Publish your reports on your independent reading in COMMENTS to this post.
Give the link to the book cover at the reliable site.
Write about the main characters.
Say what you like/dislike in this book.
Make SEVERAL comments: each one for a separate issue, e.g. PLOT, VOCABULARY, etc.
Look at my model below.
book cover
ReplyDeletehttps://www.amazon.co.uk/Thirty-Nine-Steps-Wordsworth-Classics/dp/1853260800
'Fried green tomatoes at the whistle stop cafe' (1987) by Fannie Flagg
ReplyDeletebook cover: https://www.amazon.com/Fried-Green-Tomatoes-Whistle-Stop/dp/042528655X
Main characters.
ReplyDeleteIdgie Threadgoode. Idgie, is a "tomboy " with short blonde hair who falls in love with Ruth.
Idgie's parents supported their obstinate daughter and she develops into her natural self.
Idgie is able to relate and communicate freely with everyone, and she tries to treat everyone as human beings. In the segregated society she lives in, those practices may get her in trouble, but she refuses to treat people any differently.
She is also intolerant of abuse, especially of those she loves. Thus, without thinking, she publicly confronts Frank immediately after hearing that he beats Ruth regularly.
Ruth Bennett. Ruth inspires steadfast loyalty. Ruth falls in love with Idgie the moment Idgie is covered by a swarm of bees. Sadly, she is engaged and must return home. Ruth marries Frank Bennett in order to ensure proper care for her mother, whose dying wish is that Ruth leave Frank. When Frank's abuse becomes too much, Ruth sends Idgie a message. Idgie comes to get her and they return to Whistle Stop. There, the two women run a café and raise Ruth's son, Stump.
Frank Bennett. Frank is a man with an Oedipus complex. He adores his mother so much it riles his already abusive father. Everything changes for Frank when he comes home early from school to find his mother his uncle.
Frank's left eye is a glass eye and he loves to ask strangers to guess which is the real eye. One bum guesses correctly and later tells the bartender, "The left one was the only one with even a glimmer of human compassion." Frank decides that Ruth is the woman to give him a son to carry on his family name. They marry, and he starts to abuse her regularly.
Evelyn Couch. Evelyn is miserable, overweight, depressed, and growing resentful of her husband, Ed.. Evelyn has a difficult time handling her dissatisfaction with life. At first, she escapes into a fantasy life where she is a superhero.
Her salvation comes through the dreaded weekly visit to Big Momma at the nursing home. Evelyn goes with Ed to visit Big Momma, but usually ends up sitting by herself eating candy in the lounge. There she becomes caught up in Mrs. Threadgoode's stories. Before she knows it, Evelyn has found a friend in Mrs. Threadgoode. Bonding with another woman and hearing her life story acts as Evelyn's therapy. As a result, she is able to deal with her anxiety and build her self-esteem.
Mrs. Threadgoode shows Evelyn that she is not worthless and, in fact, could be someone who is proactive and can enjoy life. Evelyn takes the encouragement and attends a "fat farm." She loses weight and starts selling Mary Kay products. Evelyn feels better about herself, feels empowered, and is no longer sitting on the couch.
Virginia Cleo Threadgoode. Ninny is the one who tells Evelyn about Whistle Stop. She grew up in the town and married Idgie's brother Cleo. Her stories and yarns are "threaded good" but seldom involve herself as she has spent most of her life as a spectator. She is a wise old woman who teaches Evelyn what she needs to know to become a full adult and be happier with herself.
Minor characters.
ReplyDeleteGrady Kilgore. Local sheriff and head of the local Klan, Grady butts heads with Idgie a few times over her open servicing of blacks at the café. When Grady realizes his welcome in the café, he puts the café under his protection (both legal and otherwise) and everything goes on as usual. Over the years, Grady and Idgie become close friends and form the main muscle of the Dill Pickle Club.
Smokey Phillips. Smokey, with his knife, fork, spoon, and can opener in his hatband, represents the many people who are homeless, unemployed as a result of the economic downturns in the 1920s and 1930s. Smokey is singled out from all the other hobos, because "you could trust him with your life." He is given a home at the café and is staunchly devoted to Idgie while being secretly in love with Ruth.
Dot Weems. Dot runs the post office in the town of Whistle Stop. She also publishes the town newspaper, The Weems Weekly. She represents the thousands of people who served as information channel for news in small communities before the Internet, television, and radio.
Sipsey Peavey. Sipsey is an employee of Momma Threadgoode, and is described as "a skinny little thing, and funny. She had all those old-timy colored superstitions. Her mother'd been a slave, and she was scared to death of spells…." One of her beliefs is that you must bury the head of the animal you are about to cook or that animal's spirit will make you insane. Consequently, the yard behind the café fills with heads and the garden is always bounteous.
A friend tells her that there is a woman giving her baby away at the train station. Without putting on a coat, Sipsey runs for the station, yelling, "I got to go get me that baby." She returns with the baby, whom she names George Pullman Peavey—"after the man who invented the pullman car."
George Pullman Peavey. Big George is one of the bravest people in the world, according to Idgie. When Idgie is little, she falls into a pen of boars. It is Big George who dives in and fights off the pigs so she can get out. It is also Big George who scoops up Stump and runs him to Doc Hadley's after a train cuts off his arm. Poppa Threadgoode teaches Big George the butchering trade and employs him at the family's store. Later he cooks the café's famous barbecue.
Onzell Peavey. Onzell is married to Big George and works at the Whistle Stop Café. Mrs. Threadgoode says of Onzell, "I never saw anybody more devoted to a person than Onzell was to Ruth." Onzell acts as Ruth's nurse during her bout with cancer. Onzell is able to end Ruth's suffering with an overdose. When Dr. Hadley brings the ambulance to take Ruth to the funeral home, Onzell violates every Jim Crow statute in existence by marching past the good doctor and into the "whites only" ambulance. She lays Ruth out in the manner that Ruth would have liked best.
Naughty Bird Peavey. Naughty Bird is Big George's daughter.She falls for a man named Le Roy Grooms who works as a cook on one of the trains that passes through town. She has a daughter by him named Almondine. When she learns that he has moved in with a “yellow” octoroon woman she becomes severely depressed and stops working. She decides that by appearing less black she will regain Grooms' love. She tries various methods of lightening the color of her face and straightening her hair, but to no effect. When she learns that Grooms is dead, she recovers her smile and returns to work.
Buddy Threadgoode Jr. Named for Idgie's deceased brother, Stump is the son of Ruth and Frank though he is legally made a Threadgoode. Stump was raised by Ruth and Idgie. Ruth is more of a disciplinarian while Idgie plays the role of indulgent father. Together, they form Stump into an athletic youth and decent family man.
Plot.
ReplyDeletePart I
The novel starts with a 1929 column from The Weems Weekly, Whistle Stop, Alabama's weekly newspaper, announcing the opening of the Whistle Stop Café, run by owners Idgie Threadgoode and Ruth Jamison, with cooking done by "two colored women," Onzell and Sipsey, and barbecue by Onzell's husband, Big George.
The narrative then jumps to December 1985 when Evelyn arrives at the Rose Terrace Nursing Home in Birmingham, Alabama, with her husband, Ed, to visit Big Momma, his mother. As Evelyn sits in the visitors' lounge eating candy bars, she meets Ninny, who begins to tell stories about the Threadgoode family. Ninny explains that she grew up next to the Threadgoodes and married Cleo, one of their boys. Most of her stories focus on Idgie, who "used to do all kinds of crazy harebrained things just to get you to laugh."
Ninny tells Evelyn about the untimely death of Buddy, Idgie's popular brother, and Idgie's generosity to hobos, like Smokey Phillips, who often stopped at the café for a hot meal. When Idgie started selling food to blacks who came to the back door, the local sheriff warned her that if she continued, the Klu Klux Klan would come after her. Idgie, however, refused to stop.
At home Evelyn recalls her own past, deciding she became useless and her inability to stop eating fill her with despair and thoughts of suicide.
When, in 1924, twenty-one-year-old Ruth came to Whistle Stop to take charge of activities at the local church, Idgie promptly developed a crush on her. One day while Idgie and Ruth picnicked by a stream, a swarm of bees covered Idgie as she extracted wild honey from a beehive. After they flew off, Ruth collapsed in tears, voicing her fear that Idgie would be harmed. Both then admitted their love for each other, which prompted Ruth's decision to go back home and marry her fiancé, Frank Bennett.
At night, Evelyn imagines herself at Whistle Stop with all the figures from Ninny's past, which helps her forget about her problems for a while and fall sleep.
Part II
Ruth married Frank. When Idgie heard rumors that Frank was beating Ruth, she threatened his life. Ruth sent Idgie a note suggesting that she was ready to leave Frank. Idgie and Big George then returned a pregnant Ruth to Whistle Stop and learned of Frank's brutal treatment of her. A few years later when Frank was reported missing, sheriffs questioned everyone at the café, but no one would admit to knowing or seeing him. One sheriff later returned and let Idgie know she was heard threatening Frank. He admitted that no one would care if Frank were dead, but whoever did it should cover her tracks.
Evelyn feels "in control" after being on her diet for nine days, but when a boy is rude to her at a supermarket, she crumbles, feeling "old and fat and worthless all over again." In response, she establishes an imaginary self she calls "Towanda the Avenger," who in her fantasies destroys all the mean people in the world.
One day two young girls steal a parking spot Evelyn had been waiting for. When the driver won't give up the space, declaring, "I'm younger and faster than you," Evelyn rams her car, explaining, "I'm older than you are and have more insurance." Evelyn admits that she is always angry except when she is with Ninny
Part III
ReplyDeleteNinny tells stories of some Whistle Stop residents. Willie Peavey, Onzell's and Big George's son, was killed by a black man in a bar, just before he was to come home from serving in World War II. Willie's brother Artis found the man and killed him. Artis was sent to jail after he was seen freeing a dog caught by the dogcatcher, but Idgie and Grady helped get him out. Years later, Artis died in a Birmingham flophouse lobby.
After watching Ruth endure excruciating pain from terminal cancer, Onzell, who had not left her side during the entire ordeal, gave her enough morphine to end her suffering.
When Frank's truck was discovered near Whistle Stop about twenty-five years after he was declared missing, Idgie and Big George were accused of his murder. The reverend lied for Idgie because she had helped get his son out of jail. The judge knew the testimony was a lie, but he closed the case citing lack of evidence.
Ninny tells Evelyn that Sipsey killed Frank when he came into the café one night and tried to sneak out with Ruth's baby. Afterwards, Big George cooked Frank's remains in his barbecue and served them to the two detectives who came looking for him.
Ninny's friendship and support help Evelyn develop a new faith in herself. She begins a successful career with Mary Kay Cosmetics, a position suggested by Ninny, and spends time at a "fat farm" in California where she loses weight, makes friends, and gains more confidence. While Evelyn is away, Ninny dies. Two years later Evelyn goes to the cemetery where Ninny has been buried to tell her how much happier she is with her life. There, Evelyn finds a note from the "bee charmer" on Ruth's grave. One month later a family on its way to Florida stops at a roadside inn run by Idgie and her brother Julian. Idgie gives the couple's eight-year-old daughter a free jar of honey.
Vocabulary (from Cambridge online dictionary )
ReplyDeletebutts heads – having conflict with someone.
hatband - a strip of material fixed around the outside of a hat.
etch - to cut a pattern, picture, etc. into a smooth surface, especially on metal or glass.
hobo - someone who does not have a job or a house and who moves from one place to another.
staunchly – strongly.
octoroon – a way, course, direction of thought or action.
Inn – a small pub where you can stay for the night.
Down the aisle – to get married
Gallbladder - a small organ in the body, connected to the liver, that stores bile.
obscure - not known to many people.
Book cover:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.amazon.com/Harry-Potter-Philosophers-Rowling-Classic/dp/B00CF6DDOW/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1483274159&sr=1-5&keywords=harry+potter+and+the+philosopher%27s+stone
223 pages
PLOT AND SOME ANALYSES
ReplyDeleteI think everybody's heard about the series of books by J.K.Rowling about little wizard Harry Potter and of course majority of people have seen the films. But I've chosen this not because of it. My friend has a book version of this story and I should mention I'm not admirer of electronic ones so I asked her to give me her book.
I've read the first book: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. It tells about how Harry occured to be growing up in Dursley's family, how he knew that he's a wizard and certainly his first year in Hogwarts, school of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
It's really involving to read character's descriptions in book. If you pay attention this very point you could notice that many characters are described with their families. From character's family you could understand the positive or negative character he or she will be. For example, the Dursleys. Mr Dursley was not be able to think of nothing except his drills. 'Mrs Dursley spent much of her time craning over garden fences, spying on the neighbours'. And their attitude to Harry was awful: Harry lived in the cupboard under the stairs with spiders, their presents to Harry's birthday were a coat-hanger and... a pair of Uncle Vernon's old socks.(I was shocked really) It's no doubt why his son Dudley was unpleasant person.
I also would like to mark The Sorting Ceremony episode. It was very important episode as Harry had a choice to go to Slytherin and It means for me joining the Dark Side (be friends with Malfoy and his gang, deal with Voldemort) and go to Gryffindor (gryffindor symbolises bravery, make friends with Ron and Hermione, fight with Voldemort). He chose Gryffindor although the Sorting Hat had predicted him to be a great wizard in Slytherin. In my opinion, It was hard and significant decision that influenced not only him but the whole magic world.
GRAMMAR IN "HARRY POTTER AND THE PHILOSOPHER'S STONE"
ReplyDeleteIt was very enjoyable to learn some grammar with this book. I've noticed that Conditionals and Modal verbs with perfect infinitives are really widely used in this book. Now I'm reading another book and I've convinced that these grammar structures are always widely used in books. The knowledge of these rules helped me to understand the plot. I had a good experience of practical usage.
Examples.
Conditionals
0 If Snape GETS hold of the Stone, Voldemort'S COMING back!
1 If we TRY anything ourselves we'LL BE THROWN for sure.
2 If they were going to be working with Hagrid it wouldn't be so
bad.
3 If Snape HAD BEEN IN on protecting the Stone, it MUST HAVE BEEN
easy to find out how the other teachers had guarded it.
Modal verbs + perfect infinitives
'Poor, blundering Neville - Harry knew it MUST HAVE COST him to try and find them in the dark, to warn them'.
'Go to Dumbledore. That's what we SHOULD HAVE DONE ages ago'.
'Dudley's birthday - how COULD he HAVE FORGOTTEN?'
'That (exam) was far easier than I thought it would be. I NEEDN'T HAVE LEARNT about the 1637 Werewolf Code of Conduct or the uprising of Elfric the Eager.
Moreover, I knew another meaning of the verb 'want'- informal 'should or need to do something' For example: you don't want to believe everything you hear. It was interesting to me too.
VOCABULARY
ReplyDeleteThere were many unknown words when I was reading "Harry Potter...". Word connected with magic, informal phrases, some botanic names.
UnDursleyish - author's word
Knickerbocker Glory - Brit. мороженое с добавками
Hag - ведьма
Conjure - колдовать
Prune - inf. an unpleasant or disagreeble person
Tosh - жарг. вздор
Codswallop - inf. nonsense
Willow - ива
Mahogany - красное дерево
Yew - тис
Riff-raff - disreputable or undesirable people
Off one's rocker - жарг. чокнутый, с приветом
And many other words...
Although It is story for children I'm sure it has Upper-Intermediate Vocabulary. And some simple words that at first I even hadn't recognised. Esspecially in Hagrid's manner of speaking:'Yeh are if yeh want ter stay at Hogwarts'. I hadn't recognised the word 'YOU'!!! I thought it was some sort of "Yeah". Before I had had no a clear idea how unrecognizably native speakers can shorten and mispronounce words.
For me It was pleassure to read "Harry Potter and Philosopher's Stone" and I recommend this read to anyone who wants to improve language skills especially if you're really into the magic world of Harry Potter.
book cover
ReplyDeletehttps://www.amazon.co.uk/Abundance-Katherines-John-Green/dp/0141346094
Plot
ReplyDeleteThis book narrates the story of Colin Singleton, a child prodigy, who is dumped for the 19th time by a girl named Katherine. He sets off with his friend, Hassan Harbish, to create a Theorem that can predict how long any relationship will last and, make him genius. They take a road trip to love, adventure and friendship.
Main characters
ReplyDeleteColin Singleton is an anagram-loving prodigy. He wants to MATTER. Colin’s type is girls named Katherine. He is always getting dumped. Colin finds everything interesting, especially things that people seem to not care about.
He annoyed me with how concentrated he was on his relationships. I thought he was too upset over how he’s not a genius and how Katherines dump him. But he changes. He is "not-unique in the very best possible way."
Hassan Harbish is the best (and only) friend of Colin. He jokes around a lot. Hassan is smart but lazy. Unlike Colin, he doesn’t want to date. He’s the funny side of the novel and I enjoyed reading about him. I would like to see more of Hassan.
Lindsey Lee Wells is not Katherine! Something that stood out to me about her is how she changes her behavior. Lindsey is chameleoning her way of life. I enjoyed seeing her relationship with Colin grow.
I liked that Colin, Hassan and Lindsey all had their dignities as well as defects. It made them more real. They reinvented themselves.
Vocabulary from the online English dictionary from Macmillan Publishers Limited.
ReplyDeleteto dump - to end a romantic relationship with someone
to malign - to say unpleasant things about someone or something, usually unfairly
refugee - someone who leaves their country, especially during a threatening event
deadpan - pretending to be serious when you are really joking
ditzy - silly and not reliable
uncanny - strange and mysterious
prophecy - a statement about a future event made by someone with religious or magic powers
reverie - pleasant thoughts that make you forget what you are doing or what is happening around you
pout - to show that you are angry or annoyed by pushing out your lips
morose - feeling unhappy, in a bad mood, and not wanting to talk to anyone
quizzical - showing that you are confused or surprised by something, and perhaps that you think it is rather strange and funny
Some of my favorite quotes
ReplyDeleteHow you matter is defined by the things that matter to you. You matter as much as the things that matter to you do.
I don't think your missing pieces ever go inside you again once they go missing.
You get caught in being something, being cool or special or whatever, to the point where you don’t even know why you need it; you just think you do.
We all matter - maybe less then a lot but always more than none.
Books are the ultimate Dumpees: put them down and they’ll wait for you forever; pay attention to them and they always love you back.
I like how each of the objects in the book symbolize something. I thought it was really interesting.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite moments of the novel was Colin and Hassan interviewing the Oldsters (old people) of Gutshot. I loved hearing them tell stories of living there. I wish there would have been more of that in the book.
There is also unusual format in the novel: flashbacks, 19 stories - 19 Katherines... I found it really amazing seeing how they all compared with or differentiated from each other.
The footnotes were the biggest highlight of the novel by far for me. There were facts, interesting information, or notes from Colin. I haven’t seen it before in any other novels.
The Theorem was incredibly absorbing to me, I do love the way John Green make it real.
The most important theme is moving on from the past and finding yourself. This was really touching and added a depth to the simple story.
I didn't like the main character Colin. Nearly the whole book he is very selfish. In the end he understood it but that came too late.
I loved this novel so much. It is written extremely well with funny characters and stunning content. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a thought-provoking book to read!
Book cover
ReplyDeletehttps://www.amazon.com/Curious-Incident-Dog-Night-Time/dp/1400032717#immersive-view_1483618823832
Plot
ReplyDeleteThe Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time takes place in the year 1998 in and around the town of Swindon, England. The fifteen-year-old narrator of the story, Christopher John Francis Boone, discovers the slain body of his neighbor’s poodle, Wellington, on the neighbor’s front lawn one evening and sets out to uncover the murderer. His investigation is at times aided, and at other times hampered, by the mild form of autism he lives with. After Christopher hits a policeman in a misunderstanding at the scene of the crime, the police take Christopher into custody. They release Christopher with only a stern warning, under the condition that he promises to them and to his father not to look into the murder any further.
THE MAIN CHARACTERS
ReplyDeleteChristopher John Francis Boone - The narrator and protagonist of the novel. Fifteen-year-old Christopher is mathematically gifted struggles for social acceptance and understanding as a result of his apparent autism. He views the world largely in absolutes, dividing his life experience into a series of extreme likes and dislikes. He feels most comfortable with logic and order, making Wellington’s murder an irresistible puzzle for him to solve. He resides with his father and pet rat Toby at 36 Randolph Street.
Christopher’s father (Ed Boone) - Single father of Christopher. Father prepares meals for Christopher and sees to his daily needs. Later on, Christopher uncovers elements of his life that he has long tried to keep hidden. Father owns a heating maintenance and boiler repair business.
Christopher’s mother (Judy Boone) - Christopher believes she died of a heart attack prior to the time when the novel begins. Remembered as a loving but impatient and volatile woman, she was at times overwhelmed by the difficulty of caring for her troubled son.
Siobhan - Christopher’s primary teacher at school. An even-handed mentor, she works to expand Christopher’s horizons socially as well as academically. As a result, she is one of the few people whom Christopher trusts, and in the limited moments when the reader sees her, she mirrors the reader as an observer and commentator on Christopher’s life.
Mrs. Alexander - An elderly resident of Randolph Street. A kind lady, Mrs. Alexander lives a quiet existence filled by caring for her garden and pet dachshund, Ivor. She exhibits grandmotherly tendencies toward Christopher, owing in part to his resemblance to her own grandson. She reveals to Christopher important information about the affairs of Christopher’s father and mother.
Vocabulary
ReplyDelete1. senile- mentally or physically infirm with age
2. slander -words falsely spoken that damage the reputation of another
3. apocryphal -being of questionable authenticity
4. corrugated -shaped into alternating parallel grooves and ridges
5. digression -a message that departs from the main subject
6. vessel- a tube in which a body fluid circulates
7. rubbish -worthless material that is to be disposed of
8. rustle -forage food
9. anemic -relating to or having a deficiency of red blood cells
10. detect -discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of
11. irate- feeling or showing extreme anger
12. moor -open land with peaty soil covered with heather and moss
13. profane- grossly irreverent toward what is held to be sacred
14. fatigue -temporary loss of strength and energy from hard work
15. inherit -receive from a predecessor
16. mire -a soft wet area of low-lying land that sinks underfoot
17. circumspect -heedful of potential consequences
18. marred -blemished by injury or rough wear
19. silhouette- a filled-in drawing of the outline of an object
20. scheme -an elaborate and systematic plan of action
21. episode -a happening that is distinctive in a series of events
My opinion
ReplyDeleteThis is one of the most original and thought provoking books I have read in the last year. It is one of those stories that I think everyone should know about. It has had a great impact on me as it has made me think differently about people with autism and understand their ways of thinking and other talents are amazing and important. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys mystery, moments of heartbreak but ultimately a happy ending and plenty of humour along the way.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteBook cover
ReplyDeletehttps://www.amazon.com/Boy-Striped-Pajamas-John-Boyne/dp/0385751532/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1483638537&sr=1-1&keywords=the+boy+in+the+striped+pajamas
Plot
ReplyDeleteBruno is a 9-year-old boy growing up during World War II in Berlin with his loving mother and father. He lives in a huge house with his parents, his twelve-year-old sister Gretel and maid servants called Maria and Larrs. His father is a high-ranking SS officer who, after a visit from Adolf Hitler and Eva Braun, is promoted to 'Commandant', and to Bruno's dismay the family has to move away to a place called Out-With.
When Bruno gets there he feels a surge of homesickness. He is unhappy with his new home. Bruno is lonely and has no one to talk to or play with and the house is so small that there is no exploring to be done. However, one day while Bruno is looking out of his window he notices a group of people all wearing the same striped pyjamas and striped hats or bald heads. As he is a curious child, Bruno asks his sister who these people are, but she does not know. His father tells him that these people are not real people at all. They are Jews.
Bruno finds out he is not allowed to explore the back of the house or its surroundings, and his mother forbids him to do so. Due to the combination of curiosity and boredom, he decides to explore. He spots a boy on the other side of the fence. Excited that there might be a boy his age, Bruno introduces himself and finds out Jewish boy's name is Shmuel. He was taken from his family (his father came with him, his mother and his siblings are at home) and forced to work in Auschwitz. Almost every day, they meet at the same spot. Soon, they become best friends. Bruno and Shmuel even shared the same birthday.
Bruno's mother persuades his father to take them back to Berlin after a year at Auschwitz , while the father stays at Auschwitz. The story ends with Bruno about to go back to Berlin with his mother and sister on the orders of his father. As a final adventure, he agrees to dress in a set of striped pyjamas and go in under the fence to help Shmuel find his father, who went missing in the camp. The boys are unable to find him. Then the boys are mixed up in a group of people going on a march.
Neither boy knows where this march will lead. However, they are soon crowded into a gas chamber, which Bruno assumes is a place to keep them dry from the rain until it stops. The author leaves the story with Bruno pondering, yet unafraid, in the dark holding hands with Shmuel. "Despite the chaos that followed, Bruno found that he was still holding Shmuel's hand in his own and nothing in the world would have persuaded him to let go".
Main characters
ReplyDeleteBruno - Bruno is 8-9 year-old German boy, born on April 15, 1934, he wants to become an explorer when an adult. Bruno is very adventurous, often gets into mischief, and hates being called "Little Man" by Lieutenant Kotler.
Shmuel - Shmuel is a Polish Jew who is Bruno's exact age. He has a brother named Josef, his father is a watchmaker, and his mother is a teacher. Shmuel is very quiet, and wants to work in a zoo.
Ralf (Father) - Ralf is the commandant of the camp. Although a loving father, he is quite a harsh commandant. He is the father of Bruno and Gretel.
Elsa (Mother) - Elsa is a very good mother, and does not agree with Nazism, although she never speaks out.
Gretel (Sister) - Gretel is 12 year-old girl who loves dolls. Her best friends are Hilda, Isobel and Louise. Gretel is a show-off who thinks she knows everything, and is flirty towards Lieutenant Kotler. She also is a member of the Hitler Youth.
Lieutenant Kurt Kotler - Despite his father not being a Nazi, Kotler is a harsh Nazi lieutenant who constantly flirts with the commandant's daughter, Gretel. He is very rude and brutal. Later, he is sent to the front lines for not reporting his father to officials.
Minor characters
ReplyDeletePavel - Pavel is a Polish-Jewish doctor-turned-waiter. He's kind hearted and helps bandage Bruno's knee.
Maria - Maria is the family's maid. She's very quiet, and she used to admire the commandant until he took the promotion to Auschwitz.
Grandmother and Grandfather - Parents of Ralf. Grandmother isn't a Nazi, although Grandfather is.
Lars - Lars is the butler.
Some quotes
ReplyDeleteSitting around miserable all day won't make you any happier.
Despite the mayhem that followed, Bruno found that he was still holding Shmuel's hand in his own and nothing in the world would have persuaded him to let go.
Don't make it worse by thinking it's more painful than it actually is.
Their lost voices Must continue to be heard.
Those people... well, they're not people at all, Bruno.
You’re my best friend, Shmuel. My best friend for life.
But still there are moments when a brother and sister can lay down their instruments of torture for a moment and speak as civilized human beings and Bruno decided to make this one of those moments.
Vocabulary (from Macmillan English Dictionary Online)
ReplyDeleteto hesitate - to do something very slowly, usually because you are nervous, embarrassed, or worried
to mumble - to say something in a way that is not loud or clear enough so that your words are difficult to understand
to stutter - to repeat the sounds of words in an uncontrolled way when you speak because you are nervous or have a speech problem
torture - extreme physical pain caused by someone or something, especially as a punishment or as a way to make someone say something
to tease - to say something to someone in order to have fun
to smuggle - to take someone or something secretly and illegally into or out of a country, especially as a way of earning money
coincidence - a situation in which separate things happen by chance at the same time or in the same way
hint - something that you say to show what you are thinking or feeling, without saying it directly
curtsy - someone shows respect for someone by bending her knees with one leg behind the other as a formal greeting
disdain - the feeling that someone or something is not important and does not deserve any respect
suspicion - feeling that someone or something cannot be trusted
funeral - a ceremony that takes place after someone dies
I really liked this book. I was never a fan of tragic story or unhappy endings. This book definitely made me sad and made me think about the past and imagine that things like that really happened. This book with the two boys captured my heart inside. The message of this story, I believe is that you never have a best friend for life until you have been through the worst with him.
ReplyDelete'Dandelion wine' by Ray Bradbury
ReplyDeleteBook cover: https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/413pEnSoeiL.jpg
281 pages
PLOT
ReplyDeleteIt would have been difficult if I had retellthe plot. Because 'Dandelion wine' is a philosophic novel, a series of related stories strung together by bridges. The novel takes place in the summer of 1928 in Green Town, Illinois.
Douglas Spaulding , the main character has summer holidaya and he realises that he's alive.It means he could enjoy his life. Douglas and his little brother Tom was picking dandelions, they are into this.The boys and his grandfather carry them down into the wine press in the cellar.Grandfather will turn them into wine and leave the bottles in the cellar until winter.
Douglas has a new notepad. He divides the summer into two parts in the tablet. He labels one side ‘RITES AND CEREMONIES’ that will be the side where he writes down stuff they've done before. The first-time stuff will go on the other side, which he labels ‘DISCOVERIES AND REVELATIONS’
MAJOR CHARACTERS
ReplyDeleteDouglas Spaulding
A twelve-year-old boy. He was aware of life and death over the all summer.
Tom Spaulding
Douglas' ten-year-old brother
Douglas' grandfather
Douglas’ grandmother, who is able to cook with great skill.
John Huff
Douglas' friend, who moved away
Leo Auffmann
The town jeweler and amateur inventor who seeks to create a Happiness Machine.
Lena Auffmann
The wife of Leo Auffmann who wishes to change his mind on the value of the Happiness Machine.
Helen Bentley
A widow. She has a collection of reminders and souvenirs kept her stuck in the past.
Colonel Freeleigh
The so-called Time Machine who tells Douglas and his friends stories from the past.
Lonely One
The serial killer who was terrorizing the women of Green Town.
Lavinia Nebbs
a young woman who faces the Lonely One.
MINOR CHARACTERS
Mom
Mother of Douglas and Tom.
Dad
Father of Douglas and Tom
Uncle Bert
Douglas and Tom's uncle.
SOME ANALYSIS AND SUMMARY
ReplyDelete‘Dandelion wine’is autobiographical novel by Ray Bradbury. If you know his biography, you will recognize himself in his character Douglas. The author describes summer through child’s eyes. Douglas seemed to have spent summer happily. He was able to boy a new pair of shoes. It's June and Douglas feels that's long past time for getting a new pair of summer sneakers, especially ones that are "as quiet as a summer rain falling on the walks." He tells his dad he needs the shoes, and like dads everywhere Mr. Spaulding asks why. Doug says it's hard to explain, but what he really means is that his old sneakers are full of last summer, which is to say they're hard as rocks and you can't have adventures in them.
He was hanging out with his friends Charlie Woodman and John Huff. Boys visit Colonel Freeleigh, an old soldier, his neighbor, who starts telling them stories . He takes them to Boston, 1910. It was so called ‘far - travelling’ for boys like Time Machine. The first bad thing has happened. His friend John has to move away. Douglas was hardly ever able to make up his mind to this thing. He goes home and stands on his porch shaking his fist, yelling into the air at John that they are no longer friends.
DISCOVERIES AND REVELATIONS which has made Douglas and Tom during summer:
- Old people were not always old. Douglas and Tom understood it after making acquaintance with Helen Bentley,
widow i who's collection of reminders and souvenirs kept her stuck in the past. At first children did’t believed that an old woman was little toddler which they could see on photo.
- People do not live forever. Helen , the 90-year-old spinster, spent her adulthood traveling the world. She is a fascinating, educated woman as a result but regrets her decision not to have a life partner. She passes away just days after she predicts her own death. Douglas ‘ great - grandmother died. She connects to Douglas and Tom and shares wisdom that they can comprehend on her deathbed.
- Young people can die too. The Lonely One a man who terrorizes the nights of Green Town. The Lonely One is the specter of death., who represents the end of time, the end of the world, and the end of life for Douglas.
- The real Happiness Machine is right in front of us. It’s our family
Leo Auffmann is the Green Town inventor. Douglas casually tells him to build a Happiness Machine, Auffmann undertakes what he believes will be his greatest invention. He works many long hours on the Machine, nearly destroying his health, his marriage, and his family in the process. After his son and his wife use the Machine to ill effect, he tries it himself, and is nearly killed in the ensuing fire. He realizes later that the real Happiness Machine is right in front of him, sitting on his own front porch: his family.
- Friends might one day leave you like the way Douglas’ best friend John Huff did.
VOCABULARY AND GRAMMER
ReplyDeleteThere was a lexical and grammatical commentary in my book which helps me to read the novel.
at ease in bed - мирно нежиться в кровати.
flash the gaze - окинуть взглядом,
elm - вяз,
maple - клен,
pluck sour apple - рвать зеленые яблоки,
go out - погаснуть,
star vanished - звезда погасла,
point a finger - ткнуть пальцем,
scent - сквозняк.
in the westering hours - на закате
It was advanced level vocabulary and grammar structure of sentenses was hard to understand because the novel was written in 1957.
Modal verbs with perfect infinitives examples.
Any other day Douglas might have snorted, struck out, denied it all - В другое время Дуглас бы только презрительно фыркнул.
This water must be carried in dipper and bucket to the cellar. - Ковш и полное ведро надо отнести в погреб.
The people that made the shoes must have watched a lot of blow the trees. - Люди, которые мастерят эти туфли, верно, видели множество ветров, проносящихся в листве деревьев.
CONDIONALS
If you look you will scare it off. – Оглянешься – спугнешь.
He touched his free hand to that blood as if it could be peeled away. - Он потрогал светящиеся алым пальцы, словно хотел снять перчатку.
MY OPINION
ReplyDeleteI had read 'Dandeion wine' in russian language when I was a teenager. Now I read it in original. I seemed to know all big ideas in this novel. It 's kind of book which you couldn't understand for the first time. Douglas is coming of age makes him wiser about life, death,frienship. He and his brother Tom were ordinary boys who did what any other in their years old would do.They have been looking for adventure since fiest day of summer 1928. Both Douglas and Tom changed in a major way, they grew up. They both started to understand more, like old people were not always old and people do not live forever, you can't spend every day with your best friend because of circumstances. It's life, it's not your friend's fault. I did't like the way Douglas brhaved himself with his friend John when he realised that John had to move away. Douglss couldn't keep from having an argument with him.
So I really enjoed my reading experience of 'Dandelion wine' by Ray Bradbury.
Book cover
ReplyDeletehttps://www.amazon.com/Memoirs-Geisha-Novel-Arthur-Golden/dp/0679781587/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1483987611&sr=1-1&keywords=Memoirs+of+a+Geisha
Plot
ReplyDeleteThe story takes place in Japan in the thirties of the 20th century. Two girls from a poor family lost their mother. His father, seeing no other way out, sold them to dealers. So, Chio gets into the house, which teaches the art of the geisha and her older sister is in the amusement quarter. They met only once, and decided to run away. But Cho did not work, and she has never met her older sister, who still managed to escape.
Thus began a hard life Chio. In addition, one of the geisha immediately took a dislike to the girl, and in every way it is demonstrated fouling and scandals. The girl grew up and studied. It has become a beautiful young girl. And now the time has come when she is published in the role of a geisha. And she produces a real sensation for her manners and talents.
"Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë
ReplyDeleteBook cover - https://www.amazon.com/Jane-Eyre-Word-Cloud-Classics/dp/1607105535
Main characters
ReplyDeleteChiyo / Sayuri- the main character of the novel, kind, touching, not so little as all. Throughout the book, we can trace the transformation of an ugly duckling of a poor family in a beautiful swan, one of the most celebrated geisha of Kyoto.
Chairman-attractive man 30-35 years old, who after the incident on the bridge has become dear person for Chio.
Hatsumomo - very bright character. Despite the fact that she appears before us evil, she can also be understood - she loved and fought for their love as Sayuri.
Mameha- this woman became a mentor, friend and sister for Sayuri. She - the famous geisha, master of her craft. This woman represents purity and wisdom. She helped Sayuri reach such heights.
Pumpkin- who grew up in the house with the Sayuri.
MAIN CHARACTERS
ReplyDeleteJane Eyre - The protagonist and narrator of the novel, Jane is an intelligent, honest, plain-featured young girl forced to contend with oppression, inequality, and hardship. Although she meets with a series of individuals who threaten her autonomy, Jane repeatedly succeeds at asserting herself and maintains her principles of justice, human dignity, and morality. She also values intellectual and emotional fulfillment. Her strong belief in gender and social equality challenges the Victorian prejudices against women and the poor.
Edward Rochester - Jane’s employer and the master of Thornfield, Rochester is a wealthy, passionate man with a dark secret that provides much of the novel’s suspense. Rochester is unconventional, ready to set aside polite manners, propriety, and consideration of social class in order to interact with Jane frankly and directly. He is rash and impetuous and has spent much of his adult life roaming about Europe in an attempt to avoid the consequences of his youthful indiscretions. His problems are partly the result of his own recklessness, but he is a sympathetic figure because he has suffered for so long as a result of his early marriage to Bertha.
Mrs. Reed - Mrs. Reed is Jane’s cruel aunt, who raises her at Gateshead Hall until Jane is sent away to school at age ten. Later in her life, Jane attempts reconciliation with her aunt, but the old woman continues to resent her because her husband had always loved Jane more than his own children.
Bessie Lee - The maid at Gateshead, Bessie is the only figure in Jane’s childhood who regularly treats her kindly, telling her stories and singing her songs. Bessie later marries Robert Leaven, the Reeds’ coachman.
Mr. Lloyd - Mr. Lloyd is the Reeds’ apothecary, who suggests that Jane be sent away to school. Always kind to Jane, Mr. Lloyd writes a letter to Miss Temple confirming Jane’s story about her childhood and clearing Jane of Mrs. Reed’s charge that she is a liar.
Mr. Brocklehurst - The cruel, hypocritical master of the Lowood School, Mr. Brocklehurst preaches a doctrine of privation, while stealing from the school to support his luxurious lifestyle. After a typhus epidemic sweeps Lowood, Brocklehurst’s shifty and dishonest practices are brought to light and he is publicly discredited.
Maria Temple - Maria Temple is a kind teacher at Lowood, who treats Jane and Helen with respect and compassion. Along with Bessie Lee, she serves as one of Jane’s first positive female role models. Miss Temple helps clear Jane of Mrs. Reed’s accusations against her.
Alice Fairfax - Alice Fairfax is the housekeeper at Thornfield Hall. She is the first to tell Jane that the mysterious laughter often heard echoing through the halls is, in fact, the laughter of Grace Poole—a lie that Rochester himself often repeats.
Bertha Mason - Rochester’s clandestine wife, Bertha Mason is a formerly beautiful and wealthy Creole woman who has become insane, violent, and bestial. She lives locked in a secret room on the third story of Thornfield and is guarded by Grace Poole, whose occasional bouts of inebriation sometimes enable Bertha to escape. Bertha eventually burns down Thornfield, plunging to her death in the flames.
Adèle Varens - Jane’s pupil at Thornfield, Adèle Varens is a lively though somewhat spoiled child from France. Rochester brought her to Thornfield after her mother, Celine, abandoned her. Although Celine was once Rochester’s mistress, he does not believe himself to be Adèle’s father.
Vocabulary(from Cambridge online dictionary)
ReplyDeleteprompt- done quickly and without delay, or (of a person) acting quickly or arriving at the arranged time
beanbag- a small bag filled with dried beans or similar objects, used as a children's toy
toss- to throw something carelessly
glamorous- attractive in an exciting and special way
tipsy- slightly drunk
tremendous- very great in amount or level, or extremely good
to prop- to support something physically, often by leaning it against something else or putting something under it
wrecked- very badly damaged
to inherit- to receive money, a house, etc. from someone after they have died
lopsided- with one side bigger, higher, etc. than the other; not equally balanced
translucent- If an object or a substance is translucent, it is almost transparent, allowing some light through it in an attractive way
hillock- a small hill
PLOT
ReplyDeleteJane Eyre is this little girl about six years old when the book starts. She is living with the Reed’s at Gateshead Hall and she hates it there. The Reed’s are really mean to her and she thinks they suck. The feeling is mutual and so Mrs. Reed sends Jane to this low budget orphan school called Lowood Institution.
Mr. Brocklehurst runs Lowood and he does not waste one penny on anything for the girls that live there. They are basically starving because they aren’t allowed to eat much food, and it is freezing all the time because he won’t shell out for heat. Jane learns to adjust there and makes friends with Helen and Miss. Temple. Then, Helen dies and Miss. Temple leaves to get married. Jane realizes she doesn’t like it there alone so she tries to get a job somewhere as a governess. Edward Rochester hires her to teach his bastard daughter Adele. Jane goes to Thornfield and pretty much her whole life changes. A lot of this novel’s action takes place in Jane’s head and with her emotions. For her to go out on her own to an unknown place was a big deal. At Thornfield Jane is treated like a real person by Rochester. They have a weird relationship, but they are always really honest with each other. Rochester tells her about his life and compliments Jane on stuff she cares about, like her paintings. He kind of is setting her up because he knows that he wants to marry her, but Jane doesn’t know and we don’t know that yet either. He messes with her a little by bringing this chick Blanche out to the house and saying he is going to marry her. This throws Jane for awhile. Jane does not like to mess around and play games.
So, Rochester and Jane admit they love each other and they plan to get married. They are at the little church ready to go, and Rochester’s "friend" Mason busts in and breaks up the wedding. Rochester cannot marry Jane because he already has a wife! He keeps his wife locked up in his attic! (This is a big surprise in the book). Jane is pissed and upset so she runs away.
She has no where to go, and not very much money. She travels as far as she can and gets pretty worn out from not eating or resting. She ends up at this little house, and she stops there to see if they would put her up for the night. It is the Rivers’ house and Diana and Mary are really nice to her. St. John is kind of shady but he gets her a job teaching at the local schoolhouse. Her uncle John Eyre dies and leaves all his estate to her. Through this she finds out that the Rivers’ are her cousins. (Jane’s father’s brother was John Eyre, the uncle. John Eyre was also the brother to the Rivers’ mother.) He didn’t leave any money to them because of an argument he had with their father years ago. Jane shares the money with the Rivers’. St. John wants to marry her and take her with him to India to be missionaries. She really doesn’t want to because she still loves Rochester and does not want to be a missionary. She tells St. John ‘no’.
One night Jane has this inspiration that she hears Rochester calling her. She is so moved that she takes off to find him. She goes to Thornfield Hall and it is in ruins. She finds out that there was a fire and that Bertha Mason is dead. Rochester was wounded and blinded trying to save her but he could not. He lives all alone in this other house near by. Jane goes to see him and their love is sparked and they live happily ever after.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteVocabulary:
ReplyDeletehabituate - familiarize psychologically or physically
The action was more frank and fearless than any I was habituated to indulge in: somehow it pleased her.
neutralised - made neutral in some respect
Should any little accidental disappointment of the appetite occur, such as the spoiling of a meal, the under or the over dressing of a dish, the incident ought not to be neutralised by replacing with something more delicate the comfort lost.
coherently - in a coherent manner
I resolved, in the depth of my heart, that I would be most moderate--most correct; and, having reflected a few minutes in order to arrange coherently what I had to say, I told her all the story of my sad childhood.
corrode - cause to deteriorate due to water, air, or an acid
Something of vengeance I had tasted for the first time; as aromatic wine it seemed, on swallowing, warm and racy: its after-flavour, metallic and corroding, gave me a sensation as if I had been poisoned.
predispose - make susceptible
Semi-starvation and neglected colds had predisposed most of the pupils to receive infection: forty-five out of the eighty girls lay ill at one time.
penurious - excessively unwilling to spend
It was too far to return to dinner, and an allowance of cold meat and bread, in the same penurious proportion observed in our ordinary meals, was served round between the services.
ameliorate - to make better
Spring drew on: she was indeed already come; the frosts of winter had ceased; its snows were melted, its cutting winds ameliorated.
elate - fill with high spirits
First, I smiled to myself and felt elate; but this fierce pleasure subsided in me as fast as did the accelerated throb of my pulses.
In this book, I liked how the author gave us the atmosphere of that time in Japan, its culture and traditions. Very bright and emotionally described the life of a geisha, a life full of trials and tribulations.
ReplyDeleteI really liked the main character of the novel with its sincerity, kindness, and courage, which had to fight for a place under the sun, but it was all for the sake of great love, which she has carried throughout her life.
I did not like the main character Hatsumomo, she was throughout most of the novel prevented Sayuri in all possible ways, which were very cruel and insidious.
I am very much interested to learn about Japan, traditions, life, rites, ceremonies, psychology. And it is not as described in the handbook of the country, and beautiful, not burdensome and fun woven into the plot.
Anyone who is interested in geishas, Japanese culture, or simply lovers of romantic stories highly recommend !!!
My opinion
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading this novel. Jane is an Orphan that is living with her terrible aunt and then is foist off and starts school in lowood. Even tough she lived through reject , she becomes a very well learned woman. Then she sets out to begin her life. Jane finds love and loses love, destitution, charity, loneliness, family, and most important of all self actualization. This novel was challenging and rewarding. It is beautifully written. It’s rich because of the beautiful descriptions and many literary allusions. Jane herself is a very engaging character. Jane was the perfect Heroine – strong, moral, not afraid to give her opinion, and with a kind heart. Rochester was perfect for her. The perfect hero – strong, flawed, and tortured. They had chemistry and struck sparks off of each other from the beginning and it never let up. Overall, it’s a great story of love and faith. Bronte gives great descriptions of everything going on mentally and physically around Jane Eyre throughout her life.
I would recommend to read this book to each person.
Book cover
ReplyDeletehttps://www.amazon.com/Norwegian-Wood-II-Haruki-Murakami/dp/4061860526/ref=pd_sim_14_1?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=4061860526&pd_rd_r=4D1M9X6Z1Z89Z8DEKBKS&pd_rd_w=25OKI&pd_rd_wg=1u9py&psc=1&refRID=4D1M9X6Z1Z89Z8DEKBKS
Haruki Murakami 'Norwegian wood' 368 pages
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteMain characters:
ReplyDeleteToru Watanabe -The protagonist and narrator. He is a Tokyo college student of average ability, majoring in drama without reason or conviction for doing so. Unlike most students, he is interested in Western, and in particular, American literature. He is Kizuki's best friend, and develops romantic relationships with Naoko and, later, Midori.
Naoko — A beautiful but emotionally fragile woman who is Kizuki's girlfriend, but becomes involved with Watanabe after Kizuki's death. Naoko's older sister took her own life at age 17, which, along with Kizuki's suicide, has a lasting effect on Naoko's emotional stability.
Reiko Ishida — A patient of the mountain asylum to which Naoko retreats. She and Naoko room together and become close friends. An accomplished pianist and guitarist, Reiko has endured lifelong mental problems that wrecked her professional musical career and later her marriage. She attempts to advise Watanabe and Naoko in their relationship.
Minor characters:
ReplyDeleteMidori Kobayashi — A vivacious, outgoing classmate of Watanabe. She and her sister help their absent father run a small bookstore after her mother's death from brain cancer. She originally had a boyfriend but develops feelings for Watanabe as she gets to know him more, putting Watanabe in a tough situation.
Kizuki — Watanabe's best friend in high school, and Naoko's first boyfriend. Kizuki took his own life when he was 17, which has a lasting effect on both Watanabe and Naoko.
Nagasawa — A diplomacy student at the elite University of Tokyo whose friendship with Watanabe is kindled over The Great Gatsby, a book they love. Nagasawa is unusually charismatic and complex in both his ideals and personal relationships. Watanabe routinely accompanies Nagasawa on outings to bars, where they pick up girls for one-night stands. Nagasawa never seems to feel much guilt over these transgressions other than admitting that his girlfriend, Hatsumi, deserves better.
Hatsumi — The long-suffering girlfriend of Nagasawa. A kind woman by nature, she tries to offer advice to Watanabe, who is reluctant to confide in her or Nagasawa. Two years after Nagasawa leaves for Germany, Hatsumi marries, only to commit suicide after another two years. News of this prompts Watanabe to end his friendship with Nagasawa.
"Storm Trooper" — Watanabe's dormitory roommate who is obsessed with cleanliness, and who is majoring in cartography in preparation for a career at the Geographical Survey Institute of Japan. His neurotic behavior is a source of annoyance and mockery among the others in the dormitory. He later moves out without warning, leaving their room entirely to Watanabe until he moves out of the dorm altogether.
Itoh — An art student whom Watanabe meets after moving out of the dorm he shared with Nagasawa and Storm Trooper. The two share a love of Boris Vian. He has a girlfriend in his hometown of Nagasaki, but her unease about Itoh's chosen career leads him to worry about their relationship
Momoko "Momo" Kobayashi — Midori's sister.
Mr. Kobayashi — Midori's widowed father. Midori had initially said that he had emigrated to Uruguay, but that later turns out to be a joke; Mr. Kobayashi was actually in a hospital in Tokyo, with brain cancer. When Midori and Watanabe visit him, Watanabe briefly stays to take care of him alone. He later dies, and his daughters sell the bookstore to move elsewhere.
Plot
ReplyDeleteA 37-year-old Toru Watanabe has just arrived in Hamburg, Germany. When he hears an orchestral cover of the Beatles' song "Norwegian Wood", he is suddenly overwhelmed by feelings of loss and nostalgia. He thinks back to the 1960s, when so much happened that touched his life.
Watanabe, his classmate Kizuki, and Kizuki's girlfriend Naoko are the best of friends. Kizuki and Naoko are particularly close and feel as if they are soulmates, and Watanabe seems more than happy to be their enforcer. This idyllic existence is shattered by the unexpected suicide of Kizuki on his 17th birthday. Kizuki's death deeply touches both surviving friends; Watanabe feels the influence of death everywhere, while Naoko feels as if some integral part of her has been permanently lost. The two of them spend more and more time together going for long walks on Sundays, although feelings for each other are never clarified in this interval. On the night of Naoko's 20th birthday, she feels especially vulnerable and they have sex, during which Watanabe realizes that she is a virgin. Afterwards, Naoko leaves Watanabe a letter saying that she needs some time apart and is quitting college to go to a sanatorium.
These events are set against a backdrop of civil unrest. The students at Watanabe's college go on strike and call for a revolution. Inexplicably, the students end their strike and act as if nothing had happened, which enrages Watanabe as a sign of hypocrisy.
Watanabe is befriended by a fellow drama classmate, Midori Kobayashi. She is everything that Naoko is not — outgoing, vivacious, and supremely self-confident. Despite his love for Naoko, Watanabe finds himself attracted to Midori as well. Midori reciprocates his feelings, and their friendship grows during Naoko's absence.
Watanabe visits Naoko at her secluded mountain sanatorium near Kyoto. There he meets Reiko Ishida, an older patient there who has become Naoko's confidante. During this and subsequent visits, Reiko and Naoko reveal more about their past: Reiko talks about the cause of her downfall into mental illness and details the failure of her marriage, while Naoko talks about the unexpected suicide of her older sister several years ago.
When he returns to Tokyo, Watanabe unintentionally alienates Midori through both his lack of consideration of her wants and needs, and his continuing thoughts about Naoko. He writes a letter to Reiko, asking for her advice about his conflicted affections for both Naoko and Midori. He does not want to hurt Naoko, but he does not want to lose Midori either. Reiko counsels him to seize this chance for happiness and see how his relationship with Midori turns out.
A later letter informs Watanabe that Naoko has killed herself. Watanabe, grieving and in a daze, wanders aimlessly around Japan, while Midori — with whom he hasn't kept in touch — wonders what has happened to him. After about a month of wandering, he returns to the Tokyo area and gets in contact with Reiko, who leaves the sanatorium to come visit. The middle-aged Reiko stays with Watanabe, and they have sex. It is through this experience, and the intimate conversation that Watanabe and Reiko share that night, that he comes to realise that Midori is the most important person in his life. After he sees Reiko off, Watanabe calls Midori to declare his love for her. Midori asks, "Where are you now?", and the novel ends with Watanabe pondering that question.
My opinion
ReplyDeleteBook beats in the heart. No Mystics-fiction you find here. This is a book about love, feelings, loneliness, sadness. Many blamed the hard style, forgetting what is actually our life. Murakami writes the truth that not everyone will like. Despite a dry tongue (permanent "it was" extremely annoying), "Norwegian wood" is read quickly. Aftertaste from the book with something difficult to compare. Leave do not want to heroes, appears desire to trace the entire fate of Watanabe. Impressed me. Even as.
My favourites quotes
ReplyDeleteIf you only read the books that everyone else is reading, you can only think what everyone else is thinking.
Nobody likes being alone that much. I don't go out of my way to make friends, that's all. It just leads to disappointment.
I want you always to remember me. Will you remember that I existed, and that I stood next to you here like this?
When it's raining like this," said Naoko, "it feels as if we're the only ones in the world. I wish it would just keep raining so the three of us could stay together.
I have a million things to talk to you about. All I want in this world is you. I want to see you and talk. I want the two of us to begin everything from the beginning.
People leave strange little memories of themselves behind when they die.
What happens when people open their hearts? They get better.
Book cover:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.amazon.com/Fahrenheit-451-Ray-Bradbury/dp/1451673310
249 pages
«Look at the world out there, my God, my God, look at it out there, outside me, out there beyond my face and the only way to really touch it is to put it where it's finally me, where it's in the blood, where it pumps around a thousand times ten thousand a day. I get hold of it so it'll never run off. I'll hold on to the world tight some day. I've got one finger on it now; that's a beginning» (Fahrenheit 451)
ReplyDeletePerhaps the best of the major works of Bradbury. You might think that book burning is the main theme in Ray Bradbury's 1953 novel, but try expanding on that idea. Burning books is the destruction of individual thought that is printed on paper — or, in one word, censorship.
Fahrenheit 451 is explicit in its warnings and moral lessons aimed at the present. Bradbury believes that human society can easily become oppressive and regimented — unless it changes its present tendency toward censorship (suppression of an individual's innate rights).
For my individual reading I chose a work called "The Picture of Dorian Gray" by Oscar Wilde. My friend recommended it to me and I thought: 'why not?' and then I chose it as for my home independent reading.
ReplyDeleteCHARACTER LIST
ReplyDeleteMajor characters:
Dorian Gray - a handsome, impressionable and wealthy young gentleman, whose portrait the artist Basil Hallward paints. Under the influence of Lord Henry Wotton, Dorian becomes extremely concerned with the transience of his beauty and begins to pursue his own pleasure above all else. He devotes himself to having as many experiences as possible, whether moral or immoral, elegant or nasty.
Lord Henry Wotton - a nobleman and a close friend of Basil Hallward. Urbane and witty, Lord Henry is perpetually armed and ready with well-phrased epigrams criticizing the moralism and hypocrisy of Victorian society. His pleasure-seeking philosophy of “new Hedonism,” which espouses garnering experiences that stimulate the senses without regard for conventional morality, plays a vital role in Dorian’s development.
Basil Hallward - an artist, and a friend of Lord Henry. Basil becomes obsessed with Dorian after meeting him at a party. He claims that Dorian possesses a beauty so rare that it has helped him realize a new kind of art; through Dorian, he finds “the lines of a fresh school.” Dorian also helps Basil to realize his artistic potential, as the portrait of Dorian that Basil paints proves to be his masterpiece.
THE PLOT
ReplyDeletePart 1.
In the stately London home of his aunt, Lady Brandon, the well-known artist Basil Hallward meets Dorian Gray. Dorian is a cultured, wealthy, and impossibly beautiful young man who immediately captures Basil’s artistic imagination. Dorian sits for several portraits, and Basil often depicts him as an ancient Greek hero. When the novel opens, the artist is completing his first portrait of Dorian as he truly is, but, as he admits to his friend Lord Henry Wotton, the painting disappoints him because it reveals too much of his feeling for his subject. Lord Henry, a famous wit who enjoys scandalizing his friends by celebrating youth, beauty, and the selfish pursuit of pleasure, disagrees, claiming that the portrait is Basil’s masterpiece. Dorian arrives at the studio, and Basil introduces him to Lord Henry, who he fears will have a damaging influence on the impressionable, young Dorian.
Basil’s fears are well founded; before the end of their first conversation, Lord Henry upsets Dorian with a speech about the transient nature of beauty and youth. Worried that these, his most impressive characteristics, are fading day by day, Dorian curses his portrait, which he believes will one day remind him of the beauty he will have lost. In a fit of distress, he pledges his soul if only the painting could bear the burden of age and infamy, allowing him to stay forever young. After Dorian’s outbursts, Lord Henry reaffirms his desire to own the portrait; however, Basil insists the portrait belongs to Dorian.
Over the next few weeks, Lord Henry’s influence over Dorian grows stronger. The youth becomes a disciple of the “new Hedonism” and proposes to live a life dedicated to the pursuit of pleasure. He falls in love with Sibyl Vane, a young actress who performs in a theater in London’s slums. He adores her acting; she, in turn, refers to him as “Prince Charming” and refuses to heed the warnings of her brother, James Vane, that Dorian is no good for her. Overcome by her emotions for Dorian, Sibyl decides that she can no longer act, wondering how she can pretend to love on the stage now that she has experienced the real thing. Dorian, who loves Sibyl because of her ability to act, cruelly breaks his engagement with her. After doing so, he returns home to notice that his face in Basil’s portrait of him has changed: it now sneers. Frightened that his wish for his likeness in the painting to bear the ill effects of his behavior has come true and that his sins will be recorded on the canvas, he resolves to make amends with Sibyl the next day. The following afternoon, however, Lord Henry brings news that Sibyl has killed herself. At Lord Henry’s urging, Dorian decides to consider her death a sort of artistic triumph—she personified tragedy—and to put the matter behind him. Meanwhile, Dorian hides his portrait in a remote upper room of his house, where no one other than he can watch its transformation.
THE PLOT
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Lord Henry gives Dorian a book that describes the wicked exploits of a nineteenth-century Frenchman; it becomes Dorian’s bible as he sinks ever deeper into a life of sin and corruption. He lives a life devoted to garnering new experiences and sensations with no regard for conventional standards of morality or the consequences of his actions. Eighteen years pass. Dorian’s reputation suffers in circles of polite London society, where rumors spread regarding his scandalous exploits. His peers nevertheless continue to accept him because he remains young and beautiful. The figure in the painting, however, grows increasingly wizened and hideous. On a dark, foggy night, Basil Hallward arrives at Dorian’s home to confront him about the rumors that plague his reputation. The two argue, and Dorian eventually offers Basil a look at his (Dorian’s) soul. He shows Basil the now-hideous portrait, and Hallward, horrified, begs him to repent. Dorian claims it is too late for penance and kills Basil in a fit of rage.
In order to dispose of the body, Dorian employs the help of an estranged friend, a doctor, whom he blackmails. The night after the murder, Dorian makes his way to an opium den, where he encounters James Vane, who attempts to avenge Sibyl’s death. Dorian escapes to his country estate. While entertaining guests, he notices James Vane peering in through a window, and he becomes wracked by fear and guilt. When a hunting party accidentally shoots and kills Vane, Dorian feels safe again. He resolves to amend his life but can’t muster the courage to confess his crimes, and the painting now reveals his supposed desire to repent for what it is—hypocrisy. In a fury, Dorian picks up the knife he used to stab Basil Hallward and attempts to destroy the painting. There is a crash, and his servants enter to find the portrait, unharmed, showing Dorian Gray as a beautiful young man. On the floor lies the body of their master—an old man, horribly wrinkled and disfigured, with a knife plunged into his heart.
SOME VOCABULARY
ReplyDelete1 Laburnum - flowering shrubs or trees having bright yellow flowers
2 tremulous - quivering as from weakness or fear
3 sullen - showing a brooding ill humor
4 conjecture - to believe especially on uncertain or tentative grounds
5 comely - according with custom or propriety
6 languidly - in a lethargic manner
7 wreath - a circular band of foliage or flowers for ornamentation
8 whorl - a round shape formed by a series of concentric circles
9 faltering - the act of pausing uncertainly
10 gape - look with amazement
11 cynicism - a cynical feeling of distrust
12 ensconce - fix firmly
13 chirrup - make high-pitched sounds
THE COVER
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Minor characters
ReplyDeletePavel - Pavel is a Polish-Jewish doctor-turned-waiter. He's kind hearted and helps bandage Bruno's knee.
Maria - Maria is the family's maid. She's very quiet, and she used to admire the commandant until he took the promotion to Auschwitz.
Grandmother and Grandfather - Parents of Ralf. Grandmother isn't a Nazi, although Grandfather is.
Lars - Lars is the butler.
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