Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka

Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka

Illustrated Edition, Translated by Susan Bernofsky

58 pages, eBook (Purchased Myself for $0.99)

Book Rating: 5 Stars

Content Ratings:

Violence: Mild-Moderate-Brutal

Swearing: Clean-Light-Filthy

Sexual Content: White-Pink-Red

Summary:

Gregor is a young traveling salesman, working hard to support not only himself, but his parents and younger sister, but he wakes up one morning to find he has been transformed into a large beetle of some sort.

My Thoughts:

The thing I find most interesting about this story is the way Gregor seems to be in a state of denial about what this will mean for him. For the longest time, he’s thinking he’ll just get up and go to work anyway. Another thing that struck me was the reaction of his family to his “condition” and the way it resembled family having to care for someone close to them that had a serious infirmity (Alzheimers, Paralysis, Missing Limbs, etc.), starting out with the best intentions and even cheerfulness, but getting dragged down by the burden and even coming to resent the person. Very sad.

Edition Notes:

This ebook edition is translated by Susan Bernofsky, includes a table of contents and biography of the author, and also includes a few illustrations (though they are nothing special). Nice cheap reading copy, and I found the translation very readable.

Quotes:

“How about if I sleep a little bit longer and forget all this nonsense.” -Franz Kafka, Metamorphosis (Susan Bernofsky)

“what a strenuous career it is that I’ve chosen! Traveling day in and day out. Doing business like this takes much more effort than doing your own business at home, and on top of that there’s the curse of traveling, worries about making train connections, bad and irregular food, contact with different people all the time so that you can never get to know anyone or become friendly with them.” -Franz Kafka, Metamorphosis (Susan Bernofsky)

“Getting up early all the time—it makes you stupid.” -Franz Kafka, Metamorphosis (Susan Bernofsky)

“—he did not at all feel particularly fresh and lively.” -Franz Kafka, Metamorphosis (Susan Bernofsky)

“The first thing he wanted to do was to get up in peace without being disturbed, to get dressed, and most of all to have his breakfast.” -Franz Kafka, Metamorphosis (Susan Bernofsky)

“—the most sensible thing to do would be to get free of it in whatever way he could at whatever sacrifice.” -Franz Kafka, Metamorphosis (Susan Bernofsky)

“—calm consideration was much better than rushing to desperate conclusions.” -Franz Kafka, Metamorphosis (Susan Bernofsky)

“Why did Gregor have to be the only one condemned to work for a company where they immediately became highly suspicious at the slightest shortcoming? Were all employees, every one of them, louts, was there not one of them who was faithful and devoted who would go so mad with pangs of conscience that he couldn’t get out of bed if he didn’t spend at least a couple of hours int he morning on company business?” -Franz Kafka, Metamorphosis (Susan Bernofsky)

“There was no sound of the door banding shut again; they must have left it open; people often do in homes where something awful has happened.” -Franz Kafka, Metamorphosis (Susan Bernofsky)

“And with the idea that they were all excitedly following his efforts, he bit on the key with all his strength, paying no attention to the pain he was causing himself.” -Franz Kafka, Metamorphosis (Susan Bernofsky)

“—his condition seemed serious enough to remind even his father that Gregor, despite his current sad and revolting form, was a family member who could not be treated as an enemy.” -Franz Kafka, Metamorphosis (Susan Bernofsky)

“—it was like a kind of attack.” -Franz Kafka, Metamorphosis (Susan Bernofsky)

“Was he an animal if music could captivate him so? It seemed to him that he was being shown the way to the unknown nourishment he had been yearning for.” -Franz Kafka, Metamorphosis (Susan Bernofsky)

“I don’t want to call this monster my brother, all I can say is: we have to try and get rid of it.” -Franz Kafka, Metamorphosis (Susan Bernofsky)

A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

Publisher: Top Five Books (2014)

300 pages, eBook (Purchased Myself for $0.99)

Book Rating: 5 Stars

Content Ratings:

Violence: Mild-Moderate-Brutal

Swearing: Clean-Light-Filthy

Sexual Content: White-Pink-Red

Summary:

After a long and undeserved imprisonment in France, Doctor Manette is released to the care of his daughter, Lucie, who had previously thought him dead, and as a result of their removal to England they meet Jarvis Lorry, Charles Darnay and Sydney Carton, three men that will feature largely in the story of their lives, and in the events that draw them back to France, as well as those that occur during the Revolution going on there at the time.

My Thoughts:

This story largely centers around Lucie, and all the adoring men in her life. She is such an angelic, perfect creature that there doesn’t seem to be much to her, other than her radiance and beauty, but I think the understanding, caring way she handled Sydney Carton’s confession gave her a bit more depth and I almost thought her deserving of his deep regard. For me, Sydney Carton is by far and away the most interesting character in this story. He is a brooding man, resigned to his own unhappiness, in love with a woman he can never have, and willing to give her everything (even his life) if she should ever have need of it. Plus, the scene at the end with the young seamstress is so beautiful! I’m glad all his efforts were recognized for what they were worth in the end.

Edition Notes:

This Top Five Classics Edition is organized for optimum maneuverability, is prettily arranged, very readable, and includes illustrations by Hablot K. Browne and Frederick Barnard (combining the illustrations from their various editions). A great reading copy for a great price!

Quotes:

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epic of belief, it was the epic of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way—in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only.” -Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities

“A wonderful fact to reflect upon, that every human creature is constituted to be that profound secret and mystery to every other.” -Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities

“pray control your agitation—a matter of business.” -Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities

“Courage! Business!” -Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities

“—knitting, and saw nothing.” -Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities

“—if it were less objectionable, it would be less respectable.” -Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities

“—the triumphant perfection of inconvenience.” -Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities

“—the baffled blue-flies were dispersing in search of other carrion.” -Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities

“It’s a gloomy thing, however, to talk about one’s own past, with the day breaking.” -Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities

“Sadly, sadly, the sun rose; it rose upon no sadder sight than the man of good abilities and good emotions, incapable of their directed exercise, incapable of his own help and his own happiness, sensible of the blight on him, and resigning himself to let it eat him away.” -Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities

“—see the great crowd of people with its rush and roar, bearing down upon them—“-Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities

“The earth and the fulness thereof are mine, saith Monseigneur.” -Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities

“The leprosy of unreality disfigured every human creature in attendance upon Monseigneur.” -Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities

“—all things ran their course.” -Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities

“—you have been the last dream of my soul.” -Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities

“—there is a man who would give his life, to keep a life you love beside you!” -Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities

“a smouldering fire that burnt in the dark, lay hidden in the dregs of it.” -Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities

“—they are not easily purified when once stained red.” -Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities

“It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known.” -Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities

Movie Adaptations:

A Tale of Two Cities (TV Mini-Series 1989)

James Wilby, Xavier Deluc, Serena Gordon

TV Rating: NR

A Tale of Two Cities (TV Movie 1980)

Chris Sarandon, Peter Cushing, Alice Krige

TV Rating: NR

Chicken Soup for the Soul (20th Anniversary Edition) by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen and Amy Newmark

Chicken Soup for the Soul (20th Anniversary Edition)

by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen and Amy Newmark

Publisher: Chicken Soup for the Soul (June 2013)

387 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $7.99)

Book Rating: 4 Stars

This is a book full of inspirational stories, centering for the most part on keeping or developing a positive attitude, perseverance and paying it forward. This book contains all the stories from the original publication, plus 20 “bonus” stories. Each story is around 2-5 pages in length, and I think they are best consumed one or two at a time, instead of all in one sitting. It would be a good book to read over the course of a year, reading one story a day. By the end of the book I found the common themes in the stories a little repetitive and almost hyper-optimistic, but they were worthwhile themes. I particularly enjoyed the stories of people who did crazy little things to brighten another’s day, hoping they would pay it forward. Nice collection that manages to be inspirational without being particularly religious.

Howl by Allen Ginsberg

Howl by Allen Ginsberg

Publisher: HarperPerennial (2001)

Where I Got It: The Poetry Foundation (Howl, Footnote to Howl)

12 pages

Book Rating: 5 Stars

Content Ratings:

Violence: Mild-Moderate-Brutal

Swearing: Clean-Light-Filthy

Sexual Content: White-Pink-Red

Summary:

Howl is a free verse poem in three parts with a footnote, and contains social commentary from the perspective of the “Beat Generation.”

My Thoughts:

This contains very vivid imagery of a generation of intellectuals beaten down by social rules and pressure for conformity. The homosexual imagery was shocking and controversial for its time and led to an obscenity trial, which ironically probably only served to make it more popular. Some of the imagery is beautiful, some is sad and some is more than a bit angsty. This is definitely something you could read over and over and continue to find new things in.

Quotes:

“I saw the best minds of my generation destroyed by madness, starving hysterical naked—“-Allen Ginsberg, Howl

“—a lost battalion of platonic conversationalists jumping down the stoops off fire escapes off windowsills off Empire State out of the moon—” -Allen Ginsberg, Howl

“—the one eyed shrew that does nothing but sit on her ass and snip the intellectual golden threads of the craftsman’s loom—“-Allen Ginsberg, Howl

“—with the absolute heart of the poem of life butchered out of their own bodies—“-Allen Ginsberg, Howl

Dumbledore's Army Reunites at Quidditch World Cup Final by J. K. Rowling

Dumbledore's Army Reunites at Quidditch World Cup Final 

by J. K. Rowling

4 pages, eBook

Where I Got It: www.today.com

Story Rating: 3 Stars

Content Ratings:

Violence: Mild-Moderate-Brutal

Swearing: Clean-Light-Filthy

Sexual Content: White-Pink-Red

Brief - Fleeting - Snapshot

Summary:

This is a short update on the characters from the Harry Potter books as they meet up at the Quidditch World Cup Finals, as reported by Rita Skeeter.

My Thoughts:

Nice little treat for those who enjoyed the series and wanted just one last taste, but it didn't really give the reader any more info than the epilogue in the last book, just a few more pieces of gossip.

Power in Praise by Merlin R. Carothers

Power in Praise by Merlin R. Carothers

Publisher: Foundation of Praise (May 2013)

176 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $6.99)

Book Rating: 3 Stars

This is a self-help book that urges people to praise God for not only the good things in their life, but also the bad things, because when we praise God for the bad things in our life it “releases the power and guidance of God.” This book is very repetitive and contains a heavy dose of evangelical belief systems. The author believes that when we don’t praise God for bad things, we offend Him because we are questioning His wisdom and His “perfect plan” for us, because even the bad things that happen to us (the author believes) happen for a reason and for our own good (or otherwise part of His master plan). I think the overall message is good. Worrying over things, harping about annoyances, and griping about past wrongs, definitely get in the way of people moving forward in a positive way, and I can see why it would be beneficial to look on bad things in a positive light so you can move past them, but I’m not so sure I want to believe that God is immature or petty enough to become offended by anything we ignorant humans do; and I don’t particularly think He is vain enough to need our constant praise or attention in order for us to stay in His good graces. This book contains a horde of testimonials collected by the author, many that reference his bestseller Prison to Praise (which carries much the same message), and as this book was originally published in 1972 some of the testimonials are a little dated, but not too bad. Definitely gives you something to think about.

A Street Cat Named Bob by James Bowen

A Street Cat Named Bob by James Bowen

Publisher: Thomas Dunne Books (July 2013)

320 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $2.99)

Book Rating: 5 Stars

A recovering drug addict and street musician is struggling to make a living on the streets of London, when he meets a stray cat that suddenly appeared in his apartment building looking in tough shape, so James took the cat in and named him Bob. Though it took James a little while to realize it, Bob arrived at just the right time in his life when having a cat to look after was just what he needed to help him get back on his feet. This is a great story, whether you are a cat lover or not, and I found their adventures on the streets of London entertaining. Great story of a man and the special bond he has with his cat.

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Publisher: Speak (January 2012)

337 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $2.99)

Book Rating: 4 Stars

Content Note: Includes Swearing and Sexual Situations

Hazel is a sixteen-year-old girl with terminal cancer who has become depressed and largely cut herself off from life, that is until she meets Augustus, a seventeen-year-old boy who’s lost his leg to cancer and meets her at a support group for teens with cancer. Now this sounds like a really depressing read from the description, and I had put off reading it for some time for that very reason, but I finally tackled it, and though there are inevitably some sad parts, the overall feelings I got from the book is strength, hope and taking full advantage of the present. Hazel and Augustus, despite their medical problems/diagnoses, have a very normal teenage courtship, and even with all the heavy issues they are dealing with, I think that really comes through. Both Hazel and Augustus were such fun, quirky characters, you can’t help but get wrapped up in the story. Great read!

Movie Adaptations:

The Fault in Our Stars (2014)

Shailene Woodley, Ansel Elgort, Nat Wolff

Movie Rating: PG-13

The Spectacular Now by Tim Tharp

The Spectacular Now by Tim Tharp

Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers (November 2008)

304 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $4.99)

Book Rating: 3 Stars

Content Note: Includes Swearing and Sexual Situations

Sutter is an alcoholic high-schooler who’s focus is on the here and now, his life is one big party, and he has a series of girlfriends that thought he was fun for a while but eventually moved on to someone else, when they realized how little direction his life has. Aimee stumbles upon him one early morning on her paper route, finding him passed out on someone’s front lawn, and though they seem to have nothing in common at first, Sutter decides to make it his mission to draw out this shy girl and give her some confidence. In the beginning, I’m not sure if Sutter’s influence on Aimee is a good thing or a bad thing, but by the end I think it has been positive overall. This story in tone and as a coming-of-age story, reminded me a lot of The Perks of Being a Wallflower. I would say this story and the ending in particular were just a bit too realistic for me, and though I understand Sutter’s noble reasoning for what he did in the end, I was hoping for something a little more optimistic. I will say the movie gave me the ending I was looking for.

Movie Adaptations:

The Spectacular Now (2013)

Miles Teller, Shailene Woodley, Kyle Chandler

Movie Rating: R

. . . And Death Will Seize the Doctor, Too by Jeremiah Swanson

 . . . And Death Will Seize the Doctor, Too by Jeremiah Swanson

Publisher: Jeremiah H. Swanson (May 2014)

493 pages, eBook (provided by Author for review)

Book Rating: 4 Stars

Content Note: Includes Swearing, Sexual Situations, and Graphic Violence

Christian has the power to trade one life for another with the touch of his hand, taking one life only to give it to someone else. He tries to use his abilities for good, but as things move along, the distinction between what is right and wrong, good and bad, becomes complex. Though this story centers around Christian and his unique gifts, we meet others along the way that have their own distinct supernatural talents, and it gave the story a bit of a superhero comic book feel at times as a variety of supernatural powers swirled around each other. The book begins working with three different storylines (two set in different points in the past, while one is set in the present), and I found the movement between the different points on the timeline a bit disorienting, but once things started coming together and all the storylines moved into the present, I can truly say I thought it was worth the wait. Great Read!

Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

Publisher: Starbooks Classics Publishing (2013)

325 pages, eBook (Purchased Myself for $1.99)

Book Rating: 4 Stars

Content Ratings:

Violence: Mild-Moderate-Brutal

Swearing: Clean-Light-Filthy

Sexual Content: White-Pink-Red

Summary:

After the death of their father, the Dashwood girls (Elinor, Marianne and Margaret) along with their mother are forced to leave the only home they had ever know to the possession of a half-brother and take up residence in a small cottage on a greatly reduced income, their lack of fortune interfering with the romantic prospects of the two eldest girls.

My Thoughts:

This was the first Jane Austen book I ever read. I was first introduced to it by an English teacher in 10th grade, and it marked the beginning of my love of reading and opened up the world of the classics to me in a way that I will never forget. This is the third time I’ve read it, and I was struck by how little dialogue it contains. Much of it was told through narration, much like a story would be told to you by a person passing along a good bit of gossip. Of Jane Austen’s stories, I believe this one to be the most realistic and its ending to be least like a fairy tale. This whole idea of hiding one’s feelings in conjunction with the guarded nature of conversation via the rules of proper behavior at the time, that is so central to the story, I don’t think plays well with modern society . . . or maybe it’s just me, but by the end I was quite disgusted with the notion. So many people were so unhappy and all they need do was sit down and have a real conversation for once. I think of all the central characters, Colonel Brandon comes off by far and away as the best and most interesting of the bunch, and it was hard to see him suffer through so much of it. And despite the females in the story thinking better of Willoughby in the end for his sob story, I still find him a rogue and have little sympathy for him.

Edition Notes:

This Starbooks Special Illustrated Edition with Literary History and Criticism is the best ebook version of Sense and Sensibility that I’ve found. It is organized for optimum maneuverability, is prettily arranged, very readable, includes illustrations by the Brock brothers combining the illustrations from their various editions, and includes the literary history and criticism section from The Cambridge History of English and American Literature. My only complaint with this edition is that the illustrations often were not opposite the passage they illustrated, and they would often pop up now and then, seemingly out of the blue. 

Cover Art Favorites:

Quotes:

“—his will was read, and like almost every other will, gave as much disappointment as pleasure.” -Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility

“she had had no opportunity, till the present, of shewing them with how little attention to the comfort of other people she could act when occasion required it.” -Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility

“On every formal visit a child ought to be of the party, by way of provision for discourse.” -Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility

“When is a man to be safe from such wit, if age and infirmity will not protect him?” -Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility

“Is there a felicity in the world—superior to this?” -Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility

“—just the kind of man—whom every body speaks well of, and nobody cares about; whom all are delighted to see, and nobody remembers to talk to.” -Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility

“—he threatened me with rain when I wanted it to be fine—“-Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility

“the pleasantness of an employment does not always evince its propriety.” -Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility

“No, not all—we could not be more unfortunately situated.” -Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility

“He had just compunction enough for having done nothing for his sisters himself, to be exceedingly anxious that everybody else should do a great deal.” -Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility

“I am excessively fond of a cottage.” -Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility

Movie Adaptations:

Sense and Sensibility (TV Mini-Series 2008)

Dan Stevens, Hattie Morahan, Charity Wakefield

TV Rating: NR

My Rating: 5 Stars

Adaption: Verbatim-Tweaked-Veiled

Eye Candy: Plain-Pretty-Sultry

Sense and Sensibility (1995)

Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet, Hugh Grant, Alan Rickman

TV Rating: PG

My Rating: 5 Stars

Adaption: Verbatim-Tweaked-Veiled

Eye Candy: Plain-Pretty-Sultry

The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson

The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

by Robert Louis Stevenson

Publisher: Top Five Books (2014)

96 pages, eBook (Purchased Myself for $0.99)

Book Rating: 5 Stars

Content Ratings:

Violence: Mild-Moderate-Brutal

Swearing: Clean-Light-Filthy

Sexual Content: White-Pink-Red

Summary:

The strange association of upstanding citizen Dr. Jekyll with the villainous Mr. Hyde is a source of surprise and mystery to those who know Dr. Jekyll, but his lawyer, Mr. Utterson, is determined to get to the bottom of things.

My Thoughts:

This story is kind of a gothic mystery, in that it has an ominous feel to it, and though Mr. Hyde is described by all who’ve met him as a horrid, devilish sort of person, no one seems able to ever explain in detail what sort of horridness he is involved in or in what way particularly he is offensive, except a general evil aura and a brief scene in which he “trods” on a young girl in the street. In any event, Hyde is generally bad and Jekyll is widely known to be good, so Hyde’s constant visits to Jekyll’s house are a quandary for Jekyll’s legal counsel and good friend. The drug dependence and the idea of isolating particular parts of one’s personality in order for other parts to better be able to cope, I thought were interesting elements. Strange and entertaining little story.

Edition Notes:

This Illustrated Top Five Classics ebook edition is prettily arranged with easy maneuverability throughout the text. This edition also includes an Introduction with some background information on the story, illustrations by Charles Raymond Macauley are included (I loved the illustrations!), and a bit of background on the author is included at the end of the text. Great edition for a great price!

Quotes:

“I let my brother go to the devil in his own way.” -Robert Louis Stevenson, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

“You start a question, and it’s like starting a stone. You sit quietly on the top of a hill; and away the stone goes, starting others; and presently some bland old bird—the last you would have thought of—is knocked on the head in his own back garden and the family have to change their name. No sir, I make it a rule of mine: the more it looks like Queer Street, the less I ask.” -Robert Louis Stevenson, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

“—the unjust might go his way, delivered from the aspirations and remorse of his more upright twin; and the just could walk steadfastly and securely on his upward path, doing the good things in which he found his pleasure, and no longer exposed to disgrace and penitence by the hands of this extraneous evil.” -Robert Louis Stevenson, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

Howards End by E. M. Forster

Howards End by E. M. Forster

Publisher: MT Publishing Co. (2010)

339 pages, eBook (Purchased Myself for $0.99)

Book Rating: 4 Stars

Content Ratings:

Violence: Mild-Moderate-Brutal

Swearing: Clean-Light-Filthy

Sexual Content: White-Pink-Red

(Sexual Topics are at times vaguely implied)

Summary:

Two artsy and philosophically inclined sisters, Margaret and Helen, met the Wilcox family while on holiday, and despite the unlikely connection of their dissimilar families, they keep meeting up with one another and find themselves becoming more permanently connected as time goes on, though a chance meeting with a poor clerk named Mr. Bast throughs a wrench in it all.

My Thoughts:

The contrast between the artistically inclined Schlegel family and the very practical and business-minded Wilcoxes permeate the book. Then there is poor Mr. Bast, wanting so badly to educate himself and attain all that he thinks that entails, while completely without the means of doing it, and the Schlegels wanting to help him in his education, but not knowing how to go about it. A great study of people, their actions and their intentions, as well as the things done that they wish they hadn’t done, as well as the particular endearing quality that certain places and/or houses have for some people. I’ve seen the movie many times, and always wanted to read the book. I’m so glad I did.

Edition Notes:

This Classic Literature ebook edition is a perfectly adequate reading copy and very reasonably priced. It contains only the text itself, with no introduction and no appendix of extra materials. This edition did contain a few editorial mistakes (misspellings and such), but it was still very readable and I wasn’t overly troubled by it. For the price, a good reading copy.

Quotes:

“It isn’t going to be what we expected. It is old and little, and altogether delightful—red brick.” -E. M. Forster, Howards End

“—life is sometimes life and sometimes only a drama, and one must learn to distinguish tother from which—“-E. M. Forster, Howards End

“What’s an engagement made of, do you suppose? I think it’s made of some hard stuff that may snap, but can’t break. It is different to the other ties in life. They stretch or bend. They admit of degree. They’re different.” -E. M. Forster, Howards End

“To trust people is a luxury in which only the wealthy can indulge; the poor cannot afford it.” -E. M. Forster, Howards End

“There had always been something to worry him ever since he could remember, always something that distracted him in the pursuit of beauty.” -E. M. Forster, Howards End

“It’s better to be fooled than to be suspicious—that the confidence trick is the work of man, but the want—of—confidence trick is the work of the devil.” -E. M. Forster, Howards End

“His mind and his body had been alike underfed, because he was poor, and because he was modern they were always craving better food.” -E. M. Forster, Howards End

“But after all—there’s never any great risk as long as you have money—money pads the edges of things—God help those who have none.” -E. M. Forster, Howards End

“It is thus, if there is any rule, that we ought to die—neither as victim nor as fanatic, but as the seafarer who can greet with an equal eye the deep that he is entering, and the shore that he must leave.” -E. M. Forster, Howards End

“—their hands were on all the ropes—“-E. M. Forster, Howards End

“Actual life is full of false clues and sign-posts that lead nowhere. With infinite effort we nerve ourselves for a crisis that never comes.” -E. M. Forster, Howards End

“—had risen out of the abyss, like a faint smell, a goblin football, telling of a life where love and hatred had both decayed.” -E. M. Forster, Howards End

“—wondered whether it paid to give up the glory of the animal for a tail coat and a couple of ideas. Culture had worked in her own case, but during the last few weeks she had doubted whether it humanised the majority, so wide and so widening is the gulf that stretches between the natural and the philosophic man, so many the good chaps who are wrecked in trying to cross it.” -E. M. Forster, Howards End

“But they to him were denizens of Romance, who must keep to the corner he had assigned them, pictures that must not walk out of their frames.” -E. M. Forster, Howards End

“No affection gathered round the card, but it symbolised the life of culture, that Jacky should never spoil.” -E. M. Forster, Howards End

“It is the little things one bungles at. The big, real ones are nothing when they come.” -E. M. Forster, Howards End

“Only some rubbish about furniture—it alone endures while men and houses perish, and that in the end the world will be a desert of chairs and sofas—just imagine it!—rolling through infinity with no one to sit upon them.” -E. M. Forster, Howards End

“—this outer life of telegrams and anger.” -E. M. Forster, Howards End

“The poor are poor, and one’s sorry for them, but there it is. As civilisation moves forward, the shoe is bound to pinch in places, and it’s absurd to pretend that any one is responsible personally.” -E. M. Forster, Howards End

“—the real thing’s money, and all the rest is a dream.” -E. M. Forster, Howards End

“—and had the sense of great things sweeping out of the shrouded night.” -E. M. Forster, Howards End

“—all the things and people for whom he had never had much use and had less now.” -E. M. Forster, Howards End

“In that case he must pay heavily for his misconduct, and be thrashed within a inch of his life.” -E. M. Forster, Howards End

Movie Adaptations:

Howards End (1992)

Anthony Hopkins, Emma Thompson, Helena Bonham Carter

TV Rating: PG

My Rating: 5 Stars

Adaption: Verbatim-Tweaked-Veiled

Eye Candy: Plain-Pretty-Sultry

Piano From a 4th Storey Window by Jenny Morton Potts

Piano From a 4th Storey Window by Jenny Morton Potts

Publisher: Grafton Way Fiction (October 2014)

389 pages, eBook (provided by Author for review)

Book Rating: 4 Stars

Content Note: Includes Swearing and Sexual Situations

This is the story of two eccentric people, Lawrence and Marin, though Lawrence is undoubtedly the most quirky of the two, and the life they have together over the course of about a year as they become immersed in each other’s lives. This isn’t a feel good story or one that in any way glorifies the adventure we call life. At times heartbreaking, sometimes gritty and fantastically real, this story really captures the essence of people and the complexity of their relationships. I definitely felt as if these were real people, with real problems, and if I went to Brighton they would most definitely be there living their lives. It was a bit difficult to acclimate to the style of writing in the beginning, but it kind of grows on you as you move along. A very moving story, I only wish there could have been an epilogue at the end to satisfy my curiosity for what became of all these people I came to know throughout the story, but the ending scene was one of hope, and we don’t get answers for all of our questions in life, now do we. Great story and I’m looking forward to Romy & Raphael, due out Spring 2015!

Whiskey and a Gun by Jade Eby

Whiskey and a Gun by Jade Eby

Publisher: Jade Eby (November 2013)

58 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $2.99)

Book Rating: 4 Stars

Content Note: Includes Swearing, Violence and Sexual Situations

This is the story of the making of an abusive husband, from the husband’s point-of-view. This takes a tough topic like domestic abuse and handles it in such a way that even if you are disgusted by the things he does, in some sick and twisted way you feel you can understand how he got to that point—the point of no return. This story in no way glamorizes abuse, but it doesn’t shrink from the complexities of such a messed up relationship. Interesting psychological thriller. I’m interested to read the companion story, The Finish, and hope to see it out soon!

Beowulf by Anonymous (Translated by Seamus Heaney)

Beowulf by Anonymous
(Translated by Seamus Heaney)

Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company (2001)

256 pages, eBook (Purchased Myself for $8.52)

Book Rating: 4 Stars

Content Ratings:

Violence: Mild-Moderate-Brutal

Swearing: Clean-Light-Filthy

Sexual Content: White-Pink-Red

Summary:

A king of old built a treasured hall, that was to be the most celebrated and decorative hall in all the world, but enjoyment of said hall was hindered by the monster Grendel, who came night after night and slaughtered those left overnight in the hall, until the king’s fighting force was severely weakened. Beowulf, a hero from across the sea, comes to fight the monster, and the king promises to give him treasure if he is victorious.

My Thoughts:

An epic poem with lots of dark, brooding imagery. When you look at the ending, it makes you wonder if Beowulf was pleased with his treasure in the end. Did he wish he had had a family instead? A main theme that is very evident is the contrast between heroic deeds and cowardliness. The vision of his men fleeing in his hour of need is something that has stayed with me, and it made me question, if Beowulf had been a better leader would they have stayed? A good warrior, doesn’t necessarily make a good leader, someone able to persuade others to follow them. Poor Beowulf.

Edition Notes:

This ebook edition is the New Verse Translation as is stated on the cover, not the Bilingual edition (despite the erroneous parenthetical labelling on the Amazon product page). So, if you are expecting the Old English text, you will not find it here. The New Verse Translation, however is very good on its own, and if you are just looking to read Beowulf and, not necessarily use this to study it, I believe this would be a very enjoyable reading copy, despite being a bit higher priced than some other translations available in ebook format. For a reader that is unfamiliar with the story of Beowulf, this translation provides summarial statements before each section of the story to further guide the reader in understanding the text, and I found them very helpful.

Quotes:

“—a prowler through the dark—” -Beowulf (Seamus Heaney)

“All were endangered; young and old were hunted down by the dark death-shadow who lurked and swooped in the long nights on the misty moors; nobody knows where these reavers from hell roam on their errands.” -Beowulf (Seamus Heaney)

“—until darkness gathered again over the world and stealthy night-shapes came stealing forth under the cloud-murk.” -Beowulf (Seamus Heaney)

“Grendel came greedily loping.” -Beowulf (Seamus Heaney)

“—all of us with souls—must make our way to a destination already ordained where the body, after the banqueting, sleeps on its deathbed.” -Beowulf (Seamus Heaney)

“It is always better to avenge dear ones than to indulge in mourning.” -Beowulf (Seamus Heaney)

“So the guardian of the mound, the hoard-watcher, waited for the gloaming with fierce impatience—“-Beowulf (Seamus Heaney)

“It was like the misery felt by an old man who has lived to see his son’s body swing on the gallows. He begins to keen and weep for his boy, watching the raven gloat where he hangs: he can be of no help. The wisdom of age is worthless to him. Morning after morning, he wakes to remember that his child is gone; he has no interest in living on until another heir is born in the hall, now that his first-born has entered death’s dominion forever.” -Beowulf (Seamus Heaney)

“As God is my witness, I would rather my body were robed in the same burning blaze as my gold-giver’s body than go back home bearing arms. That is unthinkable, unless we have first slain the foe and defended the life of the prince—” -Beowulf (Seamus Heaney)