Having grown up in Arkansas, you would think I would have been at some point exposed to such a beautiful native voice as that of Maya Angelou. Unfortunately, not so. Time to fix that.
Title: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
Author: Maya Angelou
My Start Date: 8/29/10
My Finish Date:8/31/10
Book Count: 46/100
Talk about poetic writing! Angelou's imagery is simply captivating. I really must say that I can't think of many other examples in all of my past writing that have surpassed her, or even compared with her skill of weaving a story into breathtaking chapters. They are perfectly told, perfectly chosen and perfectly timed. I had always thought of Angelou in relation to her poetry and had honestly been somewhat unaware that she had written anything in prose. However, it turns out I was correct. This autobiographical work can't be described as anything other than beautiful poetry.
That being said, it does tend to slow toward the end. Her characterization of Momma and Bailey are so incredibly powerful that at the point in which they start to fade from view, her move to California, the story faintly fades along with them. It is still great writing, mind you, but it just loses a little bit of its power and she is right in ending her story not long thereafter.
Another thing that I personally liked about this reading experience is Angelou's amazing ability to capture the feel of place in such a way that the reader is transported straight there. Her stories take her mostly to Arkansas, but also to St. Louis and California, which are all places important to my own upbringing. I fairly weeped with pleasure at some of the descriptions. You could almost smell the fried chicken. Stunning.
One quick note. Considering her importance to the heritage of Arkansas, I must admit some disappointment that I am just now reading Angelou's works. Why didn't I read this in high school? Granted, I took some advanced and AP courses, rather than the traditional English path, so it is possible that the other courses covered her while mine were to specific to include this work, but I am not entirely convinced that is the case. Sigh.
Now to conquer Wuthering Heights.
Keep Reading!
Sarah
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
The Thrill of the Banned
So, I was consistently getting scolded for never having read The Catcher in the Rye. I decided that now was the time to fix that. Here it is:
Title: The Catcher in the Rye
Author: J.D. Salinger
My start date: 8/27//10
My finish date: 8/28/10
Book count: 45/100
As soon as my grandmother mentioned that this book had been on the banned list for many a year, my curiousity was even further piqued. The copy I had purchased was the one with the typical period red and yellow design featuring a carousel horse over a cityscape, but which had no book summary on the back. This is a pet-peeve of mine. I like to know what I am getting. Further, I had no intention of wikipedia-ing (yes, that is, in fact, a verb) the plot. So I went in blind.
I now understand why it was banned! Do you remember how I mentioned that I subconsciously pick up every dialect I read because I spend so much time mentally invested in the text? How, just the previous day I was thinking in a lovely Scottish accent? Yeah. This book was NOT good for that. There is so much profanity that I really had to keep strict watch on my tongue for a couple days to prevent sounding like an angst ridden rebellious teenager, overly eager to spout dirty words. Sheesh!
However, this was a really fun book. It was very easy to read and I covered the first half in one sitting. The plot is interesting and, I have to be honest, it reminded me of a much more intense and a much dirtier version of Ferris Bueller's Day Off. Complete with the half-hearted proposal to the pretty girlfriend. Fortunately, Ferris limited his profanity a little better.
I loved the little sister, Phoebe. She was a vivid character for me and felt very well written. I kept picturing her as played by the young actress in the recent movie, Remember Me, who played the lead's younger sister. She would have been perfect here.
Anyway, I am really glad I finally read it, although I think I would like my Scottish accent back now please!
Keep Reading!
Sarah
Title: The Catcher in the Rye
Author: J.D. Salinger
My start date: 8/27//10
My finish date: 8/28/10
Book count: 45/100
As soon as my grandmother mentioned that this book had been on the banned list for many a year, my curiousity was even further piqued. The copy I had purchased was the one with the typical period red and yellow design featuring a carousel horse over a cityscape, but which had no book summary on the back. This is a pet-peeve of mine. I like to know what I am getting. Further, I had no intention of wikipedia-ing (yes, that is, in fact, a verb) the plot. So I went in blind.
I now understand why it was banned! Do you remember how I mentioned that I subconsciously pick up every dialect I read because I spend so much time mentally invested in the text? How, just the previous day I was thinking in a lovely Scottish accent? Yeah. This book was NOT good for that. There is so much profanity that I really had to keep strict watch on my tongue for a couple days to prevent sounding like an angst ridden rebellious teenager, overly eager to spout dirty words. Sheesh!
However, this was a really fun book. It was very easy to read and I covered the first half in one sitting. The plot is interesting and, I have to be honest, it reminded me of a much more intense and a much dirtier version of Ferris Bueller's Day Off. Complete with the half-hearted proposal to the pretty girlfriend. Fortunately, Ferris limited his profanity a little better.
I loved the little sister, Phoebe. She was a vivid character for me and felt very well written. I kept picturing her as played by the young actress in the recent movie, Remember Me, who played the lead's younger sister. She would have been perfect here.
Anyway, I am really glad I finally read it, although I think I would like my Scottish accent back now please!
Keep Reading!
Sarah
Scottish Adventure
Encouraged by my recent success in reading, and subsequent loving, of Stoker's Dracula, I decided to try another of pretty much the same period. Thus began my new love affair with Robert Louis Stevenson! Here's what I found:
Title: Kidnapped
Author: Robert Louis Stevenson
My start date: 8/22/10
My finish date: 8/27/10
Book Count: 44/100
I absolutely loved this book! It took me several days to complete, which was disappointing having had a string of "book-a-day" reads lately, however the added time had nothing to do with the difficulty in reading the story. It was entirely related to the unfortunate fact that my usually free schedule was interrupted that week for an unexpected funereal trip to California during which time even my inflight reading was waived when I was stuck with a talker from gate to gate. (PS, if you are one of those people, realize that a person who is trying to read on an airplane would not rather talk to you, they would rather continue with their book.) Also, if you are superstitious, which I am, it is interesting to note that I was stuck for the duration of this trip on book number 44, which is the Chinese number associated with death. Weird. Anyway...
Stevenson writes great adventure. In this case, he even managed to weave fairly accurate history into a great adventure. I loved the characters, I loved the Scottish dialect (which, I'm not going to lie, I had started using in my head by the end), and Stevenson's passion for his country is so richly evident that I could not help but love the setting. Remember when you are ten and pirates and treasure and camping and adventure were the height of your imagination? Or, if you are around my age, remember when the movie The Goonies was the coolest thing? Stevenson's writing will take you back to that age. I absolutely love it.
A little additional thought on my part and I remembered that Stevenson is responsible for bringing us such greats as Treasure Island and Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde as well. I can't wait to read them now.
Yay for late 19th century adventure novels!
Keep Reading!
Sarah
Title: Kidnapped
Author: Robert Louis Stevenson
My start date: 8/22/10
My finish date: 8/27/10
Book Count: 44/100
I absolutely loved this book! It took me several days to complete, which was disappointing having had a string of "book-a-day" reads lately, however the added time had nothing to do with the difficulty in reading the story. It was entirely related to the unfortunate fact that my usually free schedule was interrupted that week for an unexpected funereal trip to California during which time even my inflight reading was waived when I was stuck with a talker from gate to gate. (PS, if you are one of those people, realize that a person who is trying to read on an airplane would not rather talk to you, they would rather continue with their book.) Also, if you are superstitious, which I am, it is interesting to note that I was stuck for the duration of this trip on book number 44, which is the Chinese number associated with death. Weird. Anyway...
Stevenson writes great adventure. In this case, he even managed to weave fairly accurate history into a great adventure. I loved the characters, I loved the Scottish dialect (which, I'm not going to lie, I had started using in my head by the end), and Stevenson's passion for his country is so richly evident that I could not help but love the setting. Remember when you are ten and pirates and treasure and camping and adventure were the height of your imagination? Or, if you are around my age, remember when the movie The Goonies was the coolest thing? Stevenson's writing will take you back to that age. I absolutely love it.
A little additional thought on my part and I remembered that Stevenson is responsible for bringing us such greats as Treasure Island and Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde as well. I can't wait to read them now.
Yay for late 19th century adventure novels!
Keep Reading!
Sarah
Monday, August 23, 2010
ahhh, Shakespeare
This post will be brief. I thought Shakespeare was supposed to be hard? I distinctly remember struggling through Shakespeare in the past. But I really loved this one!
Title: A Midsummer Night's Dream
Author: The Bard himself, William Shakespeare
My start date: 8/21/10
My finish date: 8/22/10
Book count: 43/100
Perhaps I have gone wrong in the past by focusing on the tragedies and the histories. I have done Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet and the usual suspects. This was, I believe, my first Shakespearean comedy. It was a pleasure to read, not at all difficult to follow and I am now actually enthused to attempt another!
A note on edition. Like any good literature student, I own the collected works of the Bard in a giant, (no seriously, HUGE) leather bound Yale edition. I didn't read that. I found this one on my shelf individually and paperback, with interlinear notes to help me along. That might have contributed to my enjoyment and I am very tempted to keep using this brand.
That's it for now!
Keep Reading!
Sarah
Title: A Midsummer Night's Dream
Author: The Bard himself, William Shakespeare
My start date: 8/21/10
My finish date: 8/22/10
Book count: 43/100
Perhaps I have gone wrong in the past by focusing on the tragedies and the histories. I have done Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet and the usual suspects. This was, I believe, my first Shakespearean comedy. It was a pleasure to read, not at all difficult to follow and I am now actually enthused to attempt another!
A note on edition. Like any good literature student, I own the collected works of the Bard in a giant, (no seriously, HUGE) leather bound Yale edition. I didn't read that. I found this one on my shelf individually and paperback, with interlinear notes to help me along. That might have contributed to my enjoyment and I am very tempted to keep using this brand.
That's it for now!
Keep Reading!
Sarah
Just glad I finally did it
One of my goals in doing this project was to take the time to finally read some of the books sitting on my shelves that have gone unread for years. As you noticed from the last few posts, I have started working my way down that list. (After all, I can't afford to just keep buying new ones!) The greatest bulk of these unread jewels came from that collection previously mentioned and purchased during my undergrad attempt to have an intellectual looking library. Heartened by my great success with the previously intimidating Beowolf,I decided that it was time to conquer one of the great Elizabethan epics, The Faerie Queene. And conquer is most assuredly the right word, because it was a struggle, no, a full on battle, until the last word.
Title: The Faerie Queene
Author: Edmund Spenser
My start date: 8/20/10
My finish date: 8/20/10
Book count: 42/100
The best I can say is that I am just so glad I finally finished it. But SOOOO LOOOONG. Oh my gosh. Spenser must have been really bored. I know I was. Perhaps part of my problem was that I stubbornly tried to read this in a single day. I had the day off from the gym, it was cold and overcast and I had a pile of soft, warm blankets. However, while I do strongly recommend reading Beowolf all in one sitting, I can now say that I most certainly do not recommend the same for all six hundred pages of this epic. What was I thinking? I was thinking, "it is in verse, that isn't like a real six hundred pages, right?" I'm crazy. I also tried the same technique of really engaging in the rhythm and verse by reading it aloud. Yeah, I gave that up after a few hundred pages when I started losing my voice. Although the fact that I had just done the same with the one the night before probably didn't help. Moral: all verse is not alike.
Also, the content of this epic poem is simply not similar to what I had read the night before. It was confusing, with a lot of names and they were strange names at that. There were side stories and all sorts of random bits. I just started plowing through, hoping to find something good.
And occasionally I did. There are a few sections that are really beautiful poetry. I mean, technically, it is all beautiful, but some sections really swept me up. And I especially liked the periodical parades of allegorical figures, in which Spenser describes such greats as the deadly sins, the virtues, or the seasons. Those were fun.
Ok, at least I finished it.
Keep Reading!
Sarah
Title: The Faerie Queene
Author: Edmund Spenser
My start date: 8/20/10
My finish date: 8/20/10
Book count: 42/100
The best I can say is that I am just so glad I finally finished it. But SOOOO LOOOONG. Oh my gosh. Spenser must have been really bored. I know I was. Perhaps part of my problem was that I stubbornly tried to read this in a single day. I had the day off from the gym, it was cold and overcast and I had a pile of soft, warm blankets. However, while I do strongly recommend reading Beowolf all in one sitting, I can now say that I most certainly do not recommend the same for all six hundred pages of this epic. What was I thinking? I was thinking, "it is in verse, that isn't like a real six hundred pages, right?" I'm crazy. I also tried the same technique of really engaging in the rhythm and verse by reading it aloud. Yeah, I gave that up after a few hundred pages when I started losing my voice. Although the fact that I had just done the same with the one the night before probably didn't help. Moral: all verse is not alike.
Also, the content of this epic poem is simply not similar to what I had read the night before. It was confusing, with a lot of names and they were strange names at that. There were side stories and all sorts of random bits. I just started plowing through, hoping to find something good.
And occasionally I did. There are a few sections that are really beautiful poetry. I mean, technically, it is all beautiful, but some sections really swept me up. And I especially liked the periodical parades of allegorical figures, in which Spenser describes such greats as the deadly sins, the virtues, or the seasons. Those were fun.
Ok, at least I finished it.
Keep Reading!
Sarah
Beowolf!
Here is another that had been sitting unread on my shelves since my ambitious undergrad days.
Title: Beowolf
Author: We just plain don't know
My start date: 8/19/10
My finish date: 8/19/10
Book count: 41/100
This is one instance with a classic that I will make an edition specification. I have and read the Seamus Heaney edition in which the old English is printed on one page and the modern English is printed on the page opposite. Most of you have probably seen it. It is likely the most well-known edition currently in use and it is the one with the shiny black cover and raised print of a chain mail warrior head on the front. I bought it for the pretty cover, I'm not going to lie. (Ok, I said I was an ambitious undergrad, I didn't say I was a particularly picky undergrad) This is the only edition I would ever recommend. Heaney is the absolute best in this field and his notes are essential.
I think the whole idea of a long poem in old English is what intimidated me. I hate poetry. Really hate it. And I don't speak old English. I like new English. I was so put off by the one side of the page in weird words that I never bothered to focus on the other side with nice, easily understandable modern words. Again, Heaney is a genius. His translation loses nothing of the beauty and greatness of this treasure, yet puts it within reach of all of us.
I hear most people read this in high school. I didn't. Having now tackled and LOVED this work, I am so disappointed in myself for not doing it sooner. Once I got into the story, had conquered the first several stanzas and started feeling the rhythm, the experiences was wonderful. I chose to read the entire thing in one sitting and outloud, both of which I strongly recommend. It isn't horribly long. It took me a few hours on a cool, overcast evening. But interupting the rhythm to return to it later I feel would destroy the experience. Also, read it outloud. It was meant to be told and it reads like music. My cat was fascinated. (However, I doubt the neighbors were similarly pleased, since I had my window open. Oh well, they could use the culture)
Of course, since this is apparently traditional high school required reading, maybe you all have already read it. But if you didn't do it outloud, I am going to have to insist you go back and try it again.
PS, the edition linked below with Amazon is the edition I recommend.
Keep Reading,
Sarah
Title: Beowolf
Author: We just plain don't know
My start date: 8/19/10
My finish date: 8/19/10
Book count: 41/100
This is one instance with a classic that I will make an edition specification. I have and read the Seamus Heaney edition in which the old English is printed on one page and the modern English is printed on the page opposite. Most of you have probably seen it. It is likely the most well-known edition currently in use and it is the one with the shiny black cover and raised print of a chain mail warrior head on the front. I bought it for the pretty cover, I'm not going to lie. (Ok, I said I was an ambitious undergrad, I didn't say I was a particularly picky undergrad) This is the only edition I would ever recommend. Heaney is the absolute best in this field and his notes are essential.
I think the whole idea of a long poem in old English is what intimidated me. I hate poetry. Really hate it. And I don't speak old English. I like new English. I was so put off by the one side of the page in weird words that I never bothered to focus on the other side with nice, easily understandable modern words. Again, Heaney is a genius. His translation loses nothing of the beauty and greatness of this treasure, yet puts it within reach of all of us.
I hear most people read this in high school. I didn't. Having now tackled and LOVED this work, I am so disappointed in myself for not doing it sooner. Once I got into the story, had conquered the first several stanzas and started feeling the rhythm, the experiences was wonderful. I chose to read the entire thing in one sitting and outloud, both of which I strongly recommend. It isn't horribly long. It took me a few hours on a cool, overcast evening. But interupting the rhythm to return to it later I feel would destroy the experience. Also, read it outloud. It was meant to be told and it reads like music. My cat was fascinated. (However, I doubt the neighbors were similarly pleased, since I had my window open. Oh well, they could use the culture)
Of course, since this is apparently traditional high school required reading, maybe you all have already read it. But if you didn't do it outloud, I am going to have to insist you go back and try it again.
PS, the edition linked below with Amazon is the edition I recommend.
Keep Reading,
Sarah
Old vs. New Vampires
In returning to the classical canon side of reading, I decided to go with a little Victorian gothic. Considering how immensely popular to current fiction and other pop culture vampires have become, I decided to explore one of the earliest famous vampire novels. So of course...
Title: Dracula
Author: Bram Stoker
My start date: 8/15/10
My finish date: 8/19/10
Book count: 40/100
For some reason, this novel has sat unread on my shelves for half a dozen years. I bought it during my early college years during which time I started collecting classical works of literature for my library, however I had only made it through the first chapter before losing interest and putting it aside. How that is possible, in retrospect I don't know. I loved this novel! The plot was great, the epistolary form made it easy to read and the characters were all well written. It was a classic adventure tale with all the great elements of a spooky but not terrifying story!
It is interesting to earlier characterizations of horror type characters, especially in contrast to present usages. One question I had wanted to explore in my academic research involved discovering at which point our writers started writing and our readers started craving characters who are traditionally evil figures but who are good. The vampire with a soul who doesn't hunt humans (Meyer's Cullen family, Buffy's Angel, the good vampires of True Blood, or those of Vampire Diaries), the protective werewolf pack (again, Twilight) or the good witches and wizards made world famous by J.K. Rowling. I was fascinated to register in reading Stoker's novel, the very epitome of horror genre, gothic classic, that even at the turn of the century these figures were not depictured as universally evil. Regular reference is made to their pitiable nature and the desire by all characters to free these evil ones from themselves. Granted, there is no human-vampire ill-fated love scenario, but they aren't entirely maligned either. Interesting.
All in all, a very fun read. Perhaps one of my favorites among the classics. Considering my affinity for vampires, werewolves and witches, I will definitely read this one again.
In the meantime,
Keep Reading!
Sarah
Title: Dracula
Author: Bram Stoker
My start date: 8/15/10
My finish date: 8/19/10
Book count: 40/100
For some reason, this novel has sat unread on my shelves for half a dozen years. I bought it during my early college years during which time I started collecting classical works of literature for my library, however I had only made it through the first chapter before losing interest and putting it aside. How that is possible, in retrospect I don't know. I loved this novel! The plot was great, the epistolary form made it easy to read and the characters were all well written. It was a classic adventure tale with all the great elements of a spooky but not terrifying story!
It is interesting to earlier characterizations of horror type characters, especially in contrast to present usages. One question I had wanted to explore in my academic research involved discovering at which point our writers started writing and our readers started craving characters who are traditionally evil figures but who are good. The vampire with a soul who doesn't hunt humans (Meyer's Cullen family, Buffy's Angel, the good vampires of True Blood, or those of Vampire Diaries), the protective werewolf pack (again, Twilight) or the good witches and wizards made world famous by J.K. Rowling. I was fascinated to register in reading Stoker's novel, the very epitome of horror genre, gothic classic, that even at the turn of the century these figures were not depictured as universally evil. Regular reference is made to their pitiable nature and the desire by all characters to free these evil ones from themselves. Granted, there is no human-vampire ill-fated love scenario, but they aren't entirely maligned either. Interesting.
All in all, a very fun read. Perhaps one of my favorites among the classics. Considering my affinity for vampires, werewolves and witches, I will definitely read this one again.
In the meantime,
Keep Reading!
Sarah
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