1001 Book Challenge - Abandoned Titles

Fear of Flying by Erica Jong (halfway through before abandoning) Published in the 1970's I can see why this might be considered a 'feminist tract'; what with the frank discussions of marriage, relationships, but, mostly, sex. However I've found that most books which are primarily concerned with sex are, on the whole, boring. You're thinking how do I know this? I did do a degree in Cultural Studies, remember. Plus, I once did a stint reviewing erotic literature (no joke). But I digress... Fear of Flying was indulgent pontificating (fine) but there were no characters to redeem the text, or offer plausible excuse to keep reading. The main character, Isadora, really bothered me and I couldn't help but think, "Wow - with this kind of woman as the trailblazer or icon for the 'new feminist' movement, it's no wonder why now feminism is now considered washed-up or passe. Women obviously listened to the prattle." There is a 'but'. Jong is unmistakably bright. There were a few sentences which made me Stop. Reread. Stop. Reread again. Quite arresting. I've made note of them for future blogging reference! Who knows, one day I'll probably make it through... Captain Corelli's Mandolin by Louis de Bernières (one-quarter done before abandoning) It went from charmingly eccentric to downright bizarre.

1001 Book Challenge - What Maisie Knew by Henry James

A moving book; one I should pick up again now I've got children. James was a master in piqued subtlety. What does the 'what' in What Maisie Knew mean? Very good question. Maisie is a small child, caught between the relationship breakdown of her parents. Very few writers would be able to lace a pronoun such as ‘what’- which is usually used in a questioning manner, but is here left rhetorical and open- with such implied meaning. Maisie is a pawn in the game of a very adult world, and in time comes to play a complicit role in it. As the novel progresses she understands more the nature of the 'game', and recognises the players for who they are. If ever we as parents are tempted to think we've kept all our secrets, our troubles, our idiosyncrasies, out of the lives of our children would do well to read this book. We are not great actors; and children are much smarter than we give them credit for.

1001 Book Challenge - King Solomon's Mines by Henry Rider Haggard

This is the first book I'm reviewing so far in the challenge I continue to have ambivalent feelings about. I read it years ago for university, and although I daresay I owe the text a re-reading to see if my opinion has altered, I just wasn't in the mood for British White Male Takes on Africa and the Natives. Here's a sample on what I've had to say on it before: 'Not unlike Foucault's theory of power, critic Peter Hollindale believed an author's ideology was a constant and pervading factor in their writing. In my opinion, no matter how Henry Rider Haggard may try to hide it, his British Imperialist mentality triumphs...In times such as ours, the racist and sexist parts of the novel may seem distasteful, but it is essential to put them in some sort of perspective; it's like what Hollindale says, “Any individual is free to like and admire a great work of literature, even if its ideology is repellent.” ‘Repellent’ is perhaps too strong a word to use in the case of King Solomon's Mines, because broadly speaking it is an enjoyable novel that deserves to be looked at closely, if only to understand it a little bit more.' You try it and tell me what you think. At least, do read the book; not see the appalling movie with Sharon Stone before she was famous.

1001 Book Challenge - The Secret Agent by Joseph Conrad

You think terrorism, strapping explosives to the chest and walking into a public area is a modern phenomenon? Joseph Conrad was writing about it 100 years ago. Published in 1907, at what most critics consider the early part of the modernist era, the book does admittedly contain pessimistic, almost apocalyptic, critiques of society. It is also a very black comedy and this irony helps disarm the reader from any hellish visions of the future. One of Conrad’s most dramatic ironies in the novel is that the novel's 'villains' - anarchists- are full of bravado but no action, yet it is the personalised characters, those with the most to lose, who are most capable of violence. A must read. It is fabulous.

1001 Book Challenge - Saturday by Ian McEwan

*warning - spoilers* This is the 1000th title on the 1001 list. It's odd reviewing a newer book, because all of my reviews so far have been pretty much from the middle of the lot. It's also the first book I've read so far specifically for this challenge, although I have been fully aware of its existence before now. I think McEwan is a formidable writer. Anyone familiar with his work would agree. In fact, when I come to teaching my writing class, I will very possibly use Part One and, maybe, Two as examples of 'how to' create tone, foreshadowing and character in a text. But I did have problems with it for a while. It does get bogged down a little in the middle. I did come to a point of frustration, where I was tempted to put it down, and I'm glad I didn't. Suddenly, before I'd realised, I'd read 100 pages in a stretch (when the main character, and his family, suffer a hostage situation) and it all came together. Set in post 9-11 political times, McEwan blends the over-arching politcal climate in which we find ourselves drenched, where we cannot escape the media, to the more private decisions, made with our own moral comapasses, and how devastating they both can be. At least, that's what I thought.

1001 Book Challenge - The Name of the Rose

For any murder mystery, medieval or gothic enthusiasts out there, this book is for you! It is northern Italy in the early 1300s. The Papacy and entire Catholic religion is plagued by religious discord and upheaval. A council is arranged in an isolated Benedictine monastery to try and resolve these issues. It is here that a series of gruesome and baffling murders take place. It becomes William of Baskerville’s task to solve them, and quickly, for the monks superstitiously believe the deaths are being enacted by some divine prophecy––and any one of them could be next. Umberto Eco is possibly the world’s most respected semiotician and this novel shows why. Crammed with symbols and signs, it is hard not to be amazed by his knowledge––of monastic life, religious cults, art, literature, to name just a few. It can be read on all these levels or just one, if one chooses, for it is Eco’s talent to weave them together as not to be alienating. And for the sensationalist he includes sex and homosexuality: no kind of taste is left out in this brilliant story! It's not the world's easiest read by any means, but if you finish it you'll be so glad you did--even if it's because you'd then have legitimate bragging rights for saying poshly, "Oh, the book is so much better than the movie" (which it is). The Name of the Rose Umberto Eco

1001 Book Challenge - Great Expectations by Charles Dickens

A rags-to-riches tale with both a moral and a heart. Pip Pirrip is standing in a cemetery, visiting the graves of his parents when an escaped convict lunges at him, desperate for food and clothes. This meeting, which opens the book, will resonate in ways neither character could imagine. The convict is caught again and Pip becomes a companion for a rich, though eccentric, old lady named Miss Havisham. His position in life changes when he comes into a small living and as his benefactor prefers to remain anonymous, he assumes it is Miss Havisham. Moving to London, flushed with his change in circumstances, Pip begins to change. No longer a sweet child, but arrogant and proud, soon his past comes back to teach him that people are not always what they seem. Dickens is a famous social and cultural commentator and sometimes his novels tend to focus on this aspect instead on character depth and roundedness. Not so in Great Expectations. There is pain and pathos, but also comedy and a gently irony. Pip as hero is often far from likeable, but his noble heart ultimately triumphs. What's even more interesting is that I've just finished reading the highly regarded new(ish) release Mr Pip. I daresay it would be illuminating to read them conjointly. Just suggesting.... charles dickens great expectations

1001 Book Challenge - To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Rather an appropriate choice, as last night I watched Capote (thoughts? I was a little disappointed, to tell the truth). Anyway, considered one of the most significant novels of the twentieth century, it is perhaps indicative of the stature of To Kill a Mockingbird that most people who haven’t read it are at least familiar with the core story. Set in America’s South in the 1930’s, a judicious white lawyer, Atticus Finch, is appointed to defend a black man charged with rape. What follows is the community’s reaction to the trial, highlighting the strong, racist stereotypes that the world fought, and is still fighting, to overcome. Told brilliantly through the eyes of precocious seven-year-old ‘Scout’ Finch, a girl not afraid of a fist fight, we can see why Atticus was voted by the American Film Institute (AFI) as the Number 1 “Greatest Hero” of all time. Man, Father, Citizen––he is them all, and then some. harper lee to kill a mockingbird

1001 Book Challenge - Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

The story of one of the most astonishing heroines––and her greatest love affair––of all time. The reader is first introduced to Jane when she is aged ten. An orphan, she is packed off to a charity school by her cruel aunt. In the atrocious conditions of the place we see her character emerge: intelligent but plain, respectful yet courageous. All these faculties are tested when she accepts a governess position at Thornfield Hall, where she first encounters her employer––the brooding, tragic, Edward Rochester. To divulge more of the plot would rob it of its twists and surprises. As Jane and Edward fall in love, largely through their playful––yet sensually charged––repartee, the reader is drawn into their world. We discover the Hall’s one secret, which destroys their happiness and when it does Jane must forge an independent life of her own, its end unknowable. The conclusion is a triumph of love over adversity. Until then, Bronte’s astonishing vocabularly and craft dazzle the reader. Jane Eyre, in this reviewer’s opinion, is one of the most perfectly realised novels ever created. jane eyre charlotte bronte

1001 Book Challenge - The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

A handsome young man, about to inherit wealth and is a darling of society, has his portrait painted. The likeness to its subject is uncanny, and in a careless moment, Gray exchanges his soul so that he may always look like his painting. He gets his wish; and as the portrait turns ugly, reflecting the evil and vain changes in his character, it will lead to desperate acts to hide this terrible secret. Wilde is perhaps most well-known for his wit and scathingly honest observations on society, and these are present in Dorian Gray (“Philanthropic people lose all sense of humanity. It is their distinguishing characteristic”), but with an additional undercurrent of reflection and seriousness. The hedonists, led by the wickedly charming Lord Henry Wotton, are tempered by the presence of good-hearted, caring characters. Their interplay makes Dorian Gray a much more ‘moral’ book than what might first appear, making it a triumph of style and accomplishment. oscar wilde the picture of dorian gray

1001 Book Challenge - Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov

The plot reads like a moral nightmare––Humbert Humbert, an esteemed European gentleman with a penchant for paedophilia, becomes a border at the home of Charlotte Haze and falls in love with her twelve year old daughter, Dolores (or ‘Lolita’). Through machination and plain luck, Humbert finally succeeds in ‘winning’ Lolita and what follows is a damning decline into desperation and murder, as he seeks to withhold his claim on the child. Lolita is a much more significant work than its sordid reputation warrants. True, the sexual content is unsettling and recurrent but it has many other themes, like how the power of love––even its grossest types––can dominate over all other emotions. Its rich language is delightful. Nabokov’s descriptions take the reader through materialistic Middle America, with its substandard hotels and suspect characters. Lastly, we are offered one of the most compelling villains in literature. For all his vileness, one can’t help liking Humbert and his macabre and humorous observations. In the end, we feel a slight pang of pity for his fate––and for Lolita’s. In a word: brilliant. I love this book (and apologise for the excessive use of adverbs in this review!) Note: discussions continuing in previous post about blog book. I'd rather keep it in one place, until further notice. Please, add to the dialogue! Vladimir Nabokov Lolita

1001 Book Challenge - The End of the Affair by Graham Greene

Maurice is dry witted writer who runs into an old friend one night in a rainstorm. Henry, a boring civil servant, has a problem. He believes his wife, Sarah, has taken a lover and is unsure what to do next. Maurice offers to hire a detective to follow her, but little does Henry realise that Maurice’s motives are entirely selfish. Two years before, Maurice had an affair with Sarah, who inexplicably broke up with him. Racked by bitterness and jealousy, Maurice wants to find out what Sarah is up too because he is still in love with her. What he discovers will change his ideals forever. The End of the Affair is a tightly woven, almost claustrophobic text, full of terse and true dialogue. As in life, the characters discover that you often have more in common with your enemies than you realise, and that there are many types of love.

1001 Book Challenge + 13 reasons to read - Rebecca by Daphne De Maurier

It's the centenary anniversary this week (this coming Sunday, to be precise) of Daphne De Maurier's birth, so it's as good a time as any! Discover possibly the world’s most famous first wife. Discover possibly one of the world's most popular estate names. Discover possibly one of. the world's most famous opening lines: "Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again”. Here's a novelty - both a romance and a 'thriller' -combined- that I like. It has a fabulous, twisty plot and a climatic ending. It was made into a movie by Alfred Hitchcock. You've got to know then that the book it's based on is at least half-decent. Many people have seen the movie (it is actually my grandmother's favourite movie - there's some trivia!). Judith Anderson's portrayal of Mrs. Danvers was eerie enough to garner her a Best Supporting Actress Oscar nomination. Du Maurier often said that most people who read Rebecca, "didn't get it." Her primary concern was the examination of power/lessness between husbands and wives. Study it if you must for clues to Du Maurier's rumoured real-life bisexuality.... ....I for one will never look at valleys of rhododendron bushes the same ever again! Have you read it?

1001 Book Challenge + Thirteen Reasons why you should read Wide Sargasso Sea

1. You've probably never heard of it, and it's good to extend your library. 2. It's the prequel (of sorts) to Jane Eyre - one of the best books ever written. 3. Unlike contemporary sequels/prequels of classic books which tend to be terrible in quality, this book has gone on to forge a considerable reputation of its own. 4. It's partially set in the luscious Caribbean, and you can virtually feel the oppressive steam. 5. It's also partially set in England, which is a stark contrast, to put it mildly. 6. It took Jean Rhys nine years to complete, so it may give all of us who suffer writer's block some hope! 7. Any book with the character Edward Rochester in it is a winner in my eyes! (plus you see him get all down and dirty...kind of) 8. Any book which intelligently deals with mental illness, such suffered by the main protagonist, is worth a try. 9. Budding writers must take note of it's language: simple and beautiful. Rhys only ever uses as many words as are required. 10. It's a thin book - only 156 pages. 11. Because I said so! 12. It will make you want to run out an read Jane Eyre again, just to compare and remind yourself of the context and the difference of perspective between characters. 13. It's also got racial differences, infidelity, voodoo, alcohol, gossip, malice, and lots of spice. What more could you want?! thursday thirteen, See more here!

1001 Books Challenge- The Monk by Matthew Lewis

My first book choice to review is not a random one. It's not even the best, by a long shot. However, The Monk has a special place in my heart because it is the novel my Masters of Literature thesis was about. If anyone ever stumbles upon "Some Freudian interpretations of Matthew Lewis' The Monk", caress its spine and give it a big kiss for me. One of the most famous novels to come out of the Gothic era, The Monk is a tale of the pride and downfall of an arrogant Monk and the terrible consequences of his acts upon others. The setting is medieval Spain, where castles and monasteries hide troves of terrible secrets; but the largest sin belongs to the Capuchin abbot, Ambrosio. His initiation into the sexual world eventually results in rape and murder to satisfy his depraved urges. As the climax builds, when the separate subplots come to mix with his, the reader cannot help but be struck by the novel’s power, complexity and even claustrophobic qualities. None of the characters will go unpunished; but who will have the happy ending? Will any of them? Matthew Lewis was only nineteen at the time of its writing and reportedly completed it in ten weeks (and boy am I jealous). A four hundred-page tome of sex, witchcraft and incest, The Monk is guaranteed to add spice to your reading pleasure.

1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die

I have various feelings about books of this sort. One is deep cynicism ('Great Books' and there are apparently only FOUR Australians?! You've got to be kidding) and it would be easier to debate the omissions rather than the inclusions. Then the morbid part of me questions whether, once you're dead, you're really going to care if you've read one or all 1001 anyway. If not, I'm sure God will fill you in on all the grey areas you missed. I'm sure he's amenable in that respect. They're the quibbles. On the other hand, the competitive, knowledge-thirsty part of me wants to tackle the challenge. I doubt I will ever, ever, finish them all because I have already begun many of the titles only to put them down for various reasons: boredom being the most prevalent. Yes, OK, 'Art' should be celebrated, but most titles have greater meanings and destinies than to find a place in my humble little soul. Besides, (my) life's too short for books that aren't engaging. So my goal is to review books from the list that I believe ought to be there. This is my version of this particularly detailed meme (examples of which may be found here and here) that is currently doing the rounds and make my eyes crust over with the obvious labour of compilation. I will make this a continuing project, and put it on the sidebar so those of you who are interested can chart my progress. Or put in your own two-cents worth. Or do your own. Here, I'll make it easy for you. Here is the complete list of 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. How many have you read? You may be surprised. Read: The Monk, Dracula, Wide Sargasso Sea, The end of the affair, Rebecca, Jane Eyre, The Picture of Dorian Gray, Lolita, Great Expectations, To Kill a Mockingbird , What Maisie Knew, King Solomon's Mines, The Secret Agent, Middlesex Abandoned: Fear of Flying and Captain Corelli's Mandolin