Island - Aldous Huxley
I will be the first to say that I hate reading books that have such long standing reputations, mostly because if the book doesn't start off with a bang I am instantly bored and can not understand why the book is so highly renowned. Island applies to this idea perfectly. Although, after completing it, I am still not sure I find it to be as amazing as I have heard. Don't get my wrong, I enjoyed the book. But, some of it just seemed so dry that I had to trudge through, and other parts I felt like I was sitting listening to someone preach to me about utopia. I guess the best way for me to summarize this book to me is that it was a good book to read once and I think it encompasses some great ideas, but it really wasn't "my cup of tea." I am unsure who I would recommend this book to, maybe people who enjoy science-like and/or human development novels. Even writing this, this book leaves me with mixed feelings. Something like a lack of plot, missing an conclusive ending, a not-so-good last chapter. I feel unfulfilled with this work, I think I will stick with Huxley's Brave New World.
Next (and sadly, last): Before We Were Free - Julia Alvarez
18 August 2008
13 August 2008
In The Time Of The Butterflies
In The Time Of The Butterflies - Julia Alvarez
I think after reading In The Name Of Salome and then reading this book, Alvarez has officially become one of my favorite authors. This book is very well written. The chapters are told through the perspective of the four sisters and proceed to tell the story of a family living under the dictatorship during the early/mid 1900's in the Dominican Republic. It is told in a way that makes you want to continue reading to see what happens next and manages to really pull together to the history of the nation during the dictatorship. I would highly recommend this book to, well, I think everyone. The book combines history with true fiction, something I think we all can enjoy escaping to during some point in our lives. Great book!
Next: Island - Aldous Huxley
I think after reading In The Name Of Salome and then reading this book, Alvarez has officially become one of my favorite authors. This book is very well written. The chapters are told through the perspective of the four sisters and proceed to tell the story of a family living under the dictatorship during the early/mid 1900's in the Dominican Republic. It is told in a way that makes you want to continue reading to see what happens next and manages to really pull together to the history of the nation during the dictatorship. I would highly recommend this book to, well, I think everyone. The book combines history with true fiction, something I think we all can enjoy escaping to during some point in our lives. Great book!
Next: Island - Aldous Huxley
05 August 2008
Chronicles Of A Death Foretold
Chronicles Of A Death Foretold - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
After reading One Hundred Years of Solitude a few years ago, this book was kind of interesting to read. Marquez has a very unique style of writing I have discovered, and a number of the characters from this book overlap into One Hundred Years of Solitude. All that said, it was a decent book. I wouldn't give it raving reviews, but I also wouldn't strike it down. It is only about 120 pages long, so if you are looking for a short read and flows pretty well and has an interesting plot through the entire novel, then take a shot at this book. If not, I think you may find it rather boring and leaving you with no fulfillment now that that you read it.
Next: In The Time Of The Butterflies - Julia Alvarez
After reading One Hundred Years of Solitude a few years ago, this book was kind of interesting to read. Marquez has a very unique style of writing I have discovered, and a number of the characters from this book overlap into One Hundred Years of Solitude. All that said, it was a decent book. I wouldn't give it raving reviews, but I also wouldn't strike it down. It is only about 120 pages long, so if you are looking for a short read and flows pretty well and has an interesting plot through the entire novel, then take a shot at this book. If not, I think you may find it rather boring and leaving you with no fulfillment now that that you read it.
Next: In The Time Of The Butterflies - Julia Alvarez
04 August 2008
In The Name of Salome
In The Name of Salome - Julia Alvarez
This book was far better than I had ever thought. I had read the first few pages a few times, but never really proceeded to continue reading. Well - I am very glad that I finally took the time to read the rest. The book is written in a very captivating way that makes you very interested in what happens next: starting with the daughter's present day life and telling the story backwards, and then alternating chapters with the mother's story from her birth through her death. Alongside the excellent story telling, the book also does a great job depicting the socio-political situation in the Dominican Republic and Cuba during the late 1800's. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in Latin America or the Caribbean. This book rivals many of the other renowned novels by great Hispanic authors.
Next: Chronicles of a Death Foretold - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
This book was far better than I had ever thought. I had read the first few pages a few times, but never really proceeded to continue reading. Well - I am very glad that I finally took the time to read the rest. The book is written in a very captivating way that makes you very interested in what happens next: starting with the daughter's present day life and telling the story backwards, and then alternating chapters with the mother's story from her birth through her death. Alongside the excellent story telling, the book also does a great job depicting the socio-political situation in the Dominican Republic and Cuba during the late 1800's. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in Latin America or the Caribbean. This book rivals many of the other renowned novels by great Hispanic authors.
Next: Chronicles of a Death Foretold - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
02 August 2008
The Great Gatsby
The Great Gatsby - F. Scott Fitzgerald
I will begin this by saying I don't think I fully understand that idea of the 'Great American Novel' if this book fits into that catagory. This book seemed to take about 150 pages of setting in order to actaully get to the plot. And then everything else happened in 30 pages and the novel was over. However, with that said, I will say that I think part of my problem with this novel is that it is the plot of so many different Hollywood movies, which are in fact based on the novel, not vice versa. I think the book should be read by many because it is often 'name-dropped' and referenced, and with only 180 pages or so, I don't think it will pain anyone too much. I highly recommend this as a light summer reading or 'beach book' as it does not require intense concentration.
Next: In The Name of Salome by Julia Alvarez
I will begin this by saying I don't think I fully understand that idea of the 'Great American Novel' if this book fits into that catagory. This book seemed to take about 150 pages of setting in order to actaully get to the plot. And then everything else happened in 30 pages and the novel was over. However, with that said, I will say that I think part of my problem with this novel is that it is the plot of so many different Hollywood movies, which are in fact based on the novel, not vice versa. I think the book should be read by many because it is often 'name-dropped' and referenced, and with only 180 pages or so, I don't think it will pain anyone too much. I highly recommend this as a light summer reading or 'beach book' as it does not require intense concentration.
Next: In The Name of Salome by Julia Alvarez
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