The Icarus myth is in fact rather short and only make up a small portion of this book.
The rest of the book consists of excerpts from Ovid's MetamorphThe Icarus myth is in fact rather short and only make up a small portion of this book.
The rest of the book consists of excerpts from Ovid's Metamorphoses which I've never read in its entirety � making this volume a bit of a mess.
Nevertheless, I've always loved the myth of Icarus; his very human need for more, throwing caution to the wind and soaring up towards the sun. It's hubris at its purest....more
It's odd. I recently watched the season finale of HBO's Westworld, and this book reminded me so much of it. Without getting knee-deep into spoilers, iIt's odd. I recently watched the season finale of HBO's Westworld, and this book reminded me so much of it. Without getting knee-deep into spoilers, it's all about control and instability; the idea that all-knowing technology can both bring the solution to our problems and cause them at the same time.
In the end, this is very much a book that explores what it means to be human. How weaknesses and mistakes can turn into meaningful strengths. How the choices we make are never predictable or even simple, but spurring a multitude of consequences and events to unfold.
I quite liked this book; while it was perhaps not as gripping or humorous as the first book in the series, it still comes out as deeply relevant, clever and contemporary. It very much feels like it was written for our current situation and social climate....more
En virkelig velskrevet roman om alle de mørke � og alligevel hverdagslige � hemmeligheder, der kan blive fejet under gulvtæppet og genoplevet i samme En virkelig velskrevet roman om alle de mørke � og alligevel hverdagslige � hemmeligheder, der kan blive fejet under gulvtæppet og genoplevet i samme øjeblik et familiemedlem dør.
Tankevækkende og meget rammende, synes jeg....more
I don't think I agree with Rioux's reading of Little Women. But I enjoyed it nevertheless.
Part biography, part analysis, part personal memoir, this boI don't think I agree with Rioux's reading of Little Women. But I enjoyed it nevertheless.
Part biography, part analysis, part personal memoir, this book tries to uncover why Little Women is still relevant; why it still has an audience and why its readers responds to it with so much force.
Rioux masterfully contextualise Alcott's novel, merging it with the important events of her life. She dives into her childhood, highlights her other, lesser known, works and share anecdotes she has uncovered in her research. It's well done and I especially loved getting more context on the death of Louisa May's sister, Lizzie, who influenced her work so much.
Rioux then places Little Women in our time and traces its many adaptions through illustrations and book covers as well as plays, movies and even fanfiction. In a particularly stunning chapter, she fiercely argues why boys can � and should � read Little Women too, sharing truly appalling statistics on how rarely it is given to boys in school.
But Rioux also goes one step further; because not only are boys rarely given the book, it is barely taught at all. Though she is such an important part of American literary history, Little Women isn't considered teachable literature, and Alcott thus suffers the fate of so many other realistic female writers; she is written off as too sentimental and traditional when all she actually did was depict female lives for a female audience.
It's thought-provoking.
Rioux then loses me a bit when she tries to trace the influence Little Women has exercised on popular movies, books and TV shows. Partly because she is too blinded by Jo and sets her up as the true archetype (forgetting and overlooking the many Megs, Beths and particularly Amys that populate modern literature as well), and partly because she is too prejudiced against modern YA, too busy blaming Gossip Girl or books by Jenny Han for their easy reading instead of diving into what they have to offer.
She does however get points for her comparison of Little Women and Gilmore Girls. The parallels she draws between Jo March writing a book about her sisters and Rory Gilmore writing a book about her mother where the male characters are only minor characters that come and go � it's brilliant. And worth a read for that chapter alone.
In the end, I wish Rioux wasn't as prejudied against modern culture as she is. Because she's a joy to read....more
�Perhaps nothing was worth worrying about in a city where everything was constantly shifting and dissolving, and the only thing they could ever rely o�Perhaps nothing was worth worrying about in a city where everything was constantly shifting and dissolving, and the only thing they could ever rely on was this moment in time, which was already half gone.�
This is a book that leaves tingles on your fingertips as you turn the pages. It evokes scents and tastes long forgotten or perhaps never experienced, and as the narrator starts reliving her memories you're transported to the bustling streets of Istanbul.
�She was a foreigner and, like all foreigners, she carried with her the shadow of an elsewhere.�
The book starts with murder. The narrator, a 40-year old sex worker, is left to die in a dumpster � and as her body starts to shut down, she is lucid for 10 minutes and 38 seconds; left to feel how the life slowly leaves her body. For those 10 minutes she remembers and looks back on her life; a life with abuse and betrayal from those who were supposed to protect her � but also a life with genuine friendships and a hit of romance and freedom.
It's exceptionally well-written. And moving in so many ways....more
It’s odd to read a story that’s so familiar and yet so utterly different from what we’ve grown up with. The Disney versions, the plays, the pop culturIt’s odd to read a story that’s so familiar and yet so utterly different from what we’ve grown up with. The Disney versions, the plays, the pop culture references only really got a gist of what this novel truly is; a masterpiece.
Of course Hugo can be a pain to read (and that’s putting it mildly). He loses himself in architecture, in history, in the streets of his beloved Paris and he doesn’t always succeed in inviting the reader to travel beside him. But even when he’s at his most flighty, there’s a powerful poetry to his words and metaphors.
At its heart, this book is a tribute to the Notre Dame; to the bustling streets of Paris; to the sinners and the saints; and to the distorted ideal of justice that still exist today.
While perhaps not as strong or in-depth as Les Miserables, this is a masterpiece in its own right. It’s a complex and slow story which perhaps explains its many simplified adaptations. It’s a hard novel to condense � and that is part of its attraction....more
Delightful Austen-fiction told from a new angle. I breezed through this well-written book and found the language to be not only faithful to its time bDelightful Austen-fiction told from a new angle. I breezed through this well-written book and found the language to be not only faithful to its time but true to its characters as well. Best of all Miss Austen isn’t a romance novel as one is so used to in Austen-fiction. Instead it offers a very realistic idea of Cassandra’s motives for burning those lost letters.
The book does not offer explanations or introductions to readers who are not familiar with Austen’s life or family history. And perhaps it isn’t important � one could certainly argue that it is a book for Austen-fans after all. But for new readers, I’d definitely recommend some research beforehand.
Cassandra Austen is the main character of Hornby’s novel. Her dear sister Jane lives in the shadows of her memories and we only encounter her through her letters to secondary family members.
In the end, the book doesn’t depict a plot as much as a small moment in time. The book presents as a small vignette; painting a beautiful portrait of a grief-stricken Cassandra sorting through her sister’s letters, clinging to her words. ...more
I've always considered Mary Bennet to be a rather intriguing character. Perhaps because she could be me seen through unkind and unobserving eyes; a diI've always considered Mary Bennet to be a rather intriguing character. Perhaps because she could be me seen through unkind and unobserving eyes; a distant character who's so sincere she comes across as too serious.
In Austen's world Mary is hardly a minor character; she is a part of the environment. Like the furniture and tapestry, she lives in the background and sets the scene that only the real characters can act on.
And so I was caught by the premise of this book that allows Mary to step onto stage. Though of course Hadlow's Mary isn't Austen's Mary. She couldn't be; after all, Austen's Mary barely existed at all.
Hadlow's Mary is a sensitive overlooked character. She's the ugly duckling in a world of bustling swans. She isn't loved by her mother or noticed by her father, she sits quietly at balls and creeps into the shadows. She's every lonely girl personified.
This novel starts, as all Austen-retellings do, with the arrival of Mr. Bingley. "Netherfield Park is let at last," Mrs. Bennet rejoices and the events starts to unfold though everything does look different seen through Mary's spectacles.
The novel then moves on to portray Mary when her father is dead and all her sisters married. She leads an unnerving life, traveling from sister to sister, trying to find her place. In the end, she lodges with the Gardiners. Here she finally emerges from her sister's shadows and gets to live without the restraints her name entails.
While the structure is good, the plot is solid and the writing style is authentic, Hadlow does fall into the trap of repeating Austen. Tiny easter-eggs and odd saying are sprinkled through the book, only designed to make you aware that this is indeed an Austen- spinoff.
The ending especially makes the mistake of imitating Austen instead of creating something new. (view spoiler)[The visit from Lady Catherine de Bourgh, the repeated use of Caroline Bingley as an opponent, and Mary's passionate retorts all adds up to a story that is oddly familiar and yet not entirely fitting for Mary's storyline. (hide spoiler)] Ultimately Hadlow sabotages her novel's attempt at originality.
That said, it is an enjoyable book written with a profound respect for Austen's words and her characters. I only wish it could stand more on its own....more
Such beautiful writing. Fowler's marriage of prose and poetry is perfectly proportioned. The plot flows like water as it divides its time and focus beSuch beautiful writing. Fowler's marriage of prose and poetry is perfectly proportioned. The plot flows like water as it divides its time and focus between London and Brazil. ...more
This was fun! Perhaps my favourite Montgomery short story collection so far.
As the title suggest, these joyous tales revolves around romance and marriThis was fun! Perhaps my favourite Montgomery short story collection so far.
As the title suggest, these joyous tales revolves around romance and marriages. About family dramas and unlikely coincidences. About sudden elopements and larger-than-life weddings.
While Montgomery is often accused of being sentimental, I didn't read these tales as sentimental at all. I read them as lighthearted fun. They reminded me of the Montgomery who wrote A Tangled Web; an absurd comedy of manners and family drama. Montgomery's supposedly romantic tales are in fact very tongue-in-cheek. Or at least they can be read that way.
For instance, I couldn't help laughing at The Gossip of Valley View in which a bored boy starts a false rumor of two unmarried adults getting engaged; and the poor objects of the gossip starts believing it to be true. Or in Aunt Philippa and the Men where a seemingly stern aunt takes a sudden turn. Montgomery is at her best when she makes fun of village life, dives into grumpy characters or creates unlikely heroes; delighting in the ridiculous farce that a marriage truly is.
Of course, the stories are not necessarily great art; they were written for magazines with an expected word count and therefore some of them seems severely underdeveloped; the characters are most often completely unbelievable. But they're great fun nevertheless.
This is one of those instances where you really shouldn't judge a book by its cover (or even its title). These tales are fun, satirical and I imagine the author ending the stories with a playful wink rather than a heartfelt sigh....more
This was cute. Almost reminiscent of a childhood-cartoon where our heroes drowns in candy, haybale-mazes and chases something akin to the prom queen oThis was cute. Almost reminiscent of a childhood-cartoon where our heroes drowns in candy, haybale-mazes and chases something akin to the prom queen of the pumpkin field.
It was fun too. Pure lighthearted fun � a lovely distraction in these odd autumn days....more
Af en eller anden grund forbinder jeg Tove Janssons noveller med sommerstemning og læsning på farten. Måske fordi, bøgerne er så pastelfarvede og små,Af en eller anden grund forbinder jeg Tove Janssons noveller med sommerstemning og læsning på farten. Måske fordi, bøgerne er så pastelfarvede og små, at de passer i enhver rygsæk og til enhver togtur. Måske fordi, historierne er så fyldt den bittersøde nostalgi, sensommeren er præget af for mig. Eller måske bare fordi, Gyldendal de seneste par år har udgivet en novellesamling hver sommer.
I hvert fald viste den her novellesamling sig at være den perfekte bog til mine togrejser rundt omkring i Danmark. Jeg nød historierne og Janssons præcise og følsomme pensel. Særligt historien om tegneserietegneren og dukkehuset bed sig fast � måske på grund af deres stærke billeder, måske fordi begge minder mig om ting, jeg har læst om i Tove Jansson-biografier....more
A powerful exploration of the Victorian view of gender and a woman's role in the society. Gaskell depicts a so-called "fallen woman" who builds a lifeA powerful exploration of the Victorian view of gender and a woman's role in the society. Gaskell depicts a so-called "fallen woman" who builds a life for herself, brick by brick, only to have it torn down by society's double standards.
Gaskell's writing flows beautifully and if this novel has a fault it is that its heroine is faultless; Ruth serves only as a plot device, allowing Gaskell to comment on her era....more
It's impossible to read Little Women and not look for glimpses of oneself in the sisters. The ever-moving sisters pass by like flighty shadows in a miIt's impossible to read Little Women and not look for glimpses of oneself in the sisters. The ever-moving sisters pass by like flighty shadows in a mirror. One second you're Jo, burning with genius and rage, the next you're Amy sighing for bows and balls and the luxurious freedom that only money can buy.
It makes the book a deeply personal reading experience unlike anything else. It unites readers across all ages; to meet a fellow Beth or Meg feels like meeting a soulmate. I'd much rather know which March sister my friends identify with than which Hogwarts houses.
I myself am an Amy. And that's not an easy thing to admit. After all, you're supposed to be Jo; the heroine of the story and not the villain. You're supposed to want Laurie to follow Jo to the end of the world, demanding her love. And yet I've never been and never did.
I like the cold reality of Amy; the complexity and the inadequacy of her talent that doesn't burn or rage or shine, but exists quietly like a dream just out of reach. Contrary to Jo's beliefs, Amy doesn't get everything that she wants. But she does achieve happiness.
These four essays highlight exactly that; the book's ability to make one identify so strongly with its characters, the need to defend one's choices and favourite characters as though they were part of you. Which is partly true after all.
I adored Kate Bolick's take on Meg and the transformative magic her clothes works on her. The beauty of the domestic; Meg's much overlooked longing.
I enjoyed Jenny Zhang's take on Jo and the feminine power she undoubtedly brings to the story.
I was puzzled by Jane Smiley's analysis of Amy, highlighting her forward-thinking while also trying to put herself in Marmee's place (an odd choice for literary criticism to be sure).
But, the true gem in the collection was Carmen Maria Machado's piece on Beth, drawing equally on Machado's own deeply personal experiences and the Alcott family history. Machado argues that Beth is forced into her angelic role by her surroundings; she is good because everybody reduces her to saintliness. When she dies her family members gets to define her; like the Alcott family forever nursed the myth of the deceased Elizabeth. It's raw and interesting and adds a layer to Beth's character that I never gave much thought earlier.
I thoroughly enjoyed this essay collection � not only because it reawakens my favourite childhood book, but because reading it felt like chatting with old friends. Such a comforting and interesting read....more
Harrow writes like a dream. This is fantasy in its most fluent, most gripping, most world-shattering form. She easily crafts worlds and characters thaHarrow writes like a dream. This is fantasy in its most fluent, most gripping, most world-shattering form. She easily crafts worlds and characters that deceptively real, mixing poetry, history and fantasy with a flick of her hand....more
This is something as rare as a page-turner that begs you to go slow. With language that wraps itself around your mind and fill it with vivid images ofThis is something as rare as a page-turner that begs you to go slow. With language that wraps itself around your mind and fill it with vivid images of far-off worlds, adventurers lost at sea, urban vampires and little girls locked up in their own minds in the words of protection.
It begs to be read slowly. The words begs to be tasted, to be felt, to be brought to life on your lips before you turn the page.
Need I say that I failed? That I got too greedy and read too fast, chasing an ending only to grieve the fact that the ending existed at all?
At least I can always read it again. In fact, I think I have to.
�May she wander but always return home, may all her words be written true, may every door lie open before her.�
This book kept reminding me of Morgenstern's The Starless Sea. Perhaps because I read it recently. Perhaps because it too was a combination of adventures and lyrical prose. Or perhaps because that too is a tale of books and doors and the magic that exists in the deceiving void between a book's page and our own imagination.
Because at its heart, that's what's this is: A book about the human imagination. A homage to people who use their words to travel between worlds. And a tale spun on the old wisdom, that books open doors. Those doors do not always lead to safety, of course. But they do lead to wonder. This book certainly does.
And at the same time Harrow tackles the inequality lurking even in a fantastic world. She writes about a young girl being manipulated by an older man; exploited because of her gender and the colour of her skin. Suppressed into second-guessing her own instincts and feelings, being captive in a place supposed to be her home. It's both powerful and raw.
This is the best fantasy novel I've read all year.
�Destiny is a pretty story we tell ourselves. Lurking beneath it there are only people, and the terrible choices we make.�...more
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