Novel update!
Hurrah! Done for the semester, which means I have some time to read. Over the semester, I have read (in no particular order):
7. "The Sea of Monster" by Rick Riordan.
This is a children's/YA novel and is the sequel to "The Lightening Thief." It takes place in a modern day world in which the Greek Gods still exist, interfering in the world in much the same way they did in Greek Mythology. It follows the life of a young half-blood teen. He is half God and half mortal. The characters from th myths appear in this novel with a modern twist. The books are light, fun and entertaining, and I would consider teaching this novel to a class in conjunction with Greek mythology. The sequel isn't as good as the first novel, but it was still a good, fun read for those of you interested in Children's Lit. B
8. "Jane Eyre" by Charolotte Bronte. Mark Twain once (allegedly) said that "A classic is something that everybody wants to have read and nobody wants to read." Even as an English major, I sometimes feel this way. I am not a fan of Victorian novels. It took me a few tries to get through "Jane Eyre." This time, I just continued reading from the place where I stoped about a year ago. The novel was alright. I am glad I finally finished it and the ending was satisfying. However, would I recommend it? No. The fact that it is a classic recommends it without word of mouth; and like many classics, I think this novel does not live up to
expectations. B
9. "The Virgin Suicides" by Jeffrey Eugenides. I saw the movie before I read the book, which probably changed the way I read the novel. That being said, this is a fascinating read. The point of view- the novel is narrated by a group of adolescent boys who live in the neighbourhood- is fascinating. The feelings and depth of the boys is well written and realistic. Their reaction to the tragedy, and the implications of how it affects their adult lives is heartbreaking. Most of all, the novel is successful for the narration is not a gimmick, but instead adds depth, for does anyone ever know what has happened in the mind of a suicide victim? People are always left to try and put together the pieces. The novel is also a fantastic social commentary. A-/A
10. "The Thirteenth Tale" by Diane Setterfield. I actually quite liked this novel, which is ironic for it is a nod to Victorian Gothic literature, which is a genre of which I am not a fan. That being said, this novel is a quick entertaining read that follows the story within a story device. Depth is added by the symbolism and themes involving readers and writers. This novel follows a quiet, introverted woman, Margaret Lee, who is writing a biography of one of the most famous, and secretice contemporary novelists of her time, Vida Winter. B/B+
11. "Never Let Me Go" by Kazuo Ishiguro. A heartbreaking novel. Although the inevitable conclusion of the novel is expected, at some point throughout, you lose touch of your desire to remain aloof from the characters and end up hoping for a happily ever after. This novel mixes a coming of age story with an unreliable narrator and a fear of what science will bring to the future. It follows a young woman reminiscing about her childhood boarding school experience. There is much more to this novel than meets the eye. A-
12. "Black Water" by Joyce Carol Oates. Based on the story of a car crash in which Senator Kenedy's car crashed and the female passenger was left in the submerged vehicle, this novel is told from the point of view of the female passenger. Oates takes this well known story, and fills in the gaps by making a fleshed out female protagonist. The novel is very much a commentary of American Politics, but is done delicately. It is not about teaching the reader a particular point of view, but instead about the complexity of human beings. A-
13. "Year of Wonder" by Geraldine Brooks. A novel about a village in 1666 England which is devastated by the plague. The villagers decide to stay in the town, propelled by their minister, in order to prevent the spread of the plague to other areas. Interesting story, history and narrator, as well as a look at how human beings act in the face of tragedy and death, this novel had all the ingredients of a great novel, but I felt Brooks did not quite pull it off. B/B+
7. "The Sea of Monster" by Rick Riordan.
This is a children's/YA novel and is the sequel to "The Lightening Thief." It takes place in a modern day world in which the Greek Gods still exist, interfering in the world in much the same way they did in Greek Mythology. It follows the life of a young half-blood teen. He is half God and half mortal. The characters from th myths appear in this novel with a modern twist. The books are light, fun and entertaining, and I would consider teaching this novel to a class in conjunction with Greek mythology. The sequel isn't as good as the first novel, but it was still a good, fun read for those of you interested in Children's Lit. B
8. "Jane Eyre" by Charolotte Bronte. Mark Twain once (allegedly) said that "A classic is something that everybody wants to have read and nobody wants to read." Even as an English major, I sometimes feel this way. I am not a fan of Victorian novels. It took me a few tries to get through "Jane Eyre." This time, I just continued reading from the place where I stoped about a year ago. The novel was alright. I am glad I finally finished it and the ending was satisfying. However, would I recommend it? No. The fact that it is a classic recommends it without word of mouth; and like many classics, I think this novel does not live up to
expectations. B
9. "The Virgin Suicides" by Jeffrey Eugenides. I saw the movie before I read the book, which probably changed the way I read the novel. That being said, this is a fascinating read. The point of view- the novel is narrated by a group of adolescent boys who live in the neighbourhood- is fascinating. The feelings and depth of the boys is well written and realistic. Their reaction to the tragedy, and the implications of how it affects their adult lives is heartbreaking. Most of all, the novel is successful for the narration is not a gimmick, but instead adds depth, for does anyone ever know what has happened in the mind of a suicide victim? People are always left to try and put together the pieces. The novel is also a fantastic social commentary. A-/A
10. "The Thirteenth Tale" by Diane Setterfield. I actually quite liked this novel, which is ironic for it is a nod to Victorian Gothic literature, which is a genre of which I am not a fan. That being said, this novel is a quick entertaining read that follows the story within a story device. Depth is added by the symbolism and themes involving readers and writers. This novel follows a quiet, introverted woman, Margaret Lee, who is writing a biography of one of the most famous, and secretice contemporary novelists of her time, Vida Winter. B/B+
11. "Never Let Me Go" by Kazuo Ishiguro. A heartbreaking novel. Although the inevitable conclusion of the novel is expected, at some point throughout, you lose touch of your desire to remain aloof from the characters and end up hoping for a happily ever after. This novel mixes a coming of age story with an unreliable narrator and a fear of what science will bring to the future. It follows a young woman reminiscing about her childhood boarding school experience. There is much more to this novel than meets the eye. A-
12. "Black Water" by Joyce Carol Oates. Based on the story of a car crash in which Senator Kenedy's car crashed and the female passenger was left in the submerged vehicle, this novel is told from the point of view of the female passenger. Oates takes this well known story, and fills in the gaps by making a fleshed out female protagonist. The novel is very much a commentary of American Politics, but is done delicately. It is not about teaching the reader a particular point of view, but instead about the complexity of human beings. A-
13. "Year of Wonder" by Geraldine Brooks. A novel about a village in 1666 England which is devastated by the plague. The villagers decide to stay in the town, propelled by their minister, in order to prevent the spread of the plague to other areas. Interesting story, history and narrator, as well as a look at how human beings act in the face of tragedy and death, this novel had all the ingredients of a great novel, but I felt Brooks did not quite pull it off. B/B+