I usually don’t follow the trend, yet those monkeys got me smiling with their extra effort this year. Plus I wanted to do some shout outs to the main commenters throughout the year: LazyCoffees, Literary Tiger, Stehothej, Letizia, and Eagle-Eyed Editor. Thanks guys!
A couple of reflections–I had no idea concrete poetry was such a popular search item! Perhaps it’s time to boost ratings with another round. Also, Sparky Sweets continues to get hits. Hmmm, respark another post?
So, the tts are a bit of a report card. I’m not much for checking my stats, although I do get a kick from how those little monkeys put together the end of the year prez.
Off to another year–gee it would be grand to get Freshly Pressed this year (wee hint).
Happy New Year, One and All!
m
The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2013 annual report for this blog.
Here’s an excerpt:
The concert hall at the Sydney Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 8,200 times in 2013. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 3 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.
Sometimes I am embarrassed how lacking in literary enlightenment I really am. Here I am writer, reviewer, teacher, Book Booster extreme and I have to hang my head in embarrassment about my novel naiveté. Honestly, dunce cap time.
This has happened before, but really hit hard recently. Not once, but twice.
What do you notice about these two books?
author?
attractive illustration?
title?
All of these probably grab our attention. Granted there are different covers available, but the author and title remain the same. Why then did it take me three or so reads, spread out over a few years, to finally get that light bulb-over-the-head moment of “OMY! This is what the title REALLY means? Does it mean I’m dense or does it mean I’m getting my bearings as a reader finally?
With Room With a View I boldly (I mean in like SHaAZaM) I realized Lucy sees people as rooms, and how some people, like some rooms, provide a view or not. Views are important if you are going to spend time in them. Ditto for people. It wasn’t about Italy. At least, not as much as I first thought. Silly, silly me.
Then we come to My Antonia. Such a magical book, how it transports me to the prairie pioneer era. Yes, it’s about Jim’s fond recollection of his childhood friend Antonia (that My part in the title)–but then the KA-TinK of the light chain which illuminates the additional meaning–Antonia is a metaphor for all those indomitable women of the prairie. She is the collective My that Willa Cather so adeptly presented to readers in her trilogies and short stories.
Sigh. It’s a good thing I teach literature, because I still have a lot to learn. Because they so wisely say the best way to learn something is to teach it. Now, I’m wondering how many other literary epiphanies are waiting for me on the shelf. I hope they aren’t giggling at me. Maybe those are just giggles of anticipation as they await to pop up and say “SurPriSE!”
I am not prone to read books about the Holocaust. My mother, being German and having lived through the horrendous devastation of WWII, is my reminder of the harsh cruelties of war. I do though enjoy parallel plots and historical mysteries, and I picked up Sarah’s Key at the library for those two reasons, hoping its Holocaust story would not be too overwhelming. Unfortunately I found myself too much involved in the story before realizing the story would not have the happiest of endings. So this serves as your SPOILER ALERT–if you can’t bear books of tragedy then I suggest finding another novel. However, if you are attracted to the likes of The Kite Runner,The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, and The Life of Pi, that is a story where redemption is featured, then you might seek out Sarah’s Key.
While most Holocaust stories focus on German Jews, other countries also persecuted their Jewish countrymen. In France, in 1942, the Vel’ d’Hiv Roundup took place, where over 4,000 French Jews were taken to the Velodrome (an outdoor sports arena) and detained for days in inhumane conditions. They were eventually deported to the camps. So shameful became this event that is was not taught in schools, and no photographs remained. Out of sight, out of mind. Yet, an event of such magnitude is not forgotten, and its truth resurfaced as Julia researches the event for the magazine she works for.
Sarah’s Key is twofold, a parallel plot: Julia’s and Sarah’s. Julia Jarmond is an American journalist who has married a Frenchman and embraces her life in France. She is assigned to write an article about the Vel’ d’Hiv as the 60th anniversary draws near. Sarah Starzynski is the parallel story taking place in 1942. She is ten when the police come for her family and she thinks to protect her younger brother by locking him in the cupboard. Her story is about returning for him. As Julia researches the article she focuses on Sarah and becomes obsessed with finding out what happened to her because Sarah did not die in the camp.
I stayed up all night reading this novel, something I am not in the habit of doing. Quite frankly, I abandoned Julia’s story and read Sarah’s instead, returning to Julia’s after completing Sarah’s. Her story is riveting. As much as I wanted her to have a happy ending, it did not end well, but her devotion to her brother is moving. Her story stayed with me long after closing the book.
Recently, I discovered the film, and of course knowing the novel, I was a bit reluctant to watch it. Fortunately, it was filmed with sensitivity and the actress playing Sarah is phenomenal. The weaving of the two stories, Julia’s and Sarah’s’ is handled much better in the film than it was in the novel. I actually suggest watching the film first, and then read the novel.
Sarah’s Key (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Both the novel and the film explore the aspect of truth. How important is it? Is it necessary to reveal the truth? What is the ultimate price for realizing the truth? For a country, there came the reminder of a shameful historical past. For Julia, it was the realization that her devotion lay stronger for her child than her husband. And for Sarah–for Sarah the truth became unbearable. At one point, Julia’s husband, angry at her obsession with researching about Sarah and her family, wonders about the value of truth. “Is anyone happier for it?”
Truth hurts. There is a price for truth. Sarah’s Key is a different slant on the Holocaust, but for me, it is a reminder that truth is what we seek, although its answers often wound.
Emily D painted this portrait of Truth:
I did mention the novel also addresses redemption. Sometimes discovering the truth or revealing it serves as a catharsis, and a person is relieved to have Truth’s brightness purge the darkness that can come by trying to hide it.
My first vague acquaintance with Virginia Woolf is associated with Elizabeth Taylor. Both are pivotal influences in their chosen professions. As a last wave baby boomer cI recall a bit of a fuss when the movie Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? came out. Not being a Disney-generated flick my parents did not take me to see it. In my childhood bliss of perceptual naiveté I believed Elizabeth Taylor to be Virginia Woolf and from the TV trailers she appeared to be a daunting person. I could see why some might be afraid of her.
image: aroom.org
My second encounter with Virginia Woolf came way later when I began teaching high school English. Woolf’s essay “A Room of Her Own” was part of the senior lit curriculum, a prelude to a brief study in feminist writing. Still getting my bearings about Shakespeare, I discovered through Woolf’s essay Shakespeare had a sister! I thought him to be like Atlantis, known but unknown, shrouded in mystery, waiting to be actually proven. A sister? It sent me scurrying to dedicated research and though Woolf got it all wrong about Willie’s sis, I now know much more about the Bard.
image: etsy.com
The third encounter came way of Meryl Streep. She’s a fave, so I couldn’t resist picking up The Hours at the library. Fascinating film (I admit some parts tweaked my comfort zone and my daughter squeaked, “you watched The Hours!”–my prudery is too well-pegged by family members). What truly fascinated me was Nicole Kidman as Virginia Woolf. No wonder she received the Academy Award for her performance. A tortured artist always leaves me wondering the why/what behind the reason of taking his or her life instead of living it.
image: notreciinema.com
Finding Virginia a bit overwhelming I didn’t do my usual research and read on her. To be honest, although she intrigued me,she also made me nervous, much like James Joyce. So much, almost too much in their writing for me to comprehend and absorb. I felt unprepared to read her works.
At present I am a tiny bit more confident having an AP Institute training and one year of AP Senior Lit and Comp seated firmly on the resume. I thought, “Okay, Ginny, let’s give it a whirl.” I pulled down Orlando off the shelf and settled in for my summer chaise in the shade read.
Sigh.
I wonder if her writing would have been published if her husband had not set up Hogarth Press expressly for that purpose? Her writing is amazing, this is true. It’s rich, masterful, and paradigm pushing. Deemed ahead of its time, both Virginia and her writing nevertheless appeared to be respected and applauded. Overall, I will have to pass on Virginia Woolf and her modernist approach to literature. She and James Joyce are just enough of a different cup of tea to not be on my reread list.
I followed through on my research since I did not do my read on her. I will definitely include her in my overviews on modernists. Virginia Woolf may not be among my chosen authors; however, I do acknowledge her place in the literary hall of fame.
Too often I realize I am a book snob. Certain subjects, authors, or just because it is crazy popular will place me in snub mode. My shame, especially since I am a professed Book Booster. Isn’t confession supposed to be part of the cure?
This is why I am even more embarrassed I have put off reading Life of Pi for so long.
image from videostoresnearspringfield.com
When it first came out I did my huffy verisimilitude snort and bypassed it. “Oh, please, really? A boy and a tiger on the ocean in a boat and he lives to tell about?” I had no problem with C.S. Lewis creating a horse and a boy as pals, let alone a lion mentoring three British children? I really must get my veracity meter checked one of these days.
With Pi I broke THE rule and saw the movie first–home version, sans Blu-Ray or 3D glasses. My review? Magical.
And that’s it. You don’t need yet another review among the surfeit of Pi commentaries. The movie motivated me to read the book.. Fortunately, our school librarian, in the midst of checking in end-of- the year materials, hasn’t had time to shelve new books and she allowed me to take it home over the weekend. There’s nothing like a long weekend and a mesmerizing novel.
I will say this–I appreciate the novel so much more having experienced the film (possible even in plain everyday vanilla DVD fashion). Frankly, parts of the plot were a bit hard to visualize, such as the raft and the meerkat island, without the aid of movie inserts. It’s not that my imagination station is broke it’s just that Ang Lee created such a wondrous palette of preprogrammed living color the plot danced more as the movie played in my head. Then there is Richard Parker; I couldn’t have imagined him as well as his CGI counterpart. He is such a handsome tiger. Of course, meerkats by the thousands is visually is much more impressive via the wide-screen than by my mental viewing station.
The novel contains much more detail (I, uh, flipped past some of the more colorful aspects of oceanic survival); however, aspects of the movie were better, such as the family dynamics.
The most important takeaway of both stories is this quote:
“And so it is with God.”
This quote absolutely resonates with me. The ambiguity of the story’s ending reminds me so much of Inception, allowing us the intelligence of denouement possibilities.
I wonder if there is a correlation between my initially snubbing Life of Pi because I did not grow up with pie–seriously, I don’t remember my mom serving up chocolate cake, apple pie, or cookies (I have compensated and I taught myself the art of pie making and make a mean apple custard pie complimented by “my goodness!” flaky crust). Pie didn’t interest me until I reached adulthood.
And so it is with this Pi, of which I will ask for another slice.
I had no idea how wrong I was really reading until I read Thomas Foster’s book. Okay, not so much as wrong, but unenlightened. The catchy title hook of “a lively and entertaining guide to reading between the lines” is truly that.
Professor of English at the University of Michigan, Foster showcases his deep and wide literary knowledge through his delightful instructive on how to really read literature. His style is as if you are sitting in on lecture due to its friendly, conversant tone. And yes–it is quite entertaining. If there were more literature professors like Foster we might have an overrun of English teachers in the population, then again, maybe the population would become more knowledgable about literature after taking his class. However, if traveling to Michigan is inconvenient, I suggest picking up this book.
Reading like a professor simply means gaining an understanding of all those hidden nuances of that suddenly pop out in 3D once you know they are there. Kind of like finding the Waldos in the picture once you know what he looks like.
Here is a smattering of chapters:
Every Trip Is a Quest (Except When It’s Not)
Nice To Eat With You: Acts of Communion
If It’s Square, It’s a Sonnet
When in Doubt, It’s from Shakespeare…
….Or from the Bible
It’s Greek to Me
Foster provides the literary basics (themes and motifs; models; and narrative devices)and utilizes a tremendous variety of examples of genres ranging from Homer to Shakespeare to Toni Morrison (Foster has an absolute thing for Beloved). Succinctly stated, Foster literally reduces the intimidation of reading literature.
You can even test your newly acquired knowledge on the included short story “The Garden Party” by Katherine Mansfield.
For those of you who prefer novels to literature you can check out his companion book:
This is one of those books I wished had been available when I was struggling with Melville and the like in college. Future AP students be forewarned: expect Foster’s book on the summer reading list. A much better choice than Moby Dick (which you will be able to read once having read Foster).
Raise your hand if you prefer Pride and Prejudice.
All right, now raise your hand for Emma.
How about Sense and Sensibility?
Mansfield Park? Okay.
Northhanger Abbey? Just asking.
And the rest of you? It’s got to be for Persuasion–right?
Well, Jane only wrote six novels; it’s got to be for one of them.
Hmm, I shall gently try to persuade you to cast your Austen vote for Persuasion.
Reason 1:
Pride and Prejudice gets much too much attention. Jane has six literary children and P&P will become unbearably too spoiled with so much fuss. Look at all the celebratory brouhaha over the publishing of the novel! Goodness…
Reason 2:
Anne and Frederick don’t have to go through that messy “love me, love me not” business found in JA’s other plots; they already love each other. Getting to the point where they re-realize it makes it so much more satisfying than the on/off dilemma.
Reason 3:
Persuasion has THE best love letter. Here is a partial:
“I must go, uncertain of my fate; but I shall return hither, or follow your party, as soon as possible. A word, a look, will be enough to decide whether I enter your father’s house this evening or never.”
Who could not met upon receiving this as an encouragement?
Reason 4:
Anne and Frederick are older and have been knocked around a bit in life and more truly represent the reality that love’s course is not perfect. In other words: their love is more relatable than the fairy-talish idea of sitting around and waiting for Mr or Ms Right to pop along when least expected (okay–Emma had a bit of that going on).
Reason 5:
the 1995 version with Ciaran Hinds and Amanda Root captures well the complicated tango of emotions these two separated lovers endure as they find their way back into each other’s hearts and arms. Amanda Root’s transformation from wilted and worn down spinister-in-the-making to resolute refreshed woman is transfixing.
True love lingers and is not forgotten
So, five amazing reasons why Persuasion should become THE Jane Austen first mentioned in her stable of renowned novels.
Have I persuaded you?
English: Persuasion(ch. 9) Jane Austen: In another moment … someone was taking him from her. Français : Persuasion(ch. 9) Frederick libère Anne de son jeune neveu, qui l’étouffe. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
You know who they are. Those bad boys who jilt the girl, cheat the honest friend, and play havoc with the plot. They are the cads of literature. Having finished Jane Austen’s Persuasion I have added Mr. Elliot to the list. His subterfuge was most deplorable. Then again, I do adore how she swiftly cast him aside for someone much more worthy of her devotion. My favorite heroines have done just that–put those cads in their place. Since I am on a Jane Austen revisiting read here are some cads that live in her books:
Henry Crawford (Mansfield Park)–I detected cad from the very start
Frank Churchill (Emma)–what a naughty game you played with so many hearts
Oh, Willoughby (Sense and Sensibility)–we wanted so much to like you
Elliot (Persuasion)–did you really think you could turn Anne’s head or her heart away from Wentworth?
Tsk tsk, Wickham (Pride and Prejudice)–your charm could not cover your secret faults
As to Northhanger Abbey, I haven’t decided who the cad truly is. It’s up on my list to review. As to other literary cads–any nominees? Rhett Butler comes to mind, but then was he a cad or simply a foil for Scarlett?
Happy reading!
English: Engraving of Steventon rectory, home of the Austen family during much of Jane Austen’s lifetime (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Flying through my Yahoo news headlines I was caught off-guard by the news of the Etch-a-Sketch inventor passing away recently. I hadn’t thought that the ubiquitous toy had an actual creator–I thought it had always been there, like marbles, yo-yos, and bouncy balls. Yet, the famous graphic sketch toy did indeed have an inventor, André Cassagnes, and it went into mass production by the Ohio Art Company.
The classic red-and-white Etch A Sketch model (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
As a baby boomer I have a fondness for the Etch-a-Sketch. A kid could create anything with it and then shake to start all over again. Think of all the paper art teachers could save by handing out these fabulous little art producers.
However, is it truly art? Or are the renderings created in the category of velvet Elvis paintings making it only subjective and in the eye of the beholder?
Check out this blogger’s post about the Etch-A-Sketch. What do you think? Is it art?
A bit of a skeptic, I went searching on the Internet and I found at least one artist who convinced me the graphic erase renderings are art.
For him it began with the Taj Mahal on his nephew’s Etch-A-Sketch. Check out his creations here.
How would one frame it? I can see the scenario.
DSC_0028 (Photo credit: Ryan D Riley)
“Hey can I look at your Mona Lisa Etch-A-Sketch?”
“Uh, sure. Just don’t touch…”
“OOps…[awkward silence]
“Aw man, I asked you not to touch it.”
For those not as deeply affected by the passing of this toy icon inventor. Here are some basics W.S.I.C.s [why should I care]:
The Etch-A-Sketch came out in the ’60s and became one of the most popular toys of that era.
In 1998 it found its place into the National Toy Hall of Fame.
The Toy Industry Association named the Etch-A-Sketch to its Century of Toys List.
In case you are wondering how it works, check out this video.
In terms of the application for writing, there is the definite possibility of its benefit. There have been many a manuscripts of mine that could have benefited from a quick shake to get things started all over again.
Mean girls. They make our lives miserable if we end up on the wrong end of their like-you-meter.
I’m not much for mean girl novels or movies because I watch to reach out and smack the snottiness right out of them. The other night I wanted to smack Fanny Dashwood from Sense and Sensibility–that goes ditto for Edward’s mother. Remember Bingley’s two sisters and Lady Catherine Pride and Prejudice? They needed a good smacking as well. Jane Austen definitely knew how to get her mean girl quota into her plots.
JA, we all know, is celebrating her 200th anniversary of Pride and Prejudice, but she’s not who I’m writing about. I’m letting Vera handle that, if you are interested.
This post is about a grab-off-the-shelf-new-to-me read:
From Amazon.com
When free-spirited Batsheva moves into the close-knit Orthodox community of Memphis, Tennessee, the already precarious relationship between the Ladies Auxiliary and their teenage daughters is shaken to the core. In this extraordinary novel, Tova Mirvis takes us into the fascinating and insular world of the Memphis Orthodox Jews, one ripe with tradition and contradiction. Warm and wise, enchanting and funny, The Ladies Auxiliary brilliantly illuminates the timeless struggle between mothers and daughters, family and self, religious freedom and personal revelation, honoring the past and facing the future. An unforgettable story of uncommon atmosphere, profound insight, and winning humor, The Ladies Auxiliary is a triumphant work of fiction.
Okay, it’s all that. What I found fascinating was the use of the omniscient narrator voice which came out in plural, like a group of women (a Southern Greek chorus?)was constantly in on the action. It seemed almost voyeuristic, but not really, because after all these are nice Orthodox ladies of the South, y’all. And Bless Their Hearts, they wouldn’t trash anybody. Just wouldn’t be ladylike. If you know what I mean.
Before I knew what had happened I found myself much involved in a mean girl novel. I couldn’t quit it because I was rooting for Batsheva. I needed to know how she would win all those Memphis ladies over again. Also, in the back of my mind I realized the reason I liked The Ladies Auxiliary so much is because it reminded me of Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli.
image: amazon.com
I have to admit I liked Stargirl much better simply because the ending had a stronger, more satisfying ending. Stargirl absolutely triumphed over the mean girl in her life and won everyone over once again. Now that’s a happy ending.
Mean girl literature–who is the mean girl who makes your teeth grit when she appears in the plot?
Pam Webb 