A cute and fascinating little story about benjamin button, the man who ages backwards. An interesting way to think about the way humans develop and thA cute and fascinating little story about benjamin button, the man who ages backwards. An interesting way to think about the way humans develop and the reasons they experience life the way they do. I am a huge f. scott fitzgerald fan and this is my first dive into his short stories. I will so be reading many more, thanks to this one....more
"Silas Marner feels like a folktale, a narrative that lies deep in the unconscious read to be revived by those opening words "Once upon a time in a la"Silas Marner feels like a folktale, a narrative that lies deep in the unconscious read to be revived by those opening words "Once upon a time in a land far away." So claims Kathryn Hughes in the afterward of this delightful, heartwarming story.
Silas Marner was a bit hard for me to get into at first, for Eliot's beautiful yet unaccustomed language and seemingly irrelevant relaying of Marner's exile from Lantern Yard. However, after the first forty pages or so I was suddenly drawn to Marner's lonely, hermit-like character if not for sympathy, than for potential.
Eliot's various story lines seem a bit unconnected at first, as they should, and wrap up together beautifully as the novel progresses. I quickly grew to love the characters, not only in spite of, but for their faults and how they deal with them. Nancy quickly became a favorite of mine after her marriage to Godfrey for her love and loyalty: a great interwoven theme of the novel.
Anyone who has ever felt alone can find great solace in Marner's change of fortune and his love for Eppie is so touching and real that cheering for them to the very end is the easiest and most rewarding feeling the book offers. ...more
I really found this book interesting. I've decided that I liked it, found it thought provoking certainly, but I wouldn't say that I thoroughly enjoyedI really found this book interesting. I've decided that I liked it, found it thought provoking certainly, but I wouldn't say that I thoroughly enjoyed it. Some parts were difficult to read simply because the actions of the characters were so terrible that it hurt my heart. I loved the character Justice the most probably. She and Sala were wonderful. I liked Jason as well, but I saw some things in his character and the symbol of it that I thought could be improved. The book itself was well written, though some things I found confusing. This might all be cleared up with another read-through, however, and it might only be my own oversight and not any flaw of the author.
Any way, I did like it. And it made me think a lot, which I do enjoy. I would recommend it to science fiction/fantasy lovers, especially those interested in theology and the development of religion and civilization. It's cool....more
Instantly one of my favorites. I absolutely loved it. I can't believe I had never read it before. The language is beautiful, yet easy to read. I wouldInstantly one of my favorites. I absolutely loved it. I can't believe I had never read it before. The language is beautiful, yet easy to read. I would recommend this to anyone -- really anyone -- who loves good literature. Heroines like Jane remind me why Twilight (and its equivalents) is bad. ...more
Absolutely adored this book. I sat down with it in a Barnes and Noble and read it in a hour. It's short, simple and pure Lost Generation goodness. I fAbsolutely adored this book. I sat down with it in a Barnes and Noble and read it in a hour. It's short, simple and pure Lost Generation goodness. I fell in love with this old man in the first three pages and just couldn't help by cheer for him, cry with him, and want to hug him continuously throughout the book.
Hemingway paints a beautiful and simple tale of a man in the face of adversity and his determination to succeed when all seems ridiculous. His victory, his failure, everything he takes in perfect contentment and always remains, even with sadness, in control of his thoughts and emotions. He shows great respect for all living things, even as a fisherman, which only adds upon his character. He is the sanity that Ahab lost. ...more
Fascinating non-fiction historical work. I have looked at and adored the OED for a long time and it was awesome to learn all about its creation, tragiFascinating non-fiction historical work. I have looked at and adored the OED for a long time and it was awesome to learn all about its creation, tragic story though it is. I will definately never look at that amazing collection of books the same again.
Someday I hope to look at them everyday when they adorn the shelves of my personal library......more
You just can't help but love Eliza, even in the reading. Surprisingly similar to "My Fair Lady." Shaw has got some wonderfully witty humor.
InterestingYou just can't help but love Eliza, even in the reading. Surprisingly similar to "My Fair Lady." Shaw has got some wonderfully witty humor.
Interesting ending, different one from the movie, and the epilogue gives quite an insight from Shaw himself about Eliza's life following the end of the play and a bit into human thinking and behavior. Loved it....more
This was certainly a quick read. Less than a day for me. I found myself enraptured during the reading, but was disappointed with how much I didn't likThis was certainly a quick read. Less than a day for me. I found myself enraptured during the reading, but was disappointed with how much I didn't like it when it was all said and done. It was an intriguing read, but I didn't find I much liked the message. Meursault also reminded me a great deal of Holden Caufield, which made me squirm, though that element made it psychologically fascinating.
Even though I don't really like the book in hindsight, it is still excellently crafted and exceedingly well written/translated. Many people I know have loved it, so kudos to them....more
I liked it a lot more in the beginning than I did in the end. It was sad, and so characteristic of many people these days. It was fantastically writteI liked it a lot more in the beginning than I did in the end. It was sad, and so characteristic of many people these days. It was fantastically written and the character development was grand for such a small novel (almost a novelette). Good, but just too morally depressing for me....more
I love this story. I have loved this story for a long time (because of Kiss Me, Kate and Ten Things I Hate About You) but I had never actually picked I love this story. I have loved this story for a long time (because of Kiss Me, Kate and Ten Things I Hate About You) but I had never actually picked up the book and read it. I find it is not my favorite of Shakespeare's plays, though I still like it a great deal. In this particular play the names seem more similar to one another than, say, Hamlet or Much Ado About Nothing, so it was harder to read (especially since I tend to read quickly over the dialogue and forget to look to see who is speaking them.) That was my greatest challenge.
This particular edition is wonderful (yay B&N!) in that it gives great context, history, vocabulary and style help before, during and after the main text. It is a great edition and I love the way B&N does all their Shakespeare plays.
It was a good read, but still doesn't take Much Ado's place in my heart. :)...more
Totally fascinating historical fiction novel. I absolutely love the way the plot and characters are woven together and how Doctorow does the transitioTotally fascinating historical fiction novel. I absolutely love the way the plot and characters are woven together and how Doctorow does the transitions between various characters. You get a small taste of so many different lifestyles, beliefs and classes of the era, and it seems to be very neutral in its telling, with little bias to one side or the other. The writing is easy to follow and though the book looks kind of long, it is easy to get through.
Beautiful sample of Steinbeck's amazing genius. The more I read of him the more I love and appreciate his work. These characters were simple, but perfBeautiful sample of Steinbeck's amazing genius. The more I read of him the more I love and appreciate his work. These characters were simple, but perfectly illustrated in words. The story is touching and makes you smile as these poor, poverty-stricken boys try their very best to make the best of their small world on Cannery Row by helping, support and loving one another. In this otherwise dreary, dirty place these characters build a community that anyone would be blessed to be a part of....more
I was surprised with how much I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is quite focused on current events, which is almost an immediate turn-off for me, butI was surprised with how much I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is quite focused on current events, which is almost an immediate turn-off for me, but McEwan's writing is so spectacular and poetically simple that I could not put this one down for too long. The almost average day in the life of a successful middle-age man, his thoughts and daily observations, has never been so interesting. McEwan does a great job of illustrating how we life in our time and proposes interesting thoughts of terrorism--the kind we see in our personal lives set against the backdrop of the War on Terror. ...more
No matter what I seem to have a hard time really loving Salinger the way many people do. I hated -- strongly disliked -- Catcher in the Rye. This one No matter what I seem to have a hard time really loving Salinger the way many people do. I hated -- strongly disliked -- Catcher in the Rye. This one is infinitely better, and I really find that I like Franny (much like I liked Holden's little sister) But the majority of the males annoy the dickens out of me. I do not discount Salinger's writing ability, for he is quite a fine writer (and probably evokes the emotions in me he wished to in his writing) but I cannot enjoy his books so much as I would like.
My favorite parts are when there is no dialogue and descriptions reign in the book's attention. These parts really do show how nicely Salinger can, in fact, use words.
I also liked the whole theme that is presented in Zooey's final speech on the phone with Franny. If you think about it a little more, it is sort of heartwarming. ...more
Interesting theology, much of which, surprisingly I find, I agree with. Though perhaps because of so much of my other studies in these concepts, I finInteresting theology, much of which, surprisingly I find, I agree with. Though perhaps because of so much of my other studies in these concepts, I find I am not learning anything. I enjoy the refreshment these thoughts offer me, though.
I choose two stars initially simply because Young is not a writer, and certainly not a good one. The story is told as if he was dictating it to me off the top of his head, holding no literary quality whatsoever. But this is also easily overlooked, being that the book was not intended for literary merits.
After I finished it, however, I changed it to three stars simply because the ending was so powerful, well written or not. I found myself moved to tears in Mack's "re-turn" to God. And it honestly inspired me to work on my own relationship with Him. It's best quality is the way in which it gives you an entirely new look at God. It is a way, I can almost guarantee, you have never thought of Him. The point of this strange view is not a maybe-God-is-this offer, but presentation that is meant to change and/or challenge the way you do view the Father...and the Son and Spirit.
Overall, I am impressed with the theology and power, but disappointed in the writing. Much more useful for you studies than for your enjoyment. ...more
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