Tilting at Windmills

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz - Frank Baum

2010-07-27T12:33:00.002-05:00

The movie was apparently shockingly true-to-form, although I will note that Dorothy's slippers were silver in the book and not ruby. (Silver likely less dramatic with the color conversion). A fun if light read.

Bambi - Marjorie Benton Cooke

2010-07-23T14:56:00.002-05:00

Came recommended for my Kindle. Not bad actually - very feminist and inspiring, if a bit thin. A young girl takes control of her destiny, using her spunk and innate talents (and belief in herself) to fulfill all of her dreams.

The Story of Dr. Doolittle - Hugh Lofting

2010-07-19T11:19:00.002-05:00

This randomly came up on my recommended reading list from Amazon. Apparently Swiss Family Robinson was not a good indicator of my interests. Anyway, short and sweet, with little meat, this book is probably OK for kids. Not much else of redeeming value.

Lolita- Vladamir Nabakov

2010-07-06T09:08:00.002-05:00

I never had any desire to read this novel because of the subject matter (pedophilia isn't my thing and I avoid Lifetime because I don't think women should be portrayed as constant victims), but my friend guilted me into it as a classic that I hadn't touched. Surprisingly, I really liked it and can see why it's become a cornerstone of American literature. Despite knowing the finale at the beginning, the story flows well and the language is beautiful. The profane writing is minimal (although perhaps more disturbing than something more explicit) and you honestly feel that even though you can't related to the narrator, the pathetic rationalizations and attempts at self-honesty may actually represent the thinking of such predators. The depiction of Dolores herself is quite good, separate from Humbert's skewed vision of her, and you get the constant feeling that there's a lot more to her than Humbert realizes. Charlotte's tragedy breaks the heart. One thing I found interesting was the the murder (and Claire) are just vehicles for the story, barely touched upon or fleshed out, despite being the supposed climax of everything. Again, this is consistent with the perspective of the narrator. Definitely worth the read.

The War of the Worlds - HG Wells

2010-06-21T08:47:00.002-05:00

The War of the Worlds is a turn-of-the-century (the LAST century) science fiction novel about an invasion of Earth by Mars because Mars had grown 'too cold' for the Martians. Considering the time it was written, the science is incredible, and could easily be modernized. Wells touched on Darwinian survival of the fittest (Martians seeing humans as mere animals), evolution (they lost their complex body parts because of their reliance on machines), and modern medicine (our bacteria were the final straw that take down the advanced alien species). I thought the novel was insightful, although it was mostly a vehicle for scientific postulation and supposition. Definitely worth reading.

Swiss Family Robinson - Johann David Wyss

2010-06-14T10:50:00.003-05:00

As anyone who reads this blog is already aware of, I'm not one for morality tales. I was hoping this would be an adventure flick unlike Robinson Crusoe, but apparently the author used Crusoe as a model. This tale of stranded travelers focuses on the strengths of ingenuity and self-reliance, while highlighting the nature of prayer in good family values. It's more a teaching manual for youths than a travel or adventure story, and the core goodness and lack of selfishness in all the characters doesn't really resonate with today's reader, who is more used to strife and conflict. Hard-work and accepting your fate are strongly emphasized, and it bothered me quite a bit that they didn't ever try to leave. The role of the mother as a helpless cook and support in particular rubs me the wrong way.

Journey to the Center of the Earth - Jules Verne

2010-06-01T11:00:00.002-05:00

One of the interesting things about Jules Verne is that he makes is protagonists inherently unlikable. Perhaps it is to make them more human and able to be related with compared with the non-narrating characters. Either way, Harry's whiny self-concern doesn't really come off as sympathetic. However, you have to respect him (and questions Hans) for going along with the uncle's insanity - passionately driven by so very little evidence. The uncle is by far the most interesting character, although his motivation remains murky to me. Their adventures are indeed exciting (and dangerous) and make you want to be an explorer. And I really enjoy the way that their human 'ingenuity' comes to play in their fate (whether positively or negatively).

The Copyeditor's Handbook: A Guide for Book Publishing and Corporate Communications

2010-05-25T10:45:00.002-05:00

I was recommended this book to help me prepare for a substantive editing exam. Although I am no copyeditor and have no interest in becoming one, I went ahead and read the book. As far as substantive editing goes, the book is extremely light. It focuses strongly on copyediting (not surprising giving the title), and would likely be of help for those who care about things such as word spellings, etc. In addition to my disappointment due to its particular lack of utility in my situation, I actually had 2 main complaints. 1) The book is quite dated - focusing heavily on editing hard copies of text (in my experience quite rare if not non-existent today). 2) The exercises were not at all helpful. Rather than laying out a clear set of guidelines and then testing comprehension, the text seems to highlight rather than clear up the capriciousness of copyediting and editing in general. Overall, I feel that there are significantly better style/grammar guides out there and that this one should definitely be shelved.

The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde - Robert Louis Stevenson

2010-05-03T09:58:00.002-05:00

I greatly enjoyed this book, although, as with most of the classics that have moved into pop culture, the original novella was not as I expected. It was better. In my mind, Jekyll had created Hyde to try to purify himself from the 'evil' within, and Hyde was a large, evil overbearing sort to Jekyll's weakness. At the end of the day, Hyde was too strong for Jekyll and won. In reality, Jekyll was a good but complex man who was looking for an escape to pursue the desires of his 'lower nature' without offending his pride and reputation. He is much more realistic as such. I'm forced to wonder what these desires were. Either way, he ENJOYED the freedom that came with being Hyde (a much smaller, younger man) until Hyde's lack of self-control stepped over the bounds that Jekyll deemed appropriate. His failing was the once he started down the slippery slope of giving in to his darker nature, his darker nature started taking over. His courage in committing suicide at the end merely highlighted this internal struggle between the complexities of the man.

Around the World in 80 Days - Jules Verne

2010-05-03T09:51:00.002-05:00

I do like Jules Verne. His books are adventurous and fun, as well as hold up high moral standard of the best kind. Even if the skew is anglo-centric (with the inherent superiority of the colonial English assumed), Phileas Fogg is a good man at heart. In a truly dry British sense, he is pulled from his regular life by a bet - not made rashly but based on the firmest of scientific convictions. He is willing to risk his fortune for this bet, but at the same time is willing to risk the bet for both his servant (to whom he owes nothing) and strangers (including a woman that he saves from immolation). The inclusion of the mistaken detective adds plot complexity to what would otherwise have maybe been a plodding journey. I love Fogg's ingenuity and sticktoitiveness - would I be so creative and sure of myself in similarly difficult situations? It's inspiring.

The Life and Most Surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, of York, Mariner - Daniel Defoe

2010-05-03T09:47:00.003-05:00

Ah, the difference between perception and reality. I thought Robinson Crusoe was going to be an adventure book of a man shipwrecked on a deserted island (style along the lines of Treasure Island). Alas, it was preachy and insipid, full of pro-Christian dribble and the superiority of "civilized" over "uncivilized" man. The key message seemed to be to take the 'middle way' and listen to your elders, with some very anti-hubris themes. I didn't really find it enjoyable at all.

The Invisible Man - HG Wells

2010-04-12T09:47:00.002-05:00

I've decided to start a book club where you're only allowed to read free kindle books. It's like a simple quality control - if it's been scanned online for free as a classic, it can't suck too much.

Anyway, onto the review. I really enjoyed the Invisible Man, despite its portrayal of scientists as anti-society sociopaths. A man becomes obsessed with the properties of light, makes observations (which he then applies), and takes the final step of experimenting on himself. Unfortunately, he hasn't thought out all of the consequences of his actions, and is somewhat unstable to start with. I like the message of thinking through your actions before you start, and also that one with little chance of reprisal (no societal bonds at all) would take advantage of the system. But the Invisible Man needed society, which was his downfall. I think that the story would be different today - not only because of the prevalent 'superpower' mythology, but because people are 1) less superstitious and 2) more selfish than in the novel. People wouldn't automatically be afraid because someone were invisible. And they would never kill him - they'd capture him, and the government would try as hard as possible to reproduce his work. The man could do the talk show circuit and be an instant celebrity. But even if it wouldn't work out the same today, the message is clear. No matter what your advantage, you should use science for the good and not the ill of your fellow humans.

Hawaii

2010-03-30T09:55:00.002-05:00

Ah, Hawaii. I tend to not like to travel to places where "everyone" has been. Indeed, Hawaii was never a travel destination for me - I don't like "tropical paradises" and get bored by sitting on the beach, but the time of year, shortness of our trip, and my status as a baby incubator severely limited out travel options. Amazing the number of near-equatorial locations that have malaria risk... (Well, not actually so amazing...)

Our trip started with 3 flights - ugh. I thought the first would be the worst - dropping our 2-year-old Spawn off with the Grandparents - but it went off without a hitch. I didn't realize, however, that Hawaii was so far from our east coast home. While I didn't have any problem with Hong Kong or South Africa, by the time we landed in Honolulu, I was lucky not to be on the news as a "person of interest" in a major flight disruption. My mental preparation (for both the flight and the whole trip) was just not there.

After landing in Honolulu, we went to our hotel for a late dinner in Waikiki. The whole area was just too busy and commercial for me (although not in the cool way like London or Hong Kong), and I'm glad that we only stayed one night. The next day was our Pearl Harbor trek. It was humbling to see the Arizona memorial, and definitely cool to stand on the deck of the Missouri where the WWII peace treaty was signed. Both of my Grandfathers served in WWII (one Army, the other Navy), and I couldn't help but think that if assignments had gone differently, I wouldn't be here today. I strongly recommend a trip to Pearl Harbor for anyone with an appreciation for history.

We then fled Honolulu for Maui and checked into our resort in South Maui (Makena). The beach was beautiful and it was nice to be away from the hustle and bustle of tourist activity. As parents of a toddler, it was relaxing to just get away (and be able to go out to eat without a babysitter). Of course, I'm not a relaxing kind of person, so we jumped into it almost immediately. We had a highly successful whale watching excursion - saw many Mom/Cub pairs, and snorkeled in both the Molokini crater (good visibility but poor coral and fish diversity) and in a "turtle town" where I had to swim rapidly to avoid being hit by a sea turtle. It was incredibly cool to hear the whale song with my own ears under the water while snorkeling. And we saw a shark in the reef - both frightening and exciting at the same time.

We also hiked along the Road to Hana. Warned of the harrowing drive, we left early, worried, with memories of Amalfi in the fronts of our minds. Turns in a road do not make a harrowing drive, and we actually found it quite fun and relaxing. The waterfalls were nice (we swam in the pool at the base of one), and I think our trekking was probably better because of the low numbers of people due to the rainy day. Unfortunately, our previous travel may have muted this experience a bit. The waterfalls were nice, but not spectacular, and the vegetation could hardly be called 'rainforest'. That being said, the near-road accessibility was definitely a bonus for this 5-month pregnant woman. Don't know that I could have finished a day-long rainforest trek... Even though things weren't new and wowing, we had a great time. Again, this may be partially due to the absent toddler, but I think Hawaii has the advantage of providing near-adventure experiences for those who aren't financially, mentally, or physically able to go to more exotic locals. I can see why my sister-in-law (who most often does resort vacations in Mexico) thought it was an incredible experience.

We topped of Maui with a Luau at Old Lahaina. Although I expected this to be some sort of tourist-trap show, it was actually quite nice. The dancing was well done and the story told of the mythology and history of the islands. The food (according to my husband) was incredible, and I even got enough to eat as a vegetarian. The other food experience I recommend on Maui is Mama's Fish House. Best tofu I've ever had (and it should be for the prices). My main criticism of the Maui restaurants is that they're all incredibly over-priced for the quality of food that you get. Captive audience I guess. If I'm going to pay $150-200 for a meal for 2, I want it to be exceptional and not just pretty good. I guess I've been spoiled by living in Chicago. I didn't appreciate the quality or diversity of the food there until I left.

After Maui, we headed to the Big Island on our quest to see lava. We've seen an active volcano before, but rock-like lava just doesn't fit the bill of flowing liquid rock. The Big Island was an unmitigated disappointment. The 'rustic' airport was actually quite nice (and not rustic at all). The roads were nicely paved (although speed limits were way too low). We tried our hands at sportfishing (at least my husband did - I've had my fill of animal slaughter), hoping for a big marlin. Only one bite on the boat on our half-day on the water - a wahoo pulled in by a Japanese woman who was not at all interested in fishing. The marlin would have to wait. We did manage to see dolphins, a turtle, whales, and a hammerhead shark though - so from my perspective it wasn't a total waste.

On our volcano hikes, we saw numerous plumes of noxious gasses, craters, and previous lava flows. Pretty cool actually, but we were on a mission to see lava. We also saw many signs for "Nene crossing". The Nene is apparently an endangered Hawaiian goose. At the end of Chain of Craters Road, there was a small sign indicating that we could only see lava if we left the park and drove an hour out of our way. We, the intrepid explorers, were not to be deterred by this setback, and drove on. After the purchase of a flashlight, and a short night hike across "lava flow" that felt warm on our feet and that had spurts of gasses like the Fire Swamp, I was quite excited. We approached the boundary only to find - nothing. Just more black rock. Apparently my "streaming flow of liquid rock crashing into the ocean" was just some extra warm rock. As my husband called it, we had gone on a "Wild Nene Chase."

Our last day in Hawaii, we just chilled, prepping for our flights (4 in a row) and missing our son. It was great to see him again (never had so many hugs), although the honeymoon period was over more quickly that I'd have liked. Overall I'd say the trip was a success - we relaxed and enjoyed ourselves, although we didn't really do anything new or exciting. Definitely not in the top 5 (or even 10) of vacations. Based on the cost (and traveling time), I recommend alternative, more exotic, locations if you're not pregnant. I doubt we'll ever go back (but who knows what lies in store with family-friendly travel with 2 Spawn in the future). Mahalo and Aloha!

The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood - Howard Pyle

2010-03-30T08:59:00.002-05:00

Interesting but not riveting. It's always intriguing to read one of the sources of legends that have become ingrained in modern culture. Of course, the stories came from legends that were already ingrained in older cultures, so there's a cyclical aspect as well. In this case, the Robin Hood stories (always one of my favorite characters) were actually pretty true to form with my pop culture exposure. No Maid Marion, and he wasn't a noble at the beginning, but I think that just adds to the legend. I like that he became an outlaw for an impetuous act of youth and wasn't just an innocent man stomped on by the powers-that-be. It adds complexity to his character, and promises redemption for those who make mistakes. Current pop culture always seems to emphasize the innocence of the downtrodden, letting you cheer for the underdog. Robin's accidental/impetuous killing of the woodsman in the beginning actually elevates him, by providing an escape from the bounds of society like that desired in Crime and Punishment. Robin realizes and always regrets his act, but embraces his new existence, developing his own concepts of morality and honor. As such, he provides a much stronger model for those of us who are less than perfect, allowing everyone a sense of redemption.

Gulliver's Travels - Jonathan Swift

2010-03-01T11:31:00.002-06:00

Satire is sometimes a thing of beauty, although often satire is a way to take cheap shots without defense. I think Swift's novel is a bit of both. He uses comparisons with imaginary societies to critique governments and individuals without providing support. And yet, the critique is merited and, at the time of writing, difficult to put forth without fear of reprisal. The novel is rarely funny, although it tries to be in places, but it is thought-provoking and provides an outside "objective" perspective that is often difficult to achieve. Overall, I enjoyed it, although I wasn't sad to see it end.

Jungle Book - Rudyard Kipling

2010-02-12T09:45:00.003-06:00

My previous experience with the Jungle Book was the Disney movie, which I admit I enjoyed. Kipling's take was a bit deeper, I have to say. The moralistic stories discuss acceptance, learning, role in society, and bravery. Characters are loved for who they are, but at the same time their innate differences (especially in Mowgli's case) still drive them apart in the end. The Jungle Book makes me want to explore India, see for myself the "rule of the jungle." The allegory of the empire is strong, although only slightly critical, and there is a definite favor for the "innate right" of the conquerers. That being said, you can tell Kipling loved India.

Daily Life in the United States, 1920-1940: How Americans Lived Through the Roaring Twenties and the Great Depression - David E. Kyvig

2010-02-01T12:12:00.003-06:00

This is an interesting history that focuses more on the effects of new technology development and social change of different groups of 'everyman' than on the driving forces behind the history of this tumultuous time. It attempts to sound objective; however, there's a definite progressive slant and very little critique on things that were obvious failings. Every new development is assumed to be an advance from the past (and some definitely were), but this book doesn't discuss in enough detail the long-term effects these decisions had on American culture and way of life. That being said, my timing of reading this book during the current "economic downturn" has certainly given me new perspective on some of the present policy decisions and their potential implications for the future. While government guidelines/regulations and guarantees may help restore customer faith in independent enterprise, indiscriminate government spending (and commercial interest involvement in Washington) has historically not boded well or been effective in economic turn-around.

The Legends of King Arthur and his Knights - Sir James Knowles

2010-02-01T12:07:00.002-06:00

Interesting. I've always loved Arthurian legends (knights and adventure and doomed romance), and this version is both fun to read and boring at the same time. It's very medieval both on its focus on religion and the Grail, and completely ignores the more political aspects of the Arthurian stories. The characters are caricatures as well, yet I think the strength of this group of stories lies instead on the insights you can gain into the time period of the author than the subject matter itself.

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow - Washington Irving

2009-12-07T09:21:00.002-06:00

I've only ever heard this story as a legend or told though television movies. I was quite surprised that rather than a straightforward tale of horror, Sleepy Hollow is a satire on country life and superstition. I really enjoyed the subtle wit and rationality, and loved the wink and the nod ending. In the popularization of Irving's story, so much has been lost!

A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man - James Joyce

2009-11-25T10:34:00.003-06:00

Disclosure: I read this immediately on the coattails of Ulysses and suspect that my relief at the termination of Ulysses may have clouded my feelings for Portrait.

In all, I rather enjoyed this short novel. The life of Stephen Daedalus, which is said to parallel Joyce, is documented from his youth to his development as an artist. I felt like the novel immersed the reader in the trappings of Irish life - boarding school, Catholicism (and a near-Jesuit recruitment), interactions with classmates, Irish nationalism, disaffection, aesthetics.... Relationships with family and friends both play prominent roles in this novel. While perhaps not the vaunted literary masterpiece that Ulysses is reputed to be, Portrait was infinitely more enjoyable.

Ulysses - Joyce

2009-11-25T10:09:00.003-06:00

This novel has been, since I was in high school, the only book that I've picked up and not completed. I would hear about how Joyce is one of the greatest novelists of all time, and how Ulysses is his masterpiece, and pick it up again - to no avail. Well, I can say that no longer. I've plodded through this book much to my detriment, but I can now finally say that I've completed it.

So why didn't I like it?

Something about Ulysses just didn't draw me in. Maybe it's too intellectual? (A bit of self-deprecation never hurt anyone, especially when panning a novel with a rabid fanbase.) Honestly, I was just bored. My experience with Ulysses was similar to that of Wuthering Heights. I TRIED to like it, to appreciate it, to look for it's merit. I WANTED to like it. The snob in me wants to be able to talk about its finer points with my "literary" friends. But I just didn't like it. End of story.

I think the primary problem was that I didn't like Bloom. I realize this is blasphemy and am ready to take my lashes. I thought he was boring. I found that I didn't care what he was doing/thinking/feeling. His fantasies, his wife, the funeral... I didn't even get a Every Man feeling from him like I did from Babbit. I could step back and appreciate the literary structure, the storytelling diversity, the Irish focus. And I actually enjoyed reading about Stephen. But every Bloom page flip was painful to me, and I probably spent nearly as much time checking to see how much I had left as I did reading the novel.

I'm sure the Bloom fanatics out there will merely dismiss me as an uneducated buffoon, and I'll gladly listen to any arguments in Ulysses's favor, but for now, I'm just glad that I'm done.

Babbitt - Sinclair Lewis

2009-09-14T08:42:00.003-05:00

This novel was incredible. A description of 'normal' American life in the era of prohibition touching on capitalism, conservatism, romance, and societal position, Babbitt satirically portrays the lives of characters in an up-and-coming mid-sized town (Zenith). Babbitt describes the details of normalcy without embitterment, yet highlights the lack of satisfaction that even the most successful 'normal' people feel with the lack of passion and freedom in their lives. George Babbitt has an incident, a break with his life, but as soon as he's ready to accept that the consequences of rebellion are too great for him, he is accepted back into the fold without a ripple. The description of Babbitt was truly an Everyman description, and I felt after reading the novel not only did I truly understand Babbitt, but that maybe I'd misjudged other 'normal' people. This novel is interesting in that in most novels where people break out of their societal bounds, they escape permanently for better or worse. Although meant satirically, George Babbitt's re-fusion with society (albeit with his rebellion by supporting his son's life) actually depicts a more realistic (although less dramatic) result. By providing a fair critique of normalcy without over-sensationalization, Babbitt cleverly makes rebellion comfortable and commonplace.

Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea - Jules Verne

2009-09-14T08:35:00.002-05:00

I admit, I've never previously read this classic. Jules Verne is more about worlds than about characters. He uses his narration to describe scientific wonders rather than plot development, and some of the major events (ie squid attack) seem a bit contrived. As a novel, I wasn't very impressed. But as a scientist and a would-be adventurer, I was charmed by this book. I was endlessly impressed by the scientific knowledge presented in a book written in the mid-to-late 1800s. Although I'm not a historian of scientific discovery, I'm under the impression that despite the high accuracy of the marine descriptions presented, some were known at the time and some were Verne's vision. Very impressive. I read this book and wanted to explore - to discover things on my own. It gave me a wanderlust, and despite the ambiguity of Captain Nemo and the lack of substance to Ned, Conseil, and the Professor, I would recommend it.

Infinite Jest - David Foster Wallace

2009-08-18T09:22:00.002-05:00

I've seen this somewhat cerebral novel described as 'difficult' by a number of reviewers. Other than the length (which I rather enjoyed), I didn't find Infinite Jest difficult or even challenging in the 'challenging to follow' sense (although DFW's vocabulary puts mine to shame). Rather, the central themes (addiction/competition/family/commerialization/etc/etc) and characters (both ETA and Ennett House) were well-developed, perhaps due to the obvious time and care devoted to each separately as well as the connections between them. The writing was both deep and amusing, and I found Inifinite Jest to be a page-turner, especially near the end when I became inpatient for the answers to my questions. (What caused Hal's illness? What happened with Pemulis/the Entertainment/Orin? Was Joelle actually disfigured with acid? Why exactly did James Incandenza stick his head in a microwave and demap himself? Will Gately survive/stay clean?) The ending was incredibly unsatisfying at first - abrupt and jarring not because it left all these questions unanswered (but with equally weighty support for multiple explanations) but because of the unexpectedness of the timing of the ending. This feeling was perhaps heightened for me because I read IJ on the Kindle and didn't have that physical feel of being near the end of a long book to warn me of its imminent termination. Upon reflection, I actually quite like the ending - much like the novel often describes how The Mad Stork's films constantly made viewers cognizant of the film itself rather than the plot or characters, IJ's ending (and frequent footnotes) makes you aware of of DFW's opus as a novel. What exactly was he trying to say with his abrupt finale?

I'm not going to go into each character or theme here - although I'm certain I can write nearly an essay on each. Instead, I'm going to tell you what I think happened, which is of course the beauty of the amibiguity. Like the 'Choose Your Own Adventure' books I read as a kid, this IJ lets you decide not only how you would like things to turn out, but also gives the reader insight into how he/she thinks about the world and characters - a window into your own psyche. In my IJ Universe 1) Orin is not killed by the AFR, but is permanently injured from kicking the glass (ending his pro-football career) and tormented by the roaches, preventing him from further taking advantage of Subjects. 2) Joelle is actually disfigured by acid (otherwise why would Orin have left her and the Mad Stork have become interested in her), giving her a kind of hideous beauty. 3) Gately survives and is not prosecuted. He stays off drugs and hooks up with JvD. 4) Orin tries to go back to JvD in his new damaged state, and grows as a person (and maybe makes up with Avril) when she won't have him. 4) Pemulis, in his fear and anger at getting kicked out of school, wants revenge on Avril and Hal. It makes sense that he's dose Hal's toothbrush with the DMZ, causing Hal's illness. The timing works out. I don't think Hal saw the Entertainment (although it was made for him). I don't think he took the DMZ himself. Pemulis-mediated revenge would be such a nice cohesive ending. But I don't think Pemulis did it. He's too overcome by the missing stock - trying to talk to Hal, digging in the dumpsters. I think either someone else dosed Hal's toothbrush (although I have no idea who it would be) or that the mold from his childhood was actually the culprit (maybe he actually WAS silent when he thought he was talking to the Mad Stork and it was Hal, not the Mad Stork, that was losing it). How ironic if Avril's fear of dirt/basement ended up destroying her son. I'd like to think that Hal at somepoint will come out of his breakdown, but I doubt it. Instead, his problem may make him into the perfect tennis player (not thinking too much) and he can be a huge success in the show (even better than John Wayne). 5) CT was definitely Mario's father (and Avril's blood relative). This is actually pretty clear in the text, and so isn't much a stretch. 6)Finally, I think the AFR find The Master in Incandenza's coffin, but Remy's betrayal leads to ONAN success and AFR failure. Remy's wife is 'saved' by the very people that poisoned her, and as she no longer needs Remy, he loses his sense of self and ends it.

One person that I just don't 'get', even in my own personal IJ Universe, is Avril. She seems to be this driving cohesive force behind the story - her obsessions, her liasons, her Canadianness. But she doesn't seem to overtly cause any of the problems. Why does Orin break with her? It seems inconsistent for such a functional but OCD woman to be so sexually driven. What role exactly does 'the Moms' play in the events that transpire?

So that's what I think will happen, what will follow next from the given storyline. What does this say about me? I'll leave that to you to interpret.

As with any good piece of literature, Infinite Jest leaves you with more questions than answers, causes you to question your own world view and behaviors, search for your own addictions, address the incongruity of your actions with your belief system (like AA, we all do things that just don't make sense, but 'work'). I leave IJ questioning the value of certain things in my life (and deathly afraid of addictive substances). I highly recommend this novel to anyone who needs some perspective in their lives.

Bones to Ashes: A Novel - Kathy Reichs

2009-07-06T09:53:00.003-05:00

Out of curiousity, I decided to read this novel by the forensic anthropologist Kathy Reichs, who is the scientist that the TV show Bones is loosely based on. I like Bones - I guess I relate to Brennan, or at least would like to. She's a tough, intelligent woman who does important work (with an attractive partner). She's uncompromising about her work and well-rounded in her outside interests (speaks multiple languages, loves jazz). So I wanted to see the type of the novel the real life version (although I'm sure less sensational) would write.

Bones to Ashes was OK, although I can't figure out why it was a best seller. The plot is a bit thin - there's not a lot for the reader to really dig into or try to figure out on their own (always key to mystery novels from my perspective). The science was nearly non-existant - very disappointing. Also, I didn't like Tempe Brennan (the book character). While she's definitely more multidimensional than the TV character (and I realize that the TV character only shares a name with the novel character), she doesn't seem to have a lot of depth. Perhaps if I read all of Reichs's novels, I'd get a sense for her as a person. Maybe jumping in in the middle of a 'series' wasn't the best approach, but I certainly 'get' Sherlock Holmes in every novel.

Overall, Bones to Ashes is mediocre to poor as a stand alone novel, primarily because I really don't care about any of the characters. I don't care that Tempe's husband's getting remarried or that Ryan's daughter is addicted to drugs. I don't care about the cat or the bawdy bird, or even that Evangeline had unnecessarily untreated leprosy (seems a major stretch). Hippo was my favorite, with his doughnuts and anger.

I won't be reading any more of Dr. Reich's works, but it's encouraging to me (as a budding trash-novelist/scientist) that this stuff can get published.

Twelfth Night - Chesapeake Shakespeare Theatre

2009-06-29T08:02:00.002-05:00

This production, shown outdoors and set in the ruins of the Patapsco Female Institute ruins, was actually quite nice. The setting was relaxing and beautiful, and there wasn't a bad seat in the 'house' (lawn). The performance I attended was on family night, and the show had a laid back atmosphere compatible with the presence of children. Unlike some of the "family" productions that I've seen, the script wasn't altered or shortened in any way (good for the adults, not so good for the families), and unfortunately we had to leave after two hours because my son's (and my husband's) attention were wavering in a patron-disturbing way. The cast was fun, if not convincing, delivering the lines with humor and style. The acting wasn't the best I've seen (felt a bit amateurish), but it was inviting and I enjoyed myself. The novelty of the setting more than makes up for the quality of the performance, and I'll gladly go back (perhaps with different companions).

Isaac Newton by James Gleick

2009-05-12T08:22:00.003-05:00

This short biography lacks everything a biography needs - depth, focus, even interesting personal details. It is dry and chronological, and uses objectivity as a way of avoiding taking a stand on either Newton's genius or his obvious eccentricities. This is a man that changed the world, but Gleick merely paints him as a secluded scientist. He glosses over Newton's theology and interest in alchemy, sounding embarrassed that he has to mention them at all. In his attempt to show Newton's complexity, he leaves you with no feeling for the real man.

Precaution - James Fenimore Cooper

2009-05-06T16:03:00.002-05:00

It's often hard as a modern-day reader to evaluate past work in the context of the author's time and not ours. That being said, the best novels are timeless. Precaution isn't one of those works. Cooper's first novel, said to be written after an off-hand comment that "he could write a better novel than the one he was reading", is a mark of the times. Written about nobility and propriety, it focuses a bit too much on Christianity and the idealized "innocence" of women for me to have enjoyed it. The twist was obvious entirely too early in the progress of the story, which made the rest of the novel plod as he slowly revealed the surprise. I don't blame Cooper - an off-the-cuff novel can't be expected to be quality, but I don't recommend this novel unless you are born again.

NOLA

2009-04-22T07:44:00.004-05:00

Despite my travel delinquencies, I have indeed traveled to New Orleans (for work). Unfortunately, all I saw was the French Quarter (open containers of alcohol on the streets and people covered in beads despite it not being Mardi Gras). I think I would have loved it in college. I regret not having seen any of the cultural bases for the city, but what I did see hasn't inspire me to go back.

Treasure Island - Robert Louis Stevenson

2009-04-22T07:39:00.002-05:00

It's hard to believe that I've made it this long without reading this classic adventure rag. It delivered everything it promised - danger, excitement, treasure, adventure... Sure, the characters are caricatures, but at the end of the day this novel was written to inspire kids to be pirates, and it certainly inspired me. The basis of a lot of pirate-lore (the pirate, shiver me timbers, yo ho ho and a bottle of rum...), who hasn't wanted to go on a quest to find buried treasure? Sure, Long John Silver is a scoundrel, but would we have him any other way?

The Vanishing Man - R. Austin Freeman

2009-04-22T07:32:00.002-05:00

In the style of Sherlock Holmes or a Wilkie Collins novel, this turn-of-the-century (the LAST century) murder mystery is quite intriguing. John Thorndyke is a medical lawyer whose keen powers of observation and reliance on observations and data make him thoroughly scientific in his investigation methods. The book is narrated by a young medical doctor who falls in love with one of the principals in the case. As far as mysteries go, I wasn't at all surprised (and in fact expected) the conclusion, but as always I was drawn in by the image of a more civilized (at least in some parts of the popultion) time.

Red Mars - Kim Stanley Robinson

2009-04-20T17:57:00.002-05:00

The first in a series of books about the colonization and terraforming of Mars, this novel functions well as a stand alone novel. I doubt I'll read the rest of the series - while the world is intricate and the characters are engaging, there are too many characters to get personally attached to any of them. The novel begins with the murder of the 'First Man on Mars' by his best friend, and another of the '1st Hundred' - the first hundred colonists on Mars. It gives a retrospective of personal interactions between the 1st Hundred, all of whom were scientists, albeit with different ideologies. The terraformers, led by Sax, would like to remake Mars in Earth's image, whereas the Reds, led by Ann, would like Mars to remain untouched. John Boone, as well as Arkady in a different way, argues for Martian independence from the transnational companies on Earth that have grown wealthier and more powerful than individual nations. The transnationals represent capitalistic greed in a socialist/utilitarian society. Attempts to reset human history on a new world come into conflict with the traditionalist ideals, and a rebellian results (compared often to American Independence) that leads to the deaths of many. Other interesting concepts include the discovery of a 'treatment' that leads to increased lifespan, which leads to incredible overpopulation problems on Earth, and a breakaway group led by Hiroko (likely to be discussed more in future books), who are the true idealists. Overall, this novel made me think, but didn't draw me in.

His Majesty's Dragon - Naomi Novik

2009-04-20T17:47:00.002-05:00

Not a bad little fantasy piece. The presence of dragons is inserted into the British/Napolionic wars. Dragons basically provide air support for the naval and land troups. The story is told from the perspective of a formal naval officer that bonds with a rare Celestial Chinese dragon after it hatches from an egg that he takes from a French frigate. He is forced to leave his aristocratic life, parents, and love interest to become an 'aviator' - inserted into a totally different world where (gasp) women can also be aviators and crewmen are informal. The captain and the dragon learn together who they are and how much they depend upon each other.

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies - Jane Austin and Seth Grahame-Smith

2009-04-15T09:02:00.001-05:00

Wah! So of course I had to read it. I can't resist either Jane Austin OR zombies, let alone together. Only an idiot like me would expect to like such a thing. I enjoyed the book about as much as I would have enjoyed a zombie eating out my succulent brains. Of the >50 cool ways I imagined the author could have written this book, all were ignored, and it was one of the most poorly cobbled together things I've read in a long time. It's almost like the author did a 'find and replace' for certain phrases and inserted zombie references. I could have written a better version in an hour.

Assassin's Apprentice - Robin Hood

2009-04-06T07:57:00.002-05:00

As much as I hate to admit it after my recent lambasting of the fantasy genre as a whole, I really liked this book. It was a page-turn (screen-advancer) and the characters were diverse enough to be interesting. I would definitly be interested in reading the rest of the triology, although the book was sufficient as a stand-alone novel. You rooted for the main character, even though he wasn't perfect (and in fact was an assassin, no one I could root for in real life), and the description of the society verged on political criticism. There was a Machiavellian kind of economy - whatever means to an end, and description of the responsibility of rulers to the people (the Mountain people didn't have a King, but a 'Sacrifice'). No noble set of ethics guided decisions on the societal level (although they did on the personal level) - the good of the Kingdom was the overriding goal.

Other interesting things. I actually liked the Royals' naming system - name them for virtues you hope them inspire to - leading to the irony of course that personalities became the perversion of virtues taken to the extreme. The Red ships with Forging was slightly confusing to me, and I'm assuming will be played out better in the subsequent novels. Also, blaming the child for being a bastard (most definitely not the child's fault, but certainly politically important when you're a bastard of royal blood) was telling of society as well.

Overall, I'd recommend this novel for a light read if you're into fantasy - not a masterpiece but definitely fun.

Settling Accounts: Return Engagement - Harry Turtledove

2009-03-30T08:55:00.005-05:00

While doing my post-book diligence on this free-to-kindle novel, I discovered this is actually a gigantic (10 or more?) book series, which explains a lot. Why are fantasy series always so long? Perhaps because they don't have any merit as individual novels and so need to build a fanbase on character loyalty.

Synopsis: This is an alternate history, based on the premise that the Confederates won the Civil War and the downstream changes of this major history-changing notion. It's set in WWII, and does a decent job of highlighting the delicate balance that has lead to our current history and how even small decisions could dramatically affect the timeline. I though the alternate history presented was interesting (the lack of Russian revolution leads to acceptance of socialism in the US - certainly the 40s was a breeding ground for that kind of thought), although discussion of the underlying currents was lacking.

I guess my overall impression of this novel is that it took on too much - there were too many characters (hard to identify with them, even though the perspective gained was good) and too much war (the US-France/Confederate-Nazi parallels seemed sloppy). Plus, the language was simplistic and repetitive (everytime a character was re-introduced, we got the same background). Due to the number of characters, there wasn't a lot of character depth. Also, I think the confederate genocide was unbelievable. I'm not a scholar of genocide, but to compare this to Rwanda or Bosnia is beyond a stretch. Of course, it's a direct parallel for Nazi Germany, although I don't feel like Turtledove even came close to capturing the motivation behind such horrific acts.

This book probably provides an interesting perspective, and may make you think a bit, but to get the full effect you'd likely have to read the full series. Based on my reading of this one novel, it certainly doesn't seem worth it.

A History of God - The 4,000-Year Quest of Judiasm, Christianity, and Islam - Karen Armstrong

2009-03-18T12:54:00.004-05:00

I began this book quite excited about its prospects. I'm a bit of a religion-freak - although more curious by it than involved in it myself. I've read everything including translations of original works by early Christian scholars/heretics, works on Satipatthna, the Bhagavad Gita, and even a Wiccan guide. "A History of God" promised an integration of the religions that have done such a bang-up job shaping the history of Western civilization. What it delivered, however, was a jumbled mess of separate histories, philosophies, and opinions, "integrated" by talking about each religion in isolation from the others in random order. While I definitely learned something (especially about the development of Islamic philosphy, where I'm notably weak) when Armstrong veered from loosely tied-together histories to her personal opinions on the state of God in society, I nearly lost my lunch. I have a overwhelming bias towards objectivity, which was overwhelmingly disappointed. Do I agree that people are rejecting God because they find problems with the specifics of their personal religion? Maybe some, although the claim just doesn't resonate with my experience or observations. I think that some people may be more secular because the need filled by God is filled by other things (both TV and the internet provide greater meaning now-a-days). And while I strongly agree that the recent trend towards religious fundamentalism is scary in any religion (especially where it manifests as required conversion or hatred of/violence towards others not like yourself), Armstrong's religious relativism (in the guise of objectivity) hit a bit too close to home for me to buy it.

Blood Engines - T.A.Pratt

2009-03-13T11:33:00.003-05:00

Wow, this is embarrassing. My first review in like two months and it's on a piece of fantasy/fiction. I was beginning to be worried that in my new post-Spawn/Suburban Hell/HD Plasma TV life I wasn't interested in reading anymore. I've been working on A History of God since Christmas. I thought I was turning into a normal person.

Then came the Kindle, and with it some free fantasy books. 5 days later, here I am. I read in the car at stoplights, at work while waiting for downloads, at home instead of watching TV. I stopped sleeping. Hello, I'm a fiction addict. I've tried to give up fiction multiple times in the past, but it always ends up sucking me in, no matter how poorly written.

Well, enough editorializing, onto the review. I am generally not a fan of fantasy, despite having read a lot of it. I love the thought of fantasy/sci-fi, using fiction to step outside the world as we know it and examining things as possibilities, not practicalities. But fantasy novels generally suck, and this one was no exception. While some authors use fantasy as a platform to stimulate the imagination, move a story line, most (Pratt included) write to their audience - people interested in the show and not the substance. Blood Engines provided no insight into the human condition. There were no light bulb moments. There's basically a ruthless sorcerer with a problem who fights a bad sorcerer, pulling out all the stops, and has to compromise in the end. There was no beauty in either the language or the plot, although it was somewhat refreshing that the strong ruthless character was female. As is often the case with fantasy novels, this is one book in a series - drawing readers in to see if the character is better developed in the next novel. I hope I have the will-power to not read it.

Kindle!!!

2009-03-09T08:15:00.000-05:00

I realize that this is a book review blog, but I just had to share my joy at receiving a Kindle for my birthday. Not only is it a totally cool technology, but the screen really is just like reading a book. It's easy to navigate, transport, and comfortable to hold. You can even upload your own files onto the kindle. I guess my only current digs (in the two days since I got it) it that it doesn't have a touchscreen (prob impossible with the cool screen), the five-way controller isn't the most convenient, and kindle book selection is limited. It would be great if you could get scientific journal subscriptions posted to your kindle - best scientific use ever - although I certainly don't want to pay for all of those subscriptions myself.

Three Kingdoms

2008-12-29T09:15:00.002-06:00

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...

2008-11-03T09:25:00.002-06:00

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

2008-09-18T15:55:00.002-05:00

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

2008-06-23T13:24:00.001-05:00

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

2008-06-09T10:52:00.004-05:00

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

2008-06-05T16:47:00.003-05:00

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

2008-06-05T16:45:00.002-05:00

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

2008-06-05T16:43:00.003-05:00

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

2008-05-14T17:33:00.003-05:00

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

2008-04-28T08:58:00.002-05:00

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

2008-04-28T08:57:00.003-05:00

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

2008-04-21T09:59:00.003-05:00

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

2008-04-21T09:53:00.002-05:00

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

2008-04-07T08:37:00.002-05:00

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

2008-03-17T13:10:00.003-05:00

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

2008-03-10T19:29:00.001-05:00

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

2008-03-06T13:14:00.002-06:00

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

2008-02-26T13:13:00.003-06:00

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

2008-02-13T17:31:00.001-06:00

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

2008-01-28T09:46:00.001-06:00

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

2008-01-21T09:34:00.000-06:00

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

2008-01-21T09:32:00.001-06:00

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

2008-01-21T09:29:00.001-06:00

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

2008-01-07T09:52:00.000-06:00

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

2008-01-03T14:12:00.000-06:00

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

2008-01-03T13:41:00.000-06:00

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.

Doctor Atomic

2007-12-26T11:45:00.000-06:00

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

2007-12-26T11:33:00.000-06:00

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

2007-12-12T10:45:00.000-06:00

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

2007-12-12T10:42:00.001-06:00

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

2007-12-03T10:20:00.000-06:00

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

2007-11-26T11:31:00.000-06:00

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

2007-11-26T11:24:00.000-06:00

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

2007-11-20T15:38:00.000-06:00

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

2007-11-19T13:15:00.000-06:00

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

2007-11-12T09:18:00.001-06:00

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

2007-11-12T09:10:00.000-06:00

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

2007-11-02T18:34:00.000-05:00

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

2007-10-29T12:28:00.000-05:00

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

2007-10-22T11:09:00.000-05:00

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

2007-10-22T11:06:00.000-05:00

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

2007-10-18T11:30:00.000-05:00

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

2007-10-18T10:13:00.000-05:00

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

2007-10-15T09:30:00.000-05:00

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

2007-10-10T08:49:00.000-05:00

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

2007-10-01T09:57:00.000-05:00

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

2007-10-01T09:53:00.001-05:00

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

2007-09-25T15:04:00.001-05:00

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

2007-09-24T09:18:00.000-05:00

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

2007-09-18T17:41:00.000-05:00

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

2007-09-18T13:29:00.000-05:00

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

2007-09-18T13:21:00.000-05:00

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