Curiosities and Crazies

The Old Curiosity Shop
By Charles Dickens 
Genre: Adult Realistic Fiction 

"Virtuous and stoic, young Nell takes care of her grandfather in his gloomy shop until his gambling debts force the pair of them to flee London. They are hunted by the grotesque and villainous moneylender Quilp and Nell's own worthless, brother, Fred, who wrongly believes that their grandfather has a hidden fortune." 

This novel is typical Dickens: dramatic/ extravagant characters, suspenseful plots, hints of humor, and twist and turns you don't expect. And of course, don't forget the happy ending (for the most part). Part of the ending fell a little flat for me, but I won't say more for fear of spoilers.  

It took me a while to get into the book, as not many exciting things happen, but at the end, Dickens had thoroughly ensnared me as I urged the cute Kit and precious (and almost too perfect at times) Nell to succeed and the wicked Quilp to get what he deserved. 

This was one of my favorite Dickens novels, though I'm pretty sure I say that after every one. If you love meeting funny, coarse, silly, bizarre, but real characters, seeing how characters' lives intersect and change each other and the course of a story, this book is for you! 

I give it a 5 out of 5 and recommend it for 16 year olds and up. 

What I learned: Gambling can corrupt even the sweetest people.

*Side note: I still don't know why it's called The Old Curiosity Shop. Not much of the story actually takes place in the shop. If you've read it and have a good reason for the title, post them in the comments. 

Secrets and Spying

The Scarlet Pimpernel
By Baroness Orczv 
Genre: Historical Fiction, Classic 

"It is 1972 and France is in the grip of a seething, bloody revolution. Mobs roam the Paris streets hunting down royalists, barricades block any chance of escape, and every day hundreds die under the blade of Madame la Guillotine. But in the hearts of the condemned nobility there remains one last vestige of hope: rescue by the elusive Scarlet Pimpernel.

"Renowed for both his unparalleled bravery and his clever disguises, the Pimpernel's identity remains as much a mystery to his sworn enemy, the ruthless French agent Chauvelin, as to his devoted admirer, the beautiful Lady Marguerite Blakeny."

I loved this book! And lately, it's been hard for me to find books that I truly love. This novel had everything a good novel should possess: love, humor, excitement, and surprises that truly widened my eyes.

From the first page, I was hunting for this elusive Scarlet Pimpernel man, and when I realized who he was, I was completely surprised and elated. And the delightful surprises did not end there, but wait toward the end of the book like little treasures the author tosses at you. I don't know much (or anything, really), about Baroness Orczv, but this novel shows how clever and witty she is.

One of the few things I didn't particularly like about this novel was that the end seemed a bit brief. Don't worry, everything is tied up well, but I felt like with all that happens throughout the story, it wouldn't have hurt to elaborate on some of the events at the end. It seems like the Baroness (how fun to say that title) was just ready to be done spinning her tale.

Also, I wanted more interaction between the two characters, mostly at the end, for there was more to be said/done between them to my satisfaction. But, overall, this was a fantastic read, and I rate it a 4 out of 5. I recommend it for 15 year olds and up.

What I learned: Don't judge people, for you never know what's truly going on with them. The most likely costume/disguise is often the one that works best.

Readers who enjoyed this novel might also like:  The Count of Monte Cristo,  Legend, and The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.

Flying with Peter

Peter Pan

by J.M. Barrie

Genre: Fantasy (Middle-Grade)

"As he flies through the skies of London, Peter Pan spies the Darling children in their nursery. Curious, he sneaks into their house, but is almost caught. In his hurry to escape, Peter leaves his shadow behind. 

"When he returns to reclaim it, he meets Wendy Darling and her brothers, John and Michael. Soon he convinces them to fly off with him and his not-very-polite fairy to the magical Neverland, the island where he lives as captain of the lost boys. But a war is raging between the lost boys and pirates, and the evil Captain Hook wants to rid the island of the boys for good, especially the cocky Peter. Will he succeed?" 

(We probably all know the story of Peter Pan, but I included the synopsis in case it's been a while since you watched the different movie variations.)

I've always adored the tale of Peter Pan and have seen all of the movies several times. The story of a boy who can fly and never grows up draws me like a bee to nectar. And, of course, there are mermaids, which (nearly) always help any story. I can't believe that it took me this long to read this book, but I'm glad I did. And I probably appreciate it more that I'm older, because although it's written for children, there are some literary aspects, humor, and British sayings that my older self appreciated. 

Yet, reading this book took me back to my childhood and live it all over again. I, too, was a child flying freely with Peter Pan, reading stories to the lost boys, and fighting the pirates without fear. 

There are differences in this book compared to the movies, of course, but they didn't bother me because I was wholly in the world that Barrie created. And what a fascinating, fun world it is! 

One thing, however, did bother me. The author doesn't bring you very close to the characters. Sure, you hear their thoughts and feel some of their feelings, but you're always bobbing about, first to this person, then to this one, and you're never taken to the core of who the person is. In fact, I felt closer to the narrator than any of the characters because he was so effervescent. 

Usually I don't like it when the narrators pops his/her head up and talks to the reader, disturbing her from the story. But in this book, for some unknown reason, I didn't mind it. Possibly because the narrator was talkative from the beginning, and the reader felt slightly apart from the characters the entire time. I do have to say, though, that the narrator did annoy me a few times, especially when he gave his opinions on the characters and children in general. Why couldn't he let us come up with our own? 

To sum up all of this blathering, this novel is an easy, light, fun read that's sure to take you back to a younger, more imaginative you. I give it a 3.5 out of 5 and recommend it for about 9 year olds and up. 

What I learned: Everyone grows up (I'm still trying to reconcile myself to this fact...). However, it's not something to be dreaded, but greeted, like a friend. 

My favorite quote: "To die will be an awfully big adventure." 

*What about you? Have you read this book before? What are your thoughts on interactive narrators? 

A Review: The Count of Monte Cristo

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas 
Genre: Classic, Adventure, Historical Fiction 

"Set against the tumultuous years of the post-Napoleonic era, Dumas's grand historical romance recounts the swashbuckling adventures of Edmond Dantes, a dashing young sailor falsely accused of treason. The story of his long imprisonment, dramatic escape, and carefully wrought revenge offers up a vision of France that has become immortal.

As Robert Louis Stevenson declared, 'I do not believe there is another volume extant where you can breathe the same unmingled atmosphere of romance.'"

Whew! After a month of reading, I finally finished this novel! And what a delight it was. So much happens in this book: sword-fights, poisoning, happy and neglected romances, treason, kidnapping, that I couldn't wait to sit down and see where Dumas would take me each day.

The main character, Edmond Dantes, who later becomes the Count, is a thoroughly enjoyable character with many faces. I did get frustrated a few times because the reader grows close to the protagonist in the first half of the book, but in the later half or more, the reader spends much more time around the other characters. I would have liked to be in the Count's head more, but I am also glad I met the other characters. The revenge and suspense was that much sweeter, and the author kept me on my toes like the other poor characters.

Although this is a classic, the translation I read was fairly easy to follow. I read the unabridged version and highly suggest others to do the same because the action and ending is well worth the extra pages. There are a few stories in here that seem random and too long, but hang in there, because they are important. Besides, I found them pretty interesting, especially since one centers on a murder. There are a lot of names in here, and since they're so different than ours, it might help to make a list. Thankfully, though, the list of characters is much less that that in Charles Dicken's books.

If you've watched the movie based on this book, I highly recommend you reading the novel; there's so much more, and it's so deliciously suspenseful and action-packed! Be warned, the ending in the novel is different than that in the movie, but just as good, if not better. If you haven't seen the movie yet, then read the book first. The movie is good, but much shallower compared to the novel (of course :).

This book has moved up into my favorites list, and thus, I give it novel a 4.5 out of 5 and recommend it for 16 year olds and up because of the length.

What I learned: Revenge belongs to God alone and in the end doesn't bring satisfaction. The wealthy in France during this time traveled much and had a distinct code of behavior.

One of my favorite quotes: "Hatred is blind; rage carries you away, and he who pours out vengeance runs the risk of tasting a bitter draught."

Orwell and the End of the World

1984 by George Orwell
Genre: Classic, Dystopian 

"1984 is still the great modern classic of 'Negative Utopia' -a startingly original and haunting novel that creates an imaginary world that is completely convincing, from the first sentence to the last four words."

This is one of those books. Yes. One of those books. The kind of book with an ending that makes you want to bash your head against the rocks. But I'm getting ahead of myself.

This novel is about Winston Smith who lives in a country called Oceania, which is run by the Party. Posters of their president/god, Big Brother, are everywhere, and everything the members of the party do or say and even think are watched. No rebellion or even thought of rebellion goes unnoticed and unpunished.

Winston dislikes the lack of privacy and lack of living in this controlled world, but he has known nothing else. He does not know what is true or not, and any kind of rebellion is impossible. Or so he thinks until he meets another member of the party, a woman named Julia. Will they be able to stay alive and rebel against the party? Will their love survive in this clenched-up place?

I found the world of this book intriguing and yes, horrible. The ideals are so opposite of what makes someone a human, that I wanted to know how the members of this society would react and how they could live in such a horrible place so long without doing anything about it. I was rooting the entire time for the main character to overthrow the government or in some way show them that he was still a human inside.

However, the end of the book ruined it for me. I will not give you any details, of course, but after suffering with Winston through his trials, I was sorely disappointed by the place Orwell left us. And I'm sure he did it for a reason, but...ugh! I do appreciate what Orwell was doing; how he showed the importance of truth, love, and living.

This book was similar to The Hunger Games in several ways, but different in many more. If you liked that book or the dystopian genre, I do recommend you reading this book. But beware of the disappointing/depressing ending.

I give this novel a 2 out of 5 and recommend it for 17 year olds and older because of some gruesome and pysical scenes.

What I learned: There is truth and one reality. War is not peace, nor is slavery freedom. A person can live without actually living, and then is he really a human being anymore?

*If you've already read this book, I'd love to hear your thoughts on it, or on any other dystopian novel. Why do people enjoy reading them so much?

Oh, Pip

Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
Genre: Classic

"In an overgrown churchyard, a grizzled convict springs upon an orphan boy named Pip. The convict terrifies Pip and threatens to kill him unless the boy helps further his escape. Later, Pip finds himself in a ruined garden where he meets the embittered and crazy Miss Havisham and her foster child, Estella, with whom he instantly falls in love.

"After a secret benefactor gives him a fortune, Pip moves to London, where he cultivates great expectations for a life that would allow him to discard his impoverished beginnings and socialize with members of the idle upper class. As Pip struggles to become a gentleman, he slowly learns the truth about himself and his illusions, and is tormented endlessly by the beautiful Estella."

I feel kind-of ambivalent towards this Dickens novel. I liked it okay, but it wasn't my favorite. I liked Our Mutual Friend and Bleak House by him much better; possibly because my version of Bleak House had illustrations and the ending of Great Expectations was more mournful than the endings of those other novels. I was also annoyed with the main character, Pip, at times, who seemed bratty and jerkish, but it helped that the prospective was from his present self looking back, so that he saw these faults in himself.

True to Dicken's form, the action gets quite exciting in the last third of the book. So if you can hang on until then, there is some great action and plot twists that will surprise and delight you (at least they did to me). The main character was also funny at times, and Dickens always has several humorous depictions of his characters. The main points of the novel were true, and I often felt like I was learning along with misled little Pip.

Although it's long and sometimes dull, I found this novel worth reading, and Dickens does reward you in the last hundred pages or so. I will not soon get these characters out of my mind (especially good old Joe!).

I give Great Expectations a 3.75 and recommend it for 17 year olds and up because of the eloquent language and depth of the material.

What I learned: What it took to be a gentleman in London in the 19th century and how people were treated if they were viewed as such. A person's worth isn't in their social standing or lack thereof.

One of my favorite quotes: "I'll tell you...what real love is. It is blind devotion, unquestioning self-humiliation, utter submission, trust and belief against yourself and against the whole world, giving up your whole heart and soul..."

A Review: The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle
Genre: Mystery, Classical

"Set against the foggy, mysterious backdrops of London and the English countryside, these are the first twelve stories ever published to feature the infamous Detective Sherlock Holmes and his side kick Doctor Watson. They first appeared as stories in the Strand Magazine and feature some of his most famous and enjoyable cases, including 'A Scandal in Bohemia,' 'The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle' and 'The Red-headed League.' 

If it's snowy or rainy outside and you're bored, this is the perfect book to pick up. The stories are well told and highly interesting. Most of the stories are so short that you can read them in-between a longer novel or just for a quick, fascinating read. Each of the stories is fairly unique, and the way Sherlock handles each one, with so much insight and intelligence, surprised me every time.

I've been watching the BBC Sherlock episodes (check them out if you haven't; they're great), which helped pique my interest to read the original stories. And be warned, these tales are quite different than the modern retelling. Besides the obvious reasons (the original stories are set several centuries ago, for one), Sherlock is less of a jerk in these written stories, but just as observant. There is also less about his and Watson's relationship. In fact, there's not much character development at all, which bothered me the most about these stories. But perhaps there is more in Doyle's novels; I haven't read them yet.

Watson also doesn't have much of a personality in the stories or does much to help Holmes. He acts mainly as an observant narrator. I was frustrated with him several times for not knowing things that even I, the reader, could guess at. I'm not sure why Holmes always asked him to come along on his adventures, unless he merely liked having someone praise his exceptional abilities.

However, Doyle does well at what he probably aimed to do: write mysteries. Thus, I  award this novel a 3.5 and recommend it to 14 year olds and up.

Here's the link to theme song from the Sherlock episodes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-99pXoawt8  It's pretty epic.

A Review: Frankenstein

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Genre: Mystery/Gothic Thriller

Incerpt from the back of my edition: "Frankenstein tells the story of devoted science student Victor Frankenstein. Obsessed with discovering 'the cause of generation and life' and 'bestowing animation upon lifeless matter,' Frankenstein assembles a human being from stolen body parts; but upon bringing it to life, he recoils in horror at the creature's hideousness. Tormented by isolation and loneliness, the once-innocent creature turns to evil and unleashes a campaign of murderous revenge against his creator, Frankenstein."

I adore this book; I read it in high-school and again this year. I think it might one of those novels I read every year. I'm not even sure why I like it so much. It could be the eerie, suspenseful tone, the well-crafted depictions of nature to mirror the moods of the characters, the deep subject matter itself, or the fact that I read it in the majestic season of autumn (it makes a great 'ghost' story).

This book is not that difficult to read and raises great questions about the nature of life, the role of science and God, and the pride of man. I've never watched the movie, but the portrayal of the monster on the covers makes me weary of them. Whether you've seen these movies or not, you must absolutely read the book. It is deemed a classic for a reason and is worthy of that title in my opinion.

I give this novel a 4.5 out of 5 for its depth of content, lovely, eerie language, and how nature becomes a character (and it takes place in Switzerland!). I recommend it for people around 16 years old and up.

A Review: Joseph Andrews

Joseph Andrews by Henry Fielding
Genre: Dramatic Fiction (?)

This novel was written in the 1700s as a satire to Samuel Richardson's novel, Pamela, where a very moral young woman is always sought after by not very moral young men. In Joseph Andrews, Joseph (Pamela's brother) is a supremely handsome young man who is loved by many women but himself loves one beautiful poor girl. This novel follows his travels with Parson Adams and this young woman across the British countryside.

I read this novel for my History of the Novel class, and I found it hilarious. The characters, which are more like caricatures, are just hilarious and very dramatic. They main characters are naive and get into very funny situations. Also, Henry Fielding just has a witty writing style and makes fun of many different things (hence the satire aspect).

Since this is a very early novel (some argue it is the first one), it's a little difficult to read sometimes. The narrator is very intrusive, which can be irritating at times, as well as his random tangents. He is like a character himself, and can be funny too.

Joseph Andrews is a very entertaining, funny, and exciting novel, and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading, since it is an important part of the history of this genre. I give it a 3.5 out of 5.

What I learned: It is important to read people truthfully so one will not be taken advantage of, and see people for who they really are.