I was really excited to start reading The Princess Bride by William Goldman because I love the movie, and it seems a truth universally acknowledged that the books are always better than the movie.
In the case of The Princess Bride...I like the movie better in certain regards, and the book in certain regards, but all in all I prefer the movie to the book. Now, I'm not saying the book was a complete flop. There were many things I enjoyed about, but there were also some things that just didn't make it very enjoyable for me.
First off, I loved Inigo and Fezzik's relationship in the book. It's one of those things you see in the movie, but you really feel it in the book. And their background stories were wonderful to learn (yet also a bit depressing).
Secondly, Westly was more realistic, I suppose is the way to support it. The movie he was portrayed as perfect, and nothing really bothered him, but in the book you get a lot more depth from his personality. As to which version I prefer, if you could mix them it would be perfect, but as they are I prefer the movie Westly better. The same goes for Buttercup.
Thirdly, Westly and Buttercups relationship was fight after fight, going back to true love. Maybe it was the bitter undertones, or the 'satire' through out, but it wasn't good. And 'William Goldman' pops up throughout the book to narrate/explain certain parts, and the pokes and prods he makes at his wife and son were depressing and annoying after the first couple of times.
And let's not talk about the ending.
Now, I'm not saying it was a terrible read. It was enjoyable, I did like it. I just didn't like, like it. So I gave it a three out of five stars.
One of the goals for this blog is to provide information for parents and readers alike to find 'clean' reads suitable for their children or themselves. In my reviews I will give a rating and a reason for that rating.
I give The Prince Bride a rating of PG (suitable for ages 12+)
On a scale of 1 to 5 (1 = horrible, 2 = OK, 3 = I liked it, 4 = I really liked it, 5 = I loved it), I would give The Princess Bride a 3
Showing posts with label PG. Show all posts
Showing posts with label PG. Show all posts
Monday, February 3, 2014
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Whirligig
I first came across Whirligig by Paul Heischman while browsing the internet for some reads to add to my list. I thought the plot summary looked interesting enough to be put on my list. It wasn't until a week or two ago that I spotted it at my local library, and seeing that it was a short read, took it home with me. Under 150 pages long (my copy is 133), Whirligig follows the story of Brent Bishop as he travels to the four corners of the U.S. building and erecting whirligigs in the memory of Lea, who he had killed in a car crash while intoxicated.
The entire read is very simple, but the writing is unique in that it combines first person and third person. The chapters following Brent are written in third person, while four chapters are written in first person (Present tense, I believe, but far from the crappy present tense the popular YA books are written in today). These four chapters are about four different people who have some story to tell about Brent (And Lea's) whirligigs, how they affected their life in someway. These four chapters are what makes the book. I would read it again just for those four chapters.
Since the book is so short there's very little chance for any major character development to go on, or any development really. There is some, but if Paul felt the need to make the story longer, it would be even better.
Some of my favorite passages: (SPOILERS)
One of the goals for this blog is to provide information for parents and readers alike to find 'clean' reads suitable for their children or themselves. In my reviews I will give a rating and a reason for that rating.
I give Whirligig a rating of PG (suitable for ages 13+)
On a scale of 1 to 5 (1 = horrible, 2 = OK, 3 = I liked it, 4 = I really liked it, 5 = I loved it), I would give Whirligig a 3
The entire read is very simple, but the writing is unique in that it combines first person and third person. The chapters following Brent are written in third person, while four chapters are written in first person (Present tense, I believe, but far from the crappy present tense the popular YA books are written in today). These four chapters are about four different people who have some story to tell about Brent (And Lea's) whirligigs, how they affected their life in someway. These four chapters are what makes the book. I would read it again just for those four chapters.
Since the book is so short there's very little chance for any major character development to go on, or any development really. There is some, but if Paul felt the need to make the story longer, it would be even better.
Some of my favorite passages: (SPOILERS)
"The sun had long set. To the west, over the Pacific, the sky was still faintly blue, clinging to the memory of day. Brent moved to a seat across the aisle so as to scan the darker eastern sky, waited through a king stretch if trees, then thought he spotted it: Deneb, in the constellation Cygnus, the swan. He squinted at his book, then out the bus window. Now that they were out of Los Angeles, the... air was much clearer. He looked again and was amazed to make out the shape of a cross with Deneb at its head, just as in the book. He grinned in the darkness, unknown to those around him. He spoke the word Deneb in his mind and felt himself to be Adam, naming the new world around him."
"'Somebody,' she [a Holocaust survivor] said, 'I don't know who, said there shouldn't be laughing after Auschwitz. That nobody could ever want to laugh again after the things that happened there." She rotated her head toward me. "But I was there, kindelah. Yes, very terrible. What I saw you should never dream. But I can also tell you that all those that died want that we should have a life with laughing. Not sad all the time,...They want us to laugh all the laughs that were taken away from them."
"Amazing, and rare. The darkness swallows up most of us."
"Maine summers, like dawn colors, were brief. Darkness and winter predominated. Lea's life had been similarly short. But his clacking, flashing, jingling memorial would give off sound and color all year, holding back the tide of death. It was a kinetic gravestone, painted in ever-blooming greens and yellows and reads. Lea would not be swallowed up."
"He took off his pack. A few nights before, he'd come to the end of Two Years Before the Mast, the author's ship finally returning safely to Boston Harbor. He pulled out the book, felt linked with the writer and Emil and the others he'd met on the trip, and walked back inside the office. He placed it on the book exchange shelf, aware he was nudging and invisible gear forward. He wondered who would read it next. He scanned the titles and decided on The Strange Lives of Familiar Insects. Outside, a warm breeze ran ins fingers through the trees. He started reading while he walked down the road."(That last one...what a great way to end the book. Brent ended his journey with a new fire in life. One being a passion to learn.)
One of the goals for this blog is to provide information for parents and readers alike to find 'clean' reads suitable for their children or themselves. In my reviews I will give a rating and a reason for that rating.
I give Whirligig a rating of PG (suitable for ages 13+)
On a scale of 1 to 5 (1 = horrible, 2 = OK, 3 = I liked it, 4 = I really liked it, 5 = I loved it), I would give Whirligig a 3
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
The Fellowship of the Ring
I am going to begin by saying after attempting to physically read the book multiple times and stopping because it was just so much to read, I got the audio book and started listening to it. I would listen to it as I drove, plugging it into the radio, to make the thirty minute drive into town more enjoyable. And if I was cleaning the house I'd put my headphones on and listen to it with my ipod. Next I am going to get The Two Towers so I can start listening to that :)
I also need to say that I am biased. I love the Lord of the Rings movies. I never did read the books before seeing the movie (probably because I was a little girl when the movies came out). But I always intended to. I read the Hobbit twice before the movie came out (and not because I jumped on the bandwagon. A few years before for fun and the year before for school). I actually found the Hobbit a much easier read than the Fellowship of the Ring.
Back on topic, though. I'm biased mostly in how I picture the characters (Viggo Mortensen is the PERFECT Aragorn. Really, all the actors have become the characters to me I cannot imagine them a different way.) But I think the one thing that really struck me as different from the book and the movies is Legolas.
I disliked Legolas in the book! I was not expecting that. They way they portray Legolas in the movies is so different from the book, at least to me. In the movie Legolas is amazing. In the book, he is just 'eh'.
I loved how much more Legolas and Gimli's friendship is developed in the book though. The movie failed in that regard, and I always loved Legolas and Gimli's friendship in the movie. The book was great in that respect :)
And Boromir. Woooooow. You really really get his character more in the book than the movie.
I definitely found the book an enjoyable read and hope to read it again in the future. People seem to say you either love or hate the book, and although I won't go around saying I loved the book, I did really like it.
One of the goals for this blog is to provide information for parents and readers alike to find 'clean' reads suitable for their children or themselves. In all my reviews I will mention general themes from the book, language, sexual/romantic interaction, and violence.
Themes:
fantasy, adventure, magic
Language:
None.
Sexual/Romantic Interaction
None
Violence
Nothing real objectionable. It is fantasy, so there are some darker themes throughout, but nothing I believe a teenager would have trouble dealing with.
I would give The Fellowship of the Ring a rating of mild PG
On a scale of 1 to 5 (1 = horrible, 2 = OK, 3 = I liked it, 4 = I really liked it, 5 = I loved it), I would give The Fellowship of the Ring a 4
I also need to say that I am biased. I love the Lord of the Rings movies. I never did read the books before seeing the movie (probably because I was a little girl when the movies came out). But I always intended to. I read the Hobbit twice before the movie came out (and not because I jumped on the bandwagon. A few years before for fun and the year before for school). I actually found the Hobbit a much easier read than the Fellowship of the Ring.
Back on topic, though. I'm biased mostly in how I picture the characters (Viggo Mortensen is the PERFECT Aragorn. Really, all the actors have become the characters to me I cannot imagine them a different way.) But I think the one thing that really struck me as different from the book and the movies is Legolas.
I disliked Legolas in the book! I was not expecting that. They way they portray Legolas in the movies is so different from the book, at least to me. In the movie Legolas is amazing. In the book, he is just 'eh'.
I loved how much more Legolas and Gimli's friendship is developed in the book though. The movie failed in that regard, and I always loved Legolas and Gimli's friendship in the movie. The book was great in that respect :)
And Boromir. Woooooow. You really really get his character more in the book than the movie.
I definitely found the book an enjoyable read and hope to read it again in the future. People seem to say you either love or hate the book, and although I won't go around saying I loved the book, I did really like it.
One of the goals for this blog is to provide information for parents and readers alike to find 'clean' reads suitable for their children or themselves. In all my reviews I will mention general themes from the book, language, sexual/romantic interaction, and violence.
Themes:
fantasy, adventure, magic
Language:
None.
Sexual/Romantic Interaction
None
Violence
Nothing real objectionable. It is fantasy, so there are some darker themes throughout, but nothing I believe a teenager would have trouble dealing with.
I would give The Fellowship of the Ring a rating of mild PG
On a scale of 1 to 5 (1 = horrible, 2 = OK, 3 = I liked it, 4 = I really liked it, 5 = I loved it), I would give The Fellowship of the Ring a 4
Friday, November 15, 2013
Recent Reads
I have a couple of books that I have read, but have decided not to do an individual post for because I procrastinated so long on them. The books are City of Ashes, the second book in the Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare, and The Royal Ranger, the 12th (I think) book in a series that was suppose to have ended about a year ago! Leaving the library I was so excited after finding it.
First, City of Ashes. I started reading this book a couple of days after reading Mockingjay, to give myself a chance to get over the emotional trauma from that book. When I sat down and started it, page one I was relieved. Finally! A book written in third person! After reading so many books written in the first person recently, it was such a relief to finally have one in third person to read!
Plot wise, the whole thing is moving at a fairly fast pace, for the fact that each book so far has covered the span of a couple of weeks to a month of time, with some time change inbetween. I feel like it is all being well done, and I am looking forward to starting the next book.
I was especially in love with the character development of Jace in this book. I felt like this was his book to develop. Book one really gave you a chance to get introduced to the characters, and in book two those characters were expanded on, but I feel like Jace was the most. I really hope in the third book Cassandra Clare does more developing on Clary. Although the book is mostly from her point of view, you got to see it from many different angles (main reason I prefer third person writing to first person writing in books), and I thought she executed that well.
I would also give this book the same rating and warning as the first.
Now for The Royal Ranger, by John Flanagan. I love John Flanagan's writing, and his characters. I have gotten so attached to them all over this series and was so sad when it ended (hence my enjoyment when I found this new book!). It took me about a third of the book to get use to the time lapse and to picture the characters with their aged appearances, but it didn't bother me. I love the story for this book and thought he did a great job, as always, with the entire thing.
It is so easy for me to fall in love with the characters John Flanagan writes. And Will and Halt's witty and sarcastic personality is perfect. Sheer perfection. I laugh out loud while reading these books. And he does action/battle scenes amazingly. Add Will and Halt with those scenes and you have highly memorable books. They are serious, but light and funny. I adore them all, and just love love love love love them. I haven't read his 'spin-off' series with the Skandians, but I can't wait to start, because I love his writing so much. My only fear is that I won't love it as much as Ranger's Apprentice.
The ending of this book did leave it open for more in the series, but I hope John Flanagan leaves it as it is. I don't want to much of a bad thing, and I'm afraid that any more Ranger's Apprentice won't be good.
One of the goals for this blog is to provide information for parents and readers alike to find 'clean' reads suitable for their children or themselves. In all my reviews I will mention general themes from the book, language, sexual/romantic interaction, and violence.
Themes:
Fantasy, medieval-esque, knights and kings
Language:
None
Sexual/Romantic Interaction
Married couples, and some romantic relationships, but none objectionable.
Violence
Murder, death, and some violence, but nothing too disturbing.
I would give The Royal Ranger a rating of heavy PG
On a scale of 1 to 5 (1 = horrible, 2 = OK, 3 = I liked it, 4 = I really liked it, 5 = I loved it), I would give The Royal Ranger a 5
First, City of Ashes. I started reading this book a couple of days after reading Mockingjay, to give myself a chance to get over the emotional trauma from that book. When I sat down and started it, page one I was relieved. Finally! A book written in third person! After reading so many books written in the first person recently, it was such a relief to finally have one in third person to read!
Plot wise, the whole thing is moving at a fairly fast pace, for the fact that each book so far has covered the span of a couple of weeks to a month of time, with some time change inbetween. I feel like it is all being well done, and I am looking forward to starting the next book.
I was especially in love with the character development of Jace in this book. I felt like this was his book to develop. Book one really gave you a chance to get introduced to the characters, and in book two those characters were expanded on, but I feel like Jace was the most. I really hope in the third book Cassandra Clare does more developing on Clary. Although the book is mostly from her point of view, you got to see it from many different angles (main reason I prefer third person writing to first person writing in books), and I thought she executed that well.
I would also give this book the same rating and warning as the first.
Now for The Royal Ranger, by John Flanagan. I love John Flanagan's writing, and his characters. I have gotten so attached to them all over this series and was so sad when it ended (hence my enjoyment when I found this new book!). It took me about a third of the book to get use to the time lapse and to picture the characters with their aged appearances, but it didn't bother me. I love the story for this book and thought he did a great job, as always, with the entire thing.
It is so easy for me to fall in love with the characters John Flanagan writes. And Will and Halt's witty and sarcastic personality is perfect. Sheer perfection. I laugh out loud while reading these books. And he does action/battle scenes amazingly. Add Will and Halt with those scenes and you have highly memorable books. They are serious, but light and funny. I adore them all, and just love love love love love them. I haven't read his 'spin-off' series with the Skandians, but I can't wait to start, because I love his writing so much. My only fear is that I won't love it as much as Ranger's Apprentice.
The ending of this book did leave it open for more in the series, but I hope John Flanagan leaves it as it is. I don't want to much of a bad thing, and I'm afraid that any more Ranger's Apprentice won't be good.
One of the goals for this blog is to provide information for parents and readers alike to find 'clean' reads suitable for their children or themselves. In all my reviews I will mention general themes from the book, language, sexual/romantic interaction, and violence.
Themes:
Fantasy, medieval-esque, knights and kings
Language:
None
Sexual/Romantic Interaction
Married couples, and some romantic relationships, but none objectionable.
Violence
Murder, death, and some violence, but nothing too disturbing.
I would give The Royal Ranger a rating of heavy PG
On a scale of 1 to 5 (1 = horrible, 2 = OK, 3 = I liked it, 4 = I really liked it, 5 = I loved it), I would give The Royal Ranger a 5
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Four Perfect Pebbles: A Holocaust Story
My local library had an event tonight. Marion Blumenthal Lazan, a Holocaust survivor, came to speak about her story as told in her memoir Four Perfect Pebbles: A Holocaust Story. Although Lila Perl wrote the book with background information, Marion and her mother, Ruth (who died last December, and lived to be almost 105 years old) gave many first hand accounts for the book (a majority of the book is made of quotes from Marion and her mother). The story is beautiful and inspiring. I really felt like I had just sat down and listened to my grandmother tell me a story of her childhood when I read it. It is worthy of a spot on your bookshelf.
And because I went to listen to Marion, I stayed to have her sign my copy of the book (which I had just got in the mail yesterday, and a good thing because they were sold out by the end of the event!).
"To Sara - With my Best Wishes. Marion B Lazan, November 2013"
I (*cough*mydad*cough*) had the courage to go over to her husband while we were listening and have him sign my book also :)
"Best Wishes, Nathaniel Lazan"
I don't say much when I meet authors/famous people, because that's just how I am (And I'm just excited to have the opportunity to see them in person and listen to them speak). But I made sure to thank her for sharing her story with me. She is a beautiful lady. I'm glad I got to meet her.
And it was nice because my daddy was with me, and my little brother got to hear most of her speech before he went to his class. I love being able to do things with my daddy. I will be sharing Marion's story with my children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, and nieces and nephews.
I love how she proceeded to share end her speech:
"We are the last generation [my generation] that will have 'direct contact' with the veterns of WWII and Holocaust survivors. It is our job to share their stories with our children and grand children and great grandchildren."
And that is why I buy books. Because when I die, my descendants won't just have my legacy, but the legacy of many others, too.
And because I went to listen to Marion, I stayed to have her sign my copy of the book (which I had just got in the mail yesterday, and a good thing because they were sold out by the end of the event!).
"To Sara - With my Best Wishes. Marion B Lazan, November 2013"
I (*cough*mydad*cough*) had the courage to go over to her husband while we were listening and have him sign my book also :)
"Best Wishes, Nathaniel Lazan"
I don't say much when I meet authors/famous people, because that's just how I am (And I'm just excited to have the opportunity to see them in person and listen to them speak). But I made sure to thank her for sharing her story with me. She is a beautiful lady. I'm glad I got to meet her.
And it was nice because my daddy was with me, and my little brother got to hear most of her speech before he went to his class. I love being able to do things with my daddy. I will be sharing Marion's story with my children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, and nieces and nephews.
I love how she proceeded to share end her speech:
"We are the last generation [my generation] that will have 'direct contact' with the veterns of WWII and Holocaust survivors. It is our job to share their stories with our children and grand children and great grandchildren."
And that is why I buy books. Because when I die, my descendants won't just have my legacy, but the legacy of many others, too.
Thursday, October 17, 2013
Blogtober #14 - Fairytales, Tristram & Iseult
Many of my friends know that I am a die hard for fairytales. From Disney, to Brother's Grimm, to fantasy stories, those are my favorites. I love reading Shakespeare (when I have time because it takes some effort to read his work), and (of course) love stories are my favorites. A friend recently shared the following song with me and the story it is based on. It reminded me that I had heard of the story and knew of the basic plot line, but had never finished it or fully learned the story. And it is the story of Tristram and Iseult (also called Tristan and Isolt, sometimes Tristan and Isolde, depends on translation)
The song and story are beautiful. My friend said this is her new favorite love story, whereas it was Romeo and Juliet (honestly I was never found of Romeo and Juliet, but Tristram and Iseult I am). Granted the following quote is from Wikipedia, it gives a good background to the story:
There are also some beautiful paintings of Tristram and Iseult.
like this one painting by Hugues Merle
Tristram and Iseult has been written into songs, poems, movies, and plays. Although I am not familiar with any other versions besides Mabel Couch's, I really prefer this love story to Romeo and Juliet. First, Tristram is a noble knight (at first he was stuck up, but despite the short length of Mabel's version, you can see his character growth fantastically in it), and he tries to do well to all. If he and Iseult hadn't been under the effects of a powerful love potion, I think they could have moved on to other people (since Iseult married Tristram's uncle, because his Uncle knew they had a thing for each other and wanted to hurt Tristram out of envy). I think that is way I find this story more appealing than Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, because this is tragic because no matter how hard they tried to move on from each other, they couldn't through no fault of their own.
This is a beautiful story, and well worth reading more of.
(And as for a rating, I would give it a light PG, it is considered by many as an adulterous relationship, and there is blood, fights, killing, and poison, so I would be comfortable (in regards to Mabel Couch's version) to let 12 + read it)
Tristan and Iseult is a legend made popular during the 12th century through French medieval poetry, and inspired from archetypal Celtic legends. It has become an influential romance and tragedy, retold in numerous sources with as many variations. The tragic story is of the adulterous love between the Cornish knight Tristan (Tristram) and the Irish princess Iseult (Isolde, Yseult, etc.). The narrative predates and most likely influenced the Arthurian romance of Lancelot and Guinevere, and has had a substantial impact on Western art, the idea of romantic love and literature since it first appeared in the 12th century. While the details of the story differ from one author to another, the overall plot structure remains much the same.There are many different renditions of the story (one of the popular ones is by Matthew Arnold). But the one my friend referred me to is from Cornwall's Wonderland by Mabel Quiller Couch. You can find her version of Tristram and Iseult here along with some other stories from her book.
There are also some beautiful paintings of Tristram and Iseult.
Tristram and Iseult has been written into songs, poems, movies, and plays. Although I am not familiar with any other versions besides Mabel Couch's, I really prefer this love story to Romeo and Juliet. First, Tristram is a noble knight (at first he was stuck up, but despite the short length of Mabel's version, you can see his character growth fantastically in it), and he tries to do well to all. If he and Iseult hadn't been under the effects of a powerful love potion, I think they could have moved on to other people (since Iseult married Tristram's uncle, because his Uncle knew they had a thing for each other and wanted to hurt Tristram out of envy). I think that is way I find this story more appealing than Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, because this is tragic because no matter how hard they tried to move on from each other, they couldn't through no fault of their own.
This is a beautiful story, and well worth reading more of.
(And as for a rating, I would give it a light PG, it is considered by many as an adulterous relationship, and there is blood, fights, killing, and poison, so I would be comfortable (in regards to Mabel Couch's version) to let 12 + read it)
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
Where to begin...well, let me begin by saying I did not cry while reading this book. I did not even tear up. I did, however, end with a feeling of numbness. Let me try to put that feeling into words...
I find the whole concept and plot of The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne intriguing. It isn't often you get to read a book from a nine year olds point of view set during the Holocaust, whose father is a Nazi. I do like what john Boyne had to say about writing about the Holocaust:
Again, I find the whole plot concept of the book very intriguing. However, I think John Boyne failed in some regards to properly tell the story. Bruno, the German nine-year old whose point of view we read from, pronounced German words wrong. Auschwitz was pronounced 'Out-With' by Bruno all throughout the book, and even when other characters in the book pronounced it correctly, it was written as 'Out-With'. Führer was pronounced 'Fury' the entire time, despite correction from multiple people. I don't know if John was trying to convey the naivety of Bruno by writing the words as Bruno pronounced them, or John just didn't know how to spell them and didn't want to take the time to learn. German was the spoken language, translated into English for the readers sake, but John's failure in using correct German spelling for Auschwitz and Führer made it seem like Bruno was a native English speaker trying to pronounce German words, instead of a German pronouncing German Words. It might seem a petty and insignificant thing, but even small things like this can really effect a persons take of the book.
And the naïve Bruno seems to be taken to the insane level. Surely even a nine year old would have enough sense to know that the things on the other side of the fence aren't as fun as he pictures. He watched for a year and a half as his friend grew thinner and thinner and starved. He watched as a soldier beat a Jew mercilessly. And yet he is still envious of all the people on the other side of the fence, all the Jewish boys have hundreds of friends to play with. He never really did listen to what Schmuel told him about life on the other side of the fence. I found Bruno a selfish brat, honestly. Seems cold hearted, but for a boy portrayed as smart and yet extremely naïve...it just wasn't believable. And surely after over a year of sneaking out of the house everyday at the same time, someone, even one of the servants would have grown suspicious? And at the end of the book, surely everyone at the house would have been busy packing, and he wouldn't have had the opportunity to sneak out?
The more I think on it, the more I find I not so much dislike the story or plot, but I dislike how John wrote Bruno. Not to mention little to none character development. And the ending...I knew something bad was going to happen, although I didn't expect that. It was twisted, and I'm ranting to much on this. I've probably spoiled a bunch. I know John was trying to make a point that those who did not experience the horrors of the Holocaust can never really comprehend it, but surely we aren't as naïve and stupid about it as Bruno was! He didn't know what Jews were, he didn't know about the war going on, or what concentration camps were doing, and his tutor was drilling them on geography and historical events!
And thus concludes my rant on The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. Brilliant idea, poorly executed in my opinion. But not a wasted read. Maybe someone with a less hardened heart than I would find it more moving then I did?
One of the goals for this blog is to provide information for parents and readers alike to find 'clean' reads suitable for their children or themselves. In all my reviews I will mention general themes from the book, language, sexual/romantic interaction, and violence.
Themes:
The Holocaust, Jewish concentration camps, Nazis, WWII
Language:
None explicitly written, but multiple times a 'bad word' was said but omitted in the text because naïve Bruno wasn't entirely sure what it meant, he just knew it was bad.
Sexual/Romantic Interaction
Bruno's sister flirts with a Nazi soldier multiple times.
Violence
It's the Holocaust, although it isn't extremely descriptive be warned of the ending two chapters
I would give The Boy in the Striped Pajamas a rating of heavy PG
On a scale of 1 to 5 (1 = horrible, 2 = OK, 3 = I liked it, 4 = I really liked it, 5 = I loved it), I would give The Boy in the Striped Pajamas a 2
I find the whole concept and plot of The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne intriguing. It isn't often you get to read a book from a nine year olds point of view set during the Holocaust, whose father is a Nazi. I do like what john Boyne had to say about writing about the Holocaust:
"The issue of writing about the Holocaust is, of course, a contentious matter, and any novelist who explores it had better be sure about his or her intentions before setting out. It's presumptuous to assume that from today's perspective one can truly understand the horrors of the concentration camps, although it's the responsibility of the writer to uncover as much emotional truth within that desperate landscape as he possibly can.
Throughout the writing and rewriting of the novel, I believed that the only respectful way for me to deal with this subject was through the eyes of a child, and particularly through the eyes of a rather naïve child who couldn't possible understand the terrible things that were taking place around him. After all, only the victims and survivors can truly comprehend the awfulness of that time and place; the rest of us live on the other side of the fence, staring through from our own comfortable place, trying in our own clumsy ways to make sense of it all."
Again, I find the whole plot concept of the book very intriguing. However, I think John Boyne failed in some regards to properly tell the story. Bruno, the German nine-year old whose point of view we read from, pronounced German words wrong. Auschwitz was pronounced 'Out-With' by Bruno all throughout the book, and even when other characters in the book pronounced it correctly, it was written as 'Out-With'. Führer was pronounced 'Fury' the entire time, despite correction from multiple people. I don't know if John was trying to convey the naivety of Bruno by writing the words as Bruno pronounced them, or John just didn't know how to spell them and didn't want to take the time to learn. German was the spoken language, translated into English for the readers sake, but John's failure in using correct German spelling for Auschwitz and Führer made it seem like Bruno was a native English speaker trying to pronounce German words, instead of a German pronouncing German Words. It might seem a petty and insignificant thing, but even small things like this can really effect a persons take of the book.
And the naïve Bruno seems to be taken to the insane level. Surely even a nine year old would have enough sense to know that the things on the other side of the fence aren't as fun as he pictures. He watched for a year and a half as his friend grew thinner and thinner and starved. He watched as a soldier beat a Jew mercilessly. And yet he is still envious of all the people on the other side of the fence, all the Jewish boys have hundreds of friends to play with. He never really did listen to what Schmuel told him about life on the other side of the fence. I found Bruno a selfish brat, honestly. Seems cold hearted, but for a boy portrayed as smart and yet extremely naïve...it just wasn't believable. And surely after over a year of sneaking out of the house everyday at the same time, someone, even one of the servants would have grown suspicious? And at the end of the book, surely everyone at the house would have been busy packing, and he wouldn't have had the opportunity to sneak out?
The more I think on it, the more I find I not so much dislike the story or plot, but I dislike how John wrote Bruno. Not to mention little to none character development. And the ending...I knew something bad was going to happen, although I didn't expect that. It was twisted, and I'm ranting to much on this. I've probably spoiled a bunch. I know John was trying to make a point that those who did not experience the horrors of the Holocaust can never really comprehend it, but surely we aren't as naïve and stupid about it as Bruno was! He didn't know what Jews were, he didn't know about the war going on, or what concentration camps were doing, and his tutor was drilling them on geography and historical events!
And thus concludes my rant on The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. Brilliant idea, poorly executed in my opinion. But not a wasted read. Maybe someone with a less hardened heart than I would find it more moving then I did?
One of the goals for this blog is to provide information for parents and readers alike to find 'clean' reads suitable for their children or themselves. In all my reviews I will mention general themes from the book, language, sexual/romantic interaction, and violence.
Themes:
The Holocaust, Jewish concentration camps, Nazis, WWII
Language:
None explicitly written, but multiple times a 'bad word' was said but omitted in the text because naïve Bruno wasn't entirely sure what it meant, he just knew it was bad.
Sexual/Romantic Interaction
Bruno's sister flirts with a Nazi soldier multiple times.
Violence
It's the Holocaust, although it isn't extremely descriptive be warned of the ending two chapters
I would give The Boy in the Striped Pajamas a rating of heavy PG
On a scale of 1 to 5 (1 = horrible, 2 = OK, 3 = I liked it, 4 = I really liked it, 5 = I loved it), I would give The Boy in the Striped Pajamas a 2
Saturday, July 27, 2013
Cold Case
Cold Case by Julia Platt Leonard is a mystery novel for middle-school kids. When Oz's brother is accused of murder, and Oz is told the terrible truth about his father, he and his best friend, Rusty, investigate to find out the truth that links the present to the past.
This was a nice, easy read. There wasn't anything special about the book, but it was nicely written and a good plot line. I figured out who the culprit was with a third of the book left to go, but there were some loose ends I couldn't figure out that were cleared up at the end. For her first novel, Julia Leonard has a good start. If I ever feel like it, and if she ever releases new novels, I wouldn't be against reading them.
One of the goals for this blog is to provide information for parents and readers alike to find 'clean' reads suitable for their children or themselves. In all my reviews I will mention general themes from the book, language, sexual/romantic interaction, and violence.
Themes:
Murder, mystery, detective
Language:
None, but if I am remembering correctly there were a few instances of taking the Lord's name in vain.
Sexual/Romantic Interaction
None.
Violence
Murder, some gun violence, dog attack, kidnapping
I would give Cold Case a rating of mild PG
On a scale of 1 to 5 (1 = horrible, 2 = OK, 3 = I liked it, 4 = I really liked it, 5 = I loved it), I would give Cold Case a 2.5
This was a nice, easy read. There wasn't anything special about the book, but it was nicely written and a good plot line. I figured out who the culprit was with a third of the book left to go, but there were some loose ends I couldn't figure out that were cleared up at the end. For her first novel, Julia Leonard has a good start. If I ever feel like it, and if she ever releases new novels, I wouldn't be against reading them.
One of the goals for this blog is to provide information for parents and readers alike to find 'clean' reads suitable for their children or themselves. In all my reviews I will mention general themes from the book, language, sexual/romantic interaction, and violence.
Themes:
Murder, mystery, detective
Language:
None, but if I am remembering correctly there were a few instances of taking the Lord's name in vain.
Sexual/Romantic Interaction
None.
Violence
Murder, some gun violence, dog attack, kidnapping
I would give Cold Case a rating of mild PG
On a scale of 1 to 5 (1 = horrible, 2 = OK, 3 = I liked it, 4 = I really liked it, 5 = I loved it), I would give Cold Case a 2.5
Friday, July 26, 2013
The Spiderwick Chronicles, Book One - The Field Guide
Not surprisingly, this was a very quick read for me. This was actually my second time reading this book from the Spiderwick Chronicles, I never did read the others. But when your younger sister insists you read it, you should oblige her.
Written by Holly Black and Toni DiTerlizzi, The Field Guide was written after receiving a 'letter', informing them of the magical and invisible world of faeries and creatures around us. They then met with the Grace children, and wrote the Spiderwick Chronicles in hopes to open our eyes to this invisible world.
The Grace children have moved, their parents are divorced, their dad left them, and not to mention their new home is a dump. I believe Holly and Toni did a commendable job portraying the anger and angst some children can feel after their parents divorce.
Being written for children (10-13 is the range I would give), the writing is simple to understand, yet gives enough detail for a picture to be formed in your head. The illustrations (The handiwork of Toni DiTerlizzi) were cute and well done, but there were incidences when the picture in my head did not match the picture drawn. Personally, I like the picture in my head better, but don't ask me to draw it, I'm not that talented.
One of the goals for this blog is to provide information for parents and readers alike to find 'clean' reads suitable for their children or themselves. In all my reviews I will mention general themes from the book, language, sexual/romantic interaction, and violence.
Themes:
Post-Divorce. Trust and distrust. Faeries and magic/mythical creatures.
Language:
Mallory says 'crappier' in the beginning, otherwise there is zero cussing or swearing. They do, however, poke fun at their 'insane' aunt a couple of times.
Sexual/Romantic Interaction
The Grace children's parents are divorced.
Violence
Jared would get in fights at school. Mallory and Simon get bruised. Mallory's hair is tied to her bed frame. Simon's pet tadpoles are frozen in the freezer, and his two pet mice get kidnapped, but are returned unharmed.
I would give The Field Guide a rating of PG
On a scale of 1 to 5 (1 = horrible, 2 = OK, 3 = I liked it, 4 = I really liked it, 5 = I loved it), I would give Book one of the Spiderwick Chronicles a 3
Written by Holly Black and Toni DiTerlizzi, The Field Guide was written after receiving a 'letter', informing them of the magical and invisible world of faeries and creatures around us. They then met with the Grace children, and wrote the Spiderwick Chronicles in hopes to open our eyes to this invisible world.
The Grace children have moved, their parents are divorced, their dad left them, and not to mention their new home is a dump. I believe Holly and Toni did a commendable job portraying the anger and angst some children can feel after their parents divorce.
Being written for children (10-13 is the range I would give), the writing is simple to understand, yet gives enough detail for a picture to be formed in your head. The illustrations (The handiwork of Toni DiTerlizzi) were cute and well done, but there were incidences when the picture in my head did not match the picture drawn. Personally, I like the picture in my head better, but don't ask me to draw it, I'm not that talented.
One of the goals for this blog is to provide information for parents and readers alike to find 'clean' reads suitable for their children or themselves. In all my reviews I will mention general themes from the book, language, sexual/romantic interaction, and violence.
Themes:
Post-Divorce. Trust and distrust. Faeries and magic/mythical creatures.
Language:
Mallory says 'crappier' in the beginning, otherwise there is zero cussing or swearing. They do, however, poke fun at their 'insane' aunt a couple of times.
Sexual/Romantic Interaction
The Grace children's parents are divorced.
Violence
Jared would get in fights at school. Mallory and Simon get bruised. Mallory's hair is tied to her bed frame. Simon's pet tadpoles are frozen in the freezer, and his two pet mice get kidnapped, but are returned unharmed.
I would give The Field Guide a rating of PG
On a scale of 1 to 5 (1 = horrible, 2 = OK, 3 = I liked it, 4 = I really liked it, 5 = I loved it), I would give Book one of the Spiderwick Chronicles a 3
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