Friday, May 09, 2008
Challenge
Canadian Reading Challenge: NW Territory
This beautifully illustrated children's book tells the story of Kataujaq, an young Inuit girl. First we learn many of the customs of this northern land as well as Kataujaq's close relationship with her mother. Then the mother dies. Kataujaq's grandmother comforts the little girl by telling her that the ones who have gone on before are playing soccer, chasing a walrus head all over the sky and creating the northern lights. It's a wonderful legend and this is an enchanting book. The illustrator, Vladyana Krykorka, does a fantastic job of capturing the flavor of the story with her mystical drawings. It will be fun to share this book with my grandson five or six years from now.
Rating: 4.5
Posted by Framed at 9:38 PM
3 comments:
John Mutford said...
Congratulations on finishing!I'm so glad Michael Kusugak was finally picked for this challenge. I lived in Rankin Inlet, his current hometown, for four years and met him a few times. My nieces, nephews and cousins probably all recieved autographed Kusugak books for Christmas at one point. My kids' favourite is Hide and Sneak.See you in round 2!
5/10/2008 4:16 AM
Booklogged said...
Sounds like a good story.
5/10/2008 11:08 PM
Teddy Rose said...
This sounds like a really sweet book.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Season of Sacrifice by Tristi Pinkston
Saturday, May 03, 2008
Challenges
Spring Reading Thing
Tristi Pinkston took the material she found in her ancestors' journals and turned it into this historical fiction. At the end of the book, she details how the events in each chapter are taken from the journals and how much is literary invention. The story follows Ben Perkins as he travels from Wales to join the Mormons in Utah. He is soon followed by his fiance, Mary Ann Williams, and later her sister, Sarah. The main event involves these three as they join others in crossing southern Utah, from Cedar City to the San Juan River valley, to begin a new colony of Saints. It is absolutely astounding how this group of pioneers were able to traverse such treacherous landscape mostly in the dead of winter without any loss of life. The details of how Ben creates a dugway by drilling holes and inserting poles into the side of a cliff which then formed a road that the wagon train used to descend to the valley floor was nothing short of miraculous. Of course, I wished there had been a map showing the course of the trek, but I guess you can't have everything. Reading about this intrepid group and how they created roads up and down the sides of mesas, finally reaching their destination was very inspiring especially when you realize these events actually happened. I would have made a terrible pioneer. I also appreciated Tristi's handling of the question of polygamy. She portrayed the hard facts of the issue and didn't glamorize or create victims through its use; and presented some interesting reasons for it. At least in the lives of these three people and their families, polygamy was a principle that took tremendous faith to follow and, even then, it created sadness and ill-feelings even though the participants strived to accept. I believe most Latter-Day-Saints today breathe a huge sigh of relief knowing it's not something we will be asked to do, especially since many of us have a hard time accepting its use in the past. The final item I really enjoyed was the pictures Tristi included of her ancestors. When I read about people who actually existed I always want to know what they looked like. Sarah and Ben's picture was taken later in life; and, in keeping with the times, they look a little grim, but still you can see the glimmer of humor in Ben's eyes.
Rating: 4
If you want to see pictures of Hole-in-the-Rock to show how treacherous the trail was, I suggest you use Google and look for the Utah or Moab pictures. As you look at the terrain, you'll find it hard to imagine anyone going through it with horse and wagons. Many pictures show 4x4's and even that looks dangerous.
Posted by Framed at 5:30 AM
9 comments:
Tristi Pinkston said...
Thanks for this great review, Framed! If any of your readers have any questions, I'll be back around to answer them.
5/03/2008 5:40 PM
Danyelle Ferguson said...
I agree with you, Framed - I would have made a terrible pioneer! :) Thank goodness I was born during the time of washing machines, dish washers, and automobiles!
5/04/2008 9:34 AM
Jen said...
Yes, the pictures were a great addition to the story, weren't they? Add me to the list of people who wouldn't be able to hack it as a pioneer! Thanks for your review!
5/04/2008 10:34 AM
Booklogged said...
I can't even 'make it' as a modern woman - I'd be a complete disaster as a pioneer.
5/05/2008 12:29 PM
Jill said...
This title looks interesting. My only experience with pioneer existence is playing Oregon Trail with my sons on the home computer and with friends on Facebook.
5/06/2008 6:36 PM
Trish said...
As I said before :) this one sounds fascinating, especially because my grandmother grew up in Monticello in the San Juan Valley and my great great grandmother and grandfather helped settle when the first Mormons went down to Southern Utah. It is a place that I would love to visit one day. Thanks for bringing this book to my attention!
5/06/2008 8:48 PM
Susan said...
I agree, Framed - I would have made a horrible pioneer and polygamist's wife :) Still, I am always amazed by what the Mormon pioneers did - their stories constantly inspire me.I should be getting this one in the mail soon. I'm excited to read it, especially after your review. Thanks!
5/08/2008 6:41 AM
Janet Kay Jensen said...
Dear Framed,would you be interested in reviewing my book, Don't You Marry the Mormon Boys? It is published by Cedar Fort and has been nominated for four national awards. Please contact me at janet.jensen@comcast net and I'll see that you get a review copy. And visit my blog, www.janetkayjensen2.blogspot.com, for more information about the book. Tristi liked it!Thanks,Janet Jensen
5/17/2008 11:25 AM
Heather B. Moore said...
This book was VERY interesting. I was impressed that the author turned her family history into fiction this way.
Challenges
Spring Reading Thing
Tristi Pinkston took the material she found in her ancestors' journals and turned it into this historical fiction. At the end of the book, she details how the events in each chapter are taken from the journals and how much is literary invention. The story follows Ben Perkins as he travels from Wales to join the Mormons in Utah. He is soon followed by his fiance, Mary Ann Williams, and later her sister, Sarah. The main event involves these three as they join others in crossing southern Utah, from Cedar City to the San Juan River valley, to begin a new colony of Saints. It is absolutely astounding how this group of pioneers were able to traverse such treacherous landscape mostly in the dead of winter without any loss of life. The details of how Ben creates a dugway by drilling holes and inserting poles into the side of a cliff which then formed a road that the wagon train used to descend to the valley floor was nothing short of miraculous. Of course, I wished there had been a map showing the course of the trek, but I guess you can't have everything. Reading about this intrepid group and how they created roads up and down the sides of mesas, finally reaching their destination was very inspiring especially when you realize these events actually happened. I would have made a terrible pioneer. I also appreciated Tristi's handling of the question of polygamy. She portrayed the hard facts of the issue and didn't glamorize or create victims through its use; and presented some interesting reasons for it. At least in the lives of these three people and their families, polygamy was a principle that took tremendous faith to follow and, even then, it created sadness and ill-feelings even though the participants strived to accept. I believe most Latter-Day-Saints today breathe a huge sigh of relief knowing it's not something we will be asked to do, especially since many of us have a hard time accepting its use in the past. The final item I really enjoyed was the pictures Tristi included of her ancestors. When I read about people who actually existed I always want to know what they looked like. Sarah and Ben's picture was taken later in life; and, in keeping with the times, they look a little grim, but still you can see the glimmer of humor in Ben's eyes.
Rating: 4
If you want to see pictures of Hole-in-the-Rock to show how treacherous the trail was, I suggest you use Google and look for the Utah or Moab pictures. As you look at the terrain, you'll find it hard to imagine anyone going through it with horse and wagons. Many pictures show 4x4's and even that looks dangerous.
Posted by Framed at 5:30 AM
9 comments:
Tristi Pinkston said...
Thanks for this great review, Framed! If any of your readers have any questions, I'll be back around to answer them.
5/03/2008 5:40 PM
Danyelle Ferguson said...
I agree with you, Framed - I would have made a terrible pioneer! :) Thank goodness I was born during the time of washing machines, dish washers, and automobiles!
5/04/2008 9:34 AM
Jen said...
Yes, the pictures were a great addition to the story, weren't they? Add me to the list of people who wouldn't be able to hack it as a pioneer! Thanks for your review!
5/04/2008 10:34 AM
Booklogged said...
I can't even 'make it' as a modern woman - I'd be a complete disaster as a pioneer.
5/05/2008 12:29 PM
Jill said...
This title looks interesting. My only experience with pioneer existence is playing Oregon Trail with my sons on the home computer and with friends on Facebook.
5/06/2008 6:36 PM
Trish said...
As I said before :) this one sounds fascinating, especially because my grandmother grew up in Monticello in the San Juan Valley and my great great grandmother and grandfather helped settle when the first Mormons went down to Southern Utah. It is a place that I would love to visit one day. Thanks for bringing this book to my attention!
5/06/2008 8:48 PM
Susan said...
I agree, Framed - I would have made a horrible pioneer and polygamist's wife :) Still, I am always amazed by what the Mormon pioneers did - their stories constantly inspire me.I should be getting this one in the mail soon. I'm excited to read it, especially after your review. Thanks!
5/08/2008 6:41 AM
Janet Kay Jensen said...
Dear Framed,would you be interested in reviewing my book, Don't You Marry the Mormon Boys? It is published by Cedar Fort and has been nominated for four national awards. Please contact me at janet.jensen@comcast net and I'll see that you get a review copy. And visit my blog, www.janetkayjensen2.blogspot.com, for more information about the book. Tristi liked it!Thanks,Janet Jensen
5/17/2008 11:25 AM
Heather B. Moore said...
This book was VERY interesting. I was impressed that the author turned her family history into fiction this way.
Sacred Cows by Karen E Olson
Thursday, May 01, 2008
Challenges
What's in a Name - Animal
1st in Series
Book Around the States - Connecticut
Annie Seymour is a cop reporter in New Haven, CT, the home of Yale University. She is having a sort of relationship with Tom, a homicide detective, but during the course of this book, she develops an attraction for Vinny. She remembers Vinny as a science geek from high school, but now he is a Frank Sinatra look-a-like private eye hired by Annie's mother's law firm. All of this relationship angst plays around the murder of two Yale co-eds, and Annie just wants to get the scoop. The murderer is known early on so the main plot is how Annie, Vinny and Tom capture him and prove the case.
I was really in the mood for a good mystery. Unfortunately, this one did not satisfy me. None of the characters were terribly appealing to me, the profanity was over the top, and the sexual inuendos sophomoric. I'm probably being harsher than normal but I was pretty disappointed. The cow sculptures displayed around the city play a small part in the story, very small. In the end, this book just wasn't for me.
Rating: 2
Posted by Framed at 9:56 PM
5 comments:
Terri B. said...
I read this one for 1st in a Series too. I wasn't overly impressed either. I wanted to like it more than I did.
5/02/2008 5:35 PM
Bookfool said...
Oh, that's interesting! The other review I read was so positive. You've mentioned things that turn me off (sexual innuendo and profanity). I'm not much of a mystery reader, but those things definitely can ruin a read for me. It depends on my mood, I guess.
5/02/2008 7:54 PM
Joy said...
I think I rated this one a 3.25/5 and I was being gracious. I agree 100% with your reasoning.
5/03/2008 1:45 PM
Booklogged said...
One good thing about reading this book is that you don't feel compelled to read any more in this series.
5/03/2008 7:45 PM
Liz said...
I'm so disappointed -- this one looked like it really had potential. It looked and sounded amusing, which can be a really under-rated kind of mystery. For example, I recently read "Landmark Status" by Alan Rolnick. Think Carl Hiaasen and Dave Barry and you'll be close -- and like Hiaasen, Alan Rolnick has set this book in Florida, complete with people who want to pave paradise to put up a parking lot, so to speak. (In this case developers want to knock down a notorious nightspot to bury it under a fabulous high-rise.This is a laugh riot -- I was hooked from opening wrecking ball to final explosion.
Challenges
What's in a Name - Animal
1st in Series
Book Around the States - Connecticut
Annie Seymour is a cop reporter in New Haven, CT, the home of Yale University. She is having a sort of relationship with Tom, a homicide detective, but during the course of this book, she develops an attraction for Vinny. She remembers Vinny as a science geek from high school, but now he is a Frank Sinatra look-a-like private eye hired by Annie's mother's law firm. All of this relationship angst plays around the murder of two Yale co-eds, and Annie just wants to get the scoop. The murderer is known early on so the main plot is how Annie, Vinny and Tom capture him and prove the case.
I was really in the mood for a good mystery. Unfortunately, this one did not satisfy me. None of the characters were terribly appealing to me, the profanity was over the top, and the sexual inuendos sophomoric. I'm probably being harsher than normal but I was pretty disappointed. The cow sculptures displayed around the city play a small part in the story, very small. In the end, this book just wasn't for me.
Rating: 2
Posted by Framed at 9:56 PM
5 comments:
Terri B. said...
I read this one for 1st in a Series too. I wasn't overly impressed either. I wanted to like it more than I did.
5/02/2008 5:35 PM
Bookfool said...
Oh, that's interesting! The other review I read was so positive. You've mentioned things that turn me off (sexual innuendo and profanity). I'm not much of a mystery reader, but those things definitely can ruin a read for me. It depends on my mood, I guess.
5/02/2008 7:54 PM
Joy said...
I think I rated this one a 3.25/5 and I was being gracious. I agree 100% with your reasoning.
5/03/2008 1:45 PM
Booklogged said...
One good thing about reading this book is that you don't feel compelled to read any more in this series.
5/03/2008 7:45 PM
Liz said...
I'm so disappointed -- this one looked like it really had potential. It looked and sounded amusing, which can be a really under-rated kind of mystery. For example, I recently read "Landmark Status" by Alan Rolnick. Think Carl Hiaasen and Dave Barry and you'll be close -- and like Hiaasen, Alan Rolnick has set this book in Florida, complete with people who want to pave paradise to put up a parking lot, so to speak. (In this case developers want to knock down a notorious nightspot to bury it under a fabulous high-rise.This is a laugh riot -- I was hooked from opening wrecking ball to final explosion.
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Challenge
Spring Reading Thing
I'm sure there are worse childhoods and more dysfunctional families in this world, but this is still an amazing story. That Jeanette survived hunger, major burns, and falling out of a moving car and to tell about it in such a matter-of-fact way with no evidence of self-pity makes this book more moving and interesting than a more sentimental or sensational treatment would have. She also expressed very real emotions that any child would feel: love for her parents and siblings, sadness at leaving behind favorite possessions, embarrassment for not fitting in with other children and about her parents odd behavior, pride at her accomplishments. I had heard so much about the book and Walls' alcoholic father and self-absorbed mother, that I was surprised that they weren't the monsters I had pictured. Certainly flawed, nonconforming and eccentric, they did teach their children many things about survival, self-reliance and independence. There were also lessons about petty theft, running out when things got tense or possible trouble with the law loomed ahead, or even the evils of anyone in authority. Even so, all three children grew up and joined main-stream society and seem to have become successful adults. I enjoyed the book. Sometimes I laughed, others times I was appalled, but never bored.
Rating: 4
Posted by Framed at 7:14 PM
10 comments:
Trish said...
Seems like this might be a tough read. I've seen this one around but didn't know what it was about; thanks for the review.
4/29/2008 8:40 PM
Framed said...
Actually it wasn't that hard. Walls doesn't play on your emotions at all. I think when she was a child, she thought most things were great.
4/29/2008 10:12 PM
Les said...
It seems odd to say that I enjoyed this book, but I did. In spite of all the awful experiences those kids went through. I still grimace, thinking about eating butter -- or cooking hot dogs at the age of 3 (or 4?)! Very well-written and moving. I, too, laughed (and gasped).Have you read Jennifer Lauck's Blackbird? You might like it, too. I read it and the sequel (Still Water).
4/30/2008 8:36 PM
Em said...
What a great review! I loved this book. It was sad, the whole family situation, but it made me laugh sooo much. I've recommended it to tons of people since I read it.
5/01/2008 5:33 PM
Stephanie said...
I read this a couple of years ago. I have a lot of admiration for Ms. Walls. Personally, though, I was probably more appalled than you were by her parents. Still an excellent book!
5/01/2008 9:34 PM
Joy said...
Most definitely never bored. I found it to be absolutely fascinating and appalling at the same time.
5/03/2008 1:47 PM
Jennifer, Snapshot said...
Add me to the list of those who enjoyed this book. It was tragic--the level of poverty that her parents chose to keep them in--but I think that there was something hopeful about it--perhaps the fact that she survived in spite of it.
5/03/2008 6:41 PM
Carrie K said...
I thought it was a fabulous book and it was such a loving book. Her parents were just something else. She was at an auhor's talk in our town and she was just as genuine in person.
5/05/2008 4:24 PM
Susan said...
Her parents were something else, all right. I can't get over her mother eating a chocolate bar and not sharing any of it with her kids - they had to scrounge for food to live on! At that point I lost all sympathy for the mother. It is an incredible book, full of humour and pathos, unforgettable that they survived. Good review.
5/14/2008 5:04 PM
Heather B. Moore said...
I laughed and was appalled too. Then I gave the book to my mom to read. I still can't believe some of the things that happened.
Challenge
Spring Reading Thing
I'm sure there are worse childhoods and more dysfunctional families in this world, but this is still an amazing story. That Jeanette survived hunger, major burns, and falling out of a moving car and to tell about it in such a matter-of-fact way with no evidence of self-pity makes this book more moving and interesting than a more sentimental or sensational treatment would have. She also expressed very real emotions that any child would feel: love for her parents and siblings, sadness at leaving behind favorite possessions, embarrassment for not fitting in with other children and about her parents odd behavior, pride at her accomplishments. I had heard so much about the book and Walls' alcoholic father and self-absorbed mother, that I was surprised that they weren't the monsters I had pictured. Certainly flawed, nonconforming and eccentric, they did teach their children many things about survival, self-reliance and independence. There were also lessons about petty theft, running out when things got tense or possible trouble with the law loomed ahead, or even the evils of anyone in authority. Even so, all three children grew up and joined main-stream society and seem to have become successful adults. I enjoyed the book. Sometimes I laughed, others times I was appalled, but never bored.
Rating: 4
Posted by Framed at 7:14 PM
10 comments:
Trish said...
Seems like this might be a tough read. I've seen this one around but didn't know what it was about; thanks for the review.
4/29/2008 8:40 PM
Framed said...
Actually it wasn't that hard. Walls doesn't play on your emotions at all. I think when she was a child, she thought most things were great.
4/29/2008 10:12 PM
Les said...
It seems odd to say that I enjoyed this book, but I did. In spite of all the awful experiences those kids went through. I still grimace, thinking about eating butter -- or cooking hot dogs at the age of 3 (or 4?)! Very well-written and moving. I, too, laughed (and gasped).Have you read Jennifer Lauck's Blackbird? You might like it, too. I read it and the sequel (Still Water).
4/30/2008 8:36 PM
Em said...
What a great review! I loved this book. It was sad, the whole family situation, but it made me laugh sooo much. I've recommended it to tons of people since I read it.
5/01/2008 5:33 PM
Stephanie said...
I read this a couple of years ago. I have a lot of admiration for Ms. Walls. Personally, though, I was probably more appalled than you were by her parents. Still an excellent book!
5/01/2008 9:34 PM
Joy said...
Most definitely never bored. I found it to be absolutely fascinating and appalling at the same time.
5/03/2008 1:47 PM
Jennifer, Snapshot said...
Add me to the list of those who enjoyed this book. It was tragic--the level of poverty that her parents chose to keep them in--but I think that there was something hopeful about it--perhaps the fact that she survived in spite of it.
5/03/2008 6:41 PM
Carrie K said...
I thought it was a fabulous book and it was such a loving book. Her parents were just something else. She was at an auhor's talk in our town and she was just as genuine in person.
5/05/2008 4:24 PM
Susan said...
Her parents were something else, all right. I can't get over her mother eating a chocolate bar and not sharing any of it with her kids - they had to scrounge for food to live on! At that point I lost all sympathy for the mother. It is an incredible book, full of humour and pathos, unforgettable that they survived. Good review.
5/14/2008 5:04 PM
Heather B. Moore said...
I laughed and was appalled too. Then I gave the book to my mom to read. I still can't believe some of the things that happened.
Peter Pan by J M Barrie
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Challenges
Decades 1900
Young Adult Challenge
Once Upon a Time II
Spring Reading Challenge
The orignal play of "Peter Pan" was written and produced in 1904. He then published Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens in 1906. The book Peter and Wendy which later became Peter Pan was published in 1911, so maybe I'm cheating by using this book for the 1900's but so be it. My version also contains the final chapter called "Wendy Grows Up" which wasn't added until 1957. My book also contains a biography of J M Barrie. It seems he was a very interesting and ecccentric man. The movie with Johnny Depp insinuates a romantic conection between Barrie and Mrs. Davis, which would have been completely out of character for the real Barrie.
Grace Isabel Colbron wrote in Dec, 1911:
Peter Pan has come to us again, Peter Pan, who was neither all a boy nor all a fairy, but something of both. He comes to us in a book which is neither a boy's book, nor a girl's book, nor a fairy book, nor anything but just a book which is a delight for everybody. And now that we meet him in Barrie's charming story, Peter and Wendy, we realise that this dainty conceit is too fairy-like to stand the necessary artificiality of the stage, too frail not to be harmed by impersonating in human shape.
The slow unfolding of the tale possible in a book, the myriad delicious details that had to be sacrificed to drama needs, surround our old friends Peter, Wendy, John, Michael, Nana the faithful nurse, the Lost Boys, the terrible Hook, the fair Tiger Lily and her Redskins, sentimental Smee, with a setting which brings them nearer to us, makes them the more human because no other human prsonality comes between them and us. What delight to have them in such shape that we can slip them all under the pillow at night and take them out the first thing in the morning for a stolen chat! And so many lovely new things to learn about them. Did we ever know before that Peter's greatest charm, the one which won him the hearts of all women creatures young or old, was that he had all his first teeth? And of Mrs. Darling, who walks through a few scene in the play, a meaningless figure, we hear that she is in reality a lovely lady with a romantic mind and a sweet mocking mouth.
I loved that review. It expresses my thoughts so well. There are so many things in the book that we don't know if all we've seen are the play or the movies. Peter is not nearly as likeable unless you are one of the children he spirits away to Neverland and much younger. Although arrogant, selfish, and self-centered, it is his cockiness that makes such a great enemy of Capt. Hook. Plus there is a lot of killing and I don't remember any of that. The fairies and mermaids are pretty spiteful, the children are hungry quite often as they don't pretend as well as Peter; and Captain Hook is a much more developed and multi-layered character. And all of those reasons just add to the wonderment of this book. It is darker and deeper than I ever imagined. A must read. I'll share one delightful quote with you.
"When the first baby laughed for the first time, its laugh broke into a thousand pieces, and they all went skipping about, and that was the beginning of fairies."
Rating: 5
Posted by Framed at 11:07 AM
14 comments:
Andi said...
Thanks for reminding me that I never read this book . . . I need to. When I was in England, in the Cotswolds somewhere but can't remember the exact house, my program director told a story about Barrie seeing a twinkle in the window while he was watching a cricket match - that twinkle became Tinkerbell. I love that tidbit. Thanks.And thanks for commenting on my blog, too.
4/27/2008 5:33 PM
Lisa said...
I guess I need to find a copy of the book, I'm really disliking the movie. I know Disney changes everything, but in the Disney version everything is horrible. The Dad is a jerk, Tinkerbell is worried about the size of her hips, Peter is a self-centered frat boy, they are all so mean to the other kids, etc etc. Granted, I also am forced to watch it as often as possible by the pirate lover in my house so that may contribute to my dislike of it.
4/27/2008 6:34 PM
Booklogged said...
I didn't like it as well as you. There was something unsettling about it that I can't quite put my finger on - none of the things you mention, but something vague. I may never figure it out.
4/27/2008 7:00 PM
Nicola said...
Glad to hear you liked this! Unfortunately, I had the opposite reaction. Too smug for my liking.I just love the way you can read one book and hit 5 or more challenges! You must be a challenge pro. Hats off to you!
4/27/2008 7:05 PM
Trish said...
You are just truckin' along with these challenges! I've always loved this book, but I really need to re-read it. I loved going to Kensington Gardens and seeing the Peter Pan statue--such a beautiful place to spend the afternoon.
4/27/2008 8:29 PM
SuziQoregon said...
I didn't love this. As an adult reader it was a fun adventure, but I'm not sure I'd read it to a child. Lots and lots of killing and I really didn't like Peter much at all.I am thoroughly enjoying the first of the 'Prequels' written by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, however. I'm about halfway through listening to Peter and the Starcatchers and having just a wonderful time.
4/27/2008 9:29 PM
Joy said...
I have never had an interest in reading Peter Pan. I'm glad to see that you loved it, though. I guess it's not a classic for nothing. :)
4/28/2008 6:12 AM
Cassie said...
I don't really remember how I felt about Peter Pan other than how different it was from the Disney movie but I guess those movies are completely different but I think I found it refreshing. I'm tempted to read it again to remind myself. I'll have to pull out my copy from somewhere.
4/28/2008 9:03 AM
Nymeth said...
I love this book, and I need to revisit it sometime soon. I'm glad you enjoyed it as well!
4/28/2008 9:52 AM
Rhinoa said...
Your version sounds lovely. Have you seen Finding Neverland? It's a lovely film with a romanticised version of JM Barrie, but definitely worth seeing. I need to re-read this, it's been far too long.
4/28/2008 1:33 PM
The Never Fairy said...
Hey there!I thought you might like to know about a new Peter Pan book that is coming soon...Though things like "Peter and the Starcatchers" are wonderful adventure tales, the fact is they contradict the facts of the original stories by J.M. Barrie.But this new novel does not...in fact, it's based on his notes for the continuation of Pan's adventures...Click on my name for the announcement page!Believe!
4/28/2008 3:31 PM
Stephanie said...
You know, I don't think I've ever actually READ the book, Peter Pan. But I just love the story so much. I loved it!!
4/28/2008 9:24 PM
Heather said...
I've never read this! Adding it to the Mountain.
5/08/2008 6:24 AM
Jeane said...
I really like this book, though I don't remember it being as dark as you describe. The quote you include at the end is one of my favorites!
Challenges
Decades 1900
Young Adult Challenge
Once Upon a Time II
Spring Reading Challenge
The orignal play of "Peter Pan" was written and produced in 1904. He then published Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens in 1906. The book Peter and Wendy which later became Peter Pan was published in 1911, so maybe I'm cheating by using this book for the 1900's but so be it. My version also contains the final chapter called "Wendy Grows Up" which wasn't added until 1957. My book also contains a biography of J M Barrie. It seems he was a very interesting and ecccentric man. The movie with Johnny Depp insinuates a romantic conection between Barrie and Mrs. Davis, which would have been completely out of character for the real Barrie.
Grace Isabel Colbron wrote in Dec, 1911:
Peter Pan has come to us again, Peter Pan, who was neither all a boy nor all a fairy, but something of both. He comes to us in a book which is neither a boy's book, nor a girl's book, nor a fairy book, nor anything but just a book which is a delight for everybody. And now that we meet him in Barrie's charming story, Peter and Wendy, we realise that this dainty conceit is too fairy-like to stand the necessary artificiality of the stage, too frail not to be harmed by impersonating in human shape.
The slow unfolding of the tale possible in a book, the myriad delicious details that had to be sacrificed to drama needs, surround our old friends Peter, Wendy, John, Michael, Nana the faithful nurse, the Lost Boys, the terrible Hook, the fair Tiger Lily and her Redskins, sentimental Smee, with a setting which brings them nearer to us, makes them the more human because no other human prsonality comes between them and us. What delight to have them in such shape that we can slip them all under the pillow at night and take them out the first thing in the morning for a stolen chat! And so many lovely new things to learn about them. Did we ever know before that Peter's greatest charm, the one which won him the hearts of all women creatures young or old, was that he had all his first teeth? And of Mrs. Darling, who walks through a few scene in the play, a meaningless figure, we hear that she is in reality a lovely lady with a romantic mind and a sweet mocking mouth.
I loved that review. It expresses my thoughts so well. There are so many things in the book that we don't know if all we've seen are the play or the movies. Peter is not nearly as likeable unless you are one of the children he spirits away to Neverland and much younger. Although arrogant, selfish, and self-centered, it is his cockiness that makes such a great enemy of Capt. Hook. Plus there is a lot of killing and I don't remember any of that. The fairies and mermaids are pretty spiteful, the children are hungry quite often as they don't pretend as well as Peter; and Captain Hook is a much more developed and multi-layered character. And all of those reasons just add to the wonderment of this book. It is darker and deeper than I ever imagined. A must read. I'll share one delightful quote with you.
"When the first baby laughed for the first time, its laugh broke into a thousand pieces, and they all went skipping about, and that was the beginning of fairies."
Rating: 5
Posted by Framed at 11:07 AM
14 comments:
Andi said...
Thanks for reminding me that I never read this book . . . I need to. When I was in England, in the Cotswolds somewhere but can't remember the exact house, my program director told a story about Barrie seeing a twinkle in the window while he was watching a cricket match - that twinkle became Tinkerbell. I love that tidbit. Thanks.And thanks for commenting on my blog, too.
4/27/2008 5:33 PM
Lisa said...
I guess I need to find a copy of the book, I'm really disliking the movie. I know Disney changes everything, but in the Disney version everything is horrible. The Dad is a jerk, Tinkerbell is worried about the size of her hips, Peter is a self-centered frat boy, they are all so mean to the other kids, etc etc. Granted, I also am forced to watch it as often as possible by the pirate lover in my house so that may contribute to my dislike of it.
4/27/2008 6:34 PM
Booklogged said...
I didn't like it as well as you. There was something unsettling about it that I can't quite put my finger on - none of the things you mention, but something vague. I may never figure it out.
4/27/2008 7:00 PM
Nicola said...
Glad to hear you liked this! Unfortunately, I had the opposite reaction. Too smug for my liking.I just love the way you can read one book and hit 5 or more challenges! You must be a challenge pro. Hats off to you!
4/27/2008 7:05 PM
Trish said...
You are just truckin' along with these challenges! I've always loved this book, but I really need to re-read it. I loved going to Kensington Gardens and seeing the Peter Pan statue--such a beautiful place to spend the afternoon.
4/27/2008 8:29 PM
SuziQoregon said...
I didn't love this. As an adult reader it was a fun adventure, but I'm not sure I'd read it to a child. Lots and lots of killing and I really didn't like Peter much at all.I am thoroughly enjoying the first of the 'Prequels' written by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, however. I'm about halfway through listening to Peter and the Starcatchers and having just a wonderful time.
4/27/2008 9:29 PM
Joy said...
I have never had an interest in reading Peter Pan. I'm glad to see that you loved it, though. I guess it's not a classic for nothing. :)
4/28/2008 6:12 AM
Cassie said...
I don't really remember how I felt about Peter Pan other than how different it was from the Disney movie but I guess those movies are completely different but I think I found it refreshing. I'm tempted to read it again to remind myself. I'll have to pull out my copy from somewhere.
4/28/2008 9:03 AM
Nymeth said...
I love this book, and I need to revisit it sometime soon. I'm glad you enjoyed it as well!
4/28/2008 9:52 AM
Rhinoa said...
Your version sounds lovely. Have you seen Finding Neverland? It's a lovely film with a romanticised version of JM Barrie, but definitely worth seeing. I need to re-read this, it's been far too long.
4/28/2008 1:33 PM
The Never Fairy said...
Hey there!I thought you might like to know about a new Peter Pan book that is coming soon...Though things like "Peter and the Starcatchers" are wonderful adventure tales, the fact is they contradict the facts of the original stories by J.M. Barrie.But this new novel does not...in fact, it's based on his notes for the continuation of Pan's adventures...Click on my name for the announcement page!Believe!
4/28/2008 3:31 PM
Stephanie said...
You know, I don't think I've ever actually READ the book, Peter Pan. But I just love the story so much. I loved it!!
4/28/2008 9:24 PM
Heather said...
I've never read this! Adding it to the Mountain.
5/08/2008 6:24 AM
Jeane said...
I really like this book, though I don't remember it being as dark as you describe. The quote you include at the end is one of my favorites!
Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Challenges
Book Around the States - Illinois
What's in a Name - Dandelion (Plant)
Decades Challenge - 1940's
Another Bloomin' Challenge
Spring Reading Challenge
TBR Challenge
Young Adult Challenge
Wow, seven challenges in one. I'm exhausted, no, make that elated. I started this book once but couldn't get past the first chapter. Too many analogies, metaphors, and flights of fancy. But then, there were seven challenges, so I trudged back to it a month later. I don't know what my mood was the first time I picked the book up because I really enjoyed reading it this time. Douglas is twelve years old at the beginning of the summer of 1928. He has an incredible imagination which he gives free reign and creates many adventures, some real and some not so real. Bradbury has created a masterpiece of poignancy and nostalgia as he tells about Douglas, his family, friends and the other wonderful characters who inhabit Green Town, Illinois. There are so many great stories in this book, but I loved the one about Grandma's cooking and how Aunt Rose tries to get the kitchen organized and Grandma to keep recipes. Here's a few quote I marked:
Grandfather's rant when a boarder tries to plant grass that will never need to be mowed:
"Lilacs on a bush are better than orchids. And dandelions and devil grass are better! Why? Because they bend you over and turn you away from all the people and the town for a little while and sweat you and get you down where you remember you got a nose again. And when you're all to yourself that way, you're really yourself for a little; you get to thinking things through, alone."
Great-grandma on the night she dies from old-age.
"I'm not really dying today. No person ever died that had a family. I'll be around a long time. A thousand years from now a whole township of my offspring will be biting sour apples in the gumwood shade."
I loved the descriptions of sitting on the porch in the evenings, night games of kick-the-can and freeze, the trolley car's last route; and bottling up summer's memories in the dandelion wine.
Rating: 4.75
Posted by Framed at 10:07 AM
6 comments:
Nymeth said...
Bradbury is definitely an author I need to be in the mood for. I love his writing, but I find it a little demanding, and if I'm not giving it my full attention it just goes over my head.I haven't read this one yet, but it sounds beautiful.
4/26/2008 1:47 PM
Natasha @ Maw Books said...
Whoa baby, what a feat on cross-posting those challenges!I think time/setting/life situations make a big difference on how we enjoy a book. I'm certain that there are many I've enjoyed simply because of my attitude at the time. I haven't read much of Ray Bradbury except in high school (a prime example of attitude!), so I should rediscover this author.
4/26/2008 2:57 PM
Booklogged said...
I haven't read any of Bradbury. Must amend that. Loved the two quotes you shared.
4/26/2008 3:19 PM
Trish said...
Sometimes it's just timing. I know that I've reshelved some books to really enjoy them after revisiting them. I haven't read this one but I really enjoyed Fahrenheit 451. Thanks for the review!
4/27/2008 9:38 AM
Les said...
I read this back in the mid-'70s (I was in Junior High) and absolutely loved it. I tried to read it again a year or two ago and couldn't get interested. I still want to try again someday.
4/27/2008 7:25 PM
Terri B. said...
This is one of my all time favorite books along with Something Wicked This Way Comes. They are so very atmospheric. I've got his sequel to Dandelion Wine (Farewell Summer) on my book tower. I'm saving it for, of course, summer!
Challenges
Book Around the States - Illinois
What's in a Name - Dandelion (Plant)
Decades Challenge - 1940's
Another Bloomin' Challenge
Spring Reading Challenge
TBR Challenge
Young Adult Challenge
Wow, seven challenges in one. I'm exhausted, no, make that elated. I started this book once but couldn't get past the first chapter. Too many analogies, metaphors, and flights of fancy. But then, there were seven challenges, so I trudged back to it a month later. I don't know what my mood was the first time I picked the book up because I really enjoyed reading it this time. Douglas is twelve years old at the beginning of the summer of 1928. He has an incredible imagination which he gives free reign and creates many adventures, some real and some not so real. Bradbury has created a masterpiece of poignancy and nostalgia as he tells about Douglas, his family, friends and the other wonderful characters who inhabit Green Town, Illinois. There are so many great stories in this book, but I loved the one about Grandma's cooking and how Aunt Rose tries to get the kitchen organized and Grandma to keep recipes. Here's a few quote I marked:
Grandfather's rant when a boarder tries to plant grass that will never need to be mowed:
"Lilacs on a bush are better than orchids. And dandelions and devil grass are better! Why? Because they bend you over and turn you away from all the people and the town for a little while and sweat you and get you down where you remember you got a nose again. And when you're all to yourself that way, you're really yourself for a little; you get to thinking things through, alone."
Great-grandma on the night she dies from old-age.
"I'm not really dying today. No person ever died that had a family. I'll be around a long time. A thousand years from now a whole township of my offspring will be biting sour apples in the gumwood shade."
I loved the descriptions of sitting on the porch in the evenings, night games of kick-the-can and freeze, the trolley car's last route; and bottling up summer's memories in the dandelion wine.
Rating: 4.75
Posted by Framed at 10:07 AM
6 comments:
Nymeth said...
Bradbury is definitely an author I need to be in the mood for. I love his writing, but I find it a little demanding, and if I'm not giving it my full attention it just goes over my head.I haven't read this one yet, but it sounds beautiful.
4/26/2008 1:47 PM
Natasha @ Maw Books said...
Whoa baby, what a feat on cross-posting those challenges!I think time/setting/life situations make a big difference on how we enjoy a book. I'm certain that there are many I've enjoyed simply because of my attitude at the time. I haven't read much of Ray Bradbury except in high school (a prime example of attitude!), so I should rediscover this author.
4/26/2008 2:57 PM
Booklogged said...
I haven't read any of Bradbury. Must amend that. Loved the two quotes you shared.
4/26/2008 3:19 PM
Trish said...
Sometimes it's just timing. I know that I've reshelved some books to really enjoy them after revisiting them. I haven't read this one but I really enjoyed Fahrenheit 451. Thanks for the review!
4/27/2008 9:38 AM
Les said...
I read this back in the mid-'70s (I was in Junior High) and absolutely loved it. I tried to read it again a year or two ago and couldn't get interested. I still want to try again someday.
4/27/2008 7:25 PM
Terri B. said...
This is one of my all time favorite books along with Something Wicked This Way Comes. They are so very atmospheric. I've got his sequel to Dandelion Wine (Farewell Summer) on my book tower. I'm saving it for, of course, summer!
Beauty by Robin McKinley
Friday, April 18, 2008
Challenges
Twisted Fairy Tales
Spring Reading Thing
Once Upon a Time
In Robin McKinley's take on the original fairy tale, Beauty is not very pretty. She is thin, awkward and undersized, with big hands and feet and consders herself to be very plain. In fact, she was named Honour at birth but requested the name, Beauty, when she was five; and the name stuck. This version tells how Beauty and her two beautiful sisters live with their rich father in a city until misfortune strikes and they are forced to move with one sister's fiance to a small town, living in a cottage next to a dark forest. Yes, the forest is enchanted; and eventually, the father encounters the Beast. At this point, the story follows pretty much the way I remembered it; just with more interesting characters and great details. I love how McKinley describes the enchantment in the castle; and the gradual feelings that grow in Beauty for the Beast. The author even throws humor into the mix, always a good thing. I found this book to be a great one for both challenges and recommend it highly. McKinley writes wonderfully with beautful descriptions and great characters.
Rating: 4.5
Posted by Framed at 8:48 PM
11 comments:
Ana said...
I really liked this book too! :)I am reading next another one by her: Spindler's End, It seems it is a retelling of Sleeping Beauty!
4/19/2008 2:50 AM
Rhinoa said...
I am so looking forward to reading this. I have a couple of books I want to read first, but it is pretty near the top of my list now. I hope to read more of McKinleys books after this one.
4/19/2008 8:11 AM
Nymeth said...
I enjoyed this one a lot. I'm glad you did too :)
4/19/2008 11:42 AM
Booklogged said...
Are you going to mooch this book? Sounds like a fun retelling.
4/19/2008 1:38 PM
Natasha @ Maw Books said...
This one sounds like a lot of fun. I'll look into it. Did you go to the SLC library book sale this morning? Fun, fun!
4/19/2008 1:44 PM
Stephanie said...
I didn't have this one on my list to read for the Once Upon a Time Challenge....but I definitely need to read this one. I've already read a couple of really good reviews for it!!
4/19/2008 3:20 PM
Noel De Vries said...
Without a doubt one of my very favorite fairy tale renditions.
4/19/2008 7:36 PM
Cath said...
I'm reading this one for Carl's challenge too and am looking forward to it very much. I'm not a huge lover of retold fairy tales but Beauty and the Beast is one I do actually enjoy.
4/20/2008 3:42 AM
Carl V. said...
I've mentioned on other people's reviews of this book that this is definitely one I want to read. I think it sounds good every time I read someone's review of it.
4/20/2008 10:30 AM
Tristi Pinkston said...
I'm so glad you liked this book! It's one of my favs of all time.
4/20/2008 11:56 PM
Jeane said...
This was the first Robin McKinley book I ever read, and it remains my favorite of hers
Challenges
Twisted Fairy Tales
Spring Reading Thing
Once Upon a Time
In Robin McKinley's take on the original fairy tale, Beauty is not very pretty. She is thin, awkward and undersized, with big hands and feet and consders herself to be very plain. In fact, she was named Honour at birth but requested the name, Beauty, when she was five; and the name stuck. This version tells how Beauty and her two beautiful sisters live with their rich father in a city until misfortune strikes and they are forced to move with one sister's fiance to a small town, living in a cottage next to a dark forest. Yes, the forest is enchanted; and eventually, the father encounters the Beast. At this point, the story follows pretty much the way I remembered it; just with more interesting characters and great details. I love how McKinley describes the enchantment in the castle; and the gradual feelings that grow in Beauty for the Beast. The author even throws humor into the mix, always a good thing. I found this book to be a great one for both challenges and recommend it highly. McKinley writes wonderfully with beautful descriptions and great characters.
Rating: 4.5
Posted by Framed at 8:48 PM
11 comments:
Ana said...
I really liked this book too! :)I am reading next another one by her: Spindler's End, It seems it is a retelling of Sleeping Beauty!
4/19/2008 2:50 AM
Rhinoa said...
I am so looking forward to reading this. I have a couple of books I want to read first, but it is pretty near the top of my list now. I hope to read more of McKinleys books after this one.
4/19/2008 8:11 AM
Nymeth said...
I enjoyed this one a lot. I'm glad you did too :)
4/19/2008 11:42 AM
Booklogged said...
Are you going to mooch this book? Sounds like a fun retelling.
4/19/2008 1:38 PM
Natasha @ Maw Books said...
This one sounds like a lot of fun. I'll look into it. Did you go to the SLC library book sale this morning? Fun, fun!
4/19/2008 1:44 PM
Stephanie said...
I didn't have this one on my list to read for the Once Upon a Time Challenge....but I definitely need to read this one. I've already read a couple of really good reviews for it!!
4/19/2008 3:20 PM
Noel De Vries said...
Without a doubt one of my very favorite fairy tale renditions.
4/19/2008 7:36 PM
Cath said...
I'm reading this one for Carl's challenge too and am looking forward to it very much. I'm not a huge lover of retold fairy tales but Beauty and the Beast is one I do actually enjoy.
4/20/2008 3:42 AM
Carl V. said...
I've mentioned on other people's reviews of this book that this is definitely one I want to read. I think it sounds good every time I read someone's review of it.
4/20/2008 10:30 AM
Tristi Pinkston said...
I'm so glad you liked this book! It's one of my favs of all time.
4/20/2008 11:56 PM
Jeane said...
This was the first Robin McKinley book I ever read, and it remains my favorite of hers
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