I appreciate WCW for basically inventing the casual American style of poetry and that his subject matter centered on everyday circumstances of life anI appreciate WCW for basically inventing the casual American style of poetry and that his subject matter centered on everyday circumstances of life and the lives of common people. While he seems to have had definite philosophic and aesthetic ideas, it also seems that he demanded a poetry that spoke for itself. That, in itself, is what I think makes WCW's poetry accessible. However, WCW is not my favorite poet. While I like some of his poetry, I also don't care for most of it and my rating reflects this. The great thing about poetry is that it doesn't matter what I think. Everyone can enjoy what they like. ...more
While I appreciate this book for its literary importance and for the themes and concepts including commentary on totalitarianism and propaganda and deWhile I appreciate this book for its literary importance and for the themes and concepts including commentary on totalitarianism and propaganda and democracy, I did not find this book interesting or easy to read due to the execution and presentation. The pacing is uneven and the world building struggles, even with the info dump in the first part. Although I did appreciate how he did the info dump through the Director giving a tour of the "factory" (i.e., the Hatchery and Conditioning facility). The use of a version of Fordism (a model of mass production and consumption) got a bit cheesy. "Oh Ford!"
So, I am glad I finally read it, but I think there are better classics that speak to the same or similar themes and concepts that Huxley presents. ...more
I can understand why Chekhov is considered to be the greatest short story writer of all time. The imagery, the humor, the character studies, the preciI can understand why Chekhov is considered to be the greatest short story writer of all time. The imagery, the humor, the character studies, the precision writing and yet so readable. These are stories that transcend time—as relevant today as they were in the late 1800s. I will definitely revisit these stories....more
While I appreciate this novel's historical literary significance, I found I lost steam with the continuous monotony of the ludicrous conduct. Like beiWhile I appreciate this novel's historical literary significance, I found I lost steam with the continuous monotony of the ludicrous conduct. Like being stuck in a revolving door. Maybe it was the translation I read. By the time I got to part 2, which in fairness is really a sequel as it was written 10 years after the first part, the story had lost its charm. And mostly, I ended up feeling bad for Don Quixote because everyone wants to have a go at having fun at his expense. And then he just dies at the end hating himself for all his adventures. It was a bit of a slog to finish the book, but finish I have (even though I did some skimming)....more
Classic Sci-Fi. Published originally in 1963, it’s easy to see why it won the Hugo and why Mr. Simak was a Grand Master of Sci-fi & Fantasy writers. AClassic Sci-Fi. Published originally in 1963, it’s easy to see why it won the Hugo and why Mr. Simak was a Grand Master of Sci-fi & Fantasy writers. Ahead of its time, you can see how it influenced science fiction, including Dr. Who and Star Trek. And this book speaks to larger issues such as conflict, loneliness, and humanity. There’s a lot packed into one little book. A must-read for any sci-fi reader....more
A sweet story introducing the world to a bear from Peru. How I made it this far in life having never read Paddington is a real mystery. A timeless stoA sweet story introducing the world to a bear from Peru. How I made it this far in life having never read Paddington is a real mystery. A timeless story, I would highly recommend this book to children of all ages....more
I simply couldn't get into this book. I realize it's the classic adventure story, often considered to be the first novel. But I wasn't invested in theI simply couldn't get into this book. I realize it's the classic adventure story, often considered to be the first novel. But I wasn't invested in the main character and quite frankly found his telling of his story rather on the boring side. I read (or rather skimmed) as much as I could, but can't push myself to read more. I'm calling it quits at 36%....more
I read this book for #GARbingo. I've never been a fan of Mr. Twain's writing and this book did nothing to change that opinion. Maybe if I had read thiI read this book for #GARbingo. I've never been a fan of Mr. Twain's writing and this book did nothing to change that opinion. Maybe if I had read this when I was a child, I would have liked it more ... although I doubt it. As an adult, I've read other books with child protagonists (e.g., Harry Potter, Because of Winn-Dixie) and loved them. I just didn't like this book.
As it is, while I appreciate the book as a classic, I simply couldn't get into this rambling story about a mischievous boy and his "adventures." Quite simply, I got bored. I found the episodic style to be a detraction. With no real plot, there was nothing that drew me into the story. I never connected to the characters or even cared what happened to them. As the story is told from a child's perspective, there's no real social commentary or any commentary on the time. And while certain things about childhood are immortal, other things are not, and this story demonstrates that in spades. But sadly, what is there about childhood in the mid-1800s is not enough to provide any solid context from a historical perspective.
In the end, I had to force myself to finish it and even then, I was skimming quite a bit of it. This book just wasn't for me.
Wow, I cannot understand the love and hype for this book. I gave it 1.5 stars simply because I finished it (sort of in a way). I read the first 2/3 ofWow, I cannot understand the love and hype for this book. I gave it 1.5 stars simply because I finished it (sort of in a way). I read the first 2/3 of the book one chapter at a time, and after one chapter, would have to put it down and go do something else, then force myself to pick it up again. Then the last 1/3 I had to skim for reasons below.
First off, the narrative choice didn't work. The bulk of the story is the housekeeper Nelly/Ellen (someone explain to me how Ellen becomes Nelly?) telling the history (as it mostly is history) of the characters. I get the entire concept that at that time, servants heard and saw a lot more than was realized. But seriously, you would think that Nelly was not just present at every conversation but completely got how each character felt and thought. And because it was Nelly regaling the tale, sometimes the dialogue got muddled so that it was hard to know if Nelly was speaking in the present to Lockwood or the other characters. And because this centers around Nelly telling Lockwood, I found it lacked any true action.
Next, there is no world building. We're given some dates and we're told the moors are gray and windswept. Yes, less is usually more, but a bit of detail might have been nice. Moreover, the moors were supposed to be a big deal (and Catherine certainly mentions them enough), but nothing happens on the moors.
Then the characters. Talk about nearly one-dimensional. I get that Heathcliff is supposed to be vile. But that was it. He had no redeeming characteristics at all. Catherine is shallow and manipulative. There's no growth, no development. Nothing. The only semi-likable character is Nelly, although her defending both Catherine and Heathcliff leave some room for doubt about her. And Lockwood, well Lockwood might as well not been there. He is merely a plot device.
But seriously, when the characters have no redeeming qualities, have no capacity for growth or change, how can anyone care about them? I certainly didn't care at all. I kept hoping they'd just kill each other and be done with it. Instead, I had to slog through 322 pages of narcissistic, insufferable drivel. And the abuse, both verbal and physical, of each other, the animals, and particularly the children is reprehensible.
Lastly, this book doesn't stand the test of time. Today, women have so many more options, more choices. While I know there are abusive relationships, we (as a society) have more options to get out from abuse. Mainly I wanted to scream at Catherine I, Isabelle, and Catherine 2. Yes, I get that at that time, women had little options and really were little more than property. But having grown up in the late-twentieth century, that's hard to empathize with.
As to why this has been deemed a great classic, a magnificent gothic romance, is beyond me. From my perspective, it's very easy to see that this was written by a sheltered young woman who never left her house because that's exactly how it reads....more
As an HSP and animal lover, I had a hard time with this book, although I understand why it's a classic.
The cruelty of the men, the land, and the timeAs an HSP and animal lover, I had a hard time with this book, although I understand why it's a classic.
The cruelty of the men, the land, and the times (the 1890s gold rush) poignantly shone through London's writing. London certainly captured the feel and the harshness of life on the Yukon during the days of the gold rush. Writing from the POV of Buck was masterfully done. It felt at times that London could actually communicate with dogs to so eloquently express Buck's POV. London also did a fantastic job illustrating the various personalities of the "masters" that Buck had from the inept to the cruel to the efficient to the loving.
While I appreciate that the book is a classic and admire the writing, I still had a hard time with this book. I despise any type of cruelty, especially to animals, and this book is rife with animal cruelty so much so, it was hard for me to read. So 3.5 stars for the writing....more
I have never been a fan of Hemingway & this book didn't change my opinion. I find his prose cloying. I found myself not caring at all for the characteI have never been a fan of Hemingway & this book didn't change my opinion. I find his prose cloying. I found myself not caring at all for the characters. They didn't seem so much a "Lost Generation," but more selfish, childish, boorish drunks. At times, was hoping for a big, perhaps gory, death just to mix it up a bit. The best I can say is that I finished it and I did like it a smidge more than the Old Man and the Sea, but that's not saying much since I despised that book.
I read this because it's on PBS's Great American Reads list of 100 and I had never read it before. Now that I can say I have, I can go back to ignoring Hemingway....more