1984

I have borrowed this book next. I am just about to start it and I am looking forward to it. I've heard mixed reviews about it, but it's 8 on my list so I think I will enjoy it! All I can say is, I can't wait to start!

Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad

Age range - Adults
Rating - *
Will it grip you? It didn't grip me....

I was hugely disappointed by this. This was rated 92 on my list, so I expected a little bit more than some man's ramblings about the African jungle.

'Heart of Darkness' is about a group of sailors waiting for the tide to turn so they can move off again. To pass the time, the captain, Marlow, tells stories from his past, notably when he went to Africa to search for an ivory hunting post that no-one can communicate with.

I admit, I was intrigued by the blurb (talk about bigging something up...). However, this soon disappeared by the end of the first chapter.

I found this incoherent at the most. I found it increasingly difficult to follow and I cannot understand the fascination with the figure of Kurtz. Maybe I didn't get quite get it...and I realise that it must have been voted 92 for a reason. All I can say is, the best bit was it ended, and that it was mercifully short.

Perhaps I would have enjoyed it more if it had been set out in a different way, instead gabbled reminiscences. I can't help feeling I've missed something with this. Surely I should have enjoyed it?

Bartleby by Herman Melville

Audience - Anyone
Rating ***
Will it grip you? I would say intrigue you

This is not on my reading list, however this was the book I did today in my 19th Century Literature seminar. I think this is worth a mention, because before I had to read this, I had never heard of it. Herman Melville is of course most famous for writing 'Moby Dick'.

This is very very short, less than 100 pages, probably around the 50 page mark. So it's really a short story, which could probably be found on the Internet somewhere.

'Bartleby' is about a man who copies out legal documents all day, deciding one day to say 'I'd prefer not to' to his employer when asked to do anything. The result is his boss, the lawyer, getting extremely irate and not quite knowing how to react to this 'deranged' man. The situation escalates, and it is revealed that Bartleby actually sleeps under his desk. When asked to go home he replies, 'I would prefer not to'.

This extremely comic story soon turns to sadness, when the audience realises that Bartleby seems to have given up on life and that he has nothing to live for anymore, so why do anything at all?

I read this on a train going back home, and I was thinking about it for the rest of the weekend. It has a very sad ending, and my lecturer nearly cried when reading the ending out to us. I think if you read this, it would take you by surprise, as it really does turn out to be an intriguing little read.

Dracula - Bram Stoker

Audience -13+
Rating - **
Will it grip you? Yes, at the start...

This book had so much potential. I absolutely loved the first few chapters. They were so exciting! There was tension, and it was genuinely scary.

But as soon as the action moved away from Harker (one of the main characters) it got dull, tied up in it's own story and it's seemingly never ending looking for proof for the existence of Dracula, even though it's staring them in face.

Perhaps if they had done more doing than sitting around endlessly talking about what they could be doing, Dracula could have been killed a hell of a lot faster.

Everyone knows the story of Dracula. Crazed vampire who hungers for every one's blood, except he starts messing with the wrong people. They then go on a hugely overdrawn vampire hunt. I won't spoil the ending for you.

One of the things that irritated me most with Dracula (and I wouldn't say I am a feminist) is the constant repetitions from Van Helsing to Mina Harker about the 'woman's weakness' and how fragile a state of mind she has. She seems one of the most with it characters for heavens sake!!

I am just so disappointed with 'Dracula'. I mean it has SO much potential and after everything I've heard about it I expected so much more. The first few chapters were so gripping and I couldn't put it down. If it had continued in that vein, and not drifted to Plymouth to deal with some random girl called Lucy I may have rated it higher.

The list I'm missioning through

I keep referring to a list of books I have and I've finally tracked it down on the internet. It's from 2007 so it's slightly outdated, but I got given this list in my first ever University lecture so it's a bit of an obsession of mine to work my way through it all. Soon I'll post a list of the ones I've got left to read (quite a few lol....)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2007/mar/01/news

What to read next?

Still got a few chapters left of Dracula. But I'm already wondering what to read next. Something contemporary. Suggestions?

New Dracula film

Not that anything could really top the iconic 1931 film 'Dracula' or 'Nosferatu' but Hollywood are making another Dracula film! It's called 'Vlad' and is set for release in 2012. Think I will have to see it, becuase the book is amazing! Currently halfway through now, been snatching time to read it between lectures.

Started Dracula

Not what I expected at all! I thought it might start quite slowly, like 'Frankenstein', but straight away we're right in with the action. I have wanted to read this for ages and it certainly is devlivering. I'm not sure when I'll finish it, but I'll post a review straight away.

The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood

Age range: Mature audience
Rating: ****
Will grip you? Yes, it will pray on your mind

The first thing I have to say about this book is how powerful it is. I can't stop thinking about certain things in this book (I don't want to spoil things for you) and I have been bringing it up with people whilst waiting for lectures. I just wanted to get everyone's opinion of it!

The novel is set in modern times (sort of...it was written in the 1980's) and is about America being turned upside down into a sort of madly religions cult. Women's fertility has declined, so fertile women (Handmaids) are prized. If you're an important man in the cult, and your wife is infertile  you are assigned a few handmaids. The story follows Offred, a Handmaid living in The Commanders house. Desperately unhappy, and torn away from her family, she has no idea what's happened to her husband or little girl and has no choice but to go along with everything in the hopes that it will reunite her family once more.

The whole story has a tense, knife edge tension. You literally cannot put this down as you keep desperately turning the pages hoping it gets better. The melancholy atmosphere hovers over you and everything the characters feel you feel too.

The novel raises many different issues, and questions Christianity. The Handmaid's Tale also has strong feminism vibes, but don't let that put you off :) It is not at all preachy, it's just a damn good read.

I admit it made me cry. And I couldn't resist reading a paragraph or two to my boyfriend. I cannot recommend this highly enough. It will grip you right to the end. Also, someone needs to discuss the ending with me!!

A good starting point

Just found a really good list of books for anyone who wants to branch out, discover new books or just have a bit fun. This was from 2003 I think, some of you might remember it, the BBC did the Top 100 Books. It's interesting to work your way down the list, I'm doing something similar with my list :)

Here's the link -->
http://www.listsofbests.com/list/60-the-big-read-books-1-100

Finished The Handmaid's Tale :o

My reaction to the whole book was shock, I did not expect it to be like that, or that good. If I hadn't had to go to lectures and eat, I probably would've read it in a day.

My boyfriend is staying with me for the weekend, so if I have a spare chance I'll write a review tomorrow. If not I'll do one on Monday.

All I will say for now though is that you should read it, it's very hard hitting. Although I finished it a few hours ago, I can't stop thinking about it. That's always good in a book for me :)

Requests

If anyone has any requests for books that you would like me to review, or just want me to read your favourite, then post a comment!!!

First few chapters of 'The Handmaid's Tale'

I am loving it so far!! Not at all what I was expecting, it's very good! It's been voted as the 48th best loved book in Britain and I can see why! I will post a review on here as soon as I have finished!

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

Age range: Teens and upwards
Rating: ****1/2
Will it grip you? Without a doubt

Rebecca is my mum's favourite book (and one her favourite films!), and for good reason. I don't want to sound cliched, but the story will haunt you when you've finished this. Mum has been trying to get me to read this for years and when I finally did, I could not put this down and I think I read it in less than two days. :)

The story starts in Monte Carlo, where a young Lady's maid falls in love with dark and glamorous Max de Winter. After a whirlwind romance (of a sorts...) they quickly get married. Max moves himself and his new bride back to his house in Cornwall, Manderley. However, married life isn't quite what the protagonist thinks it will be. Max, Manderley and all the servants seem to be haunted by the memory of Max's late wife, Rebecca. The more the new Mrs de Winter discovers about Rebecca, the more she hates her.

This is a book that can only be properly enjoyed once; the first time you read it. Once you have read the end and know the truth, and know why Max is a changed man at home, then re-reading the book knowing this is never the same.

The female protagonist in Rebecca is never named; she pales in comparison to the lively and colourful Rebecca. The new Mrs de Winter pales in comparison with her predecessor. The spirit of Rebecca lingers, and the title of the book shows this.

Although the first few chapters drag a little, once the novel picks up pace it's un-put-downable. I cannot recommend this book enough, it's just such a great read. I love Daphne du Maurier's books, she has a style of writing that just draws you into the world of the novel. For me, this book has everything you could want from a book, suspense, mystery and drama. Go read Rebecca, you won't regret it!!!

First post!!

I was in journalism yesterday, and we were talking about the power of blogs. And I got a sudden urge to make one myself!!  I study English Language and Literature, so I get to read a lot of books. I thought why not review these honestly and harshly (at times I'm sure!). I will post reviews on here after I've finished a book. So there'll be all sorts on here!!

I am currently working my way through a list of 100 books, which supposedly are the nations favourite books. I am trying to read all of them before I graduate! I also have to read at least 2 books a week for English :O