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April 17
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Nicholas
gave
 
to:
The Count of Monte Cristo
by Alexandre Dumas
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my rating:
Added to my books!
add my review
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recommended to Nicholas by:
Erin Rouleau
recommended for: Anyone who wants an entertaining read.
read in April, 2008, has a copy to sell/swap
Nicholas said:
"This book was thoroughly entertaining. As the introduction to the book explains, this book isn't as deep and philosophical as a novel by Victor Hugo would be, but that's okay, because Dumas to entertain, which is exactly what this book did for me. I ...more
This book was thoroughly entertaining. As the introduction to the book explains, this book isn't as deep and philosophical as a novel by Victor Hugo would be, but that's okay, because Dumas to entertain, which is exactly what this book did for me. I loved the descriptions of Monte Cristo's eccentric ways of spending his money, and the book definitely made me imagine myself as a very wealthy person, which in turn kind of made me want to be rich. It gave Monte Cristo so much freedom. I think this was part of the effect that Dumas was going for.
Although I said that this book was meant to be entertaining, it was certainly not fluff and did contain some deep material on which to cogitate. One of the deepest issues contained in the book, I believe, is the morality of the Count's actions. He certainly suffered deeply, but did he have the right to play God and punish his punishers? I honestly didn't want to think about it that much, because it makes my head hurt. I prefer to leave such matters of judgment to God....less
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March 30
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Nicholas
gave
to:
Don Quixote (Penguin Classics)
by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra
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my rating:
Added to my books!
add my review
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recommended for: Everyone
read in March, 2008
Nicholas said:
"This book took me a long time to read. It is over 1,000 pages long! I had been wanting to read it for a long time, because it is considered the first novel and because the Spaniards are so proud of it and of Miguel Cervantes (the author). There are s...more
This book took me a long time to read. It is over 1,000 pages long! I had been wanting to read it for a long time, because it is considered the first novel and because the Spaniards are so proud of it and of Miguel Cervantes (the author). There are streets, libraries, buildings, etc. all over the place named after him or his book.
The thing that amazed me about this book is how entertaining it was, even though it was so long. It is usually difficult for long books to hold my interest but this one did. It tells of the various misadventures of an older Spanish gentleman who believes that he is a fearless traveling knight. He searches for adventures with his trusty squire Sancho Panza, and they certainly find their fair share.
The back of the book says "...life is an unending dialogue between a knight of the spirit who is ever striving to soar aloft, and a squire who strives with might and main to keep his feet firmly planted on the ground."
A lot of Don Quixote's initial adventures didn't seem to fit this description to me. In fact, the first part of the book was often exasperating, because Don Quixote would embark on "adventures" that would end up being real disasters. One of the worse was when he freed a group of prisoners from a chain gang, most of which were justly imprisoned. He caused damage and loss of property in other situations, and he really injured some people for no good reason. This didn't seem to me to fit the "noble spirit" part of the book's description.
In the second half of the book though I came to feel a bond and a connection with the crazy characters. By then, Sancho Panza is just as crazy as his master, if not more so, but when people played tricks on him for their own amusement, I got really upset at the nerve those people had.
Finally, besides being entertaining, there are little nuggets of great wisdom throughout the book, much as there were in Les Miserables which is so often quoted. For example, "consider what you are and try to know yourself, which is the most difficult study in the world." Don Quixote then goes on to describe how knowing oneself and one's origins can help keep one from pride and from sin. There are many, many sage bits of advice throughout the book, which I should have written down, but did not.
In short, this book is great and I recommend reading it. Don't be worried about finishing it, just savor a little each day until it is done. ...less
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Nicholas
marked as to-read:
W. W. Clyde: The Builder (Hardcover)
by Leonard J. Arrington
bookshelves:
to-read
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my rating:
Added to my books!
add my review
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New comment on Erin's review of
Where the Red Fern Grows
(see all 2 comments)
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October 28
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Nicholas
gave
to:
The Poisonwood Bible (Paperback)
by Barbara Kingsolver
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my rating:
Added to my books!
add my review
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recommended for: people
read in October, 2007
Nicholas said:
"This was a really interesting book. The first chapter was weird. I had no idea what was going on, and I'm not entirely sure that I understand how the first chapter relates to the rest of the book, but after I got through the first chapter I really st...more
This was a really interesting book. The first chapter was weird. I had no idea what was going on, and I'm not entirely sure that I understand how the first chapter relates to the rest of the book, but after I got through the first chapter I really started to enjoy the book. Each chapter in the book is named after its narrator. The narrators are Adah, Leah, Rachel, Ruth May (the daughters) and Orleanna Price, the mother. The father doesn't ever narrate. The thing that I liked most about this book was the characterization. Kingsolver did such an excellent job of characterizing all of the characters in the book, especially the main family, that you really come to have favorites, and to like certain characters because of the way they are or the way they think, and to dislike other characters for the same reasons. The dad in this story is a real jerk and he is blind to the truth. The author's characterization of Nathan Price is very powerful and evoked strong negative emotions from me.
The book also tackles issues such as death, and really questions its seriousness. It is often portrayed in the book as a very normal occurrence, and not necessarily a bad one.
The book deals with social injustice and looks at some of the corruption and evil of the U.S. government. I don't know how much of the material discussed is factual, but it did make me question my government. I guess I can't just assume that the good old USA does everything right.
Anyway, I haven't done one of these book reviews for a while, so this is probably somewhat incoherent, but it is a good book and everyone should read it (if they want to)....less
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September 12
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Nicholas
gave
to:
Man's Search for Meaning (Mass Market Paperback)
by Viktor E. Frankl
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my rating:
Added to my books!
add my review
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recommended for: Thinkers
read in September, 2007
Nicholas said:
"This book is amazing. It is Viktor Frankl's memories of his experience in four concentration camps during World War II. It is sad to read about the terrible things that he and others went through in these camps, but it is also very inspiring to hear ...more
This book is amazing. It is Viktor Frankl's memories of his experience in four concentration camps during World War II. It is sad to read about the terrible things that he and others went through in these camps, but it is also very inspiring to hear about how some men rose above themselves in service to others and how these men found purpose in their lives and meaning in their suffering. If you have ever struggled with any thing in life (which pretty much everyone has) or if you sometimes struggle with understanding why you or other people suffer, read this book. The first part of the book is titled "Experiences in a Concentration Camp". That is the part that I am talking about. The second part talks about Viktor Frankl's therapeutic theory called "Logotherapy" which essentially helps people to find out what the purpose of their life is in order to help them overcome depression and other problems. The insights and ideas that he shares in this second part of the book are interesting, but I much preferred reading the first part. The book is short, especially if you just read the first section, so pick it up!...less
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August 19
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Nicholas
gave
to:
Pride and Prejudice (Paperback)
by Jane Austen
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my rating:
Added to my books!
add my review
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recommended for: Anyone
read in May, 2006
Nicholas said:
"This book was great. I know that "Pride and Prejudice" is typically a girl-phenomenon, but I loved it. I found out about "Pride and Prejudice" years ago, because my mom and dad(yep, my dad too) would watch the A & E version. I...more
This book was great. I know that "Pride and Prejudice" is typically a girl-phenomenon, but I loved it. I found out about "Pride and Prejudice" years ago, because my mom and dad(yep, my dad too) would watch the A & E version. I usually just walked past and rolled my eyes, because it seemed like some stupid chick movie, but one time I sat down and watched with them and discovered this truth: it was hilarious! Jane Austen's ability to make fun of Victorian society is wonderful. I am also a romantic, so I enjoyed that aspect of the film as well. So, I put the book on my shelf, and finally got around to reading it. It was every bit as funny as the movies. It is remarkably short and easy to read. It took me about 2 days. If you think that Jane Austen is funny, you'll love it....less
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Yeah!!!!!!! I'm so glad you're on here now. I'm excited to read what you have to say.
