Welcome to my misguided attempt to read more poetry! I'm calling it my Poetry Project. I'm trying to become a person that reads poetry (So I can be boWelcome to my misguided attempt to read more poetry! I'm calling it my Poetry Project. I'm trying to become a person that reads poetry (So I can be both lyrical and insightful). I want to be a well-rounded reader. Here's to remedying that.
I'm reminded of Catherine Morland from Northanger Abbey; she spent valuable time memorizing poems, quotes from literature, minuscule moralisms and proverbs, just in the event she may be able to dispense that wisdom at the opportune time. I admire that.
I've been diving more into religion and so this collection seemed like a good choice. Rilke's Book of Hours is a collection of "love poems to God" but they are also love poems to the world and nature. It doesn't have to be read from an overtly Christian lens. It can be read from a Buddhist lens, or just from a worldly view—who is your God, is it your career, nature, a lover? Rilke claimed he wrote these words that came to him during meditative moments. There's something magical about that.
This collection is translated from the original German—I find myself once again wishing I grasped more than one language!
I'm only going to discuss the poems that stood out to me, for better or worse. The Book of Hours is divided into three sections: The Book of Monastic Life, The Book of Pilgrimage, and The Book of Poverty and Death.
The Book of Monastic Life
The hour is striking so close above me, so clear and sharp, that all my senses ring with it. I feel it now: there's a power in me to grasp and give shape to my world.
I know nothing has ever been real without my beholding it All becoming has needed me.
I really love this opening poem. It feels hopeful and powerful. In this poem we have control; there is hope of new beginnings. Like the Christian God, we can shape our world and create it. It can be read as from a God's point of view.
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I live my life in widening circles that reach out across the world I may not complete this last one but I give myself to it.
I circle around God, around the primordial tower. I've been circling for thousands of years and I still don't know: am I a falcon, a storm, or a great song?"
In this poem it feels as if Rilke is questioning his life. He's still trying to figure out the world, God, and his place in it. I can appreciate that, as I'm sure most of us can.
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I love the dark hours of my being My mind deepens into them. There I can find, as in old letters, the days of my life, already lived, and held like a legend, and understood.
- On looking back, looking inward, meditation, and self reflection ----------------------
You, God, who lives next door�
If at times, through the long night, I trouble you with my urgent knocking� this is why: I hear you breathe so seldom. I know you're all alone in that room. If you should be thirsty, there's no one to get you a glass of water. I wait listening, always. Just give me a sign! I'm right here.
As it happens, the wall between us is very thin. Why couldn't a cry from one of us break it down? It would crumble easily.
It would barely make a sound.
This is one of my favorites. Rilke is questioning why God is so close and yet so far. He reverses the general worry about where God is in relation to us, instead focusing on worrying that God is lonely.
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I could think you up to where thinking ends - This line is so romantic. Yes it can be applicable to a religious figure, but it can also be applied to a lover.
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We see the brightness of a new page where everything yet can happen. - on new beginnings
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I'm too alone in the world, yet not alone enough to make each hour holy. I'm too small in the world, yet not small enough to be simply in your presence,
I want to unfold. Let no place in me hold itself closed, for where I am closed, I am false. I want to stay clear in your sight.
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Our hands shake as we try to construct you, block on block. But you, cathedral we dimly perceive� who can bring you to completion?
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my blood will outlast the rose -on death and life. ----------------------
Now pray, as I who came back from the same confusion learned to pray
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My blood is alive with many voices telling me I am made of longing.
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The mind is but a visitor it thinks us out of our world.
Each mind fabricates itself. We sense its limits, for we have made them. And just when we would flee them, you come. and make yourself an offering.
I don't want to think a place for you, Speak to me from everywhere.
When I go toward you It is with my whole life.
-Another one of Rilkes more romantic and intellectual poems. So many layers here. ----------------------
Let everything happen to you: beauty and terror. Just keep going. No feeling is final. Don't let yourself lose me.
-Rilke dealt with suicidal ideation and depression at times in his life (per the introduction of this edition), and thats really palpable in this poem. A hopeful poem in the face of life's despairs.
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I want to utter you. I want to portray you not with lapis or gold, but with colors made of apple bark.
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The Book of Pilgrimage
In alleyways, I sweep myself up out of garbage and broken glass With my half-mouth I stammer you,
I am a city by the sea sinking ito a toxic tide.
This second book is more of a journey. There's more self reflection, and the notion that you have to recognize your flaws in order to repair yourself of them. ----------------------
This is what the things can teach us: to fall, patiently to trust our heaviness. Even a bird has to do that before he can fly
-so beautiful with so few words! ----------------------
The Book of Poverty and Death
I thank you, deep power that works me ever lightly in ways I can't make out. The day's labor grows simple now, and like a holy face held in my dark hands. ----------------------
My favorite section by far is The Book of Monastic Life. It is the most hopeful and searching, and for me the most exciting. I was left kind of wanting the later half of the book. The book of poverty and death almost romanticizes poverty and death. I like that he was writing of these things as a thing not to fear... but I did not really appreciate them the way I did the poems in the first book.
Moving, life affirming, holy--that's how I would describe this collection. This collection is NOURISHING. Somewhere in this book you will find a poem, a phrase, a scrap of words, that will connect with you and maybe even knock you off balance. That's how it was with me. ...more
A story about learning to live—and love—again.
“yes, sometimes she read too much. Sometimes, she read books instead of living a life,� �frequently guilA story about learning to live—and love—again.
“yes, sometimes she read too much. Sometimes, she read books instead of living a life,� �frequently guilty
This is one of those books I'd describe as a therapy book. Pack this one in your tote and read it outside, or read it in the bath—either way your bound to have a revelation about your own life. The Wedding People is a feel good book, but it is also devastatingly depressing in the beginning. This is a book that deals with real people suffering through real pain and still choosing to live.
“I mean, I just lived my life in such a small way... It was too small. I was so convinced there was only one way to live my life.�
Phoebe has every reason to be depressed: infertility, pregnancy loss, infidelity, divorce, isolation.
She goes to the one place she’s wanted to go for years� a beautiful resort hotel in Newport, RI. She once daydreamed of going sailing with her husband here. Now she's decided to die here.
The only problem—theres been a mistake, and she’s the only interloper at the hotel filled with a huge wedding party. She's bombarded by wedding people all Happy and smiling and then there's the bride. The bride IS so obviously the bride; she's gorgeous, bossy (hello bridezilla), and everything Phoebe is not, or so she thinks.
It turns out Phoebe isn’t the only one learning to live. Phoebe becomes a sounding board for the other members of the wedding party. A unique relationship blossoms between Lila, Phoebe and Gary. The conversations between Phoebe and the other characters are cathartic and comical. This is one of those rare funny novels.
Phoebe is an adjunct professor specializing in the Victorian. I loved reading her quips and facts about random Victorian topics—loved her musings on Wharton & Jane Eyre.
I also really loved the setting� I love liminal spaces.
Themes: infertility, pregnancy loss, infidelity, depression, love, marriage, star crossed lovers-feels a little shakespearean, the victorian
I found myself falling in love with this story. It’s one of those rare books I want to start over and read from the beginning. I want a sequel—Phoebe in her new life, reading, writing, learning to be human again....more
I actually enjoy the concept, but I did not like the execution. It can be inventive when writers blend genres. It dReads like a debut � isn't a debut.
I actually enjoy the concept, but I did not like the execution. It can be inventive when writers blend genres. It doesn't feel inventive here; Instead, it feels like a mishmash of ideas that disappointed me.
Valerie Gillis is lost on the Appalachian Trail. There are three perspectives to follow: We follow Valeries as she uses more brain power towards letter writing than actually attempting to survive. We follow a warden as she deals with the search. And last, an older woman who spends more time chatting online than she does chatting in real life.
All of these characters have mommy issues� At first theres this neat idea that these three could be in some way related; nope� just red herrings.
I was still willing to enjoy this as a missing persons story. Why did Valerie get lost? Why was she hiking in the first place?
The answer to why she gets lost is kind of where things take a turn for me. I was really hoping this would be more of an emotional piece about Valerie discovering who she is or what she wants, but it isn't really.
Valerie is a nurse and this seems to be one of her only defining characteristics. I'm a nurse and I don't feel connected to her at all.
Here's the real problem with this book: we're told over and over how great and cool Valerie is; She's ~not like other girls~ and yet we don't really see this when we are with her. Instead we have her weird letters to her mom, and her not doing much of anything to try and be found. You're telling me you're this badass nurse and you had all this time to write but not enough time to attempt to make a signal fire???
I felt like the entire journey was supposed to lead somewhere soul defining—but spoiler, it really doesn't. The story just kind of ends. If anything, Lena shows growth, but it feels cheap too because this is a story centralized around Valerie. Lena felt like a character that deserved her own novel, without all this messy plot contrivance.
I don't think Heartwood is poorly written� I just don't think it is a story that I enjoyed. What I would change: Direction 1: this is a story about motherhood and daughterhood. Focus on that. Valerie doesn't have to get lost in the woods for a weird reason. Direction 2: lean into the weird. All or nothing....more
Congratulations Nightbitch on becoming my first 2 star book of the year. I think I hated you.
With that being said, Rachel Yoder IS a great writer... Congratulations Nightbitch on becoming my first 2 star book of the year. I think I hated you.
With that being said, Rachel Yoder IS a great writer... I wish she would use her powers for good! Only a talented writer could write this character and these scenes. I honestly just hated this book. If the writing wasn't good, I wouldn't have finished it.
Maybe hate is too strong. Conflicted, because I don’t think the book is horrible� I just did not enjoy it? In places the writing is good, clever and unique. I disliked every character in this book. All of them.
Nightbitch does have an artistic performance piece-esque quality of which I couldn’t look away from� but like� I didn’t find any of this funny? Just horrifying? I was promised dark humor, and I just thought this was weird and dark without being funny�
I was hoping for more. I really wanted to read about motherhood and I enjoyed the talks about book babies, tyke hikes, and the struggles of filling the day with enriching activities for both baby and mom. I enjoyed the comparisons to The Yellow Wall-Paper. I had high hopes this would be a modern take on the Yellow Wall Paper that could stand proud beside it. I was let down. The problem with the absurd tone this story takes is that it deflates the actual problems of unsupported motherhood. It makes a joke out of it.
Suffers from being much MUCH much MUCH too long. This could have been a dang novella, and I stand by that!
Also, I’m mad! With a great title and cover� I wanted to atleast LIKE this. I'm willing to read future works by Yoder...given she stays away from mom dogs(dog moms??)...more
Backstory: I am working on a little project right now that involves the idea of possessing things and being possessed and consumerism and letting go eBackstory: I am working on a little project right now that involves the idea of possessing things and being possessed and consumerism and letting go etc etc. So when I was at the library doing some light research—while keeping my toddler from grabbing every book within his chubby fingered reach—I found this slim little paperback.
I thought: I've never heard of it, but why not! It promised on the cover to be about letting go and moving forward. Admittedly, I did little research beyond the blurb and the title.
All of the essays (let me say it here, these essays feel more like diary entries than "essays" but thats what she's calling them) are connected to this idea of letting something go: whether it be a material possession—see the ugly couch—or a long held idea.
This book really was not what I was looking for, but ended up being a pretty good time. It reads disjointed and meanders into territories unexpected, but it manages to be loosely connected. Passarella is a devout Christian, but you wouldn't know it till half way through the novel when her faith begins to take a more pronounced role in some of the stories. I almost felt like some of the stories should've been shuffled around. If her faith was going to take such a big role in the latter half of the collection, why not just incorporate that thread all the way through?
Passarella is funny, but in an abrasive way, which to be fair she describes herself this way. I genuinely laughed out loud a few times while reading this. She also vacillates between being relatable and being a little out of the middle class purview. In a way, this makes the story feel a little jarring tonally. It's difficult to go from relating to her struggles with letting go of her fathers couch and then read about them waiting to get their dream three bedroom apartment in NYC for over 500,000$. The price isn't the problem—they are rich by normal standards, as she frequently acknowledges. The problem is the waiting. At times she reads as really out of touch with the struggles of many Americans.
Theres a section about an unruly jack russell terrier that I could not both laugh at and want to cry, because if i didn't know any better I'd think she was talking about my little monster that I had for eight years before rehoming (she is happy and thriving now if you were wondering. Turns out all she needed was to be the center of attention of a family with enough money to have her in strict behavioral training, endurance competitions, and a huge yard in a rural area!)
I also could relate to her discussions about her husbands unexplainable random medical problems, as someone that unfortunately experienced very similar frustrating issues over the summer and into the fall. I skimmed these chapters, because I'm not ready to really be reminded of that time in my life yet.
I didn't like was how she talked about her children. I think that parents and mothers especially shouldn't be judged for their parenting styles as long as the children are happy and healthy, so I'm not going to harp on this. I genuinely didn't relate to her experience as a mother. I pretty much worship the ground my son walks on, and cannot imagine not loving every part of him, so to each their own, I suppose. There are some women that value their career over motherhood and I guess I just can't relate to that.
One of my favorite parts of this collection was her discussions about the COVID-19 pandemic in NYC. I would love to read more stories (fictional or based on lived experience) of peoples experiences during the pandemic in community. It was so nice to read about a community of people taking care of each other in small and big ways. If anyone has any recs send them my way please!
Overall I enjoyed reading this in the way one enjoys reading a magazine in a waiting room. Passarella is an interesting person. The collection was fine, enjoyable, and had nuggets of good anecdotes, but it could've benefited from a narrower focus....more
I live in Alabama and I never learned about this. I would like to say I'm surprised, but as I went to a predominantly white Historically important. 3.5
I live in Alabama and I never learned about this. I would like to say I'm surprised, but as I went to a predominantly white school, I'm not. ...more
Reasons to read this: It's a short classic that will make you glad you aren't a governess in the 1800's.
I'll admit, in the beginning I wasn't sure if IReasons to read this: It's a short classic that will make you glad you aren't a governess in the 1800's.
I'll admit, in the beginning I wasn't sure if I'd made a great decision in reading this over Anne's other work, The Tenant of Wildfell Hall. I even thought maybe Anne was the weakest of the other Brontes. Maybe she is, but after finish Agnes Grey, I think all of the Bronte sisters were gifted with the ability to write moving fiction.
Agnes Grey is a lithe novel that has a lot to say about class differences in the 1800's. This is social commentary on the treatment of servants, and the lower class in general, by the upper class.
Anne based this novel on her own experiences as a Governess. Agnes leaves her home to go off and become a governess for a hopefully good family. When she arrives, she finds the family to be less than accommodating or friendly. The children of the Bloomfield's are described as absolute terrors. A lot of this is the fault of the parents: Mrs. Bloomfield thinks her children are innocent spectacular creatures who could do no wrong, and Mr. Bloomfield encourages bad behavior. Agnes is steadfast in her moral ideals and continues to try and govern the children and educate them, but it proves to be near impossible.
There are scenes of horrific animal cruelty that take place that are supposedly based on Anne's actual experiences as a governess. As i worked for a time on an adolescent psych unit, I can believe it. Children can be cruel. This first half of the novel is slow, but when Agnes parts ways with the Bloomfield's, the story finally picks up.
Agnes continues to hope that not all people could be like the Bloomfield's, and so she secures a new position with a family at Horton Lodge. She travel there and her hopes are dashed again. The Murray's are not as bad as the Bloomfield's, but they still treat her without respect.
Despite the disregard the family shows her, Agnes continues to hold on to her belief in compassion and tolerance. She tries to guide her pupils along the correct path, and often is ignored.
This novel is focused on christianity and discusses the bible often. The church is visited frequently. The new rector, Mr. Weston, becomes an object on hope and later, affection for Agnes.
I really enjoyed how Anne wrote this love story. There was a lot of yearning on Agnes's side, but just as much restraint. I appreciated that her growing love for Mr. Weston wasn't the focus of the novel; the focus remained on class differences and the way the servant class is treated. Her growing love for Mr. Weston is more of a source of continued hope; a flame of optimism that flickers even when Agnes feels alone. Agnes focuses on her job and her family above all. There is a lot of internal dialogue from Agnes pining after Mr. Weston.
“He had not breathed a word of love, or dropped one hint of tenderness or affection, and yet I had been supremely happy. To be near him, to hear him talk as he did talk, and to feel that he thought me worthy to be so spoken to - capable of understanding and duly appreciating such discourse - was enough.�
It reminded me a lot of when I first started to fall for my husband. This reminder really made me soften towards the novel. Up until now I was enjoying the story purely as a social commentary, but now I was also rooting for Agnes.
I also found Agnes relatable despite the difference in centuries.
“No, thank you, I don't mind the rain,' I said. I always lacked common sense when taken by surprise.� Me when offered assistance by strangers.
“Reading is my favourite occupation, when I have leisure for it and books to read.�
The Murray's exemplify the worst qualities in the wealthy. They have no regard for others suffering. They marry solely as a means to advance their own social and economic standing. They care more about their looks than they do about their intelligence.
“I was sorry for her; I was amazed, disgusted at her heartless vanity; I wondered why so much beauty should be given to those who made so bad a use of it, and denied to some who would make it a benefit to both themselves and others.
But, God knows best, I concluded. There are, I suppose, some men as vain, as selfish, and as heartless as she is, and, perhaps, such women may be useful to punish them.�
One has to hope that Anne's portrayal of the landed gentry is bit embellished for narrative effect. In this story the landed gentry have no concept of empathy for those "beneath" them in social standing. They kick dogs. They tell poor people how awful their homes are. They laugh at the idea that people beneath them could think of marrying above their station. Outside of the Murray's, the rest of the landed gentry in the town ignore that Agnes even exists. When Agnes suffers a personal loss, they tell her to get over it. Regardless of what Agnes may be doing, they expect her to be available at a moments notice:
"Whatever occupation I chose, when not actually busied about them or their concerns, I had, as it were, to keep my loins girded, my shoes on my feet, and my staff in my hand; for not to be immediately forthcoming when called for, was regarded as a grave and inexcusable offence: not only by my pupils and their mother, but by the very servant, who came in breathless haste to call me, exclaiming 'You're to go to the school-room directly, mum- the young ladies is WAITING!!' Climax of horror! actually waiting for their governess!!!� I must admit, I found this last part to be exceedingly funny.
The power dynamics of class are a big focus of the story. Agnes, and others like Agnes, simply cannot afford to confront the way the landed gentry treat them. They must bite their tongues so that they can receive payment. The difference in the pride of the poor in this novel, as compared to the pride of people like the Murray's is glaring. This is still relatable today. Sometimes, you have to agree that the other person is right, rather than risk injuring the pride of someone else.
Thankfully, this is a story with a happy ending, otherwise this may have been rather a depressing trudge. Agnes Grey is a moral tale, a social commentary, a romance, and even a bit of satire, that manages to have been of the time while also being relevant today. If more people behaved with Agnes's sense of grace and compassion, perhaps the world would be a better place. ...more
"Tyranny attempts to poison not just the present but generations to come."
Wow, I loved this! Stephen Greenblatt is a scholar on aReading IS political.
"Tyranny attempts to poison not just the present but generations to come."
Wow, I loved this! Stephen Greenblatt is a scholar on all things Shakespeare, and I'm glad to have read something he's written finally. Tyrant is a tour through the ages and Shakespeare’s tragedies, complete with glaring parallels to today.
This book won't appeal to all readers. BUT, if you love Shakespeare, are a lit nerd (said affectionately), or feel compelled to learn about Tyranny, you may find nuggets of wisdom in these pages. OR, at the very least, you will find interesting facts to spout at parties. You be the judge of that.
Written in the wake of the 2016 election, Greenblatt never directly names the political parties he is analyzing with his discussion of Shakespeares tyrants. Neither will I. If one is able to see with ease who he is comparing the likes of Lear, Richard II, Coriolanus and others, than perhaps there is more to it than (as one reviewer put it) a thinly veiled justification of Greenblatt's political views. Perhaps, if a ruler has more in common with a tyrant than a peacemaker, we should be wary. If that offends you, that may be a problem you need to examine within yourself.
This book is smart in that Greenblatt is in effect doing the same thing as Shakespeare: discussing Tyranny at a remove from our current age, yet still hitting on relevant discussions for current events. Greenblatt opens the book by talking about the questions Shakespeare grappled with.
During Shakespeares time, speech was not free, and one had to be careful with their words, especially on the Elizabethan stage. Many fellow playwrights had been found guilty of crimes for being too free and loose with their words. I really enjoyed the discussion of how Shakespeare approached dangerous topics through oblique angles. He found he could best acknowledge the truth through the addition of fiction or with historical distance.
Shakespeare was preoccupied with how to discuss tyranny, without upsetting the crown. Queen Elizabeth was refusing to name a successor, and as she grew older, the uncertainty of the future was on everyone's mind. There were many rumors of assassination attempts, as well as actual attempts. This may be my favorite part of the book, as the history here is so rich and exciting. Maybe it's because I'm American, but I didn't learn about any of this in school. I'm not going to rehash it all here. I'll suggest, however, that you look into John/Jack Cade, Anthony Babington, and Shakespeare's near miss with becoming hanged, drawn, and quartered, himself.
Tyranny was a legitimate fear. The chance to even have a taste of power could bring out the worst in men.
He wondered: "How is it possible for a whole country to fall into the hands of a tyrant?""Why do large numbers of people knowingly accept being lied to?"
Greenblatt is interested in how Shakespeare sought to answer these questions. Greenblatt's own question becomes: Can Shakespeare's plays prove what psychological mechanisms cause a whole nation to abandon its' morals and self interest?
He wonders: "Why would anyone, be drawn to a leader manifestly unsuited to govern, someone dangerously impulsive or viscously conniving or indifferent to the truth? Why is some circumstances does evidence of mendacity, crudeness, or cruelty serve not as a fatal disadvantage but as an allure, attracting ardent followers? Why do otherwise proud and self respecting people submit to the sheer effrontery of the tyrant, his sense that he can get away with saying and doing anything he likes, his spectacular indecency?"
Greenblatt goes through each of Shakespeare's tyrants, discussing what could have caused them to become tyrants, as well as analyzing their rise and fall. He mostly focuses on the Henriad (the Henry VI plays), Richard II, Richard III, A Winters Tale, King Lear, Macbeth and Coriolanus. He briefly touches on others, such as Hamlet and Julius Caesar.
With Henry VI, Shakespeare is showing us the invention of political parties and the change from aristocratic rivals to political enemies. This play is relevant to the party rage we see today. This me vs you attitude. The right vs the left. This formation of lines in the sand leads to a a group loathing, and eventually, rage. Shakespeare and Greenblatt are pointing out that this loathing eventually leads to social breakdown. Think of today, the disgusting comments by faceless people on the internet; the things they say that you (hope) they wouldn't say in real life, to your face. They argue that "feverish party struggles are a perverse distraction that keeps us from the issues that actually matter." Greenblatt also points out that "Chaos and manufactured chaos set the stage for the tyrants seizure of power."
We continue on throughout the rest of the book like this, discussing plays and trying to learn from the mistakes of the past. Learning from the past and from literature is something we should all take time to do.
In discussing Jack/John Case, Greenblatt discusses fraudulent populism. Party warfare often makes use of class warfare. He promises that he'd get rid of the need for money. He promised people would eat for free. He made up the necessary aristocratic lineage. Instead of offering actionable ways to solve problems, he spurs his campaign on with hatred and the promise of a destruction of systems. One of the big issues at the time was literacy. Literacy was becoming necessary to increase financial standing. Instead of encouraging his followers to pursue education, he berates the educated, going so far as to encourage his followers to hang a clerk that could write. "He promises to make England great again." "He attacks education." "He pledges to dredge the swamp of the higher elite political class."
He pulled on lower class resentment of which there was a lot. An illiterate person was more likely to be hanged than others. There was something called a benefit of clergy, that allowed those who were literate to be remanded to jurisdictions with no death penalty. Thus The upper class loathes the upper and the upper loathes the lower for being beneath them.
Greenblatt argues a breakdown of basic values such as a respect for order, civility, and common decency leads to a tyrants rise.
After the Henriad, we move on to Richard III. Here we discuss the characteristics of a tyrant: "limitless self regard, narcissistic, supremely arrogant, grotesque entitlement, loves to bark orders and watch others scurry off. Expects absolute loyalty but will not give the same. Unfeeling, no decency. Hates the law and takes pleasure in breaking it. It gets in his way. Divides the world into winners and losers. He likes to talk about winning not the public good. Wealthy and bully. Deft at mockery and insult. Cruel delight. Sexual conquests excites him but he hates women."
Later we move on to read about how tyrants are enabled to power, and how they rise, and how they fall.
On enablers: “Then there are those who cannot keep in focus that Richard is as bad as he seems to be. They know that he is a pathological liar and they see perfectly well that he has done this or that ghastly thing, but they have a strange penchant for forgetting, as if it were hard work to remember just how awful he is. They are drawn irresistibly to normalize what is not normal.�
Greenblatt discusses legitimate rulers(King Lear, Leontes) who, through succumbing to madness, turn into tyrants.
“Even in systems that have multiple moderating institutions, the chief executive almost always has considerable power. But what happens when that executive is not mentally fit to hold office? What if he begins to make decisions that threaten the well-being and security of the realm?�
Despite not having read the Henriad, Richard III, or Coriolanus, I was able to enjoy this experience. I definitely can see myself returning to this book while studying those plays in the future. I think that regardless of political affiliation, Tyrant has information within it that readers can reflect upon and SHOULD reflect upon.
"It is a heretic who makes a fire, not she who burns in it." - A Winters Tale
*also, i'm not here to argue. I'm just here to discuss books. If you want to have a nice discussion i'm here, but if you want to lead with anger, i'm not.*...more
A Vine Mess is right, because this was just not the best example of the romance genre. When it's spicy, it's very spicy.It reads more like some guys fA Vine Mess is right, because this was just not the best example of the romance genre. When it's spicy, it's very spicy.It reads more like some guys fantasy than reality.
The rest of the novel just falls really really flat....more
I know I've got a good book when I can NOT put it down. I finished Good Dirt in one sitting.
This story follows Ebby Freeman, who at 10 years old witneI know I've got a good book when I can NOT put it down. I finished Good Dirt in one sitting.
This story follows Ebby Freeman, who at 10 years old witnessed her older brother's murder during a robbery, and now as an adult, has just been left at the alter by an absolute cad named Henry, who didn't even have the decency to tell her he didn't want to be with her anymore. Her trauma was too "heavy" for him. What begins as the story of one woman's personal tragedies, quickly evolves in to something bigger.
On the day that Ebby's brother Baz dies, the families cherished heirloom jar is also broken. This jar was made by their ancestors, and passed down through the generations. This jar symbolizes hope, and everything the family has been through, from being enslaved to affluence. The family has told "jar stories" about the ancestors that have had the jar from all the way back to the man who made the jar, Moses, and these stories stretch back to the Golden coast, before their ancestors were stolen and enslaved.
I found the stories about this jar, nicknamed "Old Mo" to be fascinating. In the afterword, Wilkerson talks about her research for this novel and all the work she put into learning about the forgotten labor of enslaved black people, including the making of pottery like Old Mo. I really appreciated learning about this.
The personal history of the Freeman family is as rich and layered as the themes in this story. Wilkerson manages to cover a lot of ground, from the destructive power of gossip and the media, to the complexity of honesty—how much does it cost to be honest with someone, and even oneself? Wilkerson also touches on the strength in forgiveness and the power of remembrance. Theres also plenty on the disparity between the treatment of affluent black families as compared to affluent white families, and the "subtle" racism at play in these arenas and the power dynamics involved.
I considered giving this book five stars, but I have a few issues with it that I can't overlook: I had difficult suspending my belief in a few scenarios (Henry just happening to book a stay in the very place Ebby has escaped to is just a little much for me.) In general, some of the plot hinged on others keeping vital information from each other for no good reason other than driving the conflict forward, which is one of my writing pet peeves.
Good Dirt is as much a multi-generational story of the power of legacy as it is a profound look at grief, while managing to be riveting and soothing. Because even though this is a heavy story, there is healing to be found here. There is substance in these pages, people!...more
Okay, lets sit down, because Onyx Storm has problems, but I'm so conflicted because I didn't really care that much about them?? I feel like I need a bOkay, lets sit down, because Onyx Storm has problems, but I'm so conflicted because I didn't really care that much about them?? I feel like I need a book therapist to work out my feelings about this.
Onyx Storm is the weakest in the series, likely because it falls victim to the "third book that really didn't need to be this long but is being stretched out so their can be a fourth book! yaaay more money for the publishing house" curse.
I actually didn't mind a lot of the "filler" parts of this book. It really felt like I was reading an adventure story. I liked reading about all of the different islands and the cultures of the people. The problem is, it is incongruous with the rest of the series.
When compared with the rest of the books, it felt weird to be pulled out of the story for so long, on what felt like a side quest. I'm so conflicted because I liked the quests but didn't like it with the rest of the book? Maybe that is the problem; it felt like two separate stories.
My main problem with Onyx Storm AND Iron Flame is the pacing. The pacing is off.
I enjoyed this book, but i felt like I was being thrust onto the various plot points, instead of journeying along.
The names are a big issue too. Who on earth are half of these characters? Was I just supposed to remember some characters last name that is now being referred to by that instead of their first name? Why am I supposed to care about some characters death who I'm still trying to figure out if they were in the previous books??? You've got a character problem if a laaaaarge number of your readers are struggling to figure out who the heck your characters are.
I had to do a whole reread of Fourth Wing and Iron Flame just to attempt remedying this, and nope, I can report I still didn't know who some of these characters were. Llewelyn who???
I really enjoyed the ending plot twist. What I didn't enjoy was the narrative shifts at the end. I thought Imogens chapter was great. But Rhiannon's??? Why was that needed? It felt like a snooze fest to me. And, I never like Xaiden's perspective. Sorry guys, I just feel like it is so weird to end a book told entirely from the perspective of Violet with another characters perspective. it feels like Yarros is just trying to drag out the ending. Helllooo, adding a word count. I want to think it's a fun experimental way to include outside information Violet wouldn't be privy too...but I am a little suspicious.
Regardless of the problems, these books are so FUN. I am only sad they weren't subject to more editing. I wish they were given time to rest. They feel rushed for publication....more
This is what I would classify as a bedtime book: a low stakes read to curl up with before nodding off.
I picked Lunar love up from my local bookstore This is what I would classify as a bedtime book: a low stakes read to curl up with before nodding off.
I picked Lunar love up from my local bookstore because it caught my eye; the cover is striking, the title alliterative and appealing, and in the lead up to the then impending Lunar New Year, I wanted to learn more about the Chinese zodiac, and this book promised to do just that, but in a cute, cozy way.
Lunar Love is a cheesy romance between two match makers. Olivia runs an in person match making business, and Bennett is creating an app called Zodiacupid. Olivia is all about her history and knows everything about the Chinese zodiac. She has hard and fast rules about ONLY matching couples that have compatible animal signs. Bennett is "gamifying" the Chinese zodiac and love, and in Olivia's opinion this is tantamount to war.
This is a romance, and so I expected some romantic tension between these two in the usual "enemies to lovers" set up, but this is mostly absent. Jessen leans more into the cheesy, with so much cheese I found myself not really buying the attraction between the two. This is a closed door romance, which I usually like, but this one felt juvenile considering the two romantic parties are both grown adults, and the absence of tension and chemistry really knocked me off balance.
I did actually like reading about Olivia's career, and think that aspect of this book was the true gem. The love of her career and her family, and of LOVE, really shines.
There are some good conversations about the difficulties of being mixed race, with both Bennett and Olivia expressing feeling like they don't completely fit into either culture. Olivia talks about not feeling Chinese enough because she can't understand and speak Chinese like her Po-Po(this means Grandmother) could. I enjoyed these real conversations between the characters much more than I did the forced romance. The two seemed to have been bitten by that insta love bug I really hate. It's difficult for me to rate this book, because as a romance, I didn't love it. But, as a cozy slice of life, I actually enjoyed it.
Overall, a good debut and I will probably pick up her next book. ...more
This is a story that has the power to grip your soul and say "Remember me."
This book BLEEDS winter. I feel like if I shook it, drops of snow would driThis is a story that has the power to grip your soul and say "Remember me."
This book BLEEDS winter. I feel like if I shook it, drops of snow would drift off the pages.
Suspended in the stillness of the snow, Han Kang's We Do Not Part uses a dreamlike ambiguity to examine memory, violence, and enduring friendship. The more time that's passed after finishing this, the more I can't stop thinking about it, and I've increased my initial rating.
This is a heavy novel, mellowed some by the softness of the perpetual snowfall and the unreality of the situation. I was reminded of Silent Hill, the town forever suspended in falling ash.
History It's important to discuss the history this novel deals with before getting to the plot. I am not an expert, so do your own research. Here's an overview:
We Do Not Part is set in South Korea. Kang is writing about the forgotten (aka SUPRESSED) massacre of Jeju Island in 1948-1949. I'd never heard anything about this, yet the USA played a role in these events. Interestingly, Wikipedia refers to this massacre as the Jeju Uprising—as if the people of Jeju brought this on themselves. As if protests, and unrest by some is reason to murder everyone. Many Jeju Islander's fled to japan. Entire families were often killed together. Because of this, the numbers of murdered are unknown. From the extensive researchKang has done, she believes it to be at least 30,000.
South Korea had just gained freedom from Japan after 35 years of occupation. The Soviet Union was overseeing the northern half of the Korean Peninsula, and USA was overseeing the southern half. The new South Korean president and the USA wanted to divide North and South Korea. Jeju Island residents did not want this.
There were protests, and so of course they were labeled as communists, and at that time being communist was pretty much the worst thing anyone could ever be. Jeju Islanders didn't want a division of the country and their protests resulted in extreme military crackdowns. Thus began an "eradication campaign" in 1949.
Even afterwards, sympathizers were killed. Of course, the state sponsored murder of thousands of citizens isn't a great look, so extreme censorship took place. Syngmee Rhee was the first president of the new People's Republic of Korea, and so he didn't want this to mar his legacy. He was all for the murder of these people, but he did not want any of the responsibility of the aftermath.
The USA military had control of Jeju Island at the beginning of the Uprising. They were aware the massacre was happening, but did not intervene. They turned a blind eye. Effectively, they aided in the snuffing of lives and the snuffing of history afterwards.
Plot We Do Not Part follows Kyungha, a writer like Han Kang. She's written a novel about a massacre, and she can't seem to escape the violence and tragedy she's been researching. She's been having recurrent nightmares of a field filled with blackened stumps stuck into the snow.
Sometimes, with some dreams, you awake and sense that the dream is ongoing elsewhere."
In the beginning there's mention of a family, but it isn't long before Kyungha is alone and writing her will. Kyungha is FOURTY, in seemingly good health, and has no reason to be writing her own will. It's hinted she's considering suicide, but it's also possible in the wake of her research she's become afraid of the uncertainty of death and wants to be prepared. Either way, it is a morbid undertaking that is pulling her under.
Around this time, Kyungha's old friend Inseon call's out of the blue, and Kyungha leaves her self imposed isolation to visit her in the hospital. It is here that the meat of the story begins. Inseon begs Kyungha to go to her home on Jeju Island, and rescue her pet bird Ama; She needs someone to feed her or she will die, and there is no one else Inseon can ask. This begs the question: has Inseon been in her own self imposed isolation—how is there no one on Jeju Island she can ask?
Kyungha arrives on Jeju island and begins the trek to Inseon's village. Snow is falling, and as she descends further into the island the snow becomes more persistent. Kyungha almost decides to turn back, but continues on. After the last bus, she makes the decision to walk the rest of the way to Inseon's. Have I mentioned it's night and she's wandering through unmarked trails? Because she is. The unreality starts to take place, the "Vertiginous plunge" the blurb refers to. What is reality and what isn't? There's a blurring between the living and the dead, between past and present.
“A thought comes to me. Doesn't water circulate endlessly and never disappear? If that's true, then the snowflakes Inseon grew up seeing could be the same ones falling on my face at this moment. I am reminded of the Inseon's mother described, the ones in the schoolyard. Who's to say the snow dusting my hands now isn't the same snow that had gathered on their faces.�
Dispersed between Kyungha's experiences on Jeju are stories from the massacre, stories of what Inseon has been up to on Jeju, and stories about Inseon and Kyungha's friendship.
The massacre is plainly laid out. Inhumane violence pervades these stories. Violence touches everyone, not just the direct victims of it. Kyungha and Inseon were not even alive when the massacre happened, and they are consumed by it.
Life is fragile. Kang is interested in the thin line between life and death, between the living and the dead. How much time do we have? How is life so beautiful, and yet so violent? How can light and dark exist at the same time? How can a life and a death be forgotten? These are the questions she delves into in this novel. Both author and character are striving to bring the victims of the Jeju Massacre into the light.
“In lieu of an answer, I placed my hand over the photo of the bones. Over people who no longer had eyes or tongues. Over people whose organs and muscles had rotted away. Over what was no longer human - no. Over what remained human even now.�
Inseon and Kyungha's friendship lightens the dark atmosphere, giving it a cozy feel as opposed to a menacing one. This entire story is HAUNTING, and it was smart of Kang to add in this friendship that is enduring in all of this darkness. I felt as if I was with them, eating a warm bowl of jook, listening to Inseon explain how her mother began searching for answers. That's another thing, Inseon's mother is a hidden protagonist. She is dedicated to finding answers to what happened to her uncle during the massacre, as well as bringing all the victims into the public conscience.
This is a novel that can appeal to history buffs, lit-fic lovers and winter lovers.
After I finished this novel I listened to Kang's Waterstone's interview. It left me hungry to read more of her work. I'm linking it here.
Another thing to note: Kang won the Nobel Prize for literature for her body of work. She won for “her intense poetic prose that confronts historical traumas and exposes the fragility of human life.� Any work that wins a prize like that is worth reading and studying. I'm also linking her nobel prize speech. She gave it in Korean, so I've linked the english transcript. ...more
A tradition of mine is to read sappy holiday romcoms in December.
Admittedly, this book is more spicy than I'd prefer, but the world Gilmore has creatA tradition of mine is to read sappy holiday romcoms in December.
Admittedly, this book is more spicy than I'd prefer, but the world Gilmore has created is so warm and comforting!
This is the third in the Dream Harbor series (I skipped the second, The Cinnamon Bun Book Store, in favor of this winter wonderland,) and to my surprise it carries forward all the characters from previous books, making this series a fun ensemble cast I didn't know I needed.
Jaclyn~she lives! catching up on reviews~
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