30 Day Meme: Day 4, Favorite Book
Hm, I have A LOT of favorite books, since I read a ton. "Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers" by Mary Roach is an absolute gem (yes I'm a nerd :P ). But, there are two books that I can go back and read over and over, and there is NO possible way for me to pick between them. They are always my fallback books, and I've always had copies of either one of them whenever I travel.
They are "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" by Victor Hugo and "The Phantom of the Opera" by Gaston Leroux. I seem to enjoy my 19th century French novels. When I talk about either of these, I am NOT talking about their various film or stage adaptations. No. The novels, the originals. In transition to film or stage, both stories have lost an incredible amount of what I love about them. Specifically Phantom of the Opera. What gives? Throughout his various incarnations, he's gone from skeletor to Gerard Butler got a sunburn and he's a bit red and pufffy. Not to mention his characterization. In the book he's a dark, villainous, murderous, psychopath, whereas later on he turns into some lovesick puppy. Both novels have so much to give, they have so much depth and wonderous character development. Little tip, in Hunchback, Quasimodo is not a nice guy. He kidnaps, he murders, he's ugly as sin. Sure he's a wonderous tragic character, probably the epitome of what a tragic grotesque character is, but he's not all lovey dovey. Also: Everybody dies! Screw you Disney! It has a MUCH more powerful ending, I end up in tears every single time I read it.
Seriously, these 2 novels. There is so much about them, their authors have created these wonderous worlds out of places that already exist. The characters that are in them are so varied and have such wonderful backgrounds. It is such an absolute joy for me to read these two novels.
I own about, oh, 8 or 9 different editions/translations of Phantom, and 3 of Hunchback. I've got a wonderful leatherbound copy of Hunchback, and am still unable to locate an old leather copy of Phantom. If you happen to see one for sale, or up at auction PLEASE do tell me about it, because I have been searching for years, and it would just light up my life to get my hands on one.
Day 01 → Your favorite song
Day 02 → Your Favorite Movie
Day 03 → Your favourite television programme
Day 04 → Your favourite book
Day 05 → Your favourite quote
Day 06 → Whatever tickles your fancy
Day 07 → A photo that makes you happy
Day 08 → A photo that makes you angry/sad
Day 09 → A photo you took
Day 10 → A photo of you taken over ten years ago
Day 11 → A photo of you taken recently
Day 12 → Whatever tickles your fancy
Day 13 → A fictional book
Day 14 → A non-fictional book
Day 15 → A fanfic
Day 16 → A song that makes you cry (or nearly)
Day 17 → An art piece (painting, drawing, sculpture, etc.)
Day 18 → Whatever tickles your fancy
Day 19 → A talent of yours
Day 20 → A hobby of yours
Day 21 → A recipe
Day 22 → A website
Day 23 → A YouTube video
Day 24 → Whatever tickles your fancy
Day 25 → Your day, in great detail
Day 26 → Your week, in great detail
Day 27 → This month, in great detail
Day 28 → This year, in great detail
Day 29 → Hopes, dreams and plans for the next 365 days
They are "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" by Victor Hugo and "The Phantom of the Opera" by Gaston Leroux. I seem to enjoy my 19th century French novels. When I talk about either of these, I am NOT talking about their various film or stage adaptations. No. The novels, the originals. In transition to film or stage, both stories have lost an incredible amount of what I love about them. Specifically Phantom of the Opera. What gives? Throughout his various incarnations, he's gone from skeletor to Gerard Butler got a sunburn and he's a bit red and pufffy. Not to mention his characterization. In the book he's a dark, villainous, murderous, psychopath, whereas later on he turns into some lovesick puppy. Both novels have so much to give, they have so much depth and wonderous character development. Little tip, in Hunchback, Quasimodo is not a nice guy. He kidnaps, he murders, he's ugly as sin. Sure he's a wonderous tragic character, probably the epitome of what a tragic grotesque character is, but he's not all lovey dovey. Also: Everybody dies! Screw you Disney! It has a MUCH more powerful ending, I end up in tears every single time I read it.
Seriously, these 2 novels. There is so much about them, their authors have created these wonderous worlds out of places that already exist. The characters that are in them are so varied and have such wonderful backgrounds. It is such an absolute joy for me to read these two novels.
I own about, oh, 8 or 9 different editions/translations of Phantom, and 3 of Hunchback. I've got a wonderful leatherbound copy of Hunchback, and am still unable to locate an old leather copy of Phantom. If you happen to see one for sale, or up at auction PLEASE do tell me about it, because I have been searching for years, and it would just light up my life to get my hands on one.
Day 01 → Your favorite song
Day 02 → Your Favorite Movie
Day 03 → Your favourite television programme
Day 04 → Your favourite book
Day 05 → Your favourite quote
Day 06 → Whatever tickles your fancy
Day 07 → A photo that makes you happy
Day 08 → A photo that makes you angry/sad
Day 09 → A photo you took
Day 10 → A photo of you taken over ten years ago
Day 11 → A photo of you taken recently
Day 12 → Whatever tickles your fancy
Day 13 → A fictional book
Day 14 → A non-fictional book
Day 15 → A fanfic
Day 16 → A song that makes you cry (or nearly)
Day 17 → An art piece (painting, drawing, sculpture, etc.)
Day 18 → Whatever tickles your fancy
Day 19 → A talent of yours
Day 20 → A hobby of yours
Day 21 → A recipe
Day 22 → A website
Day 23 → A YouTube video
Day 24 → Whatever tickles your fancy
Day 25 → Your day, in great detail
Day 26 → Your week, in great detail
Day 27 → This month, in great detail
Day 28 → This year, in great detail
Day 29 → Hopes, dreams and plans for the next 365 days