Tuesday, July 20, 2010
It's Taking Just As Long To Read It As Melville Took To Write It...
No, I haven't fallen off the face of the Earth - I've just been out of town for the last three and a half weeks and haven't had time for much reading. I'm back now, and am determined to finish Moby Dick so we can move on to other things. Keep hanging in there!
Friday, June 18, 2010
Coming Along...
Good news! Moby Dick is picking up! I'm now finding myself wishing for more time to read it (I started a new job this week); which is a very good sign. So, don't get discouraged if you haven't started reading it yet - it's actually quite entertaining! Let's get this show on the road!
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Book Number Three
Dean: "So how are you liking Moby Dick?"
Rory: "Oh, it's really good."
Dean: "Yeah?"
Rory: "Yeah, it's my first Melville. I mean, I know it's kind of cliche to pick Moby Dick as your first Melville but... hey, how did you know I was reading Moby Dick?"
Moby Dick by Herman Melville
I must confess this is also my first Melville. I've already started the book, but I can already say that this one is going to take me some time. I started reading it at least a week ago yet I'm only in chapter three. Sad. It seems to be a slow start, and there are a lot of words and phrases that I am unfamiliar with so I end up re-reading paragraphs just to understand what's going on. If I'm not careful my mind starts wandering and I have to re-read an entire page. I REALLY hope it picks up, and soon!
The other day I was on the phone with a friend who loves to read and I mentioned that I had started Moby Dick. She asked, "You're reading that book by choice?" She said she'd only read it if she had to for an assignment. Maybe she had to already. Anyway, even though the book hasn't quite caught my interests yet and has gotten one negative review from a friend I'm still determined to get through it; maybe even enjoy it!
Rory: "Oh, it's really good."
Dean: "Yeah?"
Rory: "Yeah, it's my first Melville. I mean, I know it's kind of cliche to pick Moby Dick as your first Melville but... hey, how did you know I was reading Moby Dick?"
Moby Dick by Herman Melville
I must confess this is also my first Melville. I've already started the book, but I can already say that this one is going to take me some time. I started reading it at least a week ago yet I'm only in chapter three. Sad. It seems to be a slow start, and there are a lot of words and phrases that I am unfamiliar with so I end up re-reading paragraphs just to understand what's going on. If I'm not careful my mind starts wandering and I have to re-read an entire page. I REALLY hope it picks up, and soon!
The other day I was on the phone with a friend who loves to read and I mentioned that I had started Moby Dick. She asked, "You're reading that book by choice?" She said she'd only read it if she had to for an assignment. Maybe she had to already. Anyway, even though the book hasn't quite caught my interests yet and has gotten one negative review from a friend I'm still determined to get through it; maybe even enjoy it!
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Book 2 Review - The Little Match Girl
The opening episode of Gilmore Girls makes a point of setting up the awkward and estranged relationship between Lorelai and her parents - Richard and Emily.
When Rory gets accepted to Chilton (a prep school) mid term Lorelai is faced with the large sum required as an enrollment fee along with the first term's tuition, or Rory cannot accept the open spot. Not wanting Rory to know that money for school is an issue, Lorelai discusses ideas with her friend and co-worker Sookie who suggests asking Lorelai's well-to-do parents for help. Lorelai refuses to even accept the idea (having unhappily left home at 16 to live her own life away from Richard and Emily)... until she realizes that there is no other option.
Semi unwillingly, Lorelai visits her parents (who each make a crack about Lorelai showing up on a day that isn't a holiday), explains the situation and asks for a loan. To her surprise Lorelai's parents agree. Seizing an opportunity Emily Gilmore requests that she take on an active role in Lorelai and Rory's lives by having mandatory Friday night dinners and weekly phone calls about Rory's schooling and updates about their lives until the loan is repaid. Seeing the strings attach themselves to the situation, Lorelai only asks that the loan remain a secret from Rory.
The next evening Lorelai and Rory find themselves standing on the front porch of the Gilmore home staring at the door. This is where Rory references The Little Match Girl.
***
In the story of The Little Match Girl we learn about a poor girl who is out in the street unsuccessfully trying to sell matches to please her unloving father. It is a cold winter and the girl is barefoot, yet she chooses to stay out in the cold rather than go back to the bad situation at home. Ultimately, the little girl freezes to death.
***
While the story itself isn't funny, I find that the reference to The Little Match Girl makes the scene of Lorelai standing out on her parent's porch quite entertaining. Suddenly you sense that Lorelai is like that little girl - she'd rather stay out in the cold and die than knock on her parent's door and face what's waiting for her inside. I think this was an excellent way to let viewers understand what Lorelai was supposed to be feeling!
When Rory gets accepted to Chilton (a prep school) mid term Lorelai is faced with the large sum required as an enrollment fee along with the first term's tuition, or Rory cannot accept the open spot. Not wanting Rory to know that money for school is an issue, Lorelai discusses ideas with her friend and co-worker Sookie who suggests asking Lorelai's well-to-do parents for help. Lorelai refuses to even accept the idea (having unhappily left home at 16 to live her own life away from Richard and Emily)... until she realizes that there is no other option.
Semi unwillingly, Lorelai visits her parents (who each make a crack about Lorelai showing up on a day that isn't a holiday), explains the situation and asks for a loan. To her surprise Lorelai's parents agree. Seizing an opportunity Emily Gilmore requests that she take on an active role in Lorelai and Rory's lives by having mandatory Friday night dinners and weekly phone calls about Rory's schooling and updates about their lives until the loan is repaid. Seeing the strings attach themselves to the situation, Lorelai only asks that the loan remain a secret from Rory.
The next evening Lorelai and Rory find themselves standing on the front porch of the Gilmore home staring at the door. This is where Rory references The Little Match Girl.
***
In the story of The Little Match Girl we learn about a poor girl who is out in the street unsuccessfully trying to sell matches to please her unloving father. It is a cold winter and the girl is barefoot, yet she chooses to stay out in the cold rather than go back to the bad situation at home. Ultimately, the little girl freezes to death.
***
While the story itself isn't funny, I find that the reference to The Little Match Girl makes the scene of Lorelai standing out on her parent's porch quite entertaining. Suddenly you sense that Lorelai is like that little girl - she'd rather stay out in the cold and die than knock on her parent's door and face what's waiting for her inside. I think this was an excellent way to let viewers understand what Lorelai was supposed to be feeling!
Monday, May 24, 2010
Book Number Two
"So, do we go in or do we just stand here reenacting The Little Match Girl?" -Rory
The Little Match Girl by Hans Christian Andersen
I don't know if you can really call this one a "book," but it is a work of literature, so for easiness' sake I'm putting all works of literature into the same category. Hans Christian Andersen was Danish, and so wrote in his native language. There are many different translations of his works, but the book Twelve Tales I picked up at the library is a collection of several children's stories written by H.C. Andersen which were selected, translated, and illustrated by Erik Blegvad. If this is the book you look up note that the author is listed as Andersen/Blegvad.
This is an incredibly short story... happy reading!
The Little Match Girl by Hans Christian Andersen
I don't know if you can really call this one a "book," but it is a work of literature, so for easiness' sake I'm putting all works of literature into the same category. Hans Christian Andersen was Danish, and so wrote in his native language. There are many different translations of his works, but the book Twelve Tales I picked up at the library is a collection of several children's stories written by H.C. Andersen which were selected, translated, and illustrated by Erik Blegvad. If this is the book you look up note that the author is listed as Andersen/Blegvad.
This is an incredibly short story... happy reading!
Your Thoughts!
Hey everyone; I'm not sure how many people are actually reading or following along on the blog yet, but I'd like to encourage your participation! If you do decide to read the books with me, I'd love your input! Use the comment space to post what you thought of each book; I'm curious to read about your experiences!
Please however, try to avoid arguments and basically all things negative directed at other people. It's fine to say why you may not like a book, but if you disagree with what someone else shares, don't attack them for it. We can all be mature adults here and enjoy this project together. Thanks!
*No - we have not had any such comments yet. =)
Please however, try to avoid arguments and basically all things negative directed at other people. It's fine to say why you may not like a book, but if you disagree with what someone else shares, don't attack them for it. We can all be mature adults here and enjoy this project together. Thanks!
*No - we have not had any such comments yet. =)
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Book 1 Review - Huckleberry Finn
It took a little longer than I thought (mostly due to procrastination and time and attention devoted to my nieces and nephew), but I finally finished The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn!
On my flight from California to Colorado last week I sat by an older-ish gentleman who was on his way to a conference somewhere in the mid-west. During part of the flight I pulled the novel out of my bag and opened to where I had last left off. Noticing how worn and yellow the pages were, this gentleman asked how old the book was. He didn't ask WHAT the book was (he may have already seen the cover), but rather, how OLD it was. Different. I rattled off that I had no idea - it was from the library, so it probably looked older than it was because of careless handling (not by librarians, of course). He then explained he had shelves full of books in his house, and said that he owned this one too (okay, show off - I'm young, and have plenty of time to buy books). So, sensing that he was just maybe suggesting that those who owned books were somehow better than others I decided to just tell him how it is - I'm unemployed and can't afford books, and the library gives me plenty of opportunity to read for free. Discussion over.
I enjoyed the stories of Huck and the trouble he caused while also remembering scenes from the movie The Adventures of Huck Finn (1993) that I haven't seen in who knows how long. You know - the one where pre-Frodo Elijah Wood plays the role of Huck. I felt as if the focus of the book was on the adventures and the relationship between Huck and Jim; honestly I don't think that the book was meant to promote racism, as some critics have claimed.
I did however feel like the flow and feeling of the book changed in its final chapters after Tom Sawyer shows up again (he's also in the beginning of the book). I found I wasn't enjoying it as much and was really rather annoyed with Tom Sawyer - he already has his own book, why does he have to show up now at what is supposed to be (I think) the climax of the story? Huck is the main character; I don't think he should suddenly share this role with another at the very end.
I did a little research online today and found an article entitled "Mark Twain vs. Tom Sawyer" (found here). In the article are a few quotes from the author of Mark Twain: A Life, Ron Powers, as well as Ernest Hemingway. Hemingway stated: "If you must read it you must stop where...Jim is stolen from the boys [and imprisoned by a slave catcher]. That is the real end. The rest is just cheating," and Powers said "Huckleberry Finn endures as a consensus masterpiece despite these final chapters." I kind of feel like I agree. Nonetheless, overall I thought it was a fun book to read.
And by the way - the gentleman on the plane wasn't really disagreeable - we spent the last 45 minutes quietly racing to see who could finish their sudoku puzzle in the airline's magazine first!
On my flight from California to Colorado last week I sat by an older-ish gentleman who was on his way to a conference somewhere in the mid-west. During part of the flight I pulled the novel out of my bag and opened to where I had last left off. Noticing how worn and yellow the pages were, this gentleman asked how old the book was. He didn't ask WHAT the book was (he may have already seen the cover), but rather, how OLD it was. Different. I rattled off that I had no idea - it was from the library, so it probably looked older than it was because of careless handling (not by librarians, of course). He then explained he had shelves full of books in his house, and said that he owned this one too (okay, show off - I'm young, and have plenty of time to buy books). So, sensing that he was just maybe suggesting that those who owned books were somehow better than others I decided to just tell him how it is - I'm unemployed and can't afford books, and the library gives me plenty of opportunity to read for free. Discussion over.
I enjoyed the stories of Huck and the trouble he caused while also remembering scenes from the movie The Adventures of Huck Finn (1993) that I haven't seen in who knows how long. You know - the one where pre-Frodo Elijah Wood plays the role of Huck. I felt as if the focus of the book was on the adventures and the relationship between Huck and Jim; honestly I don't think that the book was meant to promote racism, as some critics have claimed.
I did however feel like the flow and feeling of the book changed in its final chapters after Tom Sawyer shows up again (he's also in the beginning of the book). I found I wasn't enjoying it as much and was really rather annoyed with Tom Sawyer - he already has his own book, why does he have to show up now at what is supposed to be (I think) the climax of the story? Huck is the main character; I don't think he should suddenly share this role with another at the very end.
I did a little research online today and found an article entitled "Mark Twain vs. Tom Sawyer" (found here). In the article are a few quotes from the author of Mark Twain: A Life, Ron Powers, as well as Ernest Hemingway. Hemingway stated: "If you must read it you must stop where...Jim is stolen from the boys [and imprisoned by a slave catcher]. That is the real end. The rest is just cheating," and Powers said "Huckleberry Finn endures as a consensus masterpiece despite these final chapters." I kind of feel like I agree. Nonetheless, overall I thought it was a fun book to read.
And by the way - the gentleman on the plane wasn't really disagreeable - we spent the last 45 minutes quietly racing to see who could finish their sudoku puzzle in the airline's magazine first!
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