See Details for M & N's Summer 7 Challenge & the hot button that goes along with it by clicking this link.

"Bad girl ! drunk by six"

Well, I haven't had a drink in ten months now (that story is for another post) so guess that the title isn't quite accurate but still appropriate. Just thought that I would check in with y'all since many emails have been coming this way asking if I was still alive and whether or not I was still apart of the blog world.

Turns out I am alive and kicking, though perhaps not with any aim. Right now, am one hundred pages into Volume 4 of Proust. The guy is truly amazing though I have had to take a few breaks this summer and read other 'lighter' books. A romance novel here, a Harry Potter there (Volume 5) and, of course, some fantasy.

I recommend Stardust - read and watch. Neil Gaiman's fairy tale is on the big screen and I loved it! Even M thought the movie was somewhat kick-ass... and we all know how critical M is.

Contender 7 was the first to read all of Proust - they finished in JULY! Check out all the details in www.contenderseven.blogspot.com

2 contenders pulled out and in 'punishment' have volunteered at their local community centre which is great for me.

Alright folks, keep your chins up! There is still time...

Some Stories Are Worth Retelling...

Title:
The Gospel According to Jesus Christ
Author:
Jose Saramago
Translator:
Giovanni Pontiero
Portuguese to English

Number of Pages:
377
ISBN:
0156001411
Genre:
International Fiction

Challenge:
TBR Reading Challenge
4/12

Began Reading:
April 6th, 2007
Finished:
April 9, 2007

Even before blogging, my 'books-to-be-bought" list has been forever on my mind. Still, of late, I have purchased volumes usually on recommendation from a teacher, respected colleague, neighbour or fellow blogger.

However, I do ensure that when walking into a bookstore with a specific purchase in mind that I spend at least 10 minutes caressing each book with my eyes if not with my hands. My little cousin has always giggled in embarrassment on the occasions she has accompanied me (with Starbucks in mind of course), a by-stander while I flipped to a random page of a tomme I happened to pick up and smell. Deep breath. Taking in the smell of the ink pressed on paper. The fresh crack of the spine. The potential. These cheep trills I dive into at least once a week and would argue with any MD that its works greater wonders then any apple a day business.

Of course, there are negative consequences such as the effects to my wallet. On the day I picked up Saramago's volume, I was purchasing Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison (which is still on my TBR Pile). The title caught me off guard having been someone who believed that they knew pretty much all the important title if not all of this Nobel prize winner. My shame of course propelled me - no obliged - to make the purchase. I quickly signed it up as an April read for the TBR challenge hosted by Miz Books because I thought it would suit the Easter weekend with more lamb then even Jesus would expect.

Story: Well, it seems a little silly for me to relate to you the story of Jesus' life. No matter your faith or religious position - post-Dan Brown era means having some idea of what this man's life - at least in major events such as being born, dying and resurrecting - comprises of.

However, Saramago spends the majority of his piece devoted to the beginnings of Jesus life and even before, as he focuses on the couple Mary and Joseph as they struggle before their first son is born.

What this is however is a depiction of a man. A human who fucks and shits and swears. Who feels pride and shame, hurt and betrayal, love and confusion. Disturbing to say the least that Jesus didn't necessarily WANT this... that the fame post-partum was not of his design.

Is it worth it?: I don't know if the book really produced something effective or reviving. Though keeping in mind that this was written in 1991, it may be that all the news headlines of having found JC's bones and Mary Magdalene's grave has de-sensitized. The Church calls the book 'blasphemous' which is ridiculous considering it is clearly marked as Fiction but then maybe they forgot to read that part. If furthering your knowledge on multiple interpretations is what you are looking for then pick up this book. There is no great adventure or scheme as in Da Vinci Code. Its more like a humble memoir of how a miracle would have been carried out and later written about.

Best Part: When God comes to Jesus at the lake with the Devil and they talk for a while and JC asks why does the devil have to be there. God replies, "My son, never forget what I'm about to tell you, everything that concerns God also concerns the devil." page 310

I'll let you discover for yourself what was meant by that remark.

Worst Part: I got a bit annoyed at times of the characters. God was a 'cool dude' but a little too full of -self and that was frustrating; when you read pages and pages of the great wonders that are capable through -. In no way is Saramago using this text as some religious propaganda. Let us just say that when God spoke I had echo's of Nietzsche's discourse on the Old and New Testatment God in my head.

Style: Classic Saramago = means no quotation marks + very long paragraphs + sarcastic humour that makes one laugh out loud. He is, like Stendhal, TELLING a story to you. He acknowledges your presence and your knowledge of JC's life, using it to his advantage. I do prefer The Cave to this text and am told that Blindness is even better but everyone should experience one volume of Saramago sometime and discover for them self why he won the Nobel when he did.

Parting Words: Bla! I am writing another essay for an acquaintance. I am reinvesting the money into a HD DVD player but not with that Blue Disk coming out I am unsure whether I should or not.

I finished reading In the Skin of a Lion and the Milestone, neither being extraordinary but happy to have them under my belt if only for diversifying.

A Promise Once Made Never Forgotten

Title: Gardens of the Moon
Author: Steven Erickson
Genre: Fantasy

Series: Book 1 of the Malazan Book of the Fallen

# of Pages: 494
ISBN:

Challenge: Chunkster, 2/3

Began Reading:
March 5 2007
Finished Reading :
April 5th 2007

Ok, so what a disgrace I am. Does it make a difference that for 2 weeks I did not touch this or any other book for that matter? Does it make a difference that this project am working on is due this Friday for an investor who may, just may, be investing well... a lot into this 'idea'?

See, even I can't convince myself.

There is no reason. Not having 2 hours sleep. Not eating. Not anything. When I went to the toilet I could have read but I didn't which is a bad, bad thing.

So in punishment I am signing up for a million challenges which are forcing me to keep me on my toes and thus ensure my tbr pile remains low ( relatively). Now back to important matters.

In high school, I was introduced to the fantasy world by W, the older brother of my then best friend D. W has my everlasting gratitude for introducing me to the world of the Wheel of Time. Though there were others in my social circle who picked up Jordan's epic, it was he who literally shoved it into my hands and said, 'Read it.'

Now one thing about fantasy that you should all know is that it creates a family. For example, for 2 years of my life I rode the bus reading my Jordan books in the morning. Another bus rider would carry his large hardbacks and do much the same as me. We never exchanged words and our identities remained anonymous until 600 days later we discovered that we have both been reading the same thing. A well of conversation began and we both regretted having lost the time of enjoying such conversations. He was in his 50s and then I was not even 17. But that did not matter of course. With Rand and Perrin and Matt and Nynaeve... age, race and status just don't fit in the equation.

What does this have to do with Erickson? Am getting there. Because fantasy is such a 'family' oriented genre, my fellow peers in class who realized that I too was becoming a 'member' began to approach me with suggestions. Most earnest of them all was N, the fellow who had the unfortunate fate of sitting behind me in Mrs. Woolgar's English class and thus listening to my every anecdote (*blush* am still that way). He begged that I read Erickson saying that he far surpassed Jordan - which I found to be an impossibility. This conversation continued for about a year and well soon after I forgot.

I did bump into him and another friend of ours from the days of youth and bliss in Indigo - the dreaded employment I had - and they reminded me that I had an obligation to fill by reading Mr. Erickson's series.

It was when I came across book 1 Gardens of the Moon in hardcover for 4.99 at Chapters that I picked it up and said to myself, 'Ok, N, gotta get back into the game.' Fantasy makes you obsessed. Case in point: last series I got into by Jacquline Carey Kushniel's Dart. Each tomme is 1000+ pages. there are 3 books. I read all of them in four. I did not work, sleep and only peed once a day... with my book as a companion. Taking N & G's words to heart, I have been scared recently - with so much on my plate - that I would be sucked in... this one being 10 volumes with 3 more editions to come.

Of course, I am sucked in because I feel madly in love with Crokus who is so chill and tomorrow am off to Chapters for a latte and Volume 2 as added weight in my bag.

The Plot: The Malazan Empire has been in Rule for a little under 200 years. The Empress has been in rule for over a decade and her stern, cold manner is how she has slowly but surly taken over city after city. She has also had intentions of destroying any trace of her predecessors rule by sending many of his garrisons that are still in duty on 'suicidal' missions. One such she is paying particular attention to is Whiskeyjack and his crew... for it seems that his newest recruit - a young girl from a fishing village - is not as innocent as one so young would be. It seems that the Shadowlord has somehow gotten involved but why? and for what reasons?

Gardens of the Moon introduces a dozen characters that you fall in love with and hate and want to throttle because they are so stubborn. It is but an introduction in a long epic that will keep you on your toes.

The Narrative: The work is written in third person but what Erickson does is weave the tail so that every few pages you change perspective if not scene. Usually, you have to read an entire chapter - as with Jordan or Martin - before you can move on to the next character. With Erickson its maximum 6 pages, usually 3 and your onto the next character. Its amazingly fast pace. One other consequence I realized was that it never made me dread any up comng chapters. I knew that if a passage did not interest me I would soon be on to the next.

Erickson, naturally, has a lot of military terminology which he seems to feel quiet comfortable with. It may be jarring at times but nothing that forces you to seek out the definition.

Favorite Part: Ouch! Is it bad when I say that Crokus decides to leave with Sorry. I literally whooped out load in public at that part.

Also, you have no clue who the good/bad 'guys' are. That definitely tickled my fancy.

Worst Part: The middle of the book... it was building up the final 200 pages of the book but there was a good 100 pages that was a little tiny bit dry.

Recommend to: Not for the fantasy novice at all. There is much left unsaid and unexplained in the book and most probably I predict throughout the series. Unlike Jordan where the inner workings sourcing the (magical) power is revealed this is not the case with Gardens of the Moon.

this book is on the Summer 7 challenge I am hosting. this summer. So feel free, after reading ********* this to jump on or off the band wagon*****

What F*&k am I thinking?

Guys- I am a bad, bad girl.

After spending oh-too much time on a business plan with less the four hours of sleep a night, I haven't had enough time to read. I actually have gone an entire day without reading a word of my Erickson novel. Sacreligious! I don't think that has ever happened to me. My room mate had to calm me down and the next morning I did squeeze in 20 pages before returning to the drawing board. But still...

So not only have I like created the challenge thats so challenging only the crazy bloggers are joining (see link above) but also am joining other challenges. Hell, so far I am still on top of my challenge reading and these are TBR books anyways.

The Non-Fiction Challenge

is hosted by Thoughts of Joy and is something that I find to be a great idea. Literature we tend to stay niche but when it comes to Non-Fic, more and more when reading others' lists a hybrid appears. We all want to read a little bit of everything. As do I...

Orientalism by Edward Said is one of the most important texts I have ever read. In university, the first 3 chapters were required reading and I ran - literally - outside the next day to purchase it. Never before have I ever been so touched by the knowledge and passion. Said examines the consequences of Post-Colonialism - namely the idea that we define ourselves not by what we are but by what we are not. This is the first in a trilogy and by far the book Said is most known for though he was an active writer.

Will Ferguson has been an author that I have been dying to read for such a long time. I always caught snidpits of his books while at work but I never read anything sitting down. That is until I saw Hitching Rides With Buddha. It's his tale about his journey across Japan. A book about my fav place written by a fellow Canuk? Who could ask for better?

The Truth about Stories by Thomas King is another CBC Lecture put in print. A loved one gave me this for my b-day which I have not gotten to yet. I did my final high school project on oral tradition so to say that I have a passing interest would not be fair. This book discusses Native storytelling - a topic I know nothing about but should.

David Eggers's Pulitzer Winner A Heartbrecking Work of Staggering Genius I am reading to improve my writing style. And of course because EVERYONE is telling me to read this.

Finally, Elie Wiesel's Night. I wanted to read it for the reading group has chosen over at Heather's but alas alas the vote went the other way. So I thought to 'bump' it here. I saw him on Oprah and it spiked my curiosity. For whatever anyone wants to say about the lady, she has great taste in books.

I hope this is ok with you Joy!

The Challenge runs parallel to my own -May to September. Crazy!
Reading this with Proust. Thats why you guys are not seeing any Michel Foucault. I think I will make History of Sexuality a challenge of its own next year. If I'm insane enough.

*******

March 22nd to June 21st Stainless Steal Droppings is hosting a Fantasy challenge. I had to join since when all is said and done, this is my favorite genre.

Peter Pan - I have always loved. When I was a kid, I nailed a poster on my roof telling Peter Pan to come get me. I even had a suitcase all ready to go just in case. Therefore Barrie's classic is number one on my list.

InkSpell - am soooo excited to read. Funke's first book was so great and inspiring that when I saw the sequel my hands couldn't stop themselves. I am gittery just thinking about reading this one.

The Darkness That Comes Before is book one of R Scott Bakker's The Prince of Nothing Series. I have been eyeballing this one for some time. The author is a philosophy major and rumor has it that he has implemented many of this into his texts. How could I resist? Really.

Another series first is Terry Brooks' First King of Shannara. I have to get off my ass and read this series. Its not that it interests me per say but I have to read this - its a classic. I hate people who say they read fantasy but don't know what LofR stands for. Even after the bloody movie!

Last but not least AT ALL is the second volume of Eric Van Lustbader's Ring of 5 Dragons series. This I ended up reading on a bet. In reality, I won even though I lost. Why I was ever reluctant to read this epic is beyond me. I just found Book 2 & 3 in hardcover which was a sign that I had to stick them in here. Had to... Carl - This one I seriously recommend you read if you have not. It boggles the mind.


That's my five. I have to get back to writing a business plan now but I

M & N's Summer 7 Challenge

***********UPDATES AT THE BOTTOM OF POST***************

a challenge is:

A test of one's abilities or resources in a demanding but stimulating undertaking.

Get ready guys.
This isn't going to be easy.
But it is definitely going to be rewarding.

Mission: To complete an entire series from start to finish of one of those listed below.

Time frame: May 1st to Septemeber 1st 2007
No, you can't start earlier.

Reward: Gift certificates to an online bookstore for those who complete the challege. Some may receive goodies such as books, booksmarks, etc.

The Catch: If you agree to take this challenge and do not complete the task you are REQUIRED to make a donation to brainwash books in the form of book or money. (a place that provides cheap books for university students. We act as a pseudo-library where you can buy the books for $, trade or borrow. And if you wish to encourage reading, regardless of your performance during the challenge, please feel free to do so. We love books - especially classics. ) I will be posting the logistics of this further along in the challenge.

Pre-reqs: You must have read no more than one of the books in the series (and yes, I will check your blogs, people!)

This way you're rewarded if you win.

And it hurts if you don't.

Now that's a challenge.

Who Is Doing it: So far, M and I are the only ones crazy enough to do this.

How We Came Up with This God Forsaken Idea:

N: I always wanted to read Proust.

M: Me too.

N: Bet you you can't read all 7 volumes in the summer.

M: Yes, I can.

You can figure out the rest of this overly intellectual dialogue.

The Series you can Choose From:

1. In Search of Lost Time by Marcel Proust

- Total 7 volumes.

This early twentieth century text is packed with love, art and social criticism. Filled with characters of all shapes and sizes, it is considered one of the most influential and important works of fiction.

Most however stop after having read the second volume. Only PhD students, thesis writers or ambitious laymen like ourselves bother with reading the entire 7 volumes that make up Proust's masterpiece.

They are:

Vol 1 - Swann's Way
Vol 2- In the Shadow of Young Girls in Flower
Vol 3- The Guermantes Way
Vol 4- Sodom and Gomorrah
Vol 5 - The Prisoner
Vol 6 - The Fugitive
Vol 7 - Finding Time Again

Originally written in French, though I'll be reading it in English. However, after finishing this work, you'll always have something to say at a party.

2. Malazan Book of the Fallen series by Steven Erickson

- total 7 volumes
(note that the series will have 10 books total but as of this year 7 have been released.)

This fantasy series is considered to be one, if not the best, in the genre. As you learn the eccentric traditions and customs of the different cities, you fall in love with your characters. It's better then being on a beach and cheaper.

1. Gardens of the Moon
   


2. Deadhouse Gates
   


3. Memories of Ice
   


4. House of Chains
   


5. Midnight Tides
   


6. The Bonehunters
   


7. Reaper's Gale

3. Complete Novels of the Bronte Sisters (Emily, Anne, & Charlotte)

- total 7 volumes

Talented but frail, these siblings died very young - before they could possibly flourish in their literary talents. Though they were given some recognition when alive, they could not foretell the impact they would have on the canon of great books.

1 .Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
2. Shirley by Charlotte Bronte
3. Villette by Charlotte Bronte
4. The Professor by Charlotte Bronte
5. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
6.Agnes Grey by Anne Bronte
7. The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte

* you can choose your own which I gotta approve by email. Prereq is that it has to be an ACCOMPLISHMENT to brag about.

***Do You Dare Take the Challenge?***
just leave a comment at the end of this posting
w/ your selection choice
and blog address

end date for submission:
April 30th

UPDATES:

Hey Guys! So People are Actually crazy enough to do this. Who would have thought. Hats off for being taken under the influence of the M - she can definitly get under ones skin. Drum Roll please:

Contender 1& 2: founders and forefathers M & N

Contender #3
Heather from Orange Blossum Goddess, & several author of several other book blogs, was the first! Perhaps its because I staulk her on Facebook... who knows. She decided to inovate and take on Lord of the Rings & company. Yes, Tolkein wrote more then just the Hobbit as add ons to his classic.

Contender # 4

Sarah is a devoted brainwash customer with, alas no blog for me to link here. She is on facebook and has great taste in profile pics. This recent McGill alum has many a time shared a great cup of coffee with even better book talk. Sarah is taking the Bronte sisters this summer as her challenge. Right on girl!

Contender #5

Tanabata is a Canadian living in Japan and this my friends gives her the unfair advantage as being a personal fav of mine. Its the pics guys and my infatuation with a country that has more similarities to Italians then you would first assume! (yes, I tell you, I have thought this one out).Her blog definitly has the BEST landscape pics. Anyways, I let her off 'easy' with the 7 Harry Potters, another series I had considered taking for my own.

Contender #6

Christopher lives in TO and we met through a mutual friend. I simply sent him an email about a week ago saying how I had heard he loved to read and the rest is history. Christopher is talented to say the least and therefore in order to make this an actual challenge, he signed up for both the Brontes and Proust. He speaks Ancient Greek, Latin, Russian Italian and English most of which are self taught. Now do you get why?

Contender #7

Nessie-ite has signed up for Proust but has not gotten back to me with the blog address. I am waiting.... anxiously. Did I mention I wasn't patient? Please don't do this to me...

www.contenderseven.blogspot.com
this is my kind of humour guys check it out!

Contender # 8

Loose Baggy Monster happened to be perusing blogs, came accross my own humble one, saw the challenge and just 'could not resist'. Thanks babe. It makes me feel wanted which is always a nice warm feeling - the kind that warm milk can give you. LBM is going for the Proust while keeping an eye on the Brontes. Good job girl!

Contender # 9

Dolce Bellezza has come on board with the fantasy. The only one so far who choice this series. GREAT JOB! I am reading Erickson now and it is soooo amazing. I decided I am doing all three of my series choices. I can't help it - they are all sooo good.

Contender # 10

Kailana has decided to do Jim Butcher's The Dresden Files which I have no clue what that is but hell they look interesting enough and can't wait to read a little more.

Contender # 11

Think Pink Dana is, to M's everlasting shame for not having thought of this before signing up for Proust, is the complete works of George Elliot. M just finished reading Middle March for the second time and is itching to get her hands on others but will have to be satisfied this summer with Dana's reviews.

George Eliot?
Adam Bede, 1859
The Mill on the Floss, 1860
Silas Marner, 1861
Romola, 1863
Felix Holt, the Radical, 1866
Middlemarch, 1871-72
Daniel Deronda, 1876

Contender # 12

Natalie is reading the complete works of Jane Austen. I love it! I know tons of people will be visiting your blog even if it is just to read the words Mr Darcy yet again.

Contender # 13
Country Girl has joined and will be the entire Anne Rice Vampire series people. Crazy. Though easy to read its a challenge to keep up with Rice. I look forward to reading the reviews.

Contender # 14
Ashleigh has joined right on board with the hardest of the hard - Proust! Welcome ~ and I look forward to lamenting this with you. ;)
Potential Contenders

Lisa at Brecking the Fourth Wall
Bookish Lore at Literary Craving

note: Cry out to all ~ put a little peer pressure on these girls already!

Ghostrider

Title: Anil's Ghost
Author: Micheal Ondaatje

ISBN: 0676973612
Published: 2000, Vintage Canada
# of Pages: 307

Began Reading:
March 7th, 2007

Finished Reading:
March 10th, 2007

Challenge:
TBR Challenge 3/12
March Read


My 19th birthday was a pretty crazy affair. Meaning that it may not have been the drunkin' bash of my 18th bday, but hell it had its high points. My older sibling, knowing that I detest the impersonal gifts of gift certificate, gave me just that. And though it was from Indigo and for $50, as always, I went well above that amount and was forced to dish out more cash from my pocket. Oh the perils of gift certificates!

Anil's Ghost was a cover that I loved though. So beautiful and promising, I desided to buy it then and there before I would forget. (Back then I didn't have my little green book with me, where I record all the books I need to purchase) 5 years this book has sat on my self, untouched.

Now do you understand why I would choose it for a TBR Challenge Read?!

The Plot: Anil left Sri Lanka over 15 years ago for England and USA. Never feeling at home yet never wanting to return, she finally does when she is hired by the UN to investigate as a forensic anthropologist on skeletons found which may lead to better understanding on the Civil War. The goverment is fighting both the insurgents and the seperatists which lead to people, especially young, male youths, simply disappearing. When Anil and her co-worker, Sarath, discover this prototype skeleton - deemed Sailor - in a historic burial ground, they begin an investigation that may be the first to bring the governments crimes to the international public's eye. As we follow the team in their 'journey of discovery', Ondaatje gives glimpes of their history, relationships, and dreams they once had which were shattered once reality kicked in. All this packaged in this author's outstandingly unique writing style.

Best Part: The character Gamini, who is a doctor and brother to Sarath. The piece-meal information that the author gives us makes us fall in love with how real he is. Drug addict, divorcee, gentel but harsh when it comes to anything outside of the hospital grounds, the sections on this character you will breeze through.

Worst Part: The adventure of Sailor and chasing the clues on who this person was not as exciting as had hoped Ondaatje would make it. There could have been a little more sence of adventure, of danger. The supposed 'threat' of the government concerning their studies just didn't penetrate outside the page.

Read this When: Historically, this is a great introduction to a violent historical event that has been given little to no news on. Using this as a stepping stone or complement to a class lesson may be ideal. There are other works by Ondaatje that still have his incredible writing style, this one had some Faulkner influence though much more comprehensible. Like Faulkner, Ondaatje is focused more on the human aspect of things then on plot. Hence, my recommendation for a group enviroment that will do some extra reading on the times and place we find Anil and Sarath.

Awards: Anil's Ghost won both the Giller Prize and Govenor General Award in 2000.

Now am reading Steven Erickson's Garden of Moons for the chunkster challenge! Am doing pretty well with these. Coming up will be my non-fiction list.

Where is Red and what have you done with him?!

Title: My Name Is Red
Author: Orhan Pamuk
Winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2006
Tranlator: Erdag M Goknar

# of Pages: 413; Hardcover
ISBN: 0375406956
Published: Originally in Turkish in 1998
English 2001, A A Knof

Challenge: 2/12
TBR February Read

Began Reading:
February 20th, 2007

Finished Reading:
March 4, 2007

Oft times, while seeking more innovative and entertaining ways to procrastinate from shelving books during my eight hour shifts at Indigo, I would pull out the ol' pen 'n' paper, walk the aisles sideways as my gaze devoured the covers of the thousands of books that filled the store. The angel face of Ondajannte's Anil's Ghost called out to me in whispers, Xao's One Man's Bible was promising secrets each time more and more inviting and Atwood's Edible Woman kept reminding me in a stern voice that I had certain obligations to fill. Each of these I listened to and wrote on my list usually accompanied by an adjective: 'Classic', 'must read', mark's recommendation', urban lit', and so forth. Each I listened to carefully. Orhan Pamuk's My Name is Red I did not. Every time my eyes came upon the cover of the book with it's bold title, my hands, voluntarily or not, reached out and touched it. My thoughts would begin to run away with themselves on who this Red was and what was he like? Passionate? Violent? Flamboyant? I could not wait to read it... but never did.

Years later, after the Nobel Prize ceremonies, I logged online to read who accepted what and to read the acceptance speeches (which are usually great reads if any of you are looking for more ways to pass the time in front of your computer screen) and dam! there in my face he was - Orhan Pamuk with his nerdy glasses and his oh-so-foreign aura. In fact, I had posted a quote from him with a pic in an earlier blog entry just because it was so great:

" ...I write because I love

the smell of paper, pen, and ink."

Of course, my hands, once again voluntarily or not, reached over for the mouse, typed the letters a,m,a,z,o,n,.,c,a and ordered the hardcover edition of the book whose title had haunted my thoughts for so long... I just needed a kick in the ass to get there.

The Story: Orhan's tale is a murder mystery with a love story woven in. The Sultan has commissioned a book to be written and illustrated that would illuminate the power of Allah and the Sultan. When two consecutive murders occur, both related to some degree to the creation of this work of art, the search for this killer and the threat he poses to the miniaturists of the palace is on. The love story is between Black, the nephew of one of the victims - Enishte who happened to be coordinating the entire project - and Enishte's daughter Shekure, the most beautiful woman in the district. As Black comes closer and closer to discovering the culprit so is he to Shekure's heart. the thrill is in that fact that this murderer holds a threat not only over all the palace miniaturists but also to the fruition of this love affair.

The Setting: is the most attractive and alive aspect of this tale. Istanbul's smells and people come alive. One feels the crowded streets, the shouts of the clothier, the spices of the market place. Pamuk enriches this novel with tales, myths and philosophy of a culture that I myself, other then historical context, am unfamiliar with.

Narration: is by far the best part and where the author's genius shines through. Like Faulkner, every chapter is headed with the name of the narrator for that section: 'Black', 'Shekure', 'Uncle', 'Murderer'. The last was where the villain invites the reader directly to discover who he is:

"If I do have a style and character, it's not hidden in my artwork, but in my crime and in my words as well! Yes, try to discover who I am from the colour of my words!" page 98

And so we do, as clues contradict and facts become tangled, we the reader can only rely on the style of the murderers voice in comparison to all the other characters that are introduced to us. Therefore a warning, there is lots of flipping back and forth, comparing grammar and sentence structure, etc. etc. There is also another means of solving the puzzle - which I actually did ( though am peacocked yet again, it sucks that there was no surprise. boo!) - which is through the characters philosophy. My Name is Red has as much art philosophy as Dorian Gray guys and that's tons. Each character presents a variation on what art is, it's function and role. By seeing the Murderer's reasons for his crime and comparing it with the character's ideologies, you can possibly come to the right conclusion.

Furthermore, there are chapters which are named 'Dog', 'Coin', 'Tree' and other objects/characters that are present in drawings. They speak their history and their place. They talk of their master, or their desires and hopes. It was always a pleasure to read these chapters that were so insightful on life in Istanbul and in general.

Worst Part: It was just a little too long! And the love story was very artificial. I couldn't stand either of them after the second half of the book.

The Title: Where the hell was Red in all of this? I was extremely disappointed to see that a) it was not a person or anything that breaths and b) it had all of 6 pages devoted to it. Oh yeah, I feel just a bit duped even though its not Pamuk's fault but my own overwrought imagination.

Read this When: you need to write a paper on a good book, a classic or whatnot, and are worried about the length of pages. There is so much possibility for analysis with this book that you need not worry about not coming up with the right quantity.

... when your about to hop on a plane for Istanbul. I would kill to have read this book for the first time there.

What does this mean for Pamuk?
Well, the guy won a Nobel Prize and he is like Faulkner in that though the book wasn't enjoyable per say your inclined to read more by him, to explore his style and psyche. So am definitely adding Snow to my list of TBR's for this year or maybe next. Like any NP winner, it is the body of work and not a single book that the award is given to.

Tresure Island

Title: Treasure Island
Author: Robert Louis Stevenson

Genre:
Children's Lit, Adventure
ISBN:
0375756825
Published:
Modern Classics Library 2001;
Cassell & Company Ltd - 1883

Challenge:
Classics hosted Booklogged
4 of 5

Began:
Feburary 2007

Finished:
February 2007

I always wanted to marry a pirate. Especially when seeing Captain Sparrow on that big screen suddenly the hot sun didn't seem so offensive nor the nomadic lifestyle as scary. That adventure - knowing that life can change with every new wave that comes ones way - is what is so appealing about life at sea. Not one who shys away from letting everyone in hearing distance to listen to my 'fantasies', a friend once mentioned in passing, "Yeah, just like Long John Silver." Ashamed I bought the book the next day and swore to read it asat. The Classics Challenge was the kick in the ass that had me read it when I did.

The Jist: Poor Jim and his family did not know what they were getting themselves into when they accepted their eccentric guest who enjoyed his solitude by the fire with his ale. This unnamed fellow asks Jim to look out for the 'one legged man' ... and the young man faithfully does throughout even when ,soon after, the guest dies leaving, amongst his trinkets and old clothes, a treasure map. Once the Doctor and Captain are told of this discovery (Jim's discovery due to their guest not having paid for his stay) a boat is rented, a crew hired and off to sea with the map as navigator. Of course, the trusted crew are turncoats but luckily the ol' ship is true of heart. And so this tale begins with the esteemed Long John Silver and the heart of the coroption on board the vessile. When landing on the island, man, money and weather all stand in the way of safe journey... one which young Jim did not account for when he agreed to come along.

Best Part: Long John's 'mind over matter' character was fresh and heartening because it was so REAL. His character is what made this a page turner - loving the bastard was so easy and yet you can't help but feel a little guilty. A little naughty.

Worst Part: Sometimes Jim's circumstance seem contrived. Hey, is it bad if I say just a little?

Read This When: I you come home from work and are thinking to yourself, "But why the fuck bother?" And seriously consider leaving your stove on while you leave the house for a long long walk.
Or when the kids are trying to think of what to dress up for Halloween. I mean these characters make for the best costumes + its 'forcing them to read.

Why is this a classic?

Cordingly, he who penned the introduction to this edition, points out how Stevenson's first book is our yard stick for the pirate. Oh yes people, way before Johnny Depp's Captain Jack Sparrow came along this crew of pirates gave the world a ride to remember.

But more then that, Long John's character is remarkable; a sight worth seeing through the eyes of our narrator Jim. The youth makes you understand if anything, the charasima the captain has on those who come in his vicinity.

And above everything else, once a kid reads this book it would be hard for them NOT to become a bibliofile. This is a good thing people!

Film Version: There has been several adaptations of the work but most reknowned is the 1950 with Robert Newton playing LJS is considered the best.

Cool Factoid: The 1950s film was the first complete live action film by Disney.

Reading: My Name is Red - it's trailing from February but thats what moving does to you guys. Don't hate me :)

Deaf & Furious!

Title:
The Sound and the Fury

&
As I Lay Dying

Author: William Faulkner
Genre: American;

Southern Literature

Published: 1929

Began Reading:
January 5th, 2006

Finished Reading:
January 24th, 2006
(both of them)

Challenge:
I guess I can say that its a bonus for the Classics Challenge! Yeah, that's 7 guys!

I finished what is known to be Faulkner's masterpiece, even before Oprah decreed it so, The Sound and the Fury, at the perfect time: two customers walked in and after my offer for coffee was accepted we proceeded to converse for sometime the many dimensions of Faulkner.

R, a cegep teacher here in Montreal who did his phd in British history, was explaining how he got into Faulkner's work. A friend of R had sat him down to explain all the little points such as Italics = memory and the narrative structure. K had to read this for class and she seemed to agree with most of what I had to say about it which is basically that it's hard to talk about.

The Sound and The Fury is a story that tells its tale through the train of thought of three members in the Compson family. A white family that lives in Jackson with 'lazy black' servants to support. The tale is actually summurized in the appendix at the end - Faulkner doesn't care as much about the events then he does the thoughts that preceed this, the mental breckdown - or makeup - of his characters.

I was suprised because for some reason had thought that this was a war book. (Consequence of being libra - we judge books by their covers & titles.) The horrible part was having an edition where the appendix was at the begining of the book . Since it was written by the author I was sure that it belonged in the begining and thus the plot was spoiled completly for me. Yes, yes its supposed to be about the text but christ I revert to the wise words of Edward Said when it comes to text and entertainment (which is basically that every reader has the right to enjoy what they read).

After reading a few classics (for the renowned Classics challenge), I picked up As I Lay Dying. Though the other reads were intence, enjoyable and memorable, Faulkner still echoed within, nagging at me about SOMETHING. Thinking that reading another of his texts would bring some insight on what exactly 'is Faulkner all about', all it did was make me fall in love with the teasing glimpse he gives the audiance of his characters' innerworkings .

Really there is not much of a plot for either text and no characters that one walks away and 'carries with them'. Instead, reading Faulkner is more about the 'Being John Malcovich' experiance then anything else. He forces you to stretch and exhaust yourself by becoming a mental handicap, a greedy logical businessman, or a doomed scholar. Suddenly, when reading a page of Faulkner, the cold Montreal weather becomes the dry Southern air and you hate the experiance but for some reason - some unexplainable reason - you stay and read on and read more even when your mouth fills with sand.

The Sound and the Fury seemed to more of a comment on human nature than As I Lay Dying's insight on what is the odscure. In S&F, there are three narrators, one based on emotion, the second intellect and the last logic. All are overcome, realistically, by this oh-so-human factor and each of these male characters falls to their dimise to some extent because of this. Though some of Faulkner's insight on Southern life comes forward in both books, As I Lay Dying gives us more narratives of a family who is crossing towns, through obstacles after obstacle, with their mother's corpse. By far the easier read, I am happy that I have read it if only because it mentally prepared me for My Name is Red (my present read) which switches narrative often (to say the least).

If anything, hats off to Faulkner for his command of the English word. The way the words BECOME the character... one can read any paragraph in the book aloud and if your familiar with the charcters, you'll understand who is speaking the words. His ability to empathize and develop is worthy of a Nobel Peace Prize to accompany the one he did win in 1949 for Literature.

In closing, this last part I dedicate to you M ... with 'love & squalor':

On writing, Faulkner remarked, "Let the writer take up surgery or bricklaying if he is interested in technique. There is no mechanical way to get the writing done, no shortcut. The young writer would be a fool to follow a theory. Teach yourself by your own mistakes; people learn only by error. The good artist believes that nobody is good enough to give him advice. He has supreme vanity. No matter how much he admires the old writer, he wants to beat him."

a picture worth even more than a thousand words

Title: The Picture of Dorian Gray
Author: Oscar Wilde

# of Pages: 177
ISBN: 1853260150
Published:
Originally ~ Lippincott's Magazine 1890;
Wordsworth Classic - 1991

Challenge Read:
Classics Challenge Read 3/5
(I actually finished them all though! Posts to come)

Started Reading:
Februrary , 2007

Finished Reading:
Februrary 10th, 2007


The shame the horror - 177 pages in over a week. How am I to read 104 books in a year?! Just exactly how? Do I have an excuse - none! Is there ever when it comes to such a holy endeaveor? A reason - oh I have plenty of those~! There's the stress of satisfying the whims of the new chef at the cafe and having to handle all the giggly university girls that crowd the bar (yes he is cute unfortunatly). Oh yes, then there is the fact that I have less then 48 hours to move out of my amazingly downtown located apartment where I could shop, go to the movies and above all else GO TO STARBUCKS CHATPERS in moments. Oh dearest reader, the perils of my life! M has helped me pack my books. Total box count= 27. Should I complain of having such treasures in my life, surrounding my daily activities, keep me company during meals and greeting my guests. I did go out once or twice - facebook does that to you - but they were minor outings with little else then watching others drown their sorrows in cheep beer and even cheeper talk. The qulundrums of youth. But then again who said being 24 was young? Which brings us to dearest Dorian - our hero, villian and victim.

What Happens: Basil, a known British Victorian Artist, finds his inspiration a youth in his later teens called dorian Gray. His face a canvas of purity and innocence, his person untouched by corrupt intentions or stressful thoughts. That is until Harry, a acquaintance of Basil, who enters the studio sparks the youths imagination by expressing the importance of being young and how it is an outward indicator of what is within a specimen. Dorian, realizing for once that his youth would not last forever exclaims, " How I wish I .... am jealous of that picture...." Page 46563. These words, much like those between Faust and the Devil, create a pack between the portrait of Dorian and the man himself - the portrait bears the marks of Dorians age and self while the man remains in face at least, as soft and inviting as ever.

Here begins the twisted decent of Grays soul to corruption that levels on the border of madness until the reviting ending, this short classic being Wilde's only completed volume is unquestionably a neccesary addition to any serious philosophy/art student and serious reader.

Best Part: When Dorian stares at the painting for the first time with realization that it is bearing the brunt of his endeavors. The fear, elation and apprehention that he feels at that time simply consumes you. It makes the reader realize the power that an object can have in a society that allows posession to possess such strengths.

Also, Wilde's preface to the audiance is a short yet pivotal compilation of statments that prepares the reader for what follows. His phrases are clear cut and straight to the point yet send the mind whirling in circles with thoughts that contradict and agree, simotaneously even, with the truths presented. Riveting.

Worst Part: Well, Harry's continuous speaches to Dorian about 'not caring', 'enjoying the now', and so forth. A little too much but nothing that's majorily intrusive to the text that it dulls the sences.

Factoid: The press tore this text and it's author apart when it was published. It was not successful until printed as a single volume.

Why is this considered a Classic?

Well, other than the subject matter of art and mankind and the eccentric synergy exchanged between the two, one aspect of this text that raises above others is the writing. Wilde's care and attention to detail of phrase is apparent from the opening line.

"From the corner of the divan of Persian saddlebags on which he was lying, smoking, as was his custom, innumerable cigerettes, Lord Henry Wotton could just catch the gleam of the honey-sweet and honey-coloured blossoms of a laburnum, whose tremulous branches seemed hardly able to bear the burden of a beauty so flame-like as theirs; and now and then the fantastic shadows of birds in flight flitted across the long tussore-silk curtains that were stretched in front of the huge window, producing a kind of momentary Japaense effect, and making him think of those pallid jade-faced painters of Tokio who, through the medium of an art that is necessarily immobile, seek to convey the sence of swiftness and motion." page 5

Wilde tried to pull it off to the public that the work was done in a single writing but the text itself and later physical evidence of the re-writes the authors did. Why? Perhaps the attraction the public has to the concept of unedited work. Dali and many of the surrealists had promoted their own artworks under the same auspisos and like Wilde's novel, was soon found to be untrue.

Though set in Victorian society - and there being a certain part of the book devoted to criticing the times - the novel is indeed timeless. Art philosophy, the idea of where art 'fits', the responsability of the artist, the fame/God aspect that's given to this medium adds activly to the conversation that great minds such as Plato, Hume and Adorno have been having.

The Beef about me Not Posting: Guys, man, please don't hate me! Blogger was wacking out on me every time I tried to log on and post this. Then I had to move apartment! Sadly enough, I stored away some of my books at my nonnina's house ( she does have a heated, tiled garage perfect for my tresures). Just going through the boxes to find the books so that I can post on it is challenge enough. I am reading and loving MY NAME IS RED right now, which is my Feb read for TBR Challenge and finished all my reads for the classics challenge... the books are waiting to be posted! Tomorrow TRESURE ISLAND. Thanks for understanding guys!

New Words:

"... the two young men went out into the garden together, and ensconced themselves on a long bamboo seat that stood in the shade of a tall laurel bush." page 7

"then it began to scramble all over the oval stellated globe of the tiny blossoms." page 22

"... stooping down he wrote his name in long vermilion letters on the left hand corner of the canvas." page 23

"Yes, there would be a day when his face would be wrinkled and wizen, his eyes dim and colourless, the grace of his figure broken and deformed." page 23

Title: I, Robot

Author: Isaac Asimov

ISBN: 0553294385
Published:
1950, DoubleDay; 1991

Started Reading:
January 24th, 2007

Finished Reading:
January 25th, 2007

Challenge:
Classics ~ due end of Feb '07
2nd of 5 hosted by Booklogged


Asimov's book is in fact a collection of short stories published throughout the 40s. The stories come together through the narrative of recurring character Dr. Sarah Calvin who reflects on her life as a robopsychologist. One of the difficulties in reading this was the disjointed nature of the text as a whole. Asimov presents his pieces in such a way that each chapter introduces a new idea about robots that isn't necessarily carried over into the next part. I'll make a comparison to Alice Munro here as her novel Lives of Girls and Women (highly recommended!) reflects short story-esque chapter divisions that are cunningly woven together by theme & character. Asimov's attempt at narrative unity isn't achieved - the book feels like an anthology masked as a novel (and for all you who know me well, I abhor anthologies).

Another distraction (or weakness) of the read was the dialogue. When principal characters yell out "By Jupiter!" moments before a certain death, it makes you wonder where these people came from. There is little interaction between characters, and when human characters speak to each other it comes off as contrived and artificial. As for the Robots... I will allow the fact that as a human reader I may have allowed certain corny terms and fake-flavoured sentences to slip by, considering the 'nature of the beast'. Yet there generally seems to be a lack of artfulness in the writing that leaves the reader constantly conscious of the writer's presence, which does not allow for the 'cathartic' experience.

Dr Calvin's character was introspective, however, and original. Her coldness, icy stares, quick wit and cool-under-pressure personality do make for an interesting tie-in; it is once again the elementary writing that surrounds her (and ultimately creates her character) that lessens the effect. Asimov simply did not strengthen this aspect of the text. What Dr Calvin does present us with is an informed and complex understanding of the role of robots in the lives of humanity. Her logic and respect for the beast (as un-beastlike as they are) allows her, unlike many others in her field, to consider the potential threat of what robots can do ... we have all seen Terminator, right?

Asimov himself felt that the strongest point of his robot series is his contribution of the three laws.

1. A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
2. A robot must obey orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
3. A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.

While I was researching on why this is a classic, wiki quotes the author on how Asimov wished to present robots in a different light than the traditional Frankenstein/terror or functionality format. Robots, in his book, come together as companions, machines that can interact, assess, and even befriend to a certain level. Asimov's presenting a world where machines are present as walking, talking, thinking beings, as a dependency that humanity has a love/hate relationship with (most strongly portrayed in his final chapter on the Regions) does portray the possible integration of such entities into our society as less of a threat than works such as Shelley's would have us believe.

What I am trying to decipher with other sci-fi fans is whether Asimov is using the robot in his text as a way of expressing the 'next natural step' in historical progression or as a mirror reflection of humanity and our tendencies on the level of social consciousness? It seems contradicting for it to be both simultaneously... any readers out there with thoughts on this topic? any other potential 'uses' for the robot?

Factoid: Asimov's original title was Mind and Iron but the publisher changed it.

Star Trek's creator would visit his friend Asimov with his ideas to see if they were scientifically viable. The author had a PhD in biochemistry.

He is attributed with coining the terms robotics, positronic, psychohistory.

The author died of AIDS which he was infected with during a blood transfusion. The family only disclosed this ten years after his death (d. 1992).

One reason that this may have seemed somewhat elementary to me is that I have been reading sci-fi for years now and usually find that the philosophical elements are not so blatant and obvious, but carefully weaved into the story, allowing the entertainment and active participation that great books demand. Perchance those introduced to the concept of sci-fi may find this a great breather - room to play would be my own recommendation. The language is easy enough for a advanced reader in 6th grade if they can tackle the concepts. At the same time, I'd like to note that there are many classics that 'do things first' , by which I mean put forward important themes or ideas, in a way that did not make me feel as if there was some basic attention to writing lacking in the text. Asimov's careless writing gives the reader the impression that he merely wishes to present the idea, without paying too much attention to genre, dialogue, or narrative style.

In Conclusion, I am happy to have finally read it and will have to read the Foundation Series in hopes that it is better (on a literary scale) than this. Please note that I am not a short stories type of gal, so my harsh criticism of the narrative is somewhat biased.However, the points on the dialogue hold true - it's pretty horrendous.

******

Cell phone ringing. Caller ID reads 'M'

M: Nessie, my child, we've got a problem. Possession is written by A. S. Byatt.

N: I know. What! You think...

M: You wrote in your comments that it was written by Austen.

N: No, loser, I wrote about Persuasion. (Saying this, cell in hand, I run over to the computer and log on.) I'm going to read it to you. "I finished Possessions some time ago. I am working on a MEGA AUTHOR post - I have read all the works by Jane Austen and" Oh, no!

M: You gotta change it.

N: Shit! Shit! Shit!

And shit. So sorry, Bella! I am looking forward to reading the book Possession by Byatt and will be commenting on your blog to let you know when have posted on it.
And M, what would I do without you!? (I would sit in a cardboard box and cry longingly).

The Perfect Winter Book

Title: Snow Country
Author: Yasunari Kawabata
Translator: Edward G. Seidensticker

ISBN: 0679761047
# of Pages: 175
Published: Originally in 1948 ;
1st English Edition 1957;
Vinatage International Edition 1996

Began Reading:
January 1st 2007

Finished Reading:
January 6th, 2007

Challenge:
Book 1 or 12 f
or the TBR Challenge hosted by Miz Books

I have written this entry several times, dear Reader, and yet it never seems to do Kawabata's letters justice. It is not that he has the drive of his student Mishima or his writing the eloquence (& disturbing quality) of Nabokov, the insight of Austen or the passion of Bronte. This is no Tolkien fantasy land of mystic elvish songs and hairy hobbits. Nothing like Dumas' brave Musketeers or Dante's epic. Kawabata is simple, plain. While all of the above are like the Grand Opulence of literature, Kawabata's piece is a vanilla ice cream cone; no dressings, no toppings. And yet, is there not something so basic, so fundamental about vanilla ice cream balls scooped on the cone that give it this long-term value that exceeds even the richest and most expensive of 'desserts'?

Yes that is it.

Kawabata is fundamental. Life, memory, existence - we know it now as this perfect line, when in fact it isn't even dotted or faded, much less bold and solid. It is not a line at all but a messy swirl that overlaps, passes borders, exceeds imagination. Kawabata has no beginning or end save for the letters that find themselves in that particular position within the bound papers that make up his book.

After some preliminary research, Kawabata's style is an extension of the haiku supposition of sporadic moments being caught in time. Snow Country is a collection of moments that are shared between Shimamura, he who finds use in the useless, and Komako, our young mountain geisha. These two share a series of junctures that, alone, may seem passive and even cold but combined are dynamite. The more I return to the text and select random sections, the more shocked I am that upon first reading these passages my notes indicate confusion, indecisiveness and at times frustration as I attempted to fit Kawabata's love story within the canon norm. Do not waste your time judging me for this. I am well aware of my crime and penance I have payed. Life is richer with Kawabata's words, "You're a good girl." In my case it took some time for that fact to dawn on me.

Is it naughty that, once again, I think of Gatsby? And how Daisy confesses her love to him? "You're a good woman"?

The reason I entitled this 'The Perfect Winter Read' is a reference to the resent podcast that I listened to by Reina. The subject of last month's episode was in fact winter reads and her companion mentioned that he never knew of a book that was actually about winter. And though what is not being said here is that this book is about winter, the season- the cold, the snow, the mountains covered for miles - allows for another dimension to the otherwise common words. "The woman's hair, the glass of the window, the sleeve of his kimono-everything he touched was cold in a way Shimamura had never known before.
Even the straw mats under his feet seemed cold. He started down to the bath." page 45

In reference to the above, concerning beginnings and endings, let us elaborate. Shimamura is on his way to this secluded village of northern Japan where feet of snow fall. The populace is comprised of working geisha and tourist men who come for a vacation alone or with friends. Our two principal characters fall under these categories. Shimamura is on the train where he hears the most clear and beautiful voice, that of Yoko. In the hotel he befriends and later enchants Komako whom we soon discover is somehow related to Yoko indirectly. They share a love for a man who dies suddenly; the situation is never clear nor defined. Shimamura is attached to one, intrigued by the other.

" 'You'll catch cold. See how cold it is." He tried to pull her back, but she clung to the railing.

'I'm going home.' Her voice choked.

'Go home, then.'

'Let me stay like this a little longer.'

'I'm going down for a bath.'

'No, stay here with me.'

'If you close the window.'

'Let me stay here like this a little longer.'

[...] He started down to the bath.

'Wait. I'll go with you.' The woman followed meekly."

Throughout there is a bitterness to this triangle between each of them: Shimamura in not returning Komako's love, Komako's and Yoko's fates being forced by some unknown circumstance to come together, Yoko and Shimamura for the lack of opportunity to pursue their intrigue. By the physical end of this book, one woman is lost in body, the other in mind. Shimamura watches knowing he will not return again to this place. "As he caught his footing, his head fell back, and the Milky Way flowed down inside him with a roar." And the words stop. Just like that.

Note: So, yes I recommend this book.

Yes, M, I am taking your harsh and hardy advice to heart and trying on a new format for size. Something that is more emotive, a touch academic and includes some of the literary styles I have taken affectionate note of (such as Stendhal!) and implementing/trying them on for size right here at my very own blog. What think you, some-what friend? Can you tell which I have decided to include (they are pretty obvious considering I talked about them with you for an entire hour!!)

Book Report #1 - Classics Challegne

Title: Metamorphosis
Author: Franz Kafka
Translator from
German to English:
Micheal Hofmann

Genre: Classic, Novella
Published:
1st Pub. 1915
2006; Red Penguin Classics

ISBN: 0141023457
# of Pages: 79

Began Reading:
January 1st, 2007

Finished Reading:
January 1st, 2007

Y'all know how this book fell into my lap - yes the psycho who yelled at me in Indigo for reading Shopaholic. (see blog post Blame it on Booklogged). M says I should be ashamed of my reading choice, but since she seems to be embarrassed enough for the both of us, I won't let the shame or guilt get to me this time. Christ, I have enough holiday family drama in my life that I couldn't take blogger criticism right now, guys. ;)

It's About: Gregor's your average civilian: lives with his parents and sister, works everyday by driving the streets and selling. His pride is in providing for his family and supporting them, allowing them the luxury or retirement and eduction. His pleasure the fact that he can surprise them this coming Christmas with news that he will send his sister to the conservatory and she will not have to worry about the expense.

Then comes the day when Gregor awakes & realizes his body has transformed into a gigantic insect-like-being.

His family does not realize that he can understand them, that his capabilities to speak and write may have left but that his mind and memories are intact. Presuming their son has completely metamorphosed, they lock him in his room where he spends his days climbing the ceiling and eating rotten cheese. A dark cloud comes over the family as all three members are forced to seek employment and take in tenants - all which in one way or another become effected by the presence of the Insect Son. The so-called tragic ending frees Gregor of his guilt and the family of their burden.

Comments: It definitely improved as I read along, though I cannot claim to have fully understood it. As I read on, I began to appreciate the writing style as well. Kafka's sentences are direct, his language transparent. Slightly confusing was the strength and steadiness of Gregor's emotions for his family, as they begin to abuse and reject him. Despite his ill treatment, he remains positive and devoted. Is this a commentary on how some who live- like Gregor-are so useless? So unnecessary? There is not a single character one loves or hates or really even FEELS anything towards in this piece. An odd sensation that I have never before experienced with a book.

Best Part: "And it felt like a confirmation of their new dreams and their fond intentions when, as they reached their destination, their daughter was the first to get up, and stretched her nubile young body." page 79

Worst Part: The beginning. Why the hell would I care about a guy who becomes a beetle? I think the reason it never tickled my imagination is that it seems to me that the book is not really about the story or Gregor Samsa as a character but about some message that Kafka wanted to convey. It is funny when one hears a young adults book criticized for being two dimensional: 'For though the great idea is there, the language is lacking.' Well here, although the idea and the language are present the passion is not. The drive, the heart, the id!!! He just doesn't seem like th A-list party guy.

Why is it a Classic?: Well, talk about shooting myself in the foot. It turns out that there are more than 130 interpretations recorded of this short work. The Samsa family has been an inspiration in comics, aesthetics, film, and other works of literature - even children's. Using a title nearly identical to Ovid's Metamorphoses, Kafka also borrows the concept of transformation but that's where the similarity stops. While Ovid explores the action of change and fluidity, it seems that Kafka places his emphasis on the consequences tied to the body and mind of the 'hero'. The reaction to the event, and not the event itself, is the focus here. The themes of guilt, family duty, the economics in personal relationships, entrapment - all these shine through the tale of the Samsa Family and Gregor, their son. My own thoughts on this post reading/pre-minor research was that Kafka's hero, Gregor, seemed to suffer from the social hierarchy. Gregor has a position to fill as that of being the son in the family: he is care-giver both by supporting the family financially and through his emotive concerns for his sibling and parents. Throughout, he is concerned with the effects his physical state has on them. His family rarely thinks about him and what has occured to him - their focus is on what this means to their own lives. The father twice considers to simply kill squish 'the bug' but is stopped by wife and daughter for to kill 'it' would mean all hope of Gregor's return would be lost.

Gregor's concern for the family was almost unnatural - it created a distance between the reader and the him for the sympathy can not be shared when the individuals it is for are so undeserving. However the position that Gregor is in, the fact that it is the responsibility of the child to make such sacrifice - my original conclusion was that Kafka's comments were more about the politics of family more so than economics. Gregor does give monetary comfort but he also provides emotional support to his sibling and practical support in running the household affairs. His position calls for him to take all the responsibility without the privileges of being 'head of the house'.

But all you have to do is google the title and author's name and you will see for yourself the gazillion conclusions and reactions this short piece has conjured up (some listed above). Reason enough to be called a classic, wouldn't you agree? Toc-tac-toe isn't fun once you have figured out the rule which has you winning every time. But chess and go... the infinitum of these - like Metamorphesis - is why the passion continues till today.

Recommend to: This is difficult. The political content and social critic would appeal to those who are looking for fresh presentation on the subject - a new perspective. Like Voltaire's Candide, Kafka is using the fantastic to explore worldly themes. The imaginative elements become secondary to the consequences of the events. Considering the length and importance - this work is considered to the one of the most important of Kafka - I would say that everyone should read it. It isn't as much a book to enjoy as it is a work to discuss and debate. Perhaps here again is where institutional education carries worth. Even in a book club, there isn't the director or coordinator that jumps into the work exploring practical and theoretical application. Here however I'll paraphrase from Said's text Orientalism when he write that all literary texts, no matter their content, must and should have that 'entertainment' element. Hence why it is so difficult to pin point exactly who to recommend this to.

Cool Fact: Kafka worked as an insurance broker. Peter Drucker in his book Managing in the Next Society spoke of how Kafka instigated the usage of safety helmets amongst factory and construction workers. (Helmets till then were used only during combat) Kafka, at his death , had expressed that all of his works be burned. His wishes, obviously, were not considered. He died of starvation (as a consequence of his having tuberculosis; his throat was so swollen food could not pass) where as his sisters all died in concentration camps and ghettos during the war.

New Words: This is a new section that M frowns upon because she says I look like a dumb-ass. That's all right by me though. Basically, at the end I will list all the new words I learned by retyping the sentence they were in, followed by a definition of the word. Often while reading I can assume the meaning within the context but it's only after seeing it several times that I can reuse it in my own work/words. So, to speed up the process, I thought this exercise would ingrain it in my head and maybe, just maybe, spark a vocabulary interest of your own.

A) "There are some other travelling salesmen I could mention who live like harem women." page 3

B) "His father clinched his fist with a pugnacious expression, as if ready to push Gregor back into his room, then looked uncertainly round the living room, covered his hands and cried, his mighty chest shaking with sobs." page 18

C) "Rather as though there were no hindrance at all, he drove Gregor forward with even greater din; the sound to Gregor's ears was not that of one father alone; now it was really no laughing matter, and Gregor drove himself-happen what might against the door." page 25

D) "One side of his body canted up, he found himself lifted at an angle in the doorway, his flank as rubbed raw, and there were some ugly stains on the white door." page 25

E) "Once in the course of the long evening one of the side-doors was opened a crack, and once the other, and then hurriedly closed again; someone seemed to feel a desire to step inside, but then again had too many cavils about so doing." page 28

F) "These little red apples rolled on the floor as though electrified, often caroming into one another." Page 52

G) "Gregor's mother would tug at his sleeve, whisper blandishments in his ear, his sister would leave her work to support her mother, but all in vain." page 54

H) ".... a cashier in a hat shop whom he has courted assiduously, but far too slowly - ..." page 57

I) "Only sometimes, happening to pass the food that had been put out for him, he would desultorily take a morsel in his mouth, and keep it there for hours, before spitting it out again." page 60

10) "... because there was simply no more room in which to move, but later on with increasing pleasure, even though after such peregrinations he would find himself heart sore and weary to death, and wouldn't move for many hours." page 62

Hope your happy Booklogged! This is report number 1 of 5 for the Classics Challenge.