April's comments (member since Jun 29, 2008)

April's comments from the 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die group.

Silver wrote: "I recently finnished reading The Scarlet Letter, and it was the second thing I have read thus far by Hawthorne, the first being The Blithedale Romance, while I enjoyed The Blithedale Romance, I was..."

That's odd. I never came across anyone who didn't read Scarlet Letter first or only Scarlet Letter. People usually have to read it in high school and never even get to Hawthorne's other works. Would you recommend Blithedale Romance?

By the way, one of my favorite aspects of Scarlet Letter was the descriptions, so I know what you mean about the vivid scenes. One thing you may want to look out for if you ever read it again is the play of light and shadow. Hawthorne really liked to emphasize the contrast between light and dark. Chiaroscuro, I think is the term.

Beatrix wrote: "Duygu wrote: "Well as for the first few Chapters I am viewing her as being much too shallow and I do hope she surprises me later on."

Duygu, I hated Emma LOL! Yeah, she may surprised you, but sh..."

I've read nearly every novel (and a few letters) Jane Austen has written, and strange as this may sound, Emma Woodhouse is my favorite of all her heroines. Everyman hits the nail on the head about her, and I'll add that Emma is also -- as is usually the case with women in her station -- fairly accomplished in music, art, and literature.

Also, the romance in this book for me was the most credible out of all her books, based on real caring, similar backgrounds, and like tastes, even if there is the occasional difference of opinion. I hope I don't give anything away by saying that; there are plenty of men in the book to leave it open, I think. :)