*This review contains spoilers.*
I adore the Bronte sisters, so, in the tradition of reviewing classic literature for pleasure reading, I perused Charlotte's lesser known novel: Villette. If you don't know, Charlotte is my third favorite Bronte sister, but I was still expecting greatness because I did enjoy Jane Eyre, even if not as much as Wuthering Heights.
I loved the character of Lucy Snowe very much. Her habit of being out of the way, the manner in which she never feels real, never feels like she partakes in life and instead sits aside and observes is so me it's scary. Believe me, I appreciate the passion and vivacity of Cathy and Heathcliff, or the pride and combattiveness of Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy, but I identify so much more with Lucy's character. For her alone, I recommend the book.
I also really enjoyed the romance of John Graham Bretton and Paulina; it was adorable how it morphed from her childlike fascination to his adult infatuation.
Speaking of, how everyone kept turning up in each other's lives was marvelous and so beautifully done.
Also, the backstory and plotting around Paul Emmanuel, my God was that juicy! I mean, wow, I was floored at how intricate and mysterious it was.
I also found myself continually intrigued by the veins of Catholic vs. Protestant and French vs. English that came across in the novel, from a sociological standpoint. (Protestant and English came off the better, in case you're wondering.)
The love story. Oh, the love story. Honestly, I can't see it. I don't get it. One minute, Paul is a cantankerous blowhard who needs his ego stroked and his presence pandered too, and Lucy hates him (as I did), and then she finds herself in love with him and he with her...I just don't get this part of the book. That may be me, and you might enjoy the love story.
Also, the love story of Ginevra Fanshawe and Count Alfred de Hamal...priceless.
I enjoyed this book a lot, but then again I really love Victorian novels and the Brontes already, so I can't speak objectively on the merits of this book in particular. Nonetheless, I would recommend it.
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
The Dead and Buried by Kim Harrington
*This review contains spoilers.*
So, I was looking for something to read on Barnes and Noble's website and, lo and behold, Kim Harrington has written a new book! Yay! I adored Clarity and Perception, so, of course, I picked this up.
As always, I find her books incredibly readable. It took me a few hours, and - it's a murder mystery, too - I was guessing and re-evaluating who I pegged as the murderer constantly, but I never felt that annoying, impatient sense of "For God's sake, just figure it out already," that I get with some books.
The love interest is Donovan O'Mara, and he's great...cute, angst-ridden, tortured, lonely...he's really great, and everything you'd expect or desire.
I really enjoyed Jade, though I didn't identify with her as much as I did Clare, though I did really appreciate her bravery.
Is this book one that will stay with me forever and impact my life immensely? No, but it was a very lovely way to spend an afternoon and I highly recommend you read it!
So, I was looking for something to read on Barnes and Noble's website and, lo and behold, Kim Harrington has written a new book! Yay! I adored Clarity and Perception, so, of course, I picked this up.
As always, I find her books incredibly readable. It took me a few hours, and - it's a murder mystery, too - I was guessing and re-evaluating who I pegged as the murderer constantly, but I never felt that annoying, impatient sense of "For God's sake, just figure it out already," that I get with some books.
The love interest is Donovan O'Mara, and he's great...cute, angst-ridden, tortured, lonely...he's really great, and everything you'd expect or desire.
I really enjoyed Jade, though I didn't identify with her as much as I did Clare, though I did really appreciate her bravery.
Is this book one that will stay with me forever and impact my life immensely? No, but it was a very lovely way to spend an afternoon and I highly recommend you read it!
The Black Arrow by Robert Louis Stevenson
*This review contains spoilers.*
In my tradition of reviewing classic literature for the casual reader, I read The Black Arrow Robert Louis Stevenson, who also wrote Treasure Island.
Essentially, it's the trials and tribulations of Richard Shelton, a young squire who is trying to avenge his father and rescue his love, Joanna, all while avoiding death at the hands of either Yorkists or Lancastrians during the tumultuous times of the Wars of the Roses.
The book had a decent pace, and I finished it fairly quickly for a non-contemporary novel. I really liked the Medieval feel the dialogue was given, though I could take or leave the author's habit of occasionally breaking the fourth wall to remind the reader of something.
The book was a lot of action and scheming, but there was some humor at the end, in the character of Alicia Risingham. I think her character was there for the comedic element, but I didn't really get the joke, so I didn't care for her or her sections of the book at all. At the beginning the love story fell flat for me, but towards the end, I really liked Richard/Joanna, especially how bold he was in openly declaring his feelings for her.
I also liked the history of the time period, and the way Stevenson put in Richard III in the end. However, if you're unfamiliar with Shakespeare of English history, a lot of the ending may be confusing for you.
I don't want to say that I didn't like the book, but I don't want to say I liked it either...it was okay, I suppose. There wasn't enough character depth for me to really, truly be invested in the character...I wanted Richard to win and get back Joanna because he's our protagonist, not because I felt for his plight.
I recommend picking this up only if you have nothing else to read and want to read something, or you really, really enjoy English history.
In my tradition of reviewing classic literature for the casual reader, I read The Black Arrow Robert Louis Stevenson, who also wrote Treasure Island.
Essentially, it's the trials and tribulations of Richard Shelton, a young squire who is trying to avenge his father and rescue his love, Joanna, all while avoiding death at the hands of either Yorkists or Lancastrians during the tumultuous times of the Wars of the Roses.
The book had a decent pace, and I finished it fairly quickly for a non-contemporary novel. I really liked the Medieval feel the dialogue was given, though I could take or leave the author's habit of occasionally breaking the fourth wall to remind the reader of something.
The book was a lot of action and scheming, but there was some humor at the end, in the character of Alicia Risingham. I think her character was there for the comedic element, but I didn't really get the joke, so I didn't care for her or her sections of the book at all. At the beginning the love story fell flat for me, but towards the end, I really liked Richard/Joanna, especially how bold he was in openly declaring his feelings for her.
I also liked the history of the time period, and the way Stevenson put in Richard III in the end. However, if you're unfamiliar with Shakespeare of English history, a lot of the ending may be confusing for you.
I don't want to say that I didn't like the book, but I don't want to say I liked it either...it was okay, I suppose. There wasn't enough character depth for me to really, truly be invested in the character...I wanted Richard to win and get back Joanna because he's our protagonist, not because I felt for his plight.
I recommend picking this up only if you have nothing else to read and want to read something, or you really, really enjoy English history.
Sunday, December 2, 2012
The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins
I know I haven't done a book review in a while, but I want to review this because no one ever really reviews books outside of the contemporary timeline in a "just for fun" way as opposed to a way that assumes that you read it for a class of some kind. So, I'm going to! Yay!
I was hesitant to pick this up, only because I don't like to read long books if I don't know for certain that it's good, but I did, and it was amazing!
This was a very rich and complex narrative, written as an investigation of sorts, alternating between the narratives and diaries of the characters and reports by various minor person.
This is the kind of book read when you curl up under the covers with some tea and read for hours...very immersive, but still accessible.
This book was so great, and the writing and style were wonderful! I'm going to purchase the collected works of Wilkie Collins at the earliest possible opportunity!
The love story was so sweet, and Walter was so open about his feelings in his narrative that it made it all the better!
Not the kind of book you reread, but one that I am proud to own and have read!
Thanks for reading!
I was hesitant to pick this up, only because I don't like to read long books if I don't know for certain that it's good, but I did, and it was amazing!
This was a very rich and complex narrative, written as an investigation of sorts, alternating between the narratives and diaries of the characters and reports by various minor person.
This is the kind of book read when you curl up under the covers with some tea and read for hours...very immersive, but still accessible.
This book was so great, and the writing and style were wonderful! I'm going to purchase the collected works of Wilkie Collins at the earliest possible opportunity!
The love story was so sweet, and Walter was so open about his feelings in his narrative that it made it all the better!
Not the kind of book you reread, but one that I am proud to own and have read!
Thanks for reading!
Saturday, November 24, 2012
World Without End by Ken Follett
*This review contains spoilers.*
I picked this book because I had read Pillars of the Earth and seen that miniseries on Starz. I really, really loved Pillars of the Earth, and I liked World Without End, too, but not as much.
Essentially, it follows the descendants of Jack and Aliena, Merthin and Ralph, as well as Caris Wooler and her cousin Godwyn, and a pair of peasants, Gwenda and Wulfric.
Personally, and this has always been a problem with his books for me, I think it took a little too long...I am extremely impatient, and waiting ages and ages for characters to get together irks me to no end. I utterly adored Merthin, but the way Caris treated him bugged me a lot, and I loved Gwenda to death. I also had a bit of a soft spot for Ralph, even though he was the "bad" guy, just because he was not as bad as William Hamleigh of the original.
I find that the plot and even the characters are fairly similar to the original, but that has never bothered me, so read this if you liked the first one. It's also an excellent portrayal of life in the Middle Ages if you don't like that it has a similar plot.
Also, I watched the miniseries and I loved it! They cut out some stuff, hurried it along, and added more action and romance...so, you know, I was golden. It wasn't as good as the Pillars miniseries, but that of course had David Oakes in it, and you can't beat him. Anyway, this one had Tom Weston-Jones (of BBC America's Copper) as Merthin, so, of course, I died! Also, TV!Caris, played by Charlotte Riley (Cathy in my favorite version of Wuthering Heights) was so much less annoying than book!Caris. There was also much more of the royal family in the miniseries, which I loved. Oh, and the miniseries Ralph is ridiculously attractive; his name is Oliver Jackson-Cohen and I've never seen him before, but he is very, very attractive. Be warned, when he took his shirt off, I actually gasped I was so surprised there was so much hair there, but I got over that quickly.
Anyway, if you're undecided, I recommend the miniseries, but if you loved Pillars or really enjoy Medieval life, then I recommend the book and miniseries!
I bought a huge selection of books on Black Friday, so look forward to more reviews!
I picked this book because I had read Pillars of the Earth and seen that miniseries on Starz. I really, really loved Pillars of the Earth, and I liked World Without End, too, but not as much.
Essentially, it follows the descendants of Jack and Aliena, Merthin and Ralph, as well as Caris Wooler and her cousin Godwyn, and a pair of peasants, Gwenda and Wulfric.
Personally, and this has always been a problem with his books for me, I think it took a little too long...I am extremely impatient, and waiting ages and ages for characters to get together irks me to no end. I utterly adored Merthin, but the way Caris treated him bugged me a lot, and I loved Gwenda to death. I also had a bit of a soft spot for Ralph, even though he was the "bad" guy, just because he was not as bad as William Hamleigh of the original.
I find that the plot and even the characters are fairly similar to the original, but that has never bothered me, so read this if you liked the first one. It's also an excellent portrayal of life in the Middle Ages if you don't like that it has a similar plot.
Also, I watched the miniseries and I loved it! They cut out some stuff, hurried it along, and added more action and romance...so, you know, I was golden. It wasn't as good as the Pillars miniseries, but that of course had David Oakes in it, and you can't beat him. Anyway, this one had Tom Weston-Jones (of BBC America's Copper) as Merthin, so, of course, I died! Also, TV!Caris, played by Charlotte Riley (Cathy in my favorite version of Wuthering Heights) was so much less annoying than book!Caris. There was also much more of the royal family in the miniseries, which I loved. Oh, and the miniseries Ralph is ridiculously attractive; his name is Oliver Jackson-Cohen and I've never seen him before, but he is very, very attractive. Be warned, when he took his shirt off, I actually gasped I was so surprised there was so much hair there, but I got over that quickly.
Anyway, if you're undecided, I recommend the miniseries, but if you loved Pillars or really enjoy Medieval life, then I recommend the book and miniseries!
I bought a huge selection of books on Black Friday, so look forward to more reviews!
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
The Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan - Heroes of Olympus Book Three
*This review contains spoilers.*
So, The Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan, third in the Heroes of Olympus series.
I absolutely loved this book. I really love the Percy Jackson stuff in general, as I love Greek mythology, and I think the books have the perfect balance of humor, action, romance and tragedy, i.e. the makings of a classic. Needless to say, I was ecstatically looking forward to getting this book, because I love all of Rick Riordan's stuff, and expected this to be no different.
Even then I was surprised how much I loved this book.
Of course, I love Riordan's style, and the general premise of the Percy Jackson books, and you do, too, if you've searched for this post, i.e. if you're a fan of the series, this will not disappoint. Books where people lose their memories or are lost for some time usually irk me, and even though I love this series enough for that not to happen, I was very pleased that Jason, Piper, Leo, Hazel, Frank, Percy and Annabeth were all back together, knowing who they all are.
Another aspect of this book was the emotional growth of the characters. I feel like we saw a lot more of Percy and Jason in terms of how they feel about their leadership, which was a fascinating and enjoyable delve into their psyches. Also, and I've never really felt much of a connection to Annabeth, there was a little more depth to her, and I guess I saw her as less of an abstraction in this installment.
Okay, romance! Piper and Jason are wonderful...I think they have what I consider the ideal relationship archetypes for some reason, with him being a child of Zeus, and her of Aphrodite...it just feels like the way things should be...and they're all sweet and caring about each other and such. ...And Percy and Annabeth...I actually had a tear brought to my eye by this one. There was a point where Percy had just gotten Annabeth back, and he says that he always feels like he's walking on eggshells and that any second he might shatter his relationship...and that made my tear up, all vulnerable sounding and such. They were also more open then we've ever seen them, which I really enjoyed...and I've always nursed a bit of a thing for Percy...so, yeah.
In short, the book was absolutely excellent! The romance, the humor, the style, the mythology, the pacing, the plot, the everything was completely perfect! I even liked the ending...both joyous and tragic, in its way.
Complete Tangent: This book just brought me back to the good old days...I decided to read Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief in the stairwell of my middle school. I talked to some girl I thought I hated in chem my junior year because she had The Lost Hero...yes, it was probably started with 12 year old boys in mind, but I don't care. Warm and fuzzy feelings, I say! Not as many feels as Harry Potter, but just pleasantly familiar and good and such. I've started college, and I'm disappointed with the way it all turned out and I'm just kinda miserable about it...put Percy Jackson made me happy in a way I haven't been since I got here, and I thank him for that.
Back on track: Basically, best book ever and you should absolutely read it!
So, The Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan, third in the Heroes of Olympus series.
I absolutely loved this book. I really love the Percy Jackson stuff in general, as I love Greek mythology, and I think the books have the perfect balance of humor, action, romance and tragedy, i.e. the makings of a classic. Needless to say, I was ecstatically looking forward to getting this book, because I love all of Rick Riordan's stuff, and expected this to be no different.
Even then I was surprised how much I loved this book.
Of course, I love Riordan's style, and the general premise of the Percy Jackson books, and you do, too, if you've searched for this post, i.e. if you're a fan of the series, this will not disappoint. Books where people lose their memories or are lost for some time usually irk me, and even though I love this series enough for that not to happen, I was very pleased that Jason, Piper, Leo, Hazel, Frank, Percy and Annabeth were all back together, knowing who they all are.
Another aspect of this book was the emotional growth of the characters. I feel like we saw a lot more of Percy and Jason in terms of how they feel about their leadership, which was a fascinating and enjoyable delve into their psyches. Also, and I've never really felt much of a connection to Annabeth, there was a little more depth to her, and I guess I saw her as less of an abstraction in this installment.
Okay, romance! Piper and Jason are wonderful...I think they have what I consider the ideal relationship archetypes for some reason, with him being a child of Zeus, and her of Aphrodite...it just feels like the way things should be...and they're all sweet and caring about each other and such. ...And Percy and Annabeth...I actually had a tear brought to my eye by this one. There was a point where Percy had just gotten Annabeth back, and he says that he always feels like he's walking on eggshells and that any second he might shatter his relationship...and that made my tear up, all vulnerable sounding and such. They were also more open then we've ever seen them, which I really enjoyed...and I've always nursed a bit of a thing for Percy...so, yeah.
In short, the book was absolutely excellent! The romance, the humor, the style, the mythology, the pacing, the plot, the everything was completely perfect! I even liked the ending...both joyous and tragic, in its way.
Complete Tangent: This book just brought me back to the good old days...I decided to read Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief in the stairwell of my middle school. I talked to some girl I thought I hated in chem my junior year because she had The Lost Hero...yes, it was probably started with 12 year old boys in mind, but I don't care. Warm and fuzzy feelings, I say! Not as many feels as Harry Potter, but just pleasantly familiar and good and such. I've started college, and I'm disappointed with the way it all turned out and I'm just kinda miserable about it...put Percy Jackson made me happy in a way I haven't been since I got here, and I thank him for that.
Back on track: Basically, best book ever and you should absolutely read it!
Saturday, October 6, 2012
The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling
*This review contains spoilers.*
It's JKR's first book for adults, I'm going to assume you know what it is about if you've looked this up and/or aren't living under a rock.
Before I give a judgment, I want to say that, of course, the style of this book was phenomenal, and just so engaging. I mean, it's JKR, aka the greatest storyteller ever, and the various narratives that made up this book were superbly woven together and completely engaging and I went through it rather quickly.
I also want to say that I think part of my childhood may have been shattered. On my other blog, I've enumerated many times the impacts which Harry Potter has had on my life, and how I have learned everything I ever needed to know from that series, even giving a speech on it in AP Lit, and that JKR is basically the gospel of my life.
And then I read this book. It frightened me, truly. Everyone in Pagford seems to being living lives of quiet desperation, and there is so much pettiness and meanness and incivility and I don't know what to think. I'm not even sure I can come up with a theme or message at this point, I'm so shell-shocked.
I don't know why the death and misery of this book is so much more hopeless than the death and misery in the Harry Potter series, but it just is....in Casual Vacancy there is no one side of goodness, not even one character that is truly good, or even sympathetic...
I miss children's literature...it was grand and sweeping and epic and had something worth fighting for in it.
Thanks for reading, I'll probably talk more about this book as I analyze it more.
It's JKR's first book for adults, I'm going to assume you know what it is about if you've looked this up and/or aren't living under a rock.
Before I give a judgment, I want to say that, of course, the style of this book was phenomenal, and just so engaging. I mean, it's JKR, aka the greatest storyteller ever, and the various narratives that made up this book were superbly woven together and completely engaging and I went through it rather quickly.
I also want to say that I think part of my childhood may have been shattered. On my other blog, I've enumerated many times the impacts which Harry Potter has had on my life, and how I have learned everything I ever needed to know from that series, even giving a speech on it in AP Lit, and that JKR is basically the gospel of my life.
And then I read this book. It frightened me, truly. Everyone in Pagford seems to being living lives of quiet desperation, and there is so much pettiness and meanness and incivility and I don't know what to think. I'm not even sure I can come up with a theme or message at this point, I'm so shell-shocked.
I don't know why the death and misery of this book is so much more hopeless than the death and misery in the Harry Potter series, but it just is....in Casual Vacancy there is no one side of goodness, not even one character that is truly good, or even sympathetic...
I miss children's literature...it was grand and sweeping and epic and had something worth fighting for in it.
Thanks for reading, I'll probably talk more about this book as I analyze it more.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)