Started reading this what.... two weeks ago? Only about three hundred pages in. I can say honestly that it is not a BAD book per-say... but it is definitely written for someone who likes many small details.
The first section of the book is mostly based on the child abuse David suffers form his stepfather and step aunt. Child abuse 1800's style. If this is really a mirror of Charles Dickens life I almost feel bad for the guy, save for the fact that he is now famous and probably made quiet a bit of money in his day for his publications.
Looking forward to finishing it just to say I did.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Monday, August 30, 2010
The Shining- on to number 18.
Finished up the Shining this morning, and as I have never seen the whole movie I can say that the book was better.
Reasoning for not seeing the whole movie? Kept getting bored and turning it off. The book is more vivid of what is happening in the Overlook hotel. It only took me the weekend to read it being almost 500 pages I thought it must have been pretty good. I was actually turning the pages because I wanted to, not in hopes of something happening on the next one.
There were a few major differences in the book than the movie. The famous movie quote "all work and no play makes jack a dull boy" is no where to be found in the book. Jack chases the family through the hotel with a roque mallet in the book, and an ax in the movie. Uttering "here's Johnny" also not in the book, but one of the most famous posters and quotes from a movie ever.
Also no maze in the book, yet it plays a huge part in the movie. I thought the book was amazing, and am glad it was on the list because I doubt I would have read it if it hadn't been for that. Maybe I will find some more diamonds in the rough on this list.
Reasoning for not seeing the whole movie? Kept getting bored and turning it off. The book is more vivid of what is happening in the Overlook hotel. It only took me the weekend to read it being almost 500 pages I thought it must have been pretty good. I was actually turning the pages because I wanted to, not in hopes of something happening on the next one.
There were a few major differences in the book than the movie. The famous movie quote "all work and no play makes jack a dull boy" is no where to be found in the book. Jack chases the family through the hotel with a roque mallet in the book, and an ax in the movie. Uttering "here's Johnny" also not in the book, but one of the most famous posters and quotes from a movie ever.
Also no maze in the book, yet it plays a huge part in the movie. I thought the book was amazing, and am glad it was on the list because I doubt I would have read it if it hadn't been for that. Maybe I will find some more diamonds in the rough on this list.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
The Shipping News. Done.
So. I can say I have spent the last week waiting for something to happen in the plot of this book. And yet nothing did. There is this assumption in any novel that there is a plot. A Beginning. A Cilmax. An End. I felt there was a significantly missing climax.
Not to pick on our great Newfoundland, but come on, the main character Qouyle finds a severed head in a suitcase and nothing comes of it. It just kind of mentions it in passing. Then he finds the body to the severed head... and again you think that might make the book take an exciting turn. However, it would seem not.
I feel like the only way I got through this one was by expecting something to happen everytime I turned the page.
Oh well, you win some you lose some. On to The Shining. I am convinced Stephen King won't let me down.
Not to pick on our great Newfoundland, but come on, the main character Qouyle finds a severed head in a suitcase and nothing comes of it. It just kind of mentions it in passing. Then he finds the body to the severed head... and again you think that might make the book take an exciting turn. However, it would seem not.
I feel like the only way I got through this one was by expecting something to happen everytime I turned the page.
Oh well, you win some you lose some. On to The Shining. I am convinced Stephen King won't let me down.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
The End of the Expectations and Beginning of the News
Great Expectations... Check. Alot better then I thought for sure, I spent the last few nights with it just marveling at how much information was at the start of the story that I had written off as much about nothing that actually completely tied into everything in the end of the story. Not one loose end, not one piece of description that didnt belong.
I do however wish Charles would have given more information on the aftermath with Pip and Estella. I guess every story can't turn into a romantic love affair, sometimes you just have to make it up yourself.
Now I am into the Shipping News by Annie Proulx. I am loving that I am finally reading a book that is based in Canada but for something that is Pulitzer Prize winning I would love to know who hands out those prizes. I know it is a movie that also supposedly did very well, I think I may have to rent it because I have a hard time following how this book is written. The main character thinks in headlines so in the middle of reading the written conversation between two characters there is always a break along the lines of "picks up coffee", conversation conversation conversation, "coffee gets cold." ***note I am not directly quoting from the book please dont freak out about plagiarism.
I like the main character because he is kind of a dink, Quoyle... oh you loveable screw up. My family is from Newfoundland which is where this book is based. The author makes the characters and the people who live on the coast completely barbaric fisherman, and the towns seem like run down little holes in the ground. I hope her opinion of this country gets better throughout the pages of the book.
I do however wish Charles would have given more information on the aftermath with Pip and Estella. I guess every story can't turn into a romantic love affair, sometimes you just have to make it up yourself.
Now I am into the Shipping News by Annie Proulx. I am loving that I am finally reading a book that is based in Canada but for something that is Pulitzer Prize winning I would love to know who hands out those prizes. I know it is a movie that also supposedly did very well, I think I may have to rent it because I have a hard time following how this book is written. The main character thinks in headlines so in the middle of reading the written conversation between two characters there is always a break along the lines of "picks up coffee", conversation conversation conversation, "coffee gets cold." ***note I am not directly quoting from the book please dont freak out about plagiarism.
I like the main character because he is kind of a dink, Quoyle... oh you loveable screw up. My family is from Newfoundland which is where this book is based. The author makes the characters and the people who live on the coast completely barbaric fisherman, and the towns seem like run down little holes in the ground. I hope her opinion of this country gets better throughout the pages of the book.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Quick bit of Good News!
300 Some odd pages into Great Expectations.... while reading this I quickly spent two hours of my day on Saturday reading Alice in Wonderland.
Let me tell you that was a literary acid trip.
So at this point thinking I am now 13 books in... I am actually 14! I found another book on the list I have already read.
Treasure Island- Robert Stevenson.
1.39% of the list completed. I hope to have Great Expectations done in the next few days, not entirely sure why it is taking me so bloody long!
Let me tell you that was a literary acid trip.
So at this point thinking I am now 13 books in... I am actually 14! I found another book on the list I have already read.
Treasure Island- Robert Stevenson.
1.39% of the list completed. I hope to have Great Expectations done in the next few days, not entirely sure why it is taking me so bloody long!
Thursday, August 12, 2010
August 11th- 60 pages down!
Things are starting to look up for Great Expectations... I am sorry I doubted you Mr. Dickens.
The character development of Miss. Havisham is done really well, she the picture of a jilted woman. In her wedding dress for years, her clocks and all time as far as she is concerned has stopped of when the man left her. Although she is strange, I am sure most women can identify with her extreme abandonment issues.
There is explanations of a cake, wedding dress, and all the wedding decorations that have all been left to rot, just as she has. Miss. Havisham is a good person, however has been so hurt in her past that she wants all men to feel the loss that she has. Some sort of cruel retribution.
To get the retribution against Pip, Miss. Havisham seems to use Estella. The pretty girl who answers the door at her estate. It is odd that an elderly lady wants to watch a little boy play cards with the pretty girl, knowing that all she really wants is for Pip to be hurt by Estella, which eventually he is.
All will backfire for Miss. Havisham, all Pip gets from the hurtful things Estella says to him, is that he does not want to be common. He will now only strive to be uncommon, and a gentleman for Estella.
I am looking forward to see what happens!
The character development of Miss. Havisham is done really well, she the picture of a jilted woman. In her wedding dress for years, her clocks and all time as far as she is concerned has stopped of when the man left her. Although she is strange, I am sure most women can identify with her extreme abandonment issues.
There is explanations of a cake, wedding dress, and all the wedding decorations that have all been left to rot, just as she has. Miss. Havisham is a good person, however has been so hurt in her past that she wants all men to feel the loss that she has. Some sort of cruel retribution.
To get the retribution against Pip, Miss. Havisham seems to use Estella. The pretty girl who answers the door at her estate. It is odd that an elderly lady wants to watch a little boy play cards with the pretty girl, knowing that all she really wants is for Pip to be hurt by Estella, which eventually he is.
All will backfire for Miss. Havisham, all Pip gets from the hurtful things Estella says to him, is that he does not want to be common. He will now only strive to be uncommon, and a gentleman for Estella.
I am looking forward to see what happens!
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
August 10th = Reading 0
I finished nothing of the Great Expectations yesterday, I don't think I read more than a page... I guess I better get on it today or I will never finish this silly book.
What I get so far from this "great literary work"? Not a whole lot. Other then a child named Pip who is raised by his not very friendly sister and her sweet (but beaten) husband Joe, spent one day playing at a Mrs. Havisham's home, and in turn realizing he wants more for himself then what is currently offered.
I am somewhat getting the impression that there is a lot of unnecessary parts of this book. However, there is also a good chance I am simply missing the point between the text. I am 25 years old, you would think I could read between the lines!
Note to self: Might be a good time to pick up the coles notes to follow along with.
What I get so far from this "great literary work"? Not a whole lot. Other then a child named Pip who is raised by his not very friendly sister and her sweet (but beaten) husband Joe, spent one day playing at a Mrs. Havisham's home, and in turn realizing he wants more for himself then what is currently offered.
I am somewhat getting the impression that there is a lot of unnecessary parts of this book. However, there is also a good chance I am simply missing the point between the text. I am 25 years old, you would think I could read between the lines!
Note to self: Might be a good time to pick up the coles notes to follow along with.
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