This time, I will be trying something new. I will be reflecting on The Road as opposed to summarizing and reviewing it.
The Road is Cormac McCarthy's post-apocalyptic novel about a man and his son. They are walking through the wasteland that is the world in search of the coast, although they do not know what they will find there. It's sad, it's bleak, and it paints a very gray picture. However, I couldn't put it down and it made me think.
The whole time I was reading it, I pictured Dave and Archer. Granted, Archer would have to be a little older because I was picturing a boy around 8 or 10, but I still couldn't get my mind away from my own husband and son. If the world were ever to come to that point, my only hope would be that my children would survive. I would love to survive as well, but mostly I want my children to lead full lives. If I couldn't make it, I would hope that Dave would so that there would be a caretaker present.
I could picture Dave and Archer every step of the way through The Road , I could picture Dave protecting Archer the way "The Man" protected "The Boy." I could feel the love and commitment between the two characters the way I feel the bond between my husband and our son. It was a profoundly moving experience for me because through the sadness and the bleak picture the book provided, I was able to experience the joy created by that kind of bond.
To have two people, regardless of the relationship, feel that level of love and trust is a beautiful thing, despite the sadness of the circumstances. It made me feel like there was a light at the end of the tunnel. It gives me hope that if the time came that there was very little (and maybe nothing) for most people to live for, some people could still find love and manage to live as good people.
I could not believe that I felt hope and happiness when reading such a grim tale. I would venture to guess that that was Cormac McCarthy's goal. I was thinking, as I finished the book, that it takes a gifted storyteller to accomplish doom and gloom so well, while at the same time creating such beauty.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Sunday, May 16, 2010
2010, Book 14: Sarah's Key
Until last night, it had been about two weeks since I picked up a book to read for my own enjoyment. I had picked up several things in that time, however I couldn't get into anything and I was on vacation and didn't really have time to read. We got home from our trip last night and magic happened. I was waiting on my husband to go and get our dog from the friends who had been watching him and I picked up Sarah's Key. It only took me one or two short chapters to be completely sucked in to Tatiana de Rosnay's haunting Holocaust drama.
Sarah's Key takes place both in 1942 and in 2002. The story is about Sarah, who is awakened in the night by pounding at the door of her apartment. She, her mother, and her father are dragged off in the night by the French police. The police are acting under Nazi orders to round up French Jews. In her fear and desperation, Sarah locks her little brother in a hidden cupboard to protect him. She thinks that she and her parents will be gone for only a short time and she promises to come back for him.
In 2002, in Paris, an American named Julia Jarmond is assigned to write a story about the 1942 French round-up of Jewish citizens. She is an American who has lived in Paris for most of her life. Julia knows nothing about the events and circumstances in 1942 Paris, but as she begins her research she finds that she is connected to Sarah. She also decides that it is her duty to find out what became of Sarah and her family.
I could not put Sarah's Key down. Tatiana de Rosnay crafted a story in which both Sarah and Julia are characters in whom the reader becomes personally invested. As a reader, I cared about what was to become of both women and I was not willing to wait to find out. The story is also a wonderful blend of historical fact and fiction. Tatiana de Rosnay was factual in her treatment of the events of 1942, however all of the characters in the novel are fictitious. It is my belief that it takes a talented writer to treat history with the respect that it deserves while simultaneously creating a story that is both believable and imaginary.
This was an amazing book to bring me out of my reading slump and back into my dedication to books. I would recommend it to anyone however I feel that history lovers and lovers of historical fiction would take the most joy from reading it. I also feel that it is geared toward a female audience however, the right man would enjoy it as well.
Sarah's Key takes place both in 1942 and in 2002. The story is about Sarah, who is awakened in the night by pounding at the door of her apartment. She, her mother, and her father are dragged off in the night by the French police. The police are acting under Nazi orders to round up French Jews. In her fear and desperation, Sarah locks her little brother in a hidden cupboard to protect him. She thinks that she and her parents will be gone for only a short time and she promises to come back for him.
In 2002, in Paris, an American named Julia Jarmond is assigned to write a story about the 1942 French round-up of Jewish citizens. She is an American who has lived in Paris for most of her life. Julia knows nothing about the events and circumstances in 1942 Paris, but as she begins her research she finds that she is connected to Sarah. She also decides that it is her duty to find out what became of Sarah and her family.
I could not put Sarah's Key down. Tatiana de Rosnay crafted a story in which both Sarah and Julia are characters in whom the reader becomes personally invested. As a reader, I cared about what was to become of both women and I was not willing to wait to find out. The story is also a wonderful blend of historical fact and fiction. Tatiana de Rosnay was factual in her treatment of the events of 1942, however all of the characters in the novel are fictitious. It is my belief that it takes a talented writer to treat history with the respect that it deserves while simultaneously creating a story that is both believable and imaginary.
This was an amazing book to bring me out of my reading slump and back into my dedication to books. I would recommend it to anyone however I feel that history lovers and lovers of historical fiction would take the most joy from reading it. I also feel that it is geared toward a female audience however, the right man would enjoy it as well.
Friday, April 23, 2010
2010, Book 13: The Heretic's Daughter
I think that it goes without saying that I have a thing for history and a big thing for historical fiction. The Heretic's Daughter was the perfect book for me because it fed into those two tastes. In fact, it painted an extremely vivid picture of one of the darkest chapters of U.S. history, the Salem witch trials.
The characters in The Heretic's Daughter are based on real people who lived in that time. Martha Carrier was one of the first women to be executed as a witch during the trials. The story is told from the perspective of Sarah Carrier, who is Martha's oldest daughter. Sarah and her brothers were all eventually accused of practicing witchcraft as well, so in addition to telling her tale as an observer she tells her tale as a participant as well.
This novel was amazing to me on many levels. First of all, I loved exploring the relationship between a mother and a daughter. Two people who were so alike that they sometimes had trouble getting along. It was very familiar to me and I am sure that most women would be able to relate to it. Secondly, Sarah Carrier's family are outcasts. They do not fit in with the society of the day and the story makes it clear that a person can be an outcast and be different and still be a good person. It is also illustrated that just because a person seems to fit in with society they are not necessarily a good person.
But, above all of the amazing elements of the story, the thing that I liked the best was that Martha and Sarah Carrier were strong, determined females. They were heroes in their own right. They were also examples that a woman can be a wife, a mother, a daughter, and a sister and still have principles. Woman can still have a voice and can still stand for what they believe in even if they chose to take on a "traditional" woman's role in life. I absolutely loved the fact that this book was centered around strong female characters.
While I was reading The Heretic's Daughter I felt compelled to laugh, cry, and cheer (I actually did cry). It is, doubtless, one of the best books I have ever had the privilege of reading. It had factual history, historical fiction, and kick ass women. I believe that any history buff and all women should read it at some point.
The characters in The Heretic's Daughter are based on real people who lived in that time. Martha Carrier was one of the first women to be executed as a witch during the trials. The story is told from the perspective of Sarah Carrier, who is Martha's oldest daughter. Sarah and her brothers were all eventually accused of practicing witchcraft as well, so in addition to telling her tale as an observer she tells her tale as a participant as well.
This novel was amazing to me on many levels. First of all, I loved exploring the relationship between a mother and a daughter. Two people who were so alike that they sometimes had trouble getting along. It was very familiar to me and I am sure that most women would be able to relate to it. Secondly, Sarah Carrier's family are outcasts. They do not fit in with the society of the day and the story makes it clear that a person can be an outcast and be different and still be a good person. It is also illustrated that just because a person seems to fit in with society they are not necessarily a good person.
But, above all of the amazing elements of the story, the thing that I liked the best was that Martha and Sarah Carrier were strong, determined females. They were heroes in their own right. They were also examples that a woman can be a wife, a mother, a daughter, and a sister and still have principles. Woman can still have a voice and can still stand for what they believe in even if they chose to take on a "traditional" woman's role in life. I absolutely loved the fact that this book was centered around strong female characters.
While I was reading The Heretic's Daughter I felt compelled to laugh, cry, and cheer (I actually did cry). It is, doubtless, one of the best books I have ever had the privilege of reading. It had factual history, historical fiction, and kick ass women. I believe that any history buff and all women should read it at some point.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
2010, Book 12: Whiskey's Children
I think the best way to start an explanation and review of this book is to start by saying that I absolutely loved reading it. I have said before, and I will likely say again, that I truly enjoy reading books about addiction. I particularly enjoy memoirs written by addicts. It makes sense considering that I am the child of two addicts that I would be able to relate to addiction themed works so easily.
Whiskey's Children is the story of Jack Erdmann (one o f the co-authors) who is a recovering alcoholic. It starts out when he is a young child,in the early 1930s, with his recollections of his life with his father who was an alcoholic as well. He talks about being afraid of his father and trying to gauge his moods based on his behaviors. He also talks about the fact that both his father's father and his father's grandfather were alcoholics.
Young Jack starts drinking alcohol very early in life and his descent into alcoholism occurs fairly quickly. He remains an alcoholic for a great many years and he recounts his experiences with booze vividly and honestly. He never really delves into reasoning or theories about alcoholism, he merely tells his story. He doesn't spare the reader the details of what kind of a person he became amidst his addiction.
Jack Erdmann was a salesman, a husband, a pilot, a son, a brother, and a father. But above all else, Jack Erdmann was an alcoholic. He recounts his life story with detail, honesty, and a very respectable sense of openness. As the product of an addicted home, I felt a very strong connection to his story. Some of the events were very familiar and I found myself understanding him very well. I think that this book would make for an excellent read for any addict, child of an addict, or really anyone looking to get some insight into the mind of an addict.
I cannot praise and recommend this book enough. I can hardly think of anyone who would not enjoy reading it and who would not gain something from the experience.
Whiskey's Children is the story of Jack Erdmann (one o f the co-authors) who is a recovering alcoholic. It starts out when he is a young child,in the early 1930s, with his recollections of his life with his father who was an alcoholic as well. He talks about being afraid of his father and trying to gauge his moods based on his behaviors. He also talks about the fact that both his father's father and his father's grandfather were alcoholics.
Young Jack starts drinking alcohol very early in life and his descent into alcoholism occurs fairly quickly. He remains an alcoholic for a great many years and he recounts his experiences with booze vividly and honestly. He never really delves into reasoning or theories about alcoholism, he merely tells his story. He doesn't spare the reader the details of what kind of a person he became amidst his addiction.
Jack Erdmann was a salesman, a husband, a pilot, a son, a brother, and a father. But above all else, Jack Erdmann was an alcoholic. He recounts his life story with detail, honesty, and a very respectable sense of openness. As the product of an addicted home, I felt a very strong connection to his story. Some of the events were very familiar and I found myself understanding him very well. I think that this book would make for an excellent read for any addict, child of an addict, or really anyone looking to get some insight into the mind of an addict.
I cannot praise and recommend this book enough. I can hardly think of anyone who would not enjoy reading it and who would not gain something from the experience.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
2010, Book 11: The Turn of the Screw
I am generally a huge fan of the classics. However, Henry James' The Turn of the Screw was simply not my cup of tea. It was only 122 pages long, yet it took me almost 2 weeks to read. It was a ghost story, yet it was so tedious to read that I kept dozing off after a page or two of reading. I haven't been so bored while reading a book since I read Moby Dick my senior year of high school.
I'm not sure whether it was the fact that it was the most boring ghost story I have ever read or whether it was the fact that the mere 122 pages could have been cut in half if the book were less verbose. But something about it just did not suit my reading tastes. I picked it up expecting a haunting tale and instead I was just plain bored for two weeks.
The Turn of the Screw is the story of a young governess whose job is to oversee the care of a young girl in an isolated country home. She is given strict orders to never contact her boss, their uncle, for any reason because he cannot be bothered with them. She is also to care for the girl's older brother during his breaks from school. Very soon after arriving to her job she discovers that the children are being haunted by the spirits of the former governess and the former valet.
The governess, who is the narrator and who is also never named, begins experiencing the presences of these spirits and also realizes that the children are drawn to them and are not afraid. She is faced with the challenge of how to deal with both the presence of seemingly malicious spirits, as well as how to deal with the fondness her charges seem to have for them.
I know that all of that seems very exciting, however Henry James managed to make it exceedingly boring. The governess comes off as a simpleton when she is supposed to be the heroine. The children come off as flat characters where, in my opinion, they would have made excellent round characters. All in all, it is one of the most boring books I have ever read.
However, I don't mean to imply that it is not well written. It is very well written and I can see why The Turn of the Screw is a classic, it just happened to be one of two of the classics that I dislike. I'm hoping that number stays at two, as it breaks my heart to give a negative review to a book held in such high literary regard.
I'm not sure whether it was the fact that it was the most boring ghost story I have ever read or whether it was the fact that the mere 122 pages could have been cut in half if the book were less verbose. But something about it just did not suit my reading tastes. I picked it up expecting a haunting tale and instead I was just plain bored for two weeks.
The Turn of the Screw is the story of a young governess whose job is to oversee the care of a young girl in an isolated country home. She is given strict orders to never contact her boss, their uncle, for any reason because he cannot be bothered with them. She is also to care for the girl's older brother during his breaks from school. Very soon after arriving to her job she discovers that the children are being haunted by the spirits of the former governess and the former valet.
The governess, who is the narrator and who is also never named, begins experiencing the presences of these spirits and also realizes that the children are drawn to them and are not afraid. She is faced with the challenge of how to deal with both the presence of seemingly malicious spirits, as well as how to deal with the fondness her charges seem to have for them.
I know that all of that seems very exciting, however Henry James managed to make it exceedingly boring. The governess comes off as a simpleton when she is supposed to be the heroine. The children come off as flat characters where, in my opinion, they would have made excellent round characters. All in all, it is one of the most boring books I have ever read.
However, I don't mean to imply that it is not well written. It is very well written and I can see why The Turn of the Screw is a classic, it just happened to be one of two of the classics that I dislike. I'm hoping that number stays at two, as it breaks my heart to give a negative review to a book held in such high literary regard.
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