Book 10: The Bell Jar
by Sylvia Plath.
Harper & Row, Publishers.
1963
Rating:
4.
Amazon.com review:
Plath was an excellent poet but is known to many for this largely autobiographical novel. The Bell Jar tells the story of a gifted young woman's mental breakdown beginning during a summer internship as a junior editor at a magazine in New York City in the early 1950s. The real Plath committed suicide in 1963 and left behind this scathingly sad, honest and perfectly-written book, which remains one of the best-told tales of a woman's descent into insanity.
What do I think of this book?
Surprisingly, I liked it. At first, I didn't at all. About half way through, I statred paying more attention and started to like it. The beginning was a bit confusing for me, but by the end, I conected with Ester and liked the book.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Friday, February 5, 2010
Book 9: The Old Man & The Sea.
Book 9: The Old Man And The Sea.
by Ernest Hemingway.
Charles Scibner's Sons
1952
Rating:
About a 3.
"Product Description" from Amazon.com.
The Old Man and the Sea is one of Hemingway's most enduring works. Told in language of great simplicity and power, it is the story of an old Cuban fisherman, down on his luck, and his supreme ordeal -- a relentless, agonizing battle with a giant marlin far out in the Gulf Stream. Here Hemingway recasts, in strikingly contemporary style, the classic theme of courage in the face of defeat, of personal triumph won from loss. Written in 1952, this hugely successful novella confirmed his power and presence in the literary world and played a large part in his winning the 1954 Nobel Prize for Literature.
My opinion:
I did actually enjoy this book. It shows the struggles of a man and a large fish. It shows us how, no matter how weak we are, we can overcome any obsticles that come our way, be it a fish that is much larger than your boat, or a tough test, or just a rough time in our lives. We can make it through anything if we try and when we get back, there wil always be someone there waiting for you.
Note: I read this book for my English 2 class.
by Ernest Hemingway.
Charles Scibner's Sons
1952
Rating:
About a 3.
"Product Description" from Amazon.com.
The Old Man and the Sea is one of Hemingway's most enduring works. Told in language of great simplicity and power, it is the story of an old Cuban fisherman, down on his luck, and his supreme ordeal -- a relentless, agonizing battle with a giant marlin far out in the Gulf Stream. Here Hemingway recasts, in strikingly contemporary style, the classic theme of courage in the face of defeat, of personal triumph won from loss. Written in 1952, this hugely successful novella confirmed his power and presence in the literary world and played a large part in his winning the 1954 Nobel Prize for Literature.
My opinion:
I did actually enjoy this book. It shows the struggles of a man and a large fish. It shows us how, no matter how weak we are, we can overcome any obsticles that come our way, be it a fish that is much larger than your boat, or a tough test, or just a rough time in our lives. We can make it through anything if we try and when we get back, there wil always be someone there waiting for you.
Note: I read this book for my English 2 class.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Book 8: Saving Molly (Biography)
Book 8: Saving Molly.
by Dr. James Mahoney
Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill
1998
Rating:
Overall, about a 3.
The professionals:
This is the story of a brave little dog by the name of Molly--a bush dog, blind in one eye, and poor-sighted in the other." So begins Saving Molly, research veterinarian James Mahoney's introspective book about his pets and his work with lab-test animals. While on vacation in Jamaica, Mahoney stumbles upon a very sick puppy and nurses her back to health. He goes to great lengths to save Molly's life, driving for hours in search of scarce medical supplies, staying up all night to feed and medicate the forlorn creature. This experience prompts Mahoney to review his life as a pet owner, animal lover, and a man who decides which monkeys at the lab get assigned to experiments. For many years Mahoney worked with monkeys involved in AIDS and hepatitis research at New York University's Laboratory for Experimental Medicine and Surgery in Primates, also known as LEMSIP. In this book, he grapples with the difficult questions raised by his work: How can a person who loves animals subject them to the stress and pain of experimentation? After a lab animal has endured many experiments, doesn't humanity owe it a nice retirement? Which tests are justifiable, and which are not? Mahoney believes that although people do not have a right to test on animals, it is necessary, and since it is something that needs to be done, it should be done with compassion. Mahoney describes his efforts to improve living conditions for lab animals. Mostly, though, this book stays away from the lab and doesn't dwell on the details of the experiments. Instead, Mahoney focuses on happier things. He contemplates his relationships with several of the lab's chimpanzees, describing their distinct personalities. He recalls times when he saved lives and took needy animals into his own home. Mahoney clearly loves animals and derives great satisfaction from his work as a healer. This book is a thoughtful account of his struggle to make sense of his life and his work. --Jill Marquis
My opinion:
In the beginning, I really liked this book. Studying to be a vet myself, I found it fascinating how one man can make due with what he has to save this little puppy. By the end, I just wanted to get it over with. Dr. Mahoney has lived a fascinating life and I am glad that I could read about it, but when he kept trailing off about monkeys, it got a little tiring.
Excellent biography, besides that.
by Dr. James Mahoney
Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill
1998
Rating:
Overall, about a 3.
The professionals:
This is the story of a brave little dog by the name of Molly--a bush dog, blind in one eye, and poor-sighted in the other." So begins Saving Molly, research veterinarian James Mahoney's introspective book about his pets and his work with lab-test animals. While on vacation in Jamaica, Mahoney stumbles upon a very sick puppy and nurses her back to health. He goes to great lengths to save Molly's life, driving for hours in search of scarce medical supplies, staying up all night to feed and medicate the forlorn creature. This experience prompts Mahoney to review his life as a pet owner, animal lover, and a man who decides which monkeys at the lab get assigned to experiments. For many years Mahoney worked with monkeys involved in AIDS and hepatitis research at New York University's Laboratory for Experimental Medicine and Surgery in Primates, also known as LEMSIP. In this book, he grapples with the difficult questions raised by his work: How can a person who loves animals subject them to the stress and pain of experimentation? After a lab animal has endured many experiments, doesn't humanity owe it a nice retirement? Which tests are justifiable, and which are not? Mahoney believes that although people do not have a right to test on animals, it is necessary, and since it is something that needs to be done, it should be done with compassion. Mahoney describes his efforts to improve living conditions for lab animals. Mostly, though, this book stays away from the lab and doesn't dwell on the details of the experiments. Instead, Mahoney focuses on happier things. He contemplates his relationships with several of the lab's chimpanzees, describing their distinct personalities. He recalls times when he saved lives and took needy animals into his own home. Mahoney clearly loves animals and derives great satisfaction from his work as a healer. This book is a thoughtful account of his struggle to make sense of his life and his work. --Jill Marquis
My opinion:
In the beginning, I really liked this book. Studying to be a vet myself, I found it fascinating how one man can make due with what he has to save this little puppy. By the end, I just wanted to get it over with. Dr. Mahoney has lived a fascinating life and I am glad that I could read about it, but when he kept trailing off about monkeys, it got a little tiring.
Excellent biography, besides that.
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