Three Kingdoms

Oh my God. Wait for it... I have actually finally finished this/these books that I started in June and vowed I wouldn't read anything else until I finished. Sure, there were four of them, >2000 pages total, and they were a little dense, but I could have polished them off in a month before. I can't believe I have to do this, but one of my New Year's Resolutions is to read more. The last-year version of me would be shaking her head in disgust at what I've become.

Oh - review. Did I love the books? Obviously not, although I think they're definitely a worthy read. If you're going to spend any time in China, various stories/characters from the Three Kingdoms are cornerstones of Chinese literature/art (from my minimal understanding anyway). The stories are long and complex, and the incredible number of characters makes it hard to know who's on which side, but it really gives you a feel for the moral and goal of early Chinese literature. Virtue (I read a translation of the Mao version) is considered above legitimacy and the Mandate of Heaven falls on the ruler who serves the people. Decadence and self-indulgence are the reasons of the fall of the Shu-Han and Wu empires, not the greater military strength of the Wei/Jin. There's a lot of time spent on various military strategies, and at times it feels like the author is just trying to get as much detail in as possible to the detriment of the story. As always, I don't know how much of that is translation or just cultural differences in storytelling style.

It does remind me (and this is a common comparison) of the Iliad due to its epic proportions and lack of a key central character. I guess Kongming is as close as it gets - and he's a pretty cool guy. I felt like the author struggled with him a bit - how do you have the perfect primer minister/military strategist who at the same time has 6 failed invasions into the Northern Heartland and at the end of the day the Kingdom he supports failed? The external excuses for his failures, however historically accurate, started to get kind of weak by the end.

Anyway, I guess I'd recommend this version for anyone seriously interested in Chinese culture, but most readers could probably get by with a shorter version.

Travel - sort of...

Since this is supposed to be a travel blog, and I'm not going anywhere, I'm going to post a short review on my fun-filled trip to Texas. Yes, I was in Dallas for 5 days. I know this is a little scary for those who know me (Chicago liberal in Texas?) but I didn't actually step outside the hotel/resort complex the whole time. We stayed in Grapevine Texas, at Gaylord's Texan. It was a nice place if you're in to the all-inclusive, no way to leave, experience. A lot of decent resaurants (pretty sweet sports bar actually), and the 'outdoor-indoor' experience reminded me of Vegas. I guess I have to liken it to living in a dome or something like that. My major beef with the place was that the net access you paid for in your room couldn't be reached in the conference center (made for a lot of running back to the hotel btw talks to check my email). I was really starting to get clausterphobic there at the end - trapped feelings and all. Of course, I'm sure the who 'being away from the baby over Halloween' thing didn't help either.

Sorry - not a review

I was just looking over the blog and realized that I haven't posted since mid-June. This is pathetic and completely unacceptable - not because I've been neglecting my non-existent readers but because it reflects my life. 1) I haven't been on a trip since Fall of '07, and even then I was still in the US. No trips are planned (between living life in the red and living with the Little Inhibitor (LI) I'm not going anywhere for a while). 2) I haven't been to a show since the LI was born - although there's a bunch of supposedly decent Shakespeare theatres in DC that I'm going to check out. My lack of friends (and husbandly protest) is going to prevent me from checking out the opera here for a while. 3) This is probably the longest book dry-spell I've been on since I learned how to read at the age of 3. I'm reading (slowly and only 10 pages at a time) Three Kingdoms (a 4 volume Chinese novel) that I'm really enjoying, even if it is a bit plodding. I need to kick my life back into gear - there's more to life than baseball.

Celtic Myths and Legends - Peter Ellis

A very well put together book of Celtic myths - would make good bedside stories. People get what's coming to them - good for good, bad for bad, although there are some sad tales. Beautifully written fairy tales.

Shamanism - A Guide for Daily Life - Thomas Dale Cowen

What in the world was I thinking putting this book on my wishlist? Rather than the anthropologic guide to shamans in different cultures I wanted to read, this book is a new age mess. It actually claims something to the effect of "it's ok if it feels like you're making it up" and then talks about how if you do the same thing together in a group you'll all get different results. It has even less external validation than other relgions. I'm just glad it was so short - if I had to read one more word about how your imaginary friend as a child was actually a manifestation of your spirit guide I think I would have puked.

Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull

My god. I love Indiana Jones. I was so excited before I saw this movie that the theme song was running though my head for days beforehand. I promised myself I wouldn't overhype and get disappointed. But it was horrible! I mean, come on - aliens! And the interpersonal stuff was so insipid. Blech. Where was all the fun of the other 3 movies?

Comedy of Errors - Chicago Shakes

Totally loved this production. Took a completely ludicrous play and and put it in the context of a movie set in London during the Blitz. Hilarious.

In Hanuman's Hands - Rao

This book club book was written by a local Chicago guy - a "memoir". Slightly disturbing that a friend of a friend was such a crazy druggy and did so many horrible things to his friends. Of course, you have to wonderful how much of it was true. At the end of the day, though - didn't enjoy it very much.

The Feminine Mystique - Betty Friedan

I opened this book expecting it to be a relic - a piece of historical interest. What was interesting was how it applies today as well as ever. True - everyone isn't expected to be a housewife anymore. Women with PhDs aren't worrying about making homemade bread. And yet there's still an enormous gender gap. The movement went the other way - in the need for equality with men, women now do too much. Again, you have to chose between having a family or a career - and most end up choosing family. Most high-level work environments don't provide childcare, or even flex-time or part-time work. To be a scientist, you have to sacrifice ever seeing your child to succeed - or not work at all. There is no compromise - no time off. The loss of strong women due to this problem is society's loss.

Dao De Jing - Lao Zi

This is actually a very interesting translation (I don't remember the translator's name unfortunately) with a lot of comparisons to both Sun Tzu and Confucius. It is more a guide for governing than for life, focusing on following the dao (or the way) in everything you do. The central theme seems to be live life laissez faire and you'll be happy - let things happen on their own and don't try to over-regulate. Also, as far as government goes, humbleness and simpleness is the key. Interesting - although I'm not exactly sure I agree with it.

The Little Book of Hindu Deities - Sanjay Patel

This is really cute actually. An American/Indian Pixar animator draws Hindu Deities 'Hello Kitty' Style and then gives a brief primer as to their role in the pantheon. Pretty accurate as far as I can tell, and a good introduction to the uninitiated.

all the king's men - robert penn warren

I loved this novel. The language was beautiful, the characters real and sympathetic at the same time. You feel horrible with the tragedy of Tom. You even feel for Willie - although Adam is a bit of a caricature. I love Jack Burden - although the surprise about his parentage isn't really addressed very much. I'm surprised he doesn't talk about it more - just kind of uses it to bring his other points home. What a wonderful description of the life of a politician.

midnight in the garden of good and evil - john berendt

Supposedly non-fiction - it tells about "life in Savannah". Definitely interesting, not at all what you would expect from the south. I have to say that the snapshot provided is sensational and definitely a pretty thin pie wedge, however. You get more of a sampling and less of a feel for people's actual lives. That being said, I enjoyed it. I wonder what the movie is like?

Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke

I really like this book, although it took me forever to read because of the kid and work and other stressors. That being said, it was kind of light fare and I didn't think that the end did it justice. I'm such a sucker for a happy ending. The use of fiction in a historical context was done very well - very believably, but at the end of the day I was kind of forced to wonder what was the point. Plus, I was so sad that Arabella and Strange didn't end up together.

Babywise

Trying to get the kid to sleep through the night ( a little early). I can see how this book stresses people out. Talks about playing and naptimes and schedules and eating times. Definitely not for the working Mom. That being said, we've extended his feedings to 2.5 - 3 hr and he did not eat for 5 h in a row last night and slept for 3.5 h. What a good baby!

I Robot - Isaac Asimov

Got this for a birthday present. I guess I put it on my wishlist because Asimov's famous and I'd seen the movie. Turns out the movie's nothing like the book (thank goodness). The book is definitely more true sci-fi - philosophy rather than action. I liked it but I don't think I'm going to read the rest of the series.

Anna Karenina - Tolstoy

Yes, while on maternity leave I decided to re-read this old classic. I liked it a little less than last time. I guess it's because the book's so moralistic. I love that Anna was so free to leave her husband, and even to live up to the consequences of leaving her son, but the moment when she throws herself under the train just seems like she gives up. I've always compared this book to the Awakening - but I feel like Chopin's novel is about freedom - even in the drowning. Anna seems more like a tragic figure - trapped with no way out (not even death). Kitty (as a contrast) is kind of a thin figure, and, although I really like Levin, that doesn't say much for a feminist position.

The Woman in White - Wilkie Collins

I think I'll forever love this book. I started reading it in the hospital while in labor and read the whole thing while breastfeeding my son. I get sentimental just thinking about it. As to the story itself, not overly exciting. As this is my second Wilkie Collins book, I've noticed some themes. 1) The explanations for the mysteries are totally unreasonable. 2) The books read quickly and are interesting. 3) The main characters aren't very complex - you don't even understand why the bad guys are bad. A page turner, but barely a classic.

The Art of Shen Ku - Zeek

Completely unsure why I bought this. I guess I thought it could be funny, but it's more like a comic book geek's guide to nothing. Big waste of time- 0 stars.

Clockwork Orange - Anthony Burgess

This was all right. I have to admit that I liked the movie better (a bit darker). Almost incomprehensible with the made-up slang. The most interesting part was the intro where he rips into his publisher for removing the last chapter in the american publications. Said that you have to allow characters to change to be a novelist. I do agree with that somewhat, but the last chapter was awful. Here was a violent person, probably as a result of his environment. He did some pretty horrible stuff (we're not just talking about knocking down mailboxes here), and I somehow don't think that just because he's 18 that he's now going to be a responsible member of society. There are certain things that you just can't get over - it sets the whole clockwork orange world in an even more surrealistic setting. Definitely not an anti-utopian classic like 1984. About clockwork orange - I agree that people should have free choice, but most people don't use it. It's very weak philosophically to think that the only way to demonstrate breaking away from society is through violence.

Titus Andronicus - Court

Definitely a very good production of a violent and somewhat pointless play. Titus doesn't have the deep emotional impact of some of Shakespeare's tragedies, but tragedy it is. Very Grecian (even down to the eating of the sons). Court's production was unique - passing out scripts at the beginning of the play and changing actors every time. Of course, I think a lot of that was "scripted error" but it was kind of fun none the last. Probably my last Shakespeare before I pop out the kid.

Capone's Cornfields - the mob in the Illinois Valley

Compared to the Bleumer books, this one is pristine. It's divided up into short, interesting stories where the characters are, if not sympathetic, at least more than a listing of names. You really get the impression that Streator of all places was a major mafia stronghold. Seems like Peru at least was exempt. The only name potentially related to me was a couple of Scuito's. Not even a direct decendent - it was my Grandma's husband's brother. I'd always heard he was mafia attached. Scary how the mafia connections extend to the present day - I always like to think of these things are being in the past.

Speakeasy - Prohibition in the Illinois Valley - Bleumer

Just as bad if not worse than his casinos book. I guess there's a bit of drama b/c the cops are actually trying to crack down on the drinking and distilling. Also kind of cool to hear about the historic breweries in IV, as well as the ways people tried to hide their stills. And yet, with all of this great starting material he still managed to make this book boring.

Bleumer - Casinos in Illinois Valley

This is basically just a digest of a bunch of picts and police raids. No real story/plot behind any of it. Quite disappointing actually - held barely any interest at all, even for a local.

Sippy Cups are Not for Chardoney

Bleh - yet another trying to be "funny" preggers/maternity book that basically gives you no good advice and makes you worry about things that I wouldn't normally even consider. Competition among Mom's? Making new Mom friends? I'm now 7x more stressed that I was before I read this one.

The Moonstone - Wilkie Collins

Just finished this "first" detective novel. Somewhat interesting, although I think the solution to the mystery was a bit far out. Guess I prefer when the bad guy is actually bad. Had my standard fiction addiction that made me give it up for a while - reading took over my life. Definitely need to skip this type of stuff from now on.