I was on
track for the second quarter of 2012, until my distraction with The Fifty
Shades rubbish in May. Oh well, summer's here and I look forward to
uninterrupted time to enjoy a number of great books. The beginning of
April 2012 also marked an important milestone, my first 100 Books
Read.
April 2012
#100 Lolita – Vladimir Nabokov, 1955 RATING: 10.0
Having viewed the two film adaptations of this controversial novel (my first 100 book milestone!), I was admittedly unprepared for the shock of the first person account of Humbert Humbert’s plot to seduce a 12 year old girl. But not for the reasons you may think. It is not pornographic; in fact Nabokov ensures that the most salacious thoughts/acts are masked in artistic prose. Nonetheless, the novel takes one into the mind of a pedophile, and Humbert almost convinces the reader that his actions are justifiable. ALMOST, but we are not deceived by his erudition, social standing and command of language(s). Absolutely frightening even in light of the proliferation of graphic Criminal Minds/Law & Order SVU TV shows. The ending is satisfying, but overall it is a sad tale about loss and no one immerges unscathed. Disturbing and complex.
#101 Reading Lolita in Tehran
Disappointing - more of an account of living in Tehran, Iran during Ayatollah Khomeini’s rule than a real literary discourse or book on books. Even though the four chapters were titled Lolita, Gatsby, James and Austen, they were merely incidental to the depressing conditions of living under a backward religious dictatorship. We have heard this story a bit too often since the book’s publication. The most provocative quote is a play on the opening line of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, “It is a truth universally acknowledged that a Muslim man, regardless of his fortune, must be in want of a nine-year-old virgin wife.” Enough said!!
#102 The Wanderer – Alain Fournier, 1912 RATING: 8.0
A reference from ‘On the Road’ to this little known novel filled me with anticipation. I was not disappointed. The writing style is unique and the story moves along at a quick pace. A page turner from a 26 year old French author recounting the time and adventures of a new boy (grand Meaulnes) who becomes a lodger in their tiny town. The novel is subtitled ‘the End of Youth’ and deals with Meaulnes’ chance encounter with a stunning adolescent girl and the attempt to re-capture that magical moment. In my opinion, the end of the story takes a turn into unnecessary melodrama, diminishing an intriguing and believable tale. Fournier died several years later during WWI while working on a second novel.
#103 A Hero of Our Time – Mihail Lermontov, 1840 RATING: 9.5
What an incredible gem of a discovery! I had never heard of this Russian author, but a bright green used $2 paperback copy translated by non other than Vladimir Nabokov caught my attention. What I learned is that ‘A Hero of Our Times’ is considered the first major novel in Russian literature, a chief source for the great masterpieces of later 19th century. I did see themes & styles that clearly influenced Tolstoy, Dostoevsky and Turgenev. The story seems oddly modern, with the immoral, bored but headstrong “nihilist’ youth struggling to find meaning in life. The title is ironic since Pechorin is an anti-hero who destroys hearts and friendships at will with little remorse. The narrative style and five part structure (non chronological) is highly sophisticated. Brilliant story-telling with passages and quotes that linger for a long time. In the Preface, the author warns that the public’s reaction and disbelief to a man being so bad as Pechorin is perhaps “because there is more truth in this character than you would desire there to be?” Too bad Lermontov lived as passionately as his character; he died in a duel at age of 26 resulting from a trivial quarrel with a fellow officer.
June 2012
#107 For Whom the Bell Tolls – Ernest Hemingway, 1940 RATING: 9.0
I was just about ready to throw in the towel after investing 250 pages in Hemingway's longest major novel, but then all of a sudden, the action and intensity heated up without pause until the final of the next 200 pages! The setting and theme chosen were grand in scope - the story of a motley crew of of guerrilla freedom fighters defending the Republic from the fascist forces during the Spanish war. But nothing much happens in the first half of the story. American Robert Jordan has a mission to blow a crucial bridge in support of the anti-fascists, but all they do is talk, talk, talk about it rather than taking any definitive action. Hemingway's trademark short, terse prose appears missing in action here, as the dialogue is repetitive and rather boring. But I realize at the end that it was all by design. Even in actual warfare there is much time spent waiting, talking and worrying about the next strike and ultimate outcome. Then the shit hits the fan, all hell breaks loose, and best laid plans run amok. Which is exactly what happens in the final 200 exhilarating pages of this masterful novel. The ending packs an incredible punch. I read the final 10 pages with tears streaming down my eyes in a window seat on a plane that was in a final descent for landing. What an vicarious reading experience! I honestly felt transported to the mountainside of Spain. If only Papa would have condensed the first part of the novel..........
#108 The Alchemist – Paulo Coelho, 1993 RATING: 3.5
I decided to give the Alchemist another try after being learning from Lia, a receptionist at an accounting firm, that Coelho was Brazilian (I mistakenly thought he was Spanish due to setting of story), and I am currently interested in all things Brazilian due to my frequent work travels. Since it's initial publication in Portuguese in 1988, the book has been published in 71 languages in over 160 countries selling 65 million copies. So what is the appeal? I honestly don't know!! This book is simplistic and dangerous, in my opinion. Is it a fable, allegory, self-help book, or comic strip. Each reader will need to decide. As for me, I really tried to keep an open mind the second time around. Although I am not as repelled by the ending this time (simple message that your true treasure lies under your feet) I was very tired of the overused mantra, "when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you achieve it." Where have we heard this before? 'The Secret,' right? Then why haven't I won the lottery. Oh yeah, the book will have you believe I abandoned the idea just at the moment I was to receive my wish. A very convenient argument, Mr. Coelho! But what really bothers me is the purely unbelievable passages - the boy outwits desert bandits by metaphysically turning himself into the wind, and carries on deep philosophical talks with the sun. Really, I couldn't make up this New Age stuff! I hate to admit it, but this book gets worse as one gains experience and common sense. A further downgrade from my original rating.
May 2012
#104 Eugene Onegin – Alexander Pushkin, 1833 RATING: 7.5
The only book read in May, due to my crazy work travel schedule and the misadventure of reading The Fifty Shades trashy horribly written nonsense. But before that I had read a third Russian in 40 days, playwright Pushkin's classic tale of the anti-hero Eugene Onegin. The intricate original 14-line stanza iambic tetrameter structure (aBaBccDDeFFeGG) is impressive, especially so in English translation, although this is not an easy read. From a plot perspective, similar story as 'Princess Mary' from A Hero of Our Time (Lermontov obviously influenced by Pushkin), with a twist. Beautiful maiden Tatyana falls madly in love with Eugene, only to be rebuked. An innocent flirtation ensues with his best friend's girlfriend, leading to a duel and a senseless death. All too late Eugene, after a period of abandonment, realizes he in fact does have strong feelings for the then married Tatyana. No happy ending here, only missed opportunities. Oddly modern and realistic portrayal of unrequited love.
June 2012
#105 Ruth – Elizabeth Gaskell, 1853 RATING: 7.0
An interesting premise, a young orphaned girl who becomes a kept woman to a rich 'gentleman,' doesn’t quite maintain our interest for the full length of novel. Written by a female writer during a Victorian era when the Bronte sisters and Jane Austen were using pseudonyms. Sensitive portray of young woman led astray who confuses lavish attention with love and suffers society's wrath. Story of redemption gets too heavy with religious sermonizing and melodrama. Selection #17 of 4C&J Bookclub that was rather poorly received, with overall low rating of 4.4.
An interesting premise, a young orphaned girl who becomes a kept woman to a rich 'gentleman,' doesn’t quite maintain our interest for the full length of novel. Written by a female writer during a Victorian era when the Bronte sisters and Jane Austen were using pseudonyms. Sensitive portray of young woman led astray who confuses lavish attention with love and suffers society's wrath. Story of redemption gets too heavy with religious sermonizing and melodrama. Selection #17 of 4C&J Bookclub that was rather poorly received, with overall low rating of 4.4.
#106 Mister Pip – Lloyd Jones, 2006 RATING: 6.0
What sounded like a noble idea, a white man stays behind on a tropical island during an escalating conflict to read Dicken's 'Great Expectations' to the children, shockingly becomes very graphic about the horrors and dehumanization of war. The adventures of orphaned Pip in Victorian London are a welcome reprieve from the chaos of island fighting, until through a bizarre misunderstanding/twist of fate 'Pip' becomes a 'real' rebel fighter who is ruthlessly hunted. Interesting writing from New Zealand author, but it is very depressing. My last minute more modern (short listed for Man Booker prize) pick for the 4C&J Bookclub. Wish I had stuck to my original classic novel selection of 'Tess of the d'Ubervilles'.
What sounded like a noble idea, a white man stays behind on a tropical island during an escalating conflict to read Dicken's 'Great Expectations' to the children, shockingly becomes very graphic about the horrors and dehumanization of war. The adventures of orphaned Pip in Victorian London are a welcome reprieve from the chaos of island fighting, until through a bizarre misunderstanding/twist of fate 'Pip' becomes a 'real' rebel fighter who is ruthlessly hunted. Interesting writing from New Zealand author, but it is very depressing. My last minute more modern (short listed for Man Booker prize) pick for the 4C&J Bookclub. Wish I had stuck to my original classic novel selection of 'Tess of the d'Ubervilles'.
I was just about ready to throw in the towel after investing 250 pages in Hemingway's longest major novel, but then all of a sudden, the action and intensity heated up without pause until the final of the next 200 pages! The setting and theme chosen were grand in scope - the story of a motley crew of of guerrilla freedom fighters defending the Republic from the fascist forces during the Spanish war. But nothing much happens in the first half of the story. American Robert Jordan has a mission to blow a crucial bridge in support of the anti-fascists, but all they do is talk, talk, talk about it rather than taking any definitive action. Hemingway's trademark short, terse prose appears missing in action here, as the dialogue is repetitive and rather boring. But I realize at the end that it was all by design. Even in actual warfare there is much time spent waiting, talking and worrying about the next strike and ultimate outcome. Then the shit hits the fan, all hell breaks loose, and best laid plans run amok. Which is exactly what happens in the final 200 exhilarating pages of this masterful novel. The ending packs an incredible punch. I read the final 10 pages with tears streaming down my eyes in a window seat on a plane that was in a final descent for landing. What an vicarious reading experience! I honestly felt transported to the mountainside of Spain. If only Papa would have condensed the first part of the novel..........
#108 The Alchemist – Paulo Coelho, 1993 RATING: 3.5
I decided to give the Alchemist another try after being learning from Lia, a receptionist at an accounting firm, that Coelho was Brazilian (I mistakenly thought he was Spanish due to setting of story), and I am currently interested in all things Brazilian due to my frequent work travels. Since it's initial publication in Portuguese in 1988, the book has been published in 71 languages in over 160 countries selling 65 million copies. So what is the appeal? I honestly don't know!! This book is simplistic and dangerous, in my opinion. Is it a fable, allegory, self-help book, or comic strip. Each reader will need to decide. As for me, I really tried to keep an open mind the second time around. Although I am not as repelled by the ending this time (simple message that your true treasure lies under your feet) I was very tired of the overused mantra, "when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you achieve it." Where have we heard this before? 'The Secret,' right? Then why haven't I won the lottery. Oh yeah, the book will have you believe I abandoned the idea just at the moment I was to receive my wish. A very convenient argument, Mr. Coelho! But what really bothers me is the purely unbelievable passages - the boy outwits desert bandits by metaphysically turning himself into the wind, and carries on deep philosophical talks with the sun. Really, I couldn't make up this New Age stuff! I hate to admit it, but this book gets worse as one gains experience and common sense. A further downgrade from my original rating.
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