I did not even come close to finishing this interminable novel. I read the first volume in French and "Swann's Way" in English as part of my Comp. Lit...moreI did not even come close to finishing this interminable novel. I read the first volume in French and "Swann's Way" in English as part of my Comp. Lit. degree. I was sorry not to like someone who is considered a great French novelist, but I hated this almost as much as I did "Ulysses." Recently, I read abook by Jane Smily (13 Ways of Looking at the Novel), which explained this book more concisely than my instructor managed to. Still don't like it, but understand it a bit better. (less)
The way the book Ethan Frome opens is told in a very desrcriptive, vivid tone which I like. The dance and lightness that Mattie is described with is a...moreThe way the book Ethan Frome opens is told in a very desrcriptive, vivid tone which I like. The dance and lightness that Mattie is described with is a sweet tone that is heartwarming, but somewhat mischevious because he has a wife. The author's tone is shown through the point of view of Ethan. To me, his feelings toward Mattie are completely opposite of his feelings toward Xeena- he is genuinely excited and seems more youthful around her. While Xeena is old, sickly, and grumpy Mattie is youthful, colorful and healthy. They are interesting foils of the other. I like the fact that the book is told in an interesting format- with the blatant foreshadowing of iminent danger for Ethan, and the flashback type style of writing. It keeps it interesting. As the story progresses, the tension between the three characters and even if i feel as if im supposed to be rooting for Mattie and Ethan, i just don't appreciate their relationship. The tragedy of the sled ride wasn't really surprising, because it is foreshadowed heavily. The irony at the end of the book was a cool twist, although it left me unsatisfied with the moral of the book- if there even was any. By the end, i just see Ethan as a sad, confused character and i feel bad for all of them involved. Even if the ending to me wasn't satisfying, i still recommend this book because i appreciate the writing styles of Edith Wharton. She creates a world with such detail i can imagine in my head, and uses symbols- the red scarf, the cracked dish, and the weather- to make an interesting landscape.(less)
I was an innocent graduate student when I picked this up, having enjoyed The Name of the Rose (especially the movie version, with Sean Connery and the...moreI was an innocent graduate student when I picked this up, having enjoyed The Name of the Rose (especially the movie version, with Sean Connery and the kid who thinks he's Jack Nicholson. What was his name? Whatever...) But now, having plumbed the literary depths of Rosicrucians, alchemists, and Kabbalists, and traversed (in print) the globe to discover the mysteries of the occult in Brazil to solve the puzzle of the pendulum, I am no longer that naive child. I now have the background to read any book about codes, secret societies, hidden treasures, etc. The Eight, The Da Vinci Code, The Historian, you name it, this book got there first. But what this book truly is, is one enormous mind f__k. Excuse my French. Thank you, Mr. Eco. Thank you so much.(less)
My favorite Narnia book so far! I loved the descriptions and the fully-rendered story. The characters were also much more likable than in previous boo...moreMy favorite Narnia book so far! I loved the descriptions and the fully-rendered story. The characters were also much more likable than in previous books. And perhaps I am simply growing used to the Lewis style, but I thought the mannerism and stiffness of the prose was less stringent in this book than in the others. The moral of the story of this one, ignoring the Christian context, seems to be "... if you do a good deed your reward usually is to be set to do another and harder and better one." And I laughed out loud at the following (which contains a spoiler, incidentally) "Aravis also had many quarrels (and, I'm afraid, even fights) with Cor, but they always made it up again: so that years later, when they were grown up, they were so used to quarreling and making up again that they got married so as to go on doing it more conveniently."(less)
Sometimes, you just need to read a book about a dog -- a good dog, a faithful dog. We all want to believe in Ultimate Goodness. I suppose that's why r...moreSometimes, you just need to read a book about a dog -- a good dog, a faithful dog. We all want to believe in Ultimate Goodness. I suppose that's why religion as a belief system persists; it purports to represent Ultimate Goodness and nobility. Unfortunately, the actions undertaken either to promote or punish the religious are anything but good. Even our heroes, from firemen to philanthropists, fall well short of Ultimate Goodness. Yes, I know that makes their nobility even more noble, when they're able to shrug off the mantle of material baseness that binds us all, but a story about an uncomplicated, Good creature? It is, quite frankly, impossible to pull off for a human protagonist. That's what makes this story so exceptional. Bailey is a dog. He pretends to be nothing else. He doesn't pretend to understand what motivates people. He is unabashed in his doggy-ness, because it's what he knows. He also knows that there is nothing, absolutely NOTHING, better than the feeling of being loved and belonging. I won't say anything more about this book except this: When you feel your faith flagging that there is anything pure in this world, READ THIS BOOK -- then hug a dog.(less)
There are moments of simple beauty and poignancy in this book. There are also passages chronicling some of the more mundane details of domesticity tha...moreThere are moments of simple beauty and poignancy in this book. There are also passages chronicling some of the more mundane details of domesticity that have a monotonous, obligatory feel to them, as if the author is no more than a jaded reporter covering a familiar beat. The former points will no doubt make up for the latter for many readers. The plot gently spins out the story of a Bengali couple, Ashima and Ashoke Ganguli, and their eldest child Gogol, whose name reflects the contradiction of cultures and traditions that will define and complicate his life. When the author is fully engaged with her characters, they have so much life and are so vividly realized the reader feels like they could be sitting in the Ganguli's kitchen or they are a fly on the wall at one of Ashima and Ashoke's gatherings. Some of the most moving passages are those that focus on the relationship with Gogol and his father and the inner trials of Ashima, who leaves her home to start a new life with a husband she barely knows only to discover that when she can return permanantly, there are too many emotional attachments to the U.S. for her to consider it. Although the marriages in The Namesake seem to be lack the comfort of lasting, consistent companionship or much romance, what Lahiri has to say about identity and family is compelling, deeply felt, and in spite of its complexity, somehow comforting and satisfying.(less)
I never like to tell people too much about it because as a reader you want to let the journey unfold with all of its nuance and horror and love and ma...moreI never like to tell people too much about it because as a reader you want to let the journey unfold with all of its nuance and horror and love and malice and beauty and even if you're a spoilerholic in every other aspect of your life, you do not want this series spoiled. I will say that Roland Deschain is perhaps the greatest antihero ever written and his story is every bit as epic and beautiful and heartbreaking as Frodo's or Ivanhoe's or Gilgamesh's. If you want to be changed by a series read this. If you hate Stephen King read this because it will change your mind forever. If you want to start bawling like a huge baby in the middle of a chapter read this. It pays homage to every genre out there and it does it with an artistry that you just don't see anymore in literature. "The Dark Tower" is a work of art meant to be treasured and viewed over and over. Years from now it will be spoken of in the same breath as "The Lord of the Rings" and C.S. Lewis' beloved Narnia novels. Since I took my first steps into King's "mid-world" my only regret is that I will never again be able to do it all for the first time. I cannot recommend this highly enough or give it enough starts or sing its praises loudly enough. You've already wasted enough time with this review. Go, go, go, go, go and get this now.(less)
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