One of my favorite Poe tales. This is relatively short yet excellent tale about revenge. You probably have had to read it in school at some point. YouOne of my favorite Poe tales. This is relatively short yet excellent tale about revenge. You probably have had to read it in school at some point. You should read it again....more
This atmospheric horror story is great example of how an author such as Poe gets straight to the point. He doesn't bore the reader with lots of fillerThis atmospheric horror story is great example of how an author such as Poe gets straight to the point. He doesn't bore the reader with lots of filler, but rather only describes every detail that is important to the story. This writing style is a great example why Poe can be read over and over again. Each sentence is a diamond that shines brighter and brighter with each subsequent reading. ...more
A ironically heartwarming ghoststory that has less to do with Christmas but is more of a tale of a miserable old man's soulsearching that forces him tA ironically heartwarming ghoststory that has less to do with Christmas but is more of a tale of a miserable old man's soulsearching that forces him to face his own cruelty and selfishness. I think I've seen half a dozen different film adaptations but experiencing it through the original Dickens storytelling gave it a somewhat fresh new feel. ...more
The only opinion I can have about this story that it is overrated. I understand that this story of a traveling salesman who turns into a huge bug is mThe only opinion I can have about this story that it is overrated. I understand that this story of a traveling salesman who turns into a huge bug is metaphor for isolation and alienation. But once the premise is understood, not much else happens. I think if it was written today it probably would not be published. ...more
This is a sadly forgotten but great 19th century sensation novel that rivals some of Wilkie Collins' best books such as The Woman in White and the MooThis is a sadly forgotten but great 19th century sensation novel that rivals some of Wilkie Collins' best books such as The Woman in White and the Moonstone. Its also one of the first to feature a female villain which wasn't typical of early literature. Nevertheless, this dynamic creates an interesting character study which discusses female motives and what they are capable of despite their beauty and grace. This is a great book and it definitely needs to move closer to the top on your to-read list. ...more
This book chronicles the rise of Hitler's Nazi party in 1933-34 through the eyes of an American ambassador and his daughter. It is a bit of a departurThis book chronicles the rise of Hitler's Nazi party in 1933-34 through the eyes of an American ambassador and his daughter. It is a bit of a departure for me since I haven't read non-fiction in awhile but the topic was interesting to me because of its historical importance. As with all WW2/Third Reich books, this can be a little difficult to read because of the vastness of the repugant horrors of Nazi Germany that I was constantly repulsed as I read on. It was an intersting account that chronicles the early days of the Reich's control of the country (and all of its absurd policies) until it eventually exploded into a war that left Europe in flames. We all know the outcome but seeing it through eyes of two bystanders who have to decide how to deal with it was very insightful. ...more
This early 20th century novel was probably more of an exciting read when it was first released before the "wrong man" thriller genre had become fairlyThis early 20th century novel was probably more of an exciting read when it was first released before the "wrong man" thriller genre had become fairly well documented in many Alfred Hitchock films such as Saboteur, North by Northwest, and the film adatation of this book. Nevertheless, it was a short well written story that makes me want to read the rest of the novels in the Richard Hanney series. Next on my list is Greenmantle (Hanney #2) which supposedly Hitchcock thought was a superior story. ...more
I must confess that this is my first bold step into the world of Haruki Murakami. After roughly four weeks, my journey through the world of 1Q84 hSean
I must confess that this is my first bold step into the world of Haruki Murakami. After roughly four weeks, my journey through the world of 1Q84 has come to end. I was unfamiliar with this author until this massive yet stunningly beautiful book showed up on the new releases table at the bookstore. I then learned that this author (famous in Japan but relatively unknown in America) titled this book as play on George Orwell’s 1984 (one of my favorites). So I decided to brave the 984 pages.
1Q84
This fantasy/romance story takes place in Tokyo in the year 1984 and follows two protagonists, Tengo and Aomame, and their quest to find each other. The only way they can do so is by entering the surreal world of 1Q84. As they both realize that they are not in same world as before, they then begin to ponder the peculiarities of the new world and wonder if they, in fact, are the only ones that are aware that they are in 1Q84.
Sean
As I began reading the first hundred pages or so, I was extremely curious about where this story was going. Two people, lost in this alternate reality, not really sure what the future holds with them. With much repetition in the story and lots of detail about every action, I thought that it took a lot of time to watch anything happen in the story. After some time, I then became skeptical whether this story would really hold my interest for another 700 pages. I even considered giving up at one point. I decided that since I had already finished 200 pages, I just had to continue.
1Q84
The story switched back and forth between these two protagonists and we eventually learn that each character lives very similar lives. They are both caught up in immoral circumstances and question their actions. Other characters enter the story and all play a critical role in the decisions that the protagonists choose to make. By book 2, the underlying mystery of the story is revealed and the reader eventually learns the motives among all of the characters in the story.
Sean
As I was well into book 2, this book became very interesting. I began to understand the many methods of duality Murakami uses in the story: Tengo/Aomame, 1984/1Q84, talk/solitude, birth/death, large moon/little moon, etc. As the mystery of the book is revealed, I also realized that the underlying mystery really isn’t what this book is about. I deduced that this book is really an exploration of many existential themes of human existence and duality.
1Q84
At the very center of this story is the theme of loneliness and longing. Other themes explored are parent/child relationships, sexual promiscuity, adultery, fraud, morality, religion, violence, and childhood nostalgia. All of these themes are concocted with simple yet beautiful prose. As a result, Murakami has created a great story that explored much of the dark side to human nature.
Sean and 1Q84
It is unclear to me how personal this novel really is to Haruki Marukami. Whether or not these themes are explored based on his personal experience, I could not determine. Nevertheless, Murakami has crafted a complex book that will leave me tossing around many of these themes in my head. Overall, I enjoyed 1Q84 and believe that my time reading this huge 984 page opus was never irretrievably lost. ...more
This is great collection of 7 classic ghost stories. Most relate to traveling scholars and their ghostly encounters. My only complaint is that many ofThis is great collection of 7 classic ghost stories. Most relate to traveling scholars and their ghostly encounters. My only complaint is that many of these stories are very similar. Out of the 7, the story Number 13 is my favorite. This is a nice quick read if you are the mood for a few really good ghost stories. ...more
I didn't finish this book. Two thirds of the way through I just couldn't go on. I think this book is very overrated. It about a Russian student who isI didn't finish this book. Two thirds of the way through I just couldn't go on. I think this book is very overrated. It about a Russian student who is so obsessed with the idea of superior and inferior people that he decides that he, as a superior, has a right to murder other people. He does exactly that. Then the book gets so convoluted with dialogue that I lost interest. Oh, well. I gave it a shot. I didn't like the book and I make no apologies for it....more
This book is almost too similar and not nearly as good as Daphne's masterpiece, Rebecca. There were many parts of book that did little to maintain theThis book is almost too similar and not nearly as good as Daphne's masterpiece, Rebecca. There were many parts of book that did little to maintain the momentum of the plot and I felt like stopping because nothing was happening. Although well written at times, this should not be the first book read by this author....more
I listened to the audiobook version. The gravely voice of the narrator reminded me of Vincent Price which added to the atmosphere of the story. This iI listened to the audiobook version. The gravely voice of the narrator reminded me of Vincent Price which added to the atmosphere of the story. This is a classic ghost story that isn't really that scary or too long but overall it was entertaining. ...more
Although this short gothic horror story about lesbian vampires is a major influence on Bram Stoker's Dracula, the latter is the superior of the two. TAlthough this short gothic horror story about lesbian vampires is a major influence on Bram Stoker's Dracula, the latter is the superior of the two. The briefness and elegant prose makes this an enjoyable read. ...more
I would give this book five stars for its brilliant wordcrafting. However, there were many parts of this book that were difficult to swollow and were,I would give this book five stars for its brilliant wordcrafting. However, there were many parts of this book that were difficult to swollow and were, in fact, pretty shocking. The two parallel plots were a bit confusing and switch abruptly at some spots. The Monk is a well written piece of literature but this is not for the faint of heart. ...more
The following is a recently found letter written by the English author Charles Dickens to his friend Wilkie Collins concerning the latter’s newly releThe following is a recently found letter written by the English author Charles Dickens to his friend Wilkie Collins concerning the latter’s newly released 1868 novel The Moonstone:
Charles Dickens 11 Gad’s Hill Place Hingham, Kent England
November 13, 1868
Dear Wilkie,
I am now pressing my pen against this paper to congratulate you on the success of your excellent new novel, The Moonstone. I have just completed reading it and I would like to present you with my opinion that this was, as they say, a true “page turner” in every sense of the word. I am also taking the liberty to take this compliment a step further by stating that this is one of the finest mystery novels of all time.
I must confess that I have never actually read a book such as this that captures the sensation of a mysterious theft and a thorough investigation that follows it. It was a fascinating read throughout as the solution to the mystery was also entirely above my suspicion. I also thoroughly enjoyed the use of multi-narration where the reader obtains various different viewpoints during the inquiry concerning the loss of the Indian diamond.
I believe that this novel, The Moonstone, has successfully maintained the same exceptional level of quality as your masterpiece, The Woman in White, and it ranks among the top tiers of the written pages from our fellow countrymen. I have not the shadow of a doubt that this book will continue to enthrall readers for centuries to come. The Moonstone is a best-seller at the local bookseller here in Kent and my excitement for your continued success is immense. Well done, my dear friend Wilkie. We shall celebrate this achievement over a glass of Cognac. Best wishes and I look forward to reading your future works.
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