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Spirits Rebellious | By Khalil Gibran

May 29, 2011 in Classic Literature, Drama, Fiction, Historical, Romance

Spirits Rebellious was written in 1908 by Khalil Gibran, a Lebanese writer best known for “The Prophet”.


The book contains four short stories: Madame Rose Hanie, The Cry of the Graves, The Bride’s Escape, and Khalil the Heretic. Each one of these stories presents a free spirited character who decides to rebel against traditions, man made laws and tyranny.


Plots
The first story introduces Rose, a beautiful young woman who married a rich man 22 years her senior. He made her a queen in his palace, covered her with jewels and silk. But she had always felt that something was missing, and it wasn’t long before she started to feel that the palace was like a prison, and the jewels like chains. It was then that she fell in love with a poor young man and found herself easily choosing between unhappy conformity and happy rebellion.


The second is an example of how misleading appearances can be, and how ravaging judging solely based on them is. Three “criminals” were sentenced to death: a young man for murder, a young woman for adultery and an old man for theft. Their corpses were left to wild animals. One by one, their faithful companions, the ones they died defending, risk their lives to pay them a tribute and lay them to rest.


The third explains a tale about the triumph of love over deception, money and schemes; also the triumph of love over death, in death… When Susan discovered that the love of her life, Salim, deserted her, she decided to get revenge by marrying the first who proposed. It wasn’t before her wedding night that she realized the extent of her action and decided to convince Salim to elope with her, come what may.


The last story follows Khalil, a young man who embarked on a journey to open the villagers eyes and show them that the village’s clergymen and prince were enslaving them, that they were getting richer using their hard work and that it was time they lived decently and conquered the fear and humiliation.


Impressions
This is the first Khalil Gibran book I read, and I don’t think it will be the last. The style of writing, the universal and timeless themes make this book a very pleasant and deep read.


Favorite Quotes
“Those people who go to back to eternity before they taste the sweetness of real life are unable to understand the meaning of a woman’s suffering. Especially when she devotes her soul to a man she loves by the will of God, and her body to another whom she caresses by the enforcement of earthly law.”


“They have exiled me now from their society and I am pleased, because humanity does not exile except the one whose noble spirit rebels against despotism and oppression. He who does not prefer exile to slavery is not free by any measure of freedom, truth and duty.”


“Life is weaker than death, and death is weaker than love.”

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Reviewer’s Final Rating



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The Age of Innocence | By Edith Wharton

May 15, 2011 in Classic Literature, Fiction, Romance

New York—what we now know to be the big apple, that whom Jay-Z and Alicia Keys popularly dubbed the concrete jungle where dreams are made of—wasn’t exactly the same New York it was in the nineteenth century. And if you were ever wondering how it was way back then, then I suggest you peruse Wharton’s The Age of Innocence.


This was the book that won Edith Wharton a Pulitzer Prize, making her its first female recipient. It gives an accurate depiction of high society New York in the late 1800’s and contains quite a juicy love triangle to boot.


Plot
In nineteenth century New York, conformity means everything. Newland Archer is a lawyer and a descendant of one of the most prominent families in New York. He is betrothed to May Welland—a very conventional, conservative lady, and given both their statures in society, they are expected to marry well and lead a desirable life together.


However, things take a different turn when May’s cousin, Countess Ellen Olenska, arrives in New York. Ellen is constantly followed by intrigues due to the fact that she is facing a divorce. She is considered a disgrace to May’s family, but her reputation only serves to pique Newland’s interest because she represents everything that’s not conventional.


Newland eventually develops an affair with Ellen, and although he’s resolved to leave May, doesn’t. A few complications arise; he is compelled to part with Ellen, and then gets hitched with May. He still finds himself in love with Ellen throughout their marriage, even though they no longer see each other.


Thirty years later, after May has passed, Newland goes to Paris along with his son to reunite with Ellen. At the very last minute though, he walks away without having seen Ellen, realizing that he’s been happy with May all this time.


Impressions
Satire is my jam, and this book is exactly just that. I really enjoyed Wharton’s Jane Austen-like way of poking fun of social rules and dictates. This was a time when entering high society meant the world to people, which also meant following what it entailed. Some of those rules though were just downright silly, so I really loved Wharton’s tongue-in-cheek way of attacking them.


Another thing I enjoyed about this book was the tension between the characters. Without saying much, Wharton has a way of telling how deeply the characters felt—Newland’s growing affection for Ellen and vice versa, for example. As the story advanced, I really sensed the electricity between the two characters, even though there were no confrontations involved.


Despite that, I still didn’t form any attachment to any of the characters. I don’t really know how I feel about the ending–at first you’d think he was head over heels in love with Ellen, but then walks away from a reunion with her because he realizes he’s had a wonderful life with May. I personally think that’s just weak of him.


Also I didn’t find Ellen as exciting as Newland made her out to be. The only character I liked in the book was May—I deeply underestimated her. As it turns out, she is much smarter and more cunning than I ever conceived, and if you read the book you’ll understand why.


This book was overall, just OK for me. The writing was exceptional though, and comparably easier to read than most novels from that era. If you’re looking for a pleasant read, a juicy romance and want to see a New York way, way different than the New York we know in Sex and the City or Gossip Girl, this is the perfect book to pick up.


Favorite Quotes
“Each time you happen to me all over again.”


“But after a moment a sense of waste and ruin overcame him. There they were, close together and safe and shut in; yet so chained to their separate destinies that they might as well been half the world apart.”

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Reviewer’s Final Rating



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The Pearl | By John Steinbeck

April 19, 2011 in Classic Literature, Fiction

The Pearl is a Mexican folktale-based novella published in 1947. Written by Nobel laureate and Pulitzer Prize-winning author John Steinbeck, The Pearl is one of his lesser known works, shadowed by literary giants Of Mice and Men, Grapes of Wrath, and East of Eden.


It tells of a poor diver’s discovery of a large pearl and the unfortunate consequences that ensued following their find. The novella, despite its shortness, is saturated with a number of morals—contentment with one’s life and remaining within the borders of one’s social standing.


Plot
Kino, his wife Juana and their son Coyotito all lead an idyllic albeit simple life in a tiny shack in La Paz, Mexico. One day, Kino witnesses a scorpion crawl towards Coyotito’s resting place, and Coyotito is stung. Kino and Juana immediately rush their infant, along with their neighbors, to the doctor to have him treated.


They are denied treatment by the physician as they have no means of paying him. So they go home instead, and Kino dives to find pearls in order to pay the doctor. He then encounters one large oyster which bears an immense pearl—a discovery immediately disseminated among the neighbors. Because of this find, many contrive to steal the pearl from them. Kino is attacked by thieves and pearl dealers offer Kino a low sum in exchange for the pearl which is obviously of more value.


Juana now sees the pearl as more of a curse rather than a blessing, and demands Kino to get rid of it. But Kino persistently insists on keeping the pearl, despite all the trouble it seems to attract from all sides. Later on they flee their town and take refuge in a cave, but are followed by thieves. The Pearl takes on a bitter turn in the end, as the ultimate tragedy strikes their family.


Impressions
Steinbeck truly has a way of telling so much using only a few words. Based on this and Of Mice and Men, the only other Steinbeck book I’ve read, I consider his language a lot like a very, very pretty lady who still looks gorgeous without make up on or even if you dressed her in a sack cloth.


His language is terse but very evocative; he doesn’t go about using flowery adjectives or add useless, irrelevant details to tell the tale. His writing is very simple but packs a punch—he can utter the most heartbreaking things in very short sentences.


What I didn’t like about this book though was the moral I picked up–I don’t entirely agree with it. Steinbeck makes his point very clear through Kino’s tale: don’t ever attempt stepping out from your established social class, or else bad things will happen to you.


He lays it down explicitly in the text. And while I agree that we should be content with what we have, that doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t find ways to improve our lives.


In Kino’s case, he was only searching for a way to have his son treated from the scorpion sting, but fortuitously discovered something far more valuable than he had hoped to find. I’m sure he didn’t mean to lure danger to his family. I mean, poor man. My heart really goes out to Kino.


Furthermore, I found it somewhat unfair and condescending how it is implied that poor people are good until they conquer poverty—that they seem to be much more capable of doing evil things when it comes to money. But perhaps that’s just me, and I don’t think that was one of the things Steinbeck had intended for readers to find.


Anyway, though I didn’t really like the book all that much, it sure does have portions of exceptional writing that may make it worth your while.


Favorite Scene
Juana hushes Kino down through her sheer femaleness, so they wouldn’t be heard by thieves.


Favorite Quote
“For his dream of the future was real and never to be destroyed, and he had said, ‘I will go,’ and that made a real thing too. To determine to go and to say it was to be halfway there.”


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Reviewer’s Final Rating



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My Antonia | By Willa Cather

April 3, 2011 in Classic Literature, Fiction, Personal Development

My Antonia, as narrated by Jim Burden, is a portrait of immigrant life in Nebraska filled with friendship, love and success in life.


It was written in 1918 by Willa Cather and is regarded to be one of her finest works. Part of her trilogy of novels about the prairie, My Antonia is preceded by O Pioneers! and The Song of the Lark.


Plot
My Antonia begins with Jim Burden as a young orphan who is sent from Virginia to Black Hawk, Nebraska to live with his grandparents. Along with him in the train en route to his grandparents are the Shimerdas, who have emigrated from Bohemia.

While trying to adjust and survive the harsh prairie, the Shimerdas instantly develop a close friendship with their neighbors, the Burdens.


Jim develops something between a filial and romantic love for the Shimerda’s eldest child, Antonia. He is fond of her due to her resilience and her zest for life, and together they have plenty of adventures and other fond memories during their childhood.


Years later, Jim goes off to college and, for a while, forgets life back in Black Hawk. He gets caught up with his studies and finds himself slowly drifting away from those he left behind.


But twenty years later, as Jim and Antonia reunite, he finds out that their friendship remains as strong as ever. Even though Antonia has physically changed, Jim’s admiration of her strength of character was never diminished, even with the number of both good and bad experiences that Antonia has undergone.


Impressions
I understand why people love this book to bits, because Cather is very good at describing the prairie. I felt as if I was there, in the middle of the corn fields, in the plains of Nebraska, chilly wind in my face and all.


Cather describes everything so well that it just transports you to the place and you feel as if you’re one of Jim and Antonia’s friends, running with them across the terrains.


I was reluctant about reading this solely for its setting—I thought that it was going to be bland and boring. However, thanks to Cather’s vivid descriptions I really loved the landscape.


But with regards to the story, I didn’t like it. To be honest, I was bored. And I feel a bit guilty about it because it’s supposed to be Cather’s masterpiece, but I just don’t get why it is deemed so. I wasn’t engaged in the story at all.


Also, I think this tale lacked a substantial plot, or a point. True, it may have discussed the struggles of immigrant workers and women at the time, but somehow it wasn’t able to take a firm hold of my attention.


Moreover, I felt as if I was looking at the characters from a distance… I didn’t have any form of emotional attachment for them and I didn’t care about them as much; even Antonia, whom everybody in the book seemed to love.


Perhaps the only thing I liked about her character was her fortitude. She really went through a lot but was still able to make it despite the hardships.


Overall, I didn’t love the book nor did I hate it. Let’s just say it’s kind of a mixed bag for me.


Favorite Scene
The end, when Jim and Antonia meet after twenty years.


Favorite Quotes
“I wanted to walk straight on through the red grass and over the edge of the world, which could not be very far away. The light and air about me told me that the world ended here: only the ground and sun and sky were left, and if one went a little farther there would only be sun and sky, and one would float off into them, like the tawny hawks which sailed over our heads making slow shadows on the grass.”


“Now I understood that the same road was to bring us together again. Whatever we had missed, we possessed together the precious, the incommunicable past.”


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Reviewer’s Final Rating



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The History of Tom Jones, A Foundling | By Henry Fielding

March 16, 2011 in Classic Literature, Fiction, Life and Family, Personal Development, Romance

Tom Jones is a 1749 comic novel by Henry Fielding who is known for his satirical, humorous writing style. The book chronicles the life and misadventures of Tom from the time he is found as an infant until his union with the love of his life, Sophia.


It is certainly one heck of a tome that contains a lot of laugh-out moments, an in-depth panoramic perspective of England in the 1700s, as well as a ton of naughty, fun bits.


And, this being my first introduction to the works of Henry Fielding, I can finally confirm that this has nothing to do whatsoever with the Tom Jones who sang “What’s New Pussycat?”


Plot
Tom Jones begins with the principal character as an infant found inside Squire Allworthy’s manor. Out of pity, Allworthy decides to raise the newborn as his own son. Tom grows up to be a very rowdy and wild ladies man—throughout the novel he sleeps with a number of women.


But in spite of these not-so-pleasant attributes, Tom is an inherently kind-hearted, courageous and generous young man who just oftentimes gets himself involved in the wrong situations.


Tom grows up with his obnoxious and cunning villain of a cousin named Bilfil. They both have a fancy for their neighbor Sophia, and although she has a preference for and is deeply in love with Tom, she is betrothed to Bilfil against her will.


When Tom gets caught up in trouble, he is forced to leave his home. Sophia also flees to avoid her impending wedding with Bilfil. Both of them make their way to London separately, and after a rather long and windy series of events, they happily reunite with each other.


In the end, Tom finds out who his real parents are, Bilfil is duly punished for his villainy, and everyone gets the happy ending they deserve.


Impressions
I adore this book! This by far has got to be one of the best written books I’ve ever had the chance to peruse. The plot of Tom Jones is very common and simple—orphan baby is found, boy grows up, boy meets girl, they fall in love, they are forced apart, and they find their way back towards each other.


But the thing that sets this tome apart from the rest is its execution. Fielding knows his stuff and he knows it very, very well. There are 18 books all in all and each of the chapters begins with an introductory essay that doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with the plot.


But I discourage you from skipping these chapters nonetheless as they are highly entertaining and informative.


One thing I noticed about Fielding is that he tends to digress a lot and goes on with lengthy discourses about lots of stuff. But the cool, casual and witty narrative tone sustained throughout the novel was very engaging that I just couldn’t put the book down.


Another thing I loved about this book was its humor and realism. The book is probably as funny as it was way back when it first came out. It is riddled with countless hilarious, frisky moments that I somehow find it difficult to grasp that this was written over 200 years ago.


The characters, too, are so finely sketched that they seem to come out of the page! By the time you finish the book you feel as if you are parting from dear friends whom you have gotten to know so well.


And while Tom Jones may be the handsome, charming and kind lad that he is, he is also deeply flawed. But despite that, I bet every reader (especially the ladies) will fall in love with Tom! He is such a sweet, sweet man. And even though he basically sleeps with a ton of women, it’s not really hard to see that Sophia remains as his heart’s sole custodian.


But anyway, before I go frothy-mouthed from raving over how much I enjoyed this book, again I must stress that it’s really, really long and windy. I had to undergo some sort of psychological conditioning before I could take on this book on account of its length, but it was well worth the time and effort.


Favorite Scene
Pretty much every 1st chapter of the book, and every bit about Tom’s funny and naughty escapades with various women.


Favorite Quotes
“Though I should never have possession of thy charming person, still shalt thou alone have possession of my thoughts, my love, my soul.”


“It hath been observed, that Fortune seldom doth things by halves. To say truth, there is no end to her freaks whenever she is disposed to gratify or displease.” 		BUY THE HISTORY OF TOM JONES, A FOUNDLING





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Reviewer’s Final Rating

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The Importance of Being Earnest | By Oscar Wilde

March 6, 2011 in Classic Literature, Fiction, Romance

Oscar Wilde was the man. This play affirms that. The Importance of Being Earnest, which premiered in 1895, is a deliciously funny mockery of nineteenth century high society. It’s a very witty yet lighthearted exposé of social follies and every bit is as lovable as it is engaging.


Plot
The Importance of Being Earnest is a convoluted tale about two “Bunburyists”, Algernon Moncrieff and Jack Worthing. Both of them have invented fictional individuals in order to evade responsibility and family obligations. Algernon has made up Bunbury, a friend who often calls him away to the county, while Jack has invented a brother named Ernest as an excuse to go to town whenever he likes.


Both of them fall madly in love with two different women who cannot possibly love them back unless their names were Ernest. So one day, when Algernon poses as Ernest, confusion starts to take hold; both Cecily (Algernon’s love interest) and Gwendolen (Jack’s) erroneously believe themselves to be in love with the same person.


But of course, the real funny bits of the play involve bickering over muffins, discourses about marriage, meddling aunts, a real hilarious question and answer portion, and, among other things, a black handbag—the very object that holds the truth behind the deceit.


Impressions
Seriously, who cannot love Oscar Wilde for this play? I just couldn’t stop howling in laughter as I read on page after page. I may sound like a complete noob for this but I picked up the book with no prior knowledge that it’s a comedy and that it’s apparently Wilde’s most popular play. That is probably the main reason why I instantly fell in love with it—I never knew anything about it going in, except that it had a film adaptation starring Colin Firth.


The casualness in which the characters deliver the punch lines really adds to the comedic atmosphere of the play. They really have no idea how absurd they sound, which just makes them all the more hilarious.


This is a play I would certainly recommend to anyone; especially if you’re looking for a good dose of humor. It’s short but is riddled with so many quotable puns and witticisms that you can’t help but fancy Wilde as nothing short of a genius.


There really is nothing more I can add—the play’s fame already speaks for itself. All the same, if you haven’t read it, check it out for yourself and you’ll be in for a delightful treat!


Favorite Scene
One particular scene where Lady Bracknell, Gwendolen’s mother, takes out a notepad and a pen and conducts an interview with Jack totally caught me off guard, and I ended up laughing riotously.


Favorite Quotes
“All women become like their mothers. That is their tragedy. No man does. That’s his.”


“Never speak disrespectfully of Society, Algernon. Only people who can’t get into it do that.”

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Reviewer’s Final Rating



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The Monk | By Matthew Gregory Lewis

February 28, 2011 in Classic Literature, Fiction, Horror, Romance

The Monk has got to be Gothic fiction at its finest and most hilarious. It is about—well, if you haven’t guessed yet—a monk. He is popular for his exemplary piety and virtuousness; but is, underneath it all, rotten right down to the core.


It was written within ten weeks by nineteen year-old Matthew Gregory Lewis in 1796 and surprisingly still possesses most of the shock value today as it did two centuries ago.


On a more serious note, while it may be easy for the unwary reader to consider this book as nothing more than distasteful, theatrical erotica, it actually has plenty of social and political underpinnings.


The novel itself provides a strong critique of human vices and not only of Catholicism, but of religious zeal in general. Still, amidst all the crazy, infernal stuff that goes on in the book, Lewis was still able to create inherently good characters and proved that no evil deed goes unpunished.


The Plot
Now if you aren’t convinced, here’s a synopsis: Ambrosio is the titular monk who goes about violating his vows of chastity after he discovers that one of the monks is actually a woman named Matilda. He discovers her real gender when she accidentally displays her “beauteous orbs”, as Lewis puts it. For some time they continue diddling about until Ambrosio sees Antonia whom he relentlessly pursues—oddly, with the aid of Matilda.


Meanwhile, a secondary plot thread follows one of Antonia’s lovers, Lorenzo. Through their dialogue, a tale is told about his sister named Agnes and her lover Raymond. The latter basically runs off with a “bleeding nun” whom he mistook to be Agnes. Later on they find out that it’s all a nasty mix-up, and they joyfully reunite. Agnes becomes pregnant, is punished by the nuns, and presumed to be dead.


Towards the end, the various plot threads merge—the remainder of the story is committed to narrating the outcome of Ambrosio’s nefarious plans and clearing up the different mix-ups along the way.


Impressions
I’m pretty sure Lewis hadn’t intended to generate laughs out of his novel, but I found it hilarious simply because the story was completely absurd and outlandish. Not to mention, the prose was so extravagant and melodramatic to the extent of sounding so cheap that you can’t help but laugh out loud. It’s almost so bad, that it’s good.

Don’t get me wrong though; the novel is still exceptionally written as with most novels at the time. Plus the language, despite being outdated, is very accessible and easy to follow, even for those who don’t typically read the classics.


I particularly liked how Lewis used poetry instead of dialogue to tell some parts of the story though. However, the icing on the cake for me is definitely the giant twist at the end. You’ll just have to take my word for it when I say that it was highly satisfying and absolutely hilarious at the same time.


In summary, I can’t wholeheartedly say that The Monk is one of my most favorite books, but it definitely is the most memorable. Pick up The Monk if you’re looking for a scary, awesome read. I mean–demon virgins, bleeding nuns and fiendish monks? Seriously, how can you go wrong?


Favorite Quotes
“An author, whether good or bad, or between both, is an animal whom everybody is privileged to attack; for though all are not able to write books, all conceive themselves able to judge them. A bad composition carries with it its own punishment, contempt and ridicule. A good one excites envy, and entails upon its author a thousand mortifications. He finds himself assailed by partial and ill-humored criticism: one man finds fault with the plan. Another with the style, a third with the precept, which it strives to inculcate; and they who cannot succeed in finding fault with the book, employ themselves in stigmatizing its author. They maliciously rake out from obscurity every little circumstance which may throw ridicule upon his private character or conduct, and aim at wounding the man, since they cannot hurt the writer. In short, to enter the lists of literature is willfully to expose yourself to the arrows of neglect, ridicule, envy, and disappointment.”

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Reviewer’s Final Rating



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The Tempest | By William Shakespeare

February 22, 2011 in Classic Literature, Fiction, Romance



Originally written some time between 1610-1611, The Temptest is widely regarded to be the last among William Shakespeare’s works. It’s a short and delightfully funny read that involves lots of magic, betrayal, love and redemption.


Some may find it somewhat sacrilegious to tackle and review Shakespeare, just because it’s Shakespeare, you know? Nonetheless, a new film version of The Temptest is coming out soon and the books are always better, so it was time to pick it up and start reading!


Plot
The Tempest starts off with, well, a tempest set up by Prospero, once a Duke of Milan, to carry out revenge on the same people who banished him to the island. Along with him in the island are his daughter Miranda, his airy spirit assistant Ariel and his slave Caliban. Prospero’s use of sorcery mostly propels the subsequent events of the story.


Prospero is very protective of his daughter; more so when she falls in love with Ferdinand, a prince and one of the shipwrecked passengers. The rest of the survivors from the wreck also end up on the same island—it includes Prospero’s brother Antonio, the King of Naples Alonso, his brother Sebastian and a few others. Overcome by their hunger for power, Antonio and Sebastian plot a coup d’etat against Prospero and against Alonso, so that both of them can take over their respective kingdoms.


Meanwhile, another group of conspirators consisting of Stephano, a butler, Trinculo, a court jester and Caliban also attempt to raise a rebellion against Prospero. The parts that involved these three characters were my most favorite moments in the play. The poor, self-righteous darlings really had no clue what they were doing or who they were up against.


Impressions
It seemed like the end was resolved too hastily—like Shakespeare wanted to get the story over and done with. Also, it’s not hard to notice some hints of Shakespeare’s retirement in the text especially during Prospero’s speech in the epilogue. Whether or not Prospero’s farewell speech in the end mirrored Shakespeare’s sentiments shall be gladly left to the critics to debate.


Other than this play, I’ve only read a couple other works by him, and so far this was the least difficult and is my most favorite. What’s great about it is that it’s romance, comedy and fantasy and more all rolled into one. Of course I guess pretty much everyone knows that Shakespeare is hardly ever an easy read, given that you have to trudge through the 400 year-old language as well as the fancy, figurative writings. But don’t let that daunt you—The Tempest is a very short read and you can finish it within just a day.


Favorite Scene
The part when they all become inebriated and engaged in various drunken follies is especially fun to read. It was so funny and such a delight.


Favorite Quote
“We are such stuff
As dreams are made on, and our little life
Is rounded with sleep.”

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Reviewer’s Final Rating



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Great Expectations | By Charles Dickens

February 14, 2011 in Classic Literature, Fiction, Life and Family, Personal Development

If you have never been a big fan of Charles Dickens – there is hope yet. His novel, Great Expectations is sure to grow on you. Great Expectations is an easier read compared to his other works and is the warmest amongst his books. It was first published in serialized form in a journal some time between 1860-1861.


Plot
Great Expectations follows the life story of Pip—a poor orphan raised by his sister and her husband, Joe. By helping an escaped convict one day, Pip unknowingly changes his life. Following that, many other interesting things also transpire: he meets the eccentric spinster Miss Havisham, falls in love with her adopted daughter Estella, inherits a fortune from an unnamed patron, and is whisked away to London to begin his transformation into a gentleman.


The rest of the story is committed to the revelation of Pip’s mysterious benefactor, the truth behind Estella’s history, and how Pip amends the hardships that he, his friends and family encountered throughout the novel. As the story progresses, despite undergoing plenty of ordeals, we see Pip grow into a stronger, more mature person. Lucky for me I have the revised edition, so the story ended on a happy note as compared to the original one that ended otherwise.


Impressions
I didn’t quite expect to like the book at all, because I really didn’t have any great expectations for the book (pun intended) going in. So when I finally finished and found it to surpass my not-so-great expectations, I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. Dickens really has a penchant for creating memorable, larger-than-life characters like that oddball Miss Havisham, Estella the cold-hearted little wench, Pip the social climber, and of course, Joe, the awesome, kind-hearted uncle who is my most favorite character of the book.


Of course, writing-wise, the book was indeed exceptionally written–there really is no question about Dickens’ skill. However, he can get carried away at times and become too wordy—but I really can’t blame the man since he was paid by the word; if I were him, I too would have written lengthily.


Another thing I disliked about the book was fact that Dickens used his prototypical formula for a plot about a poor, orphan boy and his struggle to find love and contentment. It is too cliché; too predictable. But all the same, that doesn’t take away the fact that I had a great time reading it. Great Expectations is a great novel to learn plenty of lessons from, especially about humility, contentment and forgiveness, among a few.


Favorite Scene
Dialogue between Joe and Pip somewhere towards the end where Joe displays his magnanimity towards Pip by helping him out with his debts. It goes without saying how cool Joe is for forgiving Pip, even though Pip was pretty much a jerk towards him the whole time.


Favorite Quotes
” Heaven knows we need never be ashamed of our tears, for they are rain upon the blinding dust of earth, overlying our hard hearts. I was better after I had cried, than before–more sorry, more aware of my own ingratitude, more gentle.”


“Once for all; I knew to my sorrow, often and often, if not always, that I loved her against reason, against promise, against peace, against hope, against happiness, against all discouragement that could be.”

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Reviewer’s Final Rating



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by Eula M.

North and South | By Elizabeth Gaskell

February 1, 2011 in Classic Literature, Romance

North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell is a classic romance novel about two individuals who fall in love in spite of their contrasting backgrounds, beliefs and classes.


The Plot
The heroine, Margaret Hale, is a southern belle who is impelled to move to Milton with her family when her clergyman father faces a crisis of faith. Milton is a booming, industrialized town in the north, and even though Margaret’s dislike of the town and its people is apparent from the start, she learns to adapt and settle in the area.


Soon, she is introduced to her father’s pupil, John Thornton, a Milton native who owns and runs a cotton mill. They engage in an Austen-style banter right off the bat, and, true to any romantic plot, eventually fall in love after a long chain of tragic events.


Impressions
It is hard to not compare this book with Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice—North and South is practically a rip-off from Austen’s novel. Character-wise, it has many similarities between Thornton and Darcy as well as Margaret and Elizabeth. The only difference is that Margaret is the incredibly annoying and haughtier version of Liz.


Plus, the romance between her and Thornton lacked that certain spark usually present in romance novels from that era. Their connection just didn’t generate any interest, the romantic plot was very bleak and dry; even during “intense” moments like when Margaret risked her life to save Thornton from an angry mob of strikers.


The novel also ended abruptly, that the events in the end didn’t really register in my mind. It was evidently written hastily, and I learned that Gaskell wasn’t too happy with the ending either.


However, there are some redeeming factors in the novel. Like any novel of the time, it cannot be disputed that it was written intelligently and lusciously. After all, it was only edited by someone named Charles Dickens; plus it was originally published in a magazine in a serialized form.


Aside from the writing style, the social commentaries Gaskell incorporated in the novel was a nice touch. The story was infused with so many insights about the Industrial Revolution, it discussed the concept of master over worker, women’s role in society, etc.

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Reviewer’s Final Rating



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