I think that the type of books that I read is pretty diverse. This book is obviously tailored towards children and I think there are Harry Potter-esque resonances but I found the book to be a good quick read. The language was simple and I liked the plot because it kept on moving. There were also little jabs at how humans ruin the environment, which I thought was pretty interesting.
Obviously there was nothing beyond the plot in this book (or at least I didn't see anything) and I think that the information was meant to be somewhat educational (which also led to some of the conversations being a little contrived) but all in all a good, simple read. I want to get the rest of the series to see what happens next.
Also, I think I read the film version so I think the text may have been watered down (not that it was bad, just very straightforward and simple - which is good).
Anyway, I would recommend this book to non-readers who like action and want something easy to read.
Monday, May 31, 2010
The Surrendered by Chang-Rae Lee
I think Chang-Rae Lee is a beautiful writer. It makes me wonder where he is in the story and whether or not he's just taking on a persona. He's really good at it though. I'm not sure if it's just the books I read or if it is an increasing trend towards stepping away from the chronological story (not just from him but from a multitude of other writers - though the scope of literature I read isn't all that wide), but I think that I like this a lot better. With the story all out of order, I feel like you get the important bits of information delivered at the right time to give you the right impact. Lee keeps bringing back these poignant albeit gruesome images of the past and I think that it really reinforces the horror of war and what people have to live with after the fact. Sometimes, books will try to fluff up war and leave out the gory details but he doesn't just talk about the really gruesome and grotesque but takes it to the next level with the depravity that the civilians had to go through as a result of war (women trading sex for food, soldiers on both sides taking advantage of the anarchy in the country, etc.).
Beyond that, I feel like this book really talks about displacement and in a way, fitting in or that desire to want to fit in, yet not. It also talks about broken dreams and the fragility of life. In some ways though, I feel like he overplayed death. I feel like the fact that Nick was killed off - yes I think that Lee killed him off was a little overdone. The same with Dora - I feel like she should've been abandoned, not run over but I think it was a clean way to transition to the next stages of the book. Perhaps for me, it was too clean. The way there was really no hope for Hector in the end - although I think was somewhat fitting for his name as a Greek god (something about how in the end, everything that Hector builds up ends up in ruins), the fact that there was no hope and future for him at all almost seemed contrived.
Overall though, I think that the book was beautifully written - balancing out the academic aspects with an engaging plot.
When it comes down to it though, I do have one complaint. I think it was chapter 13 or something when it started talking about June and Hector's relationship (I don't remember the context unfortunately so I'm not really going to be much help beyond the chapter reference), Lee repeats the relationship the type of relationship that June had with Hector as well as her actions. It seems (and I could be wrong) that this is where he started the novel and either whoever was helping him edit it didn't pick up on it or he didn't bother editing out this bit so there was some seemingly unnecessary repetition. I could be wrong though and there may be some kind of thought/intent behind this, but when I read it, it just seemed like the beginning of what an author would start to write and then Lee framed the rest of his story around it. I didn't like that.
I would recommend this book to people who like reading, but don't necessary like the academic books. I don't think I'd recommend this book to non-readers because I feel like it may be too heavy (both literally - it's a longer novel - and figuratively) and depressing (but some people like that).
[edit]
I forgot to mention that I also think that given when this book came out, Lee may be quietly saying that North and South Korea shouldn't go to war (given the recent events with North and South Korea). However, he very well may have started this novel years ago which would render my point moot.
Beyond that, I feel like this book really talks about displacement and in a way, fitting in or that desire to want to fit in, yet not. It also talks about broken dreams and the fragility of life. In some ways though, I feel like he overplayed death. I feel like the fact that Nick was killed off - yes I think that Lee killed him off was a little overdone. The same with Dora - I feel like she should've been abandoned, not run over but I think it was a clean way to transition to the next stages of the book. Perhaps for me, it was too clean. The way there was really no hope for Hector in the end - although I think was somewhat fitting for his name as a Greek god (something about how in the end, everything that Hector builds up ends up in ruins), the fact that there was no hope and future for him at all almost seemed contrived.
Overall though, I think that the book was beautifully written - balancing out the academic aspects with an engaging plot.
When it comes down to it though, I do have one complaint. I think it was chapter 13 or something when it started talking about June and Hector's relationship (I don't remember the context unfortunately so I'm not really going to be much help beyond the chapter reference), Lee repeats the relationship the type of relationship that June had with Hector as well as her actions. It seems (and I could be wrong) that this is where he started the novel and either whoever was helping him edit it didn't pick up on it or he didn't bother editing out this bit so there was some seemingly unnecessary repetition. I could be wrong though and there may be some kind of thought/intent behind this, but when I read it, it just seemed like the beginning of what an author would start to write and then Lee framed the rest of his story around it. I didn't like that.
I would recommend this book to people who like reading, but don't necessary like the academic books. I don't think I'd recommend this book to non-readers because I feel like it may be too heavy (both literally - it's a longer novel - and figuratively) and depressing (but some people like that).
[edit]
I forgot to mention that I also think that given when this book came out, Lee may be quietly saying that North and South Korea shouldn't go to war (given the recent events with North and South Korea). However, he very well may have started this novel years ago which would render my point moot.
Hotel Du Lac by Anita Brookner
In terms of substance, there probably were a lot of underlying themes and what not, but I feel like this book lacked substance. I can't really put my finger to it, but I just felt like there was a sort of detachment throughout the whole novel - whether it was intentionally to mimic the numbness of the main character or not, I'm not sure.
However, it has been some time since I read it and since I'm writing this so it could just very well be that I've forgotten.
Perhaps I'll have to skim it again to refresh myself.
But basically seeing as how I can only remember parts of the plot and none of the meatier bits, I feel like it wasn't that good of a read. Perhaps I'm simply being too critical though.
However, it has been some time since I read it and since I'm writing this so it could just very well be that I've forgotten.
Perhaps I'll have to skim it again to refresh myself.
But basically seeing as how I can only remember parts of the plot and none of the meatier bits, I feel like it wasn't that good of a read. Perhaps I'm simply being too critical though.
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