QUICK HITS (EXPANDED) - April - June 2012 Books Read

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 – Azar Nafisi, 2003         RATING:  6.0

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.

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. 

#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'.  

#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.

FULL REVIEW: The Epic of Gilgamesh, Anonymous, 2000 BC (SPOILER ALERT)

SPOILER ALERT!

To celebrate the First 100 Books Read, I will occasionally select those masterpieces I have discovered earlier that have made a lasting impact.  The Epic of Gilgamesh is ranked #6 on my All-Time Top Books list.

Have you heard of the magnificent Epic of Gilgamesh? I have read the Penguins Classics version from 1960s and the recent modern Stephen Mitchell translation.  Both clearly capture the majesty of this 2000 BC poem that was discovered in 19^th century in clay tablets with cuneiform characters in the ancient Akkadian language.

The earliest surviving work of literature, predating Homer and the Hebrew Bible, this poem is unlike anything ever written.  The story is centered on this historical king who reigned in Mesopotamian in the great city of Uruk in 2750 BC.  It seems oddly very modern as it explores themes of friendship, quest for fame and quest for immortality, similar themes that appear in Homeric epics.

The narrative is sparse but evocative describing Gilgamesh as arrogant and insensitive leader.  Enkidu is created as a rival by the gods, but they instantly become friends and venture in search of fame by slaying a forest monster. Gilgamesh humiliates goddess Ishtar who punishes Enkidu with death.  Gilgamesh voices his grief at losing his best friend and his profound fear of death.  This leads him on a spiritual quest to search the one exception to the rule of mortality –Utnapishtim, whom Gilgamesh learns achieved immortality by building the Ark during the Great Flood at the request of the gods who decided to wipe out the race because humans had become too numerous and too noisy!!!   

In the end Gilgamesh achieves wisdom, reluctantly realizing that there is no way to overcome death and decides to focus his energy on restoring his great city (which ultimately becomes his enduring legacy, as ironically, its vast achievement is beautifully described in this remarkable poem).

For me personally, what most resonated was the astonishing description of Gilgamesh’s grief at losing his dear friend (soul mate) Enkidu and the disbelief / unwillingness to accept that the same fate (death) should apply to him: “Must I die too? Must I be as lifeless as Enkidu? How can I bear this sorrow that gnaws at my belly, this fear of death that relentlessly drives me onward?  This leads him on a personal quest / odyssey in search of eternal life on earth.

Most human beings ponder this existential question of what is the purpose of life, and what happens when one dies. For some, it seems inconceivable that death represents the end, but they lack the complete faith in God to comfort and guide them in this earthly life.  Ironically, Gilgamesh twice is given the opportunity by Utnapishtim for immortality and eternal youth (the test of staying awake seven days and capturing the Magic Plant), but Gilgamesh lets them both slip away.  Why this happens is a mystery – perhaps it was simply not meant to be!  After the quest comes to an end, Gilgamesh is left with only the conventional advice on how to live;

“love the child who holds you by the hand, and give your wife pleasure in your embrace” and that “man’s life is short, at any moment it can be snapped”  

There are so many other thought provoking passages in this short epic that hint at deeper truths/mysteries:

• Gilgamesh introduced as a ruthless tyrant, with each virgin bride required to be first mated by Gilgamesh because “every girls’ hymen belonged to him”
• ‘wild man’ Enkidu being civilized/tamed by the temple love priestess Shamhat by opening offering him sex through seven days of non stop lovemaking!
• the fascinating role of the temple priestess (not a prostitute!) whose life is dedicated to initiating men to the sacred mystery of sexual union– a refreshing healthy view that is very different to the Judeo-Christian view of Adam and Eve after the Fall
• the flimsy rationale (fame!) to pursue the monster Humbaba of the Cedar Forest (they are not attacked directly by a monster like in Beowulf) and Enkidu’s insistence, despite pleas of mercy from Humbaba, that Gilgamesh kill the monster
• Goddess Ishtar being scorned by Gilgamesh, and her human-like response - fury by sending the Bull of Heaven to destroy his palace
• Enkidu’s ill-advised taunts and hubris (outrageous arrogance) at the Goddess Ishtar after killing the Bull of Heaven –“if only I could catch you, I would rip you apart” - who suffers the expected consequence; a slow agonizing death!
• Gilgamesh’s first challenge on his quest is through a dark tunnel, situated between twin mountains, as the suns sets and he must reach the end before the sun rises (running nonstop for twelve hours)!!?
• The elaborate Noah story with details of the Flood that are eerily similar to and pre-date the Bible – building the boat, selection of animals, the six days of the flood, and the loosing of birds on the seventh day.
• A snake (the same as in the Eden story?) slithering off with the Magic Plant and casting off its skin while Gilgamesh is bathing in a pool of water….

In summary, the Epic of Gilgamesh has power to move and astonish.  It is incredible that ‘the oldest story in the world’ is so relevant today and can speak directly to one on a deep, personal basis.  This is a remarkable feat of Great literature. 

This is a true Masterpiece that I will revisit often and savor each line similar to how the British discoverers must have experienced it, with the story slowly unfolding with each of the original thousands of clay tablets.

Rating -  10/10

The First 100 Books Read - LOOKING BACK

The road to complete 1001 literary books hit a critical milestone in April 2012, with my First 100 books read.  The journey began back in Sept 2009 with the completion of 'Don Quixote' after failing to finish it in two previous attempts. The First 100 milestone was reached with Vladimir Nabokov's still disturbing 'Lolita.'

The First 100 has taken me 32 months to complete.  At this rate I will be in my early my early 80s before I reach my target.  Thankfully, I have picked up the pace in the past year (a book a week) and should be done before I reach 70 years of age and still have my wits about me!

Looking at the distribution of ratings, excluding the the three '10' rating re-readings, the normalized curve is as strangely uniform in the following pattern:

%         Rating      Description
10%     10             Masterpiece
20%     9-9.5        Very Good
20%     8-8.5        Good
20%     7-7.5        Mixed
20%     6-6.5        Average
10%     5 or less    Poor

Therefore, only half the books read would qualify as worthy of recommendation!  Any book with a '10' rating in my opinion should be the first consideration in a choice of what to read, and I would personally draw from this list as a potential for re-reading in the future.

In addition, I have noted that fully 42 of the First 100 books were not written in English!  This speaks to the Global experience and enduring power of words, in whatever language.  But is does present the challenge of ensuring that the translation is modern, clear and relevant.
I have often been branded as a reader who focused exclusively on the 'classics.'  Well, a review of publication dates of the First 100 would deny that.  Fully 2/3 of all the books were from 1900 and later.  OK, many of these would be considered 'modern classics' but 1/5 are actually from the 2000s. Nonetheless, I do prefer the Russian, Victorian and early American masters.

I have been asked, how did Lit1001 come about?  The idea came to me after a chance meeting with Ben Cook in a work-related training session in the summer of 2009.  His background in Literature and subsequent encouragement was the impetus I needed to establish this current lofty goal of  reading 1001 literary works. At the same time, my wife Guylaine Plourde established the 4C&J Bookclub that created a disciplined approach to a diverse range of books. In addition, I  recently re-connected with a school buddy Santino Bellasario, now a Literature professor at a private school, who added a critical dimension that has been helpful.  It was only natural then that this blog should be created to communicate progress on a broad basis.  Thanks to my son Vincent for his technical computer capabilities in setting up this blog. 

Another interesting statistic is that fully 50% of  Lit1001 blog's pageviews (in the six months it has been established) are outside of Canada, providing exposure that I could not have imagined!  The pageview distribution is as follows:

50%   Canada

22%   US

12%   Russia

16%   UK/Germany/other

Finally, I want to thank all my personal friends and colleagues who have encouraged on this fantastic voyage!  You know who you all are!!!!

For a complete list of the First 100 Books Read by Date click on this link: The First 100 Books Read (by Date)
For a complete list of the First 100 Books Read by Rating click on this link: The First 100 Books Read (by Rating)

COMPLETE QUOTES - The Book Thief

The power of words is never more evident than in the masterful narrative by Death in the 'The Book Thief' ranked #18 on my All-Time Books list.

All quotes are by Death, unless in quotation marks to indicate other characters within the book.  The page number reference is from the 2006 'domino' Knopf cover design soft cover edition (550 pages).

For a capsule review of Book Thief, click link below and scroll down to Book #99
QUICK HITS - March 2012 (Book Read #99)

11   the graying light arm-wrestled the sky.
14   a septic truth bleeds toward clarity.
15   each story is an immense leap of an attempt - to prove that you, and your human existence, are worth it.
27   The day was gray, the color of Europe.
80   She was the book thief without the words.
107 Is there cowardice in being glad that you lived?
160 Mein Kampf. Of all the things to save him.
164 Proof again of the contradictory human being.  So much good, so much evil. Just add water.
178 Two war for two escapes... Not many men are lucky enough to cheat me twice.
189 “When death captures me, he will feel my fist on his face.”  Such stupid gallantry.
208 Living was living. The price was guilt and shame.
242 Even death has a heart.
309 So many humans. So many colors.
321 One ribbon, one pinecone. One button, one stone.
336 the sky was yellow, like burning newspaper.
350 I even kissed a few weary, poisoned cheeks.
378 From a Himmel Street window, he wrote, the stars set fire to my eyes.
391 Their eyes were enormous in their starving skulls.
392 The suffering faces …reached across to them, pleading… for an explanation.
395 If nothing else, the old man would die like a human.
410 “They (fallen dominos) look like dead bodies.”
464 It kills me sometimes, how people die
473 It was with great sadness that she realized her brother would be six forever.
479 A broken leg was certainly something to celebrate.
482 “Stealing is what the army does. Taking your father, and mine.”
491 Still, they have one thing I envy. Humans, if nothing else, have the good sense to die.
503 He killed himself for wanting to live.
506 The Fuhrer's pimply little knees were starting to shake.
512 “‘Is it really you? The young man asked,’” she said. “ ‘Is it from your cheek that I took the seed?’”
518 “‘Hair the color of lemons,’” Rudy read. “You told him about me?”
521 Without words, the Fuhrer was nothing.
531 He does something to me, that boy (Rudy). It’s his only detriment. He steps on my heart. He makes me cry.
536 He tasted like regret in the shadow of trees
550 *** A LAST NOTE FROM YOUR NARRATOR***   I am haunted by humans