This time, Joy and Robin join Joe, Bessie, and Frannie. Instead of the traditional format, the first haThis book is simply a cash grab for the author.
This time, Joy and Robin join Joe, Bessie, and Frannie. Instead of the traditional format, the first half of the book is a series of illustrations with one sentence beneath.
The storylines aren’t original—merely recycling the old plot lines from the previous books in the series, replacing the character’s name with Joy and Robin.
Also, as someone who has a hard time visualizing anything, I was greatly looking forward to the illustrations.
But the illustrator is not the same one as in the previous books in the series! It felt like watching a TV program where the lead has been recast—it just doesn’t feel the same.
The last half of the book, Joy and Robin have magically disappeared, and the illustrator abruptly changes.
By far, this book is the weakest in the series, and Enid Blyton should have left the series well enough alone.
The Green Light at the End of the Dock (How much I spent): Softcover Text – $27.18 from eBay (as part of a 4-book boxed set)
“Once upon a time there were three children, Joe, Beth and Frannie.” – The Magic Faraway Tree
In the second book in The Faraway Tree Collection, the or“Once upon a time there were three children, Joe, Beth and Frannie.” – The Magic Faraway Tree
In the second book in The Faraway Tree Collection, the original set of children are joined by their cousin, Rick, after his mum falls ill.
The children continue their adventures in The Faraway Tree, exploring different worlds.
The old formula utilized in the first book feels a bit tired—Blyton overly relies on trotting out the fan favorite characters, and portions of the book are repetitious (hey – didn’t we just see the magic ointment, isn’t this world a bit familiar?)
The Magic Faraway Tree seems to draw inspiration from The Wizard of Oz (particularly with the field of poppies in the Land of Dreams) but also seems to inspire Willy Wonka in the Land of Goodies.
Overall, a decent story but not on par with Book #1 (The Enchanted Woods)
The Green Light at the End of the Dock (How much I spent): Softcover Text – $27.18 from eBay (as part of a 4-book boxed set)
Lately, I haven’t been able to concentrate to save my life. So I started reading The Enchanted Wood. Out loud.
There must This book attracted a reader!
Lately, I haven’t been able to concentrate to save my life. So I started reading The Enchanted Wood. Out loud.
There must have been some magic in the air because a young reader instantly appeared.
“Do you have anything else to do?” I asked mildly embarrassed.
“No. I want to hear the story!”
That’s what I get for school being out.
As I finished the chapter, thinking surely my young friend would lose interest and scamper off, no such luck.
At lunch today: “Are you finished with The Enchanted Wood?”
“Yes. Why?”
“I want to read it!”
In the book I read (more on this later), three children (Joe, Frannie, and Beth) move to the country and discover an Enchanted Wood and the Faraway Tree. This quaint, highly imaginative story has children exploring different worlds while forming friendships with unforgettable magical creatures.
A couple of surprising things: 1) It is abundantly obvious that JK Rowling was inspired by this book. The Enchanted Wood even had an owl that delivered messages! 2) According to Wikipedia, The Faraway Tree Collection is a victim of censorship (my words not theirs). The children used to be named Jo, Fannie, and Bessie, the evil teacher practiced corporal punishment, and there used to be a physical altercation in one of the showdowns.
And now I feel a bit cheated because I don’t want to read a watered-down version of the book.
Wikipedia says, “some of the changes were criticized in a review by Alison Flood.”
Is Alison Flood the most sane person in the world? Better question: Is Alison Flood on GoodReads? Because I feel that we are destined to be friends.
The Green Light at the End of the Dock (How much I spent): Softcover Text – $27.18 from eBay (as part of a 4-book boxed set)
Anna Karenina is spectacularly well written, with short paragraphs and chapters, that it doesn’t remind me of stuffy writing from 1878.
ThisTeam Levin
Anna Karenina is spectacularly well written, with short paragraphs and chapters, that it doesn’t remind me of stuffy writing from 1878.
This tome is my second foray into Leo Tolstoy’s work, my first being a short novel, The Death of Ivan Ilych.
“Honesty is only a negative qualification,” he said. – Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
At the center of this story is Anna Karenina who is a charming, married woman who falls in love with Count Vronsky (definitely not her husband). It also focuses on Dolly and Stepan Oblonsky as well as Kitty and Levin.
This book is written in such a style where you can “hear” the characters’ thoughts, and it highlighted the difference in how men and women are treated in society. And if it was just the romance and societal tension, I would have rated this book 5 stars.
However, there was a lot of commentary about peasants and religion. As I am not an expert in Russian history/politics of 1878, this part was a bit over my head. I felt like I needed a wise sage to guide me through these parts.
This book is interesting enough and worthy of a reread, but I would have to rope in a person a bit wiser than myself to help me along. Any volunteers?
2025 Reading Schedule Jan A Town Like Alice Feb Birdsong Mar Captain Corelli's Mandolin - Louis De Berniere Apr War and Peace May The Woman in White Jun Atonement Jul The Shadow of the Wind Aug Jude the Obscure Sep Ulysses Oct Vanity Fair Nov A Fine Balance Dec Germinal
Racist and Sexist and Ditto What Philip Pullman Said!
The Last Battle is the last book in the Chronicles of Narnia series. In the land of Narnia, a fakRacist and Sexist and Ditto What Philip Pullman Said!
The Last Battle is the last book in the Chronicles of Narnia series. In the land of Narnia, a fake Aslan has appeared creating chaos and disorder in the magical land. How will CS Lewis pull together the entire series in this final book?
To be clear, this book is not a children's book, and it was extremely dark. To cut through some of the darkness, the author should have sprinkled a bit of humor throughout the book as in the first two books of the series. This is an end-of-the-world scenario, an epic good versus evil battle, but I was underwhelmed, and I was noodling on how it could have been written better. Immediately, The Amber Spyglass by Philip Pullman came to mind. Additionally, and perhaps most importantly, The Last Battle is racist and sexist. As part of their battle strategy, the Narnians engaged in some form of blackface to disguise themselves as the enemy. Cringe. Total cringe. Also, one female character was excluded from all of the glory because she is "interested in nothing nowadays except nylons and lipstick and invitations." Think I am exaggerating? Philip Pullman is quoted regarding Narnia, "a peevish blend of racist, misogynistic and reactionary prejudice; but of love, of Christian charity, [there is] not a trace."
In this particular book, Pullman's idea rings doubly true, "As a critic . . . I rate him [CS Lewis] very highly, but I do detest what he was doing in his fiction." Although I have deep appreciation for the imagination of CS Lewis and how he paved the way for Philip Pullman's The Amber Spyglass, the racism and sexism in this book do not get a free pass.
2025 Reading Schedule Jan A Town Like Alice Feb Birdsong Mar Captain Corelli's Mandolin - Louis De Berniere Apr War and Peace May The Woman in White Jun Atonement Jul The Shadow of the Wind Aug Jude the Obscure Sep Ulysses Oct Vanity Fair Nov A Fine Balance Dec Germinal
Jill Pole and Eustace Scrubb are running from some school bullies when they find themselves in another world. HowMissing character depth and the funny
Jill Pole and Eustace Scrubb are running from some school bullies when they find themselves in another world. However, Aslan needs their help to find Prince Rillian. What will Jill and Eustace discover on their adventure?
Did you know that CS Lewis took in children after the war? They were fascinated by his wardrobe which inspired him to write The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. One good deed turned into literary legend. Must put do good deed on my To-Do List…..
The Silver Chair is one of the weaker volumes in The Chronicles of Narnia. In prior books, the White Witch was my favorite character because she was so funny. However, this book didn’t make me laugh even though an evil Witch did make an appearance. Additionally, the prior books had much deeper character issues (thinking of the interplay between Lucy and Edmund). As a standalone book, The Silver Chair wasn’t literary legend. It also didn’t have an epic showdown, but the characters seemed to stumble into it.
Overall, an average story but certainly not as good as The Magician’s Nephew or The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe.
2025 Reading Schedule Jan A Town Like Alice Feb Birdsong Mar Captain Corelli's Mandolin - Louis De Berniere Apr War and Peace May The Woman in White Jun Atonement Jul The Shadow of the Wind Aug Jude the Obscure Sep Ulysses Oct Vanity Fair Nov A Fine Balance Dec Germinal
Owen Meany and Johnny Wheelwright are best friends, growing up in Gravesend, New Hampshire. Owen Meany is A unique book about fate, destiny, and faith
Owen Meany and Johnny Wheelwright are best friends, growing up in Gravesend, New Hampshire. Owen Meany is special - he never grows taller than 5 feet tall, and he has a very high pitched voice. However, what really sets him apart is his intellect and faith. In 1953, Owen hits a foul ball during a Little League game, instantly killing Johnny's Wheelwright's mother. What will happen to Owen Meany and will Johnny Wheelwright ever find out who his father is?
When I went into my heart surgery, I selected to read A Prayer for Owen Meany. While slipping in and out of consciousness, I wanted this book to be running through my thoughts. The central theme of this book is destiny or fate. Owen knows what is his purpose, and he wholeheartedly pursues it. That is what is so endearing about this book. Slowly, the reader discovers what Owen already knows, and we discover how Owen was truly brave and faithful.
A Prayer for Owen Meany was published in 1989, well in advance of the internet and the 5-second attention spans of today. In terms of reading this book in 2021, it was far too long. The best parts of this book are the first two chapters and the last chapter. The parts of the book from 1970 and the 1980's were really boring and mainly consisted of Johnny Wheelwright complaining about Vietnam. If you are really into Vietnam, perhaps you will enjoy the middle section of the book more than I.
Overall, a book definitely worth reading at least once. This was my third time through. John Irving also has a new book, The Last Chairlift, coming out October 18. You bet I'm reading it!
2025 Reading Schedule Jan A Town Like Alice Feb Birdsong Mar Captain Corelli's Mandolin - Louis De Berniere Apr War and Peace May The Woman in White Jun Atonement Jul The Shadow of the Wind Aug Jude the Obscure Sep Ulysses Oct Vanity Fair Nov A Fine Balance Dec Germinal
Genius tale with memorable characters and delicious fantasy
Lately, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory has been the subject of many headlines because itGenius tale with memorable characters and delicious fantasy
Lately, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory has been the subject of many headlines because it is frequently on the banned books list.
So what gives?
Willy Wonka announces a contest for five lucky children to visit his candy factory.
These five characters are some of the most memorable in all of literature: Augustus Gloop Veruca Salt Violet Beauregarde Mike Teavee Charlie Bucket
Dahl has been accused of fat shaming, sexism, and racism.
In the book, Augustus Gloop is described as “enormously fat," “great flabby folds of fat bulged out from every part of his body," “two small greedy curranty eyes," and a “repulsive boy.”
However, the shopkeeper is also described as fat, and he protects Charlie when a mob descends on the young boy.
The fat shaming certainly hasn’t aged well. However, should an author be so heavily censored? Should we, as readers, only listen to views that we whole-heatedly agree, creating an echo chamber for ourselves?
If we were to throw away this work, it would deprive the world of a case study in how to craft memorable characters. And the imagination of Roald Dahl is dazzling!
There are a few differences between the movie and the book, but (channeling Reading Rainbow) you don’t have to take my word for it.
A delight for the fantastic
2025 Reading Schedule Jan A Town Like Alice Feb Birdsong Mar Captain Corelli's Mandolin - Louis De Berniere Apr War and Peace May The Woman in White Jun Atonement Jul The Shadow of the Wind Aug Jude the Obscure Sep Ulysses Oct Vanity Fair Nov A Fine Balance Dec Germinal
If you look up “bitter” in the dictionary, you will find a picture of Anthony Burgess.
Between the US and UK, there are different versions of this bookIf you look up “bitter” in the dictionary, you will find a picture of Anthony Burgess.
Between the US and UK, there are different versions of this book (not just a different cover). In the UK, there is an extra chapter, Chapter 21. In 1961, according to the author, he only agreed to cut the last chapter of the book in the US version because he needed money.
He is still quite salty about this censoring.
The UK ending is superior—the US ending is abrupt as it was never intended to be the final conclusion of the book.
At the heart of this novel is a dystopia where in the future bad guy/ultra-violent criminal element Alex is reconditioned by the State to be good.
This gloomy, little novel is also written in a futuristic (aka made-up language). Although the chapters are deceptively short, usually 4-6 pages, it took forever to get through because I kept looking up all of the new words. For example, in the first chapter, I wrote down 87 “made-up” words. There is an appendix on Wikipedia which is most helpful!
A Clockwork Orange focuses a great deal on the idea is someone good if they are forced to be good. If you park your car at the store, when you return, do you want your car to still be there? Do you care why no one has stolen it so long as your car isn’t stolen?
As interesting as this idea is, the preliminary question is do we really have choice to begin with.
No. No. No. Hear me out.
“Choice is an illusion.” - Blake Crouch in Summer Frost
Let’s go in our way back machines to 600 years ago. Most people believed that the world was flat with the Earth at the center of the universe.
Now in 2024, most people believe that the world is round and orbits the sun.
Isn’t everyone A Clockwork Orange to a certain extent, a product of religion, government policies, social norms, parenting, Big Tech (algorithms), education and whittled down by economic pressures?
While I enjoyed the philosophical musings, this dystopian wasn’t my favorite when compared against others from this genre (1984, The Handmaid’s Tale).
The Green Light at the End of the Dock (How much I spent): Softcover Text - £8.99 at Waterstones
2025 Reading Schedule Jan A Town Like Alice Feb Birdsong Mar Captain Corelli's Mandolin - Louis De Berniere Apr War and Peace May The Woman in White Jun Atonement Jul The Shadow of the Wind Aug Jude the Obscure Sep Ulysses Oct Vanity Fair Nov A Fine Balance Dec Germinal
Mr. Noel Strachan is working as an attorney (solicitor for my English friends). When he receives word that hiA Heartwarming Tale Based On A True Story
Mr. Noel Strachan is working as an attorney (solicitor for my English friends). When he receives word that his client has passed. In consequence, Mr. Strachan tracks down the legal heir, leading him to a Miss Jean Paget.
For the past few years, Jean has worked as a lowly shopgirl, manufacturing shoes and handbags. And she reveals a part of her history and her plans for her inheritance.
This book brings to mind the beauty of small towns, where everyone knows everyone, and induces an ache for the simpler times. There were frequently times when Jean saw a need and filled it, giving back to the community. Jean also uses her humble skills to transform the lives of so many.
A Confederacy of Dunces was published in 1980, winning the Pulitzer Prize the following year.
Set in New OrleHands down one of the funniest books ever!
A Confederacy of Dunces was published in 1980, winning the Pulitzer Prize the following year.
Set in New Orleans, the star of this novel is Ignatius Reilly, a 30-year-old man still living at home with his mother.
This book is irreverent fun and hilarious. Ignatius is a larger-than-life character who is very extra. He has a vast vocabulary and is exquisitely intellectual; however, he has no practical experience (he even wears a green hat) but he also has no filter. I was laughing so much that people would ask what was going on.
Adding to the fun is Patrolman Mancuso who apparently goes around arresting suspicious characters but doesn’t do a good job of identifying who to pick up.
My favorite scene is the part with Dorian Greene which I can’t help but think is a not-so-subtle nod to The Picture of Dorian Gray.
Ignatius is one of those characters that you will never forget.
Sadly, the world will never hear more of Ignatius’s saga. The author died by suicide in 1969 at the age of 31. His mother found his manuscript, discovered that it was actually excellent, and would not stop until it was published.
One last word before I sign off this review. The audiobook is amazing, absolutely incredible! The narrator really gave life to Ignatius. When the character is upset, you can hear the indignation in his voice. Highly recommend!
How much I spent: Electronic text – Free through Libby Audiobook – Free through Libby
2025 Reading Schedule Jan A Town Like Alice Feb Birdsong Mar Captain Corelli's Mandolin - Louis De Berniere Apr War and Peace May The Woman in White Jun Atonement Jul The Shadow of the Wind Aug Jude the Obscure Sep Ulysses Oct Vanity Fair Nov A Fine Balance Dec Germinal
The Little Prince is a short story of a man who crash lands his plane in a remote part of the desert. The man meets a little fellow, The Little PrinceThe Little Prince is a short story of a man who crash lands his plane in a remote part of the desert. The man meets a little fellow, The Little Prince, who regales him with his tales of his travels around the universe.
This was a short book that carried a big punch. Although it is often labeled as a children’s story, it is so full of beautiful symbolism. The Little Prince is worth reading once a year.
My favorite tale from The Little Prince’s travel is the story of the businessman. The businessman is busy counting the stars, claiming to own them because he first discovered them. The Little Prince asks him what he does with the stars, and the businessman says nothing.
“I own a flower myself,” he (The Little Prince) continued, “which I water every day. I own three volcanoes, which I rake out every week. I even rake out the extinct one. You never know. So it’s of some use to my volcanoes, and it’s useful to my flower, that I own them. But you’re not useful to the stars.”
There was another quote that I just loved: “I need to put up with two or three caterpillars if I want to get to know the butterflies.”
2025 Reading Schedule Jan A Town Like Alice Feb Birdsong Mar Captain Corelli's Mandolin - Louis De Berniere Apr War and Peace May The Woman in White Jun Atonement Jul The Shadow of the Wind Aug Jude the Obscure Sep Ulysses Oct Vanity Fair Nov A Fine Balance Dec Germinal
Blast you, F. Scott Fitzgerald! After reading this book twice, I now have to read this book a third time for "after-effects" on the reader's mind!
EarlBlast you, F. Scott Fitzgerald! After reading this book twice, I now have to read this book a third time for "after-effects" on the reader's mind!
Earlier this year, I was reading The Great Gatsby: A Literary Reference. In that book, there were two articles that discussed Conrad’s influence on F. Scott Fitzgerald. Critics said that the influence merely related to the use of Nick Carraway as a narrator, telling a story within a story, a framing technique. In Heart of Darkness, Charles Marlow is on a ship with sailors gathered round to hear his story.
As part of my study, I was highlighting quotes, similes, metaphors, alliteration, and references to light. In Heart of Darkness, these same techniques are utilized. However, Fitzgerald wrote about how Conrad shaped his entire writing philosophy, how he crafted the story so that it would linger in the mind of the reader, that its impact would be enduring and profound.
Heart of Darkness is a bit spooky, and the framing technique isn’t implemented well. In fact, Conrad very quickly reverts back to Marlow in one short paragraph tacked onto the very end of the book. The book is also a bit difficult to read with massive run on paragraphs.
If Conrad laid the seeds, Fitzgerald was Jack and the Beanstalk, cultivating and growing those seeds into something solid and magical.
F. Scott Fitzgerald mentioned Joseph Conrad at least 19 different times in his personal letters.
Here are a few of those instances:
“I keep thinking of Conrad’s N***** of the Narcissus Preface—and I believe that the important thing about a work of fiction is that the essential reaction shall be profound and enduring.”*
*Conrad wrote: “My task which I am trying to achieve is, by the power of the written word, to make you hear, to make you feel—it is, before all, to make you see. That—and no more, and it is everything. If I succeed, you shall find there according to your deserts: encouragement, consolation, fear, charm—all you demand; and, perhaps, also that glimpse of truth for which you have forgotten to ask.”
“The theory back of it I got from Conrad’s preface to The N*****, that the purpose of a work of fiction is to appeal to the lingering after-effects in the reader’s mind as differing from, say, the purpose of oratory or philosophy which leave respectively leave people in a fighting or thoughtful mood.”
“The happiest thought I have is of my new novel [The Great Gatsby] – it is something really NEW in form, idea, structure—the model for the age that Joyce and Stien are searching for, that Conrad didn’t find.”
“I thought it was one purpose of critics + publishers to educate the public up to original work. The first people who risked Conrad certainly didn’t do it as a commercial venture. Did the evolution of startling work into accepted work cease twenty years ago?”
The Green Light at the End of the Dock (How much I spent): Softcover Text – $9.68 from Blackwell's Audiobook – Audible Credit (I think this was a freebie but honestly I have no idea-I got a bit too happy deleteing old emails)
Cousin Rick has left and taking his place is Connie.
This book was published in 1946 so maybe children did go around saying, “Little Ted is spoiled.” BCousin Rick has left and taking his place is Connie.
This book was published in 1946 so maybe children did go around saying, “Little Ted is spoiled.” But I personally have never heard any child say, “X is spoiled.”
So it is incredibly odd that the children constantly and tactlessly mention that Connie is spoiled.
Some chapters of the book were quite engaging while others were unremarkable. The multi-chapter adventure about the roots of the Faraway Tree was an engrossing delight.
However, some of the chapters seemed to shift activities so abruptly, leaving a wake of underdeveloped plot points. For example, in the Land of Treats only one person requests an unusual flavor of ice cream.
This paved the way for future authors to create a more satisfying experience by filling in these gaps (like Bertie Botts jellybeans in Harry Potter).
The Green Light at the End of the Dock (How much I spent): Softcover Text – $27.18 from eBay (as part of a 4-book boxed set)
About a decade ago, I read A Fine Balance. It has been written on my heart ever since.
This book is “The Grapes of Wrath” set in India.
Mistry introduceAbout a decade ago, I read A Fine Balance. It has been written on my heart ever since.
This book is “The Grapes of Wrath” set in India.
Mistry introduces the characters slowly, giving each one a brilliant color, forcing the reader’s heart to sing. A Fine Balance is about many things but certainly how many hard-working people who merely want to have an ordinary life are kicked about by the senseless miseries of the world and the beauty of kindness, how such simple acts can mean a great deal.
Simply heart wrenching.
The Green Light at the End of the Dock (How much I spent): Hardcover Text – $34.55 from eBay (for a first edition) Electronic Text – Free through Libby Audiobook – Free through Libby
When I was last at Cambridge Public Library, I saw a gentleman reading this book, and I so desperately wanted to talk to him. Instead, I secretly tookWhen I was last at Cambridge Public Library, I saw a gentleman reading this book, and I so desperately wanted to talk to him. Instead, I secretly took a picture of the only other person who reads Penguin Classics in public because yes, I am an introverted, socially awkward coward.
The article’s author teaches Madame Bovary at a London university, and his students found it boring, hated it, and hated the main character, Emma. They said, “that woman had everything” and found her completely unsympathetic.
So let’s talk…..
Madame Bovary was published in 1857, and it was set in France.
Emma Rouault grows up in a convent, and her mother dies. One day, she meets Charles Bovary, a doctor, who ends up marrying her, ripping her away from her entire network. Emma (now Madame Bovary) is miserable. Her sole companion, a greyhound named Djali runs away.
Emma’s life is devoid of meaning. Her childrearing and domestic duties are outsourced to her staff. Without a vocation or community, Emma’s days are empty.
As if that isn’t bad enough, Emma’s mother-in-law hates her. Instead of kindness and compassion, her mother-in-law lambastes her spending rather than offering any meaningful advice or connection. The poor dear is alone all day, unable to even talk to her maid as socializing with the help wouldn’t be proper according to the rules of society. She doesn’t have email or the telephone to call friends. The only person who consistently shows up for her is Monsieur Lheureux, the draper, who wants to sell various goods.
In desperation, Emma attempts to fill the aching loneliness. She embraces religion, but the clergy can’t be bothered. The townspeople also don’t seem to be bursting with Christian charity or love. Yes, Emma engages in retail therapy (but let the person who has not ordered from Amazon cast the first stone), and she has various love affairs.
Chuckie…I mean Charles, her husband, says how much he loves her. But Chuckie either 1) is blind to her misery or 2) doesn’t know her at all. He couldn’t be bothered to have an honest conversation about what they could afford. He gripes about fate….puh leeze, Chuckles!
Emma certainly doesn’t “have everything.” She lacks a supportive network, a true friend, someone who sees her as she truly is, to be known.
That being said, Flaubert is awful, arrogant, and pompous. He startingly insisted that he could create Emma Bovary because he knew her from the inside out—“Madame Bovary is myself—drawn from life.”
Okay, Captain Cringe.
The book is slow, S-L-O-W, with far too many pointless descriptions. In addition to reeking of ignorant haughtiness, Flaubert decided to experiment with not using quotation marks when a character speaks. This did not enhance the text. And despite Flaubert’s boasts, he doesn’t write Emma convincingly.
He doesn’t mention the persistent dark shadow of loneliness following Emma, that she is lost in the world without a compass, nothing to illuminate her path forward. People don’t find Emma sympathetic because Flaubert didn’t write her well. Such a shame!
Big deal. Who cares? Can’t you just drop a text into Google Translate?
Indulge me for a moment, and let’s look at one of the most famous lines in history from The Great Gatsby: “It was an extraordinary gift for hope, a romantic readiness such as I have never found in any other person and which is not likely I shall ever find again.”
But that wasn’t the original line Fitzgerald wrote: “It was an extraordinary aliveness to life, an alert vitality such as I have never found in any human person and which it is not likely I shall ever find again.”
The original isn’t as strong; it is completely forgettable. In part, it is because the famous line makes use of alliteration, “romantic readiness.” This lyrical line stirs the soul. Good translation requires skill beyond Google Translate—the soul is not a robot.
Hesitating to extend the benefit of the doubt to Flaubert, perhaps his prose is better in French, and his artistic brilliance is victim to a bad translation.
As is, this is a repulsive, boring work written by a bizarre, egotist who doesn’t live up to his own hype.
The Green Light at the End of the Dock (How much I spent): Softcover Text (Penguin Classics version)- $11.28 from Blackwell's Audiobook – 1 Audible Credit (Audible Premium Plus Annual – 24 Credits Membership Plan $229.50 or roughly $9.56 per credit)
2025 Reading Schedule Jan A Town Like Alice Feb Birdsong Mar Captain Corelli's Mandolin - Louis De Berniere Apr War and Peace May The Woman in White Jun Atonement Jul The Shadow of the Wind Aug Jude the Obscure Sep Ulysses Oct Vanity Fair Nov A Fine Balance Dec Germinal
The Color Purple is a heartbreaking story told through a series of letters, primarily from Celie to God. Celie is a young womBeautifully Heartbreaking
The Color Purple is a heartbreaking story told through a series of letters, primarily from Celie to God. Celie is a young woman living in the South with few opportunities.
However, despite the tragic circumstances of Celie’s life, she still finds glimmers of hope and deep connection.
Reminiscent of A Fine Balance, The Color Purple perfectly blends hope and light with grim, shattering reality.
The Color Purple is a captivating, shattering tale with an echo of magic.
2025 Reading Schedule Jan A Town Like Alice Feb Birdsong Mar Captain Corelli's Mandolin - Louis De Berniere Apr War and Peace May The Woman in White Jun Atonement Jul The Shadow of the Wind Aug Jude the Obscure Sep Ulysses Oct Vanity Fair Nov A Fine Balance Dec Germinal
“I never said it would be easy. I only said it would be worth it.” – Mae West
That is one of my favorite quotes, and it accurately describes David Mit“I never said it would be easy. I only said it would be worth it.” – Mae West
That is one of my favorite quotes, and it accurately describes David Mitchell’s Cloud Atlas.
Utilizing a unique format, Cloud Atlas reads like a collection of short stories – the narrative thread is almost imperceptible, how these stories are connected.
The brilliance of this novel didn’t reveal itself until the last half of the book, and the beginning has more vocab words than the SAT test.
As a result of the structure, the characters were unevenly spaced, and when they reappeared, we should have been given a little tickler to get us to remember where we left off.
My battered copy of Atlas Shrugged had some v. interesting censorship. “Drink your own p--- if you get a thirst.” What utter nonsense! In the audiobook, this censorship was unceremoniously dropped. Thank G--!
Cloud Atlas is a sophisticated, ambitious novel with sublime characters, nailing the three elements of a perfect morally grey character: intelligence, great quotes, and humor. Allow me to leave you with a few of these quotes.
“Tapped on the pane and asked in French if she’d save my life by falling in love with me. Shook her head but got an amused smile.”
“Asked if I could borrow a policeman’s bicycle for an indefinite period. Told me that was most irregular. Assured him that I was most irregular.”
2025 Reading Schedule Jan A Town Like Alice Feb Birdsong Mar Captain Corelli's Mandolin - Louis De Berniere Apr War and Peace May The Woman in White Jun Atonement Jul The Shadow of the Wind Aug Jude the Obscure Sep Ulysses Oct Vanity Fair Nov A Fine Balance Dec Germinal
How many of you know an Ebenezer Scrooge? How many of you are Ebenezer Scrooge?
Written in 1843, A Christmas Carol is a novella that has stood the testHow many of you know an Ebenezer Scrooge? How many of you are Ebenezer Scrooge?
Written in 1843, A Christmas Carol is a novella that has stood the test of time.
This year, we didn’t put up a Christmas tree, and I haven’t been feeling the “Christmas spirit.” But this book squarely right sided the situation.
A Christmas Carol hits on some important societal issues, and it has iconic, unforgettable characters. It also has some laugh-out-loud moments.
Here is one of my favorite quotes:
“What shall I put you down for?”
“Nothing!” Scrooge replied.
“You wish to be anonymous?”
“I wish to be left alone,” said Scrooge.
As Scrooge explores what each of the ghosts has to show him, I loved how the ghosts use Scrooge’s own words against him.
This year, A Christmas Carol hit very differently. Over the past few years, I lost my ability to control my left leg due to a genetic defect.
Tiny Tim talks about going to church and says, “it might be pleasant to them to remember upon Christmas Day, who made lame beggars walk, and blind men see.”
This passage really got to me, and I started to cry. In February, I started an experimental treatment, and I was able to walk again. When I go to church, there are usually no seats left except in the front. As part of my genetic defect, my body can’t process protein. There are extremely high levels of protein in my blood including my brain, and it makes me unbearably tired.
What do people see when they see me sleeping in the third row of church? Do people see me as someone who gave what little energy they had to God? Or do they see someone lazy and disrespectful? Or should I not care and just be happy that I made it to church and that I can walk again?
A Christmas Carol is a great reminder to bring Christmas cheer. When talking about Scrooge, so many people choose to go positive and wish him a Merry Christmas. Who can we show kindness to this holiday season?
2025 Reading Schedule Jan A Town Like Alice Feb Birdsong Mar Captain Corelli's Mandolin - Louis De Berniere Apr War and Peace May The Woman in White Jun Atonement Jul The Shadow of the Wind Aug Jude the Obscure Sep Ulysses Oct Vanity Fair Nov A Fine Balance Dec Germinal
A few weeks ago, I found myself smack dab in the center of a literary mystery.
On November 25, 1940, F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote to his friend, Edmund WiA few weeks ago, I found myself smack dab in the center of a literary mystery.
On November 25, 1940, F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote to his friend, Edmund Wilson. In the letter, Fitzgerald accused John Steinbeck of plagiarism.
“[…] it is something else for a man of his years [Steinbeck] and reputation to steal a whole scene as he did in “Mice and Men.” I’m sending you a marked copy of Norris’ “McTeague” to show you what I mean.”
Those are fighting words, Fitzgerald! Very serious allegations.
In 1989, a scholar, Richard Allan Davison located Fitzgerald’s marked copy of McTeague (the one referenced in the November 25, 1940 letter). Davison stated that the book was at a rare book collection at the University of Oklahoma.
Two great literary greats going at it? Get your popcorn ready because there is no way I’m staying out of it!
After ordering a copy of Of Mice and Men, I needed to verify the edition of Fitzgerald’s copy of McTeague to align the page numbers with the commentary.
I reach out to the library at the University of Oklahoma. They don’t have the book.
Fitzgerald’s book is now missing.
What to do?
Where would this book likely go? My first thought: Princeton. In 1950, F. Scott’s daughter, Scottie, donated his personal writings and literary effects to Princeton. In fact, Princeton is in possession of the November 25, 1940 letter.
Princeton does not have Fitzgerald’s McTeague, but, but this time, I have intrigued the Princeton librarian who said, “I did a bit of digging because I love a mystery.”
Apparently, the 1989 scholar, may he rest in peace, was wrong about the librarian helping him. The librarian did not work for The University of Oklahoma but the University of Tulsa.
Now, we are cooking with fire!
I contact the University of Tulsa. They have the book!
With the help of 3 librarians, we were able to find one lost book out of all of the books of the world!
So Possession was exactly the book for this literary nerd!
Possession begins with Roland Mitchell in The London Library. He is a long-time scholar of Randolph Henry Ash.
While Roland is reading Ash’s copy of a book, a mysterious note falls out, sending Roland on a literary journey.
He teams up with Maud Bailey, a Christabel LaMotte scholar, while the more established scholars are hot on their trail.
While Possession is charming and Mortimer Cropper, the villainous American refreshing, the book is victim to 90’s writing.
“It was 1993 when I thought of Lyra and began writing His Dark Materials. John Major was prime minister, the UK was still in the EU, there was no Facebook or Twitter or Google, and although I had a computer and could word-process on it, I didn’t have email. No one I knew had email, so I wouldn’t have been able to use it anyway. If I wanted to look something up I went to the library; if I wanted to buy a book I went to a bookshop. There were only four terrestrial TV channels, and if you forgot to record a programme you’d wanted to watch, tough luck. Smart phones and iPads and text messaging had never been heard of. The announcers on Radio 3 had not yet started trying to be our warm and chatty friends. The BBC and the National Health Service were as much part of our identity, of our idea of ourselves as a nation, as Stonehenge.”
Nowadays, authors need to clip from one exquisite sound bite to the next as they are directly competing with TikTok and Netflix.
And Possession was far too long winded, and most of the mediocre poetry should have been heavily edited down.
Sadly, no one has been “hot on my trail” during my scholastic investigations, but tomorrow is another day……
The Green Light at the End of the Dock (How much I spent): Hardcover Text – $13.77 on eBay Audiobook – Free through Libby
Lisa of Troy
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