Elwood Curtis was an idealistic straight-A high school student preparing to take college classes when he was wrongly convicted of stealing a car. He wElwood Curtis was an idealistic straight-A high school student preparing to take college classes when he was wrongly convicted of stealing a car. He was sent to Nickel Academy - a Florida reform school, which proved to be a place of arbitrary cruelty - especially for black boys like Elwood. Physical, sexual, and mental abuse were daily occurrences. When the staff caught bullies were beating up a boy in the bathroom, the victim and the one who tried to stop the fight were punished more severely than the bullies. One boy was beaten and murdered by the staff for disobeying their order to throw a boxing match.
At Nickel, Elwood befriended Turner, a cynical orphan from the streets. The two became friends, despite their differing world outlooks and opinions on how best to survive inside Nickel and out in the Free World afterward.
"The Nickel Boys" by Colson Whitehead is a tragic story of life for African Americans in the Jim Crow south. The Civil Rights movement was reaching its height in the 1960s and the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s message of loving one's enemies inspired Elwood, as it inspired so many others. But the harsh reality of the system made Turner's approach seem more practical.
Although this story is fiction, it is based on an actual Florida reform school - The Dozier School for Boys - at which similar abuses occurred. Like Dozier, Nickel labeled itself a "reform school", even though it did little in the way of reform or education.
Whitehead brings the reader into the story by forcing us to connect with Elwood and Turner and to feel their pains. I read this shortly after his preceding novel "The Underground Railroad". Both novels dealt with racism in America, and each won a Pulitzer Prize; but I enjoyed "The Nickel Boys" more. I cared more about Elwood and Turner than I did about Cora; and the realism of the later novel made it more relevant to me. ...more
Before the American Civil War, a group of abolitionists organized the Underground Railroad - a network of people, places, and routes designed to assisBefore the American Civil War, a group of abolitionists organized the Underground Railroad - a network of people, places, and routes designed to assist escaped slaves. The name "Underground Railroad" was a metaphor. In reality, it was neither a railroad nor was it underground. But in Colson Whitehead's 2016 novel "The Underground Railroad", the title refers to an actual railroad track and a train that literally runs under the ground. Its purpose was the same as the actual Underground Railroad - to facilitate the journey of escaped slaves and to connect them with safe places and with the people who could help.
Whitehead takes other liberties with historical accuracy in his novel, describing laws and cultures that did not exist in the nineteenth-century American South. But he does so with a purpose.
This is the story of Cora, a Georgia slave who escapes first to South Carolina, where a group of progressive white people has set up a colony in which blacks are allowed employment and treated with greater respect than in the rest of the South. She then travels to North Carolina, where the citizens have decided the best way to end slavery is by outlawing negroes - a crime punishable by death. Ultimately, she ends up in Indiana, joining a community of African Americans that have built their own economy and coexist with the whites of the local town.
Despite the differences in Whitehead's alternate history, he maintains the spirit of the struggles of blacks in antebellum America. Cora is pursued relentlessly by professional slave catcher Ridgeway and must frequently flee to new places, often losing the people she loves on the way. Although the world of Whitehead's novel contains significant differences from actual American history, he captures the horrors of slavery and forces the reader to feel the omnipresent fear of being a black fugitive in the nineteenth century. The dehumanizing horrors of slavery are not whitewashed in this story.
Both Cora and Ridgeway are haunted by the memory of Cora's mother Mabel, who escaped when Cora was an infant. Cora feels forever abandoned by her mother, while Ridgeway is obsessed with the memory of the only escaped slave he failed to recapture. In the final chapter, Whitehead reveals Mabel's fate, and this provides a satisfying closure for the reader, if not for Cora and Ridgeway.
Many of the whites she encounters appear to be progressive thinkers, but they maintain their prejudices and their beliefs in ethnic superiority. They congratulate themselves on their acceptance of negroes, but still perceive the black race as inferior - often with deadly consequences. Their rationalizations are often frightening.
The novel is not perfect. I don't understand why Whitehead felt it important to turn the Underground Railroad into a physical subterranean train. Perhaps it was to underscore that this was a work of alternate history, but it felt like an unnecessary gimmick.
Still, this book works on several levels. It is a story of survival against impossible odds; it is a love story; and it forces the reader to consider what it means to embrace racial equality - a question that is still relevant today. ...more
Addie Brunden fell ill and died 10 days later, leaving behind a husband, 4 sons, and a daughter. Her wish was to be buried in her childhood hometown oAddie Brunden fell ill and died 10 days later, leaving behind a husband, 4 sons, and a daughter. Her wish was to be buried in her childhood hometown of Jefferson, Mississippi. So, her family built a coffin, tied horses to their wagon, and began the journey across the rural south.
William Faulkner's "As I Lay Dying" chronicles their troubling 9-day journey, interrupted by a near-disastrous river crossing, a broken leg, and a fire. The narration switches quickly between over a dozen narrators, who provide details of the trip, as well as their perspectives on life, death, and family.
Faulkner unfolds the story from different perspectives in a way that keeps the reader engaged; and he slowly reveals secrets of infidelity and illegitimacy and teen pregnancy in a way that humanizes the family.
Faulkner does a good job of giving a unique voice to each character - the childlike innocence of Vardaman; the thoughtfulness of Darl, the stoicism of Cash, and the selfishness of Anse.
The reader's challenge is keeping the characters straight and remembering which ones are most significant. The novel's stream-of-consciousness style gives an immediacy to the action, but it can confuse.
"As I Lay Dying" explores the dynamics of family relationships, especially during a time of great crisis and conflict, as everyone deals with death in their own way. It is well worth your time....more
Sometimes I read a book later than I should. Last year, I worked my way through Anthony Powell's epic 12-volume saga "A Dance to the Music of Time". ISometimes I read a book later than I should. Last year, I worked my way through Anthony Powell's epic 12-volume saga "A Dance to the Music of Time". It was a lot to absorb. Powell's series spans six decades and introduces hundreds of characters and subplots. It is not uncommon for a character to disappear for several books, only to reappear much later and much older. Keeping everything straight was a challenge.
Hilary Spurling's "Invitation to the Dance: A Handbook to Anthony Powell's A Dance to the Music of Time" makes this easier. Spurling's book is a guide to Powell's books. In addition to a summary of each book, she lists details of each character, book, painting, and place mentioned in the series. It is an exhaustive set of lists, as there are many of each. Powell sought to include the influence of art in his story, so he included many artists and works of art - both real and invented.
I enjoyed revisiting some of the stories and characters without the burden of re-reading everything. Some I remembered well, and some had faded from my memory.
There is very little analysis in Spurling's book - it is primarily a database, that can help you navigate the complexities of Powell's story.
I wish I had this book last year, as I was reading Powell's series. If I return to these books, I plan to have Spurling's guide at my side. ...more
Neil Gaiman's "Trigger Warnings" is a collection of creepy poems and short stories.
Many of the stories end ambiguously with the hint of something dreaNeil Gaiman's "Trigger Warnings" is a collection of creepy poems and short stories.
Many of the stories end ambiguously with the hint of something dreadful about to occur. Others could easily be a chapter in a novel and perhaps they were originally planned as such. They tend toward the darker side of storytelling; but, other than that, have very little in common with one another.
My favourites stories were:
"The Sleeper and the Spindle" - a reimagining of a classic fairy tale with an unexpected crossover into another fairy tale.
"The Thing About Cassandra" - a story about a man who encounters the imaginary girlfriend he made up while in school.
"The Truth is a Cave in the Black Mountains" - a dark tale of revenge.
Gaiman also included a Sherlock Holmes story, a Doctor Who story, and a story about Shadow Moon, the protagonist of "American Gods".
I strongly related to "The Man Who Forgot Ray Bradbury" - a first-person narrative from someone losing his memory as he grows older. It reminded me that both my parents struggled through this frustration at the end of their lives; and I sometimes feel it happening to me. Plus, it is a tribute to one of the great writers of the 20th century, who undoubtedly influenced Gaiman.
This is a strong collection of works for anyone who enjoys mystery and horror and any fans of Mr. Gaiman's writing....more
Louisa May Alcott grew up poor in the mid-18th century New England with her three sisters, so it is no coincidence that her most famous novel - "LittlLouisa May Alcott grew up poor in the mid-18th century New England with her three sisters, so it is no coincidence that her most famous novel - "Little Women" is about a family very similar to her own.
"Little Women" tells the story of the March family - Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy, who are raised by their mother until their father returns from fighting in the Civil War. The story spans about two decades, as the girls grow into womanhood.
Alcott does an impressive job of painting the personalities of the sisters - beautiful and domestic Meg; tomboy Jo, who loves to write; shy and musical Beth; and artistic Amy. The moral character of the girls and their mother is remarkably high, but they still struggle with ethical dilemmas and often grow as a result. They survive problems at school and the temptation to avoid work and conflict with their aunt. They grow through changes in love and courtship and marriage and childbirth and careers and the death of a loved one. We see the sisters evolve throughout their young lives: quick-tempered Jo learns to soften her temperament when appropriate and Amy overcomes her selfish streak to inspire their spoiled neighbor Laurie to achieve his potential.
I enjoyed the contrast between Jo, who could be a role model for liberated women and Meg, who embraces her traditional role as housewife and mother. They are completely different, but they love each other unconditionally.
This novel has become a classic because of its characters and its moral lessons. ...more
At the end of Louisa May Alcott's "Little Women", Jo and her husband Friedrich resolve to open a school for boys in the home left to them by Jo's AuntAt the end of Louisa May Alcott's "Little Women", Jo and her husband Friedrich resolve to open a school for boys in the home left to them by Jo's Aunt Marge. "Little Men" is the story of that school.
The book is a series of vignettes, displaying the personalities of the various children at school and the lessons they learn about integrity and honesty.
But mostly, it is the story of Dan, a tough orphan from the streets, who finds it difficult to obey the rules of the house. Dan's wrestling with moral issues form the heart of this novel.
Alcott drew inspiration from her father, who had radical ideas about education. The book reflects some of these ideas as Jo and Friedrich encourage their students to think for themselves, rather than drilling information and discipline into them. Dan's presence challenges these notions. Initially, he is a disruptive influence with the other children and cannot respect even the few rules imposed by the school. But the teachers persist; they see the good in the boy and believe he is destined for something special.
The rest of the March family gets very little exposure in this story - surprising in that one of them is lost suddenly late in the book. A bit more buildup would have improved that scene dramatically.
Although not quite on the literary level of its predecessor, "Little Men" is a pleasant successor to "Little Women". ...more
"The Wings of the Dove" by Henry James is the story of a very good person, her friend who manipulates her, and a lover caught in the manipulation.
Mil"The Wings of the Dove" by Henry James is the story of a very good person, her friend who manipulates her, and a lover caught in the manipulation.
Milly Theale was a wealthy American heiress who loved traveling the world. She met and befriended the betrothed English couple Kate Croy and Merton Densher shortly before Milly was diagnosed with an incurable disease. Kate convinced her fiancé Merton to court the dying Milly in the hope that he would inherit Milly's fortune and share it with Kat.
The story is good, and the novel has withstood the test of time, but its problems come from the author. The American James wanted desperately to come across as a Victorian Englishmen. He does so by dressing every sentence with flowery prose - prose that often gets in the way of the story. He has a story to tell, and he tells it, but he takes at least twice as long to do so.
I believed in the characters. Kate was raised without a mother - first by her worthless father, then by her domineering Aunt Maud, who forbade her from marrying the penniless Merton. Kate's actions were understandable, if not forgivable.
The conversation in the final chapter, in which the characters seem to come to terms with their sins, is satisfying, even if the final ambiguous sentence is not.
Finishing this book made me feel as if I had accomplished something, which is something. ...more
In her book "Mindset: The New Psychology of Success", Carol Dweck describes two mindsets: Fixed and Growth. People with a Fixed Mindset believe that eIn her book "Mindset: The New Psychology of Success", Carol Dweck describes two mindsets: Fixed and Growth. People with a Fixed Mindset believe that each of us is born with a finite amount of intelligence, talent, and skill. Those with a growth mindset believe that we can work to improve our intelligence, talent, and skill.
As a society, we tend to embrace the idea of Fixed Mindset. We praise those gifted with natural athletic ability; teachers tend to label children as smart or dumb; and people talk about relationships as if they were destined to be together. But the reality is that it takes work to improve one's athletic prowess, education, and relationships. A Fixed Mindset discourages this work as pointless, which inhibits growth in these areas.
The most significant difference between the two mindsets is in their approach to failure. Fixed Mindset people see failure as an indictment of their abilities. They tend to stop trying when they encounter failure, and they avoid those activities that do not have a high chance of success. In contrast, Growth Mindset people are challenged by failure. They view it as an opportunity to learn and are motivated to develop themselves further. They choose challenging activities that will push them to stretch their limits.
Those with a growth mindset tend to be happier and more successful.
While the book favors anecdotes over clinical research, Dweck's theories make intuitive sense to me. I look back on my own life and realize that I was trapped in a Fixed Mindset during my early years. I was labeled early on as a "smart kid" and so I tended to coast through school without pushing my boundaries. In Elementary School, I perceived myself as a poor athlete with low strength, so I did not attempt to excel at sports. Later in life, I shifted my outlook and sought to improve myself in areas where I was weak, and this made a huge difference in my life. Dr. Dweck's ideas are not revolutionary, but she articulates them well. ...more
C.S. Lewis's 7-volume "Chronicles of Narnia" is a beloved series, known for its memorable characters, exciting adventures, and Christian themes.
MichaeC.S. Lewis's 7-volume "Chronicles of Narnia" is a beloved series, known for its memorable characters, exciting adventures, and Christian themes.
Michael Ward always loved these stories, but he had questions. Why did some of the books contain clear allegories of Biblical stories, while others were less obvious? Why is Christmas mentioned so frequently in "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe", when no person named Christ existed in that universe? (Why wasn't there an Aslanmas holiday, instead?) Does any unifying theme other than Christianity tie together all the novels?
In "The Narnia Code", Ward concludes that Lewis's novels each focus on one of the seven planets recognized by astronomers of the Middle Ages. These astronomers believed that the Earth was the center of the universe and defined planets as bodies that moved across the skies (as opposed to stars, which were fixed in their positions). They recognized Mercury, Venus, Mars, Saturn, Jupiter, the Sun, and the Moon as planets. The ancients often referred to the spheres in which these planets rotated as "The Seven Heavens".
According to Ward, each of the seven novels reflects the properties of one of these planets or of the beings for which it is named. More specifically, it represents attributes of Jesus that are similar to those beings.
"The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe", for example, focuses on Aslan as Jupiter - a jovial being who led all heavenly creatures; while the battles of "Prince Caspian" reflect the warlike powers of Mars.
The author shows that Lewis had a fascination with the planets, as shown in many of his other writings. He even wrote a space trilogy that took the reader to Venus, Mars, and the Moon.
Ward argues that Lewis never explicitly stated these themes because he loved a mystery and wanted his readers to discover the connection themselves.
C.S. Lewis is long gone so we cannot ask him if Ward is correct. In fact, Ward never had the chance to ask Lewis himself, as he was born 5 years after Lewis's death; but Ward has spent years studying the life and works of C.S. Lewis and his hypotheses presented here are plausible. This book is interesting and entertaining, and it increased my appreciation for Lewis's Chronicles. ...more
It is not easy to make a pizza delivery exciting. But when the delivery takes place in a dystopian future and the pizza franchise is owned by the MafiIt is not easy to make a pizza delivery exciting. But when the delivery takes place in a dystopian future and the pizza franchise is owned by the Mafia and the punishment for late delivery is severe, it can get your pulse racing. And Neal Stephenson makes this happen in the opening scene of "Snow Crash".
Hiro Protagonist is the hero and protagonist of this novel. He is a deliverer of pizzas, a hacker, a music promoter, and an expert swordfighter, who fights most of his battles inside the Metaverse - a virtual reality world with its own rules and laws.
The United States government has collapsed, and hyperinflation has devalued its currency a trillion-fold. In California, each suburb is now its own autonomous nation. Hiro helped create the Metaverse, where he discovers a new virus that infects both computers and people. After some research, he realizes that the virus is an ancient one - predating computers by thousands of years and that it attacks the human brain in the same way a computer virus attacks the files and memory of a machine. This virus is so ancient that it may have inspired the Biblical story of the Tower of Babel.
Hiro encounters a religious cult, artificial intelligences, crime lords from various factions and nations, a rebellious teenager, and a psychotic Aleut.
I loved the way that Stephenson combined linguistics, history, cybercrime, and characters. He tells the entire story in the present tense, which gives it a sense of immediacy. Stephenson includes satire of commercialism and capitalism. Most of the suburb-states are controlled by corporations. The church exists for the personal financial benefit of its founder and is bankrolled by a telecommunications tycoon. And he includes a hilarious description of the bureaucratic regulations on the use of toilet paper.
The book is not without its faults. After an exciting start, it fails to maintain that same energy throughout the novel and the ending felt a bit rushed. Some of the characters could use a bit more development. Y.T. and Juanita - the most important female characters - were at least as intriguing as Hiro, but we did not get to know them as well as I would have liked.
A potential flaw is that this book contains several extended scenes in which Hiro or an Artificial Intelligence explain world history and background information in great detail. Usually, I prefer to learn things in a novel as the action unfolds, rather than having someone explain it to me; but I found their lectures interesting and illuminating - especially as they compared and contrasted the stories from various religions. And the author offsets these monologues/soliloquies with many scenes of intense action. Hiro and Raven the Aleut are the two badassest people on the planet - Hiro with his sword and Raven with his harpoon, so their battles tend to be epic.
This was not the first cyberpunk novel published, but it established Stephenson as a master of the genre. ...more
Kurt Vonnegut begins his novel "Slaughterhouse-Five" with an autobiographical description of the effect that Wor
"All this happened, more or less."
Kurt Vonnegut begins his novel "Slaughterhouse-Five" with an autobiographical description of the effect that World War II had on him. He witnessed the carpet bombing of Dresden, Germany while he was held there as a prisoner of war. He reflects on how he struggled to describe his wartime experiences and to relate to his friends who had gone through these struggles with him. In the end, he wrote this book about Billy Pilgrim.
"Listen: Billy Pilgrim has come unstuck in time”.
Billy was a soldier, but he wasn't much of a soldier. He was skinny and weak and he had trouble focusing and he was captured by the Germans before he was even issued a gun or boots. Occasionally, Billy became unstuck in time - traveling to the past or the future to experience different periods of his life before returning to the moment when he left.
On one journey to the future, Billy was kidnapped by aliens and transported to the planet Tralfamador, where he was placed in a zoo for the study and entertainment of the local inhabitants. The Tralfamadorians see the universe in four dimensions, which gives them the ability to perceive every moment of the past and present simultaneously. Because of this, they have developed a philosophy that all that has happened or will happen is unchangeable. They accept as their destiny what they are powerless to affect, and they respond with the simple - almost flippant - phrase: "and so it goes." This phrase follows nearly every mention of death in the book.
This is a science fiction story about aliens and distant planets and time travel. But it is also a war story, chronicling the 1945 Allied bombing of Dresden - a campaign that was successful, but yielded no significant advantage to the Allies. Thousands of civilians were killed in a pointless display of force. More correctly, this is an anti-war story, demonstrating the absurdity of armed conflict.
It is possible that Billy's travels between times and between planets occur only in his imagination - a result of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, brought on by the horrors of the war; but it does not matter whether or not Billy dreams it all - at least not to the reader and maybe not to Billy. Viewing and living his life nonsequentially helps him to perceive the universe as the aliens do and to adapt some of their fatalistic views and better accept death and tragedy.
The book's non-linear narrative and almost complete lack of a plot might be perceived as a weakness. But Vonnegut takes us through a series of episodes that tie together and he does so with a sparse, informal style that makes for a pleasant journey.
Ultimately, the novel is about fate and inevitability and acceptance of the unavoidable. The Tralfamadorians understood the future and accepted their inability to change it. Billy comes to do the same. Even the horrors of war seem predestined. Those fighting the battles have no control over the events that affect their lives, and the Dresden civilians had no reason to suspect they were a target.
C.S. Lewis concluded his classic "Chronicles of Narnia" with "The Last Battle". It was the last book written and the last story chronologically in theC.S. Lewis concluded his classic "Chronicles of Narnia" with "The Last Battle". It was the last book written and the last story chronologically in the series.
It is centuries after the events of "The Silver Chair", Aslan has not been seen in many years, and Narnia faces a threat from Calormen - the country to the south, whose people worship a malevolent demon named "Tash". Trouble begins when the talking gorilla Shift deceives the people and the talking beasts by falsely claiming that he has been directly communicating with Aslan.
The book contrasts those who worship Tash out of fear and those who worship Aslan out of love. Shift insists that Aslan and Tash are two names for the same being - an absurd notion given their opposite ways of dealing with their disciples. It is a commentary on those who perceive God as a judge whose main purpose is to exact vengeance on man. My perception of God is that He is filled with love for man and wants to save us all.
This book may be the most religious in the series. Lewis explores themes such as loss of faith, false prophets, the afterlife, and end times.
It is obvious that Lewis intended Aslan as a version of Christ in this alternate universe, but Tash's counterpart in our world is less obvious. When I first read this years ago, I wondered if Lewis intended Tash to represent Allah, as the color and diet of the Calormenes suggested they might be Arabs. But, with this reading, I believe that Tash is a stand-in for Satan.
Halfway through the story, Eustace and Jill and called back to Narnia to help right the wrongs committed there. Eventually, the book reunites us with many of the characters from past stories - a delight for readers.
This story is darker than its predecessors, but it still conveys the optimism and hope that permeates all these novels. It was a very good conclusion to an excellent series. ...more
Albert Einstein was a genius, who understood the universe in ways that I will never completely grasp. In his book "Relativity", he tried to explain hiAlbert Einstein was a genius, who understood the universe in ways that I will never completely grasp. In his book "Relativity", he tried to explain his theories of relativity in a way that might make sense to mere mortals like me.
Einstein begins by discussing the concepts of relative position and velocity. The example to which he returns repeatedly is the person on a speeding train and a person on the ground next to the tracks. An object moving forward on the train would have a different velocity relative to each person. The math for this is relatively straightforward. Velocity is distance divided by time, and you can add or subtract vectors when determining relative velocities. However, Einstein posited that the velocity of light is constant (at least in a vacuum), so we must adjust our concept of relative velocities when dealing with light. In the example above, the perceived velocity of light is the same for both persons. To make the math work, we must modify either distance or time or both. This change in distance and time is negligible when dealing with most objects, but it becomes significant when objects approach the speed of light. This is the basis for Einstein's Special Theory of Relativity. A basic principle of this theory is that nothing can exceed the speed of light.
In the second section of the book, Einstein discusses his General Theory of Relativity, which builds on top of Special Relativity. This theory takes into account the effects of fields - particularly gravitational fields. Strong gravitational forces can actually bend the space-time continuum and may explain the physical limits of the universe. The math becomes more complex here and is significant only on a more macro scale.
Einstein concludes by discussing the structure of space itself. The universe appears to be expanding, to have no end, that there is a finite amount of mass and energy in the universe, and to be of approximately the same density everywhere. These three things seem to be inconsistent unless we consider the idea that space is curved on itself, much as a circle is curved on itself in 2 dimensions and a sphere curves on itself in 3 dimensions. This would allow the universe to be both limitless and unbounded.
Although the book contains a lot of math, it does not include any calculus; so, if you are familiar with algebra and geometry, you can (mostly) follow the mathematics. Einstein builds on the work of scientists who preceded him, such as Newton and Lorentz, so it is helpful to be familiar with their ideas.
Some of the ideas presented herein sound like fudge factors to make the math work; however, a number of experiments were performed shortly after the Special Theory's publication and those experiments supported the theory. Experiments on General Relativity were difficult to perform at that time, but experiments since that time have supported this theory, as well.
This book was written in 1916, well before Albert Einstein became a worldwide household name. Despite its short length, this is not a simple book. But it is far simpler than reading academic papers and mathematical proofs on these topics. And it is a good introduction to ideas that shape our understanding of the universe.
I am coming near the end of C.S. Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia.
"The Silver Chair" is the penultimate novel in the series, as I read them in chronologicI am coming near the end of C.S. Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia.
"The Silver Chair" is the penultimate novel in the series, as I read them in chronological order.
Narnia's benevolent deity Aslan has already told all the Pevensie children that they will not return; but Eustace Scrubb, who was swept along on their last adventure is the protagonist of this story, along with his classmate Jill Pole. The two of them are called to Narnia by Aslan to rescue King Caspian's son, who went missing ten years earlier.
As with so many of Lewis's other works, this one is filled with Biblical allegories and Christian messages. The world below ground ruled by an evil sorceress where the climactic battle takes place suggests Purgatory, if not Hell. It is clear that Lewis blames the lack of morals among Eustace and Jill's school on the school's rejection of God and religion. The school is so secular that neither child even knows the names of Adam and Eve.
Whether you accept Lewis's faith or not, the story is another good one. It is filled with wonderful characters, including the pessimistic, but charming Puddleglum; and with action and adventures and magical creatures.
I am looking forward to wrapping up the series tomorrow. ...more
Eustace Scrubb was rude, arrogant, condescending, and skeptical of the stories his cousins Lucy and Edmund Pevensie told of their visits to the magicaEustace Scrubb was rude, arrogant, condescending, and skeptical of the stories his cousins Lucy and Edmund Pevensie told of their visits to the magical land of Narnia. His skepticism is challenged when the three children are drawn through the frame of a painting and find themselves on the deck of The Dawn Treader - a ship sailing across the oceans east of Narnia. On the ship, the Pevensies are reunited with their friend Caspian, who is now the Narnian king and is exploring the ocean and searching for seven Lords who years earlier fled Narnia to escape the evil King Miraz.
C.S. Lewis's "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader" takes the reader along on this voyage.
We experience slave traders, a transmogrification, a giant sea serpent, invisible men, a pond that turns to gold anything that touches it, an ancient wizard, an anthropomorphized star, merpeople, and the edge of the world. The action is nonstop and takes us from conflict to conflict, reminiscent of Homer's Odyssey. As with the other Narnia stories, Lewis moves us from adventure to adventure, while developing and evolving characters in a short space. One of the characters experiences an epiphany and changes from a useless whiner to realize how his actions have hurt others; others rise to their challenges with heroic actions; and Caspian discovers his responsibility as a King.
Aslan makes an occasional appearance to help or advise others in the story, but he stays mainly in the background.
Lewis packs a great deal into such a short story. This is one of the stronger novels in these Chronicles. ...more
C.S. Lewis's "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" told the story of Lucy, Edmund, Peter, and Susan Pevensie and their adventures in the world of NaC.S. Lewis's "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" told the story of Lucy, Edmund, Peter, and Susan Pevensie and their adventures in the world of Narnia. "Prince Caspian" tells of their second visit to this magical land.
A year after returning home from Narnia, the children are waiting for a train when they are suddenly whisked to a strange land. They realize they are back in Narnia, but the area is unfamiliar to them. They come upon the ruins of a castle and eventually conclude that they are at their old home and that many years have passed since they lived there. Due to the time differences between the Narnian world and our world, it is now over a thousand years since their last visit.
Narnia has fallen on hard times: the holy and benevolent lion Aslan has not been seen in centuries, the false king Miraz has ascended the throne through treachery, and talking animals and trees are nowhere to be found. Prince Caspian, the rightful heir to the throne, has used Susan's horn - originally a gift from Aslan and now an ancient artifact - to summon the Pevensies back to Narnia. Together, they attempt to restore goodness to the world.
Once again, Lewis takes the reader into a world that is both magical and believable. This is a story of a world that has fallen from righteousness into wickedness. It is an attempt at redemption for the land, its rulers, and its people. Knowing Lewis's Christian roots, we can assume he was thinking of the rise and fall and rise of God's chosen people in the Old Testament when he wrote this book.
It is an enjoyable story, and it introduces the fearless talking mouse Reepicheep, who is one of my favourite characters in these Chronicles. ...more
C.S. Lewis continues the legends of his magical world of Narnia with his 1954 novel "The Horse and his Boy".
Although this was the fifth novel writtenC.S. Lewis continues the legends of his magical world of Narnia with his 1954 novel "The Horse and his Boy".
Although this was the fifth novel written and published in the series, it takes place near the end of the events of "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" and features appearances by a few of the characters therein.
Young Shasta knew he was different than the other boys growing up in Calormen. He was resigned to his life until he overheard his guardian planning to sell him into slavery to a nobleman. When Shasta met the nobleman's horse Bree, he was startled to learn that Bree could talk. The horse was a captured beast from the land of Narnia, where many animals have the gift of speech. Together, the pair set out to escape to Narnia. Along the way, they met Aravis, a young aristocrat, who was also fleeing Calormen with a talking horse. The four travelers set out together, facing adventures and dangers in their exodus.
Lewis paints the Calormenes as evil or shallow and the Narnians as good, but the characters are not all black and white. The heroes have flaws that make them more real: Bree is far too vain for his own good and Aravis is a spoiled brat at the beginning of the story.
The only weakness in this book is the convenient wrap-up at the end in which everything is explained too quickly and with too many coincidences.
Despite this small drawback, this is an enjoyable book that fits in well with the Narnia saga. ...more
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