The Picture Of Dorian Gray

Hello wonderful fellow readers,

I first want to apologize for missing last week. It is not that I haven't been reading because I have been doing a lot of that. But my time for writing decreased greatly as my number of work hours doubled. But, I am adjusting to my new schedule and should have plenty of time for writing. Anyway, this week, I want to talk about the book I just finished: The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde. 

So, as far as plot goes, I am certain most of you are familiar with the story of Dorian Gray, the man who owns a painting of himself that ages while he remains young. It is a wonderful story really but there is so much more to it than aging. Rather, the painting begins to reflect the evil and sin that collects in his soul. The story starts out with a young Dorian Gray posing for a painting for Basil Hallward. Upon completing the painting, Basil raves about how it is his greatest work and a close friend of theirs, Lord Henry Wotton, comments to Gray about how he should cherish such youth and beauty while he has it. Well, Gray begins truly pondering over Lord Henry's statement and finds himself wishing to stay as youthful as he is in the painting. But, feeling it is a frivolous wish, Gray takes the painting home and thinks nothing more of it.

As time moves on, Gray falls in love with a young actress, only to break her heart the moment they are meant to run away together; the young girl kills herself in grief. This guilt of her death begins weighing on Gray and, when he looks at the painting, he finds the features of it have changed. They seem harsher, more evil. And this is just the beginning. Through the years, Gray drowns himself in every pleasure known to man, never showing remorse and never aging. And as he continues in debauchery, the painting becomes more and more grotesque. Eventually, the painting drives him to madness, forcing him into an action from which he never recovers. I don't wish to spoil what this action is for those who haven't read it. But I hope I have intrigued you enough to go and read it for yourself.

Now, I have been a longtime Oscar Wilde fan. I find him insanely witty and his writing never fails to make me smile. But up until now, I have never read The Picture of Dorian Gray. I felt I knew the story and always seemed to put other books ahead of it. But I was gravely mistaken and there is so much more to the plot than I imagined. What intrigued me the most was the way the painting reflected not only age but sin and darkness as well. The idea of a painting showing the true depravity of the soul of a person is something that gives me shivers and makes me wonder what my own painting would look like. In this book, Wilde addresses not only social issues but what it truly means to experience pleasure in life and at what cost it comes at. 

While this book can, at times, be a slow read due to its depth and elevated speech, it is one I highly recommend. There is no doubt in my mind that it belongs on the list and I hope everyone picks it up at least once in their lifetime. And if you do read it, I would love to hear your thoughts on it.

Until next week...

Happy reading!

Pride and Prejudice

Hello literary lovers,

I feel my entry this week will be quite short. The reason for this is not due to the book I read being bad or boring. On the contrary, I absolutely loved it and have actually read it more than once. But it is a book familiar to most people and the plot is not something I feel needs true delving into. The book I am referring to is Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. 

So, as I was saying, the plot of this book is quite familiar so I won't bore you with all the little details. The story of Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy has been told in many styles and media forms ever since Jane Austen first wrote it. Many a girl, I believe, has pined over this stoic character. Or perhaps over Mr. Bingley or even the rapscallion Mr. Wickham. But whatever man you prefer, the story is familiar and relatable to nearly everyone in one way or another.

What I truly want to discuss about this book is its great need to be on this list. Of all the books on the 1,001 Books To Read Before You Die, I would place Pride and Prejudice among the top ten that must be read. And, although it has a reputation for being the ultimate chick-lit, I truly believe it is a book that every man should read as well. Aside from being a wonderful commentary on the class system of the day and the laws of proper social etiquette, it teaches men how to treat women. And it does not place women into one category. You have Jane, so shy and sweet, and Mr. Bingley, the quiet but rich suitor, eventually learns how to win her heart. And you have Elizabeth who is independent, stubborn, intelligent, and fiercely loyal. It takes an entirely different approach to win her heart. And finally, you have a bad example of a relationship in the impetuous Lydia who runs away with the handsome man who ends up almost ruining both her and her family. 

While I could go on and on about the lessons of this book, I will stop there, leaving the rest for your own discovery. If you haven't read the original book, I highly encourage it. And, if you have read it before, I would encourage you to read it again. It is such a rich text and provides the reader with something new every single time.

I will see you all next week but until then...

Happy reading!

Slow Man

Hello dear readers,

Today, I bring you another book from the 1,001 Books To Read Before You Die: Slow Man by J. M. Coetzee. Now, if you recall, this is the second book I have read by this author. Honestly, I enjoyed this book more than Disgrace, although both are very good.

Slow Man tells the story of Paul Rayment. Paul is a middle aged man who ends up losing his leg in a biking accident. This loss sends him into a depression, feeling he is useless and no longer a man. Things begin to look up a bit when his home-care nurse, Marijana, appears on the scene. Marijana and Paul get along well and he soon finds himself falling for her. But she is married and has a happy family life, one she is not looking to leave. Paul knows he can't have her but he finds himself wanting to help her and her family in any way he can, including offering to pay for her son's education. Things become even more complicated with the appearance of famed author, Elizabeth Costello, who forces Paul to deal with his feelings not only for Marijana but his feelings about himself as well. 

Unlike Disgrace, where the plot was deep but fairly straightforward, Slow Man is complicated and confusing with a touch of meta-fiction, making the reader think about the interplay between author, literary characters, and the thin separation between the two. This becomes evident when Elizabeth Costello appears and leads Paul to believe he is only a character in her latest book. Up until her arrival, the book is straightforward and presents a great story. But the addition of this interplay adds an entirely new aspect to the book and changes the story all-together.

As before, I loved Coetzee's writing style. It is unique and truly draws the reader in. And I know that is not a great description of it but I can’t really put my finger on what I like about it so much. But it is some of my favorite prose to read. As for the book itself, I found it quite fascinating although hard to understand at times. Paul Rayment is one of those characters that I found myself rooting for without even knowing why. And I loved how Coetzee made Marijana more than just a side character adding to the life story of the protagonist. Rather, she had dimension and background and I found myself caring just as much about her as I did about Paul.

I agree that Slow Man should definitely be on the list of books to read in one’s life simply for the relationship it presents involving author and character. But, aside from that, I liked the story itself and would highly recommend it to others. However, as a word of warning, this is not a quick read and requires some deep thought to truly appreciate the depth of this book.

Next week, I look forward to bringing you yet another wonderful literary adventure. 

Until then...happy reading!

Kidnapped

Greeting and salutations fellow readers…I am excited that it has not been a tremendous amount of time since my last entry. Since finally obtaining a regular job and getting settled into my adult life, I have been absolutely determined that I would make time for reading every day. So far, it has been working out. 

Anyway, my latest literary conquest was Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson. Now, being a huge Treasure Island fan, I was incredibly excited to read this book. And, honestly, I wasn’t disappointed. Granted, in my opinion, it didn’t quite measure up to the epic book about pirates but it was still a wonderful read. The prose was eloquent and I immediately found myself drawn to the main character, David Balfour. 

The book tells the story of a young boy who just lost his parents and has finally reached the age of adulthood. When he sets out to discover more about his family, he finds himself cast into an epic adventure when his uncle sells him to a ship captain. Once aboard, he quickly becomes close friends with a man named Alan Breck, a troublemaker who enlists David’s help during a mutiny aboard the ship. However, their friendship is put to the test when the ship wrecks on a coral reef and the two find themselves wandering through the Scottish countryside as wanted fugitives. I won’t delve further into what they are wanted for or how they escape because I would rather you discover the adventure for yourself. 

Overall, I loved this book and agree that it should be on the list of books to read at least once in your life. It is full of adventure and I constantly found myself on the edge of my seat, wondering what would happen and if these characters I suddenly found myself attached to would make it out okay. If you are looking for a romance or a book that inspires deep thinking, this is not the book for you. But if you are just seeking adventure and a way to escape from life for awhile, I highly recommend this book. Especially if you  like Treasure Island.

Also, as I read this book, I found myself amazed yet again at how quickly I develop literary crushes. This happens to me in almost every book I read. The man in this instance was Alan Breck. From his first appearance in the story, I found myself drawn to him and yes, I will admit, attracted to him, although I have never actually seen him. To me, this is the mark of a well-developed character and I always appreciate an author who can make me care about a fictional person so much. So, for those of you out there who are like me, I warn you that another guy will be added to your list if you read this book.  

  
Anyway, to all my readers out there, I highly recommend this book. It is a quick read and, if you are anything like me, you will find yourself not wanting to put it down.

        
Until next time, my fellow literary travelers, happy reading!

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

Hello literary wanderers…I know…it has once again been quite awhile since I posted. Life gets so crazy it seems and although I am reading more than ever lately, I feel my time for writing has gotten less and less. Or maybe I just have less energy for it.

Anyway, this one will be pretty short because the book I am writing about is incredibly hard to describe: Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S. Thompson. This is the first book I have read by Thompson and I must admit, I was not prepared for what I encountered.

Now, many of you might be familiar with the movie starring Johnny Depp. I, for one, have never actually seen it. However, given my love of beat writing, I was intrigued by Hunter S. Thompson. When I picked up the book, I knew it involved a lot of drugs and alcohol but I really had no knowledge beyond that. I wish I could say there was more to the book and I was shocked by its depth. But, honestly, I wasn’t. I am not saying it wasn’t a good book. In fact, I absolutely loved it. However, it is really hard to nail down an actual detailed plot to the story. The most I got out of it was that it was about a journalist and a lawyer who go to Las Vegas to cover a story but spend most of the time doing a numerous amount of dangerous drugs, drinking far too much, and breaking the law. Like I said, I loved the book and absolutely adored the style in which it is written. However, I did not find a lot of deep meaning in it.

But I do not want to completely dismiss it. As I have discovered on this literary journey, there are so many books out there that require more than one read to get their full meaning. And I truly believe this book could be one of them. Honestly, I plan to read it again sometime and I would love to do an actual study of the history behind both the book and the time period in which it is written. Furthermore, I am eager to read more of Thompson’s writing to get a broader perspective of his work.

So, should this book be on THE LIST of books to read before you die? Absolutely. It is iconic in American Literature and is a great read. Also, as I said, I think that it is one of those books that you have to read multiple times to get the full depth and value of it. Hopefully, in the future, I will be able to read it again and get more out of it than I did the first time. However, I am sorry that I do not have much else to say about it right now. The best thing I can do is recommend that you read it for yourself. And brace yourselves for a crazy, drug-addled ride.

Hound of the Baskervilles

Hello dear readers. I know, yet another lengthy time period between my blog entries. But I promise I have not been idle. Actually, I have accomplished two items on my list but haven’t had the chance to write about them yet. But I promise that both shall be posted very soon.

The first story I wish to blog about is “Hound of the Baskervilles” by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Now, I am certain most of you are familiar with Sherlock Holmes. It has grown in popularity since the release of the BBC show and I admit I am addicted. In fact, it was the show that actually caused me to delve further into the original stories. Before watching, I had only read Sign of Four and absolutely loved it. But I hadn’t really had opportunity to read many others. So, I bought the entire collection of the original stories and have slowly been making my way through. Actually, later I will have an entry on the collection as a whole but for right now I want to focus on just the one story.

“Hound of the Baskervilles” is probably the most well known of all the Sherlock Holmes stories and the one most students are required to read in school. It tells the story of a town being haunted by a large dog that many believe to be a ghost or demon. However, the real explanation is even spookier. Honestly, after reading it, I must say it is a wonderful tale although not my absolute favorite one. What makes it unique is the almost horror story aspect of it. Most of the cases Sherlock deals with a fairly straightforward and human in nature. However, this is one case that actually rattles the fearless consulting detective. After watching the episode based on this story, I was curious to see what the original story was. I knew it would be different since it is set in a different time period but honestly, it did not really affect the story as much as I would have thought. This particular tale of Sherlock Holmes is very intriguing and I am loathe to say a ton about it because I fear I would give away a vital detail. But it will keep you on the edge of your seat, I have no doubt.

Honestly, after delving into these original stories, I have fallen even more in love with Sherlock Holmes. Every single story is genius in its development and detail and I think that the writers of the show have done a marvelous job in the translation of these tales to modern times. This is especially true for “Hound of the Baskervilles”. If you haven’t read any of the original Sherlock Holmes stories, it is one I highly recommend as a first. It has mystery and horror along with a good dose of humor. I want to say more but I dare not deprive you of the joy of discovery that comes with a mystery story. So I will leave it up to you.

Look for my next entry next week on Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S. Thompson. Until next time, happy travels.

Disgrace

Hello fellow readers! I finished and now have time to write about another book on my list I have recently read. The book was Disgrace by J. M. Coetzee. Now, I had heard a lot about this author and many of his books are on my list as ones you should read before you die. Therefore, I was quite excited to read this one. 

After finishing it, I won’t say I was disappointed by it because the writing style was utterly phenomenal; Coetzee has a real talent that is evident in this book alone. However, the story line was not incredibly exciting overall. Really, it was a pretty depressing book. The book follows the tale of a professor fired for an affair with one of his students. Once he has lost his job, he travels to visit his daughter in a little village and discovers how hard life is for females in her village. His journey to his daughter’s farm is meant to be one of redemption but all he truly finds is more depression and sorrow, leaving him feeling more hopeless than before.

If you are looking for a book that is quite serious and deals with serious issues, then this is the book for you since it addresses mostly race and gender relations in South Africa. And, while it is not normally something I would choose to read, it was very informative and I learned a lot about a culture I hadn’t really considered before. And this is something I love when I read; I always want to be learning new things. However, if that doesn’t exactly sound like your cup of tea, it is not a book I would recommend. It is especially not what I would suggest picking up if you are looking for a nice, light read. 

However, that being said, I would suggest reading other works of Coetzee because his writing really is incredible. And, I will admit, I am a sucker for incredible writing. I feel I can overlook many faults in a book if the writing is wonderful and grabs my attention. For many writers, while the plots are amazing, they lack the style of writing that draws me in completely. Not that I don’t love their books but writing and writing style are things that always stand out to me in a novel. And J. M. Coetzee is one of the best I have found so far. I look forward to reading his other books on my list for that reason alone. 

As for next time, I will be talking about the second volume of the Complete Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. I have always been a Sherlock Holmes fan but haven’t had much chance to truly delve into the original stories. Really, I know about the famous ones everyone has heard of. But there is so much more to them. So far, I am absolutely loving it and I look forward to telling you all about it. Until next time, keep reading!

Cat's Cradle

Hello my wonderful readers,

I hope this post finds you well and in the middle of a great book.  Anyway, the book I want to talk about this time is Cat’s Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut. Honestly, I don’t really know where to begin with this one. While I have had very little experience with Vonnegut, I must say I am not incredibly overwhelmed by him. This book was one of those books that leaves you scratching your head by the end and not necessarily in a good way. Mostly, I found myself confused and wondering what the point of the book was.

Cat’s Cradle centers around a writer who is working on a book about a man who played a large role in the building of the atomic bomb. However, his writing takes him on some odd adventures where he encounters an invented religion, meets a midget, falls in love with a foreign woman, and survives natural disaster. I honestly wish I could give a better summary but that is about all I got out of it. However, in the long run, I feel the plot of the book is less important than the message Vonnegut is trying to convey.

The theme of the book seems to be religion and its value in society. However, it was almost impossible to tell what Vonnegut actually believed on this topic. The book seems to waver between talking about how it doesn’t matter if religion is true if it gives people hope…and talking about how religion is just a hoax that doesn’t make a difference. Perhaps that is what makes Vonnegut a great writer, that you can’t understand what his meaning is so you have to come up with your own. I guess that is one theory anyway.

However, despite all this, I will say that I would be willing to read the book again. Not necessarily because I particularly enjoyed it but because I am willing to give it a second chance. Considering the nature of the book, I am willing to admit it may be a book that takes several reads to truly understand it. Also, this book might be confusing on purpose and meant to imitate life. If that is the case, then the story is perfect for that message. But I can’t really give a definite answer about this theory because I am not the writer. And, as a reader, I didn’t really grasp that meaning from the book. 

Sorry, I feel this post is as convoluted as the book itself. But perhaps that is a good thing.

Overall, I found this book to be confusing and I’m not sure I would say it belongs on the list. However, maybe I am wrong and the true meaning will come to me some starless night at 3am when I can’t sleep. Who knows? Well, until next time, enjoy your literary wanderings! And check out my blog on my own version of 1,001 Books to Read Before You Die. You can find it at classicsnotincluded.blogspot.com. 

Happy reading!

The Bell Jar

Happy Spring my fellow bibliophiles! Even as I write this, it is raining lightly outside, a cool breeze is blowing in the window, and I am sipping on a cup of tea; it is perfect. Anyway, I recently got to delve into another treasure from my list, The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath. I know I have said this about several books before, but this one honestly changed my life. I must say, this is one of those books that came at just the right time of my life. 

This book tells the tale of a young girl trying to discover what she wants in life; the only problem is that she wants everything, all at the same time. She wants to live in the country and the city, wants to be single and married, wants to travel, wants to stay home. And this intense desire for the world drives her slowly into madness. It eventually leads her to a suicide attempt and a hard recovery afterwards.

The pure genius of this book is that Plath portrays this descent into insanity in such a way that the reader does not really feel her insanity is truly insane. Rather, it makes sense, as if there was no other option for the character but madness. It makes her lunacy seem rational. The reason why I loved this book so much is that I could relate to the character in many ways. Now, before you start judging me, let me explain. No, I am not insane (or maybe I am and just don’t know it), but I could relate to her desire for everything all at the same time. It is the story of my life every single day. Most people long for security and routine; this is not me. I get bored with routine, with jobs, even with where I live. Recently, I have discovered that I will never be the person suited for an office job. I want to travel, to own my own business, to write, to do everything and experience all that I can before I die. Reading this book made me realize that I am not alone in this desire. Sylvia Plath addresses an issue I feel many people face in their life, especially in their twenties. There is so much confusion and pressure to figure out exactly where life is going and what they want to do for the rest of their life. But this book discusses the fact that many people actually have no idea what they want. And that’s okay.

With all that is going on in my life right now, this book touched me deeply. I no longer feel alone in my daily struggle to figure out where I am headed. There are many others out there that feel the same way that I do. If you are one of those people or if you just want a glimpse into how people like that think, read The Bell Jar. I promise you will thank me later. Until next time, happy reading!

The Handmaid's Tale

Hello my dear readers…amidst the craziness that is my life, I have managed to cross another book off my long list: The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood. Let me tell you, this was one of the best books I have ever read. As much as I adore reading, I do not often find a book that I literally cannot put down, but this one stopped me in my tracks. 

Obviously, I knew about this book for awhile; my sister read it in high school and it had been sitting on my shelf for awhile. But sadly, I probably would have never thought to read it for awhile if it weren’t for my book club voting on it as our next book. My sister did not have great things to say about it and it just did not seem like a very exciting story to me. However, once I started it, I could not put it down and I was not entirely upset that my book club didn’t work out because I could finally sit and read as much of the book as I wanted without fear of spoiling it for others. 

The book is a dystopian fiction novel based loosely on the Biblical story of Jacob and his handmaids. Margaret Atwood tells the story of a young handmaid, working in the house of a Commander. The sole purpose of handmaids in this futuristic society is making babies. They have no rights and no power. In fact, women in general have no rights and even men are kept in tight societal roles. Supposedly, this rigid society is meant to protect its members but it is never explained how this keeps them safe. And since it is a transitional phase for society, the older members are able to remember their lives before, as the main character, Offred, discusses quite often. However, despite the harsh rules, many people find ways around them, lying to each other and doing under-handed things, not truly sure who they can trust. Offred shares with the reader her various relationships and her day-to-day life as a handmaid. This amazing book has many twists that you will never see coming (and I definitely do not want to deprive you of the joy of reading them for yourself).

On top of this book being an absolutely incredible story, the book addresses many themes. One of the biggest themes is power and who truly holds the power in a society like this. Although the rules are designed to put the men in power, Atwood demonstrates how the women also have power with their bodies and the fact that men are not allowed to touch them. The book also talks about the theme of deception and who could people really trust in a society like this. The depth this book has is incredible and it talks about many deep topics.

Honestly, I could go on and on about this book. Margaret Atwood is an absolutely incredible writer who puts depth into an amazing story. Even if you don’t enjoy dystopian fiction, I highly recommend reading this book. It is so unlike anything I have read before and you will not be able to put it down. Until next time, enjoy your literary travels. So long!

Contact

My dear fellow literary wanderers…I know I owe you all an apology for taking so long to write another entry. It’s not that I haven’t been reading but rather life got in the way once again. But things might start to settle down soon…after I settle into my new job that is. I have a steady job now, I am in the process of truly becoming a full time writer, and things are finally starting to fall into place. Hopefully this means I will have far more time for reading.

Anyway, this entry will be about Contact by Carl Sagan. Now, this would not have been my usual first book of choice. It probably would have been one that I left until the end and dreaded reading it. It’s not that I don’t enjoy science fiction but it is not usually my first choice for reading material either. However, I recently started a book club and that is the book that everyone voted on. So, I sucked it up and read it. And I will admit, I was pleasantly surprised. 

So, I am not a science person, for the most part, and this book is filled with facts and theories about physics and astronomy, something I have no experience with. But Sagan did a wonderful job of explaining everything in the book so that everyone could understand it. I never really felt lost at any point which was a good thing because I probably would have ended up hating the book if that was the case. And, I admit, it is one of those books that does not start out very exciting. But while the book does take awhile to get into, once you are hooked, you will not be able to put it down. 

Contact tells the story of a young scientist who receives a message from outer space telling people to build this Machine. And she learns this message is being received around the world. The book follows what happens as the nations build the Machine and what happens once it is built. But the book is less about the plot and more about the theories and ideas the book deals with. Sagan addresses not only new theories of science and extra terrestrials but touches on the connections between religion and science. I admit that parts of it were quite difficult for me to read, as a Christian, but I always appreciate reading about other points of view so I can better understand where people are coming from.

Overall, this book was great and definitely far from what I expected. The book itself is filled with scientific language and theories but, like I said, Sagan does a great job of explaining them to the people that have no physics or astronomy background, like me. I admit, the book is rather long but well worth the read. I highly recommend it to anyone, but especially those who are into science fiction.

Until next time...happy reading!

Breakfast At Tiffany's

Hello to all my fellow literary travelers, whomever you might be. I have just finished another remarkable adventure, one that I highly recommend embarking upon. As a literary person, I generally have issues with books turned into movies, especially when there are huge differences between the two. However, I did not find this to be an issue with Breakfast at Tiffany’s by Truman Capote. Perhaps it was because I saw the movie first. I have found quite often that I can enjoy a movie based on a book more if I see the movie first. However, that does lead to spoilers in the book. But whatever the reason was, I loved both the book and the movie and highly recommend it as reading material for anyone. 

Breakfast at Tiffany’s tells the story of an anonymous narrator, whom is affectionately called Fred, who moves into an apartment building and meets the delightfully eclectic Holly Golightly. Miss Golightly is a unique young lady who leads the life of a free spirit and thinks Tiffany’s in the most perfect place on earth. A society girl, Miss Golightly lives her life by sponging off of rich men and hoping to find the right one to marry someday. She also makes money delivering “weather reports” each week for a gangster in prison named Sally Tomato. However, her involvement in this ends up with her being indicted for aiding in a drug ring. This scandal ruins her chances at marrying one of the rich men she was socializing with and moving to Brazil with him. Although still under investigation, she decides to move anyway. Throughout the course of the story, this narrator, who is pursuing a career as a writer, tries to discover what exactly makes this beautiful woman tick. However, he is eventually left wondering if Holly ever found happiness in Brazil, a mystery that is never resolved for the reader as well.

Breakfast at Tiffany’s perfectly showcases the unique and creative writing style of Truman Capote. Capote perfectly captures the first person point of view while not excluding the thoughts and inner monologue of other characters. Reading Capote’s work is a completely new experience for readers and tells stories in a way no other writer does. Reading this book definitely has me excited to read more of his work.

For those of you familiar with the movie, expect an entirely different experience but still a wonderful story. The movie is honestly loosely based on the book, as often happens, but I still love both and recommend both. 

When I first started this blog, I did not expect to find this many literary gems but I have been pleasantly surprised by most of the books thus far. I am excited to continue in these wanderings. I also would absolutely love to hear from you and what books you have loved on this list so far. So, send me a comment or an email. I would love to hear from any of my readers out there. And look for my next entry coming next week where I tell you about my next literary journey into Contact by Carl Sagan.

Blonde

Hello fellow readers! As promised, I am back with another blog entry as I have just finished Blonde by Joyce Carol Oates. As readers, I am sure you will understand what I mean when I say I need to recover after reading this book. Blonde is an intense 700-page journey into the life and thoughts of Marilyn Monroe. Although fictionalized, it is not a far stretch from reality because, as Margaret Culkin Banning once said, “Fiction is not a dream, nor is it guesswork. It is imagining based on facts, and the facts must be accurate or the work of imagining will not stand up.” 

The book follows a fictionalized version of Marilyn Monroe’s life, based mostly on her diary entries as well as interviews with friends and family. While the story is fiction, it does draw heavily on fact and gives an accurate portrayal of her life. However, it doesn’t start with her first big movie. Instead, it starts with her first marriage and quickly transitions into how she was discovered while working at a factory. The book then goes on to discuss her family history, her rise to fame, her various love affairs, and her slow decline into madness which resulted in her death. The book, while long, was gripping and easy to read. Even when I finished the 700 pages, I was left wanting more.

Now, I admit to having very little knowledge about Marilyn Monroe before reading this book. I had seen Some Like It Hot and knew that she had a reputation for sleeping around. Honestly, like many, I thought of her as the all-American, ditzy, blonde sex icon. But reading this book changed all that. The life of Marilyn Monroe was truly a tragic one, full of heartbreak, drugs, and usury. Never again will I be able to view her the same way. It is no mystery why this book is on the list and I highly recommend it. While it is a long book, it is worth the time and effort of reading it. The story is very detailed and doesn’t hold back on anything. Also, to enhance your experience of the book, I suggest watching the movies mentioned in the book; it is truly a life-changing experience. Again, this takes quite some time and means you will have to pause in your reading to watch the movie but it truly is worth it. Seeing Marilyn Monroe in movies and then reading about what was going on with her behind the scenes adds more to both the movies and book. It is definitely worth taking the time to do.

I hope you give this marvelous book a chance. And I would love to hear your thoughts on it if you do. It is definitely deserving of a place on this list. Until next time, happy reading!

The Purloined Letter

Hello all my fellow readers! I hope you had a wonderful Valentine’s Day and have had plenty of free time for reading and discovering new stories. Despite my busy life, I have made it a priority to read and write every single day, even if it is only for a little while. And it is something I recommend to all of you because it truly is wonderful stress relief. 

My entry today will be a bit different since it is not on an actual book. However, it is on the list and therefore demanded to be read. There are actually several short stories on the list and I feel they are just as important as the books. So I hope you give them a chance as well.

Anyway, my most recently read list item is actually a short story by Edgar Allan Poe, The Purloined Letter. Now, anyone who has met me knows I am a huge Poe enthusiast which is why I am sad to say that this particular story let me down. The story itself was fairly intriguing and, quite frankly, reminded me of something from a Sherlock Holmes saga. But, the story lacked Poe’s usual dark and twisted side, leaving the story lackluster and dull. I feel I went into the story expecting one thing and read something completely different. However, I will admit that I have a potential bias against this story because of my love for Poe. Perhaps if this story had been written by someone else, I would have enjoyed it more. But, again, that is just my personal opinion; I would love to know if you agree.

The one thing I did like about the story was the fact that it takes place in one setting. For this reason, I feel that it does deserve to be included on the list. Although the scenery of the story did not change, a plot was able to unravel. I have always believed that stories written in this manner deserve recognition because it takes true talent to accomplish. Furthermore, despite the lack of a dark side, Poe does offer some insight into the human mind through beautiful metaphors and analogies. And this aspect of all Poe’s stories is what makes me love him so much as an author.

So, to all my readers out there, I would recommend reading this story and let me know what you think. I hope that my somewhat negative review of it has not put you off too much. This story definitely deserves a chance and I will completely agree it deserves to be on the list even if it was not my favorite. 

Until next week, I hope you all keep reading! And I would love to hear what you think of the list so far...I know it has been an interesting and wonderful journey for me so far.

Aesop's Fables

So, this will be a very short entry and there is a reason for that.  If you are anything like me, once you start a book, you have to finish.  Well, for the next book on my list I chose Aesop’s Fables…and I do not recommend reading it.  

I am sure you all remember reading some of them as children, ones like “The Tortoise and the Hare”.  But, honestly, that is about as exciting at they get.  Aesop’s Fables was a 250 page book of story after story that all had similar morals. 

The only positive thing I can really say about this book is that, for children, it is actually quite useful. Children learn through repetition and this book definitely uses that angle by repeating the same lesson through a variety of stories. However, it was a very hard book to get through as an adult.

I really wish I could say more positive things about it but I lack words.  Until next time…keep reading!

Atonement

Hello readers! I apologize for once again posting this much later than I should. While I have been reading, my life got quite crazy for awhile and writing has sadly fallen by the wayside. However, it shall never happen again. Mainly because I quit my job to pursue my writing career. Crazy, I know! But if I don’t try, I’ll never know. Anyway, I bring to you yet another book review from my list and I must say, this one set the standards high!

So…I know I am not very far on this literary journey but any book I read now is going to have to be absolutely incredible to beat Atonement by Ian McEwan.  What a fantastic read!  Unlike other books that are told from several points of view, this particular one converges to one viewpoint which added so much more to the story itself.  Telling the story of a couple in Word War II, McEwan runs the gambit of human emotion and the importance of perspective.  And honestly, even reducing this book to a simple love story does it a great disfavor.  This book is about so much more and trying to explain it would be nearly impossible.  Atonement really delves into the differences of age, gender, class, and perspective. It starts with the misconception of a teenager, Briony, whose penchant for drama and fantasy lead to a man being falsely accused of rape. This simple misunderstanding ends up shaping the entire life of each character in the book. While the story does switch viewpoints, the majority is told from the perspective of Briony and demonstrates to the reader how she sees the world. And the story ends in one viewpoint: hers. This wonderful story jumps back and forth between the lines of fact and fiction, playing with reality versus conception versus make-believe. It also demonstrates how one event can have multiple interpretations depending on who is the one witnessing it. 

Furthermore, anyone who considers themselves a writer will love not only the fashion this book is written in as well as how writing is portrayed. The style in which this book is written made me fall not only in love with the story itself but with Ian McEwan as a writer. I look forward to reading many more of his books.

I really wish I could give you more about the plot of the story itself but I feel that it would ruin the experience of the book. While I strive to give accurate views and opinions of the books I read for this blog, this is one occasion where I cannot bring myself to release any spoilers. For me, this book was a new experience in every sense of the word and I could never live with myself if I ruined that experience for any future readers.  All I will say is that this is a book I highly recommend you read as soon as possible. Without a doubt it deserves to be on the list and any other recommended reading list out there.  And don’t rent the movie; it doesn’t do the book justice. But if you’re reading this, I have a feeling you would never even dream of it. 

Until next time my lovely readers...happy travels!

1984

Alright fellow literary travelers, I know I have failed you and posted this a day late.  Anyway, amongst all the craziness of job searching, I managed to read 1984 by George Orwell.  Surprisingly enough, not once in my literary career thus far was I asked to read this book.  Upon completing it, I find this to be a tragedy because it is definitely a book that EVERYBODY should read, not just those with a passion for the written word. 

1984 is about Winston Smith, a man serving a low position in the government of a place called Oceania. This dystopian society is run by the entity known as Big Brother. The rules are strict and not many people question them. But this all changes one day for Winston when he meets Julia, who causes him to begin questioning the omniscience of Big Brother and all the things they tell the people. The book follows their story and truly delves into the mental changes Winston Smith undergoes as he questions what he has been told all his life. And, like most dystopian novels, the ending is tragic and not what you want. But I promise not to spoil that for you.

Now, I feel I have read many similar novels to this one which is why it took me awhile to get into it.  However, for all of you skeptics out there, don’t discredit this as just another novel about life in a dystopian society.  While many other similar books present the society for the evil that is it, Orwell truly gets people to look at both sides of the issue and demonstrates the plausibility of how people could easily accept a world like this without question. Unlike a lot of the other novels I have read, this one really delved into the mental side of the issue.  It questioned things such as if history can actually be created and who creates truth.  Although it took me awhile, I eventually got to the point in the book where I could not put it down.  This is one book that will make your head hurt if you really take time to think about the questions that it poses.  Honestly, after reading it, I am ashamed that it took me this long…especially after five years as an English major.  

For all of my readers out there, this is one book you will want to read again and again.  And each time you read it, you are sure to make a new discovery or happen upon a new point of view that you never considered.  Trust me, make this book the next one on your reading list.  You won’t be disappointed. Also, for those of you who have read this before, this book raises excellent discussion topics and would be perfect for a book club if you are looking to share the experience with someone. And please, I would love to hear what you think about it and whether or not you loved it as much as I did.

The Pit and the Pendulum

So, for my next adventure, I took quite a jump down my list to Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Pit and the Pendulum”.  I have always been a huge fan of Poe’s work and was surprised that I had never read this story before. It is absolutely amazing! 

Like most of Poe’s stories, this one starts in the middle of the action.  Stories and books that start in medias res are probably some of my favorites to read because I find myself immediately hooked on the plot and I’m eager to discover how the reader got into the situation. And honestly, this is one of my favorite aspects of Poe’s stories because it immediately transports the reader into a setting usually filled with action and suspense. 

This particular story depicts the inner monologue of a man locked in a prison and the horrors he experiences.  It is a story I highly recommend; although I feel I need to put a warning label on this one.  Warning: You will never look at pendulums the same way again!  Case in point, there was a huge pendulum in the engineering building on my campus.  I had to walk by this pendulum every day and, since reading this story, I can never think of it the same way.

However, as amazing as this reading was, the one problem I had with the story was the ending.  It was very abrupt and did not really have explanation.  But perhaps that is better, in a way.  Much like the way it starts, by simply ending the story in the middle of the action, it enables the reader to create in their mind what happens next. I have always been a believer that writing has no meaning without a reader to bestow it. No matter what the author intended, the story is relatively useless without a reader to add their own interpretation to the writing. And, overall, I think Poe is one of the best examples of an author who openly invites the reader to create an experience of the story that is unique to them.  The way Poe writes not only this story but a lot of his other works allows readers to play with the writing and expand their own imagination into the unknown.

Now, before I leave you to your own adventuring, I want to comment a bit on the method I used to read this story.  On my I-pod Touch, I have an app that contains most of Edgar Allan Poe’s writings and I read the story through this.  But something was lost…I hated the fact that I was reading it on a little screen rather than actually being able to hold a tangible book in my hand.  There is something special about being able to flip the pages, hear the sound of the paper, enjoy the smell of a book.  I know that e-readers are the newest trend right now and I will probably be berated for even holding this opinion about these evil devices, but this is one girl that will never be converted.
Until next time, my fellow literary companions, have fun adventuring!