"Things Fall Apart" from Kelli

I once mentioned to someone that this book was on the top 100 list, to which they replied "That makes sense, it's the quintessential African literature novel.  I read it in high school."  After reading it, I think this is a slightly sophomoric view of the novel.  Although the subject matter is clearly based in Achebe's experiences in his home country of Nigeria, the themes of loss, grief, and resistance to change are ones that speak across borders and, I think, define the book as much more than "quintessential African literature".

In the book, we follow the life of Okonkwo, a clan leader in a small town in Nigeria.  The novel works to explore Okonkwo's personal history, as well as the customs and traditions of his clan.  SPOILER ALERT: In the end, we see Okonkwo and his clan struggle to come to terms with imperialist missionaries that come to inhabit the town near the end of the novel.

After reading the book, I was interested to find out more about the author, Chinua Achebe.  I found that he is on another "Top 100" list published by The Guardian for his work of non-fiction: An Image of Africa: Racism in Conrad's "Heart of Darkness".  Once I'm through with our book challenge, I want to pick up that book because I also found Heart of Darkness to be incredibly racist (one of the many reasons I hated the book and am dreading having to read more by Conrad).  It seems, though, that Joseph Conrad deserves his place on our top 100 list for his sheer influence, though, as he sparked writing by Achebe, and was also mentioned in The World According to Garp as Garp's favorite author (what does this say about Garp and Irving?)

GRADE SHEET:

Pacing: A-

Protagonist's Likability: C (I love his wives, though)

Satisfying Ending: B

Ability to Spark Text-to-Text Connections: A

Quick Read Points: a million

"The Maltese Falcon" - Kelli's Take

I liked this book more for the lack of adverbs than anything else.  This is something Marie recently drew my attention to - that she despises adverbs because authors, in her view, should just choose stronger verbs and then they wouldn't need to modify them.  She mentioned this right before I dove into this book and I noticed that Dashiell Hammett uses remarkably few of them in the course of the novel.

I have to agree with my mom here.  I understand historically why this book would make the list, but, aside from the interesting lack of adverbs, the book doesn't stand out as anything spectacular.  Perhaps the novel was shocking for the day (I was shocked myself with the sex out of wedlock and stripping in the novel - it was the 1930s for Christ's sake!).  However, I think the rest of the novel's novelty (ha) was spoiled by our 21st century overexposure to this exact type of protagonist - the difficult-to-decipher, sexy-but-reserved detective whose personal sense of justice (right or wrong) guides everything he does.

SPOILERS: Everyone's crooked.  Everyone's a victim.

GRADE SHEET:
Pacing: B+
Protagonist's Likability: C (SUPER average)
Satisfying Ending: C (You kind of wish it was more dramatic)
1930s Sexist Masculinity: A+
Originality from the 21st Century Perspective: D

Up Next: The Grapes of Wrath

Where Angels Fear to Tread - Lynn's Take

Where Angels Fear to Tread is E.M. Forster's earliest work, and for that reason, I suppose, it's important.  E.M. Forster's writing is light and unobtrusive - he draws his characters and moves the story along without the (superfluous, to me) literary flourishes so common in writing from the early 20th century.  And already, in Where Angels Fear to Tread, Forster's caricature of upper-class English provincialism and snobbery is well drawn, as is the charming Italian setting.  The storytelling in this, his first novel, however, is clunky when compared to his later works.  This applies especially to the ending of the story, which is abrupt in the extreme and not foreshadowed enough, so that it seems tacked on.

I'll not tell any of the story, because although the ending is clunky, the story as a whole is quite satisfying and deserves to unfold as it is read.  Have fun, Kelli and Caitlyn!

"The Awakening" - Caitlin's Thoughts

When there's a fire in a metro station you get delayed a LOOOOOOONG time and finish a short book like this pretty quickly on your kindle.  Worth it!

GENERAL IMPRESSIONS:  So I didn't like the beginning.  I guess pre-"awakening" to half way through the awakening I was sort of just frustrated with all of the characters for being whiny upper class people.  I got over it though once Edna started to be like "Hey, I'm a woman who doesn't like being a mom and doesn't want to be my husband's toy."  Like Ibsen's "The Doll House" but set in New Orleans.  The book is full of early feminism which is very hopeful and happy but ultimately ends in tragedy (because hey, how else would  a book on this list end but in tragedy?)  Super progressive for the time I would imagine; now, just a friendly reminder of why I'm so glad to be born in the 1980s instead of the 1880s. Good, quick, sometimes startling read.

MUSINGS:  I see why feminists praise this book a lot but I'm not sure if it brings too much to the table besides the novelty of a female character who doesn't suck.

SPOILER ALERT:  I almost cried on the metro at the end.  And then I remembered crying is a sign of weakness and that I never cry.  But seriously, this is a sad ending so get ready for the abruptness of it.  Or don't.  Your choice.

GRADESHEET:
Pace: A
Readability: A
Creole Food Descriptions: C- (lots of room for improvement)
Satisfying Ending: B-
Narrator's Likeability: A (super detached/objective - LOVE IT)
Cheerfulness: D

"Age of Innocence" - Caitlin's Opinion

So the only problem with the Kindle is you have no way of telling how long a book actually is.  I'm hoping this one is long because it seemed to take me awhile to read it but I never lost interest at least!

GENERAL IMPRESSIONS:  I've read Wharton before (House of Mirth) and thought it was okay but this was much better.  Also, Wharton got the first Pulitzer given to a woman for this one so well done Edith!  Basically like an early twentieth century Jane Austen.  Critiquing upper class society to some degree without ever truly condemning it.  A love story I didn't hate.  The main character was as unbearable and condescending as you expect him to be but you really start to feel for him after awhile.  Almost like Babbit in a way actually.  Wow.  So many anti-disestablishment/can't escape the establishment books on this list.

MUSINGS: My favorite character was the eccentric fat grandma.  I can't wait until I get to be an eccentric fat grandma.

SPOILER ALERT:  It was written in the 1920s by a lady author who got a Pulitzer so this shouldn't come as a surprise to you but was a bit of a disappointment nonetheless- no sex!!!!

GRADESHEET:
Pace: A-
Readability: A
Fashion Description: B
Narrator's Likeability: A
Satisfying Ending: D- (but that actually makes this book a little better)
Feminism: Hard to say.  Sometimes a B+ sometimes a D

"War of the Worlds" - Caitlin's Take

The first of many books I hope to enjoy on my 40 minute metro ride.  Finished this in 2 round trips.

GENERAL IMPRESSIONS: The narrator is a douche-y, imperialist, sexist, British man.  Luckily, H.G. Wells was imaginative so even though I hated the main character, there was enough action to keep the book bearable.  Unluckily, I have seen the Tom Cruise version of the movie which has way sweeter action sequences than the book.  Still, props to Wells for predicting the future of military warfare (he basically invented drones, napalm, and lasers).  Plus, as annoyingly superior as the narrator is, he throws in a few great quotes about the danger of complacency and advocates a surprisingly pro-environmentalist viewpoint.  Quick, easy, only slightly obnoxious.

MUSINGS:  People who claim to only "dabble" in planetary physics because their true passion is philosophy shouldn't be allowed to speak.  Talk about condescending.

SPOILER ALERTS:  The narrator lives.  Alas.  

GRADESHEET: 

Pace: A-

Readability: B+

Narrator's Likeability: D-

Satisfying Ending: C (WTF HAPPENS BETWEEN THE NARRATOR'S BROTHER AND THE ONLY POSITIVE FEMALE CHARACTER?  DO THEY BONE OR WHAT?!!?!?)

Creative Description of Martians: A

Bravery of Characters: C

Kelli's View on "A Room with a View"

Apparently Caitlin loves E.M. Forster.  I don't know why.  Although I found this novel to be enjoyable in the end, many parts were trite.  I thought his portrayal of a female protagonist was lackluster.  I do, however, always love a happy ending (sorry for the spoiler) - even one that is as predictable as the one in this coming of age story.

GRADE SHEET:
Pacing: C+
Protagonist's Likability: B
Satisfying Ending: B+
Understanding the Feminine Perspective: D
Strange Allusions to Greek and Italian Art and History: A

"O, Pioneers" - Caitlin's Take

Read en route from ORDàABQ.  My Kindle is my new favorite travel accessory.

GENERAL IMPRESSIONS:  All I have to say to Willa Cather is DAYUM GIIIIIRL!  YOU CAN WRITE!  Besides taking place in Norwegian-populated Nebraska and being awesome, this was not at all like My Antonia.  More hopeful, more modern, and more romantic but not in a cheesy way.  Cather writes with an extremely understated elegance.  Every sentence is purposeful which means the book never drags but you want to read it slowly nonetheless in order to catch every word.  Awesome heroine + star crossed lovers + sensitivity without sappiness + heart-stopping climax= unbeatable combination.  I really can’t say enough how much I enjoyed this. 

MUSINGS:  Willa Cather must love Nebraska. 

SPOILER ALERTS:  This challenge has really made me come to terms with bittersweet endings.  This one is the bitterest and simultaneously sweetest yet. 

GRADESHEET:

Pace: A- (just a bit too fast in the beginning)

Readability: A+

Narrator’s Likeability: B+

Satisfying Ending: A+++

Forgiving of Human Faults: A

Hilarious Descriptions of the French: A

(For an update on totals: I'm at 34, Kelli is at 33, Lynn is at 49, and Marie is at 28)

"The Call of the Wild" - Caitlin's Thoughts

I’m on an adventure to New Mexico and thought I’d get a little reading done while in transit.  I spent a pleasant hour and a half during a layover in Chicago on this bad boy.

GENERAL IMPRESSIONS: Humans suck.  Straight up, we suck.  Animal abuse is not good.  Don’t do it.  Even if it'll make you money.  Animals are awesome.  And wild.  So don’t mess with them.  Kelli pretty much covered all the bases on this short but well-written and enjoyable read. 

MUSINGS: This made me want to adopt a new puppy asap.

SPOILER ALERTS:  Graphic violence is the name of the game.  Not for animal lovers under the age of 17.

GRADESHEET: I think Kelli nailed it in her post here.