"The Old Man and the Sea" from Kelli

Although I've read more in May than I have since winter break, not much of it has been from the list.  I had to, of course, finish The Hunger Games trilogy, as well as the books I mentioned I needed to read for my new job!  Finally, I was able to pick up this short novella.

I'll admit it now:  I love Hemingway.  The first piece I read by him in high school is called The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber, which is about big game hunting (or at least, the plot is.  Is Hemingway's message ever really so simple though?)  You can find the full text here and it is well worth the read. http://www.tarleton.edu/Faculty/sword/Short%20Story/The%20Short%20Happy%20Life%20of%20Francis%20Macomber.pdf.  After reading this short story in high school, I decided to try reading The Old Man and the Sea and didn't get very far (despite it being so short).  Thus, as a sixteen year old does, I drew a hard and fast line and decided I hated Hemingway's writing.  

Seven years later, I'll finally come out of the closet as a Hemingway-lover.  I've read A Moveable Feast, In Our Time, The Sun Also Rises, and now The Old Man and the Sea and none of them have disappointed.  However, I will put The Old Man and the Sea at the bottom of that list.  Why is this the piece that won him the Pulitzer?  It's the same way I feel about Steinbeck.  Why is The Grapes of Wrath the most critically acclaimed.  Did no one read East of Eden?  It is clearly the masterpiece!  Regardless, this classic tale of will-power, courage, defeat, and love was enjoyable, I was able to finish it in a day, and especially nice to finish alongside the thunderstorm outside of my window.

GRADE SHEET:

Pacing: B

Protagonist's Likability: A-

Satisfying Ending: B+

Deserving of a Pulitzer: Nay

Accuracy of Fishing Vocabulary: A+

"Howard's End" - Caitlin's Thoughts

After disliking the last book so much, I was nervous I would hate all novels on the list.  I went for an author I knew I liked (E.M. Forster) and he didn't disappoint.

GENERAL IMPRESSIONS:  Forster may be the first male author (certainly in the early 20th century) to ever create female heroines I like.  And the main character, Margaret, from this book is my favorite of all Forster's heroines.  This was also his funniest novel.  And I don't mean "oh, I bet this was funny in 1910" but I actually laughed out loud (especially in the beginning) at several parts.  As usual, Forster's work is cleverly crafted with a well-driven plot, although the denouement is perhaps a bit short and slightly less satisfying than the rest of the book.  All in all, a delightful, quick, cheerful read that has restored my faith in books.

SPOILER ALERT:  There are some real shockers in here that I really can't in good conscience give away.

MUSINGS:  If I'm single at 30, I hope to be as happy about it as Margaret is.

GRADE SHEET:
Narrator's Likeability: A
Pace: B+
Readability: A
Satisfying Ending: B
Use of German Cousins: B-
Socio-economic Sensitivity: A

"A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man" - Caitlin's Complaints

So I've clearly taken a hiatus from this reading challenge.  After spring break I had to buckle down and after finals all I could bring myself to read was Laura Ingalls Wilder (for the 197,874th time).  This book was not the right choice for restarting the challenge.

GENERAL IMPRESSIONS: I'd heard nightmare stories about Joyce's writing and guess what?  They're all true.  Yes, I get that he was modern and trying new stuff out and guess what?  I don't care.  Is there anything wrong with having a plot?  It doesn't even have to be told chronologically.  Just SOMETHING happening besides gaining self-awareness would be DELIGHTFUL.  There was a particularly awful section about religion that lasted about 60 pages in the 4th chapter which made me happy I don't think too hard about religion.  I probably missed a few of the clever classical allusions but I'm not going to beat myself up over it.  Some of the religious discussions later on between Stephen and less insane characters were more accessible.  The only bright spot of the somewhat strange narrative structure was when the main character thought about food.  Joyce totally nailed those passages (on mutton and carrots: "Stuff it into you, his belly counselled him").  Maybe I'm too shallow too appreciate great literature.  Or too hungry.  Plus, I get sick of all the woman-hating.

SPOILER ALERT:  Stephen grows up.  (Nothing happens so there's nothing to spoil.)

MUSINGS:  I have never been happier that I am not an artist and/or a young man.

GRADE SHEET:
Narrator's Likeability: ??? Who was the narrator?  I'm going to go with a D for style.
Pace: C
Readability: C
Satisfying Ending:
Explanation of Irish Politics: D-  (Seriously, how was there not more of this?  I'm sure it would be interesting.)
Schoolboy Antics: B+

BOOKS! from Kelli

In an effort to subdue the insistence of my roommate and best friend that I read "The Hunger Games", I went to see the movie with them a few weeks ago.  I liked the movie so much that I decided to read the first book, and I liked that so much that I finished the second in a few hours this weekend.  The writing is not exceptional, but it doesn't distract from the plot, which is fast paced and incredibly enjoyable.  And, despite being at a reading level appropriate for a pre-teen, it's not stupid like the cultural phenomenon "Twilight" is.


Secondly, my new school, DSST, sent me two books to read in preparation for summer school.  I could not be more delighted to have a school that encourages reading and professional development in this way.  Since I have to make those a priority to read before my move, I might not be making much progress on the top 100 list until then.

The Maltese Falcon - Lynn's Take

The Maltese Falcon is short - very short.  Which makes it all the more amazing that it launched a literary genre - detective novels - and is the basis for Film Noir.

I enjoyed the book, but it's a classic example of a pop culture phenomenon that is a victim of its own success:  The femme fatal - so done!  The hard man with a code of honor - been there!  The sarcastic, witty lines, "What makes you so hard to get along with, sweetheart," - too cliche!

This is by far the least "classic" seeming of the books on the list that I've read so far.  Undoubtedly, that's because it is the most modern.

"The Sun Also Rises" from Kelli

"The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to the place where he arose...The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth again according to his circuits...All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again."

 - Ecclesiastes

This quote is printed a few pages before the start of the book and pretty much summarizes the sentiment of the novel.  Hemingway beautifully tells a story of the ebb and flow of love and friendship.  His writing is restrained and sharp.  The story is heart-wrenching and understated.  It was a delight to read and came at an appropriate time in life - when I am scared to death of big changes coming my way.  Definitely deserving of its spot on the top 100 list.

GRADE SHEET:

Pacing: A

Protagonist's Likability: B+

Satisfying Ending: A+

Writer's Restraint: A++

References to Bullfighting: A

Up Next: Brideshead Revisited