I just finished the third installment in the Harry Potter series. Of the three that I have read, this is my favorite. But let's remember that we're rating Harry against Harry, not Harry against literature in general.
Even though I'm one of the last remaining people on the planet still attempting to push through them for the first time, I figure I'll give you a short synopsis. Once again, we find Harry back at home with the Dursleys. Once again, Harry makes his way to Hogwarts and finds himself at the center of attention. The Dementors are chasing Sirius Black who is chasing Harry. More Quittich. More house cup, yada yada... You get the point.
(A quick disclaimer. I've been listening to these on CD. I've never seen some of these names and words in print so forgive me if they're all spelled wrong.)
So...in spite of how formulaic these books seem at times, it was amusing to see how all the pieces fell into place at the end of the book.
Perhaps the most interesting part for me was Harry's explanation for how he was able to perform the Petronus charm. "I knew I could do it because I'd already seen myself perform the charm." Hm... There are some serious contradictions of logic flying around here, but it's still an interesting concept. I suppose you could adapt this idea to a spiritual context. You might see this situation as similar to a patriarchal blessing which gives you a picture of things to come. Knowing the blessing encourages you to work toward the fulfillment of the prophecy. In the end, was it the prophecy or the work that allowed you to accomplish the goal? It was both.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
The Host - Stephanie Meyer
Being (apparently) one of the few people who has not read Twilight and the subsequent sequels, I didn't know much about Stephanie Meyer. I therefore had no idea that her first book of adult fiction was released in May. However, when I was visiting my cousin in California we all found ourselves reading one evening and I just could not get myself interested in my umpteenth reading of The Prisoner of Azkaban. So as I was staring off into space wondering what to do, my cousin Lisa suggested that I start reading The Host. The new novel by Stephanie Meyer.
So I started the book, not knowing anything about Meyer, least of all that she was a Mormon and not really knowing what to expect. The jacket description about a new species coming to earth and taking over human bodies was somewhat odd, but I was intrigued nonetheless. As I delved into the story, I found myself pulled into the life of Melanie and Wanderer. Melanie is running from the body snatchers of souls that have systematically taken over the bodies of human beings. Souls are essentially a parasite that cannot exist with a "host" of some sort. They have taken over other planets and creatures in other parts of the universe and earth was next. Melanie is one of the few "humans" left who have not yet been captured. We open the story with her capture and the insertion of the soul Wanderer into her body. To the surprise of Wanderer, when she wakes up from her hibernated state newly implanted in Melanie's body, Melanie is still there.
There, in the sense that Melanie still has control over parts of her mind. She doesn't allow Wanderer to see all of her memories and she talks to Wanderer. For the soul Wanderer not only is this disconcerting, she knows that it is not supposed to happen. As she begins to try and force Melanie out, Melanie begins to show Wanderer piece by piece parts of her past, until Wanderer is just as consumed by the welfare of Melanie's human friends as Melanie is.
As a first time reader of Stephanie Meyer, I was left with desire to read more. The Host was one of the most entertaining reads I have had in a long time, Meyer's style of writing was new, and her ideas for the story were different than anything that I have EVER read. Her exploration of ethics and individuality in the book was intriguing and thought provoking. Put it on hold at the library, it's worth the wait to read it.
So I started the book, not knowing anything about Meyer, least of all that she was a Mormon and not really knowing what to expect. The jacket description about a new species coming to earth and taking over human bodies was somewhat odd, but I was intrigued nonetheless. As I delved into the story, I found myself pulled into the life of Melanie and Wanderer. Melanie is running from the body snatchers of souls that have systematically taken over the bodies of human beings. Souls are essentially a parasite that cannot exist with a "host" of some sort. They have taken over other planets and creatures in other parts of the universe and earth was next. Melanie is one of the few "humans" left who have not yet been captured. We open the story with her capture and the insertion of the soul Wanderer into her body. To the surprise of Wanderer, when she wakes up from her hibernated state newly implanted in Melanie's body, Melanie is still there.
There, in the sense that Melanie still has control over parts of her mind. She doesn't allow Wanderer to see all of her memories and she talks to Wanderer. For the soul Wanderer not only is this disconcerting, she knows that it is not supposed to happen. As she begins to try and force Melanie out, Melanie begins to show Wanderer piece by piece parts of her past, until Wanderer is just as consumed by the welfare of Melanie's human friends as Melanie is.
As a first time reader of Stephanie Meyer, I was left with desire to read more. The Host was one of the most entertaining reads I have had in a long time, Meyer's style of writing was new, and her ideas for the story were different than anything that I have EVER read. Her exploration of ethics and individuality in the book was intriguing and thought provoking. Put it on hold at the library, it's worth the wait to read it.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Austenland - Shannon Hale (2 of 5 Hearts)
A few weeks ago a friend of mine recomended that I read Shannon Hale's books. While wandering through the audio books at the Bingham Creek Library last week, I stumbled upon Austenland. I naively took it home and popped the CD into my laptop.
I was quite intrigued by the opening chapter of the book. A "thirty-something woman" from New York has developed a Darcy complex, after a lifetime of loser boyfriends. Whenever she feels lonely she watches Pride and Prejudice and falls in love with Mr. Darcy yet again. She might have lived her entire life this way, spending night after night with her beloved DVD if it had not been for the appearance of her rich aunt. During a visit to Jane's New York apartment, her aunt discovers Jane's addiction. They speak briefly over lunch and then her aunt leaves. A few years later, Jane is notified that her rich aunt died, leaving her a three week trip to a hotel in England. After some deliberation, Jane decides to accept the gift in an effort to expunge herself once and for all of her addiction. Comedy ensues.
I will admit that I had high hopes for the book. The author has obviously read her fair share of Austen books several times. Amusing references pop up all over the place. In the beginning of the book, Hale's tone is hilarious. Then it gets old. Then it gets just plain obnoxious. I felt there were far too many plot twists for the sake of mere plot twitters. She should have just stuck with the Gardner. That seemed to be working out just fine.
I found myself desperately hoping that real women aren't nearly as whimsically lovesick as Miss Jane Erstwhile. If they are, well...I guess I'm in trouble.
I was quite intrigued by the opening chapter of the book. A "thirty-something woman" from New York has developed a Darcy complex, after a lifetime of loser boyfriends. Whenever she feels lonely she watches Pride and Prejudice and falls in love with Mr. Darcy yet again. She might have lived her entire life this way, spending night after night with her beloved DVD if it had not been for the appearance of her rich aunt. During a visit to Jane's New York apartment, her aunt discovers Jane's addiction. They speak briefly over lunch and then her aunt leaves. A few years later, Jane is notified that her rich aunt died, leaving her a three week trip to a hotel in England. After some deliberation, Jane decides to accept the gift in an effort to expunge herself once and for all of her addiction. Comedy ensues.
I will admit that I had high hopes for the book. The author has obviously read her fair share of Austen books several times. Amusing references pop up all over the place. In the beginning of the book, Hale's tone is hilarious. Then it gets old. Then it gets just plain obnoxious. I felt there were far too many plot twists for the sake of mere plot twitters. She should have just stuck with the Gardner. That seemed to be working out just fine.
I found myself desperately hoping that real women aren't nearly as whimsically lovesick as Miss Jane Erstwhile. If they are, well...I guess I'm in trouble.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Mere Christianity - C. S. Lewis
So...To the Lighthouse had to go back to the library too...sad.
To prevent another tragedy, I decided to buy my next book. I picked up Mere Christianity last week. I believe one of the most profound passages appears at the end of the preface.
"I hope no reader will suppose that 'mere' Christianity is here put forward as an alternative to the creeds of the existing communions - as if a man could adopt it in preference to Congregationalism or Greek Orthodoxy or anything else. It is more like a hall out of which doors open into several rooms. If I can bring anyone into that hall I shall have done what I attempted. But it is in the rooms, not in the hall, that there are fires and chairs and meals. The hall is a place to wait in, a place from which to try the various doors, not a place to live in. For that purpose the worst of the rooms (whichever that may be) is, I think, preferable. It is true that some people may find they have to wait in the hall for a considerable time, while others feel certain almost at once which door they must knock at. I do not know why there is the difference, but I am sure God keeps no one waiting unless He sees that it is good for him to wait. When you do get into your room you will find that the long wait has done you some kind of good which you would not have had otherwise. But you must regard it as waiting, not as camping. You must keep on praying for light: and, of course, even in the hall, you must begin trying to obey the rules which are common to the whole house. And above all you must be asking which door is the true one; not which pleases you best by its paint and panelling. In plain language, the question should never be: 'Do I like that kind of service?' but 'Are these doctrines true: Is holiness here? Does my conscience move me towards this? Is my reluctance to knock at this door due to my pride, or my mere taste, or my personal dislike of this particular door-keeper?'"
"When you have reached your own room, be kind to those who have chosen different doors and to those who are still in the hall. If they are wrong they need your prayers all the more, and if they are your enemies, then you are under orders to pray for them. This is one of the rules common to the whole house."
This quote is 394 words long. This exceeds the fair use limit. Oh well. Until someone explains to me the intellectual property laws regarding internet blog posting, it will stay here for you to enjoy.
To prevent another tragedy, I decided to buy my next book. I picked up Mere Christianity last week. I believe one of the most profound passages appears at the end of the preface.
"I hope no reader will suppose that 'mere' Christianity is here put forward as an alternative to the creeds of the existing communions - as if a man could adopt it in preference to Congregationalism or Greek Orthodoxy or anything else. It is more like a hall out of which doors open into several rooms. If I can bring anyone into that hall I shall have done what I attempted. But it is in the rooms, not in the hall, that there are fires and chairs and meals. The hall is a place to wait in, a place from which to try the various doors, not a place to live in. For that purpose the worst of the rooms (whichever that may be) is, I think, preferable. It is true that some people may find they have to wait in the hall for a considerable time, while others feel certain almost at once which door they must knock at. I do not know why there is the difference, but I am sure God keeps no one waiting unless He sees that it is good for him to wait. When you do get into your room you will find that the long wait has done you some kind of good which you would not have had otherwise. But you must regard it as waiting, not as camping. You must keep on praying for light: and, of course, even in the hall, you must begin trying to obey the rules which are common to the whole house. And above all you must be asking which door is the true one; not which pleases you best by its paint and panelling. In plain language, the question should never be: 'Do I like that kind of service?' but 'Are these doctrines true: Is holiness here? Does my conscience move me towards this? Is my reluctance to knock at this door due to my pride, or my mere taste, or my personal dislike of this particular door-keeper?'"
"When you have reached your own room, be kind to those who have chosen different doors and to those who are still in the hall. If they are wrong they need your prayers all the more, and if they are your enemies, then you are under orders to pray for them. This is one of the rules common to the whole house."
This quote is 394 words long. This exceeds the fair use limit. Oh well. Until someone explains to me the intellectual property laws regarding internet blog posting, it will stay here for you to enjoy.
Monday, May 26, 2008
To the Lighthouse – Virginia Woolf
Sadly, the Problem of Pain had to go back to the library. I suppose due dates are a good thing after all, but there should be exceptions for emergencies. What would be a literary emergency? You tell me.
Virginia Woolf then. Somehow I have managed to escape the stream of consciousness novels up until now in my high school and college classes. In the past, I’ve gotten some mixed reviews about this style of writing, but I thought I’d try it out for myself.
I wasn’t really sure what to expect. I was expecting a very disjointed conversation, so much so that trying to comprehend what was going on in the novel would be nearly impossible. While the story has been a bit hazy at times as Virginia switches from one perspective to another, I have still really enjoyed the experience. I won’t be reading stream of consciousness novel from now on by any means, but it has been a nice change of pace from the books that I am accustomed to reading. Up to this point in the book, I believe that Woolf has done an excellent job of accomplishing what she set out to do. We should evaluate her work based on her intentions, not in relation to all books.
The first thing that I noticed was that development of plot was not Woolf’s primary focus. Not a lot happens. I’m about halfway through the book, and only a day has passed. Mrs. Ramses, the matriarch of the homestead, has spent some time caring for her children, gone for a walk into town, talked with a couple of friends, talked with her husband and hosted a party. Yep. Not a lot happening.
Yet be not dismayed. There is a lot more going on that will capture your interest. The intention of Virginia Woolf is to model the thought processes of Mrs. Ramses and the other characters in the story. She fluidly slips from one character’s mind to another. It’s almost as if each person’s thoughts are a channel of water rushing before her. She carefully dips her hand into each one, capturing a few drops from each one.
The novel has prompted me to reflect on the way that my own thoughts slip, spin, stagger and stumble. Which is a more authentic way of telling a story? Is the traditional way of telling a story is an honest depiction of the human experience? Are our lives characterized by a distinct and direct flow of events? Would our thoughts be coherent to an outside observer? Are they even coherent to us?
Her language and metaphors are intoxicating. One of the most memorable passages describes the aching desire of Mr. Ramses to gain respect as a philosopher. We hear him develop his own theory about how the road to notoriety is one of A to Z. Some men spend their whole lives and never get past G. Only one man in a generation will reach Z. Mr. Ramses sees himself stuck on Q. He desperately wants to push forward to R, but is trapped by his own self doubt. He tells himself vocally that he will be able to reach R, while simultaneously admitting to himself inwardly that he has reached his peak and is already sinking back into obscurity. It is intensely painful to watch as this man finds himself trapped by his own mind. By using the familiar alphabet as her vehicle, she takes a very complex idea and turns it into an arrestingly beautiful conversation.
There’s a lot more I have to say about Virginia Woolf, but they’re almost done changing the oil in my car and I need to get on to other things. It will have to wait for later. Naturally, I’d expect that you won’t spoil the ending for me, but I would like to hear about your impressions of this and other books written in this style.
Cheers.
Virginia Woolf then. Somehow I have managed to escape the stream of consciousness novels up until now in my high school and college classes. In the past, I’ve gotten some mixed reviews about this style of writing, but I thought I’d try it out for myself.
I wasn’t really sure what to expect. I was expecting a very disjointed conversation, so much so that trying to comprehend what was going on in the novel would be nearly impossible. While the story has been a bit hazy at times as Virginia switches from one perspective to another, I have still really enjoyed the experience. I won’t be reading stream of consciousness novel from now on by any means, but it has been a nice change of pace from the books that I am accustomed to reading. Up to this point in the book, I believe that Woolf has done an excellent job of accomplishing what she set out to do. We should evaluate her work based on her intentions, not in relation to all books.
The first thing that I noticed was that development of plot was not Woolf’s primary focus. Not a lot happens. I’m about halfway through the book, and only a day has passed. Mrs. Ramses, the matriarch of the homestead, has spent some time caring for her children, gone for a walk into town, talked with a couple of friends, talked with her husband and hosted a party. Yep. Not a lot happening.
Yet be not dismayed. There is a lot more going on that will capture your interest. The intention of Virginia Woolf is to model the thought processes of Mrs. Ramses and the other characters in the story. She fluidly slips from one character’s mind to another. It’s almost as if each person’s thoughts are a channel of water rushing before her. She carefully dips her hand into each one, capturing a few drops from each one.
The novel has prompted me to reflect on the way that my own thoughts slip, spin, stagger and stumble. Which is a more authentic way of telling a story? Is the traditional way of telling a story is an honest depiction of the human experience? Are our lives characterized by a distinct and direct flow of events? Would our thoughts be coherent to an outside observer? Are they even coherent to us?
Her language and metaphors are intoxicating. One of the most memorable passages describes the aching desire of Mr. Ramses to gain respect as a philosopher. We hear him develop his own theory about how the road to notoriety is one of A to Z. Some men spend their whole lives and never get past G. Only one man in a generation will reach Z. Mr. Ramses sees himself stuck on Q. He desperately wants to push forward to R, but is trapped by his own self doubt. He tells himself vocally that he will be able to reach R, while simultaneously admitting to himself inwardly that he has reached his peak and is already sinking back into obscurity. It is intensely painful to watch as this man finds himself trapped by his own mind. By using the familiar alphabet as her vehicle, she takes a very complex idea and turns it into an arrestingly beautiful conversation.
There’s a lot more I have to say about Virginia Woolf, but they’re almost done changing the oil in my car and I need to get on to other things. It will have to wait for later. Naturally, I’d expect that you won’t spoil the ending for me, but I would like to hear about your impressions of this and other books written in this style.
Cheers.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - J.K. Rowling
Call me stubborn. Call me irrational. I’ve always avoided the books that everyone else was reading. For several years I successfully resisted the onslaught of Harry propaganda. But in the end, it was dinner conversations with the family that got me. Every night they unknowingly whittled down my defenses. I felt incredibly left out as they discussed the latest novel in the series. I faked a smile when they made confusing references to the Dursley’s, Professor Snape and the one whose name I cannot remember…
One night after everyone had gone to bed, I skittered into the living room and scanned the bookcase for the Harry Potter books. I pulled the first book off the shelf and stared at the cover. My will to resist the temptation to start reading wavered. I went back to my bedroom and quietly slipped back under the covers with the book in my hand.
I turned the pages quietly under the gentle glow of the bear lamp nightlight, so as not to wake my brother. Every time he stirred in the bed on the other side of the room, I slid the book under my pillow and lay down as if I were asleep. As soon as the breathing had slowed, I raised myself back onto one arm and continued reading.
Within a couple of hours I had finished Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. The next night, I read Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets in the same manner. And that’s where it stopped. I quickly skimmed through the pages, concentrating primarily on getting the general plot summary so I could follow the family conversations. Seeking pleasure from the reading experience was far down my list of priorities. And, as you might imagine, that’s why I didn’t get very far. I never read book three and a couple of years passed before I even mentioned to my family that I had read the first two.
At least I enjoyed the movies. I contentedly watched while everyone else complained about how they left out that or put that in. The movie was the movie and I was none the wiser.
I vowed that I wouldn’t come back until the series was over and everyone stopped talking about it. I figured that time had come a month or so ago. I got on the library system and put the first few books on CD on hold. I decided I would make a genuine effort to slow down and try and gain some pleasure from reading the series.
Thankfully, it’s been long enough that I couldn’t remember how the first couple of books ended. It was still somewhat of a surprise when Professor Quirrell unraveled his turban or when Tom Riddle revealed his adult name…what was it again? It pains me to say that I did actually enjoy the first couple of books. I shouldn’t have waited so long to start reading them. Even though the plot structure of the first two books is rather predictable, Rowling does a great job of keeping the reader interested. I believe that one of Rowling’s greatest strengths is creating characters that the readers love and those that they love to hate. She devotes careful attention to making each character unique. She has a good feel for dialogue and a delightful sense of subtle humor.
Or…maybe it’s because we are all inescapably drawn to British accents.
What did you most enjoy/hate about the Harry Potter series? What was it that made Harry worldwide sensation?
One night after everyone had gone to bed, I skittered into the living room and scanned the bookcase for the Harry Potter books. I pulled the first book off the shelf and stared at the cover. My will to resist the temptation to start reading wavered. I went back to my bedroom and quietly slipped back under the covers with the book in my hand.
I turned the pages quietly under the gentle glow of the bear lamp nightlight, so as not to wake my brother. Every time he stirred in the bed on the other side of the room, I slid the book under my pillow and lay down as if I were asleep. As soon as the breathing had slowed, I raised myself back onto one arm and continued reading.
Within a couple of hours I had finished Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. The next night, I read Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets in the same manner. And that’s where it stopped. I quickly skimmed through the pages, concentrating primarily on getting the general plot summary so I could follow the family conversations. Seeking pleasure from the reading experience was far down my list of priorities. And, as you might imagine, that’s why I didn’t get very far. I never read book three and a couple of years passed before I even mentioned to my family that I had read the first two.
At least I enjoyed the movies. I contentedly watched while everyone else complained about how they left out that or put that in. The movie was the movie and I was none the wiser.
I vowed that I wouldn’t come back until the series was over and everyone stopped talking about it. I figured that time had come a month or so ago. I got on the library system and put the first few books on CD on hold. I decided I would make a genuine effort to slow down and try and gain some pleasure from reading the series.
Thankfully, it’s been long enough that I couldn’t remember how the first couple of books ended. It was still somewhat of a surprise when Professor Quirrell unraveled his turban or when Tom Riddle revealed his adult name…what was it again? It pains me to say that I did actually enjoy the first couple of books. I shouldn’t have waited so long to start reading them. Even though the plot structure of the first two books is rather predictable, Rowling does a great job of keeping the reader interested. I believe that one of Rowling’s greatest strengths is creating characters that the readers love and those that they love to hate. She devotes careful attention to making each character unique. She has a good feel for dialogue and a delightful sense of subtle humor.
Or…maybe it’s because we are all inescapably drawn to British accents.
What did you most enjoy/hate about the Harry Potter series? What was it that made Harry worldwide sensation?
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