Margaret M - (having a challenging time
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Books:
vintage-classics
(14)
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| 0141439750
| 9780141439754
| 0141439750
| 3.69
| 91,001
| Apr 1861
| 2003
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really liked it
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As the cycle of betterment and gain, loss and rejection, and then love and forgiveness change throughout the story of Silas Marner, so too do the subt
As the cycle of betterment and gain, loss and rejection, and then love and forgiveness change throughout the story of Silas Marner, so too do the subtle themes interchange with the plight and redemption of the eponymous Silas. Silas is a weaver from Northern England who is wrongly accused of a crime he did not commit and then exiled. Finding a new life near Warwickshire. Silas’s misfortunes continues when he robbed of his stash of gold, but in this simple and uplifting story, Silas’s fate is to change again when an orphaned girl with ‘golden locks� wonders into his life. Adopting the child in all but name, Silas sees his loss of fortune to be exchanged for greater riches in the shape of the young Eppie. In true ‘classic� style, however, anguish is never far away and the lives Silas and Eppie have made for themselves, albeit modest, is to be upset when Eppie’s natural father wants to assume his parental role, despite being a member of the community she has lived in all her life. Yet, it is in this part of the novel that you get the greatest satisfaction, when the decision is finally made by Eppie herself. “The past becomes dreamy because its symbols have all vanished, and the present too is dreamy because it is linked with no memories.� “In old days ... angels ... took men by the hand and led them away from the city of destruction ... the hand may be a little child's.� A beautifully written book that personified love and the power of relationships. A comforting story that changed the destiny of those in need. A meaningful story of virtue, love, rejection, acceptance, and redemption with a wonderful rural setting that embodied the culture, religion, and attitudes of the people and the towns during that time. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Nov 14, 2023
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Nov 14, 2023
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Nov 14, 2023
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Paperback
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| 0099284790
| 9780099284796
| 0099284790
| 3.84
| 47,813
| Sep 01, 1963
| Jan 01, 1999
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liked it
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“Awakening for the first time to society’s sweet cordiality, the boys felt secure in the knowledge that their enemies were actually their protectors�.
“Awakening for the first time to society’s sweet cordiality, the boys felt secure in the knowledge that their enemies were actually their protectors�. Penal Code, Article Fourteen, “Acts of juveniles less than fourteen years of age are not punishable by law�. And with that four boys conspired to murder Ryuji Tsukazaki, a sailor. A man soon to become a stepfather and a victim of the corruptible, immature, and selfish teenage boy, Noboru. A disgruntled son that could not only handle the new relationship his mother now treasured, but exerted such feeble rationalisation for things that he could not comprehend, nor wanted to change. Yet in his twisted logic, we get a glimpse into the world of a teenagers who believes they are the ones representing reality, and those that disagree are wrong. Yet there is nothing wrong with trying to make sense of the world and even display emotions for the things we do not want to change or find hard to accept. Speaking of his stepfather, Noboru says� “He just pressed a button and out came one of the things fathers are supposed to say�..They’re suspicious of anything creative, anxious to whittle the world down into something puny they can handle. A father is a reality-concealing machine, a machine for dishing up lies to kids, and that isn’t the worst of it: secretly he believes that he represents reality�. This is such an evocative read, a novella that takes a little time to get going but when it does, it is unnerving, compelling, dark, and superb. Concise in its messaging, a coming-of-age story with a difference, and one that draws on the insecurities and perceptions of people when the family dynamic changes. However, here are some trigger warnings that had me stop reading and seriously debating whether to continue. Animal cruelty and a boy who spies on his mother in her bedroom through a hole in the wall. Although you could argue the opportunity for spying was presented to him by a snoop hole that already existed. But still the little creep used it. As for the animal cruelty it did disgust me, I have to warn you. So, cat lovers beware!!! The concept of ‘falling from grace� sits better with the son in my opinion. A boy who is not just immature but a monster, and I had to reach into my own psyche to find any kind of empathy or understanding of the relationship changes he was experiencing, which the author seemed keen to portray. I have to confess I didn’t manage it, although I do acknowledge the challenges as well as the love a new stepparent can bring. At this point it is fair to say neither Noboru’s mother nor stepfather contributed to the demented mind of this deranged boy (See above). This was not about portraying the adolescent rants and sometimes naivety we experience in ourselves and others, as teenagers. I found him so distasteful as a character. He came across as evil, in my opinion. You have to look beyond the obvious in the novel to appreciate why this is still a great book, and I confess to finding that challenging. The author takes the most common occurrences of a teenage boy growing up, layers in the distorted and infinite wisdom of youth, adds in some disturbing events, compelling family dynamics and combines that with rich symbolism, poignant messaging, gripping tension, and wonderful storytelling � to deliverable something that is � well � unforgettable. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Oct 10, 2023
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Oct 10, 2023
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Oct 11, 2023
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Paperback
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| 0571268862
| 9780571268863
| 0571268862
| 4.06
| 1,113,898
| Jan 1963
| 2006
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really liked it
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Poignant, evocative, unsettling, brooding, and unquestionably moving. A story that took me through a symphony of emotions and had me question so much
Poignant, evocative, unsettling, brooding, and unquestionably moving. A story that took me through a symphony of emotions and had me question so much through this book. Why? Because I am also reading about the author and as a semi-autobiographical book narrated in the first person, ‘The Bell Jar� is very much Sylvia Plath’s personal journey and struggle with depression and mental illness. I am also reading Rachel Trethewey’s new novel ‘Mothers of the Mind� which explores the relationships between mother and daughters. The daughters featured, however, are the gifted and famous authors like Agatha Christie and Sylvia Plath, and analyses how their mothers helped influence their lives and nurtured their talents � both good and bad. So, I am trying to take the rounded view of the person, the book and perceptions shared by many people, however, in the end the rating is essentially about the book!!! The Plot A summer internship at the fictional Ladies' Day magazine in New York, is a dream for the other students but for 19-year-old Esther Greenwood, it is unrewarding and artificial. As students muse over fashion and the big city lifestyle, Esther begins to struggle with anxiety and confusion and feels no stimulation or excitement for the daily work at the magazine. “I felt very still and empty, the way the eye of a tornado must feel, moving dully along in the middle of the surrounding hullabaloo.� And so, Esther begins to describe the events, the people, and the experiences both past and present that we, as readers, recognise will have shaped the life and mental health of the protagonist but eerily we also gain some insight into the author, Sylvia Plath. The boyfriends, her first sexual experience, and her lingering accounts of death, relationships, marriage, violence, and the role of women in society all felt so real, they could have been, and many were Plath’s own views and experiences. The semi-autobiographical book� It was difficult for me to separate the author from the story. Then again perhaps I wasn’t meant to because the parallels in the story of Esther and Sylvia are striking which made this so eye opening and unsettling. Had I not known Sylvia Plath's own story, I would have guessed that the author either suffered or was very close to someone who had suffered from mental illness. The insight is so real. This wasn’t just a story, it felt a true account of someone suffering mentally and emotionally. In my journey through the ‘Mothers of the Mind� which has led me to read books from the authors featured, I have tried to understand Sylvia and what led to the mental health and the attempted suicides. A victim but also someone capable of holding strong unpopular views and was capable of inflicting pain too. For example, Sylvia Plath’s mother only discovered that her daughter had made such damming accusations about her in her diary and other works. A mother who went to lengths to contest these entries and claimed she had a good relationship with her daughter and shared the personal letters between the two to add weight to her claim. Letters they were exchanging right up to Sylvia’s death. (A means of communication because they were living in separate continents). Was this all connected to the authors mental health? � perhaps and I don’t know enough to challenge one way or the other. It is has likely led me to make excuses and set aside criticism for this tormented woman who was so talented but troubled, evident with comments like ... “The trouble was, I had been inadequate all along, I simply hadn't thought about it.� As for the book The harrowing and explicit demise of the protagonist in the story is heart wrenching. However, laced with some cynicism Esther is also quite witty, vocal, and intriguing which offers great balance to the story, but ultimately it brings into sharp focus how devastating a troubled mind can be. The power of the mind - our greatest asset and also our greatest enemy when it leads people to feel isolated, unworthy, unloved and tormented (the list is obviously not exhaustive). The following comment choked me� “I told him I believed in hell, and that certain people, like me, had to live in hell before they died, to make up for missing out on it after death�. This spoke volumes to me, and I felt myself teary by the time I had finished the book, for the protagonist but most importantly Sylvia Plath. The mother, the wife, the author, the tormented. An unbelievably gifted woman who struggled through much of her life, mentally and emotionally. This was mostly about her, created as a novel so that we could understand people like Esther. Because of Plath’s personal connection to this fictional story, it is unlikely I will ever read something that feels this authentic and real. A brilliant book that explores the mind of a person not wanting to live in the life they are given or find themselves in. All too real for many!!! Evocative, and even witty, but also so touching although not sentimental. It puts mental health out there to be better understood but offers no answers. If you think of the publication date, mental health was still kept secret and stigmatised during this period. Now thankfully help is more accessible and people are more aware of it. For the reader it is heart wrenching and for both Sylvia and Esther - tormenting. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Oct 30, 2023
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Oct 30, 2023
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Aug 28, 2023
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Paperback
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| 0224094157
| 9780224094153
| 0224094157
| 3.74
| 186,695
| Aug 04, 2011
| Aug 04, 2011
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it was amazing
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'The Sense of an Ending' is an outstanding piece of literature that encapsulates time, memory, age, history and knowing ‘self�. A story about Tony Web
'The Sense of an Ending' is an outstanding piece of literature that encapsulates time, memory, age, history and knowing ‘self�. A story about Tony Webster's life and told chronologically and in reverse which leaves you questioning - 'is it better to regret the things you haven't done or the things you have'. A story that is ‘constructive� with the mature reckoning of what Tony has and is forced to see in his life, and equally quite a ‘destructive� narrative where the sensibility and critical analysis of his actions and importantly his memory of them, lead him to slowly unravel the perceptions others had of him and the unshakeable image he had of himself and what he believed to be true. “But time...how time first grounds us and then confounds us. We thought we were being mature when we were only being safe. We imagined we were being responsible but we were only being cowardly. What we called realism turned out to be a way of avoiding things rather than facing them. Time...give us enough time and our best-supported decisions will seem wobbly, our certainties whimsical.� Psychologically insightful at times, mentally agonising to see the perceptions of others battle the unconscious mind of the man who does not see, and then the meditation and reflective analysis of what this all means to the MC Tony and of course to us. Brief Plot Summary A middle aged Tony Webster after trying to track down a diary following the death of a friend is forced to contend with new revelations, new facts, different opinions his friends and others had of him and most importantly the knowledge that he deceived or was untrue to himself. Review and Comments Tony is content with his life, and the book, if read as a chronological reflection on Tony’s story, can appear a rather mundane and normal epilogue of a man’s life, who has loved, conquered, harmed, and succeeded. In fact, if this is all this book was about then I wouldn’t be recommending. Now think of two timelines in parallel, because the second part of the book is about remorse and the retelling of some of this story in reverse with regrettable actions, self-deception at the core, and being forced to rethink and rewrite your own history � because you got it wrong. Or at least there is another opinion and perspective on you!!! In the book, Tony’s ‘self awareness� or lack off is the engine and substance of the plot. He had intended to write something that would hurt Adrian, yet he is forced to read a letter where he barely recognises himself�. “I reread this letter several times. I could scarcely deny its authorship or its ugliness. All I could plead was that I had been its author then but was not its author now. Indeed, I didn’t recognize that part of myself from which the letter came. But perhaps this was simply further self-deception.� An otherwise unlikeable character, or some of his actions were, is forced to concede some ground which does educe empathy from the reader. However, to draw out some important themes there had to be a character like Tony in the story. A forced day of reckoning, a sad and poignant time for an older Tony too, and a rather emotional story as he has to come to terms with his past. “History isn't the lies of the victors, as I once glibly assured Old Joe Hunt; I know that now. It's more the memories of the survivors, most of whom are neither victorious or defeated�. It is deep but wonderful, it is a simple story with some complexity to the storytelling, it is character driven and wonderfully so, even if you don't love Tony and it is beautifully written with sooooo many quotable messages, as we are left pondering on one of them "...how far do the limits of our responsibility extend?" ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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May 17, 2023
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May 17, 2023
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May 17, 2023
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Hardcover
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| 1844083217
| 9781844083213
| 1844083217
| 4.00
| 10,878
| 1971
| Apr 06, 2006
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really liked it
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4 Delectable, graceful, tender, and amusing stars for a story that embraces age, friendship, and loneliness and told with such sincerity and affection
4 Delectable, graceful, tender, and amusing stars for a story that embraces age, friendship, and loneliness and told with such sincerity and affection. Beautifully written and as a novella convincing with depth and relevancy. The Plot The Claremont is a central London hotel that provides the setting for this charming and intimate story about the eponymous Mrs Palfrey. Like the other residents, Mrs Palfrey chooses to live at the Cromwell Road for its convenience, hospitality but most of all its sense of community despite its ageing appearance. A venue and home where the otherwise lonely days are punctuated by meal times and afternoon tea where the paying guests have the opportunity to meet visiting family and friends but more regularly each other. A twist of fate, however, brings together one of its residents, Mrs Palfrey, with a young Ludo who treats her after an accidental fall and whilst initially this chance encounter presents an opportunity for them to use each other for personal gain, him pretending to be her grandson while Mrs Palfrey becomes the source material and subject matter for his book, a wonderful, touching and personal relationship builds between them that is anything but convenient. Review and Comments A book that is Quintessentially British and perfectly depicts some of its best traits and the spirit of many of the people. From politeness, sense of humour, good manners and love of tea to one of the most admired qualities for me which is their ability to smile in the face of adversity. (Remember I am Irish) However, the book captures one that I find endearing which is the innate desire to save others from social embarrassment. So, when Mrs Paltry needs a grandson to keep up appearances of the loving and supportive family unit, young Ludo is only happy to oblige. A delightful, sensitive, and touching story about life and companionship, written with such elegance, ease and poignancy. As a character study - superb. As a story of relationships - hopeful, playful, optimistic, and trusting, and for its wit, humour and charm - just excellent. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Jan 08, 2023
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Jan 10, 2023
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Mar 15, 2023
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Paperback
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| 0099448521
| 9780099448525
| 0099448521
| 4.02
| 16,770
| Feb 13, 1992
| Jun 19, 1997
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really liked it
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“Every time has its stories, and if you let the moment pass, then sometimes it’s best to keep silent forever. All things have their time, when that’s
“Every time has its stories, and if you let the moment pass, then sometimes it’s best to keep silent forever. All things have their time, when that’s passed, they lose their timeliness�. True? Sometimes? Almost never? And this my friends is one of the many evocative comments and expressions that the reader will contemplate and assess as they read this hauntingly beautiful novel. A book that will pull in the unsuspecting to debate and evaluate their own positions and views on some very important aspects of human nature. Worth a read � oh yes!!! �..you will love me even more knowing what I have done, even though knowing it stains your heart so white� A Heart so white but many hearts tainted by the dark secrets that have been buried away for years, as we are left to question ‘is it always better to know the truth?� Contemplative, malignant, tormenting, relentless and complicated, but an intricate exploration of human nature, nevertheless. A Short summary of the plot Newly married Juan starts to question what really happened to his father’s first wife, Theresa, who committed suicide shorty after their honeymoon leaving his father free to marry her sister. Juan’s mother. Except he is unprepared for the answers and the revelations that his father was in fact married three times and there are many dark secrets lurking in the past. In pursuit of our own answers, we enter into the world of the grieving husband, the replaced sister, the tortured wife and meander through many scenes, disclosures and conversations where we question everything that is seen, forgotten, judged, replaced, and kept secret. So, yes this book is very deep although “A novel not only tells, but allows us to attend a story or events or a thought� and this one certainly achieves that. Review and Comments With its persistent contradictions this book can be best described as a paradox in itself. The paradoxical and contradictory nature of what is written and expressed through the characters views, opinions, and reasoning is what makes this book impressive but also perplexing and sometimes disturbing. Some things you will agree with and some you will find abhorrent, but while the heart might be white the world will live in presents many shades of grey, as we are reminded in this book. An evocative piece that forces the reader to reflect, examine and assess the merits of knowing and listening. One that tests the safe place in our brain and mind where we balance reality with the illusions, we create around what we want to believe. It is also a book that questions the definition of love and loyalty in this regard. “I could have kept silent for ever, but we believe that the more we love someone, the more secrets we should tell them, telling often seems like a gift, the greatest gift one can give, the greatest loyalty, the greatest proof of love and commitment. You're rewarded for telling secrets." but then the narrative contradicts this notion in favour of the opposite view that we hold back to protect those we love. An excellent book and one I would recommend when you have the time to invest in it and immerse yourself in the themes, the points of view and the meaning behind the story as we explore the traits, flaws and complexities in human nature, from the authors perspective. For its place in modern literature � justified. For its portrayal of human nature � enlightening. For its wonderful and intimate writing � stunning and for its ability to provoke and challenge � impressive. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Mar 02, 2023
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Mar 02, 2023
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Mar 02, 2023
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Paperback
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| B086RQ75WC
| 4.06
| 44,063
| May 1842
| Apr 03, 2020
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really liked it
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“And now was acknowledged the presence of the Red Death. He had come like a thief in the night. And one by one dropped the revellers in the blood-bede
“And now was acknowledged the presence of the Red Death. He had come like a thief in the night. And one by one dropped the revellers in the blood-bedewed halls of their revel, and died each in despairing posture of his fall�.. And darkness and Decay and the Red Death held illimitable dominion over all.� Fearful of the red death Prince Prospero closes his doors to the outside world save a few elite friends he decides to entertain with a masquerade ball. At the stroke of midnight a mysterious figure appears shrouded in a blood spattered robe wearing the mask of death. An ominous figure that moves through each of the coloured rooms until the last � the black room, but when confronted the masked figure disappears and only his robe remains. Or was he ever there in the first place? Review and Comments Although not explicitly stated, the ‘red death� may have been inspired by Poe’s own personal experience of tuberculosis and the devastating loss of his mother, brother and step mother all of whom succumbed to the disease which his wife also suffered from at the time Poe wrote this story. A short story that depicts the inevitability of a death, the clock a reminder that no-one knows the day or the hour, and the elite gathering a warning that no-one can escape death when he comes. Obviously not a light subject but very well written and because it was a short story it did not last long enough to shroud the mood of the reader with darker themes. “Even with the utterly lost, to whom life and death are equally jests, there are matters of which no jest can be made.� And the masque of the red death is just that thing!! ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Jan 21, 2023
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Jan 22, 2023
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Feb 21, 2023
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Kindle Edition
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| 0449213943
| 9780449213940
| B00EJ3APSG
| 4.10
| 493,947
| 1928
| Jan 01, 1987
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it was amazing
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“I am young, I am twenty years of age; but I know nothing of life except despair, death, fear, and the combination of completely mindless superficiali
“I am young, I am twenty years of age; but I know nothing of life except despair, death, fear, and the combination of completely mindless superficiality with an abyss of suffering. I see people being driven against one another, and silently, uncomprehendingly, foolishly, obediently and innocently killing one another. I see the best brains in the world inventing weapons and words to make the whole process that much more sophisticated and long-lasting..� All wars create heroes, all heroes have they own stories, and all brilliant stories have words that illicit powerful emotions, inspire future generations, and in the process, immortalise those who gave so much. Yet the needless loss of life is best explored in this daring book, where freedom was dispensed with for force and the costly effect of war is told through the eyes of one German soldier and his young army friends. The plot unfortunately feels very real and grim, but the messaging and characterisation was outstanding. The irony of the story exists in the lives of four young naïve soldiers who went to war with a sense of adventure only to find there was no glory in war, only death, anger, and despondency. Best expressed in a quote that is so powerful and heart wrenching. “This book is to be neither an accusation nor a confession, and least of all an adventure, for death is not an adventure to those who stand face to face with it. It will try simply to tell of a generation of men who, even though they may have escaped shells, were destroyed by the war.� Although the characterisation in the book was superb, one of the most unlikely heroes in this story was not a book character but the author himself for writing this novel that no doubt will continue to take its rightful place in literary history. Considering the period, this book was brave, but it was also dangerous for the author to have written such an anti-war story. The messages are universal and provides an opportunity to reflect on the many lives lost through the ambitions of small men who learn nothing from history. I have read so many war time stories both fictional and non-fictional but this one got to me, and the tears flowed, perhaps heightened because of the needless deaths in our world today, and perhaps because it was so affecting to have heard the trauma that most young lads (everyone really) would have faced in the trenches, regardless of which side they were on. Yet for me it was the writing style that cannot be overlooked because this was persuasive writing at its best and when it mattered. To have had these glimpses into the thoughts, memories, and emotions of the people on the front line was dramatic and overwhelming at times when they talk about the “onslaught of oblivion�, “abyss of isolation�, “I am so alone and so devoid of any hope that I cannot confront them without fear�. Incredibly emotional, sobering, and effective. Also raw, authentic, and terrifying with the lens on the vulnerable and largely innocent people who if given the opportunity would have chosen not to go to war. My thoughts go to the innocent lives lost in the world wars and to the people of Ukraine, including the innocent people on all sides who have been forced into war against their will. And for the people that know something of fighting in pointless wars�. “While they went on writing and making speeches, we saw field hospitals and men dying: while they preached the service of the state as the greatest thing, we already knew that the fear of death is even greater.”� “Only a military hospital can show you what war is� These vintage classic novels are proving a great find. This is one of many I have been collecting and enjoying because they are unique, works of art, evocative, and timeless. Incidentally many were originally banned but censored is probably a more fitting description. I will start to list these because they are less well known but certainly do deserve to be up there on the podium with other literary giants. _______________________________ Other 'Vintage Classics' titles worthy of a 5 star rating Wide Sargasso Sea, by Jean Rhys Ballad of Sad Cafe by Carson McCullers The Heart's a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers For Esme—With Love and Squalor, by Salinger The End of the Affair by Graham Greene (4 Stars) ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Feb 19, 2023
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Feb 20, 2023
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Feb 19, 2023
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Mass Market Paperback
| ||||||||||||||
| B0DSZTG6VF
| 3.90
| 68,000
| 1951
| Oct 07, 2004
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really liked it
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“What a dull lifeless quality this bitterness is. If I could, I would write with love, but if I could write with love, I would be another man. I would
“What a dull lifeless quality this bitterness is. If I could, I would write with love, but if I could write with love, I would be another man. I would never have lost love.� Love in all its splendour, obsession in all its madness, and regret in all its solemnity is what we have at this end of this affair. I know books divide opinions but never before has a book divided my own opinion this much � yes that’s a first and straight into why. The writing is stunning and when well written this subject matter often brings its intriguing combination of drama and tragedy, but then the ‘religion� threads / reflections in this book felt contradictory and over written. So, 5/5 for the stunning writing, 5/5 for the story, 1/5 for the authors battles with religious piety and conscience. This is incredibly thought provoking but not always in a good way because this is about love, anger, resentment, and obsession, which to me highlighted a level of hypocrisy in the author himself � eek. Why do I say this about a well known author, a master of his trade? Because he is the adulterer in the story. He is writing about himself and his own affair with a married woman and then curses God for taking away the object of his obsession. It was a bit of a challenge feeling empathy for this man, although I did feel sympathy for the many hearts this book represents, and also some was reserved for this broken man. The Story of this Affair The story is about an affair between Maurice Bendrix, the author in the book (and also the real author Graham Greene), and Sarah Miles, who is married to the couple’s friend Henry Miles. The indulgent, prohibited and sometimes brazen affair between Sarah and Maurice ends abruptly, when Sarah breaks off contact from Bendrix with little explanation. Obsessed with the only woman he has ever loved, Bendrix begins work with a private investigator to uncover the new object of Sarah’s desire. However, it is only after Sarah falls ill and Bendrix is presented with the opportunity to read her diary, that he comes to appreciate that this third man is not another lover but ‘God�. A symbol of Bendrix’s hate and Sarah’s guilt. The story becomes less of a story and more of an exploration of love and how desire, obsession and lust conflicts with religious piety and devotion. Whether you believe this was cause or excuse, for the end of the affair is entirely up to you as the reader. Review and Comments On one side I thought this was one of the most evocative, raw and sobering portrayals of lost love I have ever read. On the other, it was at times an indulgent self-pitying monologue of one man who lashed out at God for an affair � that according to his religion should have been off limits in the first place. This is what happens when an author controversially puts themselves at the heart of the story. Religion aside, it was incredibly brave and self-effacing for an author to write such a personally inspired story, and to portray himself as the ‘loser� in this contest over one woman’s affections and love. For large parts of this book, I could feel the heartache and sense of loss which made this Bendrix / Greene’s story painful, deeply moving, and dramatic. The author sharing his own insecurity was one of the most touching and agonising moments of this story when he acknowledges his own weaknesses, with comments like... “Insecurity is the worst sense that lovers feel; sometimes the most humdrum desireless marriage seems better. Insecurity twists meanings and poisons trust.� because this man knew his obsession would destroy the relationship he had, even if God didn't!!!. In my quest to acquaint myself with less comfortable and unfamiliar topics, I sought this one out. I knew it would stir my emotions and like I said at the beginning of this review, this book divided my own opinion, more than I expected. Glad I read it? � yes absolutely and I will read again because I want to see if I can experience something different the next time I indulge in this evocative story of one man’s lost love and now obsession. A love that was tarnished by insecurity and doubts that poisoned the trust between these lovers and then a man who looked to God not for answers but to blame. Beautifully written, but also sad and gorgeous, raw but also sensual, thought provoking, evocative, and painful. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Jan 15, 2023
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Jan 18, 2023
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Feb 08, 2023
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Paperback
| ||||||||||||||||
| B0DM2BW5JC
| 3.72
| 10,482
| 1954
| Aug 31, 2020
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really liked it
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“It showed very early in my capacity for deluding myself�... “What I corrupted was what is called the truth in favour of a more marvellous world�. In m “It showed very early in my capacity for deluding myself�... “What I corrupted was what is called the truth in favour of a more marvellous world�. In my quest to read books with themes I am less familiar with, and to better understand the characteristics in people that I don’t see very often, I went in search of a modern classic with the femme fatale at the centre of the story. A book that would take me inside the mind and psyche of the seductress and the siren. The interest was clear but the outcome and my feelings at the end were very different from what I expected from this book. Nevertheless, it was the right message, the one I would have wanted to hear had I thought about it going in. A superb piece of writing. A book where desire is outweighed by self-loathing, where the search for pleasure leads to discontentment, and the search for love in the wrong places is the greatest treachery, because our seductress was alone and the imposter - “The Spy in the House of Love�. The Plot In the opening pages of the book, we meet the ‘Lie Detector�, a person? Good question!!!� However, this Lie Detector receives a phone call from a woman who wants to unburden herself with her story. Intrigued our invisible person begins to follow Sabina in her endless game of desire, always adorned in a cloak marking her flag of adventure. A woman who seems to escape the monotony of her life by constructing one that gives her the power and freedom to seek ‘love� and pleasure from the sexual gratification and intimate encounters with men. Yet of course there is an irony to this freedom of love and sexual expression because there was no constant person to share her sense of adventure, no-one to applaud her boldness and achievements in obtaining the ‘swagger of freedom denied to women�. She was alone, and her illusion of strength was to vanish after each of her dalliances like the ecstasies of drink leaving her deflated, empty, and possessing nothing within herself that she admired. Very telling in the quote “She had lost herself somewhere along the frontier between her inventions, her stories, her fantasies and her true self�. An incredibly deep and poignant story. Review and Comments Despite the story being described as the free sexual expression of women. Erotica it was not. Despite being married, romance it most certainly wasn’t. Although, daring and sensual in places, the act of seeking sexual gratification as a compromise and substitute for loving and being loved it most certainly was. To you and me, it was the imitation of love, and a woman seeking fulfilment wherever she could get it only to be cursed with lower self-esteem and self-loathing. Characterisation � apart from the MC, the other four characters were symbolic of the men the author wanted to portray as selfish, egotistical, and too immature to understand love. So, the characters were not as developed as in a full novel which was fine for this novella. Sex and sensuality � I wanted to address this part of the book because like many readers I did not want porn. So, to my GR friends who share my views, I can say this was so tastefully written, it is a book for many women. For example, this is a description of a sex scene “…this pleasure which transformed the body into a high tower of fireworks gradually exploding into fountains of delight through the senses.�. In other words, more sensual, elegantly worded without the vulgarity that you might find in a story of this nature. In other cases the sexual encounters were implied rather than descriptive. The writing is absolutely stunning and of course sensuous, and the story had depth and purpose. This was the portrait of a lonely woman that questioned her self-worth, through the lie detector, which I had interpreted as her own mind � rightly or wrongly. Yet the underlying message is clear about seeking pleasure and love where it cannot be found. Simple, passionate, and poignant, through quotes like. “The enemy of love is never outside, it's not a man or a woman, it's what we lack in ourselves.�, and how well this book depicted that message. A literary gem that deserves to be considered a modern classic. ...more |
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1
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Jan 26, 2023
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Jan 27, 2023
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Jan 27, 2023
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Paperback
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| 0393352560
| 9780393352566
| 0393352560
| 3.59
| 100,979
| Oct 1966
| Jan 25, 2016
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it was amazing
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If you have read Jane Eyre, read this ...... �..she belonged to that magic and that enchantment. It had left me thirsty and my whole life would be thir If you have read Jane Eyre, read this ...... �..she belonged to that magic and that enchantment. It had left me thirsty and my whole life would be thirst and longing for what I had lost before I even found� And these are the words from the distraught Edward Rochester (Jane Eyre) when he discovers he has been fooled into marrying Antionette Cosway. An insidious move by her family to pass their burden onto the unsuspecting master of Thornfield. A revelation to us as well, because this woman is none other than Bertha Rochester, in Jane Eyre. This is her story and chronicled are the events from her early childhood that led to Bertha’s demise and eventually labelled as Rochester’s insane wife. An ingenious retelling, in parts, and a worthy accompaniment to the sensation that is Jane Eyre. A book that by no means cowls in its association or in the presence of the literally masterpiece it takes its inspiration from. Instead, this retelling (of sorts) is highly imaginative, intense, brooding, and uncanny in its vivid depiction of people and surroundings, its symbolism and heavily weight themes, like Jane Eyre was. The Storyline The book is broken into three parts and narrated by Bertha / Antionette in the first part of the story as she shares her early family life; their troubles and rejection in a society recently liberated from slavery. In the second part of the story, Rochester travels to the West Indies where he meets and marries Bertha, in quite bizarre circumstances. Nevertheless, entranced by her rare beauty Rochester, once married, begins to question his union when the closely guarded family secrets begin to unravel and he begins to suspect that the rumours of madness, amongst his in-laws, are not wholly unfounded. In the final part of the book, we travel back to England where Bertha resumes her account from the attic in Thornfield Hall, where she is now guarded by Grace Pool. An account that is moving and touching as ‘the insane wife� cries and agonises over the need for a husband’s love and touch. However, as her pleas are ignored, we begin to question this so-called madness and its origins, and feel such empathy for the character of Bertha, for all she had suffered in her early years and is set to endure in her new one. For those that have read Jane Eyre - you know her outcome. Review and Comments It is fair to say I too made a journey in this book, from the West Indies, treading in the footsteps of the mixed-race Bertha, and into England, and in doing so I began to question ‘who actually betrayed who here?. Was Rochester duped? Or was it the ‘insane� Bertha?, who thought she had finally found love, only to have her hopes destroyed when she was ultimately rejected by the man, she thought would finally give her the acceptance she craved. How evocative and thought provoking for readers and lovers of Jane Eyre. Fabulous, just as retellings should be. Although only part of the story is a retelling, because as a prequel many of the events proceed Jane Eyre and fill that vacant slot about how Bertha came to be imprisoned in Thornfield. What it does offer is a different perspective on both characters, although I don’t think Rochester comes out particularly noble in Jane Eyre either. Along with some incredibly important themes of racism, postcolonialism, greed, family, and marriage which are richly and explicitly depicted. The ones on mental abuse, loneliness and rejection are less pronounced and draw the reader in to construct their own picture, which I think is more effective than had the author taken the brush to canvas and painted the landscape for us. More affecting I’d say. How this whole story comes together is a triumph, even the book title wasn’t left to chance because ironically the ‘Sargasso Sea�, was known to have marooned ships that became entangled in its weeds � unable to escape. Just like our unlikely heroine. “Perhaps love would have smiled then; Shown us the way; Across the sea; They sway its strewn with wrecks And weed-infested; Few dare it, fewer escape still !!!� The beauty of this book also comes from the colourful portrait of a tropical paradise that is juxtapositioned to a darker post-colonialist Jamaica, which promised much but didn't deliver the freedom and fundamental change in prejudices that had become so deeply engrained in all parts of the community. What a wonderful little treasure and to have found this at a book fair when I had just finished Jane Eyre, making this an even more enjoyable read. Although a prequel, I would suggest you read ‘Jane Eyre� first to appreciate the significance of Rochester and Bertha. Another 5 star for a modern classic - how could I not with its link to Jane Eyre. Yet that's not all. It is a book that is perfectly haunting and richly atmospheric for the way the story is told and how it encapsulates the period. A book that is emotionally evocative with characters that are wonderfully portrayed and vividly depicted to match the themes and storyline. And finally a quote that perfectly captures the descent into madness and loneliness. “There are always two deaths, the real one and the one people know about.� Just stunning and even more memorable and enjoyable when completing this particular Jane Eyre reading experience. ...more |
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Jan 09, 2023
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Jan 10, 2023
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Jan 09, 2023
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| 0241950457
| 9780241950456
| 0241950457
| 4.18
| 151,917
| Apr 06, 1953
| 2019
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it was amazing
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Having been put off reading ‘A Catcher in the Rye�, I thought this was a good way to sample J.D. Salinger, and what a thoroughly satisfying collection
Having been put off reading ‘A Catcher in the Rye�, I thought this was a good way to sample J.D. Salinger, and what a thoroughly satisfying collection of short stories to ruminate and reflect on. To appraise, commend, and to even reason with. A book where all the characters and their stories felt real � too real which makes this collection all the more unforgettable. A truly sobering read but a triumph of a book for its exploration of the flawed human mind portrayed alongside real and powerful themes, accompanied by some superb characters to deliver many hard-hitting, important, but also simple messages. In each of the nine stories, no emotion is spared, no sentiment is over or under stated, as the trials and tribulations of life are laid bare in simple texts with some strong and poignant themes running through all of them. My favourites are 'For Esmé - with Love and Squalor', the story the book takes its title from. The most disturbing was the first story � 'A Perfect Day for Bananafish' which left me a little shocked at the ending. Also wonderful are ‘Down at the Dinghy� about a mother trying to coach her son in dealing with fear, and ‘T� which explores multiple encounters onboard a luxury liner. All superbly written. My least favourite was ‘The Laughing Man� and ‘Just before the war with Eskimos�, mainly because the ending felt flat in both. Each story is unique with the constant call for awareness, understanding and appreciation of the human mind, the internal conflict many wrestle with and how innocence can see beyond the furs and glitz to focus on what really matters � kindness and understanding. The themes are endless, depression, suicide, loneliness, death, infidelity, greed, PTSD, love, and highlights the consequences of not seeing the obvious signs or not looking beyond yourself. For example, the wife in A Perfect Day for Bananafish jokes about her husband’s solemn mood not seeing the suicidal behaviour nor hearing the desperation in his words. In ‘For Esme � with love and Squalor� Esme is a young girl who meets an American soldier before he goes off to war. Despondent and battle weary the soldier has one of the most innocent but affecting conversations which helps pull him back from his current depressive state. The child then gifts her father’s watch and writes that this is on loan to help the sergeant through the war. Full of hope, innocence, touching and written with such simplicity and beauty. However, this book is an experience and will take you on an emotional journey where the reader will experience a fusion of hope and hopelessness, sympathy, empathy, and despondency. Also kindness, and generosity of spirit, and even a sense of frustration at the many self-destructive and / or selfish acts. Most of all, we shine a light on ‘choice, understanding, acceptance and kindness� and what a beautiful way to explore these themes through 9 short stories. Brilliant. ...more |
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Dec 03, 2022
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Dec 06, 2022
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Dec 03, 2022
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| 0141183691
| 9780141183695
| B008HK2WIS
| 3.79
| 25,001
| 1951
| Mar 29, 2001
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it was amazing
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5 melodic but tormenting stars, for the Ballad of Sad Café. A richly composed novella. A cautionary tale and a compelling human story where loneliness 5 melodic but tormenting stars, for the Ballad of Sad Café. A richly composed novella. A cautionary tale and a compelling human story where loneliness and the search for love, brings about destruction, heartache, and betrayal in this compelling arrangement where the atmosphere once again plays to a symphony of emotions. “First of all, love is a joint experience between two persons � but the fact that it is a joint experience does not mean that it is a similar experience to the two people involved. There are the lover and the beloved�, .... and never is that more true than in this profoundly atmospheric and intensely observed story of three unique but unappealing characters, who are connected by love but also revenge. First to the characters and the plot Amelia, the main character in the book is a an awkward, tall, and socially inept woman. Nevertheless, a woman of means curtesy of her father who left her comfortable but also vulnerable to the immoral advances from unscrupulous men. However, a strong woman in her own right, she casts aside her 10 day marriage to the abusive and evil Macy, forcing him to fend for himself through a life of crime resulting in a 10 year prison sentence. Casting a lonely and solitary figure, Amelia’s life begins to change in this slow burn story when cousin Lymon, a hunchback dwarf, arrives claiming to be a relative and in need of a place to live. In a bizarre twist the onlookers, believing Amelia to have murdered the new visitor, are invited in for moonshine and crackers when the dwarf appears alive and well and only too willing to entertain the townsfolk. Lymon is instrumental in breathing life into this tired and dreary town, acknowledging that “…the town is lonesome, sad, and like a place that is far off and estranged from all other places in the world� and in need of a café � ‘Sad Café�. However, matched by his high spirit are his lowly morals, and in an ugly incident backs Amelia’s former husband against her and once again Amelia’s heart is left broken. Review and Comments Dubbed one of the ‘little classics� (by Penguin classics) this little gem is by no means an inferior relative to its more prominent cousins and relatives, particularly in its portrayals of the good and evil characters, the fragility of human nature in search for love and acceptance, its profound themes and in its vivid depiction of nature, culture and daily living in this rural southern town. The intensely stilted but amorous atmosphere is a constant in the story resembling and suggestive of the mood of the people and its main characters and is always in tune with its themes. The soft and muted tones, reflective of the happy mood in the town, give way to the heat and looming storms indicative of the tension and anticipation of what is to happen. I loved the lingering sense of doom, the gradual build, the stripped back nature of the writing and from any side stories so that the reader is compelled to just concentrate on the main act. A brilliantly written book and a wonderful little story of consequence, exploitation, and immorality that is introspective, moody but unexpectedly touching. 5 stars based on this as a novella, which I feel had more substance than many books. ...more |
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Nov 20, 2022
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Nov 21, 2022
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Nov 20, 2022
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| 0718196082
| 9780718196080
| B007JZW3VS
| 3.99
| 115,459
| Jun 04, 1940
| Apr 26, 2012
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it was amazing
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“The most fatal thing a man can do is try to stand alone.� 5 ‘lonely hearts� for a book that portrays the heavy theme of loneliness, much of which ste “The most fatal thing a man can do is try to stand alone.� 5 ‘lonely hearts� for a book that portrays the heavy theme of loneliness, much of which stems from prejudice, intolerance in some form, and the inability to communicate effectively. So, what better way to depict the sobering effects of this strong message than to create a voiceless mute at the centre of the story. Singer is a man who struggles to cope with his own loneliness, and whilst at hand to listen to the troubled lives of the other four main characters, there is an innate ability for them to recognise Singer’s personal wilderness. Affecting, touching, evocative, and a little gem of a book that will take you through a symphony of emotions. A little book by a young author whose maturity and insight to have written this at the age of just 23 is just remarkable. An easy 5 stars. The Plot John Singer shares an apartment and a habitual silence with his friend Spiros Antonapoulos, until Spiros is committed to an asylum. Only able to communicate via slips of paper, Singer moves to a small apartment and frequents a café, owned by Biff Brannon and his wife Alice. After a period of time Biff begins to open up about the loneliness he feels in his marriage that has yet to bless the couple with children. Soon the friendships extend to Dr Copeland, a black physician in a predominantly white town. We also have Jake Blunt who is a heavy drinker, and who’s self-loathing often sees him fly into bouts of rage and anger, which only perpetuates the feeling of isolation as people distance themselves from his company. Thereafter he is caught up in this vicious circle of anger, rejection, and then isolation. Mike represents youth and the prejudices that come with age either being too old or too young to be taken seriously. A young girl who has ideas but often feels misunderstood by those around her. The perfect cast to portray loneliness, solitude and the feelings engendered by isolation, like low self esteem. Loneliness ultimately caused by racism, ageism, alcoholism, infertility, politics, religion, social division, and disability. All packed into this literary gem. Review and Comments There is a haunting simplicity in the way this story is told. The reason I say ‘haunting� is because you never shake off this ever-present sense that sorrow and fate will have their day, despite it not being a gloomy book. There is simplicity in the writing style too. The stripped back nature of the prose is incredibility effective in this very human portrayal of loneliness and rejection. Even the characters are deliberately uncomplicated or complex because the themes are. The book title is perfect for a book that gets to the heart of loneliness that few books have achieved for me. It is a book that doesn’t shy away from strong evocative themes and prejudices to deliver this powerful message of loneliness, and the importance of communication. It is ironic that although Singer is there for his companions, when he reaches one of his lowest points, he feels more alone than ever despite amassing this unlikely band of friends because no one sees it. The character development is also superb. It is a book that gives a voice to the voiceless, A book that offers company to the repressed, lonely, or even rejected people. A book that warns of how we can become so engrossed in our own worries and consumed by our need to be understood that we might fail to see the anguish felt by those around us. Heart breaking � yes because Carson McCullers refuses to provide the utopian ending for all the characters, so we as readers are not distracted from the core themes she wanted to depict. Loneliness, self esteem, acceptance, love (including self love) and communication. Highly recommended. I will leave you with two very important quotes on loneliness from two very different characters. One a cartoon character Shrek, and the other one of the most iconic female figures of all time, Mother Teresa. They judge me before they even know me. That’s why I’m better off alone.� The most terrible poverty is loneliness and the feeling of being unloved.� � Mother Teresa ...more |
Notes are private!
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Jan 09, 2023
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Jan 12, 2023
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Aug 08, 2022
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Kindle Edition
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