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.