Monday, January 4, 2010
Heart of Darkness, written By Joseph Conrad
Chris writes:
The book I am reading is Heart of Darkness, written By Joseph Conrad at the age of forty four. Conrad, born Józef Teodor Conrad Korzeniowski in 1857, began life in a very hostile environment. He grew up in Russian occupied Ukraine with his Polish nationalist parents, Evelina Bobrowska (1832–1865) and Apollo Korzeniowski, (1820–1869), under constant surveillance by the Russians. In 1861 his father was arrested and along with his wife and young Joseph, exiled to Vologda, a province in the north of Russia. His mother and father both contracted and died from tuberculosis, due to the harsh conditions of northern Russia, between 1865 and 1869. Orphaned, Joseph went to live with his uncle. While there, he learned Latin, Greek, Geography and Mathematics in addition to the Polish and French he already spoke fluently. Like any good uncle, Tadeusz Bobrowski (d.1894) helped Joseph escape from the watchful eye of the Russians to Marseilles, France in 1874. Here he began his fifteen year stint as a seaman. Because of gambling debts accumulated as a seaman with the French, Conrad attempted suicide. Failing in this and having lost respect of French traders, Conrad joined an English ship, ‘Mavis’. After becoming an English citizen and officially changing his name to Joseph Conrad, his life at sea finally helped him accomplish his lifelong dream of visiting ‘the dark continent’ of Africa. There, he recorded ‘Congo diary’ which became his muse for Heart of Darkness. When he returned to England frailed by the hard life of the congo, he began his climb towards fame, and towards becoming one of the greatest writers of the 20th century. He continued writing almost to his death, due to heart attack, in 1924.
The book I am reading is Heart of Darkness, written By Joseph Conrad at the age of forty four. Conrad, born Józef Teodor Conrad Korzeniowski in 1857, began life in a very hostile environment. He grew up in Russian occupied Ukraine with his Polish nationalist parents, Evelina Bobrowska (1832–1865) and Apollo Korzeniowski, (1820–1869), under constant surveillance by the Russians. In 1861 his father was arrested and along with his wife and young Joseph, exiled to Vologda, a province in the north of Russia. His mother and father both contracted and died from tuberculosis, due to the harsh conditions of northern Russia, between 1865 and 1869. Orphaned, Joseph went to live with his uncle. While there, he learned Latin, Greek, Geography and Mathematics in addition to the Polish and French he already spoke fluently. Like any good uncle, Tadeusz Bobrowski (d.1894) helped Joseph escape from the watchful eye of the Russians to Marseilles, France in 1874. Here he began his fifteen year stint as a seaman. Because of gambling debts accumulated as a seaman with the French, Conrad attempted suicide. Failing in this and having lost respect of French traders, Conrad joined an English ship, ‘Mavis’. After becoming an English citizen and officially changing his name to Joseph Conrad, his life at sea finally helped him accomplish his lifelong dream of visiting ‘the dark continent’ of Africa. There, he recorded ‘Congo diary’ which became his muse for Heart of Darkness. When he returned to England frailed by the hard life of the congo, he began his climb towards fame, and towards becoming one of the greatest writers of the 20th century. He continued writing almost to his death, due to heart attack, in 1924.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens, you know him as Mark Twain
George writes:
Samuel Langhorne Clemens, you know him as Mark Twain. Twain was an american born writer know for his novels, short stories, and plays.
Twain was born in Florida, United States on November 30 1835. His father was a lawyer by the name of John Marshall. Twain grew up in Missouri, Unites States. he lived with his family on the banks of the Mississippi river. Twain, shorty after his father death began writting new paper articles. He was only twelve years of age. Twain would go on to work for his brother, Orion Clemens who owned several newspapers. Twain would soon be a famous writer by contributing to a huge piece of, The Carpet Bag, a Boston magazine. He and his brother go on to have many succesful years together, but they would follow the same fate as their father an have amny of their own business failings. Twain at this time began his travels. He traveled all around from the Mid-West to the South. Twain got married on February 2, 1870 to Olivia Langdon. The two had four children by the names of Langdon, Olivia Susan, Clara, Jean Lampton. Twain was in the confederate army during the civil war. he was promoted to 2nd lieutenant by the end of his serving time. His career as a writer was nothing short of legendary. Some of Twain's most famous novels were The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, The Prine and The Pauper, and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Which by the way is my book that i am reading. Mark Twain died on April 21 1910, from heart disease. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn was turned into a motion picture in 1931, long after Twain was dead.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens, you know him as Mark Twain. Twain was an american born writer know for his novels, short stories, and plays.
Twain was born in Florida, United States on November 30 1835. His father was a lawyer by the name of John Marshall. Twain grew up in Missouri, Unites States. he lived with his family on the banks of the Mississippi river. Twain, shorty after his father death began writting new paper articles. He was only twelve years of age. Twain would go on to work for his brother, Orion Clemens who owned several newspapers. Twain would soon be a famous writer by contributing to a huge piece of, The Carpet Bag, a Boston magazine. He and his brother go on to have many succesful years together, but they would follow the same fate as their father an have amny of their own business failings. Twain at this time began his travels. He traveled all around from the Mid-West to the South. Twain got married on February 2, 1870 to Olivia Langdon. The two had four children by the names of Langdon, Olivia Susan, Clara, Jean Lampton. Twain was in the confederate army during the civil war. he was promoted to 2nd lieutenant by the end of his serving time. His career as a writer was nothing short of legendary. Some of Twain's most famous novels were The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, The Prine and The Pauper, and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Which by the way is my book that i am reading. Mark Twain died on April 21 1910, from heart disease. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn was turned into a motion picture in 1931, long after Twain was dead.
Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton
Varteni writes: I am reading the novel Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton. The novel starts off with characters from Starkfield, Massachusetts describing their opinions and what they think about Ethan Frome. Ethan seems like a quiet person that keeps to himself. He works hard and takes care of his family. His father got crazy, his mother got queer and began acting like a baby, and his wife Zeena was the best nurse in the county always taking care of everyone. "Sickness and trouble: that's what Ethan's had his plate full up with, ever since the very first helping" (13). He was poor and his saw-mill and the barren acres of his farm were barely enough to keep his house through the winter, so he was willing to do any job that would get him some money. However, more trouble is soon to come for Ethan.
This novel is written by Edith Wharton. She was born in 1862 in Old New York. Edith lived in New York City in the winters and in Newport, Rhode Island in the summers. In 1879 she was engaged to Harry Stevens, but soon after in 1182 his mother broke off the engagement. Also in 1882 Edith's father George Frederic Jones died. On April 29, 1885 she married Edward (Teddy) R. Wharton. She always traveled around Europe with her family. She went to Spain, Italy, Germany, and France. In1902 she designed and built her first home, The Mount in Lenox, Massachusetts. She designed it to her liking following the principles of proportion, simplicity, harmony, and suitability with a garden. In 1911 Ethan Frome was published, she was separated from Teddy , she decided to sell The Mount, and she remained in France. She continued to travel, this time with her friends all around the Northern borders of Africa. On August 11, 1937 she died from a stroke at the age of 75 and was buried in Versailles.
From: the novel Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton and
The Mount Estate and Gardens [ http://www.edithwharton.org/index.php ]http://www.edithwharton.org/index.php
This novel is written by Edith Wharton. She was born in 1862 in Old New York. Edith lived in New York City in the winters and in Newport, Rhode Island in the summers. In 1879 she was engaged to Harry Stevens, but soon after in 1182 his mother broke off the engagement. Also in 1882 Edith's father George Frederic Jones died. On April 29, 1885 she married Edward (Teddy) R. Wharton. She always traveled around Europe with her family. She went to Spain, Italy, Germany, and France. In1902 she designed and built her first home, The Mount in Lenox, Massachusetts. She designed it to her liking following the principles of proportion, simplicity, harmony, and suitability with a garden. In 1911 Ethan Frome was published, she was separated from Teddy , she decided to sell The Mount, and she remained in France. She continued to travel, this time with her friends all around the Northern borders of Africa. On August 11, 1937 she died from a stroke at the age of 75 and was buried in Versailles.
From: the novel Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton and
The Mount Estate and Gardens [ http://www.edithwharton.org/index.php ]http://www.edithwharton.org/index.php
Far from the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy
Ari writes:
I am reading the novel, Far from the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy as my independent reading novel. Thomas Hardy is a very well known author and has written numerous classic titles, like The Poor Man and the Lady. Hardy was born in June 1840 and died in January 1928. He was an Englishman, a writer and a poet. He was born in Bockhampton, England and was the son of a local builder. Hardy began school at the age of eight and ended his education at the age of 16. Soon after he ended his school years he became an apprentice of John Hicks, an architect. Before leaving for London he was supposed to become an architect and had no special interests in writing. Thomas Hardy attended the King's college and received many awards for his famous works. During his college attendance he began reading other English writings and started loving them. Even though he was doing very well in London he never quite felt home and decided to move back after five years so he could dedicate his life to writing. After his death it was decided that his heart was to be with his wife and his ashes in the Poet's Corner. He received many awards over the years and is a very amazing writer that is greatly appreciated even to this day.
Even though I am not yet deep into my novel I have already been introduced to the main character and I have learned some things about him. The story takes place in a place called Wessex that is a fictional area in England that is similar to where Thomas hardy grew up. The main character is Gabriel Oak. He is a 28 year old young farmer who owns land and cattle in Wessex. So far, I learned that Gabriel has an interesting talent that enables him to tell the time by looking into the stars and constellations to tell the time. This seems like a unique gift and will probably have a great significance later in the novel.
Sources:
http://www.poets.org/poet.php/prmPID/110
http://www.victorianweb.org/authors/hardy/index.html
I am reading the novel, Far from the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy as my independent reading novel. Thomas Hardy is a very well known author and has written numerous classic titles, like The Poor Man and the Lady. Hardy was born in June 1840 and died in January 1928. He was an Englishman, a writer and a poet. He was born in Bockhampton, England and was the son of a local builder. Hardy began school at the age of eight and ended his education at the age of 16. Soon after he ended his school years he became an apprentice of John Hicks, an architect. Before leaving for London he was supposed to become an architect and had no special interests in writing. Thomas Hardy attended the King's college and received many awards for his famous works. During his college attendance he began reading other English writings and started loving them. Even though he was doing very well in London he never quite felt home and decided to move back after five years so he could dedicate his life to writing. After his death it was decided that his heart was to be with his wife and his ashes in the Poet's Corner. He received many awards over the years and is a very amazing writer that is greatly appreciated even to this day.
Even though I am not yet deep into my novel I have already been introduced to the main character and I have learned some things about him. The story takes place in a place called Wessex that is a fictional area in England that is similar to where Thomas hardy grew up. The main character is Gabriel Oak. He is a 28 year old young farmer who owns land and cattle in Wessex. So far, I learned that Gabriel has an interesting talent that enables him to tell the time by looking into the stars and constellations to tell the time. This seems like a unique gift and will probably have a great significance later in the novel.
Sources:
http://www.poets.org/poet.php/prmPID/110
http://www.victorianweb.org/authors/hardy/index.html
Thomas Hardy, author of Jude the Obscure
Jadzia writes:
Thomas Hardy, the author of Jude the Obscure, was the son of an independent builder. His mother, Jermina pushed for all of her children to have a good education. As a result, Hardy, at the age of 16, became an apprentice to a local architect. He began writing verse while he was an apprentice in London. After living in London for ten years, he moved back to his hometown, Dorset, where he lived the rest of his life. While in Dorset, he wrote the book Desperate Remedies. He also got engaged and married Emma Gifford. In addition to verse, Hardy wrote lyrics and love-songs, ballads, sonnets, dramatics, descriptive and meditative poems of all kinds, drinking songs, character sketches, and poems about public issues and events. In 1892, Hardy's father died and his relationship with Emma Gifford became increasingly difficult. When Jude the Obscure was published, it received very harsh criticisms, which made Hardy give up novel writing. Twelve years after this publishing, Hardy began a relationship with Florence Dugdale. The two met when Florence was in her mid-twenties and Hardy was sixty-five years old. They were often alone so two years after Emma died, he married Florence. In December 1927, Hardy fell ill and died on January 10, 1928. He was 87.
Thomas Hardy, the author of Jude the Obscure, was the son of an independent builder. His mother, Jermina pushed for all of her children to have a good education. As a result, Hardy, at the age of 16, became an apprentice to a local architect. He began writing verse while he was an apprentice in London. After living in London for ten years, he moved back to his hometown, Dorset, where he lived the rest of his life. While in Dorset, he wrote the book Desperate Remedies. He also got engaged and married Emma Gifford. In addition to verse, Hardy wrote lyrics and love-songs, ballads, sonnets, dramatics, descriptive and meditative poems of all kinds, drinking songs, character sketches, and poems about public issues and events. In 1892, Hardy's father died and his relationship with Emma Gifford became increasingly difficult. When Jude the Obscure was published, it received very harsh criticisms, which made Hardy give up novel writing. Twelve years after this publishing, Hardy began a relationship with Florence Dugdale. The two met when Florence was in her mid-twenties and Hardy was sixty-five years old. They were often alone so two years after Emma died, he married Florence. In December 1927, Hardy fell ill and died on January 10, 1928. He was 87.
Abraham “Bram” Stoker
Sam writes:
Abraham “Bram” Stoker was a famous Irish novelist, who was well known for his short stories. His most famous and most well known novel is Dracula. This chilling and dark gothic novel was published in 1897, and remains a very popular novel to this day.
Bram was born on November the 8 in 1847, in Dublin Ireland. He born in into an average family and was the third child out of seven. However, Stoker was bed-ridden until the age of seven where he began his attending a private school in the area. Bram then went onto attend Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland from 1864 to 1870. At Trinity College he was an auditor for the school’s Historical Society, and Philosophical Society. For these groups he wrote a paper on “Sensationalism and Fiction in Society.” While he was still at school he became very interested and theatre and through a friend became a theatre citric for the Dublin Evening Mail. Due to the times these theatre critics were held in low esteem, but Stoker was able to bring praise and attention to himself and his work. He was able achieved this through quality and honesty in his reviews. Through the next nine years Stoker had a handful of novels published, such as The Crystal Cup (1872) and The Duties of Clerks of Petty Sessions in Ireland (1879).
After he married Florence Balcombe in 1878, Stoker continued to peruse his interests in theatre. When he moved to London Stoker became the acting-manger of the Lyceum Theatre in London. The Lyceum Theatre was owned by Bram’s friend Henry Irving’s, who was a very well know actor at the time. On December 31, 1879, Bram’s wife gave birth to their only child, a boy whom they named Noel Stoker. Stoker connections with Irving, gave the opportunity to visit many different places and meet many interesting people. Stoker traveled all around the world including two visits to the White house. He was also able to meet one of his literary idols Walt Whitman. Bram’s dedication to Irving’s Lyceum Theatre kept him vey busy and well connected, doing something he truly loved.
While working at the Lyceum Theatre, Stoker slowly became interested in writing novels, including The Snake’s Pass (1890) and most famously Dracula (1897). Stoker wrote many different types of literature, ranging form novels and uncollected short stories, to non-fiction pieces. He continued writing up until his death on the 26 of November in 1912, after suffering a number of strokes. However Bram Stokers legacy lives on through his literary works, and will continue to do so for many years to come.
Abraham “Bram” Stoker was a famous Irish novelist, who was well known for his short stories. His most famous and most well known novel is Dracula. This chilling and dark gothic novel was published in 1897, and remains a very popular novel to this day.
Bram was born on November the 8 in 1847, in Dublin Ireland. He born in into an average family and was the third child out of seven. However, Stoker was bed-ridden until the age of seven where he began his attending a private school in the area. Bram then went onto attend Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland from 1864 to 1870. At Trinity College he was an auditor for the school’s Historical Society, and Philosophical Society. For these groups he wrote a paper on “Sensationalism and Fiction in Society.” While he was still at school he became very interested and theatre and through a friend became a theatre citric for the Dublin Evening Mail. Due to the times these theatre critics were held in low esteem, but Stoker was able to bring praise and attention to himself and his work. He was able achieved this through quality and honesty in his reviews. Through the next nine years Stoker had a handful of novels published, such as The Crystal Cup (1872) and The Duties of Clerks of Petty Sessions in Ireland (1879).
After he married Florence Balcombe in 1878, Stoker continued to peruse his interests in theatre. When he moved to London Stoker became the acting-manger of the Lyceum Theatre in London. The Lyceum Theatre was owned by Bram’s friend Henry Irving’s, who was a very well know actor at the time. On December 31, 1879, Bram’s wife gave birth to their only child, a boy whom they named Noel Stoker. Stoker connections with Irving, gave the opportunity to visit many different places and meet many interesting people. Stoker traveled all around the world including two visits to the White house. He was also able to meet one of his literary idols Walt Whitman. Bram’s dedication to Irving’s Lyceum Theatre kept him vey busy and well connected, doing something he truly loved.
While working at the Lyceum Theatre, Stoker slowly became interested in writing novels, including The Snake’s Pass (1890) and most famously Dracula (1897). Stoker wrote many different types of literature, ranging form novels and uncollected short stories, to non-fiction pieces. He continued writing up until his death on the 26 of November in 1912, after suffering a number of strokes. However Bram Stokers legacy lives on through his literary works, and will continue to do so for many years to come.
Alexandre Dumas
Tory writes:
Alexandre Dumas was born on July 24, 1802, near Soissons, France. He was the son of a Creole general of the French Revolutionary armies. His grandfather was from a noble family, and his grandmother had been a Dominican slave. Dumas's father died when he was four years old, which left the family with very little money. Dumas was not a very good [ http://www.notablebiographies.com/De-Du/Dumas-Alexandre.html ]student, but his handwriting was very beautiful, and he studied to work as a public officer who witnesses the signing of important documents and makes them official. He also began writing musical comedies, and then historical plays. Historical subjects were to be important elements of Dumas's work during his [ http://www.notablebiographies.com/De-Du/Dumas-Alexandre.html ]career.
Dumas then found work as a secretary in Paris, France. He read and attended the theater as much as he could during his time off. He was influenced by the writings of William Shakespeare and wrote his first play in 1825. The revolution of 1830 slowed down Dumas's writing. His political activities were viewed by the new king, and his former boss. He was then forced to leave France for a period of time. A series of travel books resulted from this time period.
When Dumas returned to Paris, he began writing a new series of historical plays. By 1851, he had written more than twenty plays. He also began writing fiction at this time, first short stories and then novels. He wrote Les Trois Mousquetaires (The Three Musketeers), Vingt Ans Après (Twenty Years After ), and Le Vicomte de Bragelonne. Le Comte de Monte-Cristo (The Count of Monte Cristo) was also a popular product of this period. In 1853 Dumas began the daily paper Le Mousquetaire, which was devoted to art and literature. The paper survived until 1857, and Dumas then published the weekly paper, Monte-Cristo. This weekly paper did not last either. In 1860 he was named keeper of museums in Naples, Italy. After remaining there for four years, he returned to Paris, where he became deep in debt and was chased by debt collectors. He also had many women friends who expected, and received expensive gifts from him. Working hard to pay his debts, Dumas tried to produce a number of works. His work was produced as lower quality novels. After that, Alexandre Dumas died in poverty on December 5, 1870.
Alexandre Dumas was born on July 24, 1802, near Soissons, France. He was the son of a Creole general of the French Revolutionary armies. His grandfather was from a noble family, and his grandmother had been a Dominican slave. Dumas's father died when he was four years old, which left the family with very little money. Dumas was not a very good [ http://www.notablebiographies.com/De-Du/Dumas-Alexandre.html ]student, but his handwriting was very beautiful, and he studied to work as a public officer who witnesses the signing of important documents and makes them official. He also began writing musical comedies, and then historical plays. Historical subjects were to be important elements of Dumas's work during his [ http://www.notablebiographies.com/De-Du/Dumas-Alexandre.html ]career.
Dumas then found work as a secretary in Paris, France. He read and attended the theater as much as he could during his time off. He was influenced by the writings of William Shakespeare and wrote his first play in 1825. The revolution of 1830 slowed down Dumas's writing. His political activities were viewed by the new king, and his former boss. He was then forced to leave France for a period of time. A series of travel books resulted from this time period.
When Dumas returned to Paris, he began writing a new series of historical plays. By 1851, he had written more than twenty plays. He also began writing fiction at this time, first short stories and then novels. He wrote Les Trois Mousquetaires (The Three Musketeers), Vingt Ans Après (Twenty Years After ), and Le Vicomte de Bragelonne. Le Comte de Monte-Cristo (The Count of Monte Cristo) was also a popular product of this period. In 1853 Dumas began the daily paper Le Mousquetaire, which was devoted to art and literature. The paper survived until 1857, and Dumas then published the weekly paper, Monte-Cristo. This weekly paper did not last either. In 1860 he was named keeper of museums in Naples, Italy. After remaining there for four years, he returned to Paris, where he became deep in debt and was chased by debt collectors. He also had many women friends who expected, and received expensive gifts from him. Working hard to pay his debts, Dumas tried to produce a number of works. His work was produced as lower quality novels. After that, Alexandre Dumas died in poverty on December 5, 1870.
Thomas Hardy
Majda writes:
Thomas Hardy was an English poet and novelist. He was the author of the natural movement. He was born on June 2nd, 1840 in Higher Bockhampton, Dorset. He gained an appreciation for music from his father. He learned from his mother the love for learning and the delight of living in the country side. Thomas didn’t start school till he was 8 years old. When he was 16 he became the apprentice of a man named James Hicks. Thomas soon moved to London and became a prominent architect for Arthur Blomfield. That’s when Thomas started writing his poems. Like most authors, he got rejected by multiple publishers. In 1874, he got married to Emma Gifford who had encouraged him to write. In 1871 he came out with his first book “Desperate Remedies”, no one was interested in this. What really got Hardy’s popularity going was when he published “Under the Greenwood Tree” the next year. Some of Hardy’s published books were “Far From the Madding Crowd”, it had given him the opportunity to end his architectural work and just focus on writing. His later books were: “Return of the Native,” The Mayor of Casterbridge”. Then in 1887, “The Woodlanders” and in 1891 one of his best books “Tess of the d’Urbervilles”, after that came “Jude the Obscure” in 1896. This book made Thomas and Emma fear that people were going to think of this book as a way of describing the way there marriage was. In November 1912, Emma Hardy died. Later, Hardy wrote some of his best poetry because of the guilt and sorrow he had felt. In 1914, Thomas Hardy married Florence Dugdale, his secretary since 1912. On January 11, 1928 Thomas died and requested that he be buried right next to Emma, but sadly his heart was the only thing they buried with her. Thomas’s body was buried in Poet’s Corner.
Thomas Hardy was an English poet and novelist. He was the author of the natural movement. He was born on June 2nd, 1840 in Higher Bockhampton, Dorset. He gained an appreciation for music from his father. He learned from his mother the love for learning and the delight of living in the country side. Thomas didn’t start school till he was 8 years old. When he was 16 he became the apprentice of a man named James Hicks. Thomas soon moved to London and became a prominent architect for Arthur Blomfield. That’s when Thomas started writing his poems. Like most authors, he got rejected by multiple publishers. In 1874, he got married to Emma Gifford who had encouraged him to write. In 1871 he came out with his first book “Desperate Remedies”, no one was interested in this. What really got Hardy’s popularity going was when he published “Under the Greenwood Tree” the next year. Some of Hardy’s published books were “Far From the Madding Crowd”, it had given him the opportunity to end his architectural work and just focus on writing. His later books were: “Return of the Native,” The Mayor of Casterbridge”. Then in 1887, “The Woodlanders” and in 1891 one of his best books “Tess of the d’Urbervilles”, after that came “Jude the Obscure” in 1896. This book made Thomas and Emma fear that people were going to think of this book as a way of describing the way there marriage was. In November 1912, Emma Hardy died. Later, Hardy wrote some of his best poetry because of the guilt and sorrow he had felt. In 1914, Thomas Hardy married Florence Dugdale, his secretary since 1912. On January 11, 1928 Thomas died and requested that he be buried right next to Emma, but sadly his heart was the only thing they buried with her. Thomas’s body was buried in Poet’s Corner.
Charlotte Bronte
Lena writes:
Charlotte Bronte was born in Thorton, Yorkshire (Victorian time England). She lived a rather tragic and depressing life from 1816-1855. Charlotte grew up with her father who was a clergy man her mother, and her 5 siblings. Two of her siblings being Emily and Anne Bronte. After the death of her mother and two eldest siblings; she was left with Emily, Anne, her father, her brother, and, her strict religious aunt.
As for Charlottes education, she attended clergy daughters school in Lancashire in 1824. She returned a year later because of harsh conditions. Charlotte later went to school at Roe Head, where she later worked as a teacher. She gave up teaching because she fell ill; suffering from melancholia. She decided to become a governess because of her disabling shyness, and her ignorance of normal children. She worked for the White family, and the Sidqwick family.
Years later Charlotte convinced Anne and Emily to gather their poetry and publish it. The sisters did so and used pseudonyms to protect their names. The three names used were, Currer, Ellis and Acton Bell. Thus their novels and short stories began. The sisters later branched out and wrote separate novels/sagas.
Charlotte wrote many well known and controversial (at the time) novels. She was Influenced by a number of events through out her life. One thing that deeply influenced her writing were the landscape around the parsonage, the lonely rolling moors and wild wind from where she was from. Another major influence is that when other children enjoyed playing outdoors, the Bronte’s created imaginary kingdoms, which were built around Branwell's (her brother) toy soldiers, which inspired them to create continuing stories of fantasy lands. Her novels were usually considered controversial because her protagonist is most often passionate desire for a wider life, and a need to be loved, and rebellious questioning of conventions. These traits also reflected Charlotte's own dreams.
After rejecting four marriages she accepted one and wedded. Her Brother (Branwell) died 1848 from tuberculosis. Her sisters Emily, and Anne both died the same year also of tuberculosis. A few years later in1855 Charlotte died of complications in the early stage of her pregnancy.
Charlotte Bronte was born in Thorton, Yorkshire (Victorian time England). She lived a rather tragic and depressing life from 1816-1855. Charlotte grew up with her father who was a clergy man her mother, and her 5 siblings. Two of her siblings being Emily and Anne Bronte. After the death of her mother and two eldest siblings; she was left with Emily, Anne, her father, her brother, and, her strict religious aunt.
As for Charlottes education, she attended clergy daughters school in Lancashire in 1824. She returned a year later because of harsh conditions. Charlotte later went to school at Roe Head, where she later worked as a teacher. She gave up teaching because she fell ill; suffering from melancholia. She decided to become a governess because of her disabling shyness, and her ignorance of normal children. She worked for the White family, and the Sidqwick family.
Years later Charlotte convinced Anne and Emily to gather their poetry and publish it. The sisters did so and used pseudonyms to protect their names. The three names used were, Currer, Ellis and Acton Bell. Thus their novels and short stories began. The sisters later branched out and wrote separate novels/sagas.
Charlotte wrote many well known and controversial (at the time) novels. She was Influenced by a number of events through out her life. One thing that deeply influenced her writing were the landscape around the parsonage, the lonely rolling moors and wild wind from where she was from. Another major influence is that when other children enjoyed playing outdoors, the Bronte’s created imaginary kingdoms, which were built around Branwell's (her brother) toy soldiers, which inspired them to create continuing stories of fantasy lands. Her novels were usually considered controversial because her protagonist is most often passionate desire for a wider life, and a need to be loved, and rebellious questioning of conventions. These traits also reflected Charlotte's own dreams.
After rejecting four marriages she accepted one and wedded. Her Brother (Branwell) died 1848 from tuberculosis. Her sisters Emily, and Anne both died the same year also of tuberculosis. A few years later in1855 Charlotte died of complications in the early stage of her pregnancy.
Oscar Wilde
Konstantine writes;
Oscar Wilde was born on 16 October 1854, in Dublin, Ireland, his parenta were Jane Francesca Agnes surgeon Sir William Robert Wills Wilde. Wilde's mom was a poet his dad was a successful ear and eye surgeon who was knighted in 1864. Oscar had an older brother named William and a younger sister, Isola. He was originaly home schooled, in 1871 he entered Trinity College, Dublin, then went on to study the classics at Magdalen College, Oxford, England from 1874-1878. Wilde did very well in school going on to win many prizes and awards including Oxford's Newdigate Prize for his poem "Ravenna".
After school Wilde went to live in London and continued to write poetry. His first collection of poems was simply titled Poems. It was published in 1881. That same year he left on a tour of America and Canada to deliver lectures on aestheticism. Wilde married Constance Mary Lloyd with who he would have two sons; Cyril who was killed during World War I, and Vyvyan who would become an author. The Wildes settled in Chelsea, London where he continued on with his work.
Oscar Wilde was born on 16 October 1854, in Dublin, Ireland, his parenta were Jane Francesca Agnes surgeon Sir William Robert Wills Wilde. Wilde's mom was a poet his dad was a successful ear and eye surgeon who was knighted in 1864. Oscar had an older brother named William and a younger sister, Isola. He was originaly home schooled, in 1871 he entered Trinity College, Dublin, then went on to study the classics at Magdalen College, Oxford, England from 1874-1878. Wilde did very well in school going on to win many prizes and awards including Oxford's Newdigate Prize for his poem "Ravenna".
After school Wilde went to live in London and continued to write poetry. His first collection of poems was simply titled Poems. It was published in 1881. That same year he left on a tour of America and Canada to deliver lectures on aestheticism. Wilde married Constance Mary Lloyd with who he would have two sons; Cyril who was killed during World War I, and Vyvyan who would become an author. The Wildes settled in Chelsea, London where he continued on with his work.
Jane Austen
Krystina writes:
Jane Austen was born on December 16, 1775 in Hampshire, England. She was the seventh child of eight, and her family was very knowledgeable and loving. Jane learned to read and learned how to speak many languages. She also loved to write. In 1802 she was expected to marry a wealth heir named Harris Bigg-Wither, but soon declined the engagement and never married. Jane Austen is famous for writing the novels, Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park, Emma, Northanger Abbey, and Persuasion. Most of her novels are American classics that are still hugely popular today. Jane eventually started to die from what is now known as Addison’s disease, and finally lost her life on July 18, 1817. Jane Austen is greatly remembered for her treasured stories of romance and kind women who usually reflected herself.
Jane Austen was born on December 16, 1775 in Hampshire, England. She was the seventh child of eight, and her family was very knowledgeable and loving. Jane learned to read and learned how to speak many languages. She also loved to write. In 1802 she was expected to marry a wealth heir named Harris Bigg-Wither, but soon declined the engagement and never married. Jane Austen is famous for writing the novels, Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park, Emma, Northanger Abbey, and Persuasion. Most of her novels are American classics that are still hugely popular today. Jane eventually started to die from what is now known as Addison’s disease, and finally lost her life on July 18, 1817. Jane Austen is greatly remembered for her treasured stories of romance and kind women who usually reflected herself.
Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood
Raffi writes:
For my independent reading book, I am reading Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood. In Cold Blood is a nonfiction book about the random and shocking murder of four members of the Clutter family in Holcomb, Kansas in November, 1959.
Truman Capote was born September 30th, 1924 in New Orleans. He died on August 25th, 1984 at the age of 59. Capote had a rough childhood to overcome before he became a professional writer. Both of his parents had trouble holding jobs, and because of this Capote’s family was constantly moving. His parents split up when he was just four years old. Since childhood, Capote was a very good friend of To Kill a Mockingbird author, Harper Lee. The character Dill in To Kill a Mockingbird is based off of Capote as a child. Capote began writing for the first time when he was eleven years old. At the start of his professional writing career, he mostly had success with short stories.
In Cold Blood is Capote’s most famous book. When he heard about the murders in Holcomb, he and Harper Lee traveled together to interview locals and get information on the murder. He ended up staying for four years. In writing this book, Capote created a new genre; the nonfiction novel.
At the very beginning of In Cold Blood, Capote describes how quiet and small the town of Holcomb is. He illustrates the barrenness and desolation by describing stores and dance clubs that have long gone out of business. For many people, the murder of the four Clutter family members is the first thing that comes to mind regarding Holcomb, Kansas. “Until one morning in mid-November of 1959, few Americans – in fact, few Kansans – had ever heard of Holcomb.”
For my independent reading book, I am reading Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood. In Cold Blood is a nonfiction book about the random and shocking murder of four members of the Clutter family in Holcomb, Kansas in November, 1959.
Truman Capote was born September 30th, 1924 in New Orleans. He died on August 25th, 1984 at the age of 59. Capote had a rough childhood to overcome before he became a professional writer. Both of his parents had trouble holding jobs, and because of this Capote’s family was constantly moving. His parents split up when he was just four years old. Since childhood, Capote was a very good friend of To Kill a Mockingbird author, Harper Lee. The character Dill in To Kill a Mockingbird is based off of Capote as a child. Capote began writing for the first time when he was eleven years old. At the start of his professional writing career, he mostly had success with short stories.
In Cold Blood is Capote’s most famous book. When he heard about the murders in Holcomb, he and Harper Lee traveled together to interview locals and get information on the murder. He ended up staying for four years. In writing this book, Capote created a new genre; the nonfiction novel.
At the very beginning of In Cold Blood, Capote describes how quiet and small the town of Holcomb is. He illustrates the barrenness and desolation by describing stores and dance clubs that have long gone out of business. For many people, the murder of the four Clutter family members is the first thing that comes to mind regarding Holcomb, Kansas. “Until one morning in mid-November of 1959, few Americans – in fact, few Kansans – had ever heard of Holcomb.”
Madame Bovary, written by Gustave Flaubert
Joanne writes:
The novel I am reading is Madame Bovary, written by Gustave Flaubert. Gustave Flaubert was born in 1821 and died in 1880. His family had a strong medical practice background. They lived in the small town of Rouen in Northern France. His father was a surgeon at the Hôtel-Dieu of Rouen. They lived in a wing of the building for much of his youth. He grew accustomed too the typical hospital sights, and is comfortable talking about those topics in his writing. Gustave grew up to be a writer. It started when he was in his teens and won a contest. When he grew older he moved off to Paris to study law. He never finished that because of a nervous attack when he was in his twenties. He was later diagnosed with Epilepsy. When he could not complete law he moved to a house, which his father bought for him, on the Seine River in Croisset, right on the other side of Rouen. Where Gustave decided he would become a writer for sure. He met Louise Colet. She was a writer as well and they developed a relationship that had influenced his writing. Most of his other relationships influenced him as well. When his father and siblings died he moved in with his mother, who he loved greatly. When his mother died he took a trip with a friend and explored the Near East to fill his mind with more. By that time he had produced some things but nothing was published. When he returned he started to write Madame Bovary and completed it five years after as his first published writing piece. The book started off in a magazine named, the Revue de Paris. When it was published Gustave was fined for “immortality” but everyone knew he was an amazing writer and this book was no ordinary best seller. Gustave was a realist and a melancholy. He kept writing books until he died, where his niece finished his last book for him, and his words live on in his classics today.
The novel I am reading is Madame Bovary, written by Gustave Flaubert. Gustave Flaubert was born in 1821 and died in 1880. His family had a strong medical practice background. They lived in the small town of Rouen in Northern France. His father was a surgeon at the Hôtel-Dieu of Rouen. They lived in a wing of the building for much of his youth. He grew accustomed too the typical hospital sights, and is comfortable talking about those topics in his writing. Gustave grew up to be a writer. It started when he was in his teens and won a contest. When he grew older he moved off to Paris to study law. He never finished that because of a nervous attack when he was in his twenties. He was later diagnosed with Epilepsy. When he could not complete law he moved to a house, which his father bought for him, on the Seine River in Croisset, right on the other side of Rouen. Where Gustave decided he would become a writer for sure. He met Louise Colet. She was a writer as well and they developed a relationship that had influenced his writing. Most of his other relationships influenced him as well. When his father and siblings died he moved in with his mother, who he loved greatly. When his mother died he took a trip with a friend and explored the Near East to fill his mind with more. By that time he had produced some things but nothing was published. When he returned he started to write Madame Bovary and completed it five years after as his first published writing piece. The book started off in a magazine named, the Revue de Paris. When it was published Gustave was fined for “immortality” but everyone knew he was an amazing writer and this book was no ordinary best seller. Gustave was a realist and a melancholy. He kept writing books until he died, where his niece finished his last book for him, and his words live on in his classics today.
Isabel Allende
Julia writes:
Born on August 2nd, 1942 in Peru, Isabel Allende has become one of the most popular women writers in Latin America. She is known for her amazing works of writing such as The House of the Spirits (1982) and City of Beasts (2002). Between the years of 1953 and 1958, Allende’s mother married and moved the family several times. Living in Bolivia, Lebanon, Europe, and other locations, Allende attented private schools and was also home schooled for some time. After returning to Chile in 1962, she met a man named Miguel Frias, whom she married and had two children with. Allende found a job at United Nations Food Organization in Santiago, working as a secretary. Four years later, she began her journalism career. She worked as an editor, jouralist, and advice columnist for the magizine, Paula as well as an editor and journalist for a children’s magazine called Mampato. In 1973, Isabel’s uncle Salvador Allende was assassinated when the military coup took over Chile’s government. Isabel decided it was not safe to stay there, so she fled to Venezuela with Miguel and her two kids. Reminiscing on the event, Allende said, “I felt, as many Chileans did, that my life had been cut into pieces, and that I had to start over again”. After a while, Isabel began to feel separated not just physically, but mentally, from her family. She especially longed to see her grandfather, who was on the verge of death. Allende wrote him a long letter, assuring him that he would always remain in her heart. This letter was to later become The House of Spirits, her first novel. It became an international bestseller, a story centered on the brutal past of Chile and a family’s who suffers through them for generations. The House of Spirits triggered Allende’s extreme success. She began teaching literature in places such as University of Virginia, New Jersey, University of Califorinia, Charlottesville Montclair College, and at Berkeley. Isabel went on tour in San Jose, California, to promote her second novel, Of Love and Shadows. Despite all this success, terrible tragedy striked in 1992, when Allende’s daughter Paula died in her arms of a blood disease. Isabel was deeply affected and stayed at home crying for a few years. After some thinking, she realized that though her daughter had vanished from the world, she needed to move on and continue to write. She decided to honor her daughter by dedicating a novel to her, which she titled Paula. In honor of her daughter, she also created the Isabel Allende Fund in 1996. Allende donated all of the money that she earned for Paula to this fund. Though the fund was named after Isabel, it was to help those in need. Since Paula’s death, Isabel has continued to write novels, some which have been made into operas, movies, and even ballets. Allende’s books are read and loved internationally, translated into over twenty-seven different languages. Isabel loves to share her writing just as much as she loves the process of creating a novel, and continues to write to this day.
[ http://www.pbs.org/now/arts/allende.html ]http://www.pbs.org/now/arts/allende.html
[ http://www.freewebs.com/isabel-allende/biography.htm ]http://www.freewebs.com/isabel-allende/biography.htm
[ http://www.isabelallendefoundation.org/iaf.php?l=en&p=isabel ]http://www.isabelallendefoundation.org/iaf.php?l=en&p;=isabel
[ http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Isabel_Allende\ ]http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Isabel_Allende\
[ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/donotmigrate/3672060/Isabel-Allende-kith-and-tell.html ]http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/donotmigrate/3672060/Isabel-Allende-kith-and-tell.html
Born on August 2nd, 1942 in Peru, Isabel Allende has become one of the most popular women writers in Latin America. She is known for her amazing works of writing such as The House of the Spirits (1982) and City of Beasts (2002). Between the years of 1953 and 1958, Allende’s mother married and moved the family several times. Living in Bolivia, Lebanon, Europe, and other locations, Allende attented private schools and was also home schooled for some time. After returning to Chile in 1962, she met a man named Miguel Frias, whom she married and had two children with. Allende found a job at United Nations Food Organization in Santiago, working as a secretary. Four years later, she began her journalism career. She worked as an editor, jouralist, and advice columnist for the magizine, Paula as well as an editor and journalist for a children’s magazine called Mampato. In 1973, Isabel’s uncle Salvador Allende was assassinated when the military coup took over Chile’s government. Isabel decided it was not safe to stay there, so she fled to Venezuela with Miguel and her two kids. Reminiscing on the event, Allende said, “I felt, as many Chileans did, that my life had been cut into pieces, and that I had to start over again”. After a while, Isabel began to feel separated not just physically, but mentally, from her family. She especially longed to see her grandfather, who was on the verge of death. Allende wrote him a long letter, assuring him that he would always remain in her heart. This letter was to later become The House of Spirits, her first novel. It became an international bestseller, a story centered on the brutal past of Chile and a family’s who suffers through them for generations. The House of Spirits triggered Allende’s extreme success. She began teaching literature in places such as University of Virginia, New Jersey, University of Califorinia, Charlottesville Montclair College, and at Berkeley. Isabel went on tour in San Jose, California, to promote her second novel, Of Love and Shadows. Despite all this success, terrible tragedy striked in 1992, when Allende’s daughter Paula died in her arms of a blood disease. Isabel was deeply affected and stayed at home crying for a few years. After some thinking, she realized that though her daughter had vanished from the world, she needed to move on and continue to write. She decided to honor her daughter by dedicating a novel to her, which she titled Paula. In honor of her daughter, she also created the Isabel Allende Fund in 1996. Allende donated all of the money that she earned for Paula to this fund. Though the fund was named after Isabel, it was to help those in need. Since Paula’s death, Isabel has continued to write novels, some which have been made into operas, movies, and even ballets. Allende’s books are read and loved internationally, translated into over twenty-seven different languages. Isabel loves to share her writing just as much as she loves the process of creating a novel, and continues to write to this day.
[ http://www.pbs.org/now/arts/allende.html ]http://www.pbs.org/now/arts/allende.html
[ http://www.freewebs.com/isabel-allende/biography.htm ]http://www.freewebs.com/isabel-allende/biography.htm
[ http://www.isabelallendefoundation.org/iaf.php?l=en&p=isabel ]http://www.isabelallendefoundation.org/iaf.php?l=en&p;=isabel
[ http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Isabel_Allende\ ]http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Isabel_Allende\
[ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/donotmigrate/3672060/Isabel-Allende-kith-and-tell.html ]http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/donotmigrate/3672060/Isabel-Allende-kith-and-tell.html
Mary Ann Evans - known by pseudonym George Elio
Stephanie writes:
Mary Ann Evans, well known by her pseudonym George Eliot, was a British novelist who lived between 1819-1880. When Mary Ann was about 17, her mother died, so she took on the role of housekeeper as the only woman in the household. When her father retired, her brother, the new head of the house, decided to relocate them to a house in Coventry. In Coventry, she joined a group of scholars that influenced her ideas of religion in the largely Angelican world she resided in. Mary Ann loyally served for her father until his death in 1849 with the occasional protest of attending church, which she had gradually grown skeptical of. She received 100£ from his will which allowed her some independence in the English society. At this time, Mary Ann, an unmarried 30 year old, decided to move to London to become a writer. She quickly became the joint editor of the “Westminster Review” with the help of her scholarly friend from Coventry, John Chapman. Mary Ann longed for someone to be with during these years and she had a relationship with Chapman, who was married at the time. She met many famous authors such as Charles Dickens during her stay at Chapman’s home. Here, she also met George Henry Lewes. The two fell in love and wanted to get married except George was already married to a faithless wife and he could not get a divorce. Instead, they moved in together and called themselves man and wife although they were not legally married. This act outraged society. Her friends, and even her family ostracized her. However, this marked the start of a new phase in her life and career. Mary Ann began to write novels about the successes and failures of the people of the countryside. She decided to write under the pen name of George Eliot so she would not bring unnecessary attention to herself and her partner. After more than 20 years of writing fiction, George Eliot had become a very famous writer in England, and everyone accepted her into society except her family. In 1879, her partner died. George’s friend John Walter Cross comforted her and in 1880, they decided to get married. Her family finally accepted her because she was actually married, even though it was to a man much younger than her. George, now a respectable married woman by her family’s standards, died after six months of marriage.
Mary Ann Evans, well known by her pseudonym George Eliot, was a British novelist who lived between 1819-1880. When Mary Ann was about 17, her mother died, so she took on the role of housekeeper as the only woman in the household. When her father retired, her brother, the new head of the house, decided to relocate them to a house in Coventry. In Coventry, she joined a group of scholars that influenced her ideas of religion in the largely Angelican world she resided in. Mary Ann loyally served for her father until his death in 1849 with the occasional protest of attending church, which she had gradually grown skeptical of. She received 100£ from his will which allowed her some independence in the English society. At this time, Mary Ann, an unmarried 30 year old, decided to move to London to become a writer. She quickly became the joint editor of the “Westminster Review” with the help of her scholarly friend from Coventry, John Chapman. Mary Ann longed for someone to be with during these years and she had a relationship with Chapman, who was married at the time. She met many famous authors such as Charles Dickens during her stay at Chapman’s home. Here, she also met George Henry Lewes. The two fell in love and wanted to get married except George was already married to a faithless wife and he could not get a divorce. Instead, they moved in together and called themselves man and wife although they were not legally married. This act outraged society. Her friends, and even her family ostracized her. However, this marked the start of a new phase in her life and career. Mary Ann began to write novels about the successes and failures of the people of the countryside. She decided to write under the pen name of George Eliot so she would not bring unnecessary attention to herself and her partner. After more than 20 years of writing fiction, George Eliot had become a very famous writer in England, and everyone accepted her into society except her family. In 1879, her partner died. George’s friend John Walter Cross comforted her and in 1880, they decided to get married. Her family finally accepted her because she was actually married, even though it was to a man much younger than her. George, now a respectable married woman by her family’s standards, died after six months of marriage.
Joseph Conrad
Aaron writes;
Joseph Conrad is not your typical American author. He was not born here, nor was English his first language. Conrad became famous for the novel that I am reading for my independent reading project: Heart of Darkness. This story questions the evil side of a human, hence the title. As for the author, he was born in Ukraine on December 3, 1857. Both of his parents were Nationalists and shortly after he was born, Joseph and his family were sent to a Russian province. The fact that both of parents died shortly after may have been an influence on his writing. As he began to grow up, Conrad realized that he wanted more adventure and the best way to find that would be at sea. He begged his uncle to let him go to Africa, and his uncle eventually gave in. After several years traveling at sea around Africa he became a British citizen and learned English. Following the diary he took with him on his voyages in “the dark continent”, he wrote the Heart of Darkness. During his lengthy career, Conrad wrote such works as Almayer’s Folly and Under Western Eyes. He died in 1924 of a heart attack while relaxing in his home. I have only read a small portion of the book, but so far it seems to be filled with dense descriptions and a deep outlook what the author thinks life is about. I look forward to reading the rest of this novel, as it will hopefully enable me to enjoy the good parts of life, while realizing there will be bad times; that’s what being human is all about.
Joseph Conrad is not your typical American author. He was not born here, nor was English his first language. Conrad became famous for the novel that I am reading for my independent reading project: Heart of Darkness. This story questions the evil side of a human, hence the title. As for the author, he was born in Ukraine on December 3, 1857. Both of his parents were Nationalists and shortly after he was born, Joseph and his family were sent to a Russian province. The fact that both of parents died shortly after may have been an influence on his writing. As he began to grow up, Conrad realized that he wanted more adventure and the best way to find that would be at sea. He begged his uncle to let him go to Africa, and his uncle eventually gave in. After several years traveling at sea around Africa he became a British citizen and learned English. Following the diary he took with him on his voyages in “the dark continent”, he wrote the Heart of Darkness. During his lengthy career, Conrad wrote such works as Almayer’s Folly and Under Western Eyes. He died in 1924 of a heart attack while relaxing in his home. I have only read a small portion of the book, but so far it seems to be filled with dense descriptions and a deep outlook what the author thinks life is about. I look forward to reading the rest of this novel, as it will hopefully enable me to enjoy the good parts of life, while realizing there will be bad times; that’s what being human is all about.
Aldous Huxley, author of Brave New World
Pat writes:
Aldous Huxley, author of Brave New World, was born on the 26th of July, 1894 in Godalming, Surrey, England. Huxley was born into a high class family in England, but he stood out from most of them. He was more alert, had a higher intelligence, and was considered by his brother, superior. For this, he was loved and respected, not hated. Being different from others is in a way one of Aldous’ influences in writing Brave New World, that being different is the key to freedom. Huxley went on to write many other novels, including Island, which portrays a good utopia rather than the bad one revealed in Brave New World. On the 22nd of November, in 1963, Aldous Huxley died. He was cremated, his ashes were buried in his parents’ grave back in England.
Aldous Huxley, author of Brave New World, was born on the 26th of July, 1894 in Godalming, Surrey, England. Huxley was born into a high class family in England, but he stood out from most of them. He was more alert, had a higher intelligence, and was considered by his brother, superior. For this, he was loved and respected, not hated. Being different from others is in a way one of Aldous’ influences in writing Brave New World, that being different is the key to freedom. Huxley went on to write many other novels, including Island, which portrays a good utopia rather than the bad one revealed in Brave New World. On the 22nd of November, in 1963, Aldous Huxley died. He was cremated, his ashes were buried in his parents’ grave back in England.
Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
Michelle writes:
Reading the novel, “Great Expectations” had me wondering what Charles Dickens’ life had been like while he had written it. Researching his life gave me the chance to see what might have inspired him to include certain characters and events. Dickens was born on February 7th, 1812 in Portsmouth, England. Known as a congenial man, his father, John Dickens was financially threatened due to his hospitality and generosity. Eventually, the expenses caught up to him and he was imprisoned in 1824 for his debts. Because Charles was twelve at the time, he’d gone to work at a shoe-blacking factory to support the imprisoned family. The early, harsh labour he endured as a child played well into his stories, inspiring some of his characters – such as ‘Pip’ from “Great Expectations,” for example. His father had arranged for his son to attend the Wellington House Academy in London from 1824-1827, possibly sealing his fate to become a writer rather than suffer through more years of hard work. Dickens’ first book went by the name, “Sketches by Boz,” published in 1836, coincidentally the same year he’d married his wife, Catherine Hogart and had become editor for “Bentley’s Miscellany” – all in all, a very eventful year for Charles. A succession of novels followed promptly, starting with “Dombey And Son” (1846) and “David Copperfield” (1849), etc. After having collaborated with the author, Wilkie Collins on the drama, “No Thoroughfare,” and acting in his play, “The Frozen Deep” in 1857, he and his opposing actress (Ellen Ternan) had fallen in love, resulting in his divorce to Catherine. Now renowned throughout Europe, he’d begun to set off on public readings in 1858, following the publication/serialization of “Great Expectations” in 1860. Just as life seems to be at its highest climax for Charles, it had fallen to a disastrous end as Dickens, his mother and Ellen were involved in the Staplehurst train crash on their way back from Paris. Though escaping with minor injuries, he’d suffered post-traumatic trauma that he had never quite recovered from. Sadly, his life ended by a cerebral hemorrhage on June 9th, 1870. Buried in Poet’s Corner in London, Thomas Carlyle had described Dickens as “A sympathiser to the poor, the suffering and the oppressed.” Greatly missed he was, but his spirit lives on forever in the beloved novels he’d left in his wake.
Reading the novel, “Great Expectations” had me wondering what Charles Dickens’ life had been like while he had written it. Researching his life gave me the chance to see what might have inspired him to include certain characters and events. Dickens was born on February 7th, 1812 in Portsmouth, England. Known as a congenial man, his father, John Dickens was financially threatened due to his hospitality and generosity. Eventually, the expenses caught up to him and he was imprisoned in 1824 for his debts. Because Charles was twelve at the time, he’d gone to work at a shoe-blacking factory to support the imprisoned family. The early, harsh labour he endured as a child played well into his stories, inspiring some of his characters – such as ‘Pip’ from “Great Expectations,” for example. His father had arranged for his son to attend the Wellington House Academy in London from 1824-1827, possibly sealing his fate to become a writer rather than suffer through more years of hard work. Dickens’ first book went by the name, “Sketches by Boz,” published in 1836, coincidentally the same year he’d married his wife, Catherine Hogart and had become editor for “Bentley’s Miscellany” – all in all, a very eventful year for Charles. A succession of novels followed promptly, starting with “Dombey And Son” (1846) and “David Copperfield” (1849), etc. After having collaborated with the author, Wilkie Collins on the drama, “No Thoroughfare,” and acting in his play, “The Frozen Deep” in 1857, he and his opposing actress (Ellen Ternan) had fallen in love, resulting in his divorce to Catherine. Now renowned throughout Europe, he’d begun to set off on public readings in 1858, following the publication/serialization of “Great Expectations” in 1860. Just as life seems to be at its highest climax for Charles, it had fallen to a disastrous end as Dickens, his mother and Ellen were involved in the Staplehurst train crash on their way back from Paris. Though escaping with minor injuries, he’d suffered post-traumatic trauma that he had never quite recovered from. Sadly, his life ended by a cerebral hemorrhage on June 9th, 1870. Buried in Poet’s Corner in London, Thomas Carlyle had described Dickens as “A sympathiser to the poor, the suffering and the oppressed.” Greatly missed he was, but his spirit lives on forever in the beloved novels he’d left in his wake.
The Brothers Karamazov, by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
Shayan writes:
For our independent reading project I am reading The Brothers Karamazov, by Fyodor Dostoyevsky. Dostoyevsky was born to a middle-class family in Moscow, Russia on October 30, 1821. His father, an oppressive man, was a doctor and his mom, who was a very kind and religious woman, died before he was sixteen. His father insisted that he be an engineer, so in 1837, he went to a military engineering school in St. Petersburg. While he was studying his father was murdered by his own serfs. Some of Dostoyevsky’s literary works suggest that his epilepsy was a symptom of his own internal wish for his father’s death.
On April 22, 1849 Dostoyevsky was arrested. He was accused of four different charges the most serious being that he was in a plot to kill the tsar. He denied this but it was to no avail. On December 22, 1849 he was marched out to face his death. In the end, it turned out to be a mock execution which was so terrifyingly realistic, that one of the other prisoners went insane. Dostoyevsky was exiled to Siberia to serve his sentence of hard-labor. When Fyodor Dostoyevsky was done serving his sentence, he emerged spiritually and philosophically transformed.
Dostoyevsky, once free, resumed his literary career in St. Petersburg. This time period however was marked with financial insecurity and the death of his brother and wife. In 1867 Dostoyevsky and his second wife escaped creditors by moving to Europe where he wrote a few very important literary works. Dostoyevsky returned to Russia in 1871 where he began his final decade of monumental literary activity. It was in this time period that he wrote The Brothers Karamazov, a novel that “explores the conflict between intellect and faith and between the forces of evil and the redemptive power of Christianity”. Fyodor Dostoyevsky died a few months after completing this novel in his home in St. Petersburg on January 28, 1881.
For our independent reading project I am reading The Brothers Karamazov, by Fyodor Dostoyevsky. Dostoyevsky was born to a middle-class family in Moscow, Russia on October 30, 1821. His father, an oppressive man, was a doctor and his mom, who was a very kind and religious woman, died before he was sixteen. His father insisted that he be an engineer, so in 1837, he went to a military engineering school in St. Petersburg. While he was studying his father was murdered by his own serfs. Some of Dostoyevsky’s literary works suggest that his epilepsy was a symptom of his own internal wish for his father’s death.
On April 22, 1849 Dostoyevsky was arrested. He was accused of four different charges the most serious being that he was in a plot to kill the tsar. He denied this but it was to no avail. On December 22, 1849 he was marched out to face his death. In the end, it turned out to be a mock execution which was so terrifyingly realistic, that one of the other prisoners went insane. Dostoyevsky was exiled to Siberia to serve his sentence of hard-labor. When Fyodor Dostoyevsky was done serving his sentence, he emerged spiritually and philosophically transformed.
Dostoyevsky, once free, resumed his literary career in St. Petersburg. This time period however was marked with financial insecurity and the death of his brother and wife. In 1867 Dostoyevsky and his second wife escaped creditors by moving to Europe where he wrote a few very important literary works. Dostoyevsky returned to Russia in 1871 where he began his final decade of monumental literary activity. It was in this time period that he wrote The Brothers Karamazov, a novel that “explores the conflict between intellect and faith and between the forces of evil and the redemptive power of Christianity”. Fyodor Dostoyevsky died a few months after completing this novel in his home in St. Petersburg on January 28, 1881.
Tobias Wolff
Kevin M. writes:
Tobias Wolff was born on June 19, 1945 in Birmingham, Alabama. Wolff traveled the country with his mother until they settled in Washington State. Tobias Wolff grew up in Washington State with his mother and an abusive step-father. Tobias’ mother and father divorced and he was separated from his brother who remained in his father’s custody. He attended Hill School in Pennsylvania as a scholarship student but was expelled due to failing math multiple times his final year. After Wolff was expelled from Hill School he served in the Army for four years which included a tour of Vietnam. After Wolff’s time in the army he attended Oxford University in England. In 1972, he received a First Class Honors degree in English at Oxford University. Upon returning to the United States, Wolff worked as a reporter, night watchman, waiter and a high school teacher. This was before he received Wallace Stegner Fellowship in Creative Writing at Stanford University in 1975. Wolff wrote a number of novels including This Boy’s life which was a memoir of Tobias’ childhood. This memoir is his most famous piece of writing and what brought him most of his fame. This was made into a movie starring Robert De Niro and Leonardo DiCaprio. Tobias Wolff is currently a professor in humanities at Stanford where he lives with his wife. Tobias and his wife Catherine have three kids.
Sources:
[ http://www.redroom.com/author/tobias-wolff/bio ]http://www.redroom.com/author/tobias-wolff/bio, [ http://www.answers.com/topic/tobias-wolff ]http://www.answers.com/topic/tobias-wolff
Tobias Wolff was born on June 19, 1945 in Birmingham, Alabama. Wolff traveled the country with his mother until they settled in Washington State. Tobias Wolff grew up in Washington State with his mother and an abusive step-father. Tobias’ mother and father divorced and he was separated from his brother who remained in his father’s custody. He attended Hill School in Pennsylvania as a scholarship student but was expelled due to failing math multiple times his final year. After Wolff was expelled from Hill School he served in the Army for four years which included a tour of Vietnam. After Wolff’s time in the army he attended Oxford University in England. In 1972, he received a First Class Honors degree in English at Oxford University. Upon returning to the United States, Wolff worked as a reporter, night watchman, waiter and a high school teacher. This was before he received Wallace Stegner Fellowship in Creative Writing at Stanford University in 1975. Wolff wrote a number of novels including This Boy’s life which was a memoir of Tobias’ childhood. This memoir is his most famous piece of writing and what brought him most of his fame. This was made into a movie starring Robert De Niro and Leonardo DiCaprio. Tobias Wolff is currently a professor in humanities at Stanford where he lives with his wife. Tobias and his wife Catherine have three kids.
Sources:
[ http://www.redroom.com/author/tobias-wolff/bio ]http://www.redroom.com/author/tobias-wolff/bio, [ http://www.answers.com/topic/tobias-wolff ]http://www.answers.com/topic/tobias-wolff
E.M Forster
Maggie writes:
The author of my book is E.M Forster. His full name is Edward Morgan Forster and he was born on January 1879 and died on June 7th 1970, he was also born in London, England. Forster was a well known Eglish novelist who was best known for his novels examining class differences and hypocrisy in early British society. some of his novels include Where Angels Fear to Tread , a Passage to India, Howard's end, and my book a Room With a view. Forster's father died while he was still a baby so he grew up mostly by the influence of his mother and aunts. He attended King's Collage in Cambridge where he graduated in 1901. Forster was also a member of Bloomsbury group which was a group of writers who often got together to have discussions about liturature. some of the Bloomsbury group members consisted of Virginia Woolf, John Maynard Keynes, Lytten Strachey, Duncan Grant, and many more.
The author of my book is E.M Forster. His full name is Edward Morgan Forster and he was born on January 1879 and died on June 7th 1970, he was also born in London, England. Forster was a well known Eglish novelist who was best known for his novels examining class differences and hypocrisy in early British society. some of his novels include Where Angels Fear to Tread , a Passage to India, Howard's end, and my book a Room With a view. Forster's father died while he was still a baby so he grew up mostly by the influence of his mother and aunts. He attended King's Collage in Cambridge where he graduated in 1901. Forster was also a member of Bloomsbury group which was a group of writers who often got together to have discussions about liturature. some of the Bloomsbury group members consisted of Virginia Woolf, John Maynard Keynes, Lytten Strachey, Duncan Grant, and many more.
Jane Austen
Deborah writes:
Jane Austen was born December 16, 1775 in England. She began writing at the age of twelve. Austen wrote many stories that were refused by publishers the first few times. Finally, in 1811 Sense and Sensibility was her first book to be published. She published three more before her death. Within the year, her brother oversaw the publishing of two more of her pieces. She grew up in Britain in a time when the most important thing for a girl to do was get married. She found out, though, that marriage was not about love but was more a way of securing yourself. But since she believed in love so much, she spent much of her time writing about it.
Stories like Emma, which I am currently reading. The novel is about a beautiful, wealthy young girl with a talent for match making. When it comes to her own love life though, she never wants to be tied down. Instead she lives with her father, making fun by setting up couples. Emma was the last of Austen’s novels to be published before her death. She began it in January of 1814 and it took her a little over a year to finish with it being published a year after that. Originally, it didn’t sell very well but after her death, sales went up considerably. Now, Emma is widely popular, along with all of Austen’s books.
Sources:
[ http://www.austen.com/emma/ ]http://www.austen.com/emma/
[ http://www.janeausten.org/jane-austen-biography.asp ]http://www.janeausten.org/jane-austen-biography.asp
[ http://people.brandeis.edu/~teuber/austenbio.html#_emma ]http://people.brandeis.edu/~teuber/austenbio.html#_emma
Jane Austen was born December 16, 1775 in England. She began writing at the age of twelve. Austen wrote many stories that were refused by publishers the first few times. Finally, in 1811 Sense and Sensibility was her first book to be published. She published three more before her death. Within the year, her brother oversaw the publishing of two more of her pieces. She grew up in Britain in a time when the most important thing for a girl to do was get married. She found out, though, that marriage was not about love but was more a way of securing yourself. But since she believed in love so much, she spent much of her time writing about it.
Stories like Emma, which I am currently reading. The novel is about a beautiful, wealthy young girl with a talent for match making. When it comes to her own love life though, she never wants to be tied down. Instead she lives with her father, making fun by setting up couples. Emma was the last of Austen’s novels to be published before her death. She began it in January of 1814 and it took her a little over a year to finish with it being published a year after that. Originally, it didn’t sell very well but after her death, sales went up considerably. Now, Emma is widely popular, along with all of Austen’s books.
Sources:
[ http://www.austen.com/emma/ ]http://www.austen.com/emma/
[ http://www.janeausten.org/jane-austen-biography.asp ]http://www.janeausten.org/jane-austen-biography.asp
[ http://people.brandeis.edu/~teuber/austenbio.html#_emma ]http://people.brandeis.edu/~teuber/austenbio.html#_emma
The Perfect Storm, by Sebastian Junger
Alec. writes:
I have chosen to read the book The Perfect Storm, by Sebastian Junger. Sebastian Junger was born in Belmont, Massachusetts on January 17, 1962. Sebastian Junger graduated from Wesleyan University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in cultural anthropology. He worked as a journalist who reported on his own chosen stories and then trying in vain to have them published. Finally, success came to him when his book The Perfect Storm was published in 1997. His novel became one of the best-selling books of the time. The hardcover copy of the book stayed on the New York Times’ bestseller list for a year, and then remained on the soft-cover list for two more years. The smash-hit novel quickly became a movie after its publication. The book recounts the tale of the crew of a fishing boat, the Andrea Gail, off the coast of Nova Scotia, caught in what was later to be deemed “the perfect storm” by meteorologists. Sebastian Junger says “The next day I read in the paper that a Gloucester boat was feared lost at sea, and I clipped the article and stuck it in a drawer. Without even knowing it, I had begun to write The Perfect Storm.” Junger’s actual experience with the storm was minimal, where he merely watched as the 30-foot swells slowly advanced on the shores of Cape Ann, but to him, that was “all it took”. When Junger began his research into the events that conspired aboard the Andrea Gail, he intended his book to be based as truly on fact as it could be, instead of inventing his own version of the story. He went through records and interviewed survivors and says that all of the dialogue in the text is based on the actual recollections of the said survivors. Junger wanted to make his book as factual as possible, yet he feared that this may distract or bore a reader, but in the end he completed the book based on all of the facts that he could acquire. The Perfect Storm is not the only book that was written by Sebastian Junger, he has also written several other books, including Fire, and A Death in Belmont.
I have chosen to read the book The Perfect Storm, by Sebastian Junger. Sebastian Junger was born in Belmont, Massachusetts on January 17, 1962. Sebastian Junger graduated from Wesleyan University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in cultural anthropology. He worked as a journalist who reported on his own chosen stories and then trying in vain to have them published. Finally, success came to him when his book The Perfect Storm was published in 1997. His novel became one of the best-selling books of the time. The hardcover copy of the book stayed on the New York Times’ bestseller list for a year, and then remained on the soft-cover list for two more years. The smash-hit novel quickly became a movie after its publication. The book recounts the tale of the crew of a fishing boat, the Andrea Gail, off the coast of Nova Scotia, caught in what was later to be deemed “the perfect storm” by meteorologists. Sebastian Junger says “The next day I read in the paper that a Gloucester boat was feared lost at sea, and I clipped the article and stuck it in a drawer. Without even knowing it, I had begun to write The Perfect Storm.” Junger’s actual experience with the storm was minimal, where he merely watched as the 30-foot swells slowly advanced on the shores of Cape Ann, but to him, that was “all it took”. When Junger began his research into the events that conspired aboard the Andrea Gail, he intended his book to be based as truly on fact as it could be, instead of inventing his own version of the story. He went through records and interviewed survivors and says that all of the dialogue in the text is based on the actual recollections of the said survivors. Junger wanted to make his book as factual as possible, yet he feared that this may distract or bore a reader, but in the end he completed the book based on all of the facts that he could acquire. The Perfect Storm is not the only book that was written by Sebastian Junger, he has also written several other books, including Fire, and A Death in Belmont.
Megan writes:
My Antonia by Willa Cather, an american author from the late 1800's. Most of Willa Cather's novels have the same setting, the Great Plains. Besides My Antonia, some of her other novels that take place in the Great Plains include O Pioneers! and The Song of the Lark. Willa Cather was born on December 7, 1873 in Winchester, Virginia. Her family had lived on the same farm for many generations. Cather was the oldest of six children from her mother Mary Virginia Boak. . When Cather was around ten years old, her mother moved the family to Webster County, Nebraska, a town she commonly uses in her Novels.During Willa's childhood, she was often called William by her classmates due to the fact that she wore boyish clothes and had a manly figure. As she grew older she started to realize that she was attracted to women instead of men. She never confirmed her sexual identity to anyone, however.When Cather was around the age of 20, she was determined to go to college. Since she showed such a strong interest, her parents saved up enough money and she attended the University of Nebraska. Cather had always been interested in writing, however she never really tried to get any of her work published. In her 20's, Cather became a writer for the Nebraska State Journal, which used to be a popular newspaper in Nebraska. McClure's Magazine published her first novel, Alexander's Bridge in the early 1900's. Everything just went uphill after that. In 1922, she published a novel titled "One of Ours". In 1923, she received the Pulizer Prize, a US which is often given for achievements in newspaper journalism, literature, and music composition. She was also nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature later on in her life. On April 24, 1947, Cather passed away to a hemorrhage and was burried in a small cemetery in New Hampshire. Even though she is no longer with us, her novels are still commonly read around the United States and her legacy will live on forever.
My Antonia by Willa Cather, an american author from the late 1800's. Most of Willa Cather's novels have the same setting, the Great Plains. Besides My Antonia, some of her other novels that take place in the Great Plains include O Pioneers! and The Song of the Lark. Willa Cather was born on December 7, 1873 in Winchester, Virginia. Her family had lived on the same farm for many generations. Cather was the oldest of six children from her mother Mary Virginia Boak. . When Cather was around ten years old, her mother moved the family to Webster County, Nebraska, a town she commonly uses in her Novels.During Willa's childhood, she was often called William by her classmates due to the fact that she wore boyish clothes and had a manly figure. As she grew older she started to realize that she was attracted to women instead of men. She never confirmed her sexual identity to anyone, however.When Cather was around the age of 20, she was determined to go to college. Since she showed such a strong interest, her parents saved up enough money and she attended the University of Nebraska. Cather had always been interested in writing, however she never really tried to get any of her work published. In her 20's, Cather became a writer for the Nebraska State Journal, which used to be a popular newspaper in Nebraska. McClure's Magazine published her first novel, Alexander's Bridge in the early 1900's. Everything just went uphill after that. In 1922, she published a novel titled "One of Ours". In 1923, she received the Pulizer Prize, a US which is often given for achievements in newspaper journalism, literature, and music composition. She was also nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature later on in her life. On April 24, 1947, Cather passed away to a hemorrhage and was burried in a small cemetery in New Hampshire. Even though she is no longer with us, her novels are still commonly read around the United States and her legacy will live on forever.
Tobias Wolff
Masaud writes:
Tobias Wolff is a very well known author. He is well known for his short stories and memoirs, one of them is This Boys Life. He was born on June 19, 1945 in Alabama. Wolf Tobias also went to the Hill School of Pottstown, Pennsylvania. It was a tough time for him there and because he failed repeatedly, he was expelled. He also served in the army for 4 years. He wrote a memoir about his experience in Vietnam which is called The Night in Question. Tobias wolfes mom was a waitress, and his dad worked as an aeronautical engineer at the time of Tobias’ birth. When Tobias turned 4, his parents divorced. His older brother moved with his dad to Washington and he moved with his mom to Florida. Throughout Tobias's childhood, he observed that his mom was being abbused a lot in every relationship she had. She later found the right man and moved to Utah with Tobias. When Tobias moved to Utah, there he somehow met his brother again and he inspired him a lot. He loved to read and write after meeting his brother. Later in his life , he goese to Hill School of Pottstown as I've mentioned earlier and was expelled later on. Then he joined the army and quit after anti-war movements started. Then he moved to England to attend Oxford where he graduated with high honors in 1972. Then from that day on, his writing career started.
Tobias Wolff is a very well known author. He is well known for his short stories and memoirs, one of them is This Boys Life. He was born on June 19, 1945 in Alabama. Wolf Tobias also went to the Hill School of Pottstown, Pennsylvania. It was a tough time for him there and because he failed repeatedly, he was expelled. He also served in the army for 4 years. He wrote a memoir about his experience in Vietnam which is called The Night in Question. Tobias wolfes mom was a waitress, and his dad worked as an aeronautical engineer at the time of Tobias’ birth. When Tobias turned 4, his parents divorced. His older brother moved with his dad to Washington and he moved with his mom to Florida. Throughout Tobias's childhood, he observed that his mom was being abbused a lot in every relationship she had. She later found the right man and moved to Utah with Tobias. When Tobias moved to Utah, there he somehow met his brother again and he inspired him a lot. He loved to read and write after meeting his brother. Later in his life , he goese to Hill School of Pottstown as I've mentioned earlier and was expelled later on. Then he joined the army and quit after anti-war movements started. Then he moved to England to attend Oxford where he graduated with high honors in 1972. Then from that day on, his writing career started.
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Logan writes:
The book I am reading independently is Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. Mary Shelley was born in 1797 in the town of Somers Town, Great Britain. Her mother died at birth. Her mother was a writer and her father was a philosopher. She began writing at age ten when she wrote poetry. Around 1816 Mary is with three friends of hers when one decides they should allwrite a horor story. Mary writes Frankenstein which is the only one to get published. A few of her other books are published including Mathilde which actually was not published until 1959 long after her death. She had a nervous breakdown when her husband died and moved backed to her home town with her son not long after. Mary wrote a few more novels until her death in 1851 which may have been from a brain tumor. I think it is very funny how her most famous story was written for a contest amongst friends. One quick note about what I have read so far is that i find it interesting how the beginning of the story is in letters amongst two people and is story telling. This is very similar to the beginning of Dracula I am wondering if there is a connection.
The book I am reading independently is Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. Mary Shelley was born in 1797 in the town of Somers Town, Great Britain. Her mother died at birth. Her mother was a writer and her father was a philosopher. She began writing at age ten when she wrote poetry. Around 1816 Mary is with three friends of hers when one decides they should allwrite a horor story. Mary writes Frankenstein which is the only one to get published. A few of her other books are published including Mathilde which actually was not published until 1959 long after her death. She had a nervous breakdown when her husband died and moved backed to her home town with her son not long after. Mary wrote a few more novels until her death in 1851 which may have been from a brain tumor. I think it is very funny how her most famous story was written for a contest amongst friends. One quick note about what I have read so far is that i find it interesting how the beginning of the story is in letters amongst two people and is story telling. This is very similar to the beginning of Dracula I am wondering if there is a connection.
The Cider House Rules by John Irving
Cameron A writes:
Right now I am reading "The Cider House Rules" by John Irving. My book is the 6th novle that Irving has published. He has been been compared with the likes of Charles Dickens. Irving was born in Exeter, New Hampshire on March 2, 1942. When he was growing up he enjoyed wrestling and writing the most. He attended the University of Pittsburgh and the Institute for Europens studies in Vienna. He graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 1965 and then earned his M.F.A. at the University of Iowa.Irving went on to teach at the writers workshop in Iowa. He has been awarded many fellowships from the National Endowment for the arts, and the Rockerfeller Foundation. Irving is the father of three sons, he lives in Vermont and Toronto with his wife/literary agent. In 1969 he published his first novel, "Setting Free The Bears", which was very successful and praised by The New York Times. "The World According To Garp", was a worldwide bestseller when it was published in 1978. In the 1980's Irving had a stretch of many succesful novels like "The Hotel New Hampshire", published in 1981. Then in 1985 he published his best work, "The Cider House Rules". His last novel published in the 1980's was, "A Prayer For Owen Meany", in 1989. His string of bestsellers continued in the 1990's with "A Son Of The Circus" (1994), "Trying To Save Piggy Sneed" (1996), "A Widow For One Year" (1998). In November 1999 Irving's memoir of his own life was published. In December 1999 "The Cider House Rules", was realeased as a movie in which Irving played a non speaking role. In January 2000, "A Son Of The Circus", was made in India. John Irving was an author who was constantly credited and loved by all critics, magazines, newspapers, readers, and fellow writers/authors. He was an inspiring figure in the field of literature.
Right now I am reading "The Cider House Rules" by John Irving. My book is the 6th novle that Irving has published. He has been been compared with the likes of Charles Dickens. Irving was born in Exeter, New Hampshire on March 2, 1942. When he was growing up he enjoyed wrestling and writing the most. He attended the University of Pittsburgh and the Institute for Europens studies in Vienna. He graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 1965 and then earned his M.F.A. at the University of Iowa.Irving went on to teach at the writers workshop in Iowa. He has been awarded many fellowships from the National Endowment for the arts, and the Rockerfeller Foundation. Irving is the father of three sons, he lives in Vermont and Toronto with his wife/literary agent. In 1969 he published his first novel, "Setting Free The Bears", which was very successful and praised by The New York Times. "The World According To Garp", was a worldwide bestseller when it was published in 1978. In the 1980's Irving had a stretch of many succesful novels like "The Hotel New Hampshire", published in 1981. Then in 1985 he published his best work, "The Cider House Rules". His last novel published in the 1980's was, "A Prayer For Owen Meany", in 1989. His string of bestsellers continued in the 1990's with "A Son Of The Circus" (1994), "Trying To Save Piggy Sneed" (1996), "A Widow For One Year" (1998). In November 1999 Irving's memoir of his own life was published. In December 1999 "The Cider House Rules", was realeased as a movie in which Irving played a non speaking role. In January 2000, "A Son Of The Circus", was made in India. John Irving was an author who was constantly credited and loved by all critics, magazines, newspapers, readers, and fellow writers/authors. He was an inspiring figure in the field of literature.
Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
Ali writes:
For my independant reading book, I am reading Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. Emily Bronte was born on July 30th, 1818 in Thornton, Yorkshire, in northern England. She had 5 brothers and sisters and a mother who died of cancer in 1821. Emily had a hard childhood, switching from school to school, and living in poor conditions. Although Emily wasn’t the only writer in her family, her and her sisters Charlotte and Anne wrote poetry together. Her first published work was her 21 poems contributed into a book made by Currer Ellis and Acton Bell in 1846. After that Emily only wrote one novel, the novel I am reading, Wuthering Heights. At first the novel was not a huge success, but in time people realized the greatness of the story, and the book began to sell. Emily died at age 30 in 1848, making herself known as the greatest writer in the Bronte family.
Information from:
[ http://www.haworth-village.org.uk/brontes/emily/emily.asp ]http://www.haworth-village.org.uk/brontes/emily/emily.asp
For my independant reading book, I am reading Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. Emily Bronte was born on July 30th, 1818 in Thornton, Yorkshire, in northern England. She had 5 brothers and sisters and a mother who died of cancer in 1821. Emily had a hard childhood, switching from school to school, and living in poor conditions. Although Emily wasn’t the only writer in her family, her and her sisters Charlotte and Anne wrote poetry together. Her first published work was her 21 poems contributed into a book made by Currer Ellis and Acton Bell in 1846. After that Emily only wrote one novel, the novel I am reading, Wuthering Heights. At first the novel was not a huge success, but in time people realized the greatness of the story, and the book began to sell. Emily died at age 30 in 1848, making herself known as the greatest writer in the Bronte family.
Information from:
[ http://www.haworth-village.org.uk/brontes/emily/emily.asp ]http://www.haworth-village.org.uk/brontes/emily/emily.asp
Gustave Flaubert
Norah H writes:
Gustave Flaubert was born on December 12th, 1821 in Rouen, France. He lived with his five siblings and his mother and father. His father was a surgeon who died in 1846 and his mother was the daughter of a physician and a very influential woman who dies in 1872. Flaubert attended Collège Royal de Rouen in the 1830s. Once his father died, he resided in Rouen for his whole life. He had what was most likely epilepsy which started in the early 1840s, so he was home most of the time. This peace and quiet gave him plenty of time to write. In 1848, Flaubert went to Paris to witness the Revolution with good friend Louis Boilhet. In 1851, he travelled to Egypt with Maxime Du Camp, a fellow author. In the late 1850s, Madame Bovary was published and in 1857, he was unsuccessfully prosecuted. He soon publishes Salammb, and then became very ill. He continued to write, but had multiple unfinished novels when he passed away in 1872.
Gustave Flaubert was born on December 12th, 1821 in Rouen, France. He lived with his five siblings and his mother and father. His father was a surgeon who died in 1846 and his mother was the daughter of a physician and a very influential woman who dies in 1872. Flaubert attended Collège Royal de Rouen in the 1830s. Once his father died, he resided in Rouen for his whole life. He had what was most likely epilepsy which started in the early 1840s, so he was home most of the time. This peace and quiet gave him plenty of time to write. In 1848, Flaubert went to Paris to witness the Revolution with good friend Louis Boilhet. In 1851, he travelled to Egypt with Maxime Du Camp, a fellow author. In the late 1850s, Madame Bovary was published and in 1857, he was unsuccessfully prosecuted. He soon publishes Salammb, and then became very ill. He continued to write, but had multiple unfinished novels when he passed away in 1872.
Dracula, by Bram Stoker
Matt J writes:
For independent reading I chose to read the novel Dracula, by Bram Stoker. I’m not too far in the story yet but it is starting to get interesting. This book starts off with the main character Jonathan Harker narrating the novel. Writing in his rather interesting journal. He is on his way to Transylvania where he is planning on meeting the count, Dracula. As Harker tells the locals where he plans on going they were speechless. They started making weird actions regarding signs to call off an evil eye. Harker thinks nothing of it and gets on his carriage. The ride was horrifying for the man. This ride consisted of howling wolves, a mysterious carriage driver, and scary blue fires throughout the night. He finally arrives to the counts’ castle where he meets the bone chilling count. Canine fangs, red lips, and pale-white skin. Harker thinks nothing of it and thinks of the count as a nice friendly man. As time goes on Jonathan becomes suspicious. He never sees the count out during the day. So Harker too starts living in a nocturnal lifestyle just so he can talk to this strange man.
For independent reading I chose to read the novel Dracula, by Bram Stoker. I’m not too far in the story yet but it is starting to get interesting. This book starts off with the main character Jonathan Harker narrating the novel. Writing in his rather interesting journal. He is on his way to Transylvania where he is planning on meeting the count, Dracula. As Harker tells the locals where he plans on going they were speechless. They started making weird actions regarding signs to call off an evil eye. Harker thinks nothing of it and gets on his carriage. The ride was horrifying for the man. This ride consisted of howling wolves, a mysterious carriage driver, and scary blue fires throughout the night. He finally arrives to the counts’ castle where he meets the bone chilling count. Canine fangs, red lips, and pale-white skin. Harker thinks nothing of it and thinks of the count as a nice friendly man. As time goes on Jonathan becomes suspicious. He never sees the count out during the day. So Harker too starts living in a nocturnal lifestyle just so he can talk to this strange man.
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