"What French Women Know..." can be summed up with the most oft repeated phrase in the book, which is that French women are aware of "the brevity of li...more"What French Women Know..." can be summed up with the most oft repeated phrase in the book, which is that French women are aware of "the brevity of life and the immediacy of pleasure." The author is an American who moved to France and married a French man and became a Francofile. She wrote this book exploring the differences between French and American women, focusing on love, sex, and food. All these three areas of life have an element of hunger to them. I would say after reading this book American women are more skilled at curbing and denying appetite and our culture more abusive in it's restrictions on our sexuality. How many times do you hear 'my d*ck' on the subway, compared to how many times you hear 'my vagina'... case in point. We live in a hyper macho society where the female body is simultaneously hidden away and objectified. In France it would seem women are in possession of their sexuality, they own it and they walk confidently in it. I'm also fascinated with the concept of 'ugly pretty' that Debra Ollivier describes as a phenomenon in France. "Jolie laide" is the French saying which means 'ugly pretty' in English - no real English equivalent exists. The term is used to describe women who are beautiful or sexy in an unconventional way. Every woman in France can feel sexy and beautiful based on who they are/ what they project from the inside (character, confidence etc...). This is not to say every woman does feel sexy in France, and a lot of the book is based on generalizations. In France the magazine cover beauty queen is still there, she just holds a lot less power over other women in France, and their ability to feel stunning. It seems American women could learn a thing or two from the French. (less)
I'm a Barbara Kingsolver fan and I have been for several years. What I love most about her writing is the strong female protagonists she shares with u...moreI'm a Barbara Kingsolver fan and I have been for several years. What I love most about her writing is the strong female protagonists she shares with us. This novel 'Flight Behavior' follows one such protagonist, Dellarobia, beginning with her contemplation of an affair and her strong desire to leave her constricting family life behind her. We are introduced to how she thinks about her world from the very first pages of the novel, and the story that unfolds reveals to Dellarobia and the audience how much she has to learn and how much she wants to grow as a human being. It's safe to say the reader is on Dellarobia's side, holding onto her discoveries as if they were are own, and rooting for her to take a leap to separate her self from accidental monotony and fully appreciate the beauty of life and the people around her. The novel shows how when we are in a place of personal discomfort and feel inadequate we tend to villainize others close to us, rather than face our own responsibility in our unhappiness. The novel also touches on global warming, and the powerful changes in climate people are both causing and subjected to. (less)
Brindle 24 is an ode to a world that continuously puts finance above health, and asks the question what if love comes first? J.J.Brown loves each of h...moreBrindle 24 is an ode to a world that continuously puts finance above health, and asks the question what if love comes first? J.J.Brown loves each of her characters, none of them are 'bad' except for the pernicious and often invisible enemy of fracking waste. Brindle 24 follows a day in the life of the town Brindle, where the harmful effects of fracking on the individual body and surrounding environment are explored in a painful and poetic novel. If you are unfamiliar with the process of hydraulic fracturing or fracking you may very well want to delve in and research what that actually means and if it's going on near your drinking water supply after reading this book.(less)
This collection is poetry at its best. It opened me up to my own vulnerability with gentle prodding. At first you may be resistant to the sweet tones,...moreThis collection is poetry at its best. It opened me up to my own vulnerability with gentle prodding. At first you may be resistant to the sweet tones, but quickly you realize the pain which cloaks itself in the sweetness. The poems evoke vivid images of nature, weaving the human life into a tapestry of the natural world. We humans are inescapably a part of the Natural, the Supernatural, and Love.(less)
"Color of Desire" the play, takes place in Cuba at the crux of the Revolution in the 1960s. It follows the lives of some rich Americans in Cuba &...more"Color of Desire" the play, takes place in Cuba at the crux of the Revolution in the 1960s. It follows the lives of some rich Americans in Cuba & some natives in Cuba and how their lives intersect, sometimes beautifully & sometimes painfully. I have a Cuban cultural heritage, my Abuela fled Cuba when Castro came to power. This is the first time I read something that explored what the pain of those who fled might have been. I am currently working on a monologue from this play, from the character Belen. (less)
This is a novel that explores "the dark side of the erotic". He writes with a psychotic intelligence. Refuses to let life alone but must interrogate i...moreThis is a novel that explores "the dark side of the erotic". He writes with a psychotic intelligence. Refuses to let life alone but must interrogate it, rip at it, and turn it inside out. The most grotesque and animal impulses are served on a plate with eggs, eyeballs, and others.(less)
I felt as if she was speaking to me throughout all three plays. She writes about the modern woman in an engaging personal way, no preaching, no hittin...moreI felt as if she was speaking to me throughout all three plays. She writes about the modern woman in an engaging personal way, no preaching, no hitting you over the head. In fact if you'd like to understand the modern women's 'struggle' and joys please read these plays. (less)
READ IT! I couldn't put the book down. Fantastic female protagonist. Insane page turner, the writing flows with wit, precision, and driving intensity...more READ IT! I couldn't put the book down. Fantastic female protagonist. Insane page turner, the writing flows with wit, precision, and driving intensity. Go read it now! (less)
How on earth do you describe a Murakami novel? Well written, mysterious, haunting, violent, sexual... It's an erotic novel ... interrogating the fragi...moreHow on earth do you describe a Murakami novel? Well written, mysterious, haunting, violent, sexual... It's an erotic novel ... interrogating the fragile space between one brain and another, one body and another. (less)
An exploration of what it's like to be tight knit, and to know too much about one another. Family crisis', hidden love, personal decisions and how the...moreAn exploration of what it's like to be tight knit, and to know too much about one another. Family crisis', hidden love, personal decisions and how they effect others- all these are explored in this play.(less)
Not sure I would recommend this one. A lot of crudity, but that is famously her style. Brutal, vicious examination of base human behavior. Explores th...moreNot sure I would recommend this one. A lot of crudity, but that is famously her style. Brutal, vicious examination of base human behavior. Explores the violent, and disturbing aspects of being a human. Peek your interest? (less)
Well I saw the movie prior to reading the play, which was unfortunate b/c I kept seeing Julia Roberts and Natalie Portman playing out the roles. Unfo...more Well I saw the movie prior to reading the play, which was unfortunate b/c I kept seeing Julia Roberts and Natalie Portman playing out the roles. Unfortunate b/c I enjoy inventing how the characters look and sound in my head. This play is an exploration of the negative side of attachment and love, and how we lie to one another almost out of compulsion, and how we really do not know what's best for us. We fall in love w/ our illusive understanding of the reality of a person, and then we wind up disappointed. It's about four souls constantly disconnecting, or misconnecting with one another. If this sounds like your cup of tea, read it. If not, I can say it is written really well, so if you enjoy wit, and a sense of detachment, dig in. (less)
A lot of excellent advice for women terrified in taking control of their finances, or simply curious to begin that process of financial independence....more A lot of excellent advice for women terrified in taking control of their finances, or simply curious to begin that process of financial independence. So many great tips and pointers. The only warning I would give is take the investing advice in stride, because our economy is incredibly shaky compared to when the book was written. But it's a great first step to becoming an empowered woman in charge of her finances. (less)
I never thought I'd see so many cliche's in one play... but it's intentional. The play delivers as many commonly said one liners as it can stuff into...moreI never thought I'd see so many cliche's in one play... but it's intentional. The play delivers as many commonly said one liners as it can stuff into it's characters mouths. It centers around a mother and father who are having trouble coping with the death of their son. So they speak in easy phrases, that hide the deeper anguish they are feeling. It made me hear life differently afterwards. I notice where we conveniently place one liners and homilies, it helps us communicate in an effective way. Or does it? Worth. A. Read.(less)
This play is a quick read, as we flow through the drama Hansberry has created to articulate the intellectual struggle of the middle class 'revolution...more This play is a quick read, as we flow through the drama Hansberry has created to articulate the intellectual struggle of the middle class 'revolutionaries'. The characters are 'bohemians' who think life away and are afraid of the imperfection of action. It ends on an inspiring note, hence differentiating itself from Chekhov. Although the similarities as far as comedy infused with middle class morality conflicts abound. More people should read this play- it'd be great if schools made this play a requirement as well as A Raisin in the Sun- which I read in high school. It had the longest run on Broadway for the year it was on, and garnered many rave reviews. Hansberry wrote it while she was battling cancer. (less)
THE SQUARE- This novel follows a conversation between a man and a woman on a bench in a park. They talk about their lonely ways, and each seems to tau...moreTHE SQUARE- This novel follows a conversation between a man and a woman on a bench in a park. They talk about their lonely ways, and each seems to taunt the other, daring the other to break their patterns and habits. It could be seen as a symbol for the nature of romance. You want to be with one another to escape the loneliness, and yet a part of you still clutches on to that singular identity. It is a short meditative reflection on the psychological underpinnings of everything we say to one another. Worth the read! (less)
Just finished this one! Very intriguing book filled with philosophical insight. Frank Herbert creates a dynasty in a powerful science fiction saga, t...more Just finished this one! Very intriguing book filled with philosophical insight. Frank Herbert creates a dynasty in a powerful science fiction saga, that continuously inundates the reader with enlightening morsels of thought. I will include a quote I found particularly striking- and there are many.
"Because I know this planet. You don't understand? Think how it is. Beneath the surface there are rocks, dirt, sediment, sand. That's the planet's memory, the picture of it's history. It's the same with humans. The dog remembers the wolf. Each universe revolves around a core of being, and outward from that core go all of the memories, right out to the surface." - The character speaking goes on to describe how the human is formed much as the planet is, revolving around a core being, and building upon memories. (less)
An amusing commentary on marriage, and the new 'feminist' attitudes. The Manly women vs. the feminine women. It seems by the end of the play, no ideo...more An amusing commentary on marriage, and the new 'feminist' attitudes. The Manly women vs. the feminine women. It seems by the end of the play, no ideology is proved or disproved, but rather Shaw has made fun of the whole situation. Marriage is funny, and hopeless, and being a strong woman and allowing oneself to possess love is equally as funny. The play is an exploration of ideas in a playful, teasing manner. He published it in a collection called, "Plays Unpleasant", which is telling. He intended it as a critique of capitalism, and to increase awareness about social problems. Which, I suppose, in this play would be, the crisis of the definition of man and woman with the rise of feminism? (less)
This is the second book in the "best science fiction series" by Frank Herbert. This book was even more interesting than the first one- which is a good...moreThis is the second book in the "best science fiction series" by Frank Herbert. This book was even more interesting than the first one- which is a good sign, considering there are six total. Herbert really is a masterful story teller, weaving history, prescience, science, religion, and imagination into a powerful saga taking place on the fictional planet Dune. It is interesting to see how the science fiction genre can serve to discuss human flaws, and patterns of behavior, in a non threatening manner, by talking in the language of fiction. (less)
An intimate look at a mans struggle to understand a love labeled as impure by the society he lives in and longs to be accepted by. His heart is always...moreAn intimate look at a mans struggle to understand a love labeled as impure by the society he lives in and longs to be accepted by. His heart is always at the brink of exposing him as an emotional creature, but his mind seems to pull away from anything that smells of confession. It is a powerful novel that explores the pain of always being an individual in spite of being part of the ebb and flow of society. (less)
Reading this book gives a noncombatant an intimate view of the Army's day to day life in Iraq. Jason's writing style is harsh, and brutally honest abo...moreReading this book gives a noncombatant an intimate view of the Army's day to day life in Iraq. Jason's writing style is harsh, and brutally honest about others as well as himself. Which of course lends to an interesting and enlightening read that forces some introspection on the reader as well. Basic Info about the book- created from a series of blog entries posted while Jason was a soldier in the US Army in Iraq, year 2oo4. A lot of controversy surrounded the blog and he was forced to take it down a couple of times by the Army, but now it is accessible to everyone in this book. Read it. (less)
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