All Reviews by Francis BlueDevil
The Magnificent Ambersons
by Booth Tarkington
George Amberson Minafer is a small town aristocrat. He comes from a prominent well respected family in a growing mid-west city and he is very proud of his family. In fact, he is very fond of telling everybody just how proud he is, and his mother loves him very much.
He is a man of conviction, who never questions his judgment, because he’s right, because he is an Amberson. He knows a man is measured by who he is and not by what he does. He knows architecture and he knows cars can’t replace horses. He knows his town will always admire and respect its great traditions, and he knows what’s best for his mom.
Only, he’s really always wrong, and he never listens to anyone, and he is always clinging to the past, and he never accepts blame, even if it kills his mom, who he loves very much.
Great story about a guy named George…kind of ironic too
Annie Kilburn
by William Dean Howells
It’s tough to be a heroine in Boxboro
The Author
William Dean Howells was considered the “Dean of American letters” from the late 19th century, through the first decades of the 20th century. He was a personal friend of Henry James and Mark Twain. He was a strong and influential supporter of many of the up coming writers of the time, including Emily Dickenson, Sarah Orne Jewett, Frank Norris and Stephan Crane among others. He is considered the leader of the American school of “realism”.
The Story
First, Annie Kilburn is not a romance; rather it is a story of class consciences in a small American town. Annie returns from Rome after her father dies to Boxboro Massachusetts, where her family is held in high esteem, as her father was formerly a Congressman. She is called upon by the ladies of the community, to support a charitable event for the benefit of the under privileged working class. But, is it really about charity or is simply a means to justify another round of gossip and frivolous entertainment for the bored and idle upper class of Boxboro?
You figure it out. However, it may not as easy as you think, because everybody has their flaws, in Boxboro.
Parnassus on Wheels
by Christopher Morley
Critical Analysis
This book has nothin’ , no heroines, just a fat old country woman who doesn’t want to bake bread anymore. No heroes, just a little red-headed runt of a book peddler trying to make a profit, selling books to farmers. No villains, except a vindictive old brother who doesn’t think his sister is capable of thinking for herself and so he has to keep meddling into her affairs and a couple of worthless hoboes. No suspense, except when the hoboes get a gun. No conflict, except the part with the bloody nose. No plot, unless you think Don Quixote running around the country on a quest, making a fool of his self for no known reason, is a plot.
Plot Summary
Little runt peddler sell his business which consists of a wagon full of old books to a heavy set farm woman and they go gallivanting around the country side trying to sell culture to farmers, while he educates her on literature, while her meddling bother tries to stop them and the hoboes do what hoboes do.
Recommendation
It’s hard to recommend this book unless you’re the type that’s only looking for entertainment, in which case, I would recommend it highly - I also feel it's my duty to warn you, it may be considered offensive to hoboes.
The Story of the Treasure Seekers
by E. Nesbit
A very entertaining tale, told by children… good children
This is the story of the Bastable children and their efforts to restore their family fortune as narrated by a very boastful young man, who has requested he be kept nameless, so as to not spoil the story.
The Bastables have fallen upon hard times. Their mother has died and their father, though loving, struggles at his business and as a consequence they are frequently left on their own.
But the Bastable children do not suffer; they love and look out for each other. And, every worn out, humble or useless object in their world is renewed through the magic of their fertile imaginations.
Every day becomes an adventure, every adventure becomes a lesson and every lesson becomes a step on a journey. Or… maybe not, but I do think it is a very nice sentence never the less, don’t you?
This is life as a grand adventure as seen through the eyes of a child. However, it can be enjoyed by anyone seeking to view the world once more with an uncluttered heart.
Four stars, because it’s a children’s story and I’m an adult… but, if nobody were around.. I would give it five.
Nana
by Emile Zola
Sex, power and celebrity in…
Nana comes from the streets, a runaway from a dysfunctional family. She becomes an overnight celebrity when she appears nude in a theatrical production while still a teenager. Though she cannot sing and she cannot act, it’s apparent that she has something very powerful - something that men want and women envy.
Men pursue her, they are always around, she gives them pleasure and they give her gifts. They give until they cannot give anymore and then one by one they fall to their ruin. And, while Nana finds pleasure in giving pleasure she does not seek love, only commerce, because commerce begets money, which begets power which begets envy and with enough begetting, one can become a celebrity and so Nana begets.
But, in the end, Nana lies dieing disfigured by disease, while a mob outside joyfully howls, “to Berlin, to Berlin”, anticipating a short and glorious war - with Prussia.
This is a great novel about the rise and fall of Nana and the society that made her a celebrity, a society obsessed with excessive displays of sexual and economic exhibitionism, a society that fortunately, no longer exists…
Father Goriot
by Honoré de Balzac
The story centers on a group of boarders living in a Parisian boardinghouse. The exterior of the boardinghouse appears aged yet respectable but inside; it is old and shabby. The social standing of each residence can be determined by their rent, which is determined in turn by the floor they reside on; the lower the floor the higher the rent.
While, old Goriot slowly ascends the staircase to poverty, in an attempt to buy love, another boarder, young M. Rastignac attempts to ascend into upper society by romancing wealthy young ladies.
So, while old Goriot spends his money trying to buy love, young Rastignac uses love to acquire money and a another boarder the depraved M. Vautrin freely admits his willingness to kill for money.
But, Goriot’s unselfish love makes young Rastignac reconsider his immoral behavior which upsets M. Vautrin plans, and unhappily as a result, nobody is happy.
So, in the end, young Rastignac finds; love cannot be bought, villains may be honorable and society which may appear honorable on the outside can be deceitful and shabby on the inside - which is where we started.
A kindly old man, a troubled young man and a cunning villain combine to make a great novel.
Martin Chuzzlewit
by Charles Dickens
A rude, loose baggy monster of a tale
An old man and his young female companion check into an inn. The old man doesn’t appear to be doing well. Word gets around. A pack of wolfish relatives come to the inn concerned for his health as well as the contents of his will. All, make rude remarks about his companion.
However, this old man, Martin Chuzzlewit, regains his spirits and decides to test the mettle and sincerity of his relations by devising a cunning and unscrupulous plan. But, who can prove worthy of this test in this unworthy family?
Cousin Picksniff and his charming daughters, Charity and Mercy (otherwise known as Cherry and Merry), bother Anthony, nephew Jonas or his grandson, young Martin?
Cousin Picksniff is pompous and self-serving, his daughter Charity, sadly lacks charity while his daughter Mercy also known as Merry can become quite melancholy. Brother Anthony is old and miserly whilst young nephew Jonas is oafish, cruel and menacing and alas young Martin is regrettably, both penniless and prideful. All, treat each other with remarkable rudeness.
Caught up in this tale of selfish aggrandizement are the remarkably good hearted Mr. Pinch and his remarkably wonderful sister Ruth along with the kind hearted and overly optimistic Mark Tapely. But, which Chuzzlewit or Picksniff is capable of learning from the likes of these?
Along the way, young Martin and Mr. Tapely journey to America where Mr. Dickens rudely satirizes America’s passion for commerce.
“Men were weighed by their dollars, measures were gauged by their dollars; life was auctioneered, appraised, put up, and knocked down for its dollars. The next respectable thing to dollars was any venture having their attainment for its end. The more of that worthless ballast, honour and fair-dealing, which any man cast overboard from the ship of his Good Nature and Good Intent, the more ample stowage-room he had for dollars. Make commerce one huge lie and mighty theft. Deface the banner of the nation for an idle rag; pollute it star by star; and cut out stripe by stripe as from the arm of a degraded soldier.”
Very rude! And he then goes on to comment on our virtuous pride of freedom and democracy and juxtaposes it with our vociferous defense of slavery and racism in a curious attempt to suggest hypocrisy – most ungracious!
Ok, then they go back and somebody gets murdered, somebody gets married, somebody is exposed, somebody is abandoned, somebody goes to jail, somebody drinks too much, everybody learns a lesson and everybody gets what they deserve… excepting Americans of course.
Five stars less one for rudeness
Master of Ballantrae
by Robert Louis Stevenson
A tale of two brothers named Jeykll and Hyde
Actually a tale of two brothers, named James and Henry. James is a demonic charmer, boastful, egocentric and usually broke. Brother Henry is industrious and thrifty, a good man, but also tends to vacillate.
They don't like each other. James likes to tease Henry, by calling him names, taking his money, flirting with his wife and doing other bad things.
But Henry is tougher than you might think and can be quite resourceful when angry. However, this just serves to increase James' anger and make him all the more determined.
A bit of a swashbuckler, a bit of a psychological drama, not bad, not Stevenson at his best, but others who will beg to differ.
Northanger Abbey
by Jane Austen
Jane Austen meets Nancy Drew
First this is not a gothic novel, nor is it a lampoon of gothic novels, rather a little satire on the effects of gothic novels upon impressionable young ladies with active imaginations.
Catherine Morland is our impressionable young lady looking for adventure and romance. She goes to Bath for the first time and enjoys the social life, balls, carriage rides, nature walks and especially discussing the latest novels with her best friend. She meets Henry Tilney, she likes Henry, she’s pretty sure Henry likes her. She meets Henry’s sister, they like each other. She meets Henry’s father General Tilney, he very much likes her and invites her to spend time with the family at their estate, Northanger Abbey. She, would very much like to go.
Catherine is sure anything as old as Northanger Abbey must have as many mysteries as it has rooms, of which there are many. The general begins to behave mysteriously. While he treats Catherine with great Kindness he does seem to have a temper that tends to make others... nervous. Catherine begins sleuthing around the Abbey trying to figure out why everybody is so nervous.
The general is not happy and when Papa’s unhappy then everybody’s unhappy.
Catherine learns that in England one need not fear ghouls or vampires but that doesn’t mean one should not fear…
Kinds of a juvenile tale, not bad mind you, a little humor, a little mystery, a little tension, a little romance, a little lesson…bout what’s real
Hauntings
by Vernon Lee
Hauntings
Obsessive tales of old fancies
Vernon Lee was the pen name of Violet Paget who is known primarily as writer of supernatural fiction. She never married and her appearance could be best described as androgynous or asexual leaving many to speculate she was a lesbian. I don’t know whether that is true or not but I think you will find an element of confused sexuality around many of her characters.
The book consists of four stories involving obsessions with alluring creatures of the past, although it can be stated plainly that some are less alluring than others.
It is apparent Ms. Paget was a scholar of art, culture and history which becomes evident by the exquisite background she paints for each of her obsessive tales.
If you count, Sheridan Le Fanu, William Hope Hodgson and H. P. Lovecraft among your favorite authors of the supernatural, I think you may want to strongly consider adding Ms. Paget as well.
Cecilia, Memoirs of an Heiress, vol 1
by Fanny Burney
A well mannered tale
The Author
Virginia Wolf referred to her as the “the mother of English fiction.” Dr. Samuel Johnson considered by some as the greatest literary critic of all, held her in the highest esteem. Her novels influenced Jane Austin, William Thackeray and most likely every Victorian writer who followed. Jane Austen took the title of her book Pride and Prejudice directly from the last chapter of this book.
Her appearance makes her look like the embodiment of the Victorian heroine young, pretty, petite, well mannered and fashionable; rather like a small porcelain figurine suitable for mounting on top the piano. Her writing on the other hand suggests her bust would make a very suitable replacement for Mr. Dickens in the library, metaphorically speaking of course.
If you like writers like Austin, Dickens, Eliot and Thackeray you can’t fail to like Fanny Burney, she is that good.
Last a warning, this is a long novel and the language is both rich and dense. But it is also warm-hearted and fun. I hope you give it a try.
Martin Hyde
by John Masefield
A young boy’s tale of adventure
The Author
John Masefield was the British Poet Laureate from 1930 to 1967. He wrote two classic children’s novels, The Midnight Folk and The Box of Delights.
The Story
Martin Hyde loses his father and moves to London to live with his Uncle. He likes to sneak out at night to seek adventure. Unhappily, while pursuing his pleasure, he gets kidnapped and is then caught up in a civil war between the Duke of Manmouth and his half brother the King.
The Duke is strikingly handsome, charming and Protestant. The people adore the Duke and joyously await the opportunity to fight for his cause. He also benefits by having the young Mr. Hyde on his side.
The King is not particularly handsome, is certainly not charming, is an absolute monarch, is definitely Catholic and as a consequence is not very much liked by the Protestants, of which there are plenty. However he compensates by being cunning and resolute; he also owns the treasury and pays the army.
So who triumphs? --the wealthy unpopular King and his army or the handsome Duke and his rebellious peasants; and what role does our scrappy hero, Mr. Hyde play?
Well, you can read about it in a history book. (Although, good luck with the young Mr. Hyde question and I guess you will continue to know nothing about the charming and mysterious Miss Aurelia as well.) Or, you could read this book.
This book is well written, fast paced and a great deal more fun. However, the choice remains yours, but chose wisely, for Mr. Hyde and Miss Aurelia wait within.
The Absentee
by Maria Edgeworth
Lord and Lady Clonbrony are absentee Irish landowners, who live in London. Lady Clonbrony wants vary badly to be a respected member of London’s fashionable high society. She spends extravagant amounts of money hosting parties for their pleasure and puts forth her best English accent, yet they still look down upon her because… well, she’s Irish.
Meanwhile back in Ireland, Irish tenants suffer under greedy and unscrupulous agents who exploit them while their absentee masters are away in England, spending money foolishly, in order to be fashionable, yet they can’t be fashionable cause their Irish and so on, and so on.
So, sadly as a consequence, the peasants are left yearning for their masters to return, in order to be exploited directly thereby eliminating the middle men who profit unjustly.
But, who will stop this foolish cycle? -- Enter Lord Colambre, son of Lord and Lady Clonbrony, who departs for Ireland where he travels in disguise upon a quest to find his Irishness.
Well written, often humorous, somewhat satirical, but overly simplistic.
Edgeworth is humorous when she satirizes the vanity of English society. However, when she argues for the return of the gentry as the solution for Irish poverty?… she starts to sound like she may be a few potatoes short of a bushel.
Carmen
by Prosper Mérimée
An explanation of why you shouldn’t make out with bad girls.
Carmen is a bad girl.
If she doesn’t like you, she will seduce you, take your money and then maybe tickle your throat with her knife. On the other hand, if she like’s you, she will seduce you, torment you, laugh at you and finally lead you to your destruction.
Either way, she takes pride in her work.
Yes, this is the Carmen from the opera and this is the story that inspired the opera. Should you read the story? ….Do you like bad girls?
I would.
Joseph Andrews, vol 1
by Henry Fielding
A quixotic tale
Joseph Andrews is a young, innocent, well mannered, virtuous and very attractive young man. He yearns only for Fanny Goodwill, who is a young, innocent, well mannered, virtuous and very attractive young woman, who in turn yearns only for Andrew.
However, a host of experienced, cynical, ill-tempered and mainly lustful characters seek to separate Joseph and Fanny at every turn in order to fulfill their prurient desires. These villainous characters also share the benefit of being well respected as well as advantaged citizens of their communities.
However, Joseph and Fanny come under the protection of the good natured, kindly and virtuous Parson Abraham Adams. Unfortunately, he is also exceedingly naive and somewhat eccentric.
Can this small band armed with little but morale and physical courage defeat the ever changing forces of evil arrayed against them at every turn.
I suspect you know the answer – but that doesn’t mean you won’t enjoy the confirmation.
A joyous funny romp – well worth it’s reputation
The Red Thumb Mark
by R. Austin Freeman
The Author
R. Austin Freeman cashed in on the Sherlock Holmes craze as did many others of that time. However, of all the Holmes stylistic imitators he probably remains the most respected.
The Story
A theft of diamonds occurs. The only clue is a piece of paper with a red thumb print and a few drops of blood inside an empty safe that formerly contained the diamonds. The proprietor of the business refuses to let the police fingerprint his employee’s who are also his nephews.
John Thorndyke is challenged with a seemingly impossible task of proving the innocence of his client, whose thumb print matches exactly the thumb print taken from the safe.
Bottom line
If you find imitators always boring or disappointing regardless of talent… keep browsing my friend.
If on the other hand, you’ve read every Holmes story and long for more. Well, for you my dear friend, the chase is about to begin… once more.
Uncle Silas
by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu
The Author
“Sheridan Le Fanu wrote the best supernatural fiction of the 19th century.” Michael Dirda, Classics for Pleasure.
The Story
Uncle Silas is the story of a young heiress “Maud” growing up in a lonely country estate with her father, along with some complications. It features neither the supernatural nor ghosts, but a growing tension that starts early and builds with each subsequent chapter.
The tension comes as a series of mysterious characters drift in and out of the story exhibiting behavior that shifts back and forth from kindly to ominous. A series of strange events begin to pile on. Maud struggles to look through this kaleidoscope of chameleon characters and events to sift the demonic from the angelic and determine their ultimate intentions.
Or else
Great characters, great plot, great story …… all of that and more
McTeague
by Frank Norris
Hard to read, harder to put down
McTeague is a big man and he is for the most part strong, simple minded, docile and obedient not unlike a draught horse. He meets Trina, who is small, pale and delicate not unlike a child’s doll. He is overwhelmed with her fragile beauty, she feels safe enclosed by his great strength. They determine to marry and by a miraculous stroke of luck, just before they marry, she wins a lottery, securing their future.
But Trina has a problem; she likes to count her money much more than she likes to spend it and it is after all, her money.
And then things begin to go bad…. very bad.
The characters in this book form an odd combination. McTeague, Marcus and Trina seem to come straight from Zola; realistic, flawed and tragic, while the supporting cast Mrs. Baker, Grannis, Maria and Zerkow seem to have been dropped out of a Dickens’ novel. However, the style is unquestionably Zola, tough, gritty and uncompromising.
In the end, a great piece of American literature although sadly, often overlooked.
Metamorphosis
by Franz Kafka
An insectuous tale
A dedicated employee is unappreciated by his employer and is poorly treated – like an insect.
He wakes up one morning to find he has changed into a giant insect. His family is shocked by the change. However, he and his family determine to make the situation as unpleasant for each other as possible.
However as time passes the family begins to treat him more like an insect while his soul becomes more human.
He dies; his sister then stretches her back – like an insect.
Leaving us the question; who are the insects and how does the metamorphosis begin?
A great story – subject to many interpretations
Summer
by Edith Wharton
A tale of isolation
North Dormer is a small isolated country town in New England.
Near North Dormer is an area referred to as the “mountain” where an even more isolated population lives in complete poverty. The residence of North Dormer say, “Nothing good ever comes from the mountain.”
Charity Royall comes from the mountain and due to the circumstances surrounding her birth as well as an unfortunate incident involving her guardian she becomes emotionally isolated as well. Her one comfort is the pride she takes in her position as the custodian for the local library, which no one visits.
Enter a laughing young stranger dressed in city clothes and the story unwinds. The story of a young girl, who reaches her sexual maturity while attempting to escape the circumstances surrounding her life in order to find a true home.
Better than average, yet distant. Distant because Charity is haughty, prideful and judgmental which serve to protect her suppressed emotions but does not necessarily make her deserving of our sympathies.
But in the end – she gets what she deserves
L'Assommoir
by Emile Zola
A tough but great tale
L’Assomoir means club or cudgel and it is derived from the French verb assommer meaning to club or beat down. The title refers to name of a local bar. It also signals the fate of the protagonist, Gervaise and her family.
The story is a realistic and unrelenting description of the fall and degradation of a French working class family living in the slums of Paris during the mid 19th century. Their fate however, is not a simple product of circumstances rather it is the consequence of their choices. This ultimately adds to the tragedy as we wish for their success but instead are forced to watch with growing apprehension as opportunities are wasted and the family spirals downward on a path to disintegration and destruction.
Bottom line: A memorable novel, a great novel but expect a beating as well.
*Also noteworthy, Gervaise’s children survive to become the central characters of two other masterpieces by Zola, Nana and Germinal.
Salammbo
by Gustave Flaubert
Evil triumphs over evil
Flaubert spent several years researching this book about an army of mercenaries who revolt against ancient Carthage.
The book is a combination of history and myth not unlike Homer’s Iliad. Like the Iliad it is a larger than life epic, but this tale has neither poetry nor heroes.
Carthage does not want to pay the mercenaries their due; the mercenaries seek to plunder Carthage in revenge. Both sides rely on deceit and treachery to advance their cause.
In the background, the sensual and mysterious Salammbo, seeking her own objective, indifferently and unwittingly affects the outcome.
The war becomes long and brutal as the balance shifts back and forth. The horror of war becomes increasingly indefensible as the author offers neither heroes nor justifications. Fed only by greed, pride and revenge, the war and the slaughter grind on endlessly.
Some would criticize, “This is not Madame Bovary, and this is too much violence without a point.” Others would answer, “This is not Madame Bovary, but to criticize that it is too much violence without a point, is to miss the point.”
Flaubert, painting with exquisite detail and unapologetic language, tells an epic, exotic and sensual tale of failure.
Eugenie Grandet
by Honoré de Balzac
A miserly, selfish tale
A stingy, avaricious, miserly merchant acquires a fortune utilizing cunning and deceit with complete disregard for principle or scruples - like a Republican running for Congress.
His neighbors envious of his wealth and prestige bow and genuflect at his feet, hoping to win his favors while he takes advantage of them at every turn – like conservative voters awaiting the trickle down.
Despite his fortune, his wife, daughter and faithful housekeeper suffer greatly as a result of his pious hypocrisy - like the Christian right.
His dandy nephew, woes his daughter, assures her of his love, takes what little money she has, takes her pride and then breaks her heat - like a Republican administration.
His wife then dies - like a second term.
In the end, justice prevails, the father dies, allowing the meek to inherit his wealth. Only, it turns out they never really needed it – like another tax break for the wealthy.
Bottom line: A great story by a great writer - all politics aside
The Little Shepherd of Kingdom Come
by John Fox, Jr.
A highly romanticized version of old Kentucky
An orphan in the hills of Kentucky wanders down to the Blue Grass country, finds he is the long lost relative of one of the local gentry, learns the chivalry and good manners of Southern culture ....
The only problem is, in the author's attempt to glorify southern tradition the book becomes a parody of itself as he then attempts to justify slavery as well.
This is the version of southern history where owners understand the limitations of, the other race, and yet generously feed and house them, while allowing them to work. Where slaves are sleek, healthy, well-fed and grateful for their generous masters. Where slaves cheerfully answer to names like Snowball. And yet amidst the bliss of the slaves, hangs the dark cloud of being freed by well-intentioned but misinformed northerners forever destroying their happy, care-free lives.
A morality tale steeped in bigotry
Bleak House
by Charles Dickens
It goes like this
You are introduced to a myriad of characters. These characters, display the full spectrum of the human condition: from wealthy to wretched, from saint to sinner, from wise to simple, from respected to scorned, from arrogant to humble from solid to eccentric...
Yet these characters are not one dimensional. While, their nature remains apparent their behavior twist and turns.
Slowly, as you become acquainted, you become aware of mysteries lurking in their separate backgrounds.
As your knowledge of the characters deepen the mysteries grow. The characters and the mysteries begin to entwine and from the entanglement a story emerges.
A great story, told with Dickens social insights, irascible characters and gentle humor.
Yes, you should read this.
Definitely
Arsène Lupin
by Edgar Jepson
The author was Maurice Leblanc, Edgar Jepson was a writer who served as the translator for Leblanc's Lupin series.
Leblanc was asked by his publisher to write a story to take advantage of the Sherlock Holmes craze but instead of creating a series based on a master detective he creates a glib and aristocratic master criminal.
Mystery and tension build but humor prevails throughout as Monsieur Lupin and Chief-Inspector Guerchard try mightily to outwit each other.
I thought the ending was a bit rushed so I dropped it a star for that but don't let that discourage you, this is a good book. I definitely look forward to sharing more reading adventures with M. Lupin and M. Leblanc.
The Sky Pilot
by Ralph Connor
The Author
Was a Canadian Minister who began his first ministry in the province of Alberta.
The Plot
A young minister comes to a small town in Alberta to start his first ministry. The local population while being good morale people are both hard working and rough playing. They are also a mite skeptical about this greenhorn minister and his religious ways.
However, by his deeds and actions he slowly wins over the rough and tumble cowhands to the point where nothing is seen as more rewarding than sitting down after a hard days work and listening to the minister read a bible story and then having a little heated discussion amongst the boys about the merits thereof.
Inter weaved in the plot is a heart tugging little Nell story in which the minister also plays a central role.
Assessment
If you like an old fashioned, nostalgic, highly sentimental tale you could characterize it as a charming little story or if not, maybe something akin to incredibly lame. I\'m sticking to the middle of the road - lame but with some merit.
Noteworthy
This book sold over a million copies in 1899 and earned the Author international acclaim.
Go figure
In the Midst of Alarms
by Robert Barr
A humorous tale
A self serving, roguish, newspaper reporter from New York heads off to Canada on his vacation to get away from it all with his former friend - a very sincere, self conscience and well mannered Canadian professor.
They set up camp next to two farm families each possessing young and attractive daughters.
In the midst of their wooing and ensuing complications a war breaks out. A rag-tag army of Irish-American immigrants invade the neighborhood in their attempt to conquer Canada and force England to free the Irish. (Based on the Fenian invasion - strange but true, only the facts have been altered.)
Everything is eventually resolved with humor and wit.
This book won't change your life but it stands a reasonable good chance of getting you through the next couple of days with a warm chuckle and a smile.
Not a bad bargain for hard times.
The Malay Archipelago, vol 1
by Alfred Russel Wallace
I recently viewed a PBS program on Birds of Paradise where Sir David Attenborough quoted from this book. I then searched here and found the book.
This very interesting narrative by Mr. Wallace is described as "One of the most popular and influential journals of scientific exploration published during the 19th century." Wikipedia
The book from the 1880s reads like a travel log in which Wallace describes the flora and fauna along with observations about the people and the colonial rulers of the various Island groups he visits. With the expected euro-centric bias of it's time, however don't let that dissuade you, it's well worth reading.
I was a little put-off by the lack of illustrations until I set up my lap-top and started goggling the various islands, flora, fauna, birds, mammals etc., being described in the text, which then truly brought the book to life.
You can find the original illustrations from this book using the following link: http://www.papuaweb.org/dlib/bk/wallace/book.html (One of my discoveries while googling)
If you like descriptions of exotic locals and cultures you will find it hard not to enjoy this book. Also, Wallace's theories and explanations about the migration of species and island formation are interesting and not at all hard to bear.
The Country of the Pointed Firs
by Sarah Orne Jewett
If you read this book you will spend a quiet leisurely Summer in a small New England fishing village.
Eventually you will become acquainted with the people of the town as they share their stories with you. You will learn about local families, local characters, and a little of their local history. Through these conversations you will acquire a sense of who they are and what they value.
But before long you will realize that Summer is over and regretfully you have to leave.
A Martian Odyssey
by Stanley Grauman Weinbaum
This much admired story is the oldest short story to be selected by a committee of Science Fiction writers for inclusion in the Science Fiction Hall Of Fame first volume and was also among the top vote getters.
There is an interesting article on Weinbaum in Wikipedia that gives some additional detail on the story and it's impact on Science Fiction writing.
The story is short well constructed and a worthwhile read.
The LaChance Mine Mystery
by Susan Morrow Jones
I thought this book started out great and I really wanted to love it. I did enjoy the backdrop. A remote mine deep in the Canadian wilds as well as a mysterious hovel called Skunks Misery inhabited by drifters, low-lives and other unfortunate characters. Not to mention, racing down snowy moon lit roads, trying to outrun the wolves howling in pursuit.
This book reminded me of reading the Hardy Boy books while growing up. But by the end unfortunately that also was the problem, it was too much like the Hardy Boys and I had grown up.
But not a bad little adventure especially if you enjoy a little nostalgia
Wuthering Heights
by Emily Brontë
I avoided reading this book growing up because it was well..... written by a woman and frequently described with words like "all-encompassing love" and "unresolved passion" while completing lacking in words like courage, adventure, amazing or anything well.... male like.
Well if you are a male and avoided this book for similar reasons. It's like powerful, gothic, morbid, determined, unrelenting, or to put it another way, it has many redeeming features despite it's subject matter.
Last, if I ever were to meet Emily Bronte in an after life ....I wouldn't mess with her.
The Hungry Stones
by Rabindranath Tagore
If you are just browsing because you are an avid reader and enjoy contemplating the possibilities of stumbling upon exceptional writing then browse no more. You have arrived at your destination.
The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner
by James Hogg
The book begins humorously as satire and quickly transforms into a Gothic horror tale although the author retains his sense of humor and irony throughout.
This is considered by many to be one of the classics of the horror genre as well as a classic novel.
Chilling, humorous and ironic a good combination for a late night read.
Le Rouge et Le Noir
by Stendhal
This is a tragic story about a young man who allows his unchecked vanity and ambition to ultimately destroy him and everyone around him.
No
This is a story of redemption about a young man whose goodness rises above his ambitions, ending in an act of nobility, allowing those surrounding him to each find what they truly sought.
No
This is a story of class struggle where a young gifted man struggles with his desire to rise above his station only to ultimately find deception and sorrow while pursuing his too shallow goal.
No
This is a very fine book I think you will enjoy.
Yes!
Candide
by Voltaire
A different perspective on the Age Of Enlightenment. Like living in America during the reign of George the Dumber.
Read the foot notes for the story behind the story.
The Innocence of Father Brown
by G.K. Chesterton
I have a passion for mysteries.
However, G.K. Chersterton's stories should not be simply categorized as mystery stories. His writing and language skills recommend his stories to anybody who enjoys reading from a gifted storyteller.
So, whether you are in a mood for mysteries or just would like to spend some time with a great storyteller ..... look no further.
Eleven little gems
Oroonoko
by Aphra Behn
If you read the description in "1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die" and believe you will be reading something akin to historical fiction based on the slave trade and the treatment of slaves in Surinam in the 1600s --think again.
This reads far more like a tale of Greek Mythology than historical fiction.
So, if you can fully suspend your sense of reality and enjoy it for what it is, a simple mythic tale of good and evil....it's short and worthwhile
Otherwise, it's just too black and white on too many levels
The Adventures of Roderick Random
by Tobias Smollett
A rouge's tale
Many, many twists and turns, written with humor and wit, still enjoyable by today's standards - recommended.
The Mill on the Floss
by George Eliot
Not my cup of tea
Well written but what I would describe as a 19th century chic book. Victorian and highly moralistic where virtue and honor is everything... kind of.
She
by H. Rider Haggard
In my younger days I would have read this told my friends about it and then I would have read every H. Rider Haggard book that could be found bought or traded for.
As an adult - still a good tale and a worthwhile read
The People of the Ruins
by Edward Shanks
Simplistic characters and a contrived story line don't make for a particularly good read.
The ending wasn't bad but too much of a price to get there.
A Rogue's Life
by Wilkie Collins
I just downloaded this out of the blue, for no particular reason, with little knowledge of the author and no knowledge of the story.
Blind luck - found it to be a humorous and a worthwhile read
At the Villa Rose
by A.E.W. Mason
If you like Agatha Christie type mysteries this book should hold some appeal.
The characters are fairly typical of the period where females fall into well defined categories, (good) young, pure, pale, delicate, naive and willing to faint, (older) wise, well-intentioned, class conscience and pretentious, swoon but rarely faint and (rivals) either jealous, ambitious and conniving or (bad) very ill-mannered girls, to say the least.
The storyline on the other hand is good. It starts with a fairly typical plot line, the all evidence points to one suspect, one. However, it then takes a slightly unusual twist where the case is solved in the middle of the book and the last part of the book becomes a retelling of the crime through the principal characters, which is surprisingly the best part of the book.
What I found most interesting besides the fact this book was made into a movie on three separate occasions was the character of Inspector Hanaud who is French, vain, pompous, condescending and of course cerebral.
Why? I believe this book was published about ten years before Agatha Christie introduced Mr. Poirot raising the question did Agatha Christie use Inspector Hanaud as a model for Mr. Poirot?
Final analysis - If you find British mysteries to be slow, convoluted and too much talk and not enough action? avoid this book.
On the other hand, if you find British mysteries to be just your cup of tea? pass the crumpets.