Olivia (should we come up with better titles? :))

Okay, I admit it took me awhile to get into this story. I'm not sure why i was resisting, but there you go.

I really liked it. I liked how she changed and how she liked being with the kids. I loved her friends and how different they all were. And I agree that Woody wasn't really necessary, but he was nice and sweet. The stuff with the show was hilarious.

I definitely had warm feelings when it ended. Made me want to more to Baltimore. Especially when they referenced Hairspray in the beginning.

On to the next one!!

Olivia

I really liked Olivia's character and her development, probably as Em notes, we get the most character in this story. I liked how the story was about her changing and how that came as a result of more than just (or at all really) a relationship with a guy. I barely felt like we learned much about Woody, in fact the story would have worked just as well without him other than the fact that it wouldn't fit the genre as well. I felt like I knew Olivia's friends better than any of the guys (other than maybe Hank).

Another good thing about this story was all the side characters; I could tell that there were big back stories that existed, but weren't necessarily shared, for her friends, her mom, etc. Did we ever hear what started her mom's anxiety? Jonah was the third husband? Why is Turtle looking for a new city? ZZ was a therapist? (Okay that last one was potentially more handy than indicative of more story, but still...) Feeling like the other characters had lives beyond just being supporting cast to Olivia made the story much richer and more believable.

Olivia

I think the first short story about Olivia was my favorite one, partially because it was the cleanest but mostly because it was the longest and thus in my opinion, the most developed. I enjoyed watching Olivia's transformation and dawning self awareness as she figured out what she really wanted in life amidst the magic of the twinkle lights and gumdrops of Santa Land. I think so often people, myself included, have these huge grandiose dreams of what we want to do in life, when if we thought about what the truest desires of our hearts are, we'd realize what we really want are simple things. 

I really like Hank's character and how he helps not only Olivia, but also her mother. I love that Olivia ends up with her childhood sweetheart (the geek turned successful genius) and that his name is Woody! Overall it was a cute, happy story that even had me wanting to play Mrs. Clause in a cute and sexy little red, fur trimmed number!

Ender's Game

I'm excited to be reading this book; I've heard about it for so long, it's a classic in the sci-fi cannon, people have suggested I'll love it...so, I'm glad to have started, and I like it so far.

I'm not sure that I have much to say at this point. I'm a bit incredulous that Ender is so cognizant and talented at six. But, hey, a Christ figure has to be super-special. I'll admit that I was sad that I never caught the idea of "Ender" as one who ends things, one who finishes, until it was pointed out to me by the book--I guess subtleties are still lost on me at times.

The thing that keeps running through my mind is Battlestar Galactica; I don't think anyone else here reads it, but the general gist is futuristic space fleet fighting for the survival of humanity against Cylons. The admiral of the fleet is a mostly good leader, but he is a very human figure with lots of flaws. I'm kind of hoping this isn't the future for Ender--sometimes I just want my heroes to be seemingly beyond human, to be able to rise above the complications that everyday people like me have to deal with.

I'm looking forward to more about the history of this world, the war, who the "buggers" are, etc.

Ender's Game Part I

I don't have a lot to say thus far except this is definately a strange book. I felt like I had no idea what to think for the first three chapters and was a bit confused by what I perceived to be fantasy and was supposed to be reality in the book. Still, by the end of Chapter 5 I was feeling more involved and I'm now curious to see what happens to Ender at this new school of his. Though did anyone else feel like they were readin a child's copy of something akin to Brave New World? Also, did anyone else feel almost dizzy when they described the whole gravity or non-gravity experience on the shuttle? Personally I felt like a dunce trying to figure out what seemed natural to Ender.

I have to admit I felt pretty sorry for Ender thoughout most of the book so far. It sounds like he's had it hard his whole, be it short, life and will continue to have it pretty hard throughout the rest of the book as "they" whoever the heck "they" are, throw challenge after challenge his way to make him the best possible leader, fighter and "hero." I wanted to cry when he had to leave his sister and didn't even feel he could turn around and wave to the camera. I really hope that they allow the poor kid to have some friends up there at space training camp or whatever it is.

I also found myself reacting very negatively to the society presented in the story. The fact that Ender was a third child and thus shunned of course got my hackels up, being currently pregnant with my own third child. It made me sad to think of a society so controlled that having more than two children was shunned...but then I suppose China and its one child policy isn't that far off when you think about it. Perhaps the scariest thing is seeing nuances of our own modern society reflected in a science fiction book written 30 years ago. To reiterate an earlier point, the experience seems reminicient of Brave New World. I just hope things turn out well for the poor little boy that everyone seems to shun (except the commanders of course).

Why does Holmes' hotel remind me of the one in Angel?

Sorry that this is a whole week late. Just finished part one. Whew.

I really do like this book, it's just super hard for me to stay in it. I'm not used to reading any nonfiction and even though this is written more novel-like, there is still a serious lack of dialogue to break up very long paragraphs. That seems awfully juvenile of me, but visually it's easier to take in. Too much children's books, i suppose.

I find it funny or strange that Sarah pointed out the same thing I marked in my book. The exact same quote about the skeleton. I just wanted to say, 'well, how the hell do you know that?' to Mr. Larson. I mean, sure, he's writing it all down, but where does he get that idea? No reason for it to be any different than Holmes' word. Not that he's to be trusted.

Wow, is he spooky or what? I mean, just creeeeeepy. Makes me terribly nervous when I read his chapter/sections. But at the same time, I'm intrigued. I want to slap all those women for trusting him. A guy too smooth for his own good? Never, ever trust them. EVER! Sorry, those women are just idiots on some level. Maybe people were less wary back then. And the thing with animals and babies not being put off by him. My theory is that he never meant harm to the animals or babies, so they couldn't sense his weirdness.

Burnham is definitely interesting. I find myself drifting a bit in his chapters, but I think Larson does a great, great job of making everything so urgent. Like the whole bit with the eastern architects and olmstead and all the waiting. I just wanted to scream, 'make a decision already you silly people!'

There are some great quotes in this so far, though.

"enough so that each year Burnham bought a barrel of fine Madeira and aged it by shipping it twice around the world on slow freighters." (40) Now that's wealth!

"Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men's blood." (41) Gives me good chills every time I read it.

"Chicago is like the man who marries a woman with a ready-made family of twelve," he said. "The trouble is just begun" (49) Made me laugh.

My heart was sad about Root. I liked their friendship. I can't imagine how much that must have hurt Burnham. Definitely a good cliffhanger to end part one on.

I realize this is unlike my other reviews as I can't seem to comment on the actual writing. Maybe it's my lack of nonfiction knowledge. Whatever it is, the writing isn't bugging me. Other than the fact that it's pretty dense.

On to the next bit.

The Devil in the White City: Part One

I'm rather enjoying this book. I was initially skeptical about the juxtaposition of the two halves of the book (Burnham vs. Holmes), that it would feel forced or like two separate stories, but I find it working for me. At first, I thought I would be more interested in the Holmes story because for some reason, I find true crime with serial killers rather fascinating, but I think I'm more interested in the planning and to-be execution of the fair.

One thing that I am a bit hesitant about, but don't know if this is common of history writers/books is the speculation. I realize to make it seem novelistic there has to be some reasonable assumptions made, but I question Larson's leaps into the psychological motivations of the characters, particularly Holmes'. For instance (on 39), Larson notes of Holmes's encounter with the skeleton, "The incident probably did occur, but with a different choreography. More likely the two older boys discovered that their five-year-old victim did not mind the excursion; that far from struggling and shrieking, he merely gazed at the skeleton with cool appreciation. When his eyes settled back upon his captors, it was they who fled." This seems to be pure speculation from what I can tell. Larson's suggestion that Holmes likely kept "the skulls of small animals that he disabled and then dissected, alive" is at least based on some observed psychology.

And then because of Larson's assumptions, I feel like making my own. Seriously, the lone sentence that reads, "Mudgett's only close friend was an older child named Tom, who was killed in a fall while the boys were playing in an abandoned house" makes me want to scream "He pushed him! He pushed him!"

One (semi-) narrator intrusion into the text that I did not mind however comes near the end of part one, as the architects are being wined and dined: "It was the first in a sequence of impossibly rich and voluminous banquets whose menus raised the question of whether any of the city's leading men could possibly have a functional artery" (97). I had to read it twice because I didn't expect the tongue-in-cheek humor.

By the by, I ran across this at my library. I haven't had time to watch this yet, but hope to at some point. It's a documentary about the '93 World's Fair called EXPO: Magic of the White City.

So, a week late, but...

I finished Part One (I know, you would think if I chose the book I would be more timely about reading it), but I am really liking this book so far. I agree with Emily and Sarah about the strong Christian ties with the sheep/shepherd and Otherwordly characters who direct Santiago towards his treasure. I agree with Sarah that I am still a little leery about the spiritualness of this book, since I have read one other book by Paulo Coelho and am pretty sure that he is not a Christian, but I think that all truth is God's truth, and there seems to be plenty of truth in this book.

I really like the whole thought of one's Personal Legend. This is something I believe so strongly in, and I think it is true a lot of people start out when they are young with strong dreams and desires of what they want to be and do when they get older. However, like the Baker, as you get older, things get in the way and sometimes it seems easier to do what one is accustomed to verses striking out into something unknown. However, I think God really calls us to stretch ourself out of our comfort zones and go on travels to discover who we are, who He made us to be, and what He made us to accomplish. And this takes a lot of courage to strike out into the unfamiliar and uncomfortable. Yet, at the same time, it is something that makes us the most fulfilled.

I guess I partly like Santiago because I can kind of relate to him. I have always felt like I have wanted something more in life and that is important to go out and discover our "treasures" and personal story. It is tempting at times to blame the world and think that is it against us when something bad happens (like when his money was stolen--he wept because God was unfair, and because this was the way God repaid those who believed in their dreams). It can be easy to blame God when things go wrong, but I admire that he ultimately got over that and didn't stop him from pursuing his ultimate goal.

I am a little unsure of all this omen business and the rocks, but I think it compliments the story in a way because it is supposed to be written like a fable or fairy tale, and so in fairy tales often things happen that are very ominous and represent which way the heroine/hero should go. I think that is also why this story is pretty didactic, Eden, and pretty obvious about the point it is trying to make. I really am liking it, though, and can't wait to see what the treasure is, too. I, of course, hope it involves lots of pretty jewelry, so he can go back and marry his one true love. :)

Part One

Okay, i think it has to do with my translation which is crap. I think if I could read it in the original Portuguese, there would be an improvement. So, taking that into account, I will not comment on the style of the book which in my version is rather stilted and monotonous. I blame Alan R. Clarke, translator.

I like fable and allegories. Pilgrim's Progress and the mystery and miracle plays from the medieval times, I've always enjoyed even if sometimes they seem a little silly. Sometimes a little too 'in your face' with what you are supposed to believe or take from the text. Didactic or preachy. But I've never been annoyed by it.

The first adjective that came to mind as I read it was 'self-important.' Either Coelho thinks the world about himself or he's overdoing it to make a point about something I haven't figured out yet.

Example: "It's a book that says the same thing almost all the other books in the world say," continued the old man. "It describes people's inability to choose their won Personal Legends. And it ends up saying that everyone believes the world's greatest lie."

Okay, did that bug anyone else? I interpreted that as "Well, I will do what all the other books haven't done." Or "I am better than all the other books." Or am I looking too much into it?

Another like it: "If he ever wrote a book, he thought, he would present one person at a time, so that the reader wouldn't have to wrorry about memorizing a lot of names."

Thank you, shepherd or should I say, Mr. Coelho.

I find The Alchemist didactic. Telling me what I should think. The old man, the king is long-winded and says nothing that is at all life-changing. But that could just be me.

The boy's attitude gets to me as well (but maybe he will grow in character and this is the stuff he grows out of)

"He was sure that it made no difference to her on which day he appeared: for her, every day was the same, and when each day is the same as the next, it's because people fail to recognize the good things that happen in their lives every day that the sun rises."

Isn't he the know-it-all? Judgmental. So a simple life is a lack of appreciation of life?

"The sale of his sheep had left him with enough money in his pouch, and the boy knew that in money there was magic; whoever has money is never really alone."

I really hope he grows out of that one.

"Most of them he had read in books, but he would tell them as if they were from his personal experience. She would never know the difference, because she didn't know how to read."

So, let's lie to the girl he loves and also judge her because she hasn't learned to read. Is that her fault?

What was the point of the old woman who interpreted his dream? I mean, even the boy thinks that she doesn't tell him anything except to make literal the dream. I thought that seemed weak story-wise.

And the old man with his wisdom. I get that he pushes the boy to make a decision. But what does he do? Takes one-tenth of the boy's sheep for payment for a little advice? I don't get that.

One quote I did like once I thought about it: "In the long run, what people think about shepherds and bakers becomes more important for them than their own Personal Legends."

I think sometimes we can be talked out of our hopes and dreams by what others think. Not that all our dreams and goals will ever be reaches, but it's good to have them anyway.

Hopefully a lot of this will make sense by the end, but I'm frustrated at the moment with the story as well as the characters.

A Shepherd and a King

I have to admit when I first obtained this book I was rather in the mindset of a long epic tale somewhere along the lines of Lord of the Rings. Instead I found myself rapidly devouring something that appeared only slightly longer than The Old Man and the Sea. Despite the length, I found myself easily drawn into the world and life of Santiago and enjoying the boy's adventures from the very first page. I love sheep and have always found great peace in the 23 Psalm so I love that he begins as a shepherd. His love and care for his sheep is beautiful and genuine and establishes Coelho's hero's character right away. His love for the merchant's daughter also seemed pure and simple to me and I'm eager to see if anything will come of it despite his journey out of Andalusia.

All throughout the first part of the story I was struck by the numerous Biblical references. Coelho's religious background is made quite obvious from the shepherd images to Melchizedek, King of Salem, to the references to a greater force guiding us. I recognized Mechizadek immediately, am familiar with his brief and mysterious presence in Genesis and found Coelho's use of him absolutely fascinating. Using a real, but little known historical character was very clever. I also enjoyed reading about the boy's inner struggles and personal journey. I love that this is a story about an actual journey and a personal journey at the same time. It adds layers and depth to a relatively short and simple story. I am excited to see where this story goes.

I felt I could really relate to the talk about struggling to follow one's Personal Legend. Having struggled a lot over the past years with my own personal purpose, this story really speaks to me and those feelings. When Santiago's money was stolen I felt as discouraged as he did and then wanted to cheer him on when he kept going, seemingly so strong when others would easily give up. This was another example of his strength of character. Finally I cannot finish this post without writing the quote that grabbed me on the first page and made me smile, "He told himself that he would have to start reading thicker books: they lasted longer and made more comfortable pillows."

Jeremy Irons Can Read Me the Telephone Book

but, it was a little tricky to focus on just listening and not doing other things at the same time. And I can't go back and get quotes this way, so take what's in quotes as a near approximation of the text.

When I was looking at this book before we started reading it, I noted that one review likened this to Johnathan Livingstone Seagull, so I've been listening to it with that lens. Everything seems to be read as allegory--or maybe not allegory so much as just general spiritual advice. So far most of the aphoristic teaching seems okay, but I'm remaining leery until I've finished reading the whole thing.

Some things I like: "It's the simplest things that are the most wondrous, and only the wise understand that;" the World's greatest lie is that we lose control and think that Fate dictates our future; "Sometimes people say things so strange you don't know how to continue the conversation;" "Alway ask an objective question, but try to make your own decisions."

Some things I'm not sure of, especially the personal legend. Now I believe that God created each of us on purpose for a purpose, so there is some resonance. I like the boy's/the shepherd's thought that "If God leads the sheep, surely he'll lead a man." Seems pretty Biblical with all the sheep parallels, and the angel/king with the breastplate that gives him the two stones I think is an OT character (although I'd have to look up where, plus I don't remember Abraham giving anyone ten percent, but again, I'll have to look it up).

What I'm not so sure about though is the idea that "When you really want something, the universe conspires in your favor" and "conspires in helping you achieve it." Maybe I'm too suspicious, but that sounds a bit like The Secret (or what I know of it, haven't actually read it). Send good vibes out and good vibes will return. Now obviously one catches more flies with honey than vinegar, but I don't think that one can count on the "universe" giving you something just because you really want it.

But, I'm looking forward to seeing how this progresses and what sort of spirituality is being espoused in the book and then taken up by so many readers of late--our world is desperately hungry for some Truth. Plus, I'm quite curious to know what the treasure is. I feel like it's not going to be money and then we're going to have a Merchant of Venice type problem getting the gypsy her ten percent.