Wednesday, November 5, 2008 - October Book Reviews
Yes, I only had four books in October. But they were four books that totaled over 3500 pages. That makes up for not having eight or so books that have about 350 pages each, right?
The Abolition of Man: Or Reflections on Education With Special Reference to the Teaching of English in the Upper Forms of Schools
Books with long/cool subtitles positively make me giggle. And very few things do, so pay attention.
'Men without chests". It is probably one of the most famous terms C.S. Lewis popularized, and most of you have probably heard it before. It is in this book he explains what this phrase means and how it involves education.
Lewis was introduced to an English book that he thoroughly disagreed with. He wrote this book partly as a rebuttal of said book. This book, Lewis said, although claiming to teach merely English, did more than that--it subjected young children to philosophy.
Lewis then goes on to expand on his feelings on education--including how to educate children in order not to make them "men without chests" (in other words, ensuring that they do not become heartless brainiacs!) How do we educate children, then? How do we teach them to think, and not mimic what they are "taught"?
I think this book is fairly popular with homeschool moms, but it is for everyone who is interested in not just teaching, but learning. It is as relevant to the state of America's schools in 2008 as it was to the English ones of 1943!
War and Peace
Although it is 1400 pages, I am proud to say I read this book in exactly seven days. I'm not sure how I managed to do that, but I did. Go me!
The novel is the story of several upperclass Russian families during Napoleon's invasion of Russia. From 1805 to 1813, we are told the story of Natasha Rostova (from age twelve) and Pierre Bezukhov as they suffer the hardships of not just the war, but peace--life in general. From love and to death (warning: incredible death scene in this book!), to philosophy and religion, this book gives us the character's experiences in everything. Along the way we are introduced to the stories of their friends and families, as well as being treated to a narrative of the war itself--which Tolstoy treated with incredible detail, even going so far as to use actual correspondence from the war in the novel.
Overall, you can't miss this one. And please, don't let the size intimidate you. There is nothing hard about, despite the length (okay, the Russian names can be confusing--but I assure you, they are the MOST confusing part of the book!). Don't feel bad taking it slowly--enjoy it!
Le Morte d'Arthur: Volume I
This book was first published in the 1400's by Caxton. Sir Thomas Mallory wrote it because at the time, so many legends and written tales (both in English and French) existed on King Arthur. Mallory compiled many of these into one book, creating his masterpiece that is now the authority of Arthurian literature--Le Morte D'arthur, or, The Death of Arthur.
I do love Arthurian literature. I've read many parts of Le Morte D'arthur before, but never sat down and read the whole thing. I only read the first volume this month, but I'll look into the next volume eventually.
As an Arthurian literature next, this book is amazing. It contains so much detail and information, and combines all of the never-ending early medieval sources for the stories of King Arthur.
It also gives a different perspective of Arthur. I think we are led to believe Arthur and his knights are perfect. This tells the other side of the story--authors since (such as Tennyson and others) have made Arthur an exemplary hero who did no wrong. How many of us would have guessed he also had children (including his own) murdered for his own reputation, that his knights would kill senselessly, and that, overall, he's not the perfect person we were led to believe?
From a more personal perspective, I will say I enjoyed Tennyson's retelling, Idylls of the King, more. However, both are good works, and Le Morte D'arthur is definitely worth the read.
The Faerie Queene
I'm not going to lie--this book was a challenge for me. I don't normally come across that feeling, so this is hard for me to admit. This is probably the hardest book I've ever read--and I honestly came away feeling like I didn't get more than a third of it.
Most of it had to do with the way it was written. It was published in 1590, so as you can imagine, it's a fair bit different way of writing. If you are fine reading 1400 pages of this:
How then shall I, Apprentice of the skill,
That whylome in diuinest wits did raine,
Presume so high to stretch mine humble quill?
Yet now my lucklesse lot doth me constraine
Hereto perforce. But ô dred Soueraine
Thus farre forth pardon, sith that choicest wit
Cannot your glorious pourtraict figure plaine
That I in colourd showes may shadow it,
And antique praises vnto present persons fit.
then you are okay. But for myself, I came to the conclusion that this book (1300 pages long, and taking me about eighteen days to read) needs to be read, re-read, studied, and most importantly and read ALOUD to fully get everything. Unfortunately, I didn't have the time to do that. I would like to one day, however.
If you can get past all of that, however, a gem does lie underneath. It is utter genius--I mean, come on, it's the longest poem in the English language--and the author only completed half of it before he died. That says something about it's brilliance, huh?
It's also very symbolic. It was originally supposed to be twelve books of twelve cantos (each canto averaging about fifty stanzas) each. Spenser was only able to write six books before he died, but each one is unique as it represents one of the twelve virtues.
Also, it is an allegory written about Queen Elizabeth.
So, I'm not recommending this one to everyone. If you have the time to study it and analyze it, then by all means, do so. But don't attempt it as light reading--at least not the whole thing. If you just want to get familiar with it, read just one book (I recommend the first one, actually). It is a good story--with lots of adventure of knights, ladies, and myths, but it's not a book you can just read and get much out of it. It takes a whole lot more than that.
Oh, and apparently a modern translation does exist. Perhaps I'll try that one as well!
Comments
Wednesday, November 5, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by carygrant19
Yeah, I'd send you some cake, but the post office classifies it as 'dangerous material.'
You are such a dedicated reader. I mean, reading War and Peace in a month? I get so distracted-I adore reading, but I don't have very much patience.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by carygrant19
Yes, I did just comment, but I noticed that you have 'The Princess Bride' on your reading list! I love that book! I actually read it for the first time about a month ago and I loved it.
Oh, and Wuthering Heights? It's AMAZING!
Friday, November 7, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by CrossView
Ooh! Congrats on "War and Peace". I read HALF of it - years ago. But I have the Audrey Hepburn movie! LOL!
Which translation did you read? My 19=yr old has started the newest one that has the French parts translated. She hasn't had much time to read it because of classes and work. And she refuses to watch the movie till she's finished it. LOL!
The other books you listed? I've read none of them. =/
http://reddirtlane.blogspot.com/
Friday, November 7, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by sharla88
I've thought about reading War and Peace. It is a huge book!
You must try fried squirrel, I'm sure there are some not very good way's that it's made, but the ones we had were aw some!
GB~
Sharla~
Friday, November 7, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by lotrsavvy
LOL I can teach you some stuff right now... I'm pretty good at English. :P hehe
yeah, one of my friends told me she absolutely loved her American lit II class, so it may not be so bad... ;P I have to take a math class next semester, and I have to take it online because the one I was going to take got cancelled. the other ones are at bad times. lol I hope online classes aren't too difficult....
Bleh..... Obama....
Jennifer
Sunday, November 9, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by ChristineDaae
Hey,
Wow, those sound like some tough books! Congratulations!
I am doing a humorous interp on Alice in Wonderland for our Christmas Speak Out Party. It is a lot of fun. It is The Mad Tea Party chapter. Everyone in my family have heard me practice it so many times, that they go around quoting it now! It's funny:-)
In Christ,
Christine
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