A Clash of Kings

Yes, I have jumped gleefully onto the the Game of Thrones bandwagon and have just finished the #2 of A Song of Fire and Ice: A Clash of Kings. Author, George R.R. Martin, is one of my favorite people right now. I mean, he's absolutely brilliant. I want to dissect these great books and teach a class on international politics based off of this series. YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW. If I had my PhD, there is not a single doubt in my mind that I would be teaching that class. It has all the elements of int'l politics at its finest. However, that is my recently graduated Political Science degree talking. For most people there isn't that viewpoint: just lots of drama. I might even go back and highlight all of the political points and write an essay on this: JUST FOR FUN, and then send it to my college professors. UGH. WHY AM I NOT DOING THAT RIGHT NOW.

Anyway, I obviously like the series. I promise to not give away any spoilers that happens in book #2. If it happens in the previous book, it's free game. So let me complain about a certain couple of characters: 1) Theon Greyjoy is such a little dick. Proof: 

I mean, seriously what is wrong with this guy? Well, besides having serious father issues--the guy is just a complete douche. He's the worst. I have put him on the top of my ~hated~ list. Even putting him above King Joffrey who is also the worst. But Joffrey is 13 and has complete power over Seven Kingdoms, so its more ... justified? The point is: watch out for Theon. His point of view is new to this second book, as well as Davos. Honestly, the book picked up at a slower pace because of this as well. The prologue is focused on a new character, when all I want to know is if Arya is safe, or how Dany is going to make a comeback. It took me a while to adjust to the different tone of the book, (which is why this book is the perfect example of political negotiations). 

On the other hand, I want to note what a bamf Arya Stark is. Needless to say, she is quickly becoming my most ~loved~ character. I really want her to end up on the Iron Throne. (I feel like I shouldn't write that down, or Martin will kill her off. oh. the problems with being a fan of this series). I feel like in the next book she'll really blossom, but we'll see. I really felt that the plot line of A Clash really was focused on two prominent characters: Tyrion and Bran. Tyrion has reached a point of power with his wits, and Bran has developed exponentially. In the first book, I was quickly growing tired of Bran whining about not being able to walk, or be a knight. In this one, I felt myself growing attached to his story. 

 On that note, Martin is an expert on ending books. Seriously the last chapter of A Clash made my life. 

Always a fan,

Emily

Run Plant Fly

Alright world, I'm back refreshed; ready to continue my life. I went and visited my parents for a week, and am ready to face the world once again. I finished Run, Plant, Fly by Ellie Belew a little while ago, and my reaction is slightly mixed. Set in a little Washington town called Raventon, the perspective of characters change often and the plot is subtle. The copy I read was lent to me by my friend, Holly. I don't know where she got a copy of this book, because it is not well read. However, I appreciated the small world feel the novel left me with. Living in Washington state, the terms of location brought me into the novel's world in a deeper way. (Terms included were "Seattle", "I-90", "the pass", etc.) 

Let me return to the plot of this book though. In a small town, there is nothing going on. Any event is a big event. For those of us who have lived in those tiny places in the world, you can understand the social change that comes with the smallest events. Coming into Raventon is a small tourist attraction called "the Simulator", but with it comes jobs, change, tourists, and something to talk about. The world of these families, children, couples, and individuals centers around this slight change to the world. It wasn't until maybe half way through the story that I began to engage with the story as person, and not a reader. 

Because there's so many characters and perspectives, I had a hard time getting attached to any particular one of them. It made for a slow beginning, however when I did attach and recognize the characters their story was more meaningful. Mostly, I acknowledged the losses of each individual and watched them grow. And in this small, and almost unspoken idea is the book itself. The title seems so distant from the events in the story. These characters are barely moving, and most certainly not running or flying. This sequence of running, planting and flying did not make sense to me--but it comes from the same sequence of pole vaulting. One builds up to the action of flying, but one needs to run with assurance first. After completing the novel, the title fits into place--but again, subtly. 

Even the story itself has a blurred feeling to it. Nothing is bold, and outright. Things are hidden in the shadows, and secrets are kept. One of most important characters, Cuz, has a persona of hiding. She lives to be unseen. Her perspective, also, is the most insightful. The blurriness is a theme, and a motif throughout. I really did feel that the end brought it full circle however. Although this book did not bring me to tears, or complete me--I appreciate it. 

happy with the small published books of the world,
Emily

Treasure Island

Oh boy. This story has a much different pace from the last few books I've read, and I'm glad. Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson has been on my reading list for, literally, years. This book was the last book my eighth grade English teacher, Mr. Hayward, had us read. We read it out loud in class, and worked our way through the pirate slang and slightly older English terms, and spelling. However, the school year ended before the book did. I was determined, as a 14 year old, to finish the book. Butttt, then I moved and was meeting new people in a new place, and it got put aside. It wasn't until I saw this perfect copy at Goodwill two weeks ago that I knew it was time.

For the last eight years I have periodically wondered--what happened to the pirate mutiny? Did they make it out alive? You see, I've been under the impression for past eight years that they all died. Not to give anything away, but it doesn't quite end like that. 

Originally published in 1883, Stevenson starts our story at the Admiral Benbow Inn with young boy Jim Hawkins (the MC). Through a series of rather unpredictable events, he becomes the owner of a famous treasure map in the pirate community and is sent off to find it. There is a continuous tension of mutiny, attack and loyalty on board the ship at sea, especially with the one legged pirate: Long John Silver. I think that one of the reasons this book works so well, in terms of plot and conflict, is the existence of this single character. Hired on as the cook of the ship, Silver is the continuous threat. Never knowing where his loyalty lies, he is the embodiment of the tension between two groups. Honestly, his existence is what makes the read worth while. Hawkins is out main point of view, but that does not mean that I love him. He's young, he makes mistakes, and always seems to have luck on his side. I feel that the story is truly centered around the one-legged pirate and what he will do next.

Oh, and make a note if you plan to read this work of art, that the language will be challenging in areas. I did get lost a few times, and did not understand every detail about working the ship. Did I understand the overall scheme of the story? Yes. Do I understand what a luff is? No. But I do what I can.

Other than that, did you know that young Christian Bale, as known for his film role of Batman, played Jim Hawkins in the 1992 version of Treasure Island? 

In the making of a terrible pirate,
Emily

A Separate Peace

 I started A Separate Peace by John Knowles in March of this year, and for a 200pg. book it took me a long time to finish. I just did not get into it. My older sister, Hannah, recommended it to me and said she finished it in one sitting in only a few short hours. I, on the other hand, read 72 pages and quit for months. The pace of the book is slow, which is fine. But the story did not grab me by the horns and say "LOOK AT ME. I AM STORY". However touching the story may be, there was a monotone rhythm throughout. 

The story is set at a private boys school during WWII, that is seemingly unaffected in the beginning. Our main boys: Finny and Gene (Gene being our 1st person narrative), are partaking in summer classes at the meager age of 17. Throughout the work, there is a growing tension of the draft, enlisting, school being closed down, and surprisingly the topic of the 1944 Olympics. Finny and Gene are in the graduating class of 1943, in the middle of the war, and must take strides to accept their fates. 


What my personal issue with this work is not the story, the plot is touching and irrevocably intense in spots. I had an issue with Gene. I don't relate to him, and I can tell you right off the bat: it's personality. Gene arrives on time, and early; I am always late. Gene is predictable and safe; I like spontaneity and adventure. Gene would rather stay in and study on a sunny day; obviously, I would choose otherwise. He is a much different character than myself, and much different from Finny which is the driving force throughout the plot.

About two thirds through the novel, the story takes a darker turn and continues this path steadily until the climatic end. Warning: this is not a happy story, nor was it ever intended to be. I also was not expecting the end. Maybe I wasn't thinking, or maybe this happens to most people. Either way, I walked away feeling jostled? You don't want things to end the way they do.

I find the title in perfect correspondence to the end of the book, as well. So if you can find any hope in that, dear reader. I'm off to bed.

Onto a separate piece of literature,
Emily

Krakatoa: The Day the World Exploded

Well, I can say with confidence that my book reading is almost always spontaneous. I bought this at Goodwill during their semi-annual book sale; because I had just taken my Asian Geography class at Central Washington University, and was interested in learning more. That class had to be one of the best classes I've ever taken, and I don't even like geography. Needless to say, we had mentioned the volcanic eruption of Krakatoa, but not gone in depth. And when you can buy education for $1, you don't say no. 

Still, I don't know what I was thinking about this book, Krakatoa: the Day the World Exploded, before I read it. Simon Winchester, the author, was a geologist at Oxford. Let me say that again: Oxford. It's not a fun book with a plot. No, this is researched work--basically the entirety of Winchester's education. He spent a complete chapter over the history of plate tectonics, which is important to geologists. I am not a geologist, and I happened to think that geology is one of the most uninteresting topics in the universe. So if I were to read this again, I would skip over chapter three: "Close Encounters on the Wallace Line". 


So with that in mind, reading this is for the purposes of learning. Let me debrief the main points. The volcanic eruption of Krakatoa, located in between the two most important islands of Indonesia, was the loudest sound recorded in human history. It was heard in parts of Africa, India, all over Asia, Australia and the Pacific. It is the largest volcanic eruption in modern human history, (don't even think about comparing it to Mt. St. Helens). Near 40,000 people died, and primarily drowned because of the tsunamis caused by the eruption. Krakatoa exploded to such a large extent that the volcano no longer to exists. That's right, the island blew it's self up. THE ISLAND BLEW ITSELF UP. Or at least into several different islands. But as far as the volcano is concerned, yeah it's gone. 

The island that used to be Krakatoa is now three
different islands, and Anak Krakatoa is new.
Anak means child in Malay, making the name
mean the child of Krakatoa. 

What is surprising about reading this research though, is how it had affected the world. I had never heard of Krakatoa before college, and still would never consider the event famous. It's been less than 150 years, and this phreatomagmatic explosion is never spoken of. Sound waves of the explosion traveled around the earth seven times. Mt. St. Helens blew off her top, but the volcano is still there. Can you even imagine the consequences if the mountain you live by, underneath, around just spontaneously combusted? It's like the earth had a giant zit, and had so much pressure building up that it had to pop itself. 




I can't even begin to think of the realities of having a volcanic explosion to the extent of Krakatoa. Yet, here I live at the base of Mt. Rainer everyday. Maybe now, I'll be more educated on the signs of an about to explode volcano.

So I'll know when the world ends,
Emily

Mirror Mirror

Famous for his work titled Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, Gregory Maguire has taken multiple fairytales and reinterprets them. This work titled Mirror, Mirror is Maguire's version of Snow White. The story is placed in the very early 1500's Spain with references to the historical context of the Crusades, especially the Pope. With a more concrete background, there comes both pros and cons. This time period is not my favorite or am I very well educated on it, however it is just background so it's not overwhelmingly necessary to know. I do think that I would have had more satisfaction if I was educated on the political culture of the time. No matter, Snow White (called Bianca) travels from childhood to adulthood in 276 pages.

Maguire.

There are multiple gaps of time as Bianca is depicted as a young child, 11, 16, and, possibly, 18. These time gaps are correlated with changes of perspective in characters. I normally, really enjoy the change of perspective (as seen in The Game of Thrones) but in this shorter novel, I did not feel especially connected to anyone of them. It went to the 'evil step-mother' figure, to the 'huntsman', the father, Bianca, and the 'dwarfs'. The novel as a whole was written very ambiguously. There were multiple points were I felt like I had missed a piece of information. Maguire is talented, I would not say otherwise; but this is the second book I've read of his (Confessions of an Ugly Step-Sister) and I haven't loved either one. I do intend to read Wicked at some point, but if it follows the same writing style as both of these: I don't have very high expectations.  

He, Maguire, most certainly did take a new perspective on the familiar Snow White, but I finished the novel without caring about Bianca. The story's center, and I don't know that I loved her. She's supposed to be my heroine, and I did not get to know her very well. She was there, and alive (part of the time), but she did not do very much. I mean, if she wasn't sleeping or being dead, she was a child. Most of her story is what happens to her, and not what she does. Maybe this is just the nature of Snow White themed stories, and that is not Maguire's fault. I do appreciate the storyline he added for Bianca's father, and wished that there was more emphasis or follow up with him. Not to mention that THE KISS--the mysterious man who would wake our Bianca--was just stapled in there. I do not feel one way or another about it, however it was better than the other optional male (whom I will not say). 


I love fairytales, and since Snow White was my grandmother's favorite--I have a special attachment to it. One thing I must compliment Maguire on is his description of the evil stepmother figure: she's blonde. That's right ladies in gentlemen, the dark and twisted character is represented with light colors. For whatever reason Maguire choose to do this, I appreciate it. Since western culture associates black and blonde to immediate stereotypes, there is a certain innovation to stray from generics.

Reminded of my grandma, 
Emily

Game of Thrones

I have finally gotten into Game of Thrones this last six months. I had watched the first six episodes of the TV series, and had liked it but did not understand the appeal until this 800 page written version. Written by George R.R. Martin, I can not begin to emphasize how well written this series is. Let me emphasize: I watched only six episodes of the first season of Game of Thrones, and each episode was roughly equivalent to 100 pp. of text. The information that was expressed in the novel made the tv series less informational. 

TV GoT (Game of Thrones) was good, do not get me wrong. Watching the show had allowed me to understand what the premiss of the story was, introduce all the major characters, and give me a feel for the events to come. However, the show did not make as much as chronological sense as the book did. The fact that 100 pages was summed up in 40 minutes of film alone shows that the written word had more information, most of which is inexpressible physically. For example, Catelyn Stark's motivations, and choices are more clear through her thought process. Even the importance of the Winterfell's catchphrase "winter is coming" has more meaning, or at least the meaning was more clear. I think that I could watch the show now and have a more complete sense of what is actually happening.  

Daenerys, the blood of the dragon.

I haven't even mentioned how competent and strong the female characters are. How often do we find a fantasy saga were females are slightly leading males? Of course, who really has power in this book is debatable, but it is undeniable that Arya, Dany, Catelyn, Cersei, and even Sansa are strong. I didn't even like Sansa for the first 700 pages. In her last chapter in the book, her strength finally showed through. I am excited to see how she develops--I find her situation at the end of the book the most interesting.

Last thing: the book ends in a very similar fashion to The Grapes of Wrath. [*hint,hint*]

Nerd, Fan or Bandwagon?
Emily

The Secret Life of Bees

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd was a spontaneous read for me. It was sitting on my roommate's bookshelf and I opened it. I mean, I had heard good things about it and had intentions of reading it at some point. And so I did. Before I had read it, and even during, people would comment on how good it was. This was one of the first books where I was surprised at how neutral I felt about it. There's nothing, absolutely nothing, wrong with the book--but I didn't love it. For having heard such good things, I am surprised at my own blankness about it. 

The setting of the book is in South Carolina in the 1960s with the premise of  racial conflict. Lily Owens is the main character as a white 14 year old girl, who's mother has died at a young age. It leaves her to live with her racist father, and her black nanny on a peach plantation. Through the story, Lily is trying to resolve issues from her family and past meanwhile growing into a young person. As far as the story goes, the plot is fairly simple. She runs from home, she discovers herself and things about her mother, conflict is resolved, and the end. 

One of the things that surprised me about the story was how fanciful it was. In my reading experience, the majority of novels set in the 1960s and have African American persons have not been happy stories. So, really I can't say that the setting fits the story, or at least the outcome of the story. It is too unrealistic in the sense that this 14 year old girl gets everything she wants. For me, there was not enough tension in the story. The majority of the middle section of the book was a lot of just... nothing. I can't even think of a word for it. Events do happen, relationships are built and developed. But the story is not defined but this huge chuck of the book. It's possible that I did not reach an emotional connection to the characters, or lost interest. 


The disappointing thing is that I've been wanting to read this book for so long, I want to like it. I want to love the book. It's even in a genre that I generally would love (not to mention the writing style is very similar to my own fictional writing style). But the story was so neutral. It seemed to be missing a crucial element. I would not be surprised if the movie was more of an emotional experience for me than the written (and original) version. That will be for a different time, however.

Unmoved,
Emily

The Joy Luck Club

Amy Tan is a genius. I mean, this book is incredible. Titled The Joy Luck Club, this novel an adventure on what it means to be Chinese. Sure, the book is actually about four mothers and their four daughters, but there is so much more than relationships being told. This story was a tale of discovering what it really means to be a part of China. Through the eyes, and experiences of eight different women, Tan makes this thought provoking story. In the summary of the author in the back flap of my version of the book, Amy Tan quoted her mother with these words: "As soon as my feet touched China, I became Chinese." This quote is the core of the novel (according to my depiction).

So much of this story is so realistic and in such detail, that I knew that Tan was not pulling these emotions out of air. These were someone's stories, or at least that's the way it felt. It's easy to whine about the different view points (the novel has four sections: 2 of the mothers', and 2 of the daughters). It is difficult to combine eight different experiences while making a single story, however I did not find that the plot was the story of the book. This was not a book about a person, a development, a climax, or a defeated villain. The story may have contained some of these elements, but that's not what I took away from it. But to clarify, it is the story of four Chinese-American daughters to immigrants who are contrasted with the stories of their mothers. The drastic differences 

Amy Tan, author, with her mother. 

One of my favorite things about reading novels about China, or have a Chinese foundation, is that one can always learn something new about China. There is no way that a single person can know all of the Chinese gods, or know all of Chinese history. There is so much left to learn about that country. With this in mind, I found great joy in this aspect of the story alone, while also enjoying the aspects of Chinese culture I have already learned about. For those who are lovers of Asia, I highly suggest this read. Not to mention the very heart warming finish that left me with the perfect amount of tears: just one. (Not even a lie). 

Besides that, reading just expands the mind and it allows for ignorance to diminish. Reading this novel, reminded me that at one time in my life I did not know anything about Asia, more specifically China. All I've done since that time is read [A LOT], but read none the less. 

For the growth of knowledge, and love of mothers,
Emily & Jeoffry the Cat

EmiTown

 This was the first book I bought, post-graduating college, and its full of pictures. I have never been more proud of myself, and could not think of any more fitting image of how college wrecks the soul. I mean, I graduate and buy a 400pg. comic on the simplistic life of yet another dreamer barely making it. Called EmiTown by Emi Lenox, I bought this book on a whim. It felt right in my hands, and it had been way to long since I had bought anything from our (amazing!) local comic shop. I could go on about Central City Comics forever, but this isn't about that.

EmiTown is a sketch diary, as seen on cover, which was different than any other comics I have read. Reading a story that was true, and simple in plot--changes the feel of it all. I mean, why read a 400pg. work on a story where nothing significant happens? [Actually a lot happens in her life, but most pages are mundane topics]. Why am I so wrapped up in a story where breakfast burritos and coffee are talked about more than major life events? And why does life seemed to be more clearly talked about in breakfast burritos and coffee? Some of the spreads are like looking directly at life in the face, and accepting that I will probably never do anything great. Life is more in the simple joys and pains than anything else. Example A: In EmiTown (Volume 1) she signs a publishing deal for the book I am reading (weird, right?), but the story actually doesn't reach some climatic end because of this. The story keeps moving, slowly, painfully, and happily. It's a diary, and it is simple in nature. Very realistic and relatable. 


One of the downsides to this being a public diary is not all the information is given out in details. Example B: we know as an audience, that Emi is going through love troubles, but there is no names, or details. In any another fictional piece, and even non-fiction there is a name, clearly defined roles, and reasons for why things did not work out. She doesn't do this. She has herself as various characters that represent different aspects to her love life: White Heart, Black Heart, Ocean Girl and Army Cats. So sometimes I felt like I wasn't following the story as accurately as I could be. Another strange thing is that this book takes place 2009/2010 (the year I graduated high school) so a lot of the references are things I forgot were such a big deal (like the movie 2012, or Justin Beiber's song "Baby"). 

But seriously, Emi Lenox has got herself a new fan (I LOVE THE ART WORK). I think my biggest reason to love this sketch diary is that my best friend has a very similar style of comicking. Reading this book is like having a piece of my best friend with me all the time (who is in July moving to Taiwan for a whole year! Sad face:{ ). Besides personality differences, the art is familiar to me, and I love it. 

Check her out @ Emi Lenox's Blogger Site:) 

Comics for Daysssss!
Emily

Homeland and Other Stories

Barbara Kingsolver is my absolute favorite author. This collection of short stories titled: Homeland and Other Stories is one of her earliest work. Actually, the author's works list had only two novels in the edition that I read. Another note, before I work on my review, this is my 8th Barbara Kingsolver work (more like 8 1/2) out of 14 total works: including essays, novels, short stories, and prequels. Because of this, I'm probably bias on my opinion of her works.

Barbara Kingsolver in her
younger years.

Unless a short story is famous, or about sci-fi; I don't think I've read any for fun. Short stories as a genre are not enough time for me to reach a deep connection with the characters. With that in mind: this wasn't my favorite work. It is not because of the lack of author's talent, but just a personal preference. Although Homeland is Kingsolver's only series of shorts. I think her artistic preference is in novels and character development, such as The Poisonwood Bible and The Bean Trees. It's also difficult to review a series of small stories--I'm not individually looking at each story.

One of the things that Homeland did for me though was open my eyes to others' experiences. A couple of her stories made me stop and a put the book down. 

Always a fan,

Emily&Jeoffry the Cat

The Thief

This series, The Queen's Thief, was recommended to me by my older sister Hannah. It was her favorite series when she was in early high school. With that in mind, the story is written for a younger audience. But this doesn't take away from the story's content which is incredibly intriguing. 

The first book in the series, The Thief, starts off with Gen stuck in the King of Sounis' prison. Renowned for his abilities for thievery, the King's scholar, the Magnus, forces Gen to follow them on a journey to find a mythical item. 

Instead of the traditional fantasy time-line, this book has a very slow beginning. The majority of the story is background foundation and traveling. Mentally, I was waiting for the story to begin as far as action is concerned. Until chapter eight, the plot is relatively flat. Besides of the occasional skirmish, the story is hanging over stealing this mythical item. Even though the story has a slow beginning, the end makes the waiting worth it. In the last ten pages, the story reveals information that changes the story from the very beginning. Without a doubt, I only want to read the next books in the series because of these last pages. It would feel incomplete to not finish this story in its entirety. Not to mention that the series is still in the process of being written. Who doesn't love that?

One of the benefits of these books, is the fandom is really small. They are not well known, but that makes the author's relationship with her fans really intimate. According to Hannah, my sister, the author: Megan Whalen Turner has been known to get lunch or coffee with her fans if she's in the area. It something I'm interested in looking into. 

Becoming a new fan,
Emily

All the President's Men

First, I'm sorry to have read two literary journalistic works back to back. They're usually more dense, and heavy material. I was assigned All the President's Men for my POSC 101 (Political Science 101) class this past quarter, and just finished it this spring break. It was an unintentional coincidence.

All the President's Men, as I said, is a journalistic work done by Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward. It is the complete story of uncovering the Watergate scandal, and the Nixon administration by the two authors, or reporters for the Washington Post. To be honest, I had very little background information on Watergate. Before reading this, I associated Nixon with some sort of illegal activities. Something like listening to tapes, wiretapping. I wasn't actually sure, but it was 'apparently' a big deal. I was so uninformed of the complete immensity dealing with Watergate. It is difficult for me to look at All the President's Men as historical truth. Shocking facts about the abuse of government, the lack of respect for the press and civil servants, and the nature of the Nixon Administration was unexpected. I, now, understand the natural lack of trust between the people and government. I understand why people say that politicians only want power. Unfortunate, but true All the President's Men opened my eyes to internal political turmoil. 

Bernstein, left, and Woodward in the Post's news room
during the course of the Watergate scandal.

Bernstein and Woodward were an unexpected team, and had no idea what they had gotten themselves into on June 17, 1972. The Watergate Hotel staff found five men burgling the Democratic Headquarters room with bugging equipment. That is it. This is what undermines a White House Administration, a president, and unspoken organization of political power. It is over a year of non-denial denials, secret sources, and vague hints a vast array of people that Watergate is turned into the downfall of President Richard Nixon. 

Because of this, and all of the information in the book, it was difficult to follow. At times I had to google a name, just to clarify his, or her, role in the story. There is a plethora of names involved, and some are not as important as others. Following the trail of one clue to the next is what moves the scandal along. It is dense, and thick. But all of the information is important. I am so grateful to have read this, but it was challenging. I would not be able to read this in a sitting. However, the descriptions of visible emotion of various actors was incredible. Understanding the emotional state of the President's men, the civil and innocent servants, and the press was easy. The authors made the realities of the situation very clear. I will most certainly be thinking about this book for a long time.

I have been told that there is a film, and I'm curious to watch it. I have a feeling that the story of Watergate might be easier to follow in film. Each name has a face, and each face's actions are seen. I look forward to watching it.

Inspired to be a reporter,
Emily

The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down

This work is absolutely brilliant. I have nothing but good words to say about The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down by Anne Fadiman. However, I would not expect this reaction from most people. This is a non-fiction work of literary journalism. When I picked out of my pile of books to read, I had no idea what I had gotten myself into. I feel that it is impossible to give the book justice. 

Above:Anne Fadiman, the author of
this book. In 1997, her work was
given the National Book Critics
Circle Award.

The Spirit Catches You is a work exploring the culture of the Hmong people, the majority living in Laos and southern China, and the intercultural communication of the Hmong and Americans. One of the reasons why I am so pleased with this novel is it has absolute pertinence to my undergraduate degree. I just last week finished a classes on intercultural communication and Chinese religion. This book explores both of these topics. Now, the Hmong is not Chinese, but the religion of the Hmong shares similarities with Taoism [or Daoism]. Reading this journalistic work makes me feel more rounded in my education. With this as a background, I do not expect others to share the same enthusiasm for the topics presented here.

Lia Lee, and her family, is the central character of this anthropologic study. From a very young age Lia Lee has epilepsy.  Her parents, who speak Hmong and no English, have to communicate with American doctors. The conflicts and the lack of understanding ultimately ruin Lia Lee's chances of a "normal" (according to American standards) life. Fadiman fully explores the communication issues on both sides, and exposes the frustrations of doctors and the family. Coming from an American culture, it is difficult to see how other cultures perceive our behaviors. While reading this book, it constantly goes back to American culture is just as confusing as Hmong. A culture only makes sense to those who are apart of it. American medicine is purely logical, while Hmong medicine is based out of spirituality. Lia Lee's family blames the American doctors for ruining their child, for overdosing her, for stealing her from them. On the other hand, the American doctors are frustrated that Lia's parents do not give her the correct amount of medicine, are not following through with prescriptions, and ultimately failing thier daughter.

What makes this work so good is that Fadiman goes alternates between Laotian history and the Lee's current situation. All the information about the Hmong culture is given to the audience, and then put into a real example. If southeast Asia is an area of interest, I highly suggest this valuable and informative journalism. 

Feeling educated,
Emily

Looking For Alaska

John Green's works are incredibly popular right now. I feel like I see them and references to them everywhere. So much to the insistence to one of my best friends, and a spiked curiosity I read Looking for Alaska. I will attempt to stay away from spoilers, while giving my best opinion of the novel. 

This is my favorite "cover" of the novel.
I do,unabashedly, judge books by their 
covers. The artwork was done by hipsterowls
on deviantart.com.

It has been a few days since I finished the story, and I have walked away with a sense of neutrality. To be fair, I do not normally read this young adult/teenage novel genre. I find it, most of the time, immature or uninteresting. There are things that I liked, and things that were predictable. I do not expect to read this again, but I would read another one of his books. 

The character development of the main protagonist: Pudge/Miles, is amazing. To see this young high school student go from a wallflower to an assertive individual felt natural. In my opinion, these types of transformations can be difficult, or feel forced. However in Pudge's case, he transformed to fit his new surroundings. He went out "to search for a great perhaps". This quote follows him throughout, and he does exactly that. His character is dependent on seeking, learning, experiencing, finding answers, and developing. Even though his world is dependent on the people around him, especially heart-throb, wild girl Alaska, he is the person that is moving forward. He is the one who grows. I understand the appeal and the emotional connection he creates with the audience. 

However, the reason this book was bland to me was the predicability of the entire story. Even from the first chapter, his father tells him "no drugs. no drinking. no cigarettes." Two of these 'no's are broken. It is expected. Especially with Alaska's character, she is so one-dimensional. She is fated [for what I will not say]. Her character is grounded in her past, and she does not develop beyond it. Nor does she have the opportunity to. This is not to say that her character is uninteresting. She is fascinating, brings energy, and life to the story. But she is written to move Pudge's story along. Her own story is predictable, and slows down the rest of the novel. Knowing what is going to happen, or what did happen in regards to her takes away the mystery and the life. 

There is a reason John Green's works are so famous right now. The ideas he brings about life, death, religion, purpose, and hope is appealing. He is interesting, and is very enlightening. I would be lying if I did not at some point stop and think, deeply, about some of his points. However, this post is more about the story, and the not the moral. The story was neutral, the morals are deep, and personal. I feel curious about his other works, and am considering another one. 


unsure about young adult fiction,
Emily

Those 18 Credits

I don't know how many times I have to remind myself to not start projects before a new quarter starts. I just don't want to read in my spare time because I'm reading a thousand other things. So here is my reminder that I am alive. Good news!

Shout out to those students who are approaching finals week like myself. Woot.

Drowning in ink,
Emily

The Film: Water for Elephants

This last week I had the pleasure, and misery, of watching Water for Elephants as a film adaptation. 

In my humble opinion, Water for Elephants was terrible. Besides the cut of characters from the story, the plot was changed in subtle ways to create Marlena and Jacob (played by Reese Witherspoon and Robert Pattinson respectively) into different character's from the novel's image.

Jacob is suppose to be a Polish, virgin, red-headed, young man who is, slightly, passive and unsure of asserting himself. As a senior at Cornell, he has never seen a naked woman and is in love with a peer of his, Catherine. In the film, Catherine is in love with him and he is planning on being in her bed the night they finish their final exams. Continuously though the film, Jacob is depicted as sexually experienced, although it is not said one way or the other. Even in the novel, one drunk night Jacob is not sure if he's still a virgin. Pattinson just smiles his way through rows of women, and acts like an expert during his, implied, sex scene. Not only does this Hollywood-ized version of Jacob, seemingly, have manhood in sex, but in aggression. Instead of having trouble asserting himself, he has trouble hiding his assertion. He acts out in the open instead of in the shadows. Mr. Macho, Pattinson, does not have a emotional reaction to putting down a horse, regret allowing his elephant to get beaten, have a relationship with any other animal besides his elephant, and take care of them when the circus falls. Jacob's only concern is his elephant and his woman, but that does not encompass his written character. 


Similarly, Marlena and August's character's are not depicted to the truth of their real nature. Marlena's backstory is changed to create a softer, and more fragile, woman. In all reality, Marlena made her decision and suffered because of it. August looks like a man with anger issues, and its never said that he is diagnosed with schizophrenia. His crazy moods are explainable in the book, which makes the film version lacking. He looks crazier because no one explains his condition. 



Really, all I have to say is don't judge a book by its movie. 
Slightly disappointed,
Emily

Water for Elephants

To be honest, this book wasn't anything I was expecting. But hey, I don't think I was really expecting anything. I mean, I don't think that I had any idea of what I was about to read. All I knew about this book was that there was "elephants" in the title, [my favorite animal for the record], and there was some hype about it a little while ago. It is a #1 New York Times Bestseller. After some contemplating, I think it's deserving of that honor. I can't say I didn't like it, or I was disappointed.

The novel, written by Sara Gruen, was drafted during NaNoWriMo [National Novel Writing Month::http://nanowrimo.org/] in its early beginnings. But that's just a fun fact. Following Jacob Jankowski from young adult to age 90 (or 93), the story of love, morality, the deeper questions and friendship explores the lifestyle of the 1930's circus crew. Even though the main story revolves around Jacob and Marlena, the novel really reaches out and searches answers to bigger themes. How does one live with evil? What can one really do when power is corrupted? In unfortunate circumstance, what is the best reaction? What is justifiable? Where is home? 


Although Gruen introduces the climax in the very beginning, which I generally dislike, she gives no significant plot away. It actually did not play a huge role in the interpretation of the book's events. One can only wait and watch as things develop. My only criticism of the novel is that the finish felt, slightly, fanciful. To an extent, the finish is possible, but it does not seem plausible. However, someone else may feel differently.

I would also like to just say: image my surprise, and disappointment, when I found out that Robert Pattinson plays Jacob in the film. [He's suppose to have red hair for one]. I'm generally not impressed or inspired by Pattinson. The image of Edward, from Twilight, being in love with a married woman [Marlena] makes it only creepy. Does he watch her in her sleep too? I guess, I'll just have to watch it and see. 

Once Again, 
Emily