Doctor Atomic

I had to leave this one at the half. The lyrics were incredibly dull, plot not that exciting (considering it's about the atomic bomb!) and singing mediocre at best. Plus, I had that whole prenancy uncomfortableness to deal with. Bearable, but I'm just not fond of modern opera.

The Brothers Karamazov - Dosteovsky

Surprisingly quick read for a near 800 pp book. I don't know if I got the whole "this book gives you the essence of every element of Russian society" thing, but the characters were sympathetic and the crime drama was interesting. I don't feel that it's quite as moving or philosophical as Crime and Punishment - one of my favorite novels, but it does have a lot of twists and turns. The ever-present strength of the peasants, while still mocking them, sort of pre-figures the Bolshevik revolution. Aloshya is sort of a dull character - really not a lot going on with his development. He forgives all too easily. He doesn't seem to care at all when his girl rejects him. Ivan plays the intelligent fool - drawn into something that he's not guilty of. His love of Katya is tragic, but I don't really understand his relationship with Smerdyakov. They're obviously foils - but why does the servant kill himself at the end? Is he truly MORE intelligent than Ivan? I need to think on this more. Dmitri - it's hard to really place him. He seems to be innately good because he's "noble" despite his lack of money or decent personality. You have to appreciate his struggle to better himself and only be a scoundrel, but at the end of the day, although he's innocent you don't really feel bad for him at all. And the women - even the noble Katya is jealous and vengeful. Grushenka's perhaps the most believable of the bunch. Definitely a worthwhile read, but not quite the classic I was expecting.

Rape of Lucrece - Shakespeare

It seems a sad day when a woman feels guilty and then must commit suicide because of someone else's actions. And this was perceived to be 'nobel'. Things I'll never understand. For being written completely from the perspective of a woman, I think he really missed it. Would she really worry so much about being "pure" for her husband and have no thoughts or herself?b

Stalin - The Red Tsar

Wow - this was a major undertaking. Every detail you ever wanted to know (although the story at times was a bit diffuse because of this). I guess I'm used to reading less "academic" (translation - attempting to be impartial) nonfiction and more stuff that's really trying to drive home a point or tell a story. This book could fall under the reference heading. I have to admit I enjoyed reading it though - gave me some great insights for my mass-murdering dictator series. It also really improved my perspective on the the other communist revolutions that I've been reading about (Cambodia, China) because they're always compared to Russia. Good to have the base.

Venus and Adonis - Shakespeare

This long poem is OK, although it is typically mysogynistic. Wow - even a Goddess is helpless when it comes to men. This means I've finished all of the plays - although obviously they're not all reviewed here.

Transformers - movie

This was actually a kind of fun (although not at all serious) nostalgia piece. The familiarity of someone of my age group with the characters made it interesting to watch. The plot, of course, was incredibly obvious but the action sequences were OK. The actual graphics of transforming were stupendous.

Season of the Witch - Griffin

This book was recommended by a member of my book club who had Griffin as a teacher @ Kalamazoo college. I thought it was slightly dull and certainly a soapbox collection of essays. Some of her observations on race and teaching "ethnic" literature to a predominantly white classroom were interesting. It IS important to make people realize that what they consider "normal" is actually 'whiteness'. Of course, I don't think that necessarily comes from innate racism, but just the nature of being in the majority. It's incredibly important for the majority to be exposed to alternate ideas and perspectives. It's just as important for minority students to be exposed to not only their own cultural heritage, but majority and other minority cultures as well. It seems that only through exposure and acceptance of diversity can people truly start to understand one another.

Invisible Monsters - Chuck Palahniuk

This is our book club book for the month of Dec. Chosen by a boy, of course. A total waste of my time. How incredibly extreme - the only way to lead a real life is to either get a sex change or blow your face off. And in telling the story from a woman's perspective - she was totally unbelievable. This book is basically a ludicrous fairytale circling around the idea that you have to step outside of reality - outside of something you can even conceive - in order to truly live. Very much like Journey to Ixtlan. Although it was a fast read, the plot "twists" were predictable as well in their lack of reality. Definitely avoid this one.

Journey to Ixtlan - carlos castaneda

This was defintiely an interesting book. Given to me by a friend, it isn't the type of thing I'd normally read. The title says it all - it's a personal journey book. Although it doesn't have any good and hard recommendations, it suggests that the way to become a "warrior" is to find a way (either though hallucination or drugs or some other means) to step outside of the view of "reality" that society places on you at birth ('stop the world'). Very Nietzsche. When you're a warrior, you never regret your actions because you know you made every choice for the right reasons, even if it didn't turn out the way you like. Another main point is that you are constantly being followed around by your death - which is with you always and you have to come to terms with it. It gives no suggestions about what happens outside of this life, and the suggestion that you can never go back to where you came from is slightly frightening. As is the claim that it's not allegorical but a straight-up "true" story from an anthropologist. An OK read - but maybe would be better after having read the other 2 books by this author.

Pericles - Shakespeare

So I've started focusing on my complete works again (almost done). I really liked Pericles - very Greek tragedy-like (of course). A bunch of unnecessary plot twists and acts of God to tie everything together, but you feel the pain of the characters. I have to admit, after so many tragedies at sea, I'd probably not want to sail anymore. The most ludicrous part was when Marina was taken to the brothel and her maidenhead was sold and she somehow managed to make people feel morally bad about wanting to take it. That's definitely an English take on things - I don't think Greeks would have had any compunction at all.

Julius Caesar - Handel

So last Tues I went with Kyrie to see Julius Caesar at the Lyric. The one time I don't read the synopsis beforehand b/c, of course, I KNOW JC, I'm totally wrong. Brutus didn't even make a showing. That being said, it was a pretty good story (and fit rather nicely with my recent reading of Anthony and Cleopatra). Caesar was a counter-tenor - not my favorite although I remember liking him in Orpheus last year. Cleopatra could wail, and Ptolemy was awesome (I actually thought he was a woman for a while). Of course, the total show time was just under 5 h - which is a bit long for me in my knocked up state - but I made it through without napping. The entire second act was unnecessary for plot development, but I enjoyed the music. The most interesting thing about this performance, however, was the production. Think Monty Python meets Laugh In. The curtains in Cleopatra's chambers just screamed for a 'sock it to me' and the hand of God came down during the kid's vengence aria. I guess you have to lighten it up when the show's so long (and it's not Wagner). Anyway, definitely worth the tix.

Anthony and Cleopatra - Shakespeare

Ah, classic Shakespeare misogyny. Guy is driven from all that is good by girl. Guy feels no problem at all marrying someone else while still in love with/sleeping with girl. Guy then behaves badly because of girl (not really her fault). Girl tries to be forgiven by pretending to commit suicide. Guy commits suicide because he realizes he was wrong about girl. Despondent girl then commits suicide as well. I mean, honestly, one of the most powerful female figures in hisotry is treated like a harlot. Which maybe she was, but still... Men are allowed plenty of sexual freedom in these stories. Usually I can get around this kind of stuff in Shakespeare, but this one just rubbed me the wrong way for some reason. Must be especially crabby now or something.

Elements of Style - Stunk and White

A very useful little book. I think that's the way it's described on the back cover, and I'd agree. Although very rigid in its prescriptions, especially on word use, it's always good to know what's the correct way to do things. I will probably reference this book often.

The Man with the Golden Arm - Nelson Algren

All I have to say is 'Wow'. Often when I read things that were revolutionary in the past, I'm not so impressed with them in the present. But Frankie Machine and the punk, even Sophie to some extent, manage to transcend time barriers. The issues of loneliness, independence, feeling trapped by society, and clinging need are all universal. The women are very underdeveloped (take both Sophie - who's just an external manifestation of the ties of tradition, and Molly - who's a stepped on redeamer character if I've ever seen one), but each plays their role well. Frankie's murder/manslaughter of Louie is so needless, but at the same time the center of the novel. I don't necessarily like the message - "the only way out is through suicide or insanity" - but Algren does an amazing job of capturing the hopelessness of some people in poor circumstances. Definitely worth the read if you can get through the first 40 pages.

Eats, shoots and leaves

This book on punctuation is really quite humerous, as well as informative. Of course, my own use of punctuation is very poor, but I can sympathize with those who are sticklers. The British perspective, which I didn't previously realize was so different from the American perspective, also added a new a spin to proper grammar. I certainly didn't know that every grammatical "rule" was so open to interpretation or debate. Definitely worth the read whether you're a serious writer or someone who merely dabbles, like myself.

Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee - Dee Brown

This was an easy to read book that would play off well as fiction. Yes, it's from the viewpoint of the Native Americans, and was probably revolutionary at the time it was published (1970). But today I think the Native American genocide is historically accepted and so I had to read the book from the perspective of a history. In that context, there are 2 major faults. 1) There is very little historical or sociological context about the United States society these actions were taken in. Not only is there no objective perspective of the "white man" but there's no discussion of socio-economic or historic forces driving the actions of the representatives of the US govt. It's hard to learn anything about events being presented in a vacuum. 2) Even if I agree that a one-sided history was needed to balance the numerous biased histories from the other side, there was still very little context from the Native American perspective. It's basically a summary of events based on big leaders, with minimal cultural or sociological context of the Native American societies being examined. This is less new insight than it is a horror novel - written to disturb and anger rather than educate and examine. Recommendation - there are probably better books that cover these topics that may better help educate, and hopefully therefore prevent future such occurances.

La Boheme - Puccini

So went to Lyric's second opera offering last night. Didn't like it as well as the first. For one, there was no overture - one of my favourite parts (must be the classical music fan in me). Second, the soprano wasn't my style - a bit shrill - and she overwhelmed the tenors. But the story was good and I enjoyed the show. As always, Lyric's sets are amazing, although again La Boheme fell short of La Traviata. Still waiting to be Wowed though.

Baby 411

Yes, I'm reading the baby "literature" now. Not very inspiring, but I thought this might be a useful guide. Scares you have to death about all the different things that can go wrong with the kid. It's set up to make you "feel better" but really doesn't. Sort of like "the Girlfriend's Guide" which spends so much time telling you not to worry about your weight gain that you get obsessively worried about your weight gain. I just have to stop pre-emptively worrying (after all the preg is going much better than expected) and hope things will be OK. Anyway - the review. I like Baby 411 - it says a bunch of things that people don't tell you. And, for a clueless Mother-to-be like myself, that's exactly what I need.

La Traviata - Verdi

Went to the Lyric last night for the first opera of the season. Pretty decent performance. We had to sit in the first balcony, so some of the sound was muted but each of the singers had a strong voice. Of course the music was pleasant, and the sets were very well done. Something about it prevented me from really being drawn into the performance - didn't even want to cry. Maybe the plot was just too predictable - although I give it some credit. At least Violetta had an illness (presumably TB) before the breakup rather than just getting ill from heartbreak. Also, her "sacrifice" was noble. The lack of a true villain, or even an unsympathetic protagonist, both made the story more believable and more flat. At the end, it all just seemed unnecessary rather than tragic. Recommendation - worth it, but not something for the memory books.

Sox and the City - Roeper

A book by a fan for a fan. This book was actually lent to my husband - the tantamount Sox fan - by his father (who remembers everything described in it). I read it so it wouldn't sit on the shelf untouched. I have to say I'm pleasantly surprised. There are few books about baseball that either don't romanticize the game (or talk about the Red Sox and Yankees). Roeper manages to tie together stats, history, and personal stories in a somewhat humerous way that actually works. Most importantly, though, I think he really accurately captures the essence of being a White Sox fan in the Cubs' city (especially now with them in the playoffs). He sounds like my husband, my Father-in-law, the guy down the street. Whether you're South Side or South Loop and you want to understand the Sox fan in your life - this is the book for you.

Cymbeline - Chicago Shakes

This was an incredible production. I have to give the Shakespeare Theatre here kudos - no matter what the play - their interpretation and production are excellent. For a little known Shakespeare - this comedy was incredible. Bawdy, saucy, funny - tragic in all the right ways. The acting was all very convincing - really brings out the text. The whole theatre was laughing the entire time. I was actually a little scared going into this play b/c it's one of the few I hadn't read first (I only have Pericles and Anthony and Cleopatra left). Didn't even know if it was a tragedy or a comedy - which definitely left an edge. Recommendation - don't miss it!

Tristan and Isolde - movie

Overall, this movie was enjoyable if a bit shallow. The story is beautiful, closely along the lines with Lancelot and Guenevere, although the ending is a bit sappy. The movie doesn't do a very good job of showing the conflict in either Tristold or Isolde. Isolde actually seems a bit of a strumpet rather than someone torn between duty and love. Tristan's conflict between his dedication to Lord Mark and his love for Isolde is shown mostly by frequent walking in the woods and head-shots of the actor (who actually played a much-better Harry in the Spiderman series). Although the music, costumes, and scenery are all beautifully done, the story could definitely be done more justice.
Recommendation: May be worth it on a lazy rainy afternoon.

The Crucible - Arthur Miller

Saw a Steppenwolf production of this play Friday night. It was very well done. Only the second time that I've been to the Steppenwolf, but I have to admit I'm impressed. The vast majority of the acting was exceptional - not overdone, which is easy to do with this type of play. Set was minimal but sufficient - nicely spartan. Having never read The Crucible, but being familiar with the historical events behind it, I was very impressed with both the historical accuracy and use of the historical situation to describe mob think. I read Miller was trying to address McCarthyism, but of course the beauty is the universality of the concept. So easy to get caught up in insanity in a closed system...

His Dark Materials Trilogy - Phillip Pullman

We were supposed to read 'The Golden Compass' for my book club, and I decided to read the whole trilogy since I was going to be on vacation anyway. What a mistake. I read some people comparing these books to the Lord of the Rings, and talking about all of the parallels to Paradise Lost. I saw no resemblence, either in quality, style, or story. Probably these books are fine fantasy novels for adolescents but there was really nothing of quality for adults at all. Characters were poorly developed. The story was superficial at best. The "new world" the novels were set in was only slightly different from our own and not even very well fleshed out. The only similarity I saw to Milton was the apple scene, and that was tenuous at best. Perhaps I'm missing something - happens sometimes. I somehow couldn't buy that a first kiss/more? between two random children could alter the fabric of reality.

Rating: put it down and walk away, very slowly

Timon of Athens, Shakespeare

Since this is my first Shakespeare post, I'll let you know from the start that I'm a fanatic. I've been slowly working my way through a leather bound version of the complete works, and have a new goal to see all of the plays performed on stage. I'm making steady progress. I have to admit that I'm partial to the comedies over the tragedies and like the histories best of all. I'm only in Act 4 currently, but Timon of Athens thus far is not one of my favourites. It appears to be more of a morality play than an actual examination of the complexities of human character. Timon is supposed to be likeable but is a bit simplistic, as are the fawning lords who take his gifts without supporting him in return. It's hard to be sympathetic to someone who spent his entire fortune without realizing it.

Rating: one for the collection, but probably better on stage

In Cold Blood, Truman Capote

I find that I'm enjoying this book. The language is simple - giving the impression of a journalistic report. The details are extensive, however, and the investigative capacity of Capote is very impressive. I have to admit my views of the book are somewhat tempered my the recent viewing of the movie, which I thought was well done. I find myself imaging Hoffman instead of Capote interviewing all of the people discussed, and am amazed by the depths that both witnesses and criminals confessed. All that being said, however, it doesn't stand alone as a piece of literature. As with most "based-on-reality" stories, there's a certain freedom of language and identification which is missing. It is a story and not a work of art.

Rating: get it at the library, you aren't likely to want to read it again