The Catcher in the Rye is a book based upon alienation, set in the 1940's in America the story follows a 16 year old boy named Holden Caulfield who narrates the book from his bitter and cynical view point. Holden's father is a wealthy man and has paid for him to have a very expensive education however Holden hasn't tried and has only got one qualification that is English.
The book starts with Holden admitting to the reader that he is writing from a rest home this instantly leaves the reader guessing as what has gone so terribly wrong in the young boys life as to how he has got there, however he doesn't want to talk of his life previously. Holden's narration throughout the book varies dramatically and leaves the reader wondering as to if what he writes is actually the true version of events or Holden has changed what has happened in his imagination. As the book continues the reader starts to get the sense that Holden believes that he is superior to everyone else and therefore feels that he shouldn't interact with them.
J.D. Salinger has a fantastic and unique writing style and although I have never read any of his works before I thoroughly enjoyed this one although it made a change to my normal style of novel. The book has many hidden twists and can be interpreted in a number of ways depending on the reader, much of the book can be related to by many youths I believe in terms of principles and actions but maybe not in quite the same way Holden's life has played out.
After initially having trouble getting into the storyline and plot of this book I can honestly say I have really enjoyed reading it, by the time I reached the second to last chapter, that in my opinion contains the climax of the novel I was really enjoying the book. The novel ends with the reader wondering what happened to Holden after his day in the park as he never explains it to the reader the book ends with the reader full of curiosity and suspense.
Sunday, 1 September 2013
Thursday, 29 August 2013
The Pearl by John Steinbeck
The Pearl written by John Steinbeck in 1947 is a novel based on a poor family living in a small rural town in Mexico. Whilst out diving one day Kino (the father) finds what he believes to be a very valuable pearl and this is what the novel is all based around.
As a fan of John Steinbeck myself I love his tone of writing in his works and The Pearl is no different, he describes the characters in great detail and really ensures the reader has an understanding of both the plot and the characters emotions in his writing. The pearl is an intriguing read in the sense that although short in length Steinbeck touches on many issues such as wealth and greed through the story of Kino and his family with an object of such desire and value causing so much turmoil. At the start of the novel the main character Kino is caring and loyal however as the novel progresses he starts to evolve into a different person loosing his original values and with this starts to grow apart from his loved ones most importantly his wife Juana, she would like to get rid of the pearl and the trouble that goes with it.
After many violent conflicts and much distress nearing the end of the novel Kino eventually sides with his wife showing that material wealth is nothing without happiness, they both decide to throw the pearl into a near by lake to end the turmoil and suffering and to be able to continue their lives in peace however Kino'syoung son has died as a result of his greed and the pearl's value hasn't helped any of his family.
I really enjoyed reading one of what I believe to be Steinbeck's best works, I would highly recommend the novel to anyone who likes a realistic book with high drama and a fantastic story line!
As a fan of John Steinbeck myself I love his tone of writing in his works and The Pearl is no different, he describes the characters in great detail and really ensures the reader has an understanding of both the plot and the characters emotions in his writing. The pearl is an intriguing read in the sense that although short in length Steinbeck touches on many issues such as wealth and greed through the story of Kino and his family with an object of such desire and value causing so much turmoil. At the start of the novel the main character Kino is caring and loyal however as the novel progresses he starts to evolve into a different person loosing his original values and with this starts to grow apart from his loved ones most importantly his wife Juana, she would like to get rid of the pearl and the trouble that goes with it.
After many violent conflicts and much distress nearing the end of the novel Kino eventually sides with his wife showing that material wealth is nothing without happiness, they both decide to throw the pearl into a near by lake to end the turmoil and suffering and to be able to continue their lives in peace however Kino'syoung son has died as a result of his greed and the pearl's value hasn't helped any of his family.
I really enjoyed reading one of what I believe to be Steinbeck's best works, I would highly recommend the novel to anyone who likes a realistic book with high drama and a fantastic story line!
Wednesday, 17 July 2013
Frankenstein
I am writing a review of the famous novel Frankenstein written by Mary Shelley, first published 1818 and then re written in 1831with only a few minor changes added to the original novel.At this time it was rare for a woman to publish a novel without using an pseudonym name however Mary Shelley used her own. The tale of Frankenstein has an exciting and gripping story line the characters are presented in dramatic fashion but Mary doesn't fail to portray the more descreet inner details of any of the characters personalities.
The story follows many twists and turns however I feel the climax of the novel comes when the monster that Victor Frankenstein himself created murders his wife on their wedding night not only does this event come as a shock to the reader but the way that Mary portrays the event with such detail makes the reader feel as though they are there. What also comes as a shock to the reader is that Frankenstien is not the monster as many people think however he is the man who creates the monster. I enjoyed reading this novel as I liked the fast paced nature of the book along with the indepth character emotions. TBC
I am writing a review of the famous novel Frankenstein written by Mary Shelley, first published 1818 and then re written in 1831with only a few minor changes added to the original novel.At this time it was rare for a woman to publish a novel without using an pseudonym name however Mary Shelley used her own. The tale of Frankenstein has an exciting and gripping story line the characters are presented in dramatic fashion but Mary doesn't fail to portray the more descreet inner details of any of the characters personalities.
The story follows many twists and turns however I feel the climax of the novel comes when the monster that Victor Frankenstein himself created murders his wife on their wedding night not only does this event come as a shock to the reader but the way that Mary portrays the event with such detail makes the reader feel as though they are there. What also comes as a shock to the reader is that Frankenstien is not the monster as many people think however he is the man who creates the monster. I enjoyed reading this novel as I liked the fast paced nature of the book along with the indepth character emotions. TBC
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