This is the horrifically real tale of people and lost dreams. The story takes place in New York in the 1930's -40's. The main charcter, Nick is a bondsman from Wisconsin who happens to move into a house nextdoor to the mysterious Jay Gatsby who throws extraveagnt parties nightly. Nick's summer in New York was a colorful menagerie of elaborate society where he meets his sweetheart and gets into some mixups with his cousin Daisy and Gatsby. Nick discovers after not too much time there is a reason why Gatsby's past is so elusive and that there is a very real and very powerful agenda on Gatsby's mind. The Great Gatsby was an awesome book. Fitzgerald has a bold voice in his writing and expresses abstrsct ideas in a very tangible form. It gave a tragic look into life and society of the East Coast and the forlorn hopes that people hold to in their minds. Gatsby was a pleasant read and the sentences seemed to contain so much substance that I found myself rereading a lot so I wouldn't miss anything. I read the authorized text, so it was identical to the original publication, so it was wholly preserved. I would reccommend this book as intriguing and enchanting to most.

Although F. Scott Fitzgerald's book "The Great Gatsby" may seem a tad superficial upon the first reading, it really is quite a gem when examined closer. There are many important and significant symbols that are so intricately and subtly woven into the story, that only a careful reader would be able to catch them all. Fitzgerald makes excellent use of colour symbolism in things such as Gatsby's clothing and car, and the green light at the end of Daisy's dock, place symbolism, in regards to East Egg, West Egg, and the Valley of Ashes, and time symbolism, which can be caught when one looks at the timeline that the book follows. Fitzgerald's seemingly shallow depiction of five characters in the roaring twenties is really a symbolic masterpiece and a classic novel of the twentieth century. A must-read for any deep reader, or anyone who wants to become one.

I really enjoyed and would highly recommend reading The Great Gatsby. Overall, it was an easy read, and for the most part, a light-hearted, entertaining story. It had an interesting plot with remarkable characters to support it. Even though it was written almost a century ago, it is still easy to appreciate Fitzgerald's ideas and style of writing.
The book was very well written for many reasons. I liked the fact that it was a first person narrative. I personally enjoy first person novel because I think that the insight of the narrator makes the reader relate to the story more, as opposed to the neutral position of a third person story. The narrative offered details vivid enough to easily imagine the setting. I was not familiar with the setting in New York, but the descriptiveness was clear enough for me to picture the scenes. Also, the writing style was excellent at using setting as a device to convey emotion, and in a few instances, foreshadowing. The plot is fast moving and I really enjoyed the unexpected plot twist towards the end. The small side plots that arose between the supporting characters sustained my interest also. The story was very much to the point, and did not at any time drag on.
The strongest part of the writing was the development, connections, and introduction of the characters. Nick Cattaway fits the role of the narrator perfectly and provides a central connection among all the other characters. It allowed me to feel more sympathetic towards the characters because of Nick's sympathy for his friends. The order in which he introduces the characters and then slowly revealed how their lives were intertwined made for a very interesting story. My favorite of the introductions was the surprisingly low key intro to Gatsby. However, this character was the only one that I wasn't satisfied with, and proved to be the only flaw I found with the book.
The lack of development of the character of Gatsby was very disappointing for me. After such a unique entrance, in addition to the title, I expected much more than the book offered. Although more is revealed about Gatsby as the story progresses, I still didn't feel a connection to the character. Since Gatsby was intended to be a mysterious character, that may be the reason the lack of information about him. However, there seemed to be a true depth missing that was hinted at, but was never fully communicated. This was especially true in the relationship between Gatsby and Daisy. The intensity of Gatsby's feelings seemed to be glanced over.
Besides that minor negative point, the book was very good, and as a said before I recommend it to anyone looking for a short but enjoyable book to read.

Okay, first off, I think that Ayn Rand is probably the most overrated writer in history. While this may be her best novel, (Atlas is one of the most boring piece of trash ever, Anthem is just unmoving, and We the Living is the worst thing I've ever read) that isn't saying much. Howard Roarke is, like every other Rand character, a poorly characterized superman who is never wrong and has no flaws at all. This is Rand's biggest flaw in all of her work, her hero's have no flaws and her antagonists have no good qualities. She tries very hard to make a romance out of this work but fails miserably. None of her characters have the depth required to make a believable romance, it's like two cardboard cutouts meeting and falling in love for some reason. Perhaps the only good thing about this giantic failure that is somehow considered to be a classic by certain people, is that it stresses the importance of individuality (a quality many Objectivists lack as they cling to Rand's image like little leeches) but other than that there is nothing to this novel. It struggles very hard to be great, you can almost hear it's little flippers slapping the cement floor of greatness, but it never quite makes it to the pool. It's boring, overlong with stretches of scenes that have no importance, and there are basically three characters: her supermen, the lovestruck woman, and everyone else. It's not as important as people want you to believe, go against the grain and don't read it. Get some Kafka instead.

It makes no sense to attempt to separate the story of The Fountainhead from it's philosophy, because they are one in the same. I read the first page of this book while bored at a yard sale, and was immediately hooked. Rand's character introductions are excellent, and immediately give picture to the character. This is especially important because for the most part, her characters each represent a personality type consistent with a particular aspect of her philosopy.

What I believe unique about this book is the singular challenge Rand had in crafting a novel that can stand on it's own as a story (it can), while each page advances the specific set of philosophical, political and economic positions that are the true reason the book was written. I imagine that other writers have sat down to write "the novel" deep within them, with major philosophical themes providing dramatic tension. Other writers, wanting to advance their own complex philosophy, would simply write a non-fiction book presenting themselves as gurus of this "new" way of thinking (whole sections of bookstores are full of such books). Rand's courage to attempt to write a great novel that is in fact a primer for Objectivism, and her skill in doing so is what makes The Fountainhead the achievement it is.

Now, why only three stars? A couple of reasons. First, although her story arcs are superior, her paragraph by paragraph writing is often heavy handed, and beats her points to death. Secondly, the length and scope of some of the philosophical speeches given by her characters, particularly in the last quarter of the book, are simply not believable. Employing other writing techniques could have achieved this more believably. It's as if Rand hasn't trusted her own characters to carry the point she put them in the book to illustrate. The speeches do however, make their points crystal clear, especially Toohey's speech about collectivism. It's just that you don't believe Toohey would have made that speech, to that person, in that setting.

I said at the beginning that it makes no sense to separate the story from the philosophy, and though I know I am now criticizing the philosophy and not the writing, here goes. If I read this correctly, Rand's "ideal man" is entirely self focused, does nothing he doesn't want to do regardless of anyone else's need, does everything he wants to do regardless of how it might effect others, places himself above the rule of law, commits several felonies, watches virtually everyone around him self destruct and leaves the novel entirely self satisfied. Rand calls this the "ideal man". Others might read the same book and identify Roark as a sociopath, just a very talented one who also possesses many admirable qualities. By the way, on a factual point, the idea of Roark being acquitted after admitting the deed in open court is ludicrous.
Wasn't it Shakespeare who told us "To thine own self be true"? The notion of being your own man, and standing on principle is as old as philosophy itself, but Rand has given it entirely fresh treatment and perspective.

One last note- my wife was reading "Atlas Shrugged" at the same time I was reading "The Fountainhead". It took until I was nearly finished to notice that there are no children in the book. None of the main characters are raising the next generation of ideal men. I asked my wife about "Atlas Shrugged", and she said the same. I wonder if this isn't the fatal flaw of Objectivism- can you be true to Objectivism and be a good parent? Or raise a family? Or preserve a marriage where "the two shall become one"? Her two major novels show that her characters can't, and a glimpse around you might show that the "me" generation isn't doing such a good job either.

I first read The Fountainhead as a junior for my English research paper. I was skeptical about such a large book, and my attitude toward reading it was likewise. However, after reading it the first time, I could not stop talking about the intense philosophy Ayn Rand introduces with Howard Roark. The idea of Objectivism, essentially the glorification of individual man's prominence, is intriguing and worthy of consideration. I love the character of Howard Roark because he is the perfect example of a man who becomes successful despite the restraining presence of a society bent on the normal. Our greatest historical thinkers were Howard Roarks: Galileo, Einstein, Newton, and the list goes on and on. This book, although fictional, gives proof to the reader that mankind has the desire to move forward regardless of other people. I see Roark not as a depressed and pitiful weakling who blames society for the downfall of man, but as a true hero among men. He stands out because he does not fold under the pressure of the majority; he does not bail out on the obvious answer when he knows a deeper meaning exists. Now, I am reading the book again, one year later, and I find myself underlining most parts of the book. The story line is filled with true-to-life situations; social darwinism, society v. man, revenge, desire, lust, and every other symptom of life the reader could think of. The Fountainhead is truly more than a classic, and it is worth reading time and time again. The more it is read, the more the reader knows about the idea of Objectivism and how accurately it pertains to the life of mankind. This is definitely a five-star reader, and I encourage everyone to give it a look.

In a world where imagination and fantasy are shunned upon, there isn't much room for Clarisse McClellan...the young teenage neighbor of Guy Montag. Montag is a fireman unlike the ones today...his group is employed to burn the books the radicals conceal. Ray Bradbury's prediction of the future shows a world in which questions and ideas are damaging, and the only information you are given are minor details. The books are burned for this very reason, Fire Captain Beatty explains this best, `...and the books say nothing! Nothing you can teach or believe. They're about nonexistent people, figments of imaginations, if they're fiction. And if they're nonfiction, its worse, one professor calling another an idiot...you come away lost.' Clarisse McClellan is Montag's guide to see the way life was. Enjoying the finer things we see and take for granted, like picking dandelions and skipping on the sidewalk. Simple pleasures have become insignificant, and Montag realizes he's part of the problem. After Clarisse mysteriously disappears, Montag begins to hide books in his house, beginning to regain what he never knew he lost. At home he's not alone. In fact he's married and living with his wife Mildred. Mildred is a constant reminder of the pathetic not-so distant future that lies ahead. She spends most of her time with her `television family', a collection of three large walls in which you interact with the sets. As Montag begins to learn about the past, Mildred gets suspicious and turns him in. The end may surprise you when Montag realizes what he's supposed to do... This book portrayed a hazy, gray picture of the future, much like the book 1984. Although, it did not emphasize key points of the books with any tension or suspense. Overall, this book laid an important lesson upon me, and that is to take this book not as a lesson, but a warning.

Fahrenheit 451 depicts the futuristic world that we all fear: One in which freedom of thought and speech are gone; a world where personal communication is cut down to a minimum, and machines and technology are considered friends. In this fictional (but possibly realistic world), pedestrians are few and far between, and firemen actually create fires rather than put them out. Fahrenheit 451 depicts the story of a fireman, Guy Montag, who is a typical twenty-first century citizen; self centered, obsessed with technology, and too busy to appreciate the simple things in life. After meeting a young lady named Clarisse, Montag engages in deep conversations with her, in which he learns to like the small things. Eventually, she even gets him to like the very things that he burns: Books. Meeting this girl also makes him realize how dull and boring his friends and family are, especially his wife. In a climactic ending, Montag escapes from his city after killing the fire-chief and running away with several books. He arrives at a small village of people who each have memorized one book, so as to keep the stories alive (whether or not they physically exist). This book is right next to 'The Martian Chronicles' as far as the best sci-fi books go. As is the case with all of his books, Bradbury paints a picture of a society which has much in common with ours today. He points out the various flaws in our world, but also shows us that there is still hope yet. This book is a must read for anyone, young or old, so go buy it!

"Fahrenheit 451" is a simply great book. Yes, it's quite distressing and unpleasant to read - because what Bradbury describes is much closer to truth than we'd like it to be. And that is precisely what makes the reality of the book so alike our own - it's more pleasant not to think about such things, and therefore one can merely say the book doesn't suit one's taste and go 'get entertained' in front of the TV.

The disturbing thing about the book is that, unlike many other books that deal with the distant future, "Fahrenheit 451" (written in 1953) hasn't been proved wrong simply by time itself. Not at all. Actually, what is shocking to realize is that we've come quite close to the society Bradbury writes about. Perhaps books haven't been banned yet, but it is indeed the entertainment industry that controls people's minds, the political correctness has reached ridiculous levels, there are ads everywhere and now we even have Segways so that we don't have to walk anywhere... And, of course, we can get a thousand page long classics shortened to a hundred pages - or, better yet, simply watch the movie.

The book also has other qualities besides making one think (which is, judging by some other reviews, one of its biggest downsides). One cannot but admire the brilliant way Bradbury uses absurd and creates a completely surreal feeling by using the methods of expressionism to describe the feelings and thoughts of the main character.

Bradbury sure had things to write about - and that can be proved by even something as simple as the fact I've spent the last half an hour writing a review on the Internet rather than reading a good book or looking at the world...

I would give Anthem 3 out of 5 stars. It was a very interesting and powerful book. The main character's name is Equality 7-2521. He is a very intelligent street sweeper wanting to be a scholar in an intellectually repressed society. This book most likely takes place in the future after a worldwide disaster. This man enjoys experimenting (illegally) with lightbulbs which haven't been "invented" yet. After showing the "light box" to the council of scholars, he is heavily repremanded. Equality 7-2521 then escapes into the uncharted forest where he discovers many things with his companion Liberty 5-3000. Their most important discovery is the discovery of the forbidden word ego. This book's theme is human individualality. People in this society do not have any individualality. They are assigned strange names, do not have any family, and are not allowed to talk to the opposite sex. Probably the most strange and confusing part of the book Anthem is its use of the word we. For a large portion of the book we is used instead of I becausre of the society's beliefs. 3 out of 5 stars.

Narrated by Equality 7-2521, Ayn Rand's pithy Anthem contains enough egali-TERROR to ignite an abundance of thoughts in any cognizant reader, despite its repetition (scarcely permissible by its brevity) of many of the same ideas. Certainly, one can compare its communal society with Soviet Russia, Democratic Kampuchea, People's Republic of China, and so forth, but it is also shockingly easy to find relevance to modern America. As you read, beware; this is what the liberal elite is planning for us! One cannot read Anthem's description of education (pronounce "indoctrination") system and not consider America's public schools--dominated by such asinine "reforms" as OBE, School-to-Work, dumb-down-the-curriculum-to-raise-up-self-esteem, and, of course, cooperative learning. (Oh yeah, just for the record--in case any of pythia's teachers see this--not *all* educators are evil. . .)

As is characteristic of any dystopia, Anthem relates the struggle of an individual against the juggernaut called society and exposes the dehumanizing effect of egalitarianism. Of all I've read, Ayn Rand's depiction of the future is nearest an ideal utopia, with total abolition of private property and with perfect equality in the absence of class distinctions or authoritative figures. True, occupational statuses differ, but, as in Ira Levin's This Perfect Day (I strongly recommend this novel as well; why is it out of print?), all are equal. When I read Anthem, it gave me the sense that its society, in the latest evolutionary stage of egalitarianism, has existed for a longer time than those of similar novels. Of course, they're all just fictional. . .right?! When compared to most of its genre, Anthem's most salient difference is its technological primitivity. I find this depiction of the future a fascinating and refreshing diversion from typical portrayals--as well as being, according to my own vaticination (keep in mind that I do call myself "pythia"), much more accurate. To maintain its stability, the communal society requires its members to abide with minimal comfort while engaging in continuous drudgery. Additionally, once the society has been established, its members are utterly incapable of producing technological advancement, perhaps even incapable of realizing the need. (On a similar note, check out Kurt Vonnegut's story "Harrison Bergeron," also revealing the stifling consequences of equality.) Tempting as it is to continue elaborate upon this topic, I dare not write more lest I reveal too much--that is, more than the too much I've already written. (Mea culpa for partially spoiling the analysis your own mind ought to initiate.) I'll conclude this segment with three words: House of Scholars!

Anthem's only major shortcoming is its ending. After the story's resolution (which is by no means the most emphatic), there follows two chapters (a relatively large chunk of this short work) didactically exalting the Objectivist philosophy of egotism. . .er, I guess that's egoism. . .oops. Because everything stated therein is a clear conclusion clear from the preceding chapters, these chapters are superfluous, serving only to lessen the impact of what the reader would otherwise cogitate himself. (Hypocritical pythia. . .you're one to talk.)

In part because of the former, I do not rank Anthem at the top of its genre in strictly literary terms. Moreover, character and plot development are minimal and vague, as a direct result of the work's brevity, and the rhetorical style is simplistic. However, this cannot be held against the novella; rather, it is integral to the protagonist's character. As unadorned as the writing is, Rand actually took artistic liberties with Equality's rhetoric; a novel truly commensurate with what his education level must have been would be illegibly poor! Furthermore, the terse, simple sentences render the theme as powerfully and emphatically as complex, adorned language could have, probably more so.

You have nothing to lose by reading Anthem. Although you can finish the novella in one evening, you will keep it in your thoughts long afterwards. . .but pray that in thoughts alone will it remain a reality. . .

Alexis de Tocqueville once said that if even people were to attain equality, inequality of minds would still remain. Equality 7-2521 proves this point. Try as they might, no one can completely steal the mind--thus, is it not cruel and inhumane to force it into a state of conformity and mediocrity?! Listen, never believe anyone who tells you that equality is a good thing. Do you want to live in Anthem-land?? Egad! Long live Capitalism!! Long live freedom!! Long live inequality!!!

~pythia~

This little tome is not typical of Ayn Rand, who wrote long novels. "Anthem" can be read in a single afternoon. It is a political fairy tale, in the same genre as "Animal Farm" and "1984," i.e., enjoyable fiction about some nightmare world where individuals strive for freedom against a suffocating tyranny.

The protagonist is a young man who lives in a fictional future where a highly regimented society is organized by a central committee, where careers are assigned by the state, where independent thought is repressed and even punished. But our hero begins to feel independent thoughts and ideas arising in his brain, which are accelerated by his discovery of a long-buried subway tunnel, a remnant from the ancient times before the glorious reformation of society.

Our protagonist, who has no name, only a number, works secretly and on his own to recreate the lost science of electricity, only to find his discovery rejected in horror by the central science committee. Anything not discovered by committee or group-think, surely cannot exist. Facing severe punishment, our hero departs to the forbidden zone, the lands outside of the central committee's control, where people once lived in ancient times. He becomes a rebel, a revolutionary, against the entrenched power of the state.

The theme of this fictional story is oversimplified, but it does express well the two major competing theories of government i.e., centralization versus decentralization, the argument over where the state ends and the individual begins. How much government is enough for an ordered and civilized society? How much government is too much, i.e., when does government become oppressive rather than protective?

In that respect, it should be must-reading for school children, because it contains the heart of the debate in easily comprehensible form. It is also an enjoyable read, an adventure story that makes you think even while having fun. I highly recommend it.

On the Road tells the story of Sal Paradise and his trips across the country with his idol Dean Moriarty. The novel is based heavily on Kerouacs life and features several well known "beat" writers like Carlo Marx(Allen Ginsberg) and Old Bull Lee(William Burroughs.)

This novel was highly enjoyable for one reason, the infectious passion the author has for life's experience. Kerouac writes some beautiful and romantic passages idolizing partying with his buddy Dean all over the country. Apparently Kerouac wrote this in a burst of inspiration,(he even taped his typewriter pages together) and it shows with his genuinely emotional writing.

But spontaneous Prose? Anyone who has ever struggled to write knows good writing is not spontaneous, it takes time and a lot of effort to shape your ideas into a cohesive and focused effort. Granted this is good writing but it could have been better. Sometimes this novel reads like a first draft. At times Kerouac seems to ramble on, and it's breathless and tiring to read. If Kerouac would have taken the time to sit down and edit this potentially wonderful book and cut some of the extrenious information then this could have been much much better.

Still I liked this novel. Four stars for an almost classic. It really shows a lust for life, can you dig?

I decided to read Jack Kerouac's On the Road because a lot of my friends had read, it as well as some of his other books, and told me that I might enjoy it. The very beginning of the novel didn't grab my attention right away, but soon the pace picked up. The narrator, Sal Paradise (who Kerouac characterized after himself), seems like a simple kind of guy who likes to be with friends, have a good time, and be adventurous. It seems like he and his buddies are drinking at least every few pages, whether it be on the road with hitchhikers or while listening to jazz at a club. During the first half of the book, when Sal first begins his travels across the U.S. to meet up with his friend Dean, the novel has a free-spirited, optimistic tone. He hitchhikes with little money to get from place to place, and as he does so he meets many interesting people and makes some friends. Sal seems excited and open to anything that may come his way. During the second part of the book, after Sal has finally met up with Dean and has a love affair with a Mexican woman in the meantime, the pace of the book slows way down. It becomes difficult to know in which direction the story is leading because not much is taking place for a while. Sal goes back home for a little while, but is soon on the road again with Dean and other friends when they unexpectedly show up at his door to pick him up. He travels to San Francisco a second time, this time not alone, and spends his time drinking and looking for work. He doesn't seem as optimistic and excited as the first time he went travelling, but rather depressed. The story becomes more interesting again when Sal and Dean leave the U.S. and go to Mexico. Here they party more than usual and have as good a time as possible. I liked this part of the novel as well as the beginning because it almost made me feel like I was there, partying with them. Reading On the Road gave me a good sense of what it would be like to escape for a little while and just have an adventure, without feeling like I would have to worry about all the little things. Because I am the kind of person that thinks and worries way too much, it's nice to experience what it would be like to be more laid back and adventurous through reading this book. After reading this I have a sense of what it's like to be left with only yourself to depend on.

Jack Kerouac's writing is so smooth. It flows unlike any other writing I've come across. He was on Benzedrine when he was writing this book, and at times you feel as if you are on it with his descriptions of the American and Mexican landscape. It is the story of Sal Paradise, and his road trips he takes in the late 1940's. He is searching for so many things; truth, culture, landscape, and his history. The person that either inspires all of these trips or accompanies him on all of these trips is Dean Moriarty, an insouciant free spirit who is likewise looking for some answers. I can't help but feel that there is no real plot to speak of, in the traditional sense of introduction, climax and resolution. However, the important thing to realize is that Kerouac was not trying to tell the story of only one or two people; he was painting a picture of the American landscape shortly after the Second World War. He does this through the interactions of different drifters along the road. The picture he paints is perfect. _On the Road_ displays the post-war era as well as _The Grapes of Wrath_ displayed the great depression. This is a great novel, and can be understood and enjoyed by a person of any reading level.

Wuthering Heights is a disturbingly dark book about love, obsession and revenge. It is a romantic novel full of twists and turns that nearly requires the reader to keep a running dictionary of characters, especially since names have a tendency to pop up in different places and on different people throughout the novel. I read this novel for a class assignment in Victorian Literature but it is helpful to know that the book employs many themes of the Romantic literary genre as well. Victorian ideas of social class are brought up as well as the fantasies of adolescence. Some of the Romantic ideas found in the novels include the idea of the tragic landscape. The landscape of the novel is foreboding and isolated, borrowed most likely from the gothic novel. The characters are extreme in their varying passions and the concept of the dream is used in a type of ghostly communication. One of the story's narrators has a dream of being visited by the ghost of Catherine, which causes a startling and dramatic reaction in Heathcliff. The belief that the reader cannot fully hate Heathcliff because of how he was mistreated as a child is also a Romantic ideal.
The story contains a great deal of darkness and some cruelty, which may turn readers away. Love is often extreme to the point of violence in the novel while the romances themselves are nearly incestuous in tone. Cousins marry and adopted siblings hold lifelong affections and obsessions for each other. The novel also illustrates an element of cruelty that can be slightly disturbing at times. Heathcliff, the novel's antagonist, goes as far as to string up the beloved dog of the young woman he courts after Catherine rejects him.
The main focus of the story is the rather twisted love story element that develops between Catherine and Heathcliff. Heathcliff is adopted into Catherine's family at a young age and the pair become close, though Catherine rejects him because he is poor and instead marries a rich neighbor. Though throughout the novel, other romances develop between the two highly inbred families, they are side stories in comparison to the main romance.
The love of Catherine and Heathcliff eventually develops into an obsession that lasts, and in fact becomes even stronger with the eventual death of Catherine. Her spirit seems to haunt Heathcliff and further fire his obsession. Even before Catherine's death this obsessive love broadens to include an equally obsessive drive to ruin the lives of all the people who mistreated him and stood between him and Catherine, including her husband and older brother.
These obsessions eventually lead to the last of the major themes of the novel, revenge. A good part of the book is spent upon Heathcliff's attempts to destroy the lives of anyone and everyone who mistreated him or got in the way of his relationship with Catherine. His need for revenge does not lessen as the book moves on and Heathcliff continues to take his revenge even upon the next generation, including Catherine's daughter and his own son. Whether or not Heathcliff succeeds in his attempts I leave to the reader.
Personally, I enjoyed this book a great deal, if for no other reason than the simple fact that it was quite different from the usual school assigned reading. I was pleasantly surprised by how well woven and engaging the book was. The calculating lengths that Heathcliff goes to in order fulfill his quest for revenge are nearly reason enough to read the book. The old style language of the book, which I expected to be a hindrance, was hardly noticeable. In short, if you can handle (or enjoy) the book's darker aspects, then I highly recommend this classic to you. (And I'm not just saying that because I have to! ;))Enjoy!

Perhaps it's the winsome imagery, perhaps the profoundly real characters one switches between loving and hating, or maybe even the dry humor that is the style of the British, but Wuthering Heights is my all time favorite book. How can words possibly do it justice...the only way to surely judge it is by reading it. Never before have I been so moved by a story; it might be Heathcliff's overflowing love for Catherine that drives him mad yet, ingenious in his revenge, or Cathy's shallow duty to society that denies her the power to be true to herself (I believe the main point of this novel is to not deny your feelings; go with what you feel rather than what should be), but I always find myself reading it on days I need to be cheered up or am really lusting after a good book. If one's not paying attention, you know, one of those days where you just read to take your mind off of something, it can get rather dull and confusing (the diction isn't as simple as say...Ethan Frome), but if you're concentrating, Bronte's words are so amazingly beautiful, it's hard to put it down. When read aloud it sounds like Shakespeare, and I like Emily's work a lot more than Charlotte's, for some reason. Gothic literature is so peculiar and wonderful: a class of it's own, and she really masters it. At the same time she avoids stereotypes and entertaining happenings (the spectre that appears to the somewhat insecure Lockwood early on foretells the chilling story, while at the same time hinting there is something deeply wrong about Wuthering Heights that needs to be corrected), actually writing the book with a purpose behind it. All the characters have very cool qualities about them; all have the potential to be irritating, but hey, we're all human. By imperfecting her people she has perfected the novel, and I'm so thankful I've had the privilege to read such a piece of art. This book forever remains with me; it's a part of me.

I read what the self-proclaimed "immature" reader wrote, and I beg to differ. I love this book not because I'm supposed to, but because I just do. The austerity of the language, which you term "dull", is what sets the whole tone for such a troubling work. I doubt that Bronte set out to write a classic romance; I believe she was denouncing the sins of her characters. This novel is multi-faceted with its never-ending parallels: two houses (Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange), two love stories, two heroes, two heroines, two narrators, etc. The inexplicable love that two heartless people like Heathcliff and Catherine share is fascinating to say the least. When Catherine cries out, "Nelly, I AM Heathcliff," I'm sure many a girl's heart has thudded in her chest. This book sweeps you away to a place and time far removed from us and gives us a view into a harsh and distant world. You don't have to like the book. But don't be so dumb or immature as to assume that no else does either. The longer you study literature, the more you'll see that some books have passed the test of time, because, well, they're just that damn good.

Hailed as Chinua Achebe's masterpiece and sold for millions of copies worldwide, 'Things Fall Apart' is in my opinion an average story that is overhyped.

In the story, Okonkwo is a strong warrior who begins his life with disadvantages but works his way to earn titles, respect and wealth in his village. A manslaughter incident costs him seven years of exile, during which his village as well as the neighbouring villages find themselves changed and divided under the influence of missionaries importing the Christian religion. Okonkwo returns disappointed but determined to unify the clan again, not knowing a worse fate awaits him...

This story is largely about tribal life in Africa, with all its intimate details about customs, beliefs and practices. On one hand, Chinua Achebe portrays suffering people (especially women and children) who are victims of tribal systems. Wives are ill-treated by husbands, while some children become sacrifices for disputes or religion. On the other hand, Chinua Achebe questions the authority and power of the Westerners who attempt to change the villages via import of their own religion and law.

If there is a central theme in this book, it would be division -- as the title itself suggests. This begins only when the missionaries arrive at Umuofia and other villages. Christ says that He brings division, and this prophecy is fulfilled when one of Okonkwo's sons leaves home to embrace Christianity. On a larger scale, people in the village are divided amongst themselves. This division, like all others, leads to inevitable despair.

'Things Fall Apart' is simple in both language and content. It is easy to read and can be completed in a single sitting. However, unless one is interested in the rich customs of African tribal life, this book is otherwise very average and uncaptivating.

This book is strongly recommended for all who are interested in African culture and way of life.

If you are a reader like myself trying to discover the greatness of Chinua Achebe's most famous work, then you may end up rather disappointed by this somewhat average story.

A thousand people have said this before me, but THINGS FALL APART is truly a wonderful piece of fiction. From the first pages, you are immersed in a beautiful, strange (to me, anyway), fascinating culture that comes through in every description, in the words that come from the character's mouths, in the conflicts between individuals and the clash of cultures, and especially in Achebe's direct, articulate, sparesely beautiful style.

As other reviewers have noted, it's usually not the best when you're being forced to read it for a class. But look at it this way: most books aren't. If you're in that situation, try to get past the coercion factor and the problem of grades, and read this book for yourself. It's a "classic" -- that's why they're making you read it -- and no one hates "classics" more than I, but THINGS FALL APART is much, much more than a "classic" work of fiction. It is a tragedy, deeply felt, that draws an unerring portrait of human nature and especially human conflict. It is a good story, and one beautifully told. It is an education you owe to yourself. And if that's still not enough: it's short.

Chinua Achebe's "Things Fall Apart" works on many levels, a story of Nigerian tribal life before the colonization by whites, and the tale of Okonkwo, a tribal leader.

The prose is simple, yet descriptive in immersing the reader within the daily life of a village. We learn the customs, see the people both struggle and prosper with their farming, and watch as Okonkwo rises to prominence within his group. Determined not to become like his ne'er do well but well-liked father, Okonkwo is a hard worker, ambitious leader, but cruel to his family. As the story unfolds, he allows his pride and sense of duty to tradition overcome what in his heart he knows must be wrong. There is a moving portion involving an adopted son from a rival village where the reader suspects that a tragic outcome awaits.
Eventually, an accident, but serious transgression, results in his exile from the village. Okonkwo remains determined to return and take his place among the tribal leaders, but then the white men arrive with their new religious ideas.
This is one of those books that you wonder about as your reading, until you've completed it and then realize you have to read it again to catch all of the ideas between the lines.
Okonkwo is a well-drawn character, full of strengths and character flaws that make this novel compelling.
It's a thinker.

The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison, is a magnificent piece. It is focused on an 11-year old black girl named Pecola Breedlove, who falls prey to the false notions of white superiority. The white community, her family and Soaphead Church promoted this notion.

There are plenty of ugly things in the world and Pecola is subjected to most of them. She's abused both mentally and physically, and raped and impregnated by her own father. There's no doubt to why she think and feel ugly, she yearns to be the opposite of what she is-yearns to be a white child, she wants the blondest hair and the bluest eyes.

Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eyes was sad yet liberating. She goes in depth about self-hatred, which keeps her novel grasping the reader attention. In the book, she gets across a very powerful idea that is found in every society today. Although the book is written during the 1940's and most of the events that occur mirror that time period, the main idea transcends to this day and age. With a persuasive argument in mind and a poor, innocent black girl to appeal to the reader's pathos, Morrison craftily writes her story. Morrison's argument is how influential society can be on an individual and how strongly it's ideas and views are impressed upon that individual. The ideas and views that she speaks of mostly pertain to beauty and what makes an individual beautiful. This idea of beauty can turn someone's life upside down and in the end lead him or her to madness. Morrison is trying to impress upon her reader's what a negative effect society's ideas and views can have on an individual and how that individual's life is changed forever.

Toni Morrison is also the author of Sula, Paradise, Song of Solomon, Tar Baby, Beloved, and Jazz. She has worked in publishing and has taught at various universities. Morrison is currently the Robert F. Goheen Professor at Princeton. Along with the Nobel Prize she received in 1993, Toni Morrison was also awarded the National Book Foundation Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters in 1996.

The book will have no value to you if you can't use your imagination and put yourself in Pecola shoes. You need to be open-minded to grasp the object of the book.

'The bluest eye' was Toni Morrison's debut novel, and it was first published in 1970.

'The bluest eye' is a tragic, heartbreaking story. We meet the 11-year-old black girl Pecola Breedlove, and her world - filled with hatred and racism. Her story is not a happy one - her brothers have run away from home, and her drunkard father has sexually abused her. Pecola believes that if she only had blonde hair and blue eyes, all her other problems will go away'

The characters are all very well developed, and one has to care deeply for them. The symbolism is easy to understand, and Morrison's prose is beautiful, subtle, and unique.

This is a novel that leaves you thinking, wondering about the world we live in.

Toni Morrison has quite rightfully won both the Pulitzer and the Nobel Prize. 'The bluest eye', was the third novel I read by Toni Morrison. Honestly, 'The bluest eye' is not her masterpiece (I think that the book 'Song of Solomon' is her best novel) but it is certainly worth reading!

An enjoyable read!

Brought to life by Toni Morrison, The Bluest Eye is an extremely powerful story that tackles some of the difficult challenges people face to this day. I thought the tale was an unforgettable one. Toni Morrison uses just enough detail to let The Bluest Eye stick out in a person's mind for a lifetime. The way the author writes allows a person to understand things very clearly.
The Bluest Eye is the story of Pecola Breedlove, a very unfortunate looking, young black girl living in Ohio in the early 1900's. Pecola's one main wish in life is to have blue eyes, hence the title of the book. She spends her entire childhood praying for these blue eyes so she may look like Shirley Temple and the other blonde haired, blue eyed, white girls in school. Throughout the story, are small tales of Pecola's family past, and explanations of why her life is so horrible. The various tales are written in block form, though, and therefore are very easily distinguishable from one another. As I read this book, I was saddened by the horrific events that this poor girl has to encounter, and shocked by the way people treated African American girls in the past. This story relates to many problems teenagers, adults and children still have now days in our society. Racism, family problems and loving your heritage are highly discussed issues in this book.
I would recommend The Bluest Eye to anyone interested in reading books that tell true life stories. Though I thoroughly enjoyed this book, not everyone will. If you are not the type of person drawn into stories that may make you feel depressed or upset at the way things used to be, then I would not tell you to read this book. To like this book, you have to enjoy reading back to what things were like a couple decades ago, and the hardships people went through in public situations and at home.

The Old Man and the Sea deserves every award it has received. Hemmingway uses his originality and personal experiences to create a literary masterpiece. The Old Man and the Sea is a classic tale of fate and determination, yet Hemmingway's style is what makes it so enjoyable to read.
The plot provides a suspenseful journey through bad luck and hardships. "The Shark came in a rush and the old man hit him as he shut his jaws." (114) This gives the reader a feeling like they are actually experiencing the same thing as Santiago. This makes it easier to relate with the characters. My favorite part of this intriguing tale was when Santiago came home and proved his skill with the skeleton of an 18 foot marlin. Satisfaction is one of the many feelings that overcome the reader after reading this book. Some feel satisfied, by an old man's dream to end an 86 day record.

The author uses his characters in a unique way to express a deeper meaning. Such as, how Santiago and the marlin symbolize each other. The marlin symbolizes Santiago in his will and determination to never give up. The marlin fights through hunger, pain, and his stubbornness to not let go without a fight, which is not unlike Santiago. Yet another symbol is the vulnerability between the attacking sharks and Santiago. Santiago is vulnerable to the harassing fisherman and the sharks are vulnerable to Santiago's beatings. Unlike many authors these days, this book doesn't give you the literal meaning. Instead, Hemmingway makes the reader think and react to the story. This in turn, makes it exciting.
I would defiantly recommend this book to anyone that wants to read a heartfelt adventure of an old man against his luck. Hemmingway's style adds to the excitement and drama of this epic tale, by using deep meanings and an unusual plot.

First of all, I admit I'm biased here. I am a tremendous admirer of Hemingway's writing style. The language - unbelievably minimal, declarative, free of any irrelevance - is absolutely intoxicating. This, by itself, makes Hemingway a joy to read. Every sentence is so tight, so compact, yet they all say so much and create as vivid a picture in your mind as a photograph. Hemingway's writing at its worst is amazing.

However, "The Old Man and the Sea" is one of Hemingway's finest novels, fully deserving of the Nobel Prize. The story is simple and may seem boring to some, but the beauty of the old man's struggle with the marlin is heartbreaking and encouraging at the same time. Hopelessness and full awareness of defeat are contrasted with perseverance, determination, and an unwillingness to be destroyed. "The Old Man and the Sea" brings home all of mankind's failures and all of mankind's successes in every sentence.

I can't recommend this book more highly. Read it and stand in awe, both at Hemingway's astonishing command over the English language and at the dignity he brings to the failed in mankind. Brilliant in every sense of the word.

Okay, I'll start by conceding the obvious: 1. The plot is a down-on-his-luck old fisherman hooks a huge marlin, is pulled out to sea before killing it, and loses it to various shark attacks on his return voyage. 2. There's not a lot of action. 3. Yes, the old man talks to his hand (and a bird, and the fish).

Personally, I feel that the most compelling aspect of this wonderful novel is the struggle inherent within the old man's task. It's a labor for something he not only wants but needs. It's an uphill climb against a gradient that only gets steeper. He succeeds, but only to lose the prize in the end.

Yet, at the end of it all, he is not defeated. He is ready to sleep, to wake, and to do it all again.

Call it the triumph of the human spirit when pitted against all odds.

I first read this book in the fourth grade, after one of my parents left it laying around the living room. I finished it within three hours.

Ever since, I've made it a point to pick it up at least once a year. I'm now 24 years old. And I still find it to be an absolutely captivating novel.

-J.

A mother's act of love, by all conventional measure horrendous, is the source of conflict in Toni Morrison's Beloved. Determined to protect her children, Sethe does the unthinkable--an act which poses serious questions in terms of morality. Her actions create nearly unbearable consequences for not only herself, but her teenage daughter Denver as well. Their home, once filled with love and constant companionship becomes inhabited by the spirit of an angry baby lamenting her premature death. Strangely, the dead baby holds so much control over Sethe and Denver, and succeeds in making them miserable and nervous, even from the other side of the grave. Skillfully, Toni Morrison enters the realm of the super-natural, transporting her reader to a lonely house where strange visions, inexplicable occurrences, and constant terror are commonplace. But somehow, in the midst of these unusual and frightening events, Beloved maintains a power of meaning and sense of reality.

Unusual events are the driving forces behind the novel's success. Beloved's return nineteen years after Sethe held her in her arms as a baby is a major turning point in the novel, as Beloved has power over everything that she wishes. Beloved's control over Denver and Sethe raises so many questions in terms of what she is capable of. Her physical presence alters the dynamics of the family so dramatically that Denver, Beloved's sister, must intervene to avoid certain harm. Beloved's strange presence introduces an entirely new element to the novel, as the reader unravels the mystery of her origin and purpose.

Another level of Morrison's storytelling power relates to a recurring theme. Interspersed throughout the novel are references to Sethe's uncontrollable "rememory." These are the memories that Sethe feels obliged to carry, even though they cause her great pain. For whatever reason, she feels the responsibility to keep them alive. In her dedication to the

preservation of these memories at whatever cost to her, Sethe is immediately established as a loving mother tragically consumed with love for her children. She seems unable to control herself any time that her kin are involved. She wants so desperately to be a family, or at the very least, she hopes to create one. It is only through Beloved's return that Sethe is able to feel relief about the decision that she made so many years ago and finally let go to the most painful parts of her rememory. This powerful creation allows us access to the source Sethe's secret sadness.

Morrison's work is truly masterful. Her characters are complex; existing just beyond that which we know and understand. Exposition is beautifully executed, providing a base for the complicated story of Sethe and Beloved. The narrative is, like the story itself, a model of creativity. The voice changes from an unidentified third person, to Sethe, to Denver, and then to Beloved. The effect of this switch could be achieved in no better way, as Morrison conveys the common goals and concerns of each character. All factors combine to make Beloved the picture of good writing.

Toni Morrsion's Pulitzer Prize winning novel, Beloved, ventures through the black experience in America. This novel is based upon a true story of infanticide and slavery. This book is full of gothic elements and acts of terrible violence. Sethe's present and past have caused her to be abandoned by the community. Sethe escaped from the farm "Sweet Home" with her four children, but after only twenty- eight days of freedom she was captured by her old master. Rather than allowing her children to be returned to slavery she attempted to kill all of them, succeeding only in killing the baby girl "Beloved". After her master decided that she was no longer fit to serve, Sethe was released to raise her three remaining children at 124. Beloved's ghost began to haunt the house causing Sethe's to sons to flee after encounters with the ghost. Sethe's busy career as a cook didn't allow her to spend time with her daughter Denver. Denver the only one left in the house is eighteen years old and terribly afraid to even get up enough courage to leave the yard. All of the characters of this novel, are former slaves, children of former slaves, and suffer a troubled relationship to their own past. Morrison does an excellent job in portraying the trials and tribulations of slavery shortly after the Civil War. Toni Morrison's realistic venture through slavery in this book has definitely made it a masterpiece of its time and history as well.

Beloved. A book about slavery? Or a book about life? Morrison brings to life the struggles and pains of slaves through the lives of her characters. She creates a story filled with imagery, clearly depicting their struggles and giving her readers a deeper understanding. Morrison's style of writing forces a reader to read on and solve the mystery of Sethe's past. The book Beloved has a unique style where its details are revealed to the readers one after another. Morrison uses a "jigsaw puzzle" type of writing where details of the story are given to the readers piece by piece. As the story progresses, it is the reader's job to slowly piece the puzzle together, leaving a clear picture of the whole puzzle at the end. This style of "putting the pieces of a puzzle back together" is a great example of how Morrison illustrates the life of a slave. A person's life after entering slavery is filled with struggles and pains, resulting in a life that is literally shattered into pieces. After freedom, this person must then put back the pieces of his life together and find his true self once again. Not only is this true for slaves, but for anyone who has had to overcome an obstacle in his life. In addition to Morrison's style, Morrison's use of imagery clearly shows the struggle that not only Sethe has had to overcome, but slaves and people in general. For example, Sethe's wedding dress. In the novel, Sethe describes her dress by stating, "the top was from two pillow cases...the front of the shirt was a dresser scarf...old sashes...(59)." Here, Sethe's struggles are clearly depicted. The pieces of different materials are good illustrations of her life and how she tries to piece it back together; however, Sethe also states, "Now the back was a problem for the longest time (59)." The back of her wedding dress represents Sethe's past and how when everything is finally over, Sethe is having the hardest time overcoming it. Another struggle depicted in the story is the struggle that Paul D and Sethe must overcome. Morrison writes, "The embracing necks--hers stretching up towards his...No height was beyond her yearning neck, ...the gravity of their shields clashing, countered and mocked...(105)." The shields of the two turtles signify the barrier between Paul D and Sethe. This is how Morrison depicts the yearning and struggle they have to overcome. Equally important are the themes Morrison tries to convey in her novel. Morrison covers various themes, but one theme is the issue of power relationship. For centuries, power relationships are one thing a person will always come across. In Beloved, Morrison focuses on the power relationship between master and slave, white and black, and between husband and wife. One example where Morrison shows the power relationship between master and slave is between the Schoolteacher and Sethe. The Schoolteacher separates himself as superior and slaves as a sub race, as shown when the Schoolteacher tells his nephew to list Sethe's animal qualities (208). However, after the Civil war, the master and slave relationship changes to white and black relationship; still, with the whites having more power over the blacks. Furthermore, by showing Paul D is the only man to get Sethe to let down her guard a little and the only person who could drive out the spirit, Morrison is able to illustrate the power relationship between husband and wife. However, in life, no matter where anyone goes, there will always be someone you must answer to, meaning no one is really ever free, except within his self. All in all, Morrison uses a style of writing, which is able to keep her readers on their toes throughout the novel. She creates a novel so compact with detail that it seems almost overwhelming and unbelievable, but quite relevant. Although, Beloved may seem favorable to blacks, especially former slaves, Morrison covers the issues of struggle, pain, and love. Morrison creates a story everyone can relate to in one way or another; so, not only is Beloved a book about slavery, but it is also a book about life and what everyone must go through.