In the spirit of my commitment to read the first chapter of some of the world's greatest novels, I have this week begun to work my way through five books, at random. They include 39 Steps, by John Buchan; Tarzan of the Apes, by Edgar Rice Burroughs; Heart of Darkness, by Joseph Conrad; Crime and Punishment, by Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoyevsky; and a continuing engagement with Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain.
Setting aside the fact they are all written by men, they seem disaparate novels, each with a different focus, a unique style and acclaimed for a variety of reasons. Heart of Darkness is the seminal novel on one person's encounter with evil; Crime and Punishment explores the search for redemption; and Huckleberry Finn is a complex book that belies the apparent simplicity with which the main protagonist, Huck Finn, approaches life and all it holds.
If the opening pages are any indication to go by, these are five books that I want to continue exploring. I am drawn to each plot, each character, each turn of phrase...it is a pleasure to share them with my son, Brodie, as we embark on this journey of reading together.
Monday, January 23, 2012
Monday, January 2, 2012
Baum's second novel highlights importance of characters we can love
Watching Conan the Barbarian, during a rare lull in my daily activities this afternoon, reminded me of the beauty of some of the books I am currently encountering. Today's first chapter came from the 'sequel' to L.Frank Baum's outstanding success, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, 'The Marvelous Land of Oz'.
Not only is the author's note of great interest in this book, but the opening chapter introduces the reader to the charming characters of Tip, his 'creation' Jack Pumpkinhead' and the ominous Mombi (Tip's guardian and an apparent witch). It is a simple read, with Baum showing a natural gift for story-telling.
Not only is the author's note of great interest in this book, but the opening chapter introduces the reader to the charming characters of Tip, his 'creation' Jack Pumpkinhead' and the ominous Mombi (Tip's guardian and an apparent witch). It is a simple read, with Baum showing a natural gift for story-telling.
Which brings me to Conan. Known as a 'reboot' (in Hollywood parlance, that's a remake of an already popular movie, with a supposed new twist or interpretation), this film seemed more like a series of set pieces, with Conan getting to kill people in a lot of different and innovative ways. There were fights on sand, fights in the forest, fights with swords, fights without swords, fights in water, fights in caverns and tunnels...you get the idea.
What's the relevance of this to my latest foray into classic novels. Over the past three days, I have dipped into, and out of, the stories of Peter Pan and Wendy, Dorothy and Toto, and now Tip and Jack. They are all characters I have, no matter how briefly, come to know and love. I care about what happens to them and want to know that everything turns out all right for them. The ability of authors like Barrie and Baum to create this empathy for, and interest in, their characters is, I believe, largely responsible for the enduring success of their books.
In his note at the beginning of The Marvelous Land of Oz, Baum explains that it came into being after "a thousand little girls had written me a thousand little letters asking for the Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman". While Conan enjoyed immense popularity as a comic book character, I will be surprised if he makes many more appearances on the big screen in the future. "A thousand little girls" are unlikely to write "a thousand little letters" asking for a reboot!
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Chance to reconnect with childhood and my kids
And I was going so well...oh well, that's the beauty about blogging: until you develop a loyal audience, you are only accountable to yourself! But I have been diligent in my reading. Since my last post, the first chapters to Sense and Sensibility, Peter Pan (Peter and Wendy), The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and Flatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions.
Of these novels, I have encountered Austen's writing before (see previous post on Pride and Prejudice) and am familiar with the stories of Peter Pan and the Wizard of Oz. Of course, my responses are coloured by the Disney interpretation of JM Barrie's creation about the boy who never grew up, and Judy Garland's Technicolour experiences in the movie-version of The Wizard of Oz. Still, it is refreshing to revisit these classic novels, especially as Barrie's and Baum's literary efforts keep me connected with my children, Amber and Brodie.
As for Flatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions. I can offer no personal anecdotes or insights. The author, Edwin Abbott Abbott, is as unfamiliar to me as is his plot about the fictitious country of Flatland. It might be a book that I have to approach with a bit of help from Google (the modern day equivalent of 'cliff notes'!)
Of these novels, I have encountered Austen's writing before (see previous post on Pride and Prejudice) and am familiar with the stories of Peter Pan and the Wizard of Oz. Of course, my responses are coloured by the Disney interpretation of JM Barrie's creation about the boy who never grew up, and Judy Garland's Technicolour experiences in the movie-version of The Wizard of Oz. Still, it is refreshing to revisit these classic novels, especially as Barrie's and Baum's literary efforts keep me connected with my children, Amber and Brodie.
As for Flatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions. I can offer no personal anecdotes or insights. The author, Edwin Abbott Abbott, is as unfamiliar to me as is his plot about the fictitious country of Flatland. It might be a book that I have to approach with a bit of help from Google (the modern day equivalent of 'cliff notes'!)
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