Rewrite of one blog post: Black Maria

"Like that card game, where the one who wins the Queen of Spades loses the game." Not a sentence i would think very relevant until now. Starting the book, i was having the hardest of times finding just what the point was. Diana Wynne Jones is a great writer, but lord does she take forever to explain the situation. Once the scene was set, and you were thoroughly annoyed by Aunt Maria, you then become utterly confused by what is going on with this town. Eventually it all starts to click into place as the events of the town unfold and clues fall into place. I really liked this novel because of its mystery and confusing aspects, which actually surprised me. Although I am not a lover of Science Fiction, I must say i do enjoy the magical. As a die-hard fan of the Harry Potter series, I found myself relating all of the details of Ms. Jones book to that of J.K. Rowling's.

I need to reread this story unfortunately, not only because i know i missed key points as I read through the book in rather a rush (I am not used to finishing a book in a weeks time), but because I know i will understand some of the pretext better having found out about the real purpose of the story. I'm not sure if that makes it a good novel or not, but finding out the very last second what the heck you were just reading for 300 pages is an interesting idea to me. I hated it while i was reading, that is for sure. but looking back at the book as a whole it defiantly worked.

I felt connected with Naomi, one of the main characters, who is constantly writing in her diary which is the book we are now reading. not only weirded out by the situation, but in the same boat as her. With a brother, who is as annoying as Chris, and far off family members, i somehow made connections and for a quick second pretended my Aunt was a powerful witch. I pretended she was a little nicer, and could walk, but never-the-less the same. With the same strong personality and stubborn nature as Aunt Maria, it wasn't difficult to make the connection.

Now I am not one to go into deep interpretation of novels, and I don't think I will ever be able to. Speaking with authors from all different genres, maybe 10% out of the grouping (I have met a good number of authors, so my personal statistics may not be totally accurate, but for the purpose of this blog posting, they are perfect) thought about the meaning behind certain aspects which were supposed to make the reader read between the lines. The rest of the creatives told me they thought language arts teachers (mind you I was in high school when I asked this question) where ridiculous and they chose those "key" points or specific colors because they liked them or thought they were pretty. There was no in depth hidden meaning behind the blue curtains, they just made the room feel big. I think the same thing applies to Aunt Maria, although I do think their was reason behind the specific animal types she transforms people into, as well as color of the outfits to accent the mood of the scene. This book was merely meant to entertain, and for me confuse, the audience. This strange world and euphoric town was chosen for just that.

The ones who walk from Omelas and Nanny's Day

What in gods name did I just read??

The Ones Who Walk From Omelas is confusing, interesting, but confusing. Who is this boy in the broom closet? Who figured out that this boy was the key to happiness? What was going on before then that someone said "lock the next new-born in this dirty closet and make sure he is more miserable than us!"? The author did a great job at describing this almost utopian city, with vivid details and imagery, as well as the horror that came with this child's existence.

Nannys day, was in no way science fiction. How did this short story get picked to work alongside all of the crazy stories we have been reading up until now? My only understanding is that they are all terrifying situation to certain people, such as mothers who in both stories are effected by the horrible idea of loss. As a mother, thinking of a child you could be comforting and taking care who is instead locked away in a closet is heart wrenching and soul crushing. With Nanny's Day the idea of loosing your child to a paid assistant because you are trying to be a good parent and bring home money is horrid.

I enjoyed these reads though, and wished all of our novels this semester were this short and easy to understand, would have made trying to finish them in a week in time for class not so daunting.

The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi

Interesting. This book is really... Interesting. The mash up of manga and steam punk was a hit to me, but I have to say I wasn't pulled in right away like I usually am with a good book. There were many issues with figuring out what the hell some words ment, or if they were even in English. The character descriptions took forever to figure out too, not really know what each individual looked like till almost the end of the book. I did enjoy the new world though, the end of the world really, and seeing all of the entirely possible situations and scenarios take hold of the place. We have already started to move into that technology age where a robo-chick is probable. In all likelihood, apple with probably make it.

Babel17

It never stops to amaze me at how most science-fiction artists seem to so accurately predict the future. Body modifications, sexuality acceptance and intellectual wars, all apart of our lives now, maybe not to the extreme that Babel predicts, but pretty damn close. To think that this was created in the 60's, and then looked at as a great novel surprises me a little. I would imagine people criticizing it for being too over the top, or to difficult to comprehend. I couldn't get into the book as much as I would have liked to, it was difficult to wrap my mind around the idea of a language changing you, but I guess it makes sense in a way. It was intriguing to read the details of the sub-characters and their lives, how intricate they were even just as a added detail about this new world. The author put so much thought into the history and background to make the reader understand the senses overload in this insane world. In terms of Rydra, she is so "three dimensional and very complex. To first get an idea of who this person is before we get into her head is an interesting concept and one that works very well in this situation.

Anansi Boys

A little out of order, but still needed to be written about because... Well it was interesting. Clever, funny most of the time, a different look on the mythical gods I've always learned about. I was not able to finish reading far into the book due to senior year kicking my ass.. But I enjoyed what I did read. I have to admit I had to read a summary after to see what ended up happening, and didn't even realize the guy was black! Neil Gayman did a beautiful job at writing once again, but continues to work around details that I would think are important but really did not matter as much as I would have originally predicted. The story itself was a simple concept that was taken, twisted, and grown into what I believe to be a fabulous novel that really hit all of the right points, made me emotional, and want to continue to read.

Starship Troopers

Can not read this book without imagining "Wreck It Ralph". I know that is one of the many movies and sci-fi creations that was heavily influenced by Mr. Heinlein, but I imagine the book in animated form, and the deep voice of Jane Lynch screaming orders. I am reminded of my brother yelling from his game room on the Xbox using call signs, foreign terminology, and military commands at whichever game is the new phenomenon.

I was not very intrigued by this book, it never caught my attention as much as others from the previous list of novels has. Maybe it was the complicated jargon, or the topic of military in general, but it was not my cup of tea. I can see easily why this would be such a show stopper in the 50's though, with an intense, action-packed, new and exciting topic, another simple war novel was not going to have had the same effect. Setting an example for all sci-fi movies, books, and creations after it, Starship Troopers was a big deal, and will forever be a mentioned name in sci-fi history.

Night Circus

Beautifully written and easy to get into, night circus has a level of fascination comparable to the Harry Potter series. Although I was not able to read enough to find out what happens with the weird circus challenge, but the story made me totally engulfed in the magic and the mystery only 100 pages in. A the vivid imagery that the author creates puts me right in the room, in the shoes of the characters, apart of the scene, hidden like a fly on the wall. Magic is a fascination of mine, one similar to that of spirits, something I want to believe in but haven't had the opportunity or event happen that would convince me 100%. To hear a different side of the "wizarding world", one us normal folk are used to seeing, is an interesting twist on the old stories and shows.

The Hobbit

What an unfortunate adventure, again and again narrowly defeated by monsters, captured multiple times by different creatures, luck is not with this group of goblins and the hobbit.

I have heard many stories about the hobbit, and The Lord of the rings, never reading any of the books. References are made all of the time to the characters, their instruments of choice and the adventures they embark in, but they of course never made any sense to me until now. I have to say I'm not sure if I'm impressed, I guess "fantasy" is not necessarily my favorite. Don't get me wrong, I love the idea of fantasy, after all I want to be a makeup artist and creature creator, which is technically a fantasy occupation (confusing I know.).

Out of the hobbit, I found many references to society, the different world-views of the characters, and even the growth of the protagonist from common content hobbit to the adventurous strong hobbit.

In terms of the book itself, it was easy to understand ( difficult to keep up with all of the names) and fluid in writing. It is a book I probably should have read in middle school when everyone else did, but I guess I was more of a Harry potter middle schooler.

Black Maria

So I'm confused.

I have read about 50 pages in (regrettably not the whole book, although I would love to finish all of the books you have suggested. ) and I have not yet found the purpose of the novel. From here I can guess it is about a ghost and the weird occurrences of this small town. Everything is very calm, too perfect almost. The reading is simple, very easy to understand and a fast story to get sucked into. The book has a long intro and explanation that takes a while to get into what the books story is really about.

After review with my peers, the book would probably begin to make sense if I had only read a few more pages. I had no idea this book was all about witches until the topic came up in class, but that does explain the weird occurrences and weird atmosphere.

Unfortunately I need to finish the book to give a better review, so there will be a follow up posting with my updated understanding.

Haunting at Hill House

(Truthful Explanation: I am poor and will only read books from the list that I can find online in PDF form. And boy was it a happy accident)

I thoroughly enjoyed this book by Shirley Jackson; a simple read aside from the dialogue which was sometimes difficult to keep up with. I think i especially enjoyed this book because I really am a wimp when it comes to scary movies, I love them, but i am terrified to the point of nightmares if i watch them at night. Because of this, I have not read any "spooky" novels that i can recall, and too my surprise: no nightmares. On the contrary, I couldn't put it down, and my mind began to finish the book and imagine alternate endings a third of a way in. I'm not sure if I liked the almost calm conclusion, but it flows nicely with the rest of the book, all of which is very descriptive, slow in acceleration, and oddly whimsical. I wondered what I would do in Eleanor's situation the entire time, how i would react, if i would have really lasted a week (I don't think i would have ever gone in the first place), or if I am even open to the "spirits". I believe, I believe in the holy ghost and so there has got to be a few unholy ones out there too. But really? The doors flexing, the laughter, the imaginary blood stains. I would have escaped to Paris at the sight of a house that looks down at me.

I wish I could write more to describe my feelings toward the novel, but there really isnt much more to it than I was scared out of my mind, and still couldn't put down the book. The characters worked well and shaped who the main character turned out to be a possessed, insane, lonely girl, who in the end felt broken at the loss of her only "home".

Interview with a Vampire

Unable to finish the book, I did enjoy the writing and the very descriptive language that the author used throughout the novel. I admittedly relate all vampire novels to the now popular and well-known movie vampire and because of this, I can see where the popular twilight series got its idea, and how this "different" type of vampire came into the picture. Reading a synopsis, I am excited to finish reading as soon as I can because of the plot twists. This book is not at all like its predecessors, and changes your mind on the vampires we know of today. Listening in class, I didn't necessarily read into the undertones of the book as everyone else did (I don't think I ever do, what the author wrote is what they meant. ). Sexual innuendos, allure to this sub-culture, grief after the loss of the authors daughter, bringing to light a new way of life, all explained to have been a relevant part of the book. I didn't think anything more of the interview then it being a great fiction novel with exciting twists and turns. Anne Rice is a unique writer, bringing intricate details and new plot to the world.

I am legend

A gripping tale of one mans journey through a future desolate world infected with the vampire plague, Robert Neville tells his own story, commentary and all through the ups and downs, of this new world. After months of being fed up with not knowing what caused the plague, and still haunted by the death of his family, he finally decides to begin researching what may have been the origin. Though Robert is not a scientist, he has all the time in the world to become one. He adds a trip to the library to his daily routine, where he finds books related to the cause, blood disorders and possibly a cure. Through this new process, Robert finds a renewal in his life, and as he comes close to a theory that may work, he encounters a young lady wandering the fields by his home. Realizing he is not the only human left alive, and once again with a companion to talk with, this changed man soon realizes this is not the end of the world but the beginning of a new one.

Richard Matheson wrote a book that I didn't even realize existed, and still effected my life. So many movies, inspirations, and interpretations stemmed from this amazing work of art, that there is no telling how many of them have touched me in some way, made me the sci-fi lover I am today, or helped shape the way we all look at the undead.

Written in a way I can understand, and greatly appreciate, Mr. Neville is explained through his own thoughts and phrases to be a normal man just stuck in a terrible situation. Smart and fast in his ways of protecting himself and his belongings, Roberts way of writing/speaking change from simple yet detailed, emotional and fast to react, with the conversations with his sub-conscience, to scientific and detailed with reasoning, interpretive, and now with conversations with another human being. Just like in any good thriller, Richard keeps you on your toes, impending doom, the detailed emotions and the heart renching reactions make you feel for the characters and put yourself in the situation.

I mean really, what in the world would you do if you we're in Roberts shoes?

Truthfully I had an idea already implanted in my mind before reading this novel because of all the movies and references in our culture today. Night of the living dead and I am Legend the movie both took root from this story. I imagined zombies everywhere, the story of this mans fight and his great success in showing the new world what he tried and accomplished. Those movies where completely off base! Although there are some blatant similarities, the overall story and message you were to receive is altered. The struggles and the inner turmoil is not expressed as vividly as in the original novel. Sure they may have been pretty, but the twists and turns were what made me want to turn the (virtual) page over and over.

Although I hated how it ended, I loved how it ended. I wanted the good guy to win. I wanted to hear he found another love and they lived happily ever after. Instead a new beginning showed, the new found companion showed herself to be the protagonist and the savior after all. The bad guys won, but somehow that's ok, actually it's really a great and an amazing twist.

This novel is one I will definitely read again. Timeless, thrilling, and still a brain twister, I am Legend gave me chills, made me tear up, and made me rethink humanity for a second (and if I should really get that flu shot).

Frankenstien

Although it was a very difficult read for me due to the old English, I was intrigued to finally read the book after always knowing this notorious creature as a Halloween icon. It's story was simple enough, trying to explain the romantic eras ideals and the need to fulfill the hungry for knowledge. Dr. Frankenstien's creation is a monster make from humans in every sense of the word. The Monster did not ask to be created, and neither did any of the various body parts ask to be reanimated. His existence is the result of a mad scientist who then, horrified and unprepared for what he had done, rejects his creation. Without someone to intervene, The monster goes out into the world and is equally criticized. Funny though, I thought that the function of science fiction was to introduce us to the new, and it is this very introduction that The Monster lacked. The Monster had no guide, no introduction, no home. Because this was a difficult read, I had to further research the history of the text, the author, and commentary on the book. Although there are statements about the story that I don't necessarily agree with, many of them opened my eyes to an underlying meaning and moral of the story. Religious, humanitarianism, and self-worth were all words thrown out there, but the only one that made any sense was morals and how they are learned from others. Learning from the way others acted and responded made Frankenstien's created who he was in his short life. You were not born with religious knowledge, or morals, and understanding of right from wrong, it is something that you acknowledged over time.