The Help

Kathryn Stockett, 2009

It's hard to have to

realize how unfair times

are for some people

I was interested in reading this book as I'd had friends rave about it and seen previews for the newly-released film, so I was pretty excited to see a copy sitting on my mother-in-law's shelf. I’ve got to say that I found the hype over the film to be a little over-the-top. I always think the book is better, but I didn’t think this movie was all that well-done, especially for a major award-winner. I feel many people were calling it a great movie just because of the subject matter.

I grew up in a white, middle-class family in California in the 1980's. My sense of what is fair and what is not is based on what I've learned in history classes and from reading books. Although I may not have the life experience necessary to fully appreciate the sacrifices and hardships that others have experienced, I feel that books are here to help me with that, even if it's just to comprehend the tiniest bit of someone’s existence. (PG-13)

Les Misérables

Victor Hugo, 1862

The story of life

and all of its struggles through

one criminal's eyes

"So long as there shall exist, by reason of law and custom, a social condemnation, which, in the face of civilization, artificially creates hells on earth, and complicates a destiny that is divine, with human fatality; so long as the three problems of the age — the degradation of man by poverty, the ruin of woman by starvation, and the dwarfing of childhood by physical and spiritual night — are not solved; so long as, in certain regions, social asphyxia shall be possible; in other words, and from a yet more extended point of view, so long as ignorance and misery remain on earth, books like this cannot be useless." This is the preface that Hugo wrote for the book...how can you ignore something so profound?

While I wouldn't suggest reading the unabridged version, I'll admit I feel a sort of pride that I did. (The bad pride, not the good kind.) I would have preferred however, to finish it in less than two years... This book offers a beautiful look at a life that is filled with mistakes and trying desperately to atone for them. I don't see how anyone could not love Jean Valjean. And if you think you don't have time to read the book, then at least see the musical. I hear it's great. *weep weep* (PG-13)

Robinson Crusoe

Daniel Defoe, 1719

The shipwrecked Crusoe

discovers an island and

cannibals lurking

Growing up I thought the Disney equivalent, Lt. Robin Crusoe U.S.N. starring Dick Van Dyke, was the actual story of Robinson Crusoe. I'd say I was pretty confused for the majority of my childhood. It's not surprising, considering I told my 4th grade PE teacher that I couldn't run because my "independix" was going to burst. Good on me, confusing freedom and volatile body parts.

The real story of Robinson Crusoe was interesting enough (and a little like Castaway without the volleyball) as the main character is extremely resourceful. And although he deems those unaware of Christianity as being mere heathens (which I guess was the thing at the time) I see the book as showing how thankful we should be for our blessings, and that even in times of extreme trial there is always something we can be grateful for. (PG)

Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm

Kate Douglas Wiggin, 1903

Sent to live with her
spinster aunts, Rebecca is
forced to grow up fast

I remember that I've read this story before, but I liked it better when it was called Anne of Green Gables. Not that Wiggin could have been influenced by L.M. Montgomery (Anne of Green Gables wasn't published until 1908, so I guess it's possible that it was the other way around...). It's just that the plots are so similar, with one exception: Anne is more interesting. Rebecca's not a horrible character; she's quirky and curious, but still feels like a simple characterization.

Rebecca is also not an orphan like Anne, but instead has been sent by her mother to live with her wealthy (and stodgy) aunts who have agreed to provide her with an education. A bright child, Rebecca quickly excels in her classes and charms people throughout the surrounding towns, including an adult male who seems to develop feelings for her as she grows older. That might be a stretch, as it seems a tad strange, but hey, who am I to judge 1903. (G)

Pollyanna

Eleanor H. Porter, 1913

The hearts of one town
are changed forever just by
learning to be glad

This is one instance where I have to claim that the film adaptation was better than the book. In fact, I was "glad" I had seen the movie version, or I probably wouldn't have liked the book as much as I did. I found the characters more relatable in the film and the story more interesting overall. In the book the characters felt a little flat, even forced and a little silly at times.

In the end though, the same message was plainly showcased: that looking for the good in all things can truly make hard times bearable. It's about the importance of optimism, of finding the positive and learning to accept that our lives are what we make of them and how we choose to live them can make a huge difference in determining how happy we really are. (G)

King Lear

William Shakespeare, 1606

It's stories like this
that help me realize how

sane my family is

I can't lie and say that I was completely excited about reading this play. I know it's one of Shakespeare's most well-known tragedies, but I just wasn't feeling it. I do however have a new appreciation for the name Cordelia, as before I only associated the name with Charisma Carpenter's character from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The name Regan also stands out, and I can see why it would have been chosen for the main character in The Exorcist.

My first conclusion about this story was that this family was seriously messed up. But I've come to realize that the issue isn't only with King Lear's daughters, or a screwed-up family dynamic necessarily, but it is a reflection on people as a whole. Sure the family had their issues, but there were so many other people involved, and the idea of this sort of deviancy running rampant in Shakespeare's society really doesn't show any kind of improvement on our society's part. (PG-13)

The Wind in the Willows

Kenneth Grahame, 1908

Mole, Rat, and Badger

band together to help save
their friend Mr. Toad

Although I was familiar with the characters and the main plot, I found the story hard to follow, and I was easily distracted while reading. The storyline didn't seem to be completely linear, and it felt at times like the chapters jumped in and out of the plot. I found the characters engaging and the main plot fun, but it was the side chapters that confused me. I couldn't see that they were related at all to the book.

Toad is definitely the most interesting and intriguing of the characters; totally self-involved and irrational. It's laughable to imagine a toad dressed in a bonnet and dress trying to pass himself off as a washerwoman, and his obsession with "motorcars" is hilarious as he never can fully comprehend the importance of safety. Disney's animated adaptation The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad perfectly portrays the four main characters. (G)

The Eyre Affair

Jasper Fforde, 2001

In another time
and another place, Jane Eyre
will change forever

First off, I love the idea of this book. I think it's super creative and original and I was excited to start reading, with hopes for a well-developed story that would pull me in. It didn't happen though. Instead I felt lost for most of the book, waiting for the unifying element of Jane Eyre to be incorporated into the plot. Other than a few brief mentionings of Mr. Rochester, the story of Jane Eyre is not brought into focus until the last fourth of the book.

Not only did I find the story disappointing, but I felt the main character lacked major development. At times reminiscent of Agent Olivia Dunham from Fringe, the majority of the time she responded too immaturely for a professional in her mid-30's. The story's ending was so forcibly wrapped up in an all-too-convenient manner that my frustration lies not only with the random mess of the plot, but with the fact that I held out such hope that Fforde could pull it off. I would have rated this PG-13, but one chapter randomly has several F-words. (R)

Don Quixote

Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, 1604

Crazy or sane? But
who really has the right to
decide what is sane?

It's taken me forever to finish this, it seems, that I can't even remember when I actually started. I'm guessing it was about a year ago, which just writing that makes me ill. I knew it was going to be a lengthy process, but I'm proud to say that I've read the entire book; all 126 chapters. Although not entirely engaging the whole way through, overall, it had an interesting story, and definitely proved to be a classic at times.

I wouldn't normally do this, because I like to keep my posts pretty short, but after a year of reading, I feel I just need to showcase a few great samples of Cervantes' skills.

“Sleep thou who art born to sleep, or do as thou wilt, for I will act as I think most consistent with my character.” (Don Quixote)

“...as printed works are examined leisurely, their faults are easily seen; and the greater the fame of the writer, the more closely are they scrutinised. Men famous for their genius, great poets, illustrious historians, are always, or most commonly, envied by those who take a particular delight and pleasure in criticising the writings of others, without having produced any of their own.” (Samson Carrasco)

"...it is no wonder my words are taken for nonsense; but no matter; I understand myself, and I know I have not said anything very foolish in what I have said; only your worship, senor, is always gravelling at everything I say, nay, everything I do." (Sancho Panza)
"Cavilling, not gravelling," said Don Quixote, "thou prevaricator of honest language, God confound thee!"

"...indignities offered to their charms and self-esteem mightily provoke the anger of women and make them eager for revenge."

Also included in the narrative is a beautiful poem by Luigi Tansillo called "Tears of Saint Peter".

I will never read this book again, and I would assume that most people won't read it at all, but if you feel so inclined, I couldn't not recommend it. (PG)

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, 1892

With Doctor Watson
by his side, the mysteries
of England are solved

There's a great working relationship between Holmes and Watson that not only lends itself to solving mysteries, but to clever interplay of dialogue. Truthfully though, Watson does little to actually solve anything, other than provide constant moral support to his friend. Holmes' genius is a product of who knows what: possibly drugs, ADD, or a combination of the two.

It was great to read this having seen the recent film adaptation with Robert Downey, Jr. and Jude Law, as I could instantly believe the way Holmes talked and behaved. Quirky to the core, and slightly incapable of connecting emotionally with those around him, his heightened senses and keen observational skills provide for fast-paced adventures and unparalleled wit. (PG)

Eat, Pray, Love

Elizabeth Gilbert, 2006

A divorced tourist
discovers pleasure, peace, and
love through her travels

A sort of last-minute book club choice, I was kind of excited to read a modern autobiography, as I've been a little caught up in the 19th century lately. And although she's somewhat raunchy and vulgar at times, Elizabeth Gilbert is a phenomenal writer. She could be writing about the most tedious experience (which may or may not include the "India" portion of her book) and I would still find her voice completely captivating.

She has a way of describing a location, or a meal, or an occurrence that gives me the ability to smell, taste, and feel my way through a book, which supposedly is one of the marks of a good writer; and yet with some of the modern fiction I've read lately, I'm not quite sure that many of those are actually still in existence. Someone please...prove me wrong. (R)

Heidi

Johanna Spyri, 1880

An innocent girl
brings light to her grandfather's

life in the mountains

It's not an uncommon story: the young orphan girl coming to live with older relatives and suddenly brings happiness back into their lives. These girls are often a bit mischievous (Anne Shirley, Pollyanna Whittier, etc.) and maybe even silly at times, but in the end they win over the hearts of not only their adopted family, but also everyone else they come in contact with.

However well-worn the plot, I will probably always enjoy these stories. They are simple and happy, but at the same time remind readers of what it's like to be a child again and how one person really can have a profound impact on the lives of others. Such a profound impact in fact, that I remember actually wanting to be an orphan at one time during my childhood. (G)

Rebecca

Daphne du Maurier, 1938

At Manderley there
are disturbing secrets that
threaten happiness

Though I can agree that du Maurier is one heck of an author, I can't disguise the fact that I felt let down upon completion of her classic novel. I was waiting for something big to happen (and it did), but I was ultimately confused by the actions of some major characters. I'm not claiming to know better than the author, but there were quite a few things that just didn't seem to fit.

Or maybe they fit so well that it made me uncomfortable. I'm sure I'm not the first person to admit that they expect others to behave a certain way, or feels they can predict a reaction, but i was just so off in my assumptions. I guess I want to feel that these characters are atypical, because the alternative would be that I am surrounded by sociopaths. (PG-13)

Fables

Æsop, Unknown

So many stories
told and retold help children
remember lessons

I think there are more of Æsop's fables that we don't attribute to him than we're aware of. I remember we had Æsop's book (probably abridged) as a child, and I always just thought his name was weird and the pictures were kind of creepy. But I had other books that retold his stories with prettier pictures and happier colors, and those are the ones that I remember the most. An obvious aesthetician from birth.

I realize now that I never knew Æsop had any part in the story of "The Boy Who Cried Wolf", or "The Tortoise and the Hare", and I was completely unaware that he is the genius behind the adage of not counting chickens before they hatch. I found some of his morals to be personally enlightening, most notably from "Androcles" that "Gratitude is the sign of noble souls." I'd like to be more noble. (G)

White Fang

Jack London, 1906

Raised to fight, White Fang
learns to change his ways through a

new master's kindness

I enjoyed reading The Call of the Wild, another of London's novels, and I remembered vaguely the film White Fang starring a young Ethan Hawke; it was only natural I should read the book as well. I knew it would be good (and I was right) mainly because Jack London is a consistently great writer. He's one of the more descriptive authors that make you feel like all of your senses are actually working.

The one thing I will say, is that it took a long time to get to the positive, more happy part of the story. The majority was pretty sad and distressing, as this wolf-dog is abandoned and mistreated. Not that I can't endure difficult topics, but being as descriptive as he is, there are several scenes where dogs are killed, and small animals caught and eaten that had my poor vegetarian heart begging for reprieve. (PG)

Breathless

Dean Koontz, 2009

Written to thrill, the
only thrilling part was how
fast I finished it

My brother and I both finished this book over Christmas break. When he finished I got a text from him that read: Breathless? More like Pointless... Sadly, I felt the same. I had had high hopes, knowing Dean Koontz to be a prolific writer of thrillers, but I felt more like I'd been messed with; like I was supposed to care, but couldn't really find a reason to.

I'm not saying the book was awful, just that I was disappointed by the mechanics the author employed. I was totally interested for most of the way, but by the last 25% I could tell that I was not going to get the ending I felt had been promised to me. New plotlines were introduced way too late in the book, and the wrap-up on major plotlines proved to be giant letdowns. (R)

The Sign of the Beaver

Elizabeth George Speare, 1983

Matt learns to survive
alone in the woods when he
befriends Indians

A Newberry Honor Book, this young adult novel is based on a true story the author discovered about a young boy left alone in the woods who was befriended by Native Americans. Reminiscent maybe of The Jungle Book, or Robinson Crusoe, it is a well-presented story of two cultures learning to respect each other, and two strangers learning to live as brothers.

Matt's father leaves him alone in the Maine wilderness to watch the new cabin they have built, while he goes to fetch the rest of the family. Matt soon meets some local indians, who he teaches to read in return for lessons on survival in the woods. Matt's father is gone longer than expected, leaving him to decide if he should stay and wait for his family, or move on with the tribe. (G)

The Crucible

Arthur Miller, 1953

Sometimes the only
thing that a man has left in

this world is his name

I've read this before, seen the film several times, the play once, and even written a paper on the play's underlying themes...so it should come as no surprise to learn that I consider this one of the most fascinating stories ever written. This most recent read was done in about two hours on a Saturday. I thought I would just read a little, but I couldn't put it down; there was never a comfortable place to leave off at.

Miller has a way of pulling you into a story, that even though you feel sick to your stomach, the masochist within you demands that you keep reading. It's horrible and wonderful at the same time, giving into this morbid desire to torment ourselves with a hopelessly tragic story. And yet I feel that everyone should experience this at some time. (PG-13)

The Old Man & the Sea

Ernest Hemingway, 1952

Santiago meets
his adversary in the
form of a marlin

I am at once ashamed and proud to admit that this is the first book of Hemingway's that I've read. I figured if Manny could read The Old Man and the Sea, then I could sure read it. And although I've had many friends tell me how tedious Hemingway could be, I didn't find this novel hard to get through, despite the lack of chapters to break up the monotony. Also it could have something to do with it only being about 100 pages.

Most of the story takes place at sea, from Santiago's point of view. (Santiago is the Old Man, in case you were wondering.) As he struggles against nature, desperate to get his catch back to port, one can't help feeling emotional over his situation, and wishing they could help this poor, pitiful man. Something about old men always makes me want to cry and give them a hug. (PG)

Romeo & Juliet

William Shakespeare, 1597

Desperate times should
never call for such extreme
measures of resolve

Surprisingly, I was never assigned to read this in high school, and after reading it now, I'm not quite sure if it's a good idea to give teenagers access to materials about suicidal lovers. It's truly the quintessential Shakespearean tragedy, but it's not my favorite, and I think the story's pretty messed up. Love at first sight, and then running off the next day and getting married in secret is fast even for me, especially considering the family blood fued.

I like to think of myself as a romantic, but I hate the idea of both of them feeling they had to die if they couldn't be together. To me that's not romance, it's just idiotic. But I don't know, maybe the times that we live in now really are that different from theirs. I'm thankful for modern film though, because I feel that Shakespeare in Love is the best (and least depressing) portrayal of this classic tween drama. (PG-13)

Winnie-the-Pooh

A.A. Milne, 1926

A little stuffed bear
and his adventures in the

Hundred Acre Wood

This sweet collection of stories was made even sweeter when I learned that A.A. Milne had written it for his son, Christopher Robin. Of course, his son had these stuffed toys, most notably Pooh, and the stories came to life from there. Disney has done a great job of bringing these characters to life, and Sterling Holloway as the original voice of Pooh couldn't be any more perfect. "I'm a little black raincloud, of course."

It was a little sad that Tigger was not a part of the original collection of stories, as he is a dynamic character and more interesting than some of the others (fill in your own blanks). Probably the only real surprising element was how much of a punk Eeyore was. He was always gloomy and depressed in the cartoons, but I never felt like he was using it to his advantage. He was definitely fishing for sympathy and attention. Almost like an emotional hypochondriac. (G)

Treasure Island

Robert Louis Stevenson, 1883

Young Jim Hawkins, in
search of treasure, becomes a
brave and fearless man

This was Stevenson's first success and there's a great story that goes along with it. His stepson one day was making a map, which Stevenson soon embellished to become a treasure map. Along with the map, stories were spun, and with his family's help and suggestions, he began writing Treasure Island. Some of the story was even written by family members. It wasn't long before a children's publisher picked it up chapter by chapter.

I love the story of how the novel came to be, but I'm also fascinated by how much the descriptions of pirate life have permeated our modern idea of the buccaneer. From X-marked treasure maps to one-legged pirates, and parrots on shoulders, Stevenson's inventions have influenced writers and filmmakers for years. Disney lovers be grateful, for without Long John Silver, there probably would not be a Jack Sparrow. (PG)

The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe

C.S. Lewis, 1950

Who would suspect that
Turkish Delight could cause such
a heap of troubles

I remember a strange animated adaptation of this story that creeped me out as a kid, and that might be why it took me twenty-eight years to read this simple little classic. You can definitely see similarities between Lewis and Tolkien (who were friends), although I feel like Lewis was able to break things up a little better. (100 pages is a lot easier to swallow than 400.)

While I found the story entertaining, I felt the characters lacked depth. It read more like a children's story than the religious allegory I've been told it is (though the religious symbolism is quite obvious). I wanted to know more about Aslan and the White Witch; my best bet is probably to bite the bullet and read the full Chronic-'what'-cles of Narnia. (PG)

Through the Looking-Glass

Lewis Carroll, 1871

Alice finds herself
once again in a strange land
of her own making

The continuation of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Alice this time meets the Red Queen and the White Queen, as well as Tweedledum and Tweedledee. I would guess these few to be the most memorable characters from Carroll's second Alice story, but for the most part, the first story was definitely the more interesting of the two.

From film adaptations, I was expecting the Jabberwock to actually appear, but he is only mentioned in a text that Alice reads. Well-known poems include "Jabberwocky" and "The Walrus and the Carpenter". As the first story appears to have been a dream, this story seems to come completely from Alice's imagination when she is wide awake. (G)

The Five People You Meet in Heaven

Mitch Albom, 2003

Death comes suddenly
and sometimes brings with it life
lessons we must learn

A novel by the author of Tuesdays With Morrie, The Five People You Meet in Heaven is an interesting take on what happens when people die. The idea is that five people come and explain your life to you, helping you to understand why things happened, and to help you make sense of things. Some of the people you may never have met, but they somehow played a significant role in your life.

While my religious beliefs differ from this idea of heaven, I didn't have any trouble just enjoying the book as fiction and an intriguing story, and I didn't feel like the author was pushing some new theology. In fact, he states in a dedication that his book was written to show people that may feel that their lives are unimportant how profound an effect they have on those around them, and that all of our stories are connected. (PG-13)

The Secret Garden

Frances Hodgson Burnett, 1911

Mary and Dickon
help Colin discover a
longing to survive

Mary, a spoiled orphan raised in India, comes to Misselthwaite Manor to live with her uncle, who she never sees. The story uses the symbol of the garden to showcase the ability of the central characters to find life again, even when it seems impossible. Not only does Mary change, but she finds a way to spread the magic of rejuvenation to her uncle and cousin.

I love Mary, but the best character really is Dickon, the boy who lives on the moor and can talk to animals and plants. He seems like kind of a goober with his strong Yorkshire accent, and his animal friends climbing all over him, but he is the one who convinces Mary and Collin that there is magic to be found in nature, and that it is a part of all of us. (G)

Death of a Salesman

Arthur Miller, 1949

Attainable goals
may seem pathetic, but you'll
likely have success

Long before reading this, I saw the scene from Seinfeld where George is compared to Biff Loman, who he describes as "the biggest loser in the history of American literature." This description isn't far off. But I honestly feel that the bigger loser would be his father, Willy. I realize he's the main character, but he's more of an antagonist than anything. Willy's focus is his job, but his real failure in life was as a parent.

He consistently built his sons up to believe that it was more important for them to be popular than for them to work hard. He encouraged stealing and cheating because he thought they could get away with anything if people liked them. He failed to teach them respect. Biff discovers his father's adultery suddenly one night, and this, I would say, has the most profound effect on their relationship. Willy never had his priorities straight. (PG-13)

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

Ian Fleming, 1964

Life would be so much
better if we all had our
own magical car

Actually, I'd rather not everyone have a magical car. Just me. It's a totally selfish desire, I know, but too bad. I was pretty sad when I started the book and realized that Caractacus Potts was married...and not to Truly Scrumptious! What's that about? Truly is the best part of the movie, so to have her replaced by "Mimsy" was disappointing to say the least. (Mimsy's character's pretty dull, so I can see why they made Potts a widower in the film.)

It's a fun little story though, (although Truly Scrumptious would have spiced things up a bit) this cute little family bumbling over the English coast in their flying/sailing car and foiling criminals. And although I was sad about Truly, I was quite relieved that the creepster child catcher was not a part of the book. Just a simple children's story from the creator of James Bond. (G)

The Odyssey

Homer, ca. 8th century BC

Odysseus finds
it more than difficult for

him to return home

Apparently the only version of The Odyssey that is available to read online is the Roman version, so I spent quite a few chapters wondering who the heck Ulysses was. (Roman is to Greek as Ulysses is to Odysseus). Like I'm supposed to be up on my Roman/Greek counterparts? Either way, Ulysses/Odysseus is not my favorite character. He's arrogant to the point of endangering his men, and still doesn't seem to give a hoot.

And although he's been gone for about twenty years, he doesn't always seem in such a hurry to get home. He shacks up with Circe for a full "twelvemonth" before he decides it's about time to be setting off. And when he finally does get back to Ithaca, he gets revenge. And I'm not talking about toilet-papering some houses; I'm talking straight-up Mel Gibson in The Patriot with the hatchet: major bloodbath. A little nuts? I think so. (PG-13)

As You Like It

William Shakespeare, 1599

Rosalind dresses
as a man to hide herself
and win her true love

I remember this as the play that was used to mirror the situation in Never Been Kissed. Although Orlando and Rosalind were not teacher and student...tsk tsk. Not really a classic Shakespearean read for high school students, but Michael Vartan was a pretty hip teacher, all falling in love with students in disguise and crap. Reading this though solved a little mystery for me, as I finally recognized what Gene Wilder was singing in Willy Wonka while he's riding the bike.

Famous speeches abound; make sure you read the section by Jaques that contains "All the world's a stage". And the third act plays out nicely; I'd love to see this performed. I don't necessarily get the whole Oliver and Celia love at first sight thing, but that's ok. Rosalind absolutely fits in with the rest of Shakespeare's female leads, being about as spunky and clever as they come. (PG)

Our Town

Thornton Wilder, 1938

The Gibbs & the Webbs
are intertwined forever
by love & by loss

In a playwriting class in college we watched a recording of this play, and I remember feeling just as emotional then as I did laying on my couch reading on Saturday morning. Of course this may have something to do with my hormones being out of control at the moment, but I really feel like Wilder has a way ot letting the reader get inside his head. Almost as if he himself was talking outloud, trying to work out his own existence.

The play portrays everyday people leading normal lives, and yet they come to represent much more as the audience familiarizes themselves and recognizes similarities that we all share. Most people, I think, fit into the 'everyman' category, and so it plays out as a sort of exhibition of life itself and allows each person to explore their own fears and their own insecurities. It's well-written and applicable even seventy years later. (PG)

Harvey

Mary Chase, 1944

At some point in life
it's likely that most of us
will see white rabbits

I feel like I say this a lot, but I'm not quite sure what to make of this play. It was funny, I guess, but I'm a little lost as to the point. And yes, I'm looking for a point. Always. Was it simply meant as a light-hearted comedy? I was expecting more with it winning the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Imagining Jimmy Stewart in the lead (because I knew he had starred in a film adaptation) helped a little, but I was ultimately unable to fully enjoy myself.

Elwood P. Dowd, who is "friends" with a six-foot white rabbit, is taken to an asylum by his sister who is embarassed by his behavior. It seems though, that by the end of the play, others can see "Harvey" the rabbit as well. It's possible the ultimate statement is that we're all a little crazy, but the conclusion of the play seemed to wrap itself up way too fast. The significance here is definitely lost on me. (PG)

Driving Miss Daisy

Alfred Uhry, 1987

At first, Miss Daisy
refuses Hoke's help, but time
forges a strong bond

It's obvious from the beginning that Miss Daisy Werthan is a handful. She's a feisty Southern Jewish woman in her early 70's and she is determined to do everything for herself. Problems occur, naturally, when her son Boolie hires an African-American chauffeur named Hoke to drive his mother. The back-and-forth between these two characters lends itself to fresh dialogue and a fascinating dynamic.

This Pulitzer Prize-winner is pretty short, but in a small amount of time is able to show an honesty that doesn't normally exist in modern writing. These two people, thrust together, build a friendship over many years that is so significant because of their many differences. Some of the best stories show people who are completely separated by circumstance and situation becoming a family. (PG)

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

Mark Twain, 1876

Tom & Huck witness
a murder & find themselves
in grave jeopardy

After reading Huck Finn I was expecting a little more from this book. I guess my mistake came from reading them out of chronological order. Thank you Lizzy, for helping me understand why Tom Sawyer might have had a little less depth to its message. It's basically just a simple mystery story. In fact the deepest thing in this book is probably the Mississippi River.

In truth, I'm not a fan of Tom at all. He's much more obnoxious than Huckleberry, and kind of a brat. (Maybe it's just that age group that I'm not a fan of...) I'm not saying that I don't enjoy the book; it's a fun story and Injun Joe makes a terriffic villain (scenes involving Injun Joe can get a tad grisly), but I would suggest people read Huck Finn over Tom Sawyer. The only "Tom Sawyer" that everyone should experience is the song by Rush. (PG)

Much Ado About Nothing

William Shakespeare, 1599

False accusations
never seem to work out as
good as they do here

This is my favorite Shakespeare play. Hands down. There's a great drama surrounding Claudio & Hero, but the best parts involve Beatrice & Benedick. It manages to be heartbreaking & distressing, and also witty & romantic at the same time. Probably some of the best written dialogue between a male and female lead, and Benedick is by far the most clever of Shakespeare's heroes.

The film with Kenneth Branagh & Emma Thompson is phenomenal. No exaggeration. There's so much about it that's great: KB & ET have amazing chemistry (they were married at the time), Robert Sean Leonard is beautiful as always, Michael Keaton (the best of the old Batmans), & Denzel speaking anything Shakespeare = cool. Three things to overlook: Kate Beckinsale's eyebrows, Keanu Reeves (obviously), & a plethora of naked bottoms in the opening credits. ...I'm just saying. (PG-13)

The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde

Robert Louis Stevenson, 1886

My father thinks that
Jekyll is a glorified
form of drug addict

I saw the musical version titled Jekyll & Hyde during a trip to NYC in 2000 with my dad. The lead was played by Sebastian Bach the former lead singer of Skid Row, but if we had been there just a few months later we would have seen David Hasselhoff in his Broadway debut. Some people have all the fun...? The musical ran for a few years on Broadway, but ultimately lost money. Great music...less than stellar story.

The theme of the novel is really a simple good vs. evil scenario, the main difference being the idea that good and evil exist in one person and will present themselves with defining features. It's a terrifying thought (although completely implausible). When detailing his downfall, Jekyll said, "The fall seemed natural." If you play with fire, you're gonna get burned. Simple as that. (PG)

Northanger Abbey

Jane Austen, 1817

A young female mind
full of imagination:

asking for trouble

Although I would probably put this in last place of Austen's novels, it's still better than many other books. Being Jane's least best that's like being the worst episode of Law & Order. (Still pretty freaking good.) Catherine, the novel's heroine, is a bit ridiculous at times, but you can't quite dislike her. The story is filled with the usual crowd of characters: the tyrannical father, the clever hero, the white trash friends...

The best part is probably Jane Austen's narration. She says to other writers, "Let us not desert one another; we are an injured body. Although our productions have afforded more extensive and unaffected pleasure than those of any other literary corporation in the world, no species of composition has been so much decried [...] there seems almost a general wish of [...] undervaluing the labour of the novelist, and of slighting the performances which have only genius, wit, and taste to recommend them." (PG)

Pygmalion

George Bernard Shaw, 1913

A poor flower girl
has the chance to rise above
her situation

I'm a little ashamed to admit that I've read this play before and never wondered what the word 'Pygmalion' actually meant, and even more ashamed of my lit teacher who didn't feel it important enough to mention. In Greek mythology, Pygmalion was a sculptor who fell in love with one of his statues. Venus granted the sculptor's wish, and with Cupid's help, the statue was brought to life and they were married.

This is more of a common theme in film and literature than I had previously supposed; this idea of creating a 'Cinderella' and then falling in love with your creation. A sort of backwards Frankenstein. The play doesn't turn out quite like a Cinderella story might, but the ending is left open (if you don't read the unnecessary epilogue). My Fair Lady, the musical interpretation, does a great job at leaving the viewer with possibilities. (PG)

Journey to the Center of the Earth

Jules Verne, 1864

In Iceland's mountains

the descent begins into

an underground world

Axel (whose name I enjoy a lot more in an 1800's German setting) is basically pushed around the entire book by his uncle, the eccentric Professor Otto Liedenbrock, almost until the point of death. I don't really understand why eccentricity allows his uncle to get away with so much. Categorizing someone's complete disregard for others as 'eccentric' is the same as giving them carte blanche to be a poopstick.

Most of the book is spent in caves (understandably), and I'll admit to feeling claustrophic just from reading. The idea of zero natural light and getting lost or stuck absolutely terrifies me. It's like being buried alive. By choice. Of his stories, Around the World in Eighty Days was more interesting to me. I like Jules Verne, but I wouldn't recommend this as a must-read. (PG)

Circle of Friends

Maeve Binchy, 1990

Benny is the kind
of girl who people notice
after they should have

I first read this as a teenager at the suggestion of my grandma, and I'm happy to say that it continues to get better each time I read it. Binchy does such a teriffic job of making her characters seem very realistic and yet at the same time very fascinating, and the setting of 1950's Ireland adds exponentially to the charm of the story.

It's so great to find an author who can deal with inappropriate topics in an appropriate way. She's not a tease; she's straight-forward but lends herself more to character development than explicit detail which is refreshing in this age of tell-all authors. There's something special about this place that she's created, and in this case, 596 pages is just not enough. (PG-13)

Twelfth Night

William Shakespeare, 1601

It's pretty sad when
no one can tell a brother
and sister apart

The modern re-telling of She's the Man is close enough. Purists can argue all they want. And I'll admit something: I like Amanda Bynes. I think she's funny and I loved What A Girl Wants. I refuse to be ashamed any longer. And I know I've mentioned before that reading Shakespeare at times just feels like a story being re-hashed (even though his is probably the original), but this comedy just felt like all the others.

Mistaken identity, characters disguising themselves as the opposite sex, a semi-humorous troupe of side characters...it almost feels predictable. And we don't get to know Orsino at all which caused the supposed relationship between him and Viola to have almost no development. I know it's a comedy, but I feel like Shakespeare's name attached to it should give it some kind of deeper experience. Perhaps I'm confused. (PG)

The Bridge of San Luis Rey

Thornton Wilder, 1927

Is life a series
of unconnected events
or is there purpose

I love this idea that Wilder wanted to explore of whether or not things happen for a reason. Not that it's something everyone hasn't thought of at one time or another, but the story did a good job of keeping things unbiased. In fact that's the best part; that Wilder never actually tells us what his opinion is on the subject. It's left open-ended for each reader to determine. The best stories end with possibility.

By leaving the question unanswered, he allowed the main idea of the the story to become more about what happens to the people who are left behind by tragedy. He ends with a quote: "There is a land of the living and a land of the dead and the bridge is love, the only survival, the only meaning." Living a life without loving or being loved is a lonely existence. (No Moulin Rouge reference intended.) (PG)

Frankenstein

Mary Shelley, 1818

A creature unloved
by his creator may well
become a problem

I'm pretty sure the reader was set up to feel bad for Dr. Frankenstein, but I confess I actually feel more sympathy for the monster. Frankenstein got this wild idea to create life, and instead of starting slowly with a bunny or something, decided to make a person. And of course we wouldn't want to take some time to make him look normal, no, let's just get it done as fast as we can.

Frankenstein claimed the monster was evil from the start, but really being abandoned by his thoughtless creator was what did him in. I'm so grateful that I know we have a loving creator who cares about us and who would never leave us. We were made with a purpose and a plan, not just to satisfy the scientific curiosities of a selfish idiot. Playing god never turns out well. (PG-13)

Around the World in Eighty Days

Jules Verne, 1873

Phileas Fogg is
a man to be reckoned with;
he gets what he wants.

I was pretty excited to finally read something by Jules Verne, as he is Doc Brown's favorite author (refer to Back to the Future Part III). Doc Brown liked Jules Verne so much (and so did his wife, Clara) that he named his two sons Jules and Verne. (I guess it's also possible that Verne is a favorite of Robert Zemeckis.) Either way, I am now officially a fan.

I found the story to be light-hearted and quick enough of a read (although a tad packed with cultural references, including a full chapter on Mormons, which in all honesty missed the mark). There's also a bit of a romance, which I guess was supposed to be apparent throughout, but I felt was more than a little downplayed. And it's always great to find an ending that's worth the wait. (PG)

The Talented Mr. Ripley

Patricia Highsmith, 1955

When stealing someone's
identity, one murder
is never enough

I can't decide on a diagnosis for Tom Ripley. Not that I'm qualified or anything, but I thought maybe I could take some of his issues and find a specific disorder. I was wrong. And maybe that's the way Patricia Highsmith wanted it. It's not necessary to know exactly what made Tom this way, and the not knowing actually makes him less predictable as a character, and in effect, more interesting.

He's not without emotion; he cares what people think about him. But he doesn't feel guilt for what he's done. He doesn't want to get caught, but he doesn't feel remorse. He constantly thinks that people are out to get him, which may just be the product of committing two murders. He feels shame, but not for the murders and he's materialistic to a fault. He's all over the psycho map. (PG-13)

A Little Princess

Frances Hodgson Burnett, 1904

Playing pretend is
the only thing that can save
a young girl sometimes

My grandma owned the Shirley Temple movie based on this book, and I remember watching it often when I would spend the night. I always thought it was so sad (but good), but it was the 1995 film version that really made me love the story. I was surprised to find that both films were so different from the original story, but I believe they all portray the same theme well.

Sara Crewe really was a princess in every sense of the word. Kind, generous, honest...I hope my girls can be like Sarah Crewe. I am determined that this be a must-read in our home. Frances Hodgson Burnett, also the author of The Secret Garden, has a style that truly makes the reader feel like part of the fantasy, and in fact, like a little girl again. Unless you're a boy. (G)

The Merchant of Venice

William Shakespeare, 1597

Antonio must
pay his debt to Shylock or
one pound of his flesh

It often occurs when I read Shakespeare that I come upon familiar plot lines or characters that I've read before and I think automatically 'how un-original'. I know that Shakespeare is the true author, but having things retold so many times, it somehow makes the original seem a little trite. I know that doesn't really make any sense, but nobody said it had to. Are there any truly original stories left?

In reference to the play, however, I really do like it. I think Portia is a great character, strong on her own, but happy in love. Shakespeare has a way with writing women. Shylock is another great character, but I have to admit that the famous speech where he quotes: "If you prick us, do we not bleed..." always makes me think of Seinfeld and the nose-pick. (PG-13)

The Call of the Wild

Jack London, 1903

A domestic pup
learns to brave the wilderness
deep in Alaska

During my many years as an undergraduate, I was assigned to read London's short story "To Build A Fire" more times than I can count and I don't think I ever read it through completely. I regret not giving it a chance, because Jack London (great name, btw...) is a fantastic writer. I don't think I've ever been able to feel such a wilderness as London describes.

The relationship between Buck and John Thornton is such a loving one, and reminds me of my father-in-law Gary and his dog Maddy. Maddy is loyal to a fault and as obedient a dog as I ever saw. I sometimes feel she's jealous of my mother-in-law for making her the #2 woman in Gary's life. Maddy even rides along on cross-country bike trips. Man's best friend... (PG)

Reservation Road

John Burnham Schwartz, 1998

Two fathers' lives are
forever changed one night by
senseless tragedy

The main crisis of this book is not a secret. One father, while driving home with his son from a ball game, hits another father's son with his car, killing him instantly, and leaves the scene. It's not a light read. That should be obvious. It's heavy, chock full of grief and turmoil. It took me weeks to finish, and it's not quite 300 pages. Small doses were all I could handle.

There is one question that stood out in my mind: What would I do? And I put myself in both places. As a member of the grieving family, and as the offender, the one who left and didn't look back. I like to think that I would react differently than each one of them, but the truth is that in real life there is no black and white to a situation like this. Just a lot of grey. (R)

The Red Badge of Courage

Stephen Crane, 1895

Sometimes the only
real method of survival

is to run and hide

About half-way through the book I learned that a 'red badge of courage' is a wound; a battle scar. Henry, the main character, spends most of the story being ashamed of not having one. I would consider myself lucky, but Henry thought it proved him a coward. Of course he did run at one point, so it would make sense that he would feel a little bit embarassed by his actions.

I'll probably never understand how a soldier would feel in a battle, but I'm pretty sure I'd be running. I would straight freak. This is one of the many reasons why I would not make a good police officer. Although I'll admit, I could feel my adrenaline pumping as Cole ordered a team from CTU to take out Jack Bauer the other night on 24. It's all a game until someone gets shot. (PG)