War of the Worlds - Featured Author Book Review

War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells Genres: Classic, Historical Fiction, Horror,    Science Fiction

     War of the Worlds was originally written in 1898 during a time when aliens was not a common every day theme in entertainment. This classic novel tells of the panic and destruction when aliens from Mars invade earth, wanting to take it over for their own use. The horror component is fairly soft core compared to today's standards, but in its day, it was one of the first books published depicting a conflict between earth and invading extraterrestrials. Told as a first person narrative by an unnamed survivor, he also tells us of his brother's experiences during the invasion.

Flashback Friday - The Count of Monte Cristo

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas Genre: Classic, Historical Fiction

     Some books are worth reading over and over again. Granted, if there was a surprise plot twist, you aren't going to have that feeling of awe during the re-read. However, a lot of times I pick up new details that didn't seem important on the first read but on the second time around facts will click in my head as my excuse for a brain realizes just how this small piece of information fits into the big picture. Somehow it would feel like cheating to review the same book a second time or to just copy and paste my original review into a new post and attempt to make it all new and sparkly again. For those who have just found this site and haven't looked through my archives (seriously does anyone read the complete archive of a blog?) I have decided to periodically highlight certain books that I have reviewed in the past, that just HAVE TO be read, at least once in life, if not more.

The Phantom of Manhattan - Serial Sunday Review

The Phantom of Manhattan by Frederick Forsyth Fan Fiction Sequel Genre: Historical Fiction

     This is a fan fiction sequel to Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical version of The Phantom of the Opera, not Gaston Leroux's book. Forsyth begins with a lengthy introduction explaining the history of the original author and novel and how it was later interpreted by Webber. While this was a serious plot spoiler to the musical version, which I have never seen, I'm glad that he did explain it as I would have been completely lost when these scenes were referenced as it is completely different than the original book. Forsyth also goes into great detail about Leroux's error in "believing" an untruthful account of events in the original story which Leroux claims to be true. This is a literary license that many authors take, portraying a story as true events when it in fact is not. After Forsyth shows that events in The Phantom of the Opera are untrue, he goes forth to explain how Gaston did not understand the character of Erik, the Phantom. If the story were relating events that did actually happen then it could be possible that Gaston Leroux misunderstood the character. But as this is his own creation, he could not be confused as to Erik's past and current motivations as that is how Leroux created him. It's fiction, get over it and accept the character as he was created.

The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton - Review

The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton Genres: Classic, Historical Fiction

     The setting is New York, sometime in the 1800's. The days when even New York had small town charm where everybody knew everybody. Though I'm not so sure that I would call it a charm, more like living in a fish bowl.

     I almost think I prefer today's neighborhoods where you smile and nod to your neighbors, maybe exchange a short conversation in passing, but have no clue about their personal lives or whatever dirty laundry they may have shut away. I know that my life would not bear up to the haughty and judgemental "society" of yesteryear.

A Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde - Book Review

The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson Genres: Classics, Science Fiction,    Historical Fiction

     I was surprised to find that this story was actually relayed mostly by Dr. Jekyll's friend Mr. Utterson through his personal supposition and conjecture. It is not until the very end of the book that the reader hears Dr. Jekyll's own account of what is happening.

     Everyone knows the basics of the story, but don't be too hasty to assume that all preconceptions of the story are true. There were still some surprises to the plot that I had been unaware of.

A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens - Book Review

A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens Genres: Classic, Historical Fiction

      I have been procrastinating on writing this review. This is one of my all time favorite stories, and I have been trying to define why. Certainly not because of the senseless violence depicted. It is doubtful that it is the historical era that draws me. But I do think perhaps that history does play a role.

      A Tale of Two Cities was the first classic that I had been introduced to. I remember my mother had bought me a boxed set of illustrated classics for children when I was just knee high to a grass hopper. Also included in the set, from what I can remember, was Great Expectations, War of the Worlds, and The Man in the Iron Mask. All of these books hold a special place in my heart, more from nostalgia of my childhood, now that I think of it, than the actual quality of the stories.

Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe - Book Review

Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe Genres: Classic, Historical Fiction

     I am an eclectic reader. There aren't many books that I don't like, but this book I just could not get into at all. It was a chore to read and I felt that I was just plodding on to finish it. I was very tempted to not finish it at all.

     First of all, Robinson Crusoe is a preachy bible thumper, when it suits his purpose. He is quick to judge others, but doesn't hold himself to the same standards. At one point he stops and thinks that it just would not be Christian to slay the cannibalistic savages who have done no harm to him personally. That it is up to God to judge them. Yet later in the book, when different strangers approach, he and his group just starts killing them with no apparent confrontation to proceed this action. While I am not over religious, I don't mind the occasional theological reference or theory, but the apparent hypocrisy in this story just really chafed me.