Kate DiCamillo is a master at writing simple, poignant stories, and this story of grief is no exception. I read this in one sitting because when a gooKate DiCamillo is a master at writing simple, poignant stories, and this story of grief is no exception. I read this in one sitting because when a good writer pulls you in, there's no turning back until you've read the last page. ...more
This is a book about grief - grieving the loss of a husband, grieving the loss of writing inspiration, grieving the life one had always known - and abThis is a book about grief - grieving the loss of a husband, grieving the loss of writing inspiration, grieving the life one had always known - and about our flaws and imperfections that make us human. It's a very raw book, not brutal or devastating, but honest and bittersweet. I feel like I would have appreciated this book a lot more if I was a few decades older. I've been fortunate enough in my life to never experience "true" grief, since the closest relatives I know who died were two elderly grandparents. Books that "study" grief can move my heart, but usually not touch me personally and that has nothing to do with the writer's capabilities so much as my own emotional experiences (or in the case of longer series, attachment to characters).
And yet, it is still a beautiful novel. I could definitely relate to pain of being unable to write, and the incredibly crippling fear of being "useless" without someone's assistance. Our protagonist, Helen, is a very flawed character but not in the way most people would think. She isn't "flawed" because she has a deep, dark, dirty secret, or because she has a cynical view of the world; she is flawed in smaller, simpler ways, such as attachment issues and difficulty accepting criticism. Though I did not share her views on many things, I could still relate to her hurt pride and her desire to do good and be helpful even when unsolicited. Helen is only human and she grows with the help of a writing class she teaches, and one or two "brutally honest" remarks from her mother and best friend. This is a book about growing up when one is already grown, about moving on when one cannot imagine doing so, and about coming to terms with your own weaknesses. ...more
It's always a blessing to find a book that you know instantly will be a phenomenal read, let alone one of your new favorites.
I knew this was gonna beIt's always a blessing to find a book that you know instantly will be a phenomenal read, let alone one of your new favorites.
I knew this was gonna be a 5-star book the moment I started reading this last year, and yet I still shelved it and put it on hiatus until restarting it last month. And even then, I still took my time, savoring the book as long as I dared, until I devoured the final quarter today.
Why? Well, over than general struggling-to-read-anything-these-days, it's because I already know the story. I know it ends tragically. I know that Patroclus is killed by Hector, who is promptly slaughtered by a grieving Achilles, before he himself is killed by Paris. I know this all ends in tragedy, hopelessness, and grief. Hell, even characters that do survive end up in terrible situations afterwards (Odysseus, Agamemnenon though that asshole definitely had it coming, etc etc). The Trojan War does not, suffice it to say, have a happy ending.
The first half of The Song of Achilles is far away from war and bloodshed; it is focused solely on the budding romance between Achilles and Patroclus. They once were sweet, innocent boys who played together and fell in love organically, against all the odds. They are star-crossed lovers, whose passionate relationship is only secondary in The Iliad, but no less tragic or famous. This retelling breathes a beautiful tenderness into the (LONG) tragic epic poem.
I wish I had better words to convey how much I loved this beautiful, bittersweet novel, and how grateful I am that I managed to finish a non-children's book for the first time in AGES and never felt like dragging my feet. Each time I opened the book, I was sucked into Miller's gorgeous prose and often felt dazed putting it down again, wishing to keep going, while also desiring to never reach the end. ...more
Talk about a pleasant surprise! I went into this book a bit apprehensively, as it is the first paperback romance I've read that is set in the modern wTalk about a pleasant surprise! I went into this book a bit apprehensively, as it is the first paperback romance I've read that is set in the modern world (at the time of publishing, anyway), but as it turns out, A Cottage by the Sea is, thus far, my favorite romance I've read yet! Perhaps it's the fantasy ideal of an American moving to England and meeting a handsome Brit and falling madly in love with each other. Or perhaps it was the lack of the third act "misunderstanding leading to pointless moping from both parties" nor a "liar's reveal" trope (thank all the gods of literature). Regardless, though this novel has all the cliches lined up for a perfectly feasible romance, it had enough of a plot and characterization to keep me interested beyond sheer mindless fluff. (view spoiler)[The whole subplot of Blythe slipping into the skin of her ancestor, the original Blythe Barton, from 200 years ago, as if both in a dream and watching a movie, was actually interesting and certainly NOT one I was expecting! (hide spoiler)]
I feel like a lot of romances fall into the trap of the writers seemingly going "Shit, we need a conflict! Uhhhh, here! A terrible lie/misunderstanding takes place!", hence partly why the genre tends to get a bad rap. Thankfully, Ciji Ware does a great job showing two troubled souls, Blythe and Luke, who open up to one another early on about their emotional baggage, to some degree anyway, and thus the "conflict" mostly derives from each of them battling their own inner demons, while simultaneously trying to understand the other's. It's far more interesting and a lot less frustrating to read. That way, even when they do argue and even say a few selfish, angry things at each other, it comes from a far more sympathetic place, both from the characters' and reader's perspectives. There's no dramatic "perceived cheating" scene or reckless insulting, or any of the frustrating tropes that pop up in romances, both literary and film. Really, the main conflict with the lovers comes down to Luke's child, who's suffering with his own emotional traumas, and father and son coming to terms with their pain. Instead of romantic drama (for the most part), the book took the family drama route instead, which was refreshing, to say the least.
From the beginning, Blythe Barton is instantly a sympathetic character, if not downright pitiable. The book literally begins with her scandalous Hollywood divorce with a famous director, whom she worked with during the entirety of their decade long marriage .... only to end in flames when she caught him sleeping with her sister! *cue dramatic music* This entire novel is basically one big soap opera after another, and it's deliciously entertaining.
(view spoiler)[The sister who slept with Blythe's husband? Well, years ago, she ALSO slept with Blythe's ex-boyfriend, and as a result, was the indirect cause of their brother's death by a wild rodeo horse.
(Though, not gonna lie, I was rather bothered by the fact that Blythe's sister was FIFTEEN when she slept with a TWENTY-SIX year old man, and then Blythe angrily referred to her as a "slut" BUT, their brother literally just died from that whole fiasco sooooooo, it's understandable, though definitely still problematic.... Also, Wyoming. Midwestern America. That kind of thing.)
Blythe's love interest, Luke? His wife died from cancer two years ago, and when she was diagnosed, she also found out she was pregnant with their second child! And after months of debating abortion over medication, they finally abort..... only to have the mother die from cancer anyway.
Also, there's a Bitchy McBitch named Chloe who clearly wants to bang Luke and constantly gives Blythe the British equivalent of the stink eye.
Bitchy sister? Straight up is TRIUMPHANT for "stealing" her older sister's husband and clearly has some major family complexes that seemingly developed from nothing. (Seriously, that girl needs professional help.)
And don't get me started on the second timeline, with Blythe's direct ancestor, and her mind-boggling love triangle/square with three men....
Etc etc etc...
Seriously. Soap opera at every turn. But it's still surprisingly good! (hide spoiler)]
It helps that the main characters don't act annoyingly melodramatic given the crazy circumstances thrust at them throughout the novel. They react in anger, frustration, sadness, and bitterness, yes, but it always feels natural and human for the moment. Blythe in particular is rather shaken and more than a "hot mess" when she escapes the toxicity of Hollywood drama in the wake of her divorce to the quiet solitude of Cornwall, Great Britain. But she eventually finds peace with her ex-husband by finally understanding the true motives behind his adultery, and completely shutting him out of her life. It's actually a rather poignant scene, and one that made me truly respect Blythe as a heroine.
As for Luke, he is mercifully a genuinely good and appealing love interest. Considering my track record thus far of Regency romances where many of the male love interests are Mr. Darcys Gone Wrong (whether from the beginning, or due to some convoluted Conflict in the third act), this is a wonderful change. He is simply a man too accustomed to his ways after the death of his wife, where the pain of losing her (view spoiler)[and their unborn daughter (hide spoiler)] caused him to retreat within himself, despite knowing how much it was hurting him and his son. He's a "brooding" type who makes the steps to fix his stubborn ways after a vivacious young woman comes into his lonely life.... Yes, he's THAT type. And yes, I do have a soft spot for that type....
I'm honestly surprised by the lack of criticisms I have for this novel. It's certainly not an all-time favorite nor one I'd recommend for any bookworm off the street, but it was entertaining and served its purpose, in my humble opinion. I found the themes of separation, betrayal, new love, family, and self discovery to be quite touching, albeit familiar. Sometimes, a simple novel is all that's needed to stick with you, if only for a time....more
I need to read more books about Catalina, Princess of Wales and Spain. I always feel for her, married to the shamelessly unfaithful Henry VIII, but thI need to read more books about Catalina, Princess of Wales and Spain. I always feel for her, married to the shamelessly unfaithful Henry VIII, but this is the first time I read a novel featuring her that delved into her marriage and love of her first husband, Arthur, Henry's older brother.
History remembers that Queen Catherine went to her grave, forcibly divorced and separated from her daughter, swearing that she was Henry's one true wife and queen, but this novel (and some historians) have challenged that, wondering if perhaps it was indeed a lie, but one that rings of ambition, loyalty, and a love for her new country. In this interpretation, Catalina did indeed consummate her marriage with Arthur and shared a passionate love with him, even sharing emotional intimacy that made them equals in ways that was ahead of their time. But sadly, his life was cut short by the Sweating Sickness, and he held Catalina to a deathbed promise: to deny their consummation, marry Henry, and be Queen of England, with him, Arthur, watching over her.
It's a surprisingly touching take, and one I never considered before. Obviously, we have no proof of it, but it makes for a lovely story, centered around a shaky "peaceful" period for England, torn between their Scottish and French enemies facing them from the north and south. Catalina is a force to be reckoned with, a veritable "ice queen" who faces her sorrows with dignity and grace, giving her all the sympathy in the world. Her blind devotion to her parents, Ferdinand and Isabella, the first united King and Queen of Spain, is called into question several times in the book, until the final part, when she fully comes into her own as the Queen of England, forged by her parents' training and mistakes, and her many other trials and tribulations. There's also commentary on the "Moors" (aka, Muslims) and Catherine wondering if their "heresy" is truly as awful as she was raised to believe, or if they have a greater understanding of the world, even if she doesn't believe their religion to be true. There's a particularly poignant interaction between her and a Moorish doctor, who gave her the help and care she actually needed from a failed pregnancy, something her English court did not provide.
The book itself is fairly well-written, but it's probably not one literary snobs critics would like. The switching between the third-person to first-person, with Catherine as the main "narrative voice" across the board can be a bit jarring at first. But I think for an early dive into Tudor history, from the perspective of a Tudor-by-marriage, and a vital player in the histories of Spain and England at this time, The Constant Princess is a perfectly fine novel. Not really a favorite of mine, but definitely an interesting perspective....more
A beautiful, bittersweet tribute to the most famous American "fairytale" writer, L. Frank Baum. I love the Oz books, though I've still have yet to finA beautiful, bittersweet tribute to the most famous American "fairytale" writer, L. Frank Baum. I love the Oz books, though I've still have yet to finish the original fifteen (only read the first six so far), though I tend to affectionately mock some of the sillier aspects of the books. Nonetheless, Oz is iconic for so many reasons, and is always a joy to revisit. The author does an excellent job writing in Baum's style, while also keeping it his own. Very cute and sweet story. Recommended for all Oz fans....more
Overall: 3.5 stars. Rounded up because I adore the musical/story too much.
If I had to choose a favorite musical of all time, I'm always torn between Overall: 3.5 stars. Rounded up because I adore the musical/story too much.
If I had to choose a favorite musical of all time, I'm always torn between two that came out on Broadway the same year 30 years ago: Into the Woods and The Phantom of the Opera. I usually choose the former, mainly because of my long-time adoration of fairytales, but if I had choose my favorite musical soundtrack, Phantom wins hands down. Whether you're a fan of the Original London Cast, the 2004 movie, the 25th Anniversary Cast, or really any stage production of the show, one cannot deny the absolute majestic and powerful music that makes Andrew Lloyd Webber's magnum opus beloved and memorable to this day.
That said, I was rather surprised when I found out that the novel, published in 1911, was met with modest, lukewarm reviews. It wasn't until Universal popularized the "movie monster" with the 1925 silent adaptation when people began to fall in love with the story, and thankfully, Gaston Leroux did live long enough to see his little ghost novel finally get the love it deserves....... Or did he? Yes, there have been countless adaptations of The Phantom of the Opera, but modern audiences would mostly be, if not entirely, familiar with Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical phenomenon. I doubt Leroux had ever dreamed that his modest hit of a novel, turned popular by Hollywood, would reach the stars of extraordinary levels and adoration from a musical adaptation.
So... naturally, as a mega fan of the musical, and a self-proclaimed bookworm, I simply had to check out the original novel, so this summer I purchased a copy, among a few other classics on my to-read list. I held off reading Phantom till this month of October, in honor of it being a "monster/ghost" story to fit the theme of Halloween. Granted, what people considered scary a century ago vs now are all but different worlds from each other, but I don't think modern audiences are interested in being frightened by "the Opera Ghost," but rather be intrigued with his motivations and story. He truly is a marvelous character: practically insane, but still ingenious with his inventions and musical talent. He shows no remorse in murdering those who he considers in his way, I'm half-convinced he invented the "evil villain laugh," and of course, his unfortunate deformity adds even more pathos and angst to his character. He is both despicable and pitiful, intriguing and repulsive, mesmerizing and terrifying; no wonder there's such a large fanbase for not only the musical his story, his character, but also the "shipping" of him and Christine, who can't help but share those conflicting emotions for him.
However, as much as I adore the musical and the Phantom's character, I cannot bring myself to even fantasize a long-term romance between him and Christine. It simply isn't right. And that's the beauty of the tragedy, something I believe people tend to forget.
Ever since I was first exposed to this story, via 2004 movie that my high school best friend insisted on showing me, I felt torn over the Phantom's obsession with Christine. On one hand, it was incredibly unhealthy, possessive, and manipulative; on the other hand, he is a pitiful, tragic creature, who, under different circumstances, could possibly have grown up a revered genius and a good man. But.... I have a hunch that most Phantom fangirls tend to overlook the first part of that characterization.
The novel does not shy away from making it perfectly clear that the Phantom's obsession with Christine is absolutely wrong, even if it is tragic. And the musical doesn't either, if you pay attention and don't just nosebleed over his singing voice! From the beginning, his relationship with Christine is about dominance, possession, and emotional manipulation. (view spoiler)[He tricks the young singer to believe that he is the "Angel of Music," which her late father promised to send her after his imminent death. Naive but hopeful, Christine latched onto this belief, until she discovered the horrible truth: her Angel of Music was no angel or ghost, but a sad, deformed man named Erik, who pleaded her to love him. Repulsed by his hideous face, she tries to flee from him, but is too afraid to leave "too soon," because she promised him to perform once more. Unfortunately, this leads to her going "down once more" (to quote the musical's finale), with Erik demanding she make the ultimate choice: marry him or kill Raoul in the musical I mean, the Persian, who doesn't exist in the musical I mean, EVERYONE IN THE ENTIRE OPERA HOUSE, JESUS CHRIST, DUDE!..... He has.... attachment issues... But ultimately, the scene that melts everyone's hearts is when Christine takes pity on him and kisses him, causing him to stop this madness and recognize his own flaws.... Sorta. In the novel, she kisses him on the forehead, not the lips, but it's enough to make him cry, her cry with him, and finally feel at peace. The man had major sexual suppression issues... (hide spoiler)]
Now, contrary to many Phantom fans, I actually really love Christine Daae's character. Sure, in the Original London Cast and the 2004 film, she's essentially a doe-eyed damsel in distress, but she still saves herself (view spoiler)[and Raoul/entire Opera House, depending on the musical or novel (hide spoiler)] by giving the Phantom exactly what he's been needing: a little physical affection, to prove his face is only a surface problem. But even before that ultimate choice, she's still someone to sympathize with. Both novel-Christine and Sierra Burgess's performance in the 25th Anniversary Concert are excellent versions of her character, ESPECIALLY the latter. Seriously, I cannot stress enough how phenomenally powerful the 25th Anniversary is compared to any other Phantom production. Sierra encapsulated both the naivety and fear that Christine experiences throughout the story, and, more importantly, you can see in her body language and facial expressions just how trapped she feels under the Phantom's control. There are two scenes that capture that best (and I would gladly provide images or links, but it's near impossible to find online; I own the DVD of the concert): the Mirror scene, shortly after Raoul leaves Christine in her dressing room to get ready to take her out to supper, when Sierra Christine says in a trembling voice, "Things have changed, Raoul," and nearly jumps out of her skin at the sound of the Phantom's domineering voice. And the second scene is right after "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again," when the Phantom begins to sing "Wandering Child": the camera focuses on Sierra's Christine's face, how she closes her eyes and freezes in place before slowly, tentatively turning around, expressing the very terror and dread any abused woman feels when she hears her abuser's voice. But, with all that in mind, Sierra also does an excellent job expressing the irresistible pull her character feels toward her "Angel of Music"; how, underneath the fear and repulsion, her soul can't help but obey his every command. Christine and Phantom's relationship is dynamic and incredibly mesmerizing, but it's also unhealthy and abusive, something people tend to forget.
The Phantom of the Opera is an excellent example of a "Monster & Maiden" story, NOT a "Beauty and the Beast" story. The latter involves two outcasts of society who at first reluctant of one another, but eventually get to know one another, and fall in love, transforming each other in the process; the former is an ABUSIVE pairing where the Monster is obsessed with the Maiden, who must find a way to escape his grasp, sometimes learning to pity the creature in the end. The Phantom and Christine are tragic because they had the potential to be a great romance, had the world been kinder to him, had he not been born at that time, had he been born with a normal face, etc.... But there's a fatal flaw in that logic: THAT WOULD LITERALLY MAKE HIM AN ENTIRELY DIFFERENT MAN. So, by that definition, they are simply NOT MEANT TO BE. That's the tragedy! There are "forbidden lovers" who are forced apart by society or family, etc, but here's the difference between a "forbidden lover" trope and a Phantom/Christine pairing: the former MUTUALLY WISH TO BE TOGETHER FOREVER BUT CANNOT, HENCE THE TRAGEDY, whereas the latter has ONLY ONE PARTY WISHING TO BE TOGETHER, HENCE THEIR OWN KIND OF TRAGEDY.
..... Sorry, I get very passionate about people who overlook abusive relationships because "sad, brooding guy deserves love for no reason." I love this story, both in musical and novel form, but I would never delude myself to believe that the Phantom could ever end in a healthy relationship, because that's simply not who he is. Does he deserve to be in one? I suppose in a distant sort of "everyone needs love" kind of way, but love should be earned, not taken. He "kills without a thought, he murders all that is good," and does nothing to earn Christine's trust or love, only manipulates and threatens. There's a poignant lyric in the musical, when Christine is describing her confused feelings to Raoul and ends with, "yet in his eyes, all the sadness of the world. Those pleading eyes that both threaten and adore." I cannot emphasize those words more: yes, he is sad, but he is cruel, too, making an interesting character but a terrible person and lover.
Okay, Phantom characterization rant aside, is the novel worth checking out? Yes, if you're okay with melodramatic, Gothic romances, and if you're interested in a "Monster & Maiden" love story. It's not for everyone, just like the musical (I've met a few people who despise Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical style, which blows my mind, but I digress). I forever love the musical more, but I thank the novel for adding to my appreciation to one of my favorite musicals of all time. I understand Christine and Raoul's childhood and love for each other, I pity the Phantom even more, and I just fell in love with the overall story all over again. If you've only seen the 2004 movie, for the love of GODS, read the novel to get a better understanding of the Phantom's tragic character (instead of being blind-sided by Gerald Butler's good looks), AND/OR check out the 25th Anniversary performance! It blows the movie AND the Original Cast out of the water!...more
If you're looking for a cute dog story with feels, you're looking at the wrong book. The Call of the Wild does not hold back on the brutality of "breaIf you're looking for a cute dog story with feels, you're looking at the wrong book. The Call of the Wild does not hold back on the brutality of "breaking" dogs into the difficult sled-dog job, especially for the early 20th century. Buck, the protagonist, adapts quickly to the cruelty of his circumstances, and even learns to appreciate a few of his masters (such as Francois); but none, none hold up to his beloved John Thorton, who rescued him from certain death, and from the cruelest master Buck ever had to endure. Jack London does a fantastic job at describing the unforgiving nature of the far north, as well as keeping true to Buck's "voice" consistently sounding as a dog, as he should. I highly recommend it to animal lovers, but only those who have grown up watching National Geographic or something, to keep in mind that animals, let alone Mother Nature, are not all sunshine and daisies. Though Buck's adoration for John is incredibly endearing, don't expect too much warm fuzziness besides their bond. ...more
Unlike most of my other classics I've read this year (and have planned for the remainder of the year), I went into The Picture of Dorian Gray completeUnlike most of my other classics I've read this year (and have planned for the remainder of the year), I went into The Picture of Dorian Gray completely blind. Other than vaguely knowing Oscar Wilde's fame as a clever yet cynical playwright of the late 19th century, I had no idea what awaited me. Right away, I fell for Wilde's quick wit and dark humor, but it wasn't until Dorian Gray's picture began to change, when I felt truly intrigued. This is a story of a young man who's so in love with his own beauty, he refuses to accept the inevitability of aging, so he unwittingly sells his soul to retain eternal youth, and let his picture age and reveal his darkest secrets instead. Slowly, he loses all moral integrity and eventually, even his own sanity.
And for the love of GOD, I want answers about Lord Henry!! I'm half-convinced he's the Devil or something...
This was a pleasant surprise of a novel, and the first one this year since Northanger Abbey that kept me reading through the late hours of the night. The descent of Dorian's conscience, Lord Henry's disturbing influence, Basil's heartbreaking devotion to such a man as Dorian, foolish Sybill and her obsessed brother, all of these different characters and plot threads revealed the dark side of human nature: shallowness. Dorian Gray's beauty drove Basil to paint the picture and to spoil the boy with compliments, Lord Henry's immoral views on life, love, and, frankly, morals, Sybill's Juliet-esque love life, and Dorian himself are all victims (or perpetrators?) of human vanity.
Oh, Oscar Wilde. Though I enjoyed the ride, you completely threw off my classics schedule for this month! I was supposed to finish up Austen, so that by July, I could read your sole novel within the span of a few days. But June proved to be a restless month for my bookworm self. In the midst of my Jane Austen reads, I found myself stuck on Emma, so I picked up Dorian Gray to read on the side. Though I enjoyed the first few chapters, I found myself unfocused and detached, glancing over my over books, praying one of them would ensnare me. I even read the first chapter of The Three Musketeers rather than finish either Emma or Dorian Gray! I delayed and delayed for over a week and a half, hovering along the first 20-50 pages, until, a few days ago, I began speeding onward to the end.
But, nevertheless, I'm glad I finally read this infamous novel. I'll be taking a short break from classics, to cleanse my palette, but shall return soon. Whether back to Emma or on to some other author, we shall see......more
This remarkable read takes place in an alternative reality to our world: same places, similar events, only heavily marred and affected by mystical beaThis remarkable read takes place in an alternative reality to our world: same places, similar events, only heavily marred and affected by mystical beasts, ghouls, and such. Humanity's progress is stunted as a result, and the people simply try their best to get by. The story follows Gracie's family and their race against death itself (a "Cloud," known for being the Grim Reapers of this world, has been hovering over the family for some time), in a desperate attempt to reach the Extraordinary World (aka: ours).
I highly recommend this to all readers, particularly ages 8-10 up. It's charming, imaginative, heart-stopping, and wondrous. You'll find yourself torn between wishing you could see this alternative world for yourself, or be thankful we take our "safer" world for granted. Gracie is a fantastic heroine, flaws and all, because her diary exposes our selfish wants and needs, and the courage to acknowledge them and try to work on them. This is a coming-of-age story at its finest. Beautiful book. ...more
Okay, I've been avoiding this book since I read The Fault in Our Stars back in June '14, because I was cSo.... many..... conflicting.... emotions....
Okay, I've been avoiding this book since I read The Fault in Our Stars back in June '14, because I was concerned it would be a repeat of that: a manipulative tearjerker that was bound to piss me off rather than make me cry.
Much to my pleasant surprise, it was not (mostly). However, it was a great many number of other things, but I'll get to that. Me Before You first of all, is not a cheesy romance story. (And I'm about as romantic as they come, though I have standards and dislike the works of Stephanie Meyer, Nicholas Sparks, John Green, etc) It's more of a belated coming-of-age story, for a 26/27 year old woman, which may seem absurd, but honestly made it all the more relatable. I've seen some snide remarks on reviews of this book, about Louisa's seemingly "immature" character, and while I can see some truth in those words, I also would like to defend her in that:
1) if you honestly believe that every single 26 year old has got their shit together, I'm afraid I have very poor news for you: THAT'S A LOAD OF BULL. I'm nearing 25 myself, and though I'm certainly a few steps ahead of Louisa in a few regards (been living on my own for over a year), I still have so much stuff not taken care of, both financially and mentally. It's tough being an adult, dammit! Especially in the early years! 2) yes, her petty rants at her sister are immature, but, again, honestly, who doesn't relate even a little bit? Whether it be a sibling, parent, lover, friend, or "frenemy" (gods forbid), we have that someone close to us who just knows how to dig under our skin and pull out the worse of us. Some of us cry (I'm generally in that category), some of us whine, some turn into their inner bitches. We all got it buried in there somewhere. 3) there's literally an entire plot point (view spoiler)[(she was cornered in the castle's maze, and was SEXUALLY ASSAULTED and RAPED, for fuck's sake! Because she was young and naive, some assholes took literal advantage of her intoxication and harassed her! Gave her fucking PTSD! Give the girl a break!!!) (hide spoiler)] explaining WHY she's so terrified to leave her comfort zone until Will burst it open for her, so anyone who dislikes how she "has no direction" can go fuck themselves.
Okay, Louisa Clark Defense Squad aside, let's talk about her counterpart/love interest: Will Traynor. Oh boy. This dick. I seriously did not like him. I wanted to feel sorry for him, so very dearly, as his condition came a little too close to home for me (my boyfriend has an entire decade's worth of medical history, dating back to cancer, that has slowly but surely been fucking over his body over the years, even well into remission. Obviously not on the same level, but still enough to give me feels...), but.... gods, what a dick!! (view spoiler)[Louisa finally confesses her love for him, and her knowledge of him wanting to commit suicide, and what does he do? TELL HER IT'S NOT ENOUGH. THAT HER LOVE WILL NEVER BE ENOUGH. FUCK THAT GUY!!! (hide spoiler)] Okay, okay, for personal reasons, I did sympathize with his pain (both physical and emotional), but honestly, why the bloody hell was he NOT PUT INTO THERAPY??? Do authors just, like, forget that that's a thing???? Or is it merely plot convenience...? Lovely. I feel like a better version of this character (and this story) would be more like: he considers suicide until the moment he's at the clinic with his family, and then decides he needs some time away from home to truly think things through; or he slowly changes his mind over the course of the six months, and even though he's still depressed enough to consider, life is looking far brighter and wonderful to him now, and so a change is made; or he's adjusting to life post-therapy/suicide watch, and finds Louisa as an added bonus; etc etc etc...
The most disturbing matter of Will's determination to die is how even with love at his hands, love that he desires, love that was given to him willingly, selflessly, he still rejects it in favor of his "past life" now long gone. The other most disturbing point is how.... bleak and cynical the overall view is towards people with disabilities. At first, I was under the impression that the book was revealing how society sees disabled people with scorn/unwanted pity, and how that's kind of, you know, insulting? Hypocritical? Sad? Etc?? But then that ending happens!! What the hell was the point??
Okay, going back to my original note of this book, it IS more centered on Louisa's growth as a woman, and the romance took more of a backseat, which ordinarily, would have been fine. If the book had ended with their relationship ambiguous, while she goes off to college and he figures out his new life without the bitterness, or whatever, fine! But why, WHY, give THAT ending??? It didn't give Will any character development, whereas an easily remedied ending would have, and it made me actually hate him, despite my soft spot for his condition and his attitude (my boyfriend has had his bad moments during treatments).
.... So. A part of me wants to hate this book wholly. Instead, I choose to despise its ending, when it had so many alternative better ones! But before that point, I quite enjoyed it. It's certainly not a favorite, and not one I'd recommend, but it is a conversational piece at least, and not a total waste of my time (I certainly have a few words for my mom and sister, both of whom praised the book up and down....) ...more
Nearly every single book I've come across that has beautiful descriptions matching a riveting story, I'm hooked. Maybe I'm juOverall score: 4.5 stars
Nearly every single book I've come across that has beautiful descriptions matching a riveting story, I'm hooked. Maybe I'm just easy to please, but I was quite impressed with the author's "painting of words," if you will. Every sentence was dripping with delicious words, but not too flowery, more like a dance, that swept me off my feet. I especially loved the imagery centered around "Isfahan," the mythical city inspired by the Persian empire: I could taste, smell, hear, and practically touch the surroundings. And even the making of a carpets (a normally mundane and tedious ordeal, I'd imagine) is brought magically to life through beautiful images of colors, designs, and even the process of knotting.
But best of all? This is a story about a young woman who makes many mistakes (both with good intentions and without), learns from them the hard way, and grows into a fiercely strong independent person, who will not let fate dictate her life anymore. It's about how her passion and talent even yields her traditional uncle to help her master the craft of carpet-making, despite not being a respectable male in the business. It's about discovering her sexuality, both the joys and the consequences of exploring the pleasures of her "sigheh" life. It's about the power of storytelling and craftsmanship, and family. It even explores different types of marital loves, from what the narrator/protagonist can gather.
The language is sensual, the characters are three-dimensional (even the smaller roles have glimpses of something deeper than their original impression), and the story is a coming-of-age one, with a picturesque backdrop of ancient Islamic Persia. What else can I say? It's a beautiful novel, definitely an excellent kickoff to the end of 2015....more
[Warning: there's a lot of swearing in this "review/rant," as well as a LOT of hatred towards the author's choices. You've been warned.]
Okay..... So. [Warning: there's a lot of swearing in this "review/rant," as well as a LOT of hatred towards the author's choices. You've been warned.]
Okay..... So.
I hate this book.
No, better yet. I despise it. It's one of the few books I've ever had the misfortune to read that continually finds its way under my skin and boils my blood. And the fact that teenagers (and, tragically, adults) have gobbled this up and adored it just makes me angrier. It's not like Nicholas Sparks novels, or HarleyQuin romances, where they have a very specific audience that indulges in its tripe. No. This fucking book became mainstream. EVERYONE was reading it. EVERYONE was praising it. EVERYONE was going on and on how "beautiful" and "tragic" and "wonderful" the goddamn romance is.
..... *inhales, exhales*
Okay. First of all, no, The Fault in Our Stars is not this ~beautifully, poetic tragic romance~ because 1. it's written poorly, 2. it's set in modern times and yet NO ONE talks like normal, modern day people, and 3. (view spoiler)[just because someone dies in the end doesn't automatically make it "DEEP." (hide spoiler)]
The entire book is "tell, not show," which, if you have any inkling on writing good stories and characters, is NOT A GOOD THING. But that's not my actual beef with the book. My issue comes down the author's usage and descriptions of cancer.
It's unrealistic as FUCK.
And I'm not referring to the bullshit "medical miracle" Hazel goes through, because at least the author had the decency to leave a foreword stating it was indeed made up. I'm not even referring to any of the medical mumbo-jumbo, because, frankly, when you're reading a fictional story, those don't matter. What matters are the characters, how they interact, how they feel, and how they cope, and their feelings are conveyed to the reader. And I felt NOTHING. There was literally only one scene that hit me, but literally only for very personal reasons, but I'll get to that later. For now, let's cover the basics.
First of all, the story begins with our lovebirds meeting at a group therapy session for cancer survivors. We meet Augustus Gloop Waters, a 17-year-old who literally had his leg amputated due to cancer, and spent one year in remission and apparently, looks hotter than hell. You know, John Green, if you really wanted to use the whole "hot boy love interest" thing, make him healthy as fuck. Because, surprisingly, cancer takes a toll on a person's body. ONE YEAR OF REMISSION DOES NOT TAKE AWAY ALL OF THE PHYSICAL DAMAGE, ESPECIALLY IN A YOUNG, TEENAGED BODY.
Second, Gus is a PRETENTIOUS ASS. I don't care if that's "deliberate," it's fucking obnoxious. He fears oblivion? He holds cigarettes in his mouth as a "metaphor" for the "killing thing?" He's the hipster stereotype that literally everyone makes fun of! And yet, apparently, that makes him very desirable and bangable, both to the other characters and to the audience. I don't whether it's because I'm older and don't buy into teen BS anymore, or if I'm just weird, but it's quite bizarre how many people unironically gush over his pretentiousness. Sure, the characters acknowledged it, but it was always in an endearing way. I'd tell him to shut the fuck up.
Third, Gus's best friend has a surgery to remove the cancer from his eyes, causing permanent blindness, and his girlfriend breaks up with him for it, and Hazel, a cancer patient and survivor, had the fucking GALL to say that the girlfriend shouldn't have to bear his burden!!! *inhales* Okay..... I could buy a character saying that if they weren't sick, and have the other characters immediately shut them down. Hell, I could buy a SICK character saying that if they were established as a particularly bitter, ansty asshole, and STILL have the others shut them down. But, nope. Hazel Grace is perfection. She's the heroine, she's relatable, she's the everyday teenager who happens to be sick, and neither Gus nor his friend call her out on suggesting that the ex girlfriend should have broken up with him. A normal reaction? "Man, that sucks. Fuck that bitch, she's not worth it." Or something!
Fourth, other than the final, what, twenty pages or so, the book never really goes into the darker side of cancer. It describes medication, rushing to the hospital, vomiting, and stuff, but.... what about emotions? The only time I can recall anything discussed in that vein is Gus's former girlfriend, who tragically died of a brain tumor, and before she died, she was acting increasingly worse and worse. But that was merely a backstory. Like I said, "tell, not show." Even the parts that were supposed to be emotional were only supposed to be because the text all but said it was sad. (And you know, that's something I really, really, really cannot stand in a LOT of modern teen fiction, but I digress.)
Now, I'll get the scene that DID strike a chord with me: Hazel gets a call from Gus, (view spoiler)[after he admits to her that he's terminal (hide spoiler)] who's stuck at the gas station, too weak to move or drive or anything, due to an infection on his stomach. It ONLY hit me because that image, of a young man, too weakened by his illness to do anything but cry and get frustrated and be in pain is EXACTLY went over and over in my worst nightmares about my boyfriend.
Here's where the experience comes in: I met my boyfriend, my very first, in fact, when we were seniors in high school, and he was about to start his third year of battling cancer. He was thinner than the average teen, and shaved his head shortly into the school year, and revealed to me, bit by bit, as he pursued me and eventually, dated me, his medical experience. He was diagnosed on his fifteenth birthday, and had already gone through at least two chemo sessions, plus a couple more radiation treatments by the time he was 17 and a half. We began dating, went to Winter Formal, and fell deeper in love. I watched him take his daily pain meds, vomit in bushes on a couple of dates, and increasingly grow thinner, especially in the spring semester, when he took radiation to the stomach. He couldn't eat, he couldn't sleep, and his attitude was taking a turn for the worst. During our first few months of dating, the cancer seemed almost distant by how he treated it. He brushed it off, focused on my problems, and remained cheerful and strong.
But it was all a facade.
As he lost weight drastically in the last two months of senior year, he became more snappish, emotional, and often lashed out at me. The slightest thing could set him off, laughter could become grating to him, and making out sessions exhausted him more. When he wasn't in a foul mood, he was remorseful, apologetic, and self-loathing. I, being only 18 and shy in my first relationship, took it all rather quietly, as I didn't know what else to do. I grew up in a healthy household; no one in my family had any illnesses, disabilities, or medical issues of any kind. I had no idea how to deal with someone's emotional imbalance while they were struggling with an illness that was killing their body. So, I took the verbal brunt of his anger, his frustrations, his tears. Because I knew it was the battle that was wearing him down and not anything against his character.
And that's exactly my problem with books like Nicholas Sparks or The Fault in Our Stars. They make cancer look almost romanticized, tragic, and tearjerking manipulative plot points. To John Green's credit, he did include some of the nastier details of what cancer does to one's body. But he absolutely failed in the emotional sense. Because people who get sick aren't just sad or poetic. They snap. They yell. They nag, they become shells of their former selves, and do and say things they would never ever do while healthy. My boyfriend did eventually hit remission, and he's still there, but the years of chemo and radiation to his body have done more long-term damage than you could imagine. His thyroids no longer function, so he has to take a pill every morning so HE CAN EAT. His shoulder bone literally collapsed. His hip has been replaced. He had fluid on his lungs. His body has so many issues, almost eight years after the cancer had been finally kicked out.
These books have NO FUCKING idea what they're talking about. They use cancer as a tool, either to make the reader sad or to get on a pedestal and act like you're paying tribute to those who've suffered in ways you've never imagined. Now, I'm not an expert myself. The only true experience I can use is my boyfriend, but I've seen enough and heard enough from him to know that cancer has a darker side. And it's not death.
It's throwing up first thing in the morning because your stomach's acting up for no perceived reason.
It's feeling angry at the world for being sick, for being labeled as "different" from other kids.
It's constantly being convinced of being a burden to others.
It's constantly hiding your fears behind a smile and shrug of the shoulders.
And wanting to scream when people call you "strong" for behaving that way. Because surviving cancer is not about strength. That implies that the people who die from it were weak. It's simply a game of chance.
It's being in constant, invisible pain.
It's putting you in a bad mood that makes you snap at your loved ones for no reason.
It's yelling, screaming, grabbing someone in a tight grip to get their attention because you're sick of seeing them look sadly at you.
It's living on pudding and water because nothing else will stay down.
It's debating on whether you want to go to your graduation. And then going.... only to throw up and be escorted to your seat ahead of your class.
It's breaking up with your girlfriend because you're convinced you are going to die and don't want her to suffer, watching you die on a hospital bed.
It's never telling anyone what's going on emotionally.
It's constant pain and suffering and anger and hate.
It can be violent.
It can be abusive, albeit temporarily.
It's ugly.
It is not beautiful.
Any person who uses cancer in their story and tries to paint a pretty picture of it is a misguided, if not well-intended, fool. This book tried to show the darker side of cancer, but it failed because of poorly-written characters, stupid metaphorical bullshit, and zero understanding of how people work when they're young, sick, and angry. I have a feeling John Green only spoke with "positive" patients, who never complain about their illnesses, and never reveal their deeply ingrained suffering. Besides, who would to a stranger? It took my boyfriend literally years to tell me half of the stuff that's been on his mind over his cancer experience. And it taught me just how utterly bullshitty novels like this are, even if it gets a single point up above A Walk to Remember, for not having a character, LITERALLY DYING OF CANCER, still look beautiful and healthy, beyond a little pale. Fuck you, Nicholas Sparks.
You want a good story on cancer/terminal illness? Watch the anime Your Lie in April. It doesn't hold back its punches. It really, truly shows two different yet similar cases of an illness and how the people dealt with it.
FINALLY. My first original read of the year. The 2020's have taken a toll on my reading lists, amounting to mostly manga and rereads. But this book, tFINALLY. My first original read of the year. The 2020's have taken a toll on my reading lists, amounting to mostly manga and rereads. But this book, this heartbreaking, bittersweet, poignant tiny novel that I read in a mere two hours, finally broke the spell.
I went into this expecting magical realism. Then, as it went on, I suspected it was more like Bridge to Terabithia, and though I wasn't wrong, I also wasn't accurate. This version of magic is more than just imagination, but something deeper, achingly tragic that has nothing to do with death.
This book, in a subtle fashion, tackles the socioeconomic effects of poverty and mental illness, through the eyes of a privileged child who tried so hard to protect her friend, only to fail due to well-meaning but ultimately harmful adults. There's a dreamlike quality to her idea of her friend, and the elf village they cared for.
This book is proof that sometimes "less is more" in fiction. In barely 120 pages, it paints a bewitching, lovely, gut-wrenching tale of unlikely friendship, magic, and classism. An unexpected gem, one I highly recommend for ages 10 and up....more
Beautiful imagery, gorgeous language, and a powerful story. A tale of justice, violence, totalitarianism, passion, fear, and history, all mingled togeBeautiful imagery, gorgeous language, and a powerful story. A tale of justice, violence, totalitarianism, passion, fear, and history, all mingled together to create this wondrous piece of literature. From the memories and thoughts of Lavinia to the spirit and power of Itza, all of the senses were satisfied in my imagination, and certainly all the emotions gripped my heart. I am being very vague in this review because this is one of those books that cannot be given justice through words. You just have to read it. I don't know what else to say. This is pure art. ...more
It has been a very long time since a book gave me chills.
I went into this book knowing its influence, knowing it was written by a sixteen year old giIt has been a very long time since a book gave me chills.
I went into this book knowing its influence, knowing it was written by a sixteen year old girl, knowing it's considered a modern classic. I went in expecting either an overrated novel or, hopefully, exactly what it promised me.
The Outsiders definitely delivered on the expectations.
It is such a simple book. And yet, so very, very raw. Every page bleeds with the pain of these boys, these kids who grew up too fast and hard in a cruel world, but it never feels forced or melodramatic. I should have read this ten years ago, but somehow, I have a hunch that 18 year old me wouldn't feel quite so... heartbroken over these kids, these poor children, like I do now. Or perhaps I would have, who can say? Perhaps reading this as a teen would have been beneficial and I would've sympathized with the seeming "punks" at my school. Perhaps not. All I know is that reading The Outsiders at 28 years old gives a whole different perspective watching these children act tough in order to survive...
I honestly have no other words. The Outsiders essentially invented the YA genre, and it's a damn good read, even given the age of both the book and the author at the time. Its success paved the runway that made future works like Harry Potter fly, and I'm eternally grateful for it. ...more
THIS is the kind of book I definitely should have read-before-the-film! (Not my fault; my high school bff basically begged me to watch the movie, and THIS is the kind of book I definitely should have read-before-the-film! (Not my fault; my high school bff basically begged me to watch the movie, and so I did, and enjoyed it, 80's corniness and all) As far as film adaptations go, the original Neverending Story movie did a fantastic job capturing the first half of the tale (aka, Atreyu's Great Quest), with just the ending being drastically different. Needless to say, the book was, of course, better and grander and more fantastical as a whole. The imagery is superb, and the narrative does a very clever job at capturing Bastian's train of mind throughout the book. (view spoiler)[To ramble a bit: I actually really appreciated how Bastian slowly loses himself by wishing too many times (I swear, I got major Frodo-affected-by-the-Ring vibes....), especially since there were genuine consequences of his actions. At first I was concerned, with him gaining admiration and popularity from his newfound strength and status as Savoir of Fantastica, but his arrogance/memory loss caught up to him eventually, so I forgave the book then. Hence why I mentioned the admiration of the narration, for actually almost tricking me into thinking the story was glorifying Bastian's "superiority," as it were. Once Atreyu suspected something deeper was going on, I began to read on more earnestly. (hide spoiler)]
It's difficult to write a proper review for this astonishing read, so I'll leave it off with this: for anyone who loves to read, for anyone who's dissatisfied with themselves/their lives, for any child who's only just begun the thrilling journey that is reading fiction, and for any lover of fantasy/fantastical elements, THIS is your book. THIS is the one I'd recommend, hands down, among many other titles. But for a book about stories? Right up there with Inkheart (what IS it with German authors and books coming to life...?) ...more
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