The Annotated Alice
(Lewis Carroll/John Tenniel/Martin Gardner)
(Lewis Carroll/John Tenniel/Martin Gardner)
Everyone knows the story of Alice in Wonderland. It is beyond classic. What makes this version of it special: the gorgeous drawings/sketches, the beautifully-bound hardcover, and the extensive footnotes. Ever wanted to read "The Jabberwocky" in French? Or German? Here it is, along with other cool and obscure information about Lewis Carroll, Wonderland and its characters, and Alice.The Poisonwood Bible
(Barbara Kingsolver)
This novel of (partially) historical fiction tells the story of Nathan and Orleanna Price, who travel with their four daughters to the Congo in the 1950s to do missionary work. Nathan is a hell-and-brimstone Baptist minister, and the heart of the story is told from the alternating points of view of his four daughters with a frame (prologue, section beginnings, and epilogue) by his wife, Orleanna. As well as detailing their difficult lives in a small Congo village surviving and trying to bring the word of god, Kingsolver intersperses the social and political upheaval of the time into the narrative. This is one of the most heartfelt, well-written, and compelling novels I have ever read.
(Barbara Kingsolver)
This novel of (partially) historical fiction tells the story of Nathan and Orleanna Price, who travel with their four daughters to the Congo in the 1950s to do missionary work. Nathan is a hell-and-brimstone Baptist minister, and the heart of the story is told from the alternating points of view of his four daughters with a frame (prologue, section beginnings, and epilogue) by his wife, Orleanna. As well as detailing their difficult lives in a small Congo village surviving and trying to bring the word of god, Kingsolver intersperses the social and political upheaval of the time into the narrative. This is one of the most heartfelt, well-written, and compelling novels I have ever read.Don Quixote
(Migel De Cervantes/Edith Grossman)
Another classic novel. I was lucky enough in collge to take an entire class dedicated to this masterpiece, where we read it twice through (closely!) and read so much criticism on it that I still haven't been able to pick it up again because I'm still overwhelmed by the original reading. I am recommending Edith Grossman's translation especially - it is new (2005), and very easy to read, witty, and clear. I was also lucky enough to meet her during the aforementioned class (her and my professor are good friends), and it was so interesting to hear about the choices she made in the prose in her own words. But, enough about her.
The Quixote is an epic novel of epic proportions. It is very long, but it continues to push quickly through the material so it doesn't feel long. It is the story of Alonso Quixano, a retired man in La Mancha whose obsession with books of chivalry leads him to style himself the knight-bachelor-at-arms Don Quixote, take up an amusing sidekick named Sancho Panza, and go off in search of quests to complete in the name of his lady-love Dulcinea, who is an ugly girl on a neighboring farm who knows nothing of Quixote. Quixote, seemingly crazy, galavants to various places, and hilarity ensues.
(Migel De Cervantes/Edith Grossman)
Another classic novel. I was lucky enough in collge to take an entire class dedicated to this masterpiece, where we read it twice through (closely!) and read so much criticism on it that I still haven't been able to pick it up again because I'm still overwhelmed by the original reading. I am recommending Edith Grossman's translation especially - it is new (2005), and very easy to read, witty, and clear. I was also lucky enough to meet her during the aforementioned class (her and my professor are good friends), and it was so interesting to hear about the choices she made in the prose in her own words. But, enough about her.
The Quixote is an epic novel of epic proportions. It is very long, but it continues to push quickly through the material so it doesn't feel long. It is the story of Alonso Quixano, a retired man in La Mancha whose obsession with books of chivalry leads him to style himself the knight-bachelor-at-arms Don Quixote, take up an amusing sidekick named Sancho Panza, and go off in search of quests to complete in the name of his lady-love Dulcinea, who is an ugly girl on a neighboring farm who knows nothing of Quixote. Quixote, seemingly crazy, galavants to various places, and hilarity ensues.
Ender's Game
(Orson Scott Card)
A science fiction classic, this time. The story of Ender, who is being trained to command the Earth International Fleet against the Buggers, aliens who invaded Earth years before and were driven back. Everyone fears another invasion, and seeks a commander who can end the Buggers once and for all. In addition to 6-year-old genius Ender's experiences at Battle School, the narrative also relates the experiences of his slightly older (and equally brilliant) brother and sister as they move into controlling the politics of this future earth. The novel is fast-paced, fairly short, and thoroughly interesting.
(Orson Scott Card)
A science fiction classic, this time. The story of Ender, who is being trained to command the Earth International Fleet against the Buggers, aliens who invaded Earth years before and were driven back. Everyone fears another invasion, and seeks a commander who can end the Buggers once and for all. In addition to 6-year-old genius Ender's experiences at Battle School, the narrative also relates the experiences of his slightly older (and equally brilliant) brother and sister as they move into controlling the politics of this future earth. The novel is fast-paced, fairly short, and thoroughly interesting.The Secret History
(Donna Tartt)
(Donna Tartt)
If I could ever manage to pick a favorite book, this one might be it. I'm a snob. And, apparently, so is Donna Tartt. In addition to this novel's extremely interesting characters and plot, it is littered with Greek and Latin phrases, obscure references to masterpiece novels and authors, and big words that even I had to look up periodically.
This book is a mystery in reverse - within the first page, you are told by the narrator (Richard Papen) that he was party to a premeditated murder of a friend. The novel then goes on to detail his college experience that led to the murder (at a small New England college, much like Bennington College - the school both Tartt and I attended). Papen is one of 6 college students studying classic Greek at the college, and is caught up in the philosophy and isolation of the group. Tartt's greatest success in the novel aside from the smooth and rich prose is the depth of the characters and how they become so lovable and hatable as the novel progesses. Highly, highly recommended.
This book is a mystery in reverse - within the first page, you are told by the narrator (Richard Papen) that he was party to a premeditated murder of a friend. The novel then goes on to detail his college experience that led to the murder (at a small New England college, much like Bennington College - the school both Tartt and I attended). Papen is one of 6 college students studying classic Greek at the college, and is caught up in the philosophy and isolation of the group. Tartt's greatest success in the novel aside from the smooth and rich prose is the depth of the characters and how they become so lovable and hatable as the novel progesses. Highly, highly recommended.
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