by Cervantes
This classic has been repeatedly hailed as both the first and best novel of all time. As the reader follows the naive knight errant, such critics are obviously true. This book is as exquisite as all the critics make it out to be. Having been interpreted as a comedy, drama, and tragedy, this book has elements of all three.
In the first half of the book, we are introduced to what is perhaps the most naive character in all of fiction. Our hero is an old man who finds great pleasure and satisfaction in the actions of knights. He nearly gets himself killed yet remains a parody of living out his dreams despite what normal people tell him.
Once the second half ensues, the lightheartedness of the beginning has left and all that remains is an image that cries out for the reader's sympathy. The people around him seem to be more anxious to pursue adventures than Don Quixote himself, yet this fall from innocence keeps the reader drawn in until the final demise of our beloved main character.
Despite the drastic transformation we see in Don Quixote, the journey is amazing and vivid in every twist and turn.
Verdict: Read
Monday, October 20, 2008
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
On the Road
by Jack Kerouac
This is a tale of growing up while crossing the country numerous times and learning life lessons in the process. Despite the heavy drug use, sex, and alcoholism, this book tells of a friendship that runs deep.
Sal Paradise and Dean Moriarty cross the country, both together and separately, many times in search of fun times, jazz, and a purpose. Living in a more carefree lifestyle than most care to follow, these men meet up with many mutual friends, women, and random people who are kind enough to help them on their journeys across the continent and through their own souls. With barely enough money in their pockets to sustain them, they bum everything from rides to drugs to food from anyone willing to share.
Even though many traditionalists look down on this novel, much can be learned from these free spirits. Rebellion from the norm is a heavy theme in the novel that can be seen from cover to cover. The main characters in this novel also live life to its fullest instead of being tied down to worldly expectations that may hinder them from enjoying themselves. Their lifestyle is definitely questionable, but if that can be looked past, this book is an amazing example of breaking free from the chains of conformity.
Verdict: Read with Caution
This is a tale of growing up while crossing the country numerous times and learning life lessons in the process. Despite the heavy drug use, sex, and alcoholism, this book tells of a friendship that runs deep.
Sal Paradise and Dean Moriarty cross the country, both together and separately, many times in search of fun times, jazz, and a purpose. Living in a more carefree lifestyle than most care to follow, these men meet up with many mutual friends, women, and random people who are kind enough to help them on their journeys across the continent and through their own souls. With barely enough money in their pockets to sustain them, they bum everything from rides to drugs to food from anyone willing to share.
Even though many traditionalists look down on this novel, much can be learned from these free spirits. Rebellion from the norm is a heavy theme in the novel that can be seen from cover to cover. The main characters in this novel also live life to its fullest instead of being tied down to worldly expectations that may hinder them from enjoying themselves. Their lifestyle is definitely questionable, but if that can be looked past, this book is an amazing example of breaking free from the chains of conformity.
Verdict: Read with Caution
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Three Cups of Tea
by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin
This book tells of the real life story of a true American hero. Inspired by kindness, Mortenson finds himself soon building schools all over Pakistan after his failed attempt at K2.
This account of the last 15 years of Mortenson's life begins humbly as a climber looking to honor his recently deceased sister. Sadly, he fails and wonders into a village, and the locals treat him with kindness. He promises to build the small village in Pakistan a school after seeing the image of kids scratching their lessons into the dirt.
After struggling to make ends meet in his own life and raising enough money for the school across the planet, he returns and fulfills his promise. But his work isn't over. In the years to come, he makes many trips to a country torn by Islam sects and bruised by the post 9/11 bombings. Mortenson finds himself promoting peace through building schools so the children are not educated in fundamentalist madrassas.
This is an inspirational tale showing what one man with a vision can do. This book may help change America's view on Muslims from terrorists to a peaceful people who need our help. Mortenson's tale will, hopefully, change our view of the war on terror to that of a humanitarian effort.
Verdict: Read
This book tells of the real life story of a true American hero. Inspired by kindness, Mortenson finds himself soon building schools all over Pakistan after his failed attempt at K2.
This account of the last 15 years of Mortenson's life begins humbly as a climber looking to honor his recently deceased sister. Sadly, he fails and wonders into a village, and the locals treat him with kindness. He promises to build the small village in Pakistan a school after seeing the image of kids scratching their lessons into the dirt.
After struggling to make ends meet in his own life and raising enough money for the school across the planet, he returns and fulfills his promise. But his work isn't over. In the years to come, he makes many trips to a country torn by Islam sects and bruised by the post 9/11 bombings. Mortenson finds himself promoting peace through building schools so the children are not educated in fundamentalist madrassas.
This is an inspirational tale showing what one man with a vision can do. This book may help change America's view on Muslims from terrorists to a peaceful people who need our help. Mortenson's tale will, hopefully, change our view of the war on terror to that of a humanitarian effort.
Verdict: Read
Monday, June 30, 2008
The God Delusion
by Richard Dawkins
The title of this piece of lyrical non-fiction is bold, but what is inside the book is really what matters. It just so happens that the meat of the book is more cutthroat than the title.
Richard Dawkins is unapologetic in his attack of religion. He gets down to business on the God issue, first disproving him then questioning our needs for a figure of that magnitude. Anyone of faith will avoid this book for good reason, they won't hold the same faith after reading it. This book will convert some people into atheists, but after reading this masterpiece, that is what we need.
Dawkins is an evolutionary biologist who supports the Darwinian way of thinking, so naturally parts of the book were filled with science. This made parts of the book hard to get through, but the points made with Darwinian natural selection were worth the trek.
This book may or may not help change the religious scene all around the world, depending on who is brave enough to open their minds to this type of thinking. One thing for sure, fundamentalist Christian radicals will push to get such an abomination banned in the bible belt where the book is most needed.
Verdict: Read
The title of this piece of lyrical non-fiction is bold, but what is inside the book is really what matters. It just so happens that the meat of the book is more cutthroat than the title.
Richard Dawkins is unapologetic in his attack of religion. He gets down to business on the God issue, first disproving him then questioning our needs for a figure of that magnitude. Anyone of faith will avoid this book for good reason, they won't hold the same faith after reading it. This book will convert some people into atheists, but after reading this masterpiece, that is what we need.
Dawkins is an evolutionary biologist who supports the Darwinian way of thinking, so naturally parts of the book were filled with science. This made parts of the book hard to get through, but the points made with Darwinian natural selection were worth the trek.
This book may or may not help change the religious scene all around the world, depending on who is brave enough to open their minds to this type of thinking. One thing for sure, fundamentalist Christian radicals will push to get such an abomination banned in the bible belt where the book is most needed.
Verdict: Read
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Lord of the Flies
by William Golding
This is a tale of how a group of boy react when they are stranded on an uncharted island. To add to the mix, no adults are on this island with them. On the surface, this novel seems like a tale of order falling to savagery, but it is really an allegory of our world.
These boys seem innocent enough when we first meet them, but they turn into wild animals capable of murdering their fellow school boys. Once the story is looked at from a symbolic level, the author's message becomes clear. His message is that culture created by man will ultimately fail.
This novel has become a notable in its own right because of the endless parallels between it and real life. The symbolism is so deep, I do not think we will ever find an end to it. Even though we may never find an end to the symbols, the novel should never be forgotten because of its chilling truths about human nature.
Verdict: Read
This is a tale of how a group of boy react when they are stranded on an uncharted island. To add to the mix, no adults are on this island with them. On the surface, this novel seems like a tale of order falling to savagery, but it is really an allegory of our world.
These boys seem innocent enough when we first meet them, but they turn into wild animals capable of murdering their fellow school boys. Once the story is looked at from a symbolic level, the author's message becomes clear. His message is that culture created by man will ultimately fail.
This novel has become a notable in its own right because of the endless parallels between it and real life. The symbolism is so deep, I do not think we will ever find an end to it. Even though we may never find an end to the symbols, the novel should never be forgotten because of its chilling truths about human nature.
Verdict: Read
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Siddhartha
by Hermann Hesse
This novella describes Siddhartha's journey towards finding enlightenment in the world. The reader follows Siddhartha through the phases of his life that range from self-denial to riches.
We see his highs and lows, but ultimately, he finds what he longed for at a young age. He starts his journey with the life of no possessions, but then refuses to become a monk to live on his own and to discover life on his own. He falls into the same decadence that he once despised, but pulls himself out of that life to try to gain knowledge from nature. In the end, Siddhartha is at peace with his life.
This story can be used to help the reader find a certain magical answer to the question that so many people ask. Many talk about feeling unsatisfied with their lives, but through the title character, Hesse has shown the world his belief.
In this tale that is meant to reflect the founder of Buddhism, the reader finds out that peace in himself can be obtained, but it is hard to find if you are searching for it. The most important lesson that this book taught me was to stop seeking what I long for, but to let myself stumble upon it.
Verdict: Read
This novella describes Siddhartha's journey towards finding enlightenment in the world. The reader follows Siddhartha through the phases of his life that range from self-denial to riches.
We see his highs and lows, but ultimately, he finds what he longed for at a young age. He starts his journey with the life of no possessions, but then refuses to become a monk to live on his own and to discover life on his own. He falls into the same decadence that he once despised, but pulls himself out of that life to try to gain knowledge from nature. In the end, Siddhartha is at peace with his life.
This story can be used to help the reader find a certain magical answer to the question that so many people ask. Many talk about feeling unsatisfied with their lives, but through the title character, Hesse has shown the world his belief.
In this tale that is meant to reflect the founder of Buddhism, the reader finds out that peace in himself can be obtained, but it is hard to find if you are searching for it. The most important lesson that this book taught me was to stop seeking what I long for, but to let myself stumble upon it.
Verdict: Read
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Nineteen Eighty-Four
by George Orwell
This dystopic novel tells the story of Winston Smith as he lives his depressing life in an oppressive society. Written over sixty years ago in post-war Europe, this served, and still serves, as a warning for what might happen if a country gets too much power.
Throughout this novel, we follow our main character as he becomes more rebellious against the totalitarian government and then through his demise back into conformity. Even at the end when he is finally destroyed, he is a lovable character that all readers put hope into.
As a tale that takes place in the future, it is amazingly plausible because of the society's slight similarities to our world today. This novel is bone chilling if we think that this might be our future.
Orwell's captivating style prevails in this book. His magical way of weaving politics with fiction, the imaginable with the horrific. Orwell continues to expose the reader to what they would rather not hear, but it makes the story more captivating and able to effect the reader more.
This novel will always help keep governments in check with their citizens, no matter how much time passes after the title year. Big Brother might be watching us, but we are definitely on the lookout for him as well.
Verdict: Read
This dystopic novel tells the story of Winston Smith as he lives his depressing life in an oppressive society. Written over sixty years ago in post-war Europe, this served, and still serves, as a warning for what might happen if a country gets too much power.
Throughout this novel, we follow our main character as he becomes more rebellious against the totalitarian government and then through his demise back into conformity. Even at the end when he is finally destroyed, he is a lovable character that all readers put hope into.
As a tale that takes place in the future, it is amazingly plausible because of the society's slight similarities to our world today. This novel is bone chilling if we think that this might be our future.
Orwell's captivating style prevails in this book. His magical way of weaving politics with fiction, the imaginable with the horrific. Orwell continues to expose the reader to what they would rather not hear, but it makes the story more captivating and able to effect the reader more.
This novel will always help keep governments in check with their citizens, no matter how much time passes after the title year. Big Brother might be watching us, but we are definitely on the lookout for him as well.
Verdict: Read
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