As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner
Yes, I am that weirdo who reads Faulkner and Shakespeare for fun.
I first read this book in 2007, in my American Lit class at SHSU. It is the first Faulkner book I ever read, and that is what made me intrigued by his works. I decided to reread the book because I recently saw the movie made from this novel, and wanted to revisit it. The movie was fairly accurate to the novel.
If there is one thing you should know about Faulkner's style, it's that he is unconventional. He plays around with grammar and punctuation to fit his needs, and he uses dialect to put the reader exactly where he wants them. In this case, Jefferson, Mississippi.
Jefferson is a fictional town. It is supposed to represent Oxford. It is in the fictional county of Yoknapatawpha, which is supposed to represent Lafayette county. Everyone in his stories and novels is connected. It's like a giant spiderweb for a family tree. Faulkner had it all in his head, and he is the only one who knew all the connections. It's part of his genius.
As to the story....It is told from somewhere in the neighborhood of fifteen narrators, including Addie Bundren, who is dead. In its simplest terms, it is the story of a dysfunctional family. There's Anse, the father. In my opinion, he's a snake. He tries to make his family feel sorry for him because he has no teeth in his head, that he is long suffering because he gave them everything he had. That may or may not be true. What is true is that he traded his son's horse, that his son paid for himself, and took his daughter's money because he felt they owed him for his suffering.
Next is Addie. She is lying on her deathbed, looking out the window at her son making her coffin. Another son drilled holes in said coffin while she was lying dead in it, and ended up drilling holes in her face. Her death is what puts all the craziness in motion because, some time before, she made Anse promise she'd be buried with her people in Jefferson.
The oldest son is Cash. He is a carpenter. He made the coffin, and on the way to Jefferson, broke his leg. His genius family thought it would be a good idea to put concrete on his leg, and nearly cost him the leg. Next oldest is Darl. This experience of transporting Addie's body to Jefferson has caused him to go crazy. Who could blame him with the father he has? He knows without her telling him, that his sister is pregnant, and that one of his brothers doesn't share his father. He keeps it to himself. He spends most of the book being the voice of reason. After eight days on the road with a corpse, he's had enough, and sets the barn it is resting in on fire in the hopes that they can end the journey. Instead, he is arrested, and his father is the culprit who made sure that happened.
The third child is Jewel. When he was fifteen, he worked his butt off overnight to earn the cost of a horse. The horse his father trades away without consulting him. Jewel is Addie's favorite, and it is because he is the product of something she did for herself. Basically, he's the child of an affair, and Anse has no idea. Jewel spends most of the book brooding over something. The fourth child, and only girl, is Dewey Dell. She got knocked up and hopes to find a cure for that in town. No one wants to help her, and she ends up getting into more trouble. Last is Vardaman. He's very young, and doesn't really understand any of what is going on. The most memorable chapter in the book is his: "My mother is a fish."
So, Addie dies, and the family is going to fulfill Anse's promise to have her buried in Jefferson. The night she dies, there is a torrential rainstorm that washes out two bridges. The Bundrens try to cross the river anyway, and end up with drowned mules and a broken leg. Anse trades some things, including Jewel's horse, to get another wagon team, and they make their way to Jefferson. Nine days it takes. In the heat. Buzzards following them every step of the way. Nearly arrested in one town for causing a public health issue from the smell.
I should mention that all the other narrators are people they know, who interacted with them on the journey.
Great book.
Friday, July 4, 2014
Tuesday, July 1, 2014
Summer Book #11
The Messenger by Lois Lowry
Third in this series, and let me just say, the end pissed me off.
This one does tie the first and second books together, so that was something. The hero of this book is Matty, who was friends with Kira from the last book. He lives in a new village with Jonas from the first book, although he is known as Leader. In a way, their village is a bit of a utopian situation. Everyone, even though there is something wrong with most of them, is happy and lives in peace, but all of the sudden people are starting to change. Almost like they've sold their souls for something. They are becoming selfish, and want their village to stop allowing new people to move to their town. There is a town vote, and the village decides to close their doors. Matty is sent to let the other civilizations know and to bring back the Seer's daughter, Kira. Will he make it back with her in time?
Third in this series, and let me just say, the end pissed me off.
This one does tie the first and second books together, so that was something. The hero of this book is Matty, who was friends with Kira from the last book. He lives in a new village with Jonas from the first book, although he is known as Leader. In a way, their village is a bit of a utopian situation. Everyone, even though there is something wrong with most of them, is happy and lives in peace, but all of the sudden people are starting to change. Almost like they've sold their souls for something. They are becoming selfish, and want their village to stop allowing new people to move to their town. There is a town vote, and the village decides to close their doors. Matty is sent to let the other civilizations know and to bring back the Seer's daughter, Kira. Will he make it back with her in time?
Monday, June 30, 2014
Summer Book #10
Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry
Allegedly, this is the second book in the series that began with The Giver. I say allegedly because I am having a hard time seeing how the two are related. I read the blurb on the back of the third book, and it relates to this one, but neither seem to relate to the first. Perhaps book four ties it together.
Kira is our heroine in this one. At the beginning of the book, her mother has died. Kira's father died before she was born, thus making her an orphan. In her society, most orphans are given away to others in the village. In Kira's case, no one would take her because she is crippled. That alone shoulf have been a death sentence for her when she was born, but Kira's mother insisted that she live.
There is an awful woman in town who wants Kira's house, but Kira tries to fight for it. It is brought before the town council, and they decide to give Kira's house to the mean woman. Why? Because Kira has a skill. She can sew like no other, and they need her to repair and complete the robe that the Singer wears at their annual gathering. Apparently, they take those with a skill into the council building, and use them as needed. Sometimes, they even dispose of the parents so that they can acquire the child they need.
While Kira is skilled at sewing, she is only just learning to dye her threads. She is sent daily to train with Annabella so that she can learn to dye thread. Annabella is able to teach her how to dye all the colors except blue, and this is only because the plant needed for it is not found nearby. Suddenly, one day, Annabella is taken to the fields, so Kira thinks she's died.
I forgot to mention, Kira has a little friend, and urchin, named Matt. Matt has gone to Annabella's home with Kira, and he remembers where she said, more or less, the plant to make blue dye is. Matt brings the plant, and something else. Something Kira thought she would never see.
Kira realizes she and the other two children who are gifted are basically prisoners, but she decides to stick it out where she is because she thinks she can change things. Can she? I have no idea because it will be revisited in book four, which I have just ordered.
Allegedly, this is the second book in the series that began with The Giver. I say allegedly because I am having a hard time seeing how the two are related. I read the blurb on the back of the third book, and it relates to this one, but neither seem to relate to the first. Perhaps book four ties it together.
Kira is our heroine in this one. At the beginning of the book, her mother has died. Kira's father died before she was born, thus making her an orphan. In her society, most orphans are given away to others in the village. In Kira's case, no one would take her because she is crippled. That alone shoulf have been a death sentence for her when she was born, but Kira's mother insisted that she live.
There is an awful woman in town who wants Kira's house, but Kira tries to fight for it. It is brought before the town council, and they decide to give Kira's house to the mean woman. Why? Because Kira has a skill. She can sew like no other, and they need her to repair and complete the robe that the Singer wears at their annual gathering. Apparently, they take those with a skill into the council building, and use them as needed. Sometimes, they even dispose of the parents so that they can acquire the child they need.
While Kira is skilled at sewing, she is only just learning to dye her threads. She is sent daily to train with Annabella so that she can learn to dye thread. Annabella is able to teach her how to dye all the colors except blue, and this is only because the plant needed for it is not found nearby. Suddenly, one day, Annabella is taken to the fields, so Kira thinks she's died.
I forgot to mention, Kira has a little friend, and urchin, named Matt. Matt has gone to Annabella's home with Kira, and he remembers where she said, more or less, the plant to make blue dye is. Matt brings the plant, and something else. Something Kira thought she would never see.
Kira realizes she and the other two children who are gifted are basically prisoners, but she decides to stick it out where she is because she thinks she can change things. Can she? I have no idea because it will be revisited in book four, which I have just ordered.
Sunday, June 29, 2014
Summer Book #9
The Giver by Lois Lowry
My son has been after me to read this book for ages. Now that is has been made into a movie coming out in August, he said I have no choice but to read it so we can see the movie. I have taught him well!
Written in 1993, it was dystopian before dystopian was cool, much like 1984. Now dystopian is all the rage. In this society, there are no colors, feelings, music, sunshine, weather, anything. Everyone is the same. People apply to marry and a matched to someone. They apply for children, and they can have no more than two. These children are born to birthmothers, spend time being nurtured in a facility, and then, in December, they are named and given to their families. If a baby doesn't thrive, they release it, which means they stick a needle in its head and kill it. Old people go to a home for old people, and then are released. They are killed in much the same way. Parents, after their children are raised, go to a home and never see their children again. Sounds like a pretty screwed up society to me.
Our story is about Jonas. He is about to be 12, and at the ceremony in December, will be given his assignment, or job. He is to be The Receiver, which means he will be burdened with memories of several generations prior to his own. Why? Because the people of the community can't handle them.
Jonas' father is a nurturer, and he has brought home one of the babies because they are concerned that he will not be able to go to a family if he doesn't thrive. Jonas also sees something of himself in this baby.
During his training, Jonas finds out what they do to release people, and he is fed up with life in his community. With the help of the Giver, he makes plans to escape. The night before he plans to leave, he finds out that they are going to release the baby that his family has been taking care of. What would you do in his situation?
My son has been after me to read this book for ages. Now that is has been made into a movie coming out in August, he said I have no choice but to read it so we can see the movie. I have taught him well!
Written in 1993, it was dystopian before dystopian was cool, much like 1984. Now dystopian is all the rage. In this society, there are no colors, feelings, music, sunshine, weather, anything. Everyone is the same. People apply to marry and a matched to someone. They apply for children, and they can have no more than two. These children are born to birthmothers, spend time being nurtured in a facility, and then, in December, they are named and given to their families. If a baby doesn't thrive, they release it, which means they stick a needle in its head and kill it. Old people go to a home for old people, and then are released. They are killed in much the same way. Parents, after their children are raised, go to a home and never see their children again. Sounds like a pretty screwed up society to me.
Our story is about Jonas. He is about to be 12, and at the ceremony in December, will be given his assignment, or job. He is to be The Receiver, which means he will be burdened with memories of several generations prior to his own. Why? Because the people of the community can't handle them.
Jonas' father is a nurturer, and he has brought home one of the babies because they are concerned that he will not be able to go to a family if he doesn't thrive. Jonas also sees something of himself in this baby.
During his training, Jonas finds out what they do to release people, and he is fed up with life in his community. With the help of the Giver, he makes plans to escape. The night before he plans to leave, he finds out that they are going to release the baby that his family has been taking care of. What would you do in his situation?
Saturday, June 28, 2014
Summer Book #8
Gone by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge
This is from the Michael Bennett series. He's the New York City cop who has ten children. Anyway, in the previous book in this series, Bennett caught this major Mexican cartel guy. Unfortunately, this guy, Perrine, escaped custody and vowed to take out Bennett and his family. The Bennett clan ended up in witness protection, having to move clear across the country to middle of nowhere California for their safety.
In the meantime, this Perrine guy is settling old scores. Anyone who ever crossed him, he's taking out in the most brutal ways. Bennett gets sucked back into the search for him. Ultimately, good prevails and bad is double tapped in the noggin.
Not the best Patterson book I've read. In fact, I started it months ago, but got all caught up in the TAYSHAS list, so I forgot about it. Still, I was able to pick up where I left off.
This is from the Michael Bennett series. He's the New York City cop who has ten children. Anyway, in the previous book in this series, Bennett caught this major Mexican cartel guy. Unfortunately, this guy, Perrine, escaped custody and vowed to take out Bennett and his family. The Bennett clan ended up in witness protection, having to move clear across the country to middle of nowhere California for their safety.
In the meantime, this Perrine guy is settling old scores. Anyone who ever crossed him, he's taking out in the most brutal ways. Bennett gets sucked back into the search for him. Ultimately, good prevails and bad is double tapped in the noggin.
Not the best Patterson book I've read. In fact, I started it months ago, but got all caught up in the TAYSHAS list, so I forgot about it. Still, I was able to pick up where I left off.
Thursday, June 26, 2014
Summer Book #7
About a Boy by Nick Hornby
I bought this because I love the movie, and the movie is very similar to the book. The differences: Will doesn't introduce Marcus to Mystikal in the book. Instead it is Nirvana. We see that Marcus has more of a relationship with his father, other than just Christmas, as it is in the book. Marcus has more of a relationship with Ellie. They actually hang out after school sometimes. Will's relationship with Rachel is not as prominent as it is in the movie. Last, the ending was different. Instead of Marcus singing in the talent show, he takes a train to his father's house with Ellie the day Kurt Cobain dies. Ellie is a huge fan, and sees someone's shop with a cutout of Kurt Cobain in the window. She goes ballistic, and breaks the glass with her shoe. I won't say that it was a better ending, but I would've liked to have seen it played out in a movie.
At any rate, I enjoyed reading this.
I bought this because I love the movie, and the movie is very similar to the book. The differences: Will doesn't introduce Marcus to Mystikal in the book. Instead it is Nirvana. We see that Marcus has more of a relationship with his father, other than just Christmas, as it is in the book. Marcus has more of a relationship with Ellie. They actually hang out after school sometimes. Will's relationship with Rachel is not as prominent as it is in the movie. Last, the ending was different. Instead of Marcus singing in the talent show, he takes a train to his father's house with Ellie the day Kurt Cobain dies. Ellie is a huge fan, and sees someone's shop with a cutout of Kurt Cobain in the window. She goes ballistic, and breaks the glass with her shoe. I won't say that it was a better ending, but I would've liked to have seen it played out in a movie.
At any rate, I enjoyed reading this.
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
Summer Book #6
Looking for Alaska by John Green
This was my second foray into the world of John Green, and although not quite as poignant as the first of his books that I read, it did speak to me.
First of all, Alaska is a girl. A very hot girl, who also happens to be smart. She reads, she smokes, she drinks Strawberry Hill, and she pulls pranks. All the boys love her, but they know they don't have a chance with her because she is so in love with her boyfriend. Alaska is also damaged. When she was eight, her mother died, and Alaska didn't call 911 because she didn't really know she was dying. She has lived with this guilt for eight years.
The thing is, this book really isn't about Alaska. It's about her friends Miles, aka Pudge, and Chip, aka The Colonel, and how they grow as people, especially Pudge.
Pudge is from Florida, and feels like there is more to life than what he is living, so he asks his parents if he can attend the boarding school his father went to in Alabama. When he gets there, he meets The Colonel, who is his roommate. Their circumstances are very different, but they become fast friends, particularly after a prank is pulled on Pudge that could have killed him. Alaska lives down the hall, and is who they go to to purchase cigarettes. As I indicated previously, all the boys are in love with Alaska in one way or another.
The book is told in two parts: before the incident and after the incident. Before deals with their escapades at school: smoking, getting drunk, planning pranks, studying. Typical teen stuff. After deals with the aftermath, and how Pudge and The Colonel deal with it.
Very touching. Loved it. However, there is substance abuse mentioned, foul language, and some semi-explicit sex. In reading the 1-star reviews on Amazon, that was the biggest complaint about the book. Doesn't bother me. I work with teenagers, and this seems to be in line with how many of their lives are.
This was my second foray into the world of John Green, and although not quite as poignant as the first of his books that I read, it did speak to me.
First of all, Alaska is a girl. A very hot girl, who also happens to be smart. She reads, she smokes, she drinks Strawberry Hill, and she pulls pranks. All the boys love her, but they know they don't have a chance with her because she is so in love with her boyfriend. Alaska is also damaged. When she was eight, her mother died, and Alaska didn't call 911 because she didn't really know she was dying. She has lived with this guilt for eight years.
The thing is, this book really isn't about Alaska. It's about her friends Miles, aka Pudge, and Chip, aka The Colonel, and how they grow as people, especially Pudge.
Pudge is from Florida, and feels like there is more to life than what he is living, so he asks his parents if he can attend the boarding school his father went to in Alabama. When he gets there, he meets The Colonel, who is his roommate. Their circumstances are very different, but they become fast friends, particularly after a prank is pulled on Pudge that could have killed him. Alaska lives down the hall, and is who they go to to purchase cigarettes. As I indicated previously, all the boys are in love with Alaska in one way or another.
The book is told in two parts: before the incident and after the incident. Before deals with their escapades at school: smoking, getting drunk, planning pranks, studying. Typical teen stuff. After deals with the aftermath, and how Pudge and The Colonel deal with it.
Very touching. Loved it. However, there is substance abuse mentioned, foul language, and some semi-explicit sex. In reading the 1-star reviews on Amazon, that was the biggest complaint about the book. Doesn't bother me. I work with teenagers, and this seems to be in line with how many of their lives are.
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