Wednesday, August 19, 2015

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

"To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is a timeless classic. The story occurs in Maycomb County, Alabama during the Great Depression where a black man Tom Robinson is accused to raping a White woman. Despite the significant evidence pointing to Tom's innocence, the all white jury finds him guilty."
 Dana says: I thought I must have read this before in school but reading it this past month it seemed totally unfamiliar to me. Compared to our last book (Scarlet Pimpernel) this was a much slower paced book with most of the subject matter being ordinary, every day stuff. That being said it was not boring. Lee's writing is good and the characters very realistic. I loved the name "Boo Radley" and enjoyed the few Gothic themes scattered here and there. The name of the book, the idea of "mocking birds," the way evil affects good and the loss of innocence themes throughout the book were thought provoking and well done. Atticus Finch was the best character of all and the way Scout learns who he is and what she learns from him (the importance of putting yourself in someones else shoes,courage, and doing what is right among other things) make the book worth reading.

Ladies' Book Club loved this book.

Tuesday, August 4, 2015

This Side of Paradise - F. Scott Fitzgerald

This is a story that plot-wise I had a problem with. The reality is, there is no plot. The story has been described as semi-autobiographical and if so, it is admirable for its honesty. There is little to admire in Amory (the protagonist) but unfortunately there is much to identify with. His desire to be known and respected, his egotism and his laziness all strike a chord with the reader. It also shows the inevitability of loneliness from devotion to such a lifestyle.