Tender is the Night by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Title: Tender is the Night

Author: F. Scott Fitzgerald

First Published: 1933

No. of Pages: 349

Synopsis (from B&N): "Set in the South of France in the decade after World War I, Tender Is the Night is the story of a brilliant and magnetic psychiatrist named Dick Diver; the bewitching, wealthy, and dangerously unstable mental patient, Nicole, who becomes his wife; and the beautiful, harrowing ten-year pas de deux they act out along the border between sanity and madness.

In Tender Is the Night, Fitzgerald deliberately set out to write the most ambitious and far-reaching novel of his career, experimenting radically with narrative conventions of chronology and point of view and drawing on early breakthroughs in psychiatry to enrich his account of the makeup and breakdown of character and culture.

Tender Is the Night is also the most intensely, even painfully, autobiographical of Fitzgerald's novels; it smolders with a dark, bitter vitality because it is so utterly true. This account of a caring man who disintegrates under the twin strains of his wife's derangement and a lifestyle that gnaws away at his sense of moral values offers an authorial cri de coeur, while Dick Diver's downward spiral into alcoholic dissolution is an eerie portent of Fitzgerald's own fate."

Fiction or Nonfiction: Fiction

Comments and Critique: I definitely agree with the statement in the synopsis that this was one of Fitzgerald's most ambitious and autobiographical novels. Whenever I read a novel by an author I've read before, I can't help but compare the works, and I found myself continually comparing this one to The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald's most famous work. I didn't love this novel as much as Gatsby, but in some ways it was a better work. You feel the characters' emotions more closely, so that some parts almost hurt you to read. The author gets more into the core of his characters here than he did in other works. Gatsby is a cleaner, more precisely written novel, but this one strikes closer to the bone.

The autobiographical nature of the book also jumps out at you throughout. I've heard that authors are constantly asked how much of themselves they put into their books and often the readers see more than is really there, but in this case you just know that it's not all fiction. I'm very curious to read more about Fitzgerald's life now and to see what critics have said about this book over the years.

I highly recommend this excellent book.

Challenges: 999 ("1001 Books"); (Another) 1% Well-Read; Guardian 1000 Novels ("Love"); Modern Library 100 Best Novels (#28 Board, #62 Radcliffe); Well-Rounded; What's in a Name? 2

Nana by Emile Zola

Title: Nana

Author: Émile Zola

First Published: 1880

No. of Pages: 441

Synopsis (from B&N): "One of the founders of literary naturalism, Émile Zola thought of his novels as a form of scientific research into the effects of heredity and environment. He created characters, gave them richly detailed histories, and placed them in carefully observed, precisely described environments, and his readers watch as they wriggle and thrash toward their inevitable destinies.

In Nana, the characters are a prostitute, who rises from the streets to become what Zola calls a 'high-class cocotte,' and the men — and women — whom she loves, betrays, and destroys. Among the novel’s many ironies is the mutual envy felt by Nana and those around her. She yearns for their material possessions, while they admire her apparent independence and sexual self-confidence. And despite the chaos Nana causes, Zola imagines her as being essentially 'good-natured,' a stupid, vain but beautiful creature who can’t help drawing people into her web.

Not surprisingly, Nana’s portrait of a decadent world in which a prostitute amasses great wealth and power provoked protests from 'polite society,' and it became one of Zola’s most controversial works. Today it is regarded as his masterpiece."

Fiction or Nonfiction: Fiction

Comments and Critique: I liked this book immensely even though I didn't like any of the characters. They're just so well-written and fully three-dimensional; you can't help being awed by the author's talent, despite the fact that you wouldn't want to spend 10 minutes with anybody in the book. This was hard for me because I always want to like at least the central character, or if not like her, at least root for her. You can't do that here. There's so much wrong with this girl, she's so self-centered and lacking in normal human emotions that you want to slap her. And that makes you dislike the other characters even more when they're fawning all over her.

I can also understand why this book was controversial. Nana sleeps with anyone and everyone, and while the book does describe these encounters per se, it must have been quite shocking to 19th century readers. All of the characters are completely lacking in morals, including the "pillars of society." The author presents an unflattering view of society in general; I can't imagine the author was invited to dinner in certain quarters after this was published.

Challenges: 999 ("Through the Decades"); A to Z (author "Z"); Another 1%; Decades '09; Fill in the Gaps Project; Orbis Terrarum (France)

Ungrateful Daughters by Maureen Waller

Title: Ungrateful Daughters: The Stuart Princesses Who Stole Their Father's Crown

Author: Maureen Waller

First Published: 2002

No. of Pages: 402

Synopsis (from B&N): "British historian Waller reveals how Mary and Anne slipped the English throne out from under their father James II and delivered it to William of Orange while their infant brother, the rightful heir, was still alive, thus replacing the natural order of succession with an elective monarchy."

Fiction or Nonfiction: Nonfiction

Comments and Critique: I want to find something good in every book I read, but this one put that intention to the test. I love history and, purely by coincidence, this one continues the story told in Royal Charles, which I just finished. But I found this book very frustrating.

The book begins with separate chapters for each of the major persons involved; since their stories overlap, this results in the author repeating information unnecessarily. Next, there is a great too much supposition as to what a person "must have felt" or what "may have been" without reference to historical documents to back up the opinions. There are some quotes from documents but they are limited to mostly unimportant sections of letters full of terrible spelling (the royal daughters did not receive any education to speak of) and the reader has to struggle to understand what was meant.

And then there is the problem of names. The nobility had surnames but then also had their titles; for instance, one of the King's mistresses was Louise de Keroualle, Duchess of Portsmouth. It was common to refer to them by their title; Louise was generally referred to as "Portsmouth." Here, the author continually alternates how she refers to an individual, causing the reader to have to stop and figure out who she's talking about. This is very disruptive and could easily have been avoided by footnotes explaining that "so-and-so will hereafter be referred to as X."

The story itself reads like a soap opera, full of intrigue, deception, and greed. The current royal family have nothing on their ancestors. But while I found the story highly interesting, this book simply has too many problems. My conclusion is that it is just average and I'll be looking at other authors for books in the future.

Challenges: 999 ("Biographies"); Support Your Local Library

A Good Man is Hard to Find and Other Stories by Flannery O'Connor

Title: A Good Man is Hard to Find and Other Stories

Author: Flannery O'Connor

First Published: 1956

No. of Pages: 276

Synopsis (from B&N): "The collection that established O’Connor’s reputation as one of the American masters of the short story. The volume contains the celebrated title story, a tale of the murderous fugitive The Misfit, as well as “The Displaced Person” and eight other stories."

The other stories contained are: The River; The Life You Save May Be Your Own; A Stroke of Good Fortune; A Temple of the Holy Ghost; The Artificial Ni**er (this is not the actual title, but I will not use that word, even in telling the name of a story); A Circle in the Fire; A Late Encounter with the Enemy; and Good Country People

Fiction or Nonfiction: Fiction

Comments and Critique: These are not stories to make you feel warm and fuzzy. The overarching theme seems to be "People are no damned good" and each story supports that idea in a different way. This is not to say that the stories are not good -- they're very good, they just don't make you feel good. But they're well-written and solid, and the author does an amazing job of capturing ordinary rural Southerners of the time. I grew up in the South and many of the book's characters could have been mirror-images of some of the old people I knew. Their manner of speaking, the actual words used, the way they carried themselves, everything. It's kind of spooky, actually, how accurate the author was, but that also tells you something of how good a writer she was.

Challenges: 999 ("Booker/National Book Awards"); A to Z (author "O"); Modern Library; National Book Award Project (1956 nominee)

No Greater Love by Mother Teresa

Title: No Greater Love

Author: Mother Teresa

First Published: 1995

No. of Pages: 206

Synopsis (from B&N): "No Greater Love is the essential wisdom of Mother Teresa — the most accessible, intimate, and inspiring book of her teachings. Thematically arranged to present her revolutionary vision of Christianity in its graceful simplicity, the book features her thoughts on love, generosity, forgiveness, prayer, service, and what it means to be a Christian. A passionate testament to deep hope and abiding faith in God, No Greater Love celebrates the life and work of one of the world’s most revered spiritual teachers."

Fiction or Nonfiction: Nonfiction

Comments and Critique: Mother Teresa was truly one of the most humble people in our world. This is evidenced throughout this book, beginning with the first line.

I don't think there is anyone who needs God's help and grace as much as I do.

Imagine Mother Teresa, felt throughout the world to be a saint, feeling that! In some ways, it makes me feel better about myself to know she felt that, but then I must also acknowledge that her feeling differs from mine. I'm not nearly humble enough and when I think or say "I'm so weak, why doesn't God help me?" it's really self-pity working and not true reliance on the Lord. But Mother really meant it. It was never about her, always about God, which is obvious throughout her writing.

Rather than give a more traditional type of review, I thought I'd share some lines from the book that really stood out for me and why.

Perfect prayer does not consist in many words, but in the fervor of the desire which raises the heart to Jesus.

I've always had a problem with prayer, never feeling that I was doing it "right." This statement from someone who knew so much about prayer makes me feel that maybe my desire to pray counts for something, even if I can't come up with the words.

You will learn humility only by accepting humiliations. And you will meet humiliation all through your life. The greatest humiliation is to know that you are nothing.

The greatest mistake is to think you are too strong to fall into temptation. Put your finger in the fire and it will burn. So we have to go through the fire. The temptations are allowed by God. The only thing we have to do is to refuse to give in.

These are two of the hardest for me. I say I want to be humble, but I sure don't like it when I have the experiences necessary to make me that way!

We do not need to carry out grand things in order to show a great love for God and for our neighbors. It is the intensity of love we put into our gestures that makes them into something wonderful for God.

It is easy to love those who live far away. It is not always easy to love those who live right next to us.

The first quote is so important to remember. The big actions we perform are worthwhile, but how we live our daily life is so much more so. For the second quote, how true this can be! I think this is because loving and showing our love for those closest to us makes us much more vulnerable. Also, it can be so much easier to think positively about those far away, while we view those up close much harsher.

We all long for heaven where God is, but we have it in our power to be in heaven with Him right now, to be happy with Him at this very moment.

How many of us say we want to go to heaven, to be with God, but are unwilling to do what's necessary to be with Him today? I know I do. To be with Him now and everyday means giving up my will, my wants, my plans. That's so hard to do!

Challenges: 999 ("Catholicism"); Support Your Local Library

What Makes Us Catholic by Thomas Groome

Title: What Makes Us Catholic

Author: Thomas Groome

First Published: 2002

No. of Pages: 299

Synopsis (from B&N): "What makes a Catholic a Catholic? According to Thomas Groome, an expert on the essential ingredients of Catholic Christianity, Catholics share certain vital features of life and identity. What Makes Us Catholic explains and illuminates that character, and invites Catholics of all kinds to connect more deeply and imaginatively with their own culture and spirituality."

Fiction or Nonfiction: Nonfiction

Comments and Critique: I found this book a bit boring at first, but about chapter 4 or 5 it started to pick up and offered a number of beautiful, soul-affirming sentiments. A major theme of the author is that humans are meant to follow God's will and that His will is for us to love Him and one another. Everything else proceeds from love. The author takes that theme and applies it across human relationships - with our family, friends, coworkers, and the world in general. Each chapter discusses a particular concept and then provides three spiritual practices to help the reader develop more fully in that area. All can be adapted to the individual or replaced with your own.

I found this book uplifting and inspiring, and I felt good both while reading it and after. I'll be keeping my copy to use as a reference in the future.

Challenges: 999 ("Catholicism")

Morality Play by Barry Unsworth

Title: Morality Play

Author: Barry Unsworth

First Published: 1995

No. of Pages: 206

Synopsis (from B&N): "A medieval murder mystery full of the wonders of the time — and lessons for our own time — by a master storyteller. The author of the Booker Prize-winning Sacred Hunger turns to 14th-century England with a novel of foul doings. Fearing reprisals by his bishop after he breaks his vow of chastity, a young monk joins a troupe of traveling players. But when they come to a small town in the dead of winter to stage a morality play, the group is soon caught up in a drama of a different kind - one that involves murder."

Fiction or Nonfiction: Fiction

Comments and Critique: I couldn't put this book down. I got so caught up in the story that I finished the entire thing in one day. The author does a superb job of bringing the medieval setting to life, down to the smells one would have found in a common village of the time. The characters are completely believable, even though we're not given much backstory to flesh out most of them. By choosing to set the story in a period so long ago, the reader can't bring as many preconceived notions to it as one can to a modern story; while at the same time, the setting is so different from our own as to be almost a character in itself. The plot is also believable and the author has the acting troupe play the part (no pun intended) of unintentional detective, a way of presenting the story that is both unique and inspired. For one who enjoys murder mysteries, this one is definitely outside the genre norm, while the excellence of the writing will win over even those that would not normally enjoy a mystery.

Challenges: 999 ("Booker/National Award"); A to Z (author "U"); Complete Booker (shortlist, 1995); Support Your Local Library

Royal Charles by Antonia Fraser

Title: Royal Charles: Charles II and the Restoration

Author: Antonia Fraser

First Published: 1979

No. of Pages: 524

Synopsis: Charles II of England (1630-1685) was the eldest son of Charles I, who had been overthrown and eventually executed in the English Civil War. Following the death of his father, the country was ruled by Oliver Cromwell's Protectorate until Charles was restored to his throne in 1660. During the Protectorate years, Charles and most of his family were forced to live in exile, virtually penniless and with no guarantee of ever being able to return home. Following the death of Cromwell, the English Parliament requested Charles to return. He did so and continued to reign over the country until his death.

Charles married Catharine of Braganza, daughter of the Portuguese King. The couple had no children. Charles had a number of mistresses over the years who presented him with a total of twelve illegitimate children, all of whom he accepted as his own and cared for, including presenting them with titles. Due to their illegitimacy, none of these children were eligible to succeed the king. Since the king had no legitimate children, the throne would rightfully pass to his brother, James. This, however, presented a problem, as James was Catholic. The country had been beset by internal religious struggles since Henry VIII had broken with the Catholic Church, and discrimination against Catholics (occasionally culminating in hysteria and death) continued throughout Charles's reign. The idea of a Catholic King was anathema to many, and combined with the lack of legitimate children, led to questions of the rightful succession throughout the king's reign.

Fiction or Nonfiction: Nonfiction

Comments and Critique: This book was both interesting and in-depth. The author does an excellent job of presenting both the public and private man. On the public side, the book goes into great detail to explain the political situation of the time and the actions of the various important individuals. On the private, the king's relationships with his family, girlfriends, and friends is explored in equal detail. Both his virtues and failings are presented objectively and a well-rounded portrait of a real person results.

Challenges: 999 ("Biography"); Nonfiction 5

A Bend in the River by V. S. Naipaul

Title: A Bend in the River

Author: V. S. Naipaul

First Published: 1979

No. of Pages: 278

Synopsis (from B&N): "In the 'brilliant novel' (The New York Times), V.S. Naipaul takes us deeply into the life of one man — an Indian who, uprooted by the bloody tides of Third World history, has come to live in an isolated town at the bend of a great river in a newly independent African nation. Naipaul gives us the most convincing and disturbing vision yet of what happens in a place caught between the dangerously alluring modern world and its own tenacious past and traditions."

Fiction or Nonfiction: Fiction

Comments and Critique: I found this to be a wonderful book, but I'm having a difficult time putting into words just why. One thing is the author's minimal style -- many times I had the same reaction I have when reading a short story, where every word is carefully thought over and what isn't stated is as important as what is. The interaction between the characters and their emotional reactions felt spot-on accurate, and the physical descriptions of the main location brought the town to life. But the main reason that I liked this book, and the thing that's the hardest to explain, is that I just felt good reading it. Not because it's a feel-good story, because it's not (although it's not a downer, either); and not because it contains an important message. I guess it's just because the whole book feels so real and is in the hands of a master storyteller.

Challenges: 999 ("Booker/National Book Award"); Complete Booker; Fill in the Gaps 100 Books Project; Guardian 1000 Novels ("State of the Nation"); Modern Library 100 Best Novels (Board #83); Orbis Terrarum 2; Support Your Local Library

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Title: Frankenstein

Author: Mary Shelley

First Published: 1816

No. of Pages: 211

Synopsis (from B&N): "Mary Shelley began writing Frankenstein when she was only eighteen. At once a Gothic thriller, a passionate romance, and a cautionary tale about the dangers of science, Frankenstein tells the story of committed science student Victor Frankenstein. Obsessed with discovering 'the cause of generation and life' and 'bestowing animation upon lifeless matter,' Frankenstein assembles a human being from stolen body parts but, upon bringing it to life, he recoils in horror at the creature's hideousness. Tormented by isolation and loneliness, the once-innocent creature turns to evil and unleashes a campaign of murderous revenge against his creator, Frankenstein.

Frankenstein, an instant bestseller and an important ancestor of both the horror and science fiction genres, not only tells a terrifying story, but also raises profound, disturbing questions about the very nature of life and the place of humankind within the cosmos: What does it mean to be human? What responsibilities do we have to each other? How far can we go in tampering with Nature? In our age, filled with news of organ donation genetic engineering, and bio-terrorism, these questions are more relevant than ever."

Fiction or Nonfiction: Fiction

Comments and Critique: Like many people, I was already familiar with this story through the movies. I've seen a couple of adaptations, one of which stuck right to the book (I think it starred Kenneth Branagh). So I wasn't really reading for plot the way I normally do.

I have to say, I was underwhelmed. I understand the story's importance to the history of the genre, but as a stand-alone work, I wasn't all that impressed. I found much of the dialogue overblown and the monster completely unbelievable. He's supposed to be filled with rage at his rejection, and yet he's incredibly eloquent and self-aware when talking to Frankenstein. How is it that he can look at himself so objectively and be so well-spoken on his condition, and yet he can't control his emotions in the least? It just didn't ring true to me. I also got quite annoyed with Frankenstein on several occasions -- for such a smart man, he was incredibly dense sometimes. Plus, we aren't given enough information as to why he created the monster in the first place. I would have preferred that part of Frankenstein's character to be more fully explored.

I don't feel that I wasted my time with this one -- as a story, it held my interest, and the author's style, apart from much of the dialogue, is quite good. I know that there's been quite a bit of scholarship done on this book and maybe I'd appreciate it more if I studied some of that. But I can't classify this one as one of my favorites from the period.

Challenges: 18th and 19th Century Women Writers; 999 ("1001 Books"); Another 1% Well-Read; Classics; Guardian 1000 Novels ("Science Fiction"); TBR Lite

Everything is Illuminated by Jonathan Safran Foer

Title: Everything is Illuminated

Author: Jonathan Safran Foer

First Published: 2002

No. of Pages: 276

Synopsis (from B&N): "With only a yellowing photograph in hand, a young man -- also named Jonathan Safran Foer -- sets out to find the woman who may or may not have saved his grandfather from the Nazis. Accompanied by an old man haunted by memories of the war; an amorous dog named Sammy Davis, Junior, Junior; and the unforgettable Alex, a young Ukrainian translator who speaks in a sublimely butchered English, Jonathan is led on a quixotic journey over a devastated landscape and into an unexpected past."

Fiction or Nonfiction: Fiction

Comments and Critique: This is a difficult book to get through and one that requires the reader to go slowly, but you will not want to do so. The tale is so engrossing and entertaining that you'll have to force yourself to slow down and get the full meaning, and even then you'll probably need to reread sections to be sure you didn't miss something, or just to luxuriate in the language.

One of the things that make this book so enjoyable is the way it jumps around in time, so that you get the backstory woven into the modern story. In a way, you're getting a story-within-a-story, or I could even say three stories in one. First, you've got Jonathan's (the character, not the author, although maybe they're one and the same?) family story (told in 3rd person omniscient); then you've got Jonathan's journey (told from Alex's point of view); and you've got Jonathan's friendship with Alex (told through Alex's letters to Jonathan). With each, you wonder about possible bias from that section's narrator, which leads me to the second great thing about this book, which is the theme of the reality/perception/desire for truth. Sometimes this is obvious, as when Alex acknowledges his "not-truths." But sometimes it's more nuanced. For instance, is Jonathan's family story true or only a story? You often feel that it's part of Jonathan's life story and all the parts could be arranged chronologically; other times, you wonder if it's only made-up, which led me to consider how much of our own family histories are true and how much made-up, and does it make a difference? And can there be more truth in stories than in reality?

I won't go on in that vein, but I'll state the obvious and say that this book will make you think. Parts will make you laugh, parts will strike you as truisms and parts will make you question if they are truisms that you never knew were true. All told, a great book.

Challenges: 999 ("Dewey's Books"); Classics (future classic); Guardian 1000 Novels ("War and Travel"); Support Your Local Library

The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis

Title: The Great Divorce

Author: C.S. Lewis

First Published: 1945

No. of Pages: 80

Synopsis (from B&N): "What if anyone in Hell could take a bus trip to Heaven and stay there forever if they wanted to?

In The Great Divorce, C. S. Lewis again employs his formidable talent for fable and allegory. The writer finds himself in Hell boarding a bus bound for Heaven. The amazing opportunity is that anyone who wants to stay in Heaven, can. This is the starting point for an extraordinary meditation upon good and evil, grace and judgment. Lewis's revolutionary idea is the discovery that the gates of Hell are locked from the inside. In Lewis's own words, 'If we insist on keeping Hell (or even earth) we shall not see Heaven: if we accept Heaven we shall not be able to retain even the smallest and most intimate souvenirs of Hell.'"

Fiction or Nonfiction: Fiction

Comments and Critique: I loved this book! This more than made up for the disappointment of The Abolition of Man. The synopsis above nicely sums up the plot of the story, but doesn't go quite far enough in stressing what it terms the "revolutionary idea" -- i.e., that no one and nothing keeps us in Hell except ourselves, and that the only way to enter Heaven is to let go of ourselves. Lewis makes this point wonderfully well by displaying various human faults in individual characters. We're shown pride, insecurity, and power, as well as faults that may not always appear as such; for instance, the desire for knowledge that becomes an end in itself, so that the seeker is no longer interested in the answers, only the questions. The key to overcome all faults is, of course, faith. Faith in God, which is the same as faith in pure, unselfish love, will overcome all human weaknesses and is the one and only path to Heaven. A wonderful way to present moral truths. Along with The Problem of Pain and The Screwtape Letters, this is another of Lewis's works that I'll be rereading as soon as I can work it in.

Challenges: 999 ("C.S. Lewis")

Madame de Pompadour by Nancy Mitford

Title: Madame de Pompadour

Author: Nancy Mitford

First Published: 1953

No. of Pages: 308

Synopsis (from B&N): "When Madame de Pompadour became the mistress of Louis XV, no one expected her to retain his affections for long. A member of the bourgeoisie rather than an aristocrat, she was physically too cold for the carnal Bourbon king, and had so many enemies that she could not travel publicly without risking a pelting of mud and stones. History has loved her little better. Nancy Mitford's delightfully candid biography recreates the spirit of eighteenth-century Versailles with its love of pleasure and treachery. We learn that the Queen was a 'bore,' the Dauphin a 'prig,' and see France increasingly overcome with class conflict. With a fiction writer's felicity, Mitford restores the royal mistress and celebrates her as a survivor, unsurpassed in 'the art of living,' who reigned as the most powerful woman in France for nearly twenty years."

Fiction or Nonfiction: Nonfiction

Comments and Critique: I found this book to be one of the most readable biographies I've come across. The lives of royals and their hangers-on always intrigue me and this one is as full of intrigue and scandal as any other. A key difference is that the reader actually likes this royal mistress. She was intelligent, kind, loyal, and honest -- not at all how you expect to find one in her position. She seems to have truly loved Louis XV and did not use him for wealth or advancement. The author obviously likes her as well and does not shy away from allowing her own opinions to come out. My only complaint is that the author chose not to present the story chronologically, but instead grouped incidents by subject. This can be a bit disconcerting for the reader; for instance, the death of an individual is told in one chapter and a succeeding chapter then discusses the education of that same individual. But overall, I found this book very enjoyable and worth reading.

Challenges: 999 ("Biographies"); Support Your Local Library

Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton

Title: Ethan Frome

Author: Edith Wharton

First Published: 1911

No. of Pages: 93

Synopsis (from B&N): "Ethan Frome, a poor, downtrodden New England farmer is trapped in a loveless marriage to his invalid wife, Zeena. His ambition and intelligence are oppressed by Zeena's cold, conniving character. When Zeena's young cousin Mattie arrives to help care for her, Ethan is immediately taken by Mattie's warm, vivacious personality. They fall desperately in love as he realizes how much is missing from his life and marriage. Tragically, their love is doomed by Zeena's ever-lurking presence and by the social conventions of the day. Ethan remains torn between his sense of obligation and his urge to satisfy his heart's desire up to the suspenseful and unanticipated conclusion."

Fiction or Nonfiction: Fiction

Comments and Critique: This is a beautifully written book and a departure from Edith Wharton's other works, in that its characters are not of the upper classes. But their problems are essentially the same -- do you do your duty or follow your heart? The reader connects with these characters on such a deep level, both through their words and actions, and even through the descriptions of the surrounding countryside and weather. I could almost feel the sting of the winter air and the corresponding coldness of Ethan's wife made me wince.

I made two mistakes with this book, though. First, I listened to the audiobook version over too great a time period. This is a book that should be completed in one sitting to get the full effect. Second, the lady who did the reading gave Ethan's wife the most irritating accent. She sounded just like Fran Drescher, which was totally off-putting and inappropriate. However, neither of these issues should detract from the value of the book itself. It was wonderful and I'll definitely be reading it again.

Challenges: 999 ("Dewey's Books"); Classics Challenge; Fill in the Gaps 100 Books Project; Modern Library 100 Best Novels (Radcliffe #60); Well-Rounded Challenge

Catholicism Today by Matthew Kohmescher

Title: Catholicism Today: A Survey of Catholic Belief and Practice

Author: Matthew F. Kohmescher

First Published: 1980

No. of Pages: 243

Synopsis (from B&N): "This volume is a revised [as of 1990] and substantially enlarged edition of a book published in 1980. It presents the major elements of Catholic belief and practice and the principal trends found in the Catholicism of our day."

Fiction or Nonfiction: Nonfiction

Comments and Critique: I found this book to be okay overall, but not nearly comprehensive enough for either the Catholic or non-Catholic to get a true and complete overview of the faith. Granted, the book is intended to be and is even titled as a survey; however, the Catholic faith is so old and there is simply so much information that even a basic survey of the faith should be more in-depth than found here. I also had problems with the manner in which the author presented information -- he was very good at stating conclusions, but did not provide any support. This is acceptable occasionally, but occurred too often here. This work has value as part of a more extensive study of the Catholic faith, but I would not recommend it to someone looking for a basic understanding from just one work.

Challenges: 999 ("Catholicism")

The Abolition of Man by C.S. Lewis

Title: The Abolition of Man

Author: C.S. Lewis

First Published: 1943

No. of Pages: 41

Synopsis (from B&N): "C. S. Lewis sets out to persuade his audience of the importance and relevance of universal values such as courage and honor in contemporary society."

Fiction or Nonfiction: Nonfiction

Comments and Critique: This review will be absolutely worthless, as I must admit that after reading this book, nothing sticks out for me. Both while I was reading and after I finished, all I could think was "huh?" I really have no idea what I read or what the author's arguments were. I do recall feeling that a lot of what he wrote was over my head. To be fair, I read this while on vacation, so it's entirely possible that my brain just wasn't up to handling it right then. I have loved the other C.S. Lewis books I've read, so I'll probably give this one another try, but as of today, I have to say that it is my least favorite of his works.

Challenges: 999 ("C.S. Lewis")

A Fez of the Heart by Jeremy Seal

Title: A Fez of the Heart: Travels Around Turkey in Search of a Hat

Author: Jeremy Seal

First Published: 1995

No. of Pages: 334

Synopsis (from B&N): "Inspired by a dusty fez in his parents’ attic, Jeremy Seal set off in 1993 to trace the astonishing history of this cone-shaped hat. Soon the quintessentially Turkish headgear became the key to understanding a country beset by contradictions."

Fiction or Nonfiction: Nonfiction

Comments and Critique: This is one of the more unusual travel books that I've read. First, the majority of the book focuses on the history of Turkey, rather than on the author's traveling. I previously had no knowledge of Turkey's history, so this was an interesting introduction to the subject. Second, the author's use of the fez as the central theme around which all the history and travel revolves is unique, but appropriate once the reader understands the importance it played in the country. Third, this is the first travel book I've read that has made me NOT want to visit the place. I've wanted for many years, and continue to want, to see Istanbul, but this book has not encouraged me to be in a rush to see the rest of the country. It's not that the author is disrespectful or puts down the country; it's simply that he strives to show it in a realistic light which, unfortunately, is not a flattering one. However, given that this book is now 14 years old, it's entirely possible that the author's view would differ if he were to visit today.

Challenges: 999 ("Travel"); Summer Vacation Reading

Gift and Mystery by Pope John Paul II

Title: Gift and Mystery: On the Fiftieth Anniversary of My Priestly Ordination

Author: Pope John Paul II

First Published: 1997

No. of Pages: 144

Synopsis (from Amazon): "In a personal spiritual testimony, Pope John Paul II describes his journey to the priesthood, discussing his childhood, education, the years of Nazi occupation that led him to dedicate his life to God, and his ministry within the Catholic Church."

Fiction or Nonfiction: Nonfiction

Comments and Critique: This book provides the Pope's first-person account of his childhood and early years as a priest. It's quite interesting and helps the reader to see this figure of international importance as a human being just like the rest of us. I was especially taken by the humility evidenced by the Pope throughout the book -- he continually gives the credit for everything good that ever happened to him to others and shows how important our human relationships truly are.

Challenges: 999 ("Catholicism"); Support Your Local Library

Toujours Provence by Peter Mayle

Title: Toujours Provence

Author: Peter Mayle

First Published: 1991

No. of Pages: 241

Synopsis (from B&N): "Taking up where his beloved A Year in Provence leaves off, Peter Mayle offers us another funny, beautifully (and deliciously) evocative book about life in Provence. With tales only one who lives there could know — of finding gold coins while digging in the garden, of indulging in sumptuous feasts at truck stops — and with characters introduced with great affection and wit — the gendarme fallen from grace, the summer visitors ever trying the patience of even the most genial Provençaux, the straightforward dog 'Boy'—Toujours Provence is a heart-warming portrait of a place where, if you can't quite 'get away from it all,' you can surely have a very good time trying."

Fiction or Nonfiction: Nonfiction

Comments and Critique: This is a light and delightful read. With the exception of the occasional French phrase, it doesn't require anything from the reader except to relax and enjoy. Each chapter focuses on a specific activity engaged in or person known by the author. For instance, he tells of attending an open-air concert by Pavarotti; learning about pastis from a local restaurant owner; and attending the local dog show. There's a lot about eating in here, including more than one chapter dealing with truffles, and the descriptions of the food will make your mouth water. I'm glad I waited until the summer to read it -- it fits in perfectly with the slower days and desire for less demanding books.

Challenges: 999 ("Travel"); Nonfiction 5

Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

Title: Sense and Sensibility

Author: Jane Austen

First Published:

No. of Pages:

Synopsis (from B&N): "Jane Austen’s first published novel, Sense and Sensibility is a wonderfully entertaining tale of flirtation and folly that revolves around two starkly different sisters, Elinor and Marianne Dashwood. While Elinor is thoughtful, considerate, and calm, her younger sister is emotional and wildly romantic. Both are looking for a husband, but neither Elinor’s reason nor Marianne’s passion can lead them to perfect happiness — as Marianne falls for an unscrupulous rascal and Elinor becomes attached to a man who’s already engaged.

Startling secrets, unexpected twists, and heartless betrayals interrupt the marriage games that follow. Filled with satiric wit and subtle characterizations, Sense and Sensibility teaches that true love requires a balance of reason and emotion."

Fiction or Nonfiction: Fiction

Comments and Critique: This is the only Austen novel that I've never before read, although I was familiar with the story from watching the movie version. As with all Austen, I greatly enjoyed it and will no doubt reread it in the future. The characters are more difficult to like than in the author's other novels, but her ability to show human weaknesses, follies, and general lack of sense is superb as always. I still feel that Pride & Prejudice is the author's best work, having a more light-hearted tone than found here and with characters that are overall more endearing and fully developed, but this novel is still highly entertaining and a must read for lovers of 18th-19th century English literature.

As an aside, I can also state that the movie version, starring Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet, Alan Rickman, and Hugh Grant, is also very enjoyable and worth watching, although I feel that Ms. Thompson and Mr. Grant were miscast in their parts. But Kate Winslet is charming and the adaptation first-rate.

Challenges: 18th and 19th Century Women Writers; 999 ("1001 Books"); (Another) 1% Well-Read; Classics Challenge; Guardian 1000 Novels ("Love"); TBR Lite