Smart and well-written. Once I finished this work, I wrote a response paper on it for class with ease. There is just so much there! That said, I wouldSmart and well-written. Once I finished this work, I wrote a response paper on it for class with ease. There is just so much there! That said, I would say its brilliance is almost its detriment. Seems impossible, but true. Coetzee is so concern with the intellectual that it almost makes the book...distant. That is a terrible way to describe it I think, but currently it is all I have got. It was this distance that left me with a "so-so" feeling about the book. Not with the ideas behind the book (which I loved), but the book itself....more
Love the concept of the novel, but I ended the the novel feeing torn over it. The writing is gorgeous, but is so symbolic that the characterization suLove the concept of the novel, but I ended the the novel feeing torn over it. The writing is gorgeous, but is so symbolic that the characterization suffers for it. It was vague motivations of the characters that ultimately left me with the three star rating. That said, I appreciate Rhys' fleshing out the symbol of Jane Eyre, "the madwoman of the attic", and that alone makes it worth the read. Jane Eyre is a feminist statement in its own right, so it feels right that Wide Sargasso Sea should be as well....more
I am almost finished. It has been slow going because it is such a tough subject matter. Yet that is the reason why this book is so important. A must rI am almost finished. It has been slow going because it is such a tough subject matter. Yet that is the reason why this book is so important. A must read for everyone....more
A sweet and yet bitterwsweet children's story with some pretty heavy themes. In my opinion, some (not all, but some) of the best children's stories arA sweet and yet bitterwsweet children's story with some pretty heavy themes. In my opinion, some (not all, but some) of the best children's stories are made up of those elements. Smartly put together....more
As a Memphis resident who has only window units with which to stay cool while the summer heat sits heavily over the city, I found all passages taking As a Memphis resident who has only window units with which to stay cool while the summer heat sits heavily over the city, I found all passages taking about the Southern heat very relatable! :D
Okay, random note aside, this was a joyous read. Well-written and human in the best possible way. ...more
Despite the fact that there are very few sympathetic characters in this book, I cannot but have sympathy for the situation. This is a lovely expose onDespite the fact that there are very few sympathetic characters in this book, I cannot but have sympathy for the situation. This is a lovely expose on the land of Nigeria. The writing was absorbing and its beauty contrasted with the tragedy of its characters and impersonal situations made for an effective contrast. At least, I believe that is what Achebe was going for...As you know by now, don't quote me on anything ;)...more
One star it probably more harsh than this book really deserves. I respect Carolyn Heilbrun. I think she is a genius. However, this book felt selfish aOne star it probably more harsh than this book really deserves. I respect Carolyn Heilbrun. I think she is a genius. However, this book felt selfish and self-indulgent to me. It is full of stereotype and, to some extent, privilege. I could not bring myself to like it. In fact, it bothered me more than anything, as reflected in the star rating I suppose. Sad day....more
Loved this story. Told in a straightforward and unpretentious manner that I think really highlights what it is all about. It is about beauty in simpliLoved this story. Told in a straightforward and unpretentious manner that I think really highlights what it is all about. It is about beauty in simplicity and the power of basic human interactions. Again, loved it....more
Trying to decide how to rate this was difficult for me. I did not love it or like it - not in any traditional sense. It is not a book that one can "liTrying to decide how to rate this was difficult for me. I did not love it or like it - not in any traditional sense. It is not a book that one can "like" really, as one cannot like the plot or subject matter. It is despairing, painful, gut-wrenching stuff; I was mostly horrified. It deals with images that makes one's stomach churn. Morrison says herself at the back of this book, "..this is a terrible story about things one would rather not know anything about". Yet, this novel of rape, incest, abuse, and everything other painful aspect of life you can think of is terribly important. These things exist and they must be dealt with. On a last note, this novel dealing with self-image hit home in my own life's experience, and reinforced its importance. I knew a woman who wished for the same thing Pecola did, well maybe she did not wish for blue eyes, but she wished for light skin. She said, "It's beautiful and respectable - you can get all the best jobs with light skin". ...more
If you are the least bit interested in Lawrence's life, this is one of the most engaging and informative biographies I have come across. If you are the least bit interested in Lawrence's life, this is one of the most engaging and informative biographies I have come across. ...more
Whatever and however hands went into possibly shaping the writing of this book, it is an important piece of literature none the less - and so well-wriWhatever and however hands went into possibly shaping the writing of this book, it is an important piece of literature none the less - and so well-written. A painful, but necessary read....more
Started off as enjoyable read, but ended on a rather unredeemable note; it is a kind of "The Taming of the Shrew" in children's form. Caddie Woodlawn Started off as enjoyable read, but ended on a rather unredeemable note; it is a kind of "The Taming of the Shrew" in children's form. Caddie Woodlawn turns into Elsie Dinsmore :(
Had Elizabeth Gaskell been able to finish this story, this perhaps would have become her best known work. As it is, I think that title goes to North aHad Elizabeth Gaskell been able to finish this story, this perhaps would have become her best known work. As it is, I think that title goes to North and South. That said, there is some thoroughly rich exploration here of community and family. The characterization of many of Gaskell's characters is also rich. Be forewarned however, there is no ending. There are also glimpses into some very colonialist attitudes here....more
A really nice defense of non-canonical texts! Tompkins puts out a pretty sound argument and I have a feeling I am gong to refer to this book again andA really nice defense of non-canonical texts! Tompkins puts out a pretty sound argument and I have a feeling I am gong to refer to this book again and again. I love it to be quite honest....more
Umm, Freud is calling and he is laughing at your book.
Seriously, aside from the obvious masculinity issues, the mundane fishing scenes and the predictUmm, Freud is calling and he is laughing at your book.
Seriously, aside from the obvious masculinity issues, the mundane fishing scenes and the predictable plot made this read a difficult one for me....more
I went into this book expecting to feel as I usually do with Alcott novels - a kind of apathy. I was truly impressed with this read. Alcott is still dI went into this book expecting to feel as I usually do with Alcott novels - a kind of apathy. I was truly impressed with this read. Alcott is still didactic as ever, and there is a wee bit of condescension here, but that is overwhelmed by the truly wonderful aspects about this novel. There is a sweetness mixed with ideas on the verge of "radical", which make for an interesting read. The text seemingly contradicts itself and yet I feel like that there may be a kind of dialectic here? Maybe? I don't know, I am rambling...but I really think the book quite brilliant. I think it significant that the protagonist's life (the novel) does not end with marriage. It is intriguing and, as a last confession, it touched me. I cared about these characters....more
Like most Alcott books this is a very didactic read; despite this fact, there were aspects I really liked about it. "The Sunny Side" chapter was worthLike most Alcott books this is a very didactic read; despite this fact, there were aspects I really liked about it. "The Sunny Side" chapter was worth the read alone I thought. Although it is obvious Alcott caters to her audience, there are hints of other interests even if she does not fully develop them. ...more
Okay, this rating is not based on worth, for really I think it is worth five stars - how does one rate the lives of real people after all?! I highly rOkay, this rating is not based on worth, for really I think it is worth five stars - how does one rate the lives of real people after all?! I highly recommend this book as I think it important. My rating is more or less based upon my feelings about my overall read. Profound, but sad. I was alternately excited, moved, scared, disheartened, etc reading this lives of these women. At times it was hard to read.
I am a hypocrite by the way. Sometimes I try to rate books on "intellectual worth" or some such idea and sometimes I do not. I am a very unreliable reviewer.
Oh, and one more thing, there is a fantastic introduction in this collection of journals. Spot on....more
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