BSchultz19 Posted February 14, 2015 Author Posted February 14, 2015 Update from my American Literature class We are currently getting into the lost generation, reading Hemingway and Fitzgerald right now. We have watched biographies on both of them the past few days and their lives are incredibly interesting. Most of the class has not had much experience with these author's, but I have, so it is interesting for me to see how their lives is portrayed into their writing. Hemingway is known for doing this most, but Fitzgerald also puts some of the main themes from his life into his works. I am really enjoying this class because I can tell that I'm already becoming a more critical reader and I hope to take more similar classes in college if I am able. Quote
BSchultz19 Posted February 14, 2015 Author Posted February 14, 2015 Great review, I'm glad you enjoyed the book . I believe I have a copy of it somewhere though I'm not sure if it'd be a book for me. I'm glad you enjoyed it, though . I think that not being American already takes some of the deep meaning away from the book. For me reading it I felt shame a lot of the time because of the country's history and also I'm not sure if I would've done any better if I were in that situation. Quote
Athena Posted February 15, 2015 Posted February 15, 2015 I'm glad your class is going well . Might I ask, why is it called 'lost generation'? I hadn't heard of this term before . Quote
Anna Begins Posted February 15, 2015 Posted February 15, 2015 Update from my American Literature class Hemingway is known for doing this most, I am so jealous of this class you are taking!! It sounds so fun. I am hoping to take a literature class in the fall (although I don't know which yet). Hemmingway's novels are pretty much autobiographical, ya I love him Quote
BSchultz19 Posted February 16, 2015 Author Posted February 16, 2015 I'm glad your class is going well . Might I ask, why is it called 'lost generation'? I hadn't heard of this term before . It comes from a Gertrude Stein quote about Hemingway and others who served in the war. They were a lost generation because all they did was drink and party and write. Later Hemingway uses it in the Sun Also Rises I am so jealous of this class you are taking!! It sounds so fun. I am hoping to take a literature class in the fall (although I don't know which yet). Hemmingway's novels are pretty much autobiographical, ya I love him It is really fun. I wish it was more advanced, but I'm pretty happy with it. I really like Hemingway recently and I think I'm gonna read more of him soon!! Quote
BSchultz19 Posted February 16, 2015 Author Posted February 16, 2015 The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck Summary This tells the poignant tale of a Chinese farmer and his family in old agrarian China. The humble Wang Lung glories in the soil he works, nurturing the land as it nurtures him and his family. Nearby, the nobles of the House of Hwang consider themselves above the land and its workers; but they will soon meet their own downfall. Hard times come upon Wang Lung and his family when flood and drought force them to seek work in the city. The working people riot, breaking into the homes of the rich and forcing them to flee. When Wang Lung shows mercy to one noble and is rewarded, he begins to rise in the world, even as the House of Hwang falls. Opinions I really liked this book even though it took me awhile to actually get through. I guess that the style of writing was so different from what I had been reading lately that it didn't pull me in. I had heard great reviews heading into reading the book, so maybe my expectations were too high, but I just couldn't fully LOVE this book. It was weird for me to feel this way because as I read it I recognized that the plot was great and the characters were incredibly developed and the whole book painted a great picture of what China was like during that time period, but I just could not get into the book. I can see why it won a Pulitzer, because of the way it completely summed up a culture but I did not particularly thing it was above and beyond amazing. All of this said, it was a good read. I enjoyed it and it was a great literary work. Just not my favorite. Rating Quote
BSchultz19 Posted February 16, 2015 Author Posted February 16, 2015 The Tenth Circle by Jodi Picoult Summary Fourteen-year-old Trixie Stone is in love for the first time. She's also the light of her father, Daniel's life -- a straight-A student; a pretty, popular freshman in high school; a girl who's always seen her father as a hero. That is, until her world is turned upside down with a single act of violence. Suddenly everything Trixie has believed about her family -- and herself -- seems to be a lie. Could the boyfriend who once made Trixie wild with happiness have been the one to end her childhood forever? She says that he is, and that is all it takes to make Daniel, a seemingly mild-mannered comic book artist with a secret tumultuous past he has hidden even from his family, venture to hell and back to protect his daughter. With The Tenth Circle, Jodi Picoult offers her most powerful chronicle yet as she explores the unbreakable bond between parent and child, and questions whether you can reinvent yourself in the course of a lifetime -- or if your mistakes are carried forever. (from goodreads) Opinions Just when I think that Jodi Picoult can't explore tougher topics, she does. I don't think it is too much of a spoiler to say that this book involves rape, which has become a serious talking point in America right now because of how much of a problem it is among teenagers and on college campuses as well as other places. The way that Picoult portrays the characters in this novel is phenomenal. While reading I kept being reminded of the new campaign or phrase spreading around that rather than "No means no" it should be "yes means yes". Consent isn't just not saying no, but it is saying yes I want this. The book was great and part of it that was new to Picoult's style was that each chapter started with a small comic book strip/graphic novel piece that is supposed to be drawn by one of the main characters. It added some great depth to the story and for me, a superhero fan it was fun to read a comic while reading a novel. Rating Quote
bobblybear Posted February 16, 2015 Posted February 16, 2015 Nice reviews. Like you, I liked The Good Earth, but couldn't love it. I remember liking the ending a lot. I must read more Jodi Picoult. I have a few on my TBR pile (not sure if The Tenth Circle is one of them), so I should get to them soon. Quote
Athena Posted February 16, 2015 Posted February 16, 2015 It comes from a Gertrude Stein quote about Hemingway and others who served in the war. They were a lost generation because all they did was drink and party and write. Later Hemingway uses it in the Sun Also Rises Thanks ! Great reviews. I'm glad you enjoyed The Tenth Circle. I plan to read more Jodi Picoult books this year, I haven't read that one yet as well as some other ones. I normally really enjoy them so I have high hopes. I'm glad you liked this one. Quote
Anna Begins Posted February 16, 2015 Posted February 16, 2015 Sorry you didn't like The Good Earth so much, I hope I didn't lead you astray! Quote
chesilbeach Posted February 16, 2015 Posted February 16, 2015 I've only read two Jodi Piccoult books, but disliked them both intensely. Both were chosen by my book group, and after the first one, I almost didn't read the second, but thought it only fair to give it a go. Definitely not for me, but glad to see you enjoy her work, as it would be awful if we all liked the same books! Quote
BSchultz19 Posted February 17, 2015 Author Posted February 17, 2015 Nice reviews. Like you, I liked The Good Earth, but couldn't love it. I remember liking the ending a lot. I must read more Jodi Picoult. I have a few on my TBR pile (not sure if The Tenth Circle is one of them), so I should get to them soon. Yes the ending was good. It was just so difficult to truly love it. I highly recommend her books. She has become one of my favorite authors Thanks ! Great reviews. I'm glad you enjoyed The Tenth Circle. I plan to read more Jodi Picoult books this year, I haven't read that one yet as well as some other ones. I normally really enjoy them so I have high hopes. I'm glad you liked this one. Thanks!! Can't wait to hear what you have to say about the ones that you read. Sorry you didn't like The Good Earth so much, I hope I didn't lead you astray! Oh please don't be sorry! It was a great book, just not my thing or maybe it was just at the wrong time. I can understand where a love for it would come from, it just wasn't for me. I've only read two Jodi Piccoult books, but disliked them both intensely. Both were chosen by my book group, and after the first one, I almost didn't read the second, but thought it only fair to give it a go. Definitely not for me, but glad to see you enjoy her work, as it would be awful if we all liked the same books! Just curious, which two books did you read? Quote
chaliepud Posted February 17, 2015 Posted February 17, 2015 I agree re the JP books, I've only read two. My Sisters Keeper and The Pact but I just found them ok, and the endings both left me feeling very disgruntled, almost like they were written just for shock value.. Quote
chesilbeach Posted February 17, 2015 Posted February 17, 2015 Just curious, which two books did you read? We read The Pact and Vanishing Acts. I found the characters both annoying and a bit dull, the stories felt artificially sentimental, and then if I remember rightly, when it got to the courtroom section it was like rehashing the same story and I didn't care what the outcome was. I was in the minority though, as most of the group enjoyed both books, so I suspect we'll get another at some point. Quote
BSchultz19 Posted February 19, 2015 Author Posted February 19, 2015 I agree re the JP books, I've only read two. My Sisters Keeper and The Pact but I just found them ok, and the endings both left me feeling very disgruntled, almost like they were written just for shock value.. We read The Pact and Vanishing Acts. I found the characters both annoying and a bit dull, the stories felt artificially sentimental, and then if I remember rightly, when it got to the courtroom section it was like rehashing the same story and I didn't care what the outcome was. I was in the minority though, as most of the group enjoyed both books, so I suspect we'll get another at some point. It's always interesting to hear opposing points of view. I have personally liked her books but those three mentioned in these two posts weren't my favorite. What I like most about her books is that she isn't afraid to explore uncomfortable topics with a lot of opposing viewpoints. Some of my favorites from her are Picture Perfect, The Tenth Circle, and Handle With Care. As far as shock value goes I think that is part of her stories but in some she gives away a huge spoiler in the first "chapter" and then makes you as the reader get to that point. However after all of this I'm not trying to be argumentative. We all like different styles and authors Quote
Anna Begins Posted February 19, 2015 Posted February 19, 2015 in some she gives away a huge spoiler in the first "chapter" and then makes you as the reader get to that point. In theater, its called "a loaded gun" Quote
Athena Posted February 20, 2015 Posted February 20, 2015 In theater, its called "a loaded gun" I didn't know that ! Quote
Nollaig Posted February 20, 2015 Posted February 20, 2015 I read The Tenth Circle a few years ago but I actually remember nothing about it - and even reading your review brought nothing back. I know I enjoyed it at the time but it obviously didn't stick with me! Quote
BSchultz19 Posted February 22, 2015 Author Posted February 22, 2015 In theater, its called "a loaded gun" Hmm. I didn't know that! But then again I don't know much about theater at all I read The Tenth Circle a few years ago but I actually remember nothing about it - and even reading your review brought nothing back. I know I enjoyed it at the time but it obviously didn't stick with me! That's how I am with a lot of the books I read. They are enjoyable, but don't stick. The ones that do stick are the ones that I know I loved. Quote
BSchultz19 Posted February 22, 2015 Author Posted February 22, 2015 Recently went to the library and went pretty slow this time, only three books. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte (I have the kindle version, but wanted a physical one while reading too) 11/22/63 by Stephen King The Kite Runner by name that is hard to spell and I don't want to look up right now I hope to finish these in the next week or so. Sad to say that one of the libraries I go to has run out of Jodi Picoult books that I haven't read that actually interest me. Quote
Brian. Posted February 23, 2015 Posted February 23, 2015 I hope you enjoy all the books but especially The Kite Runner, it's a favourite of mine. Quote
Athena Posted February 23, 2015 Posted February 23, 2015 I hope you enjoy all three of your loaned books . I loved Jane Eyre when I read it, and I have 11/22/63 on my shelf but I haven't read it yet. Quote
Anna Begins Posted February 23, 2015 Posted February 23, 2015 Great list of books! Hope you enjoy 11/22/63! It's one of my favorite of King's. Quote
BSchultz19 Posted February 27, 2015 Author Posted February 27, 2015 I hope you enjoy all the books but especially The Kite Runner, it's a favourite of mine. I've heard only great things about it, so I hope I enjoy it! I hope you enjoy all three of your loaned books . I loved Jane Eyre when I read it, and I have 11/22/63 on my shelf but I haven't read it yet. So far I really like Jane Eyre. The plot is awesome and the even though from what I read a little about the book in the version I'm borrowing it isn't well-known for its great writing, I think the writing is pretty suburb. Unfortunately it has been a really busy week, so I haven't had nearly any reading time. Now that basketball is over and spring break is starting, I should start to get a lot more reading done. Hopefully... Great list of books! Hope you enjoy 11/22/63! It's one of my favorite of King's. The topic really interests me because I love American History and it seemed a good choice for a King novel for me since I don't like horror at all Quote
Anna Begins Posted February 27, 2015 Posted February 27, 2015 The topic really interests me because I love American History and it seemed a good choice for a King novel for me since I don't like horror at all Just magical realism, really. Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.