Bleh. So, this book was recommended on one of the Yahoo!Groups I belong to, specifically, one of the LDS Mom/Education groups that is somewhat a book group. Its not one the group decided to read, but I read a lot of books on my own and thought I would give it a try. I was kind of thinking this would be like Charlie by Jack Weyland or I don't know what. NOT a "romance" with shallow morals books. I admit I did not read the whole thing, I read the beginning and the last half. Its not like a harlequin romance with all the sex scenes, in fact I don't think there were any sex scenes. Because I didn't like this book I'm not going to hold anything back so if you plan on reading it and don't want to know how everything works out stop now.
It opens with a main character, whose first name I don't know because its covered on the back of the book by the library sticker and I couldn't find it in the first few chapters or last half of the book. I suspect for most of it she is called Mrs. de Winter, anyways, she's the narrator. In the beginning she and her husband are in a small, out of the way hotel in Monte Carlo. They are dealing with a tragedy surrounding Mr. de Winter's great estate, Manderlay.
The book then flashbacks to when they first met. Mrs. de Winter, whose name I don't know and isn't really the Mrs. yet, anywho, she is a personal companion to Mrs. Van Hooper, an embarassing snob who is only looking for the best of people and goes out of her way to make new connections. They are in Monte Carlo and happen to be staying in the same hotel as Mr. de Winter. Mrs. Van Hooper rudely introduces herself to him, without proper introduction by third party etc., and they become acquianted. Mr. de Winter later apologizes to young girl whose name I don't know for the rude way he behaves. Through circumstances Mr. de Winter and girl end up spending time together, and when Mrs. Van Hooper decides to leave Monte Carlo taking girl with her, Mr. de Winter can't stand to see he go and proposes, they get married and are off to Manderlay, which is along the Cornish coast. Oh yeah, its only been ten months since Mr. de Winter's first wife, Rebecca died.
The new Mrs. de Winter quickly realizes that she is stepping into the shoes of a woman that everyone loved. Rebecca was loving and kind and wonderful to everyone. The servants all pity the new Mrs. de Winter, except for Mrs. Danvers, a creepy old lady who is completely loyal to Rebecca, having been her servant since Rebecca was a child, and it out to get the new Mrs. de Winter.
The new Mrs. de Winter comes to believe that everyone misses Rebecca, that whatever her husband is thinking or doing it is about Rebecca, that he can never really love her, that they can never be happy, blah, blah, blah. Then comes the night of a fancy dress ball, Mrs. Danvers tricks the new Mrs. de Winter into wearing the exact same costume that Rebecca had worn when she was alive. There is a great outburst by Mr. de Winter and grand hullabaloo. The new Mrs. de Winter retreats to her room, meeting up with an evilly happy Mrs. Danvers, and removes her costume. She puts on a plain dress and returns to the party, telling everyone the wrong costume was delivered.
The next day a ship crashes on the rocks along the coast. This postpones Mr. and Mrs. de Winter from addressing whatever, their relationship etc., but while a diver is down looking at the hull of crashed ship he discovers the late Rebecca's boat with a dead body in the cabin. Who is it? Well, Mr. de Winter had already identified a different body as Rebecca so no one knows. Well, Mr. de Winter knows.
After they are informed of finding the boat with body, Mrs. de Winter tells Mr. de Winter that she knows he still loves Rebecca, that he can never really love her, that maybe they can start over and be good friends and so on. Then he breaks down and says he nver loved Rebecca. She was really a mean, nasty woman, who spent much of her time living up life with her lovers in London, but managed to keep all this from everyone around Manderlay who thought she was an angel. But then she started bringing one of her lovers, who is also her cousin, to a cabin in Manderlay, Mr. de Winter grew angry about it, and one night when she told him she was with child and she planned on raising it as an heir for him, even though it wasn't his child. So Mr. de Winter shot her. Yup.
Then he put her body in her boat cabin, sent it out to sea, where it would sink and ta-da! Free to remarry. And the real reason he hadn't been happy since they had returned to Manderlay from their honeymoon was because he just knew something like this would happen to destroy their happiness, well, happiness they didn't have but there you go.
So the body is identified as Rebecca, though the water has eroded the evidence of the gun shot. An inquiry is held where everyone testifies to Rebecca's skill on her boat, but conclude she must of accidentally become trapped in her cabin, the boat overturned and she drown. Everyone that is, but the ship builder, whose business slacked off after Rebecca died, so when the boat turned up he went to examine it and found drilled holes in the hull, some other pipes opened up to let water in, etc. and determined these were intentional. Even though it is obvious someone killed her the inquiry determines it was suicide. Yeah.
Later, the lover-cousin turns up at Manderlay to blackmail Mr. de Winter into paying him money on a yearly basis to keep quiet about the murder. Mr. de Winter calls his bluff and phones the local police-investigator guy. The lover-cousin hands over a letter which is from Rebecca saying she has something important to tell him so he should come to Manderlay right away, which he didn't because he was out late. The lover-cousin says she would never have written this letter if she was really going to kill herself.
The policeman starts to suspects something is up, but with Mr. de Winter calmly denying killing Rebecca, and aiding in the investigation even, he can't decide whats up. Then they call for Mrs. Danvers who produces Rebecca's diary, which shows a mysterious appointment with a man named Baker the day of her death. They find out Baker is a doctor and head to his office the next day. Mr. and Mrs. de Winter conclude this is their last time together so they remain attached at the hip, jumping to the conclusion that the doctor will tell everyone she was pregnant, it will come out that it isn't de Winter's child, and he'll be arrested.
Instead the doctor tells them Rebecca had cancer, and was dying. The policeman concludes Rebecca must have killed herself, even though its pretty obvious to everyone else Mr. de Winter did her in. The lover-cousin wonders if cancer is contagious, says the doctor must be on their side, and threatens that the de Winter's will get theirs.
Mr. de Winter decides Rebecca must have intended for him to kill her by lying about being pregnant, and decides they will travel all night so they can go home to Manderlay. Once they arrive, Mrs. Danvers has disappeared and Manderlay is burned to the ground.
Thus they are hiding out, back in Monte Carlo, burdened with the past.
What a soap opera. Rebecca intened to have him kill her? Yeah, that makes it okay. And Mr. de Winter is burdened with having his happiness destroyed by the truth coming out, but doesn't feel bad about killing someone to protect Manderlay? Yuck
Thumbs DOWN.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Monday, December 8, 2008
The Squire's Tales by Gerald Morris
This is one of my favorite series--which means it is one I've read multiple times and still love it!! I believe all of these books are true to the tales they are based on, but also very original. I like how the main characters in these books would be considered "minor" characters, like the first cople books are told through the eyes of Terence, squire to Sir Gawain, King Arthur's greatest knight. Morris has a very humorous style of writing--dry and subtle--it makes reading enjoyable. I really enjoy the first 7, but there was something about the last one that made it a so-so story. Maybe it was because it is about the illegitimate sons of the knights, or because the quest they are on ends differently (doesn't feel as victorious as past books), or the story wasn't as fluid as the others--or all of the above.
Morris has a very humorous style of writing--dry and subtle
Again, I've mostly copied the story plots from my library website or amazon, but have added some of my own comments as well.
1. The Squire's Tale (1998)
In medieval England, fourteen-year-old Terence, who has been raised by a hermit who sees time backwards--seeing the future and forgetting the past, finds his tranquil existence suddenly changed when he becomes the squire of the young Gawain of Orkney and accompanies him on a long quest, proving Gawain's worth as a knight and revealing an important secret about his own true identity.
This tale is based on the "ugly woman"--one of the Gawain legends. Sir Gawain becomes a knight of the round table by defeating a recreant knight with a stew pot
2. The Squire, His Knight, and His Lady (1999)
Young Terence, squire to Sir Gawain, can't deny that things at Camelot are changing--and not for the better. Handsome new knight Sir Lancelot has eclipsed Gawain's star and also has won the heart of Queen Guinevere, sending courtiers into a gossipy frenzy, and beloved King Arthur into a depression. When the mysterious, otherworldly Green Knight issues a daunting challenge, only Gawain accepts, proving his loyalty to Arthur, though embracing potential tragedy. But the quest proves a soul-searching, ultimately rewarding personal pilgrimage. A sequel of sorts to Morris' The Squire's Tale (1998), this delightful interpretation of "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" stands well on its own. (Amazon)
3. The Savage Damsel and the Dwarf (2000)
Teenaged Lady Lynet sets out for Camelot, looking for a champion to free her family's castle from the siege of an evil knight who is demanding her sisters hand in marriage. Along the way, she befriends several mysterious companions, none of whom is exactly as he or she first appears. Scattered throughout Lynet's saga are droll, unusually modern portrayals of many familiar Arthurian characters. The heroine, nicknamed the Savage Damsel, is a take-charge kind of gal. Noble Sir Gareth appears as a "clothheaded ninny," whose turbocharged sense of honor forces him into an unnecessary duel with every knight he stumbles across, and brave Sir Lancelot has burned out on chivalry and admits he has become a media creation. The novel is also enjoyable for its good-natured spoofing of the conventions of its medieval setting (my favorite thing about Morris' books!!). Knights of the Round Table avoid any tournament where the prize is a lady's hand in marriage, figuring there must be something wrong with her. Characters poke fun at one another's lofty, Maloryesque language. Also, some of the most courageous knights are shown to be none too bright, which explains why they risk their lives so readily. (Amazon)
4. Parsifal's Page (2001)
Morris retells a knight's legend from the perspective of his helper and companion, Piers becomes squire to Parsifal. In this entertaining and substantive story, Piers's wanderlust takes him to the court of King Arthur where he meets up with a lost soul, Parsifal, who longs to be a knight. Piers's mother has regaled him with stories of her life as a maid-in-waiting at the French court, so he has grown up with lofty ideas and the ambition to become a knight's page. Parsifal is clearly in need of his expertise--he doesn't know anything about proper dress, manners, or social customs. Readers familiar with the legend will recognize the main events. After Parsifal fails to ask "the" question and realizes his mistake, he continues his Grail quest alone, and Piers joins Sir Gawain and his page on further adventures, thus continuing the story begun in The Squire's Tale. (Amazon)
5. The Ballad of Sir Dinadan (2003)--My favorite one
Sir Dinadan is a reluctant knight who upholds the noble standards of Camelot in his own way. The likable and unassuming Dinadan, younger brother of the famous Sir Tristram, travels the land, encountering deceptive damsels and foolish knights. His compassion and common sense earn him the respect of many, and his keen wit satirizes the excesses of Arthurian heroism that he observes along the way. The tragic tale of Tristram and Iseult becomes a funny story "about two fools drinking from the wrong flask." Dinadan befriends a would-be knight named Culloch, but can't endure the useless parade of tasks his friend eagerly attempts to win a bride. The humor is accessible; readers don't need to know The Faery Queene to appreciate Dinadan's playful mockery of allegory (or, as he calls it, "saying things by pretending to say something else"). Along with the satire, though, Dinadan succeeds in righting some true wrongs, protecting a young woman he admires, and restoring a deposed king to his throne. (Amazon)
6. The Princess, the Crone, and the Dung-Cart Knight (2004)
Sarah, an orphaned teenager who is on a quest for revenge when she encounters Queen Guinevere and Sir Kai. After Kai catches Sarah trying to steal his sword, he gives her a special sword made for his son and teaches her how to use it. When the evil Sir Meliagant kidnaps Guinevere and wounds Kai, Sarah searches for a way to help them. A crone leads her to Camelot where she meets King Arthur, and she goes with Sir Gawain and his squire to rescue Kai and Guinevere. On the road, they encounter trickery, danger, and many characters and plot twists. Sarah gets her revenge, but it is not sweet, and this well-drawn character eventually finds strength and peace within herself.
This one addresses the more serious issue of prejudice, injustice, and violence against Jews in medieval Europe, but still remains true to Morris's style. (Amazon)
7. The Lioness and Her Knight (2005)
Lady Luneta lives cooped up with her parents in a remote region of the kingdom and, like many teens, longs to get out and have some fun. When her parents agree to let her see a bit of the world, and to give them a break from mother-daughter turmoil, Luneta is thrilled. Soon she is on her way, accompanied by her cousin, the knight Ywain, to the castle of a family friend near Camelot. They meet Rhience, a former knight who has sworn to live as a court fool for one year and not use a sword against anyone, and the three travel together, with Ywain imagining himself fighting gloriously in battle and Rhience spouting barbs and witticisms along the way. Once at Lady Laudine's castle, Ywain kills their hostess's husband in battle and immediately falls in love with the lady herself, Luneta becomes an enchantress under the direction of her great-aunt Morgan Le Fay, and Rhience proves to be a loyal companion and not such a fool after all.
The plot feels like it runs a bit long and sometimes seems to move away from the main plot, but is overall good. (Amazon)
8. The Quest of the Fair Unknown (2006)
Beaufils spends the first 17 years of his life in a forest cottage with his loving mother, never meeting another human being. Then, upon her urging, he goes forth into the world of men, to seek out King Arthur's court and his erstwhile father. This unique background makes the protagonist the perfect foil for the other characters' antics. He bumbles along, innocently taming evil as he seeks his father and helps his friends complete their own quests. (Amazon)
"Bumbles along" is how I would describe the plot. For whatever reason this one just wasn't as enjoyable.
Morris has a very humorous style of writing--dry and subtle
Again, I've mostly copied the story plots from my library website or amazon, but have added some of my own comments as well.
1. The Squire's Tale (1998)
In medieval England, fourteen-year-old Terence, who has been raised by a hermit who sees time backwards--seeing the future and forgetting the past, finds his tranquil existence suddenly changed when he becomes the squire of the young Gawain of Orkney and accompanies him on a long quest, proving Gawain's worth as a knight and revealing an important secret about his own true identity.
This tale is based on the "ugly woman"--one of the Gawain legends. Sir Gawain becomes a knight of the round table by defeating a recreant knight with a stew pot
2. The Squire, His Knight, and His Lady (1999)
Young Terence, squire to Sir Gawain, can't deny that things at Camelot are changing--and not for the better. Handsome new knight Sir Lancelot has eclipsed Gawain's star and also has won the heart of Queen Guinevere, sending courtiers into a gossipy frenzy, and beloved King Arthur into a depression. When the mysterious, otherworldly Green Knight issues a daunting challenge, only Gawain accepts, proving his loyalty to Arthur, though embracing potential tragedy. But the quest proves a soul-searching, ultimately rewarding personal pilgrimage. A sequel of sorts to Morris' The Squire's Tale (1998), this delightful interpretation of "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" stands well on its own. (Amazon)
3. The Savage Damsel and the Dwarf (2000)
Teenaged Lady Lynet sets out for Camelot, looking for a champion to free her family's castle from the siege of an evil knight who is demanding her sisters hand in marriage. Along the way, she befriends several mysterious companions, none of whom is exactly as he or she first appears. Scattered throughout Lynet's saga are droll, unusually modern portrayals of many familiar Arthurian characters. The heroine, nicknamed the Savage Damsel, is a take-charge kind of gal. Noble Sir Gareth appears as a "clothheaded ninny," whose turbocharged sense of honor forces him into an unnecessary duel with every knight he stumbles across, and brave Sir Lancelot has burned out on chivalry and admits he has become a media creation. The novel is also enjoyable for its good-natured spoofing of the conventions of its medieval setting (my favorite thing about Morris' books!!). Knights of the Round Table avoid any tournament where the prize is a lady's hand in marriage, figuring there must be something wrong with her. Characters poke fun at one another's lofty, Maloryesque language. Also, some of the most courageous knights are shown to be none too bright, which explains why they risk their lives so readily. (Amazon)
4. Parsifal's Page (2001)
Morris retells a knight's legend from the perspective of his helper and companion, Piers becomes squire to Parsifal. In this entertaining and substantive story, Piers's wanderlust takes him to the court of King Arthur where he meets up with a lost soul, Parsifal, who longs to be a knight. Piers's mother has regaled him with stories of her life as a maid-in-waiting at the French court, so he has grown up with lofty ideas and the ambition to become a knight's page. Parsifal is clearly in need of his expertise--he doesn't know anything about proper dress, manners, or social customs. Readers familiar with the legend will recognize the main events. After Parsifal fails to ask "the" question and realizes his mistake, he continues his Grail quest alone, and Piers joins Sir Gawain and his page on further adventures, thus continuing the story begun in The Squire's Tale. (Amazon)
5. The Ballad of Sir Dinadan (2003)--My favorite one
Sir Dinadan is a reluctant knight who upholds the noble standards of Camelot in his own way. The likable and unassuming Dinadan, younger brother of the famous Sir Tristram, travels the land, encountering deceptive damsels and foolish knights. His compassion and common sense earn him the respect of many, and his keen wit satirizes the excesses of Arthurian heroism that he observes along the way. The tragic tale of Tristram and Iseult becomes a funny story "about two fools drinking from the wrong flask." Dinadan befriends a would-be knight named Culloch, but can't endure the useless parade of tasks his friend eagerly attempts to win a bride. The humor is accessible; readers don't need to know The Faery Queene to appreciate Dinadan's playful mockery of allegory (or, as he calls it, "saying things by pretending to say something else"). Along with the satire, though, Dinadan succeeds in righting some true wrongs, protecting a young woman he admires, and restoring a deposed king to his throne. (Amazon)
6. The Princess, the Crone, and the Dung-Cart Knight (2004)
Sarah, an orphaned teenager who is on a quest for revenge when she encounters Queen Guinevere and Sir Kai. After Kai catches Sarah trying to steal his sword, he gives her a special sword made for his son and teaches her how to use it. When the evil Sir Meliagant kidnaps Guinevere and wounds Kai, Sarah searches for a way to help them. A crone leads her to Camelot where she meets King Arthur, and she goes with Sir Gawain and his squire to rescue Kai and Guinevere. On the road, they encounter trickery, danger, and many characters and plot twists. Sarah gets her revenge, but it is not sweet, and this well-drawn character eventually finds strength and peace within herself.
This one addresses the more serious issue of prejudice, injustice, and violence against Jews in medieval Europe, but still remains true to Morris's style. (Amazon)
7. The Lioness and Her Knight (2005)
Lady Luneta lives cooped up with her parents in a remote region of the kingdom and, like many teens, longs to get out and have some fun. When her parents agree to let her see a bit of the world, and to give them a break from mother-daughter turmoil, Luneta is thrilled. Soon she is on her way, accompanied by her cousin, the knight Ywain, to the castle of a family friend near Camelot. They meet Rhience, a former knight who has sworn to live as a court fool for one year and not use a sword against anyone, and the three travel together, with Ywain imagining himself fighting gloriously in battle and Rhience spouting barbs and witticisms along the way. Once at Lady Laudine's castle, Ywain kills their hostess's husband in battle and immediately falls in love with the lady herself, Luneta becomes an enchantress under the direction of her great-aunt Morgan Le Fay, and Rhience proves to be a loyal companion and not such a fool after all.
The plot feels like it runs a bit long and sometimes seems to move away from the main plot, but is overall good. (Amazon)
8. The Quest of the Fair Unknown (2006)
Beaufils spends the first 17 years of his life in a forest cottage with his loving mother, never meeting another human being. Then, upon her urging, he goes forth into the world of men, to seek out King Arthur's court and his erstwhile father. This unique background makes the protagonist the perfect foil for the other characters' antics. He bumbles along, innocently taming evil as he seeks his father and helps his friends complete their own quests. (Amazon)
"Bumbles along" is how I would describe the plot. For whatever reason this one just wasn't as enjoyable.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Bloody Jack Adventure Series by LA Meyer
I just copied each book explanation from my library's webpage because there are so many (6) in this series, and it has been a long time since I read the first 5 and all the details are smooshed together in my brain. Any of my own personal notes are in paranthesis (). This series is something I read for FUN-FUN-FUN!! One thing I don't like about this series is it is really repetitive--she gets in trouble and rescues herself over and over and over, some of her sayings and the narrative writing can also be very repetitive, and the guys are always falling in love with her. One way it may not seem so repetivie would be to not read them one after the other if you can help it--personally, I just can't stop myself, so good luck with that.
I also want to post a rating on this series. Its about a young teenage girl involved with a very male-dominated world, and some of her escapades put her in precarious positions (to put it delicately), and so deals with things I would rate PG-13.
Bloody Jack: Being an Account of the Curious Adventures of Mary "Jacky" Faber, Ship's Boy
Reduced to begging and thievery in the streets of London, a thirteen-year-old orphan disguises herself as a boy and connives her way onto a British warship set for high sea adventure in search of pirates. (Things get complicated when she falls in love with a fellow ship's boy!!)
Curse of the Blue Tatoo: Being an Account of the Misadventures of Jacky Faber, Midshipman and Fine Lady
In 1803, after being exposed as a girl and forced to leave her ship, Jacky Faber finds herself attending school in Boston, where, instead of learning to be a lady, she battles her snobbish classmates, roams the city in search of adventure, and learns to ride a horse.
Under the Jolly Roger: Being an Account of the Further Nautical Adventures of Jacky Faber
In 1804, fifteen-year-old Jacky Faber heads back to sea where she gains control of a British warship and eventually becomes a privateer. (On one ship she ends up on, the captain decides she will be his "mistress" and though sex doesn't happen, be forewarned.)
In the Belly of the Bloodhound: Being an Account of a Particularly Peculiar Adventure in the Life of Jacky Faber
Jacky Faber and her classmates at the Lawson Peabody School for Young Girls in Boston are kidnapped while on a school outing and transported in the hold of a slave ship bound for the slave markets of North Africa. (Some nudity, but its entertaining and necessary to escape)
Mississippi Jack: Being an Account of the Further Waterborne Adventures of Jacky Faber, Midshipman, Fine LAdy, and the Lily of the West
In 1806, the exploits of Jacky Faber continue as she heads west to avoid capture by the British and discovers adventure aboard a keelboat on the mighty Mississippi River.
My Bonny Light Horseman: Being an Account of the Further Adventures of Jacky Faber, in Love and War
While trying to run a respectable shipping business in 1806, teenaged Jacky Faber finds herself in France, spying for the British Crown in order to save her friends. (Through all of Jacky's adventures she is trying to remain faithful and pure to her true love, the ship's boy she falls in love with in the first book.)
Thumbs UP
I also want to post a rating on this series. Its about a young teenage girl involved with a very male-dominated world, and some of her escapades put her in precarious positions (to put it delicately), and so deals with things I would rate PG-13.
Bloody Jack: Being an Account of the Curious Adventures of Mary "Jacky" Faber, Ship's Boy
Reduced to begging and thievery in the streets of London, a thirteen-year-old orphan disguises herself as a boy and connives her way onto a British warship set for high sea adventure in search of pirates. (Things get complicated when she falls in love with a fellow ship's boy!!)
Curse of the Blue Tatoo: Being an Account of the Misadventures of Jacky Faber, Midshipman and Fine Lady
In 1803, after being exposed as a girl and forced to leave her ship, Jacky Faber finds herself attending school in Boston, where, instead of learning to be a lady, she battles her snobbish classmates, roams the city in search of adventure, and learns to ride a horse.
Under the Jolly Roger: Being an Account of the Further Nautical Adventures of Jacky Faber
In 1804, fifteen-year-old Jacky Faber heads back to sea where she gains control of a British warship and eventually becomes a privateer. (On one ship she ends up on, the captain decides she will be his "mistress" and though sex doesn't happen, be forewarned.)
In the Belly of the Bloodhound: Being an Account of a Particularly Peculiar Adventure in the Life of Jacky Faber
Jacky Faber and her classmates at the Lawson Peabody School for Young Girls in Boston are kidnapped while on a school outing and transported in the hold of a slave ship bound for the slave markets of North Africa. (Some nudity, but its entertaining and necessary to escape)
Mississippi Jack: Being an Account of the Further Waterborne Adventures of Jacky Faber, Midshipman, Fine LAdy, and the Lily of the West
In 1806, the exploits of Jacky Faber continue as she heads west to avoid capture by the British and discovers adventure aboard a keelboat on the mighty Mississippi River.
My Bonny Light Horseman: Being an Account of the Further Adventures of Jacky Faber, in Love and War
While trying to run a respectable shipping business in 1806, teenaged Jacky Faber finds herself in France, spying for the British Crown in order to save her friends. (Through all of Jacky's adventures she is trying to remain faithful and pure to her true love, the ship's boy she falls in love with in the first book.)
Thumbs UP
Friday, November 21, 2008
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas
Okay, so first of all, I found the original version of this story somewhat disappointing. Probably because I am a "happy ending" type of girl, and its not that this doesn't have a happy ending, but it isn't a satisfying ending for me. Maybe because I've seen the movie starring James Caviezel a number of times and I really like its version of the story, though, now I wonder where they came up with the movie version of the story 'cause its way out there. Anyways . . .
Edmund Dantes has it all, at 19 he is about to be appointed captain of the Pharoan, marry Mercedes, the love of his life, and live happily ever after. Unfortunately, there are men around him who are incredibly jealous of his achievements and decide to do what they can to prevent Edmund from his success. In the middle of Edmund's betrothal feast he is arrested and accused of being a supporter of Napolean Bonaparte. He is immediately sent to jail, not because he is unknowingly carrying a letter holding the details of Napoleon's plans of escaping Elba, but because the letter is to be delivered to the father of lawyer interviewing him and the lawyer wants to prevent his family being involved. In prison Edmund is alone, until a fellow prisoner attempting escapes finds his way into Edmund's cell. It is from this man that Edmund learns of a treasure on the island of Monte Cristo, and with the man's death Edmund is able to escape. He recovers the treasure and sets out seeking revenge on the men who put him in this place.
I enjoyed the greater background and historical information, as well as the greater character involvement versus the movie. I also felt there was a greater sense of Edmund realizing his revenge affects more people than just those he is targeting, which doesn't come across much in the movie. Aside from the happy ending I was hoping for and anticipating, which never happened, this was a fabulous novel. I understand the Penguin classics version has the best translation, but I read the Signet classics.
Thumbs UP
Edmund Dantes has it all, at 19 he is about to be appointed captain of the Pharoan, marry Mercedes, the love of his life, and live happily ever after. Unfortunately, there are men around him who are incredibly jealous of his achievements and decide to do what they can to prevent Edmund from his success. In the middle of Edmund's betrothal feast he is arrested and accused of being a supporter of Napolean Bonaparte. He is immediately sent to jail, not because he is unknowingly carrying a letter holding the details of Napoleon's plans of escaping Elba, but because the letter is to be delivered to the father of lawyer interviewing him and the lawyer wants to prevent his family being involved. In prison Edmund is alone, until a fellow prisoner attempting escapes finds his way into Edmund's cell. It is from this man that Edmund learns of a treasure on the island of Monte Cristo, and with the man's death Edmund is able to escape. He recovers the treasure and sets out seeking revenge on the men who put him in this place.
I enjoyed the greater background and historical information, as well as the greater character involvement versus the movie. I also felt there was a greater sense of Edmund realizing his revenge affects more people than just those he is targeting, which doesn't come across much in the movie. Aside from the happy ending I was hoping for and anticipating, which never happened, this was a fabulous novel. I understand the Penguin classics version has the best translation, but I read the Signet classics.
Thumbs UP
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Captain Blood by Rafael Sabatini
Just the title of this book makes me smile!! Set in England when the Duke of Monmouth is revolting against King James Stuart. A battle occurs, the Duke's followers are beaten and hundreds of people were arrested, most just simple country folk who happened to be in the area where fighting took place, such as Peter Blood, a man who served as a mercenary in european countries before settling down in a small English town to practice medicine. When he is found aiding a rebel he is arrested. The trial is decided before it takes place and luckily for Peter Blood, the king has requested men to be sent to the Barbados as endentured servants instead of directly to the gallows. If the men survive ten years of slave labor they will be released. In Barbados, Blood is purchased by Colonel Bishop, a violent plantation owner, who discovers Blood's medical training and sells Bloods services to people on the island, including the govenor. It is here that Blood also meets the Colonel's niece, Arabella Bishop, Blood's love interest, enough said.
The story really gets exciting when the island is attacked by a Spanish ship, who quickly overcome the English defenses and lay waste to the city. Blood seizes the chance to escape with the other English prisoners who have so far survived the slave labor. While the Spanish celebrate in the city, Blood and his companions overtake the few guards remaining on the Spanish ship. In the morning when the Spanish return to their ship, the captain and loot on the first boat are captured and the other boats are blown up, leaving the few Spanish sailors who make it to the beach alive in the hands of the angry English.
Blood is unable to return to England, and so sets about pirating Spanish and French ships, but never the English because he dreams of being able to return to there. He must face many horrible characters including the Spanish Admiral Don Esteban, a French pirate named Lavasseur, and a French general named Rivarol who all strive to beat Blood during his adventures on land and sea. Blood's goal is to clear his name so he can court Arabella Bishop, but will he get to marry her?
Thumbs UP!! I guess there are some Peter Blood sequels so you will get to hear more about him in the future!!
The story really gets exciting when the island is attacked by a Spanish ship, who quickly overcome the English defenses and lay waste to the city. Blood seizes the chance to escape with the other English prisoners who have so far survived the slave labor. While the Spanish celebrate in the city, Blood and his companions overtake the few guards remaining on the Spanish ship. In the morning when the Spanish return to their ship, the captain and loot on the first boat are captured and the other boats are blown up, leaving the few Spanish sailors who make it to the beach alive in the hands of the angry English.
Blood is unable to return to England, and so sets about pirating Spanish and French ships, but never the English because he dreams of being able to return to there. He must face many horrible characters including the Spanish Admiral Don Esteban, a French pirate named Lavasseur, and a French general named Rivarol who all strive to beat Blood during his adventures on land and sea. Blood's goal is to clear his name so he can court Arabella Bishop, but will he get to marry her?
Thumbs UP!! I guess there are some Peter Blood sequels so you will get to hear more about him in the future!!
Friday, October 31, 2008
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
In keeping with the holiday spirit (a term not usually applied to Halloween, but I was feeling Halloween-y at the time), I decided to read this classic. If you know Frankenstein only through movies or pop culture interpretations, I highly reccommend reading this novel. I will also warn all potential readers that the language of this book is more advanced than any of the others novels I've reviewed so far, but for myself, it was a lot of fun to feel challenged by what I was reading.
I read the Norton Critical Edition, edited by J. Paul Hunter, which contains the 1818 first edition text, versus later editions revised by Mary Shelley. This edition also includes essays of 19th century responses and modern criticism, if anyone feels like delving into the literature world.
In this novel, Victor Frankenstein is obsessed with the secret of life and determines to create a human life from spare body parts. After months of work, he succeeds. Thankfuly, the book doesn't even attempt to address the "how" as I can only imagine how tedious that would have been (I remember my college biology class!!). Frankenstein regrets the creation of his monster and decides to destroy it, but in the morning the monster has escaped. The monster knows nothing about "self" "society" "humanity" "education" and initially lives in the forest like an animal. He finds a poor family living in a hut, and begins to learn about human life, language, and how to read. He begins reading Goethe's Sorrows of Young Werther, Milton's Paradise Lost, and a volume of Plutarch's Lives. Unfortunately these books give him a distorted view of the human world-- he decides to introduce himself the the family believing they would show him kindness and benevolence like the character he read about, only to receive his first of many rejections by mankind. Ultimately, the monster confronts Frankenstein and I won't spoil the ending by revealing anymore.
Thumbs UP-- Full of literary themes, allusions, parallels to modern society, such fun.
I read the Norton Critical Edition, edited by J. Paul Hunter, which contains the 1818 first edition text, versus later editions revised by Mary Shelley. This edition also includes essays of 19th century responses and modern criticism, if anyone feels like delving into the literature world.
In this novel, Victor Frankenstein is obsessed with the secret of life and determines to create a human life from spare body parts. After months of work, he succeeds. Thankfuly, the book doesn't even attempt to address the "how" as I can only imagine how tedious that would have been (I remember my college biology class!!). Frankenstein regrets the creation of his monster and decides to destroy it, but in the morning the monster has escaped. The monster knows nothing about "self" "society" "humanity" "education" and initially lives in the forest like an animal. He finds a poor family living in a hut, and begins to learn about human life, language, and how to read. He begins reading Goethe's Sorrows of Young Werther, Milton's Paradise Lost, and a volume of Plutarch's Lives. Unfortunately these books give him a distorted view of the human world-- he decides to introduce himself the the family believing they would show him kindness and benevolence like the character he read about, only to receive his first of many rejections by mankind. Ultimately, the monster confronts Frankenstein and I won't spoil the ending by revealing anymore.
Thumbs UP-- Full of literary themes, allusions, parallels to modern society, such fun.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Scaramouche by Rafael Sabatini
This novel begins in the pre-revolutionary stages of the French Revolution. Andre Louis-Moreau has his feet in the worlds of aristocracy and the common man, having been raised and supported by aristrocracy, and in love with a girl from the aristocratic circle, but the true identity of his parents is unknown and he is a simple lawyer who is not looking to take sides in the political turmoil between the two groups. Moreau vows revenge for the death of his best friend, a clergymen who is bullied into a duel over his expressions of democratic idealism and killed by the Marquis de La Tour d'Azyr. Following the death of his friends, he makes several political speeches, bringing charges of treason for inciting riots, and Moreau is forced to flee. Through several changes of career, from traveling troupe actor to fencing master to politician, Moreau faces and attempts to thwart d'Azyr against the backdrop of the revolution. D'Arzyr also strikes against Moreau, and the time comes when they must confront each other. The end is truly surprising and masterfully written. Fabulous!
Thumbs Up.
Thumbs Up.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Dragon Slippers by Jessica Day George
Creel's aunt decides the only way to bring the family out of poverty is for Creel to be rescued by from a dragon by a knight who would then marry her. Though, of course, she must be captured by a dragon. When Creel does end up with a dragon she discoves he doesn't want to eat her or fight a knight or meddle with her problems. He only wants to be left alone with his shoe collection. Thousands and thousands of shoes. Creel tells him she is willing to leave and convince the unwanted knight to go away as well, in exchange for a pair of shoes. With this bargain made, Creel sets off. She sends the knight away, and instead of returning to her family, decides to travel to the capital city and seek out a way to earn her own fortunes.
This story was a fun, quick read. The plot isn't very fluid, but enjoyable. The sequel, Dragon Flight was similar. Thumbs Sideways.
This story was a fun, quick read. The plot isn't very fluid, but enjoyable. The sequel, Dragon Flight was similar. Thumbs Sideways.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
The Inheritance Series by Christopher Paolini
Eragon, Eldest, Brisingr of the Inheritance Series (not the Inheritance trilogy anymore, apparently Paolini wants to drag us around by the book jacket for a few more years).
I really enjoyed rereading the first two books in anticipation of reading the third. With three books of hundreds of pages each I'll keep my summary simple.
Eragon is a teenage boy living in the mountains when he discovers a blue stone, that later hatches into a dragon. They are bound to each other through the dragon's power, and Eragon becomes the first free dragon rider in decades. The evil king sends the bad guys to catch them, but they escape with help from a number of people, fairies, dwarves, and a rebel organization. They must train in dragon rider arts in order to defeat the evil king.
I really do like these books, even if my summary seems a little hostile. I'm annoyed I didn't find out the series is no longer a trilogy until I read the letter from the author at the end of book three. Hello? What hole have I been under? Who knows. And why couldn't he put his letter at the beginning? Practically the whole book I was thinking he needed to wrap things up because with each page read I was closer to the end.
Letters telling readers the series won't end with three books should be at the beginning of book three, and introductions giving away main character identities should be at the end, not the other way around. All this aside, I am greatly looking forward to the next book and can only hope it will be the last one, but won't be terribly disappointed because it would really mean more great books to read.
I really enjoyed rereading the first two books in anticipation of reading the third. With three books of hundreds of pages each I'll keep my summary simple.
Eragon is a teenage boy living in the mountains when he discovers a blue stone, that later hatches into a dragon. They are bound to each other through the dragon's power, and Eragon becomes the first free dragon rider in decades. The evil king sends the bad guys to catch them, but they escape with help from a number of people, fairies, dwarves, and a rebel organization. They must train in dragon rider arts in order to defeat the evil king.
I really do like these books, even if my summary seems a little hostile. I'm annoyed I didn't find out the series is no longer a trilogy until I read the letter from the author at the end of book three. Hello? What hole have I been under? Who knows. And why couldn't he put his letter at the beginning? Practically the whole book I was thinking he needed to wrap things up because with each page read I was closer to the end.
Letters telling readers the series won't end with three books should be at the beginning of book three, and introductions giving away main character identities should be at the end, not the other way around. All this aside, I am greatly looking forward to the next book and can only hope it will be the last one, but won't be terribly disappointed because it would really mean more great books to read.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Beau Geste by PC Wren
I read about this book in the Introduction of the The Scarlet Pimpernel and decided to read it, as well as a handful of others mentioned. This is one reason I like reading Introductions, to find out about other books to read, NOT the identity of the main character (as previoulsy posted Introductions aren't always a good idea to read before you read the book). I really enjoyed Beau Geste and was very much reminded of the Heath Ledger movie, "The Four Feathers," though there are obvious plot differences.
A company of French legionnaires in Africa discovers one of their forts in the middle of the desert where all the men have been killed, but afterwards propped up in a fighting position, hats on, rifles in hand. All except the commander of the fort who is found lying on the ground, killed by a bullet wound to the chest, presumably by one of his own men, but not a living soul is to be found.
Flashback to the lives of the three Geste brothers who have been living with their aunt and cousins in England. Told from the viewpoint of the youngest brother, one night as everyone is standing around the table admiring their aunt's famous sapphire, the Blue Water, the lights go out and when they come back on the sapphire is gone. The aunt demands to know who has taken it, and when no one confesses, demands it be returned by morning. Everyone goes to bed, everyone suspicious of everyone else. In the morning, no sapphire. The three Geste brothers seem to be the center of suspicion, so one by one they leave the estate, each leaving a letter saying they took the sapphire and the others are all innocent. But where do they all go?
Beautiful book about brotherly love. Other reviews about this book seemed to feel the pace was too slow or there wasn't enough fighting or French Legion stuff, but I disagree. Its not a historical fiction book about the French Legion. It is about the relationship of the brothers and their characters. I loved it. Apparently there was a movie made as well in 1939 (on my netflix list now). Thumbs UP for the book.
A company of French legionnaires in Africa discovers one of their forts in the middle of the desert where all the men have been killed, but afterwards propped up in a fighting position, hats on, rifles in hand. All except the commander of the fort who is found lying on the ground, killed by a bullet wound to the chest, presumably by one of his own men, but not a living soul is to be found.
Flashback to the lives of the three Geste brothers who have been living with their aunt and cousins in England. Told from the viewpoint of the youngest brother, one night as everyone is standing around the table admiring their aunt's famous sapphire, the Blue Water, the lights go out and when they come back on the sapphire is gone. The aunt demands to know who has taken it, and when no one confesses, demands it be returned by morning. Everyone goes to bed, everyone suspicious of everyone else. In the morning, no sapphire. The three Geste brothers seem to be the center of suspicion, so one by one they leave the estate, each leaving a letter saying they took the sapphire and the others are all innocent. But where do they all go?
Beautiful book about brotherly love. Other reviews about this book seemed to feel the pace was too slow or there wasn't enough fighting or French Legion stuff, but I disagree. Its not a historical fiction book about the French Legion. It is about the relationship of the brothers and their characters. I loved it. Apparently there was a movie made as well in 1939 (on my netflix list now). Thumbs UP for the book.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
The Scarlet Pimpernel By Baroness Orczy
I read this book a few months ago when my best friend from high school (Hi Katie!) mentioned she had read it and liked it. Before I get into my enthusiasm for this book, I want to to make a complaint: I do not like introductions to books that give away the story. I like to read introductions. I like to know what someone else thinks about the book. But I don't like the surprise of the story to be told before I ever get a chance to read the book. Its an "introduction" to the book, not a book report. So, if you like to read introductions, I suggest, at least for this book, read it after you've read the story.
The book is set in the French Revolution when aristocrats and royalty are being killed by the uprising group seeking political power. A group of English aristocrats, led by a man known only as the Scarlet Pimpernel, risk their own lives by rescuing French aritstocrats, and sneaking them across the channel to safety. There is a woman, a love story, fighting, death, sneaking around and all that good stuff, but I'll stop there, because I don't want to give away the ending.
Thumbs up. Very entertaining. Baroness Orczy wrote a number of sequel stories which I haven't read yet, but have them on my list of books to read. Kurt and I also watched an A&E miniseries of the Scarlet Pimpernel and they were fabulous. Starring Richard E. Grant in 1999, its a 3 disc series, available at netflix.
The book is set in the French Revolution when aristocrats and royalty are being killed by the uprising group seeking political power. A group of English aristocrats, led by a man known only as the Scarlet Pimpernel, risk their own lives by rescuing French aritstocrats, and sneaking them across the channel to safety. There is a woman, a love story, fighting, death, sneaking around and all that good stuff, but I'll stop there, because I don't want to give away the ending.
Thumbs up. Very entertaining. Baroness Orczy wrote a number of sequel stories which I haven't read yet, but have them on my list of books to read. Kurt and I also watched an A&E miniseries of the Scarlet Pimpernel and they were fabulous. Starring Richard E. Grant in 1999, its a 3 disc series, available at netflix.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier
I couldn't put this book down--I read for a whole day, much to the annoyance of my family. I discovered this book at my local library, where it is a nominee for the Beehive book Awards for Children's Literature, Association of Utah. The author beautifully blends the traditional fairy tales, such "Cinderella," "The Twelve Dancing Princesses," and "The Frog Prince," and fey folklore, into an intriguing story. There are probably elements of more fairy tales involved as well.
Set in Transylvania, five sisters sneak into the fairy world through a portal in their bedroom on the night of the full moon where they dance the night away, unknown to all around them. As they get older other forces, in their world and the fantasy world, threaten to disrupt their happy lives, and they must make choices and sacrifices that will affect all their lives.
This is Juliet Marilliers first novel for teens (I'm going to be reading her adult Sevenwaters Trilogy soon) and I look forward to reading the follow-up novel Cybele's Secret. Thumbs UP!!
Set in Transylvania, five sisters sneak into the fairy world through a portal in their bedroom on the night of the full moon where they dance the night away, unknown to all around them. As they get older other forces, in their world and the fantasy world, threaten to disrupt their happy lives, and they must make choices and sacrifices that will affect all their lives.
This is Juliet Marilliers first novel for teens (I'm going to be reading her adult Sevenwaters Trilogy soon) and I look forward to reading the follow-up novel Cybele's Secret. Thumbs UP!!
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