OK, time to talk about some children's classics! The little girls and I are working our way through the list of 100 favorite children's novels as determined by a recent poll on the popular Children's Literature blog, Fuse #8. We are currently on number 97, The Children of Green Knowe, but recently jumped ahead and read number 95 Pippi Longstocking. This classic by Swedish author Astrid Lindgren is one of the few on the list that I've never read before. A couple of years ago I bought new edition illustrated by Lauren Child (of Charlie and Lola fame) for the public library, and I've been itching to read it ever since.
I don't know how this edition compares to earlier translations, but we fell in love with it. Of course. Pippi lives the dream life of every child--no one to tell her when to eat or sleep or how to dress. She shares her house with a horse and a monkey. Various attempts to "civilize" Pippi come to disastrous consequences, with the adults involved being clearly put in their place. There's no question who has the power--Pippi. Child's brightly colored, exuberant illustrations capture Pippi's free spirit, with Pippi herself constantly breaking out of the frame.
Reading a book in translation, it is difficult to comment on the style--not knowing what to attribute to the translator and what to the author. Still, the overall feeling of slight irreverence and kid empowerment reminds me of authors like Roald Dahl. In this age of helicopter parents, I think a lot of kids could use a dose of Pippi.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Monday, November 22, 2010
The Awakening-Kate Chopin
Contained in the edition of this book(Barnes and Noble of course! should collect royalties, even though I read these editions because my husband works there and I get a discount on a nice book.:) were also some of Kate Chopin's short stories. I may post a blog on my favorites, but the actual novel deserves its own.
Southern American Literature is so rich. It must be the slavery/prejudice issue that contributes so much drama. The pathetic sentiments in Southern Literature of one human usurping authority or supremacy over another leave plenty of room for work of literature to be rife with drama. The Awakening didn't deal with race or slavery directly, but it was still hugely dramatic and rich.
The entire novel was just dreamy, Kate Chopin's voice made the setting of deep south New Orleans golden, warm, urbanely classic and beautiful. I felt as if I was wrapped up in the dreamlike novel the entire time. It was a beautiful read.
The main character, Edna Pontellier slowly becomes "awakened" in a sense that she suddenly finds herself unable to pinpoint her uncertainty and emotions.
The ending of the story has so much to do with the total story that there's not much of a way to leave it off. If you wish to experience the entire novel yourself stop reading here.
Edna eventually discovers her reasons of feeling unsettled. She is in love with another man who is not her husband, and more the marriage to her husband was never out of love, but more out of spite, and her life she's been living was mostly a lie to herself. Unable to come to terms with her confusing emotions, guilt, and look past the Victorian society ideals of marriage, and maternal expectancies, she swims out into the ocean to her death.
As an active LDS woman, where marriage and family are VERY much an integral part of my religion, I was a bit unsettled by this ending. I honestly had to wonder if my own marriage would ever fall to such a fate.
Three books so far on this list have dealt solely with a matter like this. Aristocratic, partially arranged marriage, usually Victorian Era, manogamy, female expectations within marriage. Anna Karenina andThe Age of Innocence as well as this book.
AS I'm writing this down, my screen saver is replaying images of my wedding. I was married to my husband within nine months of knowing each other. Crazy? Perhaps. But it's been the best choice of my life. I'm reminded how wonderful that day was. How sacred, special, and holy the temple was. In our pictures, we are both glowing with happiness, and my mother's careful stitches made me to fantastic in my wedding dress. I will proudly let everyone know that my dress is the prettiest wedding dress of them all. And I looked stunning in it.
I'm not worried about my marriage failing. I love my husband, and he adores me. :) It was not arranged. And I do not live in the Victorian Era where sexual desires were so taboo it was ridiculous. I think these novels weren't preaching against marriage, but rather for a more love-involved, equal relationship for both husband and wife. And that, is precisely what I agree with.
Southern American Literature is so rich. It must be the slavery/prejudice issue that contributes so much drama. The pathetic sentiments in Southern Literature of one human usurping authority or supremacy over another leave plenty of room for work of literature to be rife with drama. The Awakening didn't deal with race or slavery directly, but it was still hugely dramatic and rich.
The entire novel was just dreamy, Kate Chopin's voice made the setting of deep south New Orleans golden, warm, urbanely classic and beautiful. I felt as if I was wrapped up in the dreamlike novel the entire time. It was a beautiful read.
The main character, Edna Pontellier slowly becomes "awakened" in a sense that she suddenly finds herself unable to pinpoint her uncertainty and emotions.
The ending of the story has so much to do with the total story that there's not much of a way to leave it off. If you wish to experience the entire novel yourself stop reading here.
Edna eventually discovers her reasons of feeling unsettled. She is in love with another man who is not her husband, and more the marriage to her husband was never out of love, but more out of spite, and her life she's been living was mostly a lie to herself. Unable to come to terms with her confusing emotions, guilt, and look past the Victorian society ideals of marriage, and maternal expectancies, she swims out into the ocean to her death.
As an active LDS woman, where marriage and family are VERY much an integral part of my religion, I was a bit unsettled by this ending. I honestly had to wonder if my own marriage would ever fall to such a fate.
Three books so far on this list have dealt solely with a matter like this. Aristocratic, partially arranged marriage, usually Victorian Era, manogamy, female expectations within marriage. Anna Karenina andThe Age of Innocence as well as this book.
AS I'm writing this down, my screen saver is replaying images of my wedding. I was married to my husband within nine months of knowing each other. Crazy? Perhaps. But it's been the best choice of my life. I'm reminded how wonderful that day was. How sacred, special, and holy the temple was. In our pictures, we are both glowing with happiness, and my mother's careful stitches made me to fantastic in my wedding dress. I will proudly let everyone know that my dress is the prettiest wedding dress of them all. And I looked stunning in it.
I'm not worried about my marriage failing. I love my husband, and he adores me. :) It was not arranged. And I do not live in the Victorian Era where sexual desires were so taboo it was ridiculous. I think these novels weren't preaching against marriage, but rather for a more love-involved, equal relationship for both husband and wife. And that, is precisely what I agree with.
Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man-James Weldon Johnson
I couldn't help thinking this book was slightly outdated to be applied to our modern world, seeing as the Civil War is very much over, and there's not much racism anymore. But that's just my tendancy to try and relate everything to now, or my life.
This book was incredible. It really made me think and imagine the spectacle the situation or idea would have created during the time frame. The main character spend a majority of his life living as a colored man. It isn't until the end when he decides to "play his joke on humanity" It's an excellent joke. No doubt about it. Laughing in the face of a society that put so much quality on the color of a man's skin. Snubbing a society that will only value a man's worth because he can pass as white. It seems so horrible that America ever thought that way.
In the end, the joke seemed to turn on him for a while. He fell in love with a white woman, and was torn between telling her the truth of his ancestry, or hiding it and marrying her with that lie in his life the whole time. I won't reveal the outcome of the situation.
I can understand why this book became included on the list of enduring works. Is there a way we think of a society of another group? Are there still these kind of feelings? I thought of the homosexual/bisexual issue, and same sex marriage controversy raging out society today. Yes, I agree homosexual/and bisexuals are people just like everyone else, but somehow, I feel that in matters of sexuality, things are much more taboo, sensitive, and even sacred to too many people for this to truly be compared. But, this is my opinion. Many I know disagree, but I only wish to be respected for at least having one.
This book was incredible. It really made me think and imagine the spectacle the situation or idea would have created during the time frame. The main character spend a majority of his life living as a colored man. It isn't until the end when he decides to "play his joke on humanity" It's an excellent joke. No doubt about it. Laughing in the face of a society that put so much quality on the color of a man's skin. Snubbing a society that will only value a man's worth because he can pass as white. It seems so horrible that America ever thought that way.
In the end, the joke seemed to turn on him for a while. He fell in love with a white woman, and was torn between telling her the truth of his ancestry, or hiding it and marrying her with that lie in his life the whole time. I won't reveal the outcome of the situation.
I can understand why this book became included on the list of enduring works. Is there a way we think of a society of another group? Are there still these kind of feelings? I thought of the homosexual/bisexual issue, and same sex marriage controversy raging out society today. Yes, I agree homosexual/and bisexuals are people just like everyone else, but somehow, I feel that in matters of sexuality, things are much more taboo, sensitive, and even sacred to too many people for this to truly be compared. But, this is my opinion. Many I know disagree, but I only wish to be respected for at least having one.
The Art of War- Sun Tzu
This book wasn't really what I expected. Then again, I don't think I really knew what to expect. I joked with my husband that after reading this book, I would instantly become a military genius, or at least fantastically great at chess and RISK.
The Art of War has apparently been around for ages. Parts of the original Chinese have been lost or undecipherable at times. Other parts make Sun Tzu seem a bit kooky. There were about ten commentator who have inserted their comments and personal understandings of Sun Tsu's workthroughout the ages. I couldn't keep track of the Chinese names, but their comments did helo make sense of some of the phrases. My one complaint was the format of the particular edition I read interjected the comments in the middle of the verse. So part of the verse would be there, then a comment, followed by the rest of the phrase. So I would have to read it all through a second time and then read the comment in order to understand the entire gist of the message, and the commentator's interpretation.
Some of Sun Tzu's principals could be applied to life situations. I thought of parenting teenagers, being in charge of a large group of people with a common goal. At the same time, a lot of information seemed a bit worthless, for me. When will I ever require the use of spies? and fire warfare? Probably not... Other concepts were very common sense, which raised an interesting thought. Are they really common sense? Or are they common sense because I've lived through and studied the numerous wars that have occured since Sun Tzu's application of The Art of War? hmm...
Other bits of information need to be given to the U.S. military again. Such as "It has never benefitted a country to be at war for a long time. How long has Iraq been happening? At the same time Sun Tzu made an argument that war was to be used to bring about peace, and to invade an enemy who is knowingly committing evils. To American politics and ideals, terrorism and the problems happening in the Iraq area can be viewed as pretty evil.
The Art of War didn't turn me into a Military genius. there were no reasonable applications for chess or RISK, I'm sure Im just as miserable at strategy games as before. But it did broaden my thoughts, and make me think about lots of new things. I guess that's why its a classic, and that's definetly the point of this insane project.
I did manage to get a copy of The Art of War without any commentators. Maybe when my first child becomes a teenager I'll crack it open and study it extensively and insert my own comments and interpretations. Then I really will be a military genius!
The Art of War has apparently been around for ages. Parts of the original Chinese have been lost or undecipherable at times. Other parts make Sun Tzu seem a bit kooky. There were about ten commentator who have inserted their comments and personal understandings of Sun Tsu's workthroughout the ages. I couldn't keep track of the Chinese names, but their comments did helo make sense of some of the phrases. My one complaint was the format of the particular edition I read interjected the comments in the middle of the verse. So part of the verse would be there, then a comment, followed by the rest of the phrase. So I would have to read it all through a second time and then read the comment in order to understand the entire gist of the message, and the commentator's interpretation.
Some of Sun Tzu's principals could be applied to life situations. I thought of parenting teenagers, being in charge of a large group of people with a common goal. At the same time, a lot of information seemed a bit worthless, for me. When will I ever require the use of spies? and fire warfare? Probably not... Other concepts were very common sense, which raised an interesting thought. Are they really common sense? Or are they common sense because I've lived through and studied the numerous wars that have occured since Sun Tzu's application of The Art of War? hmm...
Other bits of information need to be given to the U.S. military again. Such as "It has never benefitted a country to be at war for a long time. How long has Iraq been happening? At the same time Sun Tzu made an argument that war was to be used to bring about peace, and to invade an enemy who is knowingly committing evils. To American politics and ideals, terrorism and the problems happening in the Iraq area can be viewed as pretty evil.
The Art of War didn't turn me into a Military genius. there were no reasonable applications for chess or RISK, I'm sure Im just as miserable at strategy games as before. But it did broaden my thoughts, and make me think about lots of new things. I guess that's why its a classic, and that's definetly the point of this insane project.
I did manage to get a copy of The Art of War without any commentators. Maybe when my first child becomes a teenager I'll crack it open and study it extensively and insert my own comments and interpretations. Then I really will be a military genius!
Friday, November 12, 2010
Arabian Nights
This was a fun read! Lots of adventure, wit, magic, love, and fun. I was surprised by the amount of strong female characters. The female characters were often smart, beautiful, witty, and often tricked their husbands, or captors. I guess this surprised me, because of the stereotype of Arabian/Persian/Muslim/Indian cultures being portrayed as oppressive to women in their society. Yes, there was plenty mention on veils covering faces. And whenever the veils happened to be removed, the men often went totally gaga and made brash decisions trying to win over the girl. Still, the female heroines were almost as important as male heroes in stories where there was a wife/husband, or mother/son relationship. Plus, a "prized" woman was often described as not just drop dead gorgeous, but also of great intellect, talent, charity, and wit.
I did skip one story. It was very rambly and not much happened. It was The Sleeper Awakened. But I read the rest. Aladdin is Chinese, and NOTHING like the Disney version.
I did skip one story. It was very rambly and not much happened. It was The Sleeper Awakened. But I read the rest. Aladdin is Chinese, and NOTHING like the Disney version.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
The Aeneid
I originally checked out a verse form of The Aeneid the same time I checked out The Ambassadors. I also thought it would be a good idea to check out a book on Classical literature, and this book contained a summary of all the different books. This helped me slash my way through the first 4 books. I was able to understand the plot only by reading the summary after reading the book. Eventually, I had to turn the book in without finishing it.
Where I live, there's a fabulous used book store downtown. Occasionally, My husband and I will mosey around and find some real treasures for cheap. I purchased a paperback prose form version of The Aeneid for about 39 cents. Reading this went much smoother. The translator pointed out in his introduction that he tried to maintain the voice of Vorgil throughout his translation, and not letting it get lost in the fact it was now transcribed in prose as opposed to the usual verse.
It was still incredibly boring in places. But I was able to visualize the story and follow everything that was going on. Virgil really got into war depictions. The last half of The Aeneid was battle after battle with some of the goriest descriptions I've ever read. I'm not one for blood and guts. The paragraph long explanations of how "so-and-so-theus" spilled the miry brains of "what's-his-bucket-son-of-ladida-ominus" onto the battlefiels already slippery with the warm blood of dozens of Trojans... fascinated me and turned my stomach.
This was a story I would love to have heard Virgil reiterate live. I'm sure it would have been a splendid performance. The Aeneid piqued my curiosity for ancient Greek and Roman literature. I can't wait to get to The Illiad and The Odessy. In the meantime, I will have to read Edith Hamilton's Mythology to even better understand the gods and all their twisted relationships.
Where I live, there's a fabulous used book store downtown. Occasionally, My husband and I will mosey around and find some real treasures for cheap. I purchased a paperback prose form version of The Aeneid for about 39 cents. Reading this went much smoother. The translator pointed out in his introduction that he tried to maintain the voice of Vorgil throughout his translation, and not letting it get lost in the fact it was now transcribed in prose as opposed to the usual verse.
It was still incredibly boring in places. But I was able to visualize the story and follow everything that was going on. Virgil really got into war depictions. The last half of The Aeneid was battle after battle with some of the goriest descriptions I've ever read. I'm not one for blood and guts. The paragraph long explanations of how "so-and-so-theus" spilled the miry brains of "what's-his-bucket-son-of-ladida-ominus" onto the battlefiels already slippery with the warm blood of dozens of Trojans... fascinated me and turned my stomach.
This was a story I would love to have heard Virgil reiterate live. I'm sure it would have been a splendid performance. The Aeneid piqued my curiosity for ancient Greek and Roman literature. I can't wait to get to The Illiad and The Odessy. In the meantime, I will have to read Edith Hamilton's Mythology to even better understand the gods and all their twisted relationships.
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