The mere idea of Carrie repulsed me - so much so that I never read the novel nor saw any rendition of it in the movies. Being published when I was in The mere idea of Carrie repulsed me - so much so that I never read the novel nor saw any rendition of it in the movies. Being published when I was in primary school and the movie following soon afterwards, Carrie and her telekinetic powers were legendary horrors in the school yard but I have been too afraid to read it for these 50+ years. All of that changed when I read Stephen King's memoir On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft. In this, he refers to many of his characters and his books as he describes how he goes about his writing. The way he described Carrie - being a combination of two misfit girls from his own teenage years - made me want to read this. It really is a fabulous book. The character of Carrie is so real, her situation so devastating, that you can't help but hope that she masters how to flex her TK powers. I was rooting for her the whole way and enjoyed the carnage that she wrought on her town. The way that the story is delivered through articles, interviews, the follow-up commission, as well as personal accounts is brilliant. I so enjoyed having Carrie's inner dialogue interspersed throughout her chapters and I loved the way the same moment is described through the eyes of different characters. Sissy Spacek narrates this audiobook which was perfect. I just learned that she played Carrie in the original movie as well. I also learned that this was John Travolta's first movie. ...more
This isn't my first journey to the Shire or Rivendell or the mines of Moria but it is the first time I have indulged in the audio version. I enjoyed iThis isn't my first journey to the Shire or Rivendell or the mines of Moria but it is the first time I have indulged in the audio version. I enjoyed it, of course. But I find that Tolkien does go on and on about things that do not move the narrative along. There are many long thoughtful and historical dialogues that don't seem to match the action at hand. I am in the camp that Peter Jackson's condensed version for the movie upped the action, held the backstory and developed each character more deeply....more
Many, many years ago, I read a collection of Maupassant's stories in French, back when course reading lists dictated my reading goals and when I williMany, many years ago, I read a collection of Maupassant's stories in French, back when course reading lists dictated my reading goals and when I willingly did what I was told. But to read them again, in English, of my own volition, is an entirely different experience. How I enjoyed his conversational style of writing and his deep understanding of the lower castes of society. It is impossible to choose a favourite story, although I lean towards The Necklace simply because he captures the honesty of the poorer class so remarkably. I also loved Uncle Jules for the compassion which a child shows towards a destitute oyster shucker. Despite the 130 years between his writing and my reading, the themes are constant and have stood the test of time....more
Murakami is a dedicated long-distance runner. He runs every day and keeps tally of all the kilometers, locations and races that he runs. At the time oMurakami is a dedicated long-distance runner. He runs every day and keeps tally of all the kilometers, locations and races that he runs. At the time of publication, he was participating in at least one marathon each year (totaling 25 at the time) and he was dabbling in triathlon events. He claims that running is his form of relaxation but, as the book unfolds, you can see that he has an obsessive-compulsiveness about it (the opposite of relaxing, imo) This book is a rambling group of loosely related essays about how running has shaped who he is and how he writes. The best parts were the detailed accounts of his races (often excerpts from published articles). I loved every word of his Athens to Marathon marathon -so gritty and real. My favourite was his account of his one and only ultra-distance 100 km race which was both brutal and beautiful. There is much philosophical thought in Murakami's writing. He is very introspective which makes him feel approachable and his accomplishments attainable. But the rambling nature of these essays made the book feel like a slog. I sort of dreaded picking it up - in the same way that I sort of dread heading out for my own daily run. Once I started, it was fine - even enjoyable - but it was too easy to push off to another day....more
I can say nothing new about this classic - including why did I wait so long to get to it?.
In those first chapters, I was absolutely enthralled with WI can say nothing new about this classic - including why did I wait so long to get to it?.
In those first chapters, I was absolutely enthralled with Wilde's incredible description. You could smell the lilacs and the paint thinner. You could judge these men's wealth and status by the cut of their suits. And you could feel the tension ever-building as young Dorian absorbed the dialogue about the fleeting beauty of youth. Somewhere in the middle - chapter 15-17 - I felt the whole story stalled out. Dorian was indulging in all things vintage and antique, fixated on what happens to 'things' as they age. These chapters became simple lists of objects that meant nothing to me. The action stopped, as did the conversation. I could have done without. Luckily it all picked up again after this lull and I fell in love once again with Wilde....more
I clearly remember the disappointment my mum had when 10 year-old me struggled then abandoned this forty years ago. So now the disappointment is mine I clearly remember the disappointment my mum had when 10 year-old me struggled then abandoned this forty years ago. So now the disappointment is mine as I made the effort to revisit it and still disliked it. The hopes and dreams of these four sisters include pursuing the arts only to give it all up once a man sniffs around and deems her worthy of his laundry. Not only does that bother me, I find their wants and desires to be pointlessly material. The characters are cardboard cut-outs, making their dialogue and reactions both predictable and dull. I know that this work was important at the time and even considered feminist and modern, but I think this is one classic that simply isn't timeless. ...more
3.5 stars This book has been on my shelf for many, many years. In fact, I remember that my own mum was reading it while pregnant with my youngest broth3.5 stars This book has been on my shelf for many, many years. In fact, I remember that my own mum was reading it while pregnant with my youngest brother and 'during her convalescence' (does that even happen anymore?). I didn't realize that it is written as a sophisticated children's book with some motifs that are fairly philosophical. The language is often lyrical and beautifully descriptive - especially with the views, foliage and landscapes - and the creation of the lapine language adds a level to the story. In that way, it reminded me of the Lord of the Rings trilogy. The story itself is fairly simple - A group of rabbits leave one warren because of Fiver's feeling that something bad is going to happen. They come across a few difficult situations before they arrive at the perfect new site for a warren. But having no does in their group, they go off on a number of adventures to bring some back. Battles, injuries and trickery ensue and their adventures are eventually set into stories told for generations to come. Leadership is a main theme, as is character. Each rabbit brings a skill or trait which, when used wisely, can benefit all. It takes a strong leader to recognize the skills among his charge. I'm glad I took the time for this one although it did not strike me as fiercely as some others....more
This was never on a reading list during my schooling - and I'm glad it wasn't since I doubt I would have got much out of it at that point of my life. This was never on a reading list during my schooling - and I'm glad it wasn't since I doubt I would have got much out of it at that point of my life. However I read some of Plath's poetry and was simply afraid of her dark and lonesome view of the world and so I avoided this novel.
Now, some 40 years later, the title came to my attention through a powerful book on writing and style Monkeys with Typewriters. Plath's use of imagery was quoted a number of times and I simply had to read the Bell Jar to experience visuals like:
The lawn was white with doctors.
Indeed the writing in The Bell Jar is exquisite. I swooned and re-read passages just to fully immerse myself in each image, trying to squeeze everything out of the metaphor.
Even in the 90s, I felt the same way Esther did in the 50s - but thankfully without the crippling depression. I was sitting in a fig tree, trying to decide which fig to choose - career, motherhood, creative, wife - and watching as the many options began rotting away before I could make my choice. Truly universal in her time, during my young adult years and still relevant for today's young women.
I admire this work as an honest look at mental illness. Esther's perspective is so fish-eye distorted as she tries to make sense of objects, reactions and consequences around her. The way she describes the poodle Get Well card makes you see the absurdity of it. The whole novel feels like it is told by that unreliable narrator - and yet you know that Esther is telling her truth the whole time....more
How have I functioned in society for so long without having read James Baldwin? From the first page, I was drawn in to the vastly complicated life of How have I functioned in society for so long without having read James Baldwin? From the first page, I was drawn in to the vastly complicated life of David, even while he was still staring at his own reflection in the big picture window of the home he shared with Hella, and nothing of his complexity had yet been revealed. Even as I began to wonder about Giovanni, his room and what had become of him, I was able to relax into the prose, knowing that Baldwin would reveal all the details in good time. And what a read it was. I got to watch from the sidelines as David comes full circle in his understanding of youth, love, life, happiness, suffocation, guilt and death. We see him over and over in denial of who he is until, finally, he is able to accept it but only after it is too late. Giovanni's Room serves to illustrate the desperate conditions through which homosexuals had to suffer in the 1950s in order to genuinely love and find happiness. It also shows the leaps and bounds of progress that we made as a society, despite that this progress is still far from being sufficient, 70 years later. Gorgeous, devastating, heart-breaking, complex, raw and revealing....more
When I was just a young thing in university, The Bluest Eye was assigned in one of my literature courses. I read it, probably in one afternoon with thWhen I was just a young thing in university, The Bluest Eye was assigned in one of my literature courses. I read it, probably in one afternoon with the TV on and while chatting with my countless housemates. While it did leave an impression on me, I didn't understand it. I was too young, too privileged, too sheltered and too white to get anything from this masterpiece. Having never been in a 'relationship' at that time, I was embarrassed by even the slightest hint of sex but most of those nuances went completely over my head. I remember re-reading and re-reading a sentence in the first chapter about the three young girls sharing a bed when Pecola came to stay. I am ashamed to say that I couldn't understand how or why three girls would sleep in the same bed - that's how privileged I was. I don't remember any course discussions about the book so I had no one to ask nor anyone to explain it to me. 25 years later, I have re-read this book and this time I really, really enjoyed it. My life, my travels, my reading and my experiences have rounded out my understanding of at least the existence of class, privilege, racial discrimination, poverty and sex to the point where I was dumb-struck by Morrison's message. The narrator shifts throughout the novel to include everyone who is part of Pecola's life and all of them witness some cruelty and brutality pushed onto her, but we never get to hear from her until madness as taken her. No one shows her love. Instead, she is used to get back at others for crimes she had no part in. Each person seems to be able to justify their wrongdoings because of some previous ill done to them but the heaped effects of their cruelty destroy her. How can anyone possibly rise to the next rung if they are knocked down by the very people who should be boosting them higher? Brilliant writing. Shocking and truthful....more
All the way through this book, I had the feeling that I had read it before. So many scenes, lines, poems and nonsense were familiar but I have no recoAll the way through this book, I had the feeling that I had read it before. So many scenes, lines, poems and nonsense were familiar but I have no recollection of ever reading it. Amazingly, the 92 pages seemed to go on endlessly with no plot, character development or purpose. There were a few chuckles here and there - mostly with the hatter/hare tea and the king's comments - but most of it was lacking, in my mind. I guess there are reviewers here who will analyze the literary wonder of accurately capturing of a child's thoughts and the complex psychology of children's feelings of growing up but still wanting to be small but, to me, a child would have little patience for this. I'm not quite sure what I expected so I am not disappointed. ...more
When it was recently revealed that the contents of emails and google searches are being monitored, some media claimed that it was Orwellian and that 1When it was recently revealed that the contents of emails and google searches are being monitored, some media claimed that it was Orwellian and that 1984 had become a reality. But, having just re-read 1984, I disagreed. To me, this surveillance seemed to be closer to the future depicted in Brave New World. Upon re-reading Brave New World, I see that Big Brother is not really the issue at hand today. Instead, our society has become complacent, non-intellectuals, like those in Huxley's dystopian future, who are bombarded with 'info-tainment' and devices which distract us from contemplating the real issues going on in the world today. We are told what to think by "news" media, who carefully craft their productions to skim over the serious issues and present us with celebrity scandals instead. At any moment, we can be pulled away from our thoughts by an iphone ringtone or a distracting game of Angry Birds. Huxley's world contains the same distractions, all carefully monitored by World Controllers, like Mustalpha Mond, to be sure that none of society has the time or inclination to wonder. Sadly, the book lacks true character development with too many flat characters playing flimsy roles. The main character, Mr. Savage, doesn't appear until halfway through and his role never seems believable. But, I enjoyed revisiting this place in future even if it was just to remind me to turn off this silly computer and go think for a while!
Oct 2005 - Huxley hits the nail on the head with this one. It is eerie, haunting and full of truth. He truly was a visionary. It's too bad that so many readers had to 'suffer through' this masterpiece for required readings. Try it again, on your own time....more
I think Vonnegut is brilliant and I am very glad that I took the time to read (perhaps re-read) this one. In Billy Pilgrim, he captured the damaged miI think Vonnegut is brilliant and I am very glad that I took the time to read (perhaps re-read) this one. In Billy Pilgrim, he captured the damaged mind of a war vet and showed how the smallest sight, smell or detail could transport him back to a memory in a different time of his life. Just like time travel or being captured by aliens, Time becomes irrelevant to the experiences along the way. There were a few passages which made me understand how this was seen as an anti-war novel but I perhaps was not reading deeply enough into the bigger message. I did think that the repeated phrase so it goes is so, so similar to the use of allahu akbar from Islam, inshallah in Arabic or amen from Christianity. To me, using this phrase whenever a character met an untimely death demonstrates Vonnegut's turn away from religion. Powerful, indeed, when it is used so many times. Perhaps a movie was made of this novel? I have a ticklish feeling that I have seen some of these scenes before - but perhaps it was just an over-active ability to visualize during a previous reading. poo-tee-weet...more
Teenage angst in the 50s is not so different from teenage angst in the 2020s. 'No one understands me. I'm so hard done by. Everyone else is pathetic. Teenage angst in the 50s is not so different from teenage angst in the 2020s. 'No one understands me. I'm so hard done by. Everyone else is pathetic. What's a guy gotta do to get a drink / get laid / get money around here?' Holden Caulfield's entire inner dialogue could now be summed up with a series of emojis. Re-reading this 40 years later, it still is unremarkable to me. I think it's a character study of a loser drop-out who never has a creative thought. It lacks plot, tension and a conclusion. The only remarkable aspect is the uncouthness of Holden during a time period (post WW2) when such rudeness didn't have traction. It's sort of like watching a Jerry Springer show in a kindergarten classroom....more
This is one of those classics that I had never read growing up. I was well-aware of its mythology but I had never heard anyone insist that I read it oThis is one of those classics that I had never read growing up. I was well-aware of its mythology but I had never heard anyone insist that I read it or claim it to be a great work. I finally got around to it and was stunned that it is held in such high regard. I get that it was written in the post-war era and introduced a whole generation to the beat culture, jazz music and a disregard for authority. The accounts of drug use and sexual freedoms were unheard of (or at least unpublished) and shocking, giving it a timely, cultural feel. But the character of Sal reminds me of the song "Common People" by William Shatner. He wants to live like the common people, experience poverty, starve a bit and be reduced to thieving and bumming to get by, but he knows he can always fall back on his wealthy aunt to bail him out of any real poverty situation. The character of Dean Moriarty is what really made me dislike the book. Sal follows Dean back and forth across the US like a lost puppy and does Dean's bidding, no matter how outrageous. Sal has a high school crush on this madman and desperately wants Dean to rely on him or even to notice him. But Dean is too caught up in himself, in a very autistic way, to notice Sal or any other detritus he leaves in his wake. I could go on and on about the writing style and lack of editing, but I'll make only one point. I've read that Kerouac wrote this book in a matter of four days. I cannot believe it. I mean how many times can you use the word maniacal during a four day stretch without feeling it is overdone....more
This is a quick read (only 109 pages) but if you take your time with it, it will alter your thinking entirely. As I read, I had the distinct feeling tThis is a quick read (only 109 pages) but if you take your time with it, it will alter your thinking entirely. As I read, I had the distinct feeling that I had read it before (which may be true). But I believe I found all new knowledge within it this time. Montag is a fireman whose job is to set books afire during a book ban sometime in the future. One day, as Montag is burning the home and books of a woman, the woman refuses to leave her home and is burned alive with her books. This scene makes Montag wonder for the first time. What do books hold that could be worth dying for? This question sets him on a new path of questioning his authorities and thinking for himself. The theme is familiar and some of the scenes reminded me of other dystopian books I have read. For example, it is similar to The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins in that people watch real-time horrors as entertainment. I cringed at the scene where (view spoiler)[ Montag can see his own police chase being shown on the TV walls in the neighbourhood during his flee from police. He watches an innocent man be killed as his scapegoat when the police cannot find him, in order to save-face for the police force. (hide spoiler)] Parts of it also reminded me of The Road by Cormac McCarthy and Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood. I love the way Bradbury endlessly quoted text from books, some of them banned books, through both Faber's and Beatty's dialogue. The lilting language and the application of old ideas to new situations was beautiful. It makes me wish that I could hold on to more of what I read. Fav quote: Everyone must leave something behind when he dies, my grandfather said. A child or a book or a painting or a house or a wall built or a pair of shoes made. Or a garden planted. Something your hand touched some way so your soul has somewhere to go when you die, and when people look at that tree or that flower you planted, you're there....more
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