Raffi writes:
My independent reading book, In Cold Blood, by Truman Capote, is about the murder of a family in Kansas, which took place in November 15, 1959. I have just gotten to the point in the novel after the family was murdered and their neighbors are discovering the bodies. The novel so far switches back between the story of the Clutters (the victims), and the two criminals, whose names are Dick and Perry. The Clutters are a family who live in Holcomb, Kansas, and are possibly the most well known and well respected people around the area. Mr. Clutter is a successful man, chairman of the Kansas Conference of Farm Organizations. The Clutter children are all very bright and kind kids, especially Nancy, a very intelligent girl who Capote describes teaching another young girl how to bake pies. The only person in the Clutter family who is really different from the rest is Mrs. Clutter, who is in bad health and has been a psychiatric patient for the past six years.
When Truman Capote introduces Dick and Perry, neither of them seem like your typical criminal. Rather than being rough and tough, Dick and Perry seem more like intellectual and sophisticated young men each with dreams of settling down ad having a family some day. Eventually Capote does go into a little bit of detail about their criminal background, and talks about each character’s time in jail. He doesn’t even make the pair seem like bad guys, which is what still confuses me about why they chose to murder the Clutter family. One of the strange things about the murder is that Dick and Perry act as if they were obliged to do it. During the course of their trip to Holcomb Kansas, they continually speak of the murder as if it were something they had to get out of the way before they could move on with their lives.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Madame Bovary
Joanne writes:
The novel, Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert has a lot of complicated ideas and so far it’s just the beginning of it all. In the beginning of the novel we follow Charles Bovary to his first day of school and with his family. We then follow him through life and from college to college to his first wife, and to their home where Charles is a doctor. He travels around to people in help. One night when someone got a fractured there leg he came and while there met the patient’s daughter Emma. Charles comes often after this to check up on his leg but stays much later to talk to Emma. They fall in love and all this time his first wife is at home. She starts to suspect something and wants him to not go over any more. She becomes sick and the bank takes all her money that she lied to Charles about and she dies soon after. After her death Charles sees Emma more often and they decide to get married but they have to wait a while so Charles will seem to be getting over his mourn. A while after their marriage Emma does not receive what she expected. She was hoping for what she reads in the books, a passionate and loving marriage but she becomes bored. Charles was happier than her. One of Charles’ patients invites them to a ball when he realizes that she is not a country type girl and she is beautiful and sophisticated enough that he decides to invite them. When they get there Emma is amazed by the ball but embarrassed by her husband who she feels does not fit in. This is where I have been able to read up to and I am looking forward to reading more.
The novel, Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert has a lot of complicated ideas and so far it’s just the beginning of it all. In the beginning of the novel we follow Charles Bovary to his first day of school and with his family. We then follow him through life and from college to college to his first wife, and to their home where Charles is a doctor. He travels around to people in help. One night when someone got a fractured there leg he came and while there met the patient’s daughter Emma. Charles comes often after this to check up on his leg but stays much later to talk to Emma. They fall in love and all this time his first wife is at home. She starts to suspect something and wants him to not go over any more. She becomes sick and the bank takes all her money that she lied to Charles about and she dies soon after. After her death Charles sees Emma more often and they decide to get married but they have to wait a while so Charles will seem to be getting over his mourn. A while after their marriage Emma does not receive what she expected. She was hoping for what she reads in the books, a passionate and loving marriage but she becomes bored. Charles was happier than her. One of Charles’ patients invites them to a ball when he realizes that she is not a country type girl and she is beautiful and sophisticated enough that he decides to invite them. When they get there Emma is amazed by the ball but embarrassed by her husband who she feels does not fit in. This is where I have been able to read up to and I am looking forward to reading more.
Mill on the Floss
Stephanie writes:
Mill on the Floss by George Eliot is a novel about the childhoods of the brother and sister, Tom and Maggie Tulliver, who live on a river in a village in England during the early 1800’s. Maggie is an emotional girl, who is attached to Tom. She is very intelligent and imaginative, although her family members overlook this intelligence. Maggie makes many rash decisions and is constantly chided by her aunts and mother because of this behavior. However, she does not care what anyone in her life thinks, the only exception to this being Tom. Tom is a boy who enjoys the outdoors. He believes that common knowledge is more important than scholarly education. He always acts in a fair and dignified manner. Tom’s father decides to send Tom to a good school at the request of a family friend, in hopes that his only son would help the family’s economic situation if they had someone smart enough to deal with their financial needs. Tom is not interested in school and his teacher thinks he has poor learning abilities.
The novel begins with Maggie waiting for Toms return from his old school. She is anxious and excited for his arrival. Meanwhile, her father has come to the conclusion that Tom will go to a new school next year. The brother and sister bond together when he comes home from school. Soon after, the Tulliver family hosts Thanksgiving at their house. All Mrs. Tulliver’s sisters are invited, along with their husbands. After many comments from her aunts about the state of her hair, Lucy decides to cut part of it off. She is self conscious of the haircut but is comforted by her father. A little while later, Tom is off to school. As the only student of Mr. Stelling, his progress is closely monitored. Tom is terrible at Latin and her wishes for Maggie’s presence during this tough time for him.
Mill on the Floss by George Eliot is a novel about the childhoods of the brother and sister, Tom and Maggie Tulliver, who live on a river in a village in England during the early 1800’s. Maggie is an emotional girl, who is attached to Tom. She is very intelligent and imaginative, although her family members overlook this intelligence. Maggie makes many rash decisions and is constantly chided by her aunts and mother because of this behavior. However, she does not care what anyone in her life thinks, the only exception to this being Tom. Tom is a boy who enjoys the outdoors. He believes that common knowledge is more important than scholarly education. He always acts in a fair and dignified manner. Tom’s father decides to send Tom to a good school at the request of a family friend, in hopes that his only son would help the family’s economic situation if they had someone smart enough to deal with their financial needs. Tom is not interested in school and his teacher thinks he has poor learning abilities.
The novel begins with Maggie waiting for Toms return from his old school. She is anxious and excited for his arrival. Meanwhile, her father has come to the conclusion that Tom will go to a new school next year. The brother and sister bond together when he comes home from school. Soon after, the Tulliver family hosts Thanksgiving at their house. All Mrs. Tulliver’s sisters are invited, along with their husbands. After many comments from her aunts about the state of her hair, Lucy decides to cut part of it off. She is self conscious of the haircut but is comforted by her father. A little while later, Tom is off to school. As the only student of Mr. Stelling, his progress is closely monitored. Tom is terrible at Latin and her wishes for Maggie’s presence during this tough time for him.
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
George writes:
I am reading The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain. When I first began reading this book, I didn’t understand anything that was going on. The book had started with Tom Sawyer starting a club. The club of bandits, they all swore under oath. If any of them disobeyed the rules of the club or betrayed the club, they would kill one of their family members. When I first read that, I was in shock that the club is that serious. I would soon learn that this club is far from serious. They pretend to rob people and pretend to kill people. That would have been something, kids killing people. Later in the book Huck Finn is in the woods with his father. He calls him pap. He lived in a small cabin. He would leave Huckleberry in the cabin all day and he would leave and return to the cabin drunk. Pap was a drunk.
Huck escapes from the cabin and kills a pig leaves the blood on the floor to stage his own death, as if a robber had broke in and killed him. Huck waited till the moon rose so he may start rowing to Jackson’s island and leave. He woke up and began to row not to be seen down to Jackson’s island. The next day Huck notices a boat carrying Pap and a lot of other people that know Huck they where all searching for Huck’s corpse. He was happy that they were trying to find his corpse. But he felt terrible about the people that actually cared about him, such as Widow Douglas.
I am reading The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain. When I first began reading this book, I didn’t understand anything that was going on. The book had started with Tom Sawyer starting a club. The club of bandits, they all swore under oath. If any of them disobeyed the rules of the club or betrayed the club, they would kill one of their family members. When I first read that, I was in shock that the club is that serious. I would soon learn that this club is far from serious. They pretend to rob people and pretend to kill people. That would have been something, kids killing people. Later in the book Huck Finn is in the woods with his father. He calls him pap. He lived in a small cabin. He would leave Huckleberry in the cabin all day and he would leave and return to the cabin drunk. Pap was a drunk.
Huck escapes from the cabin and kills a pig leaves the blood on the floor to stage his own death, as if a robber had broke in and killed him. Huck waited till the moon rose so he may start rowing to Jackson’s island and leave. He woke up and began to row not to be seen down to Jackson’s island. The next day Huck notices a boat carrying Pap and a lot of other people that know Huck they where all searching for Huck’s corpse. He was happy that they were trying to find his corpse. But he felt terrible about the people that actually cared about him, such as Widow Douglas.
Dracula
Sam writes:
In Bram Stokers Dracula, a newly qualified English solicitor named John Harker travels from England to Count Dracula remote castle atop the Carpathian Mountains in Transylvania. He is sent to Dracula’s castle to oversee the legal aspects of a real-estate transaction for the Count. Quickly Harker becomes entranced by the gracious and friendly hospitality Count Dracula shows him. However this happiness quickly turn’s to fear as Harker discovers that he is actually a prisoner of Count Dracula, with no means of escape. Eventually Harker begins to witness some of Dracula’s bizarre nocturnal qualities. He sees the Count crawling down the castle wall like a lizard, and resting in a coffin during the day. As he continues to investigate John Harker is nearly killed by three female vampires who are the counts mistresses. At the last minute he is saved by Dracula, because the Count wants to keep Harker alive so he can learn as much about England and London as possible. The Count then plans to travel there and pray-upon the millions of innocent English men and women.
When Harker does eventually escape the Count’s castle he travels to Budapest where he marries his fiancée Mina. In Budapest, Mina informers Harker of the encounter her friend Lucy Westerna had with Count Dracula. People claimed that Lucy and her mother were walking through the woods at night when there were attacked and killed by a wolf. However with the help and diagnosis of Abraham Van Helsing, the trio quickly realizes that Lucy has been turned into a vampire. At night Lucy goes around terrorizing the town’s people, and waits for innocent traveler’s lurking in the forest. To break the spell, Van Helsing and Lucy’s suitors track down Lucy and stake her through the heart and fill her beheaded head with garlic. Count Dracula quickly takes a swift revenge and bites Mina, turning her into a vampire. To save her John Harker, Van Helsing, and Lucy’s suitors travel back to Dracula’s castle in Transylvania where they confront him for the final time. The curse on Mina is broken, as the groups of men kill Count Dracula by stabbing him thought the throat and heart with knives. After the Count crumbles to dust the remaining two suitors along with Mina, John Harker, and Van Helsing, all return home safely to England.
In Bram Stokers Dracula, a newly qualified English solicitor named John Harker travels from England to Count Dracula remote castle atop the Carpathian Mountains in Transylvania. He is sent to Dracula’s castle to oversee the legal aspects of a real-estate transaction for the Count. Quickly Harker becomes entranced by the gracious and friendly hospitality Count Dracula shows him. However this happiness quickly turn’s to fear as Harker discovers that he is actually a prisoner of Count Dracula, with no means of escape. Eventually Harker begins to witness some of Dracula’s bizarre nocturnal qualities. He sees the Count crawling down the castle wall like a lizard, and resting in a coffin during the day. As he continues to investigate John Harker is nearly killed by three female vampires who are the counts mistresses. At the last minute he is saved by Dracula, because the Count wants to keep Harker alive so he can learn as much about England and London as possible. The Count then plans to travel there and pray-upon the millions of innocent English men and women.
When Harker does eventually escape the Count’s castle he travels to Budapest where he marries his fiancée Mina. In Budapest, Mina informers Harker of the encounter her friend Lucy Westerna had with Count Dracula. People claimed that Lucy and her mother were walking through the woods at night when there were attacked and killed by a wolf. However with the help and diagnosis of Abraham Van Helsing, the trio quickly realizes that Lucy has been turned into a vampire. At night Lucy goes around terrorizing the town’s people, and waits for innocent traveler’s lurking in the forest. To break the spell, Van Helsing and Lucy’s suitors track down Lucy and stake her through the heart and fill her beheaded head with garlic. Count Dracula quickly takes a swift revenge and bites Mina, turning her into a vampire. To save her John Harker, Van Helsing, and Lucy’s suitors travel back to Dracula’s castle in Transylvania where they confront him for the final time. The curse on Mina is broken, as the groups of men kill Count Dracula by stabbing him thought the throat and heart with knives. After the Count crumbles to dust the remaining two suitors along with Mina, John Harker, and Van Helsing, all return home safely to England.
Jane Eyre
Lena writes:
So far in the novel Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte various important events have taken place. In the beginning of the novel Jane Eyre (the protagonist) is introduced as an orphan who was adopted into the Reed family by Mr. Reed. Who on his death bed made Mrs. Reed promise to rear and maintain Jane as if she was one of her own children. Mrs. Reed found it irksome to love a child she viewed as an interloper. Therefore she treated Jane poorly with constant unjust accusations. Jane tried to rebel on many occasions. On one such occasion she was being tormented by John Reed (Mrs. Reed’s son) and had a book thrown at her head causing a bleeding gash oh Jane head, she decided she had, had enough and lashed out at John. Bessie (the Reed’s governess) then walked in and scolded Jane and told Mrs. Reed about the incident. Mrs. Reed lost her tolerance towards Jane and sent her to the “Red room”, where Jane was instructed to sit in silence until she was told to do otherwise. The Red room is rumored to be haunted by Mr. Reed’s ghost. Jane grew hysteric, then pleaded to be let out, threw a fit, and passed out. After that day Jane had developed an ill manner. Mrs. Reed concluded that Jane was not stable enough or emotionally controlled enough to interact with any being. Therefore Jane was to be sent away to Lowood. Lowood is a school run by Mr. Brocklehurst, whose goal is to use the Christian faith to teach naughty girls with wicked hearts to become an acceptable well mannered; well educated woman. Jane’s grateful for this opportunity to escape her current living situation, for Jane wishes to never see the Reed family again. Jane easily adapts to her new surroundings at Lowood. The school is poorly funded, strict, cramped, and has little food to go around. Jane befriends an upper classmen named Helen and a teacher named Ms. Temple. Jane struggles to be accepted and seen as a well behaved, enlightened pupil. As Jane finally feels secure and has her life in order her progress is destroyed when Mr. Brocklehurst comes for a visit. While he is lecturing and criticizing Lowood, Mr. Brocklehurst scolds a girl for wearing her slate in the wrong manner. Jane tries to secure her own safety by taking out her slate but as she drops it in the process and is scrutinized by Mr. Brocklehurst. He tells her peers to ostracize her as punishment. I’m currently in the middle of the scene where Jane is found crying and taken to Mrs. Temple's room along with Helen for comfort.
So far in the novel Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte various important events have taken place. In the beginning of the novel Jane Eyre (the protagonist) is introduced as an orphan who was adopted into the Reed family by Mr. Reed. Who on his death bed made Mrs. Reed promise to rear and maintain Jane as if she was one of her own children. Mrs. Reed found it irksome to love a child she viewed as an interloper. Therefore she treated Jane poorly with constant unjust accusations. Jane tried to rebel on many occasions. On one such occasion she was being tormented by John Reed (Mrs. Reed’s son) and had a book thrown at her head causing a bleeding gash oh Jane head, she decided she had, had enough and lashed out at John. Bessie (the Reed’s governess) then walked in and scolded Jane and told Mrs. Reed about the incident. Mrs. Reed lost her tolerance towards Jane and sent her to the “Red room”, where Jane was instructed to sit in silence until she was told to do otherwise. The Red room is rumored to be haunted by Mr. Reed’s ghost. Jane grew hysteric, then pleaded to be let out, threw a fit, and passed out. After that day Jane had developed an ill manner. Mrs. Reed concluded that Jane was not stable enough or emotionally controlled enough to interact with any being. Therefore Jane was to be sent away to Lowood. Lowood is a school run by Mr. Brocklehurst, whose goal is to use the Christian faith to teach naughty girls with wicked hearts to become an acceptable well mannered; well educated woman. Jane’s grateful for this opportunity to escape her current living situation, for Jane wishes to never see the Reed family again. Jane easily adapts to her new surroundings at Lowood. The school is poorly funded, strict, cramped, and has little food to go around. Jane befriends an upper classmen named Helen and a teacher named Ms. Temple. Jane struggles to be accepted and seen as a well behaved, enlightened pupil. As Jane finally feels secure and has her life in order her progress is destroyed when Mr. Brocklehurst comes for a visit. While he is lecturing and criticizing Lowood, Mr. Brocklehurst scolds a girl for wearing her slate in the wrong manner. Jane tries to secure her own safety by taking out her slate but as she drops it in the process and is scrutinized by Mr. Brocklehurst. He tells her peers to ostracize her as punishment. I’m currently in the middle of the scene where Jane is found crying and taken to Mrs. Temple's room along with Helen for comfort.
The Count of Monte Cristo
Tory writes:
So far in the novel The Count of Monte Cristo, a nineteen year old man named Edmond Dantes had the perfect life. Dantes was about to become the captain of a ship, he was engaged to a beautiful woman, Mercedes, and he was well liked by everyone. His perfect life starts to change when jealousy happenes between Edmond and his friends. The treasurer of Dantes' ship doesn't really like Dante and his success. The treasurer, Fernand Mondego is in love with Dantes fiancee, which also causes trouble. Together, three men send a letter accusing Dantes of treason, which he is later on arrested for on his wedding day. The deputy, Villefort, is prepared to set Dantes free. Though, at the last moment, Dantes jeopardizes his freedom by revealing the name of the man who is supposed to deliver Napoleon's letter. The man is Villefort's father, so Villefort decides to keep Dantes in prison for life. While in prison, Dantes meets Abbe Faria, who has been in jail for political views. Faria turns Dantes into a well educated man. She also tells him about a large hidden treasure on the island of Monte Cristo. When Faria died, Dantes hid himself, and was thrown into the sea, where he was able to swim to freedom. When Dantes arives to Monte Cristo, he finds Faria's huge treasure, and considers his fortune a gift from God. Disguising himself as an Italian priest who answers to the name of Abbé Busoni, he travels back to Marseilles and visits Caderousse, who is now struggling to make a living as an innkeeper. Dantès learns that his father has died of grief in his absence and that Mercédès has married Fernand Mondego. Most frustrating, he learns that both Danglars and Mondego have become rich and powerful and are living happily in Paris. Ten years later, Edmond arrives to Rome, calling himself The Count of Monte Cristo. In Rome Dantès ingratiates himself to Albert de Morcerf, son of Fernand Mondego and Mercédès, by saving him from bandits. In return for the favor, Albert introduces Dantès to Parisian society.
So far in the novel The Count of Monte Cristo, a nineteen year old man named Edmond Dantes had the perfect life. Dantes was about to become the captain of a ship, he was engaged to a beautiful woman, Mercedes, and he was well liked by everyone. His perfect life starts to change when jealousy happenes between Edmond and his friends. The treasurer of Dantes' ship doesn't really like Dante and his success. The treasurer, Fernand Mondego is in love with Dantes fiancee, which also causes trouble. Together, three men send a letter accusing Dantes of treason, which he is later on arrested for on his wedding day. The deputy, Villefort, is prepared to set Dantes free. Though, at the last moment, Dantes jeopardizes his freedom by revealing the name of the man who is supposed to deliver Napoleon's letter. The man is Villefort's father, so Villefort decides to keep Dantes in prison for life. While in prison, Dantes meets Abbe Faria, who has been in jail for political views. Faria turns Dantes into a well educated man. She also tells him about a large hidden treasure on the island of Monte Cristo. When Faria died, Dantes hid himself, and was thrown into the sea, where he was able to swim to freedom. When Dantes arives to Monte Cristo, he finds Faria's huge treasure, and considers his fortune a gift from God. Disguising himself as an Italian priest who answers to the name of Abbé Busoni, he travels back to Marseilles and visits Caderousse, who is now struggling to make a living as an innkeeper. Dantès learns that his father has died of grief in his absence and that Mercédès has married Fernand Mondego. Most frustrating, he learns that both Danglars and Mondego have become rich and powerful and are living happily in Paris. Ten years later, Edmond arrives to Rome, calling himself The Count of Monte Cristo. In Rome Dantès ingratiates himself to Albert de Morcerf, son of Fernand Mondego and Mercédès, by saving him from bandits. In return for the favor, Albert introduces Dantès to Parisian society.
Monday, January 25, 2010
All Souls by Michael Patrick MacDonald
Jordan writes:
Michael Patrick MacDonald, author of All Souls and Easter Rising, was born in South Boston, Massachusetts, “Southie,” on March 9, 1966 to a proud, large, Irish-American family. Growing up in Southie life was more than challenging. Money was tight in Southie. The majority of the population within Southie collected welfare, and nearly 85 percent of the families were made up of single parents, single mothers to be exact. The town evolved into crime and violence. Drug dealers dealt on common street corners and everyman owned a gun. By the time MacDonald was grown up, there had been over 200 executions in his town, including a few of his brothers.
Growing up in South Boston was perhaps the most influential experience in MacDonald’s life. He became an activist against crime and violence, writing two novels to support his cause and share his story. Before writing his first novel, MacDonald also helped push off Boston’s gun-buyback program. His efforts have confiscated thousands of unnecessary weapons from unqualified hands. In 1999Michael Patrick MacDonald received the 1999 Daily Points award, an award which honors those who connects Americans through community service, along with multiple fellowships.
He is currently living in Brooklyn, New York, writing and public speaking about his experiences on race and violence. He believes in healing and social change and to this day he has been working toward those goals. Sometimes he returns to Southie and reminisces about his childhood, the place his mother once referred to as, “the best place in the world.” All the tragedy and deaths that occurred and the families that were affected. Hopefully one day Michael Patrick MacDonald will accomplish what he aims for.
Michael Patrick MacDonald, author of All Souls and Easter Rising, was born in South Boston, Massachusetts, “Southie,” on March 9, 1966 to a proud, large, Irish-American family. Growing up in Southie life was more than challenging. Money was tight in Southie. The majority of the population within Southie collected welfare, and nearly 85 percent of the families were made up of single parents, single mothers to be exact. The town evolved into crime and violence. Drug dealers dealt on common street corners and everyman owned a gun. By the time MacDonald was grown up, there had been over 200 executions in his town, including a few of his brothers.
Growing up in South Boston was perhaps the most influential experience in MacDonald’s life. He became an activist against crime and violence, writing two novels to support his cause and share his story. Before writing his first novel, MacDonald also helped push off Boston’s gun-buyback program. His efforts have confiscated thousands of unnecessary weapons from unqualified hands. In 1999Michael Patrick MacDonald received the 1999 Daily Points award, an award which honors those who connects Americans through community service, along with multiple fellowships.
He is currently living in Brooklyn, New York, writing and public speaking about his experiences on race and violence. He believes in healing and social change and to this day he has been working toward those goals. Sometimes he returns to Southie and reminisces about his childhood, the place his mother once referred to as, “the best place in the world.” All the tragedy and deaths that occurred and the families that were affected. Hopefully one day Michael Patrick MacDonald will accomplish what he aims for.
All Souls: A Story from Southie by Michael Patrick MacDonald
Olivia writes:
Every best-selling novel must have some kind of a theme or purpose to it's story. Many factors influence the author and informs the authors purpose. I am currently reading "All Souls: A Story from Southie", a memoir or autobiography written by Michael Patrick MacDonald. Recently started reading is "All Souls: A Story from Southie" by Michael Patrick MacDonald. Michael Patrick MacDonald includes his personal life experiences in this story. He was born in Boston in 1966. His novel “All Souls: A Story from Southie” is about his childhood experiences. I have only read half way through this novel, so I do not know how the story ends yet. But so far in the story it explains what happened in his family before he was even born. When he was too little to remember events that happened he tells the stories that his mother told him when he got older. I found the beginning of this novel boring to read because it was giving background information on Southie and there was no story, it was more like a list of facts. But the other chapters were extremely enjoyable to read.
This novel is about Michael Patrick MacDonald’s family and how they grew up living in the projects of Southie under the support of the governments social welfare. It seems like Michael’s mother was the most important person in his life (at least so far in the novel). She married a man named Dave MacDonald who was the father of seven of her children but he was a terrible father. Their mother had to raise her children alone as well as being beaten by Dave or who she calls “Mac”. Since she was Catholic she was not allowed to divorce Mac. But she thought it was the best thing to do considering that she didn’t need him to support her or their children and he would only hurt her. She finally got away from him but occasionally he would come to her home and beat her and their oldest son. Their oldest son was effected by this beating. He was always a brilliant student and when he was fourteen he was accepted in a very highly educational school when he got a nervous breakdown and was sent to a mental hospital. Their mother was tough though. She became stronger instead of crazy as a result of the beatings. She had muscles and skills, while she still looked stunning after having so many children. She was a very good mother and was always there for her children even when times were tough. When she was eight months pregnant with Seamus, a woman put up a fight with her. Even though the other woman was in perfect shape and was not pregnant Michael’s mother won! If she needed back up she had three of her own personal bodyguards (her three oldest sons). Since his older brothers and his older sister Mary had a reputation for being tough, no one would harm Michael without reason because they knew that if they did, then they would have to deal with his siblings. Which was a good thing since Michael did not want to fight and was not very good at it either.
He was the seventh child out of eight children. The only child that was not from the same Dave MacDonald was the youngest child, Seamus, who Michael was over protective of when he was a baby because Seamus was Michael’s only younger brother. Even when his mother was pregnant with Seamus Michael was worried something might happen to either her or the baby. For example, on Saint Patrick’s Day his mother was playing her guitar in a pub so he was waiting for her outside with his cousin. There was a trouble maker in the pub and the manager called the cops. When the cops got there, they started beating everyone in the pub up even though the cops were only called to get one guy out of there. When Michael, who was only five or six at the time, saw this he was extremely worried that his mother might die because they were killing innocent people in there. But she came home and only had a headache, so both her as well as the baby were fine.
Michael Patrick MacDonald, in my opinion, did a great job retelling his childhood. He includes so much information and details so that it is easy for the reader to understand what is happening. He tells the story from a child’s prospective so that the reader imagines a child telling the story. So far this novel has been a great story to read. I can’t wait to finish reading it!
Every best-selling novel must have some kind of a theme or purpose to it's story. Many factors influence the author and informs the authors purpose. I am currently reading "All Souls: A Story from Southie", a memoir or autobiography written by Michael Patrick MacDonald. Recently started reading is "All Souls: A Story from Southie" by Michael Patrick MacDonald. Michael Patrick MacDonald includes his personal life experiences in this story. He was born in Boston in 1966. His novel “All Souls: A Story from Southie” is about his childhood experiences. I have only read half way through this novel, so I do not know how the story ends yet. But so far in the story it explains what happened in his family before he was even born. When he was too little to remember events that happened he tells the stories that his mother told him when he got older. I found the beginning of this novel boring to read because it was giving background information on Southie and there was no story, it was more like a list of facts. But the other chapters were extremely enjoyable to read.
This novel is about Michael Patrick MacDonald’s family and how they grew up living in the projects of Southie under the support of the governments social welfare. It seems like Michael’s mother was the most important person in his life (at least so far in the novel). She married a man named Dave MacDonald who was the father of seven of her children but he was a terrible father. Their mother had to raise her children alone as well as being beaten by Dave or who she calls “Mac”. Since she was Catholic she was not allowed to divorce Mac. But she thought it was the best thing to do considering that she didn’t need him to support her or their children and he would only hurt her. She finally got away from him but occasionally he would come to her home and beat her and their oldest son. Their oldest son was effected by this beating. He was always a brilliant student and when he was fourteen he was accepted in a very highly educational school when he got a nervous breakdown and was sent to a mental hospital. Their mother was tough though. She became stronger instead of crazy as a result of the beatings. She had muscles and skills, while she still looked stunning after having so many children. She was a very good mother and was always there for her children even when times were tough. When she was eight months pregnant with Seamus, a woman put up a fight with her. Even though the other woman was in perfect shape and was not pregnant Michael’s mother won! If she needed back up she had three of her own personal bodyguards (her three oldest sons). Since his older brothers and his older sister Mary had a reputation for being tough, no one would harm Michael without reason because they knew that if they did, then they would have to deal with his siblings. Which was a good thing since Michael did not want to fight and was not very good at it either.
He was the seventh child out of eight children. The only child that was not from the same Dave MacDonald was the youngest child, Seamus, who Michael was over protective of when he was a baby because Seamus was Michael’s only younger brother. Even when his mother was pregnant with Seamus Michael was worried something might happen to either her or the baby. For example, on Saint Patrick’s Day his mother was playing her guitar in a pub so he was waiting for her outside with his cousin. There was a trouble maker in the pub and the manager called the cops. When the cops got there, they started beating everyone in the pub up even though the cops were only called to get one guy out of there. When Michael, who was only five or six at the time, saw this he was extremely worried that his mother might die because they were killing innocent people in there. But she came home and only had a headache, so both her as well as the baby were fine.
Michael Patrick MacDonald, in my opinion, did a great job retelling his childhood. He includes so much information and details so that it is easy for the reader to understand what is happening. He tells the story from a child’s prospective so that the reader imagines a child telling the story. So far this novel has been a great story to read. I can’t wait to finish reading it!
Friday, January 22, 2010
The Collector by James Fowles
Lidia writes: The novel I am reading, The Collector by James Fowles, is a very compelling and suspenseful story. Clegg, a butterfly collector and a lonely store clerk who works in London, is very intrigued by a beautiful 21 year old art student named Miranda. At first he doesn't know her name so he would mark Miranda with an X in his so called "observation diary". In this diary he specifically keeps records of times when he would peer through his windows and watch her throughout the day. (I found this very strange and bizarre.) Clegg later on in the story finds out Miranda's real name and is now more than determined to get to know her. Although the conniving plot he has in mind might not be the most ordinary: He buys a van and a house in the country, (several miles away from London), with an enclosed room in its basement that he adjusts to make sheltered and kept away. When he returns to London, Clegg watches Miranda for 10 days. Then on a stormy night as she is walking home alone from the Cinema, he kidnaps her using a rag soaked in chloroform and a bit of carbon tetrachloride, straps her up in his van, takes her to his country house, and locks her in the cellar. She eventually wakes up with a gag in her mouth to see Clegg at the door with breakfast in hand. It seems as though she was puzzled and confused, yet not a sign of fear showed in her eyes. As days go by Miranda gets fed up with the whole situation and demands for her to be taken back home to London, and for which she swears not to say a word to anybody about the abduction. Clegg on the other hand was very offended by this saying but refuses to do anything about it. The strange thing is, is that he doesn't want to hurt Miranda in any way, he just wants her to love him as much as he loves her; basically a tale of obsessive love. I am yet to finish The Collector, and cannot wait to find out what happens next.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez
Lidia writes: I have just started reading the novel, One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez. So far in the beginning of the story, the author describes about a fictional town named Macondo that José Arcadio Buendía, the limitless and curious man has founded. In telling the story of Macondo’s founding, the book moves backward in time, with glimpses of what was to come in the future. I can’t wait to read and write more about the novel, but for now here are some interesting facts and some background knowledge of the author:
Gabriel García Márquez, a Columbian, was born in 1928 in the small town of Aracataca, situated in a tropical region of northern Colombia, between the mountains and the Caribbean Sea. He grew up with his maternal grandparent. his grandfather was a retirement funded colonel from the civil war at the beginning of the century. Gabriel García Márquez attended the University of Bogota, began to read law, but his studies were soon interrupted for his interest work as a journalist. In 1954 he was sent to Rome on an assignment for his newspaper, and since then he has mostly lived abroad in Paris, New York, Barcelona and Mexico. He was a novelist and one of the greatest writers of the 20th century. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1982, particularly for his masterpiece written in 1967; One Hundred Years of Solitude. Along with [ http://us.mg2.mail.yahoo.com/EBchecked/topic/74100/Jorge-Luis-Borges ]Jorge Luis Borges, Gabriel García Márquez is the best known Latin American writer in history. He has also been a film critic for the Colombia newspaper, El Espectador. His books have been published in many countries and languages and is admired by many.
Gabriel García Márquez, a Columbian, was born in 1928 in the small town of Aracataca, situated in a tropical region of northern Colombia, between the mountains and the Caribbean Sea. He grew up with his maternal grandparent. his grandfather was a retirement funded colonel from the civil war at the beginning of the century. Gabriel García Márquez attended the University of Bogota, began to read law, but his studies were soon interrupted for his interest work as a journalist. In 1954 he was sent to Rome on an assignment for his newspaper, and since then he has mostly lived abroad in Paris, New York, Barcelona and Mexico. He was a novelist and one of the greatest writers of the 20th century. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1982, particularly for his masterpiece written in 1967; One Hundred Years of Solitude. Along with [ http://us.mg2.mail.yahoo.com/EBchecked/topic/74100/Jorge-Luis-Borges ]Jorge Luis Borges, Gabriel García Márquez is the best known Latin American writer in history. He has also been a film critic for the Colombia newspaper, El Espectador. His books have been published in many countries and languages and is admired by many.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Alice writes:
Pride & Prejudice
Pride and Prejudice opens with a conversation between the ever calm Mr. Bennet and his wife Mrs. Bennet. This conversation depicts their separate characters very well. Mrs. Bennet comes across as a busybody focused on getting her daughters married well. In the first scene, they are discussing the fact that a mansion not far from their town, Netherfield Hall, is being rented to a wealthy Mr. Bingley. Mrs. Bennet is quite excited to pronounce him single, and declare how wonderful it is for her five daughters. Mr. Bennet, sees no such thing, and indeed asks: "'How so? How can it affect them?'"(4) Mrs. Bennet is surprised by the question, and announces that Mr. Bingley must marry one of them. Mr. Bennet is amused by this, and proceeds to mock her. Mrs. Bennet, horrified by the light he is making of the situation, chides him: "'Mr. Bennet, how can you abuse your own children in such a way? You take delight in vexing me. You have no compassion for my poor nerves.'"(5) To which Mr. Bennet replies: "'You mistake me, my dear. I have a very high respect for your nerves. They are my old friends. I have heard you mention them with consideration these twenty years at least.'"(5)
The next scene happens a day or two later, while the family is together in the house. Mr. Bennet begins by teasing his wife and daughters about Mr. Bingley, and is well rewarded by Mrs. Bennet's offended manner that he has not yet visited Mr. Bingley. For indeed, in Jane Austen's time, it was improper for a wife and children to introduce themselves to someone of the higher class without the husband beginning the acquaintance. After a bit of amusement for Mr. Bennet, and some lamenting from Mrs. Bennet, it comes out that Mr. Bennet has indeed visited Mr. Bingley. This, of course, makes his daughters and wife exceedingly glad. They promptly set out to find an apple description of Mr. Bingley. When they do finally meet him at the dance, they are delighted to find him a pleasant, polite young man. His sisters are also much liked by the company, and declared to be "fine women, with an air of decided fashion"(10). His brother-in-law Mr. Hurst is not as well liked, but it is his friend, Mr. Darcy, whom everyone resolves to dislike. At first, Mr. Darcy is popular due to his ten thousand pounds a year, and his several estates, but upon the discovery that he is antisocial and does not dance, views of him begin to degrade. They see him as proud and impossible to please. Elizabeth Bennet, the second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, chooses to detest him when he insults her. Elizabeth, or Lizzy, a very stubborn, spirited, and deciding sort of girl, tells the story to her friends, causing them to dislike Mr. Darcy as well. Meanwhile, her older sister, Jane Bennet, has captured the admiration of Mr. Bingley. Due to her good looks and charming, sweet nature, Jane also wins the liking of his sisters, Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley. Even the disagreeable Mr. Darcy acknowledges her beauty. When they return home, Mrs. Bennet gushes to her husband about every partner Mr. Bingley had during the dance, much to his annoyance. Jane and Elizabeth, on the other hand, discuss Mr. Bingley in their time alone, and Jane appears to be smitten with him. Elizabeth compliments her on this, telling her that she is far to willing to see good in everyone: "'All the world is good and agreeable in your eyes.'"(14). The contrast between Jane and Elizabeth is made clear in this conversation. Jane is a shy. warmhearted girl who sees good in everyone. Elizabeth is cynical, spirited, who is perhaps the opposite of Jane in which she is far more ready to see the bad in another's character rather than the good. She is not wholly detesting of everyone, however. She adores Mr. Bingley as well, though not quite as much as her sister does, and gives Jane her permission to like him. The girls seem just as eager as their mother to marry well, but for different reasons. Elizabeth is even appalled by her mother's incessant focus. Mrs. Bennet works within reason, however. In that time era, women could not inherit. The only chance Mrs. Bennet's daughters are going to have of getting a decent life when Mr. Bennet dies is marrying wealthy men. It sounds like social climbing, but it's true. The girls are just interested in marrying because it is really all a young lady can do.
Pride & Prejudice
Pride and Prejudice opens with a conversation between the ever calm Mr. Bennet and his wife Mrs. Bennet. This conversation depicts their separate characters very well. Mrs. Bennet comes across as a busybody focused on getting her daughters married well. In the first scene, they are discussing the fact that a mansion not far from their town, Netherfield Hall, is being rented to a wealthy Mr. Bingley. Mrs. Bennet is quite excited to pronounce him single, and declare how wonderful it is for her five daughters. Mr. Bennet, sees no such thing, and indeed asks: "'How so? How can it affect them?'"(4) Mrs. Bennet is surprised by the question, and announces that Mr. Bingley must marry one of them. Mr. Bennet is amused by this, and proceeds to mock her. Mrs. Bennet, horrified by the light he is making of the situation, chides him: "'Mr. Bennet, how can you abuse your own children in such a way? You take delight in vexing me. You have no compassion for my poor nerves.'"(5) To which Mr. Bennet replies: "'You mistake me, my dear. I have a very high respect for your nerves. They are my old friends. I have heard you mention them with consideration these twenty years at least.'"(5)
The next scene happens a day or two later, while the family is together in the house. Mr. Bennet begins by teasing his wife and daughters about Mr. Bingley, and is well rewarded by Mrs. Bennet's offended manner that he has not yet visited Mr. Bingley. For indeed, in Jane Austen's time, it was improper for a wife and children to introduce themselves to someone of the higher class without the husband beginning the acquaintance. After a bit of amusement for Mr. Bennet, and some lamenting from Mrs. Bennet, it comes out that Mr. Bennet has indeed visited Mr. Bingley. This, of course, makes his daughters and wife exceedingly glad. They promptly set out to find an apple description of Mr. Bingley. When they do finally meet him at the dance, they are delighted to find him a pleasant, polite young man. His sisters are also much liked by the company, and declared to be "fine women, with an air of decided fashion"(10). His brother-in-law Mr. Hurst is not as well liked, but it is his friend, Mr. Darcy, whom everyone resolves to dislike. At first, Mr. Darcy is popular due to his ten thousand pounds a year, and his several estates, but upon the discovery that he is antisocial and does not dance, views of him begin to degrade. They see him as proud and impossible to please. Elizabeth Bennet, the second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, chooses to detest him when he insults her. Elizabeth, or Lizzy, a very stubborn, spirited, and deciding sort of girl, tells the story to her friends, causing them to dislike Mr. Darcy as well. Meanwhile, her older sister, Jane Bennet, has captured the admiration of Mr. Bingley. Due to her good looks and charming, sweet nature, Jane also wins the liking of his sisters, Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley. Even the disagreeable Mr. Darcy acknowledges her beauty. When they return home, Mrs. Bennet gushes to her husband about every partner Mr. Bingley had during the dance, much to his annoyance. Jane and Elizabeth, on the other hand, discuss Mr. Bingley in their time alone, and Jane appears to be smitten with him. Elizabeth compliments her on this, telling her that she is far to willing to see good in everyone: "'All the world is good and agreeable in your eyes.'"(14). The contrast between Jane and Elizabeth is made clear in this conversation. Jane is a shy. warmhearted girl who sees good in everyone. Elizabeth is cynical, spirited, who is perhaps the opposite of Jane in which she is far more ready to see the bad in another's character rather than the good. She is not wholly detesting of everyone, however. She adores Mr. Bingley as well, though not quite as much as her sister does, and gives Jane her permission to like him. The girls seem just as eager as their mother to marry well, but for different reasons. Elizabeth is even appalled by her mother's incessant focus. Mrs. Bennet works within reason, however. In that time era, women could not inherit. The only chance Mrs. Bennet's daughters are going to have of getting a decent life when Mr. Bennet dies is marrying wealthy men. It sounds like social climbing, but it's true. The girls are just interested in marrying because it is really all a young lady can do.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Victor Hugo
Anthony writes:
I am reading The Hunchback of Notre- Dame by Victor Hugo as my independent reading book. Victor Hugo was a French poet, and novelist born on February 26, 1802. Hugo died in 1885 at the age of 83. Hugo is sometimes known as the greatest French poet. Two of his most well known poems are Les Contemplations and La Legende. The Hunchback of Notre- Dame is probably Victor Hugo's most popular piece of literature outside of France. Victor Hugo was also into politics as well as literature. Hugo was a passionate supporter of republicanism. Victor Hugo lived in France for almost his entire life, but was forced into exile under the ruling of Napoleon III. Hugo’s literature was influenced by Francois- Rene de Chateaubriand. In 1822, the year after his mother’s death, Victor Hugo married his childhood friend Adele Foucher. Victor and Adele had five children, Leopold, Leopoldine, Charles, Francois- Victor, and Adele. Leopold however, died in infancy. Victor Hugo’s first novel, Han d’Islande was published in 1823. Victor Hugo’s political views radically changed over the course of his life. As a child, Hugo was a Catholic. By the time of his exile, Hugo had become a Rationalist Deism. Hugo was seen as a hero when he returned to Paris in 1870. Hugo lost his bid for reelection to the National Assembly in 1872. In 1876, Hugo was elected to the Senate, but he got little done, and it was considered a failure. Victor Hugo was also an excellent artist. Hugo created over 4,000 drawings in his life. There are many memorials and monuments in honor of Victor Hugo.
I am reading The Hunchback of Notre- Dame by Victor Hugo as my independent reading book. Victor Hugo was a French poet, and novelist born on February 26, 1802. Hugo died in 1885 at the age of 83. Hugo is sometimes known as the greatest French poet. Two of his most well known poems are Les Contemplations and La Legende. The Hunchback of Notre- Dame is probably Victor Hugo's most popular piece of literature outside of France. Victor Hugo was also into politics as well as literature. Hugo was a passionate supporter of republicanism. Victor Hugo lived in France for almost his entire life, but was forced into exile under the ruling of Napoleon III. Hugo’s literature was influenced by Francois- Rene de Chateaubriand. In 1822, the year after his mother’s death, Victor Hugo married his childhood friend Adele Foucher. Victor and Adele had five children, Leopold, Leopoldine, Charles, Francois- Victor, and Adele. Leopold however, died in infancy. Victor Hugo’s first novel, Han d’Islande was published in 1823. Victor Hugo’s political views radically changed over the course of his life. As a child, Hugo was a Catholic. By the time of his exile, Hugo had become a Rationalist Deism. Hugo was seen as a hero when he returned to Paris in 1870. Hugo lost his bid for reelection to the National Assembly in 1872. In 1876, Hugo was elected to the Senate, but he got little done, and it was considered a failure. Victor Hugo was also an excellent artist. Hugo created over 4,000 drawings in his life. There are many memorials and monuments in honor of Victor Hugo.
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.
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