Book # 28 Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison

Why didn't I read this book back in high school or college? How could none of my teachers assign this book to me? I had to read Ethan Frome and The Awakening but not Invisible Man? I don't even remember learning about this book until after college. So yes, I really enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it to just about anyone.

The plot is pretty simple, a young African-American man leaves his Southern college and travels to New York where he confronts racism and tries to improve his community. Throughout his story he continually finds out various hard realities about society and sees different viewpoints on how to improve race relations. Right from the very first chapter you can tell that this book will show how ugly racial attitudes can be, especially in the South seventy years ago. I liked how the way the story is told changes slightly along the way. The first half of the book is very realistic and the narrator still has a bit of naivety. The scene where he finds out what his college dean wrote in his recommendation letters is heartbreaking. Though as we get closer to the end and the narrator is going through an existential crisis the action becomes slightly absurd when everyone the narrator meets mistakes him for someone else. By the very end, the physical predicament the narrator finds himself in seems more symbolic than real.

There are several passages I would have probably underlined if I had read this for a school assignment. Here's a good one from right after the narrator is betrayed by the political group he is trying to help...

"And that lie that success was a rising upward. What a crummy lie they kept us dominated by. Not only could you travel upward toward success but you could travel downward as well: up and down, in retreat as well as in advance, crabways and crossways and around in a circle, meeting your old selves coming and going and perhaps all at the same time. How could I have missed it for so long? Hadn't I grown up around gambler-politicians, bootlegger-judges and sheriffs who were burglars; yes and Klansmen who were preachers and members of humanitarian societies?"

There is a good lesson in here about racism, but many of the problems the narrator has can be applied to anyone learning about the cold truths of society for the first time. I'm also glad that this hasn't been turned into a movie yet. Unlike many of the other books I've read on this list, my imagination of how I visualize the main character is free from Hollywood casting.

The book will be permanently on my shelf and into my top 50. A+

Book # 47 Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne

Progress Book #4 of 100

I enjoyed this book.  It was short, cute and fun.  This was my first time reading it, but I was familiar with the characters since they are everywhere.  The only question I had while reading, is where is Tigger?  He was missing from this book, so I guess he must have been introduced later? 

Having recently seen the movie, all of the character voices were in my head while reading, especially when Christopher Robin says "Silly Bear."  I've never really thought which character I like the most and still don't know.  Maybe Piglet- since he is the smallest?  Owl can be a little too much and Kanga and Roo don't make a big appearance until the last few stories.  I guess it would have to be Piglet or Pooh, since he is so nice and sincere, even if he is really gullible. 

After finishing the book, I felt like I need to have some honey- or as Pooh would spell Hunny!  It would be a good product placement for a honey brand- not that Disney would ever sell the rights out.

Anyways, I give this a 92%- An A.

Book # 39 Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

Progress- Book # 3 of 100

I really enjoyed this book.  It is very similar to Jane Eyre, but since the setting is in the 20^th Century, I think it’s easier to read and relate with.  I’m a very big fan of the film by Hitchcock and was surprised to see how accurate the film was to the novel.  The story is about a young unnamed woman marrying Maxim de Winter the owner of a huge estate called Manderley.  Maxim’s previous wife, Rebecca, drowned a year before, but her presence is everywhere causing the new Mrs. de Winter much pain.  The only complaint I have about the novel is that it ends very abruptly.  I wanted to know more and see how the author has the two main characters move on after Maxim is cleared of Rebecca’s death.  I just wish there was more to read.

I’m giving this novel an A+ 98%

There is a sequel approved by the de Maurier estate called Mrs. de Winter- I might have to read that once I’m done with the 100 books.

Book # 34 The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame

The Wind in the Willows really surprised me. I hadn't really known too much about it and everything I did know came from seeing the Disney cartoon a million times as a kid. I had expected that it would just be the wacky adventures of Mr. Toad, but the book is so much more than that. The book shows us the lives of four different animals (Mole, Rat, Toad and Badger) as they go about their business. The first third of the book really focuses on Mole becoming friends with Rat and the rest of the characters. There isn't a whole lot of 'plot' and it sort of reminded me of Winnie-the-Pooh. However, this book isn't written just for children and really conveys an appreciation for nature and had a nice mellowing effect on me.

Here's a sample sentence "Drowsy animals, snug in their holes while wind and rain were battering at their doors, recalled still keen mornings, an hour before sunrise, when the white mists, as yet undispersed, clung closely along the surface of the water; then the shock of the early plunge, the scamper along the bank, and the radiant transformation of earth, air, and water, when suddenly the sun was with them again, and grey was gold and colour was born and sprang out of the earth once more." That doesn't really seem like something from a "kids" book, but more like poetry.

The action picks up a bit more in the middle section and I started to recognize the story elements that made up the Disney cartoon. Toad has a couple of really hilarious chapters as he steals a car, gets thrown in jail, escapes dressed as an old woman and then tries to find his way back home. Funny and fast paced chapters. However in between two of those chapters is a moving story about Mole and Rat looking for a lost otter. That chapter is the complete opposite of the Toad chapters and is full of emotion and also some weird mysticism. Since that chapter is called "The Piper at the Gates of Dawn" (yes, this is where Pink Floyd came up with that name) I should have expected something trippy to happen. Another weird chapter is when Rat is seeing off all the animals that are headed South for the change of seasons. When Rat meets Sea Rat and hears about his adventures around the world he starts contemplating his own life and if he has done enough with it.

Overall I really enjoyed it. I couldn't help comparing it to Winnie-the-Pooh at first, but this is a book that can also be enjoyed as an adult and has some complex themes in it. Plus, Toad is a great character and totally deserving of his own Disneyland ride. I'll have to include it in my top 50. An A!

-Dan

Book # 11 Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte in 1847

Progress- Book# 2 of 100

I really enjoyed this novel.  I think this was my first time reading it, which is pretty surprising since I love all things British and this is a classic British Romantic Novel.  Before I started reading I was  worried the story would be too dark and that I may not really enjoy it that much, especially when it’s always compared to my favorite novel of all time Pride and Prejudice.  I was wrong, and blame all the movie adaptations for painting a dreary sad picture. It is serious and you do feel for Jane and everything she goes through, but it’s not sad and depressing all the time.  There are actually many happy moments. 

This book has been on my “to read” shelf since I got out of the movie theater last spring.  Michael Fassbender as Mr. Rochester was a good choice- which is kind of funny since the book describes the character as not very handsome and I don’t think you could say that about Michael Fassbender.  Having him in the cast definitely made the movie more enjoyable, and the movie adaptation got me curious about the book.  I was happy to see that it made our list.

The story touches on faith, classes and morals during this period. Charlotte Bronte (CB) provides many memorable characters throughout the book. 

SPOILERS:

First there is Jane's Aunt Reed who doesn’t like or care for Jane- but has to take care of her since she made a promise to her husband on his deathbed.  This lasts for a few years, but then she sends Jane to a horrible boarding school.  CB punishes Aunt Reed by giving her a son that squanders all their money away.  Later on, she is tormented and ashamed of her treatment towards Jane and seeks and is given Jane's forgiveness on her own deathbed. 

Then CB gives us Helen Burns, Jane's best friend at school.  Helen teaches Jane to be strong and independent, and helps her survive public embarrassment at the school.  Later when Helen dies in Jane’s arms and it’s a very tender moment about faith and peace.   

Mr. Rochester is the love interest that treats Jane poorly.  CB even has him dress up as a gypsy and tricks Jane with a false fortunetelling. In today's standards he would be in the dog house, but Jane quickly forgives him for love.  Later we learn that Mr. Rochester fell in love with Jane almost at first sight and that does warm me to him a little more.  While he was entertaining other socialites and flirting with Miss Ingram it was hard to sympathise with his character.  I almost wonder if CB didn't want you to like Mr. Rochester until he tells his entire story to Jane when he is exposed. 

Finally we have Jane.  As the reader, you are with her from childhood and get to see how she grows up to be the person she is.  After teaching a few years at her own boarding school Jane wants to move on and becomes a governess at Thornfiled Hall.  She falls in love with the owner and they almost get married, until he is discovered to have a mad wife locked up in the attic.  When Mr. Rochester explains he doesn't considered himself married and tries to plead Jane to run away with him, all Jane can think of is that he would just get tired of her and leave her one day.  She runs away herself to be in her own misery thinking he would just forget about her.  At the end of the book, Mr. Rochester's mad wife burns Thornfield Hall down and takes her own life.  In the fire he loses his sight and a hand (I think this is how CB punishes him for deceiving Jane).  At the end of the novel  Jane comes back to him, they marry, have a child and he gains some eyesight back.  I'm glad it ended on a happy note and would definitely recommend this book. 

This book gets a 94%- solid A.

-Lucinda 

 

Book # 98 The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco

When I was about 11, I remember that my mom had a copy of The Name of the Rose. The cover fascinated me for some unknown reason and I wanted to read it but my mom told me something along the lines of “that book isn’t for children”. Of course that just made me want to read it even more but since I was only 11 I quickly forgot all about it… until about two years ago where I found an old copy at the Culver City Library book sale for fifty cents. I kept putting off reading it though because it looked pretty thick and had really tiny print. So now that I’ve read it I can see why it isn’t for children… not because of anything scandalous (well… some monks do have inappropriate relationships with each other) but because it is full of long theological debates, histories of various monk orders and discussions about 14^th century libraries. If these things interest you, then this book is for you!

The main story is about a super smart monk that visits a monastery in order to solve a murder. However he quickly realizes that the monks are hiding stuff from him and dead bodies keep appearing. Along the way he has long theological discussions with almost everyone he meets and talks about the differences between different orders of monks (Benedictine, Franciscan, etc), and hears about how everyone back then accused each other of heresy and burned those found guilty. Plus half of the scenes are set in the monks’ library. Either that sounds really interesting to you or it doesn’t. I found it pretty interesting though I found it a bit difficult to remember all of the details on the different types of monks and what the political allegiances of various Popes and kings were. Plus the characters just love to quote things in Latin. I'm a library nerd, so I found all of the discussions about medieval libraries super fascinating. I'd guess most people would be bored by that though.

The main murder mystery is compelling… especially because every time you think you know who did it that person ends up dead in the next chapter. From just reading the book, I’d guess that the movie with Sean Connery should be pretty good. I’ll have to rent it to find out, but I read online that the movie has an additional scene  which changes the outcome of a minor character. If that scene had been in the book it would have diminished the ending quite a bit for me. I found the resolution to the mystery and the fate of all of the characters very satisfying and justified all of the theological debates throughout. It isn’t the happiest of endings (which I like) but it feels like the natural perfect conclusion. I can just imagine some studio executive demanding a happier ending to the movie and having that extra scene added (**spoiler** in the book an innocent character is last seen being taken away to be executed with no hope of rescue, however the movie has a scene in which she escapes).

The book easily gets an A. It is a bit borderline for my own top 50, I’ll include it for now, but it could be pushed out by future books.

-Daniel

Book # 30 The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain --- a second opinion

Ahh, the classic Huck Finn... I had read it way back in high school and didn't really remember too much about it. Before I started reading it I wondered if I would find it to be an over-rated outdated book that is no longer relevant and also racist... or would I find it to be deserving of "classic" book status. Well after reading it I found the decision easy... CLASSIC! A+ Easily in my own top 50.



There's a lot that can be said about this book... but I don't really feel like writing an entire analysis on a book that has already been analyzed by everyone in high school English classes. I will say a few things though... First, this book is totally hilarious. From Huck's dad's rant against the government to the super elaborate plan Tom Sawyer creates to help free Jim, there are all kinds of humor present, from social satire to kids just being kids. The book is pretty episodic, but each episode is filled with great characters that show the different types of people in society, both good and bad.



Next, the book is pretty clearly not racist. Yes, there is a particular word used throughout the book which will make most people uncomfortable, but given when the book was written, that word didn't really have the same impact or connotation then as it does now. Also, a major part of the story is Huck slowly changing his opinion of Jim. At first Huck feels bad that he's helping Jim escape because he still thinks of him as "property" and he feels bad for the owner. Eventually though he really starts to care about Jim and in the end he vows to help Jim escape because he thinks it is the right thing for him to do morally regardless of what society tells him.



So, overall I'm sure most of you have read this one before... but it is well worth a re-reading. I know I picked up more of the satire and social commentary this time than I did in high school, plus I laughed out loud several times.







My Rankings So Far

1. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

2. The Stand

3. Rebecca

4. Winnie-the-Pooh

5. Mrs. Dalloway

Book #30- The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain in 1884

Progress- Book #1 0f 100

 First I’ll say that overall this book was okay.  I started with this title because I thought I would read it in a weekend and get to put the first book review on our blog.  Instead things happened and it took way longer than expected to finish.  I just couldn’t find the time to sit down and read.  Was it because I was so busy, or was it because I didn’t make the time?  When I like a book, I usually can’t put it down.  I constantly think about the story and can’t wait to get back to it.  That did not happen with this title. 

I was sure I had already read The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn in junior high or earlier.  I have had the book on my shelf forever and even found a really old bookmark in the pages.  That being said, I didn’t really remember the story- maybe it was Tom Sawyer that I read and I was just getting the titles confused.  Maybe I had only really seen the movie- it was like I was reading it for the first time- because it wasn’t familiar at all.  The parts that were familiar in my mind contained scenes with Elijah Wood- therefore I must have only seen the movie. 

The plot is about a young boy who runs away from an abusive home and goes on an adventure down the Mississippi river with a runaway slave named Jim.  Reading about society in that time makes me so happy I wasn’t growing up in the South in the 1800s.  Along the way Huck and Jim become good friends and meet all sorts of interesting people.  Tom Sawyer also makes appearances throughout the book, significantly at the end.  Together they get into all kinds of trouble and make situations way more difficult than they need to be, but of course everything works out in the end.

I will give this book an 87%- a solid B-B+.  It wasn't what I was expecting, but I'm tempted to read  Mark Twain's other books about Tom Sawyer.  I'm interested in finding out more, especially what Twain envisioned for his characters as young men.  It would be fun to read about Tom Sawyer- Detective.  Of course- I'll read those after I complete this list of 100 books.      
  

-Lucinda

Book # 39 Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

Originally I had intended to spend this week reading a huge stack of comic books and take a break from reading books from this list... but I picked up this book instead and just couldn't put it down. It has been about twenty years since I had seen the movie version, I remember really liking it but couldn't even recall what it was really about.

So what's it about? A young woman gets romanced by a recent widower and after a quick marriage they return to the husband's giant home and she soon finds that the dead first wife still has a huge influence on life at the mansion, plus the head maid is really really mean. It doesn't sound that exciting but I found that I needed to keep reading to find out what would happen next.

The writing style is straightforward (at least compared to Mrs. Dalloway) yet elegant and really allows the reader to get into the thoughts and emotions of the narrator. The characters are each very distinctive and memorable and I found myself really hoping that everything would turn out well for Mr. de Winter and his new wife even after some suspicion is cast on him and that someone would punch Mrs. Danvers in the face or something. The mystery of what kind of a person was Rebecca and how did she really die keep the story rolling. I could see how this would be a bestseller at the time.

Overall I would recommend it. I'm not sure if it would make my own personal top 50, but it would probably make my 100. Now I've got to rewatch the film. A.

-Dan

Comments

Ooops, I hadn't realized that to leave comments required someone to login to a Google account or something similiar. That should be fixed now. So go ahead and leave all the anonymous comments you wish... I welcome different viewpoints.