Chris Dietzel's Blog - Posts Tagged "atwood"
Book A + Book B = Book C
I had a few people tell me they liked a review I did the other day in which I characterized a book I had read as the combination of two other books I enjoyed, so I figured I would make an entire blog post with that approach. The approach is simple: I take two books that have certain aspects that stood out for me (some more loosely than others) and then combine them into the next closest book I can think of. I hope you enjoy it.
Book A + Book B = Book C
Do you have any book equations you would like to add? If so, I’d love to hear them.
Book A + Book B = Book C
Do you have any book equations you would like to add? If so, I’d love to hear them.
My Five Favorite Books Read in 2016
Every year I read a few books that will stay with me for a long time. If I’m lucky, as I was this year, I find a book or books that will be added to my list of “Favorite books of all time.” Here are the five books I read this year that I most enjoyed (regardless of when they were originally published).
5. The Nightingale (2015) - I found myself constantly comparing this book to All the Light We Cannot See, another historical fiction that takes place during WWII. Because of how much I enjoyed that book, The Nightingale had a lot to measure up to. Whereas Dooer's book immediately grabs you, it took me longer to become invested here. And whereas All The Light We Cannot See excels because of its beautiful prose, this book succeeds because of the emotionally wrought story being told. By the end, I was completely captivated by this and found myself thinking about it for days afterward.
4. Cat's Eye (1998) - Until this book, Surfacing was my favorite non-dystopian book by Margaret Atwood. Cat's Eye now claims that spot. There were parts of this that were so honest and awkward in their depiction of children being cruel to each other that it was uncomfortable to read. Atwood does an amazing job of providing a main character who is not necessarily an unreliable narrator but who is definitely an unaware narrator. And yet the author finds ways to convey subtle ideas of just how unaware that narrator is without ruining the main character's voice. A really wonderful book.
3. All the Light We Cannot See (2014) - Everything about this book was excellent. It's always a pleasant surprise when a book can live up to all the acclaim it has received and this is one of the few that does. The writing and story are both great, and Doerr does a remarkable job of keeping you engaged the entire time. The author also does a good job of making it easy to follow multiple story lines.
2. War is a Racket: The Antiwar Classic by America's Most Decorated Soldier (1935) - This falls under the category of "Must Read." Butler's argument is that the wealthy elite benefit financially from war while everyone else suffers, either through fighting in the wars or else from paying for the war that the rich get richer from. Part of what makes the book so powerful is Butler's history: he fought in WWI and was the most decorated soldier of his lifetime when he wrote this. For me, that gives him credibility that can never be matched by a politician (who probably never fought in a war) going on TV and giving reasons for yet another conflict. Read this each time some person on the news states the case for another war and you'll likely see how hollow their words are and how much weight Butler's words carry.
1. Between the World and Me (2015) – I had high expectations for Ta-Nehisi Coates's letter to his son. After only a few pages I was blown away by how poetic the author is. Between the World and Me contains the best and most powerful writing I've read in a long time. By the time I was half the way through this, I was already thinking it was the best book I've read this year. By the time I finished the book I had to adjust my rating to consider it not just the best book of the year but one of my favorites of all time. It is impossible to read this and not feel incredibly saddened by the injustices all around us. My highest possible recommendation to everyone.
5. The Nightingale (2015) - I found myself constantly comparing this book to All the Light We Cannot See, another historical fiction that takes place during WWII. Because of how much I enjoyed that book, The Nightingale had a lot to measure up to. Whereas Dooer's book immediately grabs you, it took me longer to become invested here. And whereas All The Light We Cannot See excels because of its beautiful prose, this book succeeds because of the emotionally wrought story being told. By the end, I was completely captivated by this and found myself thinking about it for days afterward.
4. Cat's Eye (1998) - Until this book, Surfacing was my favorite non-dystopian book by Margaret Atwood. Cat's Eye now claims that spot. There were parts of this that were so honest and awkward in their depiction of children being cruel to each other that it was uncomfortable to read. Atwood does an amazing job of providing a main character who is not necessarily an unreliable narrator but who is definitely an unaware narrator. And yet the author finds ways to convey subtle ideas of just how unaware that narrator is without ruining the main character's voice. A really wonderful book.
3. All the Light We Cannot See (2014) - Everything about this book was excellent. It's always a pleasant surprise when a book can live up to all the acclaim it has received and this is one of the few that does. The writing and story are both great, and Doerr does a remarkable job of keeping you engaged the entire time. The author also does a good job of making it easy to follow multiple story lines.
2. War is a Racket: The Antiwar Classic by America's Most Decorated Soldier (1935) - This falls under the category of "Must Read." Butler's argument is that the wealthy elite benefit financially from war while everyone else suffers, either through fighting in the wars or else from paying for the war that the rich get richer from. Part of what makes the book so powerful is Butler's history: he fought in WWI and was the most decorated soldier of his lifetime when he wrote this. For me, that gives him credibility that can never be matched by a politician (who probably never fought in a war) going on TV and giving reasons for yet another conflict. Read this each time some person on the news states the case for another war and you'll likely see how hollow their words are and how much weight Butler's words carry.
1. Between the World and Me (2015) – I had high expectations for Ta-Nehisi Coates's letter to his son. After only a few pages I was blown away by how poetic the author is. Between the World and Me contains the best and most powerful writing I've read in a long time. By the time I was half the way through this, I was already thinking it was the best book I've read this year. By the time I finished the book I had to adjust my rating to consider it not just the best book of the year but one of my favorites of all time. It is impossible to read this and not feel incredibly saddened by the injustices all around us. My highest possible recommendation to everyone.
Best Books Read of 2018
Each year, I look back at the books I’ve read. Here are the five books I read for the first time this year that I most enjoyed (regardless of when they were originally published).
5. The Acts of King Arthur and His Noble Knights (1976) by John Steinbeck – Steinbeck is one of my all-time favorites authors, but I didn't even know this book existed until I found an old copy in a used book store. It’s incredibly neat that one of my writing idols translated Sir Thomas Malory's Arthurian tales from Middle English into modern English and then added a little bit to the stories where he felt gaps existed. The result is a series of tales that become accessible to current audiences. The best part for me, however, was the final 60 pages, containing Steinbeck's personal letters in which he discussed his approach to the translation. Steinbeck goes into detail on his approach to editing and translating, the problems he faced in both regards, and how he planned to fix those issues. Those pages in particular are a must read for anyone who has ever tried to edit or translate someone's work or likes insight into Steinbeck’s mind.
4. Hag-Seed: The Tempest Retold (2016) by Margaret Atwood - I started this book thinking it would be a 3-star. The premise didn't sound particularly exciting and I hadn't heard anything good or bad about it so I figured it would be lackluster. Immediately after starting it, however, I knew it would be at least a 4-star. As always, Atwood does a great job of using dialogue and dysfunction to keep you interested as the story unfolds. By the time I was half way through the book I knew I had deeply underestimated the story. I'm familiar with a bunch of modern Shakespearean re-envisions but this might be my favorite. The depth by which Atwood is able to retell The Tempest within her new setting while also having the actual Shakespearean play unfold as a plot point within that story is genius.
3. 2666 (2008) by Roberto Bolano – This is a large book (900 pages) but after only a few pages I already found myself invested in the story. Bolano’s intention was that the book be sold as five separate parts before being sold as one collected volume. Each part has a different but related story that converges into one brilliant storyline. The two parts dealing with fictional author Archimboldi (books 1 and 5) were my favorites but all were good. Bolano creates an epic tale that spans characters across the world. The result is well worth the long read. The only detraction is that the collected volume starts with an introduction that says it was Bolano's dying wish that the books be released separately before being released as one volume but the publisher and Bolano's family disagreed and published the collected version first. What is the goal of making a point to emphasize you went against a dying man's last wish? Other than that, great book.
2. The Buried Giant (2015) by Kazuo Ishiguro - On its surface this book is a fable that recounts an old couple wandering the lands in a post Arthurian world, looking for a son that left them long ago. In that context, the story was worth 4 stars for me until I got to the ending, which I didn't care for. However, I interpret the entire story as an allegory for an old couple looking back on their relationship together and all the struggles and decisions they had to make over decades together. Everything--the candles, the dragon, the fog, the warrior--are all devices to continue the metaphor of a relationship that went through tremendous challenges over the years. In that context, the story is superb and the ending is not only satisfying, it is perfect and incredibly touching.
1. Manuscript Found in Accra (2013) by Paulo Coelho – Another great book by Coelho, and maybe my favorite of his outside 'The Alchemist'. Coelho is at his very best here, using the story to convey wisdom of the world and lessons to help the reader feel like they can understand the nature of life. If you found Coelho because of 'The Alchemist', I would definitely recommend either this book or 'The Zahir' as the book of his that most provides a comparable experience.
Honorable mention. The Great Train Robbery (1979) by Michael Crichton – This isn’t included in the top 5 because it was my second time reading it. I originally read this in middle school and loved it. It was one of the reasons I spent a childhood summer reading everything I could find by Crichton and I think it might be my favorite of all of his books. It has a great blend of historical fiction, nonfiction, and the author's natural ability to provide a sense of excitement and adventure. Highly recommended even if you typically only enjoy Crichton's science fiction.
5. The Acts of King Arthur and His Noble Knights (1976) by John Steinbeck – Steinbeck is one of my all-time favorites authors, but I didn't even know this book existed until I found an old copy in a used book store. It’s incredibly neat that one of my writing idols translated Sir Thomas Malory's Arthurian tales from Middle English into modern English and then added a little bit to the stories where he felt gaps existed. The result is a series of tales that become accessible to current audiences. The best part for me, however, was the final 60 pages, containing Steinbeck's personal letters in which he discussed his approach to the translation. Steinbeck goes into detail on his approach to editing and translating, the problems he faced in both regards, and how he planned to fix those issues. Those pages in particular are a must read for anyone who has ever tried to edit or translate someone's work or likes insight into Steinbeck’s mind.
4. Hag-Seed: The Tempest Retold (2016) by Margaret Atwood - I started this book thinking it would be a 3-star. The premise didn't sound particularly exciting and I hadn't heard anything good or bad about it so I figured it would be lackluster. Immediately after starting it, however, I knew it would be at least a 4-star. As always, Atwood does a great job of using dialogue and dysfunction to keep you interested as the story unfolds. By the time I was half way through the book I knew I had deeply underestimated the story. I'm familiar with a bunch of modern Shakespearean re-envisions but this might be my favorite. The depth by which Atwood is able to retell The Tempest within her new setting while also having the actual Shakespearean play unfold as a plot point within that story is genius.
3. 2666 (2008) by Roberto Bolano – This is a large book (900 pages) but after only a few pages I already found myself invested in the story. Bolano’s intention was that the book be sold as five separate parts before being sold as one collected volume. Each part has a different but related story that converges into one brilliant storyline. The two parts dealing with fictional author Archimboldi (books 1 and 5) were my favorites but all were good. Bolano creates an epic tale that spans characters across the world. The result is well worth the long read. The only detraction is that the collected volume starts with an introduction that says it was Bolano's dying wish that the books be released separately before being released as one volume but the publisher and Bolano's family disagreed and published the collected version first. What is the goal of making a point to emphasize you went against a dying man's last wish? Other than that, great book.
2. The Buried Giant (2015) by Kazuo Ishiguro - On its surface this book is a fable that recounts an old couple wandering the lands in a post Arthurian world, looking for a son that left them long ago. In that context, the story was worth 4 stars for me until I got to the ending, which I didn't care for. However, I interpret the entire story as an allegory for an old couple looking back on their relationship together and all the struggles and decisions they had to make over decades together. Everything--the candles, the dragon, the fog, the warrior--are all devices to continue the metaphor of a relationship that went through tremendous challenges over the years. In that context, the story is superb and the ending is not only satisfying, it is perfect and incredibly touching.
1. Manuscript Found in Accra (2013) by Paulo Coelho – Another great book by Coelho, and maybe my favorite of his outside 'The Alchemist'. Coelho is at his very best here, using the story to convey wisdom of the world and lessons to help the reader feel like they can understand the nature of life. If you found Coelho because of 'The Alchemist', I would definitely recommend either this book or 'The Zahir' as the book of his that most provides a comparable experience.
Honorable mention. The Great Train Robbery (1979) by Michael Crichton – This isn’t included in the top 5 because it was my second time reading it. I originally read this in middle school and loved it. It was one of the reasons I spent a childhood summer reading everything I could find by Crichton and I think it might be my favorite of all of his books. It has a great blend of historical fiction, nonfiction, and the author's natural ability to provide a sense of excitement and adventure. Highly recommended even if you typically only enjoy Crichton's science fiction.
My Favorite Books That Retell Shakespeare's Plays
It’s been a while since I had a blog post because I’ve been finishing up my next book, so I’ll jump right in. This list contains my favorite books that retell Shakespeare’s classic plays. Obviously, Shakespeare has influenced hundreds of writers and impacted just as many books. This list is dedicated to those books that were not only influenced by the Bard but actually retell an entire Shakespearean play in a modern reinterpretation.
5.
West Side Story (1961) by Irving Shulman – I didn’t care for this when I first had to watch the movie version in high school, but I include it here because it was the first time I remember seeing one of Shakespeare’s plays retold in a modern setting. This is one of the clearest interpretations, with the story mirroring that of Romeo and Juliet. Musicals aren’t my thing and I’m much more fond of Shakespeare’s historical plays than I am with Romeo and Juliet but West Side Story does a great job of retelling the original story.
4.
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead (1966) by Tom Stoppard – This is a short and quick read to be sure, but it’s worth it. Stoppard retells Hamlet from the point of view of two of its minor characters. The book works mainly because of its absurdist comedy. I’ve read a couple other books that retell Shakespeare’s plays by presenting it from another character’s point of view and those books almost never work for me because they are lacking Shakespeare’s ability as well as something to keep the reader turning pages. Stoppard does that with comedy and does it well.
3.
The Sword In The Stone: Space Lore V (2018) by me! – I hate including my own book in this list but I genuinely love the story I created. Each book in my Space Lore series combines elements of a Shakespearean historical play with parts of Arthurian legend and then transports it to another galaxy, but none more so than Book 5, The Sword in the Stone, which retells Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. Imagine Caesar, Brutus, the Soothsayer, and the rest of the cast set amongst intergalactic war and you can understand why I’m so pleased with how The Sword in the Stone turned out.
2.
The Story of Edgar Sawtelle (2008) by David Wroblewski – A young, mute boy runs away into the wilderness with his dogs. How could this possibly be a retelling of Shakespeare’s Hamlet? But it is, and it works perfectly. Edgar’s father dies and his uncle may have had something to do with it. When his uncle takes the place of his father at home, it becomes too much for Edgar. The rest of the story is a brilliant version of Hamlet, where dogs accompany Edgar on his journey and back home again.
1.
Hag-Seed (2016) by Margaret Atwood – I started this book thinking it would be okay. The premise didn’t sound particularly exciting and I hadn’t heard anything good or bad about it so I figured it would be lackluster. Immediately after starting it, however, I knew it would be good. As always, Atwood does a great job of using dialogue and dysfunction to keep you interested as the story unfolds. By the time I was half way through the book I knew I had deeply underestimated the story. I’m familiar with a bunch of modern Shakespearean re-envisions but this is my favorite. The depth by which Atwood is able to retell The Tempest within her new setting while also having the actual Shakespearean play unfold as a plot point is genius.
5.
West Side Story (1961) by Irving Shulman – I didn’t care for this when I first had to watch the movie version in high school, but I include it here because it was the first time I remember seeing one of Shakespeare’s plays retold in a modern setting. This is one of the clearest interpretations, with the story mirroring that of Romeo and Juliet. Musicals aren’t my thing and I’m much more fond of Shakespeare’s historical plays than I am with Romeo and Juliet but West Side Story does a great job of retelling the original story.4.
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead (1966) by Tom Stoppard – This is a short and quick read to be sure, but it’s worth it. Stoppard retells Hamlet from the point of view of two of its minor characters. The book works mainly because of its absurdist comedy. I’ve read a couple other books that retell Shakespeare’s plays by presenting it from another character’s point of view and those books almost never work for me because they are lacking Shakespeare’s ability as well as something to keep the reader turning pages. Stoppard does that with comedy and does it well.3.
The Sword In The Stone: Space Lore V (2018) by me! – I hate including my own book in this list but I genuinely love the story I created. Each book in my Space Lore series combines elements of a Shakespearean historical play with parts of Arthurian legend and then transports it to another galaxy, but none more so than Book 5, The Sword in the Stone, which retells Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. Imagine Caesar, Brutus, the Soothsayer, and the rest of the cast set amongst intergalactic war and you can understand why I’m so pleased with how The Sword in the Stone turned out.2.
The Story of Edgar Sawtelle (2008) by David Wroblewski – A young, mute boy runs away into the wilderness with his dogs. How could this possibly be a retelling of Shakespeare’s Hamlet? But it is, and it works perfectly. Edgar’s father dies and his uncle may have had something to do with it. When his uncle takes the place of his father at home, it becomes too much for Edgar. The rest of the story is a brilliant version of Hamlet, where dogs accompany Edgar on his journey and back home again.1.
Hag-Seed (2016) by Margaret Atwood – I started this book thinking it would be okay. The premise didn’t sound particularly exciting and I hadn’t heard anything good or bad about it so I figured it would be lackluster. Immediately after starting it, however, I knew it would be good. As always, Atwood does a great job of using dialogue and dysfunction to keep you interested as the story unfolds. By the time I was half way through the book I knew I had deeply underestimated the story. I’m familiar with a bunch of modern Shakespearean re-envisions but this is my favorite. The depth by which Atwood is able to retell The Tempest within her new setting while also having the actual Shakespearean play unfold as a plot point is genius.
