Dead Souls

First of all I can see why this made the "20 classics you have to read before you die" list. His use of imagery and description is memorable. The characters are humorous and his use of irony is intriguing. "Our hero..." is a symbol of those many people enticed by vanity and prominence. The most pivotal conversation when the scheme is found out and "our hero" faces banishment is the good man who says - instead of holding onto all of these dead souls, focus on nourishing your soul, "your living soul". Like many however, the repentant words do not create a lasting change and "our hero" escapes likely to continue his schemes. The question of nourishing a soul comes to mind. It doesn't seemed nourished or changed through temporal gain, though amusing and interesting. Nourishing a soul seems to have to do more with ones own communion with god and sense of purpose and identity- people with this truly have a sense of peace and a well nourished living soul. "Our hero..." unfortunately seemed to have a dead soul.

The Scarlet Pimpernel

"They seek him here, they seek him there. Those Frenchies seek him everywhere. Is he in heaven, is he in hell, that damn elusive pimpernel."

Thoughts- entertaining and mysterious, and suspenseful. The novel must have been a weekly incremental magazine or newspaper installments because the story is summed up at the beginning of each chapter. It is interesting to have most of the novel from the perspective of Maragarite rather than Percy. What must it have been like to have been a smart woman in that time period with a "fool" for a husband, yet there is something always alluring and mysterious about him especially how he handles the reigns of his horses. Overall it was an enchanting story of sacrifice and love and finding the man and woman behind the mask. 

Moll Flanders

Moll Flanders was enjoyable, interesting story, and amusing. The life of a "wicked woman" whose character is good but actions naive, self-indulgent, and frivolous. Daniel Defoe seems to use Moll to mock the cultural system of convicts breeding future convicts, even when the character is "good". It seems to me he was pointing out in London in the early 1700s if you are a woman and do not have family or connections you have no hope of a life other than a "wicked"one, unless you luckily marry. The irony is Moll married 4 times and until the end lost everything when her husbands died. It did seem Defoe painted a shining light on the "new world" where one's success lies more in hard work and industry than in family, connections, and wealth.

Moby Dick

My thoughts on Moby Dick..... Blah blah whale hunt blah blah. The only good part in this book was the beginning when Ishmael comments: " the heart can not be blind to the soul." And later on when Ishmael is discussing the incomprehensible depth and mystery of the ocean. I think the only people who really like this book are men because it is a one directional quest for revenge with bouts of homophobic humor and suggestion throughout. I know way to much about whales then I ever thought could be known.  1 star definitely!

Got behind...

Here are my latest quick reviews of the books I have read in the past year. I decided classic literature is my style and have discovered the joy and ease of books on CD. I have read/listened to more books just driving here and there than ever before. 

1- All of the Jane Austens- just make me happy. Grandma let me borrow the complete works and I enjoyed those until Jan 2011. All of these books are so well written and just enjoyable like the icecream of literature. You just feel happy when the characters who are so good and have been treated unjustly are given their happy ending.

2-The next big book in my life was Les Miserables (read the 2nd time) to prepare for our Anniversary May 27, 2011 broadway treat. Love it. Most people don't realize it is a story intertwined with Hugo's quite liberal philosophies for his day and age. The thing I like about Hugo is he like many authors is very spiritual and christian ideals guide his criticism of an unjust society and highlight the true forms of love and sacrifice in the human spirit. 

3- 2012 was the year of re-reading Harry Potter. This is like the onion of juvenile literature because of all the layers of enjoyment. I so admire JK Rowlings ability to create an entire world of magic. And yes I love that she doesn't sacrifice her story for an easier ending.

4- The candy and chips of literature came next as I explored Twilight, and other simple but enjoyable (but not filling) literature.

5- 2013 I discovered books on CDs and just 20 minutes here and there after 6 weeks gets you through War and Peace- who could imagine.

So, War & Peace- has confirmed my love for Tolstoy. His style is so similar to Hugo's, very spiritual and philosophical. War & Peace is like reading a Jane Austen story in between a review and critique of the War of 1812. One thing I noticed in myself while reading this book was increased gratitude for my world. And yes my world has problems but I don't have to pack up all of my belongings and move to another city because of an invasion, and I don't have to send my Brad off to war wondering if I will ever see him again. As far as the Jane Austen type story goes, it was deeper and better than icecream. The happy ending comes but much like real life- not in the way it was hoped for or anticipated, and the characters you love show growth as the story progresses- their character is strengthened through deception, hurt, and death. But they keep going and living and peace and happiness comes.

Next, Bleak House. At first I was annoyed. I think I wanted more twists and turns because I had just finished Tolstoy. But after reflecting on it and watching the movie I do agree this is probably Dicken's greatest novel. He criticizes the judicial system while also analyzing the many types of hidden motives people have that direct their behavior. This might seem like a simple task but from a psychologists point of view it is very complex and he addressed the complexity. However I most like this book because of the irony it harshly portrays when we wait for that golden ticket. In this situation a promised court settlement. But in life how many of us put our life on hold as we wait for what we deem our entitled rights and determine we cannot be happy until they come. And then when and if they come we sadly realize that so much of our life has slipped by without really living because we were so focused on our golden ticket/ship coming in/miracle so long sought. Dickens so subtly professes with this story- happiness is found in the present moment if we only allow ourselves to see it.