Rebecca Reads: : Page 74

Reading Reflections: An EBook Tricked Me

Published on October 27, 2010 | 20 Responses

This past summer, I got in the habit of reading Victorian classics on my HD2 phone¹ But this is not a story about ebook readers being wonderful². It’s about how one of the books I read tricked me. Or maybe I’m just really dense or ridiculous or …. what does the following story say about me?

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As it is a Windows Mobile operating system, I use a free ereader called Freda to access .pub files. I’m very satisfied with it, but I wouldn’t mind trying a Kindle app if they ever choose to make one! The Barnes and Noble nook app that came installed on the phone did not allow me to import my own free ebooks from Project Gutenberg; a nook account and B&N purchase were required to use it, and I was not interested in that. It also was very annoying to use and I could not sort books into folders. ↩
Although it is wonderful! I really enjoyed the flexibility. Since I always have my phone with me, I could read anywhere I went, from walks to the park to the doctor’s office, to the library where my son did puzzles and I read. I also enjoyed being able to read after my husband was asleep: I didn’t need a light since it is backlit! ↩

Chronicle of a Death Foretold and One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez

Published on October 26, 2010 | 30 Responses

When I read One Hundred Years of Solitude (by Gabriel García Márquez, published 1967) half a decade ago, I didn’t understand it, but I loved every bit of it. As I struggled for months through the saga (part of which I read in the original Spanish, part in translation by Gregory Rabassa), I found myself absorbed in a magical world as a family’s sweeping story unfolded on a complicated and satisfying stage. It was a rewarding immersion, and I’ve looked forward to my next García Márquez novel.

However, the short novella Chronicle of a Death Foretold (published 1981, and read in translation from Spanish by Gregory Rabassa) did nothing for me. I was incredibly disappointed. At less than 120 pages, I didn’t feel swept up in anything, and I was disappointed that it didn’t have any magical realism, which is part of why I loved the other novel so much.

That said, I liked the language, which was reminiscent of One Hundred Years, and I still consider García Márquez highly deserving of the Nobel Prize in Literature (awarded in 1982) for his talent with words. Besides, reading the novella prompted me to reread One Hundred Years, and while I still failed to understand that epic saga, it was still a very satisfying read.

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Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Published on October 25, 2010 | 19 Responses

Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (published 2006) tells the story of the Nigerian Civil War, when the minority, repressed Igbos in Southeastern Nigeria established the independent republic of Biafra.

My understanding of the war comes from my reading of the novel, but I did also reference Wikipedia. (Adichie mentions in an interview that she purposely kept it non-academic, so that is why there are few dates, no maps, and no “glossary” of terms in the novel itself.) It is often the case with fiction that you only get one side of the story. Yet in Adichie’s novel, I felt that much that was unsaid could still be understood. Half of a Yellow Sun portrayed Biafra as a patriotic solution for the racism and oppression that the Igbo dealt with, and the Biafran succession came after serious massacres of Igbos throughout the country of Nigeria.

From what I’ve read, the sad side is that Biafra’s story is one of starvation, for because of the lack of widespread international recognition, a blockade meant millions of people in Biafra were without food. Biafra’s story is one of failed uprising, for because of lack of proper supplies, the Biafran war effort was essentially doomed from the start. And Biafra’s story is about corrupted leaders, for because of the lack of truthful communication, Biafran citizens didn’t quite realize the extent of the hopelessness.

But these tragedies, much of which is experienced but left unsaid in Half of a Yellow Sun, are only the backdrop for a story of hope. The title comes from the Biafran flag:

Red was the blood of the siblings massacred in the North, black was for mourning them, green was for the prosperity Biafra would have, and, finally, the half of a yellow sun stood for the glorious future. (page 352)

Half of a Yellow Sun leaves the reader with a feeling of hope for the “glorious future,” maybe not for the state of Biafra but for the essential relationships that matter, from sisterhood to the intimacy of lovers to parents and friends. In the midst of unspeakable and violent tragedy, the upper-middle class twin sisters that Adichie writes about learn to love each other again. Half of a Yellow Sun is an story of survival.

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The Monk by Matthew Lewis

Published on October 21, 2010 | 22 Responses

According to my Harmon and Holman A Handbook to Literature, “romance” has had a special meaning in terms of literature since the beginning of the novel. As opposed to a “novel,” a term which suggested realistic manners and society, a “romance” was more unlikely to happen in reality.

In common usage, [romance] refers to works with extravagant characters, romantic and exotic places, highly exciting and heroic events, passionate love, or mysterious or supernatural experiences. In another and more sophisticated sense, romance refers to works relatively free of the more restrictive aspects of realistic verisimilitude. (“Romance,” page 450, William Harmon and Hugh Holman, A Handbook to Literature, eighth edition 1999)

Since I do not normally enjoy science fiction and rarely read fantasy beyond children’s books, I’m starting to suspect that the original classics that were the precursors are likewise not likely to be my favorite of classics. The Monk by Matthew Lewis (published 1796, when Matthew Lewis was 20 years old) is subtitled “A Romance” and such a description, had I realized the original connotation, should have been evidence enough that it would not be a cherished read. I loved the beginning and the end (more on that in a minute) but for the most part, The Monk was a drudge for me to read.

But, this may very well be just the right classic novel for you.

Lest you take my word for it, I will suggest that The Monk is far different from the stereotypical 1790s classic, such as the contemporary and perennial favorite Jane Austen. I picked up The Monk based on Amanda’s review, in which she explains what a fun novel it was. It was funny: I laughed out loud on many occasions. But I simply dislike the extreme drama that is a part of the early “romance” novel. I also didn’t like Dracula for similar reasons. I kept rolling my eyes with both books.

I also will say I went in knowing very little about how it would play out. All I knew was it dealt with monks, love, and fantastic pacts with the devil. There is so much more to it, but knowing little is, I think, a perfect way to approach it. The humorous episodes are much more random when one does not expect them. If you haven’t read this yet and may be interested in doing so, keep in mind that the remainder of this post may contain spoilers.

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Look What Came Today!!

Published on October 20, 2010 | 47 Responses

I rarely buy books so I can’t tell you how excited I am by the one that I ordered that came today! (P.S. sorry for the poor quality, I only have my cell phone right now.)

Isn’t it a beauty?! 1215 pages of Pevear and Volokhonsky translated pleasure. I hope at least.

I will be reading this starting at the end of November (when I finish with my Africa project). I’ll finish by January 19 because I’m leading a book group on it.

Care to join me?