The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

I picked up The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time when I visited Powell's in Portland (OMG! Every book lover needs to visit that place. It's HEAVEN!) as I'd heard great things about the novel.

Overall, I enjoyed the book.

I found Christopher to be charming and the way he viewed the world was endearing. What I liked best is that I could relate to his many quirks. I mean, I don't like the colors olive green and brown because they're "shit-colors" as I call them. I find omens in random occurrences. (Any day, I see a pink car means a super fantabulous day.) I don't like my food touching either (but I'll still eat it). I don't feel comfortable with just anyone touching me. I find people and their habit of saying-what-they-mean-by-not-actually-saying-what-they-mean annoying and confusing as well. I have obsessive-like interests. I'm just as hooked on books and reading as Chris (May I call you Chris, Christopher?) enjoys Maths and Physics. Oh, and he's British. I have a weakness for anything and anyone British (I believe I was British in a past life). So yeah, I felt a kinship to Chris.

Once I turned to page one and saw it started with chapter 2, I was like O_o. Then, I kept flipping through and I was like >_< All of the chapters are PRIME NUMBERS, cool! (because I'm a nerd) And I settled in to reading the book with a smirk on my face because I was amused. (I was on the train by the way, but it's NYC and no one looks at you weird on the train no matter what you do because 10 times out of 10, they've seen weirder.)

Other than liking Chris and getting a glimpse into his head, there wasn't anything else interesting about this novel. As a future educator, I was interested in learning a little more about Asberger's in the hopes of gaining some insight as a teacher. As I was reading the novel, I felt as if I was simply reading one of my student's journals (I think I would enjoy having Chris in my class.). I know, I know, the structure of the novel is suppose to be a journal, but there should also be a story.

This novel lacked a real plot. I expected a true mystery novel, but the way the mystery was solved? It was so LAME! I couldn't believe it. I felt so CHEATED. I wanted to stop reading then. I was half way through the book and the mystery was solved, so what else could Haddon, I mean Chris, have to write about? But I kept on reading because I cared about Chris and I wanted to see how things would end up for the old sport. (Just watched The Great Gatsby in theaters. Read my review here.)

As I've said several time, I'm primarily a Character-Reader (made that term up). I read books for the characters because I'm fascinated about other people's lives and I love being in their shoes for a few hours. I enjoyed the time spent with Chris, but the story was crap. And all of the diagrams and font changes and stuff (real eloquent, I know) were so distracting. I was compelled to stop and try to figure 'em out each time (and then give up).

Another concern was the accuracy of Chris' character.While reading I kept asking myself: can I trust that this is a fairly accurate representation of a 15-year-old with Asberger's? I understand that it's a spectrum and each individual is different. But where, what experience is Haddon writing from? I'm not sure I can trust this unless he's had some interaction with individuals with Asberger's. After reading, I did some Googling and Haddon makes it clear that this is not a commentary or accurate representation of Autism or Asberger's as he doesn't know much about it. Read more here: http://www.markhaddon.com/aspergers-and-autism

In that case, if you take The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time as Haddon meant it, "a novel about difference, about being an outsider, about seeing the world in a surprising and revealing way," it'll lessen criticism about Chris' character, but it still doesn't improve the plot.

VERDICT: Enjoyable read because I liked Chris and had fun getting to know him, but the story itself could use a little (okay, a lot) of work. UNLESS, Haddon didn't mean for this to be a mystery story at all and it was simply a way to introduce us to Chris. Hmm... but I still feel cheated, so no. Why does this book have a ton of awards and stuff, again? I really don't see it...

Under the Feet of Jesus by Helena Maria Viramontes

 

I had never heard of Mrs. Viramontes or her work, until our faculty advisor Dr. Deborah Poe mentioned during an editorial meeting of the Vox Arts and Literary Magazine (which I was Managing Editor of) that she had recently published an anthology with Dr. Ama Wattley, titled “Between Worlds.” My first response, was “Oh, cool title.” My second, “Should I eventually become an English Professor? You get to publish stuff!” My third, which is the one actually articulated out loud was, “Can we invite one of readers to the Launch event?” 

Borrowing a copy of “Between Worlds” from Dr. Poe, which I kept longer than appropriate, I began with the excerpt from Ms. Viramontes’ first novel, Under the Feet of Jesus.  From the very first line, I was struck by the unapologetic and raw portrayal of the Hispanic migrant worker. Reflecting the hardships of the migrants’ lives set against the beauty of an equally harsh landscape, Viramontes pulls readers into an entirely different world, one in which its inhabitants, themselves are caught between worlds, not truly belonging in either one. The one line that struck me the strongest was this one: “He had given this country its all, and in this land that used his bones for kindling, in this land that never once in the thirty years he lived and worked, never once said thank you…”

We ended up inviting Viramontes as our featured reader for out launch and I took the chance to purchase a copy of the novel and even got it signed. I hadn't had time to read it until just recently.

Viramontes at the Vox Fall 2012 Launch Event

The novel in its entirety both lived up to and failed my initial expectations. From the excerpt I had read, I expect to be more strongly drawn into the story and lives of Estrella and her family. However, I maintained a certain distance while reading the book. I wasn't truly invested emotionally or intellectually. I was disappointed in the fact that it seemed like the very best part of the novel was the excerpt I had already read and the rest wasn't as poignant or exciting. I was disappointed by the fact that the excerpt led me to believe that Under the Feet of Jesus (love the title by the way) was more of a tragic love story.  Yet it's not as Estrella and Alejo's relationship doesn't quite go anywhere.

At the same time, though, I appreciated that the rawness I had first experienced continued. Viramontes doesn't try to sugarcoat, or pull her punches in her writing and word choices. Also, I absolutely loved the intermingling of English and Spanish in the text. I was drawn into the authenticity of the story due to the Spanish. However, a few places of confusion that weren't cleared up by context pulled me away from the story as I tried to translate the unknown word. So that irked a bit.

Under the Feet of Jesus is a novel that will join the "Check, read that one, didn't hate, but not anything special" shelf of my library. It has a lot of potential and Viramontes has a way with words that's absolutely beautiful, however I feel it fell short in plot and character development.

 

[Rant] Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

Book 1 of The Vampire Academy Series: Vampire Academy

Richelle Mead

Young Adult - Paranormal/Vampires

Rant:

My best friend has been going on and  on about how good this series is and how much she thinks I would like it. I can see why she thought I would. For one, there's vampires. That's usually a huge plus for me.There are also cute guys and kick-ass female leads. More pluses.

In the world of Vampire Academy, there are humans, mortal vampires called Moroi, their guardians, who are half human/half vampire, called Dhampir, and evil immortal vampires called Strigoi. We begin the story with Lissa, a Moroi princess and her guardian Rose in Portland hiding out on a college campus (they're high schoolers). But then they're found and returned back to the St. Vladimir Academy, a school for Moroi and Guardians, that they'd run from.

I finished this book in a day, but about half-way through I was contemplating abandoning it. Everything that was happening seemed so trivial. They kept hinting at bigger issues, but ignoring them. There were too many silly mini-conflicts that hid the larger one. While I believe this was Mead's point so that the climax, could be, well climatic, I was bored. I couldn't connect with the characters. In truth, both Lissa and Rose annoyed me. As did most of the secondary characters, especially that Mia girl (what was her deal? Even after I learned what is was about I didn't care). Lissa was just too wimpy and a little too much "oh woe is me" and Rose was just so full of herself and not a very good person. Yes, she obviously cares for Lissa and protects her, but there were just as many times where she was the one causing her pain. Also, Rose didn't seem to have much respect for herself (or for anyone else for that matter) in the novel. Either she was fully aware and didn't give a shit, or she knew perfectly well and still didn't give a shit. I think it was the latter and I didn't like how manipulative she was to everyone. Strangely enough, Christian and Dimitri I liked and I liked Lissa and Rose a little better when they were with their respective guys.

So, anyway, I pushed myself and finished the book. Overall, I feel kind of "MEH" about it. I didn't hate it, but I definitely didn't love it either. If you've been following my blog or know me even a little, you know that characters are almost the most important thing for me in a book. Give me good characterization or nothing at all. I can't forgive almost anything in a work if I love (or even like) the characters. Even though this book should be up my alley (there are vampires for godssake!), it's not because Rose sucks!.  Also, usually when I finish a (good) book that is part of a series, I'm almost frantic with the need to read the next one. However, everything was wrapped up a little too neatly at the end of the novel.

I didn't love or connect with the characters; the plot wasn't very exciting; and the ending wasn't as much of a cliff-hanger as one expects from the first book in a six-book series. In the end, I'm not too excited to read the rest of the series and I probably won't.

[Review] The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Published: February 2009/Amy Einhorn Books/Putnam 

Pages: 530

 

Blurb:

Three ordinary women are about to take one extraordinary step.

 
Twenty-two-year-old Skeeter has just returned home after graduating from Ole Miss. She may have a degree, but it is 1962, Mississippi, and her mother will not be happy till Skeeter has a ring on her finger. Skeeter would normally find solace with her beloved maid Constantine, the woman who raised her, but Constantine has disappeared and no one will tell Skeeter where she has gone. 

Aibileen is a black maid, a wise, regal woman raising her seventeenth white child. Something has shifted inside her after the loss of her own son, who died while his bosses looked the other way. She is devoted to the little girl she looks after, though she knows both their hearts may be broken.

Minny, Aibileen's best friend, is short, fat, and perhaps the sassiest woman in Mississippi. She can cook like nobody's business, but she can't mind her tongue, so she's lost yet another job. Minny finally finds a position working for someone too new to town to know her reputation. But her new boss has secrets of her own.
Seemingly as different from one another as can be, these women will nonetheless come together for a clandestine project that will put them all at risk. And why? Because they are suffocating within the lines that define their town and their times. And sometimes lines are made to be crossed.

In pitch-perfect voices, Kathryn Stockett creates three extraordinary women whose determination to start a movement of their own forever changes a town, and the way women - mothers, daughters, caregivers, friends - view one another. A deeply moving novel filled with poignancy, humor, and hope, The Help is a timeless and universal story about the lines we abide by, and the ones we don't.

 

*click below to read review. May contain spoilers.* 

Review: 

I really enjoyed reading The Help by Kathryn Stockett. Within the first few pages, I was quickly engaged and drawn into the story. Stockett has a writing style that immediately lulls readers into experiencing the story first hand. The main characters, Aibilene and Minny in particular, were richly portrayed and it was easy to empathize with their stories and lives. If I evaluate The Help simply as a story, then I have no complaints and it joins my "Absolute Favorites" shelf.

However, if I look more closely in terms of the subject matter, then I must admit to a certain level of discomfort. While I understand that the novel was inspired by Stockett's own special experiences with her family maid, I expect for a work with such strong civil rights/historical undertones to be written more seriously and with more care. I couldn't help, but feel uncomfortable about a white female writing about the treatment of Black maids in the south. It's not the race of the author per say that is my issue. I'm not of the party who believe only members of a particular race can write about said race. I wouldn't have felt this way if not for the level of lightheartedness in Stockett's telling of the story. In addition, there were a couple of minor characters and subplots that I believed to be unnecessary as they pulled readers away from the more important characters and the main story.

In short, I thoroughly enjoyed The Help as a fairly well-written, engaging and emotionally charged story about human relationships. At the same time, I feel that The Help failed to reach its potential as a possible "Important Work of Cultural History" (as Goodreads user, Sparrow, put it).

What are others' thoughts regarding The Help?

The Perks of Being a Wallflower REVIEW OF MOVIE ADAPTATION

 
Dear Friend,

Oh my God! This is actually one of those! a movie adaptation that is actually better than the original novel!

I cannot believe how good this movie was!

Firstly, all of the characters came alive in the movie. My complaints about the novel (i.e. conflicts between Charlie's personality and his voice in his letters and etc. Read prev. post for more) became nonexistent! THe Charlie I expected and felt was not properly portrayed through his letters came through in movie format. The story is obviously better suited to movie form than episolary form. The letters vastly narrowed the scope of Charlie's experience. His friends also became more interesting and beleivable. This is Sam and Patrick as they were meant to be!

In addition, the telling of his past traumas was much more powerful with the use of flashbacks in the movie. We also get a more believable and enjoyable hint of Charlie's sensitivity without the constant crying like in the novel. I was almost afraid that they would make Logan Lerman actually sob every 20 minutes!

The movie also gives viewers a clearer picture of Charlie's role as a wallflower and what exactly that means. Patrick says, "You see things. You keep quiet about them. And you understand." It's not until the very end, (of the movie) however that you realize that Charlie also takes in all of the pain he witnesses in others. THAT is what makes him special.

The ending was absolutely perfect! It was fascinating, powerful, and heart-warming. It's the epitome of the kind of friendship that makes life worth living, and makes its crap just a little bit less crappy. You are either thankful that you have friends like Sam and Nothing, I mean Patrick, or hoping that you find some clones of them someplace. It makes YOU feel infinite.

Final Verdict: An amazing movie that's better than the book. It Should be added to the list of movies to watch before you die. I'm sure such a list exists. Perfect movie to portray the trials of adolescence and the glory of true friendship. So go give it a watch...NOW! But read the book first...just because.

Oh. Did I mention that the soundtrack is absolutely freaking awesome? No? Well, it is! Only thing I like the book better for? It contains a list of songs on pages 61-62! EDIT: Found a playlist on youtube. Gotta love these youtubers for making things easy. Charlie's Xmas Mix Tape for Pattycakes

Love Always,
Charlie Fatuma
Book Rants

[Review] The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Young Adult

Published: February 1st, 1999 by MTV Books and Pocket Books 

Paperback, 213 pages

Original Cover

Movie Cover

Blurb: 

Charlie is a freshman. And while he's not the biggest geek in the school, he is by no means popular. Shy, introspective, intelligent beyond his years yet socially awkward, he is a wallflower, caught between trying to live his life and trying to run from it.

Charlie is attempting to navigate his way through uncharted territory: the world of first dates and mix-tapes, family dramas and new friends; the world of sex, drugs, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show, when all one requires is that perfect song on that perfect drive to feel infinite.

But Charlie can't stay on the sideline forever. Standing on the fringes of life offers a unique perspective. But there comes a time to see what it looks like from the dance floor.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a deeply affecting coming-of-age story that will spirit you back to those wild and poignant roller-coaster days known as growing up.

Click below for review:

Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

ISBN:9780525423287

 Publication: 2011

Novel: Young Adult, Fiction, Romance 

Blurb:

Budding designer Lola Nolan doesn’t believe in fashion...she believes in costume. The more expressive the outfit--more sparkly, more fun, more wild--the better. But even though Lola’s style is outrageous, she’s a devoted daughter and friend with some big plans for the future. And everything is pretty perfect (right down to her hot rocker boyfriend) until the dreaded Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket, return to the neighborhood.

When Cricket--a gifted inventor--steps out from his twin sister’s shadow and back into Lola’s life, she must finally reconcile a lifetime of feelings for the boy next door.

Click below for the book rant!