is supposed to be the love between Catherine, Mr.
Earnshaw's daughter and Heathcliff. Catherine has not been introduced in the story
yet. This story has some very difficult language. The plot seems very interesting
though, and I can't wait to read more of the story.
This term I am reading Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. The story takes
place in England at a house called Wuthering Heights and at Thrushcross Grange,
during the early 1800s. So far in the story I have met Heathcliff, Mr. Earnshaw,
Zillah, Lockwood, Joseph, Mrs. Heathcliff, and Hareton. Heathcliff is the main
character of the story. Lockwood is the tenant that is supposed to be staying at a
house called Wuthering Heights. Heathcliff brings him to go introduce his to his
family. Lockwood gets into a fight with Mrs. Heathcliff and Joseph and runs out of
the house. Dogs attack Lockwood and Zillah the housekeeper tells him stay at the
house because the weather is bad and he is hurt. Lockwood is not supposed to
make noise when he is in the house because Heathcliff doesn't know that he is
there. In the room he is staying in he sees books written by Catherine and reads
them. He then soon falls asleep and has a nightmare. Heathcliff wakes up because
he hears him. The story is supposed to be the love between Catherine, Mr.
Earnshaw's daughter and Heathcliff. Catherine has not been introduced in the story
yet. This story has some very difficult language. The plot seems very interesting
though, and I can't wait to read more of the story.
Tobias Wolff
Tim writes:
The book I chose to read in This Boy’s Life by Tobias Wolff. He was born on June 19, 1945 in Birmingham, Alabama. The novel is a memoir about his life as he was growing up as a boy just before his teenage years. He grew up with his mother who he was very close to whom always seemed unsettled and was constantly on the move and his abusive step-father. Tobias moved out of Florida with his mother, Rosemary to go north to get away from the step-father and to get rich mining for uranium since Rosemary did not have a lot of money. As a pre-teen, Wolff was always getting in trouble from writing on the bathroom, to throwing eggs at nice cars, to opening up car doors, turning the emergency brakes off and watching them roll down hills hitting other cars on the way.
Wolf attended Stanford University in California in 1977. Before that, he served as a lieutenant in the army from 1964-1968 during the Vietnam War. When he got into writing, he wrote a few short stories including Back in the World and A Night in Question. One novel he wrote was The Barracks Thief. In addition to writing all these, he got several awards including the National Endowment fellowship award and the Henry award.
I’m looking forward to reading this memoir especially because it is about a boy only a few years younger then me. I will probably be able to connect to him in many ways. I have already started reading it and I found that it is very easy I think because of the fact that it is about a boy instead of an adult.
The book I chose to read in This Boy’s Life by Tobias Wolff. He was born on June 19, 1945 in Birmingham, Alabama. The novel is a memoir about his life as he was growing up as a boy just before his teenage years. He grew up with his mother who he was very close to whom always seemed unsettled and was constantly on the move and his abusive step-father. Tobias moved out of Florida with his mother, Rosemary to go north to get away from the step-father and to get rich mining for uranium since Rosemary did not have a lot of money. As a pre-teen, Wolff was always getting in trouble from writing on the bathroom, to throwing eggs at nice cars, to opening up car doors, turning the emergency brakes off and watching them roll down hills hitting other cars on the way.
Wolf attended Stanford University in California in 1977. Before that, he served as a lieutenant in the army from 1964-1968 during the Vietnam War. When he got into writing, he wrote a few short stories including Back in the World and A Night in Question. One novel he wrote was The Barracks Thief. In addition to writing all these, he got several awards including the National Endowment fellowship award and the Henry award.
I’m looking forward to reading this memoir especially because it is about a boy only a few years younger then me. I will probably be able to connect to him in many ways. I have already started reading it and I found that it is very easy I think because of the fact that it is about a boy instead of an adult.
The Mill on the Floss by George Eliot
Kayla writes:
So far, in The Mill on the Floss by George Eliot, I have met the Tulliver family. The Tulliver family consists of Mr. Tulliver, Mrs. Tulliver, Tom, and Maggie. The family lives near a river, and they own Dorlcote Mill. Mr. Tulliver declares to his wife that he wants to send his son Tom to get a good education after he comes home from his previous school. His daughter Maggie never wants her hair curled and is always running around acting like a boy. She loves her brother Tom a lot and cannot wait until he comes home so she can be with him. When Tom comes home Easter is coming up and the dreadful aunts and uncles are coming.
So far, in The Mill on the Floss by George Eliot, I have met the Tulliver family. The Tulliver family consists of Mr. Tulliver, Mrs. Tulliver, Tom, and Maggie. The family lives near a river, and they own Dorlcote Mill. Mr. Tulliver declares to his wife that he wants to send his son Tom to get a good education after he comes home from his previous school. His daughter Maggie never wants her hair curled and is always running around acting like a boy. She loves her brother Tom a lot and cannot wait until he comes home so she can be with him. When Tom comes home Easter is coming up and the dreadful aunts and uncles are coming.
E.M Forster
Erica writes:
The classic I am reading is A Room with a View by E.M Forster. Edward Morgan Forster was born in England in 1879. Unfortunately his father died around the time that he was born so he had to be raised by his mother, who was irresponsible. When Forster got older he eventually went to King’s College in Cambridge. Shortly after he graduated from King’s college he became a writer. He began by writing mostly about “changing social conditions after the decline of the Victorianism”. His writing did begin to differ later on. Some novels he wrote are “Where Angels Fear to Tread (1905) and The Longest Journey (1907), followed by the comic novel A Room With a View (1908)”. Forster later died in 1970.
I have started reading the novel A Room with a View. It begins with a British woman named Lucy staying in Florence with Miss. Charlotte Bartlett. They were supposed to have the front room of where they were staying but they did not and instead got a room without a view, until Mr. Emerson traded rooms with them because he is a kind man. The novel then gets into how Lucy witnesses a murder. Seeing this occur she suddenly faints in George Emerson’s arms. Overall even though I am not to far into the novel it is still pretty good and look forward to reading more.
http://www.gradesaver.com/author/e-forster/
The classic I am reading is A Room with a View by E.M Forster. Edward Morgan Forster was born in England in 1879. Unfortunately his father died around the time that he was born so he had to be raised by his mother, who was irresponsible. When Forster got older he eventually went to King’s College in Cambridge. Shortly after he graduated from King’s college he became a writer. He began by writing mostly about “changing social conditions after the decline of the Victorianism”. His writing did begin to differ later on. Some novels he wrote are “Where Angels Fear to Tread (1905) and The Longest Journey (1907), followed by the comic novel A Room With a View (1908)”. Forster later died in 1970.
I have started reading the novel A Room with a View. It begins with a British woman named Lucy staying in Florence with Miss. Charlotte Bartlett. They were supposed to have the front room of where they were staying but they did not and instead got a room without a view, until Mr. Emerson traded rooms with them because he is a kind man. The novel then gets into how Lucy witnesses a murder. Seeing this occur she suddenly faints in George Emerson’s arms. Overall even though I am not to far into the novel it is still pretty good and look forward to reading more.
http://www.gradesaver.com/author/e-forster/
Thomas Hardy
Talis writes:
My classic for this term is Far from the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy.
I was recommended this book by Aimee, who said it was a pretty good
read. Thomas Hardy is an English author and lived during the time from
1840-1928. He was mainly a poet and wrote a lot about romance and his
interest in the supernatural. His poems were first published in the
1850’s and his first novels were published soon after. Hardy was
married to Emma Gilfford; and she helped inspire his best writing. His
most famous novels included Under the Greenwood Tree, A pair of Blue
Eyes, and Far from the Madding Crowd.
In my novel so far I have been introduced to the main character
Gabriel and his love at first sight Bathsheba. He sees her one day
having troubles with her wagon and then the next at her aunt’s house.
Gabriel uses every chance he can to see her, but she is not very fond
of him. Finally, Gabriel goes down to ask her aunt for Bathsheba’s
hand, but is rejected. Bathsheba comes running after him to say it is
not because there is another man but because she is not in love with
him. Gabriel tries to convince her with having a good life since he
owns a pretty big farm and could make a lot of money; but still she
refuses. Gabriel finally gives up hope on marrying her.
My classic for this term is Far from the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy.
I was recommended this book by Aimee, who said it was a pretty good
read. Thomas Hardy is an English author and lived during the time from
1840-1928. He was mainly a poet and wrote a lot about romance and his
interest in the supernatural. His poems were first published in the
1850’s and his first novels were published soon after. Hardy was
married to Emma Gilfford; and she helped inspire his best writing. His
most famous novels included Under the Greenwood Tree, A pair of Blue
Eyes, and Far from the Madding Crowd.
In my novel so far I have been introduced to the main character
Gabriel and his love at first sight Bathsheba. He sees her one day
having troubles with her wagon and then the next at her aunt’s house.
Gabriel uses every chance he can to see her, but she is not very fond
of him. Finally, Gabriel goes down to ask her aunt for Bathsheba’s
hand, but is rejected. Bathsheba comes running after him to say it is
not because there is another man but because she is not in love with
him. Gabriel tries to convince her with having a good life since he
owns a pretty big farm and could make a lot of money; but still she
refuses. Gabriel finally gives up hope on marrying her.
Isabel Allende
Hannah writes:
Isabel Allende was born in Lima, Peru on August 2, 1942 and grew up to be a Chilean-American novelist. As a child, she went to private school and she was home-schooled for a little while. She really liked to read Shakespeare’s works. In 1962 she married Miguel Frias in Chile. With Miguel, she had a daughter, Paula, and a son, Nicholas. Early in her career, she worked as a journalist. She was also the author of many books, as well as a teacher at many colleges in the United States and in Europe. For a short time, she also worked as a playwright. Throughout the years, she has won many awards for her writings. Isabel wrote The House of the Spirits, or La Casa de los Espiritus in 1982. This book made her an instant best selling author and it was a hit throughout the whole world. This novel received the Best Novel of the Year award in Chile, as well as the Panorama Literario award. Her inspiration for writing this novel came from the fact that her 99-year -old grandfather was dying, and she wrote him a letter, which was published into this book. Out of all her books, she is most well known for writing this one. Her books have been translated into 27 languages all over the world. She is still alive and well and lives in San Rafael, California with her husband Willie Gordon.
Isabel Allende was born in Lima, Peru on August 2, 1942 and grew up to be a Chilean-American novelist. As a child, she went to private school and she was home-schooled for a little while. She really liked to read Shakespeare’s works. In 1962 she married Miguel Frias in Chile. With Miguel, she had a daughter, Paula, and a son, Nicholas. Early in her career, she worked as a journalist. She was also the author of many books, as well as a teacher at many colleges in the United States and in Europe. For a short time, she also worked as a playwright. Throughout the years, she has won many awards for her writings. Isabel wrote The House of the Spirits, or La Casa de los Espiritus in 1982. This book made her an instant best selling author and it was a hit throughout the whole world. This novel received the Best Novel of the Year award in Chile, as well as the Panorama Literario award. Her inspiration for writing this novel came from the fact that her 99-year -old grandfather was dying, and she wrote him a letter, which was published into this book. Out of all her books, she is most well known for writing this one. Her books have been translated into 27 languages all over the world. She is still alive and well and lives in San Rafael, California with her husband Willie Gordon.
Thomas Hardy
Sasha writes:
Thomas Hardy, the author of more than ten classic novels was born on June 2, 1840, to Thomas and Jemina Hardy. He was born in Higher Bockhampton in Dorset. His home played a big role in the setting he created for many of his novels.
Hardy was the eldest of four children, but was a small and sickly child. Because of this, Hardy spent much of his childhood indoors, reading.
His earliest writings were not novels, but rather poems. He tried several times throughout his early adulthood to get his poems published, but was rejected every time. Then, after working as an architect for eleven years he wrote his first novel The Poor Man and the Lady. This novel and his next novel were unsuccessful and he continued to work as an architect until 1870, when he met Emma Lavinia Gifford, who later became his wife.
After meeting Gifford he began to write again, this time more successfully. By 1874 his writing had become successful enough that he could stop being an architect and support himself and Gifford, who he married that same year.
His wife died in 1912 after they had spent many years together, living peacefully and traveling around the world together. He continued to write, and in 1914 was remarried to Florence Emily Dugdale. They were married until he died on January 11, 1928. His ashes were put inside Westminster abby, and a collection of his poems entitled Winter Words was published after his death.
Works Cited
Ross, David. "Thomas Hardy." Britain Express. 2000. 14 May 2009.
"Thomas Hardy biography." Notable Biographies. 14 May 2009.
Thomas Hardy, the author of more than ten classic novels was born on June 2, 1840, to Thomas and Jemina Hardy. He was born in Higher Bockhampton in Dorset. His home played a big role in the setting he created for many of his novels.
Hardy was the eldest of four children, but was a small and sickly child. Because of this, Hardy spent much of his childhood indoors, reading.
His earliest writings were not novels, but rather poems. He tried several times throughout his early adulthood to get his poems published, but was rejected every time. Then, after working as an architect for eleven years he wrote his first novel The Poor Man and the Lady. This novel and his next novel were unsuccessful and he continued to work as an architect until 1870, when he met Emma Lavinia Gifford, who later became his wife.
After meeting Gifford he began to write again, this time more successfully. By 1874 his writing had become successful enough that he could stop being an architect and support himself and Gifford, who he married that same year.
His wife died in 1912 after they had spent many years together, living peacefully and traveling around the world together. He continued to write, and in 1914 was remarried to Florence Emily Dugdale. They were married until he died on January 11, 1928. His ashes were put inside Westminster abby, and a collection of his poems entitled Winter Words was published after his death.
Works Cited
Ross, David. "Thomas Hardy." Britain Express. 2000. 14 May 2009
"Thomas Hardy biography." Notable Biographies. 14 May 2009
Gabriel Jose Garcia Marquez
Araz writes:
Gabriel Jose Garcia Marquez was born on March 6,1928,in Aracataca, a town near Northern Colombia. He is a Colombian short-story teller, screenwriter, and journalist. He is best known for his novel, 100 Years of Solitude (1967), and Love in the Time of Cholera (1985). In 1982 he was awarded the Noble Prize of Literature. He married Mercedes Barcha in 1958, and a year later they had their first son, Rodrigo Garcia. In 1961,the family traveled by Greyhound bus throughout southern United States and eventually settled down in Mexico City. His novel a 100 Years of Solitude was widely populated and led to Garcia’s Romulo Gallegos Prize in 1972. In 1999 Garcia Marquez was diagnosed with lymphatic cancer. Chemotherapy provided by a hospital in Los Angeles proved to be successful and the illness went into remission. In June 1967 over 8000 copies of 100 Years of Solitude had been sold out. His novels are now translated internationally.
Gabriel Jose Garcia Marquez was born on March 6,1928,in Aracataca, a town near Northern Colombia. He is a Colombian short-story teller, screenwriter, and journalist. He is best known for his novel, 100 Years of Solitude (1967), and Love in the Time of Cholera (1985). In 1982 he was awarded the Noble Prize of Literature. He married Mercedes Barcha in 1958, and a year later they had their first son, Rodrigo Garcia. In 1961,the family traveled by Greyhound bus throughout southern United States and eventually settled down in Mexico City. His novel a 100 Years of Solitude was widely populated and led to Garcia’s Romulo Gallegos Prize in 1972. In 1999 Garcia Marquez was diagnosed with lymphatic cancer. Chemotherapy provided by a hospital in Los Angeles proved to be successful and the illness went into remission. In June 1967 over 8000 copies of 100 Years of Solitude had been sold out. His novels are now translated internationally.
Alexandre Dumas
Parisa writes:
Alexandre Dumas
Alexandre Dumas was a French writer best known for writing adventurous novels like The Count of Monte Cristo and The Three Musketeers. He was born in Villers-Cotterêts, northeast of Paris, on July 24, 1802, to an impoverished family that had once been reasonably well off and was descended from nobility. His father had been a general in Napoleon’s army but died in 1806. Alexandre Dumas grew up loving books and listening to his mother’s heroic war stories about his father. Although the two were poor they still had aristocratic connections left by the distinguished General Dumas, and when Alexandre was 20 years old he got a job in Paris working in the Palais Royal. He started writing articles for magazines and then plays for theatre. In the years to come he wrote several very popular plays, and made enough money to become a full time writer, leaving his job at the Palais Royal. He became enormously successful when he started writing novels. He became very wealthy however had the unfortunate predilection to spend more than he had.
Dumas’ paternal grandparents were a French nobleman and a Haitian slave, so he was of mixed race, a fact which affected him all his life. He once responded to an insult with "My father was a mulatto, my grandfather was a Negro, and my great grandfather a monkey. You see, Sir, my family starts where yours ends." In 2002 French President Chirac had Dumas’ body moved to a more prestigious burial site, the Panthéon of Paris, a mausoleum where many French heroes rest, and acknowledged in a speech that racism had existed, and that Dumas should now be honored as the great writer he was. His coffin was carried in a procession by men costumed as the three Musketeers, in a televised ceremony.
The books of Alexandre Dumas are action-packed, vivid stories which naturally lend themselves to becoming movies, and in fact more than 200 movies have been made of Dumas’ books. I enjoyed the Count of Monte Cristo tremendously, it’s my new favorite book, and I plan to read The Three Musketeers next. Also I cannot help but notice that the third movie in the series of The Pirates of the Caribbean seems to have stolen the idea of escaping prison by taking the place of a dead man from the Count of Monte Cristo.
Alexandre Dumas
Alexandre Dumas was a French writer best known for writing adventurous novels like The Count of Monte Cristo and The Three Musketeers. He was born in Villers-Cotterêts, northeast of Paris, on July 24, 1802, to an impoverished family that had once been reasonably well off and was descended from nobility. His father had been a general in Napoleon’s army but died in 1806. Alexandre Dumas grew up loving books and listening to his mother’s heroic war stories about his father. Although the two were poor they still had aristocratic connections left by the distinguished General Dumas, and when Alexandre was 20 years old he got a job in Paris working in the Palais Royal. He started writing articles for magazines and then plays for theatre. In the years to come he wrote several very popular plays, and made enough money to become a full time writer, leaving his job at the Palais Royal. He became enormously successful when he started writing novels. He became very wealthy however had the unfortunate predilection to spend more than he had.
Dumas’ paternal grandparents were a French nobleman and a Haitian slave, so he was of mixed race, a fact which affected him all his life. He once responded to an insult with "My father was a mulatto, my grandfather was a Negro, and my great grandfather a monkey. You see, Sir, my family starts where yours ends." In 2002 French President Chirac had Dumas’ body moved to a more prestigious burial site, the Panthéon of Paris, a mausoleum where many French heroes rest, and acknowledged in a speech that racism had existed, and that Dumas should now be honored as the great writer he was. His coffin was carried in a procession by men costumed as the three Musketeers, in a televised ceremony.
The books of Alexandre Dumas are action-packed, vivid stories which naturally lend themselves to becoming movies, and in fact more than 200 movies have been made of Dumas’ books. I enjoyed the Count of Monte Cristo tremendously, it’s my new favorite book, and I plan to read The Three Musketeers next. Also I cannot help but notice that the third movie in the series of The Pirates of the Caribbean seems to have stolen the idea of escaping prison by taking the place of a dead man from the Count of Monte Cristo.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Kurt Vonnegut
Nick writes:
Cats Cradle
Kurt Vonnegut writes extraordinarily well in his novel, Cat's
Cradle. The way he writes however is in a way that tells more of
ideas rather than a story. The main character is looking back on
the events. He relates everything to this idea of Bokonism. Of
course, there is a plot. The idea of the novel is to tell how
this man's path leads him to believing in Bokonism. He is
planning to write a novel on the life of Dr. Hoenikker the father
of the atom bomb. In the process he meets his family, and
discovers a lot about his life. Dr. Hoenikker was a brilliant man
and at one point designed a product with the capability to
destroy the earth. The product, called ice nine is split between
his three kids. The main character believes the kids are all part
of his Karass. A Karass is a Bokonist term for team. Throughout
the novel, the Bokonist ideas show up repeatedly. For example, at
one point the main character lets a man live at his house because
he had nowhere else to go. The man killed the main characters
cat, and destroyed the house but looking back it was a good thing
because it led him into the right direction toward becoming a
Bokonist. So far I have actually discovered a lot about the
family too. The doctor had three kids. Newt is a midget, very
smart and otherwise a surprisingly normal person. Angela lived
her entire life after sixteen years old looking after the doctor.
She has no friends and nowhere to turn after the doctor passes
away. Lastly, Frank is an extremely talented sculptor with a lot
of talent. Unfortunately, he got mixed up in some illegal people.
Frank fled to an island where a dictator keeps him alive only to
be his right hand man. The island, San Lorenzo I Imagine will
later on have more importance to the novel. As I read on, I
imagine I will continue to uncover more about the father of the
atom bomb, his three kids, ice nine, and how it all relates to
these Bokonist ideals.
Cats Cradle
Kurt Vonnegut writes extraordinarily well in his novel, Cat's
Cradle. The way he writes however is in a way that tells more of
ideas rather than a story. The main character is looking back on
the events. He relates everything to this idea of Bokonism. Of
course, there is a plot. The idea of the novel is to tell how
this man's path leads him to believing in Bokonism. He is
planning to write a novel on the life of Dr. Hoenikker the father
of the atom bomb. In the process he meets his family, and
discovers a lot about his life. Dr. Hoenikker was a brilliant man
and at one point designed a product with the capability to
destroy the earth. The product, called ice nine is split between
his three kids. The main character believes the kids are all part
of his Karass. A Karass is a Bokonist term for team. Throughout
the novel, the Bokonist ideas show up repeatedly. For example, at
one point the main character lets a man live at his house because
he had nowhere else to go. The man killed the main characters
cat, and destroyed the house but looking back it was a good thing
because it led him into the right direction toward becoming a
Bokonist. So far I have actually discovered a lot about the
family too. The doctor had three kids. Newt is a midget, very
smart and otherwise a surprisingly normal person. Angela lived
her entire life after sixteen years old looking after the doctor.
She has no friends and nowhere to turn after the doctor passes
away. Lastly, Frank is an extremely talented sculptor with a lot
of talent. Unfortunately, he got mixed up in some illegal people.
Frank fled to an island where a dictator keeps him alive only to
be his right hand man. The island, San Lorenzo I Imagine will
later on have more importance to the novel. As I read on, I
imagine I will continue to uncover more about the father of the
atom bomb, his three kids, ice nine, and how it all relates to
these Bokonist ideals.
Gustave Flaubert
Mairian writes:
I am reading Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert. He was born on December 12, 1821 in Rouen. He wrote Madame Bovary in 1856. He also wrote several other novels including La Tentation, Salammbo, L’Education Sentimentale, Trois Contes and others. He sometimes writes stories that have something to do with events in his life or his surroundings. He died on May 8, 1880 because of a stroke at Croisset.
So far in the novel there is a character named Charles and he is a doctor. He got married to a woman named Heloise who didn’t love him much and she was very bossy. She was years older than him and a wealthy widow. One day he got called to a house in the country to fix a man’s broken leg (his name is Roault) and he starts liking the man’s daughter, Emma. He kept visiting the family, too often and Heloise got suspicious and made him promise never to go there again. He promised but soon he found out that Heloise’s lawyer had taken all her money and she lied about the money before the wedding. Charles’s family got angry and a week later Heloise died from shock. Charles started becoming good friends with Roualt and he got remarried to Emma. Emma talked to him about how she didn’t like the country but Charles seemed to be more interested in her beauty. After the wedding Charles took Emma home and she tried to improve her new home. She feels that she isn’t really in love and that it doesn’t seem like it did in the Romance novels that she read.
I am reading Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert. He was born on December 12, 1821 in Rouen. He wrote Madame Bovary in 1856. He also wrote several other novels including La Tentation, Salammbo, L’Education Sentimentale, Trois Contes and others. He sometimes writes stories that have something to do with events in his life or his surroundings. He died on May 8, 1880 because of a stroke at Croisset.
So far in the novel there is a character named Charles and he is a doctor. He got married to a woman named Heloise who didn’t love him much and she was very bossy. She was years older than him and a wealthy widow. One day he got called to a house in the country to fix a man’s broken leg (his name is Roault) and he starts liking the man’s daughter, Emma. He kept visiting the family, too often and Heloise got suspicious and made him promise never to go there again. He promised but soon he found out that Heloise’s lawyer had taken all her money and she lied about the money before the wedding. Charles’s family got angry and a week later Heloise died from shock. Charles started becoming good friends with Roualt and he got remarried to Emma. Emma talked to him about how she didn’t like the country but Charles seemed to be more interested in her beauty. After the wedding Charles took Emma home and she tried to improve her new home. She feels that she isn’t really in love and that it doesn’t seem like it did in the Romance novels that she read.
A Book To Choose
Katherine writes:
On deciding which book to pick as my fourth term classic, I
couldn't seem to make up my mind. I had asked several classmates
about their last term reads, all giving me yes or no approvals of
their selections, but none that truly stood out until the last
person I interrogated. I asked him, "Did you like your book?"
He paused seemed to think of the right thing to say, and caught
off guard, avoiding to answer with a yes or no, he replied with,
"Yeah I guess, if you are a seventeen year old girl." Now, he
failed to acknowledge whether or not he liked the book, however
his response intrigued me to look further into it. The book, In
Country, by Bobbie Ann Mason, is about Sam, a small-town Kentucky
girl, who lives with her Vietnam War Veteran Uncle. When my
classmate first answered with "if you are a seventeen year old
girl," I thought he was saying if you are a teenage girl like
yourself, you might like it, but also because he did not want to
admit that he liked a book based of an audience of "seventeen
year old girls," with a yes answer.
I'm glad, rather than playing it safe and merely choosing the
"Yes" categorized books, I went with the mysterious choice. I
have just started the book, but I am enticed by the story, which
is about Sam's interest of her secretive Uncle's past, her
struggle to get information about her father, who was killed in
Vietnam, and her coming of age in Hopewell, a small Southern
town. I also am very interested in History and war scenes so I am
excited to read further and find out more about Sam and her
Uncle's story.
On deciding which book to pick as my fourth term classic, I
couldn't seem to make up my mind. I had asked several classmates
about their last term reads, all giving me yes or no approvals of
their selections, but none that truly stood out until the last
person I interrogated. I asked him, "Did you like your book?"
He paused seemed to think of the right thing to say, and caught
off guard, avoiding to answer with a yes or no, he replied with,
"Yeah I guess, if you are a seventeen year old girl." Now, he
failed to acknowledge whether or not he liked the book, however
his response intrigued me to look further into it. The book, In
Country, by Bobbie Ann Mason, is about Sam, a small-town Kentucky
girl, who lives with her Vietnam War Veteran Uncle. When my
classmate first answered with "if you are a seventeen year old
girl," I thought he was saying if you are a teenage girl like
yourself, you might like it, but also because he did not want to
admit that he liked a book based of an audience of "seventeen
year old girls," with a yes answer.
I'm glad, rather than playing it safe and merely choosing the
"Yes" categorized books, I went with the mysterious choice. I
have just started the book, but I am enticed by the story, which
is about Sam's interest of her secretive Uncle's past, her
struggle to get information about her father, who was killed in
Vietnam, and her coming of age in Hopewell, a small Southern
town. I also am very interested in History and war scenes so I am
excited to read further and find out more about Sam and her
Uncle's story.
Aldous Huxley
Currently my classic novel I am reading for class is Brave New World by Aldous Huxley. Hurley was born in Godalming, Surrey on July 26, 1894 and he died in Los Angeles on November 22, 1963. Huxley was boor into an upper-class family and was initially surrounded by writing basically from birth because hi father, Leonard Huxley, was a biographer, editor and poet. Huxley lived a hard life starting from the young age of fourteen. At the age of sixteen he was suffered from keratitis punctata, and for about eighteen months he was totally blind.
Huxley attended two colleges in his life. The first was Eton College, Berkshire which he attended from 1908-1913. The second college he attended was Balliol College, Oxford from 1913-1915, here he received his B.A in English in 1916. Huxley did not always want to be a write and a master of English though, at first he wanted to be a scientist, but he was not able to pursue this dream, and switched his career of to study English.
In the novel, Brave New World Huxley’s writing can be seen as complex and hard to read, but if you start to get the idea of the story then I think the reader would have enough determination to get through it, because so far it is a very intriguing story. For some it the novel may not be as interesting to read if one of your favorite genres is science fiction, which mine is, which is what makes the story so enjoyable to me.\
So far I am on chapter five of sixteen. The setting of the first chapter is Central London Hatchery and Conditioning Centre, and the World State’s motto “COMMUNITY, IDENTITY, STABILITY” is hung before the main entrance of the building (which I am sure is to have some significance later on in the novel). The scene takes place in a laboratory, and Huxley gives the impression that this place is dark, dank and secluded, but very busy.
The first character the reader is introduced to is the Director. I don’t want to be too specific for those of you who may want to read this, but the first impression you get about this character is that they are power hungry and determined about whatever project they take on, and do not want any obstacles to overcome them. What the Director is doing when he is introduced is showing new students around the facility. He explains what they do here at the Hatchery, which is to reproduce humans no longer by natural sexual reproduction, but by artificially producing/developing them in test tubes, bringing true meaning in this book to test-tube babies. The Director goes into further detail about the process, and about the experiments done to the embryo’s, which all of this is called “Bokanovsky Process”. It is believed that this will further stabilize society and help civilization develop.
The next character the reader is introduced to is Mr. Foster, a worker at the Hatchery that is very enthusiastic and knowledgeable of his job and the whole Bokanovsky Process.
Later the Director shows the students around the Nurseries. I do not want to give too much away so I can avoid spoilers, so I’ll leave it at that so those who will later read this can find out about this place. In the World State the idea of loving nature and purity of all things has been abolished by those who work in places like the Hatchery (there are many places all over the world like this, producing billions of artificially produced humans a year).
I think I will stop here, so I can make sure as to not give away too many ideas of and events that occur in Brave New World.
Huxley attended two colleges in his life. The first was Eton College, Berkshire which he attended from 1908-1913. The second college he attended was Balliol College, Oxford from 1913-1915, here he received his B.A in English in 1916. Huxley did not always want to be a write and a master of English though, at first he wanted to be a scientist, but he was not able to pursue this dream, and switched his career of to study English.
In the novel, Brave New World Huxley’s writing can be seen as complex and hard to read, but if you start to get the idea of the story then I think the reader would have enough determination to get through it, because so far it is a very intriguing story. For some it the novel may not be as interesting to read if one of your favorite genres is science fiction, which mine is, which is what makes the story so enjoyable to me.\
So far I am on chapter five of sixteen. The setting of the first chapter is Central London Hatchery and Conditioning Centre, and the World State’s motto “COMMUNITY, IDENTITY, STABILITY” is hung before the main entrance of the building (which I am sure is to have some significance later on in the novel). The scene takes place in a laboratory, and Huxley gives the impression that this place is dark, dank and secluded, but very busy.
The first character the reader is introduced to is the Director. I don’t want to be too specific for those of you who may want to read this, but the first impression you get about this character is that they are power hungry and determined about whatever project they take on, and do not want any obstacles to overcome them. What the Director is doing when he is introduced is showing new students around the facility. He explains what they do here at the Hatchery, which is to reproduce humans no longer by natural sexual reproduction, but by artificially producing/developing them in test tubes, bringing true meaning in this book to test-tube babies. The Director goes into further detail about the process, and about the experiments done to the embryo’s, which all of this is called “Bokanovsky Process”. It is believed that this will further stabilize society and help civilization develop.
The next character the reader is introduced to is Mr. Foster, a worker at the Hatchery that is very enthusiastic and knowledgeable of his job and the whole Bokanovsky Process.
Later the Director shows the students around the Nurseries. I do not want to give too much away so I can avoid spoilers, so I’ll leave it at that so those who will later read this can find out about this place. In the World State the idea of loving nature and purity of all things has been abolished by those who work in places like the Hatchery (there are many places all over the world like this, producing billions of artificially produced humans a year).
I think I will stop here, so I can make sure as to not give away too many ideas of and events that occur in Brave New World.
Joseph Conrad
Greg writes:
Joseph Conrad (1857-1924) was born in Poland as the son of Apollo
Korzeniowski, a Polish playwright and nobleman. His father was well respected in his hometown of Berdychiv (then, it was spelled Berdyczów) mainly for his abilities as a translator of the works of very notable literary geniuses – Dickens, Shakespeare, and Hugo, just to name a few. A life of literature clearly ran in the family!
Conrad became an orphan in 1869, when his father died four years after Conrad’s mother had died of tuberculosis. As a result of these tragic events, the young Conrad spent the rest of his childhood with his uncle in Kraców. Despite having known his father for a relatively short amount of time, his influence spanned Conrad’s entire lifetime; Koreniowski, being a translator, always had the house filled with books in other languages lying around, and a curious Conrad loved to pick them up and read. As a result, Conrad learned three languages – Polish, French, and a bit of English – before his parents’ death, which would prove to be quite useful in his later years, when he developed a love of writing.
At age 16, Conrad began his life at sea. As a seaman, Conrad traveled to all sorts of exotic parts of the world – Australia, Borneo, and the Congo just to name a few. Conrad always found himself writing about his surroundings as a sort of escape. Many voyages out to sea later, Conrad had decided that his true passion was not at sea, but rather with paper and ink. At age 36, Conrad decided to live a more relaxed life at his home in England, and began writing “Heart of Darkness”, a novel that was loosely based on his experiences at sea. Conrad became a well-renowned author in his days, and remains to be one, long after his death at age 66.
Joseph Conrad (1857-1924) was born in Poland as the son of Apollo
Korzeniowski, a Polish playwright and nobleman. His father was well respected in his hometown of Berdychiv (then, it was spelled Berdyczów) mainly for his abilities as a translator of the works of very notable literary geniuses – Dickens, Shakespeare, and Hugo, just to name a few. A life of literature clearly ran in the family!
Conrad became an orphan in 1869, when his father died four years after Conrad’s mother had died of tuberculosis. As a result of these tragic events, the young Conrad spent the rest of his childhood with his uncle in Kraców. Despite having known his father for a relatively short amount of time, his influence spanned Conrad’s entire lifetime; Koreniowski, being a translator, always had the house filled with books in other languages lying around, and a curious Conrad loved to pick them up and read. As a result, Conrad learned three languages – Polish, French, and a bit of English – before his parents’ death, which would prove to be quite useful in his later years, when he developed a love of writing.
At age 16, Conrad began his life at sea. As a seaman, Conrad traveled to all sorts of exotic parts of the world – Australia, Borneo, and the Congo just to name a few. Conrad always found himself writing about his surroundings as a sort of escape. Many voyages out to sea later, Conrad had decided that his true passion was not at sea, but rather with paper and ink. At age 36, Conrad decided to live a more relaxed life at his home in England, and began writing “Heart of Darkness”, a novel that was loosely based on his experiences at sea. Conrad became a well-renowned author in his days, and remains to be one, long after his death at age 66.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
The Mill On The Floss
Katherine writes:
Reflecting back on my latest read, George Eliot's The Mill On
The Floss, I'm also reflecting back to the life of character
Maggie Tulliver, the novel's protagonist. For our first entry
blog, I mentioned the life of author George Eliot and her secret
affair with married man George Henry Lewes. As I was reading
Maggie's story, I felt that I was also connecting to George
Eliot, in the aspect that she put a bit of her life in Maggie's
love connection to character Stephen Guest, who is engaged to
Maggie's cousin Lucy. This intrigued me and enticed me to read
on, eventually I became engrossed in the novel. The story is
certainly a good read, with the exception of a rather dull
beginning. Eliot's story starts off rather plainly, not very
appealing, and in need of some encouragement to get you through.
The turning point in the novel where the pace picks up a bit, and
gets going, is when Eliot includes humorous situations, such as
Maggie cutting all her hair off because she thinks her aunts like
short thin hair better. In fact, her family is repulsed by her
new hair style, with its stumpy jagged edges sticking out every
which way. If you are someone who prefers a page turner from the
get-go, I would not recommend this novel for you, however you
would be missing out on a classic read with a devastating
cliff-hanger ending. I would rate this book a six and a half out
of ten. Overall it was a good book, however the monotonous ending
brings it down slightly, and for me personally it wasn't the
exact type of genre I was looking for. However I do not
discourage others from picking it off the shelves, in fact I hope
you do just so because the ending is definitely worth it.
Reflecting back on my latest read, George Eliot's The Mill On
The Floss, I'm also reflecting back to the life of character
Maggie Tulliver, the novel's protagonist. For our first entry
blog, I mentioned the life of author George Eliot and her secret
affair with married man George Henry Lewes. As I was reading
Maggie's story, I felt that I was also connecting to George
Eliot, in the aspect that she put a bit of her life in Maggie's
love connection to character Stephen Guest, who is engaged to
Maggie's cousin Lucy. This intrigued me and enticed me to read
on, eventually I became engrossed in the novel. The story is
certainly a good read, with the exception of a rather dull
beginning. Eliot's story starts off rather plainly, not very
appealing, and in need of some encouragement to get you through.
The turning point in the novel where the pace picks up a bit, and
gets going, is when Eliot includes humorous situations, such as
Maggie cutting all her hair off because she thinks her aunts like
short thin hair better. In fact, her family is repulsed by her
new hair style, with its stumpy jagged edges sticking out every
which way. If you are someone who prefers a page turner from the
get-go, I would not recommend this novel for you, however you
would be missing out on a classic read with a devastating
cliff-hanger ending. I would rate this book a six and a half out
of ten. Overall it was a good book, however the monotonous ending
brings it down slightly, and for me personally it wasn't the
exact type of genre I was looking for. However I do not
discourage others from picking it off the shelves, in fact I hope
you do just so because the ending is definitely worth it.
Katherine writes:
Reflecting back on my latest read, George Eliot's The Mill On
The Floss, I'm also reflecting back to the life of character
Maggie Tulliver, the novel's protagonist. For our first entry
blog, I mentioned the life of author George Eliot and her secret
affair with married man George Henry Lewes. As I was reading
Maggie's story, I felt that I was also connecting to George
Eliot, in the aspect that she put a bit of her life in Maggie's
love connection to character Stephen Guest, who is engaged to
Maggie's cousin Lucy. This intrigued me and enticed me to read
on, eventually I became engrossed in the novel. The story is
certainly a good read, with the exception of a rather dull
beginning. Eliot's story starts off rather plainly, not very
appealing, and in need of some encouragement to get you through.
The turning point in the novel where the pace picks up a bit, and
gets going, is when Eliot includes humorous situations, such as
Maggie cutting all her hair off because she thinks her aunts like
short thin hair better. In fact, her family is repulsed by her
new hair style, with its stumpy jagged edges sticking out every
which way. If you are someone who prefers a page turner from the
get-go, I would not recommend this novel for you, however you
would be missing out on a classic read with a devastating
cliff-hanger ending. I would rate this book a six and a half out
of ten. Overall it was a good book, however the monotonous ending
brings it down slightly, and for me personally it wasn't the
exact type of genre I was looking for. However I do not
discourage others from picking it off the shelves, in fact I hope
you do just so because the ending is definitely worth it.
Reflecting back on my latest read, George Eliot's The Mill On
The Floss, I'm also reflecting back to the life of character
Maggie Tulliver, the novel's protagonist. For our first entry
blog, I mentioned the life of author George Eliot and her secret
affair with married man George Henry Lewes. As I was reading
Maggie's story, I felt that I was also connecting to George
Eliot, in the aspect that she put a bit of her life in Maggie's
love connection to character Stephen Guest, who is engaged to
Maggie's cousin Lucy. This intrigued me and enticed me to read
on, eventually I became engrossed in the novel. The story is
certainly a good read, with the exception of a rather dull
beginning. Eliot's story starts off rather plainly, not very
appealing, and in need of some encouragement to get you through.
The turning point in the novel where the pace picks up a bit, and
gets going, is when Eliot includes humorous situations, such as
Maggie cutting all her hair off because she thinks her aunts like
short thin hair better. In fact, her family is repulsed by her
new hair style, with its stumpy jagged edges sticking out every
which way. If you are someone who prefers a page turner from the
get-go, I would not recommend this novel for you, however you
would be missing out on a classic read with a devastating
cliff-hanger ending. I would rate this book a six and a half out
of ten. Overall it was a good book, however the monotonous ending
brings it down slightly, and for me personally it wasn't the
exact type of genre I was looking for. However I do not
discourage others from picking it off the shelves, in fact I hope
you do just so because the ending is definitely worth it.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
The House of Spirits by Isabel Allende
Araz writes:
The novel that I read as my third quarter classic was The House of Spirits by Isabel Allende. This novel was well composed and written. It gives you a good glimpse of what political life was back in the day and shows how political leader’s family members lived. This novel is based off of a letter that was written to Isabel Allende’s grandfather who was on his death bed. The beginning of the novel was pretty boring but by chapter six the story got really good and I was unable to put down the novel. I would rate this novel an 8 out of 10 because it had an easy plot to follow. The only problem was that they never notified the reader when the points of view were changing. This novel is considered a journal that Clara and Alba wrote in. This journal enabled them to write down all their thoughts and ideas. I would definitely recommend this novel to a friend because I know they would enjoy it as much as I did.
The novel that I read as my third quarter classic was The House of Spirits by Isabel Allende. This novel was well composed and written. It gives you a good glimpse of what political life was back in the day and shows how political leader’s family members lived. This novel is based off of a letter that was written to Isabel Allende’s grandfather who was on his death bed. The beginning of the novel was pretty boring but by chapter six the story got really good and I was unable to put down the novel. I would rate this novel an 8 out of 10 because it had an easy plot to follow. The only problem was that they never notified the reader when the points of view were changing. This novel is considered a journal that Clara and Alba wrote in. This journal enabled them to write down all their thoughts and ideas. I would definitely recommend this novel to a friend because I know they would enjoy it as much as I did.
Cat’s Cradle
Sasha writes:
Cat’s Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut is a sarcastic, darkly humorous account of the aftermath of a number of fictitious WWII events. The story is told by John, although his role in the plot, other than to chronicle the events is minimal.
The story is kicked off by a man named Felix Hoenikker, a brilliant, if somewhat childish scientist and inventor, who was one of the unintentional parents of the atomic bomb. His last invention before he died was a mysterious substance called ice-nine. When the story takes place Hoenikker is already dead and it is his children who are actually there.
What is probably my favorite aspect of the book is the fictitious religion that many of the characters practice. The religion is called Bokononism and is based around the teachings of a man named Bokonon. Many of the parables and facets of Bokononism are mentioned throughout the book. They can be confusing at times but if you pay attention the pieces do fit.
The novel is written in a style that can at times feel choppy, with very short chapters and often very short sentences, but at the end it has a well-put together feel and the style fits with the story.
At the end of the novel I was left with a feeling of satisfaction, something I always enjoy when finishing a good novel, and something I experience all to infrequently. This has become one of my new favorite novels and I would probably give it a nine out of ten and a strong recommendation. I would however caution someone who does not particularly enjoy reading and who does not enjoy novels that do not get straight to the point that this could be frustrating.
Cat’s Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut is a sarcastic, darkly humorous account of the aftermath of a number of fictitious WWII events. The story is told by John, although his role in the plot, other than to chronicle the events is minimal.
The story is kicked off by a man named Felix Hoenikker, a brilliant, if somewhat childish scientist and inventor, who was one of the unintentional parents of the atomic bomb. His last invention before he died was a mysterious substance called ice-nine. When the story takes place Hoenikker is already dead and it is his children who are actually there.
What is probably my favorite aspect of the book is the fictitious religion that many of the characters practice. The religion is called Bokononism and is based around the teachings of a man named Bokonon. Many of the parables and facets of Bokononism are mentioned throughout the book. They can be confusing at times but if you pay attention the pieces do fit.
The novel is written in a style that can at times feel choppy, with very short chapters and often very short sentences, but at the end it has a well-put together feel and the style fits with the story.
At the end of the novel I was left with a feeling of satisfaction, something I always enjoy when finishing a good novel, and something I experience all to infrequently. This has become one of my new favorite novels and I would probably give it a nine out of ten and a strong recommendation. I would however caution someone who does not particularly enjoy reading and who does not enjoy novels that do not get straight to the point that this could be frustrating.
One Hundred Years of Solitude
Kayla writes:
I would rate my novel One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, a seven out of ten. In the small town of Macondo, the Buendia family lives. Jose Arcadio Buendia helped found the town, and he is the start of many generations. Throughout generations each person in the Buendia family has many moments of prosperity and struggle. They encounter love, lust, grief, death, happiness, and most20of all, solitude. Macondo grows and prospers, but in time it becomes abandoned and a place of solitude for the last remaining Buendia. Alone and in need of comfort, he deciphers ancient documents that belonged to a gypsy friend of Jose Arcadio Buendia’s. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading fiction and novels about fantasy.
I would rate my novel One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, a seven out of ten. In the small town of Macondo, the Buendia family lives. Jose Arcadio Buendia helped found the town, and he is the start of many generations. Throughout generations each person in the Buendia family has many moments of prosperity and struggle. They encounter love, lust, grief, death, happiness, and most20of all, solitude. Macondo grows and prospers, but in time it becomes abandoned and a place of solitude for the last remaining Buendia. Alone and in need of comfort, he deciphers ancient documents that belonged to a gypsy friend of Jose Arcadio Buendia’s. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading fiction and novels about fantasy.
A Room with a View
Mairian writes:
In this story Lucy the main character falls in love with a guy she met in Italy named George Emerson. Sadly many people she know disapprove of him and his father and once her cousin finds him kissing her in a garden she decides Lucy must go away from him and not tell her mother. They pack to leave to Rome to stay with the Vyses. When Lucy goes back home to Surrey she accepts the third marriage proposal from Cecil Vyse Cecil disapproves of many people and one day he sees the Emerson’s in a Museum and offers them a small ugly villa that they move into. After a game of tennis George kisses Lucy once again and explains why she shouldn’t marry Cecil. Lucy sees Cecil differently and breaks off the engagement that night. Lucy doesn’t believe that she loves George and decides to go to Greece with the Miss Alans. By surprise she meets Mr. Emerson who tells her that she loves George and should marry him instead. The book ends with a happy ending of Lucy and George in Italy, in the same Hotel they stayed before, in a room with a view.
I would give this novel 8 out of 10. I thought it was a good story and it is very interesting. Once I got further in the novel it kept my attention but in the beginning it was a little hard to understand and it was progressing slowly. Overall it was a good book and I would recommend it to other student’s especially the ones who enjoy love stories.
In this story Lucy the main character falls in love with a guy she met in Italy named George Emerson. Sadly many people she know disapprove of him and his father and once her cousin finds him kissing her in a garden she decides Lucy must go away from him and not tell her mother. They pack to leave to Rome to stay with the Vyses. When Lucy goes back home to Surrey she accepts the third marriage proposal from Cecil Vyse Cecil disapproves of many people and one day he sees the Emerson’s in a Museum and offers them a small ugly villa that they move into. After a game of tennis George kisses Lucy once again and explains why she shouldn’t marry Cecil. Lucy sees Cecil differently and breaks off the engagement that night. Lucy doesn’t believe that she loves George and decides to go to Greece with the Miss Alans. By surprise she meets Mr. Emerson who tells her that she loves George and should marry him instead. The book ends with a happy ending of Lucy and George in Italy, in the same Hotel they stayed before, in a room with a view.
I would give this novel 8 out of 10. I thought it was a good story and it is very interesting. Once I got further in the novel it kept my attention but in the beginning it was a little hard to understand and it was progressing slowly. Overall it was a good book and I would recommend it to other student’s especially the ones who enjoy love stories.
Jude The Obscure
Nick writes:
Jude The Obscure by Thomas hardy a novel renowned for its
quality, writer, and the mark it left in the time period based on
its obscenity. Although it's not nearly as bad as many of the
books out there now, for the time period it was considered
vulgar. Based on the language in the novel it can be assumed the
time period was some time ago most likely in the late 1800's
possibly early 1900's. The language can make this a tougher read,
but I would still recommend it to someone that I knew could
handle filling in the blanks, and figuring out what Thomas Hardy
is trying to say. Halfway through the Novel you find the
difference in language doesn't have any effect on your reading
any longer. Now on to the Main summary, Jude is an ambitious,
intelligent and well, obscure boy. In the beginning of the novel
you meet a boy who's only mentor is leaving to go to the center
of learning in that area. Christminster. To Jude the teacher
leaving was a huge deal, the teacher had meant a lot to Jude, and
was close enough to Jude to have told him his private ambitions
to become a scholar at the university in Christminster. Jude's
Ambitions soon turn into a lifestyle. He reads classics, and
learns all he can with a little help from his old friend, and
mentor teacher. A Huge theme I noticed in the novel was how a
human's love can get in the way of their ambitions. This is
exactly the story in Jude's case. He's dumb enough to find
himself involved in a relationship with a Young girl who cares
not for his needs. His first mistake was Arabella, the
relationship like many in his family's history ended poorly and
had a huge effect on Jude getting to Christminster because he was
forced to put his classics aside for the most part and focus on
his wife. He married her in response to her lie that she was
pregnant. Arabella unintentionally messed up Jude's life pretty
badly. Eventually Jude moves into Christminster to fulfill his
dream, and this was the section Jude faced his disappointment in
many aspect. His Teacher, His mentor, had he really cared for
Jude so much? Evidentially not because he couldn't seem to
remember the name Jude at all, for me reading this I could really
feel Jude's tremendous disappointment. Jude will find
disappointment repeatedly from this point on. Although I loved
the story in the novel I did find it hard to read for a long
period of time. As to not spoil the end I will not reveal
whether or not Jude reaches his dream, or if he ever finds love
again. I do recommend this as a book, but only if you have the
time to read it, I truly found it much more enjoyable in rations,
possibly half hour a night to forty five minutes. After that the
book begins to seem much worse than it really is. I liked the
book, but I wouldn't have finished it if I didn't have too. This
is because I prefer books that really get my emotions going, and
have a lot to them. Somehow this novel just wasn't doing it for
me. Because of the situation I have two scales for this book. On
the scale of how much I enjoyed it I give it a six out of ten. On
a scale of how much I appreciate the writing, and how well I
realize it is written I give it a nine. Unfortunately my
appreciation for Thomas Hardy's style was not enough to make the
book stimulate my brain for long.
Jude The Obscure by Thomas hardy a novel renowned for its
quality, writer, and the mark it left in the time period based on
its obscenity. Although it's not nearly as bad as many of the
books out there now, for the time period it was considered
vulgar. Based on the language in the novel it can be assumed the
time period was some time ago most likely in the late 1800's
possibly early 1900's. The language can make this a tougher read,
but I would still recommend it to someone that I knew could
handle filling in the blanks, and figuring out what Thomas Hardy
is trying to say. Halfway through the Novel you find the
difference in language doesn't have any effect on your reading
any longer. Now on to the Main summary, Jude is an ambitious,
intelligent and well, obscure boy. In the beginning of the novel
you meet a boy who's only mentor is leaving to go to the center
of learning in that area. Christminster. To Jude the teacher
leaving was a huge deal, the teacher had meant a lot to Jude, and
was close enough to Jude to have told him his private ambitions
to become a scholar at the university in Christminster. Jude's
Ambitions soon turn into a lifestyle. He reads classics, and
learns all he can with a little help from his old friend, and
mentor teacher. A Huge theme I noticed in the novel was how a
human's love can get in the way of their ambitions. This is
exactly the story in Jude's case. He's dumb enough to find
himself involved in a relationship with a Young girl who cares
not for his needs. His first mistake was Arabella, the
relationship like many in his family's history ended poorly and
had a huge effect on Jude getting to Christminster because he was
forced to put his classics aside for the most part and focus on
his wife. He married her in response to her lie that she was
pregnant. Arabella unintentionally messed up Jude's life pretty
badly. Eventually Jude moves into Christminster to fulfill his
dream, and this was the section Jude faced his disappointment in
many aspect. His Teacher, His mentor, had he really cared for
Jude so much? Evidentially not because he couldn't seem to
remember the name Jude at all, for me reading this I could really
feel Jude's tremendous disappointment. Jude will find
disappointment repeatedly from this point on. Although I loved
the story in the novel I did find it hard to read for a long
period of time. As to not spoil the end I will not reveal
whether or not Jude reaches his dream, or if he ever finds love
again. I do recommend this as a book, but only if you have the
time to read it, I truly found it much more enjoyable in rations,
possibly half hour a night to forty five minutes. After that the
book begins to seem much worse than it really is. I liked the
book, but I wouldn't have finished it if I didn't have too. This
is because I prefer books that really get my emotions going, and
have a lot to them. Somehow this novel just wasn't doing it for
me. Because of the situation I have two scales for this book. On
the scale of how much I enjoyed it I give it a six out of ten. On
a scale of how much I appreciate the writing, and how well I
realize it is written I give it a nine. Unfortunately my
appreciation for Thomas Hardy's style was not enough to make the
book stimulate my brain for long.
The Cider House Rules
Caitie writes:
I read The Cider House Rules by John Irving. The book is about an orphanage in St. Cloud’s Maine where illegal abortions are preformed. Dr. Wilbur Larch cares for all the orphans in St. Cloud’s orphanage with the help of Nurse Edna and Nurse Angela. These nurses also help him with abortions. The nurses are responsible for naming all the orphans, one orphan they name Homer Wells. Homer is not an average baby, he does not cry. When adoptive families take Homer home they think there is something wrong with him, one family beats him to make him cry. This made him sensitive to the smallest touch or movement. Now he won’t stop crying. Each family can never seem to really mesh with Homer Wells. Dr. Larch stops trying to find Homer Wells’ perfect fit after Homer went on a day trip with one family and the family was gruesomely killed. Homer remains at the orphanage and becomes a son to Dr. Larch and Nurse Edna and Nurse Angela. They start giving him responsibilities and chores. He has to take out the trash and this is how he discovers Dr. Larch’s secret, he finds a fetus in the trash. Dr. Larch has to tell Homer about his secret career. He tells Homer and even starts training him to be an abortionist.
Homer is starved for attention at times so becomes close friends with a rude girl named Melonie, who is in the same predicament as Homer as far as being an orphan that never gets adopted in the girl’s division of St. Cloud’s. Homer and Melonie make a promise to each other that neither would leave St. Cloud’s without the other. Homer is trained to be an abortionist for the next few years. In the meantime the reader is introduced to Candy Kendall and Wally Worthington. Wally comes from a very rich family who owns a famous apple orchard; Candy’s dad is a very hard working, well respected handy man. Candy and Wally are “the couple” in Heart’s Haven, a town a few miles from St. Cloud’s. Candy happens to be the same age as Homer Wells and when she discovers she is pregnant she feels she is too young and has too much going on in her life right now to support a child. She knows Wally will support her, money is not an issue, and she just wants more time to live her life without having to care for a kid. She feels that she has no choice but to gat an abortion. Wally has heard about St. Cloud’s and Dr. Larch’s work. He takes Candy to St. Cloud’s for an abortion. The couple meets Homer Wells there. Homer really likes Candy and wants to help her but he has made up his mind that he thinks abortion is wrong, he doesn’t want to perform abortions anymore. This destroys Dr. Larch who had spent so much time training Homer. Homer will deliver babies but he will not kill them. So during Candy’s procedure he waits outside and talks with Wally. They create a fast friendship and he asks Homer if he wants to take a road trip with him and Candy. This road trip turns into a summer job for Homer. He had to break his promise with Melonie when he left and now Dr. Larch feels like his son is being taken away. Dr. Larch solves many of his problems with his ether addiction but this time he tries to find a new apprentice. He asks Melonie if she would like to learn how to abort a pregnancy. This does not work out because Melonie does not like blood and guts. Dr. Larch is very depressed and doesn’t hear from Homer for a while. Homer is having fun but the story has a twist that I do not want to give away if you want to read the book which I highly recommend.
It was a great book and I really enjoyed it. I like the way John Irving writes. He describes things really well; I can see what is going on. I also really like the characters and the setting. I think they add to the story in the best way. I would give the book 7 out of 10. I really enjoyed this novel and recommend it to anyone that likes a really good author; I wouldn’t however recommend this book to people who usually choose fantasy books. I would also not recommend it to anyone who is particularly squeamish or easily disturbed because there are some very disturbing scenes in the book.
I read The Cider House Rules by John Irving. The book is about an orphanage in St. Cloud’s Maine where illegal abortions are preformed. Dr. Wilbur Larch cares for all the orphans in St. Cloud’s orphanage with the help of Nurse Edna and Nurse Angela. These nurses also help him with abortions. The nurses are responsible for naming all the orphans, one orphan they name Homer Wells. Homer is not an average baby, he does not cry. When adoptive families take Homer home they think there is something wrong with him, one family beats him to make him cry. This made him sensitive to the smallest touch or movement. Now he won’t stop crying. Each family can never seem to really mesh with Homer Wells. Dr. Larch stops trying to find Homer Wells’ perfect fit after Homer went on a day trip with one family and the family was gruesomely killed. Homer remains at the orphanage and becomes a son to Dr. Larch and Nurse Edna and Nurse Angela. They start giving him responsibilities and chores. He has to take out the trash and this is how he discovers Dr. Larch’s secret, he finds a fetus in the trash. Dr. Larch has to tell Homer about his secret career. He tells Homer and even starts training him to be an abortionist.
Homer is starved for attention at times so becomes close friends with a rude girl named Melonie, who is in the same predicament as Homer as far as being an orphan that never gets adopted in the girl’s division of St. Cloud’s. Homer and Melonie make a promise to each other that neither would leave St. Cloud’s without the other. Homer is trained to be an abortionist for the next few years. In the meantime the reader is introduced to Candy Kendall and Wally Worthington. Wally comes from a very rich family who owns a famous apple orchard; Candy’s dad is a very hard working, well respected handy man. Candy and Wally are “the couple” in Heart’s Haven, a town a few miles from St. Cloud’s. Candy happens to be the same age as Homer Wells and when she discovers she is pregnant she feels she is too young and has too much going on in her life right now to support a child. She knows Wally will support her, money is not an issue, and she just wants more time to live her life without having to care for a kid. She feels that she has no choice but to gat an abortion. Wally has heard about St. Cloud’s and Dr. Larch’s work. He takes Candy to St. Cloud’s for an abortion. The couple meets Homer Wells there. Homer really likes Candy and wants to help her but he has made up his mind that he thinks abortion is wrong, he doesn’t want to perform abortions anymore. This destroys Dr. Larch who had spent so much time training Homer. Homer will deliver babies but he will not kill them. So during Candy’s procedure he waits outside and talks with Wally. They create a fast friendship and he asks Homer if he wants to take a road trip with him and Candy. This road trip turns into a summer job for Homer. He had to break his promise with Melonie when he left and now Dr. Larch feels like his son is being taken away. Dr. Larch solves many of his problems with his ether addiction but this time he tries to find a new apprentice. He asks Melonie if she would like to learn how to abort a pregnancy. This does not work out because Melonie does not like blood and guts. Dr. Larch is very depressed and doesn’t hear from Homer for a while. Homer is having fun but the story has a twist that I do not want to give away if you want to read the book which I highly recommend.
It was a great book and I really enjoyed it. I like the way John Irving writes. He describes things really well; I can see what is going on. I also really like the characters and the setting. I think they add to the story in the best way. I would give the book 7 out of 10. I really enjoyed this novel and recommend it to anyone that likes a really good author; I wouldn’t however recommend this book to people who usually choose fantasy books. I would also not recommend it to anyone who is particularly squeamish or easily disturbed because there are some very disturbing scenes in the book.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Tess of the D’Urbervilles
Parisa writes
Tess of the D’Urbervilles
By Thomas Hardy
I would rate this book a 7 ½ out of 10. I would recommend this book for good readers because it contains rather advanced vocabulary. The novel is the story of a very young woman’s life in 1800’s England, her quest for happiness and love, and the obstacles society puts in her path. Hardy is concerned with right and wrong, and Tess strives to be a moral person. The novel covers very shocking material for that time, including rape and seduction. Not to give it away, but this book is not for people looking for a happy ending. Some parts of this book are very tragic, and the life of the main character, Tess, is difficult. Hardy can teach a lot about that period in English history and how people’s lives were lived. There are detailed descriptions of farm life, villages, and scenery. He has a strong feeling for poor people’s troubles, and creates a believable character. Although sometimes the sadness of the story forced me to put it down, I did find the story interesting and readable. The best thing about the book is the plot, which is brilliantly complicated, involving all the many characters, woven to keep the reader guessing until the end.
Tess of the D’Urbervilles
By Thomas Hardy
I would rate this book a 7 ½ out of 10. I would recommend this book for good readers because it contains rather advanced vocabulary. The novel is the story of a very young woman’s life in 1800’s England, her quest for happiness and love, and the obstacles society puts in her path. Hardy is concerned with right and wrong, and Tess strives to be a moral person. The novel covers very shocking material for that time, including rape and seduction. Not to give it away, but this book is not for people looking for a happy ending. Some parts of this book are very tragic, and the life of the main character, Tess, is difficult. Hardy can teach a lot about that period in English history and how people’s lives were lived. There are detailed descriptions of farm life, villages, and scenery. He has a strong feeling for poor people’s troubles, and creates a believable character. Although sometimes the sadness of the story forced me to put it down, I did find the story interesting and readable. The best thing about the book is the plot, which is brilliantly complicated, involving all the many characters, woven to keep the reader guessing until the end.
The Count of Monte Cristo
Hannah writes:
Personally, The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas did not meet my expectations. I thought the plot was confusing and hard to follow. There were too many characters and plot changes and it took away from the over all meaning of the novel. Also, I think the language was difficult to understand and not age appropriate. Along with the diction and the plot being hard to keep up with, some of the parts of the story were so depressing, like when the characters are enslaved in horrible prisons for very long periods of time. I did not find parts like that enjoyable to read about. This book was definitely not a page-turner for me, it was actually the opposite! I got bored reading this novel a lot of times and I would just want to put it down. I have read longer books than this in the past, but this one felt like it went on forever!
I would rate this book a 5/10 because I thought it was confusing and boring and not age appropriate. I would only recommend it to someone with a lot of patience and someone who enjoys reading very long books. I do not mean to insult the author in any way, but this book just wasn’t as good as I thought it would be when I read about the author and heard what other people who read it thought about it. Overall, this novel was not a good match with my reading style and preference, and hopefully next time I will read a novel that I enjoy more than this one.
Personally, The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas did not meet my expectations. I thought the plot was confusing and hard to follow. There were too many characters and plot changes and it took away from the over all meaning of the novel. Also, I think the language was difficult to understand and not age appropriate. Along with the diction and the plot being hard to keep up with, some of the parts of the story were so depressing, like when the characters are enslaved in horrible prisons for very long periods of time. I did not find parts like that enjoyable to read about. This book was definitely not a page-turner for me, it was actually the opposite! I got bored reading this novel a lot of times and I would just want to put it down. I have read longer books than this in the past, but this one felt like it went on forever!
I would rate this book a 5/10 because I thought it was confusing and boring and not age appropriate. I would only recommend it to someone with a lot of patience and someone who enjoys reading very long books. I do not mean to insult the author in any way, but this book just wasn’t as good as I thought it would be when I read about the author and heard what other people who read it thought about it. Overall, this novel was not a good match with my reading style and preference, and hopefully next time I will read a novel that I enjoy more than this one.
Ethan Frome
Kristina writes:
Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton was a short novel filled with a lot of description and
passion. It is a story that I will remember, because I have never read a story like it
before. The amount of description that Wharton gives lets the reader get into the mind
of the characters. You can understand how much Ethan and Mattie (two of the main
characters) love each other, because of the description of the emotions that are
running through their heads.
I would rate this book a 7 out of 10, because as much as I love reading love
stories, in my opinion I do not like the plot very much. I thought it was also very
predictable. I would recommend this novel to a friend, because just because I didn't
enjoy it I know someone else will probably enjoy it.
Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton was a short novel filled with a lot of description and
passion. It is a story that I will remember, because I have never read a story like it
before. The amount of description that Wharton gives lets the reader get into the mind
of the characters. You can understand how much Ethan and Mattie (two of the main
characters) love each other, because of the description of the emotions that are
running through their heads.
I would rate this book a 7 out of 10, because as much as I love reading love
stories, in my opinion I do not like the plot very much. I thought it was also very
predictable. I would recommend this novel to a friend, because just because I didn't
enjoy it I know someone else will probably enjoy it.
Madame Bovary
Eric writes:
The novel Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert is a detailed novel that tells the story about a young, beautiful woman named Emma who is very unhappy with her life. Flaubert’s work in the novel is explanatory in almost anything a character does. He is able to make you feel like you are in the novel watching and hearing the situation as it is happening. I would rate the novel a six out of ten, this is because I found that Flaubert did not get to his point quick enough. Even though he made his writing vivid for the reader he seemed to drag out most of the situations which made me get bored of what I was reading. Flaubert did write a surprise ending which was unexpected. (I will not say to much in case any of you would like to read Madame Bovary). I would recommend this novel to anyone who likes to read about romance, unexpected situations, conflict between characters and some forbidden love. Overall looking back on the novel Gustave Flaubert did a good job on writing Madame Bovary it was full of all sorts of problems that will make you want to keep reading.
The novel Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert is a detailed novel that tells the story about a young, beautiful woman named Emma who is very unhappy with her life. Flaubert’s work in the novel is explanatory in almost anything a character does. He is able to make you feel like you are in the novel watching and hearing the situation as it is happening. I would rate the novel a six out of ten, this is because I found that Flaubert did not get to his point quick enough. Even though he made his writing vivid for the reader he seemed to drag out most of the situations which made me get bored of what I was reading. Flaubert did write a surprise ending which was unexpected. (I will not say to much in case any of you would like to read Madame Bovary). I would recommend this novel to anyone who likes to read about romance, unexpected situations, conflict between characters and some forbidden love. Overall looking back on the novel Gustave Flaubert did a good job on writing Madame Bovary it was full of all sorts of problems that will make you want to keep reading.
Cat’s Cradle
Sasha
The novel I read as my third quarter classic was Cat’s Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut. The writing is well crafted and the plot is fast moving. However while the novel is delightfully written, there is very little emphasis placed on characters and their development. They almost seem to be put in as an after thought, more there to help the plot along than for their own sake. What is interesting about this is that unlike many authors whose characters have no development because they are not very good at what they do, this lack of character development comes off as completely intentional and in fact works very well for the story and for Vonnegut’s style.
In the novel it is very hard to become attached to any of the characters and to really feel them as human beings. This should make it hard to relate to the novel, but what it does instead is make you read for the plot itself and not for the characters. Instead, it feels almost like the plot itself is the character that you watch develop.
The novel is told from the first person, but in an oddly disconnected way. While the narrator is part of the events of the book, his telling seems oddly removed and his presence does not seem to have any real effect on what happens.
It seems that all of these unusual writing techniques would not make the novel an enjoyable one, but Vonnegut’s writing is so clever and so unique that the reader cannot help but be completely drawn into the story and feeling like the monumental occurrences that take place in the novel effect this world as well.
The novel I read as my third quarter classic was Cat’s Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut. The writing is well crafted and the plot is fast moving. However while the novel is delightfully written, there is very little emphasis placed on characters and their development. They almost seem to be put in as an after thought, more there to help the plot along than for their own sake. What is interesting about this is that unlike many authors whose characters have no development because they are not very good at what they do, this lack of character development comes off as completely intentional and in fact works very well for the story and for Vonnegut’s style.
In the novel it is very hard to become attached to any of the characters and to really feel them as human beings. This should make it hard to relate to the novel, but what it does instead is make you read for the plot itself and not for the characters. Instead, it feels almost like the plot itself is the character that you watch develop.
The novel is told from the first person, but in an oddly disconnected way. While the narrator is part of the events of the book, his telling seems oddly removed and his presence does not seem to have any real effect on what happens.
It seems that all of these unusual writing techniques would not make the novel an enjoyable one, but Vonnegut’s writing is so clever and so unique that the reader cannot help but be completely drawn into the story and feeling like the monumental occurrences that take place in the novel effect this world as well.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Wuthering Heights
Talia writes:
So far in my classic Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte, I have met the characters Lockwood, Heathcliff, Joseph, Mrs. Heathcliff, Hareton, Zillah, and Mr. Earnshaw. An important main character in the novel is Heathcliff, although the author hasn’t gone into full detail of him or gotten his main story. The other main character is Cathy, but she has not been introduced yet. The main plot of the novel is supposed to be the big love story of Heathcliff and Cathy.
The novel started of with Heathcliff meeting Mr. Lockwood; his new tenant in his huge house known as the Thrustcross Grange in England. While he is staying with Heathcliff he meets Mrs. Heathcliff (Heathcliff’s daughter in law) and gets into a fight with her and Joseph. While trying to run he is attacked and hurt by dogs they unleashed on him. Zillah the housewife of the Grange brings him to a room and attempts to treat him. Inside the room he is left in, he comes across old books with the name Catherine written all over them and he begins to read the stories inside. The writing was similar to a diary and Lockwood thought it might be Catherine’s that she wrote while staying with Heathcliff.
The use of language and vocabulary makes the novel a bit hard to comprehend and follow along. At times I got lost and wasn’t able to keep up with what the characters were saying but overall I understand the main points of the novel. My opinion is that the beginning of the novel was not that interesting and is only starting to become more appealing. I guess I’ll just have to keep reading to find out.
So far in my classic Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte, I have met the characters Lockwood, Heathcliff, Joseph, Mrs. Heathcliff, Hareton, Zillah, and Mr. Earnshaw. An important main character in the novel is Heathcliff, although the author hasn’t gone into full detail of him or gotten his main story. The other main character is Cathy, but she has not been introduced yet. The main plot of the novel is supposed to be the big love story of Heathcliff and Cathy.
The novel started of with Heathcliff meeting Mr. Lockwood; his new tenant in his huge house known as the Thrustcross Grange in England. While he is staying with Heathcliff he meets Mrs. Heathcliff (Heathcliff’s daughter in law) and gets into a fight with her and Joseph. While trying to run he is attacked and hurt by dogs they unleashed on him. Zillah the housewife of the Grange brings him to a room and attempts to treat him. Inside the room he is left in, he comes across old books with the name Catherine written all over them and he begins to read the stories inside. The writing was similar to a diary and Lockwood thought it might be Catherine’s that she wrote while staying with Heathcliff.
The use of language and vocabulary makes the novel a bit hard to comprehend and follow along. At times I got lost and wasn’t able to keep up with what the characters were saying but overall I understand the main points of the novel. My opinion is that the beginning of the novel was not that interesting and is only starting to become more appealing. I guess I’ll just have to keep reading to find out.
Tess of the D’Urbervilles
Parisa writes:
Tess of the D’Urbervilles is a novel written by Thomas Hardy which is very strongly driven by plot. Starting with the death of the Durbeyfields’ horse, which plunges the family into crisis, and then continuing with Tess’ meeting with some rich relations, the book moves from event to event swiftly. Every chapter provides the reader with further drama. The basic plot of the story is Tess’ life. The novel is a true cliffhanger, and cliffhangers revolve around plot to keep the suspense up. Tess’ life contains many ups and downs, and reversals of fortune. A major climactic scene and twist in the plot is when Alec D’Urberville seduces Tess. Hardy uses the plot to demonstrate the difference between rich and poor, and the differences in opportunity, how the poor were exploited, how there was this double standard about sex and women. He doesn’t talk about the oppression of women or about the horrifying way some people are treated, but he makes readers feel the agony by having the main character go through certain experiences. Plot is a very important element in this novel right up until the shocking ending, which I will not reveal, on the grounds that it would spoil the story for anyone wanting to read it.
Tess of the D’Urbervilles is a novel written by Thomas Hardy which is very strongly driven by plot. Starting with the death of the Durbeyfields’ horse, which plunges the family into crisis, and then continuing with Tess’ meeting with some rich relations, the book moves from event to event swiftly. Every chapter provides the reader with further drama. The basic plot of the story is Tess’ life. The novel is a true cliffhanger, and cliffhangers revolve around plot to keep the suspense up. Tess’ life contains many ups and downs, and reversals of fortune. A major climactic scene and twist in the plot is when Alec D’Urberville seduces Tess. Hardy uses the plot to demonstrate the difference between rich and poor, and the differences in opportunity, how the poor were exploited, how there was this double standard about sex and women. He doesn’t talk about the oppression of women or about the horrifying way some people are treated, but he makes readers feel the agony by having the main character go through certain experiences. Plot is a very important element in this novel right up until the shocking ending, which I will not reveal, on the grounds that it would spoil the story for anyone wanting to read it.
Dracula
Golshan writes:
Dracula by Bram Stoker starts off by introducing Jonathan Harker, one of the main characters. He is a solicitor who is going to Dracula's castle for business purposes. At first Count Dracula seems really nice, but after a while weird things start happening. Jonathan notices things like he is locked in the castle and there are no servants. When Jonathan was shaving, the Count's reflection didn't show up in the mirror, and once, when he fell asleep in a room, he saw three beautiful women who wanted to kill him. He is afraid for his life and crawls out the window like he had seen the Count do many times. Then the novel introduces the other characters like Mina, Jonathan's wife and Lucy, her best friend. Lucy writes a letter to Mina saying that she was proposed to by three men in the same day and explains the men a little. The one she decided to marry is Arthur Holmwood, and is very upset about turning down the others (Quincy Morris and Dr. Seward). This novel is written as a diary for the characters, and in Dr. Seward's diary, he talks about a patient named Renfield. Renfield has an obsession with consuming lives. He collects flies, feeds them to spiders, then feeds the spiders to birds. He asks Dr. Seward for a kitten but when he refuses he eats the birds raw and gets sick. When Mina and Lucy are together, Mina notices that Lucy began to sleepwalk and one night she walks to a park and sits by a bench. When Mina found her she saw a strange skinny old man with red eyes next to her. When she got closer he disappeared, but there were two little red wounds on Lucy's neck (which Mina thought they were made by a pin). Eventually Lucy gets sick and Arthur calls Dr. Seward who calls Van Helsing. They find out that Lucy has lost a lot of blood and decide to give her blood transfusions. This happens four times. Van Helsing has mysterious ways of trying to get Lucy better which include rubbing garlic all over her room. There are many mysterious things that happen including many things that go wrong with Lucy's treatment. I'm going to stop here because I don't want to give too much away. Dracula seems like it is going to be one of my favorite novels because of its exciting plot and characters.
-Golshan
Dracula by Bram Stoker starts off by introducing Jonathan Harker, one of the main characters. He is a solicitor who is going to Dracula's castle for business purposes. At first Count Dracula seems really nice, but after a while weird things start happening. Jonathan notices things like he is locked in the castle and there are no servants. When Jonathan was shaving, the Count's reflection didn't show up in the mirror, and once, when he fell asleep in a room, he saw three beautiful women who wanted to kill him. He is afraid for his life and crawls out the window like he had seen the Count do many times. Then the novel introduces the other characters like Mina, Jonathan's wife and Lucy, her best friend. Lucy writes a letter to Mina saying that she was proposed to by three men in the same day and explains the men a little. The one she decided to marry is Arthur Holmwood, and is very upset about turning down the others (Quincy Morris and Dr. Seward). This novel is written as a diary for the characters, and in Dr. Seward's diary, he talks about a patient named Renfield. Renfield has an obsession with consuming lives. He collects flies, feeds them to spiders, then feeds the spiders to birds. He asks Dr. Seward for a kitten but when he refuses he eats the birds raw and gets sick. When Mina and Lucy are together, Mina notices that Lucy began to sleepwalk and one night she walks to a park and sits by a bench. When Mina found her she saw a strange skinny old man with red eyes next to her. When she got closer he disappeared, but there were two little red wounds on Lucy's neck (which Mina thought they were made by a pin). Eventually Lucy gets sick and Arthur calls Dr. Seward who calls Van Helsing. They find out that Lucy has lost a lot of blood and decide to give her blood transfusions. This happens four times. Van Helsing has mysterious ways of trying to get Lucy better which include rubbing garlic all over her room. There are many mysterious things that happen including many things that go wrong with Lucy's treatment. I'm going to stop here because I don't want to give too much away. Dracula seems like it is going to be one of my favorite novels because of its exciting plot and characters.
-Golshan
Brave New World
Meaghan writes:
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley is the independent reading book I am currently reading now. It is a very hard book to get in to, but once some interesting facts are stated, the book heats up quickly. Brave New World is a difficult book to read, mainly because the language is so complex. Many times I have had to look plenty of words up in the dictionary.
In the novel, Huxley talks about many new scientific discoveries. In the first chapter Huxley states many times about parent conditioning, how a child should act, and human cloning. Human reproduction is also a key factor that Huxley talks about over and over. In the second chapter, the director separates many newborn babies, infants, and toddlers into different rooms, with all different signs on the children’s doors. Many people observe the children, and watch them all the time, to notice if there is anything they notice differently. The director and many nurses’ test out various experiments to see what the young children will do. For example, they hold up flowers to the kids’ faces to see what reaction they have. Also, they ring an alarm clock to see how the children will react. If the children don’t like the nurse shoving flowers into their faces, they will have a hatred for flowers. This system will determine any future technologies from kids.
There hasn’t been many characters introduced into the story yet, but so far we have the director, and many nurses.
One can never really tell with this book what is being explained or what peoples private thoughts are. There are several inappropriate terms Huxley’s story; therefore, that’s why the thoughts are in peoples head, in their own private thoughts. This story is all about the future, what will happen next. This novel is very unpredictable; sometimes I am shocked about what I just read. Many different chemical names are mentioned, since the director constructs many experiments to see what will happen.
“Every one works for every one else. We can't do without any one. Even Epsilons are useful. We couldn't do without Epsilons. Every one works for every one else. We can't do without any one...” (49) This quote is relevantly important in the novel. It shows how people in the building constructing different ideas can help people and how the office can’t do work with out any one. Each and every person is a special part of his or her living.
In conclusion, Aldous Huxley’s novel Brave New World will take me some time for me to actually make a solid decision if I love the book or not. In the meantime, I am looking forward to see what else Huxley has in mind for the future!
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley is the independent reading book I am currently reading now. It is a very hard book to get in to, but once some interesting facts are stated, the book heats up quickly. Brave New World is a difficult book to read, mainly because the language is so complex. Many times I have had to look plenty of words up in the dictionary.
In the novel, Huxley talks about many new scientific discoveries. In the first chapter Huxley states many times about parent conditioning, how a child should act, and human cloning. Human reproduction is also a key factor that Huxley talks about over and over. In the second chapter, the director separates many newborn babies, infants, and toddlers into different rooms, with all different signs on the children’s doors. Many people observe the children, and watch them all the time, to notice if there is anything they notice differently. The director and many nurses’ test out various experiments to see what the young children will do. For example, they hold up flowers to the kids’ faces to see what reaction they have. Also, they ring an alarm clock to see how the children will react. If the children don’t like the nurse shoving flowers into their faces, they will have a hatred for flowers. This system will determine any future technologies from kids.
There hasn’t been many characters introduced into the story yet, but so far we have the director, and many nurses.
One can never really tell with this book what is being explained or what peoples private thoughts are. There are several inappropriate terms Huxley’s story; therefore, that’s why the thoughts are in peoples head, in their own private thoughts. This story is all about the future, what will happen next. This novel is very unpredictable; sometimes I am shocked about what I just read. Many different chemical names are mentioned, since the director constructs many experiments to see what will happen.
“Every one works for every one else. We can't do without any one. Even Epsilons are useful. We couldn't do without Epsilons. Every one works for every one else. We can't do without any one...” (49) This quote is relevantly important in the novel. It shows how people in the building constructing different ideas can help people and how the office can’t do work with out any one. Each and every person is a special part of his or her living.
In conclusion, Aldous Huxley’s novel Brave New World will take me some time for me to actually make a solid decision if I love the book or not. In the meantime, I am looking forward to see what else Huxley has in mind for the future!
Cider House Rules
Caitie writes:
I am reading the novel Cider House Rules by well known author John Irving. Cider House Rules is about Wilbur Larch a doctor that works at an orphanage but also performs illegal abortions. Women come to him offering him sums of money to remove the fetus growing in their stomach. Dr. Larch takes a liking to one of the orphans named Homer Wells by Nurse Angela. Homer can’t seem to find a family that is a good fit for him. When he was a baby he did not cry, a foster family thinks there is something wrong with him so they bring him back to the orphanage. The next family forces him to cry by torturing him giving him a fear of the slightest movement or touch. Homer is now unable to stop from crying so most families don’t want him. Homer grows up in the orphanage and befriends Dr. Larch and the nurses. Dr. Larch tries to find a family for homer to try out but when he finally does they get killed when they take Homer on a camping trip. After this disturbing event Dr. Larch stops searching for Homer Well’s perfect fit. Homer grows up in St. Cloud’s orphanage. He even gives Homer chores around the orphanage such as doing the nightly read-aloud and taking out the trash. One day when Homer is taking out the trash he finds a human fetus among the debris. He recognizes it as what was a living creature so he takes it to Dr. Larch and asks him what it is. Dr. Larch realizes he has to reveal his occupation. He even starts training Homer to be an abortionist. Over a period of a few years Homer is almost ready to perform an abortion by himself. When the day comes that Dr. Larch can not make it home in time to perform an abortion Homer is put to the test. He has to perform his first abortion without Dr. Larch there in case anything was to go wrong or Homer becomes overwhelmed during his first attempt at a complex medical operation. How he does will decide weather he is fit to be an abortionist or not.
The setting of Cider House Rule is very dark. The orphanage is depressing, and St. Cloud’s Maine is portrayed as a dreary town. It is a logging town, the residents are missing limbs. It always seems to be cloudy and stormy and dull. At the orphanage there are characters such as Fuzzy Stone that add to the misery of the setting. Fuzzy Stone is constantly on a breathing apparatus and sleeps in a tent like structure to protect his sensitive lungs from dust. Fuzzy’s mechanical lung makes so much noise that Homer usually has trouble falling asleep at night. Homer stays up thinking all night. He is a complex character. Homer befriends Melanie, the only other orphan left that is his age. She lives in the girl’s division of St. Cloud’s. She desperate for affection and he meets her needs. He isn’t really attracted to Melanie but he feels that he should be so he goes along with her antics. He does find comfort in having a friend at the orphanage. Dr. Larch doesn’t think that Melanie is a good influence on Homer but doesn’t want to take away his only friend his age.
Dr. Larch is also a complex character. He is a doctor with an addiction to ether. He knows the perfect amount to go into a daze but not kill him. This helps him have the perfect touch when it comes to the amount for ether he gives the patient. This is why some people prefer him to other doctors but the main reason is the cost. Dr. Larch works very cheap, unlike places like “off Harrison” who charges a large amount of money. Dr. Larch is mainly concerned in the safety of the patient which makes him a more caring doctor. The characters Homer Wells and Wilbur Larch really interact well together. They really complete the whole mood of the story. Dr. Larch is like a father to Homer because he knows that every child needs to be loved to grow into a functional adult. The chemistry between the characters is like a father and son, but it still has a slight awkwardness to it, making it a very realistic relationship.
I am really enjoying this book, and find it very exciting. I like the way John Irving creates the characters. I am really excited to see how the characters develop through the rest of the novel.
I am reading the novel Cider House Rules by well known author John Irving. Cider House Rules is about Wilbur Larch a doctor that works at an orphanage but also performs illegal abortions. Women come to him offering him sums of money to remove the fetus growing in their stomach. Dr. Larch takes a liking to one of the orphans named Homer Wells by Nurse Angela. Homer can’t seem to find a family that is a good fit for him. When he was a baby he did not cry, a foster family thinks there is something wrong with him so they bring him back to the orphanage. The next family forces him to cry by torturing him giving him a fear of the slightest movement or touch. Homer is now unable to stop from crying so most families don’t want him. Homer grows up in the orphanage and befriends Dr. Larch and the nurses. Dr. Larch tries to find a family for homer to try out but when he finally does they get killed when they take Homer on a camping trip. After this disturbing event Dr. Larch stops searching for Homer Well’s perfect fit. Homer grows up in St. Cloud’s orphanage. He even gives Homer chores around the orphanage such as doing the nightly read-aloud and taking out the trash. One day when Homer is taking out the trash he finds a human fetus among the debris. He recognizes it as what was a living creature so he takes it to Dr. Larch and asks him what it is. Dr. Larch realizes he has to reveal his occupation. He even starts training Homer to be an abortionist. Over a period of a few years Homer is almost ready to perform an abortion by himself. When the day comes that Dr. Larch can not make it home in time to perform an abortion Homer is put to the test. He has to perform his first abortion without Dr. Larch there in case anything was to go wrong or Homer becomes overwhelmed during his first attempt at a complex medical operation. How he does will decide weather he is fit to be an abortionist or not.
The setting of Cider House Rule is very dark. The orphanage is depressing, and St. Cloud’s Maine is portrayed as a dreary town. It is a logging town, the residents are missing limbs. It always seems to be cloudy and stormy and dull. At the orphanage there are characters such as Fuzzy Stone that add to the misery of the setting. Fuzzy Stone is constantly on a breathing apparatus and sleeps in a tent like structure to protect his sensitive lungs from dust. Fuzzy’s mechanical lung makes so much noise that Homer usually has trouble falling asleep at night. Homer stays up thinking all night. He is a complex character. Homer befriends Melanie, the only other orphan left that is his age. She lives in the girl’s division of St. Cloud’s. She desperate for affection and he meets her needs. He isn’t really attracted to Melanie but he feels that he should be so he goes along with her antics. He does find comfort in having a friend at the orphanage. Dr. Larch doesn’t think that Melanie is a good influence on Homer but doesn’t want to take away his only friend his age.
Dr. Larch is also a complex character. He is a doctor with an addiction to ether. He knows the perfect amount to go into a daze but not kill him. This helps him have the perfect touch when it comes to the amount for ether he gives the patient. This is why some people prefer him to other doctors but the main reason is the cost. Dr. Larch works very cheap, unlike places like “off Harrison” who charges a large amount of money. Dr. Larch is mainly concerned in the safety of the patient which makes him a more caring doctor. The characters Homer Wells and Wilbur Larch really interact well together. They really complete the whole mood of the story. Dr. Larch is like a father to Homer because he knows that every child needs to be loved to grow into a functional adult. The chemistry between the characters is like a father and son, but it still has a slight awkwardness to it, making it a very realistic relationship.
I am really enjoying this book, and find it very exciting. I like the way John Irving creates the characters. I am really excited to see how the characters develop through the rest of the novel.
John Irving
Caitie writes
John Irving
John Irving was born in Exeter New Hampshire on March 2nd 1942. His Parents got a divorce during his mother’s pregnancy. He was born John Wallace Blunt Jr. but became John Winslow Irving at age six when his mother remarried a Russian history teacher. He wrote his first three novels, but Irving still made a living from teaching. His fourth novel The World According to Garp, sold many copies. It sold 4,000,000 copies in English and 4,000,000 copies in other languages. Five of his novels have been made into films; The World According to Garp, The Hotel New Hampshire, A Prayer for Owen Meany (as Simon Birch), The Cider House Rules, and A Widow for One Year (as A Door in the Floor). Irving wrote the screenplay for The Cider House Rules, it took him thirteen years. The movie is similar to the book but the screenplay is only the same as the first chapter. He then wrote an auto biography about his experience in the movie business and how difficult it was to turn a novel into a two hour movie; My Movie Business, a Memoir.
Irving’s The Cider House Rules was considered controversial to some because the main character was an ether addict and he preformed illegal abortions. The book was also pro-abortion. Irving believes that women should have the choice to terminate their pregnancy if it is needed, he does not think it is a good thing but sometimes is necessary. His novel A Prayer for Owen Meany, made the list of BBC’s most loved American novels right above Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird. Irving has also been inducted into the wrestler’s hall of fame.
He attended four universities and now has three sons. He has achieved such awards as; The American Book Award for Life According to Garp, and is on the academy of achievement. He faces the challenge of Dyslexia, but still managed to write eleven well known novels. John Irving is one of the best authors of our time and is responsible for some of the best literature of our time.
John Irving
John Irving was born in Exeter New Hampshire on March 2nd 1942. His Parents got a divorce during his mother’s pregnancy. He was born John Wallace Blunt Jr. but became John Winslow Irving at age six when his mother remarried a Russian history teacher. He wrote his first three novels, but Irving still made a living from teaching. His fourth novel The World According to Garp, sold many copies. It sold 4,000,000 copies in English and 4,000,000 copies in other languages. Five of his novels have been made into films; The World According to Garp, The Hotel New Hampshire, A Prayer for Owen Meany (as Simon Birch), The Cider House Rules, and A Widow for One Year (as A Door in the Floor). Irving wrote the screenplay for The Cider House Rules, it took him thirteen years. The movie is similar to the book but the screenplay is only the same as the first chapter. He then wrote an auto biography about his experience in the movie business and how difficult it was to turn a novel into a two hour movie; My Movie Business, a Memoir.
Irving’s The Cider House Rules was considered controversial to some because the main character was an ether addict and he preformed illegal abortions. The book was also pro-abortion. Irving believes that women should have the choice to terminate their pregnancy if it is needed, he does not think it is a good thing but sometimes is necessary. His novel A Prayer for Owen Meany, made the list of BBC’s most loved American novels right above Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird. Irving has also been inducted into the wrestler’s hall of fame.
He attended four universities and now has three sons. He has achieved such awards as; The American Book Award for Life According to Garp, and is on the academy of achievement. He faces the challenge of Dyslexia, but still managed to write eleven well known novels. John Irving is one of the best authors of our time and is responsible for some of the best literature of our time.
One Hundred Years of Solitude
Kayla writes:
One element of fiction in my novel, One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, is characterization. The main character, Jose Arcadio Buendia founded the village of Macondo. WhenJose Arcadio Buendia first founded the village he was very social and helped the community with theirhouses, work, and animals, then he becomes fascinated with the wonders of the world, especially
alchemy. For a period of time the people of the village consider him to be crazy because he spends dayand night in the solitude of his laboratory. His madness stops, but he still wants to invent things in orderto improve Macondo and the lives of its people. Ursula Iguaran, his wife, is a very active, hard worker,who doesn’t stand for her husband’s silly ideas. To gether they have three children, two boys and onegirl. The eldest son, Jose Aracadio, is physically like his father, but he lacks his father’s imaginationand curiosity. Aureliano the second son is quiet and his phenomenon’s always come true. He workswith his father in the laboratory and is gifted in the art of silver. Their youngest child is baby girl named
Amaranta.
One element of fiction in my novel, One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, is characterization. The main character, Jose Arcadio Buendia founded the village of Macondo. WhenJose Arcadio Buendia first founded the village he was very social and helped the community with theirhouses, work, and animals, then he becomes fascinated with the wonders of the world, especially
alchemy. For a period of time the people of the village consider him to be crazy because he spends dayand night in the solitude of his laboratory. His madness stops, but he still wants to invent things in orderto improve Macondo and the lives of its people. Ursula Iguaran, his wife, is a very active, hard worker,who doesn’t stand for her husband’s silly ideas. To gether they have three children, two boys and onegirl. The eldest son, Jose Aracadio, is physically like his father, but he lacks his father’s imaginationand curiosity. Aureliano the second son is quiet and his phenomenon’s always come true. He workswith his father in the laboratory and is gifted in the art of silver. Their youngest child is baby girl named
Amaranta.
Ethan Frome
Kristina writes:
The novel Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton is a story about Ethan Frome and his
forbidden love with his wife's cousin. In the beginning of the story we are
introduced to the three main characters Ethan, Zeena, Ethan's wife, and Mattie
Zeena's cousin. Ethan is a very intelligent person and went to school, but had to
quit because of his marriage to Zeena. He has an interest in learning and that is
why he finds an interest in Mattie because she is also very smart. Mattie is said to
be a beautiful girl, and very humorous. Ethan is not very found with Zeena. He
married her because he thought it was appropriate because she helped him take
care of his sick mother. Ethan in the novel explains that Zeena is much like his
mother, because she said very few words.
So far in the story Zeena has become very "sickly" and the doctors have told her not
to do any housework. Zeena comes up with the idea to "hire" Mattie to come and
live with her and Ethan so she can do housework. Mattie is not paid but in return
she is offered food and a place to stay. From the moment Mattie had arrived Ethan
thought she was beautiful and became very fond of her. Zeena has noticed and she
does not like it at all. She wants to send Mattie away so she hires a new
housekeeper. So far the story has been good. I really like the plot line and can't
wait to finish it.
The novel Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton is a story about Ethan Frome and his
forbidden love with his wife's cousin. In the beginning of the story we are
introduced to the three main characters Ethan, Zeena, Ethan's wife, and Mattie
Zeena's cousin. Ethan is a very intelligent person and went to school, but had to
quit because of his marriage to Zeena. He has an interest in learning and that is
why he finds an interest in Mattie because she is also very smart. Mattie is said to
be a beautiful girl, and very humorous. Ethan is not very found with Zeena. He
married her because he thought it was appropriate because she helped him take
care of his sick mother. Ethan in the novel explains that Zeena is much like his
mother, because she said very few words.
So far in the story Zeena has become very "sickly" and the doctors have told her not
to do any housework. Zeena comes up with the idea to "hire" Mattie to come and
live with her and Ethan so she can do housework. Mattie is not paid but in return
she is offered food and a place to stay. From the moment Mattie had arrived Ethan
thought she was beautiful and became very fond of her. Zeena has noticed and she
does not like it at all. She wants to send Mattie away so she hires a new
housekeeper. So far the story has been good. I really like the plot line and can't
wait to finish it.
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