Rebecca Reads

Classics, Nonfiction, and Children's Literature

  • About
  • Blog
    • Non-Reviews
    • Reviews
      • Child/Young Adult
        • Board Books
        • Chapter Books
        • Early Chapter Books
        • Middle Grade
        • Picture Books
        • Young Adult
      • Fiction
        • Drama
        • Short Stories
        • Poetry
      • Nonfiction
  • Reading Lists
  • Contact
  • Line upon Line Learning

The Death of Caesar by Barry Strauss

August 17, 2015 by Rebecca Reid

The Death of Caesar: The Story of History’s Most Famous Assassination by Barry Strauss (Simon & Schuster, March 2015) examines the traditions of the assassination of Julius Caesar, clearing up the myths (such as Shakespeare’s play) from reality. Analyzing such an historic event from 44 B.C. is not easy since eyewitness accounts are few and far between and records of supposed eyewitnesses are always questioned. Yet, Strauss’s book provides an entertaining and thorough examination of the most pressing people and events leading up to the assassination, the deed itself, and the immediate result.Continue Reading

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

June 21, 2010 by Rebecca Reid

I have never watched a “train-wreck” reality show. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever watched a reality show, unless you count the cooking shows like Iron Chef America. I have no desire to watch reality shows (beyond learning to cook, that is), and I don’t understand the appeal.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, depicts how in the futuristic world of Panem, which emerged from the ashes of a war-torn North America, the government produces a televised reality show in which 24 teenagers kill each other. The purpose of the Hunger Games is to illustrate how the government provides everything for the populace and that without the government’s wise support, anarchy and personal battle will reign over the land. People in the far-off districts depend on the Capitol for support. The Hunger Games illustrate what would happen if people rebelled against authority: chaos and murder.

Yet, The Hunger Games is not about savagery or murder. It is about defiance. Katniss volunteers herself, eager to save the life of her twelve-year-old sister Prim, whose name has been selected from the lottery. And from the beginning of the games until the end, Katniss hates the games, hates the Capitol’s philosophies, and hates the forced murdering game she is a part of. In that sense, she is a hero.Continue Reading

The Golden Age of Detective Fiction: A Christie and A Sayers Novel

May 17, 2010 by Rebecca Reid

Today begins the Golden Age of Detective Fiction Classics Circuit, and I have the honor of beginning the tour with reviews of two mystery novels. See the full schedule to see where the tour goes next.

It is rather ironic that I get to start off this great tour, because after reading my two novels, I’ve decided pretty strongly that I am not a great fan of the mystery novel. Although I enjoyed both of them, I found myself a bit bored, I’m sorry to say.

That said, both novels actually were rather excellent, just not my favorite genre. If you, like me, do not normally read mystery and would like to try one, either Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express or Strong Poison by Dorothy Sayers would both be great books to start with, although for different reasons.

Continue Reading

Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky

April 22, 2010 by Rebecca Reid

“Crime and Punishment,” says Richard Pevear in his introduction, “is a highly unusual mystery novel: the most mystified character in it is the murderer himself.”

At first glance, there is no mystery. The answers to “who, what, when, and where” seem self-evident, especially since the murder occurs center stage in the first 80 pages of the novel. Yet the “why” behind Raskolnikov’s crime arrests attention, and the mystery is determining exactly what is the “punishment” of the title. From the beginning section to the epilogue, Fyodor Dostoevsky’s psychological novel captures a disturbed mind in turmoil from its own philosophic ideals. Raskolnikov’s expectations for himself as a “Napoleon” above the law are distorted by his own inner turmoil, and his “punishment” may be realizing his place as a human in the midst of humanity.

But I say “at first glance.” The best facet of Crime and Punishment is its depth. An abundance of characters, some stereotyped and some individual, and layers of complexities of situation and personality illustrate just how each one of us has both a “devil” and a “saint” inside us.

As the Penguin Reading Guide asks, “Who among us is not a criminal? Who among us has not attempted to impose his or her will on the natural order?” I love Crime and Punishment because of the universality of that concept. The concepts do not seem specifically Russian or nineteenth century. Instead, it is universal in its look at human nature, and human nature has not changed much in the past 150 years, although the specific settings vary.

Continue Reading

Next Page »

Rebecca Reads Classics, Nonfiction, and Children's Literature

Reflections on great books from an avid reader, now a homeschooling mom

Search for a Book Review

  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Archives

open all | close all

Authors, Publishers, and Publicists

Please refer to my review policy before sending me a request to read your book for review.

Disclosure

Occasionally, I accept copies of books for review consideration. All such books will be tagged "Review Copy". Accepting a book for review does not affect my opinion of the book.

I am also an Amazon affiliate. Items purchased via Amazon through a link on any of these pages may result in a commission to me. Thank you for your support.
All content © Rebecca Reads 2008-2015 All Rights Reserved.
Protected by Copyscape Plagiarism Detector

About This Blog
Privacy and Disclosure Policy (on Line upon Line Learning blog)
Book Review Policy
Contact Rebecca Reid

Advertisement



Browse My Educational Products Shop!

Copyright © 2021 · Beautiful Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in