I admit I picked this one up becuase I thought the cover was pretty. It did turn out to be a pretty decent read, though. It wasn't a typical story, whI admit I picked this one up becuase I thought the cover was pretty. It did turn out to be a pretty decent read, though. It wasn't a typical story, which I appreciated, but I also was all that effected by it....more
I didn't know if I was going to like this book or not. However, it was really good. I loved the feminist twist the author put on the old legends - it I didn't know if I was going to like this book or not. However, it was really good. I loved the feminist twist the author put on the old legends - it actually made it all much more interesting and easy to connect with. ...more
This is my general Lord of the Rings trilogy review:
What can you even say about Tolkein? The man was a linguistic genious, literally. He created entirThis is my general Lord of the Rings trilogy review:
What can you even say about Tolkein? The man was a linguistic genious, literally. He created entire languages, and what's more, he created vibrant and fully-realized cultures to go with them. I love that he borrowed so heavily from Norse myth to create a sort of mythic Northern European pre-history, colored with Germanic/Anglo-Saxon imagry.
The hobbits themselves are my least favorite aspect of the books, which I know is close to heresy. I understand that they're a symbol of childlike purity and innocence and the pastoral ideal and all of that, but they're a bit too good to be fun. Trolls also bore me incredibly (although that might be backlash from the movies and Gimli's role as a profoundly unfunny source of "comic" relief and zippy one-liners). The elves are snotty and stiff, but at least they are intriguing; I like the fading, sad feel that they have.
The Men are, as they were likely intended by the author, the most interesting in their flawed natures and ability to step up to the plate when needed. I like Aragorn a lot. He could have been very irritating, but is saved by his hesitancy to rule, despite his birthright, and fear of his own weakness. I like him the best becuase he combines the best features Tolkein gives to Men and elves, with very few of their downfalls (namely pride). I love the Ring and all it's not-very-subtle methaphors for the seduction of power and evil.
His writing feels more like mythology than a sci-fi novel. It reads like something that was handed down from generation to generation, and that gives it such a unique quality that other authors have tried and largely failed to emulate. ...more
Excellent. The grown-up versions of Rowlings' characters are so much more fun than they were as kids. The books just keep getting darker and more ominExcellent. The grown-up versions of Rowlings' characters are so much more fun than they were as kids. The books just keep getting darker and more ominous; I can't wait for the final installment....more
They keep getting better and better, don't they? Dolores Umbridge is at the same time the most irritating and scary character in this series to me. I They keep getting better and better, don't they? Dolores Umbridge is at the same time the most irritating and scary character in this series to me. I had cold chills during the parts where Harry has to copy lines with the bewitched pen that scratches the words into the skin of his hand. I was horrified by the casual cruelty. It was awesome seeing the kids take charge of things and Harry step up to be the leader he was obviously meant to be. I love when the author refuses to take the easy, feel-good way out of her plots; it's fascinating reading and wonderfully unpredictable. ...more
This book, to me, is when Harry Potter went from being purely fun kids stuff to being interesting as a reading adult's novel. It's fun, if a bit distrThis book, to me, is when Harry Potter went from being purely fun kids stuff to being interesting as a reading adult's novel. It's fun, if a bit distressing, to see the trio fight and experience the pitfalls of adolecsent crushes. The off-hand way in which Voldermort kills a boy struck me as an insanely brave and interesting way to write a children's book. It was scary. There was no fuss or talk, he was just killed for being in the way. That's the sort of thing I'm used to seeing in mob movies, but not in Harry Potter, and I thought it was fantasitic. I wasn't scared of Voldermort until this book, but I am now -marching Death Eaters, torture curses, and actually killing in the present and not just in some time long before the story. Wonderful stuff....more
I adore these illustrated versions of Harry Potter. We finished #3 last night, and I think we all felt a sense of accomplishment. Thes*Updated Review*
I adore these illustrated versions of Harry Potter. We finished #3 last night, and I think we all felt a sense of accomplishment. These are huge books for my seven year old. I love Professor Lupin; while many Hogwarts professors are good people and intelligent teachers, Lupin in certainly the most warm and caring. Harry's psychological battle with the dementors throughout the book is interesting, and it is so wonderful to watch him triumph in the end. We are taking a slight break, but we'll be back for The Goblet of Fire this summer. We've already planned to listen to it on our summer road trip - can't wait! ...more
I just finished re-reading this with my kids. I adore these illustrated versions; they add so much to the experience and help focus my*Updated review*
I just finished re-reading this with my kids. I adore these illustrated versions; they add so much to the experience and help focus my 7-year-old. Really lovely. Chamber of Secrets isn't my favorite story in the series, but that is the beauty of reading these books through a second time. I get to focus more on the joy and wonder and fun, rather than simply reading the plot. ...more
*Updated review* I just finished reading this gorgeous illustrated version of the 1st Harry Potter book with my kids in preparation for our first visi*Updated review* I just finished reading this gorgeous illustrated version of the 1st Harry Potter book with my kids in preparation for our first visit to Universal. My daughter had read it independently, but it was my son's first experience with the book. The movies are lovely, but Rowling's use of language is really special. I had forgotten a lot of details in the almost 20 years (!!!) that had gone by since the first time I read this. So much fun to share and experience with my kids.
____ I had, unfortunately and quite stupidly, considered myself a bit too cool to read Harry Potter books until about the time the fifth book came out, and I decided to give it a try. I was amazed and felt like kicking myself. It's too rare that an author produces a work of honestly imaginative and original work, and I had missed out on it for years. The world the author created in this book absolutely delighted me with it's scope and detail; I loved the cleverly named wizarding world and the sense of childlike wonder of it all. Fantastic book....more
I read this while putting together an exhibit on Irish Literature relating to the 1916 Easter Rising for my Rare Books seminar last semester. It's a tI read this while putting together an exhibit on Irish Literature relating to the 1916 Easter Rising for my Rare Books seminar last semester. It's a tiny play, but really good. It's exactly what I want out of Irish literature - nationalistic, proud, sad, and poignant. Plus, Maud Gonne played Cathleen when it first opened, and I just love the whole unrequited love thing Yeats had with her. ...more
I love a good historical fiction book every now and again, and old Bernard is one of my favorites. I'm looking forward to the final installment of theI love a good historical fiction book every now and again, and old Bernard is one of my favorites. I'm looking forward to the final installment of the trilogy....more
I can't believe I let this sit on my bookshelf for three years before reading it. I was impressed with this one, and I was even more impressed with thI can't believe I let this sit on my bookshelf for three years before reading it. I was impressed with this one, and I was even more impressed with the author. His writing is just really lovely and delicate. Isabel's point of view is perfect in it's innocent nonchalance of the poverty, deprivation, and violence of the drought-stricken countryside and favela-like slums. The hint of magical realism that gives a South American flavor to his writing also works really well with his subject matter. I'd be very interested to know if that is his typical style, or if he's the sort of author that adjusts his style to his material - I'm guessing the latter, but I suppose I'll know after I get my hands on The Piano Tuner, which has climbed the ranks of my to-read list quickly after this one.
And honestly, I think I liked this book because it reminded me of the Elliott School at G-Dub. It was like all of those classes on economics, development, and political history rolled into a nice little novel that I can share with friends that says "Look! This is what I learned at school. Isn't it cool?". :) ...more
I can think of nowhere else to start this review other than to say I love this book, and I learn to love it better with every reading. It is emotionalI can think of nowhere else to start this review other than to say I love this book, and I learn to love it better with every reading. It is emotionally complex and nuanced in a way that feels modern, while still displaying the charm and stylistic frustrations incumbent on a book of its time. The story itself is very straight-forward. A young girl is persuaded, against her personal inclinations, to give up an engagement to an undistinguished man by her family and friends. Eight years later they find themselves awkwardly thrown together. She’s essentially an old maid but he’s now a very eligible captain in the navy � after some flirtations with teenagers and interest from a villainous cousin, they find their way back to each other.
Anne Elliot is heroine in the best Austen mold (which is to say that Anne and Elinor Dashwood would be best friends if they lived in the same book). She is a capable of acting for the good of others even when it contradicts her own happiness when she genuinely believes it to be the right thing to do. When she decides that it’s not right, she asserts her will and gets her man. I think that’s terribly interesting. Modern sensibilities celebrate the latter of these traits more than the former, but there is also something a bit depressing about how selfish we all are. Anne isn’t a doormat, she just follows what she perceives to be her duty the whole way through no matter how difficult it might be.
Captain Wentworth is a delight to read. He’s not really a white knight figure, although he is scrupulously polite and gentlemanly. He’s understandably conflicted by Anne’s presence. She disappointed him and profoundly hurt his feelings; her family made him feel unworthy and Anne ultimately didn’t take his side. I love that Austin allowed her hero to be a genuinely good man but also a bit petty in a perfectly human manner at the same time. It never seems cruel or directed at Anne, but he and his male ego do seem to be very comfortable soaking up the attention of the Misses Musgrove, even though he thinks they’re both a little stupid. I don’t know if I heard a tone of “look what you gave up� in his voice when he talks around her because Anne is thinking it so loudly or because he’s actually doing it, but it all seems very genuine. I liked his story arc, and the two of them are so darn cute with their umbrellas and sidestepping of one another that I can hardly stand it.
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