I saw this movie a few years ago so I know how it would end but it was a highly acclaimed read so I was excited to try it on for size.
The prose was brilliant and the plot was ingenious and the characters were fully developed and intriguing.
Briony Tallis is a young girl who misunderstands what she sees happening between her older sister Cecilia and the family's longtime friend Robbie Turner. When she decides to step up and fix the situation she only ruins the course of many lives unfairly. She spends the rest of her life trying to make up for her actions as a 13 year old, giving us the title.
I am impressed with how well a male author gave the perspectives of two female protagonists and even more satisfied with the embodiment of the unjustly accused and incriminated Robbie Turner. The book follows an interesting narrative technique as the author tells the most of the story from Briony's perspective. As the story apparently winds down we jump into her life as she's entering her 8th decade at which point she bemoans her inability to fix the mistakes she made as a youth and the irreperable consequences of her actions. I vaguely knew where the story was going so I was an impatient reader except for the section told in the perspective of Turner but it was an enjoyable read and I recommend it, especially for those who have an interest in the events of World War Two on the European Continent before America joined the contest.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
'The Fountainhead' by Ayn Rand
I can't help it, I love Ayn Rand. Not unlike 'Atlas Shrugged' and most of Stephen King's novels I really enjoyed this book for the process more than the end.
This novel mainly follows and elevates architect Howard Roark. A once in a generation talent, Roark shuns the popular architectural movement in lieu of his own instinctive modern impulses and, after decades of sporadic work, triumphs in the public eye.
As in 'Atlas Shrugged' this novel introduces the reader to a few similarily principled characters. Another strong, individualistic protagonist is Roarks love interest Dominique Francon. We also meet his polar opposite: Peter Keating, a man with little talent that the public is manipulated to hold in high esteem. His rise and subsequent fall balances the inverse function occuring in our protagonists life. The lower Roark falls, the higher Keating rises until the role reversal begins. Another character that embodies all the innate integrity Rand wants us to appreciate is Gail Wynand, newspaper giant and all around tycoon. When put to the test we are shown how integrity means nothing when it folds under pressure but we cannot help but feel this character is another protagonist.
In terms of Antagonists, there really seems to be only one. Keating is a spineless pawn but the real evil mastermind is Ellsworth Toohey. The master manipulator and aspiring ruler of the populace, Toohey makes seemingly benign alliances in part of his grand scheme to dictate popular opinion.
As I said before, I love the way Rand writes. It's a refreshing drink of intellectual cool water after months of reading luke warm stale dumbed down water. That said, there is one thing about her writing that bothers me. I don't know enough to say if this is a product of the times or if it's her own personal vendetta to make things incredible clear cut but there are these monologues by characters that go on for pages upon pages laying out the message which the capable reader should have already gleaned from the story. Aside from this over the head beating of the message I would call Rand my perfect author. This novel is just under 800 pages but I couldn't wait to read more and finished it in about 5 days.
Loved the book, want more Rand, already understood that individualism should never be pushed aside for the idea of holding the unremarkable aloft.
This novel mainly follows and elevates architect Howard Roark. A once in a generation talent, Roark shuns the popular architectural movement in lieu of his own instinctive modern impulses and, after decades of sporadic work, triumphs in the public eye.
As in 'Atlas Shrugged' this novel introduces the reader to a few similarily principled characters. Another strong, individualistic protagonist is Roarks love interest Dominique Francon. We also meet his polar opposite: Peter Keating, a man with little talent that the public is manipulated to hold in high esteem. His rise and subsequent fall balances the inverse function occuring in our protagonists life. The lower Roark falls, the higher Keating rises until the role reversal begins. Another character that embodies all the innate integrity Rand wants us to appreciate is Gail Wynand, newspaper giant and all around tycoon. When put to the test we are shown how integrity means nothing when it folds under pressure but we cannot help but feel this character is another protagonist.
In terms of Antagonists, there really seems to be only one. Keating is a spineless pawn but the real evil mastermind is Ellsworth Toohey. The master manipulator and aspiring ruler of the populace, Toohey makes seemingly benign alliances in part of his grand scheme to dictate popular opinion.
As I said before, I love the way Rand writes. It's a refreshing drink of intellectual cool water after months of reading luke warm stale dumbed down water. That said, there is one thing about her writing that bothers me. I don't know enough to say if this is a product of the times or if it's her own personal vendetta to make things incredible clear cut but there are these monologues by characters that go on for pages upon pages laying out the message which the capable reader should have already gleaned from the story. Aside from this over the head beating of the message I would call Rand my perfect author. This novel is just under 800 pages but I couldn't wait to read more and finished it in about 5 days.
Loved the book, want more Rand, already understood that individualism should never be pushed aside for the idea of holding the unremarkable aloft.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
'Where are you now?' by Mary Higgins Clark
I was shocked at how much I did enjoy this book. Again, I felt like there was a surplus of red herrings and the plot sort of unfolded as I expected it to but there was still an awful moment at the end where I thought, 'well, how the hell could anyone ever figure that out?' I don't like to be cheated and it would be easy to read this book and never spend a moment trying to unravel the tale but that's not how I like to read.
Synopsis: Boy dissappeared years ago. Family still receives a call every mother's day 'from him'. Sister starts digging into the circumstances around his 'intentional departure from society' and, simultaneously, other dissappearances come to light with similarities.
Ok read but very dissappointing all in all.
Synopsis: Boy dissappeared years ago. Family still receives a call every mother's day 'from him'. Sister starts digging into the circumstances around his 'intentional departure from society' and, simultaneously, other dissappearances come to light with similarities.
Ok read but very dissappointing all in all.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
'The Chosen' by Chaim Potok
Another second reading for me and well worthy of it. I read this book for a college course 10 years ago. The aim of the class was to provide the student with a more worldly view. I understand why the book was part of the syllabus. Starting with a baseball matchup of epic proportions we meet our protagonists Rueven Malter and Danny Saunders, sons of Rabbis in opposing sects of Judaism. These clashing systems of religious ideal give the game great importance for both sides. The game ends with
Saunder's team the victors and Rueven on the sidelines with part of his glasses imbedded in his eyeball.
The events of that ball game set up the inevitable character changes we witness as the two once rivals become close friends. The story follows not only the boys but their fathers as a great atrocity is taking place in the world. In the buildup to the Americans entering Europe, the subsequent years of fighting and, finally, the revelation that Jews have been murdered in the millions with nothing done to intercede when there was time we see the differing religious views grow more and more firmly opposite. When the question comes about regarding a Jewish state, these views are vehemently contrarian.
Through out it all we experience the boys growing and gaining certainty in what they will do with their beliefs and their lives. Danny is expected to take over his father's flock and Rueven's father wants him to do something in the mathmatics field. As they are educated and gain experiences they seem to switch roles with Danny desiring to become a psychologist and Rueven feeling called to become a Rabbi.
This book contains many other themes but the way boys become men, assert their own wishes and the enduring, unshakeable love of fathers remain the central themes in my opinion. It was revelatory for the reader and characters alike to see the strength of the bonds we form in this world, both friendship and father-son.
I have always intended to look into more Potok writings and this novel has reaffirmed my belief that I would enjoy anything that has come from his pen.
Saunder's team the victors and Rueven on the sidelines with part of his glasses imbedded in his eyeball.
The events of that ball game set up the inevitable character changes we witness as the two once rivals become close friends. The story follows not only the boys but their fathers as a great atrocity is taking place in the world. In the buildup to the Americans entering Europe, the subsequent years of fighting and, finally, the revelation that Jews have been murdered in the millions with nothing done to intercede when there was time we see the differing religious views grow more and more firmly opposite. When the question comes about regarding a Jewish state, these views are vehemently contrarian.
Through out it all we experience the boys growing and gaining certainty in what they will do with their beliefs and their lives. Danny is expected to take over his father's flock and Rueven's father wants him to do something in the mathmatics field. As they are educated and gain experiences they seem to switch roles with Danny desiring to become a psychologist and Rueven feeling called to become a Rabbi.
This book contains many other themes but the way boys become men, assert their own wishes and the enduring, unshakeable love of fathers remain the central themes in my opinion. It was revelatory for the reader and characters alike to see the strength of the bonds we form in this world, both friendship and father-son.
I have always intended to look into more Potok writings and this novel has reaffirmed my belief that I would enjoy anything that has come from his pen.
'Untitled' by Julie Kaewert
Claiming to be a mystery novel for bibliophiles this novel takes the reader through enough twists, turns, and red herrings to please a mystery lover who loves mystery for all the aforementioned ingredients. The references to, details of and high profile society revolving around ancient and rare books will fulfull anyone reading who fits the bibliophile demographic.
All that aside, this book left me disappointed. The writing was good...enough. The plot was satisfactory...in some ways. The characters were interesting and complex...in a way. All that was missing was that key element of believablity that any true mystery lover needs. When the protagonist opts to put himself into a highly dangerous situation with, seemingly, no safeguards a reader feels taken. When the protagonist endures and survives innumberable near death/murder scenarios, the reader feels robbed. Because of these reasons I could not walk away from 'Untitled' with satisfaction in having opened it's cover.
All that aside, the protagonist finds an extremely rare and, as we soon find out, highly dangerous novel. The information supposedly contained within could potentially ruin the reputations of persons who will do anything to get it back. Strangly, the protagonist is suspiciously invited to join a highly elite and exclusive book club. As we learn more about who might benefit from the book being destroyed and what information the book might contain, we are pulled along in the unbearably implausible plot until, all red herrings cleared, we are given the climactic scene where the true bad guy holds our protagonists at gun point and explains everything, just in time to get killed, unintentionally. Even more disappointing, we never see the protagonist reunited with his kidnapped fiance. (oh yeah, that happened too) Well written enough that I could make my way through it but frustrating beyond belief. No more Kaewert please.
All that aside, this book left me disappointed. The writing was good...enough. The plot was satisfactory...in some ways. The characters were interesting and complex...in a way. All that was missing was that key element of believablity that any true mystery lover needs. When the protagonist opts to put himself into a highly dangerous situation with, seemingly, no safeguards a reader feels taken. When the protagonist endures and survives innumberable near death/murder scenarios, the reader feels robbed. Because of these reasons I could not walk away from 'Untitled' with satisfaction in having opened it's cover.
All that aside, the protagonist finds an extremely rare and, as we soon find out, highly dangerous novel. The information supposedly contained within could potentially ruin the reputations of persons who will do anything to get it back. Strangly, the protagonist is suspiciously invited to join a highly elite and exclusive book club. As we learn more about who might benefit from the book being destroyed and what information the book might contain, we are pulled along in the unbearably implausible plot until, all red herrings cleared, we are given the climactic scene where the true bad guy holds our protagonists at gun point and explains everything, just in time to get killed, unintentionally. Even more disappointing, we never see the protagonist reunited with his kidnapped fiance. (oh yeah, that happened too) Well written enough that I could make my way through it but frustrating beyond belief. No more Kaewert please.
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