Reviews: Aug 20/2011 -- K. Larkin
By Kristina Larkin
A wonderful summer for books (aren’t they all?) Pt INow this post about my adventures through the pages this summer won’t be nearly as good as the incredible lit blog my brilliant friend Chris writes (that you should all check out here) but I’ll do my best to share some of my favourite reads over the past few months!
Ok first off, I read a surprisingly large list of fiction this summer, large being relative to the little I do usually. Not much for fiction usually, but I guess summer days are perfect for finding yourself in another world right?
Daughter of Fortune by Isabelle Allende. This woman mesmerized me with her TED talk, so I had to pick up her novels when I was at the used book store. She did not disappoint. A nice mix of history with her portrayal of the gold rush in California, personal relationships, and lives lived with limits – stories of a Chinese man captured and brought to America and the main character a woman who leads an interesting childhood only to make her young adulthood just as fascinating. Unlike any book I have read lately!Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins Have you read these yet? No? Do it. Seriously, everyone needs some young adult fiction in their lives and this is the one you need right now. Haven’t read the next two yet but will be getting on it soon. Devoured the action packed pages in a day. It's fast, fun, smart, and just a plain old good read. Also got my teacher heart excited with ideas about cool assignments students could do related to the book –anyone else? No? Ok… on to the next then…
Cry the Beloved Country by Alan Paton Re-read this one again this summer, it’s my second favourite book (after To Kill A Mockingbird). A novel written by someone who must be a poet, it reads so beautifully. It’s also real-life kind of fiction which is my favourite. It portrays life during apartheid in South Africa. Quote - 'Cry, the beloved country, for the unborn child that is the inheritor of our fear. Let him not love the earth too deeply. Let him not laugh too gladly when the water runs through his fingers, nor stand too silent when the setting sun makes red the veld with fire. Let him not be too moved when the birds of his land are singing, nor give too much of his heart to a mountain or a valley. For fear will rob him of all if he gives too much.
Breakfast of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut. After a very long time of people recommending Vonnegut for me, I finally took it out of the library and was not disappointed. Satirical look at the Western (particularly American) way of life, Vonnegut basically explains life and the day to day workings of people as if the reader is from outer space and has never heard of America. For example “Viet Nam was a country where America was trying to make people stop being communists by dropping bombs on them". Great for anyone who enjoys a good laugh at the typical western lifestyle.Other fiction that I enjoyed but won’t get into: The Help by Kathryn Stockett, Choke by Chuck Palahniuk (author of Fight Club) and Girl with the Dragon Tattoo trilogy.This post was originally massive, so I'm doing in two parts, ending Part I here. Next post will be all my non fiction!
A wonderful summer for books (aren’t they all?) Pt INow this post about my adventures through the pages this summer won’t be nearly as good as the incredible lit blog my brilliant friend Chris writes (that you should all check out here) but I’ll do my best to share some of my favourite reads over the past few months!
Ok first off, I read a surprisingly large list of fiction this summer, large being relative to the little I do usually. Not much for fiction usually, but I guess summer days are perfect for finding yourself in another world right?
Daughter of Fortune by Isabelle Allende. This woman mesmerized me with her TED talk, so I had to pick up her novels when I was at the used book store. She did not disappoint. A nice mix of history with her portrayal of the gold rush in California, personal relationships, and lives lived with limits – stories of a Chinese man captured and brought to America and the main character a woman who leads an interesting childhood only to make her young adulthood just as fascinating. Unlike any book I have read lately!Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins Have you read these yet? No? Do it. Seriously, everyone needs some young adult fiction in their lives and this is the one you need right now. Haven’t read the next two yet but will be getting on it soon. Devoured the action packed pages in a day. It's fast, fun, smart, and just a plain old good read. Also got my teacher heart excited with ideas about cool assignments students could do related to the book –anyone else? No? Ok… on to the next then…
Cry the Beloved Country by Alan Paton Re-read this one again this summer, it’s my second favourite book (after To Kill A Mockingbird). A novel written by someone who must be a poet, it reads so beautifully. It’s also real-life kind of fiction which is my favourite. It portrays life during apartheid in South Africa. Quote - 'Cry, the beloved country, for the unborn child that is the inheritor of our fear. Let him not love the earth too deeply. Let him not laugh too gladly when the water runs through his fingers, nor stand too silent when the setting sun makes red the veld with fire. Let him not be too moved when the birds of his land are singing, nor give too much of his heart to a mountain or a valley. For fear will rob him of all if he gives too much.
Breakfast of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut. After a very long time of people recommending Vonnegut for me, I finally took it out of the library and was not disappointed. Satirical look at the Western (particularly American) way of life, Vonnegut basically explains life and the day to day workings of people as if the reader is from outer space and has never heard of America. For example “Viet Nam was a country where America was trying to make people stop being communists by dropping bombs on them". Great for anyone who enjoys a good laugh at the typical western lifestyle.Other fiction that I enjoyed but won’t get into: The Help by Kathryn Stockett, Choke by Chuck Palahniuk (author of Fight Club) and Girl with the Dragon Tattoo trilogy.This post was originally massive, so I'm doing in two parts, ending Part I here. Next post will be all my non fiction!
Reviews/Recommendations
East of Eden by John Steinbeck
I had no idea that one of the last books I'd read this year would be my favourite. Wow. East of Eden is one of the most moving, powerful novels I've ever read. The story is just so perfect to me and the themes that permeate it just sum up the complex hypocrisies of life so well. This book had one mean villain who really upset me at various points throughout the novel but it also had a slough of entertaining, sincere characters that brought a proper balance to the story. Grapes of Wrath, although powerful and well-written, was too depressing and didn't tell nearly as good of a story as 'Eden'. Steinbeck really demonstrates a realistic depiction of humanity's struggle to emulate purity/goodness. I was moved in so many places throughout my reading of this novel. What else can I say? This was one helluva good story. Should you read it? "Timshel". Nay, you should! --Chris - Dec 30/'10
Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin
"If you read this book and try not to pick apart the ambiguous world of Elsewhere, I think you'll find it rather enjoyable. It makes you think and it probes some interesting questions. For a YA novel, it is an enjoyable read and intriguing. The characters aren't terribly multi-dimensional, but the questions of the afterlife and the tone of the novel work together to create a quick, enjoyable read." --Chris - Dec 23/'10
Name of Reviewer
Kristina Larkin
Email
[email protected]
Novel Title & Review
Mr. Wallace!! I just checked out your blogs! They are fantastic! Here are my recommendations/comments:
--------------------
-Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton (this is the one I read you the quote out of) The story of a man and his son in South Africa during apartheid. It has great characters and is beautifully written - it is simply poetic.
--------------------
Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli : Young adult fiction, I'm reading it again now as I just found in my box of books from when I was young. It's a great one to introduce to Junior or Senior High students, all about how awesome and fun it is to be unique!
--------------------
Iran Awakening by Shirin Ebadi : The biography of a female judge in Iran who helped usher in the Islamic Revolution only to be pushed out of her office and her career by its leaders. This one has beautiful writing too but really it's more about the content for me - the NY Times commented "[a] moving portrait of a life lived in truth'' and I couldn't have chosen a better way to describe it. She is an inspiration for her courage to stick to her convictions. Incredible.
--------------------
- Comments...I see you really enjoyed Jane Eyre, and I laughed, because that is definitely on my "to finish" list. I have been trying to read that book for years!! Can't make it past the first 60 or so pages! I really just cannot get into it!
---------------------
In Cold Blood was a great novel. I'll admit that the middle section bogged me down and felt a bit arduous at times (Capote goes into such detail that it slows the story somewhat), but the end result is very satisfying and chilling. ~ Chris Wallace (Nov. 14 2010)
--------------------
The Kite Runner, despite belabouring a "martyr" theme, ultimately delivers a powerful, effective story filled with true emotion and a sincere message. I very much enjoyed it. ~Chris Wallace (Nov. 7 2010)
--------------------
Outliers was amazing!!! It was the most interesting book ever, I highly recommend it! ~ Laura Andersen
--------------------
I have just finished Wuthering Heights. I picked it up as a distraction from my medical studies but found myself constantly thinking about and analyzing each characters' mental and physical states and fitting pieces of the 'clinical picture' together. Whether Bronte intended this or not, the physical and mental illnesses of each character were intimately connected and I found myself trying to decipher which came first - mental deterioation or organic disease. The strong elements of depression, psychosis, and mania stayed with me long after I stopped reading. I felt haunted by this novel and, at times reading it, felt as isolated as the characters themselves. ~ Laura Andersen
--------------------
Anne Frank's Diary of A Young Girl was amazing. I really couldn't believe the things that she went through and how great a writer she was for her age. A truly moving piece of literature that I will never forget. ~ Chris Wallace (June 30 2010)
I had no idea that one of the last books I'd read this year would be my favourite. Wow. East of Eden is one of the most moving, powerful novels I've ever read. The story is just so perfect to me and the themes that permeate it just sum up the complex hypocrisies of life so well. This book had one mean villain who really upset me at various points throughout the novel but it also had a slough of entertaining, sincere characters that brought a proper balance to the story. Grapes of Wrath, although powerful and well-written, was too depressing and didn't tell nearly as good of a story as 'Eden'. Steinbeck really demonstrates a realistic depiction of humanity's struggle to emulate purity/goodness. I was moved in so many places throughout my reading of this novel. What else can I say? This was one helluva good story. Should you read it? "Timshel". Nay, you should! --Chris - Dec 30/'10
Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin
"If you read this book and try not to pick apart the ambiguous world of Elsewhere, I think you'll find it rather enjoyable. It makes you think and it probes some interesting questions. For a YA novel, it is an enjoyable read and intriguing. The characters aren't terribly multi-dimensional, but the questions of the afterlife and the tone of the novel work together to create a quick, enjoyable read." --Chris - Dec 23/'10
Name of Reviewer
Kristina Larkin
[email protected]
Novel Title & Review
Mr. Wallace!! I just checked out your blogs! They are fantastic! Here are my recommendations/comments:
--------------------
-Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton (this is the one I read you the quote out of) The story of a man and his son in South Africa during apartheid. It has great characters and is beautifully written - it is simply poetic.
--------------------
Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli : Young adult fiction, I'm reading it again now as I just found in my box of books from when I was young. It's a great one to introduce to Junior or Senior High students, all about how awesome and fun it is to be unique!
--------------------
Iran Awakening by Shirin Ebadi : The biography of a female judge in Iran who helped usher in the Islamic Revolution only to be pushed out of her office and her career by its leaders. This one has beautiful writing too but really it's more about the content for me - the NY Times commented "[a] moving portrait of a life lived in truth'' and I couldn't have chosen a better way to describe it. She is an inspiration for her courage to stick to her convictions. Incredible.
--------------------
- Comments...I see you really enjoyed Jane Eyre, and I laughed, because that is definitely on my "to finish" list. I have been trying to read that book for years!! Can't make it past the first 60 or so pages! I really just cannot get into it!
---------------------
In Cold Blood was a great novel. I'll admit that the middle section bogged me down and felt a bit arduous at times (Capote goes into such detail that it slows the story somewhat), but the end result is very satisfying and chilling. ~ Chris Wallace (Nov. 14 2010)
--------------------
The Kite Runner, despite belabouring a "martyr" theme, ultimately delivers a powerful, effective story filled with true emotion and a sincere message. I very much enjoyed it. ~Chris Wallace (Nov. 7 2010)
--------------------
Outliers was amazing!!! It was the most interesting book ever, I highly recommend it! ~ Laura Andersen
--------------------
I have just finished Wuthering Heights. I picked it up as a distraction from my medical studies but found myself constantly thinking about and analyzing each characters' mental and physical states and fitting pieces of the 'clinical picture' together. Whether Bronte intended this or not, the physical and mental illnesses of each character were intimately connected and I found myself trying to decipher which came first - mental deterioation or organic disease. The strong elements of depression, psychosis, and mania stayed with me long after I stopped reading. I felt haunted by this novel and, at times reading it, felt as isolated as the characters themselves. ~ Laura Andersen
--------------------
Anne Frank's Diary of A Young Girl was amazing. I really couldn't believe the things that she went through and how great a writer she was for her age. A truly moving piece of literature that I will never forget. ~ Chris Wallace (June 30 2010)