This was the first book off of my 1000 novel list that I read on my Brand New Nook, a birthday present from my fabulous mother. I highly recommend Nooks, they are great! I am a reader, I like reading when I work out, when I eat, and I like always having a book with me. Nooks are thin, easy to handle, and ALWAYS lay flat (no more trying to use knives to hold open my book while reading!)
This book is the most adorable book I've ever read! I was honestly expecting to hate this book, just because it's an older book and considered a 'classic', and I honestly think that many classics are just boring. however, this book was just so cute! The 4 girls, Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy, remind me of the sisters found in my Sister-in-Law's family, so I was easily able to assimilate the characters to myself.
I love how the author accentuates the differing personalities in the girls, because this is a phenomena I find so fascinating in real life. Girls who are raised by the same parents in the same environment have completely opposing personalities, and the characters in this book are the perfect example of that. I especially love the male friend Laurie. He seems like the type of boy I would have played with as a child.
***Spoiler Alert***
Of course, not all elements of the book go the way I want. I think the fact that Beth dies is a REAL bummer. I mean, I realize why it is necessary for the growth of the characters, but she was such a sweetheart. She was also the musical character, so I felt that I related with her the best. Jo should have ended up with Laurie. Period, the end. However, I'm fine that she ended up with Mr. Bhaer, because he was equally as perfect for her. However, I don't like that Amy ended up with Laurie. Yes, he helped her grow and nature, but it just seemed so, wrong!
All in all I give this book FIVE STARS OUR OF FIVE! After all, it was absolutely adorable. A story of growing, learning, and most importantly, falling in love.
Reading Next:: Dracula by Bram Stoker
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley
This book was an exciting find in an small American bookstore called Big Ben Bookstore in Prague. They sell very high quality used books, and since this book was slightly less than mint condition, the shop owner let me have it for free (even though I would have happily paid).
One of the biggest shockers this book gave me was how NOT horrific it was! I mean, if you think of the classic Frankenstein movie, you're expecting to be given chills and get some shocks! However, there was really nothing frightening in the novel. Yes, the monster kills someone, but you hear his entire background story and end up feeling pity for the lonely creature.
Another shock was how eloquent of a speaker the monster was. I mean, whenever I think of the monster featured in this book, I think of incoherent moans and groans. However, when the monster is relating his story to his maker, his speech is so fluent and well-versed, it was nothing but an absolute shock.
I believe the true monster in this book is Mr. Frankenstein himself. He created this creature, and the minute he lays eyes on it he abandons the poor thing. The monster is forced to raise himself, to learn the lays of the land without any parent to teach him, though he learns from experience than everyone has some sort of parent or creator. His appearance is horrific, and no one will give him a chance to explain himself after taking one look at him. He begs his creator for a partner, someone like him, and promises to run away and never hurt another being as long as he never has to live alone. However, the creator selfishly refuses, his thoughts being that the monster would continue killing, despite his promises.
Being a person with a fear of living alone for the rest of my life, I can empathize with the monster, which is perhaps why I'm rooting for him in this situation. While I feel sorry that the creator looses his wife, I feel that he was fairly warned and was rude to the monster. People can find other partners, the monster never could.
In total I give this book 3.5 OUT OF FIVE STARS!! Yes, I enjoyed the storyline, but I feel that Mary Shelley strayed from it a little too much. There were too many moments that were completely unnecessary, not to mention boring. If they had at least had some excitement or humor to them, it wouldn't have been quite so terrible.
Posting Next:: Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
One of the biggest shockers this book gave me was how NOT horrific it was! I mean, if you think of the classic Frankenstein movie, you're expecting to be given chills and get some shocks! However, there was really nothing frightening in the novel. Yes, the monster kills someone, but you hear his entire background story and end up feeling pity for the lonely creature.
Another shock was how eloquent of a speaker the monster was. I mean, whenever I think of the monster featured in this book, I think of incoherent moans and groans. However, when the monster is relating his story to his maker, his speech is so fluent and well-versed, it was nothing but an absolute shock.
I believe the true monster in this book is Mr. Frankenstein himself. He created this creature, and the minute he lays eyes on it he abandons the poor thing. The monster is forced to raise himself, to learn the lays of the land without any parent to teach him, though he learns from experience than everyone has some sort of parent or creator. His appearance is horrific, and no one will give him a chance to explain himself after taking one look at him. He begs his creator for a partner, someone like him, and promises to run away and never hurt another being as long as he never has to live alone. However, the creator selfishly refuses, his thoughts being that the monster would continue killing, despite his promises.
Being a person with a fear of living alone for the rest of my life, I can empathize with the monster, which is perhaps why I'm rooting for him in this situation. While I feel sorry that the creator looses his wife, I feel that he was fairly warned and was rude to the monster. People can find other partners, the monster never could.
In total I give this book 3.5 OUT OF FIVE STARS!! Yes, I enjoyed the storyline, but I feel that Mary Shelley strayed from it a little too much. There were too many moments that were completely unnecessary, not to mention boring. If they had at least had some excitement or humor to them, it wouldn't have been quite so terrible.
Posting Next:: Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
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