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If you want to feel some sympathy for Ted Hughes, this would be exactly the right book to read. All I got out of it was that Hughes was acutely aware of his own emotions, and yet vaguely, or not at all aware, of the emotions of others.
Monday, April 30, 2018
Book 613: Birthday Letters
Birthday Letters, by Ted Hughes, Farrar, Straus and Girouox, 1998.
If you want to feel some sympathy for Ted Hughes, this would be exactly the right book to read. All I got out of it was that Hughes was acutely aware of his own emotions, and yet vaguely, or not at all aware, of the emotions of others.
If you want to feel some sympathy for Ted Hughes, this would be exactly the right book to read. All I got out of it was that Hughes was acutely aware of his own emotions, and yet vaguely, or not at all aware, of the emotions of others.
Saturday, April 28, 2018
Book 612: The Last Tycoon
The Last Tycoon, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Scribners, 1941.
This, the unfinished final novel of F. Scott Fitzgerald, would probably have been his finest novel. I don't use that phrase lightly. Fitzgerald turned out many fine, thought-provoking novels, but this one draws the reader in, and, even before reaching the heart-wrenching, drafted conclusion, leaves the reader aching for both the narrator and the titular character.
This, the unfinished final novel of F. Scott Fitzgerald, would probably have been his finest novel. I don't use that phrase lightly. Fitzgerald turned out many fine, thought-provoking novels, but this one draws the reader in, and, even before reaching the heart-wrenching, drafted conclusion, leaves the reader aching for both the narrator and the titular character.
Tuesday, April 24, 2018
Book 611: The Winged Cat
The Winged Cat, by Deborah Nourse Lattimore, HarperCollins, 1992.
This book is perfect for any child who loves cats, beautiful artwork, history, and different cultures -- in other words, my child. My son LOVED this book because he always wants to know not only 'why', but 'when', 'what', 'where', and 'how'.
This book is perfect for any child who loves cats, beautiful artwork, history, and different cultures -- in other words, my child. My son LOVED this book because he always wants to know not only 'why', but 'when', 'what', 'where', and 'how'.
Sunday, April 22, 2018
Book 610: The Turquoise Bee
The Turquoise Bee, poems by the Sixth Dalai Lama, translated by Rick Field, Harper Books, 1994.
I'm not sure what I expected when I bought this book of poetry. I guess I was intrigued by the idea. Anyway, I put it in a bookcase and forgot about it for several years. Now I'm culling through my books, and found it.
It is an intriguing book. The history of the Sixth Dalai Lama is found in the opening pages, and could in itself make an interesting film. The poetry itself was charged with energy and sensuality, and the very last poem was heartbreaking.
I'm not sure what I expected when I bought this book of poetry. I guess I was intrigued by the idea. Anyway, I put it in a bookcase and forgot about it for several years. Now I'm culling through my books, and found it.
It is an intriguing book. The history of the Sixth Dalai Lama is found in the opening pages, and could in itself make an interesting film. The poetry itself was charged with energy and sensuality, and the very last poem was heartbreaking.
Saturday, April 21, 2018
Book 609: The Cataract of Lodore
The Cataract of Lodore, written by Robert Southey, illustrated by Mordicai Gerstein, Dial Books, 1991.
The illustrations in my version (by Mordicai Gerstein) were delightful, but I really loved the poem. The poem, however, MUST be read out loud to appreciate it. My third-grade son, who loves words and rhythm, loved this poem. I was trying to get him to see how the words mimicked the waterfall, so as the rhythm of the words sped up, I asked him what he thought it was trying to show. He understood it was the water, flowing slowly at first and then faster and faster, but he said it also sounded like a heartbeat that speeds up during excitement. I think my son might have understood the poem even better than I did.
The illustrations in my version (by Mordicai Gerstein) were delightful, but I really loved the poem. The poem, however, MUST be read out loud to appreciate it. My third-grade son, who loves words and rhythm, loved this poem. I was trying to get him to see how the words mimicked the waterfall, so as the rhythm of the words sped up, I asked him what he thought it was trying to show. He understood it was the water, flowing slowly at first and then faster and faster, but he said it also sounded like a heartbeat that speeds up during excitement. I think my son might have understood the poem even better than I did.
Friday, April 20, 2018
Book 608: The Razor's Edge
The Razor's Edge, by W. Somerset Maugham, 1942.
When I was in my 20s, this was my favorite book. I've re-read it in my 30s, and 40s, and . . . well . . . this year, and it still holds up. It may not quite be my favorite book -- Till We Have Faces overtook it some time ago, but I still love the writing of this book. And, every time I read it, I like Elliott a little more, and Isabel a little less.
When I was in my 20s, this was my favorite book. I've re-read it in my 30s, and 40s, and . . . well . . . this year, and it still holds up. It may not quite be my favorite book -- Till We Have Faces overtook it some time ago, but I still love the writing of this book. And, every time I read it, I like Elliott a little more, and Isabel a little less.
Tuesday, April 17, 2018
Book 607: Come, Sit, Stay
Come, Sit, Stay, by Arden Moore, illustrated by Buck Jones, Dog Fancy, 2004.
I bought this book after I had our dog in obedience school, so I wasn't sure how helpful the book would be. Our dog, a Rhodesian Ridgeback, at ten weeks old, was the youngest and the biggest dog in class. She also was the star pupil. She wanted to go first, and would even show the 'slacker' dogs how to follow the command. She passed her eight-week class with flying colors. And then, on the way home from her final class, she ate her diploma. I was glad I had this book then.
This book is easy to follow. It does teach the basic commands slightly different than the obedience class did, but not so different as to be confusing, and the book even gave a variety of ways to the commands.
I bought this book after I had our dog in obedience school, so I wasn't sure how helpful the book would be. Our dog, a Rhodesian Ridgeback, at ten weeks old, was the youngest and the biggest dog in class. She also was the star pupil. She wanted to go first, and would even show the 'slacker' dogs how to follow the command. She passed her eight-week class with flying colors. And then, on the way home from her final class, she ate her diploma. I was glad I had this book then.
This book is easy to follow. It does teach the basic commands slightly different than the obedience class did, but not so different as to be confusing, and the book even gave a variety of ways to the commands.
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