Just a few minutes left of 2008 and I'm writing about literature. What else would one expect?
Along with my extensive New Years Resolution list,I will be making a Subjects-To-Post-About list. I am a big fan of lists.
Favourite works of literature 1800-1880:
A Doll's House by Henrick Ibsen
My absolute favourite play. Ibsen's depiction of the trapped Nora is nothing short of genius. This truly was the birth of modern drama. I've had the pleasure of reading snippets of several of his other plays, wonderful in their own right, but there's nothing like the first work one read. The alternate ending to please theatre patrons of the time is a travesty. If you see that it is included with the version you're reading, skip it; you're much better off without it. I highly recommend this one. It's far too often overlooked.
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
The first Jane Austen novel I ever read. It's very similar to Pride and Prejudice but, in some ways, a bit quirkier. It's certainly not as straightforward. The two sisters, Elinor and Marianne Dashwood, are opposites. Elinor worships self-control and restraint, particularly in love, about all else, whereas Marianne values passion. I've always identified with Elinor and I thought her storyline worked out beautifully. I will say though, Edward Ferrars is Jane Austen's most unlikable hero and Willoughby is her most likable villain.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
It's unavoidable. I nurse a soft spot for Sense and Sensibility but this is just as good. I think everyone knows the storyline by now. It's a good read, even if you have seen the movie.
Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
I loved Wuthering Heights. The writing style is not the most refined, sophisticated or complicated, but the storyline makes up for it. I'm not a big fan of unrestrained passion, but for some reason the unrefined purity worked for me. I absolutely could not put it down. The way the stories intertwined was marvelous. A pure romance novel, as much as I hate to admit it. And, even by Jeffrey Eugenides' standards-- a love story.
That's about as sappy as it's going to get. Even so, it makes me cringe.
Happy 2009!
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Yet Another Literature Musing
Favourite works of literature from 1880-1930 (I'll admit, I had to look up a few publication dates to make sure I was in the right time period):
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Obviously, this was F. Scott Fitzgerald's masterpiece, thus needing little introduction. Capote, in fact, incorporated some of Fitzgerald's style into his own. What struck me as I was reading this was Fitzgerald's excellent pacing and structure. Unlike most novels, The Great Gatsby is a collection of chapters that create a novel, as opposed to a novel split into chapters. It goes without saying that it is a must read of American literature; it defined literature of the 20th century.
The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton
Wharton won the Pulitzer Prize for this novel, although it is not to everyone's taste. A critique on New York society, she effortlessly blends the new and old to create a compelling and believable portrait of courtship and marriage. Many of its central themes , including disillusionment and feelings of entrapment, among others, still resonate it today's society. A tolerance for interior monologue and meticulous attention to detail is a must.
Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie
The novel version of the beloved children's story, play, and Disney movie is one of the most beautiful novels I've read. I was particularly struck by the overtones of philosophy I hadn't expected. Despite being a boy who's never grown up, Peter's musings and those around him, are particularly well-crafted. It's honestly a beautiful story with a lot of interesting ideas and lasting characters.
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
Wilde, a playwright, made himself known as novelist with this work, which was, in fact, his only piece of prose. A brilliant portrayal of downfall by vanity. Wilde's dramatic sense works particularly well with Dorian's characters, whose vanity often leads for a sense of the dramatic. Perhaps a bit similar to Peter Pan in the sense of never wanting to grow old, although for very different reasons. The ending fit perfectly with the rest of the novel and seemed open to interpretation depending on whether you took the novel as literal or allegorical.
I hope I haven't missed anything.
Next up: Literature 1800-1880 including works by Austen.
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Obviously, this was F. Scott Fitzgerald's masterpiece, thus needing little introduction. Capote, in fact, incorporated some of Fitzgerald's style into his own. What struck me as I was reading this was Fitzgerald's excellent pacing and structure. Unlike most novels, The Great Gatsby is a collection of chapters that create a novel, as opposed to a novel split into chapters. It goes without saying that it is a must read of American literature; it defined literature of the 20th century.
The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton
Wharton won the Pulitzer Prize for this novel, although it is not to everyone's taste. A critique on New York society, she effortlessly blends the new and old to create a compelling and believable portrait of courtship and marriage. Many of its central themes , including disillusionment and feelings of entrapment, among others, still resonate it today's society. A tolerance for interior monologue and meticulous attention to detail is a must.
Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie
The novel version of the beloved children's story, play, and Disney movie is one of the most beautiful novels I've read. I was particularly struck by the overtones of philosophy I hadn't expected. Despite being a boy who's never grown up, Peter's musings and those around him, are particularly well-crafted. It's honestly a beautiful story with a lot of interesting ideas and lasting characters.
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
Wilde, a playwright, made himself known as novelist with this work, which was, in fact, his only piece of prose. A brilliant portrayal of downfall by vanity. Wilde's dramatic sense works particularly well with Dorian's characters, whose vanity often leads for a sense of the dramatic. Perhaps a bit similar to Peter Pan in the sense of never wanting to grow old, although for very different reasons. The ending fit perfectly with the rest of the novel and seemed open to interpretation depending on whether you took the novel as literal or allegorical.
I hope I haven't missed anything.
Next up: Literature 1800-1880 including works by Austen.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
More Literature
I thought I'd update with more books I love. From 1930-1980:
Breakfast at Tiffany's by Truman Capote
This is my all-time favourite book, one of few to have truly changed my life. I cannot say enough about the brilliance of the novella, so I may have to let the Wall Street Journal speak for me.
"'Tiffany's' -- a triumph of literary imagination, narrative structure, prose style, deep emotion kept under extraordinary control, and real moral seriousness-- that marked Capote's artistic summit."
The movie positively ruined the perfection that the novella achieves, so do yourself a favour and read the book-- don't just watch the movie. As cute as Audrey Hepburn is, she's no Holly Golightly.
Truman Capote has the fine distinction of being my favourite writer. Other books you should read by him include Other Voices, Other Rooms, Summer's Crossing, The Grass Harp, and The Complete Stories of Truman Capote ("Miriam" is my favourite).
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
The classic high school curriculum book depicting the futuristic world. Wonderfully imaginative but also disturbing, the pacing is perfect, as is the ending. The character name's make me smiles and I have been unable to think of Shakespeare, anti-depressents, and classical conditioning in the same way since.
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
Another one of my absolute favourites. Although well known for her poetry, her prose style is remarkably refined as well. I read it having heard it called the girl's equivalent to Catcher in the Rye (which is not one of my favourites) and I feel it's a great story in its own right. Frankly, I'd prefer if it didn't spark those comparisons. Plath's description of Esther's (and her own) descent into mental illness is so convincing, you never feel that she's crazy. Beautifully crafted and interesting. It seems to me to be a pleasing read for all.
Enough Rope by Dorothy Parker
Not fiction, but rather a book of verse. Dorothy Parker has her own unique style of verse, always ironic and rhyming, that is difficult to effectivly replicate (I've tried). She has some really beautiful, funny poems, mainly poking fun at men. Although most were written when she was depressed, it's a great pick-me-up (ironic?)
Tomorrow, or whenever else I update, it'll be books from the latter half of the 19th century and from 1900-1930.
Breakfast at Tiffany's by Truman Capote
This is my all-time favourite book, one of few to have truly changed my life. I cannot say enough about the brilliance of the novella, so I may have to let the Wall Street Journal speak for me.
"'Tiffany's' -- a triumph of literary imagination, narrative structure, prose style, deep emotion kept under extraordinary control, and real moral seriousness-- that marked Capote's artistic summit."
The movie positively ruined the perfection that the novella achieves, so do yourself a favour and read the book-- don't just watch the movie. As cute as Audrey Hepburn is, she's no Holly Golightly.
Truman Capote has the fine distinction of being my favourite writer. Other books you should read by him include Other Voices, Other Rooms, Summer's Crossing, The Grass Harp, and The Complete Stories of Truman Capote ("Miriam" is my favourite).
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
The classic high school curriculum book depicting the futuristic world. Wonderfully imaginative but also disturbing, the pacing is perfect, as is the ending. The character name's make me smiles and I have been unable to think of Shakespeare, anti-depressents, and classical conditioning in the same way since.
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
Another one of my absolute favourites. Although well known for her poetry, her prose style is remarkably refined as well. I read it having heard it called the girl's equivalent to Catcher in the Rye (which is not one of my favourites) and I feel it's a great story in its own right. Frankly, I'd prefer if it didn't spark those comparisons. Plath's description of Esther's (and her own) descent into mental illness is so convincing, you never feel that she's crazy. Beautifully crafted and interesting. It seems to me to be a pleasing read for all.
Enough Rope by Dorothy Parker
Not fiction, but rather a book of verse. Dorothy Parker has her own unique style of verse, always ironic and rhyming, that is difficult to effectivly replicate (I've tried). She has some really beautiful, funny poems, mainly poking fun at men. Although most were written when she was depressed, it's a great pick-me-up (ironic?)
Tomorrow, or whenever else I update, it'll be books from the latter half of the 19th century and from 1900-1930.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Modern Literature
It's been a long time since I posted, but I thought I would try to update once a week with various books that I've enjoyed recently. This week's theme is modern, contemporary literature (1980-present).
First:
The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides
An absolute masterwork. I wish this had won the Pulitzer instead of Middlesex. This was the first piece of modern literature that really held my attention. The first person plural narration was a bold choice, but in the end, paid off beautifully. I did see Sophia Coppola's film version and although it was very pretty, the beauty of The Virgin Suicides lies in the narrative, which is impossible to translate into screen form.
Kensington Gardens by Rodrigo Fresan
Fresan is an Argentinian author and this is his first book translated into English. I have been scouring bookstores for any of his other novels in the original Spanish but have been unsuccessful. I could easily write a five page essay on the brilliant nature of the novel; I'll save that for another time. The book's subject matter is fascinating. It almost flawlessly intertwines the Victorian/Edwardian era, the Swinging Sixties, and Peter Pan into a wonderfully philosophic and insightful novel. For any fans of surrealism, be it visual art or literature, this is a must read.
The History of Love by Nicole Krauss
Nicole Krauss's prose reads like poetry and its stark lyricism and honesty make the novel all the more heartbreaking. I was reticent to pick up the book at first based on the title; I didn't want to be seen reading something with such a frivolous name. Eventually, the back cover won me over and I bought the book, expecting very little. I was pleasantly surprised. The protagonist is delightfully quirky as evidenced by one of my favorite passages from the novel.
"When I got to the part about how he was found by some Bedouins, Herman slipped his hand into mine, and I thought, An average of seventy-four species become extinct every day, which was one good reason but not the only one to hold someone’s hand, and the next thing that happened was we kissed each other, and I found I knew how, and I felt happy and sad in equal parts, because I knew that I was falling in love, but it wasn’t with him."
Jane, your short story reminded me of this book. You should read it; I think you'd really like it.
Other notable books that I don't have the time or energy to provide full descriptions for (perhaps later):
My Sister, My Love by Joyce Carol Oates
The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides
Special Topics in Calamity Physics by Marisha Pessl (a slightly more dramatic, less literary read)
First:
The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides
An absolute masterwork. I wish this had won the Pulitzer instead of Middlesex. This was the first piece of modern literature that really held my attention. The first person plural narration was a bold choice, but in the end, paid off beautifully. I did see Sophia Coppola's film version and although it was very pretty, the beauty of The Virgin Suicides lies in the narrative, which is impossible to translate into screen form.
Kensington Gardens by Rodrigo Fresan
Fresan is an Argentinian author and this is his first book translated into English. I have been scouring bookstores for any of his other novels in the original Spanish but have been unsuccessful. I could easily write a five page essay on the brilliant nature of the novel; I'll save that for another time. The book's subject matter is fascinating. It almost flawlessly intertwines the Victorian/Edwardian era, the Swinging Sixties, and Peter Pan into a wonderfully philosophic and insightful novel. For any fans of surrealism, be it visual art or literature, this is a must read.
The History of Love by Nicole Krauss
Nicole Krauss's prose reads like poetry and its stark lyricism and honesty make the novel all the more heartbreaking. I was reticent to pick up the book at first based on the title; I didn't want to be seen reading something with such a frivolous name. Eventually, the back cover won me over and I bought the book, expecting very little. I was pleasantly surprised. The protagonist is delightfully quirky as evidenced by one of my favorite passages from the novel.
"When I got to the part about how he was found by some Bedouins, Herman slipped his hand into mine, and I thought, An average of seventy-four species become extinct every day, which was one good reason but not the only one to hold someone’s hand, and the next thing that happened was we kissed each other, and I found I knew how, and I felt happy and sad in equal parts, because I knew that I was falling in love, but it wasn’t with him."
Jane, your short story reminded me of this book. You should read it; I think you'd really like it.
Other notable books that I don't have the time or energy to provide full descriptions for (perhaps later):
My Sister, My Love by Joyce Carol Oates
The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides
Special Topics in Calamity Physics by Marisha Pessl (a slightly more dramatic, less literary read)
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