Holy buckets, Batman. That right there is the most smoldering, most sensual, most the-pages-of-the-book-are-going-to-catch fire "Is this better, Joe?"
Holy buckets, Batman. That right there is the most smoldering, most sensual, most the-pages-of-the-book-are-going-to-catch fire scene I've ever read.
I'm glad I did not read the book jacket prior to picking this up, otherwise there would have been spoilers. All I knew is that it's about an elderly English attorney who helps a young Scottish woman obtain an inheritance.
I got quite attached to Noel, a lonely widower, and when the author brings Jean into the picture, I was hoping for perhaps a May-November romance. I was then temporarily disappointed when I thought it was a World War II story. Historical fiction is my least favorite genre, and WWII is my least favorite subgenre. There is a very long chapter from Jean's POV and I flipped through simply to see how long the chapter was and wound up accidentally reading the most horrible line in the book (view spoiler)[where Jean simply says to Noel that the Japanese captors crucified Joe (hide spoiler)]. It was such an awful scene that I wanted to put the book down. But I stuck with it, partly because I realize this isn't historical fiction. It was published in 1950, not long after the war, so it was a modern day book at the time. Perhaps that is why it feels so authentic.
And am so glad I did! The story is inspired by a true story of some of the most badass women in the history of the world. And is doesn't end there. It is also a story of gratitude - her selfless act of wanting to repay the kindness people once showed her has exponential benefits. One man's act of courage during the hell of war becomes internationally known.
I also loved the "outback radio" network as Jean goes on her mission across a continent to pay her debt. I suggest referencing a map of Australia to help track her journey. And the book is occasionally funny, like with the calf-stealing scene.
I'm rereading this book for the first time since school. It's still an emotional rollercoaster and one of the most thought-provoking books I've ever rI'm rereading this book for the first time since school. It's still an emotional rollercoaster and one of the most thought-provoking books I've ever read. In fact, I won't post too much because it's too hard and I don't have any Kleenex handy at the moment. This book should be a mandatory read for every single person in the world who is capable of reading....more
I've heard many complaints about the English language - not as musical as Italian, not as sexy as French, not as literal as German, not as descriptiveI've heard many complaints about the English language - not as musical as Italian, not as sexy as French, not as literal as German, not as descriptive as Russian, etc. I disagree completely. English is a stunningly beautiful language when used properly. This book showcases the English language at its absolute finest. Even if you're not interested in the narrative of a butler in post WWII England, I highly recommend reading it simply to appreciate the writing. It is the very definition of "dignity" (an important theme in the book).
I found the story intriguing and difficult to put the book down. Mr. Stevens comes from a long line of men who have dedicated their lives to serving England's aristocracy. He is completely loyal to his kindly employer, even when His Lordship's actions contradict Mr. Stevens' morals. He believes that while he will never be a blue blood, helping those in charge to achieve success is an equally valued lot in life. His employment comes at the sacrifice of his own well-being at times. Try not to shed a tear during one of the most heartbreaking "the show must go on moments" in literature (view spoiler)[when Stevens continues managing a dinner party even though his beloved father dies during the evening (hide spoiler)]. His philosophy and old-school ways occasionally clash with the new housekeeper, Miss Kenton, who may be Stevens' only real friend. He takes a car trip to visit Miss Kenton many years after their final meeting and graciously invites us, the readers, to join him. I just want to sit down to a nice cup of tea with Stevens and help him learn the art of bantering. It's rare to call a book a masterpiece and truly mean it. This book deserves every bit of praise....more
Wow. If this story does not inspire an emotional reaction in you, you are probably not human. A tale of man v/s nature in a harsh environment settled Wow. If this story does not inspire an emotional reaction in you, you are probably not human. A tale of man v/s nature in a harsh environment settled by only the toughest, bravest, most stubborn of people in a time without Gore-tex. Magnificent....more
Wow. No matter what your religious affiliation is: Christian, Buddhist, Pastafarian, or if you have no affiliation at all, you should still read this Wow. No matter what your religious affiliation is: Christian, Buddhist, Pastafarian, or if you have no affiliation at all, you should still read this book. The universal truths will smack you with their accuracy, all recounted in Screwtape's magnificent prose.
It's not so much a guide to being a good person as it is to how to not be a complete and utter jackass. For example, it discusses hypocrisy of expressing concern for the welfare of others while ignoring one's own family. I see this with a lot of self-righteous, self-professed do-gooders. One of my favorite letters is about a prissy woman who only wants a bit of toast - you know, because she's so easy to please, oh no, do take back that lovely lunch you prepared for me and just make me toast - but in truth is a royal PITA.
This is not a book to just sit down and try to read through. Make yourself a cup of hot tea, sit in a cozy chair, and read a letter or two. Ponder the contents for a few days. Reread if you feel compelled to do so, or read another letter. Learn from it, and put it into practice.
This book absolutely deserves its place on a list of classics. It may not be everyone's cup of tea, but people with any amount of common sense should This book absolutely deserves its place on a list of classics. It may not be everyone's cup of tea, but people with any amount of common sense should be able to appreciate it for what it is.
I first read it as a preteen while rooting around my grandmother's attic. "Hey cool, this is a challenged book!" said preteen me. I expected it to be a challenging (aka: boring) read as many classics tend to be. Flash forward several hours - I'd read the book in one sitting.
I recall being mesmerized. No book has ever captured what it feels like to be lonely while surrounded by millions of people as well as The Catcher in the Rye does. I hated Sunny and Maurice for scamming Holden when all he wanted was a few minutes to talk to someone. Oddly enough, I envied Holden's freedom to do as he pleased just a bit. I too wanted to wander the streets of a city without parental supervision.
Reading it as an adult, I see how disturbed Holden is. He appears to be suffering from a variety of mental illnesses and can't find a friend to help him. He's likely got depression and some form of PTSD from losing his beloved little brother and watching a classmate die, and as an adult I could read between the lines for the descriptions of sexual abuse. Holy buckets. Poor Holden. I want to jump into the book, give him a hug, and sit down with him for a cup of coffee.
And yet, what still sticks with me the most is his loneliness. He seeks out company and constantly has it thrown in his face. Even his attempt to reach out to a teacher who he was fond of instead uses the opportunity to belittle him (or molest him, as we see later). All I can hope is that Holden's doing better today....more
I absolutely love this book and in some ways, it seems to have more of an impact each time I read it. If you're reading it for the first time, the ploI absolutely love this book and in some ways, it seems to have more of an impact each time I read it. If you're reading it for the first time, the plot is presented in a way that sort of leads you to think it's about something else, but in the final section called "The Last Generation", the plot twists to one of the most brilliant book endings I've ever read. On rereads, I've noticed small details that hint at the events to come that I never noticed in the first read.
(I'm not going to say more because I don't want to give away any spoilers).
This book could be interpreted as depressing or even macabre, but I found it to be inspiring and feel it leaves a message of hope. We're not alone. We're not the only ones who search for meaning. We can't even begin to understand the complexities of the universe. Mankind is special and has a destiny. And above all, we won't be forgotten. Now imagine how it feels to see this unfold through Karellen's enigmatic eyes, accepting these truths all the while knowing that he will never be a part of it. We've all heard stories of being the last man on earth, but this book is the first that considers what it would be like to observe the last man on earth. An absolute masterpiece. Excellent book for all ages and very suitable for book club discussions. My book club had one of our best discussions ever based on the philosophical topics presented in this book....more
This novel still amazes me with its longevity and importance. Reading it as an adult, I've realized that this book is also suitable for all ages of reThis novel still amazes me with its longevity and importance. Reading it as an adult, I've realized that this book is also suitable for all ages of readers from about middle school level up. At its most basic form, it is a good story about some talking animals. Readers familiar with the rise of Socialism and Communism will find parallels, as will readers familiar with farming. I never realized it before, but it's appropriate that Napoleon and Squealer are the most clever of the animals on Manor/Animal/Manor Farm as pigs are the most intelligent of farm animals. Horses are hardworking but not clever, sheep are sheep, etc. I'd say people should read this book at least once simply because it's a classic with staying power and an important message. Animal Farm is also an easier and less subtle read than say 1984 or Brave New World, though I feel it's more disturbing and effective....more
A delightful masterpiece - I enjoy reading Dickens' works (the only one I didn't like was "David Copperfield") but sometimes I wonder if they would beA delightful masterpiece - I enjoy reading Dickens' works (the only one I didn't like was "David Copperfield") but sometimes I wonder if they would be a bit better had they not been published as serials, and perhaps if Dickens hadn't been getting paid by each issue. In "A Christmas Carol", you get all of Dickens' superb characterization and humor in a neat little package. The dialogue is touching, intellectually clever, and often very funny. It's hard not to feel sorry for poor old Jacob Marley, find yourself reaching for a blanket at the description of Scrooge's cold office,or feel nervous when the silent Ghost of Christmas Future arrives. I'm going to try to reread it every few Christmases.
On a side note, many movie adaptations of "A Christmas Carol" often have terrifying scenes with the Ghost of Christmas Future. The spirit often throws Scrooge into his own grave. Even the otherwise harmless "Mickey's Christmas Carol" has the spirit throwing Scrooge (Macduck!) into a pit of fire, a source of many nightmares for me. I think this was why I only read part of the book in 3rd or 4th grade; I was too scared of the ending. In the book, it's not macabre at all. Scrooge simply holds the spirit's hand, begging for another chance, and then wakes up to find he's holding his bedpost. Leave it to Dickens to inject just the right amount of humor into such a scene....more
This book is an absolute masterpiece. If you've read "Twilight" but have not read this book, you are hereby declared a useless waste of DNA and the onThis book is an absolute masterpiece. If you've read "Twilight" but have not read this book, you are hereby declared a useless waste of DNA and the only way to help make the human race a little less dumb is to begin reading this immediately. For the love of the dodo, do it now.
Bill Bryson, who is without question my favorite non-fiction author, manages to describe the history of the world from pre-Big Bang up to modern times with us homo sapiens. He puts the science into layman's terms, and adds in delightful bits of trivia and pop culture. While the material is no longer entirely current - for example, he discusses the plans for the now-completed (and failed) Hadron collider - but is often eerily accurate. He discusses how influenza once wiped out millions of people, and cautions that swine flu will one day rear its head again. And of course we know it did a few years ago.
Don't rush the book. I've been reading it for over 6 months, just a few pages at a time. Reread it often....more
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