This is my final book review for the Back to the Classics Challenge - the category of play. Eris and I didn't quite finish this before Christmas break, so I finished it on my own. I already knew the basic story line but never actually read it.
I was surprised by how wily and truly evil Iago was. The audience knows more than the characters, so it's amazing how fooled they all are about his character. He is thought to be honest and good, even his wife doesn't suspect his duplicity until near the end. It's scary how well his deception worked.
Since it's a Shakespeare tragedy, more people die than seems necessary. The language was not as beautiful to me as in some of his plays. Some of the best lines were soured in the mouth of Iago. Desdemona does have some nice lines on love near the beginning. I'm not a Shakespeare expert by any means, but I did not enjoy this play as much as some others.
Sunday, December 29, 2019
Monday, December 9, 2019
Book Review: The Personal Reflections of Joan of Arc
This is the penultimate review for the Back to the Classics Reading Challenge. I read The Personal Reflections of Joan of Arc by Mark Twain ahead of Eris for school. It's not the ideal book to choose for the "Classic from the Americas" category, because even though Mark Twain is a very American author, the subject is decidedly not. However, I had some trouble finding the books I had hoped to read for this category and was reading this one anyway.
Before reading this, I already knew much of the story of Joan of Arc; I even did a report on her in grade school. I almost decided not to read this book along with Eris, since I didn't feel I needed a refresher on the Maid of Orleans. However, while looking into the book, I came across some information claiming that Mark Twain thought this was his best book and was his personal favorite. I figured that if this was so, it would be worth reading.
The story is from the point of view of a man who grow up with Joan, served with her in battle, and was present during her imprisonment, trial, and death. I didn't learn much more than I already knew about the story of Joan; the majority of her story is famous and well known by many. However, I do feel like I know Joan better. Of course, this is merely an illusion, since the story is actually written by a man who lived far after Joan and not by someone who was her friend. It was well done, and this feeling of personal knowledge is the best part of the book.
Before reading this, I already knew much of the story of Joan of Arc; I even did a report on her in grade school. I almost decided not to read this book along with Eris, since I didn't feel I needed a refresher on the Maid of Orleans. However, while looking into the book, I came across some information claiming that Mark Twain thought this was his best book and was his personal favorite. I figured that if this was so, it would be worth reading.
The story is from the point of view of a man who grow up with Joan, served with her in battle, and was present during her imprisonment, trial, and death. I didn't learn much more than I already knew about the story of Joan; the majority of her story is famous and well known by many. However, I do feel like I know Joan better. Of course, this is merely an illusion, since the story is actually written by a man who lived far after Joan and not by someone who was her friend. It was well done, and this feeling of personal knowledge is the best part of the book.
Sunday, December 8, 2019
Book Review: Kenilworth
I am working on finishing up the 2019 Back to the Classics Reading Challenge. Last night, I stayed up late to finish "Kenilworth" by Sir Walter Scott. It is a historical fiction novel set in the Elizabethan era involving court intrigue. I have been reading about his period of history with Meriel, so it was fun to read about some known characters. I did not know the full history of the main characters, so the ending was a surprise for me. (Hint: If you want it to be a surprise, don't search about Amy Robsart.)
I enjoyed the story of Sir Walter Raleigh and passing references to William Shakespeare. Certain descriptions of Elizabeth as proud and enjoying flattering were echoed in our history reader. Scott included some fun contemporary descriptions of celebrations and decorations for Queen Elizabeth at Kenilworth Castle.
This is my fifth Scott novel, and my least favorite so far. The only characters I really liked were not minor and did not feature as much as I would have liked. A happy union I had hoped for is only mentioned in passing. A joyful meeting of characters leading to a resolution does not happen quite in the way of his other tales. I'll leave it at that, so you can decide whether or not to read it for yourself.
I enjoyed the story of Sir Walter Raleigh and passing references to William Shakespeare. Certain descriptions of Elizabeth as proud and enjoying flattering were echoed in our history reader. Scott included some fun contemporary descriptions of celebrations and decorations for Queen Elizabeth at Kenilworth Castle.
This is my fifth Scott novel, and my least favorite so far. The only characters I really liked were not minor and did not feature as much as I would have liked. A happy union I had hoped for is only mentioned in passing. A joyful meeting of characters leading to a resolution does not happen quite in the way of his other tales. I'll leave it at that, so you can decide whether or not to read it for yourself.
Saturday, December 7, 2019
Book Review: A Town Like Alice
I really enjoyed "A Town Like Alice" by Nevile Shute (1950). I read this to fulfill the "Classic From Africa, Asia, or Oceania (includes
Australia)" category in the Back to the Classics reading challenge. The main part of the story began in Malaysia, which seemed like home since I live in the Thai-Malay Peninsula. When it moved to London or Australia, I was in a foreign land.
Books like this are how I travel, and also make me want to travel. Of course, if I went to the Outback now, it would not be like the 1940's, though it would still be huge and rugged and sparsely populated with tough people. I enjoy strong characters, and this one contained a lovely woman. She was brave, intelligent, humble, and flexible. With the help of an inheritance, she figured out what she wanted and set about achieving it.
This was a fun and easy read. I'm not sure I would have discovered it with this challenge. It was one of the few "classic" books I had access to about this part of the world.
Books like this are how I travel, and also make me want to travel. Of course, if I went to the Outback now, it would not be like the 1940's, though it would still be huge and rugged and sparsely populated with tough people. I enjoy strong characters, and this one contained a lovely woman. She was brave, intelligent, humble, and flexible. With the help of an inheritance, she figured out what she wanted and set about achieving it.
This was a fun and easy read. I'm not sure I would have discovered it with this challenge. It was one of the few "classic" books I had access to about this part of the world.
Book Review: War and Peace
Well, I did it. I read all 1,392 pages of "War and Peace" by Leo Tolstoy! It's a difficult book to write a review about, because it's much lauded. The story covers many characters, weaving in and out of their lives, traversing between the fighting men and those at home. It seems to give an in depth view of Russian upper class society during Napoleon's campaign against Russia and after. I didn't know much about this slice of history, and now I can say I know Tolstoy's impression.
Tolstoy doesn't just stick to a story. He includes his own theories of war and history and why people do what they do. To me, these were bumps in the narrative. I would be enjoying the story, and then Tolstoy's voice would jump in. Perhaps his views were novel and important at the time.
I haven't read any reviews about what is supposed to make this book so great. Other than its massiveness, I believe this tale tried to develop "true-to-life" characters. There are no heroes, few heroic events, tragedies drift into the past. People change - change their opinions, philosophies of life, romantic interests. The vast cast of character narrows to a handful in the end, about who the reader cares.
I read this over the year with a group of people. It was hard for me to read it on a schedule. I would read a bunch, and then wait a while before reading again. I was rarely eager to read it, though there were times I enjoyed it. It wasn't suspenseful; it was just there. A bit like daily life. So maybe that is what makes it special - we get to live a small section of life in Russia at the beginning of the 19th century.
Tolstoy doesn't just stick to a story. He includes his own theories of war and history and why people do what they do. To me, these were bumps in the narrative. I would be enjoying the story, and then Tolstoy's voice would jump in. Perhaps his views were novel and important at the time.
I haven't read any reviews about what is supposed to make this book so great. Other than its massiveness, I believe this tale tried to develop "true-to-life" characters. There are no heroes, few heroic events, tragedies drift into the past. People change - change their opinions, philosophies of life, romantic interests. The vast cast of character narrows to a handful in the end, about who the reader cares.
I read this over the year with a group of people. It was hard for me to read it on a schedule. I would read a bunch, and then wait a while before reading again. I was rarely eager to read it, though there were times I enjoyed it. It wasn't suspenseful; it was just there. A bit like daily life. So maybe that is what makes it special - we get to live a small section of life in Russia at the beginning of the 19th century.
Wednesday, November 6, 2019
Book Review: Three Men in a Boat
Both Philip (my husband) and I had heard good this about this 19th century comedy by Jerome K. Jerome, so he agreed to read this aloud to me. I think it was better read aloud, so we could enjoy our laughs together. There were a few times when I really did laugh out loud, though more times I just smiled or chuckled. The self-deprecating British humour is not really my style, I think. Philip appreciated it more, which made it more enjoyable for me.
The book is not really a story and most of it is not about "three men in a boat." It is a series of anecdotes that just happen to be centered around a boat trip up the Thames. Since I am currently studying two periods of British history with various children, I appreciated many references to places and historical events. These were the times I giggled or exclaimed with interested when Philip was silent. If nothing else, homeschooling is giving me a deeper appreciation for British literature.
This book has been listed as a travelogue, and in a way it is, but I believe the purpose for which it was written was as a comedy. It fit the bill well enough for me to agree. There are other purported comedies I read that did not seem funny enough to qualify for this category. I'm glad to have found one to tickle my funny bone, at least a bit.
The book is not really a story and most of it is not about "three men in a boat." It is a series of anecdotes that just happen to be centered around a boat trip up the Thames. Since I am currently studying two periods of British history with various children, I appreciated many references to places and historical events. These were the times I giggled or exclaimed with interested when Philip was silent. If nothing else, homeschooling is giving me a deeper appreciation for British literature.
This book has been listed as a travelogue, and in a way it is, but I believe the purpose for which it was written was as a comedy. It fit the bill well enough for me to agree. There are other purported comedies I read that did not seem funny enough to qualify for this category. I'm glad to have found one to tickle my funny bone, at least a bit.
Thursday, October 31, 2019
Book Review: The Shuttle
The Secret Garden is one of my favorite children's books, and I have enjoyed a couple of others by Frances Hodgson Burnett, but until recently I did not realize she had written any adult novels. I decided to try The Shuttle to see how if she captivates a mature audience as readily as the young (and young at heart). Written in 1906, this qualifies as a classic by a female author for Back to the Classics Challenge. After a rather slow start in which the analogy of a shuttle weaving between North America and England failed to engage me, I found myself engrossed by the protagonist within several chapters.
It is set during a time of history I hadn't know much about: when young American women married European men for their titles and impoverished European nobles married the American for their money. The main ladies in the story are Vanderpoels, the similarity to Vanderbilt is not an accident I presume. While the extravagantly wealthy can often become tiresome, Betty Vanderpoel managed to keep my interest. I identified with her dynamic and compelling personality. She planned and put her plans into action; nothing stood in her way because she had the intelligence and the finances to do them. Near the end, I did weary of her seeming infallibility, but then I regretted her one mistake.
This book has some of the charm of Burnett's children's books in her descriptions of the English country side and in a couple of characters. I enjoyed the English village vicar and the American typewriter salesman. However, particularly heinous character of the villain with a plot centered on deception and romance makes this solidly an adult novel.
I learn much of history from fiction books, and this provided a few good insights. I got more of the idea of the English village and how much the peasantry relied on the nobles and how the nobility were restricted by their societal standing. I've read many books that focused on the upper class English (Jane Austen) or the poor English (Charles Dickens), but not many that give insight on the intersection between the two. Shortly after finishing this book, I came across a non-fiction account of American heiresses and British lords, but I decided I had enough for now and would rather learn more about those who managed to visit Europe while making ten dollars a week.
Regardless to a person's opinion of The Secret Garden, The Shuttle is an entertaining book in its own right. I learned a something, met some lovely characters, and was satisfied with ending - overall a book worth reading.
It is set during a time of history I hadn't know much about: when young American women married European men for their titles and impoverished European nobles married the American for their money. The main ladies in the story are Vanderpoels, the similarity to Vanderbilt is not an accident I presume. While the extravagantly wealthy can often become tiresome, Betty Vanderpoel managed to keep my interest. I identified with her dynamic and compelling personality. She planned and put her plans into action; nothing stood in her way because she had the intelligence and the finances to do them. Near the end, I did weary of her seeming infallibility, but then I regretted her one mistake.
This book has some of the charm of Burnett's children's books in her descriptions of the English country side and in a couple of characters. I enjoyed the English village vicar and the American typewriter salesman. However, particularly heinous character of the villain with a plot centered on deception and romance makes this solidly an adult novel.
I learn much of history from fiction books, and this provided a few good insights. I got more of the idea of the English village and how much the peasantry relied on the nobles and how the nobility were restricted by their societal standing. I've read many books that focused on the upper class English (Jane Austen) or the poor English (Charles Dickens), but not many that give insight on the intersection between the two. Shortly after finishing this book, I came across a non-fiction account of American heiresses and British lords, but I decided I had enough for now and would rather learn more about those who managed to visit Europe while making ten dollars a week.
Regardless to a person's opinion of The Secret Garden, The Shuttle is an entertaining book in its own right. I learned a something, met some lovely characters, and was satisfied with ending - overall a book worth reading.
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