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!